Towards an agroecological viticulture: advances and challenges

To improve its sustainability, viticulture should increase the provision of ecosystem services to decrease its use of inputs and the resulting environmental impact while maintaining high socio-economic performance. Soil functions in relation with their physical, chemical and biological properties can be regulated by proper soil surface management. Cover crops deliver ecosystem services such as protection of soils, better water infiltration and nitrogen fixation. Yet to avoid trade-off between provision of services and production of grapes, the management of cover crops should adapt to climate variations and to the yield objective. Pest and diseases can be regulated by various technical levers, including the control of the grape vegetative development. The assessment of damages due to pests and disease and of their consequences on yield losses is a key component of the design of alternative strategies of crop protection. This knowledge provides clues for designing management strategies with low pesticide use and high agro-ecological performance. A French national network of experiments has quantified the reduction of pesticide use with decision support systems, biocontrol or resistant varieties. To go further the challenge is now to design agroecological vineyards that combine innovations in management, and also in spatial organization at field, farm and landscape scales

Un nouvel indicateur intégré d’évaluation des dégâts occasionnés aux grappes par des bioagresseurs majeurs au vignoble

Communication faite au cours du colloque DinABio2013, 13 et 14 novembre 2013; Tours, FranceAn original and integrative evaluation indicator has been developed to quantify the cumulated damage from major pests and diseases affecting grape bunches: downy mildew, powdery mildew, gray mould and tortricid moths. It made it possible to estimate the associated crop losses and to relate them to the plant protection strategy in different modes of production (organic farming, in-transition, conventional). Thus, overall plant losses were higher in 2012 than in 2011. The in-transition growers’ strategy, with reduced copper doses but increased numbers of sprays, led to a 20% increase in average severity on bunches (essentially due to Downy mildew). The more pragmatic approach of experienced organic growers and conventional ones (higher doses and fewer sprays) reduced the yield losses. The proposed indicator is used for two purposes, i) evaluating the quantitative losses due to pest attacksand ii) differentiating them from other non-pest ones. A more detailed analysis including the impact on performance will be achieved and published soon.Un indicateur d’évaluation, l’IEDG (Indicateur d’Evaluation des Dégâts sur Grappes), a été mis au point pour quantifier les dégâts cumulés dus aux principaux bioagresseurs affectant les grappes de raisin : mildiou, oïdium, pourriture grise et tordeuses. Il permet d’estimer la perte de récolte imputable au cortège parasitaire et de faire le lien avec la stratégie phytosanitaire adoptée (caractérisée ici par l’IFT) et le mode de production (AB, conversion, conventionnel). Ainsi, les pertes sanitaires ont été supérieures en 2012 par rapport à 2011. La stratégie phytosanitaire des viticulteurs en conversion, basée sur des réductions de dose de cuivre de près de 80% et des passages plus nombreux dans les parcelles, n’a pas été efficiente en 2012 avec des sévérités proches de 20% sur grappe, essentiellement dues au mildiou. L’utilisation de doses d’applications supérieures et moins de passages dans les parcelles limite les dommages chez les autres viticulteurs. L’indicateur proposé permet d’évaluer les pertes quantitatives générées par les attaques de bioagresseurs et de les différencier des autres pertes non parasitaires. Une analyse plus fine incluant l’effet région et l’impact sur le rendement devra être réalisée

Diagnostic DNA Methylation Biomarkers for Renal Cell Carcinoma:A Systematic Review

CONTEXT: The 5-yr survival of early-stage renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is approximately 93%, but once metastasised, the 5-yr survival plummets to 12%, indicating that early RCC detection is crucial to improvement in survival. DNA methylation biomarkers have been suggested to be of potential diagnostic value; however, their current state of clinical translation is unclear and a comprehensive overview is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and summarise all literature regarding diagnostic DNA methylation biomarkers for RCC. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We performed a systematic literature review of PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and Google Scholar up to January 2019, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies (PRISMA-DTA) guidelines. Included studies were scored according to the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD) criteria. Forest plots were generated to summarise diagnostic performance of all biomarkers. Level of evidence (LoE) and potential risk of bias were determined for all included studies. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: After selection, 19 articles reporting on 44 diagnostic DNA methylation biomarkers and 11 multimarker panels were included; however, only 15 biomarkers were independently validated. STARD scores varied from 4 to 13 out of 23 points, with a median of 10 points. Large variation in subgroups, methods, and primer locations was observed. None of the reported biomarkers exceeded LoE III, and the majority of studies reported inadequately. CONCLUSIONS: None of the reported biomarkers exceeded LoE III, indicating their limited clinical utility. Moreover, study reproducibility and further development of these RCC biomarkers are greatly hampered by inadequate reporting. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this report, we reviewed whether specific biomarkers could be used to diagnose the most common form of kidney cancer. We conclude that due to limited evidence and reporting inconsistencies, none of these biomarkers can be used in clinical practice, and further development towards clinical use is hindered

Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE) Global Practice Patterns: An International Survey by the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Society of Europe (CIRSE)

Purpose: An international survey was conducted by the Cardiovascular Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) to evaluate radioembolization practice and capture opinions on real-world clinical and technical aspects of this therapy. Materials and Methods: A survey with 32 multiple choice questions was sent as an email to CIRSE members between November and December 2022. CIRSE group member and sister societies promoted the survey to their local members. The dataset was cleaned of duplicates and entries with missing data, and the resulting anonymized dataset was analysed. Data were presented using descriptive statistics. Results: The survey was completed by 133 sites, from 30 countries, spanning 6 continents. Most responses were from European centres (87/133, 65%), followed by centres from the Americas (22/133, 17%). Responding sites had been performing radioembolization for 10 years on average and had completed a total of 20,140 procedures over the last 5 years. Hepatocellular carcinoma treatments constituted 56% of this total, colorectal liver metastasis 17% and cholangiocarcinoma 14%. New sites had opened every year for the past 20 years, indicating the high demand for this therapy. Results showed a trend towards individualized treatment, with 79% of responders reporting use of personalized dosimetry for treatment planning and 97% reporting routine assessment of microsphere distribution post-treatment. Interventional radiologists played an important role in referrals, being present in the referring multi-disciplinary team in 91% of responding centres. Conclusion: This survey provides insight into the current state of radioembolization practice globally. The results reveal the increasing significance placed on dosimetry, evolving interventional techniques and increased technology integration. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.

Targeting self- and foreign antigens to dendritic cells via DC-ASGPR generates IL-10-producing suppressive CD4+ T cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) can initiate and shape host immune responses toward either immunity or tolerance by their effects on antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells. DC-asialoglycoprotein receptor (DC-ASGPR), a lectinlike receptor, is a known scavenger receptor. Here, we report that targeting antigens to human DCs via DC-ASGPR, but not lectin-like oxidized-LDL receptor, Dectin-1, or DC-specific ICAM-3-grabbing nonintegrin favors the generation of antigen-specific suppressive CD4(+) T cells that produce interleukin 10 (IL-10). These findings apply to both self-and foreign antigens, as well as memory and naive CD4(+) T cells. The generation of such IL-10-producing CD4(+) T cells requires p38/extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation and IL-10 induction in DCs. We further demonstrate that immunization of nonhuman primates with antigens fused to anti-DC-ASGPR monoclonal antibody generates antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells that produce IL-10 in vivo. This study provides a new strategy for the establishment of antigen-specific IL-10-producing suppressive T cells in vivo by targeting whole protein antigens to DCs via DC-ASGPR

Mortality and vigour based indicators for an early diagnosis of vineyard decline

Similar to the forestry industry, the winegrowing sector has experienced a grapevine decline phenomenon over the last twenty years, so that decline is now considered an increasingly widespread problem in many vineyards across the world (De la Fuente et al., 2016). In this work, the relationships between yield, mortality and vegetative vigour were investigated, in both temporal and spatial terms, to identify early diagnosis indicators of vine decline

Biosensor immunoassay for traces of hazelnut protein in olive oil

The fraudulent addition of hazelnut oil to more expensive olive oil not only causes economical loss but may also result in problems for allergic individuals as they may inadvertently be exposed to potentially allergenic hazelnut proteins. To improve consumer safety, a rapid and sensitive direct biosensor immunoassay, based on a highly specific monoclonal antibody, was developed to detect the presence of hazelnut proteins in olive oils. The sample preparation was easy (extraction with buffer); the assay time was fast (4.5 min only) and the limit of detection was low (0.08 μg/g of hazelnut proteins in olive oil). Recoveries obtained with an olive oil mixed with different amounts of a hazelnut protein containing hazelnut oil varied between 93% and 109%

The impact of Pavlovian cues on pain avoidance: A behavioral study

This experiment investigated whether Pavlovian cues predicting pain would increase pain related avoidance behavior. For this purpose, forty-two healthy participants first completed an instrumental acquisition phase, performing three different movements with a pneumatic robot arm. One movement was associated with 80% chance of painful stimulation and required the least effort to perform, another movement was associated with 50% chance and required intermediate effort to perform, and yet another movement was associated with no chance of stimulation, but required the most effort to perform. Next, participants could choose which of these movements they performed. Subsequently, participants learned to associate three different Pavlovian cues with the painful outcome, a reward consisting of two lottery tickets, or neither of these outcomes. In the test phase, comprised of free and restricted parts, these Pavlovian cues were integrated in the movement task, such that the movements were carried out in the presence of one of the cues. Contrary to our hypothesis, presenting a pain cue resulted in a relative decrease in avoidance behavior compared to the presentation of no cue, a neutral cue or a reward cue, although the safe option was still selected most often, regardless of the cues present. Possible explanations for our findings are outlined in the discussion

A Framework for Standardised Tissue Sampling and Processing During Resection of Diffuse Intracranial Glioma: Joint Recommendations From Four RANO Groups

Surgical resection represents the standard of care for people with newly diagnosed diffuse gliomas, and the neuropathological and molecular profile of the resected tissue guides clinical management and forms the basis for research. The Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) consortium is an international, multidisciplinary effort that aims to standardise research practice in neuro-oncology. These recommendations represent a multidisciplinary consensus from the four RANO groups: RANO resect, RANO recurrent glioblastoma, RANO radiotherapy, and RANO/PET for a standardised workflow to achieve a representative tumour evaluation in a disease characterised by intratumoural heterogeneity, including recommendations on which tumour regions should be surgically sampled, how to define those regions on the basis of preoperative imaging, and the optimal sample volume. Practical recommendations for tissue sampling are given for people with low-grade and high-grade gliomas, as well as for people with newly diagnosed and recurrent disease. Sampling of liquid biopsies is also addressed. A standardised workflow for subsequent handling of the resected tissue is proposed to avoid information loss due to decreasing tissue quality or insufficient clinical information. The recommendations offer a framework for prospective biobanking studies