Psychiatric manifestations of multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis

It is unusual for acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis to present as purely psychiatric disorders. We report five patients with such demyelinating diseases and symptoms of psychosis, depression or anxiety. The importance of excluding demyelination as the basis for these psychiatric disturbances is emphasized, especially in the presence of unexplained neurologic findings. The possible relationship between psychiatric symptoms and demyelinating disorders is explored

CSF lactate dehydrogenase activity in patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease exceeds that in other dementias

The diagnosis of Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease (CJD) is still made by exclusion of other dementias. We now evaluated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a possible additional diagnostic tool. CSF LDH levels of patients with CJD ( n = 26) were compared with those in other dementias ( n = 28). LDH isoenzymes were determined in a subset ( n = 9). Total LDH and isoenzyme LDH-1 were significantly higher, whereas the fractions of LDH-2 and LDH-3 were significantly lower in CJD patients. We conclude that in addition to established CSF parameters, LDH and its isoenzymes might serve as a further help to discriminate between CJD and other dementias. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

Evaluation of pet animals involved in assisted interventions (AAI) as potential carriers of bacteria resistant to antimicrobials: Preliminary data

open8noopenDotto, G.; Pasotto, D.; Poser, H.; Menandro, M.L.; Berlanda, M.; Falomo, M.E.; Mondin, A.; Martini, M.Dotto, Giorgia; Pasotto, Daniela; Poser, Helen; Menandro, MARIA LUISA; Berlanda, Michele; Falomo, MARIA ELENA; Mondin, Alessandra; Martini, Marc

A comparison between transient heat transfer measurements using TLC and IR thermography

Narrowband thermochromic liquid crystals (TLCs) and infrared thermography (IRT) are compared in the context of spatially resolved and transient heat transfer measurements. For accurate measurements the TLC coating was calibrated with a stationary method before the experiment. The IRT camera was in-situ calibrated with a surface thermocouple. A good agreement on temperature was achieved for both methods. The TLC data as a single-point-in-time measurement was evaluated for a time-independent heat transfer coefficient hTLC. The surface temperature history measured with the IRT camera enables an additional evaluation for a time-dependent hIR(t). In the case of one-dimensional heat conduction situations and late TLC indications, hTLC and hIR(t) agree well after the first 10 s of the experiment. An investigation of the heat transfer in the wake region of a vortex generator illustrated the influence of lateral conduction. This effect is taken into account by an analytical-empirical correction method for the TLC data. For the IRT data an evaluation method based on an analytical solution of the three-dimensional heat conduction equation is presented. Equally to the one-dimensional case the evaluation methods considering the lateral conduction effects agree well after 10 s while the other methods deliver erroneous results

Germinated single-bud setts in pots: a way to improve ecological resilience at planting

In order to increase the area of sugarcane production, planting techniques should ensure uniform crop emergence and control of weeds at reasonable cost. Experiments using single- bud setts have been conducted in several countries (Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Egypt). In this poster, we present the advantages of planting germinated single-bud setts grown in pots into a cover crop with the aim of reducing soil tillage and herbicide usage in an agro- ecological approach to sugarcane production. Two trials were carried out to assess the effectiveness of germinated single-bud setts compared with traditional planting of three-bud setts. This included i) the quantity of planting material, yield and components thereof, and ii) the use of herbicide. In the first trial, the weights and number of tillers per plant were measured at 11 months after planting. In the second trial, germinated single-bud setts were planted into plant cover originating from a succession of a planted mixture of Crotaleria juncea and Mucuna, and Avena sativa. Tillering, stalk elongation and yields (plant and ratoon) were compared with those of traditionally planted cane in single rows. Time and herbicide inputs were quantified. In the first trial, both yields and number of nodes per stalk were similar for the germinated single-bud setts and the traditionally planted cane, but the number of stalks was significantly higher (8%) for the germinated single-bud setts. The average multiplication rate of the single- bud setts was 1:99 at 11 months. In the second trial, the number of tillers was again 8 % higher for the single-bud setts. There was no significant differences in stalk elongation and yields. In ratoon cane, no significant differences were observed. From an economic point of view, a saving of more than 80% of buds was achieved at planting. However, the increased labor requirement generated additional costs. Planting germinated single-bud setts into mulch resulted in reduced herbicide applications and erosion risks. Our study highlighted planting of germinated single-bud setts (in pots) into mulch as a reliable and affordable technique. In terms of the planting operation and yields, it is comparable with conventional planting techniques and can reduce soil tillage and the use of herbicides. Theoretically this technique reduces the risk of erosion while favoring water retention and increased functional biodiversity. It gives the advantage of complete and homogeneous emergence, as well as the possibility of bringing complementary nutrients in the pot near to the roots. Nevertheless, for Reunion Island conditions, progress still needs to be made in terms of acclimatization and mechanical transplantation of young plants

Accroissement de la productivité des cannaies. Gestion durable et viable des terroirs agricoles de Guadeloupe. "Analyse de la variabilité du rendement de la canne à sucre en Guadeloupe Nord Grande Terre : cas des communes de Port-Louis, Anse Bertrand et Petit Canal" : Programme européen DOCUP 2000-2006. Contrat d'entreprise du Cirad-Ca - 2ème tranche - Année 2003. Programme de travaux d'appui au développement de la canne à sucre en Guadeloupe

En Guadeloupe Nord Grand Terre, les soles cannières des communes de Port Louis, Anse Bertrand et Petit Canal ont des rendements moyens faibles et contrastés par exploitation. Un diagnostic agronomique suivi d'une analyse des pratiques des planteurs a permis de mettre en évidence les facteurs clés de cette faiblesse de rendement ainsi que sa variabilité. En définitif, la période de plantation de la canne vierge, la maîtrise des mauvaises herbes et la gestion de l'eau restent les causes principales de la variabilité du rendement de la canne à sucre dans cette région. (Résumé d'auteur

Sugarcane detrashing and field traffic control as factors of crops longevity on Reunion Island?

Sugarcane cultivation is a major environmental concern on Reunion Island. By the 2010s, the ± 25,000 ha of the sugarcane belt covered about 57% of the agricultural land. Of this, 75% was cut by hand. Sugarcane detrashing has been recognized for almost 20 years as an agri-environment practice (in different forms and extents). The Ministry of Agriculture currently provides subsidies to farmers who voluntarily subscribe to agri-environment practices - 675 €/ha in the case of the sugarcane detrashing, committed for five years on a maximum of 10 ha. In 2016, 25% of cane growers, representing 15% of the total sugarcane area, were involved in detrashing. Sugarcane detrashing involves manual removal of the dry leaves from the stalks during the last months before manual cutting (generally February to July). It rejuvenates the soil mulch and aims to enhance soil conservation, moisture and fertility, and reduce herbicide usage. Commitment to detrashing also includes retention of all trash in the field at harvest and covering areas of bare soil subsequent to mechanical cane loading. Sugarcane detrashing is not a research outcome, but rather a practice often undertaken by growers without much input and/or knowledge from researchers. In 2013, there was a request by an agricultural education partner for detrashing to be included in a management of cane borer trial. It was considered suitable for their learners as it assisted in reducing penetration by stalk borers. A farm survey was undertaken in 2014 as part of a student internship. This included interviewing 21 farmers known to extension officers as 'good detrashers'. The intent was to increase knowledge of the growers themselves, their practices and their perceptions about sugarcane detrashing. It appeared that these detrashers were predominantly small-scale farmers mainly involved in growing sugarcane. Their agricultural and environmental performances were significantly higher than the average grower in terms of cane yield and sugar content, herbicide dependence, and longevity of their crops. A 'field cleaning' effect was consequently recognized as residual weeds are removed during the detrashing activities. The growers indicated that insect populations and rat infestations were reduced. There was an interactive effect between sugarcane cultivars and detrashing particularly in terms of moisture conditions and the occurrence of logging. Apart from the danger of fire ants and wasps, labour requirements remain the main constraint for detrashers. In 2016, a second student internship investigating soil carbon (C) resulted in additional information on factors affecting sugarcane longevity. Interviews with eight farmers, known for the longevity of their crops, revealed that field traffic control during harvest was one of the most important factors, even with hand-cutting through careful loading and tracking operations. Higher crop performance occurred over a 30-year period with yields in excess of 100 t/ha and high sucrose contents. In addition to appropriate choices of cultivars, longevity of sugarcane crops on Reunion Island results from a range of good cultural practices that include and/or field traffic control