Role de la phenylalanine dans la biosynthese des flavonoides et acides “cinnamique” dans les tiges volubiles de Periploca Graeca

Phenylalanine is the precursor of the cinnamic acids and coumarins in the stems and leafs of P. graeca L. Esterification of p-coumaric acid by quinic acid is required before oxidation to chlorogenic acid. In our experiments, we did not obtain radioactive flavonols from ¹⁴C phenylalanine. PAL activity varies as a result of light and temperature in the same manner as the level of flavonoids (especially the phenolic acids). This enzyme, therefore, plays a regulatory role in the synthesis of these phenolic substances. The variation in PAL activity during illumination does not follow the same course as described for other plants.     

Structures de la cabuamine et de la vincorine

Cabuamine is identified as O-methyl-hydrogeno akuammine.     

Activité des corpora allata et contrôle photopériodique de la maturation ovarienne chez Locusta migratoria

Locusta migratoria migratoria females of the ‘Kazalinsk’ strain show a sustained inhibition of ovarian maturation when submitted to long-day photoperiodic conditions ($\text{17}\text{hr}\text{24}\text{hr}$). A full ovarian cycle can be initiated at any time throughout adult life by implantation of corpora allata (CA) taken from egg-laying females. Therefore, in inhibited females, the gonadotropic activity of the CA fail to allow normal vitellogenesis. However, if such females receive CA taken from females conditioned in the same way, a full ovarian cycle still occurs. If CA taken from 5-week-old, either mature or immature, females are implanted into 5-day-old females reared without males under long-day lighting, a single ovarian cycle results, no matter what the state of the donor females. The possibility is discussed that in L. migratoria females neurosecretory material may be involved in the functional development of adult CA, whereas the gonadotropic hormone is released from the CA under nervous control, as far as a photoperiod-sensitive strain is concerned.     

Fonction chromatrope de la pars intercerebralis chez l'acridien Oedipoda coerulescens

The median neurosecretory cells of the protocerebrum of fifth instar larvae and 1- or 2-day-old adults of Oedipoda coerulescens produced more fuchsinophilic material when reared on dark backgrounds than on pale ones. In the latter case, the neurosecretory cell bodies were almost completely devoid of neurosecretion. The same differences were found in the anterior lobes of the corpora cardiaca. Individuals implanted with pars intercerebralis from donors reared on a dark background showed dark pigmentation no matter what their own background colour (and conversely). Black or red pigmentation appeared on absorbent grounds whereas a pale one was produced on reflecting grounds with high levels of incident light predominantly between 576 and 588 mμ. The significance of these results is discussed. A possible scheme for the interaction of environmental factors and pigmentation is suggested.     

Étude expérimentale de la nutrition d'un copépode commun (Temora stylifera Dana). Effets de la température et de la concentration de nourriture

The ingestion rate of phytoplankton by adult Temora stylifera Dana changes with concentration of algae and with temperature. From the experimental results, two types of curves were fitted to the data. The effects of these two variables are generally considered independently in grazing models. Thus, the maximal ingestion parameter of the relationship between ingestion and phytoplankton concentration is expressed as a function of temperature. It is therefore possible to formulate simultaneously the effect of these two factors. This formulation of grazing, after normalization of units, can be easily generalized to other filter-feeding copepods.     

Influence de l'intensité et de la longueur d'onde de la lumière sur le rendement des radicaux libres dans les semences de tomate et de carotte

Influence of light intensity and wavelength on the yield of free radicals in seeds of tomato and carrot.
Seeds of tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum L. cv. Gribovsky-1180) and carrot ( Daucus carota L. cv. Santanet) were irradiated by continuous light of different wavelengths (white, blue, green, red, far-red and He-Ne laser) and different power density. Free radical output was measured using Electron Spin Resonance spectra (ESR). The dependence of the content of free radicals (FR) on the light power density was established. The yield of FR in the seeds irradiated with monochromatic light of the same power density was inversely proportional to the wavelength. The ESR spectra showed maximum absolute number of FR for white light. Successive irradiations gave cumulative effects on the output of free radicals in both directions: increase by the action of white light and decrease by the action of red and far-red light. The contact of irradiated seeds with steam decreased the amount of FR.     

Action de la kinétine sur la croissance et la teneur en chlorophylles des racines

Lens roots form chlorophylls in well-developed chloroplasts when they are cultivated in continuous light. Chlorophyll accumulation was increased when kinetin (10^?4M) was added for a short time (24 h) of treatment. For a long time (72 h), the increase of chlorophyll content was reduced when roots were cultivated in light and with kinetin. When the roots were transferred from light to dark, chlorophyll content was decreased. This reduction was inhibited when roots were treated with kintin. From these present result it was supposed that kinetin acts on the catabolism and the anabolism of chlorophyll. The necessity of kinetin for chloroplast from amyloplast maturation and differentiation was discussed.     

Restes de vertebres et de mollusques continentauxdans le Villafranchien de la Sardaigne

Remains of vertebrates of Villafranchian age have been found in the Nuraghe Su Casteddu (Nuoro, Sardinia) formation. The fossiliferous layer contain a rich fauna of continental molluscs. The composition of the vertebrate fauna is as follows: Rana sp., ? Coluber sp., Aves indet., Episoriculus aff. gibberodon PETENYI, Talpa sp., Chiroptera indet. and Rodentia indet. It is the first discovery of Villafranchian vetebrates in Sardinia.     

Imagerie hybride dans l’embolie pulmonaire aiguë : apport de la TDM couplée à la tomoscintigraphie de ventilation et de perfusion

Purpose

V/P-SPECT lung scan can be combined with computerized tomography (CT) from hybrid camera. We investigated if CT data could be use only with perfusion scans for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

Patients and methods

In a retrospective study, 75 consecutives patients, referred for suspicion of PE, underwent SPECT ventilation and perfusion scans coupled with a CT on Symbia T2. The perfusion images (P-SPECT) were classified as normal or abnormal with systematized (segmental and sub-segmental) or not systematized perfusion abnormalities. The ventilation images (V-SPECT) were considered as normal or abnormal in light of perfusion defects. The same was done for CT images. Correlations between V-SPECT and CT were studied.

Results

Hence, 28 patients had a normal P-SPECT and did not have PE. Patients (47) had an abnormal P-SPECT (among them, 16 turned out to have PE and 31 did not). There were 192 perfusion abnormalities of which 81 were segmental and 81 sub-segmental. Corresponding to these abnormalities, V-SPECT and CT were concordant in 83 % of the cases. When not-concordant, V-SPECT abnormalities with normal CT were found in 14 % of the cases and CT abnormalities with normal V-SPECT were found in 3 % of the cases. According to the EANM guidelines for PE diagnosis, sensitivity was 88 % and specificity 93 % with V/P-SPECT and 100 % and 83 % respectively with CT/P-SPECT (p = NS).

Conclusion

V/P-SPECT remains slightly more specific for the diagnosis of PE. However, this study demonstrates that CT/P-SPECT obtained with hybrid camera could be used for PE diagnosis with performances similar to V/P-SPECT. If these results would be confirmed on larger populations, this could lead to a significant reduction of scanning time which would improve patient comfort and reduce the camera load.     

Donnees chronologiques et morphologiques sur le mode de formation des corps jaunes,dans les conditions de la ponte provoquee chez la ratte

Résumé Les modalités morphologiques et chronologiques de la formation des corps jaunes ont été étudiées dans les conditions de la ponte provoquée chez la ratte.Des rattes Wistar offrant des cycles de 4 jours et préparées au début du cycle par une dose non lutéinisante d'oestradiol ont été soumises le 2ème jour de ce cycle à un stimulus copulatoire de 8 coïts.Ce stimulus suscite la formation de deux types de corps jaunes: les uns sont des corps jaunes postovulatoires édifiés aux dépens de follicules rompus; les autres sont des corps jaunes à ovule inclus formés aux dépens de follicules non encore aptes à se rompre mais déjà aptes à se lutéiniser.Ces corps jaunes se forment progressivement de la 11ème à la 24ème heure après le rapprochement sexuel. Un petit nombre d'entre eux sont déjà repérables dans les ovaires de rattes sacrifiées 11 heures après le coït. Leur nombre s'accroît au cours des 13 heures suivantes aux dépens de follicules prélutéiniques que l'on observe dans les ovaires des rattes sacrifiées 11 heures après le coït.

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Summary Morphological and chronological modalities of the formation of corpora lutea were studied in the conditions of evoked ovulation in the rat. 4-day cyclic female rats of the Wistar strain received at the beginning of the cycle a non luteinizing dose of oestradiol. They mated on the afternoon of the 2th day under visual control and mating was limited to 8 acts of coïtus. Two types of corpora lutea elicited by coïtus were observed i. e. postovulatory corpora lutea and corpora lutea with included ovocytes. Their formation proceed from about the 11th to the 24th hour after coïtus. A few number of these corpora lutea were already visible on the 11th hour post coïtum. Their number progressively increased during the following hours from preluteinic follicles which appeared in great number in the ovaries of animals sacrificed on the 11th hour after coïtus.

     

L'analogie et la représentation de l'art primitif à la fin du XIX siècle

In this paper, we will examine the foundations of Western representation of Paleolithic art at the end of the nineteenth century. Taking the period of 1864-1902 into account, we will prove the leading role of analogy between “modern primitive societies” and “prehistoric societies” in the very definition of “primitive art”. According to us, the representation of the “primitive artist” at that time was largely based in comparison between art which came from modern primitive societies living in Africa, Australia or America, and prehistoric art which was authenticated at about 1865. Through this examination, we will show the way in which analogy functions as a main category in the construction of scientific knowledge.     

Etude comparative de la densite de groupes de poissons cavernicoles et epiges (characidae,cyprinidae, clariidae)

The group density of four species of cave fishes (Caecobarbus geertsi, Barbopsis devecchii, Astyanax gen. and Uegitglanis zammaranoi) and of two taxonomically related epigean species (Barbus conchonius and Hyphessobricon scholzei) was measured tridimensionally in an experimental aquarium, using a video recorder and a mirror inclined at 45° placed on top of the aquarium. The experiments were conducted in dim red light. The illumination was continuous in the case of cave fishes. For the epigean forms a 12/12 LD cycle was superimposed using dim achromatic sources. The relative positions of individuals within their own specific group were registered hourly during a week (168 h). Results show that in cave forms, the mean density of groups falls within the theoretical limits of random distribution values in all cases, whereas epigean species display a non-random aggregation tendency.     

Evolution de la temperature de l'oxygene dissous et de la transparence dans la baie Nord du lac Tanganika

Resume Nous décrivons dans ce travail l'évolution de la température de l'oxygène dissous et de la transparence dans le bassin N. du lac Tanganika.La température de l'eau ne subit des fluctuations intéressantes au cours de l'année que dans les 100 premiers mètres de la surface. Les eaux du Tanganika offrent une temperature élevée jusqu' à ses plus grandes profondeurs; à 1.400 m. la température de l'eau est encore de 23.35° C. La température des eaux superficielles dépend de l'insolation journalière et les variations saisonnières n'affectent qu'une épaisseur d'eau d'une centaine de mètres. La couche oxygénée de l'eau est très faible par rapport aux énormes profondeurs du lac. Dans le bassin N. elle varie au cours de l'année entre les extrêmes de 45 m. et de 115 m.; la plupart du temps la limite de l'oxygène dissous se situant à 75–80 m de profondeur.Les eaux superficielles sont fortement oxygénées, leur teneur en oxygène dissous oscille autour de 100% de satuation, jusqu'au thermocline elles sont encore oxygénées à 80–90%.Le thermocline est toujours plus haut que la limite de l'oxygène dissous et ne présente absolument pas une barrière biologique comme c'est le cas dans la plupart des lacs des régions tempérées.La transparence des eaux du lac Tanganika est considérable, elle atteint souvent 20 m; la moyenne au cours de l'année se situant aux environs de 15 m.

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Summary The author describes the temperature, oxygen and transparency conditions in the Northern basin of Lake Tanganyika.The fluctuations in the temperature of the waters in the course of the year is of interest only down to a depth of 100 m.The temperature of water in Lake Tanganyika is high even in the greatest depths; at 1.400 m depth the temperature of the water is still 23.35° C. The temperature of surface water depends on the daily solar radiation. The influence of seasonal variations is felt only down to a depth of about one hundred meters.The oxygenated layer of water is very thin in comparison with the very great depth of the lake. In the northern basin, this layer varies in thickness between 45 and 115 m, the limit of dissolved oxygen being at a depth of about 75 m most of the time.The oxygen concentration in superficial waters is very high and nearly reaches the saturation point. Down to the thermoclinal point, the concentration is still 80–90 % The thermocline is always higher than the limit of dissolved oxygen, it does not at all constitute a biological barrier as it does in most lakes in temperate climates. The waters of Lake Tanganyika are very transparent, their transparency often reaches the depth of 20 m, the average for the year being 15 m.

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Centre de Recherches du Tanganika (Uvira) Institut pour la Recherche Scientifique en Afrique Centrale I.R.S.A.C.     

Les statues-menhirs du Rouergue et du Haut-Languedoc : la posture des jambes et la technique de représentation des effigies féminines et masculines

Wex (1993) observes through the statuary of great historical cultures how body language appears to reflect the evolution of the respective status of man and woman. On the other hand, Serres (1997) reports that the feminine statues-menhirs of his so called groupe rouergat are represented with legs spread out, while masculine statues show broad as well as narrow postures. We examined this observation more systematically and further applied to it the properly ethological reading grid of Wex as a contribution to the history of gender relationships. A preliminary quantitative analysis aimed to determine which attributes give certainty about the sexual identity of the statues-menhirs. Special attention is given to the figures who underwent a gender change.     

Effets à court et moyen terme de chocs thermiques et influence de la cinétique de décroissance de la température consécutive au choc sur l'activité de la leucine aminopeptidase chez Scolelepis (Malacoceros) fuliginosa Claparède (Annelida: Polychaeta)

Scolelepis (Malacoceros) fuliginosa Claparède acclimated to 13 and 19 °C were subjected to thermal shocks (ΔT) of 10 min duration and of amplitude from 8 to 14 °C for animals acclimated to 19 °C and up to 19 °C for animals acclimated to 13 °C. The effects of the thermal changes on LAP activity were detected after electrophoretic separation of LAP fractions.In most individuals two LAP fractions were demonstrable. The faster migrating fraction was sensitive to thermal shock, and the slower migrating fraction was virtually more thermostable.In individuals acclimated to 19 °C increased amplitude of thermal shocks caused a change in LAP activity with a decrease in the fast fraction, while the slow fraction was unaltered. The rate of decrease in the former fraction increased with increasing amplitude of the thermal change, and a greater decrease was observed in females than in males.In animals acclimated to 13 °C, a thermal shock of 19 °C resulted in a rapid and almost complete elimination of the fast migrating LAP fraction, and all males and females died within 24 h.The influence of the rate of decrease in temperature was studied after thermal shocks of amplitude 16 and 18 °C were applied to animals acclimated to 13 °C. The former temperature increase was not lethal but a considerable decrease in the activity of the fast migrating LAP fraction was observed in both sexes within 4 h, with a slow rate of subsequent temperature decrease. After a further 6 days there was some recovery of the activity in this fraction but activity remained lower than in control animals. With a rapid temperature decrease subsequent to the same 16 °C shock the decrease in activity did not occur until approximately 24 h after the thermal shock and a full recovery and enzyme activity was observed after 38 h. A thermal shock of 18 ° C, followed by a slow temperature decrease, was lethal for both sexes and the “fast” LAP fraction almost disappeared within 1 h. A rapid decrease in temperature, however, was only lethal to females, although the fast migrating LAP fraction, reduced after 1 h, subsequently disappeared in both sexes. In males only this fraction recovered briefly after 8 h but after a further 6 days activity remained lower than that observed in the controls.It is concluded that, according to their amplitude, thermal shocks progressively affect LAP activity. These effects can be minimized by increasing the rate of decrease in temperature after the shocks.     

Decouverte d'Ammonites du Lias inferieur et moyendans la zone predorsalienne de la region de Jebha (Rif,Maroc) et ses consequences

Jurassic from rifean “Dorsale” furnished only rare paleontological documents; so it's interesting to point outhere, in the predorsalian zone, associations of ammonites from Domerian (Fuciniceras, Protogrammoceras), from Sinemurian (Charmasseiceras, Epammonites) and from Hettangian (Waehneroceras), this one beeing in this way well characterized for the first time in this zone.     

Decouvertes recentes de mammiferes et de mollusquesdans des formations d'age oligocene terminal et aquitanien du SE de la France; comparaison avec les gisements deja connus dans la meme region

The first brackish levels of the Aquitanian (s. lat.) of Cap Janet (B. du Rh.), contemporaneous with thoseof Carry-le-Rouet, have provided rodents and continental molluscs. They belong to the same level as the mammals of Coderet and so are correlated to the “série grise” of Barrême, the “calcaire de Reillanne”, the marls and limestones of Rougier, the gypsun of Aix. Older faunas found in the localities of “St-Henri” and “Les Milles” show that they belong to the same detritic flow as the “marnes de Viens”.     

Les Spatangus du Miocène et du Pliocène de l’Ouest de la France

Numerous fragments of spatangoid echinoids have been discovered in the Pliocene deposits of Challans, in Vendée (western France). In spite of the fragmentary data of the samples, a reconstitution of a complete test could be realized using the different fragments and their symetrization. The general shape of the test, and its architectural and ornemental characters allow establishing the presence of the genus Spatangus in western France during the end of Neogene. It allows to precise the biogeography of the genus Spatangus and of the morphological group S. (S.) purpureus on the Atlantic coast after the Messinian crisis. The Pliocene species is compared to the Miocene Spatangus (Phymapatagus) brittanus, abundant in Anjou, Brittany and Touraine. This older species was refered to the subgenus Phymapatagus according to the presumed lack of primary tubercles on its posterior interambulacrum. The discovery of well-preserved specimens, with primary tubercles on every parts of the test, in the Middle Miocene of Brittany allows to refute this subgeneric distinction and to refer the species brittanus to the subgenus Spatangus (Spatangus). The presence of this subgenus in western France is finally confirmed from Middle Miocene to Pliocene.     

Capteur SAW implantable dédié à la télémesure de la température et de la pression artérielle : le projet ANR-TECSAN CIMPA

The CIMPA Project (2007-2008), led under the ANR-TECSAN Call, was coordinated by SENSeOR, in partnership with the LEAT and the FEMTO. The aim of the project was to develop a surface acoustic wave sensor demonstrator, passive implantable to monitoring the blood pressure and the temperature. This sensor uses the surface acoustic wave technology (SAW) and is composed of three resonators using quartz as piezoelectric substrate. One resonator for temperature measurement (T), a second resonator for the blood pressure measurement (P) and a third resonator, which is used as reference (R). This sensor is compatible with size requirements inherent to an implantation in an artery, since the size of the resonator with its antennas in its most compact configuration is of the order of 5.2 mm × 3.7 mm × 0.85 mm. It requires no embarked sources of energy and being able to be interrogated by a radiofréquence (RF) connection thanks to a transceiver, which emits a signal in the band industrial, scientific and medical (ISM). The sensor (connected to an integrated antenna on quartz of very small dimension) requested by the signal of interrogation emits in its turn a signal, which carries information of pressure and temperature. The transceiver then collects apart from its transmitting phase the signal emitted by the sensor and extracts by an appropriate signal processing method information of pressure and temperature. The targeted range for pressure measurement extends from 1 bar to 1.35 bar with an accuracy of about 2% FS.     

Influence de la température sur la biosynthèse des acides gras de deux champignons filamenteux, Aspergillus ochraceus et Mucor mucedo

The two moulds, Mucor mucedo and Aspergillus ochraceus, grow very rapidly at 22°; when transferred to 12°, Mucor shows a regular growth and sporulation while Aspergillus development is almost entirely inhibited. ¹⁴C Acetate was supplied to both fungi at 12° and 22°. In both, the total radioactivity of saturated fatty acids was less important at the lowest temperature. In contrast, C 18:1 radioactivity rose in Mucor while it was C 18:2 radioactivity which rose in Aspergillus at the lowest temperature. There was an increase in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) radioactivities in Mucor while the phosphatidylserine (PS) radioactivity decreased at low temperature. By contrast, when Aspergillus was placed in the same cultural conditions, PE and PC radioactivities decreased while PS radioactivity increased. Based on these results, a tentative explanation of the improved cold-resistance of M. mucedo is presented.