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Purpose We investigated the energy usage, economics, and global warming potential (GWP) of spring rice production via farm sizes in Nepal. Methods Seventy farmers were selected via purposive sampling methods, and data were collected by interviewing the farmers on site. Results It was found that 22,987 mega joules of energy per hectare (MJ/ha) was invested in order to yield 77,355 MJ/ha worth of outputs (5262 kg/ha). The analysis shows that the highest share of energy input was contributed by machinery (33.50%) and least by chemicals (0.96%). It was further found that spring rice farming in Nepal is less energy productive (0.23 kg/MJ) and less energy efficient (3.37) than that of neighboring countries-such as India, China, and Pakistan. The total GWP is estimated about 720.56 kg CO 2 eq/ha. The average cost of production was found to equate to USD810.24/ha (or USD0.154/kg of production), and that profit only reached USD73.93/ha. Conclusion This study found that energy use, cost of production, and yield per ha all generally decrease as the size of the landholding increases, whereas energy use efficiency and profits increase to an optimum level of land size and inputs. Low profits could be the result of the small size of landholdings and low levels of mechanization. This can be improved by increasing energy inputs and practicing community-farming.

Introduction: Our previous work has shown that the loss of Rab25 occurs in estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) negative breast cancer cell lines and human tumor samples and seems to correlate with an active ras pathway. We have examined the expression levels of rab25 in breast tissue and have investigated the mechanism by which Rab25 exerts its anti-tumorigenic effect. Loss of Rab25 cooperates with mutant Ras to promote tumorigenesis. HIF-1α levels are reduced in Rab25 expressing cells. We have assessed Rab25 binding to the HIF-1α promoter and localized Rab25 to the nucleus, suggesting a novel mechanism for Rab25's antitumor activity and a novel function for Rab25. Materials and Methods: Cell culture – Normal mammary tissue and the RAO-3 cell line was grown in DFCI-1 medium. Cells were transduced with retroviral supernatant and selected. Expression of Rab25 in transduced cells was determined by RT-PCR and western blot. qPCR analysis- Expression of HIF-1α and Rab25 were quantified using real-time PCR with fluorescence detection. Luciferase report assay – We obtained the HIF-1α promoter fragment and inserted the promoter sequence in the pGL4 luciferase vector and the Luciferase Assay was then performed. Western blot- Protein extracts from both cytosolic and nuclear fraction were tested for Rab25 expression. Immunofluorescence- Frozen mammary tissue slides were stained with luminal and basal markers as well as antibody for Rab25 to confirm localization of Rab25 in both luminal and basal mammary epithelium. Results: 1. High level expression of Rab25 was found in luminal epithelium in normal human breast tissue. Basal epithelium also expressed Rab25. 2. Tumorigenic mammary epithelial cell lines, RAO-3 and RAO-4, have lost Rab 25 expression with nearly 1/10,000 the level of Rab25 of normal mammary basal epithelium. 3. Rab25 localizes to the nucleus and reduces luciferase activity from the HIF-1α promoter. 4. Expression of Rab25 substantially reduces HIF-1α levels. Conclusions: 1. Rab25 is a complex molecule that has been described as an intracellular transport protein. 2. It is also a tumor modulator. It can regulate tumor growth and angiogenesis. 3. Rab25 expression can be detected in both luminal epithelium and basal epithelium. 4. Our data indicate novel functions for Rab25 including reduction in HIF-1α expression and localization to the nucleus. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2111. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2111

BackgroundExtensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa (PA), defined as resistant to ≥ 1 agents in all classes of antibiotics except two classes, limits therapeutic options to more toxic agents such as aminoglycosides (AMG) and polymyxins. Majority of the XDR PA isolated in two of our teaching hospitals were found to be susceptible to ceftolozane–tazobactam (CT) in addition to AMG and polymyxins. Our study aims to compare treatment outcomes with traditional antibiotics vs. CT in patients with XDR PA pneumonia.MethodsThis is a retrospective case–control study of patients admitted to two local hospitals from 2013 to 2018. Patients were screened by discharge diagnosis for pneumonia. We included patients over 18 years with XDR PA in sputum cultures susceptible to ≤ 2 classes of antibiotics. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, T-test, Fisher exact and Chi-square tests.ResultsAmong the 48 patients with XDR PA pneumonia, 33 patients met inclusion criteria. Their mean age was 62 years (SD ±16), 30% were female, and 18% were immunocompromised. Similarly, 85% of patients had underlying lung disease and 55% had a tracheostomy tube. Majority of these patients were either nursing home residents (55%) or hospitalized (46%) within past 3 months. Septic shock associated with XDR PA pneumonia was found in 30% of patients, and 73% required mechanical ventilation during treatment. Nineteen patients received an aminoglycoside (AMG group), 1 colistin, 9 CT (CT group), and 4 received CT plus an AMG. The average time to clinical improvement was 3.5 (±2.2) days for AMG group and 2.2 (±1.7) days for CT group (P = 0.3). Compared with CT group, AMG group had significantly longer mean duration of hospital stay (19 ± 13 vs. 32.4 ± 17 days, P < 0.05). All patients who had clinical failure to improve requiring change in antibiotics (2 patients) or who died after withdrawal of care (3 patients) were in AMG group. Clinical relapse within 30 days occurred equally in both groups (4 AMG, 2 CT, P > 0.05). Six patients who developed acute kidney injury received either an AMG (5) or colistin (1).ConclusionBased on our observation, CT is a safe and effective treatment for XDR PA pneumonia. Compared with CT, patients who received AMG had longer hospital stays and sustained more nephrotoxicity.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.