Maleic hydrazide: sprout suppression of potatoes in the field.

In 2005, the active substance maleic hydrazide was released on the Belgian market. Maleic hydrazide is authorized in potatoes as foliar treatment for instore sprout suppression and control of volunteers. The mode of action is based on blocking cell division whilst cell elongation is not affected. The product must be applied at once during the growing season, only after at least 80% of the tubers have reached 25 mm diameter and not later than 3 weeks before haulm killing. The first 24 h after application, no meaningful precipitation should occur to insure sufficiently uptake of the product by the crop. Field trials were set up for 4 years (2005-2008) and 4 locations per year with application of maleic hydrazide in four different cultivars (Bintje, Fontane, Asterix and Cilena). After application, the cultivar Asterix showed almost every year a temporarily phytotoxicity (bronze discoloration). On the first place yield was determined. When maleic hydrazide was applied too early (80% tubers % 25mm diameter) yield was negatively affected (3 years on 4) except for the cultivar Cilena (fresh market). Internal quality (dry matter and fry quality) was not influenced by the application of maleic hydrazide. Only Fontane had a slightly lower dry matter content. Maleic hydrazide also influenced appearance of secondary growth. However, the results were very variable depending on cultivar, location and time of application. After harvest, the tubers were kept in storage and assessed monthly on germination. Potatoes treated late in the growing season, showed a shorter dormancy period. A part of the tubers was replanted the following spring to verify volunteer control. Additional trials were set up by the Flemish government for two years (2010-2011). The results of previous trials were confirmed. Additional, the influence of maleic hydrazide on internal germination during storage was examined on the cultivar Innovator. The tests clearly showed a positive effect for this parameter.

Chondrosarcoma of the hyoid bone.

The CT and MRI findings in a case of chondrosarcoma of the hyoid bone are reported. Although chondrosarcoma is the second most common primary malignant bone tumor, only 10 % of chondrosarcomas occur in the head and neck region. The hyoid bone is a rare site of involvement with only seven cases reported previously.

How well can quantitative 24-hour intraesophageal pH monitoring distinguish various degrees of reflux disease?

Twenty-four normal subjects and 64 symptomatic patients with various degrees of reflux disease (24 with reflux symptoms without esophagitis and 21 with mild and 19 with severe esophagitis) underwent quantitative 24-hr intraesophageal pH monitoring. Various reflux parameters during supine, interprandial, and postprandial periods were examined by binary logistic regression and by CART analysis to determine the sensitivity and specificity to separate the various groups of subjects and patients. The distinction was excellent between asymptomatic controls and patients with severe erosive esophagitis (sensitivity and specificity both 100% by logistic regression and 95% and 88%, respectively, by CART), but discrimination was poor when asymptomatic controls were compared to symptomatic patients without esophagitis (71% and 79% by logistic regression and 75% and 92% by CART), which is the most important indication for pH recording in clinical practice. A 3-hr postprandial pH recording was inadequate to distinguish the various groups. The acidity of the reflux episodes during the night appeared to be a crucial factor in the development of severe erosive esophagitis. The duration of esophageal acid exposure was another important factor in the development of reflux lesions.