Structure du noyau des Blastodinium (Dinoflagellés parasites)

Résumé Les observations photoniques et ultramicroscopiques concernant les Blastodinium, parasites de Copépodes, étudiés à tous les stades de leur développement intra-intestinal nous ont apporté les résultats suivants:Le Trophocyte subit de profondes transformations nucléaires avant de commencer à se diviser (éndettement nucléolaire et passage des grains ribonucléoprotéiques dans le cytoplasme); les sphères archoplasmiques liées aux noyaux se divisent avant eux et apportent leur contribution dans les synthèses membranaires; la division nucléaire est une pleuromitose simple, sans cinétochores et sans centrioles: on peut observer tous les stades définis de, la mitose, exceptée l'interphase; la métaphase est très difficile à saisir, surtout dans les espèces à mitoses accélérées. Les faisceaux de microtubules contenus dans les plasmodendrites qui perforent les noyaux toujours en mitoses au cours de la sporogenèse, ne sont jamais en contact avec les chromosomes; nous avons entrevu leur rôle dans la cyclose hyaloplasmique. Durant les phénomènes sporogenétiques, un cycle régulier de condensation chromosomique s'effectue, sans perte de DNA. Dans les stades peu condensés, l'arrangement fibrillaire des chromosomes est inorganisé, puis ceux-ci montrent un agencement en séries d'arceaux réguliers qui disparaît dans les stades les plus condensés.L'enveloppe nucléaire joue un rôle prépondérant dans la traction, l'orientation et la ségrégation du matériel chromosomique. Nous avons recherché également une série d'explications concernant le déterminisme des phénomènes de condensation chromatique.Dans cet exemple précis, noyaux et phénomènes mitotiques démontrent parfaitement cette situation intermédiaire des Dinoflagellés, entre Bactéries et Eucaryotes.

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Nuclear structures of Blastodinium Chatton (parasitic dinoflagellates)Division and chromatic Condensation

The mitotic mechanism in Blastodinium Chatton has been studied by photonic and electronic microscopy. Divisions of the archoplasmic spheres precede that of the nuclei and their movements are interconnected. Stages of mitosis follow one another without interphase; they are telescoped, which makes the study of the chromosome cycle more difficult. Progressive condensation of nuclei and chromosomes takes place in the various sporogenetic layers within the same parasite. Cytophotometric measurements show that there is no loss of DNA during successive mitosis. The nuclear envelope plays an important part in the traction, orientation and segregation of the chromosomes. The cytoplasmic invagination which perforate the nuclei contain considerable masses of microtubules whose role in the activation of the hyaloplasmic cyclosis and membranous synthesis is suggested.—In longitudinal section, the chromosomes show a fibrillar arrangement in regular arches in the non-condensed stages and irregular arches in more condensed stages, with a lesser diameter.—The type of nuclear division is a very simple pleuromitosis without kinetochores and centrioles; the role of the nuclear envelope in the chromosomal mechanism appears to be preponderant.

     

Dérivés Monotritylés du D-xylose

Monotritylation of O-acetyl derivatives of D-xylopyranose and D-xylofuranose with trityl chloride in acetonitrile-pyridine gave the tri-O-acetyl derivatives of 1-,2-, 3-, and 5-O-trityl-D-xylofuranose and of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-O-trityl-D-xylopyranose which were required for the identification of the various monotrityl derivatives obtained in the tritylation at 50° of D-xylose with trityl chloride in pyridine or hexamethylphosphoric triamide-silver acetate.     

Contribution a la connaissance des propriétés du virus de la densonucléose

Résumé Le virus de la densonucléose est thermorésistant. Il n'est pas inactivé après traitement avec des solvants de lipides. Aucun pouvoir hémagglutinant n'a été mis en évidence avec des érythrocytes d'espèces variées. Ces propriétés sont comparées à celles desParvovirus.

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Summary The densonucleosis virus is thermoresistant. It is not inactivated after treatment with lipid solvents. Attempts to demonstrate hemagglutination of DNV, using different erythrocytes, were unsuccessful. These properties are compared to those of Parvoviruses.

     

Étude des activités osidasiques du tube digestif des adultes et des larves de la bruche du haricot,Acanthoscelides obtectus

Les larves et les adultes de la bruche du haricot se nourrissent de deux types d'aliments différents, mais proches en ce qui concerne la composition en hydrates de carbone: les larves consomment des graines de Phaseolus vulgaris et P. coccineus, les adultes s'alimentent principalement avec le pollen de diverses plantes.L'activité des larves et des adultes a été étudiée sur 22 substrats, en vue de préciser les caractéristiques de leur équipement osidasique. Les recherches ont montré que les larves et les adultes possèdent un équipement très important en - et -glucosidases, en - et -galactosidases, ainsi que des activités très importantes sur certains polysaccharides, notamment l'amidon et la pectine, mais l'activité est faible sur les hémicelluloses étudiées, notamment la xylane, l'arabinogalactane et la glucomannane. Les activités sur la carboxyméthylcellulose et la cellulose, ainsi que l'inuline, sont nulles.La corrélation étroite entre la composition en hydrates de carbone de la nourriture et les activités glycosidasiques du canal alimentaire chez les larves et les adultes permet une utilisation optimale des ressources trophiques en hydrates de carbone. Le parallélisme frappant entre le système glycosidasique des larves et celui des adultes a pour explication la ressemblance entre la composition en carbohydrates du pollen et celle de l'endosperme de haricot.

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Summary Adults and larvae of Acanthoscelides obtectus eat two different types of food, similar in carbohydrate composition: larvae eat seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris and P. coccineus, adults eat principally pollen of various plants. The authors have studied the digestive activity of larvae and adults on 22 different sugars, in order to investigate activity of their glycosidase enzymes. Larvae and adults have a very important complement of - and -glucosidases, - and -galactosidases, and very high activity against certain polysaccharides, notably starch and pectin. The activity is weak on the hemicelluloses tested, notably on xylan, arabinogalactan and glucomannan. No activity is found on carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose and inuline.The close correlation between the carbohydrate composition of the food and the glycosidase activity of the alimentary canal in both larvae and adults enables optimal utilization of carbohydrate resources. The striking parallel between the glycosidase systems of adults and larvae is explained by the similar carbohydrate composition of pollen and bean endosperm.

     

Mode d'action et propriétés des facteurs inducteurs issus du mésenchyme gastrique et des mésenchymes hétérologues

Résumé Des expériences d'associations d'épithélium gastrique de foetus de Lapin et de mésenchyme homologue ou hétérologue, partielles ou par membrane filtrante interposée, mettent en évidence l'existence de deux types de facteurs inducteurs.Le premier facteur induit la morphogenèse de l'épithélium. Il est thermostable et hautement diffusible.Le deuxième facteur, organospécifique, est plus ou moins favorable à la différenciation de l'épithélium gastrique suivant la nature du mésenchyme. Faiblement diffusible et thermolabile, il est élaboré dans la phase cytoplasmique des cellules mésenchymateuses.

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Action and properties of inductive factors proceeding from gastric and heterologous mesenchymes

Summary Experimental associations of gastric epithelium of the Rabbit foetus with homologous or heterologous mesenchyme, separated by membrane filter or partially associated, permit us to prove the existence of two types of inductors.The first factor induces the epithelial morphogenesis. It is thermostable and highly diffusible.The second factor, organospecific, is more or less favorable to the differentiation of the gastric epithelium according to the nature of the mesenchyme. Lightly diffusible and thermolabile, it is elaborated in the cytoplasmic phase of the mesenchymal cells.

     

Les responsabilités du biologistes

The responsabilities of the professionals are numerous and various. As an exemple, we discuss the french law (29 july 1994) about the practice of reproductive biology. There are three levels of responsabilities:

? civil liability concern the damage to somebody, the means, information, confidentiality.

? penal code concern the integrity of somebody, the safety of the staff and of the patients.

? administrative.

All the professionals must be aware of the legislation and the penalties they might incur.     

Études du Paléolithique du Japon à partir des téphras

Many studies and discussions have been made on the problem of when the earliest human beings appeared in Japan. In general, hominid fossils in the latest Pleistocene are not preserved except for coralline limestone sequence in Ryukyu islands, but earlier Paleolithic tools were excavated from volcanic ash soil with a ¹⁴C age of about 30,000–35,000 yr. BP or younger at several archeological sites in almost all Japan. Recent studies, however, show a need for revision and refinement of these ages because calibration techniques have progressed from conventional to calendar ages and high-resolution oxygen isotope chronology has given a global standard sequence. Aïra-Tn tephra (AT), the most important time-marker of the Paleolithic age in Japan, was formerly dated at 21,000–22,000 yr ¹⁴C BP by conventional radiocarbon methods but was dated again at ca. 24,500 yr ¹⁴C BP by accelerated mass spectrometry radiocarbon methods. However, it has been further calibrated to a high-resolution calendar age of 30,000 cal yr. by varve chronology of lake sediments of Suigetsu of central Japan, well matched with combined date between oxygen isotope dates based and calibration from AMS radiocarbon dates. As the earliest Paleolithic tools in south Kanto are found in volcanic ash soil significantly below AT ash and above Sambe-Ikeda ash (SI, ca.46 ka), just above the oxygen isotopic stage 3.3, they are estimated to be dated slightly older than 40 ka. Palaeo-environment at that time is estimated mild to cool climate and relatively low sea level after the oxygen isotope stage 3.3. Sill land bridges between Japan islands and continents have not been formed at major straits. We have not yet obtained useful data for calibration older than ca. 45 ka. Also, correlation of oxygen isotopic fluctuation with the terrestrial sequences is incomplete in Stage 3.     

Distribution et activités des alcaloïdes défensifs des Coccinellidae

From a survey of 30 species and varieties of ladybugs the presence of alkaloids appears to be correlated with the existence of aposematic colour and not with being carnivorous or phytophagous. The alkaloids described until now all belong to the Coccinellini and are closely related, but other types of bases have been detected in some genera. The observed distributions are in agreement with the modern taxonomy of the family.Ladybug alkaloids constitute an effective defence against ants, Myrmica rubra, and quails, Coturnix coturnix, but all the beetles containing alkaloids do not possess the same degree of protection. Individual quail react differently towards moderately protected species.The bioassay used for the first isolation of coccinelin is described. The repulsive activities of aqueous solutions of coccinellin and convergin towards ants have been compared.     

Eco-éthologie des nouveaux ravageurs invasifs des eucalyptus du Maroc

Trois nouveaux ravageurs invasifs ont été observés au cours de cette dernière décennie dans les peuplements d’eucalyptus de la région du Gharb au Maroc. Un premier gallicole, Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle 2004 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a été repéré dès 2002, tandis que son parasitoïde Megastigmus sp. (Chalcidoidea: Torymidae) a été identifié en 2009. Les deux autres ravageurs, Ctenarytaina eucalypti (Maskell 1890) et Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore 1964 (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), ont été découverts respectivement en 2008 et 2009. Quelques paramètres bio-écologiques relatifs au développement de L. invasa ont été mesurés au laboratoire et sur le terrain, tandis que le taux d’infestation de jeunes eucalyptus a été suivi pendant trois années successives. Les stratégies de lutte envisagées contre ces nouveaux ravageurs sont discutées.     

Marqueurs du tractus génital et activités glycosidasiques séminales

Seminal liquefaction corresponds to a proteolysis of glycoproteins and could also result in a lysis of linked glycans involving glycosidases. It is well known that α-1-4 glucosidase is a real epipidymal marker. The aim of this study is to point out new markers among the glycosidases and especially β-D-mannosidase, α-L-fucosidase and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase. There is no correlation between the three enzymatic activities and the sperm count. Moreover in case of azoospermia enzymatic activities were always present. The variations observed are both quantitative (β-MAN activity is significantly decreased) and qualitative (modifications of the relative proportions of the different enzymatic forms) according to the etiology of azoospermia.     

Analyse du statut spermatique, érectile et hormonal chez des patients hémodialysés

Introduction

Our work was to establish the hormonal, semen and erectile profile among haemodialysed patients and to seek the impact of hormonal disturbances on erectile function and semen parameters.

Patients and methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in haemodialysed patients in whom a semen, in parallel with hormonal analyses including FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and testosterone. Erectile function was assessed by the study of the international index of erectile function in its French version (IIEF). Analyses of sex hormones were done by radio immunoassay and semen analyses according to WHO guidelines.

Results

Two patients had a semen analysis and a normal hormone balance; the IIEF was normal in a one patient. Azoospermic patients (16%) showed a hypergonadotrophic eugonadism. Forty percent of the patients had hypospermia without any correlation between hypospermia and hormonal values. One third of patients showed severe oligospermia associated with high levels of FSH in 77% of cases. Sperm motility and morphology were altered in 96% and 50% of the cases respectively. Hormonal analyses showed an elevated FSH (> 8.5 mUI/ml) in 40% of the cases and testosterone was decreased (< 3.2 ng/ml) in 25% of the cases.

Discussion

Semen volume was significantly decreased in patients over 30 years. Erectile function was disturbed in 73% of the patients with a mean IIEF score of 15. Several authors have shown a correlation between gonadal dysfunction and high levels of gonadotropins in men with chronic renal insufficiency, with or without testicular atrophy. In our series, testosterone was normal despite the absence of androgen. Are haemodialysis sessions effective in preserving the endocrine function?

Conclusion

Patients in chronic haemodialysis for a period exceeding one year had a hypergonadotrophic eugonadism and a severe erectile dysfunction. The state of the genital tract was relatively preserved. The duration of haemodialysis did not significantly affect sperm and erectile function. Patients older than 30 years showed a significant decrease in semen volume, which could be a marker to determine the impairment of erectile and reproductive functions.     

Chimiothérapie des tumeurs germinales du testicule

Germ cell tumours of the testis represent a model of curable disease, even in advanced stages. Cisplatinbased combination chemotherapy followed by surgical removal of residual metastatic disease has dramatically improved the prognosis of these patients, as about 90% of them are currently cured. The standard cytotoxic drugs used in first-line treatment are bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (the so-called BEP regimen). Treatment strategy is based on assessment of risk factors. Three cycles are generally used in patients with advanced pure seminoma or good-risk metastatic non-seminomatous tumours. Four cycles are required in patients with intermediate-or poor-risk metastatic non-seminomatous tumours, while two cycles of BEP constitute a safe and effective treatment option in early-stage tumours but with a high-risk of metastatic spread defined by a high percentage of embryonal carcinoma and/or the presence of vascular invasion. Cure rates as high as 90% are achieved provided risk factor strategies are accurately applied and standard treatment modalities are respected. All protocol violations can decrease the expected efficacy or induce unnecessary toxicity.     

Structure granaire,réduction du NADP et photophosphorylation des chloroplastes isolés de feuilles d'orge

Summary Barley chloroplasts (Hordeum vulgare L.) have been isolated in aqueous medium by previously described techniques which preserve the outer plastid membrane in numerous chloroplasts. Thus intact chloroplasts are concentrated in Class I fraction and non intact in Class II fraction. A third type, broken Class I, is obtained by the action of a very dilute buffer solution.The observation of freeze-etched preparations has shown that the main distinctive character between the two classes is not so much the presence or the absence of the outer plastid membrane, as it was assumed, as the state of the thylakoids. In Class I chloroplasts grana are shrunken, in those of Class II, grana are swollen. In both cases the outer membrane may or may not be preserved.The breakage of chloroplasts resulting from treatment with osmotic shocks is due to the dilatation of the extra-lamellar matrix. The swelling of intra-thylakoidal volumes resulting from such a treatment is much less important.It is shown that Class I chloroplasts have a very low NADP reductase activity which is strongly increased after the chloroplasts are broken by osmotic shocks. Such a treatment is without any effect on Class II chloroplasts, which always exhibit a low NADP reductase activity.The situation is rather different in regard to photophosphorylation. It is also lower in Class II than in Class I, but after breakage by osmotic shocks the increase of this activity is weak, and much less significant than the increase observed in NADP reduction. The compression and cohesion of the thylakoids is not required for high photophosphorylation activity with artificial electron acceptors such as PMS. In this case cyclic photophosphorylation is higher in Class II than in Class I.

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Abbreviations ADP, ATP adénosine di et triphosphate - EDTA éthylène diamine trétaacétate - NAD, NADP, NADPH₂ nicotinamide adénine dinucléotide, d° phosphate (formes oxydée et réduite) - PMS phénazine méthosulfate - Pi phosphate inorganique     

L'action du dioxyde de sélénium sur des œufs d'amphibiens d'espèces résistantes

The eggs of some Amphibian species (Triturus helveticus Raz., Triturus alpestris Laur., Xenopus laevis Daud.) are more resistant to selenium dioxyde M/100 than eggs of Pleurodeles waltlii Michah. Minimal mitotic abnormalities are observed: 1. “empty” poles, 2. cupular poles, 3. escape of centrosphere, which separates from the spindle, and sometimes torsion of polar regions of the achromatic figure. Cytasters and newly formed spindles are also observed in the diastematic clear zone, which is dissociated and inefficient. These abnormalities are believed to be consequences of the progressive diminution of a dominant factor associated with the centriole. When dominance is weakened, secondary poles appear with or without relation to the spindle. The balance between fibrillogenesis and reproduction of centrioles is newly demonstrated. These mechanisms are compared with phenomena occuring during fertilization and parthenogenesis