Une nouvelle méthode de marquage pour certains groupes d'Insectes et de Crustacés

A new technique of labelling, based on making series of microscars on the compound eye of immature insects, allows to recognize individual specimens, even after several moults.

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Une nouvelle méthode de marquage pour certains groupes d'Insectes et de Crustacés

     

Une méthode simple de prévision des tendances appliquée aux séries temporelles de qualité des eaux courantes

Missing values, non-regular sampling, censored data and departure from normality are common problems in the analysis of ecological or environmental time series. For over 20 years, in the scope of the National Basin Network in France, numerous water quality time series have been collected. A method is proposed for the regularization of the series, the detection of trend changes and short-term forecasting, on the basis of the last detected trend, using a non-parametric regression. The method is applied to phosphates and nitrogen concentrations measured on the Sambre river (northern France).     

Étude de la variabilité de la clairance hépatique de la mébrofénine-99mTc en scintigraphie hépatobiliaire

AimThe purpose of this study was to investigate some of the parameters likely to influence mebrofenin-^99mTc hepatic clearance calculation and inter-and intra-observers reproducibility.Materials and methodsHepatic clearance (%/min m²) of 30 scintigraphies was calculated from the values of hepatic, cardiac, and total activities, according to the method recommended in the literature. We studied: 1) impact of injection–acquisition delay variations; 2) acquisition type: anterior face only (FA) or geometric mean (GM); 3) clearances calculated according to four different body surface area (BSA) formulas; 4) intra-and inter-observers reproducibility for three observers (two evaluations for each observer).Results1) Clearance differences between different studied intervals were statistically significant, more important if the studied interval was far from reference interval (150–350 secondes) and even more when the interval studied was too early (110–310 secondes). 2) There was a statistically significant difference between clearance calculated using either FA or GM datasets (0.85 %/min m²). 3) There were small but statistically significant differences for four of the clearance comparisons using different BSA formulas. 4) Despite differences in size of cardiac and hepatic regions of interest (ROI), intra-observer reproducibility of hepatic clearance was excellent for each observer. Inter-observers reproducibility was also excellent (r = 0.982).ConclusionHepatic clearance of mebrofenin-^99mTc appears to be a highly reproducible method provided that acquisition and clearance calculation are standardized. It provides additionnal functional information to morphological and biological data usually performed before major hepatectomy. Thereby, the definition of a standardized protocol would enable realization of multicentric studies.     

Efficacité de la mémoire associative inhérente à la potentiation post-tétanique

An associative memory is modeled in networks of cells that are assumed to have the short-term plasticity of the neuromuscular junction of the frog. The data relating synaptic transmission efficiency and stimulation frequency for post-tetanic potentiation of the neuromuscular junction are represented by polynomial expansions. Simulation of storage and retrieval demonstrates that functional associative memory is feasible based on this particular synaptic plasticity. Retrieval reaches a maximum efficiency at a delay of three minutes after storage and is lost after about 9 min. The signal to noise ratio of the retrieved pattern drops steadily as additional associations are stored in memory but retrieval appears to be possible with up to four stored associations. Although the data are derived from synapses not normally proposed as a basis for memory functions, the results here will generalize to other synaptic junctions located more centrally that have similar characteristics. This simulation technique allows the efficiency of associative memory based on various types of synaptic plasticity to be evaluated.     

Impact de la méthode de segmentation dans la caractérisation des adénocarcinomes pulmonaires en TEP-TDM au 18FDG

ObjectiveThe treatment of lung adenocarcinomas is conditioned by the presence of certain genetic abnormalities. Certain quantitative parameters obtained from FDG PET-CT, at the voxel scale, provide tumour shape and texture characteristics and might predict their mutational status. Our objective was to determine the impact of the segmentation method in the characterization of lung adenocarcinomas in FDG PET-CT.MethodsForty-nine patients with pulmonary adenocarcinomas were retrospectively included, with their initial FDG PET-CT image. The studied tumours were big, heterogeneous and difficult to segment automatically. The automatic FLAB algorithm was used with and without manual adjustment. The parameters were extracted and compared to the ALK, PDL1, and KRAS status, in order to compare the performances of the two segmentation methods. Their performance was determined by the ROC curve method.ResultsSeveral parameters were significant to predict genetic status (AUC > 0.65). The best performing parameters were different according to the genes studied and according to the resampling methods used. The results were less dependent on resampling in automatic segmentation without manual adjustment. The best performing parameters were volume dependent parameters for segmentation with manual adjustment, and texture parameters for automatic segmentation without adjustment.ConclusionThe study of texture parameters is more efficient in automatic segmentation that is not manually adjusted, and it is advantageous to use a manual adjustment when studying volume-dependent parameters in the case of very heterogeneous tumors.     

Influence de la méthode de fixation sur l'observation des divisions cellulaires dans l'adénohypophyse du rat mâle

Résumé Les mitoses de l'adénohypophyse du rat mâle ont été examinées comparativement après fixation par perfusion et après fixation par immersion.Après fixation par perfusion la répartition topographique des mitoses dans le parenchyme est homogène, et l'index mitotique est de 1,85 pour 1 000 cellules.Après fixation par immersion, la densité des mitoses décroit de la périphérie vers le centre, et l'index mitotique n'est que de 0,80 mitoses pour 1 000 cellules.La lenteur de pénétration du fixateur pendant l'immersion est tenue pour principal responsable des différences observées. Elle entraîne une modification de l'aspect des mitoses, telle que plus de la moitié d'entre elles ne sont pas identifiables et échappent aux comptages.

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Influence of fixation on the observation of mitoses in the male rat adenohypophysis

Summary The mitoses of the adenohypophysis in male rats have been observed comparatively after fixation by perfusion and fixation by immersion.After fixation by perfusion, the topographic distribution of mitoses throughout the parenchyma is homogenous and the mitotic index is 1.85 for 1 000 cells.After fixation by immersion, the density of the mitoses is decreasing from the periphery towards the center and the mitotic index is only 0.80 for 1 000 cells.The slow penetration of the fixative during fixation by immersion is considered to be the main cause in the differences observed. This slow action causes a modification in the aspect of the mitoses, and more than fifty percent of them cannot be identified and escape to the counts.

Avec la collaboration technique de Mademoiselle J. Rameau.     

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.     

Datation par la méthode 40Ar / 39Ar de la couche de cendres volcaniques (couche VI) de Dmanissi (Géorgie) qui a livré des restes d'hominidés fossiles de 1,81 Ma

The exceptional prehistoric site of Dmanisi, in the South of Georgia, has yielded several hominid fossil remains, including three skulls and three mandibles assigned to Homo ergaster, in volcanic ashes and fluvio-lacustrine sands lying directly on a basalt flow. These levels also contain an archaic lithic industry consisting of pebble tools, cores and flakes, and large mammal remains attributed to the beginning of the Lower Pleistocene (Biharian). The basalt flow has been previously dated to about 1.85 Ma, but the overlying volcanic ash level had not yet been dated. In this paper, we present ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of plagioclase and glass from the volcanic ash level that has yielded Quaternary fauna, lithic artefacts and several human remains, which gives an age of 1.81±0.05 Ma. The subcontemporaneity of Hominid presence and volcanic ash deposition makes Dmanisi the oldest prehistoric site currently known in Europe and proves human presence at the gates of Europe 1.81 Ma ago. To cite this article: H. de Lumley et al., C. R. Palevol 1 (2002) 181–189.     

Étude cinétique de l'hypersensibilité de type retardé dans la candidose expérimentale de la souris

Mice were inoculated with different quantities of blastospores ofCandida albicans by subcutaneous or intravenous ways. Delayed hypersensitivity was then studied during the course of infection by means of the inhibition of macrophage spreading test. In the same time retrocultures were done from kidney material, target organs in the experimental candidiasis. The results obtained in this way enabled the authors to think that cellular immunity plays a role in this experimental model as described by Mackaness.

Travail de l'Unité 42 de l'INSERM et du Groupe de Mycologie Fondamentale et Appliquée de LILLE.     

Comparaison de différents indices métaboliques et de la méthode SULTAN dans l’évaluation de la réponse thérapeutique par TEP au 18FDG dans le cancer du sein métastatique

Objective18F-FDG PET is a valuable tool in the evaluation of therapeutic response in breast cancer. This retrospective study was designed to compare the performance of six metabolic indices and to define their optimal thresholds, in patients treated with chemotherapy or hormone therapy for metastatic breast cancer. The performances of a parametric analysis by SULTAN method were also evaluated.MethodsTwenty patients, who underwent from 2 to 7 PET during the follow-up were analyzed. For each target, six indices were measured: SUVmax (maximum Standardized Uptake Value), SUVpeak, SAM (Standardized Added Metabolic activity), metabolic volume (MV), SUVmean using an adaptive threshold, and TLG (total lesion glycolysis). The percentage change of each target between each PET was calculated. A method based on parametric imaging (SULTAN) was also applied to each patient. The results were compared to the gold standard, defined by clinical evaluation, biological and morphological imaging RECIST 1.1 criteria. A per-lesion and per-patient analysis were performed and the optimal thresholds for each indices were calculated.ResultsFor the per-lesion analysis, 61 targets and 111 evolutions with 67 responders (R) and 44 non-responders (NR) were studied. Using ROC curve analysis and intercomparison, SUVmax, SUVpeak and SUVmean were significantly better than SAM, TLG and VM (P < 0.05). Using the optimal thresholds of −21%, –21%, –34%, –48% and –23% for SUVmax, SUVpeak, SUVmean, SAM and TLG respectively, these five indices were significantly correlated with the gold standard. SUVmax, SUVpeak and SUVmean showed the best performances of sensitivity (88%, 87% and 78% respectively), specificity (93%, 93% and 98% respectively) and negative predictive value (NPV) (84%, 69% and 74% respectively). For the per-patient analysis, 42 pairs of PET with 22 R and 20 NR were studied. Only SUVmax and SUVpeak were correlated to gold standard with the 30%-PERCIST-threshold and with optimal thresholds with performances of sensitivity of 73% and 77%, specificity of 95% and NPV of 76% and 79%. Parametric analysis with SULTAN showed excellent performances in the per-lesion and per-patient analysis (sensitivity 84% and 82%, specificity 98% and 90%, NPV 80% and 82%, respectively).ConclusionSUVmax and SUVpeak appeared the best indices to evaluate metabolic response in metastatic breast cancer. The SULTAN method was a reliable method to assist interpretation.     

Joseph-Pierre Pétrequin (1809–1876): chirurgien, anatomiste, historien de la médecine, fondateur de la Faculté médicale lyonnaise et son procédé chirurgical original pour la cure de la gangrène de la verge

Pétrequin was an outstanding anatomist, surgeon, medical historian, and founder of the Lyon School of Medicine. This article describes his scientific contribution with particular emphasis on his original surgical procedure for the treatment of penile gangrene.     

Quantification par méthode isotopique de l'effet de la rhizosphère sur la minéralisation de l'azote (cas d'un sol ferrugineux tropical)

The rhizospheric effect on mineralization of soil organic nitrogen was quantified by comparing nitrogen mineralization in rhizospheric soil (cultivation of ryegrass, high root density plant) and in non-rhizospheric soil (soil without plant). Three different approaches showed that the plant enhances net mineralization, gross mineralization (at least 35%) and available nitrogen pool (50%). This rhizospheric effect may contribute highly to crop nitrogen supply in tropical regions.     

Étude de la cytodifférenciation du rein de l'Epinoche femelle après traitement par la méthyltestostérone

Résumé Au microscope électronique, l'action de la méthyltestostérone sur les cellules rénales de l'Epinoche femelle se traduit par une cytodifférenciation conduisant à la formation de cellules glandulaires muqueuses. Elle a lieu simultanément à deux niveaux distincts:Au niveau du tubule proximal, le premier signe visible de cytodifférenciation est une activation du nucléole, accompagnée par une augmentation de taille des cellules. Puis on assiste à un développement de l'ergastoplasme et de l'appareil de Golgi et à l'élaboration de deux types de sécrétions: d'abord des granules de 2000–2500 Å, ensuite des grains de mucigène typiques, qui subissent rapidement une transformation muqueuse.Une cytodifférenciation régressive intervient en même temps. Elle concerne la pinocytose apicale qui disparaît.Au niveau des tubules collecteurs, la cytodifférenciation se traduit par la formation d'un mucus hyalin d'origine golgienne. Elle s'accompagne également d'une disparition de la pinocytose.La méthyltestostérone est capable de provoquer, chez la femelle, une cytodifférenciation rénale identique à celle que l'on observe chez le mâle pendant la période de reproduction. La transformation muqueuse des cellules rénales est donc sous le contrôle de la seule testostérone, qui déclenche au niveau cellulaire un ensemble de processus conduisant à la formation de mucus.Au microscope électronique, on constate que l'élaboration de mucus prêt à l'excrétion est achevée au bout de trois jours dans les tubules proximaux alors que dans les tubules collecteurs elle ne demande que 24 heures.

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Action of methyl testosterone on the cytodifferentiation of the kidney of the female three-spined Stickleback

Summary At the microscopic level, the action of methyl testosterone on the cells of the kidney of the female three-spined Stickleback gives raise to a cytodifferentiation which leads to the formation of mucous glandular cells. This action is evident at two different levels:At the level of the proximal tubule, the first visible sign of cytodifferentiation is an activation of the nucleolus, accompanied by a growth of the cell size. Then a rapid development of the ergastoplasm and the Golgi apparatus takes place, which leads to the elaboration of two types of secretory particles: granules of 2000–2500 Å in diameter appear first, then typical mucigen granules become visible. These latter undergo a rapid mucous transformation.A regressive cytodifferentiation occurs at the same time. It concerns the apical pinocytosis which disappears in the cells undergoing the glandular differentiation.At the level of the collecting tubules, the cytodifferentiation is characterized by the elaboration of a clear mucus which originates in the Golgi apparatus and migrates to the apex of the cells. A disappearance of the pinocytosis is also noticeable.In the kidney of the female, methyl testosterone induces a cytodifferentiation which is identical to that occuring in the male during the breeding period. So the mucous transformation of renal cells is under the control of a single hormone: the testosterone, which is able to give raise to a succession of phenomena leading to the formation of a mucous secretion.With the electron microscope, it is possible to demonstrate that three days are necessary for the elaboration of the mucus ready to be discharged in the lumen of the renal proximal tubules. In the collecting tubules, the reaction occurs more quickly, after only two days of treatment.

L'auteur tient à remercier Monsieur le Professeur E. Follénius pour ses conseils et son aide précieuse au cours de la réalisation de ce travail.     

Utilisation de lois de la mécanique pour l'Estimationde la vitesse de locomotion des Vertébrés tétrapodes du passé

Two computation methods are explained; theirobject is the estimation of the velocity of animals which are known by their footprints, and in the case of the first method, by their skeletons as well.The first method is based on the compound pendulum theory, because during the slow walking gait, the motion of the leg is similar to the oscillation of a pendulum, for the computation of the velocity (v), are considered: moment of inertia (I), radius of gyration (P) and period (T), time in seconds to cover one stride (E) in the case the maximum angle of divarication (δ) of the leg with the vertical is ≤20°. A comparison with the formula of Alexander (1976) is discussed.The second method concerns saltator animals. It is based on the fondamental laws of dynamics. With the length of the jump (E) it is possible to estimate the velocity of the trackmaker (v) and the height of the jump (K). For the vertebrates the angle of the trajectory with the horizontal plan (α) is between 20 and 45°. Thus, the result of this method is an interval of estimation in which the velocity is included.These methods do not give precise results. But these approximations supply valid informations on the velocity of extinct or living animals and can lead to the estimation of their maximum speed if the parameters E, T, vary. The problem of the errors is also discussed. It is shown that the errors in estimating the parameters have a no significant influence on the results.