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Spontaneous lipolysis results in the breakdown of milk fat by the lipoprotein lipase (EC: 3.1.1.34), an enzyme present in milk. Free fatty acids (FFAs) and by-products released in milk during lipolysis can alter both the organoleptic value of milk (off-flavors release) and technological properties of dairy products (decrease in creaming capabilities). Current climate change is having significant impacts on the feeding of grazing animals, with negative consequences on the availability and quality of grass. We and others have demonstrated that dietary restriction increases milk lipolysis in the cow species. However, no data about the impact of feed restriction on milk lipolysis is available in the ewe species. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the effect of feed restriction on milk characteristics with regard to lipolysis values in dairy ewes. Two groups of 24 multiparous Lacaune ewes in mid-lactation received a “non-restricted” control diet (100% of ad libitum DM intake) or a “restricted” (RESTR) diet (65% of ad libitum DM intake) according to a 2 × 2 crossover design. Milk gross composition together with lipolysis analyses were performed. Blood samples were also screened for metabolites or hormone concentrations. The RESTR treatment induced a decrease in milk production (− 21% compared with control treatment) and a modification of the metabolism of dairy ewes characterized by an increase in plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), which represents the balance between adipose tissue mobilization and the use of NEFA by other tissues (+153%), cholesterol (+17%) and β-hydroxybutyrate (+4 %) levels. As a result, a decrease in BW of dairy ewes was observed (−7%). Feed restriction also resulted in a decrease in milk lipolysis estimated by the milk FFA measured by the copper-soap method (−63 and −62%, respectively, for morning and evening milking) or by the reference Bureau of Dairy Industry method (−51 and –57%, respectively, for morning and evening milking). The decrease in milk spontaneous lipolysis under feed restriction was not associated with a decrease in lipoprotein lipase activity in ewes. These results will be completed with proteomic and lipidomic studies in milk samples to better understand mechanisms initiated in the ewe species specifically with regard to lipolysis in milk.

Summary: Background: No study has compared the virological and immunological status of young people with perinatally-acquired HIV infection (P-HIV) with that of people with HIV adulthood (A-HIV) having a similar duration of infection. Methods: 5 French cohorts of P-HIV and A-HIV patients with a known date of HIV-infection and receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART), were used to compare the following proportions of: virological failure (VF) defined as plasma HIV RNA ≥ 50 copies/mL, CD4 cell percentages and CD4:CD8 ratios, at the time of the most recent visit since 2012. The analysis was stratified on time since infection, and multivariate models were adjusted for demographics and treatment history. Findings: 310 P-HIV were compared to 1515 A-HIV (median current ages 20.9 [IQR:14.4–25.5] and 45.9 [IQR:37.9–53.5] respectively). VF at the time of the most recent evaluation was significantly higher among P-HIV (22.6%, 69/306) than A-HIV (3.3%, 50/1514); p ≤ 0.0001. The risk of VF was particularly high among the youngest children (2–5 years), adolescents (13–17 years) and young adults (18–24 years), compared to A-HIV with a similar duration of infection: adjusted Odds-Ratio (aOR) 7.0 [95% CI: 1.7; 30.0], 11.4 [4.2; 31.2] and 3.3 [1.0; 10.8] respectively. The level of CD4 cell percentages did not differ between P-HIV and A-HIV. P-HIV aged 6–12 and 13–17 were more likely than A-HIV to have a CD4:CD8 ratio ≥ 1: 84.1% vs. 58.8% (aOR = 3.5 [1.5; 8.3]), and 60.9% vs. 54.7% (aOR = 1.9 [0.9; 4.2]) respectively. Interpretation: P-HIV were at a higher risk of VF than A-HIV with a similar duration of infection, even after adjusting for treatment history, whereas they were not at a higher risk of immunological impairment. Exposure to viral replication among young patients living with HIV since birth or a very early age, probably because of lower adherence, could have an impact on health, raising major concerns about the selection of resistance mutations and the risk of HIV transmission. Funding: Inserm - ANRS MIE.

The escalating emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere require the urgent development of technologies aimed at mitigating environmental impacts. Among these, aqueous amine solutions and polymeric membranes, such as cellulose acetate and polyimide are commercial technologies requiring improvement or substitution to enhance the economic and energetic efficiency of CO2 separation processes. Ionic liquids and poly(ionic liquids) (PILs) are candidates to replace conventional CO2 separation technologies. PILs are a class of materials capable of combining the favorable gas affinity exhibited by ionic liquids (ILs) with the processability inherent in polymeric materials. In this context, the synthesis of the IL GLYMIM[Cl] was performed, followed by ion exchange processes to achieve GLYMIM variants with diverse counter anions (NTf2−, PF6−, and BF4). Subsequently, PIL membranes were fabricated from these tailored ILs and subjected to characterization, employing techniques such as SEC, FTIR, DSC, TGA, DMA, FEG-SEM, and CO2 sorption analysis using the pressure decay method. Furthermore, permeability and ideal selectivity assessments of CO2/CH4 mixture were performed to derive the diffusion and solubility coefficients for both CO2 and CH4. PIL membranes exhibited adequate thermal and mechanical properties. The PIL-BF4 demonstrated CO2 sorption capacities of 33.5 mg CO2/g at 1 bar and 104.8 mg CO2/g at 10 bar. Furthermore, the PIL-BF4 membrane exhibited permeability and ideal (CO2/CH4) selectivity values of 41 barrer and 44, respectively, surpassing those of a commercial cellulose acetate membrane as reported in the existing literature. This study underscores the potential of PIL-based membranes as promising candidates for enhanced CO2 capture technologies.

Summary: Background: Although immunomodulators have established benefit against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in general, it is uncertain whether such agents improve outcomes without increasing the risk of secondary infections in the specific subgroup of previously immunocompromised patients. We assessed the effect of immunomodulators on outcomes of immunocompromised patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Methods: The protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022335397). MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and references of relevant articles were searched up to 01-06-2022. Authors of potentially eligible randomized controlled trials were contacted to provide data on immunocompromised patients randomized to immunomodulators vs control (i.e., placebo or standard-of-care). Findings: Eleven randomized controlled trials involving 397 immunocompromised patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were included. Ten trials had low risk of bias. There was no difference between immunocompromised patients randomized to immunomodulators vs control regarding mortality [30/182 (16.5%) vs 41/215 (19.1%); RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.61–1.41; p = 0.74], secondary infections (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.64–1.58; p = 0.99) and change in World Health Organization ordinal scale from baseline to day 15 (weighed mean difference 0.27, 95% CI -0.09–0.63; p = 0.15). In subgroup analyses including only patients with hematologic malignancy, only trials with low risk of bias, only trials administering IL-6 inhibitors, or only trials administering immunosuppressants, there was no difference between comparators regarding mortality. Interpretation: Immunomodulators, compared to control, were not associated with harmful or beneficial outcomes, including mortality, secondary infections, and change in ordinal scale, when administered to immunocompromised patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Funding: Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation.

Summary: Background: Lack of specific definitions of clinical characteristics, disease severity, and risk and preventive factors of post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) severely impacts research and discovery of new preventive and therapeutics drugs. Methods: This prospective multicenter cohort study was conducted from February 2020 to June 2022 in 5 countries, enrolling SARS-CoV-2 out- and in-patients followed at 3-, 6-, and 12-month from diagnosis, with assessment of clinical and biochemical features, antibody (Ab) response, Variant of Concern (VoC), and physical and mental quality of life (QoL). Outcome of interest was identification of risk and protective factors of PCS by clinical phenotype, setting, severity of disease, treatment, and vaccination status. We used SF-36 questionnaire to assess evolution in QoL index during follow-up and unsupervised machine learning algorithms (principal component analysis, PCA) to explore symptom clusters. Severity of PCS was defined by clinical phenotype and QoL. We also used generalized linear models to analyse the impact of PCS on QoL and associated risk and preventive factors. CT registration number: NCT05097677. Findings: Among 1796 patients enrolled, 1030 (57%) suffered from at least one symptom at 12-month. PCA identified 4 clinical phenotypes: chronic fatigue-like syndrome (CFs: fatigue, headache and memory loss, 757 patients, 42%), respiratory syndrome (REs: cough and dyspnoea, 502, 23%); chronic pain syndrome (CPs: arthralgia and myalgia, 399, 22%); and neurosensorial syndrome (NSs: alteration in taste and smell, 197, 11%). Determinants of clinical phenotypes were different (all comparisons p

ABSTRACT: Lipid added as rapeseed or palm oil to the diet of dairy goats over 8 mo of one lactation alters fat secretion and milk fatty acid (FA) and protein composition. In this study, we examined the contribution of mammary gene expression to these changes and included 30 multiparous goats of Norwegian dairy goat breed for a 230-d experimental period, with indoor feeding from 1 to 120 d in milk (DIM), mountain grazing from 120 to 200 DIM, and indoor feeding from 200 to 230 DIM. After an initial period (1–60 DIM) when the control diet was given to all goats, the animals were subdivided into 3 groups of 10 goats. Treatments (60–230 DIM) were basal concentrate (control) alone or supplemented with either 8% (by weight) hydrogenated palm oil enriched with palmitic acid (POFA) or 8% (by weight) rapeseed oil (RSO). Milk was sampled individually from all animals throughout lactation, at 60, 120, 190, and 230 DIM for milk yield and composition. On d 60, 120, 190, and 230, mammary tissue was collected by biopsy to measure mRNA abundance of 19 key genes. None of the 19 genes involved in milk protein, apoptosis, lipid metabolism, transcription factors, and protein of the milk fat globule membrane, as measured by mRNA abundance, were affected by the lipid supplements, although POFA increased milk fat content, and POFA and RSO affected milk FA composition. Over the experimental period (120–230 DIM), the mRNA abundance of 13 of the 19 studied genes was affected by lactation stage. For some genes, expression either gradually increased from 120 to 230 DIM (CSN2, CASP8, CD36, GLUT4) or increased from 120 to 200 and then remained stable (XDH), or decreased (CSN3, G6PD, SREBF1, PPARG1) or increased only at 230 DIM (SCD1, SCD5, ELF3). For a second group of genes (CSN1, LALBA, FABP3, FASN, LPL, MFGE8), expression was stable over the lactation period. Our results suggest that factors other than gene expression, such as substrate availability or posttranscriptional regulation of these genes, could play an important role in the milk fat and FA responses to dietary fat composition in the goat. In conclusion, mammary gene expression in goats was more regulated by stage of lactation than by the dietary treatments applied.

Objective: To assess the impact of an interactive multimedia educational platform and consent process on patient comprehension and anxiety state compared with standard fertility counseling and paper consents in patients undergoing ovulation induction–intrauterine insemination (OI-IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) throughout their first infertility treatment cycle. Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial. Setting: A university-affiliated reproductive endocrinology and infertility clinic. Patient(s): Patients aged 18–45 years undergoing their first OI-IUI or IVF cycle. Intervention(s): An interactive multimedia educational and consent platform (EngagedMD-[EMD]) before and during the first infertility treatment, in addition to standard fertility counseling by the physician and nurse team. Main Outcome Measure(s): Three survey time points: before the start of treatment (T1), at the start of treatment (T2), and at the completion of the treatment cycle (IUI or oocyte retrieval; T3). The main outcome measure was the comprehension score on a 15-question assessment administered at 2 times points (T2 and T3). The anxiety state at all 3 time points was assessed using a modified Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score. Result(s): Eighty-six patients were included: 21 in the OI-IUI conventional (i.e., standard fertility counseling group) group, 22 in the IVF conventional group, 21 in the OI-IUI EMD group, and 22 in the IVF EMD group. Overall, the average number correct on the 15-question comprehension assessment was significantly higher in the EMD groups than in the conventional groups at T2 (EMD: 13.2 ± 1.8 vs. conventional: 11.7 ± 1.8) but not at T3. For those undergoing IVF, the average number correct was significantly higher at both T2 and T3 in the EMD vs. the conventional group (T2: 14.1 ± 1.3 vs. 12.4 ± 1.8; T3: 14.1 ± 1.7 vs. 12.5 ± 1.5). The average State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores at each time point were similar between the EMD and conventional groups for both OI-IUI and IVF groups. Age ≤35 years and IVF treatment were significant predictors of increased State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores. Conclusion(s): The addition of an interactive multimedia educational platform significantly improved patient comprehension at the initiation of OI-IUI and IVF cycles for patients undergoing fertility treatment for the first time. Those undergoing IVF with access to EMD had sustained, improved comprehension at the end of their treatment. The supplementation of a multimedia platform did not alter anxiety throughout the treatment. Younger patients undergoing IVF may benefit from increased psychological resources. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT03962257.

Membrane-based CO2 separation technology is a promising technology with low operating and energy costs and high scalability. This work describes the influence of synthetic silico-metallic mineral particles (SSMMP) and SSMMP/ionic liquids (IL) associated with polysulfone (PSF) to produce new mixed matrix membranes (MMM) for post-combustion technology. SSMMP is the precursor of synthetic talc undergoing no hydrothermal process resulting in a low-cost, energy-demanding, and CO2-free emission material due to its synthesis process. SSMMP have many reactive OH groups free on their surface making this material ideal to be compatibilized in a polymeric matrix. IL was immobilized in SSMMP to further improve CO2 affinity. As far as we know, this is the first time this material has been used to obtain MMMs. MMMs were prepared with concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 wt% of fillers via melting solution and solvent evaporation. The obtained MMMs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) with elemental mapping, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Permeability analyses were carried out at 25 °C and 0.4 MPa. The addition of pristine SSMMP and SSMMP/Im(nBu)Tf2N improved membrane selectivity decreasing the permeability for the majority of tested filler content. When using SSMMP/Im(nBu)I to obtain MMMs a different behavior was observed decreasing selectivity (except for MMM with 2% (w/w) of filler) and increasing permeability in all studied concentrations. The best result was obtained for sample SSMMP/Im(nBu)Tf2N (2% w/w) achieving a selectivity of 71.9, four times higher than pristine polysulfone membrane.

Encapsulated ionic liquids as green solvents for CO2 capture are reported in this work. We present a novel combination of water-based poly(ionic liquid) and imidazolium-based ionic liquids (Emim[X]). Poly(diallyldimethylammonium tetrafluoroborate)/Emim[X] capsules were developed for the first time using Nano Spray Dryer B-90. Capsules were characterized by FTIR, SEM/EDX, TEM, TGA, DSC, CO2 sorption, and CO2/N2 selectivity, CO2 sorption kinetic and recycling were also demonstrated. Comparing the capsules reported in this work, the combination of poly(diallyldimethylammonium tetrafluoroborate) and the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (P[DADMA]/BF4) showed great potential for CO2 capture and CO2/N2 separation, providing higher results (53.4 mg CO2/g; CO2/N2 selectivity: 4.58).

The term “blue justice” was coined in 2018 during the 3rd World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress. Since then, academic engagement with the concept has grown rapidly. This article reviews 5 years of blue justice scholarship and synthesizes some of the key perspectives, developments, and gaps. We then connect this literature to wider relevant debates by reviewing two key areas of research – first on blue injustices and second on grassroots resistance to these injustices. Much of the early scholarship on blue justice focused on injustices experienced by small-scale fishers in the context of the blue economy. In contrast, more recent writing and the empirical cases reviewed here suggest that intersecting forms of oppression render certain coastal individuals and groups vulnerable to blue injustices. These developments signal an expansion of the blue justice literature to a broader set of affected groups and underlying causes of injustice. Our review also suggests that while grassroots resistance efforts led by coastal communities have successfully stopped unfair exposure to environmental harms, preserved their livelihoods and ways of life, defended their culture and customary rights, renegotiated power distributions, and proposed alternative futures, these efforts have been underemphasized in the blue justice scholarship, and from marine and coastal literature more broadly. We conclude with some suggestions for understanding and supporting blue justice now and into the future.

This study examines the effects of diets supplemented with various lipids selected to induce divergent milk fat content responses (including a milk fat depression) between dairy cows and goats on plasma lipid composition. The objective was to better understand the mechanisms behind the regulation of milk fat secretion in these two ruminant species. Twelve Holstein cows and 12 Alpine goats were fed a basal diet not supplemented (CTL) or supplemented with corn oil plus wheat starch (COS, 5% DM intake (DMI)), marine algae powder of Schizochytrium sp. (MAP, 1.5% DMI), or hydrogenated palm oil (HPO, 3% DMI), in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, during 28 days. On day 27, blood samples were collected for lipid analysis. Plasma lipid classes were quantified by high-performance thin-layer chromatography, with triacylglycerol (TAG) and free fatty acid (FFA) fractions analysed for FA composition by GLC. Plasma molecular species of TAG and ceramides were determined by HPLC–high-resolution MS and by liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole, respectively. Irrespective of diet, plasma total lipid content was higher in cows than goats (+61%), and TAG concentration was higher in goats than cows (+157%). In cows, conversely to goats, COS increased the trans-10 C18:1 proportion in the free FA (+248%) and the TAG (+195%) fractions. In cows and goats, MAP induced increases in cholesterol esters, cholesterol and phospholipids compared to CTL and changes in the plasma free FA and FA of TAG profiles. In both ruminant species, the concentrations of the lipid fractions were unchanged by HPO compared to CTL. Our results point to species specificities and different diet effects in plasma concentrations and compositions of lipid fractions in cows and goats. These new data highlight how diets, that induce large variations in milk fat secretions, affect the plasma lipid classes available for milk fat synthesis.

Abstract Background Bordetella trematum is unknown to most clinicians and microbiologists. However, this Gram-negative opportunistic bacterium can be responsible for ulcer superinfection but also bacteremia and sometimes death by septic shock. Case report We report the case of erysipelas due to B. trematum with bacteremia in an immunocompromised 88-year-old Caucasian patient. Conclusion In immunocompromised patients, unusual microbial agents such as B. trematum can be responsible for cutaneous and systemic infections, requiring specific antibiotic therapy. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the need for specific bacterial identification such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing in the context of atypical evolution of erysipelas in such patients.

Plant communities play a key role in regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in peatland ecosystems and therefore in their ability to act as carbon (C) sinks. However, in response to global change, a shift from Sphagnum-dominated to vascular-plant-dominated peatlands may occur, with a potential alteration in their C-sink function. To investigate how the main GHG fluxes (CO2 and CH4) are affected by a plant community change (shift from dominance of Sphagnum mosses to vascular plants, i.e., Molinia caerulea), a mesocosm experiment was set up. Gross primary production (GPP), ecosystem respiration (ER) and CH4 emission models were used to estimate the annual C balance and global warming potential under both vegetation covers. While the ER and CH4 emission models estimated an output of, respectively, 376±108 and 7±4 g C m−2 yr−1 in Sphagnum mesocosms, this reached 1018±362 and 33±8 g C m−2 yr−1 in mesocosms with Sphagnum rubellum and Molinia caerulea. Annual modeled GPP was estimated at -414±122 and -1273±482 g C m−2 yr−1 in Sphagnum and Sphagnum + Molinia plots, respectively, leading to an annual CO2 and CH4 budget of −30 g C m−2 yr−1 in Sphagnum plots and of −223 g C m−2 yr−1 in Sphagnum + Molinia ones (i.e., a C sink). Even if CH4 emissions accounted for a small part of the gaseous C efflux (ca. 3 %), their global warming potential value makes both plant communities have a climate warming effect. The shift of vegetation from Sphagnum mosses to Molinia caerulea seems beneficial for C sequestration at a gaseous level. However, roots and litter of Molinia caerulea could provide substrates for C emissions that were not taken into account in the short measurement period studied here.

The development and testing of new sorbents for the efficient removal of CO2 from flue gases is essential. Encapsulated room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) can be potentially employed in CO2 capture. In this work, we report the preparation and characterization of encapsulated imidazolium-based fluorinated RTILs for CO2 capture. [Emim][TF2N], [Bmim][TF2N], and [Hmim][TF2N] RTILS were encapsulated in polysulfone (PSF) using an emulsification method and characterized by several techniques. The pressure-decay technique was used to assess the CO2 sorption capacity and reusability. Encapsulated RTILs showed improved utility for CO2 capture processes compared with non-encapsulated RTILs, including higher CO2 sorption capacity and faster CO2 sorption/desorption. The CO2 absorption/desorption cycles demonstrated the reuse capacity of all microcapsules under mild conditions. The highest CO2 sorption capacity was noted for encapsulated [Emim][TF2N] (39.5 mg CO2 g−1 at 298.15 K and 1 bar; 62.7 mg CO2 g−1 at 298.15 K and 10 bar). It is worth emphasizing that the encapsulated [Emim][TF2N] contained a lower ionic liquid (IL) content (37.5. ± 0.6) when compared to other encapsulated samples. Moreover, encapsulated [Emim][TF2N] presented a higher CO2 affinity than the encapsulated ILs reported in the literature.

BackgroundIn the era of precision medicine, it is critical for health communication efforts to prioritize personal health record (PHR) adoption. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients with heart disease that choose to adopt a PHR. MethodsA total of 79 patients with chronic cardiovascular disease participated in this study: 48 PHR users and 31 nonusers. They completed 5 surveys related to their choice to use or not use the PHR: demographics, patient activation, medication adherence, health literacy, and computer self-efficacy (CSE). ResultsThere was a significant difference between users and nonusers in the sociodemographic measure education (P=.04). There was no significant difference between users and nonusers in other sociodemographic measures: age (P=.20), sex (P=.35), ethnicity (P=.43), race (P=.42), and employment (P=.63). There was a significant difference between PHR users and PHR nonusers in CSE (P=.006). ConclusionsIn this study, we demonstrate that sociodemographic characteristics were not an important factor in patients’ use of their PHR, except for education. This study had a small sample size and may not have been large enough to detect differences between groups. Our results did demonstrate that there is a difference between PHR users and nonusers related to their CSE. This work suggests that incorporating CSE into the design of PHRs is critical. The design of patient-facing tools must take into account patients’ preferences and abilities when developing effective user-friendly health information technologies.

Introduction Intramuscular injections (IMI) remain a frequent practice in mental health. The available guidelines for IMI in mental health only focus on the technical side of the practices. Moreover, no recent update has been performed to improve practice of IMI in mental health Objectives To assess a formalized consensus agreement regarding the best practice concerning IMI in mental health and to develop practice guidelines. Methods A two-round Delphi method was used. The scientific committee consisted in one psychiatrist, one orthopaedic surgeon, one infection control practitioner, one hospital pharmacist, one mental health nurse, one nurse exploring care relationship and one nurse educator. From literature review, each expert proposed specific recommendations. The panel experts were asked to rate the appropriateness and the applicability in current practice of each recommendation on a 9-point Likert scale. Panel members were recruited in five mental health institutions. The first round questionnaire was emailed to each respondent on February 2020 and the second one on June. Propositions were considered appropriate and applicable in current practice if the median was >=7. Agreement among experts were judged by the statistical measure of the Interpercentile Range Results From the first round, 46 recommendations were retained by 49 nurses. 27 propositions were retained after this second round by 32 nurses. The scientific committee added 12 other recommendations because of their importance in the literature and clinical practice. Conclusions This study provides consensus-based recommendations on IMI in mental health. Nursing staff need to be educated about the new guidelines from both the theoretical and clinical perspectives Disclosure No significant relationships.

BackgroundCycles of incarceration, drug abuse, and poverty undermine ongoing public health efforts to reduce overdose deaths and the spread of infectious disease in vulnerable populations. Jail diversion programs aim to divert low-level drug offenders toward community care resources, avoiding criminal justice costs and disruptions in treatment for HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and drug abuse. We sought to assess the health benefits and cost-effectiveness of a jail diversion program for low-level drug offenders.Methods and findingsWe developed a microsimulation model, calibrated to King County, Washington, that captured the spread of HIV and HCV infections and incarceration and treatment systems as well as preexisting interventions such as needle and syringe programs and opiate agonist therapy. We considered an adult population of people who inject drugs (PWID), people who use drugs but do not inject (PWUD), men who have sex with men, and lower-risk heterosexuals. We projected discounted lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) over a 10-year time horizon with and without a jail diversion program and calculated resulting incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) from the health system and societal perspectives. We also tracked HIV and HCV infections, overdose deaths, and jail population size. Over 10 years, the program was estimated to reduce HIV and HCV incidence by 3.4% (95% CI 2.7%-4.0%) and 3.3% (95% CI 3.1%-3.4%), respectively, overdose deaths among PWID by 10.0% (95% CI 9.8%-10.8%), and jail population size by 6.3% (95% CI 5.9%-6.7%). When considering healthcare costs only, the program cost $25,500/QALY gained (95% CI $12,600-$48,600). Including savings from reduced incarceration (societal perspective) improved the ICER to $6,200/QALY gained (95% CI, cost-saving $24,300). Sensitivity analysis indicated that cost-effectiveness depends on diversion program participants accessing community programs such as needle and syringe programs, treatment for substance use disorder, and HIV and HCV treatment, as well as diversion program cost. A limitation of the analysis is data availability, as fewer data are available for diversion programs than for more established interventions aimed at people with substance use disorder. Additionally, like any model of a complex system, our model relies on simplifying assumptions: For example, we simplified pathways in the healthcare and criminal justice systems, modeled an average efficacy for substance use disorder treatment, and did not include costs associated with homelessness, unemployment, and breakdown in family structure.ConclusionsWe found that diversion programs for low-level drug offenders are likely to be cost-effective, generating savings in the criminal justice system while only moderately increasing healthcare costs. Such programs can reduce incarceration and its associated costs, and also avert overdose deaths and improve quality of life for PWID, PWUD, and the broader population (through reduced HIV and HCV transmission).

Hydrological disturbances could increase dissolved organic carbon (DOC) exports through changes in runoff and leaching, which reduces the potential carbon sink function of peatlands. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of hydrological restoration on hydrological processes and DOC dynamics in a rehabilitated Sphagnum-dominated peatland. A conceptual hydrological model calibrated on the water table and coupled with a biogeochemical module was applied to La Guette peatland (France), which experienced a rewetting initiative on February 2014. The model (eight calibrated parameters) reproduced water-table (0.1

Nutrition is a major factor that regulates ruminant milk components, particularly its fatty acid (FA) composition, which is an important determinant of milk nutritional quality. In the mammary gland, milk component biosynthesis involves a large number of genes under nutritional regulation that are not well understood. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of extruded linseeds (EL) alone or in combination with fish oil (ELFO) on goat mammary gene expression. In total, 14 goats were fed one of the following three diets: a natural grassland hay basal diet (CTRL) alone, CTRL supplemented with 530 g/day of EL, or 340 g/day of EL plus 39 g/day of fish oil (ELFO). Mammary secretory tissues were collected after slaughter on day 28, to determine the expression of 14 lipogenic genes and five lipogenic enzyme activities and transcriptomic profiles. The mRNA abundance decreased for SCD1 (P

Structural assumptions in infectious disease models, such as the choice of network or compartmental model type or the inclusion of different types of heterogeneity across individuals, might affect model predictions as much as or more than the choice of input parameters. We explore the potential implications of structural assumptions on HIV model predictions and policy conclusions. We illustrate the value of inference robustness assessment through a case study of the effects of a hypothetical HIV vaccine in multiple population subgroups over eight related transmission models, which we sequentially modify to vary over two dimensions: parameter complexity (e.g., the inclusion of age and HCV comorbidity) and contact/simulation complexity (e.g., aggregated compartmental vs. individual/disaggregated compartmental vs. network models). We find that estimates of HIV incidence reductions from network models and individual compartmental models vary, but those differences are overwhelmed by the differences in HIV incidence between such models and the aggregated compartmental models (which aggregate groups of individuals into compartments). Complexities such as age structure appear to buffer the effects of aggregation and increase the threshold of net vaccine effectiveness at which aggregated models begin to overestimate reductions. The differences introduced by parameter complexity in estimated incidence reduction also translate into substantial differences in cost-effectiveness estimates. Parameter complexity does not appear to play a consistent role in differentiating the projections of network models.

Physical immobilization of ionic liquids (ILs) in solid materials appears as an interesting strategy for the development of new sorbents for CO2 separation from natural gas. In this work the effect of physical immobilization of two ionic liquids with different anions (bmim[Cl] and bmim[OAc]) on two mesoporous supports (commercial silica SBA-15 and silica extracted from rice husk) was evaluated for CO2 separation from natural gas by experimental determination of CO2 sorption, CO2/CH4 selectivity and sorption kinetics. Results showed that the pure supports present the greatest CO2 sorption capacity when compared to immobilized ILs. However, CO2 removal efficiency improves considerably in the CO2/CH4 mixture when ILs are immobilized in these supports. The best selectivity results were obtained for supports immobilized with the IL bmim[Cl] and values increased for SIL-Cl by 37% and SBA-Cl 51% when compared with their respective supports. The contribution of SIL-Cl (3.03 ± 0.12) to separation performance (CO2/CH4) is similar to SBA-Cl (3.29 ± 0.39). ILs supported also presented fast sorption kinetics when compared to pure ILs thus being an interesting alternative in the search for highly efficient and low-cost separation processes.

OBJECTIVES:We assessed the determinants of mortality in infective endocarditis (IE), using the national hospital discharge databases (HDD) in 2011. METHODS:IE stays were extracted from the national HDD, with a definition based on IE-related diagnosis codes. This definition has been assessed according to Duke criteria by checking a sample of medical charts of IE giving a predictive positive value of 86.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 82.7% - 89.5%). The impact of heart valve surgery on survival has been studied if performed during the initial stay, and over the year of follow-up. Risk factors of in-hospital mortality were identified using logistic regression model for the initial stay and Cox Time-dependent model for the 1-year mortality. RESULTS:The analysis included 6,235 patients. The annual incidence of definite IEs was 63 cases/million residents. Staphylococci and Streptococci were the most common bacteria (44% and 45%, respectively). A valvular surgery was performed in 20% of cases, but substantial variations existed between hospitals. The in-hospital mortality was 21% (ranging 12% to 27% according to the region of patients), associated with age>70, chronic liver disease, renal failure, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa or candida infection and strokes whereas valvular surgery, a native valve IE or intraveinous drug use (right heart IE) were significantly protective for an initial death. The same factors were associated with the one-year mortality, except for valvular surgery which was associated with a 1.4-fold higher risk of death during the year post IE. CONCLUSION:We reported a high IE incidence rate. Valvular surgery was considerably less frequent in this study than in the previous published data (near 50%) whereas mortality was similar. Surgery was associated with higher survival if undergone within the initial stay. There were significant regional differences in frequency of surgery but it did not impact mortality.

There are very few studies in ruminants characterizing mammary and adipose tissue (AT) expression of genes and gene networks for diets causing variations in milk fatty acid (FA) composition without altering milk fat secretion, and even less complementing this information with data on tissue FA profiles. This work was conducted in sheep in order to investigate the response of the mammary gland and the subcutaneous and perirenal AT, in terms of FA profile and mRNA abundance of genes involved in lipid metabolism, to a diet known to modify milk FA composition. Ten lactating Assaf ewes were randomly assigned to two treatments consisting of a total mixed ration based on alfalfa hay and a concentrate (60 : 40) supplemented with 0 (control diet) or 25 (SO diet) g of sunflower oil/kg of diet dry matter for 7 weeks. Milk composition, including FA profile, was analysed after 48 days on treatments. On day 49, the animals were euthanized and tissue samples were collected to analyse FA and mRNA abundance of 16 candidate genes. Feeding SO did not affect animal performance but modified milk FA composition. Major changes included decreases in the concentration of FA derived from de novo synthesis (e.g. 12:0, 14:0 and 16:0) and increases in that of long-chain FA (e.g. 18:0, c9-18:1, trans-18:1 isomers and c9,t11-CLA); however, they were not accompanied by significant variations in the mRNA abundance of the studied lipogenic genes (i.e. ACACA, FASN, LPL, CD36, FABP3, SCD1 and SCD5) and transcription factors (SREBF1 and PPARG), or in the constituent FA of mammary tissue. Regarding the FA composition of AT, the little influence of SO did not appear to be linked to changes in gene mRNA abundance (decreases of GPAM and SREBF1 in both tissues, and of PPARG in the subcutaneous depot). Similarly, the great variation between AT (higher contents of saturated FA and trans-18:1 isomers in the perirenal, and of cis-18:1, c9,t11-CLA and n-3 PUFA in the subcutaneous AT) could not be related to differences in gene mRNA abundance due to tissue site (higher LPL and CD36, and lower SREBF1 in perirenal than in subcutaneous AT). Overall, these results suggest a marginal contribution of gene expression to the nutritional regulation of lipid metabolism in these tissues, at least with the examined diets and after 7 weeks on treatments. It cannot be ruled out, however, that the response to SO is mediated by other genes or post-transcriptional mechanisms.

Based on the potential benefits for long-term human health, there is interest in developing sustainable nutritional strategies for lowering medium-chain saturated fatty acids (FA) and increasing specific unsaturated FA in ruminant milk. Dietary supplements of extruded linseeds (EL), fish oil (FO) or a mixture of EL and FO increase cis-9,trans-11 CLA and long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated FA in bovine milk. Supplements of FO cause milk fat depression in lactating cows, but information for dairy goats is limited. A total of 14 Alpine goats were used in a replicated 3×3 Latin square with 28-days experimental periods to examine the effects of EL alone or in combination with FO on animal performance, milk fat synthesis and milk FA composition. Treatments comprised diets based on natural grassland hay supplemented with no additional oil (control), 530 of EL or 340 g/day of EL and 39 g/day of FO (ELFO). Compared with the control, ELFO tended (P=0.08) to lower milk fat yield, whereas EL increased (P

An optimized method, based on the coupling of two commercial kits, is described for the extraction of soil nucleic acids, with simultaneous extraction and purification of DNA and RNA following a cascade scheme and avoiding the use of harmful solvents. The protocol canmonitor the variations in the recovery yield of DNA and RNA from soils of various types.The quantitative version of the protocol was obtained by testing the starting soil quantity, the grinding parameters and the final elution volumes, in order to avoid saturation of both kits. • A first soil-crushing step in liquid nitrogen could be added for the assessment of fungal parameters. • The protocol was efficienton different tropical soils, including Andosol, while their high contents of clays, including poorly crystalline clays, and Fe and Al oxides usually make the nucleic acid extraction more difficult. • The RNA recovery yield from the previous tropical soils appeared to correlate better to soil respiration than DNA, which is positively influenced by soil clay content.

BACKGROUND:The risks of HIV transmission associated with the opioid epidemic make cost-effective programs for people who inject drugs (PWID) a public health priority. Some of these programs have benefits beyond prevention of HIV-a critical consideration given that injection drug use is increasing across most United States demographic groups. To identify high-value HIV prevention program portfolios for US PWID, we consider combinations of four interventions with demonstrated efficacy: opioid agonist therapy (OAT), needle and syringe programs (NSPs), HIV testing and treatment (Test & Treat), and oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). METHODS AND FINDINGS:We adapted an empirically calibrated dynamic compartmental model and used it to assess the discounted costs (in 2015 US dollars), health outcomes (HIV infections averted, change in HIV prevalence, and discounted quality-adjusted life years [QALYs]), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of the four prevention programs, considered singly and in combination over a 20-y time horizon. We obtained epidemiologic, economic, and health utility parameter estimates from the literature, previously published models, and expert opinion. We estimate that expansions of OAT, NSPs, and Test & Treat implemented singly up to 50% coverage levels can be cost-effective relative to the next highest coverage level (low, medium, and high at 40%, 45%, and 50%, respectively) and that OAT, which we assume to have immediate and direct health benefits for the individual, has the potential to be the highest value investment, even under scenarios where it prevents fewer infections than other programs. Although a model-based analysis can provide only estimates of health outcomes, we project that, over 20 y, 50% coverage with OAT could avert up to 22,000 (95% CI: 5,200, 46,000) infections and cost US$18,000 (95% CI: US$14,000, US$24,000) per QALY gained, 50% NSP coverage could avert up to 35,000 (95% CI: 8,900, 43,000) infections and cost US$25,000 (95% CI: US$7,000, US$76,000) per QALY gained, 50% Test & Treat coverage could avert up to 6,700 (95% CI: 1,200, 16,000) infections and cost US$27,000 (95% CI: US$15,000, US$48,000) per QALY gained, and 50% PrEP coverage could avert up to 37,000 (22,000, 58,000) infections and cost US$300,000 (95% CI: US$162,000, US$667,000) per QALY gained. When coverage expansions are allowed to include combined investment with other programs and are compared to the next best intervention, the model projects that scaling OAT coverage up to 50%, then scaling NSP coverage to 50%, then scaling Test & Treat coverage to 50% can be cost-effective, with each coverage expansion having the potential to cost less than US$50,000 per QALY gained relative to the next best portfolio. In probabilistic sensitivity analyses, 59% of portfolios prioritized the addition of OAT and 41% prioritized the addition of NSPs, while PrEP was not likely to be a priority nor a cost-effective addition. Our findings are intended to be illustrative, as data on achievable coverage are limited and, in practice, the expansion scenarios considered may exceed feasible levels. We assumed independence of interventions and constant returns to scale. Extensive sensitivity analyses allowed us to assess parameter sensitivity, but the use of a dynamic compartmental model limited the exploration of structural sensitivities. CONCLUSIONS:We estimate that OAT, NSPs, and Test & Treat, implemented singly or in combination, have the potential to effectively and cost-effectively prevent HIV in US PWID. PrEP is not likely to be cost-effective in this population, based on the scenarios we evaluated. While local budgets or policy may constrain feasible coverage levels for the various interventions, our findings suggest that investments in combined prevention programs can substantially reduce HIV transmission and improve health outcomes among PWID.

In dairy cattle, diet supplementation with oils affects the lipid metabolism in body tissues via changes in the partitioning and deposition of fatty acids (FAs) and lipogenic gene expression; however, limited data are available in goats. Eight Alpine goats were fed a grassland hay diet supplemented with 90 g/day of sunflower-seed oil or 90 g/day of sunflower-seed oil and fish oil (2 : 1) plus additional starch. The goats were slaughtered on day 21 of the treatments and samples of the mammary secretory tissue, liver, omental and perirenal adipose tissues (ATs) were collected to characterise their FA composition and the mRNA abundance of lipogenic genes and transcription factors involved in their regulation, and to examine the impact of the diet composition on the same parameters. The results are in agreement with the specific physiological adaptation in the lipid metabolism of body tissues that is likely to occur during late lactation because of the coexistence of an active lipogenesis in the mammary secretory tissue and a significant anabolic activity in the ATs. These latter tissues were characterised by high concentrations of saturated FA and very low polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) levels. The content of PUFA was relatively higher in the mammary secretory tissue, in particular in the case of polyunsaturated C18. The highest PUFA contents were found in the liver, in accordance with the greater mRNA abundances of the genes that encode the necessary enzymes for very long-chain n-3 and n-6 PUFA synthesis. However, substantial differences between n-3 and n-6 pathways would most likely exist in the goat liver. Overall, differences in diet composition induced limited changes in the mRNA abundance of genes involved in lipid metabolism, and these were not associated with the few variations observed in tissue FA composition.

The reliability of reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) depends on normalising the mRNA abundance using carefully selected, stable reference genes. Our aim was to propose sets of reference genes for normalisation in bovine or caprine adipose tissue (AT), mammary gland, liver and muscle. All of these tissues contribute to nutrient partitioning and metabolism and, thus, to the profitability of ruminant productions (i.e. carcasses, meat and milk). In this study, eight commonly used reference genes that belong to different functional classes (CLN3, EIF3K, MRPL39, PPIA, RPLP0, TBP, TOP2B and UXT) were analysed using the geNorm procedure to determine the most stable reference genes in bovine and/or caprine tissues. Abundances and rankings of reference genes varied between tissues, species and the combination of tissues and/or species. Therefore, we proposed 29 sets of reference genes that differed depending on the tissue and/or species. As examples of the 29 sets, EIF3K, TOP2B and UXT were proposed as the most stable reference genes in bovine AT; UXT, EIF3K and RPLP0 were the most stable reference genes in bovine and caprine AT. The optimal number of reference genes for data normalisation was 3 for 27 of the proposed 29 sets. In two of the 29 sets, four to five reference genes were necessary for data normalisation when the number of studied tissues was increased. For example, UXT, EIF3K, TBP, TOP2B and CLN3 were required for data normalisation in bovine mammary gland, AT, muscle and liver. We have evaluated some of our proposed sets of reference genes for the normalisation of CD36 gene expression. Normalisation using the three most stable reference genes has revealed downregulation of CD36 gene expression in bovine mammary gland by a concentrate-based diet that is supplemented with sunflower oil and upregulation of CD36 gene expression in caprine liver by including a rapidly degradable starch in the diet. The dietary regulation of the gene expression of CD36 has been erased by normalisation with the least stable reference genes, which may result in misinterpretation of CD36 gene regulation. To conclude, our results provide valuable reference gene sets for other studies that aim to measure tissue and/or species-specific mRNA abundance in ruminants.

N-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) are subject of growing interest as they are of particular relevance for meat quality and human health. However, their content in the muscles of cattle is generally low probably as the complex result of their biosynthesis from dietary n-3 PUFA in the muscle and/or in other tissues/organs and of their subsequent uptake by the muscle. In view of this, this study aimed at understanding whether the changes in the muscle n-3 LCPUFA content, depending on the diet (maize silage v. grass) or the muscle type (Rectus abdominis, RA v. Semitendinosus, ST) in 12 Charolais steers, were related to variations in the gene expression of proteins involved in n-3 LCPUFA biosynthesis or cellular uptake. Tissue fatty acid composition was analysed by gas-liquid chromatography and mRNA abundance of proteins by quantitative real-time PCR. The grass-based diet resulted in a 2.3-fold (P < 0.0002) increase in both RA and ST n-3 LCPUFA content compared with the maize silage-based diet, whereas no difference in the expression of genes involved in n-3 LCPUFA biosynthesis and uptake was observed between diets. ST exhibited a 1.5-fold higher n-3 LCPUFA content than RA (P < 0.003), whereas the gene expression of proteins involved in n-3 LCPUFA biosynthesis and uptake was 1.3- to 18-fold higher in RA than in ST (P < 0.05). In conclusion, diet- or muscle type-dependent changes in the muscle n-3 LCPUFA content of Charolais steers did not seem to be mediated by the gene expression regulation of proteins involved in the biosynthesis or uptake of these fatty acids.

Examination is a key component of education. Quizzes can motivate students to be prepared in advance، and encourage them to accompany lecturer in the teaching. Especially it is an applicable tool for managing crowded classrooms. But designing and establishing quizzes in high circulation is the main obstacle in vast application of them. Internet as part of today’s modern life is a foundation to overcome this limit. Universities as pioneer applicants of internet have already its infrastructure installed. Although everybody agrees that information technology (IT) is effective in education، unfortunately due the lack of demonstration and scientific evaluation of its capabilities، it is not adopted in current practice. Following effective learning paradigm، this article surveyed “Simultaneous Electronic Response System” and assessed its applicability to involve engineering students in learning especially by establishing large-scale online quizzes. Results confirmed system’s performance and registered improved learning

Since SPOT1, the French national space centre (CNES) has worked on improving the geometry of Earth observation spacecrafts. The accuracy of sensor calibration is one of the main key points for any Earth observation application such as orthorectification, DEM generation or surface change detection. For the last twenty years CNES has developed two families of methods: absolute methods and relative methods. These methods are used to characterize a pushbroom acquisition along the detector line and the time line. By this way, the viewing directions are measured and the residual of the spacecraft’s attitude angles (not restituted by the Attitude and Orbit Control System) is estimated. This information can complete the geometric model of all the scenes acquired by the instrument and is used in all geometric applications. This paper presents new attitude assessment methods taking advantage of the capabilities of Pléiades-HR in terms of agility and focal plane arrangement – panchromatic band and multispectral (MS) bands.

The main aim of the present study was to examine the effects of long-term supplementing diets with saturated or unprotected polyunsaturated fatty acids from two different plant oils rich in either n-3 or n-6 fatty acids (FAs) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich algae on mammary gene expression and milk fat composition in lactating dairy cows. Gene expression was determined from mammary tissue and milk epithelial cells. Eighteen primiparous German Holstein dairy cows in mid-lactation were randomly assigned into three dietary treatments that consist of silage-based diets supplemented with rumen-stable fractionated palm fat (SAT; 3.1% of the basal diet dry matter, DM), or a mixture of linseed oil (2.7% of the basal diet DM) plus DHA-rich algae (LINA; 0.4% of the basal diet DM) or a mixture of sunflower oil (2.7% of the basal diet DM) plus DHA-rich algae (SUNA; 0.4% of the basal diet DM), for a period of 10 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the cows were slaughtered and mammary tissues were collected to study the gene expression of lipogenic enzymes. During the last week, the milk yield and composition were determined, and milk was collected for FA measurements and the isolation of milk purified mammary epithelial cells (MECs). Supplementation with plant oils and DHA-rich algae resulted in milk fat depression (MFD; yield and percentage). The secretion of de novo FAs in the milk was reduced, whereas the secretion of trans-10,cis-12-CLA and DHA were increased. These changes in FA secretions were associated in mammary tissue with a joint down-regulation of mammary lipogenic enzyme gene expression (stearoyl-CoA desaturase, SCD1; FA synthase, FASN) and expression of the regulatory element binding transcription factor (SREBF1), whereas no effect was observed on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 1, mitochondrial (GPAM). A positive relationship between mammary SCD1 and SREBF1 mRNA abundances was observed, suggesting a similar regulation for these genes. Such data on mammary gene expression in lactating cows presenting MFD contribute to strengthen the molecular mechanisms that govern milk fat synthesis in the mammary glands. In purified MEC, the dietary treatments had no effect on gene expressions. Differences between mammary tissue and milk purified MEC gene expression were attributed to the effect of lipid supplements on the number of milk purified MEC and its RNA quality, which are determinant factors for the analysis of gene expression using milk cells.

Fat is an important constituent contributing to the organoleptic, processing and physical properties of ruminant milk. Understanding the regulation of milk fat synthesis is central to the development of nutritional strategies to enhance the nutritional value of milk, decrease milk energy secretion and improve the energy balance of lactating ruminants. Nutrition is the major environmental factor regulating the concentration and composition of fat in ruminant milk. Feeding low-fibre/high-starch diets and/or lipid supplements rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids induce milk fat depression (MFD) in the bovine, typically increase milk fat secretion in the caprine, whereas limited data in sheep suggest that the responses are more similar to the goat than the cow. Following the observation that reductions in milk fat synthesis during diet-induced MFD are associated with increases in the concentration of specific trans fatty acids in milk, the biohydrogenation theory of MFD was proposed, which attributes the causal mechanism to altered ruminal lipid metabolism leading to increased formation of specific biohydrogenation intermediates that exert anti-lipogenic effects. Trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is the only biohydrogenation intermediate to have been infused at the abomasum over a range of experimental doses (1.25 to 14.0 g/day) and shown unequivocally to inhibit milk fat synthesis in ruminants. However, increases in ruminal trans-10, cis-12 CLA formation do not explain entirely diet-induced MFD, suggesting that other biohydrogenation intermediates and/or other mechanisms may also be involved. Experiments involving abomasal infusions (g/day) in lactating cows have provided evidence that cis-10, trans-12 CLA (1.2), trans-9, cis-11 CLA (5.0) and trans-10 18:1 (92.1) may also exert anti-lipogenic effects. Use of molecular-based approaches have demonstrated that mammary abundance of transcripts encoding for key lipogenic genes are reduced during MFD in the bovine, changes that are accompanied by decrease in sterol response element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) and alterations in the expression of genes related to the SREBP1 pathway. Recent studies indicate that transcription of one or more adipogenic genes is increased in subcutaneous adipose tissue in cows during acute or chronic MFD. Feeding diets of similar composition do not induce MFD or substantially alter mammary lipogenic gene expression in the goat. The available data suggests that variation in mammary fatty acid secretion and lipogenic responses to changes in diet composition between ruminants reflect inherent interspecies differences in ruminal lipid metabolism and mammary specific regulation of cellular processes and key lipogenic enzymes involved in the synthesis of milk fat triacylglycerides.

La glande mammaire est l’organe dans lequel est synthétisé et sécrété le lait. Ces processus mettent en jeu des mécanismes moléculaires dont la régulation reste incomplètement élucidée. Aussi, de nombreuses recherches ont pour objectif d’identifier les leviers permettant de moduler la composition du lait, afin de répondre à la demande de la filière et des consommateurs, et de préciser leurs mécanismes d’action pour en permettre une régulation aussi fine que possible. L’objectif de cet article est de présenter les derniers travaux relatifs à la caractérisation de facteurs génétiques et nutritionnels puis d’exposer quelques données mettant en lumière les conséquences de leurs interactions sur la lactation. Deux exemples d’études des effets de polymorphismes génétiques sur le fonctionnement mammaire chez les caprins (locus CSN1S1, spécifiant la caséine αs1) et les bovins (locus DGAT1 spécifiant la diacylglycérol acyltransferase 1) mettent en exergue les différences d’expression de gènes impliqués dans le métabolisme des lipides, mais aussi identifient des gènes impliqués dans le trafic vésiculaire et la réponse « Unfolded Protein Responses » (UPR) des caprins. Des exemples de régulation nutritionnelle du métabolisme lipidique révèlent la différence de réponse à la supplémentation lipidique entre la vache et la chèvre. De plus, des approches globales ont permis la découverte de gènes du métabolisme lipidique (tels que ACSBG1 et AZGP1 qui spécifient respectivement la lipidosine et la zinc-α2-glycoprotéine) dont l’expression mammaire était jusqu’alors inconnue, ou encore de révéler des modifications de la dynamique cellulaire mammaire. Enfin, les interactions entre les facteurs génétique et nutritionnel sont illustrées par des mécanismes de régulation fine de l’expression génique mettant en jeu de petits ARN non-codants : les microARN. L’ensemble de ces nouvelles données laissent entrevoir de nombreuses perspectives de recherche ciblant une connaissance de plus en plus exhaustive et fine du fonctionnement de la glande mammaire, mais aussi la nécessité de replacer ce fonctionnement au niveau de l’animal.

This paper describes an integrated approach for validating, qualifying and documenting numerical models for simulating complex systems. Although the example used to illustrate the process entails simulations of accident scenarios in the petroleum and process industries by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), the methodology is not restricted to any particular model or system. CFD tools are applicable to various aspects of societal safety, including transportation, storage and use of various energy carriers, as well as malicious attacks involving toxic gas or condensed explosives. The approach adopted involves a continuous process where relevant validation cases are classified according to the physical phenomena involved, and prioritized based on parameters such as relevance for typical applications of the model system, measurement quality and repeatability, availability of data, spatial scale, materials or substances used, etc. A model evaluation protocol (MEP) provides guidelines for prioritizing the various validation cases, and for evaluating the simulation results. Statistical methods and visualization techniques are employed for describing the validation range and the associated uncertainties of the model system. Use of the methodology is illustrated for a typical application of the commercial CFD tool FLACS: large-scale gas explosions in congested geometries. The results highlight some of the inherent challenges associated with the interpretation of results from large-scale experiments, and demonstrate how such challenges can be addressed during the model evaluation process. The methodology can be extended to include sensitivity studies and advanced optimization schemes for key model parameters.

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY / PRINCIPLES: The value of postoperative pro-calcitonin (PCT) in the follow-up of patients with localised infections in the orthopaedic domain is unknown. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study comparing postoperative ultra-sensitive serum PCT (upper normal level 0.25 µg/l) and C-reactive protein (CRP; upper normal level 10 mg/l) levels in adult patients with localised non-bacteremic orthopaedic infections. RESULTS: A total of 165 paired PCT and CRP samples were retrieved from 60 infected patients. PCT levels exceeded normal in only half of the patients and practically only on the first postoperative day, despite a clinically active infection in all cases. PCT values did not differ between patients with or without surgical re-interventions (36 patients; median 0.09 mg/l vs. 24 patients; median 0.08 µg/l; Wilcoxon-rank sum-test, p= 0.34). CRP was elevated in 54 patients (90%) with a maximum at day 2, and normalised by the tenth day. Both markers correlated poorly with each other (Kendall-tau-test 0.47). The cost for one analysis (phlebotomy by nurses, transport and laboratory) was US$70 for PCT and $20 for CRP. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative serum PCT levels in orthopaedic infections were rarely elevated, even if patients continued to be infected. They quickly fell to within a normal range at day 2. PCT does not seem to be better than the less expensive CRP in the follow-up of these patients.

Les mécanismes moléculaires à l’origine des processus biologiques sont gouvernés par les produits de l’expression d’une multitude de gènes dont les stratégies d’étude ont bénéficié d’avances technologiques considérables ces dernières années. En effet, alors que la biologie moléculaire était ciblée sur quelques gènes choisis selon leur fonction biologique dans les processus étudiés, les approches en «omique» permettent aujourd’hui d’étudier simultanément un grand nombre de gènes, protéines ou métabolites sans a priori sur leur fonction biologique. Ces nouvelles technologies peuvent contribuer à une meilleure connaissance de la biologie des herbivores dans une perspective d’élevage durable. Dans les exemples présentés dans cette courte synthèse, il apparaît en effet que ces approches à haut débit peuvent contribuer à améliorer l’efficacité économique des productions notamment par la détection de marqueurs de l’exposition aux mycotoxines et par une meilleure efficacité métabolique et physiologique des herbivores (partage des nutriments entre tissus et organes, différenciation du muscle pour la production de viande, régulation de l’expression des gènes par les nutriments). Les approches en «omique» peuvent aussi contribuer aux autres piliers du développement durable : bien-être animal (par la mise en évidence de marqueurs de stress), protection de l’environnement (par la maîtrise des rejets azotés par les animaux), qualité des produits (par une maîtrise de la composition en acides gras et de la qualité sensorielle des produits laitiers et carnés, et par la recherche biologique de prédicteurs de la tendreté de la viande).