Evidence of unidirectional hybridization and second‐generation adult hybrid between the two largest animals on Earth, the fin and blue whales

Biodiversity in the oceans has dramatically declined since the beginning of the industrial era, with accelerated loss of marine biodiversity impairing the ocean's capacity to maintain vital ecosystem services. A few organisms epitomize the damaging and long‐lasting effects of anthropogenic exploitation: some whale species, for instance, were brought to the brink of extinction, with their population sizes reduced to such low levels that may have cause a significant disruption to their reproductive dynamics and facilitated hybridization events. The incidence of hybridization is nevertheless believed to be rare and very little information exist on its directionality. Here, using genetic markers, we show that all but one whale hybrid sample collected in Icelandic waters originated from the successful mating of male fin whale and female blue whale, thus suggesting unidirectional hybridization. We also demonstrate for the first time the existence of a second‐generation adult (male) hybrid resulting from a backcross between a female hybrid and a pure male fin whale. The incidence of hybridization events between fin and blue whales is likely underestimated and the observed unidirectional hybridization (for F1 and F2 hybrids) is likely to induce a reproductive loss in blue whale, which may represent an additional challenge to its recovery in the Atlantic Ocean compared to other rorquals

A novel qPCR based-method for detection and quantification of three recurrent species of Penicillium isolated from bioaerosols in mold-damaged homes

International audienc

Effect of a pre-oxide on the high temperature steam oxidation of Zircaloy-4 andM5 alloys

International audienc

Erymildbraedin A and B, two novel cytotoxic dimethylpyrano-isoflavones from the stem bark of Erythrina mildbraedii: Evaluation of their activity toward endocrine cancer cells

Two new dimethylpyrano-isoflavones, named erymildbraedin A (4) and B (5), were isolated from the stem bark of the Cameroonian medicinal plant Erythrina mildbraedii, along with four known ones, the linear congeners, scandenone (1), erysenegalinsein M (2), 5,4′-dihydroxy-2′-methoxy-8-(3,3- dimethylallyl)-2″,2″-dimethylpyrano[5,6:6,7]isoflavone (3), and the angular isoflavone eryvarin B (6), and two other compounds, fraxidin and scoparone. Their structures were elucidated by the usual spectroscopic methods and isoflavone effects on the growth of human breast, prostate, and endometrial adenocarcinoma cells were determined. Isoflavones 1, 3, and 6 strongly inhibited the growth of all three cell lines, supporting the notion that a non-oxidized isoprenyl group at C-8 is requisite for cytotoxic activity. © 2010 Informa UK Ltd

Poisoning by Chestis ferruginea in Casamance (Senegal) : An etiological approach

Since several years, in the area of Kabrousse in Casarnance (Senegal), a neurotoxic syndrome has caused more than 50 human deaths. Field studies showed that epidemic could be due to consumption of leave decoction of Cnestis ferruginea, a tropical plant belonging to the Connaraceae family. An ethnobotanical study has been conducted in order to investigate the traditional uses of C ferruginea, and describe the circumstances and the symptoms of this plant poisoning. As a first experimental approach, the leave decoction was tested for its ability to induce cytotoxic effects using the XTT method. A phytochemical approach revealed the presence of methionine sulfoximine (MSX), a neurotoxic ammo acid, in the plant extract by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The description of this poisoning, the cytotoxic activity of the decoction and the occurence of MSX in leaves of C ferruginea constituted the first etiological data on this poisoning

Guideline for the introduction of new materials in rcc-mrx code

International audienceThere is a strong diversity of innovative projects. Forinstance, under the GEN IV label, we find six differentconcepts Sodium Fast Reactor, Lead Fast Reactor, Gas FastReactor, Very High Temperature Reactor (Gas), SupercriticalWater Reactor and Molten Salt Reactor.This diversity and the innovative characteristic are inopposition with a codification status, as code and standards arebased on the recognized industrial feedback. By definition, nocode exists for a real innovative system.Existing codes have thus to be adapted or completed tocover the special features of a new concept. Such a process hasbeen engaged for the AFCEN's RCC-MRx Code (Design andConstruction Rules for Mechanical Components in hightemperaturestructures, experimental reactors and fusionreactors) to adapt this code to the GEN IV reactors new needsfor many years now. In this frame, it appears that there is aparticular expectation on how to proceed to introduce a new material in the code