Age- and Sex-Specific Nomographic CT Quantitative Plaque Data From a Large International Cohort.

With growing adoption of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA), there is increasing evidence for and interest in the prognostic importance of atherosclerotic plaque volume. Manual tools for plaque segmentation are cumbersome, and their routine implementation in clinical practice is limited. The aim of this study was to develop nomographic quantitative plaque values from a large consecutive multicenter cohort using coronary CTA. Quantitative assessment of total atherosclerotic plaque and plaque subtype volumes was performed in patients undergoing clinically indicated coronary CTA, using an Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Quantitative Coronary Plaque Analysis tool. A total of 11,808 patients were included in the analysis; their mean age was 62.7 ± 12.2 years, and 5,423 (45.9%) were women. The median total plaque volume was 223 mm <sup>3</sup> (IQR: 29-614 mm <sup>3</sup> ) and was significantly higher in male participants (360 mm <sup>3</sup> ; IQR: 78-805 mm <sup>3</sup> ) compared with female participants (108 mm <sup>3</sup> ; IQR: 10-388 mm <sup>3</sup> ) (P < 0.0001). Total plaque increased with age in both male and female patients. Younger patients exhibited a higher prevalence of noncalcified plaque. The distribution of total plaque volume and its components was reported in every decile by age group and sex. The authors developed pragmatic age- and sex-stratified percentile nomograms for atherosclerotic plaque measures using findings from coronary CTA. The impact of age and sex on total plaque and its components should be considered in the risk-benefit analysis when treating patients. Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Quantitative Coronary Plaque Analysis work flows could provide context to better interpret coronary computed tomographic angiographic measures and could be integrated into clinical decision making

Improved yield, fruit quality, and salt resistance in tomato co-overexpressing LeNHX2 and SlSOS2 genes

The K, Na/H antiporter LeNHX2 and the regulatory kinase SlSOS2 are important determinants of salt tolerance in tomato plants and their fruit production ability. In this work, we have analyzed the effects of LeNHX2 and SlSOS2 co-overexpression on fruit production, quality in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. MicroTom), and analyzed physiological parameters related to salt tolerance. Plants overexpressing LeNHX2, SlSOS2 or both were grown in greenhouse. They were treated with 125 mM NaCl or left untreated and their salt tolerance was analyzed in terms of plant biomass and fruit yield. Under NaCl cultivation conditions, transgenic tomato plants overexpressing either SlSOS2 or LeNHX2 or both grew better and showed a higher biomass compared to their wild-type plants. Proline, glucose and protein content in leaves as well as pH and total soluble solid (TSS) in fruits were analyzed. Our results indicate that salinity tolerance of transgenic lines is associated with an increased proline, glucose and protein content in leaves of plants grown either with or without NaCl. Salt treatment significantly reduced yield, pH and TSS in fruits of WT plants but increased yield, pH and TSS in fruits of transgenic plants, especially those overexpressing both LeNHX2 and SlSOS2. All these results indicate that the co-overexpression of LeNHX2 and SlSOS2 improve yield and fruit quality of tomato grown under saline conditions.This work was supported by grants from National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research-CNRST and Minister for Higher Education, Scientific Research and Executive Training— Morocco (PPR/2015/21). Consejería de Economía, Innovación Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía, Spain (CVI-7558 to MPRR), Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and Agencia Estatal de Investigación (BIO2015-65056-P, BIO2016-81957-REDT/ AEI and Programa I-COOPB + 2013 Ref: COOPB20053)

Gibberellic acid and indole acetic acid improves salt tolerance in transgenic tomato plants overexpressing LeNHX4 antiporter

Salinity is the major environmental factor that limits plant growth and productivity. High concentrations of Na and Cl ions in soil solution negatively affect K uptake and may cause physiological and metabolic disorders, which adversely affect the plant growth and crop yield. In plants, NHX antiporters play an important role in salt tolerance by catalyzing Na accumulation in vacuoles. In this work, we studied the effect of exogenous plants hormones auxin (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA), on salinity tolerance, fruit production and quality in transgenic tomato plants overexpressing LeNHX4 antiporter grown under 125 mM NaCl. Here, we have found that IAA and GA positively affected leaf proline, glucose, soluble proteins and ortho-diphenol. In addition, both hormones increased tomato production and fruit quality parameters. These results suggest that GA and IAA improved salinity tolerance and increased fruit yield and quality, probably by increasing the expression or the activity of LeNHX4 antiporter.This work was supported by grants from National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research and Minister for Higher Education, Scientific Research and Executive Training (Morocco) Ref: PPR/2015/21. CSIC Progamme for scientific cooperation for development (I-COOP-B + 2013; Ref: COOPB20053

Computed tomography reference dimensions for identification of stented surgical mitral bioprostheses valve size.

Selection of the transcatheter heart valve size for a mitral valve-in-valve procedure is based on the type and manufacturer's labelled size. However, accurate information of surgical heart valve (SHV) size may not be available in the patient's medical record. The purpose of this study is to establish reference data for computed tomography (CT) dimensions of commonly used mitral SHV in order to determine the manufacturer's labelled size from a cardiac CT data set. CT datasets of 105 patients with surgical mitral bioprosthesis and available manufacturer labeled datasets were included in the analysis. CT derived valve dimensions were assessed by two observers using multiplanar reformats aligned with the basal sewing ring. A circular region of interest was used in a standardized fashion to minimize influence of image acquisition and reconstruction parameters. Interobserver variability was assessed by Bland-Altman analysis. The CT-derived dimensions were stratified by valve size and type, and SHV properties were demonstrated for 5 common valve types. Variability of measurements was small and inter-observer limits of agreement were narrow. Stratified by SHV type, no overlap was noted for CT-derived dimensions among different SHV sizes . A reference table of CT characteristics of surgical mitral bioprosthesis types was created. The study provides reference CT data for determining the manufacturers' labeled SHV size across a range of commonly used mitral SHVs. The findings will be important to help identify types of surgical mitral bioprosthesis utilizing CT characteristics for patients without SHV size documentation

Overexpression of LeNHX4 improved yield, fruit quality and salt tolerance in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

The function of the tomato K, Na/H antiporter LeNHX4 has been analyzed using 35S-driven gene construct for overexpressing a histagged LeNHX4 protein in Solanum lycopersicum L. Compared to wild-type plants, the expression of LeNHX4 was enhanced in most of plants transformed with a gene construct for LeNHX4 overexpression although some plants showed a decreased LeNHX4 expression. Overexpression of LeNHX4 was associated to an increased fruit size while silencing of this gene was related to a decreased fruit size. We have investigated the effect of LeNHX4 overexpression on fruit production and quality and we have also evaluated salt tolerance in two different overexpression lines by measuring proline, protein and glucose concentrations in tomato leaves grown either under control (0 mM NaCl) or saline (125 mM NaCl) conditions. Plants overexpressing LeNHX4 showed a higher amount of fruits than WT plants and accumulated higher contents of sugars and cations (Na and K). The application of 125 mM NaCl, affected negatively fruit production and quality of WT plants. However the transgenic lines overexpressing LeNXH4 increased fruit quality and yield. In relation to salt tolerance, overexpression lines showed higher levels of leaf proline, glucose and proteins under NaCl treatment. The overexpression of LeNHX4 in tomato plants, improved salinity tolerance and increased fruit yield and quality under both normal and salinity stress conditions.This work was supported by Grants from Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía, Spain (CVI-7558 to MPRR), Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and Agencia Estatal de Investigación (BIO2015-65056-P, BIO2016-81957-REDT/AEI and Programa I-COOPB+2013 Ref. COOPB20053 National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research COOPB20053). and Minister for Higher Education, Scientific Research and Executive Training (Morocco)

Seasonal variations of heavy metals content in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Cala Iris offshore (Northern Morocco)

Heavy metal concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn, Co, and Pb were investigated in soft tissues of Mytilus galloprovincialis coming from an aquaculture farm in Cala Iris sea of AlHoceima. Mytilus galloprovincialis were collected monthly during the period January to December 2016. The seasonal variations were affected significantly the concentrations of metals (Cd, Fe and Cr) in M. galloprovincialis. The highest heavy metal concentrations were recorded in winter (0.89 mg/kg, 673.2 and 3.330 mg/kg; for Cd, Fe and Cr, respectively) and the lowest values were founded in summer for Cd (0.646 mg/kg), and in autumn for Fe (340.1 mg/kg) and Cr (1.959 mg/kg). A significant effect of seasons on metal concentrations can be attributed to a number of biological and environmental inter-related factors. Data from this study may provide information on the use of M. galloprovincialis as a bioindicator for heavy metals pollution in the Cala Iris Sea.Peer Reviewe

Bioaccumulation and health risk assessment of trace elements in Mytilus galloprovincialis as sea food in the Al Hoceima coasts (Morocco)

Trabajo presentado en: JOE2: the second edition of Oriental Environmental days. 12-14 Febrero 2021 (On line)The monthly variations in metal concentration of Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn) and Chromium (Cr) were determined in tissues of Mytilus galloprovincialis and seawater obtained from the mussel farm installed along the Al Hoceima coasts, during the sampling period of 2018. The heavy metals encountered in the bivalves were higher than those observed in their environment with a decreasing order of Zn > Cr > Cd. The results also showed a decreasing trend for the metals studied during the summer sampling campaign. The maximum values were obtained during the wet periods. The monthly variations in trace metals observed in the mussel tissues were due to environmental parameters and the physiological state of the bivalves. Our results revealed that the average concentrations of pollutants found in M. galloprovincialis were below the limits allowed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) which are 2.0, 1000 and 1.0 mg/kg, for Cd, Zn and Cr, respectively in molluscan shellfish for human consumption. Therefore, the trace elements present in the tissues of Al Hoceima shore mussels do not represent a risk to human health associated with their consumption, even during the period of their maximum bioaccumulation. Our work highlights the potential use of Mytilus galloprovincialis in the Biomonitoring of metallic pollutants in this region of the northern Moroccan coasts