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The rise in environmental nitrogen (N) is a worldwide concern, particularly in southern China, which contains highly N-contaminated areas. The ecological outcome of the increase in N should be paid additional consideration. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the impact of N on seed germination and seedling emergence of four timber species in subtropical southern China. We conducted a growth chamber experiment with three nitrogen fertilizers i.e., Ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4, Ammonium Nitrate (NH4NO3), and Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) with three concentrations (0.1%, 0.5% & 1%) along with control treatment (CK). We hypothesized that the impact of N on seed germination and seedling emergence would differ among species and N levels. Results showed that higher N concentration affected Cunninghamia lanceolata, Fokienia hodginisi and Pinus massoniana seedlings compared with Phoebe zhennan. Overall, fresh and dry weight as well as the length of broad-leaved species was better than coniferous and pine species. It was observed that 1% KNO3 solution enhanced the germination capacity, germination time, radicle, and hypocotyl elongation along with fresh and dry weights as compared to (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3. The outcome showed that deposition of 1% KNO3 is promising to increase the germination of seed and seedlings emergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted to determine Cd accumulation, partitioning, translocation and their ultimate consequences on growth and biochemical traits of six maize cultivars to screen out Cd tolerant one. A significant decrease in growth and biochemical traits as well as in Cd tolerance index was found, especially at higher Cd level. Moreover, the varieties and Cd treatments were found significant for the growth and biochemical traits. Uptake of Cd, Ca, K and P in the different plant tissues were significantly affected by the varieties and Cd treatments. Translocation, bioconcentration and bioaccumulation factors were found non-significant for varieties and Cd treatments. A significant positive correlation was found between growth and biochemical traits while, among plant total Cd, Ca, K and P, total plant dry; and fresh weight and plant height were significantly negative. Furthermore, the PC1 was loaded by growth traits; Ca, K and P while PC2 by the Cd in different plant tissues. Hence, a strong negative correlation was observed between the PC1 and PC2 parameters. The maximum Cd accumulation was in the roots rather than the crown and leaf tissues of maize cultivars. The EV-1098 was to be more tolerant to Cd stress than other cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is a prized timber species, which is grown in China from more than a thousand years. According to 8th national forest inventory data, Chinese fir plantations area expanded over an area of 11 million hectares, which occupies almost 18.2% area of all plantations in China principally in southern China. Successive rotations with clear cutting have become a common practice for Chinese fir plantations. These management practices on continues bases have led to a declining in yield production. Therefore, a serious concern has been raised on the Chinese fir plantations less yield and long-term productivity decline, particularly about the current rotation regime. In this review, we discussed the general causes of Chinese fir productivity decline and their effective solution. In forest conservation, the decline in soil quality is a serious ecological problem and recalcitrant litter, monoculture planting has aggravated the mechanism of soil degradation in Chinese fir plantations. The deteriorated soil properties in Chinese fir plantations were well mirrored in the reduction of plantation growth. Traditional plantation method of successive rotation without the period of fallow and management system of clear cutting, complete ploughing, burning of site and residues removal could be blamed for site degradation resulting in the poor growth and productivity decline of Chinese fir plantations. Complete burning and clear-cutting can lead to soil degradation by the loss of nutrients and organic matter. Therefore, a comprehensive knowledge of Chinese fir in terms of low productivity causes and solutions will allow us better forest management strategies and better development of plantation and afforestation throughout China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroforerstry (AF) in the farmlands of Punjab (Pakistan) is a tradition, but it was practiced without any proper methodology. From last few years, AF practices have become popular in Punjab. Especially in the rural areas woody biomass is being used as a major source of energy. The study was designed to examine the contributions of AF on the socioeconomic conditions of the farmers in the central Punjab of Pakistan. District Chiniot was selected as the universe of study and a detailed survey was conducted in the three tehsiles by interviewing 150 randomly selected farmers with the use of a wellstructured questionnaire. In addition, secondary data was also collected from district agriculture offices. Chi-Square test was used for quantitative data analysis. Results showed that farmer's annual income and household status was improved after practicing AF. Reasonably less poor farmers have more income increase than the poor farmers due to an extra investment, but income generation helped poor farmers to maintain the minimal living standards. Farmers perceived the advantage of trees immensely and the large scale farmers taking this as a genuine source of income. In adoption of AF, attitude of the farmers was independent of family size and settlement period, but was dependent on the occupation and number of livestock holding. The study suggested that, in the present financial scenario of the poor farmers, planting of suitable tree species with multiple benefits is an escape way to come out of the vicious circle of poverty. Along with that agroforestry can play a vital role in increasing the vegetation cover in forest deficient countries. Extension services and awareness programs should be arranged in the areas where people have negative attitude about AF practices, because the cultivated fields are the best places to grow the tree with crops. Moreover, subsidies and income generating project should be launched to motivate people towards AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activity and toxicity of oral etoposide in women with recurrent ovarian cancer are described from a case series of women who had measurable disease. All patients had had previous platinum-based chemotherapy. Etoposide was given as 50 mg/day for 21 days every 4 weeks until there was progression of the disease or prohibitive toxicity. Twelve patients were enrolled into this study. Ten patients received a total of 48 cycles of etoposide; the median number of cycles was 4 (range 1 - 11). There were two partial responses (20%; 95% CI, 0 - 45%). The responses lasted 3.5 and 6 months. Median progression-free interval (PFI) was 7.5 months (range 5.5 - 11), and median survival time was 8.5 months (range 1.2 - 21.5). The main haematological toxicity was leukopenia and no treatment-related death occurred. Although etoposide appears to exhibit activity in recurrent ovarian cancer, response and survival durations are short, with a high rate of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Investigation: In Iran, the authors use neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) prior to surgery in cervical cancer due to limited access to the radiotherapy and very prolonged waiting time in accession to radiotherapy. The study was done to analyze the efficacy of the NACT with high dose-dense paclitaxel and cisplatin before radical surgery on cure rate, survival rate, and the progression of free survival rate of bulky tumor of cervical cancer in Stages 1B2, IId A2, and IIB., Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients with cervical cancer in Stages Ib2, IIA2, and IIB were selected, and responding patients to chemotherapy were scheduled to undergo radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy with or without para-aortic lymphadenectomy., Results: Fifty out of 52 patients with a median age of 50 years were evaluable for clinical response. Thirty-two patients (64%) responded to the NACT including six (12%) with a complete clinical response. There was no statistical relationship between clinical response, tumor stage and size, and parametrical involvement, however, patients with higher grade of tumor, adenocarcinoma or tumor in upper 2/3 of vagina showed a higher probability of no response to chemotherapy. Downstaging after NACT in all stages was statistically significant regarding pathologic findings and clinical response (p = 0.002). Five-year survival was 88% and factors affecting survival and disease-free survival were pathological response and tumor site based on cox-regression analysis. Overall recurrence rate was 20% and tumor size was the only significant relevant factor for recurrence (p = 0.017)., Conclusion: Combined regimen of chemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer proved to be valuable and efficacious without any late complications.

We conducted a trial to determine whether non-closure of the visceral and parietal peritoneum alters the intraoperative or post-operative course at abdominal hysterectomy. This was a parallel-group double-blind randomised controlled trial was performed on 66 women who underwent abdominal hysterectomy with or without salpingo-oophorectomy. Twenty-seven were allocated to the control 'closed' group and 39 women to the study 'open' group. The main outcome measures were operative time, estimated blood loss, postoperative pain assessed by visual analogue scale and amount of postoperative analgesia. The study was conducted in the Department of Gynecological Oncology in a university teaching hospital. The operative time was shorter (P < 0.05) and the time to ambulation without assistance was significantly shorter in study group. There were no difference in postoperative pain, blood loss, amount of postoperative analgesia and antibiotics in the two groups. Peritoneal closure at abdominal hysterectomy provides no immediate postoperative benefits while unnecessarily lengthening surgical time and anaesthesia exposure. We suggest that the traditional practice of visceral and parietal closure be abolished at abdominal hysterectomy.