C5b9 Deposition in Glomerular Capillaries Is Associated With Poor Kidney Allograft Survival in Antibody-Mediated Rejection

C4d deposition in peritubular capillaries (PTC) reflects complement activation in antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) of kidney allograft. However, its association with allograft survival is controversial. We hypothesized that capillary deposition of C5b9—indicative of complement-mediated injury—is a severity marker of ABMR. This pilot study aimed to determine the frequency, location and prognostic impact of these deposits in ABMR. We retrospectively selected patients diagnosed with ABMR in two French transplantation centers from January 2005 to December 2014 and performed C4d and C5b9 staining by immunohistochemistry. Fifty-four patients were included. Median follow-up was 52.5 (34.25–73.5) months. Thirteen patients (24%) had C5b9 deposits along glomerular capillaries (GC). Among these, seven (54%) had a global and diffuse staining pattern. Twelve of the C5b9+ patients also had deposition of C4d in GC and PTC. C4d deposits along GC and PTC were not associated with death-censored allograft survival (p = 0.42 and 0.69, respectively). However, death-censored allograft survival was significantly lower in patients with global and diffuse deposition of C5b9 in GC than those with a segmental pattern or no deposition (median survival after ABMR diagnosis, 6 months, 40.5 months and 44 months, respectively; p = 0.015). Double contour of glomerular basement membrane was diagnosed earlier after transplantation in C5b9+ ABMR than in C5b9– ABMR (median time after transplantation, 28 vs. 85 months; p = 0.058). In conclusion, we identified a new pattern of C5b9+ ABMR, associated with early onset of glomerular basement membrane duplication and poor allograft survival. Complement inhibitors might be a therapeutic option for this subgroup of patients

Epandage de boues d'épuration en milieu sylvo-pastoral (étude des effets in situ et en mésocosmes sur la mésofaune du sol et la décomposition d'une litière de chêne liège (Quercus suber L.))

AIX-MARSEILLE3-BU Sc.St Jérô (130552102) / SudocSudocFranceF

Amélioration de la performance d'une ligne de conditionnement de formes sèches

BESANCON-BU Médecine pharmacie (250562102) / SudocSudocFranceF

Influence of connectivity & topsoil management practices of a constructed technosol on pedofauna colonization: A field study

ACLAt the present time, rehabilitation of polluted urban areas and the restoration of their soil are environmental priorities. The creation of constructed soils appears to be a tempting way to restore, lastingly, a contaminated urban soil provided that they can become fertile and host a functional biodiversity delivering essential ecosystem services. To ensure this, the recolonization of newly established technosols composed of a mixture of compost and in situ deep alluvion was monitored using judiciously chosen bioindicators: springtails, mites, earthworms, carabid beetles and woodlice. These technosols were part of an experimental plot located inside the future “Ecoquartier de l’Union†(Roubaix, France). The results show that, if the connection of the technosols with an element of the local landscape (in this case a railway hedgerow) plays a part chiefly in aiding the first stages of recolonization, notably for earthworms and springtails, technosols management has a lasting impact on the colonization dynamics and the implantation of the different taxa. Establishing an herbaceous cover (flowering meadow, lawn) or a hedge was especially profitable to the pedofaunic communities, which were richer and more abundant, as well as to the technosols functioning (better litter degradation, diversified collembolan communities with regards to functional traits). The same is true for the addition of RCW (Ramial Chipped Wood) which benefits earthworm and mesofauna through the organic components released and the associated fungal development

Linear transport infrastructure as a relay for soil biodiversity

Aim: Several studies have highlighted the impact of linear transportation infrastructures on the flows of certain animal populations. These infrastructures have important ecological impacts on the environment, as they contribute to the parcelling out of habitats of organisms. However, they can also represent refuges in uniform landscapes, particularly for the soil fauna. This study is particularly interested in the infrastructure of energy transport via the electric pylons.Method: Three management modalities under pylons were studied: conventional agriculture, grazed meadows and unmanaged. Five pylons distributed on 2 sites in the north of France, Rhuminghem and Bailleul, were monitored. This monitoring focused on the meso (springtails) and macrofaunal (woodlice, ground beetles and earthworms) communities of the soil. The sampling was done under the pylon and at 5 and 15 m from the pylon.Results: No significant refuge effect is visible for carabid beetles, which prefer open environments, adapted to their way of life. The distribution of carabid beetles is little affected and seems to be homogeneous on the cultivated plots. Similarly, the vegetation under the pylons does not seem to influence their presence either. The only evidence in favor of this refuge effect is the greater abundance of woolouse and worms under pylons in fallow areas compared to adjacent cultivated plots.Conclusion: The pylons monitored did not show an overall positive effect on the abundance and composition of edaphic communities. The effects are punctual and limited to 1 or 2 taxa (collembola, woodlouse). No influence on the most mobile taxa was observed

Comparison of the interest of four types of organic mulches to reclaim degraded areas: a field study based on their relative attractiveness for soil macrofauna

ACLThe study focused on the attractiveness of mulches (consisting of the addition of a layer material to the soil surface) and their efficiency to promote recolonization by pedofauna of isolated and degraded areas. The experimental study was set up in the former coal mining area of Northern France. This area is particularly disturbed and fragmented by land-use change, urbanization, industry, intensive agriculture and metal pollution. To examine the movements of pedofauna, four kinds of mulches were applied: (i) Ramial Chipped Wood (RCW), (ii) chopped Miscanthus, (iii) dead leaves and (iv) wheat straw as well as plastic sheeting, a material often used in green spaces. A negative control consisted in soil without mulch addition. The experimental set-up consisted of a set of 18 bands of mulch (6 m long x 0.5 m width x 8 cm thick, i.e. a volume of 0.04 m3 per band) installed on three adjacent plots on a surface area which stretch on 4400 m2: (i) plot F1, a mixed plantation, (ii) plot M consisted of three rows of maples (both considered to be the reservoir of biodiversity) and (iii) plot BF, an ash plantation (with lower biodiversity). Faunistic communities of soil present within the mulches were monitoring using pitfall traps for four months (April to July), at a rate of eight surveys for each of the 90 traps installed, i.e. 720 samples. Different life traits and indices of diversity were studied, more specifically on carabid beetles. The main objective of the study was first to check whether mulches could or not reconnect different planted plots in a peri-urban landscape highly modified by human activities. The second aim was to find which type of mulch had the best efficiency in the recovery of the connectivity between plots. The last questions were which type of zoological groups could be favoured by the use of mulches and which benefits for ecosystem functioning. The main hypotheses of this study were: (i) Organic mulches would act as dispersal corridors and refuge zones to the soil organisms; (ii) organic mulches would be attractive to many organisms with various ecological needs. This study highlighted the potential benefits of using the mulching technique to support ecological connectivity in disturbed environment since this method highlighted the presence of individuals with different diets (saprophagous, predators, phytophagous and so forth), small and large size species which do not have the same dispersal capacities as well as species that are more dependent on forest environments and others that depend on more open environments. The study concluded that organic mulches are more favourable to pedofauna than soil without mulch or plastic sheeting. With regard to organic mulches, no difference was noted, either in terms of cumulative abundance or monthly monitoring. However, for carabids, it should be noted that dead leaves and wheat straw have higher specific richness than Miscanthus and RCW

Isopod physiological and behavioral responses to drier conditions: An experiment with four species in the context of global warming

ACLIn the context of global warming, an increase in soil drought is suspected by the IPCC predictions and litter breakdown activity could be affected. An experiment was conducted using microcosms (controlled conditions) and woodlice which are recognized as shredders of litter and bioindicators of global warming. The impact of relative air humidity (90 and 50% RH) on litter breakdown by woodlice was studied through the monitoring of one behavioral (distribution of individuals on microcosms), one morphological (Absolute Growth Rate) and four physiological traits (Survival rate, Relative Consumption Rate, Relative Growth Rate, Feeding rate). Four species of isopods known to have different microclimatic sensitivities (Armadillidium vulgare, Porcellio scaber, Oniscus asellus, Philoscia muscorum) were used simultaneously. Sensitivities of males and females have also been tested. Main results showed that the seven studied parameters under the two relative humidity conditions were not affected in the same way according to the species nor genders. A. vulgare is the most affected species followed by O. asellus. The least affected species are P. scaber and P. muscorum. Their morphological and physiological differences allow to the most evolved species to be more resistant to drier conditions but in return they are no longer active, which can affect soil functionality. With global warming, it could be envisaged that woodlice spend less time foraging and more time seeking refuge to reduce the risk of mortality from desiccation stress. Modifying the feeding behavior of terrestrial isopods could slow down litter degradation with consequences on the process of organic matter recycling

Biological functioning of PAH-polluted and thermal desorption-treated soils assessed by fauna and microbial bioindicators

A large number of soil bioindicators were used to assess biological diversity and activity in soil polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the same soil after thermal desorption (TD) treatment. Abundance and biodiversity of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes and microarthropods, as well as functional parameters such as enzymatic activities and soil respiration, were assessed during a two year period of in situ monitoring. We investigated the influence of vegetation (spontaneous vegetation and Medicago sativa) and TD treatment on biological functioning. Multivariate analysis was performed to analyze the whole data set. A principal response curve (PRC) technique was used to evaluate the different treatments (various vegetation and contaminated vs. TD soil) contrasted with control (bare) soil over time. Our results indicated the value of using a number of complementary bioindicators, describing both diversity and functions, to assess the influence of vegetation on soil and discriminate polluted from thermal desorption (TD)-treated soil. Plants had an influence on the abundance and activity of all organisms examined in our study, favoring the whole trophic chain development. However, although TD-treated soil had a high abundance and diversity of microorganisms and fauna, enzymatic activities were weak because of the strong physical and chemical modifications of this soil. (C) 2011 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved

Does adding fly ash to metal-contaminated soils play a role in soil functionality regarding metal availability, litter quality, microbial activity and the community structure of Diptera larvae?

ACLThis study aimed at evaluating the impact of the use of fly ash-aided phytostabilisation as a method to manage highly metal-contaminated soils on soil functionality taking into account the soil and the litter qualities, the Diptera larvae communities and the microbial activity. To reach this goal, 70 parameters were studied. The main results showed that the two studied fly ashes Soproline® and Sodeline® had a positive influence on soil characteristics especially the availability of metals, nearly 14 years after amendment. Regarding biological parameters, no positive or negative effects were found by adding fly ashes to the soil concerning soil basal respiration and urease activity. The fungal activity was even enhanced. In the same way, the fly ashes had no negative effect on the Diptera larvae community and a greater richness of larvae was even found in amended soils. Thus, this study confirmed that aided-phytostabilisation using these fly ashes should be an advantageous technique to manage metal-polluted soils and to recycle industrial wastes

Vers une meilleure utilisation des traits fonctionnels des invertébrés du sol

National audienc