Mise en évidence de la dynamique de quelques écosystèmes forestiers et préforestiers provençaux aux étages méditerranéens S.L. à l'aide des taxons indicateurs

Evidence is presented for dynamic successions in the Provence on the basis of a multivariate analysis, of a very large sample. Different phases in the Quercus suber series on silicious substrate are shown. Also the evolution of the vegetation groupings on Ventoux and Sainte-Baume mountains on calcareous substrate and at different levels in the zonation is specified. The succession of the grasslands is as follows: Isoetes and Nasturtium groupings, Serapias, Lotus and Trifolium, then Vulpia and Aira groupings, and finally Helianthemum guttatum grasslands, preceding the shrub groupings: Cistus ladaniferus, then Cistus albidus and Cistus monspeliensis. Then follow either Erica and Calluna maquis or Quercus suber formations. On Mont Ventoux, the stages of degradation of the Quercus pubescens forests are Aphyllantes and Thymus vulgaris grasslands, and Buxus sempervirens and Genista scorpius scrubs. On the oromediterranean level, the transition from Avena setacea and Galium villarsii grasslands, then Ononis caenisia grasslands to Pinus uncinata forests is demonstrated. The development of reforestation is predicted on the basis of the floristic composition of the previous stages. On Sainte-Baume Mountain, the Quercus pubescens supramediterranean series is formed by the following stages: low scrubs of the Lavandulo-Astragaletum, and Prunus mahaleb and Phillyrea media, Acer monspessulanum groves, and forests with prevailing Quercus pubescens. The succession on rocky traverses and crests is slightly different. The first stages are Sesleria grasslands and the later ones are woodland groupings of Tilia platyphyllos, Acer opalus and Ilex aquifolium.     

Le plus vieil établissement de métallurgistes de France (IIIe millénaire av. J.-C.) : Péret (Hérault)

The settlement of Chalcolithic metalworkers of La Capitelle du Broum is a truly outstanding site. The first AMS ¹⁴C dating (3rd millennium BC) reveals it as the oldest site in the mining and metallurgy district of Cabrières. It is of the same age as the oldest metallurgy site discovered in continental France (Roquemengarde). It includes, near the prehistoric copper mines already discovered, double-facing dry-stone walls of the Fontbouisse type and a variety of metallurgy structures. Metalworking tools, including one of the very rare ingot crucibles known from this period in Western Europe, are found alongside ceramics typical of the Late Neolithic (Broum type?). To cite this article: P. Ambert et al., C. R. Palevol 1 (2002) 67–74.     

Les écosystèmes végétaux Pliocènes de catalogne méridionale. Variations latitudinales dans le domaine nord-ouest méditerranéen

enTwo sections have been analysed: San Onofrequarry and Pliocene deposits from Tarragona E2 hole which is biostratigraphically subdivided according to planktonic foraminifera. A latitudinal floristic differentiation is evidenced for South-Western European Lower Pliocene. The increasing open vegetation in the coastal plain is to be related to high xericity.     

La méta-analyse: évaluation qualitative et quantitative de l’information scientifique en médecine

Meta-analysis is a method which uses statistical techniques for combining results from several different studies, in order to get an estimation of the global effect for a procedure on a global outcome. This technique leads to an increase in the power of statistical testing. It also gives an information which cannot be drawn from one individual study. Two approaches are possible, and often combined. The qualitative approach consists of weighing various studies according to their methodological quality. The quantitative approach consists of pooling the results of different studies. The different steps of the meta-analysis are described. Meta-analysis shows many advantages, such as the estimation of the effect size or the increase in generalizability. It also helps physicians and health policy makers in answering to a specific question.     

L’échec de fécondation en F.I.V.: intérêt d’un taux de récolte ovocytaire élevé et étude du taux de récidive

L’analyse de 1132 tentatives de FIV montre comment le taux de récolte détermine la fiabilité de l’estimation de l’échec de fécondation. L’étude de 64 couples ayant réalisé plusieurs tentatives dont une au moins s’est soldée par un échec de fécondation montre que 68,7% d’entre eux obtiennent des embryons lors d’une autre tentative. Les embryons replacés ont les mêmes aptitudes d’implantation et de développement que ceux obtenus par 130 couples ayant subi un premier échec d’implantation. Ces résultats sont mis en relation avec ceux obtenus par insémination subzonale après deux échecs de FIV.     

Dépistage de l'alcoolisme en médecine familiale: étude pilote de l'association du Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test et le dosage de la gamma-glutamyltransférase sérique.

When used simultaneously, are laboratory and psychosocial methods of screening helpful to detect alcoholism in general practice? To examine this issue, systematic screening with a self-administered Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test and measurement of the plasma gamma-glutamyltransferase level was offered to 435 clients at a family medicine clinic. Whenever a positive finding was obtained the client was free to undergo a more detailed evaluation to confirm the diagnosis. A total of 200 subjects (126 women, 74 men) agreed to undergo screening. The results do not appear to lead to practical consequences among women, in whom no case was identified. In contrast, in the male population a rate of first detection of 9.5% (seven cases) should encourage such screening for alcoholism in family medicine.     

Développement de l'hypophyse de Rana temporaria L. Etude au microscope électronique

Résumé Nous avons procédé à une étude comparative de la cytologie et de l'ultrastructure de l'hypophyse de Rana temporaria durant la métamorphose.Au stade 7 mm, les cellules de l'ébauche hypophysaire présentent les caractéristiques de cellules embryonnaires indifférenciées riches en plaquettes vitellines, gouttelettes lipidiques et grains de mélanine.Le stade 10 mm, est caractérisé par le développement dans la zone présomptive de la pars intermedia des premières cellules glandulaires et l'apparition d'un petit nombre de fibres neurosécrétrices dans la future neurohypophyse.Durant la prémétamorphose, on note dans la pars distalis, la différenciation de cellules acidophiles à grains de 140 à 300 m, localisées dans la région dorsale. Parmi les cellules chromophobes de la région ventrale on distingue une première catégorie de cellules glycoprotidiques à fines granulations (100 à 200 m) (cellules PAS positives). Vers la fin de ce stade, il apparaît dans la zone ventrale une deuxième catégorie de cellules à grains glycoprotidiques volumineux (150 à 400 m) (cellules bleu alcian — PAS positives). Parallèlement, le nombre de fibres neurosécrétrices augmente dans la neurohypophyse. Dans la pars intermedia, les premiers contacts neuroglandulaires s'établissent.Au cours de la prométamorphose, des terminaisons neurosécrétrices caractéristiques aboutissent dans la région de l'éminence médiane. Ces fibres à fines granulations (70 à 130 m) s'opposent à celles de la pars nervosa à granulations neurosécrétrices plus volumineuses 100 à 200 m). Dans la pars distalis on enregistre une augmentation de l'activité glandulaire des différents types cellulaires.Pendant le stade climax, se développe la deuxième catégorie de cellules acidophiles dont les grains mesurent de 130 à 250 m. L'éminence médiane poursuit son développement. A la fin de cette étape, l'hypophyse présente sa structure définitive.La signification fonctionnelle des différentes catégories de cellules adénohypophysaires est discutée.

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Development of the hypophysis of Rana temporaria L., electronmicroscopical study

Summary The ultrastructure and cytology of the hypophysis of Rana temporaria has been investigated during the embryonic and larval development.At stage 7 mm the presumptive structure of the hypophysis contains undifferentiated embryonic cells with numerous vitelline platelets, lipid droplets and melanine granules.At stage 10 mm the first granulated cells appear in the presumptive zone of the pars intermedia. A few typical neurosecretory axons reach the diencephalic floor.During the premetamorphic stage, the differentiation of several glandular cell types occurs in the pars distalis. One type of acidophils with granules of 140 to 300 m develops in the dorsal part of the gland. More rostrally glycoprotein containing cells with fine granules, (100 to 200 m), (PAS +), and chromophobes are predominant. During the last phase of the premetamorphosis the first glycoprotein containing cells with voluminous granules (150 to 400 m) (alcian-blue-PAS +), develop ventrally. The number of neurosecretory axons increases in the neurohypophysis; neurosecretory fibers appear also between the glandular cells of the pars intermedia.At the prometamorphic stage characteristic axon terminals with fine neurosecretory granules (70 to 130 m) reach the median eminence. These axons differ in their ultrastructure from those present in the pars nervosa which contain a great number of big neurosecretory granules (100 to 200 m). In the adenohypophysis the glandular activity of the different cell types becomes more pronounced.During the last metamorphic stage (climax) a second acidophilic cell with granules ranging from 130 to 250 m was distinguished in the pars distalis. The median eminence obtains its definite structure.The possible functional significance of the different cell types of the adenohypophysis is discussed.

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Avec la collaboration technique de Melle R. O. Scheer.     

Les méthodes de seuillage en TEP : un état de l’art

This work deals with positron emission tomography segmentation methods for tumor volume determination. We propose a state of art techniques based on fixed or adaptive threshold. Methods found in literature are analysed with an objective point of view on their methodology, advantages and limitations. Finally, a comparative study is presented.     

La géométrie fractale pour l’analyse de signaux médicaux : état de l’art

The diagnostic interpretation of medical images is a complex task aiming to detect potential abnormalities. One of the most used features in this process is texture which is a key component in the human understanding of images. Many studies were conducted to develop algorithms for texture quantification. The relevance of fractal geometry in medical image analysis is justified by the proven self-similarity of anatomical objects when imaged with a finite resolution. Over the last years, fractal geometry was applied extensively in many medical signal analysis applications. The use of these geometries relies heavily on estimation of the fractal features. Various methods were proposed to estimate the fractal dimension or multifractal spectrum of a signal. This article presents an overview of these algorithms, the way they work, their benefits and limits, and their application in the field of medical signal analysis.     

L’homme de Tautavel. Un Homo erectus européen évolué. Homo erectus tautavelensis

One hundred and forty-eight human remains have been discovered during excavations carried out between 1964 and 2014 in la Caune de l’Arago, in Tautavel, in the Eastern Pyrenees. They come from a detailed stratigraphic context comprising 15 archaeostratigraphic units with human presence, with ages ranging from 550 ka for unit Q at the base, to 400 ka for unit C at the top (OIS 14 to 10). During this long period of time, Man experienced two cold and dry climatic periods (stratigraphic complexes I and III), separated by a humid-temperate period (stratigraphic complex II). Most of the human remains come from units F and G, in stratigraphic complex III, associated with a cold and windy steppic environment. The human remains were mixed with the archaeological material and waste from hunted and consumed fauna. The inventory of human remains comprises a majority of cranial elements, and in particular, the anterior portion of a skull, Arago XXI, discovered on 22 July 1971, which revealed the physical aspect of the first Europeans for the first time. The remains are made up of 5 mandibles, 123 teeth (isolated or still on the alveolar arch), several post-cranial skeletal fragments: 9 upper limb elements, 19 lower limb elements, representing 30 deceased individuals, comprising 18 adults and 12 children. The study of these fossils relates them to Asian and African forms of Homo erectus, as they display common characteristics. This observation raises questions as to the existence of this group in Europe. The contribution of the collection of human fossils from Arago thus presents a threefold interest; paleontological, population-based and behavioural. The multiple remains allow us to assess the biodiversity and the composition of this small population. These remains present original features in comparison to Mauer, the classical Homo heidelbergensis European ancestor. The Arago fossils display archaic characteristics not observed on the Mauer mandible; in particular, the great anteroposterior extension of the convex arch toward the fore, the large proportions of the premolars and of the M2, the high robusticity index of the mandible body, the sub-horizontal alveolar planum and the slightly inclined prominent mylohyoidian line. The face of the skull is not yet reduced to allow for the expansion of the brain, a process which develops at a later stage. The skull is low, with an extended frontal, very marked facial prognathism and a powerful masticatory apparatus with temporal crests and a prominent torus angularis, conveying a pantagonal coronal cross-section, contrasting with the regular convexity observed on the skulls from La Sima de los Huesos and Neanderthals. A comparative analysis with the well-documented population discovered in La Sima de los Huesos shows that the latter fossils are more evolved and are more similar to the Neanderthal shape, and at the same time, not very different from the Mauer mandible. The currently known European human fossils point to the following scenario: Homo georgicus, a similar form to the habilis-rudolfensis group, bearing pre-Oldowan and Oldowan technology, was present at the gateways of Europe approximately 1.8 Ma ago. From 1.2–0.8 Ma onwards, the somewhat fragmentary records from Atapuerca, Elefante, Gran Dolina-TD6, could be related to this first lineage. The first Homo erectus with biface cultures to leave Africa arrived at the gateways of Europe some 1.2 Ma ago, as shown by the discovery of the Kocabaş skull cap in Anatolia, similar to the fossils from Buia in Eritrea and Daka in Ethiopia, dated to about 1 Ma. From 0.55 Ma, the set of 148 human remains, and in particular the skull Arago XXI, point to the presence of a new, well-documented form (distinct from Mauer). We propose to relate these remains to Homo erectus tautavelensis, thereby giving this subspecies a geographic connotation. The morphofunctional and cultural characteristics of Homo erectus tautavelensis represent the stock of a long European lineage, leading to the emergence of Neanderthals.     

Aspects épidémiologiques du cancer différencié de la thyroïde (médullaire exclu) au Maroc

Epidemiology of thyroid carcinoma is a complex issue. Data on thyroid carcinoma incidence depend on the efforts undertaken through screening and on the diagnostic methods employed. The objective of this work is to carry out an epidemiologic approach of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in our country, with an evaluation of the recent review of literature. This work consists of a retrospective analysis of 3144 cases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma followed in nuclear medicine department of Ibn Sina hospital in Rabat over a period of 20 years. Epidemiology has allowed us to study the influence of gender, age, tumour size, pathological type and prognosis factors in DTC. Epidemiological studies contribute to a better understanding and management of thyroid carcinoma. Further studies are mandatory to determine risk factors and elucidate pathogenetic mechanisms of DT.     

Importance de l'étude de la répartition écologique pour la taxonomie des éponges calcaires

Résumé 1. Les travaux deSarà (1953) et deBurton (1963) ont remis en question la valeur systématique des caractères morphologiques dans la classification des Eponges Calcaires, et ont proposé de considérer de nombreuses formes connues comme des variétés individuelles et régionales d'espèces très plastiques et variables. Nous avons essayé de préciser, par l'observation directe en plongée libre, la distribution et les préférences écologiques des Calcaires, de définir ainsi les limites naturelles de leurs populations, et d'étudier ensuite la variabilité des caractères morphologiques à l'intérieur de ces populations.2. Nous exposons ici l'exemple des espèces des genresClathrina etAscandra, étudiées en Adriatique, dans les régions de Marseille et de Roscoff. Leur distribution est en rapport direct et très précis avec l'exposition aux vagues et à la lumière, à tel point que sur une surface réduite plusieurs espèces se succèdent et se remplacent en fonction de l'exposition de l'endroit. Dans la règion de Roscoff cette distribution est plus large ce qui est dû aux effets des marées, mais les zones écologique préférentielles pour les espèces deClathrina ont pu être établies en fonction de l'importance de l'apport des sédiments par les eaux côtières.3. La possibilité de définir des populations dont la distribution est très précisemment délimitée malgré une coexistence dans un espace réduit, et qui ne sont pas réliées par les formes transitoires, permet d'éliminer l'hypothèse de la cospécificité de ces populations. Elle permet également d'établir les variations morphologiques possibles au sein d'une espèce, de retenir les caractères significatifs pour la classification, et finalement de distinguer les espèces qui se ressemblent morphologiquement. Dans le cas d'animaux qui, commeClathrina, possèdent très peu de caractères utilisables en systématique, c'est la seule façon de résoudre les problèmes de leur taxonomie.

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The importance of research on the ecological distribution for the taxonomy of calcareous sponges

The particular difficulties of the taxonomy of calcareous sponges are due to their great plasticity and their capacity for adaptation which obscure the natural limits of species. An attempt was made to define the natural populations of the Mediterranean species of the generaClathrina andAscandra through a study of their ecological distributions. The populations not connected by the transitory forms were defined by their ecological preferences, and, as they are found in a close cohabitation, were treated as having the specific values. The variability of different morphological features is discussed, the features significant for taxonomy are pointed out and the morphologically close species are defined.

     

Les échanges de nourriture liquide entre Abeilles aux températures élevées

Conclusion Nous avons démontré des échanges assez importants du liquide entre les Abeilles aux températures élevées. Cette répartition est exprimée pour la première fois quantitativement. Nous supposons que c'est un phénomène d'une réaction thermorégulatrice sur le plan social. Nous sommes en train de vérifier si cette réaction crée un microclimat différent autour des Abeilles dans ces conditions expérimentales.