A preliminary biography of Armand de Ricqlès (1938–), the great synthesizer of bone histology

Armand de Ricqlès has had a long, successful career. From his start as an Assistant in the University of Paris in 1961, he defended his doctoral thesis in 1963, became Maître-Assistant (Assistant Professor) in 1970 (tenured 1971), defended his “doctorat d’état” (habilitation thesis) in 1973, was nominated Professor in the University Paris 7, was promoted to first class (Full Professor) in 1987, and was finally nominated to the prestigious chair “Biologie Historique et Évolutionnisme” (Historical and Evolutionary Biology) of the Collège de France in 1996. He lectured on a wide range of topics, especially in comparative and evolutionary biology, and assumed important administrative responsibilities, including responsibility of various master's programs, leadership of the team “Formations squelettiques” (1973–2002; till Professor Jacques Castanet took over leadership of the team), involvement in various committees, and in organizing scientific meetings. He served on several editorial committees and was co-editor of the “Annales des Sciences Naturelles”, as well as co-editor-in-chief of the “Comptes Rendus Palevol”. His scientific research always emphasized bone histology, especially paleohistology, but he also made contributions to systematic paleontology, phylogenetics, history of paleontology, and biological nomenclature, in decreasing order of importance. He has so far published over 100 scientific papers and 120 semi-popular papers.     

Further studies on the relationship of adrenal and gonadal steroids in pubertal development in female rats.

Surgical adrenalectomy or the administration of aminoglutethimide, corticosterone (B), and androstenedione (delta 4) to the immature female rat had no effect on the timing of vaginal membrane opening. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and estrone (E1) significantly hastened vaginal patency. Aminoglutethimide increased pituitary LH content while FSH content was decreased. An anti-17 beta-E2 antibody increased pituitary LH content and plasma concentration suggesting enhanced synthesis and release of LH. Pituitary FSH content was unaltered while plasma FSH decreased. Aminoglutethimide increased adrenal and ovarian but not pituitary weight while the antibody had no effect. Since little DHA is present in rat plasma and adrenal and since only estrogens have any effect on the onset of puberty, it is likely that the adrenal is not directly involved in pubertal development in the female rat.     

The Prophylactic Effect of Synovectomy of the Knee in Rheumatoid Arthritis

One hundred and twenty-seven synovectomies were performed for rheumatoid arthritis of the knee at the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Montreal, over the past 15 years. The authors have reviewed 56 synovectomies in 49 patients to determine whether the operation might have any prophylactic value.They conclude that synovectomy of the knee can delay or prevent gross joint destruction if the operation is performed during the synovial phase of the disease. If it is performed too late, the operation can at best only salvage an already damaged knee.The surgical technique, the operative indications and the postoperative regimen are described.     

Human MC4R variants affect endocytosis,trafficking and dimerization revealing multiple cellular mechanisms involved in weight regulation

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