Plant growth regulator and soil fertilizer improve production and growing stage of Brachiaria decumbens
GRASSLAND SCIENCE
Authors: Rocha, Leone Campos; Teixeira, Fabio Andrade; Pedreira, Marcio dos Santos; Fries, Daniela Deitos; Dias Daniel, Lucas Santos; Costa Evely, Giovanna Leite; Figueiredo, Abdias Jose; Seixas, Angel Amaral; Pacheco, Camile Carvalho; Santiago, Bismarck Moreira
Abstract
It is necessary to increase the rates of initial growth of pastures for use during the better planting period. Thus, two experiments were used to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulator (PGR; auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins) in seeds types (coated with polymer coating fungicide and conventional method) and nitrogen fertilization methods in Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk on the germination, growth, development and physiological composition. From the regression estimates, lower levels of PGR (10.3; 12.8; 8.85 and 9.57 ml/kg for germination percentage, germination speed index, leaf and pseudostem, respectively) were recommended in coated seeds when compared to conventional method (untreated seeds, with polymer coating and fungicide). Leaf and pseudostem mass production had a significant interaction effect between seed type and the use of growth regulator. Coated seeds (with fungicide and polymers after scarification) had greater performance with absence or at lower levels (8.85 and 9.57 ml/kg seed) of growth regulators. This was not observed for conventional seeds, the higher doses (15.5 and 18.1 ml/kg) presented higher development for the same characteristics. In second experiment, rates of photoassimilate were increased by soil fertilization and use of PGRs. No influence of foliar fertilization was observed when used exclusively, but N-fertilization multiple and soil promotes an increase in chlorophyll content and mass yield, respectively. The use of exogenous hormonal compounds acts on the organogenesis of plant tissues and increases the formation of plant tissues and acts in the promotion of germination and development of structures, making it a key tool in pasture establishment.
Efficacy of anti-HER2 therapy in metastatic breast cancer by discordance of HER2 expression between primary and metastatic breast cancer
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT
Authors: Van Raemdonck, Elisa; Floris, G.; Berteloot, P.; Laenen, A.; Vergote, I.; Wildiers, H.; Punie, K.; Neven, P.
Abstract
Purpose In stage IV breast cancer, the efficacy of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) targeted therapies in cases with discordance in HER2 expression between primary and metastatic site is not well known. We studied progression free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) by HER2 concordance when treating women with taxane-trastuzumab (+/- pertuzumab) in first or second line and trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) or capecitabine-lapatinib in later lines. Patients and methods Retrospective monocentric study including all breast cancer patients receiving trastuzumab between January 2002 and September 2017 at the University Hospital in Leuven; we selected metastatic patients with an available HER2 status in primary and metastatic site. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for estimating PFS/OS and log-rank test for analyzing between group differences. A Cox model is used for testing difference between groups while correcting for Pertuzumab. Multivariable Cox regression is used to model overall survival as a function group, correcting for possible confounders. Results We included 74 patients; 46 had an unchanged HER2 status (positive/positive), 9 lost HER2 (positive/negative), while 19 acquired HER2 amplification (negative/positive). 25 out of 28 cases with a discordant HER2 status were positive for ER and/or PgR in the primary site. HER2 positive/negative cases had a significantly lower PFS for taxane-trastuzumab-(pertuzumab) (PFS = 5.5 months), compared to HER2 positive/positive (PFS 9 months,p = 0.01) and HER2 negative/positive (PFS 14 months,p = 0.01) patients. PFS for later line T-DM1 (n = 30) was significantly higher for the HER2 positive/positive group (PFS 6.0 months) than for the discordant groups HER2 negative/positive (PFS 1.0 month,p = 0.04) and HER2 positive/negative (PFS 1.5 month,p = 0.01). After correcting for possible confounders, the HER2 positive/negative group had a significantly worse OS compared to HER2 positive/positive (HR 0.19, 95% CI 0.08-0.44) and negative/positive (HR 0.15, 95% 0.06-0.38). Conclusion Conversion of HER2 status was seen in 28 out of 74 cases and was mostly observed in hormone receptor-positive tumors. In contrast to patients with HER2 loss, patients with a positive conversion of HER2 status derived substantial benefit from first line treatment with taxane-trastuzumab-(pertuzumab). This study highlights the importance of re-biopsying the metastatic lesion and changing treatment according to the last HER2 result.