Impact of Deficit Irrigation (DI) and Root-Zone Drying Irrigation Technique (PRD) under Different Nitrogen Rates on Radiation Use Efficiency for Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) in Semi-arid Conditions (II)

The study was carried out at the Technical Center of Potato and Artichoke CTPTA located in the lower valley of Medjerda river of Tunisia during the season of 2017. The purpose was to estimate the impact of deficit irrigation (DI) and the root-zone drying irrigation technique (PRD) under different nitrogen rates on photo synthetically active radiation absorbed and radiation use efficiency for Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L. VS. Spunta). Three water treatments (T1= 100% ETC, T2 = DI = 75% ETC and T3 = PRD50) and three nitrogen rates (F1 = N150: 150 kg N ha-1, F2 = N75: 75kg N ha-1, F3 = N0: 0kg N ha-1) were applied since the tuber initiation (55 days after planting) to maturity (100 days after planting). The deficit irrigation T2 has no effect on PARabs. Besides, the PRD50 has led to a reduction in PARabs. This decrease compare to T1 was equal to (8.9; 9.9 and 7.9%) respectively for the three treatments (F1; F2 and F3). The nitrogen deficit affects negatively the PARabs. An improvement of 13.2%, 11.2% and 12.2% of the F1 compared to the F3, respectively for the three water treatments (T1, T2 and T3). The T2 has no effect on RUE TDM. Conversely, the PRD50 has led to a reduction in RUE TDM. This decline referee against T1 was equal to (12.7; 17.4 and 21.5%) respectively for the three treatments (F1; F2 and F3). For RUEGY statistical analysis showed significant (P < 0.05) difference between the three irrigation treatments (T0, T1 and T2) for the three nitrogen treatments (F1; F2 and F3). The T2 and the PRD50 has led to a reduction in RUE GY. This decrease judge against T1 respectively for the two treatments (F2 and F3) was equal to (14.9 and 21.5%) and (19.6 and 31.2%)

Effect of Deficit Irrigation and Root-Zone Drying Irrigation Technique under Different Nitrogen Rates on Water Use Efficiency for Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) in Semi-arid Conditions (I)

An investigation was carried out at the Technical Center of Potato and Artichoke CTPTA in the region of Saida, located in the lower valley of Medjerda river during the season of 2017. The objective was to evaluate the effects of deficit irrigation (DI) and the root-zone drying irrigation technique (PRD) under different nitrogen rates on total dry matter production (TDM), water consumption (WC) and water use efficiency of potato (Solanum Tuberosum L. VS. Spunta). Three water treatments (T1 = FI = 100% ETC, T2 = DI = 75% ETC and T3 = PRD50) and three nitrogen rates (F1 = N150: 150 kg N ha-1, F2 = N75: 75kg N ha-1, F3 = N0: 0kg N ha-1) were applied since the tuber initiation (55 days after planting) to maturity (100 days after planting). The results showed that the water regime affected negatively the total dry matter accumulation. A decline of 7 and 18.6% was registered in the two treatments T2 and T3 compared to the control T1. The WC decreased during water restriction respectively by 16; 33 and 29% for the T2 and T3 (PRD50 left) and T3 (PRD50 right) compared to T1. For the three nitrogen treatments (F1, F2 and F3) the water restriction has increased the WUE. The best values was recorded in the treatment T2 and then in the treatment T3 from where this increase compared to T1 was equal to (22.6% and 12.9%), (24.1% and 12, 4%) and (21.9% and 15.3%) respectively

Circulating cytokines and risk of developing hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Immune responses play a significant role in hypertension, though the importance of key inflammatory mediators remains to be defined. We used a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to study the associations between key cytokines and incident hypertension. Methods: We performed a systematic search of Pubmed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), for peer-reviewed studies published up to August 2022. Incident hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg and/or the use of antihypertensive medications. Random effects meta-analyses were used to calculate pooled hazard ratios (HRs)/risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals by cytokine levels (highest vs. lowest quartile). Results: Only IL-6 and IL-1β levels have evidence allowing for quantitative evaluation concerning the onset of hypertension. Six studies (10,406 participants, 2,932 incident cases) examined the association of IL-6 with incident hypertension. The highest versus lowest quartile of circulating IL-6 was associated with a significant HR/RR of hypertension (1.61, 95% CI: 1.00 to 2.60; I2=87%). After adjusting for potential confounders, including body mass index (BMI), HR/RR was no longer significant (HR/RR: 1.24; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.61; I2= 56%). About IL-1β, neither the crude (HR/RR: 1.03; 95% CI, 0.60 to 1.76; n=2) nor multivariate analysis (HR/RR: 0.97, 95% CI, 0.60 to 1.56; n=2) suggested a significant association with the risk of developing hypertension. Conclusions: A limited number of studies suggest that higher IL-6, but not IL-1β, might be associated with the development of hypertension

Oxysterols, age-related-diseases and nutritherapy: Focus on 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol

Age-related diseases are often associated with a disruption of RedOx balance that can lead to lipid peroxidation with the formation of oxysterols, especially those oxidized on carbon-7: 7-ketocholesterol (also known as 7-oxo-cholesterol) and 7β-hydroxycholesterol. Like cholesterol, these oxysterols have 27 carbons, they are composed of a sterane nucleus and have a hydroxyl function in position 3. The oxysterols 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol are mainly formed by cholesterol autoxidation and are biomarkers of oxidative stress. These two oxysterols are frequently found at increased levels in the biological fluids (plasma, cerebrospinal fluid), tissues and/or organs (arterial wall, retina, brain) of patients with age-related diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases (mainly Alzheimer's disease), ocular diseases (cataract, age-related macular degeneration), and sarcopenia. Depending on the cell type considered, 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol induce either caspase- dependent or -independent types of cell death associated with mitochondrial and peroxisomal dysfunctions, autophagy and oxidative stress. The caspase dependent type of cell death associated with oxidative stress and autophagy is defined as oxiapoptophagy. These two oxysterols are also inducers of inflammation. These biological features associated with the toxicity of 7-ketocholesterol, and 7β-hydroxycholesterol are often observed in patients with age-related diseases, suggesting an involvement of these oxysterols in the pathophysiology of these disorders. The cytotoxic effects of 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol are counteracted on different cell models by representative nutrients of the Mediterranean diet: ω3 and ω9 fatty acids, polyphenols, and tocopherols. There are also evidences, mainly in cardiovascular diseases, of the benefits of α-tocopherol and phenolic compounds. These in vitro and in vivo observations on 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol, which are frequently increased in age-related diseases, reinforce the interest of nutritherapeutic treatments to prevent and/or cure age-related diseases currently without effective therapies

Latitude gradient influences the age of onset of rheumatoid arthritis : a worldwide survey

The age of onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an important outcome predictor. Northern countries report an age of RA onset of around 50 years, but apparently, variability exists across different geographical regions. The objective of the present study is to assess whether the age of onset of RA varies across latitudes worldwide. In a proof-of-concept cross-sectional worldwide survey, rheumatologists from preselected cities interviewed 20 consecutive RA patients regarding the date of RA onset (RAO, when the patient first noted a swollen joint). Other studied variables included location of each city, rheumatologist settings, latitudes (10A degrees increments, south to north), longitudes (three regions), intracountry consistency, and countries' Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI). Data from 2481 patients (82% females) were obtained from 126 rheumatologists in 77 cities of 41 countries. Worldwide mean age of RAO was 44 +/- 14 years (95% CI 44-45). In 28% of patients, RA began before age 36 years and before age 46 years in 50% of patients. RAO was 8 years earlier around the Tropic of Cancer when compared with northern latitudes (p <0.001, 95% CI 3.5-13). Multivariate analysis showed that females, western cities, and latitudes around the Tropic of Cancer are associated with younger age of RAO (R (2) 0.045, p <0.001). A positive correlation was found between the age of RAO and IHDI (r = 0.7, p <0.01, R (2) 0.5). RA often begins at an early age and onset varies across latitudes worldwide. We postulate that countries' developmental status and their geographical and geomagnetic location influence the age of RAO.Peer reviewe

La bio-indication de la pollution aquatique par les microalgues (Cas de l'Oued "Bounamoussa" et du Lac des" Oiseaux")

Les milieux aquatiques continentaux sont des écosystèmes complexes, fragiles et régis par des lois physico-chimiques précises. Les microalgues qui les colonisent vivent en équilibre instable et en dépendent totalement. Les genres les plus tolérants s'adaptent à l'entrée d'une substance exogène ou à une modification des paramètres physico-chimiques. Nous avons utilise des microalgues comme indicatrices biologiques de la pollution aquatique dans deux hydrosystèmes : L'oued "Bounamoussa" et le Lac des "Oiseaux" (W. El-Tarf). La méthode appliquée est celle de l'indice de pollution organique préconisée par Palmer (1969) qui consiste à traduire le niveau de la contamination dans les échantillons de l'eau. L'observation des caractères morphologiques des microalgues récoltées nous a permis de recenser 20 genres. Nous avons enregistre 10 genres dans l'Oued "Bounamoussa": Microcystis, Euglena, Lepocinclis, Gomphonema, Melosira, Navicula, Synedra, Chlorella, Closterium et Scenedesmus. Au niveau du Lac des "Oiseaux", nous avons note l'existence de 17 genres: Aphanizomenon, Anabaena, Cylindrospermum, Merismopedia, Microcystis, Phormidium, Synechocystis, Phacus, Cyclotella, Gomphonema, Navicula, Synedra, Ankistrodesmus, Chlorella, Closterium, Pediastrum et Scenedesmus. Les résultats montrent que les densités algales les plus élevées sont enregistrées dans le Lac des "Oiseaux", suivi de l'Oued "Bounamoussa". Selon l'indice de pollution de Palmer (1969), nous avons constate qu'il existe une faible pollution organique (indice = 9) au niveau de l'Oued "Bounamoussa". En revanche, la contamination dans le site du Lac des "Oiseaux" par la matière organique est considérée comme moyenne (indice = 12).Mots cles: Pollution organique -Microalgues - Bioindication - Genres tolérants d'algues - Indice de Palmer (1969). Continental aquatic environments are complex, fragile and governed by specific physico- chemical ecosystems laws. Microalgae that colonize living precariously and totally dependent. The most tolerant genera adapt to the input of an exogenous substance or a change in physico-chemical parameters. We used microalgae as biological indicators of water pollution in two sites: Bounamoussa's River and Lake of the Birds (W.Tarf). The method applied is the index of organic pollution recommended by Palmer (1969), which is to translate the level of contamination in water samples. The observation of morphological characteristics of collected microalgae allowed us to identify 20 genera. We recorded 10 genera in Bounamoussa's River: Microcystis, Euglena, Lepocinclis, Gomphonema, Melosira, Navicula, Synedra, Chlorella, Closterium and Scenedesmus. At the Lake of the Birds, we noted the existence of 17 genera: Aphanizomenon, Anabaena, Cylindrospermum, Merismopedia, Microcystis, Phormidium, Synechocystis, Phacus, Cyclotella, Gomphonema, Navicula, Synedra, Ankistrodesmus, Chlorella, Closterium, Pediastrum and Scenedesmus. The results show that the highest algal densities are recorded in the Lake of the Birds, followed by the Bounamoussa's River. According to the pollution index Palmer (1969), we found that there is little organic pollution (index = 9) at Bounamoussa's River. However, the contamination at the site of the Lake of the Birds by organic matter is considered average (index= 12).Keywords: Organic pollution -Microalgae - Bioindication -Pollution tolerant genera of algae -Palmer index (1969)