Salinity spatial patterns in Mediterranean coastal areas: The legacy of historical water infrastructures.

Mediterranean coastal areas have been occupied and developed intensively for a long time facing issues related to agricultural production, urbanization, tourism, preservation of natural resources often linked to salinity. This article explores the relationship between historical land planning and water management, and current soil and water salinity to gain insights into future projections. Soil samples (1185) were collected in a coastal plain of 114 km2 in the south of France and saturated paste extract Electrical Conductivity (ECsp) was deduced from 1:5 dilution. Soil salinity exhibits a wide range of variation (from 0.54 to 113.1 mS cm-1) and spatial patterns. ECsp is significantly different among soil types, higher at depth than at the surface and influenced by the distance to ancient water infrastructures (Pettitt test). Surface water and shallow groundwater samples were collected for trace element concentrations and Oxygen (18O/16O) isotope ratio measurements. The geochemical signatures indicate a mixture between surface freshwater and seawater, reveal the presence of over-salted seawater and a stratification of salinity from the surface to the depth. Results suggest that groundwater is the source of soil salinity, and illustrate the long-term impact of old water infrastructures. Less saline soils are found near the freshwater supply channel (constructed from 15th to 18th), while more saline soils are located near drainage channels. The presence of over-salted water reflects temporal evolution of the plain over the last few centuries (initially under seawater, gradually filled in, presence of ponds and salt works that have now disappeared). The current soil salinity patches continue to be a visible reminder of this evolution. The trend towards desalinization of the plain over the last few centuries has been made possible by massive freshwater inflows, which are now under threat due to the general decrease of water resources availability.

New software dedicated to virtual mazes for human cognitive investigations.

BACKGROUND: Compared to previous neuropsychological investigations with standard paper-pen tests limited to test complex spatial learning and memory processes, 3-D virtual immersive technology might offer new tools for research purposes and for diagnosis in patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment or dementia. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Current software proposes a customizable VR environment combined with an analyser module based on regions of interest and some parameters of analysis or pre-calibrated VR mazes with raw data. NEW METHOD: We attempted to create the VRmaze software offering either turnkey mazes with automatic tracking and analysis, or more complex and specific virtual mazes for human brain-behavioural research adaptable to all desired settings and parameters of analysis. The software combines 3D pre-calibrated VR tests or free customizable VR tests with digitized neuropsychological 2D standard and validated tests or tasks. RESULTS: We have tested an ERAM, a MWM and a reverse T-maze on 44 healthy subjects, showing gender differences in terms of navigation strategy. We have observed that the choice of benchmarks, instructions, and experimental parameters influence the performances. CONCLUSION: VRmaze software offers a translational approach for research units that wish to combine animal models and patient evaluations as well as complex 3D tasks and standardized neuropsychological tests combined with an automatic analysis opening a large perspective in the neurosciences to investigate cognitive functions. A clinical module with preconfigured 2- and 3-D tasks should offer clinicians an easy way to evaluate their patients routinely.

Inverse modeling approach to allogenic karst system characterization.

Allogenic karst systems function in a particular way that is influenced by the type of water infiltrating through river water losses, by karstification processes, and by water quality. Management of this system requires a good knowledge of its structure and functioning, for which a new methodology based on an inverse modeling approach appears to be well suited. This approach requires both spring and river inflow discharge measurements and a continuous record of chemical parameters in the river and at the spring. The inverse model calculates unit hydrographs and the impulse responses of fluxes from rainfall hydraulic head at the spring or rainfall flux data, the purpose of which is hydrograph separation. Hydrograph reconstruction is done using rainfall and river inflow data as model input and enables definition at each time step of the ratio of each component. Using chemical data, representing event and pre-event water, as input, it is possible to determine the origin of spring water (either fast flow through the epikarstic zone or slow flow through the saturated zone). This study made it possible to improve a conceptual model of allogenic karst system functioning. The methodology is used to study the Bas-Agly and the Cent Font karst systems, two allogenic karst systems in Southern France.

Ovulation synchronization following commercial application of ultrasound-guided follicle ablation during the estrous cycle in mares.

A regimen of progesterone plus estradiol (P&E) was used as a standard for ovarian synchronization to test the efficacy and evaluate the commercial application of ultrasound-guided follicle ablation as a non-steroidal alternative for ovulation synchronization in mares. Recipient mares at a private embryo transfer facility were at unknown stages of the estrous cycle at the start of the experiment on Day 1 when they were randomly assigned to an ablation group (n=18-21 mares) or to a P&E group (n=20-21 mares). In the ablation group, mares were lightly sedated and all follicles > or = 10 mm were removed by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration. In the P&E group, a combination of progesterone (150 mg) plus estradiol (10mg) prepared in safflower oil was given daily (im) for 10 d. Two doses of prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF, 10mg/dose, im) were given 12 h apart on Day 5 in the ablation group, or a single dose on Day 10 in the P&E group. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 2500 IU/mare, im) was given at a fixed time, 6 and 10 d after PGF treatment in the ablation and P&E groups, respectively, with the expectation of a follicle > or = 30 mm at the time of treatment. In both the ablation and P&E groups, transrectal ultrasonography was done at the start of the study (Day 1) and again on the day of hCG treatment and daily thereafter to determine the presence of a CL, measure diameter of the largest follicle and detect ovulation. The mean interval from the start of the study and from PGF treatment to ovulation was shorter (P<0.0001) in the ablation group (13.7 and 9.7 d, respectively) compared to the P&E group (22.3 and 13.2 d, respectively). Following fixed-day treatment with hCG after PGF treatment, the degree of ovulation synchronization was not different (P>0.05) between the ablation and P&E groups within a 2-d (56 and 70%) or 4-d (83% and 90%) period. Although ultrasound-guided follicle ablation may not be practical in all circumstances, it excluded the conventional 10-d regimen of progesterone and estradiol and was considered an efficacious and feasible, non-steroidal alternative for ovulation synchronization in mares during the estrous cycle.

Discovery of very high energy gamma rays associated with an x-ray binary.

X-ray binaries are composed of a normal star in orbit around a neutron star or stellar-mass black hole. Radio and x-ray observations have led to the presumption that some x-ray binaries called microquasars behave as scaled-down active galactic nuclei. Microquasars have resolved radio emission that is thought to arise from a relativistic outflow akin to active galactic nuclei jets, in which particles can be accelerated to large energies. Very high energy gamma-rays produced by the interactions of these particles have been observed from several active galactic nuclei. Using the High Energy Stereoscopic System, we find evidence for gamma-ray emission of >100 gigaelectron volts from a candidate microquasar, LS 5039, showing that particles are also accelerated to very high energies in these systems.

A new population of very high energy gamma-ray sources in the Milky Way.

Very high energy gamma-rays probe the long-standing mystery of the origin of cosmic rays. Produced in the interactions of accelerated particles in astrophysical objects, they can be used to image cosmic particle accelerators. A first sensitive survey of the inner part of the Milky Way with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) reveals a population of eight previously unknown firmly detected sources of very high energy gamma-rays. At least two have no known radio or x-ray counterpart and may be representative of a new class of "dark" nucleonic cosmic ray sources.

High-energy particle acceleration in the shell of a supernova remnant.

A significant fraction of the energy density of the interstellar medium is in the form of high-energy charged particles (cosmic rays). The origin of these particles remains uncertain. Although it is generally accepted that the only sources capable of supplying the energy required to accelerate the bulk of Galactic cosmic rays are supernova explosions, and even though the mechanism of particle acceleration in expanding supernova remnant (SNR) shocks is thought to be well understood theoretically, unequivocal evidence for the production of high-energy particles in supernova shells has proven remarkably hard to find. Here we report on observations of the SNR RX J1713.7 - 3946 (G347.3 - 0.5), which was discovered by ROSAT in the X-ray spectrum and later claimed as a source of high-energy gamma-rays of TeV energies (1 TeV = 10(12) eV). We present a TeV gamma-ray image of the SNR: the spatially resolved remnant has a shell morphology similar to that seen in X-rays, which demonstrates that very-high-energy particles are accelerated there. The energy spectrum indicates efficient acceleration of charged particles to energies beyond 100 TeV, consistent with current ideas of particle acceleration in young SNR shocks.

Differences in urine volume and supersaturation in 2 physician networks.

PURPOSE: We determined whether a network of practices devoted to a broad range of urological care would achieve a decrease in metabolic stone risk comparable to that achieved by a network of similar practices that emphasized kidney stone management as a distinct specialized interest, provided that each was given equivalent access to high level urine testing and software support. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pretreatment and treatment 24-hour urine samples were obtained from patients in a large network of practices related by the shared use of lithotripsy facilities and instruments (group 2) and a contrasting network of practices that emphasize stone treatment over other concerns (group 1). All known urine risk factors, including supersaturation, were measured and calculated. RESULTS: Treatment supersaturation values in group 2 exceeded those in group 1. The reason was unpredicted and unexplained but highly consistent lower urine volume in group 2 patients that was present before and persisted during treatment. Group 2 physicians mostly achieved changes in urine volume and stone risk factors equivalent to those of group 1 physicians but began with higher supersaturation due to lower urine volume. CONCLUSIONS: A network of physicians not specialized for stone care may achieve a decreased risk equivalent to that of more specialized physicians. Initial patient characteristics may vary significantly in the groups for reasons that are unknown to date, greatly affecting treatment outcome.

[Axillary lymph node microcalcifications disclosing breast cancer]. / Microcalcifications ganglionnaires axillaires révélatrices d'un cancer du sein.

Intra nodal calcifications associate with breast cancer are uncommon. The rare publications always describe malignant microcaocifications in axillary lymph nodes, evolving with the primary breast tumor imaged on mammography. In the reported observation, we observed calcified metastatic neoplasm in axillary nodes, preceding the intramammary lesion.

[Neurofibromatosis type 1: a survey of 195 patients]. / Neurofibromatosis type 1: een overzicht van 196 patiënten.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse symptoms and complications in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). All patients were examined in a multidisciplinary outpatient neurofibromatosis clinic during a period of 10 years. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Academic Medical Center, University Hospital Amsterdam, the Netherlands. METHOD: All data on 450 persons visiting the neurofibromatosis clinic were stored in a database. Data were collected on the results of dermatological, neurological, ophthalmological and general examinations and on family history. For this study the follow-up data of 196 patients with a definite diagnosis of 'NF1' were analysed. RESULTS: In childhood diagnosis NF1 is predominantly based on specific dermatological symptoms such as > 6 café-au-lait (CAL) spots and freckling and on the presence of characteristic ophthalmological signs as two or more Lisch nodules. In this study the frequencies of these symptoms were 98% (CAL). 92% (freckles), and 93% (Lisch nodules) respectively. The frequencies of well-known complications of this disorder are comparable with the literature findings. In this study we found optic pathway glioma (OPG) in 10%, macrocephaly in 36%, hydrocephalus in 5%, retardation in 14%, brain tumours in 5%, kyphoscoliosis in 13%. renal artery stenosis in 0.5% and neurofibrosarcoma in 0.5% of NF1 patients. In children the degree of severity of this disorder is less than in adults, demonstrating the progressive character of the disease. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of 'NF1' can usually be made by dermatological and ophthalmological examination. In case of a definite diagnosis in childhood regular follow-up is recommended since severe complications, such as OPG and kyphoscoliosis, may occur specifically in childhood and adolescence. For adult patients determination of the degree of severity is essential for the decision whether or not they need regular follow-up; they should have their blood pressure measured annually.

Family with neurofibromatosis type 2 and autosomal dominant hearing loss: identification of carriers of the mutated NF2 gene.

A family is presented in which neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and autosomal dominant hearing loss segregate in an apparently independent way. The presence of the latter condition caused anxiety in all family members at risk for NF2 in whom hearing loss became apparent. Previously, we identified a G-->A transition in the donor splice site of exon 5 of the NF2 gene in a family member with proven NF2. As expected, the mutation was present in two other family members who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for NF2. Four out of five family members at risk for NF2 developed hearing loss. Two of these had the G-->A transition. The mutation was absent in the two other individuals with hearing loss and in the fifth family member without hearing loss or other clinical symptoms. In this family, the identification of the underlying NF2 gene mutation excluded NF2 as the cause of hearing loss in two potential carriers of the mutated gene. On the other hand, it enabled the identification of two carriers of the NF2 gene mutation who did not fulfill the diagnostic criteria for NF2. They will have to be monitored very carefully for the development of NF2-associated tumors. The consistent association within this family of a relatively mild clinical phenotype with the NF2 mutation, supports earlier suggestions that intrafamilial variability is small in NF2.

[Radiosurgical correlations of 61 breast microcalcification foci]. / Confrontation radiochirurgicale de 61 foyers de microcalcifications du sein.

OBJECTIVE. Diagnostic value of breast clustered microcalcifications discovered by mammography. DESIGN. A retrospective study. SETTING. Oncology Center of Rennes. SUBJECTS. 58 women (study group) with breast clustered microcalcifications without palpable tumour were operated. SURGERY. Prior to surgical removal of microcalcification, needle localization was performed. Histological results. We observed, 36 benign lesions (59%), 25 carcinomas (45%), 10 of them in situ and 15 infiltrative. RESULTS. Different radiological parameters were studied in relation to histological results, the vermicular morphology of microcalcification, an increased number, their triangular aspect, provide clue to the presence of breast carcinoma. The cluster of stippled calcification is not, in our series suggestive of a carcinoma, but also requires histopathological study, owig to the fact that in such cases, we have as many carcinomas as benign lesions. FINDING. Careful analysis of microcalcifications, within the clinical context, ensures a safe attitude, and enables one to operate only carcinomas.

Acepromazine. Effects on intraocular pressure.

We investigated the effects of the topical application of acepromazine maleate on the intraocular pressure (IOP) in 27 adult rhesus monkeys. The monkeys were divided into two groups: group 1 (16 monkeys) had both eyes normal, and group 2 (11 monkeys) had experimental chronic glaucoma in one eye and a normal fellow eye. One drop of 1% acepromazine maleate solution was instilled in one eye of monkeys in group 1 and in the glaucomatous eye of monkeys in group 2; the other eye served as the control. The IOP was measured before drug administration and 1, 4, 8, 24, and 32 hours after, with detailed slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment. Acepromazine produced no change in IOP in eyes in group 1, but it produced a fall in pressure in all eyes with high IOP in group 2, evident 1 hour after instillation, maximal between 4 and 8 hours, and still remaining after 32 hours. The pupil showed no change in size, but a transient ptosis was observed in the treated eye in all monkeys.

Genetic heterogeneity in tuberous sclerosis.

Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by widespread hamartosis. Preliminary evidence of linkage between the TSC locus and markers on chromosome 9q34 was established, but subsequently disputed. More recently, a putative TSC locus on chromosome 11 has been suggested and genetic heterogeneity seems likely. Here we describe an approach combining multipoint linkage analysis and heterogeneity tests that has enabled us to obtain significant evidence for locus heterogeneity after studying a relatively small number of families. Our results support a model with two different loci independently causing the disease. One locus (TSC1) maps in the vicinity of the Abelson oncogene at 9q34 and a second locus (TSC2) maps in the region of the anonymous DNA marker Lam L7 and the dopamine D2 receptor gene at 11q23.

[The clinical aspects and treatment of renal angiolipomas in patients with tuberous sclerosis]. / Het klinische beeld en de behandeling van renal angiomyolipomen bij patiënten met tubereuze sclerose.

The incidence of multiple and bilateral renal angiomyolipomas in tuberous sclerosis patients is 40-80%. These benign abundantly vascularised tumours are almost always asymptomatic. Most of the symptomatic renal angiomyolipomas measure more than 4 cm. These lesions are attended by a high risk of spontaneous rupture and massive haemorrhage. In our series of 23 tuberous sclerosis patients with renal angiomyolipomas 4 became symptomatic. Three of them were successfully treated wtih transcatheter selective embolization. Preventive embolization of renal angiomyolipomas appears indicated if these measure more than 4 cm. A fifth patient became symptomatic before the diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis was made. She had a forme fruste. She was also successfully treated by the same method.

Renal angiomyolipomas: could the histology serve as a marker for tuberous sclerosis?

The histological features of 43 renal angiomyolipomas were studied in an attempt to evaluate whether the isolated forms and those that present as part of the tuberous sclerosis complex can be distinguished. In two patients the mass was classified as an angioleiomyoma, because no adipose tissue was present. All renal angiomyolipomas showed the same basic histological picture. The combined forms, however, showed additional features such as extension into pre-existent renal parenchyma, scattered foci of hamartomatous lesions, calcified spicules and tubular inclusions. The findings suggest that these features, in an otherwise classical angiomyolipoma, should alert the pathologist to the possibility of tuberous sclerosis.