Summary1. Recent advances in our understanding of the advantage of initial size in competition among individual plants (size-asymmetric competition) suggest that the potential for many crops to suppress weeds is much greater than generally appreciated. We hypothesize that this potential can be realized if: (i) the crop density is increased significantly and (ii) the crop is regularly (uniformly) distributed in two-dimensional space rather than sown in traditional rows. 2. We tested these hypotheses by sowing four varieties of spring wheat Triticum aestivum at three densities (200, 400 and 600 m -2 ) and in two spatial patterns (normal rows and a uniform grid pattern) in the presence of high weed pressure. 3. There were strong and significant effects of both crop density and spatial distribution on weed growth. Weed biomass decreased with crop density and was 30% lower in the grid pattern. 4. There was a negative linear relationship between above-ground weed biomass in early July and crop yield at harvest, so weed suppression translated directly into yield. The treatment with high crop density and the grid sowing pattern contained 60% less weed biomass and produced 60% higher yield than the treatment closest to normal sowing practices (crops sown in rows at 400 m -2 ). 5. The results were similar when the experiment was repeated in the following year, even though weed abundance was lower and the weed community was very different. There was 30% less weed biomass and 9% higher yield when the crop was sown in a grid pattern. 6. While weed biomass decreased monotonically with density for all varieties, a significant variety-density interaction suggested that the attributes resulting in good weed suppression at high crop density may not be the same as those most advantageous at low crop density. 7. A more crowded, uniform, distribution of some crops could contribute to a strategy to reduce the use of herbicides and energy-intensive forms of weed control.

Design: Valid data on acromegaly incidence, complications and mortality are scarce. The Danish Health Care System enables nationwide studies with complete follow-up and linkage among health-related databases to assess acromegaly incidence, prevalence, complications and mortality in a population-based cohort study. Method: All incident cases of acromegaly in Denmark (1991Denmark ( -2010 were identified from health registries and validated by chart review. We estimated the annual incidence rate of acromegaly per 10 6 person-years (py) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). For every patient, 10 persons were sampled from the general population as a comparison cohort. Cox regression and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used. Results: Mean age at diagnosis (48.7 years (CI: 95%: 47.2-50.1)) and annual incidence rate (3.8 cases/10 6 persons (95% CI: 3.6-4.1)) among the 405 cases remained stable. The prevalence in 2010 was 85 cases/10 6 persons. The patients were at increased risk of diabetes mellitus (HR: 4.0 (95% CI: 2.7-5.8)), heart failure (HR: 2.5 (95% CI: 1.4-4.5)), venous thromboembolism (HR: 2.3 (95% CI: 1.1-5.0)), sleep apnoea (HR: 11.7 (95% CI: 7.0-19.4)) and arthropathy (HR: 2.1 (95% CI: 1.6-2.6)). The complication risk was also increased before the diagnosis of acromegaly. Overall mortality risk was elevated (HR: 1.3 (95% CI: 1.0-1.7)) but uninfluenced by treatment modality. Conclusion: (i) The incidence rate and age at diagnosis of acromegaly have been stable over decades, and the prevalence is higher than previously reported.(ii) The risk of complications is very high even before the diagnosis.(iii) Mortality risk remains elevated but uninfluenced by mode of treatment.

Dual blockade of the GH axis with pegvisomant and a SMS analog is feasible in acromegaly.

A semiquantitative approach is probably as good as the more elaborately calculated radioiodine dose for treatment of hyperthyroidism. It is clearly more cost effective and allows the use of predetermined standard doses.

Background: IGF1 is believed to influence ageing and development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) through complex mechanisms. Reduced IGF1 levels might be causally associated with conditions accompanying ageing including development of CVD. However, in animal models reduced GH-IGF1 signalling increases lifespan. Reduced IGF1 activity might also be associated with longevity in humans. Objective: The objective was to investigate if plasma IGF1 levels were associated with all cause mortality, and the development of chronic heart failure (CHF) and a major CV event.Patients and design: A population based study of 642 individuals, aged 50-89 years. Development of CHF was evaluated in 576 individuals with normal systolic function assessed by echocardiography and without the history of CHF or myocardial infarction. Development of the first major CV event was evaluated in 504 individuals with normal systolic function and without prevalent CVD. Outcomes were ascertained after 5 years using hospital discharge diagnoses. Results: Adjustment for risk factors IGF1 values in the fourth quartile versus values below the fourth quartile was associated with increased mortality (nZ103), hazard ratio (HR) 1.52 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-2.28; PZ0.044). IGF1 in the fourth quartile was also independently associated with risk of development of CHF (nZ19), HR 5.02 (95% CI 2.00-12.64; PZ0.001) but showed no association with the overall incidence of major CV events (nZ58), HR 1.05 (95% CI 0.59-1.90; PZ0.861). Conclusions: High IGF1 levels were independently associated with increased all cause mortality and risk of development of CHF, whereas no relation with the overall incidence of CVD was observed.