Search

Background Simulation-based education in healthcare encompasses a wide array of modalities aimed at providing realistic clinical experiences supported by meticulously designed scenarios. The French-speaking Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SoFraSimS) has developed guidelines to assist educators in the design of scenarios for manikin- or simulated participant- based immersive simulation and procedural simulation, the three mainly used modalities.Methods After establishing a French-speaking group of experts within the SoFraSimS network, we performed an extensive literature review with theory-informed practices and personal experiences. We used this approach identify the essential criteria for practice-based scenario design within the three simulation modalities.Results We present three comprehensive templates for creating innovative scenarios and simulation sessions, each tailored to the specific characteristics of a simulation modality. The SoFraSimS templates include five sections distributed between the three modalities. The first section contextualizes the scenario by describing the practicalities of the setting, the instructors and learners, and its connection to the educational program. The second section outlines the learning objectives. The third lists all the elements necessary during the preparation phase, describing the educational method used for procedural simulation (such as demonstration, discovery, mastery learning, and deliberate practice). The fourth section addresses the simulation phase, detailing the behaviors the instructor aims to analyze, the embedded triggers, and the anticipated impact on simulation proceedings (natural feedback). This ensures maximum control over the learning experience. Finally, the fifth section compiles elements for post-simulation modifications to enhance future iterations.Conclusion We trust that these guidelines will prove valuable to educators seeking to implement simulation-based education and contribute to the standardization of scenarios for healthcare students and professionals. This standardization aims to facilitate communication, comparison of practices and collaboration across different learning and healthcare institutions.

Abstract Background The technique of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) puncture is currently taught by colleagues within hemodialysis units. Even if the main principles of the technique are well known and common to all hemodialysis units, strong rationales are still missing to standardize fine practices such as the relative position of the needles, the angle of the needle at puncture, and the position of the bevel at the time of puncture and after the needle is in the vascular lumen. Methods We are conducting a prospective, comparative, center-randomized, multicenter study involving 8 hemodialysis centers. The primary objective is to compare the number of adverse events related to AVF puncture between a group receiving theoretical training plus simulation-based training (4 centers) and a group receiving only theoretical training (4 centers). The study will include all adult patients who are scheduled to have an AVF puncture performed by a hemodialysis-trained nurse during a scheduled chronic dialysis session. Discussion We hypothesize that a training program for nurses on the AVF approach in procedural simulation versus theoretical input alone would decrease the adverse events related to AVF punctures and would be beneficial for the patient. This study is innovative for several reasons. First, simulation-based training in continuing education among professionals is not widely used. Furthermore, training allows for the standardization of practices within the team, both technically and relationally. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05302505 . Registered on March 17, 2022.

Abstract Background Healthcare curricula need summative assessments relevant to and representative of clinical situations to best select and train learners. Simulation provides multiple benefits with a growing literature base proving its utility for training in a formative context. Advancing to the next step, “the use of simulation for summative assessment” requires rigorous and evidence-based development because any summative assessment is high stakes for participants, trainers, and programs. The first step of this process is to identify the baseline from which we can start. Methods First, using a modified nominal group technique, a task force of 34 panelists defined topics to clarify the why, how, what, when, and who for using simulation-based summative assessment (SBSA). Second, each topic was explored by a group of panelists based on state-of-the-art literature reviews technique with a snowball method to identify further references. Our goal was to identify current knowledge and potential recommendations for future directions. Results were cross-checked among groups and reviewed by an independent expert committee. Results Seven topics were selected by the task force: “What can be assessed in simulation?”, “Assessment tools for SBSA”, “Consequences of undergoing the SBSA process”, “Scenarios for SBSA”, “Debriefing, video, and research for SBSA”, “Trainers for SBSA”, and “Implementation of SBSA in healthcare”. Together, these seven explorations provide an overview of what is known and can be done with relative certainty, and what is unknown and probably needs further investigation. Based on this work, we highlighted the trustworthiness of different summative assessment-related conclusions, the remaining important problems and questions, and their consequences for participants and institutions of how SBSA is conducted. Conclusion Our results identified among the seven topics one area with robust evidence in the literature (“What can be assessed in simulation?”), three areas with evidence that require guidance by expert opinion (“Assessment tools for SBSA”, “Scenarios for SBSA”, “Implementation of SBSA in healthcare”), and three areas with weak or emerging evidence (“Consequences of undergoing the SBSA process”, “Debriefing for SBSA”, “Trainers for SBSA”). Using SBSA holds much promise, with increasing demand for this application. Due to the important stakes involved, it must be rigorously conducted and supervised. Guidelines for good practice should be formalized to help with conduct and implementation. We believe this baseline can direct future investigation and the development of guidelines.

Cupriavidus necator is a facultative chemolithotrophic organism that grows under both heterotrophic and autotrophic conditions. It is becoming increasingly important due to its ability to convert CO2 into industrially valuable chemicals. To translate the potential of C. necator into technical applications, it is necessary to optimize and scale up production processes. A previous proof-of-principle study showed that C. necator can be used for the de novo production of the terpene α-humulene from CO2 up to concentrations of 11 mg L−1 in septum flasks. However, an increase in final product titer and space–time yield will be necessary to establish an economically viable industrial process. To ensure optimized growth and production conditions, the application of an improved process design in a gas bioreactor with the control of pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature including a controlled gas supply was investigated. In the controlled gas bioreactor, the concentration of α-humulene was improved by a factor of 6.6 and the space–time yield was improved by a factor of 13.2. These results represent an important step toward the autotrophic production of high-value chemicals from CO2. In addition, the in situ product removal of α-humulene was investigated and important indications of the critical logP value were obtained, which was in the range of 3.0–4.2.

Abstract It is of major interest to ensure stable and performant microbial bioprocesses, therefore maintaining high strain robustness is one of the major future challenges in industrial microbiology. Strain robustness can be defined as the persistence of genotypic and/or phenotypic traits in a system. In this work, robustness of an engineered strain is defined as plasmid expression stability, cultivability, membrane integrity and macroscopic cell behavior and was assessed in response to implementations of sugar feeding strategies (pulses and continuous) and two plasmid stabilization systems (kanamycin resistance and Post-Segregational Killing hok/sok). Fed-batch bioreactor cultures, relevant mode to reach high cell densities and higher cell generation number, were implemented to investigate the robustness of C. necator engineered strains. Host cells bore a recombinant plasmid encoding for a plasmid expression level monitoring system, based on eGFP fluorescence quantified by flow cytometry. We first showed that well-controlled continuous feeding in comparison to a pulse-based feeding allowed a better carbon use for protein synthesis (avoiding organic acid excretion), a lower heterogeneity of the plasmid expression and a lower cell permeabilization. Moreover, the plasmid stabilization system Post-Segregational Killing hok/sok, an autonomous system independent on external addition of compounds, showed the best ability to maintain plasmid expression level stability insuring a greater population homogeneity in the culture. Therefore, in the case of engineered C. necator, the PSK system hok/sok appears to be a relevant and an efficient alternative to antibiotic resistance system for selection pressure, especially, in the case of bioprocess development for economic and environmental reasons.

Oral mucosal lesions are common in the pediatric population and, apart from traumatic and tumoral etiologies, they can be symptoms of viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic diseases. Yet, pediatricians and pediatric dentists find it challenging to reach a diagnosis and provide appropriate care when facing lesions of the masticatory or lining mucosa, of the hard or soft palate, of the tongue or salivary glands. Here, we propose a decision tree for the diagnosis of the most frequent viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases starting from their oral lesions in children. By first focusing on describing the elementary lesion itself before its localization and characteristics, it aims to guide the practitioner toward the diagnosis and any necessary complementary exams. To generate this tool, we conducted a literature review of the childhood viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases with oral mucosal symptoms. For each of the 42 reported diagnoses−20 viral, 9 bacterial, 5 fungal, and 8 parasitic—we collected the infection mechanism and agent(s), the oral lesions and their description, the associated systemic signs and the incidence/prevalence. In fine, our decision tree indexes the 28 diseases for which epidemiological data was available, mainly in Europe and the United States.

Abstract Lung cancer patients frequently develop brain metastases (BM). Despite aggressive treatment including neurosurgery and external-radiotherapy, overall survival remains poor. There is a pressing need to further characterize factors in the microenvironment of BM that may confer resistance to radiotherapy (RT), such as hypoxia. Here, hypoxia was first evaluated in 28 biopsies from patients with non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) BM, using CA-IX immunostaining. Hypoxia characterization (pimonidazole, CA-IX and HIF-1α) was also performed in different preclinical NSCLC BM models induced either by intracerebral injection of tumor cells (H2030-Br3M, H1915) into the cortex and striatum, or intracardial injection of tumor cells (H2030-Br3M). Additionally, [18F]-FMISO-PET and oxygen-saturation-mapping-MRI (SatO2-MRI) were carried out in the intracerebral BM models to further characterize tumor hypoxia and evaluate the potential of Hypoxia-image-guided-RT (HIGRT). The effect of RT on proliferation of BM ([18F]-FLT-PET), tumor volume and overall survival was determined. We showed that hypoxia is a major yet heterogeneous feature of BM from lung cancer both preclinically and clinically. HIGRT, based on hypoxia heterogeneity observed between cortical and striatal metastases in the intracerebrally induced models, showed significant potential for tumor control and animal survival. These results collectively highlight hypoxia as a hallmark of BM from lung cancer and the value of HIGRT in better controlling tumor growth.

The development of 18F-fluorotetrazines, suitable for the radiolabeling of biologics such as proteins and antibodies by IEDDA ligation, represents a major challenge, especially for pre-targeting applications. The hydrophilicity of the tetrazine has clearly become a crucial parameter for the performance of in vivo chemistry. In this study, we present the design, the synthesis, the radiosynthesis, the physicochemical characterization, the in vitro and in vivo stability, as well as the pharmacokinetics and the biodistribution determined by PET imaging in healthy animals of an original hydrophilic 18F-fluorosulfotetrazine. This tetrazine was prepared and radiolabelled with fluorine-18 according to a three-step procedure, starting from propargylic butanesultone as the precursor. The propargylic sultone was converted into the corresponding propargylic fluorosulfonate by a ring-opening reaction with 18/19F-fluoride. Propargylic 18/19F-fluorosulfonate was then subject to a CuACC reaction with an azidotetrazine, followed by oxidation. The overall automated radiosynthesis afforded the 18F-fluorosulfotetrazine in 29–35% DCY, within 90–95 min. The experimental LogP and LogD7.4 values of −1.27 ± 0.02 and −1.70 ± 0.02, respectively, confirmed the hydrophilicity of the 18F-fluorosulfotetrazine. In vitro and in vivo studies displayed a total stability of the 18F-fluorosulfotetrazine without any traces of metabolization, the absence of non-specific retention in all organs, and the appropriate pharmacokinetics for pre-targeting applications.

BackgroundTelemedicine technology is a growing field, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consult Station (Health for Development) is the first telemedicine device enabling completely remote medical consultations, including the concurrent collection of clinical parameters and videos. ObjectiveOur aim was to collect data on the multisite urban and suburban implementation of the Consult Station for primary care and assess its contribution to health care pathways in areas with a low density of medical services. MethodsIn a proof-of-concept multisite prospective cohort study, 2134 consecutive patients had teleconsultations. Consultation characteristics were analyzed from both the patient and practitioner perspective. ResultsIn this study, the main users of Consult Station were younger women consulting for low-severity seasonal infections. Interestingly, hypertension, diabetes, and preventive medical consultations were almost absent, while they accounted for almost 50% of consultations with a general practitioner (GP). We showed that for all regions where the Consult Station was implemented, the number of consultations increased as GP density decreased. The study of practitioner characteristics showed GPs from metropolitan areas are motivated to work with this device remotely, with a high level of technology acceptability. ConclusionsThe multisite implementation of Consult Station booths is suitable for primary care and could also address the challenge of “medical deserts.” In addition, further studies should be performed to evaluate the possible contribution of Consult Station booths to limiting work absenteeism.

Abstract Background Diacetyl-bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone), labeled with 64Cu (64Cu-ATSM) has been suggested as a promising tracer for imaging hypoxia. However, various controversial studies highlighted potential pitfalls that may disable its use as a selective hypoxic marker. They also highlighted that the results may be tumor location dependent. Here, we first analyzed uptake of Cu-ATSM and its less lipophilic counterpart Cu-Cl2 in the tumor over time in an orthotopic glioblastoma model. An in vitro study was also conducted to investigate the hypoxia-dependent copper uptake in tumor cells. We then further performed a comprehensive ex vivo study to compare 64Cu uptake to hypoxic markers, specific cellular reactions, and also transporter expression. Methods μPET was performed 14 days (18F-FMISO), 15 days (64Cu-ATSM and 64Cu-Cl2), and 16 days (64Cu-ATSM and 64Cu-Cl2) after C6 cell inoculation. Thereafter, the brains were withdrawn for further autoradiography and immunohistochemistry. C6 cells were also grown in hypoxic workstation to analyze cellular uptake of Cu complexes in different oxygen levels. Results In vivo results showed that Cu-ASTM and Cu-Cl2 accumulated in hypoxic areas of the tumors. Cu-ATSM also stained, to a lesser extent, non-hypoxic regions, such as regions of astrogliosis, with high expression of copper transporters and in particular DMT-1 and CTR1, and also characterized by the expression of elevated astrogliosis. In vitro results show that 64Cu-ATSM showed an increase in the uptake only in severe hypoxia at 0.5 and 0.2% of oxygen while for 64Cu-Cl2, the cell retention was significantly increased at 5% and 1% of oxygen with no significant rise at lower oxygen percentages. Conclusion In the present study, we show that Cu-complexes undoubtedly accumulate in hypoxic areas of the tumors. This uptake may be the reflection of a direct dependency to a redox metabolism and also a reflection of hypoxic-induced overexpression of transporters. We also show that Cu-ATSM also stained non-hypoxic regions such as astrogliosis.

Palm sap collected (sugary juice) from palm trees is very widespread in the intertropical regions of Asia, America and Africa. This study aimed to evaluate the use of kefir grains and ferments as starters for the fermentation of fresh palm sap (PS) from Borassus aethiopum Mart. to produce new kefir-like beverages (KLBs). The batch fermentation was performed statically at room temperature (22 °C) during 48 h. Physicochemical analysis were performed using standard and HPLC methods. The KLBs (kefir-like beverages) from PS showed low ethanol and glycerol contents ranging from 0.84 ± 0.14 to 17.30 ± 2.06 g/L (0.07 to 1.38% v/v) and 0 to 0.67 g/L respectively. The pH value decreased significantly during 24 h of fermentation and ranging from 3.98 to 4.40 at the end of fermentation. The organic acids (lactate, acetate, propionate, citrate, succinate and pyruvate) were detected in KLBs from PS. There was an increase in the content of lactate, acetate, propionate and succinate during fermentation process, except citrate content. Lactate and acetate content reached maximum values ranging between 5.18 and 9.31 g/L, 0.94 and 1.69 g/L respectively. Sucrose concentration decreased significantly and reached a value ranging from 0 to 0.84 g/L, except in KLBs fermented using milk ferments (9.45 g/L). The study showed that water and milk kefir grains as well as kefir ferments were well adapted to ferment Borassus aethiopum Mart. fresh sap for KLBs production. Palm sap could be an ideal alternative base substrate to produce non-dairy probiotic fermented beverage with low ethanol and sugar contents.

Offshore wind farms (OWFs) are important infrastructure which provide an alternative and clean means of energy production worldwide. The offshore wind industry has been continuously growing. Over the years, however, it has become evident that OWFs are facing a variety of safety and security challenges. If not addressed, these issues may hinder their progress. Based on these safety and security goals and on a Bayesian network model, this work presents a methodological approach for structuring and organizing expert knowledge and turning it into a probabilistic model to assess the safety and security of OWFs. This graphical probabilistic model allowed us to create a high-level representation of the safety and security state of a generic OWF. By studying the interrelations between the different functions of the model, and by proposing different scenarios, we determined the impacts that a failing function may have on other functions in this complex system. Finally, this model helped us define the performance requirements of such infrastructure, which should be beneficial for optimizing operation and maintenance.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological malignancy that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. Recently, [18F]fludarabine has been introduced as an innovative PET radiotracer for imaging lymphoma. It demonstrated a great potential for accurate imaging of lymphoproliferative disorders. With the goal to question the usefulness of [18F]fludarabine-PET in other haematological diseases, an in vivo MM model was investigated.RPMI8226-GFP-Luc MM cells expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) as well as the luciferase reporter (Luc) were derived from the parental RPMI8226 cells. They were injected subcutaneously into the flank of nude mice. Myeloma tumour growth was followed using bioluminescence-based imaging (BLI) and characterised by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The tumour specificity of [18F]fludarabine was evaluated and compared to [18F]FDG.The tumoural uptake of [18F]FDG was greater than that of [18F]fludarabine. However, the quantitative data extracted from IHC stainings were in better agreement with [18F]fludarabine, when compared to [18F]FDG. The relationship between the tumoural uptake of [18F]-labelled tracers and the BLI quantitative data was also in favour of [18F]fludarabine.Our results suggest that [18F]fludarabine-PET might represent an alternative and perhaps more specific modality for MM imaging when compared to [18F]FDG. Nevertheless, more investigations are required to extend this conclusion to humans.

BACKGROUND:COPD is a frequent and significant cause of respiratory morbidity in HIV-infected patients despite the control of HIV. We aimed to analyze the factors correlated with COPD in this population to evaluate the existence of specific indicators of vulnerability in this population. METHODS AND FINDINGS:623 HIV-infected outpatients were enrolled during one year. This population was characterised by a dedicated questionnaire and electronic patient records. COPD screening was performed according to recommended spirometric criteria. The prevalence of COPD was 9.0%. Age and smoking were independently correlated with COPD (OR, 1.61 per 10 years increase, P = 0.007; OR, 1.28 per 10 pack-year increase, P = 0.003, respectively). Body mass index (BMI) and CD4 cell-count were independently and negatively correlated with COPD (OR, 0.78, P < 0.001; 0R, 0.77 per 100 cell/mm3 increase, P < 0.001, respectively). Among COPD patients, 77% did not know their diagnosis. Five COPD-patients never smoked and 44.2% did not have any respiratory symptoms and so were not eligible to perform a spirometry according to the guidelines. CONCLUSIONS:In addition to known risk factors, immune defect through CD4 cell count was independently and strongly correlated with COPD. COPD is largely underdiagnosed and thus unmanaged. However, early management and urgent smoking cessation are essential to improve prognosis. Clinicians' awareness on the particular vulnerability for COPD in HIV-infected patients is crucial. Moreover, indications to perform conventional spirometry to diagnose COPD may include more parameters than tobacco-smoking and respiratory complaints with a particular concern toward patients with a profound CD4 cell count defect.

In current literature, certain scholars have stressed the role of the private sector in the process of revitalizing agriculture through agribusiness-led development. Others have underlined the global risks of poorly negotiated land acquisitions that disadvantage farmers and of nontransparent trade arrangements that create suspicion within local communities. Official and unofficial data whose relevance is frequently questioned, because they differ from actual conditions found on the ground, are often built upon these narratives. This acknowledgement points to the need for reliable data in order to support constructive debates on models of agricultural development. Senegal is experiencing similar controversies involving the dynamics of agribusiness development within the context of inadequate information on land acquisitions. In this paper, we first acknowledge the existence of past and current efforts to address investments in the agricultural sector. After critical analysis of these documents, we propose another way to monitor investments with survey tools that are embedded in participatory action-research processes and then provide information that can be used as a boundary object. We advocate the use of mapping tools to identify and monitor land processes, and the use of geospatial information to help identify an initial inventory of various sources of data on large-scale land transactions.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common among HIV-infected patients but its repercussion on the course of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after cART initiation remains elusive. The French Dat'AIDS cohort enrolled 5,688 patients on first-line cART, from which we selected patients who achieved HIV suppression for at least 12 months without modification of cART, and for whom CMV serostatus was available. Five hundred and three patients fulfilled the selection criteria (74% male, median age 43 yrs, 15.5% CDC stage C), of whom 444 (88.3%) were seropositive for CMV (CMV+). Multivariate analyses using mixed-linear models adjusted for the time from HIV suppression, sex, age, transmission risk group, duration of HIV follow-up, the interaction between time from HIV suppression and CMV+ serology, and the nadir CD4 count revealed a negative correlation between CMV+ and CD4:CD8 ratio (coeff. = -0.16; p = 0.001). This correlation was also observed among patients displaying optimal CD4 recovery (≥500 cells/mm3 at M12; coeff. = -0.24; p = 0.002). Hence, CMV+ serostatus antagonizes normalization of the CD4:CD8 ratio, although further analyses of the impact of co-morbidities that associate with CMV serostatus, like HCV infection, are needed to elucidate this antagonism formally. However, this might reflect a premature T cell senescence, thus advocating for a close monitoring of T cells in CMV co-infected patients. In addition, our results raise the question of the benefit of treatment for asymptomatic CMV co-infection in HIV-infected patients.

Este trabajo parte de la comparación de la recepción crítica de Los abrazos rotos en España y en Francia para mostrar cómo puede ayudar a apreciar el cambio que se ha dado en la valoración de la obra de Almodóvar en ambos países. Si en los años 1980 se podía observar que la crítica española era poco favorable a un cineasta que en cambio se granjeaba elogios en el extranjero, esta situación se ha ido modificando a lo largo de los años 1990-2000. Ahora, se puede notar una casi inversión en la aceptación crítica de la obra de Almodóvar, ya que la crítica francesa emite juicios más matizados sobre su obra mientras que la prensa nacional española se muestra mucho más unánime en la celebración de un cineasta del que se espera que contribuya a sacar el cine nacional de las dificultades comerciales que está atravesando.

In the context of a renewal of Latin-American films since 1990, Mexican cinema is an exception and seems to be going through a long crisis from which only the documentary manages to escape. The documentary’s difficulty consists in its diffusion, mostly confidential, which prevents it from reaching a wide audience. The edition of a documentary and a work of fiction by Francisco Vargas in the same DVD, proposes a solution to this problem by managing to question once more the relations between documentary and fiction ; fiction’s success offers the possibility for the documentary to be seen, especially because two films suggest two complementary looks upon a reality which the film-producer wants to denounce through his works.

Abstract The milking ability of Lacaune ewes was characterised by derived traits of milk flow patterns, in an INRA experimental farm, from a divergent selection experiment in order to estimate the correlated effects of selection for protein and fat yields. The analysis of selected divergent line effects (involving 34 616 data and 1204 ewes) indicated an indirect improvement of milking traits (+17% for maximum milk flow and -10% for latency time) with a 25% increase in milk yield. Genetic parameters were estimated by multi-trait analysis with an animal model, on 751 primiparous ewes. The heritabilities of the traits expressed on an annual basis were high, especially for maximum flow (0.54) and for latency time (0.55). The heritabilities were intermediate for average flow (0.30), time at maximum flow (0.42) and phase of increasing flow (0.43), and low for the phase of decreasing flow (0.16) and the plateau of high flow (0.07). When considering test-day data, the heritabilities of maximum flow and latency time remained intermediate and stable throughout the lactation. Genetic correlations between milk yield and milking traits were all favourable, but latency time was less milk yield dependent (-0.22) than maximum flow (+0.46). It is concluded that the current dairy ewe selection based on milk solid yield is not antagonistic to milking ability.

Genetic trends for growth, feed efficiency, composition, and morphometry of carcasses were estimated in a French Large White (LW) pig population using frozen semen. Two groups of pigs were produced by inseminating LW sows with either stored, frozen semen from 17 LW boars born in 1977 or with semen from 23 LW boars born in 1998. In each group, 15 males and 90 females were randomly chosen and mated to produce approximately 1,000 pigs/group. These pigs were performance tested with individual ADFI and serial BW and backfat thickness measurements, slaughtered at 105 kg of BW, and measured for carcass traits. The data were analyzed using mixed linear animal models, including the fixed effect of the experimental group (offspring of 1977 or 1998 boars), the random effect of the additive genetic value of each animal, and, when significant, the fixed effects of sex, fattening batch, and slaughterhouse, the linear regression on BW, and the random effect of the common environment of birth litter. For each trait, the genetic trend was estimated as twice the difference between the 2 experimental groups. Results showed moderately favorable trends for on-test ADG (3.7 [+ or -] 1.3 g/d per year) and feed conversion ratio (-0.014 [+ or -] 0.005 kg/ kg per year) in spite of a tendency toward an increase in ADFI (7.6 [+ or -] 4.7 g/yr). A strong reduction in carcass fatness (-0.35 [+ or -] 0.07 mm/yr for carcass average backfat thickness) and a large improvement in carcass leanness (0.31 [+ or -] 0.10 [mm.sup.2]/yr and 0.41 [+ or -] 0.08%/yr for loin eye area and carcass muscle content, respectively) were observed. Carcass shape measurements (back and leg length, back width, muscle thickness of hind limbs) were not affected by selection. Serial measurements of BW and backfat thickness showed that the major part of the genetic gains occurred during late growth and that the reduction in the backfat layer was more pronounced in the rear than in the front part of the carcass. The use of frozen semen appears to be a powerful practice to thoroughly investigate changes attributable to selection. Key words: carcass, frozen semen, genetic trend, growth, swine doi: 10.2527/jas.2009-2356

The deal of ProBio3 project is to develop the microbial conversion on specific fatty acids of carbon substrates from renewable resources and industrial by-products. The main application fields are BiojetFuels and green chemistry. The objectives focus on the identification of renewable feedstock suitable for microbial nutritional requirements, the development of an intensive bioprocess, the proof of feasibility at pilot scale (m3) with the evaluation of environmental, economic and societal impacts. During 8 years, 16 French partners (9 research units LISBP, MICALIS, IJPB, IGM, IMFT, SQPOV, TSE, TWB, IFPen, 4 industries Airbus, EADS, Sofiproteol, Tereos et 3 technical centres ITERG, CVG, CREOL) associate their interdisciplinary competences from Life Sciences to Process Engineering including Economic and Social Sciences. With Investissement d’Avenir financial support, the expected impacts are increases of fundamental knowledge of lipid metabolism in oleaginous microorganisms, development of high-throughput tools to fasten industrial engineering strains and fermentation strategies, new extraction processes involving green solvents and realistic scale up studies towards an industrial pilot; with undeniable innovative aspects, the deal is to get competitive assets for leading international positions on a new biological route.