Methodology to improve water and energy use by proper irrigationscheduling in pressurised networks

With the aim of reducing energy consumption and improving water use in pressurised irrigation systems, the methodology to minimise energy consumption by grouping intakes of pressurised irrigation networks into sectors, as developed by Jimenez Bello et al. (2010a), was modified to enable irrigation intakes to operate during the scheduled period for each intake instead of operating during restricted irrigation periods of the same length. Moreover, a method was developed to detect the maximum number of intakes that can operate without extra energy if the source has sufficient head to feed at least some of the intakes. These methods were applied to a Mediterranean irrigation system, where the total cropped area was mainly citrus orchards. In this case study, water was allocated to two groups of intakes, one fed by gravity and the other by pumps. A saving of 36.3 % was achieved by increasing the total volume supplied by gravity, decreasing the injection pump head, and improving the pump performance. Therefore, all the intakes only operated during the irrigation periods at the minimum required pressure.This research was supported by funds from Climate-KIC AGADAPT and from EU 7th Framework Programme FIGARO projects. The authors wish to acknowledge the support provided by Picassent Sector XI staff. The revision of this paper was funded by "The Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain".Jiménez Bello, MA.; Royuela Tomás, Á.; Manzano Juarez, J.; García Prats, A.; Martínez Alzamora, F. (2015). Methodology to improve water and energy use by proper irrigationscheduling in pressurised networks. Agricultural Water Management. 149:91-101. doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2014.10.026S9110114

Knockdown of zebrafish Nav1.6 sodium channel impairs embryonic locomotor activities

[[abstract]]Although multiple subtypes of sodium channels are expressed in most neurons, the specific contributions of the individual sodium channels remain to be studied. The role of zebrafish Nav1.6 sodium channels in the embryonic locomotor movements has been investigated by the antisense morpholino (MO) knockdown. MO1 and MO2 are targeted at the regions surrounding the translation start site of zebrafish Nav1.6 mRNA. MO3 is targeted at the RNA splicing donor site of exon 2. The correctly spliced Nav1.6 mRNA of MO3 morphants is 6% relative to that of the wild-type embryos. Nav1.6-targeted MO1, MO2 and MO3 attenuate the spontaneous contraction, tactile sensitivity, and swimming in comparison with a scrambled morpholino and mutated MO3 morpholino. No significant defect is observed in the development of slow muscles, the axonal projection of primary motoneurons, and neuromuscular junctions. The movement impairments caused by MO1, MO2, and MO3 suggest that the function of Nav1.6 sodium channels is essential on the normal early embryonic locomotor activities.[[notice]]補正完畢[[journaltype]]國

Allelic mutations of the sodium channel SCN8A reveal multiple cellular and physiological functions

Allelic mutations of Scn8a in the mouse have revealed the range of neurological disorders that can result from alternations of one neuronal sodium channel. Null mutations produce the most severe phenotype, with motor neuron failure leading to paralysis and juvenile lethality. Two less severe mutations cause ataxia, tremor, muscle weakness, and dystonia. The electrophysiological effects have been studied at the cellular level by recording from neurons from the mutant mice. The data demonstrate that Scn8a is required for the complex spiking of cerebellar Purkinje cells and for persistent sodium current in several classes of neurons, including some with pacemaker roles. The mouse mutations of Scn8a have also provided insight into the mode of inheritance of channelopathies, and led to the identification of a modifier gene that affects transcript splicing. These mutations demonstrate the value of mouse models to elucidate the pathophysiology of human disease.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42795/1/10709_2004_Article_5381441.pd

Rapid diagnosis and treatment of TIA results in low rates of stroke, myocardial infarction and vascular death

Introduction: The 90-day risk of cerebral infarction in patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is estimated at between 8% and 20%. There is little consensus as to which diagnostic strategy is most effective. This study evaluates the benefits of early transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with carotid and transcranial Doppler ultrasound in patients with TIA. Methods: Prospective study of patients with TIA in an emergency department setting. Demographic data, vascular risk factors, and ABCD2 score were analysed. TIA aetiology was classified according to TOAST criteria. All patients underwent early vascular studies (< 72 hours), including TTE, carotid ultrasound, and transcranial Doppler. Primary endpoints were recurrence of stroke or TIA, myocardial infarction (MI), or vascular death during the first year. Results: We evaluated 92 patients enrolled over 24 months. Mean age was 68.3 ± 13 years and 61% were male. The mean ABCD2 score was 3 points (≥5 in 30%). The distribution of TIA subtypes was as follows: 12% large-artery atherosclerosis; 30% cardioembolism; 10% small-vessel occlusion; 40% undetermined cause; and 8% rare causes. Findings from the early TTE led to a change in treatment strategy in 6 patients (6.5%) who displayed normal physical examination and ECG findings. At one year of follow-up, 3 patients had experienced stroke (3.2%) and 1 patient experienced MI (1%); no vascular deaths were identified. Conclusions: In our TIA patients, early vascular study and detecting patients with silent cardiomyopathy may have contributed to the low rate of vascular disease recurrence. Resumen: Introducción: El riesgo de infarto cerebral dentro de los primeros 90 días tras un ataque isquémico transitorio (AIT) se estima entre un 8-20%. Existe escaso consenso sobre cuál es la estrategia diagnóstica más eficaz. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar del beneficio del estudio precoz con ecocardiografía transtorácica (ETT) y ultrasonografía carotídea y transcraneal (DTSA/TC) en los pacientes con AIT. Métodos: Evaluamos de forma prospectiva todos los pacientes con AIT atendidos en urgencias durante 24 meses. Recogimos variables demográficas, factores de riesgo vascular y escala ABCD2. La etiología del AIT fue clasificada según criterios TOAST. En todos los pacientes se realizó el estudio vascular precoz (< 72 h) con ETT y DTSA/TC. Los objetivos primarios fueron la recurrencia vascular cerebral, infarto de miocardio (IAM) o muerte vascular durante el primer año. Resultados: Evaluamos 92 pacientes con una edad media de 68,3 ± 13 años y el 61% fueron hombres. La media de la escala ABCD2 fue de 3 puntos (≥ 5 en un 30%). La distribución etiológica fue la siguiente: aterotrombótico de gran vaso 12%; cardioembólico 30%; pequeño vaso 10%; indeterminado 40% e inhabitual 8%. Los hallazgos de la ETT cambiaron el tratamiento en 6 pacientes (6,5%) con exploración física y ECG normal. Al año de seguimiento 3 pacientes (3,2%) sufrieron un infarto cerebral, uno (1%) un IAM y no detectamos ninguna muerte vascular. Conclusiones: El estudio etiológico precoz en los pacientes con AIT y la detección de pacientes con cardiopatía silente puede haber contribuido a la baja tasa de recurrencia vascular. Keywords: Stroke, Transient ischaemic attack, Echocardiography, Palabras clave: Infarto cerebral, Ataque isquémico transitorio, Ecocardiografí

Baja tasa de infarto cerebral, infarto de miocardio y muerte vascular con el diagnóstico y tratamiento etiológico rápido del ataque isquémico transitorio

Resumen: Introducción: El riesgo de infarto cerebral dentro de los primeros 90 días tras un ataque isquémico transitorio (AIT) se estima entre un 8-20%. Existe escaso consenso sobre cuál es la estrategia diagnóstica más eficaz. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar del beneficio del estudio precoz con ecocardiografía transtorácica (ETT) y ultrasonografía carotídea y transcraneal (DTSA/TC) en los pacientes con AIT. Métodos: Evaluamos de forma prospectiva todos los pacientes con AIT atendidos en urgencias durante 24 meses. Recogimos variables demográficas, factores de riesgo vascular y escala ABCD2. La etiología del AIT fue clasificada según criterios TOAST. En todos los pacientes se realizó el estudio vascular precoz (< 72 h) con ETT y DTSA/TC. Los objetivos primarios fueron la recurrencia vascular cerebral, infarto de miocardio (IAM) o muerte vascular durante el primer año. Resultados: Evaluamos 92 pacientes con una edad media de 68,3 ± 13 años y el 61% fueron hombres. La media de la escala ABCD2 fue de 3 puntos (≥ 5 en un 30%). La distribución etiológica fue la siguiente: aterotrombótico de gran vaso 12%; cardioembólico 30%; pequeño vaso 10%; indeterminado 40% e inhabitual 8%. Los hallazgos de la ETT cambiaron el tratamiento en 6 pacientes (6,5%) con exploración física y ECG normal. Al año de seguimiento 3 pacientes (3,2%) sufrieron un infarto cerebral, uno (1%) un IAM y no detectamos ninguna muerte vascular. Conclusiones: El estudio etiológico precoz en los pacientes con AIT y la detección de pacientes con cardiopatía silente puede haber contribuido a la baja tasa de recurrencia vascular. Abstract: Introduction: The 90-day risk of cerebral infarction in patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is estimated at between 8% and 20%. There is little consensus as to which diagnostic strategy is most effective. This study evaluates the benefits of early transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with carotid and transcranial Doppler ultrasound in patients with TIA. Methods: Prospective study of patients with TIA in an emergency department setting. Demographic data, vascular risk factors, and ABCD2 score were analysed. TIA aetiology was classified according to TOAST criteria. All patients underwent early vascular studies (< 72 hours), including TTE, carotid ultrasound, and transcranial Doppler. Primary endpoints were recurrence of stroke or TIA, myocardial infarction (MI), or vascular death during the first year. Results: We evaluated 92 patients enrolled over 24 months. Mean age was 68.3 ± 13 years and 61% were male. The mean ABCD2 score was 3 points (≥ 5 in 30%). The distribution of TIA subtypes was as follows: 12% large-artery atherosclerosis; 30% cardioembolism; 10% small-vessel occlusion; 40% undetermined cause; and 8% rare causes. Findings from the early TTE led to a change in treatment strategy in 6 patients (6.5%) who displayed normal physical examination and ECG findings. At one year of follow-up, 3 patients had experienced stroke (3.2%) and 1 patient experienced MI (1%); no vascular deaths were identified. Conclusions: In our TIA patients, early vascular study and detecting patients with silent cardiomyopathy may have contributed to the low rate of vascular disease recurrence. Palabras clave: Infarto cerebral, Ataque isquémico transitorio, Ecocardiografía, Keywords: Stroke, Transient ischaemic attack, Echocardiograph

Genetic variations at the lipoprotein lipase gene influence plasma lipid concentrations and interact with plasma n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids to modulate lipid metabolism.

International audienceObjective : To investigate whether seven common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) locus interact with total plasma fatty acids to modulate plasma lipid metabolism in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients. Methods : Plasma fatty acid composition, plasma lipid concentrations and LPL SNPs were determined in 452 subjects with the MetS in the European LIPGENE human study and were repeated in 1754 subjects from the LIPGENE-SU.VI.MAX Study. Results : Triglycerides (TG) were lower, and HDL higher in the carriers of rs328 and rs1059611 in the SUVIMAX cohort (all P < 0.001), and these findings showed a similar, non-significant trend in LIPGENE cohort. In this last cohort, we found a gene–fatty acids interaction, as the carriers of the minor allele displayed a lower fasting TG and triglyceride rich lipoproteins-TG (TRL-TG) concentrations only when they had n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids below the median (all P < 0.05). Moreover, subjects carrying the minor allele for rs328 SNP and with a low level of n-6 PUFA displayed higher nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) plasma concentrations as compared with homozygous for the major allele (P = 0.034). Interestingly, the n-6 PUFA-dependent associations between those SNPs and TG metabolism were also replicated in subjects without MetS from the SU.VI.MAX cohort. Conclusion : Two genetic variations at the LPL gene (rs328 and rs1059611) influence plasma lipid concentrations and interact with plasma n-6 PUFA to modulate lipid metabolism. The knowledge of new genetic factors together with the understanding of these gene–nutrient interactions could help to a better knowledge of the pathogenesis in the MetS

Functional Assessment of Variants in the TSC1 and TSC2 Genes Identified in Individuals with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Genomics, epigenetics, population genetics and bioinformatic