X-ray and functional studies of hemoglobins Nancy and Cochin-Port-Royal.

The mutations in hemoglobin Nancy beta145(HC2) Tyr leads to Asp and hemoglobin Cochin-Portal-Royal beta146(HC3) His leads to Arg involve residues which are thought to be essential for the full expression of allosteric action in hemoglobin. Relative to the structure of deoxyhemoglobin A, our x-ray study of deoxyhemoglobin Nancy shows severe disordering of the beta chain COOH-terminal tetrapeptide and a possible movement of the beta heme iron atom toward the plane of the porphyrin ring. These structural perturbations result in a high oxygen affinity, reduced Bohr effect, and lack of cooperatively in hemoglobin Nancy. In the presence of inositol hexaphosphate (IHP), the Hill constant for hemoglobin Nancy increases from 1.1 to 2.0. But relative to its action on hemoglobin A, IHP is much less effective in reducing the oxygen affinity and in increasing the Bohr effect of hemoglobin Nancy. This indicates that IHP does not influence the R in equilibrium T equilibrium as much in hemoglobin Nancy as in hemoglobin A, and this probably is due to the disordering of His 143beta which is known to be part of the IHP binding site. IHP is also known to produce large changes in the absorption spectrum of methemoglobin A, but we find that it has no effect on the spectrum of methemoglobin Nancy. In contrast to the large structural changes in deoxyhemoglobin Nancy, the structure of deoxyhemoglobin Cochin-Port-Royal differs from deoxyhemoglobin A only in the position of the side chain of residue 146beta. The intrasubunit salt bridge between His 146beta and Asp 94beta in deoxyhemoglobin A is lost in deoxyhemoglobin Cochin-Portal-Royal with the guanidinium ion of Arg 146beta floating freely in solution. This small difference in structure results in a reduced Bohr effect, but does not cause a change in the Hill coefficient, the response to 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, or the oxygen affinity at physiological pH.     

Aiming high,but investing little

The French government has ambitious goals to make France a leading nation for synthetic biology research, but it still needs to put its money where its mouth is and provide the field with dedicated funding and other support.Synthetic biology is one of the most rapidly growing fields in the biological sciences and is attracting an increasing amount of public and private funding. France has also seen a slow but steady development of this field: the establishment of a national network of synthetic biologists in 2005, the first participation of a French team at the International Genetically Engineered Machine competition in 2007, the creation of a Master''s curriculum, an institute dedicated to synthetic and systems biology at the University of Évry-Val-d''Essonne-CNRS-Genopole in 2009–2010, and an increasing number of conferences and debates. However, scientists have driven the field with little dedicated financial support from the government.Yet the French government has a strong self-perception of its strengths and has set ambitious goals for synthetic biology. The public are told about a “new generation of products, industries and markets” that will derive from synthetic biology, and that research in the field will result in “a substantial jump for biotechnology” and an “industrial revolution”[1,2]. Indeed, France wants to compete with the USA, the UK, Germany and the rest of Europe and aims “for a world position of second or third”[1]. However, in contrast with the activities of its competitors, the French government has no specific scheme for funding or otherwise supporting synthetic biology[3]. Although we read that “France disposes of strong competences” and “all the assets needed”[2], one wonders how France will achieve its ambitious goals without dedicated budgets or detailed roadmaps to set up such institutions.In fact, France has been a straggler: whereas the UK and the USA have published several reports on synthetic biology since 2007, and have set up dedicated governing networks and research institutions, the governance of synthetic biology in France has only recently become an official matter. The National Research and Innovation Strategy (SNRI) only defined synthetic biology as a “priority” challenge in 2009 and created a working group in 2010 to assess the field''s developments, potentialities and challenges; the report was published in 2011[1].At the same time, the French Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Choices (OPECST) began a review of the field “to establish a worldwide state of the art and the position of our country in terms of training, research and technology transfer”. Its 2012 report entitled The Challenges of Synthetic Biology[2] assessed the main ethical, legal, economic and social challenges of the field. It made several recommendations for a “controlled” and “transparent” development of synthetic biology. This is not a surprise given that the development of genetically modified organisms and nuclear power in France has been heavily criticized for lack of transparency, and that the government prefers to avoid similar future controversies. Indeed, the French government seems more cautious today: making efforts to assess potential dangers and public opinion before actually supporting the science itself.Both reports stress the necessity of a “real” and “transparent” dialogue between science and society and call for “serene […] peaceful and constructive” public discussion. The proposed strategy has three aims: to establish an observatory, to create a permanent forum for discussion and to broaden the debate to include citizens[4]. An Observatory for Synthetic Biology was set up in January 2012 to collect information, mobilize actors, follow debates, analyse the various positions and organize a public forum. Let us hope that this observatory—unlike so many other structures—will have a tangible and durable influence on policy-making, public opinion and scientific practice.Many structural and organizational challenges persist, as neither the National Agency for Research nor the National Centre for Scientific Research have defined the field as a funding priority and public–private partnerships are rare in France. Moreover, strict boundaries between academic disciplines impede interdisciplinary work, and synthetic biology is often included in larger research programmes rather than supported as a research field in itself. Although both the SNRI and the OPECST reports make recommendations for future developments—including setting up funding policies and platforms—it is not clear whether these will materialize, or when, where and what size of investments will be made.France has ambitious goals for synthetic biology, but it remains to be seen whether the government is willing to put ‘meat to the bones'' in terms of financial and institutional support. If not, these goals might come to be seen as unrealistic and downgraded or they will be replaced with another vision that sees synthetic biology as something that only needs discussion and deliberation but no further investment. One thing is already certain: the future development of synthetic biology in France is a political issue.     

Simultaneous concentration of Salmonella and enterovirus from surface water by using micro-fiber glass filters.

A method using micro-fiber glass filters (8-micrometers porosity) at pH 3.5 was successfully used for simultaneous concentration of Salmonella and enterovirus from Meurthe River samples, collected 8 km south of Nancy, France. A concentration of 10-liter samples was indispensable and permitted recovery of several enterovirus and Salmonella serotypes in concentrations of 1.3 most probable number of cytopathogenic units per liter and 18 bacteria per liter, respectively.     

Simultaneous concentration of Salmonella and enterovirus from surface water by using micro-fiber glass filters

A method using micro-fiber glass filters (8-micrometers porosity) at pH 3.5 was successfully used for simultaneous concentration of Salmonella and enterovirus from Meurthe River samples, collected 8 km south of Nancy, France. A concentration of 10-liter samples was indispensable and permitted recovery of several enterovirus and Salmonella serotypes in concentrations of 1.3 most probable number of cytopathogenic units per liter and 18 bacteria per liter, respectively.     

Towards empirical comparison of immigrant integration across nations

ABSTRACT

The ambitious attempt by Richard Alba and Nancy Foner to provide a comprehensive empirical analysis of immigrant integration across several immigration nations – namely the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands – concludes that low-status immigrant groups are marginal across all of these countries, and overall none of them stands out as particularly positive or negative. At the same time, some countries perform better than others on specific dimensions of integration, offset by less-favourable results on others. Dimensions examined include employment and economic mobility, overall economic well-being, residential inclusion, overcoming marginality based on race and religion, access to citizenship and political power, education for the children of immigrants, inter-group marriages and identification with the national society. The complexity of the analysis is daunting, and troubled in some aspects by empirical and methodological issues. The effort nonetheless moves the field forward substantially, and defines a new agenda for future research.     

The historical spread of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. in France from herbarium records

Aim The problems in public health and field management in France caused by Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. require a better knowledge of the introduction and naturalization of this species in both the past and present. Location France. Methods The pattern of spread of A. artemisiifolia was investigated through the study of herbarium specimens. More than 1200 specimens were found in 58 herbaria and virtual herbaria in France and in bordering countries. The spread was analysed by mapping the localities for each 30‐year period since 1863. Specific indications as ‘new plant’ were used to determine the timing of the introduction of the species into a new area. Results It seems that the spread of A. artemisiifolia is not linked to its presence in botanical gardens. The study of specimen labels indicates that this species has been introduced in France in seed crops at various independent geographical points and at various times since its introduction in natural habitats. Commercial trade and American troops have contributed to its spread. Main conclusions The spread of the species in area and in time over France showed no clear front: new localities separated by large distances were colonized simultaneously. Cumulative numbers of localities show a continuous increase during the twentieth century. Herbarium specimens can be used to follow the spread of A. artemisiifolia.     

旧石器考古类型学及其在中国的实践

对石制品等文化遗存的分类与类型学分析是旧石器时代考古的基础工作之一。旧石器考古类型学发端于法国,由博尔德奠定基础框架,其后多位学者针对不同地区和时段的材料提出有所区别的类型学方案。该体系在发展过程中其主观性和标准不统一等问题一直被质疑,一直在补充和完善,目前已在很大程度上转化为对遗址和材料做整理、分析和描述的工具。类型学对于遗址出土材料的整理、表述和信息简化、分析不可或缺,但相对于与人类生存和认知更近的石器技术、功能、原料利用等方面的研究,其重要性和受重视程度已大大降低。中国旧石器考古类型学融合了西方学术体系的一些元素并进行了本土化实践,发展出一定的区域特色。在操作链理念的指导和数字技术的支撑下,以技术解读、特征分析为目标与导向的技术类型学研究,应是解决旧石器时代考古中分类与类型学研究所遭遇的困难与问题的思路和方向。     

Ultrastructure of the neurohypophysis of the teleost Poecilia latipinna in relation to neural control of the adenohypophysial cells

Summary The structure of the neurohypophysis of Poecilia latipinna (green molly, sailfin molly) was studied with the electron microscope. Profile diameters of neurosecretory granules in the non-myelinated neurohypophysial nerve fibres were measured and mathematically corrected for error due to section thickness. Six different types of nerve fibres could be distinguished by statistical classification of their granules and by other ultrastructural features. One fibre-type (type B) contained granules with a mean diameter of 85 nm, and the other five types (types Ala, Alb, A2, A3 and A4) all contained granules with mean diameters greater than 100 nm. Synaptic contacts were observed between type B fibres and all the adenohypophysial cell-types, although in the case of the ACTH cells the synapses were separated from the cell membrane by a continuous double basement membrane. Type A fibres were observed to contact the cells of the proximal pars distalis and pars intermedia, but did not form synapses. However, synapses occurred between type A fibres and pituicytes, and between type A fibres and the pericapillary basement membrane in the interior of the neurohypophysis. The possible roles of the different types of nerve fibres in controlling the adenohypophysial cells are discussed in the context of evidence from other teleosts.We thank Mr. W.A. Thomson and Mr. D.I. Hollingworth for technical assistance, and Dr. D.I.C. Pearson (Department of Physics, University of Nancy, Nancy, France) for advice on mathematical analysis and computer programs. The work was carried out during the tenure of an S.R.C. Research Studentship by T.F.C.B.     

基于PubMed数据库毛孢子菌病临床研究文献计量学分析

目的分析国际毛孢子菌病文献概貌,了解毛孢子菌病临床相关研究现状,为更好地开展毛孢子菌临床研究提供思路和依据。方法利用汤森路透TDA软件分析PubMed数据库收录的毛孢子菌病临床相关文献的时间、国家、期刊、作者和高频主题词分布,并获得作者合作网络图。结果临床毛孢子菌病相关文献始于1970年,经过1981～1992年的快速增长期后,近年来数量增长不明显。日本在临床毛孢子菌病研究领域具有领先优势,美国、印度、巴西、法国和中国内地发文量也较多。刊载毛孢子菌病临床研究文献最多的期刊是《日本胸部疾病杂志》（Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi,Japa—nese Journal of Thoracic Diseases）和《临床微生物学杂志》（Journal of Clinical Microbiology）。发文量最多的作者分别是熊本大学医学部的Ando M、Araki S和琦玉医科大学的Sakata T。毛孢子菌病的高频主题词涉及毛孢子菌病的诊治、宿主免疫和毛孢子菌致病机制等。结论日本和美国仍是相关领域的研究大国,但近5a来,更多的中国科研团队加入到这一研究领域,提高了我国学者的学术影响力。侵袭性毛孢子菌病的诊治是临床毛孢子菌病研究的主要关注点。     

法国旧石器技术研究概述

作为史前学和人类学的一个分支,史前石器技术研究从20世纪40年代开始在法国奠基,迄今形成以操作链为基础的比较完善的理论体系和研究方法。纵观60多年来法国代表性学者的理论与实践,以操作链概念为基础,到用剥坯和修型概念对前者加以完善,再到"操作型板"概念与技术-功能研究方法,法国旧石器技术研究经历了从初创、发展到深入三个研究阶段。结合中国旧石器时代考古学研究的历史与现状,本文对如何运用旧石器技术研究理论和方法也给予了简要探讨。     

Morphometric study and taxonomy of Genista pulchella Vis. s.l. (Fabaceae), a south European species

A morphometric study of the known populations of Genista pulchella has been undertaken, based on herbarium specimens and field research. This has made it possible to provide a new taxonomic outline as the disjunct populations of G. pulchella (western part of the Balkan peninsula, central Italy and southern France) seem to be distinct. A new taxon is described: G. pulchella ssp. aquilana ssp. nov. (central Italy), a new combination G. pulchella ssp. villarsiana comb. nov. is proposed for the population from southern France, while G. pulchella ssp. pulchella can be considered endemic to the Balkan Peninsula. Genista pulchella Vis., G. villarsii Clementi and G. villarsiana Jord. are lectotypified.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 153 , 245–254.     

Molecular biology in the French tradition? Redefining local traditions and disciplinary patterns

Conclusion The first part of this paper has shown that the development of regulatory genetics and the lactose operon model stemmed from laboratory cultures rooted in local traditions. A "physiological" culture may be recognized in the Pasteurian context. The institutional continuity provided the basis for a tenuous link between Pasteur, Lwoff, and Monod. My claim is that the "national" value of regulatory and physiological genetics is an artifact produced in the course of the legitimization process accompanying the institutionalisation of the discipline. In the 1960s, the lactose operon model was turned into a "flag-object," a symbol of the new culture. The work done by the Pasteurian group became therefore the most important, if not the only, exemplar of molecular biology in France.The second part o f the paper described the origins of general patterns that dominated the building of molecular biology in France. The study of the relationships between molecular biologists and biochemists or immunologists revealed the existence of alternatives to the development of operon research, or to the convergence with molecular biology. Both examples uncover specific paths leading to achievements that might be viewed as international trends: the expansion of RNA and translation studies, and the development of cellular immunology. They illustrate two possible patterns of linking local settings and disciplinary traditions: an oligopolistic situation where a few groups or one institution dominate an entire field, and the emergence of "collective" trends through collaboration networks or schools.     

纤维蛋白胶存在的问题与相应的解决方法

分析了纤维蛋白胶存在的问题,如蛋白胶不同供体来源、成份来源、应用的简易性与有效性、止血功效局限、机械强度与纤溶抑制剂的选择等,并提出相应的解决方案。     

Circular economy: A new research field?

Action to pursue the circular economy (CE) transition is burgeoning in the government and the private sector. Does this action signal that CE is a distinct field of research with a unique disciplinary identity? This article argues that CE has reached field status, through its own epistemic communities characterized by increasingly shared methodological perspectives and normative ideals, and through institutionalized knowledge development through research journals and authority structures. The recent growth of CE research points toward more contextualized and nuanced operationalizations of the concept, evidence that the field is approaching a threshold state of maturity. Drawing on observations from academic literature and discussions with researchers and experts, we trace the process by which CE has arrived at the status of a field. The article concludes with reflections on research directions.     

Forces,failles et opportunités de la recherche française en écologie trophique

The French National Institute of Ecology and Environment (INEE) aims at fostering pluridisciplinarity in Environmental Science and, for that purpose, funds ex muros research groups (GDR) on thematic topics. Trophic ecology has been identified as a scientific field in ecology that would greatly benefit from such networking activity, as being profoundly scattered. This has motivated the seeding of a GDR, entitled “GRET”. The contours of the GRET's action, and its ability to fill these gaps within trophic ecology at the French national scale, will depend on the causes of this relative scattering. This study relied on a nationally broadcasted poll aiming at characterizing the field of trophic ecology in France. Amongst all the unique individuals that fulfilled the poll, over 300 belonged at least partly to the field of trophic ecology. The sample included all French public research institutes and career stages. Three main disruptions within the community of scientist in trophic ecology were identified. The first highlighted the lack of interfaces between microbial and trophic ecology. The second evidenced that research questions were strongly linked to single study fields or ecosystem type. Last, research activities are still quite restricted to the ecosystem boundaries. All three rupture points limit the conceptual and applied progression in the field of trophic ecology. Here we show that most of the disruptions within French Trophic Ecology are culturally inherited, rather than motivated by scientific reasons or justified by socio-economic stakes. Comparison with the current literature confirms that these disruptions are not necessarily typical of the French research landscape, but instead echo the general weaknesses of the international research in ecology. Thereby, communication and networking actions within and toward the community of trophic ecologists, as planned within the GRET's objectives, should contribute to fill these gaps, by reintegrating microbes within trophic concepts and setting the seeds for trans- and meta-ecosystemic research opportunities. Once the community of trophic ecologists is aware of the scientific benefit in pushing its boundaries forwards, turning words and good intentions into concrete research projects will depend on the opportunities to obtain research funding.     

The mission of the Committee for Personal Protection (CPP) in France: neither ethical, nor scientific?

In France, research on human beings was first organized (and legally authorized) in 1988 by a law (so called Huriet-Séruclat). Since then, the specific mission of research ethics committees (RECs) has been heavily disputed. The legislator explained that the role of RECs is neither ethic nor scientific. It is < to control that the research protocol has been drafted according to the law >. Of course, this is clearly at odds with the common practice of RECs in France and abroad as well. The assessment of the benefit/risk balance and of the < pertinence > of the protocol cannot be achieved without a clear understanding of its scientific rationale. Origin of this French < cultural exception > is to be found in the historic context of the elaboration of the law, back in the mid Eighties.     

Antibody-drug conjugates: Design and development for therapy and imaging in and beyond cancer,LabEx MAbImprove industrial workshop,July 27–28, 2017, Tours,France

The annual “Antibody Industrial Symposium”, co organized by LabEx MAbImprove, MabDesign and Polepharma, was held in Tours, France on June 27–28, 2017. The focus was on antibody-drug-conjugates (ADCs), new entities which realize the hope of Paul Ehrlich's magic bullet. ADCs result from the bioconjugation of a highly cytotoxic drug to a selective monoclonal antibody, which acts as a vector. Building on knowledge gained during the development of three approved ADCs, brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris®), ado trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla®) and inotuzumab ozogamicin (Besponsa®), and the many ADCs in development, this meeting addressed strategies and the latest innovations in the field from fundamental research to manufacturing.     

Phenology and temperature‐dependent development of Ceutorhynchus assimilis,a potential biological control agent for Lepidium draba

Lepidium draba (Brassicaceae) is a major concern for agriculture and biodiversity in the western United States. As current control methods do not provide long‐term, sustainable solutions, research has been conducted to find biological control agents. Ceutorhynchus assimilis is one of the currently investigated candidates. Known as oligophagous in the literature, a specialist clade of this root‐galling weevil exists in southern Europe. This raised the question of its ability to survive in colder climates in the target range. We investigated the phenology of C. assimilis in the field in southern France (specialist clade) and Romania (generalist clade) and measured various temperature‐dependent parameters in the laboratory. In both ranges, weevils were univoltine. Oviposition in autumn started later in France compared to Romania, while mature larvae exited galls (to pupate in the soil) earlier the following year. On average, 25% and 32% of galls from France and Romania were completely below the soil surface, respectively, and this appeared to depend on soil substrate. Weevils transported from France to Romania were able to develop, but at a much lower rate than Romanian weevils. Mortality of overwintering larvae of both clades increased with decreasing temperature and exposure time. At ?5°C, lethal times Lt₅₀ and Lt₉₅ were 15 and 42 days for the specialist clade and 26 and 72 days for the generalist clade. A higher proportion of third instar larvae compared to first and second instar larvae survived. Pupation time at different temperatures did not differ between weevils from France or Romania. A climate match model (comparing winter temperatures) indicated that the specialist clade of C. assimilis from France has the potential to establish in some parts of the target range (e.g. Washington, Oregon, California). However, temperature extremes and winters without snow cover will likely limit its establishment unless rapid adaptive evolution takes place.     

First Steps of Marxist Psychology in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

The founding of Marxist psychology in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam is indissolubly linked with the development of socialist culture and science in the country. Until the Revolution of August 1945, psychology as a field of research had had no development at all. There was no special training for personnel in this field. During the colonial period, psychology was taught at the higher educational institution for teachers, and that was all. It goes without saying that it followed course outlines and textbooks sent from France and completely imbued with reactionary idealist theories.     

Characterization and primary structure of a second thioredoxin from the green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

A second thioredoxin, Ch1, distinct from the one recently reported [Decottignies, P., Schmitter, J.M., Jacquot, J. P., Dutka, S., Picaud, A. & Gadal, P. (1990) Arch, Biochem. Biophys. 280, 112-121] has been purified from the green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and its functional and structural properties investigated. Its activity in various enzymatic assays has been compared with the activities of different plant thioredoxins (Ch2 from C. reinhardtii and spinach m and f). Ch1 cannot serve as a substrate for Escherichia coli thioredoxin reductase, but can be reduced by spinach ferredoxin-thioredoxin reductase. It is less efficient than its spinach counterpart in the activation of corn leaf NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase by light or dithiothreitol, and it only activates spinach fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase at very high concentrations. The complete primary structure of C. reinhardtii thioredoxin Ch1 was determined by automated Edman degradation of the intact protein and of peptides derived from trypsin, chymotrypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease digestions. When needed, peptide masses were verified by plasma desorption mass spectrometry. Ch1 consists of a polypeptide of 111 amino acids (11634 Da) and contains the well-conserved active site sequence Trp-Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys. Compared to thioredoxins from other sources, the algal thioredoxin Ch1 displays few sequence similarities with all the thioredoxins sequenced so far. Preliminary evidence indicates that Ch1 may be an h-type thioredoxin.