Ample room for reducing agrochemical inputs without productivity loss: The case of vegetable production in Uruguay.

Vegetables are commonly produced with high inputs of pesticides and fertilisers to boost production and meet cosmetic market standards. Yet, reports on the relationships between agrochemical inputs and crop productivity are scattered and an overview is missing. We assessed the relationship between pesticide and nutrient inputs and crop productivity for five vegetable crops in the south of Uruguay at field and farm level and explored the relation with farm resource endowment. We analysed crop yield and input use for tomato, onion, sweet potato, and strawberry with a dataset of 82 farms and 428 fields constructed between 2012 and 2017. Clear crop-specific patterns in pesticide and nutrient input levels were found, despite considerable variation across fields within the same crop. Strawberry and long cycle tomato had the greatest pesticide input regarding of the number of applications (20 and 18, respectively) and pesticide load (21 kg AI ha-1). Cumulative nutrient inputs were greatest for long cycle tomato (1127 kg ha-1). The relationships between inputs and yield were weak or non-significant, indicating inefficiencies and overuse of inputs, and there was no agronomical rationale for input use. We found substantial variation in management practices between fields and farms. In several cases, 21% of the fields and 17% of the farms producing onion, strawberry and tomato, attained relatively high yield levels with limited input levels. Yield and input use levels were not related to farm resource endowment. Our findings question the efficiency of the current high levels of pesticide and nutrient inputs in Uruguayan vegetable systems. The inputs may pose environmental and human health risks and in most cases did not increase yields. Learning from positive deviant farmers in combination with guided farm redesign, high-quality extension services, and use of context-specific knowledge and technologies may equip farmers to use more sustainable management practices.

Mutations in the motor and stalk domains of KIF5A in spastic paraplegia type 10 and in axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2.

Spastic paraplegia type 10 (SPG10) is an autosomal dominant form of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) due to mutations in KIF5A, a gene encoding the neuronal kinesin heavy chain implicated in anterograde axonal transport. KIF5A mutations were found in both pure and complicated forms of the disease; a single KIF5A mutation was also detected in a CMT2 patient belonging to an SPG10 mutant family. To confirm the involvement of the KIF5A gene in both CMT2 and SPG10 phenotypes and to define the frequency of KIF5A mutations in an Italian HSP patient population, we performed a genetic screening of this gene in a series of 139 HSP and 36 CMT2 affected subjects. We identified five missense changes, four in five HSP patients and one in a CMT2 subject. All mutations, including the one segregating in the CMT2 patient, are localized in the kinesin motor domain except for one, falling within the stalk domain and predicted to generate protein structure destabilization. The results obtained indicate a KIF5A mutation frequency of 8.8% in the Italian HSP population and identify a region of the kinesin protein, the stalk domain, as a novel target for mutation. In addition, the mutation found in the CMT2 patient strengthens the hypothesis that CMT2 and SPG10 are the extreme phenotypes resulting from mutations in the same gene.

Clinical phenotype variability in patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia type 5 associated with CYP7B1 mutations.

Spastic paraplegia type 5 (SPG5) is caused by mutations in CYP7B1, a gene encoding the cytochrome P-450 oxysterol 7-α-hydroxylase, CYP7B1, an enzyme implicated in the cholesterol metabolism. Mutations in CYP7B1 were found in both pure and complicated forms of the disease with a mutation frequency of 7.7% in pure recessive cases. The mutation frequency in complex forms, approximately 6.6%, is more controversial and needs to be refined. We studied in more detail the SPG5-related spectrum of complex phenotypes by screening CYPB1 for mutations in a large cohort of 105 Italian hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) index patients including 50 patients with a complicated HSP (cHSP) phenotype overlapping the SPG11- and the SPG15-related forms except for the lack of thin corpus callosum and 55 pure patients. Five CYP7B1 mutations, three of which are novel, were identified in four patients, two with a complex form of the disease and two with a pure phenotype. The CYP7B1 mutation frequencies obtained in both complicated and pure familial cases are comparable to the known ones. These results obtained extend the range of SPG5-related phenotypes and reveal variability in clinical presentation, disease course and functional profile in the SPG5-related patients while providing with some clues for molecular diagnosis in cHSP.

Neurolupus is associated with anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies: an inception cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Serum IgG antibodies (Abs) to phosphorylated ribosomal (P ribosomal) proteins have been inconsistently associated with neuropsychiatric manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our aim was to assess whether serum IgG Abs to ribosomal P proteins are associated with neuropsychiatric SLE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined an inception cohort of 219 SLE patients. Neuropsychiatric SLE manifestations were characterized using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) definition. Serum Abs to P ribosomal proteins were searched for by immunoblotting. In a subgroup of patients, Abs were investigated also in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). RESULTS: Abs to P ribosomal proteins were detected in 45 (21%) patients, 23 of whom (51%) with neuropsychiatric involvement. Abs to P ribosomal protein were present both in serum and CSF. Abs to P ribosomal proteins significantly correlated with psychosis (p=0.017), mononeuropathy multiplex (p=0.040), malar rash (p=0.004), serum anti-Sm Abs (p=0.042), and lupus anticoagulant (p=0.036). SLE onset age was significantly younger in patients with Abs to P ribosomal proteins. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the relationship between Abs to P ribosomal proteins and psychosis, malar rash, SLE onset age and lupus anticoagulant. CONCLUSIONS: Abs to ribosomal P proteins are associated with psychosis and might be associated with peripheral nervous system complications.

The extracellular matrix affects axonal regeneration in peripheral neuropathies.

OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence in animal models suggests that components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play a primary role in peripheral nerve degeneration and regeneration. METHODS: We investigated the expression of several ECM molecules in human sural nerves by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and reverse transcriptase PCR analysis. To unravel the possible role of these molecules in nerve regeneration, we compared results obtained from nerves with abundant signs of regeneration with those with complete absence of axonal regeneration. The role of some ECM components on neurite extension was further tested in dorsal root ganglion cultures. RESULTS: We observed that the ECM composition significantly differs in regenerating compared with nonregenerating nerves, independently from their etiologic background. Fibronectin was abundantly expressed in regenerating nerves, whereas vitronectin and fibrin(ogen) prevailed in nonregenerating nerves. Whereas fibronectin is secreted by endoneurial cells, in vivo and vitro studies showed that the source of vitronectin and fibrin(ogen) is the bloodstream. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that nerve regeneration is impaired in the presence of breaches in the blood-nerve barrier or impaired extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation that leads to accumulation of plasma vitronectin and fibrin(ogen). The transformation into mature, fibronectin-enriched ECM is necessary for efficient nerve regeneration in humans.

POEMS syndrome: relapse after successful autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

We report a patient with POEMS syndrome (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy, Skin changes) treated with high dose chemotherapy and auto-Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (auto-PBSCT) who had a very good response with complete clinical remission. Seven years later, she relapsed and a new sclerotic bone lesion was found. To our knowledge, this is the first POEMS syndrome relapse after successful auto-PBSCT.

Coexistence of CMT-2D and distal SMA-V phenotypes in an Italian family with a GARS gene mutation.

An Italian multigenerational family with four members affected by an axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2D (CMT-2D) or distal spinal muscular atrophy (dSMA) phenotype with upper limb predominance, variable age at onset, degree of disability, and autosomal dominant inheritance is reported. A novel heterozygous missense GARS gene mutation (D500N) was identified.

Axon-Schwann cell interactions regulate the expression of fibroblast growth factor-5 (FGF-5).

We screened for genes whose expression is significantly up- or downregulated during Wallerian degeneration in adult rat sciatic nerve with cDNA arrays. Fibroblast growth factor-5 (FGF-5) mRNA seemed to be induced. This was confirmed by northern blotting and in situ hybridization, as well as Western blotting for FGF-5 in axotomized nerve. Axon-Schwann cell interactions decreased the steady-state level of FGF-5 mRNA in regenerating sciatic nerves, and forskolin diminished its expression in cultured Schwann cells. We conclude that denervated Schwann cells synthesize FGF-5, which is a secreted, neuronotrophic member of the FGF family.

Somatostatinoma of the ampulla of vater in celiac sprue.

The increased incidence of gastrointestinal lymphoma and adenocarcinoma in patients with celiac sprue is well recognized, with 10% to 15% developing a gastrointestinal malignancy. Somatostatinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that occur most commonly within the pancreatic head or duodenum. Although fewer than 100 cases have been reported, somatostatinomas are often associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia-1 syndrome and von Recklinghausen's disease. The unusual case of a 43-year-old woman with celiac sprue in which a somatostatinoma involving the ampulla of Vater was identified and resected is presented. To our knowledge, somatostatinomas have not been previously reported in patients with celiac sprue.

Bilateral radial artery pseudoaneurysms associated with bilateral ulnar artery atresia: a case report.

Pseudoaneurysms of the radial artery are uncommon and most often localized in an area of penetrating vascular trauma or iatrogenic injury. Hypoplasia of the ulnar artery is even more rare. We report a case of bilateral radial artery pseudoaneurysms associated with complete absence of any ulnar contribution to the vascularity of the hand. A patient presented with bilateral tender masses adjacent to the anatomic snuff boxes that interfered with hand function. After confirming that these masses were bilateral radial artery pseudoaneurysms, resection of the pseudoaneurysms and microscopic reconstruction of the arterial segments preserved vascular integrity of the hands and provided relief of the patient's pain.

Analysis of oligodendroglial differentiation using cDNA arrays.

We used cDNA arrays to investigate molecular aspects of the differentiation of an immortalized line of oligodendroglial progenitors, and of immunopan-purified primary cultures of oligodendroglial progenitors, to immature oligodendroglia. Developmental regulation of the proteolipid and 2-hydroxyacylsphingosine 1-galactosyltransferase genes was tighter in the primary than in the immortalized cells. Our data suggest that increased expression of genes encoding the following proteins are involved in oligodendroglial differentiation: Fyn, Erk, p85, G-alpha-12 guanine nucleotide binding, and transducin beta-2 signal transduction molecules; glial maturation factor; the proteasomal subunits C8 and C3; the proteasomal targeting molecule polyubiquitin; the cell cycle regulatory proteins Set, protein phosphatase 2A, and nuclear tyrosine phosphatase (PRL-1); and the high-affinity glutamate cotransporter EAAC-1.

Excisional breast biopsy and roentgenographic examination for mammographically detected microcalcification.

Sixty-two women had excisional breast biopsy for areas of microcalcification detected by mammography with no associated palpable mass. Carcinoma was discovered in 20 patients (32 percent). These cancers ranged in size from 0.6 to 14 mm in greatest diameter. Six patients had multicentric carcinoma, including one synchronous bilateral lobular carcinoma. Axillary metastasis was present in three patients (15 percent), each with multicentric lesions. Chronic cystic mastopathy (55 percent) was the most common finding associated with microcalcification. In six patients (30 percent) with carcinoma, the microcalcification was present only in adjacent tissue and ducts. Generous excisional biopsy, verification of excision of the site of microcalcification by roentgenographic examination of the specimen, and thorough histologic examination by paraffin section are mandatory to detect these early and potentially curable breast carcinomas.

Legionnaires' disease pneumonia: histopathologic features and comparison with microbial and chemical pneumonias.

The histopathologic findings in lung tissue are reported from five cases of Philadelphia Legionnaire's Disease and the results are compared to pneumonias caused by other microbial and chemical agents. Histopathology of lung tissue was similar in all cases, despite the fact that death occurred between the fourth and 14th day of clinical illness. The inflammatory response was almost totally limited to the lower respiratory tract and primarily involved respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveoli. Major bronchial branches and pulmonary interstices showed little or no involvement. There was considerable variation in the extent and nature of the consolidation, but the overall reaction pattern was highly characteristic of diffuse alveolar damage. Most involved areas showed intra-alveolar, fibrinocellular mononuclear cell predominant exudates, associated with pneumonocytic hyperplasia and slough. These findings plus the presence of erythroleucophagocytosis by macrophages and paucity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes are commonly associated with psittacine pneumonia, and much less so with classic patterns of bacterial, viral, fungal or rickettsial pneumonias. Of the toxic inhalants, nickel carbonyl, phosgene, nitrous oxide, cadmium oxide and some halogenated hydrocarbons have been associated with this tissue reaction pattern. Bacteria were notably absent in lung tissue stained by methods used to demonstrate the Legionnaires' Disease agent.

Systemic endotheliomatosis: a case report.

A 48-year-old Caucasian man was found to have a rare neoplastic process of vascular endothelial origin. The clinical presentation was that of plum-colored cutaneous plaques of the lower extremities. The histopathology, natural history, and treatment of this case are discussed and compared with previously reported cases. It is suggested that this disease entity represents a malignant state with systemic involvement and a poor prognosis.