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Este artículo es una actualización del tratamiento quirúrgico urgente de los traumatismos del recto subperitoneal, del ano y de los órganos genitales internos y externos en adultos. Estas lesiones se inscriben en el marco de los traumatismos pelviperineales, cuyos mecanismos son múltiples, la mayoría de las veces penetrantes. Su tratamiento es complejo, debido a la proximidad a los distintos tractos digestivo, urinario y ginecológico. Las posibles lesiones asociadas del marco óseo y de las estructuras vasculares próximas se añadan aún más a la complejidad del tratamiento inicial. La presentación inicial puede estar dominada por el carácter hemorrágico de las lesiones, pero el riesgo principal es sobre todo séptico, en particular para las lesiones digestivas. El tratamiento urgente requiere en primer lugar realizar una evaluación meticulosa, clínica y con pruebas de laboratorio, para no pasar por alto una lesión. Los objetivos del tratamiento son primero inmediatos, con el control de la hemorragia y de la sepsis, y después tardíos, con la prevención de las secuelas funcionales a medio plazo. El tratamiento de las heridas del recto intraperitoneal (idéntico al de las heridas del colon), de las lesiones hemorrágicas de la pelvis, así como de las secuelas de los traumatismos del ano y de los órganos genitales no se aborda en este artículo.

Noncoding DNA is central to our understanding of human gene regulation and complex diseases1,2, and measuring the evolutionary sequence constraint can establish the functional relevance of putative regulatory elements in the human genome3–9. Identifying the genomic elements that have become constrained specifically in primates has been hampered by the faster evolution of noncoding DNA compared to protein-coding DNA10, the relatively short timescales separating primate species11, and the previously limited availability of whole-genome sequences12. Here we construct a whole-genome alignment of 239 species, representing nearly half of all extant species in the primate order. Using this resource, we identified human regulatory elements that are under selective constraint across primates and other mammals at a 5% false discovery rate. We detected 111,318 DNase I hypersensitivity sites and 267,410 transcription factor binding sites that are constrained specifically in primates but not across other placental mammals and validate their cis-regulatory effects on gene expression. These regulatory elements are enriched for human genetic variants that affect gene expression and complex traits and diseases. Our results highlight the important role of recent evolution in regulatory sequence elements differentiating primates, including humans, from other placental mammals.

Glacier shrinkage and the development of post-glacial ecosystems related to anthropogenic climate change are some of the fastest ongoing ecosystem shifts, with marked ecological and societal cascading consequences1–6. Yet, no complete spatial analysis exists, to our knowledge, to quantify or anticipate this important changeover7,8. Here we show that by 2100, the decline of all glaciers outside the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets may produce new terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems over an area ranging from the size of Nepal (149,000 ± 55,000 km2) to that of Finland (339,000  ±  99,000  km2). Our analysis shows that the loss of glacier area will range from 22 ± 8% to 51 ± 15%, depending on the climate scenario. In deglaciated areas, the emerging ecosystems will be characterized by extreme to mild ecological conditions, offering refuge for cold-adapted species or favouring primary productivity and generalist species. Exploring the future of glacierized areas highlights the importance of glaciers and emerging post-glacial ecosystems in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and freshwater scarcity. We find that less than half of glacial areas are located in protected areas. Echoing the recent United Nations resolution declaring 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation9and the Global Biodiversity Framework10, we emphasize the need to urgently and simultaneously enhance climate-change mitigation and the in situ protection of these ecosystems to secure their existence, functioning and values.

Questo articolo è un aggiornamento sulla gestione chirurgica d’urgenza dei traumi del retto sottoperitoneale, dell’ano e degli organi genitali interni ed esterni negli adulti. Queste lesioni fanno parte dei traumi pelviperineali, i cui meccanismi sono molteplici, il più delle volte penetranti. Sono complessi da gestire, a causa della vicinanza dei diversi percorsi digestivo, urinario e ginecologico. Eventuali lesioni associate della struttura ossea e delle strutture vascolari vicine aumentano ulteriormente la complessità del trattamento iniziale. La presentazione iniziale può essere dominata dalla natura emorragica delle lesioni, ma è soprattutto il rischio settico a essere preponderante, soprattutto per le lesioni digestive. Il trattamento d’urgenza richiede, in via prioritaria, una meticolosa valutazione clinica e paraclinica, per non trascurare un infortunio. Gli obiettivi del trattamento sono dapprima immediati, con il controllo dell’emorragia e della sepsi, poi tardivi, con la prevenzione delle sequele funzionali a medio termine. Non è coperta la gestione delle ferite intraperitoneali del retto (identiche a quelle del colon), delle lesioni emorragiche della pelvi nonché dei postumi di traumi dell’ano e dei genitali.

Perennial rivers and streams make a disproportionate contribution to global carbon (C) cycling. However, the contribution of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES), which sometimes cease to flow and can dry completely, is largely ignored although they represent over half the global river network. Substantial amounts of terrestrial plant litter (TPL) accumulate in dry riverbeds and, upon rewetting, this material can undergo rapid microbial processing. We present the results of a global research collaboration that collected and analysed TPL from 212 dry riverbeds across major environmental gradients and climate zones. We assessed litter decomposability by quantifying the litter carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and oxygen (O2) consumption in standardized assays and estimated the potential short-term CO2emissions during rewetting events. Aridity, cover of riparian vegetation, channel width and dry-phase duration explained most variability in the quantity and decomposability of plant litter in IRES. Our estimates indicate that a single pulse of CO2emission upon litter rewetting contributes up to 10% of the daily CO2emission from perennial rivers and stream, particularly in temperate climates. This indicates that the contributions of IRES should be included in global C-cycling assessments. Rewetting of plant litter accumulated in dry riverbeds releases pulses of CO2, reveals a global analysis of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams.

L’inclinaison de la première vertèbre non instrumentée distale est le témoin de l’évolution de la courbure principale et de la contre-courbure lombaire après instrumentation postérieure pour scoliose thoracique de l’adolescent. L’hypothèse est que l’inclinaison de cette vertèbre est dépendante principalement de la réduction de la courbure principale au recul ≥5 ans et d’autres facteurs tels que le choix de la vertèbre distale de l’instrumentation.

La prise en soin des résidents déments crieurs en institution médicosociale est complexe. Les interventions sur les aidants professionnels représentent un des axes de soin car elles permettent de maintenir la relation en diminuant les ressentis négatifs des professionnels et en prévenant un syndrome d’épuisement professionnel des soignants (SEPS). Notre enquête auprès de professionnels de trois EHPAD montrent que l’exposition aux cris répétés des résidents déments entraîne l’apparition de ressentis négatifs favorisant le SEPS. La formation des professionnels, la mise en place de réunions pluridisciplinaires, l’intervention d’une équipe mobile de psychogériatrie ou la constitution de groupes de parole ou d’analyse des pratiques permettraient d’améliorer la prise en charge de ces résidents.

Le traitement initial du pied bot varus équin (PBVE) est orthopédique, selon 2 méthodes principales, les plâtres (MP) ou la méthode fonctionnelle (MF) (kinésithérapie). La supériorité de l’une ou l’autre des techniques est controversée, mais le type de traitement initial n’est pas le seul facteur pronostique du résultat final.

Le bénéfice du décubitus ventral vigile (DV) chez les patients oxygénodépendants hospitalisés hors réanimation pour une pneumonie COVID-19 n’est pas démontré. L’objectif de l’étude est de déterminer si le DV associé aux soins standards permet de réduire le recours à la ventilation non invasive (VNI), à l’intubation ou d’éviter le décès, comparé aux soins standards seuls dans cette population.

En 2013, le DSM-5 a proposé la création d’une nouvelle maladie mentale, le Hoarding disorder(HD), qu’on pourrait traduire par le syndrome d’entassement. La séméiologie française décrit depuis plusieurs années un syndrome dans lequel l’entassement est un point important, il s’agit du syndrome de Diogène. Cet article pose les questions de leurs différences et de leurs points communs. Issu des troubles anxieux, et en particulier des troubles obsessionnels compulsifs, le HD s’en est progressivement détaché, pour devenir un trouble anxieux individualisé. Il se manifeste entre autres par une difficulté majeure à se séparer de possessions, qui s’accumulent ainsi, parfois jusqu’à rendre invivable, voire insalubre, le domicile. L’insight dans ce trouble est variable et certains patients peuvent ainsi présenter les critères diagnostiques du syndrome de Diogène, à savoir l’absence d’appel à l’aide, et un trouble du rapport aux objets, la syllogomanie. Au total, le syndrome de Diogène et le Hoarding disorderpourraient être deux dimensions d’une même entité, l’un représentant la dimension de saleté (squalor) et l’autre la dimension d’entassement (hoarding). Des études cliniques sont indispensables pour avancer dans la compréhension de ces troubles et les soins à apporter aux patients.

Le bec calcanéen trop long (TLAP) peut être responsable de douleur de la cheville, ou d’« entorses » à répétition chez l’enfant et l’adolescent. Le but de ce travail était d’évaluer les résultats du traitement chirurgical du TLAP et d’analyser les facteurs d’échec de cette chirurgie.

L’irradiation des patients et de l’opérateur au cours de coronarographie et/ou angioplastie coronaire, fait désormais partie des préoccupations légitimes de la cardiologie interventionnelle moderne. Les voies fémorales et radiales droites sont les voies d’accès privilégiées pour la réalisation de ces examens. Néanmoins, peu de registres comparent ces 2 voies d’abord en terme d’irradiation du patient et de l’opérateur. L’objectif de ce registre est une évaluation comparative de ces 2 techniques. 423 patients consécutifs ayant bénéficié dans notre centre de l’une ou l’autre de ces techniques réalisées entre octobre 2005 et mars 2006 ont été inclus. Les paramètres retenus sont les suivants : dose bras gauche opérateur, produit dose × surface pour le patient, temps global des procédures et durée de la scopie. Pour les 4 paramètres étudiés, les résultats sont significativement supérieurs en cas de coronarographie et coronarographie plus angioplastie ad hocpar voie radiale que par voie fémorale. Respectivement : (1) temps de scopie : 4 min versus1,8 min, et 9,6 min versus6,3 min ; (2) temps de procédure : 15 min versus9,5, et 41 min versus35,25 min ; (3) dose patient : 59 Gy cm2versus37,5 Gy cm2, et 123 Gy cm2versus102 Gy cm2; (4) dose opérateur : 29 µSv versus13 µSv, et 69 µSv versus 40 µSv. Malgré son intérêt en terme d’économie de complication de voie d’abord, la voie radiale droite est significativement plus irradiante pour les patients et les opérateurs que la voie fémorale droite.

Summary The subterranean termite, Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi), is found throughout Italy. The purpose of this study was to assess variations among colonies collected from the north to south of Italy. A multidisciplinary approach was used including behavioral tests, cuticular hydrocarbon analysis and partial sequencing of mitochondrial DNA. Results showed that Italian R. lucifugus populations were moderately aggressive and that aggressive behavior was unrelated to intercolonial geographic distance. Analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons demonstrated no qualitative variations between colonies, but quantitative differences were found according to caste and colony. Alkene content tended to decrease from north to south. Sequencing of mtDNA indicated kinship between two Tuscan populations and R. l. corsicus. This finding is suggestive of transtyrrenian distribution of the Corsican subspecies. Moreover, distance between haplotypes appears to be associated with intercolonial geographic distance.

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Abstract: Digital trees, also known as tries, are a general purpose flexible data structure that implements dictionaries built on sets of words. An analysis is given of three major representations of tries in the form of array-tries, list tries, and bst-tries (“ternary search tries”). The size and the search costs of the corresponding representations are analysed precisely in the average case, while a complete distributional analysis of the height of tries is given. The unifying data model used is that of dynamical sources and it encompasses classical models like those of memoryless sources with independent symbols, of finite Markov chains, and of nonuniform densities. The probabilistic behaviour of the main parameters, namely, size, path length, or height, appears to be determined by two intrinsic characteristics of the source: the entropy and the probability of letter coincidence. These characteristics are themselves related in a natural way to spectral properties of specific transfer operators of the Ruelle type.

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We analyzed the CD4 T-cell immunodominance of the response to a model antigen (Ag), MalE, when delivered by an attenuated strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (SL3261*pMalE). Compared to purified MalE Ag administered with adjuvant, the mapping of the peptide-specific proliferative responses showed qualitative differences when we used the Salmonella vehicle. We observed the disappearance of one out of eight MalE peptides' T-cell reactivity upon SL3261*pMalE immunization, but this phenomenon was probably due to a low level of T-cell priming, since it could be overcome by further immunization. The most striking effect of SL3261*pMalE administration was the activation and stimulation of new MalE peptide-specific T-cell responses that were silent after administration of purified Ag with adjuvant. Ag presentation assays performed with MalE-specific T-cell hybridomas showed that infection of Ag-presenting cells by this intracellular attenuated bacterium did not affect the processing and presentation of the different MalE peptides by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules and therefore did not account for immunodominance modulation. Thus, immunodominance of the T-cell response to microorganisms is governed not only by the frequency of the available T-cell repertoire or the processing steps in Ag-presenting cells that lead to MHC presentation but also by other parameters probably related to the infectious process and to the bacterial products. Our results indicate that, upon infection by a microorganism, the specificity of the T-cell response induced against its Ags can be much more effective than with purified Ags and that it cannot completely be mimicked by purified Ags administered with adjuvant.

Since the development of the concept of gene therapy using cationic lipids as nonviral vectors by Felgner's group in 1987, numerous molecules have been synthesized. Such vectors were first proposed to avoid viral vector‐induced drawbacks. But, it quickly became clear that a thorough knowledge of their physical and chemical characteristics was fundamental to use them under optima conditions.Over the last years our laboratory has developed a family of cationic lipids called phosphonolipids whose structure is based on that of natural phosphonolipids; compared with other vectors, these compounds had to be well‐tolerated by biologic membranes. Some of our synthesized molecules exhibited an interesting potential for gene transfer, both in vitroand in vivo. Structural changes in the different parts (hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and intermediary domains) of these vectors were evaluated in vitroon different cell‐lines; these studies led us to select some of these molecules to carry out in vivotests. So, the plasmid/phosphonolipid complexes were first administered to mice by intratracheal and aerosol routes with a β‐galactosidase plasmid as reporter gene. In a second set of experiments, we explored the possibilities offered by intravenous injection; in these studies, we used a luciferase plasmid as reporter gene because of its high sensibility. These experiments revealed a transgene expression essentially localized in the lungs. In a further study, we compared systemic administration with local ones; we, then, observed that the optimum formulation of a given molecule depended on its route of administration. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 89: 629–638, 2000

Since the development of the concept of gene therapy using cationic lipids as nonviral vectors by Felgner's group in 1987, numerous molecules have been synthesized. Such vectors were first proposed to avoid viral vector-induced drawbacks. But, it quickly became clear that a thorough knowledge of their physical and chemical characteristics was fundamental to use them under optima conditions.Over the last years our laboratory has developed a family of cationic lipids called phosphonolipids whose structure is based on that of natural phosphonolipids; compared with other vectors, these compounds had to be well-tolerated by biologic membranes. Some of our synthesized molecules exhibited an interesting potential for gene transfer, both in vitro and in vivo. Structural changes in the different parts (hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and intermediary domains) of these vectors were evaluated in vitro on different cell-lines; these studies led us to select some of these molecules to carry out in vivo tests. So, the plasmid/phosphonolipid complexes were first administered to mice by intratracheal and aerosol routes with a β-galactosidase plasmid as reporter gene. In a second set of experiments, we explored the possibilities offered by intravenous injection; in these studies, we used a luciferase plasmid as reporter gene because of its high sensibility. These experiments revealed a transgene expression essentially localized in the lungs. In a further study, we compared systemic administration with local ones; we, then, observed that the optimum formulation of a given molecule depended on its route of administration. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 89: 629–638, 2000

Summary.: Individuals in an insect colony need to identify one another according to caste. Nothing is known about the sensory process allowing nestmates to discriminate minute variations in the cuticular hydrocarbon mixture. The purpose of this study was to attempt to model caste odors discrimination in four species of Reticulitermes termites for the first time by a non-linear mathematical approach using an "artificial neural network" (ANN). Several rounds of testing were carried out using 1 – the whole hydrocarbon mixtures 2 – mixtures containing the hydrocarbons selected by principal component analysis (PCA) as the most implicated in caste discrimination. Discrimination between worker and soldier castes was tested in all four species. For two species we tested discrimination of four castes (workers, soldiers, nymphs, neotenics). To test cuticular pattern similarity in two sibling species (R. santonensis and R. flavipes), we performed two experiments using one species for training and the other for query. Using whole hydrocarbons mixtures, worker/soldier discrimination was always successful in all species. Network performance decreased with the number of hydrocarbons used as inputs. Four-caste discrimination was less successful. In the experiment with the sibling species, the ANN was able to distinguish soldiers but not workers. The results of this study suggest that non-linear mathematical analysis is a good tool for classification of castes based on cuticular hydrocarbon mixture. In addition this study confirms that hydrocarbon mixtures observed are real chemical entities and constitute a true chemical signature or odor. Whole mixtures are not always necessary for discrimination.

The Alpine marmot Marmota marmotais a territorial rodent. Resident adults regularly scent-mark their territory by cheek-rubbing, mainly on burrow entrances and along boundaries. The purpose of this three part study was to gain further insight into this scent-marking behavior by: (1) observing the response of free-ranging marmots to foreign scent marks, (2) confirming the glandular source of the marking substance by histologic examination of the temporal gland, and (3) identifying biologically active chemical fractions of the marking substance. To allow field tests, we developed a device consisting of a glass tube placed upside down over a stake. Two devices were simultaneously placed at one burrow entrance. On one device, a clean tube was used and, on the other, a tube alternatively coated with either whole natural scent-marking substances or various fractions obtained by solvent extraction or chromatographic separation from whole scent-marking substances. Subsequent observations showed a significant difference in the duration of nose contact and number of cheek-rubbing movements. Resident adult marmots sniffed and marked tubes bearing alien marks significantly more than clean control tubes. Similar differences in behavior were observed with ethanol extracts of whole scent-marking substances. Extracts obtained with pentane and dichloromethane showed no bioactivity, suggesting that highly polar compounds are the active substances in the Alpine marmot. The temporal gland is an exocrine gland located on each side of the head with numerous pores opening at the surface of the skin in the cheek area. GC-MS analysis of individually collected samples from these glands showed that over 30 compounds were consistently present. Seven of these compounds were identified. Two fractions were obtained and used together and separately in field tests. Fraction 1 was composed mainly of short-chain alcohols and alkanes, and fraction 2 had a more acid and ester composition. The fact that these two fractions were active together but not separately strongly suggests that the active territorial signal results from a synergistic interaction between several compounds.

Abstract: Varroa jacobsoni is an ectoparasite of honey bees which reproduces in capped brood cells. Multi-infestation is frequently observed in worker brood and can be interpreted as an aggregative phenomenon. The aim of this study was to determine whether the distribution of V. jacobsoni in worker brood cells relies on a random or an aggregative process. We studied the distribution of Varroa females in capped worker brood at similar age by comparing, by a Monte Carlo test, the observed frequency distribution of mites per cell to simulated distributions based on a random process. A complementary approach, using the "nearest neighbor distances" (NND) with Monte Carlo tests, was investigated to study the spatial distribution (a) between mites in different cells and (b) between infested cells in brood. The observed distributions did not differ significantly from that expected by a random process, and we conclude that there is no aggregation during invasion of V. jacobsoni in worker brood.

Summary To test whether a change in a worker's cuticular mixture is perceived by other workers in aCamponotus vagus colony, (Z)-9-tricosene, a hydrocarbon which is not synthesized by this species, was dissolved in an organic solvent (pentane) and deposited on the worker's cuticle. Each treated worker was then placed in contact with 5 non-treated workers and the behavioural effects were investigated. The following interactions were analysed: antennations, trophallactic contacts, self-grooming, licking, mandible opening and biting. Detailed analysis of the antennations and mandible openings showed that the non-treated workers did in fact perceive the induced change in the chemical signature of the treated worker. The data suggest, however, that the non-treated workers quickly became habituated to the presence of (Z)-9-tricosene on the cuticle of the treated worker.

Whey protein concentrate (WPC) gels induced by high pressure (4000 bar/ 30 min) at a protein concentration of 132 g/liter in the presence and absence of NaCl, 0.5 mol/liter, and at pH-values ranging from 3 to 9, were characterized by rheology, electron microscopy, and gel dissolution tests performed in the presence of bond breaking agents (salts, urea, SDS, DTT). A weak coagulum was formed around the IEP (pH 4-5). Below the IEP, gel formation did only occur in the presence of NaCl. At pH 3, gels showed a high force decay during relaxation, and were stabilized by electrostatic and hydrogen bonds. Gel networks produced above the IEP showed a high gel strength and G′-value, and a low force decay during relaxation. NaCl acts negatively on their rheological properties, while disulfide bonds contribute significantly to the stabilization of these gels. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd

The sex pheromone blend of a European strain of the black cutworm moth, Agrotis ipsilon(Hufnagel), was investigated. Chemical analyses of pheromone gland extracts from 4- to 8-day-old females showed that individual isolated glands contained only very small amounts of pheromone. High-resolution gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses showed the presence of cis-7-dodecenyl acetate (Z7-12:Ac), cis-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:Ac), cis-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:Ac), cis-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:Ac), and cis-11-hexadecenol (Z11-16:OH) in biologically active pheromone gland extracts. Removing 27-12: Ac, Z9-14:Ac, or Z11-16:Ac from the complete gland extract by GC trapping techniques strongly reduced the attractiveness of the pheromone blend tested in a wind tunnel. Lack of cis-5-decenyl acetate (Z5-10:Ac) or Z11-16:OH did not affect the blend attractiveness. Chemical and behavioral analyses showed that pheromone components are produced during photophase, at least 2 hr before lights off. Quantitative data showed that decapitation inhibited the production of Z7-12:Ac, Z9-14:Ac, Z11-14:Ac, Z11-16:Ac, and Z11-16:OH, but production in decapitated females was stimulated in response to injection of synthetic Heliothis zeaPBAN (pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide) or A. ipsilonbrain–subesophageal (Br-SEG) homogenates. Moreover, upon injecting BR-SEG homogenates, other minor components were detected, which were tentatively identified as cis-8-dodecenyl actetate (Z8-12:Ac) and Z5-10:Ac. Our study demonstrated that Z11-l6:Ac is one of the main active components produced by the pheromone gland of this European population of A. ipsilon, in addition to Z7-12:Ac/Z9-14:Ac, which were investigated in a previous behavioral analysis. All these data strongly suggest that some polymorphism is present in pheromone communication in different strains of A. ipsilon.

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In insect antennal extracts, Schleicher et al.1 showed that protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors abolish the transience of pheromone-induced rapid inositol trisphosphate responses, which suggests that pheromonal signals act on phosphorylation of specific proteins. To confirm this hypothesis, we studied the effects of second messengers and a pheromonal blend on phosphorylation of antennal proteins in the cockroachPeriplaneta americana. Proteins from adult male antennae were phosphorylated in vitro in the presence of [γ32P] triphosphate, then separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Numerous phosphopolypeptides were visualized. The presence of Ca++/calmodulin in the incubation medium resulted in increased phosphorylation of polypeptides with molecular weights of 38, 48, 51, 54 and 58 kDa. Stimulation of PKC by addition of Ca++ phosphatidylserine (PS)/phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) resulted in the appearance of three phosphopolypeptides of 36, 70 and 120 kDa. In the presence of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, two new major polypeptides of 46 and 42 kDa appeared; the latter polypeptide also appeared in the presence of cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Comparison with polypeptide composition of tissue from the cerci, leg, brain and fat body showed that the 36 and 48 kDa polypeptides were specific to antennae, whereas the 120 kDa polypeptide was also present in the adult brain. When antennae are subjected to pheromonal stimulation for 16 seconds prior to homogenization, in vitro phosphorylation of the 120, 70, 64 and 38 kDa polypeptides was inhibited, whereas phosphorylation of the 58, 54, 51 and 48 kDa polypeptides was strongly stimulated. It is noteworthy that a 107 kDa polypeptide was observed only after pheromonal stimulation by Ca++/PS/PMA. Our findings suggest that Ca++-and PKC-dependent protein phosphorylation systems play an important role in the transduction of pheromonal signals in antennae of male cockroachP. americana. We speculate that specific phosphoproteins may modulate sensitivity and signal amplification during the olfactory transduction process.

Attenuated salmonellae represent an attractive vehicle for the delivery of heterologous protective antigens to the immune system. Here, we have investigated the influence of the genetic background of the host which regulates the growth and elimination of Salmonella cells on the cellular response induced against a foreign antigen delivered by an aroA Salmonella strain. We have tested CD4+ T-cell responses (cell proliferation and cytokine production) in various mouse strains following immunization with Salmonella typhimurium SL3261 expressing a high level of the recombinant Escherichia coli MalE protein. We were able to detect a CD4+ T-cell response against the recombinant MalE protein only in a restricted number of mouse strains, whereas all mice produced good levels of anti-MalE immunoglobulin G antibodies. The Ity gene did not play a major role in these differences in T-cell responses, since both Ity-resistant and -susceptible strains of mice were found to be unresponsive to MalE delivered by recombinant salmonellae. In contrast, when B10 congenic mice were used, a correlation was established between MalE-specific T-cell unresponsiveness and H-2 genes. The discrepancies described in this paper in the ability of various strains of mice to develop an efficient Th1 response against a recombinant antigen displayed by a live Salmonella vaccine underscore the difficulties that can be encountered in the vaccination of human populations by such a strategy.

Attenuated salmonellae represent an attractive vehicle for the delivery of heterologous protective antigens to the immune system. Here, we have investigated the influence of the genetic background of the host which regulates the growth and elimination of Salmonella cells on the cellular response induced against a foreign antigen delivered by an aroA Salmonella strain. We have tested CD4+ T-cell responses (cell proliferation and cytokine production) in various mouse strains following immunization with Salmonella typhimurium SL3261 expressing a high level of the recombinant Escherichia coli MalE protein. We were able to detect a CD4+ T-cell response against the recombinant MalE protein only in a restricted number of mouse strains, whereas all mice produced good levels of anti-MalE immunoglobulin G antibodies. The Ity gene did not play a major role in these differences in T-cell responses, since both Ity-resistant and -susceptible strains of mice were found to be unresponsive to MalE delivered by recombinant salmonellae. In contrast, when B10 congenic mice were used, a correlation was established between MalE-specific T-cell unresponsiveness and H-2 genes. The discrepancies described in this paper in the ability of various strains of mice to develop an efficient Th1 response against a recombinant antigen displayed by a live Salmonella vaccine underscore the difficulties that can be encountered in the vaccination of human populations by such a strategy.

The use of cationic liposomes is one of the main approaches currently investigated to introduce into a cell a gene with therapeutic properties. This study presents in vitro results obtained with a new family of gene transfer agents, the phosphonolipids. We have synthesized 37 members of this family and optimized the conditions of in vitro gene transfer targeted at a lung epithelial cell line (CFT1 cells) by using a reporter gene (β-galactosidase). Two quantitative tests, a CPRG1 (Chlorophenol red galactopyranoside) test and a Flow cytometric assay (FACS-Gal1 assay), have been used to determine the percentage of transfected cells. The cationic phosphonolipids were tested alone or formulated with 50% DOPE1 (Dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine) (w:w). The results obtained with the CPRG test led us to select 7 compounds that were more efficient than the commercialized lipids Lipofectin, Lipofectamine and Transfectam. The transfer kinetics of the transgene were studied and showed that more than 20 % of cells were still positive at day 7 after transfection.

Recombinant derivatives of nonpathogenic bacteria such as attenuated Salmonella typhi have the potential to be used for delivery of heterologous antigens to the immune system. Genetic factors may modulate the immune responses to these live attenuated organisms and could therefore modify the immunogenicity of future human vaccines. In the present study, we compared the antibody responses of Ity or H-2 congenic strains of mice to a foreign antigen expressed by the murine attenuated aroA S. typhimurium strain. Our results demonstrate that the Ity gene may modulate the antibody responses to the foreign antigen but that the major genetic influence is exerted by H-2 genes, which control the capacity of mice to respond to the antigen expressed by recombinant attenuated Salmonella cells. This genetic control is related to differences in responsiveness of different strains of mice to low doses of antigen. Increasing the amount of foreign antigen expressed by recombinant Salmonella cells overcame the genetic restriction of these responses. These findings are potentially of great importance for the design of live vaccines for humans and show that care must be taken to optimize the amount of foreign antigen delivered to the immune system.

The influence of mediastinal organs on esophageal pressure was estimated in man from the variations of esophageal elastance and amplitude of the cardiac oscillations. From the simultaneous measurements of both parameters and of esophageal pressure at different lung volumes and levels in the esophagus, in the sitting and supine positions, using a 3 and 10 cm long ballon, at rest and during exercise, it was concluded: 1. The difference in measured pulmonary compliance with posture is mainly due to a mediastinal artifact, acting primarily at high lung volumes in the sitting position. In the supine position mediastinal loading is more pronounced but does not vary with lung volume (between 10 and 90% of vital capacity). 2. The vertical esophageal pressure gradient is more pronounced in the lower half of the esophagus. It is probably estimated correctly at that level but underestimated at higher levels. Pressure irregularities observed along the esophagus in the supine position are due to local actions of mediastinal organs. 3. The difference in pressure obtained with balloons of different size can be attributed to the influence of the elastic properties of the esophageal wall, provided one takes into account the vertical pressure gradient, and to shifts in the site of pressure recording in the longer balloon. 4. The increase in pressure without change of pulmonary compliance observed during exercise is also a mediastinal artifact. 5. Extrapolation of esophageal pressure towards zero balloon volume successfully corrects for the influence of posture on pulmonary compliance. However, this procedure does not allow for an estimation of intrathoracic pressure in the presence of a marked mediastinal compression effect.

Several fox vaccination campaigns against rabies have been undertaken in Belgium by using a vaccinia‐rabies recombinant virus distributed in baits in the field. However, foxes and other wild animals that may ingest the baits could be infected at the same time by another orthopoxvirus, such as cowpox virus, which circulates in wildlife. Recombination between the two viruses could therefore occur. A serological survey for antibodies to orthopoxvirus, and particularly to cowpox virus, was undertaken in foxes and in several other wild species. Antibodies were detected only in two rodent species, in 16 of 25 bank voles (64 per cent) and in two of 29 woodmice (7 per cent). The risk of virus recombination in wildlife can therefore be considered to be extremely low.

In the version of this Article originally published, the affiliation for M. I. Arce was incorrect; it should have been: 5Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany. This has now been corrected in the online versions of the Article.

La dénutrition et les évènements de vie stressants (EVS) ont été associés aux troubles cognitifs chez le sujet âgé. Peu de données existent en Afrique. Notre objectif était d’étudier l’association entre les TC (« Mild Cognitive Impairment » (MCI) et démences) et la dénutrition, d’une part, et les EVS, d’autre part, en Afrique Centrale.

Aucune étude ne s’est encore intéressée aux troubles de la personnalité comme potentiel facteur de troubles cognitifs. Notre objectif était donc d’étudier l’association entre le trouble de la personnalité dépendante (TPD) et les troubles cognitifs (TC), incluant le « Mild Cognitive Impairment » (MCI) et les démences.