RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Eye movement abnormalities (EMA) are common in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, type and severity according to the MS stage are poorly known, especially in Radiologically Isolated Syndrome (RIS) and in Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS). Although MRI has been included in the MS diagnostic criteria, there may be clinical-radiological dissociation. OBJECTIVE: To analyze by video-oculography (VOG) prevalence of EMA in different MS phenotypes and study correlations with brain and cervical cord MRI T2 lesions location. METHODS: 76 participants were prospectively recruited (12 RIS, 10 CIS, 11 relapsing-remitting-MS, 10 secondary progressive-MS, 10 primary progressive MS and 23 gender and age-matched healthy controls). We analyzed fixations, anti-saccades, horizontal and vertical reflex saccades and smooth pursuit. RESULTS: EMA were frequent and of gradual severity from RIS to progressive forms. Internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO) and centripetal hypermetria were strong arguments for the diagnosis of a demyelinating disorder versus a control population. Some EMA were linked to infratentorial T2 lesion location, but others like INO were not. CONCLUSION: This study confirm that EMA are common in all MS phenotypes, even at the earliest stages. VOG can be useful to detect demyelinating process at preclinical stage by highlighting subclinical EMA even in absence of characteristic lesions visible on MRI.
Asunto(s)
Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagen , Médula Cervical/diagnóstico por imagen , Medidas del Movimiento Ocular , Esclerosis Múltiple/diagnóstico , Trastornos de la Motilidad Ocular/diagnóstico , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Esclerosis Múltiple/diagnóstico por imagen , Esclerosis Múltiple/etiología , Trastornos de la Motilidad Ocular/complicaciones , Grabación en VideoRESUMEN
The town of Hyères (South of France) pumps its drinking water from alluvial ground-water. The influence of the surrounding horticultural activities on the nitrate-nitrogen content of this water has been assessed. 50 ha were studied, 25 cultivated with artichokes, 15 with various seasonal horticultural crops, and 10 with vine, peach-tree and alfalfa. The soil is silty, calcareous and deeper than 3,5 m. From June to December 1979 the nitrate-nitrogen distribution in the first 2 meters of soil was measured in 100 locations. Results show that NO3-N may be found in a great excess under intensive cropping, especially artichokes and peach trees, and so nitrogen leaching may be quite important if the water drains down into the subsoil. Nevertheless cutting off nitrogen losses from the 50 ha projected area would have only negligible consequences on the average quality of pumped water. That is why an help for the agricultural development organisations to promote more efficient use of fertilization over the whole watershed is prefered to very restrictive rules localized in a small area.
Asunto(s)
Nitratos/análisis , Suelo/análisis , Agricultura , Francia , Agua Dulce/análisis , Frutas/análisis , Verduras/análisisRESUMEN
When dealing with the environmental impacts of nitrate nitrogen, one must, first, underline the main place of nitrogen in the dietary needs of man. This element is simultaneously one of the main factors of crop yields, and the first step in the elaboration of proteins. The accumulation of nitrates in crops is defined, its draw-backs are briefly reminded. Nitrate content differs between the organs: stems, petioles, young roots are richer than limbs of leaves; fruits are very poor. The factors of nitrate accumulation are reminded: the nitrogen availability in soil, the light, the other nutrients, and the plant characteristics (e.g., age, cultivar). Ways to obtain a better control of nitrate content in edible parts of spinach, carrot and tomato are discussed. Then, the nitrogen cycle in the soil is briefly described. The influence of various agricultural systems (pastures, annual cropping, wheat, corn, soja) on the nitrate content of groundwater is shown.