Biometry of late Quaternary coccoliths from the Southern Cadiz region

The Cadiz region lies between the Iberian borderland and Morocco, west of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Western Mediterranean. Core GeoB9064-1 (35°24,91’N 6°50,72’W) is located in the southwest at a depth of 702 m, close to the Al Arraich mud volcano field 30 km off the Moroccan margin„ and has a length of 544 cm. Like most coastal regions, the southern Cadiz region is characterised by a coccolith assemblage dominated by the placoliths Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa muellerae.Late Quaternary fluctuations are pronounced in this core, as shown by geochemical (TOC and CaC03) and XRF analysis (K, Mg, Fe, etc.), but also in abundances of coccoliths and more particularly Emiliania huxleyi. These can be related to upwelling and/or bottom currents.Colmenero-Hidalgo (2002) has split up Emiliania huxleyi in a larger coldwater and smaller warmwater variety based on a 4 µm cut-off value. Colmenero-Hid algo (2004) identified a deglacial decrease in the larger coldwater variety.In this study, 100 Emiliania huxleyi and 100 Gephyrocapsa muellerae lengths were measured in 30 samples. Comparison of the biometry of Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa muellerae shows that these both species have similar fluctuations and both become smaller during the Holocene, revealing the splitting of Emiliania huxleyi in two morphotypes, to be more complex. A new method to tackle this problem is proposed

COCARDE: new view on old mounds – an international network of carbonate mound research

EGU2012-12550 Carbonate mounds are important contributors of life in different settings, from warm-water to cold-water environments, and throughout geological history. Research on modern cold-water coral carbonate mounds over the last decades made a major contribution to our overall understanding of these particular sedimentary systems. By looking to the modern carbonate mound community with cold-water corals as main framework builders, some fundamental questions could be addressed, until now not yet explored in fossil mound settings. The international network COCARDE (http://www.cocarde.eu) is a platform for exploring new insights in carbonate mound research of recent and ancient mound systems. The aim of the COCARDE network is to bring together scientific communities, studying Recent carbonate mounds in midslope environments in the present ocean and investigating fossil mounds spanning the whole Phanerozoic time, respectively. Scientific challenges in modern and ancient carbonate mound research got well defined during the ESF Magellan Workshop COCARDE in Fribourg, Switzerland (21.–24.01.2009). The Special Volume Cold-water Carbonate Reservoir systems in Deep Environments – COCARDE (Marine Geology, Vol. 282) was the major outcome of this meeting and highlights the diversity of Recent arbonate mound studies. The following first jointWorkshop and Field Seminar held in Oviedo, Spain (16.–20.09.2009) highlighted ongoing research from both Recent and fossil academic groups integrating the message from the industry. The field seminar focused on mounds from the Carboniferous platform of Asturias and Cantabria, already intensively visited by industrial and academic researchers. However, by comparing ancient, mixed carbonate-siliciclastic mound systems of Cantabria with the Recent ones in the Porcupine Seabight, striking similarities in their genesis and processes in mound development asked for an integrated drilling campaign to understand better the 3D internal mound build-up. The Oviedo Workshop and Field Seminar led to the submission of a White Paper on Carbonate Mound Drilling and the initiation of the ESF European Research Network Programme Cold-Water Carbonate Mounds in Shallow and Deep Time – The European Research Network (COCARDE-ERN) launched in June 2011. The second COCARDE Workshop and Field Seminar was held in Rabat, Morocco (24.–30.10.2011) and thematically focussed on carbonate mounds of(f) Morocco. The compact workshop invited students from Moroccan Universities to experience ongoing carbonate mound research in Recent and Ancient environments of Morocco. Two Round Tables discussed innovative approaches in carbonate mound research in Morocco (Recent vs. Ancient - offshore vs. onshore) and reviewed together with oil industry opportunities of international collaboration. The outcome of this workshop will lead into joint research projects, drilling campaigns on- and offshore, and expansion of COCARDE onto the African continent

Acoustic properties in travertines and their relation to porosity and pore types

Sonic velocities of Pleistocene travertines were measured under variable confining pressures. Combined with petrographical characteristics and petrophysical data, i.e. porosity, permeability and density, it was determined that travertine porosity, pore types and cementation control compressional-wave (Vp) and shear-wave velocity (Vs). At 40 MPa confining pressures, Vp ranges between 3695 and 6097 m/s and Vs between 2037 and 3140 m/s. Velocity variations in travertines are, as with all carbonates, primarily linked to sample heterogeneity, i.e. differences in fabric, texture and porosity. They thus not necessarily emanate from changes in mineralogy or composition. Body wave velocities have a positive correlation with sample density and an inverse correlation with porosity. The travertines, sampled in extensional settings with normal faulting activity, define a specific compressional-wave velocity (y-axis) versus porosity (x-axis) equation, i.e. (log(y) = −0.0048x + 3.7844) that differs from the Vp-porosity paths defined by marine carbonates. Acoustic wave velocities are higher for travertines than for marine carbonates. Travertine precipitates form rigid rock frames, often called framestone, with large primary pores. Marine carbonates on the other hand often consist of (cemented) transported sediments, resulting in a rock frame that permits slower wave propagation when compared to the continental limestones.Acoustic velocity variations are linked to variations in pore types. Mouldic pores (macropores) show faster wave propagation than expected from their total porosities. Microporosity, interlaminar and interpeloidal porosity result in slower acoustic velocities. Framework pores and micro-moulds are associated with lowered acoustic velocities, while vug porosity is found above, on and below the general velocity-porosity trend. Not only the pore type, but also pore shapes exert control on body wave velocities. Cuboid-and rod-like pore shapes increase the velocity, while plate-and blade-like pore shapes have a negative effect on the velocity. The study demonstrates how seismic sections in travertine systems can contain seismic reflections that are not caused by non-carbonate intercalations, but relate to geobody boundaries, in which the seismic expression is function of porosity, pore types and shapes. This study provides and relates petrophysical data, i.e. porosity, permeability and acoustic velocities of travertines and is of importance for the interpretation of seismic reflection data in subsurface continental carbonate reservoirs

COCARDE: A research platform for a new look to ancient mounds

Carbonate mounds are important contributors of life in different settings, from warm-water to cold-water environments, and throughout geological history. Research on modern carbonate mounds over the last years made a major contribution to our overall understanding of these particular sedimentary systems. By looking to the modern carbonate mound community, some fundamental questions could be addressed, until now not yet explored in fossil mound settings.The international network COCARDE (Cold-Water Carbonate Reservoir Systems in Deep Environment) is a platform for exploring new insights in cold- and warm-water carbonate mound research of recent and ancient mound systems (http://www.cocarde.eu). One aim of the COCARDE network is to bring scientific communities together, to study recent carbonate mounds in midslope environments in the present ocean, and to investigate fossil mounds spanning the whole Phanerozoic time.Scientific challenges on modern and ancient carbonate mound systems got already well defined during two dedicated workshops of the COCARDE network: 1) the ESF Magellan COCARDEWorkshop in Fribourg, Switzerland, January 21-24, 2009, and 2) the ESF MiCROSYSTEMS – FWO COCARDE Flanders – ESF CHECREEF Workshop and Field Seminar, Oviedo, Spain, September 16–20, 2009.The wide spectrum of disciplines in geosciences and biology are summarized in the following five topics for the carbonate mound research: i) Palaeoenvironment; ii) The Microbial Filter; iii) Petrophysical Characterization; iv) Connectivity and Compartmentalization – the Fluid System; v) Advancing our Insight in Phanerozoic Reef Systems– the Slope Niche. One of the most important outcomes of these meetings was the identification of the need for combined research efforts on fossil and modern carbonate settings to provide the baseline reference standard for a better understanding of these exceptional systems and their potential as hydrocarbon reservoirs

Synthesis of a base-stock for electrical insulating fluid based on palm kernel oil

This report presents a method for synthesizing base-stock for green industrial product from a vegetable oil with a high composition of unsaturated fatty acids. Epoxy methyl ester of palm kernel oil was synthesized from laboratory purified palm kernel oil using a two-step reaction and the products were used as a base-stock for green electrical insulation fluid. Epoxidized palm kernel oil was first prepared through epoxidation reaction involving purified palm kernel oil, acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of amberlite as catalyst which lasted for 4 h. It was then followed by transesterification reaction involving the epoxidized product and methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide as catalyst to synthesize the corresponding epoxy methyl ester. The thermal and electrical breakdown properties of the epoxy methyl ester demonstrated significantly improved properties for its use as raw material for bio-based industrial products such as electrical insulation fluids

Perinatal mortality in Ireland. Annual report 2014.

‌Perinatal mortality refers to the death of babies in the weeks before or after birth. Perinatal mortality includes stillbirths (babies born with no signs of life after 24 weeks of pregnancy or weighing at least 500 grams) and the deaths of babies within 28 days of being born. Perinatal mortality is an important indicator of the quality of obstetric and neonatal care. Measurement of the outcome of care is central to the development of safe and high quality healthcare services. In recent years, the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre (NPEC) has worked with colleagues in developing an in-depth clinical audit of perinatal mortality. Smoking and substance use - page 2

Relationship Between the Expression of O-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase (MGMT) and p53, and the Clinical Response in Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Treated with FOLFIRINOX

BACKGROUND: To date, no predictive biomarker for the efficacy of FOLFIRINOX in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma has been demonstrated. Deficiency in O-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) has been associated with a therapeutic response in endocrine tumors of the pancreas and the lack of expression of protein 53 (p53) could interfere with the action of MGMT. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of MGMT and p53 in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with FOLFIRINOX as a first-line treatment and to investigate their association with therapeutic response and survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The immunohistochemical expression of MGMT was recorded as present or absent and the expression of p53 was semi-quantitatively scored in 30 patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, at Angers Hospital in France between September 2011 and June 2015. Clinical and radiologic data were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: The presence or absence of MGMT expression entailed no significant differences in response rate. Median values of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were lower in patients with MGMT expression, but sample size is too small to conclude that there is a statistically significant difference. No significant relationship for response rate and PFS was observed in relation with p53 expression. By contrast, patients with a strong tumor expression of p53 had a significantly lower OS compared to patients with no or weak expression of the protein (p = 0.027). There was a positive correlation between the expression of p53 and MGMT (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that for patients treated with FOLFIRINOX as a first-line treatment for metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the immunohistochemical evaluation of MGMT could not predict the clinical outcome; however, the survival was not significant probably because of the under-powered study (due to small sample size). A strong tumor expression of p53 is associated with a poor prognosis of OS

New insights into orthostatic hypotension in multiple system atrophy: a European multicentre cohort study

Objectives: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a key feature of multiple system atrophy (MSA), a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with autonomic failure, parkinsonism and ataxia. This study aims (1) to determine the clinical spectrum of OH in a large European cohort of patients with MSA and (2) to investigate whether a prolonged postural challenge increases the sensitivity to detect OH in MSA. Methods: Assessment of OH during a 10 min orthostatic test in 349 patients with MSA from seven centres of the European MSA-Study Group (age: 63.6±8.8 years; disease duration: 4.2±2.6 years). Assessment of a possible relationship between OH and MSA subtype (P with predominant parkinsonism or C with predominant cerebellar ataxia), Unified MSA Rating Scale (UMSARS) scores and drug intake. Results: 187 patients (54%) had moderate (>20 mm Hg (systolic blood pressure (SBP)) and/or >10 mm Hg (diastolic blood pressure (DBP)) or severe OH (>30 mm Hg (SBP) and/or >15 mm Hg (DBP)) within 3 min and 250 patients (72%) within 10 min. OH magnitude was significantly associated with disease severity (UMSARS I, II and IV), orthostatic symptoms (UMSARS I) and supine hypertension. OH severity was not associated with MSA subtype. Drug intake did not differ according to OH magnitude except for antihypertensive drugs being less frequently, and antihypotensive drugs more frequently, prescribed in severe OH. Conclusions: This is the largest study of OH in patients with MSA. Our data suggest that the sensitivity to pick up OH increases substantially by a prolonged 10 min orthostatic challenge. These results will help to improve OH management and the design of future clinical trials.Fil: Pavy Le Traon, Anne. University Hospital of Toulouse; Francia. Inserm; FranciaFil: Piedvache, A.. Université Paul Sabatier; FranciaFil: Pérez Lloret, Santiago. University Hospital of Toulouse; Francia. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Calandra Buonara, G.. Università di Bologna; Italia. Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna; ItaliaFil: Cochen De Cock, V.. University Hospital of Toulouse; Francia. University of Montpellier; FranciaFil: Colosimo, C.. Sapienza Università di Roma; ItaliaFil: Cortelli, P.. Università di Bologna; Italia. Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna; ItaliaFil: Debs, R.. University Hospital of Toulouse; FranciaFil: Duerr, S.. Universidad de Innsbruck; AustriaFil: Fanciulli, A.. Universidad de Innsbruck; AustriaFil: Foubert Samier, A.. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux; Francia. Universite de Bordeaux; FranciaFil: Gerdelat, Angela. University Hospital of Toulouse; FranciaFil: Gurevich, T.. Tel-Aviv University; IsraelFil: Krismer, F.. Universidad de Innsbruck; AustriaFil: Poewe, W.. Universidad de Innsbruck; AustriaFil: Tison, Francois. Universite de Bordeaux; Francia. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux; FranciaFil: Tranchant, C.. University Hospital Hautepierre; FranciaFil: Wenning, G.. Universidad de Innsbruck; AustriaFil: Meissner, Wassilios G.. Universite de Bordeaux; Francia. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux; FranciaFil: Rascol, Olivier. University Hospital of Toulouse; Franci

Diagnostic value of cerebrospinal fluid alpha-synuclein seed quantification in synucleinopathies

Several studies have confirmed the α-synuclein real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay to have high sensitivity and specificity for Parkinson's disease. However, whether the assay can be used as a robust, quantitative measure to monitor disease progression, stratify different synucleinopathies and predict disease conversion in patients with idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder remains undetermined. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of CSF α-synuclein RT-QuIC quantitative parameters in regard to disease progression, stratification and conversion in synucleinopathies. We performed α-synuclein RT-QuIC in the CSF samples from 74 Parkinson's disease, 24 multiple system atrophy and 45 idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder patients alongside 55 healthy controls, analysing quantitative assay parameters in relation to clinical data. α-Synuclein RT-QuIC showed 89% sensitivity and 96% specificity for Parkinson's disease. There was no correlation between RT-QuIC quantitative parameters and Parkinson's disease clinical scores (e.g. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor), but RT-QuIC positivity and some quantitative parameters (e.g. Vmax) differed across the different phenotype clusters. RT-QuIC parameters also added value alongside standard clinical data in diagnosing Parkinson's disease. The sensitivity in multiple system atrophy was 75%, and CSF samples showed longer T50 and lower Vmax compared to Parkinson's disease. All RT-QuIC parameters correlated with worse clinical progression of multiple system atrophy (e.g. change in Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale). The overall sensitivity in idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder was 64%. In three of the four longitudinally followed idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder cohorts, we found around 90% sensitivity, but in one sample (DeNoPa) diagnosing idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder earlier from the community cases, this was much lower at 39%. During follow-up, 14 of 45 (31%) idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder patients converted to synucleinopathy with 9/14 (64%) of convertors showing baseline RT-QuIC positivity. In summary, our results showed that α-synuclein RT-QuIC adds value in diagnosing Parkinson's disease and may provide a way to distinguish variations within Parkinson's disease phenotype. However, the quantitative parameters did not correlate with disease severity in Parkinson's disease. The assay distinguished multiple system atrophy patients from Parkinson's disease patients and in contrast to Parkinson's disease, the quantitative parameters correlated with disease progression of multiple system atrophy. Our results also provided further evidence for α-synuclein RT-QuIC having potential as an early biomarker detecting synucleinopathy in idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder patients prior to conversion. Further analysis of longitudinally followed idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder patients is needed to better understand the relationship between α-synuclein RT-QuIC signature and the progression from prodromal to different synucleinopathies

Shared Genetics of Multiple System Atrophy and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterized by intracellular accumulations of α-synuclein and nerve cell loss in striatonigral and olivopontocerebellar structures. Epidemiological and clinical studies have reported potential involvement of autoimmune mechanisms in MSA pathogenesis. However, genetic etiology of this interaction remains unknown. We aimed to investigate genetic overlap between MSA and 7 autoimmune diseases and to identify shared genetic loci. METHODS: Genome-wide association study summary statistics of MSA and 7 autoimmune diseases were combined in cross-trait conjunctional false discovery rate analysis to explore overlapping genetic background. Expression of selected candidate genes was compared in transgenic MSA mice and wild-type mice. Genetic variability of candidate genes was further investigated using independent whole-exome genotyping data from large cohorts of MSA and autoimmune disease patients and healthy controls. RESULTS: We observed substantial polygenic overlap between MSA and inflammatory bowel disease and identified 3 shared genetic loci with leading variants upstream of the DENND1B and RSP04 genes, and in intron of the C7 gene. Further, the C7 gene showed significantly dysregulated expression in the degenerating midbrain of transgenic MSA mice compared with wild-type mice and had elevated burden of protein-coding variants in independent MSA and inflammatory bowel disease cohorts. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence of shared genetic etiology between MSA and inflammatory bowel disease with an important role of the C7 gene in both phenotypes, with the implication of immune and gut dysfunction in MSA pathophysiology. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society