Early Pennsylvanian Conodont-Ammonoid Biostratigraphy and the Witts Springs Problem, North-Central Arkansas

The Witts Springs Formation was proposed as a lithostratigraphic unit in north-central Arkansas to include the interval from a horizon equivalent to the base of the Prairie Grove Member, Hale Formation to the top of the Bloyd Formation, of the type Morrowan Series, northwestern Arkansas. The top of the Witts Springs Formation was regarded as being unconformably succeeded by the middle Pennsylvanian Atoka Formation. Recent investigation of this unit in its type area has shown that the presumed Atokan Sandstone is actually a unit confined to the Bloyd Formation. Thus, the type section of the Witts Springs in Searcy County, Arkansas only comprises the Prairie Grove and Brentwood interval. This determination is supported by the recovery of the conodonts Idlognatholdes sinuatus, Neognathodus symmetrlcus and Idiognathodus delicatus, and the ammonoids Arkanites, Branneroceras and Gastrioceras from a succession of calcareous units below the middle Bloyd sandstone throughout the type Witts Springs and other sections in the type region. The Witts Springs should continue to be interpreted in the sense of its original definition, although a supplementary reference section is needed for the upper Witts Springs which spans the Morrowan- Atokan boundary with removal of the Trace Creek from the Morrowan

Clinical Meaningfulness of the Changes in Muscle Performance and Physical Function Associated With Testosterone Administration in Older Men With Mobility Limitation

Context. Testosterone in Older Men with Mobility Limitations Trial determined the effects of testosterone on muscle performance and physical function in older men with mobility limitation. Trial's Data and Safety Monitoring Board recommended enrollment cessation due to increased frequency of adverse events in testosterone arm. The changes in muscle performance and physical function were evaluated in relation to participant's perception of change. Methods. Men aged 65 years and older, with mobility limitation, total testosterone 100-350 ng/dL, or free testosterone less than 50 pg/mL, were randomized to placebo or 10 g testosterone gel daily for 6 months. Primary outcome was leg-press strength. Secondary outcomes included chest-press strength, stair-climb, 40-m walk, muscle mass, physical activity, self-reported function, and fatigue. Proportions of participants exceeding minimally important difference in study arms were compared. Results. Of 209 randomized participants, 165 had follow-up efficacy measures. Mean (SD) age was 74 (5.4) years and short physical performance battery score 7.7 (1.4). Testosterone arm exhibited greater improvements in leg-press strength, chest-press strength and power, and loaded stair-climb than placebo. Compared with placebo, significantly greater proportion of men receiving testosterone improved their leg-press and chest-press strengths (43% vs 18%, p = .01) and stair-climbing power (28% vs 10%, p = .03) more than minimally important difference. Increases in leg-press strength and stair-climbing power were associated with changes in testosterone levels and muscle mass. Physical activity, walking speed, self-reported function, and fatigue did not change. Conclusions. Testosterone administration in older men with mobility limitation was associated with patient-important improvements in muscle strength and stair-climbing power. Improvements in muscle strength and only some physical function measures should be weighed against the risk of adverse events in this populatio

Nodulation and nitrogen fixation by Vigna sinensis and Vicia atropurpurea: The influence of concentration, form, and site of application of combined nitrogen

RESP-614

The relationship between total plasma carotenoids and risk factors for chronic disease among middle-aged and older men

Individual plasma carotenoids have been associated with various chronic diseases but little is known about the relationship between total plasma carotenoids and risk-factors lot chronic diseases. In the Physicians' Health Study, we examined 492 men free of CVD and cancer for the relationship between total plasma carotenoids (the sum of alpha-carotene. beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, lutein and beta-cryptoxanthin) and a wide variety of factors that predict chronic disease. Multivariate linear and logistic regression was performed to calculate parameter estimates (95% CI) and OR (95% CI) for total plasma carotenoids. In linear regression models, BMI, hypertension, alcohol intake and plasma levels of each lipid parameter and alpha-tocopherol significantly predicted levels of total plasma carotenoids. Upon adjustment for multiple chronic disease risk factors. the OR for levels of total plasma carotenoids greater than or equal to the median (>= 1.301 mu mol/l) was statistically significant for Current smoking. (OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.06; 0.77), weekly alcohol ingestion (OR 2.30; 95% CI 1.06; 4.99), daily alcohol ingestion (OR 2.46; 95 % CI 1.29; 467). each 100 mg/l increase in total cholesterol (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.58; 0.91), HDL-cholesterol (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.17; 1.89) and HDL-cholesterol (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.26; 1.99), each 100 mg/ml increase in intercellular adhesion molecule-l (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.53; 0.93) and each 10 mu mol/l increase in alpha-tocopherol (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.12; 1.57), using logistic regression. Few lifestyle and clinical risk factors appear to be related to levels of total plasma carotenoid however, levels of biomarkers Such as plasma lipids and alpha-tocopheiol may he strongly related.Version of Recor