Apports de la palynologie a la connaissance du Pliocène du Roussillon (sud de la France)

The present study illustrates clearly how pollen analysis may be applied to stratigraphy from a botanical point of view. Within a chronologically reliable frame (Middle Pliocene for the marine deposits on the basis of Foraminifera record; two subzones for continental deposits on the basis of Mammals record: Hautimagne for Terrats fauna, Sète for Serrat-d'en-Vacquer fauna), palynology provides a good stratigraphical boundary: the extinction of the Taxodiaceae. In a remblayage area, it is established that a continental level is not necessarily younger than a marine one unless they are superposed. Many profiles are replaced according to the «progradation of the pliocene gulf of Roussillon. The boundary between marine and continental deposits cuts through the chronological line of the Taxodiaceae extinction. The flora investigated (93 taxa) is the first known for the Pliocene of this area. The extinction of the Taxodiaceae in southern France has a climatic cause: the setting in of a mediterranean rhythm (dry summers). This extinction is much older than the one which took place in Italy (Tiberian boundary) and in the Netherlands (Reuverian-Pretiglian boundary).     

Le zooplancton de la baie de Sh?diac (Nouveau-Brunswick)

Analyses of boreal zooplankton of Shediac Bay demonstrate theabundance of copepods (81%) and meroplankters (18%). Whetherexclusively pelagic or not, 67 species are mentioned for thefirst time in this Northumberland Strait area, out of 76 recordedwithin 23 higher taxa. The fluctuations were observed from Mayto November and pointed out the dominance of such copepods asAcartia tonsa, A. clausi, Oithona similis and Centropages hamatusin relation with temperature, salinity and food distributions. ¹Adresse actuelle: Station marine de Tul?ar, B.P. 141, Universit?de Madagascar, (R?p. Malgache)     

Structure de la strate arborescente dans un site de la forêt de montagne du Rwanda (Arfique centrale)

Résumé Dans un site de la forêt de montagne du Rwanda, diverses méthodes d'étude de la structure de la strate arborescente sont présentées. Grâce à diverses méthodes d'ordination et de classification, il est possible de représenter la distribution de la surface terrière de plusieurs espèces d'arbre le long d'un gradient d'humidité. L'analyse des coefficients de corrélation entre individus adultes et jeunes fait apparaître des différences entre l'écologie des arbres jeunes et adultes; à cause de la variance élevée des données, une standardisation est nécessaire. Le diamètre de l'arbre de surface terrière moyenne est une valeur de synthèse très intéressante sur le plan écologique. Les caractéristiques dendrométriques et écologiques de 4 groupements végétaux sont présentées; les courbes de fréquences de circonférences de trones sont un complément intéressant dans la compréhension de l'écologie des espèces.

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Summary In a site of the Rwanda upland forest, different methods of study of the tree layer structure are presented. By using diverse ordination and classification methods, it is possible to represent the distribution of the basal area of several species along a moisture gradient. The analysis of the correlation coefficients between adult and young individuals of a same species exhibits differences in the ecology of young and adult trees; because of the high data variance, a standardization is necessary. The diameter of the tree of mean basal area is a very interesting synthesis value from an ecological point of view. The ecological and dendrometric characteristics of four groupings are presented; the frequency curves of trunk girth are an interesting complement to the understanding of the species ecology.

Toutes les données présentées ont été rassemblées pendant notre séjour à l'Institut national de la Recherche scientifique du Rwanda. Les ajustements à la fonction béta ont été réalisés sur l'ordinateur IBM 1130 de la Faculté des Sciences agronomiques de l'Etat à Gembloux; nous remercions vivement le Dr. J. Rondeux pour sa collaboration dans la réalisation du programme et des calculs.     

Effets de la radiothérapie sur la fonction testiculaire de l'adulte

Radiation therapy plays a major role in the curative management of numerous neoplasms, such as Hodgkin's disease or testicular cancer. However, the adverse effects of low-dose radiation scattered to radiosensitive normal tissues adjacent to the radiation fields, such as the testes, have been recognized. Experimental studies performed on healthy volunteers showed that no lesion was detectable on sperm counts or testicular biopsies after single doses of less than 10 cGy. Oligospermia has been reported after 15 cGy and 100 cGy result in a 90% incidence of azoospermia. In the radiotherapy of cancer, fractionated regimens are used to increase the differential effect between normal and tumoral tissues. For the same dose, a fractionated radiation regimen results in a higher incidence and a longer period of azoospermia than a single dose irradiation. Fractionated doses of >50 cGy result in a 100% incidence of azoospermia. For doses up to 200 cGy, recovery occurs but normal sperm production remains uncertain. Although the recovery time can be very long (more than 10 years), there is a risk of definitive azoospermia after doses of >200 cGy. Spermatogonia are the most radio-sensitive cell type and their depletion after small irradiation doses explain the effect of radiotherapy on fertility. Clinical hypogonadism is very unfrequent in usual practice, what seems to prove a relative radio-resistance of the Leydig cells. However, functionals studies show that there is a rise in serum LH with increasing dose to the testes. A decrease in testosterone levels has been reported after high testicular doses.     

Influence de la présence de la fourmi Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger 1863) (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) sur les autres espèces de fourmis dans la réserve de la Lopé (centre du Gabon)

Résumé

Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger 1863) est une fourmi originaire d’Amérique du Sud. Elle a été introduite au Gabon vers 1920 par des agronomes qui l’ont utilisée comme agent de lutte biologique contre certains insectes parasites du cacaoyer. Aujourd’hui, cette fourmi se retrouve en zone forestière même hors des anciennes plantations de cacaoyers. Depuis 1984, sa présence a été signalée dans le parc national de la Lopé qui fait partie des réserves protégées du Gabon. Des études antérieures réalisées en Nouvelle-Calédonie ont montré que la présence de W. auropunctata a d’énormes conséquences sur la biodiversité car elle a fait disparaître l’ensemble des fourmis de cette région. Quel peut donc être l’impact de sa présence au Gabon dans la zone de la Lopé? Ces études préliminaires de l’impact de W. auropunctata sur la biodiversité de la Lopé ont consisté à évaluer la dispersion de cette espèce et la densité relative des autres espèces de fourmis en présence sur le site. Les résultats montrent que W. auropunctata se répartit selon un gradient décroissant du point d’introduction vers l’intérieur de la forêt jusqu’à une distance de 120 m. Il n’y a pas de W. auropunctata au-delà de cette distance. Du point d’introduction jusqu’à 80 m de distance, la densité relative des autres espèces de fourmis varie de 0 à 10 %. Lorsqu’il y a forte densité de W. auropunctata, les autres espèces de fourmis sont absentes.     

Les Brachiopodes de la craie blanche de Meudon (Campanien supérieur) de la collection dˈOrbigny (MNHN,Paris)

Brachiopods from the White Chalk of Meudon (Upper Campanian), listed in the catalogue of dˈOrbigny collection, are presented following the revised classification. This is not without difficulty, due to the few specimens found and/or to the heterogeneity of sets listed under the same number and labelled with the same name. The Brachiopod fauna in the Belemnitella mucronata Zone is well represented, considering the Invertebrate fauna as a whole. Two representatives of Craniiformea and about ten species of Rhynchonelliformea, from several superfamilies shared by two orders, are critically described, considering the recent observations and the last works after dˈOrbigny.     

Ultrastructure de la glande de la spermathèque chez Phosphuga atrata L. (Coleoptera Silphidae)

Résumé Chez les Silphes et en particulier chez Phosphuga atrata, la glande de la spermathèque présente une structure particulière liée à la présence d'une intima cuticulaire tapissant la lumière de la glande. Elle comporte trois types cellulaires: les cellules sécrétrices, les cellules de l'épithélium sous-cuticulaire et les cellules-manchons. Les cellules sécrétrices de grande taille contiennent une invagination de la membrane cytoplasmique formant une «vacuole» extracellulaire bordée de microvillosités. Dans cette vacuole plonge l'extrémité, différenciée en ampoule poreuse, d'un canalicule de nature cuticulaire, qui véhicule la sécrétion jusqu'à la lumière de la glande. Le canalicule est élaboré par une cellule-manchon qui l'accompagne sur toute sa longueur sauf à son extrémité intravacuolaire.Ce type de glande, qui se retrouve chez de nombreux Insectes, y assurant des fonctions diverses (sécrétion odorifique, sécrétion de défense, sécrétion spermale, etc.), est susceptible de nombreuses variations.

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Ultrastructure of the spermathecal accessory gland in Phosphuga atrata L. (coleoptera: silphidae)

Summary The spermathecal accessory gland in the female of Phosphuga atrata (Silphidae), exhibits a special structure which is due to the presence of a cuticular intima lining the lumen. The wall of the gland shows three cellular types: the secretory cells, the epithelial cells and the ductule carrying cells. Each large secretory cell contains a cavity formed by an invagination of the cytoplasmic membrane and lined by many microvilli. The secretory cell is connected with a cuticular ductule ending in the cavity of the glandular cell, in a porous organelle. This ductule, which carries the secretory material to the lumen, is surrounded by the ductule carrying cell.This type of integumentary gland is very common in insects, where it assumes various functions (attraction, defense, conservation of sperm, etc.) and its morphology varies considerably.

     

Resultado de la actualización de la vía clínica de la fractura de cadera del anciano en un hospital universitario de Madrid

Background and objectivesOrthogeriatric management with clinical pathways (CP) in hip fracture (HF) has been shown to be superior to other models. We studied whether updating the CP, through prioritization of admission and surgery, improvement in the prevention and treatment of delirium, management of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents and the use of perioperative peripheral nerve block, modifies surgical delay, stay, readmissions, mortality, suffering delirium and functional status at discharge.Material and methodA retrospective observational study of unicenter cohorts of 468 patients with HF, 220 from 2016 (old VC) and 248 from 2019 (new VC). The variables are: intervention in the first 48 hours, surgical delay (hours), stay (days), stay less than 15 days, delirium, functional loss at discharge (Barthel prefracture scale less Barthel scale at discharge), readmission at one month, and mortality at admission, month and year.ResultsMedian age: 87.0 [interquartile range 8.0], mostly women (76.7%). Significantly, with the new VC, there was a greater number of patients operated on in the first 48 hours (27,7% vs 36,8% p = 0.036), less surgical delay (72.5 [47,5-110,5] vs 64.0 [42,0-88,0] p < 0.001), shorter stay (10,0 [7,0-13,0] vs 8,0 [6,0-11,0] p < 0.001), greater number of discharges in 15 days (78,2% vs 91,5% p < 0.001), lower delirium (54,1% vs 43,5% p = 0.023). No significant changes in readmissions, functional loss at discharge, mortality at admission, 3 months or year.ConclusionsUpdating the VC brings benefits to the patient (less surgical delay, equal functional status at discharge with fewer days of admission) and benefits in management (lower admission) without modifying mortality.     

Influence comparée de l'(±)-acide abscissique,de la coumarine,de l'acide p-coumarique et de certains de leurs dérivés sur la croissance de la première feuille de blé

Summary The activities of (±)-abscisic acid and a number of compounds derived from p-coumaric acid and coumarin and their interaction with gibberellic acid in the control of the elongation of the first wheat leaf are examined. (±)-Abscisic acid strongly inhibits leaf growth in the presence as well as in the absence of gibberellic acid, but the inhibition is greater in the presence of gibberellic acid (3 g/l already have an observable effect). Among other compounds, only ferulic acid and coumarin significantly reduce leaf elongation, and they are effective only at high concentrations (1.44 · 10^-4 M/l).     

Hyperfixations costales bifocales découvertes à la TEP au fluorure (18F) de sodium lors de la stadification d’un cancer de la prostate

A prostate biopsy screening (PSA = 2 ng/mL) evidenced a prostate adenocarcinoma featuring a Gleason score of 8 (4 + 4) in a 62-year-old patient incurring an increased familial risk of prostate cancer. In order to stage the prostate adenocarcinoma, 2 PET scans were ordered. A PET/CT examination with FNa disclosed two hot spots on distinct ribs matching with heterogeneous sclerotic areas on low dose CT. A PET/CT examination with FDG disclosed a hypermetabolic focus of prostate left lobe and a weak intensity hypermetabolic focus of left ilio-obturator node but no bone metabolic abnormality. Staging was categorized distant (bone) metastatic disease upon FNa PET/CT findings. The patient benefited from pelvic external beam radiation therapy and hormone therapy. One year later, a PET/CT examination with FCH while patient was still on hormone therapy depicted a photopaenic area of prostate left lobe and a questionable hypermetabolic focus of right lobe but no bone metabolic abnormality. Retrospectively, bone lesions visible on PET with FNa were already conspicuous on plain X-rays and a CT examination performed a decade before. A new advice in a center specialized in bone and joint imaging suggested a benign condition for these protracted rib lesions even if the exact benign condition was elusive (fibrous dysplasia, aneurysmal bone cyst…). Two years later, the patient is symptom-free and his PSA level is 0.03 ng/mL.     

Variations de quelques aclivités enzymatiques (peroxydase, catalase, AIA-oxydase) et de la teneur en polyphénols au cours de la germination de I'Orge. Influence de la kinétine

Peroxidase catalase, IAA-oxidase and polyphenol content of growing barley coleoptile. Effect of kinetin. - Kinetin strongly inhibits root and coleoptile growth of germinating barley in the dark. Treated coleoptiles become senescent before the untreated ones. Soluble proteins content, peroxidase, catalase and IAA-oxidase activity were greatly increased in treated coleoptiles while the level of polyphenols was reduced. These biochemical effects joined with the other property of kinetin to diminish α-amylase synthesis in the endosperm are discussed in relation to growth and in connection with the classic view of a cytokinin retarded senescence.     

Influence de la concentration du glucose et de l'azote sur la morphologie de Candida albicans et la formation de ses chlamydospores dans un milieu de culture synthétique

Résumé Candida albicans a été cultivé à l'obsurité, à 28 °C, dans un milieu de culture synthétique liquide dans lequel on fait varier les concentrations de glucose et d'azote. Des indices de chlamydosporulation ont pu etre calculés pour les milieux contenant au plus 0,08 g/l de glucose. Lorsque la concentration de glucose est plus importante, les thalles pseudomycéliens portent, dans certains cas, de nombreuses chlamydospores, mais aussi des chaines de cellules à contenu dense; ces thalles bourgeonnent des éléments levuriformes qui se détachent et continuent à bourgeonner dans le milieu de culture. Les différentes morphologies rencontrées sont décrites, illustrées et ordonnées en fonction des concentrations de glucose et d'azote du milieu.

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Candida albicans was grown in the darkness, at 28 °C, in a synthetic medium in which glucose and nitrogen concentrations were varied. Numeric appraisal of the chlamydospore index was possible only in the medium where glucose concentration was 0,08 g/l or less. When the glucose concentration raised, pseudomycelial thalli bore numerous chlamydospores but sometimes also chains of cells with a dense granular content. These thalli bud yeast cells which separate and bud again in the medium. The different morphological aspects of the cultures are decribed, illustrated and classified according to the glucose and nitrogen concentration of the medium.

     

Calidad de la alimentación de adultos mayores de Santiago de Chile

IntroductionWith the increase in the elderly population of Chile, it is very important to evaluate the quality of food of this age group using simple and quick tools.ObjectiveTo compare the food quality of the elderly, according to gender and age.Material and methodsA cross sectional study was conducted on 458 elderly subjects ≥ 60 years-old of Santiago de Chile. Each one of them were interviewed in their home using the Food Quality Survey for Elderly (FQSE). The objective of this survey is to measure the quality of the food and preparations considered healthy and/or unhealthy for elderly. Weight and height, was obtained from the control document of the elderly.ResultsMen consume a higher number of unhealthy foods compared to women (P = .01). On comparing ages, those over 80 years-old consumed less unhealthy foods (P = .01). The elderly obese showed a lower score in unhealthy eating habits and total intake score.ConclusionWomen eat healthier compared to men, and better eating habits are observed at an older age, especially in men. Finally, on comparing nutritional status, the elderly obese are those who eat in the most inadequate form.     

Controle de la multiplication et de la polyploïdie des hepatocytes du rat

Résumé L'injection de substances irritantes de nature chimique variée perturbe les mécanismes qui contrÔlent la multiplication des hépatocytes du rat.Les très jeunes rats réagissent de faÇon intense et reproductible. 15 heures après l'injection il se produit une augmentation brève et intense du nombre des cellules entrant en phase S de sorte que les divisions cellulaires, qui normalement auraient été réparties sur les 30 ou 40 prochaines heures, débutent en l'espace de 2 heures seulement. La croissance hépatique a pris une importante avance qui est suivie par une période de diminution du nombre des mitoses due à une rétroaction inhibitrice.La réaction des rats plus âgés met en évidence un mécanisme inhibiteur permanent qui entraÎne une réponse moins intense et moins régulière.La production d'hépatocytes binucléés et polyploÏdes parait liée à ce mécanisme inhibiteur.La régularité et la sensibilité des réactions des très jeunes rats en fait un matériel de choix pour l'étude des mécanismes régulateurs de la croissance hépatique.

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Control of multiplication and polyploidy of rat hepatocytesA study of the perturbations of physiological regulation induced by injection of irritants

Summary The injection of irritating substances of various chemical nature disturbs the mechanisms regulating the multiplication of rat hepatocytes.The reaction of baby rats is intense and reproducible. It results, 15 hours after the injection, in an increase of the number of cells entering the S phase, so that practically all the divisions which would normally have been scattered over 36 hours are initiated within 2 hours. This burst of synchronized mitosis corresponding to a 36 hours advance in the hepatic growth is followed by a decrease of mitoses due to a feed-back inhibition.The reaction of older rats brings to evidence a permanent inhibitory mechanism that results in a less regular and intensive response.The production of binucleated and polyploÏd hepatocytes seems to be correlated to this inhibitory mechanism.The regularity and sensivity of the baby rat reactions make them a choice material for the study of hepatic growth.

     

Conséquences de la chimiothérapie anticancéreuse sur la fertilité de la femme

Sterility is a potential toxic effect of chemotherapy. This risk is well established for alkylating agents, but is less clearly defined for anthracyclines, methotrexate and fluorouracil and poorly defined for alkaloids, platinum, etoposide and taxanes. The main predictive factors for ovarian toxicity are the additive effect of cytotoxic drugs, the cumulative dose of each drug and the patient’s age. This effect of chemotherapy is evaluated on menstrual cycles, hormonal assays and the number of pregnancies observed in patient cohorts. Chemotherapy induces destruction of oocytes and granulosa cells. In mice, it has been shown that adriamycin may induce oocyte apoptosis, which can be prevented by modulation of cycle cell signalling (dysregulation of Bax gene or, on the contrary, expression of its antagonist gene Bcl-2 or inhibition of apoptosis with sphingosine-1-phosphate or caspase inhibitors). Clinical data in the literature are usually based on retrospective studies and are somewhat confused: global fertility after MOPP chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s disease is about 20%, adjuvant chemotherapy with CMF, F(A)C or TAC for breast cancer induces amenorrhea in 50% to 70% of cases, PVB or BEP chemotherapy for ovarian germ cell tumors has little effect on fertility when the uterus and one ovary can be preserved, and the majority of women treated with methotrexate, actinomycin D or various combinations for persistent trophoblastic disease remain fertile. Preservation of fertility is a major goal for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: in vitro fertilization could preserve the couple’s fertility, but is usually not feasible as it would delay initiation of chemotherapy until after stimulation of ovulation; oocyte or ovarian tissue cryopreservation is at the stage of research; oral contraceptives have not been demonstrated to be effective to preserve ovarian function; gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists prevent cyclophosphamide toxicity in rat and monkey ovaries, and a few pilot clinical studies suggest that chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea could be prevented by administration of GnRH analogues simultaneously to chemotherapy, but randomised studies are necessary.