Systematic Deletion of Homeobox Genes in Podospora anserina Uncovers Their Roles in Shaping the Fruiting Body

Higher fungi, which comprise ascomycetes and basidiomycetes, play major roles in the biosphere. Their evolutionary success may be due to the extended dikaryotic stage of their life cycle, which is the basis for their scientific name: the Dikarya. Dikaryosis is maintained by similar structures, the clamp in basidiomycetes and the crozier in ascomycetes. Homeodomain transcription factors are required for clamp formation in all basidiomycetes studied. We identified all the homeobox genes in the filamentous ascomycete fungus Podospora anserina and constructed deletion mutants for each of these genes and for a number of gene combinations. Croziers developed normally in these mutants, including those with up to six deleted homeogenes. However, some mutants had defects in maturation of the fruiting body, an effect that could be rescued by providing wild-type maternal hyphae. Analysis of mutants deficient in multiple homeogenes revealed interactions between the genes, suggesting that they operate as a complex network. Similar to their role in animals and plants, homeodomain transcription factors in ascomycetes are involved in shaping multicellular structures

Echocardiography practice, training and accreditation in the intensive care: document for the World Interactive Network Focused on Critical Ultrasound (WINFOCUS)

Echocardiography is increasingly used in the management of the critically ill patient as a non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring tool. Whilst in few countries specialized national training schemes for intensive care unit (ICU) echocardiography have been developed, specific guidelines for ICU physicians wishing to incorporate echocardiography into their clinical practice are lacking. Further, existing echocardiography accreditation does not reflect the requirements of the ICU practitioner. The WINFOCUS (World Interactive Network Focused On Critical UltraSound) ECHO-ICU Group drew up a document aimed at providing guidance to individual physicians, trainers and the relevant societies of the requirements for the development of skills in echocardiography in the ICU setting. The document is based on recommendations published by the Royal College of Radiologists, British Society of Echocardiography, European Association of Echocardiography and American Society of Echocardiography, together with international input from established practitioners of ICU echocardiography. The recommendations contained in this document are concerned with theoretical basis of ultrasonography, the practical aspects of building an ICU-based echocardiography service as well as the key components of standard adult TTE and TEE studies to be performed on the ICU. Specific issues regarding echocardiography in different ICU clinical scenarios are then described

A study of the « Silver Age » technologies

International audienceThe "silver tsunami" is going to get more and more concern in various countries. The number of elderly is increasing dramatically and in this context new technologies giving rise to apparatus, and various systems, facilitating the life of the elderly will be necessary. Projects funded by the European Community indicate the deeper concern as well as commitments from various countries such as China. In this paper after a brief presentation of the patent information available, we used the APA (Automatic Patent Analysis) to determine which types of technologies and applications are developed, and which country are the most advanced in this domain. The trend in technology development as well as the main actors and country will be determined. The knowledge of the different facilities available for elderly is important since it will favor the development of an engaging communication able to encourage the elderly to take advantage of them

Impact of perioperative bleeding on the protective effect of β-blockers during infrarenal aortic reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The use of β-blockers during the perioperative period remains controversial. Although some studies have demonstrated their protective effects regarding postoperative cardiac complications, others have demonstrated increased mortality when β-blockers were introduced before surgery. METHODS: In this observational study involving 1,801 patients undergoing aortic reconstruction, we prospectively assessed β-blocker therapy compared with no β-blocker therapy, with regard to cardiac and noncardiac postoperative outcomes using a propensity score approach. The impact of β-blockers was analyzed according to the intraoperative bleeding estimated by transfusion requirements. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 2.5% (n=45), β-blocker use was associated with a reduced frequency of postoperative myocardial infarction (OR=0.46, 95% CI [0.26; 0.80]) and myocardial necrosis (OR=0.62, 95% CI [0.43; 0.88]) in all patients, but also with an increased frequency of multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (OR=2.78, 95% CI [1.71; 4.61]). In patients with severe bleeding (n=163; 9.1%), the frequency of in-hospital death (OR=6.65, 95% CI [1.09; 129]) and/or multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (OR=4.18, 95% CI [1.81; 10.38]) were markedly increased. Furthermore, no more than 28% of the patients who died presented with postoperative myocardial infarction, whereas 69% of the patient with a postoperative myocardial infarction also presented an excessive bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative β-blocker therapy was associated with an overall reduction in postoperative cardiac events. In the vast majority of patients with low perioperative bleeding, the global effect of β-blockers was protective; in contrast, patients given β-blockers who experienced severe bleeding had higher mortality and an increased frequency of multiorgan dysfunction syndrome

Preparation et étude de diodes laser a GaInAsSb-GaAlAsSb fonctionnant en continu à 80K

International audienc

Preparation et étude de diodes laser a GaInAsSb-GaAlAsSb fonctionnant en continu à 80K

Double heterojunctions (DH) Ga$_{0.73}$AI$_{0.27}$As$_{0.02}$Sb$_{0.98}$ ($p$)/Ga$_{0.83}$ln$_{0.17}$As$_{0.15}$ Sb$_{0.85}$ ($p$)/Ga$_{0.73}$AI$_{0.27}$AS$_{0.02}$Sb$_{0.98}$ ($n$) have been grown by liquid phase epitaxy on GaSb(100)n substrate. Confiming properties of these DH have been analyzed. Gain guided DH laser diodes have been prepared and studied by varying the temperature. Laser emission has been obtained in continuous mode up to 140K and in pulsed mode up to room temperature. Laser wavelength is 1.95 $\mu$m at 80K and 2.17 $\mu$m at 298K. The emitted power is about 1 mW. The threshold current intensity increases from 150 mA at 80K up to 1.2A at 298K, with a characteristic temperature $T_0 approx 110$K. External quantum efficiency is 6-10% per face at 80K and 1.5% per face at room temperature. Far field pattern at threshold is monolobe, with a full beam width at half power perpendicular to the junction plane $\theta_{\perp}\approx 52^{\circ}$ and in the plane ofthejunction $\theta$ //$\approx$ 11$^{\circ}$. Modelisation ofthe beam divergence $\theta_{\perp}$ allowed us to evaluate the refractive index of the active layer at threshold: $n_{\rm act} = 3.79$.Des doubles hétérojonctions (DH) Ga$_{0,73}$AI$_{0,27}$As$_{0,02}$Sb$_{0,98}$ ($p$)/Ga$_{0,83}$ln$_{0,17}$As$_{0,15}$ Sb$_{0,85}$ ($p$)/Ga$_{0,73}$AI$_{0,27}$AS$_{0,02}$Sb$_{0,98}$ ($n$) ont été obtenues par épitaxie en phase liquide sur substrat GaSb (100)n. Les propriétés confinantes de ces DH ont été analysées. Des diodes laser à guidage par le gain ont été préparées et caractérisées en température. L'émission laser a été obtenue jusqu'à 140K en régime continu et jusqu'à température ambiante en régime pulsé. La longueur d'onde d'émission est centrée vers 1,95 $\mu$m à 80K et vers2,17 $\mu$m à 298K, La puissance émise est de l'ordre du mW L'intensité de courant de seuil varie de 150 mA (80K) à 1,2 A (298K) avec une température caractéristique élevée (To $\approx$ 110K) . Le rendement quantique différentiel externe est de 6 à 10 % par face à 80K et de 1,5 % par face à température ambiante. Le champ émis au seuil est monolobe avec $\theta$ //$\approx$ 11$^{\circ}$ et $\theta_{\perp}\approx 52^{\circ}$. Une modélisation du champ perpendiculaire a permis de déterminer l'indice de la couche active au seuil : $n_{\rm act} = 3,79$