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Les anticorps thérapeutiques font désormais partie intégrante de l'arsenal médical dans le traitement de nombreuses affections, y compris en hémostase. Ce sont tous des anticorps monoclonaux humanisés – au suffixe "zumab" – permettant de restaurer partiellement l'hémostase (emicizumab, concizumab), ou ayant une action d'antidote (idarucizumab) pour antagoniser l'effet de certains anticoagulants (dabigatran) ou des antiagrégants plaquettaires (bentracimab encore à l'étude) ; d'autres ont été ou pourront être utilisés pour leur propre pouvoir antiagrégant (abciximab arrêté en septembre 2019 ou le futur antiagrégant antiGPVI, glencozimab). Le caplacizumab est quant à lui un nanobody indiqué dans la phase aiguë du purpura thrombotique thrombocytopénique acquis. Therapeutic antibodies are now an integral part of the therapeutic arsenal in the treatment of many conditions, including haemostasis. They are all humanized monoclonal antibodies (suffix : zumab) that can partially restore hemostasis (emicizumab, concizumab), or used as an antidote (idarucizumab) to antagonize the effect of certain anticoagulant (dabigatran) or platelet antiagregants (bentra-cimab, still under study). Others therapeutic antibodies have been or may be used for their own antiagregant properties (abciximab, discontinued in September 2019, or the future anti-GPVI antiagregant glencozimab, still under study). As for caplacizumab, it is a nanobody indicated in the acute phase of acquired throm-botic thrombocytopenic purpura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the outcomes of adult patients with spermatic cord sarcoma (SCS). All consecutive patients with SCS managed by the French Sarcoma Group from 1980 to 2017 were analysed retrospectively. Multivariate analysis (MVA) was used to identify independent correlates of overall survival (OS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), and local relapse-free survival (LRFS). A total of 224 patients were recorded. The median age was 65.1 years. Forty-one (20.1%) SCSs were discovered unexpectedly during inguinal hernia surgery. The most common subtypes were liposarcoma (LPS) (73%) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS) (12.5%). The initial treatment was surgery for 218 (97.3%) patients. Forty-two patients (18.8%) received radiotherapy, 17 patients (7.6%) received chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 5.1 years. The median OS was 13.9 years. In MVA, OS decreased significantly with histology (HR, well-differentiated LPS versus others = 0.096; p = 0.0224), high grade (HR, 3 versus 1–2 = 2.7; p = 0.0111), previous cancer and metastasis at diagnosis (HR = 6.8; p = 0.0006). The five-year MFS was 85.9% [95% CI: 79.3–90.6]. In MVA, significant factors associated with MFS were LMS subtype (HR = 4.517; p < 10-4) and grade 3 (HR = 3.664; p < 10-3). The five-year LRFS survival rate was 67.9% [95% CI: 59.6–74.9]. In MVA, significant factors associated with local relapse were margins and wide reresection (WRR) after incomplete resection. OS was not significantly different between patients with initial R0/R1 resection and R2 patients who underwent WRR. Unplanned surgery affected 20.1% of SCSs. A nonreducible painless inguinal lump should suggest a sarcoma. WRR with R0 resection achieved similar OS to patients with correct surgery upfront. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• RVOT PVCs induce anatomical displacement during 3D electroanatomical mapping. • Target ablation site displacement occurs predominantly along a vertical axis. • RVOT PVC-induced displacement can mislead the operator about the site of origin. Catheter ablation is a first-line treatment for symptomatic right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). There is evidence of displacement of the ablation target site during PVCs relative to the location in sinus rhythm (SR). To analyse the extent of displacement induced by RVOT PVCs and its effect on the ablation sites and the mid-term efficacy of ablation. In this multicentre French study, we retrospectively included 18 consecutive adults referred for ablation of RVOT PVCs using a three-dimensional (3D) mapping system. PVC activation maps were performed conventionally (initial map), then each PVC activation point was manually reannotated considering the 3D location on a previous SR beat (corrected map). The ablation-site locations on the initial or the corrected area, including the 10 best activation points, were analysed. Mid-term efficacy was evaluated. The direction of map shift during PVCs relative to the map in SR occurred along a vertical axis in 16 of 18 patients. The mean activation-point displacement for each of the 18 mapped chambers was 5.6 ± 2.2 mm. Mid-term recurrence of RVOT PVCs occurred in 5 (28%) patients. In all patients with recurrences, no significant ablation lesion was located on the corrected (true) site of origin. RVOT PVCs induce a vertical anatomical shift that can mislead physicians about the true location of the arrhythmia's site of origin. Our study highlights the association between mid-term PVC recurrence and the absence of spatial overlap between ablation points and the corrected site of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep learning algorithms have been widely used for cardiac image segmentation. However, most of these architectures rely on convolutions that hardly model long-range dependencies, limiting their ability to extract contextual information. Moreover, the traditional U-net architecture suffers from the difference of semantic information between feature maps of the encoder and decoder (also known as the semantic gap). To address this issue, a new network architecture relying on attention mechanism was introduced. Swin Filtering Blocks (SFB), that use Swin Transformer blocks in a cross-attention manner, were added between the encoder and the decoder to filter information coming from the encoder based on the feature map from the decoder. Attention was also employed at the lowest resolution in the form of a transformer layer to increase the receptive field of the network. We conducted experiments to assess both generalization capability and to evaluate how training on all frames of the cardiac cycle rather than only the end-diastole and end-systole impacts strain and segmentation performances. Visual inspection of feature maps suggested that Swin Filtering Blocks contribute to the reduction of the semantic gap. Performing attention between all patches using a transformer layer brought higher performance than convolutions. Training the model with all phases of the cardiac cycle resulted in slightly more accurate segmentations while leading to a more noticeable improvement for strain estimation. A limited decrease in performance was observed when testing on out-of-distribution data, but the gap widens for the most apical slices. • Neural network architecture relying on attention to bridge the semantic gap. • Tested on both ACDC and an in-house dataset containing 271 patients. • Generalization capabilities assessed by testing on out-of-distribution data. • Comparison between training on all cardiac phases or only on ED and ES frames. • State of the art performance and accurate volumetric indices are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deletions or variants of the STRC gene coding for stereocilin cause congenital bilateral mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss without vestibular disorder: DFNB16. Stereocilin is a protein present in vestibular kinocilia embedded in the otoconial membrane of the utricular macula. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a rare form of vertigo in children. The present study reports recurrent positional vertigo in two DFNB16 siblings. Two patients, 10 and 15 years old, presented with recurrent disabling positional vertigo episodes, triggered by turning over in bed, with a falling sensation. The diagnosis of right posterior canal BPPV was confirmed on Dix-Hallpike maneuvers in one of the patients. Variations in the response of ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials were observed. Probable BPPV was diagnosed in the second patient. Their other two siblings did not have hearing loss or vertigo. The absence of stereocilin due to homozygous deletions of the STRC gene in DFNB16 patients can cause vestibular dysfunction, including BPPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic review of the literature on myringoplasty techniques without tympanomeatal flap elevation in children. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines reported papers on patients under 18 years of age undergoing myringoplasty for chronic tympanic perforation on a transcanal approach without tympanomeatal flap elevation. Tympanic closure rates and audiometric results were analyzed. Twenty studies were included. Nine reported the butterfly technique, using a microscope or endoscope, with closure rate of 82.3% (246/299), for perforations of various sizes. Ten reported the fat-plug technique, with closure rate of 86.8% (869/1001), mostly for perforations of less than one-third of the tympanum. Both techniques improved audiometric results. Morbidity was very low. The absence of chronic otitis or co-morbidities (contralateral otitis media with effusion, craniofacial malformations, Down's syndrome) implies that patient selection technique may be necessary to obtain the best results. Fat-plug myringoplasty, for small perforations, and butterfly cartilage myringoplasty seem to be reliable procedures in selected patients, with low morbidity in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal is to clarify the epidemiology of hearing loss in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), so as to improve management. A literature review analyzed data from 15 patient series. Hearing loss prevalence in OI varied widely, from 2% to 94.1%. Typically, hearing loss was conductive in young patients and sensorineural in older patients. Prevalence increased with age, but after 50 years the increase was slight, and seldom became total. Hearing loss was usually bilateral, but not necessarily symmetrical. There were no correlations between type of mutation (COL1A1 or COL1A2), prevalence, type or severity of hearing loss, or age of symptom onset; there was intra-familial variability. There was also no correlation between mutated gene, type of mutation and auditory phenotype. Frequency, type and severity of hearing loss were unrelated to other clinical parameters. Hearing loss prevalence depended on type of OI: higher in type I and lower in type IV. Incidence of otitis media was higher in children with OI, related to the associated craniofacial dysmorphia. Hearing screening before 5 years of age with long-term follow-up are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oligometastatic prostate cancer represents an intermediate state between a localized tumor and widespread metastatic disease. Its specific clinical features suggest the existence of a distinct biology which still needs to be elucidated. New imaging techniques like prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET scans have shown to perform well in the staging and restaging of this category of patients, at different phases of disease evolution. Despite limited prospective evidence, metastasis-directed therapies (MDT) are emerging as valid treatment options able to postpone systemic therapies and probably improve survival outcome. The aim of this review is to shed light on the clinical scenario of prostate cancer patients with limited metastatic disease burden and highlight the role of MDT strategies in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest cover disturbances due to processes such as logging and forest fires are a widespread issue especially in the tropics, and have heavily affected forest biomass and functioning in the Brazilian Amazon in the past decades. Satellite remote sensing has played a key role for assessing logging activities in this region; however, there are still remaining challenges regarding the quantification and monitoring of these processes affecting forested lands. In this study, we propose a new method for monitoring areas affected by selective logging in one of the hotspots of Mato Grosso state in the Brazilian Amazon, based on a combination of object-based and pixel-based classification approaches applied on remote sensing data. Logging intensity and changes over time are assessed within grid cells of 300 m × 300 m spatial resolution. Our method encompassed three main steps: (1) mapping forest/non-forest areas through an object-based classification approach applied to a temporal series of Landsat images during the period 2000–2015, (2) mapping yearly logging activities from soil fraction images on the same Landsat data series, and (3) integrating information from previous steps within a regular grid-cell of 300 m × 300 m in order to monitor disturbance intensities over this 15-years period. The overall accuracy of the baseline forest/non-forest mask (year 2000) and of the undisturbed vs disturbed forest (for selected years) were 93% and 84% respectively. Our results indicate that annual forest disturbance rates, mainly due to logging activities, were higher than annual deforestation rates during the whole period of study. The deforested areas correspond to circa 25% of the areas affected by forest disturbances. Deforestation rates were highest from 2001 to 2005 and then decreased considerably after 2006. In contrast, the annual forest disturbance rates show high temporal variability with a slow decrease over the 15-year period, resulting in a significant increase of the ratio between disturbed and deforested areas. Although the majority of the areas, which have been affected by selective logging during the period 2000–2014, were not deforested by 2015, more than 70% of the deforested areas in 2015 had been at least once identified as disturbed forest during that period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in algae based biofuels has increased over the past few years because of their high potential to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. Many methods for converting microalgae to biofuel have been proposed in the past; however, an economical and energetically feasible process for algal fuel production has not yet emerged, leading to some disappointment. To get such a process, an integrated microalgal biorefinery approach to obtain a full valorization of each raw microalgae component seems necessary. Moreover, several steps of any microalgal biorefinery model, ranging from species selection, cultivation, harvesting &dewatering and lipids extraction need still improvements to lower the global cost of the process. This review focuses on this latter step. It is shown that the wet route, skipping the drying step preceding the extraction step, seems to be the only way to produce a viable microalgae based biorefinery industry. On the other hand, an efficient cell disruption method, based on scalability, energy consumption, ability to improve lipid accessibility as well as mass transfer must be selected and in this context two promising studies are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in algae based biofuels has increased over the past few years because of their high potential to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. Many methods for converting microalgae to biofuel have been proposed in the past; however, an economical and energetically feasible process for algal fuel production has not yet emerged, leading to some disappointment. To get such a process, an integrated microalgal biorefinery approach to obtain a full valorization of each raw microalgae component seems necessary. Moreover, several steps of any microalgal biorefinery model, ranging from species selection, cultivation, harvesting &dewatering and lipids extraction need still improvements to lower the global cost of the process. This review focuses on this latter step. It is shown that the wet route, skipping the drying step preceding the extraction step, seems to be the only way to produce a viable microalgae based biorefinery industry. On the other hand, an efficient cell disruption method, based on scalability, energy consumption, ability to improve lipid accessibility as well as mass transfer must be selected and in this context two promising studies are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Proges en Urologie is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Whatever the exposure route, chemical, physical and biological pollutants modify the whole organism response, leading to nerve, cardiac, respiratory, reproductive, and skin system pathologies. Skin acts as a barrier for preventing pollutant modifications. This review aims to present the available scientific models, which help investigate the impact of pollution on the skin. The research question was "Which experimental models illustrate the impact of pollution on the skin in humans?" The review covered a period of 10 years following a PECO statement on in vitro , ex vivo , in vivo and in silico models. Of 582 retrieved articles, 118 articles were eligible. In oral and inhalation routes, dermal exposure had an important impact at both local and systemic levels. Healthy skin models included primary cells, cell lines, co-cultures, reconstructed human epidermis, and skin explants. In silico models estimated skin exposure and permeability. All pollutants affected the skin by altering elasticity, thickness, the structure of epidermal barrier strength, and dermal extracellular integrity. Some specific models concerned wound healing or the skin aging process. Underlying mechanisms were an exacerbated inflammatory skin reaction with the modulation of several cytokines and oxidative stress responses, ending with apoptosis. Pathological skin models revealed the consequences of environmental pollutants on psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and tumour development. Finally, scientific models were used for evaluating the safety and efficacy of potential skin formulations in preventing the skin aging process or skin irritation after repeated contact. The review gives an overview of scientific skin models used to assess the effects of pollutants. Chemical and physical pollutants were mainly represented while biological contaminants were little studied. In future developments, cell hypoxia and microbiota models may be considered as more representative of clinical situations. Models considering humidity and temperature variations may reflect the impact of these changes. [Display omitted] • Environmental pollutants induced skin damage. • Skin models assessing the effects of pollutants. • Skin, an imperfect protective physiological barrier against environmental stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The area of land covered by forest and trees is an important indicator of environmental condition. This study presents and analyses results from the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015 (FRA 2015) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. FRA 2015 was based on responses to surveys by individual countries using a common reporting framework, agreed definitions and reporting standards. Results indicated that total forest area declined by 3%, from 4128 M ha in 1990 to 3999 M ha in 2015. The annual rate of net forest loss halved from 7.3 M ha y −1 in the 1990s to 3.3 M ha y −1 between 2010 and 2015. Natural forest area declined from 3961 M ha to 3721 M ha between 1990 and 2015, while planted forest (including rubber plantations) increased from 168 M ha to 278 M ha. From 2010 to 2015, tropical forest area declined at a rate of 5.5 M ha y −1 – only 58% of the rate in the 1990s – while temperate forest area expanded at a rate of 2.2 M ha y −1 . Boreal and sub-tropical forest areas showed little net change. Forest area expanded in Europe, North America, the Caribbean, East Asia, and Western-Central Asia, but declined in Central America, South America, South and Southeast Asia and all three regions in Africa. Analysis indicates that, between 1990 and 2015, 13 tropical countries may have either passed through their forest transitions from net forest loss to net forest expansion, or continued along the path of forest expansion that follows these transitions. Comparing FRA 2015 statistics with the findings of global and pan-tropical remote-sensing forest area surveys was challenging, due to differences in assessment periods, the definitions of forest and remote sensing methods. More investment in national and global forest monitoring is needed to provide better support for international initiatives to increase sustainable forest management and reduce forest loss, particularly in tropical countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at examining the energy behaviour of the buildings' multi-layer exterior wall structures. Most of the studies dealing with this issue have considered a continuous operation of the cooling/heating systems. Our objective here is to find the best wall structure and the number and position of insulation layers within exterior walls for continuous heating, intermittent heating, and no heating operation modes for some commonly used construction materials. Furthermore, among the different materials used, a recently patented insulating coating based on the (super)-insulating materials “Silica Aerogels” is being assessed. Results from a one-dimensional heat transfer numerical model in a multi-layer wall structure are compared to on-site measurements of an experimental set-up, having the new aerogel-based coating, under real weather conditions. The numerical model is then used to carry out all the simulations. Several assessment parameters are used: time lag, decrement factor, energy consumption, and thermal comfort index. Results show that for continuous and no heating cases, the best wall from maximum time lag and minimum decrement factor perspective is dividing the insulation layer into two and placing one at the middle of the wall and one at the exterior surface. For intermittently heated spaces, placing the insulation material as one layer at the interior wall surface is the most efficient from an energy consumption perspective. Also, when using the thermal comfort index for the no heating operation mode, the best performance is achieved when placing the insulation at the interior wall surface. For most of the cases studied, the aerogel-based insulating coating shows better performance than other insulating materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The market for small Solar CombiSystems (SCSs) is penalized by its lack of common performance test method. The methodology proposed in this paper is based on the SCSPT procedure which tests each combisystem as a whole system on a semi-virtual test bench. Test results are used to identify a “Gray Box” model of the tested SCS, which includes an Artificial Neural Network. This model can then simulate the behavior of the system for any climate and any building. Results of all those simulations are finally used according to the FSC procedure in order to characterize the tested SCS performances with a simple curve. An experimental study of this methodology with two real SCS is presented in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Remote sensing technologies can provide objective, practical and cost-effective solutions for developing and maintaining REDD+ monitoring systems. This paper reviews the potential and status of available remote sensing data sources with a focus on different forest information products and synergies among various approaches and evolving technologies. There is significant technical capability of remote sensing technologies but operational usefulness is constrained by lack of consistent and continuous coverage, data availability in developing countries, appropriate methodologies for national-scale use and available capacities in developing countries. Coordinated international efforts, regional cooperation and continued research efforts are essential to further develop national approaches and capacities to fully explore and use the potential remote sensing has to offer for REDD+ forest monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Conventional agriculture is based on a high level of chemical inputs such as pesticides and fertilisers, leading to serious environmental impacts, health risks and loss of biodiversity. Pesticide reduction is a priority for intensive agricultural systems such as orchards. Reintroducing biodiversity in single crop systems can enhance biological regulations, and contribute to reduce the use of chemicals and to provide additional services such as run-off and erosion control. In tropical wet areas, weed control is difficult to manage without herbicides especially when orchards are not located in easily mechanised areas and when labour force is costly. Cover plants can be easily introduced in orchards and could be efficient in weed control and other functions. Based on this assumption, we developed a specific approach for the choice of adapted cover plants in single crop orchards to control weeds and provide additional ecological services. The approach was undertaken on citrus orchards in the French West Indies. A multicriteria evaluation grid was built to select an “optimal” cover crop. In both Martinique and Guadeloupe, 202 species were first selected in the local flora, and tested on vegetative characteristics. Specific criteria were secondly defined relating to seed availability (limitation of alien species introduction), farm constraints and regulations (no invasive species). Specific features were then determined according to the agronomic potential and ecological services for an optimal cover plant. Criteria included weed control, the ability to control runoff and erosion, water and nutrient competition, pests and natural enemies hosting capacity. The whole evaluation grid combines data from literature, expert assessment and experimental measurements. Optimum cover crop functional groups were defined according to agrosystem and associated objectives. In Guadeloupe, a participatory approach led first to the selection of Fabaceae (Neonotonia wightii) characterized by high auxiliaries hosting services. These services were assessed using a bio-indicator (family of phytoseiidae). In Martinique, the need for a high covering index associated with a low production led to the selection of grasses: Urochloa mozambicensis and three Paspalum species. The multicriteria grid can be used as a generic tool to select cover plants and can be easily adapted to apply to various cropping systems. Its use for banana cropping system is currently in progress. However, the concept of an optimal single cover plant remains difficult to achieve and the elaboration of a multi-specific cover system is often required to reach the desired efficiency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the feasability of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) following mastectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and radiation therapy (RT) for operable invasive breast cancer (OIBC), in terms of incidence of local complications, locoregional control and survival. Patients and methods: From 1990 to 2008, 210 patients were treated by NACT, RT and mastectomy with IBR for OIBC. One hundred and seven patients underwent a latissimus dorsi flap with implant (LDI), 56 patients a transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap, 25 an autologous latissimus dorsi flap (ALD) and 22, a retropectoral implant (RI) reconstruction. Results: Forty-six (21.9%) early events were recorded: 20 necrosis, 9 surgical site infections and 6 haematomas, requiring further surgery in 23 patients. More necrosis were observed with TRAM flap reconstructions (p = 0.000004), requiring more surgical revision than LD reconstructions. Seromas represented 42% of early complications in LD reconstructions. Fifty-five patients presented with late complications (26.2%) with mainly implant complications (capsular contracture, infection, dislocation, deflation) (23.6%), requiring reintervention in 14 cases. There were more delayed surgical revisions in RI reconstructions (p = 0.0005). The 5 years overall and disease-free survival rates were respectively 86.7% and 75.6%. Sixty-four patients presented at least one recurrence (30.5%) with 5 local, 9 locoregional and 54 distant relapses. Conclusion: This therapeutic sequence does not seem to increase the IBR morbidity nor alter disease-free and overall survival. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Study Objective: To assess the surgical outcomes and long-term results of laparoscopic treatment of endometrial cancer in obese patients, and compare these results with those of nonobese women. Design: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting: Two referral cancer centers. Patients: Fifty-two obese and 155 nonobese women with clinical stage I endometrial cancer managed by laparoscopy from 1990–2005 in two referral centers. Interventions: Demographic, surgical, perioperative and pathological characteristics of obese women and nonobese women with endometrial cancer treated by laparoscopy were analyzed and then compared. Recurrence-free and overall survival was calculated by use of Kaplan-Meier method. Measurements and Main Results: Median BMI of the study population was 26.2 Kg/m2. Median BMI among obese patients was 34.2 Kg/m2. The conversion rate was independent from the BMI of the patient (3.8% vs 4.5%, p = .80). Neither mean operative time (187.5 vs 172 min, p = .11) neither hospital stay (5.2 vs 4.9 days, p = .44) were related with BMI. Lymphadenectomy was considered not feasible in 7 obese (17%) and 8 nonobese (7%) women (p = 0.09). Fewer lymph nodes were retrieved among obese women (8 versus 11, p <.0002). No differences were found between the groups in terms of perioperative complications. Median follow-up was 69 and 71 months for the obese and nonobese, respectively (p = .59). Overall and disease-free 5-year survival rates did not differ between obese and nonobese patients (90.3% and 87.5% versus 88.5% and 89.8%, respectively). Conclusion: Despite some limitations, the laparoscopic approach seems to be particularly useful for obese patients with endometrial cancer, with similar survival and recurrence rates and without any more complications compared to the nonobese population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Basic & Applied Ecology is the property of Urban & Fischer Verlag and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Chlordecone is a toxic organochlorine insecticide that was used in banana plantations until 1993 in the French West Indies. This study aimed at assessing the potential of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for determining chlordecone content in Andosols, Nitisols and Ferralsols from Martinique. Using partial least square regression, chlordecone content conventionally determined through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry could be correctly predicted by NIRS (Q 2 = 0.75, R 2 = 0.82 for the total set), especially for samples with chlordecone content <12 mg kg−1 or when the sample set was rather homogeneous (Q 2 = 0.91, R 2 = 0.82 for the Andosols). Conventional measures and NIRS predictions were poorly correlated for chlordecone content >12 mg kg−1, nevertheless ca. 80% samples were correctly predicted when the set was divided into three or four classes of chlordecone content. Thus NIRS could be considered a time- and cost-effective method for characterising soil contamination by chlordecone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chlordecone was applied between 1972 and 1993 in banana fields of the French West Indies. This resulted in long-term pollution of soils and contamination of waters, aquatic biota, and crops. To assess pollution level and duration according to soil type, WISORCH, a leaching model based on first-order desorption kinetics, was developed and run. Its input parameters are soil organic carbon content (SOC) and SOC/water partitioning coefficient (Koc ). It accounts for current chlordecone soil contents and drainage water concentrations. The model was valid for andosol, which indicates that neither physico-chemical nor microbial degradation occurred. Dilution by previous deep tillages makes soil scrapping unrealistic. Lixiviation appeared the main way to reduce pollution. Besides the SOC and rainfall increases, Koc increased from nitisol to ferralsol and then andosol while lixiviation efficiency decreased. Consequently, pollution is bound to last for several decades for nitisol, centuries for ferralsol, and half a millennium for andosol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Pathologic complete response (pCR) is linked to a better outcome, but its definition varies among working groups. We performed this study to validate different expressions of pCR as well as to determine the role of in situ and isolated tumor cell residues. A pathologic review was conducted on 710 operable patients with breast cancer to assess the residual disease in breast and in nodes according to the Chevallier (Ch) and Sataloff''s (Sa) classifications. The pCR rate was 14.3% according to the Chevallier and 25.8% according to the Sataloff''s classification. Overall survival and disease-free survival have been compared according to the pathologic response. There were significant differences between the pCR Ch(1+2) or Sa(A) and the non-pCR group. No significant difference was found between classes Ch(1) versus Ch(2) and between class Sa(A) without isolated cells versus class Sa(A) with isolated cells. Conversely, tumors histologically modified by chemotherapy were associated with a better prognosis than unmodified tumors. Finally, evidence of pCR in nodes was associated with a better prognosis. pCR should be defined as an absence of node invasion, and in the breast, either absence of tumor or tumor residue less than 5% of the tumor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In response to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process investigating the technical issues surrounding the ability to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from deforestation in developing countries, this paper reviews technical capabilities for monitoring deforestation and estimating emissions. Implementation of policies to reduce emissions from deforestation require effective deforestation monitoring systems that are reproducible, provide consistent results, meet standards for mapping accuracy, and can be implemented at the national level. Remotely sensed data supported by ground observations are key to effective monitoring. Capacity in developing countries for deforestation monitoring is well-advanced in a few countries and is a feasible goal in most others. Data sources exist to determine base periods in the 1990s as historical reference points. Forest degradation (e.g. from high impact logging and fragmentation) also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions but it is more technically challenging to measure than deforestation. Data on carbon stocks, which are needed to estimate emissions, cannot currently be observed directly over large areas with remote sensing. Guidelines for carbon accounting from deforestation exist and are available in approved Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports and can be applied at national scales in the absence of forest inventory or other data. Key constraints for implementing programs to monitor greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation are international commitment of resources to increase capacity, coordination of observations to ensure pan-tropical coverage, access to free or low-cost data, and standard and consensual protocols for data interpretation and analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Changes in forest cover have become recognized as an important global environmental issue. This article presents a synthesis of what is known about areas of rapid forest-cover change in boreal Eurasia from the end of the 1990s, based on data compiled from expert opinion and remote sensing data. The broad geographic patterns of rapid forest-cover change have been mapped at regional scale with the characterization of the main causes and drivers of these changes. Around 40millionha of rapid change areas with clear-cutting activities and 70millionha with increased fire frequency are depicted. The main processes of rapid forest-cover changes in boreal Eurasia are logging and increase of fire frequency. Ancillary processes are forest conversion for built over area or dam construction, forest regrowths and conversion of bogs. This study revealed that human influence on the Russian forest landscape has been growing over recent decades, mainly as a consequence of logging activities and human-induced fires, with in particular: (i) clear cuts; (ii) high intensity selective logging; (iii) increased fire frequency. Rapid land-cover change is not randomly or uniformly distributed but is clustered in some locations, e.g., high intensity logging mostly takes place in the European part of Russia (e.g., in the Karelian Isthmus) and along the Southern border of the Taiga. Except for forest regrowths on abandoned agricultural land in the southern Taiga, all other processes lead to the decrease of forest cover or to its degradation. Logging activities are driven by regular timber harvesting and irregular cutting for public revenue or individual profit in response to growing demand in national and international markets, particularly in China and Japan. Forest degradation in Siberia, mostly related to increase of fire frequency and development of logging activities, is extending rapidly. Annual forest-cover change rates in areas identified as rapid change areas may range from 0.26% for diffuse logging activities to around 0.65% for areas affected by intense clear-cutting activities, up to 2.3% for areas affected by fires or a combination of fires and logging. While this approach does not directly lead to quantified estimates of forest-cover changes, it highlights those areas where intensive monitoring would be devised for an improved estimation of the changes at continental scale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Eleven laboratories have collaborated to study chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variation in black poplar (Populus nigra L.) across Europe in order to improve our understanding of the location of glacial refugia and the subsequent postglacial routes of recolonisation. A common analysis based on the restricted fragments produced by five primer pairs was used to determine the cpDNA haplotype of 637 samples obtained from genebank collections established in nine European countries. Haplotype 2 was particularly common and was found in 46% of the non-hybrid samples. A total of 81 non-hybrid chloroplast variants were detected. Three haplotypes (from four trees believed to originate from Eastern Europe) clustered together and were very different from the rest of the samples. The remaining samples were divided into two groups, one of which had a largely eastern distribution and samples from the other group were mostly located in the west. This, along with the fact that Spain in the southwest and Austria and Italy in the southeast had high diversity, suggest that there were ice age refugia of black poplar in both southwestern (Spain) and southeastern Europe (Italy and/or Balkan). Results also indicate that the Pyrenees formed a significant barrier, since only 7 of the 45 haplotypes in Spain exist elsewhere in Europe. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Places experience forest transitions when declines in forest cover cease and recoveries in forest cover begin. Forest transitions have occurred in two, sometimes overlapping circumstances. In some places economic development has created enough non-farm jobs to pull farmers off of the land, thereby inducing the spontaneous regeneration of forests in old fields. In other places a scarcity of forest products has prompted governments and landowners to plant trees in some fields. The transitions do little to conserve biodiversity, but they do sequester carbon and conserve soil, so governments should place a high priority on promoting them. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Eleven laboratories have collaborated to study chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variation in black poplar (Populus nigra L.) across Europe in order to improve our understanding of the location of glacial refugia and the subsequent postglacial routes of recolonisation. A common analysis based on the restricted fragments produced by five primer pairs was used to determine the cpDNA haplotype of 637 samples obtained from genebank collections established in nine European countries. Haplotype 2 was particularly common and was found in 46% of the non-hybrid samples. A total of 81 non-hybrid chloroplast variants were detected. Three haplotypes (from four trees believed to originate from Eastern Europe) clustered together and were very different from the rest of the samples. The remaining samples were divided into two groups, one of which had a largely eastern distribution and samples from the other group were mostly located in the west. This, along with the fact that Spain in the southwest and Austria and Italy in the southeast had high diversity, suggest that there were ice age refugia of black poplar in both southwestern (Spain) and southeastern Europe (Italy and/or Balkan). Results also indicate that the Pyrenees formed a significant barrier, since only 7 of the 45 haplotypes in Spain exist elsewhere in Europe. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Mutations at the WNK1 gene cause Gordon syndrome, a rare inherited form of arterial hypertension. The gene encodes a short kidney-specific isoform and a complete long isoform, L-WNK1, expressed ubiquitously and notably within the vascular system. Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the vascular role of L-WNK1 in mice. Method: We used mice bearing a constitutive homozygous inactivation of L-WNK1 (L-WNK1-/-) which die in utero before day 13 of gestation as well as adult healthy heterozygous (L-WNK1+/-) and wild-type (L-WNK1+/+) littermates. We isolated vessels from L-WNK1+/- and L-WNK1+/+ to perform in vitro pharmacological studies in a wire-myograph system and an arteriograph system. Results: We first showed that L-WNK1-/- embryos present growth retardation and severe oedema. An abnormal vascular remodeling was observed at day 10.5 within the primary vascular network of L-WNK1-/- embryos as well as in the yolk sac, suggesting an important role of L-WNK1 in cardiovascular development. We next showed that vascular diameters of pressurized arteries as well as arterial blood flow velocities measured by echo-Doppler were comparable between L-WNK1+/- and L-WNK1+/+ mice. Endothelium-dependent dilatations induced either by acetylcholine or by flow were also comparable between both groups of mice. In contrast, phenylephrine-induced vasoconstrictions were significantly reduced in L-WNK1+/- mice compared to L-WNK1+/+ mice in thoracic aorta as well as in mesenteric arteries (27.45 % (P=0.04) and 39.6 % (P=0.0015) decrease at maximal concentration, respectively) whereas potassium chloride contractions remained comparable. Furthermore, myogenic tone in L-WNK1+/- mesenteric arteries was also significantly blunted when compared to L-WNK1+/+ mice (P<0.0001). Conclusions: Our results evidenced for the first time a vascular role for L-WNK1 in pressure- and agonist- induced contractions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The life cycle analysis of a product enables one to assess its environmental quality. A simple, transparent method taking into account the processes of recycling in the life cycle is developed here. It permits dealing with all types of open loops of all sectors. The principles on which the proposed method is grounded are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]