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BackgroundAnalysis of ultrasound radio frequency (RF) signals allows for the determination of the index of reflectivity (IR), which is a new measure that is dependent on tissue properties. Previous work has shown differences in the IR of the carotid artery wall with long-duration spaceflight; therefore, it was hypothesized that liver tissue would also show differences in this measure with spaceflight.MethodsThe RF signal of a liver tissue region of interest (ROI) was displayed and processed along six different lines covering a surface of approximately 2 cm × 2 cm. The IR was calculated as the energy backscattered by the liver ROI divided by the total energy returned to the ultrasound probe.ResultsSeven astronauts were investigated preflight, inflight on day 150, and postflight 4 days and 6 months after rerunning to Earth. Compared to preflight (63% ± 18%), the liver tissue ROI IR was significantly lower on flight day 150 (46% ± 14%; p = 0.027) and 4 days postflight (46% ± 19%; p = 0.025). At 6 months postflight, the IR returned to preflight values (59% ± 13%; p = 0.919).ConclusionThe significant decrease in the coefficient of reflectivity inflight and 4 days postflight indicates an alteration in the liver tissue that reduces the reflection of ultrasound waves. This change in tissue properties could either be due to the addition of particles that do not reflect ultrasound waves or structural or cellular changes that alter the reflectivity of the tissue.

IntroductionWith current technology, ultrasound imaging in remote conditions, such as the International Space Station, is performed with vocal guidance or using a teleoperated echograph controlled by an expert. Both methods require real-time communications between the novice operator and expert to locate the probe over the appropriate acoustic windows (AW). The current study presents the development and testing of a new augmented reality software (Echo-QR) that would allow novice operators (with no medical imaging background) to correctly locate the ultrasound probe over the AW of interest without expert assistance.MethodsOn the first day of the study, the positions of the probe over the AWs were identified for each organ by an expert sonographer and saved in the Echo-QR software. On the second day, the novices independently performed the ultrasound investigation using the Echo-QR software to correctly position the probe over each organ’s AW.ResultsUsing the Echo-QR software, novice operators found the AW in 73 (92%) of the 79 organs. The 2D images acquired by the novices “2D direct image” were acceptable for medical evaluation in 41% of the cases. However, when the “2D direct image” did not show the entire organ, a 3D capture of the volume below the probe was also performed, which allowed for the extraction of the appropriate 2D image “2D/3D image” for medical evaluation in 85% of the cases.DiscussionTherefore, in the absence of real-time communication between an isolated participant and an expert sonographer, novel software (Echo-QR) and automated 3D volume capture can be used to obtain images usable for ultrasound diagnostics.

Abstract Cardiovascular deconditioning and altered baroreflexes predispose returning astronauts to Orthostatic Intolerance. We assessed 7 astronauts (1 female) before and following long-duration spaceflight (146 ± 43 days) with minimal upright posture prior to testing. We applied lower body negative pressure (LBNP) of up to − 30 mmHg to supine astronauts instrumented for continual synchronous measurements of cardiovascular variables, and intermittent imaging the Portal Vein (PV) and Inferior Vena Cava (IVC). During supine rest without LBNP, postflight elevations to total peripheral resistance (TPR; 15.8 ± 4.6 vs. 20.8 ± 7.1 mmHg min/l, p

Introduction: Spaceflight simulation studies like confinement in small volume habitat with limited physical activity have reported even after 60 days an abnormal arterial wall adaptation with increase thickness or stiffness. The purpose of the current study was to determine the effects on blood vessel and organ structure of 40 days of isolation in a huge habitat with intensive physical activity.Method: Data were collected from 14 individuals (7 male) who isolated in a cavern for 40-days while performing normal daily activities without time references. Ultrasound assessments were performed pre- and post-isolation using a teleoperated system with eight different acoustic windows to obtain 19 measurements on 12 different organ/vascular structures which included the common carotid artery, femoral artery, tibial artery, jugular vein, portal vein, bile duct, kidney, pancreas, abdominal aorta, cervical and lumbar vertebral distance, and Achilles tendon.Results: Common carotid artery measures, including the intima media thickness, stiffness index, and the index of reflectivity measured from the radiofrequency signal, were not changed with isolation. Similarly, no differences were found for femoral artery measurements or measurements of any of the other organs/vessels assessed. There were no sex differences for any of the assessments.Discussion: Results from this study indicate a lack of physiological effects of 40-days of isolation in a cavern, contrary to what observed in previous 60 days confinement. This suggests a potential protective effect of sustained physical activity, or reduced environmental stress inside the huge volume of the confined facility.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine whether 4 days of dry immersion (DI) induced similar arterial aging as spaceflight and to test the impact of thigh cuffs. Eighteen subjects underwent DI; nine wore thigh cuffs. Cardiac and arterial targets were assessed by ultrasound. No significant differences were found between the groups. The left ventricle volume, stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction decreased with DI (p

Le projet Life Artisan a pour objectif de renforcer la mobilisation nationale autour de la thématique des Solutions fondées sur la Nature pour l’adaptation aux changements climatiques (SafN). Il s’adresse à un large éventail d'acteurs locaux, régionaux, nationaux et européens (collectivités, entreprises, associations, gestionnaires d’espaces naturels, etc.). Parmi les participants au premier forum Artisan organisé le 15 mars 2022 à Lille, deux de ces acteurs nous expliquent leur positionnement vis-à-vis de cette thématique et leurs attentes pour le futur. Le premier de ces acteurs accompagne les porteurs de projets de SafN dans les territoires et le second mobilise des outils financiers d’assurance pour sécuriser et amplifier les projets.

Recent studies have reported a significant increase in common carotid artery (CCA) intima media thickness, wall stiffness and reflectivity to ultrasound, in astronauts, after six months of spaceflight. The hypothesis was that 4 days in dry immersion (subjects under bags of water) will be sufficient to change the CCA wall reflectivity to ultrasound similar to what observed after spaceflight. Such response would be quantified using the amplitude of the ultrasound signal returned to the probe by the target concerned. [coefficient of signal return (Rs)]. The Rs for anterior and posterior CCA wall, sternocleidomastoid muscle, intima layer and CCA lumen were calculated from the ultrasound radio frequency (RF) data displayed along each echographic line. After four days of DI, Rs increased in the CCA posterior wall (+15% +/- 10 from pre DI, p < 0.05), while no significant change was observed in the other targets. The observed increase in Rs with DI was approximately half compared to what was observed after six months of space flight (+34% +/- 14). This difference may be explained by dose response (dry immersion only four days in duration). As a marker of tissue-level physical changes, Rs provide complimentary information alongside previously observed CCA wall thickness and stiffness.

Préserver les habitats et les espèces, favoriser les auxiliaires et réduire l’usage de pesticides, préserver et dynamiser la vie du sol, répondre aux enjeux de territoire et à la demande sociale... Comment les infrastructures agroécologiques mises en œuvre dans les exploitations agricoles peuvent t’elles répondre à ces enjeux ? En Maine-et-Loire, trois exploitants du réseau ARBRE (Agriculteurs respectueux de la biodiversité et des richesses de l’environnement) témoignent de leur engagement pour mieux préserver les sols et l’environnement et intégrer la biodiversité dans le fonctionnement de leur exploitation.

Camk2a-Cre mice have been widely used to study the postnatal function of several genes in forebrain projection neurons, including cortical projection neurons (CPNs) and striatal medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs). We linked heterozygous deletion of TSHZ3/Tshz3 gene to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and used Camk2a-Cre mice to investigate the postnatal function of Tshz3, which is expressed by CPNs but not MSNs. Recently, single-cell transcriptomics of the adult mouse striatum revealed the expression of Camk2a in interneurons and showed Tshz3 expression in striatal cholinergic interneurons (SCINs), which are attracting increasing interest in the field of ASD. These data and the phenotypic similarity between the mice with Tshz3 haploinsufficiency and Camk2a-Cre-dependent conditional deletion of Tshz3 (Camk2a-cKO) prompted us to better characterize the expression of Tshz3 and the activity of Camk2a-Cre transgene in the striatum. Here, we show that the great majority of Tshz3-expressing cells are SCINs and that all SCINs express Tshz3. Using lineage tracing, we demonstrate that the Camk2a-Cre transgene is expressed in the SCIN lineage where it can efficiently elicit the deletion of the Tshz3-floxed allele. Moreover, transcriptomic and bioinformatic analysis in Camk2a-cKO mice showed dysregulated striatal expression of a number of genes, including genes whose human orthologues are associated with ASD and synaptic signaling. These findings identifying the expression of the Camk2a-Cre transgene in SCINs lineage lead to a reappraisal of the interpretation of experiments using Camk2a-Cre-dependent gene manipulations. They are also useful to decipher the cellular and molecular substrates of the ASD-related behavioral abnormalities observed in Tshz3 mouse models.

The European Innovation Partnership for Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (EIP-AGRI) is a European Union instrument for promoting innovation in agriculture by bringing research and field practice closer together. Pascale Riccoboni, in charge of the national implementation of EIP-AGRI within the National Rural Network, assesses this initiative and, the research strategy it has created in water and agriculture in France, and Europe.

Le Partenariat européen pour l'innovation pour une agriculture productive et durable (PEI-AGRI) est un des instruments de l'Union européenne pour promouvoir l'innovation dans le secteur de l'agriculture en rapprochant plus étroitement la recherche et la pratique de terrain. Pascale Riccoboni, chargée de l'animation nationale du PEI-AGRI au sein du Réseau rural national, fait le bilan de cette initiative et des dynamiques de recherche partenariale qu'elle a créées dans le domaine de l'eau et l'agriculture en France et en Europe.

Long-duration spaceflight on the International Space Station (ISS) could be detrimental to astronaut health because of the prolonged period of physical unloading and other stressful factors including isolation and radiation in the microgravity environment. The Vascular Series of experiments was designed to investigate the effects of spaceflight on the arteries. We tested the hypothesis that removal of the normal head-to-foot gravitational force experienced everyday on Earth would cause increased stiffness of the carotid arteries as well as development of insulin resistance that could also impact vascular health. In Vascular, the first experiment of the series, results confirmed increased carotid artery stiffness and insulin resistance; but, the study also revealed a more generalized artery stiffness extending into the lower body. Hormonal and oxidative stress markers could have also influenced vascular health. The next experiments in the Vascular Series, Vascular Echo and Vascular Aging will advance investigations of vascular health employing the ECHO device that has remote robotic control of the ultrasound by experts on the ground to enhance image acquisition while on ISS, and to follow post-flight recovery processes. Vascular Aging will introduce oral glucose tolerance testing on ISS to further quantify the magnitude and the cause of insulin resistance and impaired glucose handling during spaceflight. Together, these studies will provide critical information about the extent of vascular changes during spaceflight and will determine whether all factors that contribute to increased arterial stiffness are reversible, or if there are long-term cardiovascular health consequences.

Head-down bed rest (HDBR) is commonly considered as ground-based analog to spaceflight and simulates the headward fluid shift and cardiovascular deconditioning associated with spaceflight. We investigated in healthy volunteers whether HDBR, with or without countermeasures, affect cerebral autoregulation (CA). Twelve men (at selection: 34 ± 7 years; 176 ± 7 cm; 70 ± 7 kg) underwent three interventions of a 21-day HDBR: a control condition without countermeasure (CON), a condition with resistance vibration exercise (RVE) comprising of squats, single leg heel, and bilateral heel raises and a condition using also RVE associated with nutritional supplementation (NeX). Cerebral blood flow velocity was assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. CA was evaluated by transfer function analysis and by the autoregulatory index (Mxa) in order to determine the relationship between mean cerebral blood flow velocity and mean arterial blood pressure. In RVE condition, coherence was increased after HDBR. In CON condition, Mxa index was significantly reduced after HDBR. In contrast, in RVE and NeX conditions, Mxa were increased after HBDR. Our results indicate that HDBR without countermeasures may improve dynamic CA, but this adaptation may be dampened with RVE. Furthermore, nutritional supplementation did not enhance or worsen the negative effects of RVE. These findings should be carefully considered and could not be applied in spaceflight. Indeed, the subjects spent their time in supine position during bed rest, unlike the astronauts who perform normal daily activities.

Confinement experiments are essential to prepare long-term space exploration. The 180-day Chinese CELSS (Controlled Ecological Life Support System) study is unique in its design, including a closed-loop system and mid-mission simulation of Mars-like day–night cycle of 24 h 40 min for 36 days (days 72–108). Our aim was to study physiological and psychological consequences of this confinement in four healthy volunteers (one female). CELSS platform consisted of six interconnected modules including four greenhouses. Life support systems were controlled automatically. Body composition, fluid compartments, metabolic state, heart, large vessels, endothelial function, and muscle tone were studied using biological, functional, and/or morphological measurements. Behavioral activities were studied by ethological monitoring; psychological state was assessed by questionnaires. Body weight decreased by ∼2 kg mostly due to lean mass loss. Plasma volume and volume-regulating hormones were mostly stable. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) increased by 10–15%. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation decreased. Masseter tone increased by 6–14% suggesting stress, whereas paravertebral muscle tone diminished by 10 ± 6%. Behavioral flow reflecting global activity decreased 1.5- to 2-fold after the first month. Psychological questionnaires revealed decrease in hostility and negative emotions but increase in emotional adaptation suggesting boredom and monotony. One subject was clearly different with lower fitness, higher levels of stress and anxiety, and somatic signs as back pain, peak in masseter tone, increased blood cortisol and C-reactive protein. Comparison of CELSS experiment with Mars500 confinement program suggests the need for countermeasures to prevent increased IMT and endothelial deconditioning. Daily activity in greenhouse could act as countermeasure against psycho-physiological deconditioning.

Commissural axons must cross the midline to establish reciprocal connections between the two sides of the body. This process is highly conserved between invertebrates and vertebrates and depends on guidance cues and their receptors to instruct axon trajectories. The DCC family receptor Frazzled (Fra) signals chemoattraction and promotes midline crossing in response to its ligand Netrin. However, in Netrin or fra mutants, the loss of crossing is incomplete, suggesting the existence of additional pathways. Here, we identify Brain Tumor (Brat), a tripartite motif protein, as a new regulator of midline crossing in the Drosophila CNS. Genetic analysis indicates that Brat acts independently of the Netrin/Fra pathway. In addition, we show that through its B-Box domains, Brat acts cell autonomously to regulate the expression and localization of Adenomatous polyposis coli-2 (Apc2), a key component of the Wnt canonical signaling pathway, to promote axon growth across the midline. Genetic evidence indicates that the role of Brat and Apc2 to promote axon growth across the midline is independent of Wnt and Beta-catenin-mediated transcriptional regulation. Instead, we propose that Brat promotes midline crossing through directing the localization or stability of Apc2 at the plus ends of microtubules in navigating commissural axons. These findings define a new mechanism in the coordination of axon growth and guidance at the midline.

During spermiogenesis, the proximal centriole forms a special microtubular structure: the centriolar adjunct. This structure appears at the spermatid stage, which is characterized by a condensed chromatin nucleus. We showed that the centriolar adjunct disappears completely in mature porcine spermatozoa. In humans, the centriolar adjunct remnants are present in a fraction of mature spermatids. For the first time, the structure of the centriolar adjunct in the cell, and its consequent impact on fertility, were examined. Ultrastructural analysis using transmission electron microscopy was performed on near 2000 spermatozoa per person, in two patients with idiopathic male sterility (IMS) and five healthy fertile donors. We measured the average length of the “proximal centriole + centriolar adjunct„ complex in sections, where it had parallel orientation in the section plane, and found that it was significantly longer in the spermatozoa of IMS patients than in the spermatozoa of healthy donors. This difference was independent of chromatin condensation deficiency, which was also observed in the spermatozoa of IMS patients. We suggest that zygote arrest may be related to an incompletely disassembled centriolar adjunct in a mature spermatozoon. Therefore, centriolar adjunct length can be potentially used as a complementary criterion for the immaturity of spermatozoa in the diagnostics of IMS patients.

During nervous system development, commissural axons cross the midline despite the presence of repellant ligands. In Drosophila, commissural axons avoid premature responsiveness to the midline repellant Slit by expressing the endosomal sorting receptor Commissureless, which reduces surface expression of the Slit receptor Roundabout1 (Robo1). In this study, we describe a distinct mechanism to inhibit Robo1 repulsion and promote midline crossing, in which Roundabout2 (Robo2) binds to and prevents Robo1 signaling. Unexpectedly, we find that Robo2 is expressed in midline cells during the early stages of commissural axon guidance, and that over-expression of Robo2 can rescue robo2-dependent midline crossing defects non-cell autonomously. We show that the extracellular domains required for binding to Robo1 are also required for Robo2's ability to promote midline crossing, in both gain-of-function and rescue assays. These findings indicate that at least two independent mechanisms to overcome Slit-Robo1 repulsion in pre-crossing commissural axons have evolved in Drosophila.

PURPOSE: The objective was to check if 520 days in confinement (MARS 500), may affect the main peripheral arterial diameter and wall thickness and the main vein size. METHOD: Common carotid (CC) femoral artery (FA) portal vein (PV), jugular (JG), femoral vein (FV) and tibial vein were assessed during MARS 500 by echography, performed by the subjects. A hand free volumic echographic capture method and a delayed 3D reconstruction software developed by our lab were used for collecting and measuring the vascular parameters. RESULTS: During the MARS 500 experiment the subjects performed 6 sessions among which 80% of the echographic data were of sufficient quality to be processed. No significant change was found for the Common carotid, Jugular vein, femoral artery, femoral vein, portal vein, and tibial vein diameter. CC and FA IMT (intima media thickness) were found significantly increased (14% to 28% P

UNLABELLED: We quantified the impact of 60-day head-down bed rest (HDBR) with countermeasures on arterial and venous response to tilt. METHODS: Twenty-one males: 7 control (Con), 7 resistive vibration exercise (RVE) and 7 Chinese herb (Herb) were assessed. Subjects were identified as finisher (F) or non-finishers (NF) at the post-HDBR 20-min tilt test. The cerebral (MCA), femoral (FEM) arterial flow velocity and leg vascular resistance (FRI), the portal vein section (PV), the flow redistribution ratios (MCA/FEM; MCA/PV), the tibial (Tib), gastrocnemius (Gast), and saphenous (Saph) vein sections were measured by echography and Doppler ultrasonography. Arterial and venous parameters were measured at 3-min pre-tilt in the supine position, and at 1 min before the end of the tilt. RESULTS: At post-HDBR tilt, MCA decreased more compared with pre-HDBR tilt in the Con, RVE, and Herb groups, the MCA/FEM tended to decrease in the Con and Herb groups (not significant) but remained stable in the RVE gr. FRI dropped in the Con gr, but remained stable in the Herb gr and increased in the RVE gr. PV decreased less in the Con and Herb groups but remained unchanged in the RVE gr. MCA/PV decreased in the Con and Herb groups, but increased to a similar extent in the RVE gr. Gast section significantly increased more in the Con gr only, whereas Tib section increased more in the Con and Herb groups but not in the RVE gr. The percent change in Saph section was similar at pre- and post-HDBR tilt. CONCLUSION: In the Con gr, vasoconstriction was reduced in leg and splanchnic areas. RVE and Herb contributed to prevent the loss of vasoconstriction in both areas, but the effect of RVE was higher. RVE and Herb contributed to limit Gast distension whereas only RVE had a protective effect on the Tib.

OBJECTIVE: Check if the Temporal flow response to Tilt could provide early hemodynamic pattern in the minutes preceding a syncope during the Tilt test performed after a 60-d head down bedrest (HDBR). METHOD: Twenty-one men divided into 3 groups [Control (Con), Resistive Vibration (RVE) and Chinese Herb (Herb)] underwent a 60 day HDBR. Pre and Post HDBR a 20 min Tilt identified Finishers (F) and Non Finishers (NF). Cerebral (MCA), Temporal (TEMP), Femoral (FEM) flow velocity, were measured by Doppler during the Tilt. Blood pressure (BP) was measured by arm cuff and cardiopress. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Four of the 21 subjects were NF at the post HDBR Tilt test (Con gr:2, RVE gr: 1, Herb gr: 1). At 1 min and 10 s before end of Tilt in NF gr, FEM flow decreased less and MCA decreased more at post HDBR Tilt compared to pre (p