The PRECOS framework: Measuring the impacts of the global changes on soils, water, agriculture on territories to better anticipate the future.

In a context of increased land and natural resources scarcity, the possibilities for local authorities and stakeholders of anticipating evolutions or testing the impact of envisaged developments through scenario simulation are new challenges. PRECOS's approach integrates data pertaining to the fields of water and soil resources, agronomy, urbanization, land use and infrastructure etc. It is complemented by a socio-economic and regulatory analysis of the territory illustrating its constraints and stakes.

Impairment of endothelial function in patients with spontaneous cervical artery dissection: evidence for a general arterial wall disease.

Background And Purpose: Cervical artery dissection (CAD) accounts for 10-20% of ischemic strokes in young adults. Although trauma and preexisting disorders of the arterial wall are the main predisposing factors, most CADs are considered 'spontaneous'. We hypothesized that CAD could originate in systemic vascular disease bound to the intima-media interface without clinical signs.

Effects of myocardial contractility on microemboli production by mechanical heart valves in a bovine model.

Microemboli caused by mechanical heart valves have the potential to cause cerebrovascular events. We investigated the effects of myocardial contractility and heart rate on microemboli production in association with conventional and experimental mechanical heart valves implanted in the mitral position in a bovine model. In 10 calves, the mitral valves were replaced with mechanical valves.

A bovine model for detecting high intensity transient signals originating from mechanical heart valves.

In patients with mechanical heart valves (MHVs), transcranial Doppler methods commonly detect high intensity transient signals (HITS) representing microemboli. These microemboli, which are presumably gaseous, may cause stroke and cognitive deterioration. A bovine model was therefore developed for studying the relationship between mitral MHV induced HITS and potential etiogenic factors.

Microemboli in cerebral circulation and alteration of cognitive abilities in patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves.

Background And Purpose: It has been shown previously that cerebral microemboli may occur frequently in patients with a normal mechanical heart valve (MHV) without prior history of stroke. Some arguments strongly suggest that these microemboli have a gaseous origin. In other circumstances such as extracorporeal circulation or decompression in divers, it has been demonstrated that cerebral microbubbles could lead to some deterioration in cognitive functions.