Quality of Life of Infants with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Large Prospective Observational Study

Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are very common during infancy, leading to frequent medical consultations. The aim of this large, prospective study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) and clinical management of infants with FGID.Methods: Completely or partially bottle-fed infants under 5 months old, presenting one or more FGID (regurgitation, constipation, diarrhea, crying/fussing), were enrolled during initial consultation by 111 pediatricians in private practice throughout France and reassessed at one month. Parents were asked to complete the QUALIN QoL questionnaire at inclusion and at Day 15.Results: A total of 815 infants (mean age 2.1±1.2 months) were evaluable. Mean QoL score improved from +27.2±15.1 at inclusion to +38.0±12.9 at day 15 (p<0.0001) irrespective of FGID symptoms. Multivariate analysis indicated that younger age, dietary advice, and partial breastfeeding were associated with better QoL outcome. Gastrointestinal symptoms showed significant regression at Day 30. The number of bottle feeds followed by external reflux episodes decreased from 80.0±27.4% to 36.1±31.4% at Day 30 (p<0.0001), the weekly number of stools increasing from 3.9±4.0 to 8.0±3.7 (p<0.0001).Conclusion: Medical management based on information, reassurance, lifestyle advice and dietary intervention improved QoL in infants with FGID and led to a reduction in FGID symptoms

Novel complex phenomena in ferroelectric nanocomposites

International audienceA first-principles-based effective Hamiltonian is used to investigate finite-temperature properties of ferroelectric nanocomposites made of periodic arrays of ferroelectric nanowires embedded in a matrix formed by another ferroelectric material. Novel transitions and features related to flux-closure configurations are found. Examples include (i) a vortex core transition, that is characterized by the change of the vortex cores from being axisymmetric to exhibiting a 'broken symmetry'; (ii) translational mode of the vortex cores; (iii) striking zigzag dipolar chains along the vortex core axis; and (iv) phase-locking of ferroelectric vortices accompanied by ferroelectric antivortices. These complex phenomena are all found to coexist with a spontaneous electrical polarization aligned along the normal of the plane containing the vortices

Quaternary turbidite systems on the northern margins of the Balearic Basin (Western Mediterranean): a synthesis

International audienceThe Balearic Basin is a young basin composed of thick Plio–Quaternary sediments, including active gravity sedimentation. During the Quaternary, gravity processes deposited (1) turbidite systems, either as symmetrical fans (Petit-Rhône and Valencia fans) or asymmetrical ridges (Marseille–Planier, Grand-Rhône and Pyreneo-Languedocian ridges) and (2) several mass-transport deposits, indicating recurrent sedimentary failures of the margin. This paper synthesizes previous works and proposes a chronological sedimentary evolution for the basin. Except for the last 20 ka, the chronostratigraphy remains poorly constrained but should soon be established for the last 500 ka, based on the PROMESS1 drillings on the outer shelf of the Gulf of Lions, and hopefully for the last 30 Ma, based on ultra-deep drilling in the deep basin from aboard the Chikyu research vessel (IODP proposal Pre699

Impact des activités locomotrices sur la biomécanique du fémur : étude ontogénétique du babouin olive

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Low-Symmetry Phases in Ferroelectric Nanowires

International audienceFerroelectric nanostructures have recently attracted much attention due to the quest of miniaturizing devices and discovering novel phenomena. In particular, studies conducted on two-dimensional and zero-dimensional ferroelectrics have revealed original properties and their dependences on mechanical and electrical boundary conditions. Meanwhile, researches aimed at discovering and understanding properties of one-dimensional ferroelectric nanostruccures are scarce. The determination of the structural phase and of the direction of the polarization in one-dimensional ferroelectrics is of technological importance, since, e.g., a low-symmetry phase in which the polarization lies away from a highly symmetric direction typically generates phenomenal dielectric and electromechanical responses. Here, we investigate the phase transition sequence of nanowires made of KNbO3 and BaTiO3 perovskites, by combining X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and first-principles-based calculations. We provide evidence of a previously unreported ferroelectric ground state of monoclinic symmetry and the tuning of the polarization's direction by varying factors inherent to the nanoscale

Increased performance in juvenile baboons is consistent with ontogenetic changes in morphology

International audienceObjectivesIn many primates, the greater proportion of climbing and suspensory behaviors in the juvenile repertoire likely necessitates good grasping capacities. Here, we tested whether very young individuals show near-maximal levels of grasping strength, and whether such an early onset of grasping performance could be explained by ontogenetic variability in the morphology of the limbs in baboons.Material and methodsWe quantified a performance trait, hand pull strength, at the juvenile and adult stages in a cross-sectional sample of 15 olive baboons (Papio anubis). We also quantified bone dimensions (i.e., lengths, widths, and heights) of the fore- (n = 25) and hind limb (n = 21) elements based on osteological collections covering the whole development of olive baboons.ResultsOne-year old individuals demonstrated very high pull strengths (i.e., 200% of the adult performance, relative to body mass), that are consistent with relatively wider phalanges and digit joints in juveniles. The mature proportions and shape of the forelimb elements appeared only at full adulthood (i.e., ≥4.5 years), whereas the mature hind limb proportions and shape were observed much earlier during development.DiscussionThese changes in limb performance and morphology across ontogeny may be explained with regard to behavioral transitions that olive baboons experience during their development. Our findings highlight the effect of infant clinging to mother, an often-neglected feature when discussing the origins of grasping in primates. The differences in growth patterns, we found between the forelimb and the hind limb further illustrate their different functional roles, having likely evolved under different ecological pressures (manipulation and locomotion, respectively)

Do femoral biomechanical properties follow locomotor changes in primates? An ontogenetic study of olive baboons ( Papio anubis )

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Increased performance in juvenile baboons is consistent with ontogenetic changes in morphology

International audienceObjectivesIn many primates, the greater proportion of climbing and suspensory behaviors in the juvenile repertoire likely necessitates good grasping capacities. Here, we tested whether very young individuals show near-maximal levels of grasping strength, and whether such an early onset of grasping performance could be explained by ontogenetic variability in the morphology of the limbs in baboons.Material and methodsWe quantified a performance trait, hand pull strength, at the juvenile and adult stages in a cross-sectional sample of 15 olive baboons (Papio anubis). We also quantified bone dimensions (i.e., lengths, widths, and heights) of the fore- (n = 25) and hind limb (n = 21) elements based on osteological collections covering the whole development of olive baboons.ResultsOne-year old individuals demonstrated very high pull strengths (i.e., 200% of the adult performance, relative to body mass), that are consistent with relatively wider phalanges and digit joints in juveniles. The mature proportions and shape of the forelimb elements appeared only at full adulthood (i.e., ≥4.5 years), whereas the mature hind limb proportions and shape were observed much earlier during development.DiscussionThese changes in limb performance and morphology across ontogeny may be explained with regard to behavioral transitions that olive baboons experience during their development. Our findings highlight the effect of infant clinging to mother, an often-neglected feature when discussing the origins of grasping in primates. The differences in growth patterns, we found between the forelimb and the hind limb further illustrate their different functional roles, having likely evolved under different ecological pressures (manipulation and locomotion, respectively)

: Do femoral biomechanics reflect locomotor behaviors? Study of the structural properties of the femoral diaphysis among catarrhines.

Durant la locomotion, la diaphyse fémorale subit des charges mécaniques impactant son organisation structurelle. L’étude de la structure corticale des vestiges fossiles représente donc un potentiel accès à la reconstruction de l’environnement mécanique des hominines fossiles, et donc à leur locomotion. Cependant, peu d’études ont abordé expérimentalement cette question et d’autres facteurs tels que l’âge, la masse et le niveau d’activité viennent complexifier cette relation entre structure fémoro-diaphysaire et locomotion. Une première étude menée sur un échantillon ontogénétique de babouins olive vivant à la Station de Primatologie du CNRS (UAR 846), a démontré une faible correspondance entre les variations de l’organisation du tissu cortical de la diaphyse fémorale et celles du répertoire posturo-locomoteur au cours de l’âge. Pour poursuivre l’étude de cette relation entre les propriétés biomécaniques de la diaphyse fémorale et la locomotion, nous avons analysé et comparé les cartographies d’épaisseur corticale et des paramètres de géométrie de section sur plus de 50 fémurs de primates catarhiniens adultes (genres Homo, Gorilla, Pan, Hylobates, Papio, Macaca), de morphologies et de répertoires posturo-locomoteurs différents.Nos résultats montrent l’existence de schémas biomécaniques variés, montrant une certaine proximité entre grands singes africains et hylobatidés, dont les babouins et surtout les humains se distinguent. Les propriétés biomécaniques de la diaphyse fémorale permettent de distinguer des grands groupes, mais pas de caractériser précisément les répertoires posturo-locomoteurs les plus diversifiés.Pour permettre une différenciation plus fine des répertoires posturo-locomoteurs complexes, exploitable dans une perspective paléoanthropologique, nous proposons l’intégration de l’approche biomécanique à de la morphométrie géométrique

Dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: A review of its application in the assessment of placental function

International audienceIt is important to develop a better understanding of placental insufficiency given its role in common maternofetal complications such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Functional magnetic resonance imaging offers unprecedented techniques for exploring the placenta under both normal and pathological physiological conditions. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI) is an established and very robust method to investigate the microcirculatory parameters of an organ and more specifically its perfusion. It is currently a gold standard in the physiological and circulatory evaluation of an organ. Its application to the human placenta could enable to access many microcirculatory parameters relevant to the placental function such as organ blood flow, fractional blood volume, and permeability surface area, by the acquisition of serial images, before, during, and after administration of an intravenous contrast agent. Widely used in animal models with gadolinium-based contrast agents, its application to the human placenta could be possible if the safety of contrast agents in pregnancy is established or they are confirmed to not cross the placenta