Combination of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and mass spectral deconvolution for structural elucidation of an unusual C29-steroid detected in a complex sedimentary matrix

A complex sedimentary sample from the Monterey Formation (CA, USA) has been submitted to GC–MS analysis followed by mass spectral deconvolution using Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution and Identification System (AMDIS). Adjusting the parameters of the software allowed for the extraction of the spectrum of an unusual steroidal hydrocarbon coeluting with the major compound of the chromatogram. Following a careful interpretation of the "extracted" mass spectrum, the structure of the unknown has been postulated to be the 4,14-dimethylcholestane (DMC). Possible origins of this rare steroid are briefly discussed. Thus, application of AMDIS appears to be particularly suitable for the GC–MS analysis of natural complex mixtures characterized by a high number of analytes present in low amounts

CD4+CD25−mTGFβ+ T cells induced by nasal application of ovalbumin transfer tolerance in a therapeutic model of asthma

Background: Intranasal administration of high amount of allergen was shown to induce tolerance and to reverse the allergic phenotype. However, mechanisms of tolerance induction via the mucosal route are still unclear. Objectives: To characterize the therapeutic effects of intranasal application of ovalbumin (OVA) in a mouse model of bronchial inflammation as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to protection upon re-exposure to allergen. Methods: After induction of bronchial inflammation, mice were treated intranasally with OVA and re-exposed to OVA aerosols 10 days later. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), T cell proliferation and cytokine secretion were examined. The respective role of CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25− T cells in the induction of tolerance was analysed. Results: Intranasal treatment with OVA drastically reduced inflammatory cell recruitment into BALF and bronchial hyperresponsiveness upon re-exposure to allergen. Both OVA- specific-proliferation of T cells, Th1 and Th2 cytokine production from lung and bronchial lymph nodes were inhibited. Transfer of CD4+CD25− T cells, which strongly expressed membrane-bound transforming growth factor β (mTGFβ), from tolerized mice protected asthmatic recipient mice from subsequent aerosol challenges. The presence of CD4+CD25+(Foxp3+) T cells during the process of tolerization was indispensable to CD4+CD25− T cells to acquire regulatory properties. Whereas the presence of IL-10 appeared dispensable in this model, the suppression of CD4+CD25−mTGFβ+ T cells in transfer experiments significantly impaired the down-regulation of airways inflammation. Conclusion: Nasal application of OVA in established asthma led to the induction of CD4+CD25−mTGFβ+ T cells with regulatory properties, able to confer protection upon allergen re-exposur

Permanent grasslands in Europe : Land use change and intensification decrease their multifunctionality

Acknowledgments We acknowledge the financial support of this work by European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under grant agreement 774124, project SUPER-G (Developing Sustainable Permanent Grassland Systems and Policies).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A highly potent antibody effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

Control of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is endangered by the emergence of viral variants with increased transmission efficiency, resistance to marketed therapeutic antibodies, and reduced sensitivity to vaccine-induced immunity. Here, we screen B cells from COVID-19 donors and identify P5C3, a highly potent and broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody with picomolar neutralizing activity against all SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) identified to date. Structural characterization of P5C3 Fab in complex with the spike demonstrates a neutralizing activity defined by a large buried surface area, highly overlapping with the receptor-binding domain (RBD) surface necessary for ACE2 interaction. We further demonstrate that P5C3 shows complete prophylactic protection in the SARS-CoV-2-infected hamster challenge model. These results indicate that P5C3 opens exciting perspectives either as a prophylactic agent in immunocompromised individuals with poor response to vaccination or as combination therapy in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals

Distribution of sedimentary organic matter (palynofacies) with respect to palaeoenvironmental conditions : two case histories from the Miocene of the USA

Le but de ce travail était de tester et affiner les modèles établis sur la préservation et la distribution de la matière organique sédimentaire. Deux zones de test, présentant chacune un environnement de dépôt très différent et un cadre géologique bien documenté ont été choisies dans le Miocène des Etats-Unis : d'une part, la marge continentale du New Jersey, caractérisée par un environnement oxique avec de hauts taux de sédimentation et d'autre part la "Monterey Formation" en Californie, marquée par un environnement peu oxique avec des taux de sédimentation faibles. La comparaison des résultats obtenus par la pyrolyse Rock-Eval, l'analyse des palynofacies au microscope (lumière transmise, fluorescente et microscope à balayage électronique) et le gamma-ray, ont permis de caractériser au mieux la matière organique. De plus, la corrélation de ces résultats à des lignes sismiques a permis de les intégrer dans un cadre de stratigraphie séquentielle régionale

La reconnaissance de soi dans les relations de couple

Cette étude vise à rendre compte des liens entre le développement identitaire et les relations de couple chez les jeunes adultes (20-36 ans), issu-e-x-s de diverses orientations sexuelles et identités de genre1. Nous apprécions les liens entre le style d’attachement amoureux, les relations de couple et l’identité narrative. Les souvenirs définissant le soi (adapté de Singer et Moffitt 1991-1992) de 51 personnes LGBTQIA+ et de 64 hétérosexuel-le-s et cisgenres2, ont été recueillis. Nous postulons qu’au travers des relations amoureuses, ainsi qu’avec un style d’attachement sécure, l’individu développe les capacités propices à l’intégration identitaire. Les résultats indiquent un lien entre l’intégration et la durée en relation de couple, le style d’attachement évitant et l’orientation sexuelle

The Miocene New Jersey Passive Margin as a Model for the Distribution of Sedimentary Organic Matter in Siliciclastic Deposits

The New Jersey margin is a classic example of a siliciclastic passive margin which prograded during the Miocene and Pliocene, forming well-defined clinoforms on seismic data. It has been explored by the petroleum industry since the 1970s and more recently by Deep Sea Drilling Program and Ocean Drilling Program legs. Within this well-constrained geological framework, the stratigraphic and spatial distribution of sedimentary organic matter (OM) in fine-grained sediments has been analyzed along a transect from paleoshelf to paleoslope provided by four ODP Sites. This led to the establishment of a depositional model for sedimentary OM in prograding clinoforms, which can be applied worldwide to other similar environments of deposition. The most significant factor influencing the type of OM sedimentation (palynofacies) is the location of the sites with respect to the shelf break. The correlation of palynofacies parameters with gamma-ray, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and seismic data has permitted the establishment of a model for the sedimentation of OM across the margin. Various parameters indicative of proximal–distal trends have been tested, their validity tending to deteriorate distally. The most reliable ones are: (1) the continental/marine ratio (based on palynomorphs), (2) the relative percentage of amorphous OM, and (3) phytoclasts. The variations in the continental/marine ratio permits the identification of stacked transgressive–regressive intervals related to accommodation cycles and of associated condensed intervals. This palynofacies parameter can be correlated with the seismic facies at the locations of the sites. Total organic carbon (TOC) content usually varies similarly to the continental/marine ratio, which implies that most sedimentary OM is of continental origin. The only exception is in transgressive intervals, where it varies in the opposite way, thereby indicating a change in the source of sediment and an increased concentration of marine OM. Similarly, the gamma-ray log is a good proxy for proximal–distal trends (coarse to fine sediments) at all sites, where it varies similarly to the continental/marine ratio, except in condensed intervals in the distal part of clinoforms where it records the settling of uranium-rich clay particles. Furthermore, the positive correlation between the gamma-ray data, TOC data and the continental/marine ratio confirms that the hydrodynamic behavior of continental sedimentary OM is close to that of clay and silt particles. This research illustrates the contribution of sedimentary OM to the study of fine-grained sediments prograding on a passive margin. Some parameters, especially the continental/marine ratio, can be used as proxies for the sedimentological interpretation of sites and for distinguishing transgressive–regressive trends within prograding clinoforms

Accouchements traumatiques : quels impacts chez les sages-femmes ?: travail de Bachelor

Au sein de leur profession, les sages-femmes sont confrontées à de multiples situations parfois traumatisantes. De nombreuses études ont mis en évidence les conséquences des évènements traumatiques chez les parturientes, cependant leur impact chez les sages-femmes demeure peu investigué jusqu'ici. Certaines situations obstétricales sont redoutées par les sages-femmes et si ces soignant-e-s sont amené-e-s à y être confrontées, elles peuvent être vécues comme traumatiques. La relation étroite entre les patientes, les médecins et les sages-femmes ainsi que la grande empathie de celles-ci, constituent un facteur favorisant l'apparition d'un traumatisme