Curative vs. preventive management of nitrogen transfers in rural areas: lessons from the case of the Orgeval watershed (Seine River basin, France).

The Orgeval watershed (104 km(2)) is a long-term experimental observatory and research site, representative of rural areas with intensive cereal farming of the temperate world. Since the past few years, we have been carrying out several studies on nitrate source, transformation and transfer of both surface and groundwaters in relation with land use and agriculture practices in order to assess nitrate (NO3(-)) leaching, contamination of aquifers, denitrification processes and associated nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. A synthesis of these studies is presented to establish a quantitative diagnosis of nitrate contamination and N2O emissions at the watershed scale. Taking this watershed as a practical example, we compare curative management measures, such as pond introduction, and preventive measures, namely conversion to organic farming practices, using model simulations. It is concluded that only preventive measures are able to reduce the NO3(-) contamination level without further increasing N2O emissions, a result providing new insights for future management bringing together water-agro-ecosystems.

Response of electrically stimulated cells of Pseudomonas oleovorans strain ATCC 29347 suspended in silicone oil.

A high intensity direct current was applied for more than 10 min onto a bacterial suspension of Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 29347 suspended in silicone oil. The application of a gradually increased electric field from 0 to 2500 V x cm(-1) resulted in a decrease of the optical density of the bacterial suspension and the occurrence of a peak current of several hundred microA for living cells instead of a linear increase (few microA) for killed or lyophilised cells. This procedure is not only a rapid way of investigating the living state of cell cultures but also an efficient experimental tool to study the cellular effects of a controlled electrical stress.

First determination of arthropod assemblages associated with Erica arborea L. and Erica scoparia L.

This study gathers the first data concerning the arthropod assemblages associated with Erica arborea L. and E. scoparia L. It demonstrates that it is necessary to sample at least ten Erica scoparia L. to give a representative image of its arthropod assemblage. This study reveals that neither plant size nor architecture nor floristic environment can explain the different patterns of colonisation of both species of Erica by the arthropod assemblages. If our attention is focused on the three main species collected on both species of Erica, it appears that the nearly exclusive presence of Sitona lineatus L. on E. arborea L. might be correlated with highly different concentrations in tannins between the two species of Erica. In contrast, the different patterns of colonisation and the number of individuals of Colaspidea oblonga Blanchard collected on both species of Erica might be linked to the life-history of this Chrysomelideae. Finally, the presence of Psallus crotchi Scott to the same extent on both Erica species can be connected to the destruction of its natural host-plant and to the similar concentrations of nitrogen, a limiting factor for sap-sucker's colonisation, in both Erica species.

[Heptaminol adenosine phosphate and the premenstrual syndrome]. / Adénosine phosphate d'heptaminol et syndrome prémenstruel.

The efficacy of the adenosine phosphate of heptaminol on the functional symptomatology of the premenstrual syndrome has been assessed in the framework of an "open" controlled trial against a reference product. 45 women received adenosine phosphate of heptaminol (6 gelatine capsules/day) or the reference product during 2 cycles. The statistical analysis of the results by symptom demonstrates the markedly superior activity of the adenosine phosphate of heptaminol on pelvic pains (p less than 0.02), and on the pains and heaviness of the lower limbs (p less than 0.05). The superiority of adenosine phosphate of heptaminol was similarly demonstrated in the global evaluation of results. The tolerance must be regarded as excellent.

[Alternation, or the best approach to contraception]. / L'alternance ou la bonne politique en contraception.

PIP: This article outlines the indications and contraindications of different contraceptive methods based on knowledge of the female reproductive cycle and variations by age and reproductive history. Methods should be chosen after clinical examination and interview to determine the wishes of the couple. The female reproductive cycle is reviewed through definitions and discussion of the endometrium, the ovaries and their endocrine and exocrine functions, the pituitary, and the hypothalamus, with indications where appropriate of their role in the action of specific contraceptive methods. Variations in the cycle at puberty, from adolescence to 35 years, at premenopause, postpartum and postabortion, and as a result of pathological conditions are described. The general characteristics, use instructions, effectiveness, and advantages and disadvantages of different contraceptive methods are then described, including the physiological methods (rhythm, temperature, and Billings); mechanical barriers and cervical chemical methods (condoms, diaphragms, spermicidal tablets); monophasic, sequential, and diphasic pills and progestin only pills; morning after pill; trimonthly injections of progesterone, and IUDs. Indications and contraindications for different age groups are outlined. IUDs are contraindicated for adolescents, low dose pills may be used at least 2 years after puberty if cycles are regular, and local spermicides may be the best choice for those with sporadic sexual activity. In general all methods may be utilized by women under 35 but different pill formulations are appropriate for different conditions and IUDs should be avoided in cases of local infection or retroverted uterus. For women over 35 sequential progestins are recommended to compensate for luteal insufficiency. Discontinuous progestins are recommended for premenopausal women because they simultaneously treat luteal insufficiency, mastopathies, and endometrial hypertrophies. For postpartum use minidose combined pills, injections of Depo-Provera, or local spermicides are recommended. A table of indications for various methods is included.^ieng

[Simultaneous discovery of osteopetrosis in a mother and fetus on the occasion of radiopelvimetry (author's transl)]. / Découverte simultanée d'une ostéopétrose chez la mère et le foetus à l'occasion d'une radiopelvimétrie

On the occasion of radiopelvimetry, requested for suspected narrowed pelvis, osteopetrosis was discovered simultaneously in the mother and fetus. At birth, the child was perfectly normal and subsequently showed no clinical or laboratory disorder apart from diffuse osseous condensation. The genetic enquiry proved difficult owing to the family situation and up to this day it is not complete and definitively stopped. Although the beginning of the osseous disorders starts in the fetus on an average at the 4th to 5th month of pregnancy, Albers-Schonberg disease is exceptionally diagnosed during the parenatal period. In fact, the incidence of osteopetrosis in the population remains low and on the other hand prenatal radiological examinations are sparingly requested for specific clinical indications. It is the simultaneous discovery of the condition in the mother and the fetus which makes this case a novel one. The discovery of the fetal involvement does not permit prediction concerning progress towards a benign or malignant form.