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Sown tropical perennial grass pastures may be a means to restore soil organic carbon (C) lost by cropping with conventional tillage to the levels originally present in native grass pastures. To assess this, total organic carbon and related soil properties were measured under sown tropical pastures, conventionally cultivated cropping, and native pastures on 75 Chromosols and 70 Vertosols to 0.3 m depth in the New South Wales North-West Slopes and Plains region of Australia. The impact of several perennial pasture species on soil organic carbon was also assessed in a 6-year-old, sown pasture experiment on a previously cropped Chromosol. Soil cores in 0.1-m segments to 0.3 m were analysed for total organic carbon, total nitrogen (N), pH, and phosphorus (Colwell-P). Mid-infrared scans were used to predict the particulate, humus, and resistant fractions of the total organic carbon. Bulk density was used to calculate stocks of C, N, and C fractions. In Chromosols, total organic carbon in the surface 04). 1 m was greater under sown tropical pastures (23.1 Mg [ha.sup.-1]) than conventional tillage cropping (17.7 Mg [ha.sup.-1]), but still less than under native pastures (26.3 Mg [ha.sup.-1]). Similar land-use differences were seen for particulate and resistant organic C, and total N. The proportional differences between land uses were much greater for particulate organic C than other measures, and were also significant at 0.14).2 and 0.2-0.3 m. Subsurface bulk density (0.1-0.2m) was lower under sown tropical pastures (1.42 Mg [m.sup.-3]) than conventionally tilled cropping (1.52 Mg[m.sup.-3]). For Vertosols, total organic carbon in the surface 0-0.1 m was greater under sown tropical pastures (19.0 Mg [ha.sup.-1]) and native pastures (20.5 Mg [ha.sup.-1]) than conventional tillage cropping (14.0 Mg [ha.sup.-1]). Similar land-use effects were seen for the particulate and humus organic C fractions, and total N. In the sown pasture species experiment, there was no significant difference in total N, total organic carbon, or any C fraction between soils under a native-grass species mixture, two improved tropical grass species, or a perennial pasture legume. Regular monitoring is required to better discern whether gradual changes are being masked by spatial and temporal variation. The survey results support previous research on Vertosols within the New South Wales North-West Slopes and Plains that show sown tropical grass pastures can improve total organic carbon. Improvements in total organic carbon on Chromosols have not previously been documented, so further targeted soil monitoring and experimentation is warranted for the region., Introduction Cultivation for cropping typically leads to a loss of soil total organic carbon in the northern grains region of Australia (Dalai and Chan 2001). Previous comparisons of cropped and [...]

Reduced carbon stock levels in Australian soil due to cropping provide a significant opportunity for carbon sequestration, and the recent initiative to consider soil carbon in domestic emissions trading requires a scientific assessment of soil carbon levels under a range of cropping soil management practices. Some of the previous research in southern and western New South Wales (NSW) showed that the rate of carbon decline in cropping soils is slowed under minimum tillage when the stubble is also retained. However, such comparison is rare in the NSW North-West Slopes and Plains region, particularly on the red soils (Chromosols) which are one of the major soil types in the region. We surveyed 50 dryland Chromosols, 72 dryland Vertosols, and 25 irrigated Vertosols on commercial farms across this region to examine the effects of conventional tillage, minimum tillage, and irrigation on total soil organic carbon. Samples of 0.1 m segments to 0.3 m depth were analysed for total organic carbon and other soil properties. Mid-infrared scans were used to predict the particulate, humus, and resistant soil organic carbon fractions. Bulk density was used to calculate total organic carbon stock for each segment, and equivalent soil mass (ESM) for 0-0.3 m. In Vertosols, for 0-0.3 m ESM, total organic carbon and particulate organic carbon were not different between management practices, whereas humic organic carbon and resistant organic carbon were consistently lower under conventional tillage. However, in 0-0.1 m, total organic carbon was greater under minimum tillage (15.2 Mg [ha.sup.-1]) than conventional tillage (11.9Mg [ha.sup.-1]) or irrigation (12.0Mg [ha.sup.- 1]), reflecting less soil surface disturbance under minimum tillage. In Chromosols, only total organic carbon was higher under minimum tillage than conventional tillage in the 0-0.3 m ESM (39.8 v. 33.5 Mg [ha.sup.-1]) and in 0-0.1 m (19.7 v. 16.9 Mg [ha.sup.-1]). The strong influences of rainfall, temperature, bulk density, texture, and management history on soil carbon stocks suggested that these environmental and management factors require further consideration when gauging soil carbon sequestration potential under current and novel tillage practices in key regional locations. Additional keywords: carbon accounting, conservation tillage, soil carbon sequestration., Received 25 January 2013, accepted 4 June 2013, published online 20 December 2013 Introduction Soil is a significant global carbon (C) reservoir (Lal 2004). Because C is the main constituent [...]

This study determined the extent to which bovine longissimus lumborum muscle (LLM) myofibers are influenced by nutrition for 120 d from weaning and the time-course of recovery after severe postweaning nutritional restriction. After weaning, 3 groups of Belmont Red cattle, a tropically adapted breed, were fed to achieve rapid growth (RG, [greater than or equal to] 0.6 kg of BW gain/d; n = 16), slow growth (SG, 0.2 kg of BW gain/d; n = 17), or BW loss (WL, 10% loss of weaning weight; n = 17) over 120 d. They were then grazed as 1 group at pasture with forage supplementation for 600 d until slaughter at approximately 500 kg of BW. Samples of LLM were taken from 8 to 12 animals per treatment 6 d before (baseline) and 115, 204, 324, and 476 d after commencement of the study and from all cattle at slaughter (d 721). Myofiber characteristics were determined by imnmnocytochemical staining of myosin heavy chains. Cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the major myofiber types 1, 2A, and 2X in WL were reduced at d 115 compared with baseline and with the growth groups (all P < 0.001); however, there was little difference in the percentage of the different myofiber types (all P > 0.10). Differences in CSA of the major myofiber types between WL and the growth groups at 115 d were smallest for type 1 (slow oxidative) and greatest for type 2X (fast glycolytic . Consequently, the relative area (percentage of total myofiber area) of type 1 myofibers in WL was significantly greater at 115 d than in the growth groups (P < 0.001). During recovery from postweaning nutritional restriction, significant differences in major myofiber type percentages were not evident (all P > 0.10), and by 721 d CSA of myofiber types differed little between the treatment groups, although SG had greater CSA of type 1 (P < 0.05) and type 2A (P < 0.01) myofibers than WL and RG. At 721 d, the relative area of type 2A myofibers was less in WL compared with SG (P < 0.01) and RG (P < 0.05) and of type 2X myofibers greater (P < 0.05) in WL compared with SG. It is concluded that in the LLM of cattle undergoing severe nutritional restriction immediately postweaning, the size of the more glycolytic fiber types is more adversely affected than the more oxidative types, resulting in an increased relative area of type 1, slow oxidative myofibers. However, given adequate time and nutriment at pasture, LLM myofibet characteristics of cattle recovered to near normal after severe, chronic nutritional restriction immediately postweaning, consistent with earlier findings for beef quality. Key words: cattle, growth, muscle, myofiber, nutrition, weaning

Australian agriculture contributes an estimated 16% of all national greenhouse gas emissions, and considerable attention is now focused on management approaches that reduce net emissions. One area of potential is the modification of cropping practices to increase soil carbon storage. Here, we report short-medium term changes in soil carbon under zero tillage cropping systems and perennial vegetation, both in a replicated field experiment and on nearby farmers' paddocks, on carbon-depleted Black Vertosols in the upper Liverpool Plains catchment. Soil organic carbon stocks ([C.sub.S]) remained unchanged under both zero tillage long fallow wheat--sorghum rotations and zero tillage continuous winter cereal in a replicated field experiment from 1994 to 2000. There was some evidence of accumulation of [C.sub.S] under intensive (>1 crop/year) zero tillage response cropping. There was significant accumulation of [C.sub.S] (~0.35 Mg/ha.year) under 3 types of perennial pasture, despite removal of aerial biomass with each harvest. Significant accumulation was detected in the 0-0.1, 0.1-0.2, and 0.2-0.4 m depth increments under lucerne and the top 2 increments under mixed pastures of lucerne and phalaris and of C3 and C4 perennial grasses. Average annual rainfall for the period of observations was 772 mm, greater than the 40-year average of 680 mm. A comparison of major attributes of cropping systems and perennial pastures showed no association between aerial biomass production and accumulation rates of [C.sub.S] but a positive correlation between the residence times of established plants and accumulation rates of [C.sub.S]. [C.sub.S] also remained unchanged (1998/2000-07) under zero tillage cropping on nearby farms, irrespective of paddock history before 1998/2000 (zero tillage cropping, traditional cropping, or ~10 years of sown perennial pasture). These results are consistent with previous work in Queensland and central western New South Wales suggesting that the climate (warm, semi-arid temperate, semi-arid subtropical) of much of the inland cropping country in eastern Australia is not conducive to accumulation of soil carbon under continuous cropping, although they do suggest that [C.sub.S] may accumulate under several years of healthy perennial pastures in rotation with zero tillage cropping., Introduction The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2007) states unequivocally that the earth's climate is changing and that this change is strongly associated with [...]

A novel method, based on Mitscherlich equation, was proposed and compared to prevailing methodologies for estimating hydration properties in pulses. The new method was supreme for estimating maximum swelling, maximum hydration and the rate of swelling in desi and kabuli chickpeas

The ability to quantify inoculum levels of the soilborne fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae in field soil is essential for understanding potential disease pressure of Verticillium wilt in cotton and for making informed management decisions. Several semi-selective media and techniques for pathogen isolation have been developed for determining the inoculum levels of V. dahliae present in soil. The objective of this study was to gather data on soil plating techniques, media, sampling depths, and times of sampling for the detection and quantification of V. dahliae in field soils, in order to develop a V. dahliae isolation protocol for Australian cotton-growing soils. Two soil plating techniques (dilution plating or 'wet plating', and direct spreading by hand or 'dry plating') on four semi-selective media (Sorenson's NP-10, potato dextrose agar, and acidified versions of each) were compared for their efficacy in quantifying soil inoculum as germinated microsclerotia propagules per gram soil. Soil was sampled from three depths to examine the vertical distribution of the fungus and so determine the ideal sampling depth. Field soil sampling was conducted pre-planting and post-harvest to examine differences in inoculum with sampling time. Based on the results of this study, a soil sampling protocol has been developed for Australian cotton farms that includes sampling soil before planting, at a depth of 2–24 cm, and using the direct dry plating method on Sorenson's NP-10 media. Quantifying inoculum levels of Verticillium dahliae in field soil is essential for understanding potential disease pressure of Verticillium wilt in cotton and making informed management decisions. From results of this study, a soil sampling protocol has been developed for quantifying V. dahliae inoculum in Australian cotton soils that includes sampling soil at 2–24 cm depth before planting and using a direct-plating method with dry soil on Sorenson's NP-10 media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quantify the difference in greenhouse gas emissions from intensification of grazing. • One-year GrassGroTM validation achieved accuracy and precision targets. • Emission intensity was 16.5% less in High versus Low productivity grazing system. • Grazing system intensification is effective as a mitigation strategy. • Improving grazing system productivity has the potential to provide carbon credits. Globally, there is a focus on reducing the absolute methane (CH 4) and nitrous oxide emissions, and the emissions intensity (EI , kg CO 2 e/kg animal product) of livestock production. Increasing the productivity of mixed pasture systems has the potential to increase food (e.g., lamb) and textile fibre (e.g., wool) production while reducing the EI of those products from grazing livestock. The objective of this study was to quantify the differences in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and EI between sheep on Low (i.e., low sustainable stocking rate) and High (i.e., high sustainable stocking rate) productivity grazing systems (PGSs). Therefore, a replicated breeding-ewe trial on 18 paddocks was established across 2 - years. Three flocks on Low (3 × 16 ewes/flock) and High PGSs (3 × 32 ewes/flock) rotated across three land-classes and three paddocks per PGS. In year 1, the observed on-farm pasture quantity, quality, and botanical composition, together with lamb BW (kg), and daily CH 4 production (DMP , g CH 4 /head per day) using Open Path Fourier Transformed Infrared (OP-FTIR) spectrometers data were measured. Subsequently, two simulations using GrassGroTM were conducted: (1) a 1-year GrassGroTM simulation that used the observed on-farm data to adjust parameters: date of mating, paddock fertility, and weight of mature ewes to validate GrassGroTM predictions to achieve accuracy and precision targets; and (2) a 25-year (1986–2011) simulation to analyse the effects of Low and High PGSs on sheep production and GHG emissions across a variable climate. The 1-year validation predictions fitted well with the observed on-farm data for: pasture biomass (kg/ha), DM digestibility (%), botanical composition (kg/ha), lamb (kg) product, and DMP (g CH4/head per day). The subsequent predicted results from the 25-year GrassGroTM simulation showed minimal effect of PGS on the mean DM intake (kg DM/day) or DMP for Low and High PGSs, but this was thought to be due to the biomass in both PGSs exceeding 1 500 kg DM/ha. The EI, over the 25-year simulation, on the High PGS was 16.5% lower than the Low PGS. Additional calculations of DMP were conducted using a recent global equation, giving estimates of DMP that closely matched the observed on-farm OP-FTIR DMP measurements, but these were lower than the GrassGroTM predictions and improved the accuracy and precision. It is concluded that in some pasture situations, managing pastures and stock numbers to intensify grazing systems can allow increased livestock production, without increasing daily CH 4 emissions/head while substantially decreasing the EI of the animal products generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: Research suggests that patient and provider conversations about healthy eating and physical activity behaviours may lead to patients' increased health behaviours, access to dietary and physical activity resources, and weight management. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) has a number of weight management intervention options, but it is unclear if providers have conversations about intervention options with their patients who are of reproductive age. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the degree to which gynaecology healthcare providers offer the weight management intervention options as recommended by ACOG. Methods: Cross‐sectional study of gynaecology providers in Southwest Virginia utilizing an electronic survey to identify weight management perceptions and current clinical practices. Responses were measured using quantitative methods, and agreeability and frequency responses were measured using a 5‐point Likert scale. Results: Twenty‐three of the 31 eligible providers (74.2%) completed the survey. Providers acknowledge that patients need weight management discussions and they feel comfortable and are willing to have these discussions. While physical activity recommendations were consistent among providers, they did not reflect the complete physical activity recommendations for Americans. Consistency in dietary recommendations was lacking. Although providers make recommendations for physical activity and/or diet at least sometimes, they rarely utilize other methods of weight management as outlined in the ACOG recommendations, such as referrals to other providers, programmes or medications. Conclusions: Areas for improvement in weight management practices include frequency of counselling, consistency in dietary counselling and frequency of utilization of weight loss medications and referrals to ancillary services. These results can be used to aid the development of methods for targeting these deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruminant livestock contribute to atmospheric methane (CH4) from enteric microbial fermentation of feed in the reticulo-rumen. Our research aimed to increase understanding of how digestive characteristics and rumen anatomy of the host animal contribute to variation in CH4 emissions between individual sheep. In total, 64 ewes were used in an incomplete block experiment with four experimental test periods (blocks). Ewes were chosen to represent the diversity of phenotypic variation in CH4 emissions: there were at least 10 offspring from each of four sires and a range of liveweights. Throughout the experiment, the ewes were fed equal parts of lucerne and oaten chaff, twice daily, at 1.5 times the maintenance requirements. Daily CH4 emission (g/day) increased significantly (P < 0.001) with an increasing dry-matter intake (DMI) and reticulo-rumen volume (P < 0.001). Lower methane yield (g CH4/kg DMI) was associated with shorter mean retention times of liquid (r = 0.59; P < 0.05) and particle (r = 0.63; P < 0.05) phases of the digesta in the rumen. Significant between sire variation was observed in CH4 emissions and in rumen volume (P = 0.02), the masses of liquids (P = 0.009) and particles (P < 0.03) in the rumen and the proportion of gas in the dorsal sac of the rumen (P = 0.008). The best predictors of variation in CH4 emissions due to the host were DMI, CO2 emissions, rumen volume, liveweight, mean retention time of particles in the rumen, dorsal papillae density and the proportion of liquid in the contents of the rumen compartments. Ruminant livestock production results in methane (CH4) emissions, a greenhouse gas. The present research focussed on aspects of the host animal's biology that influence between sheep variation in CH4 emissions. Dry matter intake, liveweight, reticulo-rumen volume, the proportion of contents in the rumen compartments and digesta flow rate were important factors. Our expanded understanding of the host's control of CH4 emissions will inform the development of procedures to mitigate CH4 production from sheep and improve ruminant nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth rate, proportion of leaf and stem and nutritive value of sown tropical perennial grasses have not previously been documented for the dryland, frost-prone summer-dominant rainfall region of eastern Australia. An experiment was conducted in northern inland New South Wales with Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass) cv. Katambora and Digitaria eriantha (digit grass) cv. Premier, and compared to Sorghum bicolor ssp. bicolor x S. bicolor ssp. drummondii (forage sorghum). The grasses were harvested every 2 or 6 weeks and fertilized at five rates of nitrogen (N; 0-300 kg N ha−1) over two growing seasons (September-May), 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. Growing season rainfall was below median for both years of the experiment and growth rate was highly variable, reflecting variable rainfall. Sorghum generally had the highest growth rate. Digit grass generally had higher growth rates than Rhodes grass, was more responsive to growing season rainfall, commenced growth earlier and had a longer growing season. Nitrogen application extended the growing season of both perennial grasses. Growth response to N application was minimal when rainfall was low and response following significant rainfall was higher for fertilized than unfertilized grasses. In general, the proportion of green leaf was greater than green stem, although the proportion of stem increased when defoliation interval increased. Nutritive value of the perennial grasses was higher in leaf than stem and declined during the growing season. Differences between the grasses were slight, but indicated that fertilized digit grass defoliated at 2-week intervals had higher growth rate and nutritive value than Rhodes grass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a summer-dominant high-rainfall, yet seasonally dry environment, soil water dynamics and dry-matter ( DM) production were monitored during 2006-12, for three perennial pasture types: old man saltbush ( Atriplex nummularia ssp . nummularia with native grass), native grass ( Bothriochloa macra and Rytidosperma bipartita dominant) and lucerne ( Medicago sativa cv. Venus). Plant root depth of the old man saltbush pasture (1·5 m) was greater than that of native grass (1·2 m), but equal to that of lucerne (1·5 m), resulting in equivalent levels of maximum extractable water ( MEW; mm, 0-1·7 m) for saltbush and lucerne in five of the six seasons. Lucerne ( MEW 242 mm) extracted more soil water than native grass (144 mm), but was similar to old man saltbush (205 mm). In the second year of growth, both the lucerne and old man saltbush pastures achieved their maximum yields of 16·8 and 7·9 t DM ha−1 respectively, but thereafter declined. The decline in yield of lucerne in later years was associated with a significantly lower plant frequency and increase in proportion of weeds. The decline in yield of old man saltbush appeared to be associated with an increasingly dry soil profile, despite receiving rainfall that was above average. The yield of the native grass pasture increased during the study as the proportion of weeds declined, and the presence of saltbush plants did not compromise the yield of perennial grasses in the inter-row spaces. The implications of these findings for livestock production systems in this environment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growth-cabinet study was conducted to determine the optimum temperature range for seedling emergence of seven tropical grasses commonly sown in the frost-prone, summer-dominant rainfall region of inland northern New South Wales. The grasses were Bothriochloa bladhii subsp. glabra (forest bluegrass) cv. Swann, Bothriochloa insculpta (creeping bluegrass) cv. Bisset, Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass) cv. Katambora, Digitaria eriantha (digit grass) cv. Premier, Panicum coloratum var. makarikariense (makarikari grass) cv. Bambatsi, and Megathyrsus maximus (panic) cvv. Gatton and Megamax 059. Six constant temperatures were used, ranging from 10°C to 35°C in 5°C increments. Katambora Rhodes grass was the only grass to emerge at 10°C; seedlings of all grasses emerged at temperatures >10°C. Optimal temperature range for emergence varied between species, falling into three groups: low (Bisset creeping bluegrass 16-22°C); intermediate (Premier digit grass 21-32°C, Swann forest bluegrass 23-31°C, Megamax 059 panic 23-35°C, Gatton panic 24-32°C); and high (Bambatsi makarikari grass 24-35°C, Katambora Rhodes grass 24-35°C). The temperature range at which 50% of optimum emergence occurred was 12-14°C for Katambora Rhodes grass, Bisset creeping blue and Premier digit, and 17-18°C for the panic grasses, Swann forest bluegrass and Bambatsi makarikari grass. These temperatures provide options for sowing earlier in spring or later in summer-autumn and may assist development of sowing time options in new environments and provide insight into competition between species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advanced biliary tract carcinomas are associated with a poor prognosis, and palliative chemotherapy has only modest benefit. This multi-centre phase II study was conducted to determine the efficacy of capecitabine in combination with oxaliplatin in patients with inoperable gall bladder or biliary tract cancer. Methods: This was a Phase II, non-randomised, two-stage Simon design, multi-centre study. Ethics approval was sought and obtained by the North West MREC, and then locally by the West Glasgow Hospitals Research Ethics Committee. Eligible patients with inoperable locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the gall bladder or biliary tract and with adequate performance status, haematologic, renal, and hepatic function were treated with capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 po, twice daily, days 1-14) and oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2 i.v., day 1) every 3 weeks for up to six cycles. The primary objective of the study was to determine the objective tumour response rates (complete and partial). The secondary objectives included assessment of toxicity, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Results: Forty-three patients were recruited between July 2003 and December 2005. The regimen was well tolerated with no grade 3/4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. Grade 3/4 sensory neuropathy was observed in six patients. Two-thirds of patients received their chemotherapy without any dose delays. Overall response rate was 23.8 % (95 % CI 12.05-39.5 %). Stable disease was observed in a further 13 patients (31 %) and progressive disease observed in 12 (28.6 %) of patients. The median progression-free survival was 4.6 months (95 % CI 2.8-6.4 months; Fig. 1) and the median overall survival 7.9 months (95 % CI 5.3-10.4 months; Fig. 2). Conclusion: Capecitabine combined with oxaliplatin has a lower disease control and shorter overall survival than the combination of cisplatin with gemcitabine which has subsequently become the standard of care in this disease. However, capecitabine in combination with oxaliplatin does have modest activity in this disease, and can be considered as an alternative treatment option for patients in whom cisplatin and/or gemcitabine are contra-indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted in inland northern New South Wales ( NSW) to assess the response of tropical perennial grasses Chloris gayana ( Rhodes grass) cv. Katambora and Digitaria eriantha (digit grass) cv. Premier and annual forage sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ssp. bicolor × S. bicolor ssp. drummondii hybrid) cv. Sweet Jumbo fertilized with five rates of nitrogen (N; 0, 50, 100, 150 and 300 kg N ha−1) and defoliated every 2 or 6 weeks over two growing seasons. Tropical perennial grasses were highly responsive to N fertilizer, while there was no significant response by forage sorghum. Herbage production of Rhodes grass increased linearly whereas digit grass had a high response at 50-100 kg N ha−1. Nitrogen-use efficiency was highest during the growing season when rainfall was higher. During this season, digit grass had the highest N efficiency (148 kg DM kg−1 N applied) at 50 kg N ha−1, and Rhodes grass (66 kg DM kg−1 N applied) at 100 kg N ha−1. Plant frequency of both perennial species increased and then stabilized at high levels (>84%, cell size 0·1 by 0·1 m) during the two growing seasons. Plant frequency of Rhodes grass declined over the winter period, but recovered within 6 weeks of commencement of the growing season. Soil nitrate levels indicated that unused nitrate moved down the soil profile during wet winters. Implications of leaching below the rooting zone are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microvascular obstruction (MV) is usually seen in a proportion of patients with acute myocardial infarction following reperfusion therapy of an occluded coronary artery. It is characterized by damage and dysfunction of the myocardial micro vasculature with a no-reflow phenomenon within the infarct zone. While MV may be demonstrated via a number of different imaging modalities, cardiac MR (CM) enables accurate identification of MV and also permits assessment of infarct extent and overall left ventricular function during the same imaging examination. We present a pictorial review of the characteristic appearances of MV on CM and highlight the importance of this imaging diagnosis for patient outcome following acute myocardial infarction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac myxomas are the most common benign primary cardiac tumour to present in adulthood. While most patients present with symptoms of cardiac obstruction, embolic phenomena or constitutional impairment, up to a fifth of patients remain asymptomatic and are incidentally diagnosed on imaging. Although echocardiography is usually the initial imaging modality used to evaluate these patients, cardiac MRI (CMR) has emerged over the past decade as the primary imaging modality in the assessment of patients with cardiac tumours. The superior tissue characterization capability of CMR means that it is able to determine the nature of some tumours pre-operatively and performs well in differentiating myxomas from thrombus. We present a pictorial review highlighting the key CMR features of myxomas and show how these lesions can be differentiated from thrombus and other cardiac masses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there are many published quality indicators (QIs) to assess the management of lung cancer, there is a paucity of relevant QIs specific to measuring the quality of radiotherapy (RT). We used the commonly accepted modified Delphi technique for structured consensus to develop a set of QIs and benchmarks designed to evaluate the RT process for lung cancer. This study used a modified Delphi technique composed of an international expert panel of radiation oncologists treating lung cancer, with a target of 40 participants, and intervening multidisciplinary steering committee review, with a minimum of nine stakeholders, that also included radiation therapists and medical physicists. The steering committee evaluated candidate QIs and benchmarks for inclusion in the first round from an initial systematic review with inclusion criteria of; QIs or guidelines with a potential to be developed into a QI and that were related to pre-treatment assessment, planning or delivery of radiotherapy. The expert panel ranked these in two rounds of electronic surveys for inclusion in the final set of QIs if a pre-defined consensus definition for importance was met by at least 70% of responses with a score of seven or more on a 9-point Likert scale. Feasibility and benchmarks met consensus criteria if at least 70% of responses are reported as three on a 3-point Likert scale. Systematic review resulted in 64 candidate QIs that were assessed by the steering committee, and it was concluded that 47 QIs and proposed benchmarks were needed for the initial survey round. There were 70 expert respondents over two surveys; 21.4% (n = 15), 30% (n = 21), and 48.6% (n = 34) were from Europe, the Americas, and Australasia, respectively. After the first survey round, 30 of 47 QIs met the criteria for inclusion in a second survey round. Consensus criteria and respondent comments were considered for QI inclusion and benchmarks, resulting in additional wording and benchmark amendments for the subsequent round. The final round survey resulted in 29 of 30 QIs reaching consensus (range 71-97%) for importance, with 12 of these QIs reaching a consensus of ≥90%. A QI for patients who underwent stereotactic ablative RT for non-small cell lung cancer having had a biopsy proven malignancy failed to reach consensus. Respondents assessed all 30 QIs as feasible and 27 suggested benchmarks met pre-defined inclusion criteria. The final set of QIs included descriptors for pre-treatment risk assessment, timing, treatment indications, treatment dose and fractionation, planning, treatment volumes, treatment delivery, and organization factors. Our developed RT-specific QIs offer a robust framework for evaluating and enhancing radiotherapy in lung cancer care. This initiative lays the groundwork for standardized quality assessments and improvements, aiming to elevate treatment outcomes across the board. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "acute aortic syndrome" (AAS) encompasses several non-traumatic life-threatening pathologies of the thoracic aorta presenting in patients with a similar clinical profile. These include aortic dissection, intramural haematoma and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers. These different pathological entities can be indistinguishable on clinical grounds alone and may be confused with other causes o f chest pain, including myocardial infarction. Multidetector-row CT (MDCT) is the current modality of choice for imaging AAS with a sensitivity and specificity approaching 100%. Early diagnosis and accurate radiological classification is associated with improved clinical outcomes in AAS. We review the characteristic radiological features o f the different pathologies that encompass AAS and highlight the vital role of MDCT in determining the management of these life-threatening conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper covers reproductive performance in an artificial-insemination (AI) program of the Sheep CRC Information Nucleus with 24 699 lambs born at eight locations in southern Australia across five lambings between 2007 and 2011. Results from AI with frozen semen compared well with industry standards for natural mating. Conception rates averaged 72%, and 1.45 lambs were born per ewe pregnant for Merino ewes and 1.67 for crossbreds. Lamb deaths averaged 21% for Merino ewes and 15% for crossbreds and 19%, 22% and 20% for lambs from ewes that were mated to terminal, Merino and maternal sire types, respectively. Net reproductive rates were 82% for Merino ewes and 102% for crossbreds. From 3198 necropsies across 4 years, dystocia and starvation-mismothering accounted for 72% of lamb deaths within 5 days of lambing. Major risk factors for lamb mortality were birth type (single, twin or higher order), birthweight and dam breed. Losses were higher for twin and triplet lambs than for singles and there was greater mortality at relatively lighter and heavier birthweights. We conclude that reproductive rate in this AI program compared favourably with natural mating. Lamb birthweight for optimum survival was in the 4-8-kg range. Crossbred ewes had greater reproductive efficiency than did Merinos. Artificial insemination is widespread in the Australian sheep industry so it is important to know if lamb mortality is comparable as with natural mating. This project showed that lamb mortality was similar to natural mating at around 20% with dystocia and starvation-mismothering accounting for 72% of lamb deaths. Therefore artificial insemination can be validly used for sheep reproduction studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transgenic cotton varieties (Bollgard II) expressing two proteins (Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab) from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been widely adopted in Australia to control larvae of Helicoverpa. A triple-stacked Bt-transgenic cotton producing Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab, and Vip3A proteins (Genuity Bollgard III) is being developed to reduce the chance that Helicoverpa will develop resistance to the Bt proteins. Before its introduction, nontarget effects on the agro-ecosystem need to be evaluated under field conditions. By using beatsheet and suction sampling methods, we compared the invertebrate communities of unsprayed non-Bt-cotton, Bollgard II, and Bollgard III in five experiments across three sites in Australia. We found significant differences between invertebrate communities of non-Bt and Bt (Bollgard II and Bollgard III) cotton only in experiments where lepidopteran larval abundance was high. In beatsheet samples where lepidopterans were absent (Bt crops), organisms associated with flowers and bolls in Bt-cotton were more abundant. In suction samples, where Lepidoptera were present (i.e., in non-Bt-cotton), organisms associated with damaged plant tissue and frass were more common. Hence in our study, Bt- and non-Bt-cotton communities only differed when sufficient lepidopteran larvae were present to exert both direct and indirect effects on species assemblages. There was no overall significant difference between Bollgard II and III communities, despite the addition of the Vip gene in Bollgard III. Consequently, the use of Bollgard III in Australian cotton provides additional protection against the development of resistance by Helicoverpa to Bt toxins, while having no additional effect on cotton invertebrate communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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