Évaluation des rythmes et des vitesses d’évolution chez les Mammifères

The natural selection proceeds to very different time paces according to the hierarchical level of the observations. Two methods are used by palaeontologists for reporting how fast is evolution through geological time: the taxonomical and the morphological rates of evolution. However, the interpretation and the understanding of these rates of evolution are not easy. So, there were and still are many debates, and even controversies, concerning the tempo of the history of life as depicted by fossils. Examples from European Palaeogene fossil mammals illustrate some aspects of this problem.     

Contribution à la connaisance des Rotifères et des Cladocères de la Région parisienne

Sans résuméStagiaire de Recherches au Centre de Recherches Hydrobiologiques du C.N.R.S.     

Le contrôle par les ouvrières de la monogynie des colonies chezSphærocrema striatula (Myrmicidæ Cremastogastrini)

Summary A control of females' numer in the colony is observed among the antSphærocrema striatula. This control tends instituting monogyny or haplometrosis (Wheeler). The experiment related in this publication shows how the workers eliminate the supernumerary females. It has not been possible clearing up the reasons of the workers' choice in the elimination or keeping of females.     

Analyse des caryotypes métaphasiques méiotiques chez le mâle dePleurodeles waltlii (Amphibien,Urodèle) après coloration des chromosomes par l'argent ammoniacal

Analysis of metaphasic meiotic karyotypes in male of Pleurode les waltlii(Amphibia, Urodela) after silver ammoniacal staining of chromosomes. In the newtPleurodeles waltlii, the ammoniacal silver staining technique was applied to the male meiotic chromosomes at metaphase I and II. A specific staining of paracentromeric heterochromatin and of the centromere is observed on each chromosome of the complements. The two karyotypes are analysed and the homology between meiotic and mitotic chromosomes is established.

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Analyse des caryotypes métaphasiques méiotiques chez le male dePleurodeles waltlii (Amphibien, Urodèle) après coloration des chromosomes par l'argent ammoniacal

     

Greffes de cornée automatisées par laser femtoseconde optimisé et système de contrôle aberrométrique

We present a first evaluation of the results of the GRECO project which aims to conceive and realise an innovative device for ocular surgery by ultrafast pulse laser optimised for corneal grafting.     

Etude de la cholangiogénèse chez le foetus humain

Résumé Les auteurs, étudiant les régions périportales et centrolobulaires des foies d'un embryon et de quatre foetus humains, tendent à préciser quelques aspects de la formation des canaux biliaires intrahépatiques. Ils apportent ainsi une nouvelle contribution à la théorie hépatogène de la cholangiogénèse intrahépatique.

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Summary The present study describes the fine structure of tubules surrounded by parenchymal or biliary epithelial cells at the margin of the centrolobular or portal spaces. The hepatogenic theory of intrahepatic cholangiogenesis is discussed.

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Travail subventionné par le «Fonds National Suisse de la Recherche Scientifique», requête N 3731.

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Avec la collaboration technique de Mlles J. Braeutigam et M.-M. Bertholet et de Mme M. Schreyer.     

Etude de la cholangiogénèse chez le foetus humain

Résumé Les auteurs, étudiant les diverses cellules épithéliales rencontrées dans la région périportale du foie foetal humain, décrivent deux types d'éléments qui possèdent des caractères ultrastructuraux intermédiaires entre ceux de la cellule épithéliale biliaire et ceux de l'hépatocyte.Ils décrivent un type cellulaire à cytoplasme et noyau fortement denses, différents de ceux que l'on observe dans les «dark cells» de Steiner et coll. (1962b).

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Summary The fine structure of the different cells at the margin of the portal spaces was investigated in the foetal human liver. Two types of cells intermediate between biliary epithelial and parenchymal elements were described.In addition, a type of cell in which both the cytoplasm and nucleus are electron-dense was observed. This element is different from the dark cell of Steiner et al. (1962b).

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Travail subventionné par le «Fonds National Suisse de la Recherche Scientifique», requête N 3731.

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Avec la collaboration technique de Mme M. Schreyer et de Mlle M.-M. Bertholet.     

Recherche d'antigènes de groupe chez des rickettsies de la tribu desWolbachiae par la technique d'agglutination des corps élémentaires

Résumé Les relations antigéniques entre einq rickettsies pathogènes aux Invertébrés sont étudiées par agglutination. Cette comparaison met en évidence que le genreRickettsiella ne constitue pas au point de vue immunologique un ensemble homogène. On définit deux groupes sérologiques distincts:R. melolonthae, R. tipulae etR. cetonidarum appartiennent au groupe I; le groupe II est actuellement consitué parR. grylli etR. armadillidii.

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Summary The antigenic relation between five rickettsiae pathogenic to Invertebrates have been studied by agglutination. This comparison shows that the genusRickettsiella does not form and homogeneous group from an immunological point of view. Two separate serological groups are defined:R. melolonthae, R. tipulae andR. cetonidarum belong to the Ist group;grylli andR. armadillidii are forming the IInd group now.

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Ce travail a été réalisé en partie dans le cadre d'une convention D.R.M.E.     

Contrôle de la détermination et de la différenciation des caractères sexuels somatiques de Néréidiens (Annélides polychètes)

Résumé Les modalités de la détermination et de la différenciation du dimorphisme sexuel de Néréidiens (Annélides Polychètes) ont été recherchées chezNereis pelagica L. etPerinereis cultrifera G. par des expériences de décérébration, de castration (par irradiation X), de greffes et d'injection de produits génitaux.Les caractères sexuels somatiques des cirres parapodiaux (renflement et crénelures) se développent toujours conformément au sexe génétique quel que soit l'état génital de laNereis et la nature de l'intervention. La détermination des caractères sexuels somatiques des cirres parapodiaux apparaît donc comme étant très précoce (3 mois au moins avant la différenciation génitale) et stable.Par contre, les papilles pygidiales, caractère sexuel mâle dans les conditions normales, peuvent se différencier chez les très jeunes femelles dont l'épitoquie est déclenchée prématurément par décérébration et chez les femelles de tout âge dont les transformations hétéronéréidiennes sont réalisées en présence d'un milieu mâle (injection de produits génitaux, greffe sur un mâle). Les papilles pygidiales semblent donc déterminées précocement chez les deux sexes; leur différenciation est cependant inhibée chez les femelles au cours de la maturation génitale.

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Control of determination and the differentiation of the sexual somatic characters of Nereids (Annelida Polychaeta)

Summary The modalities of determination and differentiation of sexual dimorphism of Nereids (Annelida Polychaeta) were investigated inNereis pelagica L. andPerinereis cultrifera G. with experiments involving decerebration, castration (by X irradiation), grafts or injection of genital products.The sexual somatic characters of the parapodial cirri (swelling and crenellations) always develop according to the genetic sex, whatever the genital state of the Nereis and the nature of the intervention. Therefore the determination of the sexual somatic characters of the parapodial cirri appear to be determined in a very precocious and stable way (at least 3 months before the genital differentiation).The pygidial papillae, a male sexual character in normal conditions, can be formed by very young females in which heteronereidation is realized prematurely by decerebration, and by females of any age in which heteronereid transformations are realized in a male environment (e.g. by injection of genital products, or grafting onto a male). Therefore the pygidial papillae may be determined precociously in either sex; however their differentiation is normally inhibited in females in the course of genital maturation.

     

Utilisation des gels de polymères MAGIC pour la dosimétrie d’une source non scellée d’yttrium 90

Polymer gels are relative chemical dosimeters. They allow to access to three-dimensional dose distribution. The aim of this study has been to investigate the preparation and the use of a polymer gel with a tissue equivalent density known as MAGIC gel from magnetic resonance imaging and x-ray computed tomography for non-sealed source dosimetry. This kind of gel is “normoxic” because it can be manufactured and used in normal room atmosphere. In the first part of this study, its accuracy and sensibility were studied using external beam irradiation by photons. Spin-spin relaxation rate (R₂) and Computed Tomography (CT) number had been used to record gel responses. Using the same manufacture process, radiolabelled gels composed of 95% MAGIC gel and 5% of ⁹⁰Y termed ⁹⁰Y-MAGIC₉₅, with varying activity ranged from 0 to 30 MBq were made. In case of photon external beam irradiation, a linear response is observed whatever the calibration method and the imaging system used (the correlation coefficient r² > 0.98 in all cases). ⁹⁰Y-MAGIC₉₅ radiolabelled gel responses were recorded after 28, 76 and 124 h. The R₂/dose curves are not linear; three phases can be described, the first being linear with a slow slope (0.14 s⁻¹ Gy⁻¹ instead of 0.41 s⁻¹ Gy⁻¹ for external beam irradiation of the same gel batch). This study shows safety of radiolabelled MAGIC gels manufacturing process and their large dosimetric feasibility. ⁹⁰Y-MAGIC₉₅ gel response appears to be reproducible and related to the absorbed dose, thus this gel is a promising tool for non-sealed source dosimetry.     

Place de l’embolisation percutanée de la varicocèle dans le traitement de l’infertilité

Objectives

To describe percutaneous embolization of varicocele and to evaluate the effect on fertility disorders.

Materials and methods

One hundred nineteen patients, aged 11 to 48 years, underwent percutaneous embolization for varicocele indicated by a fertility disorder in 23% of cases. Correction of the varicocele and resolution of associated pain, improvement of testicular trophicity and the effect on fertility were studied and a review of the literature was performed.

Results

Percutaneous embolization was performed using neuroleptanalgesia on an outpatient basis. The technique combined venous sclerotherapy and placement of coils in the gonadal vein. The technique was successful in 95% of cases and one complication was observed. At 3 months, the varicocele and related pain had resolved in 98% of treated patients. According to previous reports in the literature, the relations between varicocele and fertility disorders are still unclear, but improvement of fertility (semen quality and conception rates) after varicocele repair has been established.

Conclusion

Although the consequences of varicocele on fertility have not been fully elucidated, treatment of varicocele appears to be beneficial. Percutaneous embolization of varicocele is a safe and effective alternative to surgery. This technique, based on a urological and radiological consensus, is the first-line treatment for varicocele in our institution.