Nitrogen isotope record of a perturbed paleoecosystem in the aftermath of the end-Triassic crisis, Doniford section, SW England

International audience[1] The Triassic-Jurassic transition (TJ) is characterized by successive perturbations of the carbon cycle during a time of biotic disruption as recorded by the carbon isotopic composition of organic matter (δ13Corg). The nitrogen isotopic composition of sedimentary organic matter (δ15Norg) constitutes a key parameter to explore the functioning of the ecosystem during carbon cycle perturbations and biological crises, because it provide information on seawater redox conditions and/or nutrient cycling. Here we report the first continuous δ15Norg record across the TJ transition at the Doniford Bay section (Bristol Channel Basin, UK), combined with δ13Corg, kerogen typology and carbon (δ13Cmin) and oxygen (δ18Omin) isotopic composition of bulk carbonates. The end Triassic is characterized by a major negative excursion both in δ13Corg and δ13Cmin, very low TOC (Total Organic Carbon, wt%) and high δ15Norg values, associated with a sea level lowstand. A second δ13Corg negative excursion occurs during the lower Hettangian. This interval is characterized by phases of carbonate production increase alternated with phases of exceptional accumulations of type I organic matter (up to 12%) associated with lower δ15Norg and δ13Corg. This alternation likely reflects a succession of nutrient input increase to the basin leading to enhanced productivity and eutrophication, which promoted a primary production driven by organic-walled prokaryotic organisms. The following OM export increase generates anaerobic conditions within the basin. These events occur between periods of relatively good seawater column ventilation and nutrient recycling boosting the carbonate producer recovery. Ecosystems remain perturbed in the Bristol Channel Basin during the aftermath of the end-Triassic crisis

Function and Comorbidities of Apolipoprotein E in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD)—the most common type of dementia among the elderly—represents one of the most challenging and urgent medical mysteries affecting our aging population. Although dominant inherited mutation in genes involved in the amyloid metabolism can elicit familial AD, the overwhelming majority of AD cases, dubbed sporadic AD, do not display this Mendelian inheritance pattern. Apolipoprotein E (APOE), the main lipid carrier protein in the central nervous system, is the only gene that has been robustly and consistently associated with AD risk. The purpose of the current paper is thus to highlight the pleiotropic roles and the structure-function relationship of APOE to stimulate both the functional characterization and the identification of novel lipid homeostasis-related molecular targets involved in AD

BDNF Val66Met polymorphism interacts with sleep consolidation to predict ability to create new declarative memories

It is hypothesized that a fundamental function of sleep is to restore an individual's day-to-day ability to learn and to constantly adapt to a changing environment through brain plasticity. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is among the key regulators that shape brain plasticity. However, advancing age and carrying the BDNF Met allele were both identified as factors that potentially reduce BDNF secretion, brain plasticity, and memory. Here, we investigated the moderating role of BDNF polymorphism on sleep and next-morning learning ability in 107 nondemented individuals who were between 55 and 84 years of age. All subjects were tested with 1 night of in-laboratory polysomnography followed by a cognitive evaluation the next morning. We found that in subjects carrying the BDNF Val66Val polymorphism, consolidated sleep was associated with significantly better performance on hippocampus-dependent episodic memory tasks the next morning (β-values from 0.290 to 0.434, p ≤ 0.01). In subjects carrying at least one copy of the BDNF Met allele, a more consolidated sleep was not associated with better memory performance in most memory tests (β-values from -0.309 to -0.392, p values from 0.06 to 0.15). Strikingly, increased sleep consolidation was associated with poorer performance in learning a short story presented verbally in Met allele carriers (β = -0.585, p = 0.005). This study provides new evidence regarding the interacting roles of consolidated sleep and BDNF polymorphism in the ability to learn and stresses the importance of considering BDNF polymorphism when studying how sleep affects cognition

Integrated maps in quail (Coturnix japonica) confirm the high degree of synteny conservation with chicken (Gallus gallus) despite 35 million years of divergence

BACKGROUND: By comparing the quail genome with that of chicken, chromosome rearrangements that have occurred in these two galliform species over 35 million years of evolution can be detected. From a more practical point of view, the definition of conserved syntenies helps to predict the position of genes in quail, based on information taken from the chicken sequence, thus enhancing the utility of this species in biological studies through a better knowledge of its genome structure. A microsatellite and an Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) genetic map were previously published for quail, as well as comparative cytogenetic data with chicken for macrochromosomes. Quail genomics will benefit from the extension and the integration of these maps. RESULTS: The integrated linkage map presented here is based on segregation analysis of both anonymous markers and functional gene loci in 1,050 quail from three independent F2 populations. Ninety-two loci are resolved into 14 autosomal linkage groups and a Z chromosome-specific linkage group, aligned with the quail AFLP map. The size of linkage groups ranges from 7.8 cM to 274.8 cM. The total map distance covers 904.3 cM with an average spacing of 9.7 cM between loci. The coverage is not complete, as macrochromosome CJA08, the gonosome CJAW and 23 microchromosomes have no marker assigned yet. Significant sequence identities of quail markers with chicken enabled the alignment of the quail linkage groups on the chicken genome sequence assembly. This, together with interspecific Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH), revealed very high similarities in marker order between the two species for the eight macrochromosomes and the 14 microchromosomes studied. CONCLUSION: Integrating the two microsatellite and the AFLP quail genetic maps greatly enhances the quality of the resulting information and will thus facilitate the identification of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL). The alignment with the chicken chromosomes confirms the high conservation of gene order that was expected between the two species for macrochromosomes. By extending the comparative study to the microchromosomes, we suggest that a wealth of information can be mined in chicken, to be used for genome analyses in quail

Coeval extensional shearing and lateral underflow during Late Cretaceous core complex development in the Niğde Massif, Central Anatolia, Turkey

27 p.International audienceThe Nig¢de Massif, at the southern tip of the Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex, consists of two structural units. Foliations in the lower unit define a dome cored by migmatites. The contact between the two units bears all the elements of a ductile to brittle extensional detachment. Hence the Nig¢de Massif represents an extensional metamorphic core complex. Top-to-NE/ENE shearing at higher levels of the lower unit relates to displacement along the detachment. Deeper levels of the lower unit display hightemperature top-to-SSW ductile shearing. The two shearing deformations show a difference in the mean trend of stretching lineations of up to 58. New 40Ar/39Ar ages combined with previously published data enable us to infer that the two shears were contemporaneous. In our favored interpretation, oblique shearing in the core of the dome reflects lateral underflow, i.e., horizontal flowing of the lower crust in a direction highly oblique to the direction of extension. As a result of the interaction between lateral underflow and downdip shearing along the overlying detachment, distinct structural domains are expected to exist within the migmatitic part of the core complex, with observed counterparts in the Nig¢de dome. Lateral underflow may reflect ''inward'' flow on the scale of the core complex. Regional-scale channel flow is an alternative that would better account for the record of non-coaxial deformation in the core of the dome. More generally, we suspect that the development of lateral underflow in a metamorphic core complex more likely reflects regional channel flow, rather than local inward flow

A Novel PARP Inhibitor L-2286 in a Rat Model of Impact Acceleration Head Injury: An Immunohistochemical and Behavioral Study

We examined the neuro/axono-protective potential of a novel poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor L-2286 in a rat impact acceleration brain injury model. Male Wistar rats (n = 70) weighing 300–350 grams were used to determine the most effective intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) dose of L-2286 administered 30 min after injury, and to test the neuroprotective effect at two time points (immediately, and 30 min after injury). The neuroprotective effect of L-2286 was tested using immunohistochemical (amyloid precursor protein and mid-sized mouse anti-neurofilament clone RMO-14.9 antibody) and behavioral tests (beam-balance, open-field and elevated plus maze). At both time-points, a 100 μg/rat dose of i.c.v. L-2286 significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the density of damaged axons in the corticospinal tract and medial longitudinal fascicle compared to controls. In the behavioral tests, treatment 30 min post-injury improved motor function, while the level of anxiety was reduced in both treatment protocols

A collaborative model to implement flexible, accessible and efficient oncogenetic services for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer : the C-MOnGene study

Medical genetic services are facing an unprecedented demand for counseling and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) in a context of limited resources. To help resolve this issue, a collaborative oncogenetic model was recently developed and implemented at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval; Quebec; Canada. Here, we present the protocol of the C-MOnGene (Collaborative Model in OncoGenetics) study, funded to examine the context in which the model was implemented and document the lessons that can be learned to optimize the delivery of oncogenetic services. Within three years of implementation, the model allowed researchers to double the annual number of patients seen in genetic counseling. The average number of days between genetic counseling and disclosure of test results significantly decreased. Group counseling sessions improved participants' understanding of breast cancer risk and increased knowledge of breast cancer and genetics and a large majority of them reported to be overwhelmingly satisfied with the process. These quality and performance indicators suggest this oncogenetic model offers a flexible, patient-centered and efficient genetic counseling and testing for HBOC. By identifying the critical facilitating factors and barriers, our study will provide an evidence base for organizations interested in transitioning to an oncogenetic model integrated into oncology care; including teams that are not specialized but are trained in genetics

Amitiés particulières au Maghreb : sociabilités et discours homosexuels

À partir de quelques figures de l’homosexualité masculine au Maghreb, on s’interroge sur la construction d’identités orientées vers l’exclusivité homosexuelle. Une ethnographie des pratiques rend incongrue toute tentative d’enfermement des relations entre hommes dans une typologie qui viendrait à isoler l’amitié, l’amour et les désirs sexuels. Les moyens mis en œuvre pour objectiver des identités et des orientations sexuelles, notamment à travers les migrations, les mouvements associatifs et Internet, dans un contexte où des courants sociaux et idéologiques, locaux et extérieurs, viennent structurer de nouveaux modes de vie, donnent lieu à des discours d’ouverture tout comme à un repli sur des valeurs morales et religieuses conservatrices.This article describes a number of cases of male homosexuality in the Maghreb. We will examine the construction of identities in individuals with exclusively homosexual orientation, as well as bisexuality existing in more traditional social settings. In a region still immersed in homosensuality, we will try to point out the contrast between the new sexual practices and the discourse produced about them. We will explain why, in the course of ethnographic research on sexual practices in Maghreb, any attempt to confine relations between males to a typology that isolates friendship, love and sexual desires would be inappropriate. Finally, this article reveals the means used to objectify identities and sexual orientations, particularly through migration, associations and the Internet, in a context where social and ideological currents, whether local or external, are structuring new patterns of life that lead to both openness and withdrawal back to conservative moral and religious values.من خلال بعض شخصيات مثليي الجنس الذكور المعروفين في المغرب سوف نتسائل عن بناء الهويات الذاتية التي تتخذ المثلية الجنسية كخيار وحيد. إنَّ أيَ دراسةٍ إثنوغرافيّة للنشاطات الاجتماعية تُظهر صعوبة منع العلاقات بين الرجال بشكل سيصبح وكأنه منع للصداقة وللحب وللرغبة الجنسية. إنَّ الوسائل المتاحة للتعبير عن الهويات والتوجهات الجنسية وخاصةً من خلال الهجرة ونشاط الجمعيات والانترنت في سياق تقوم فيه تيارات اجتماعية وأيديولوجية محلية وخارجية بتنظيم طرق حياة جديدة، كلّ هذه العوامل تسمح بنشوء خطاب منفتح كرد على القيم الأخلاقية والدينية المحافظة

Valérie Berthé - Fractions continues multidimensionnelles et dynamique (Part 3) : École d’été 2013 - Théorie des nombres et dynamique

Le but de cet exposé est de présenter des généralisations multidimensionnelles des fractions continues et de l’algorithme d’Euclide d’un point de vue systèmes dynamiques, en nous concentrant sur les liens avec la numération et les substitutions. Nous allons considérer principalement deux types de généralisations, à savoir, les algorithmes définis par homographies, comme l’algorithme de Jacobi-Perron, et les fractions continues associées aux algorithmes de réduction dans les réseaux

Valérie Berthé - Fractions continues multidimensionnelles et dynamique (Part 2) : École d’été 2013 - Théorie des nombres et dynamique

Le but de cet exposé est de présenter des généralisations multidimensionnelles des fractions continues et de l’algorithme d’Euclide d’un point de vue systèmes dynamiques, en nous concentrant sur les liens avec la numération et les substitutions. Nous allons considérer principalement deux types de généralisations, à savoir, les algorithmes définis par homographies, comme l’algorithme de Jacobi-Perron, et les fractions continues associées aux algorithmes de réduction dans les réseaux