Multi-isotope analysis of bone collagen of Late Pleistocene ungulates reveals niche partitioning and behavioural plasticity of reindeer during MIS 3

Acknowledgements This research was funded by a Leverhulme Research Project Grant (ref: RPG-2017-410 to K.B.), and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. A Philip Leverhulme Prize (ref: PLP-2019-284 to K.B.) provided support to K.B. during the production of this manuscript, and M.S. is funded by the NWO Dutch Research council (VICI award VI.C.191.07). We thank C.-H. Bachelier and Jaques Bachelier for facilitating and supporting research at Les Cottés, and the French Ministry of Culture for allowing and funding research at Les Cottés. Thanks to Sven Steinbrenner and Annabell Reiner (MPI-EVA), and Orsolya Czére (Aberdeen) for laboratory assistance, and to Jovita Fawcett and Eléa Gutierrez (Aberdeen) for proof reading and assistance with images.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Genetic polymorphisms of MMP1, MMP3 and MMP7 gene promoter and risk of colorectal adenoma

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) have been shown to play a role in colorectal cancer (CRC). More recently, MMP1, MMP3 and MMP7 functional gene promoter polymorphisms have been found to be associated with CRC occurrence and prognosis. To document the role of MMP polymorphisms in the early step of colorectal carcinogenesis, we investigated their association with colorectal adenoma risk in a case-control study comprising 295 patients with large adenomas (LA), 302 patients with small adenomas (SA) and 568 polyp-free (PF) controls. METHODS: Patients were genotyped using automated fragment analysis for MMP1 -1607 ins/del G and MMP3 -1612 ins/delA (MMP3.1) polymorphisms and allelic discrimination assay for MMP3 -709 A/G (MMP3.2) and MMP7 -181 A/G polymorphisms. Association between MMP genotypes and colorectal adenomas was first tested for each polymorphism separately and then for combined genotypes using the combination test. Adjustment on relevant variables and estimation of odds ratios were performed using unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: No association was observed between the polymorphisms and LA when compared to PF or SA. When comparing SA to PF controls, analysis revealed a significant association between MMP3 -1612 ins/delA polymorphism and SA with an increased risk associated with the 6A/6A genotype (OR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.20–2.34). Using the combination test, the best association was found for MMP3.1-MMP1 (p = 0.001) with an OR of 1.88 (95%CI: 1.08–3.28) for the combined genotype 2G/2G-6A/6A estimated by logistic regression. CONCLUSION: These data show a relation between MMP1 -1607 ins/del G and MMP3 -1612 ins/delA combined polymorphisms and risk of SA, suggesting their potential role in the early steps of colorectal carcinogenesis

Stable isotopes show Homo sapiens dispersed into cold steppes ~45,000 years ago at Ilsenhöhle in Ranis, Germany

The spread of Homo sapiens into new habitats across Eurasia ~45,000 years ago and the concurrent disappearance of Neanderthals represents a critical evolutionary turnover in our species' history. 'Transitional' technocomplexes, such as the Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician (LRJ), characterize the European record during this period but their makers and evolutionary significance have long remained unclear. New evidence from Ilsenhöhle in Ranis, Germany, now provides a secure connection of the LRJ to H. sapiens remains dated to ~45,000 years ago, making it one of the earliest forays of our species to central Europe. Using many stable isotope records of climate produced from 16 serially sampled equid teeth spanning ~12,500 years of LRJ and Upper Palaeolithic human occupation at Ranis, we review the ability of early humans to adapt to different climate and habitat conditions. Results show that cold climates prevailed across LRJ occupations, with a temperature decrease culminating in a pronounced cold excursion at ~45,000-43,000 cal BP. Directly dated H. sapiens remains confirm that humans used the site even during this very cold phase. Together with recent evidence from the Initial Upper Palaeolithic, this demonstrates that humans operated in severe cold conditions during many distinct early dispersals into Europe and suggests pronounced adaptability. [Abstract copyright: © 2024. The Author(s).

Autoantibodies against type I IFNs in patients with critical influenza pneumonia

In an international cohort of 279 patients with hypoxemic influenza pneumonia, we identified 13 patients (4.6%) with autoantibodies neutralizing IFN-alpha and/or -omega, which were previously reported to underlie 15% cases of life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia and one third of severe adverse reactions to live-attenuated yellow fever vaccine. Autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs) can underlie critical COVID-19 pneumonia and yellow fever vaccine disease. We report here on 13 patients harboring autoantibodies neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 alone (five patients) or with IFN-omega (eight patients) from a cohort of 279 patients (4.7%) aged 6-73 yr with critical influenza pneumonia. Nine and four patients had antibodies neutralizing high and low concentrations, respectively, of IFN-alpha 2, and six and two patients had antibodies neutralizing high and low concentrations, respectively, of IFN-omega. The patients' autoantibodies increased influenza A virus replication in both A549 cells and reconstituted human airway epithelia. The prevalence of these antibodies was significantly higher than that in the general population for patients 70 yr of age (3.1 vs. 4.4%, P = 0.68). The risk of critical influenza was highest in patients with antibodies neutralizing high concentrations of both IFN-alpha 2 and IFN-omega (OR = 11.7, P = 1.3 x 10(-5)), especially those <70 yr old (OR = 139.9, P = 3.1 x 10(-10)). We also identified 10 patients in additional influenza patient cohorts. Autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFNs account for similar to 5% of cases of life-threatening influenza pneumonia in patients <70 yr old

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Comment devenir plus fort en anglais avec Le Maillon Faible

The Weakest Link, dont nous connaissons la version française Le Maillon Faible, permet à 9 candidats de répondre à des questions de culture générale, tout en augmentant la cagnotte que le gagnant emportera. L’originalité de ce quiz provient du fait que le perdant de chaque tour n’est pas éliminé ‘mathématiquement’, c'est-à-dire au nombre des mauvaises réponses, ou par un jury neutre en la matière, mais par ses adversaires qui peuvent le désigner pour des raisons tout à fait subjectives. Malgr..

La motivation par la chanson : est-ce possible en IUT ?

A- Déroulement de l’atelier Avant de proposer aux collègues un exemple de chanson étudiée en cours (GEA 1e année), j’ai voulu établir que cet atelier ne serait pas un monologue mais un véritable échange d’expériences afin de répondre à la question posée en titre. En effet, si l’étude des chansons anglo-saxonnes est souvent utilisée en collège et en lycée, il est plus rare qu’elle le soit dans l’enseignement supérieur, pour diverses raisons : les programmes ne s’y prêtent pas, les étudiants on..

Chapitre 5. Structure des communautés végétales et animales (Invertébrés) en Basse-Camargue

Plant communities allow for a ready identification of the various geomorphological entities in the Camargue. This is particularly the case in the seasonally flooded areas locally called “sansouires” or “enganes” dominated by saltworts (Salicornia sp.). Although poor in species and rather uniform, the “ enganes ” are a true mosaic of plant communities which reveal small local differences in environmental conditions, particularly salinity and submersion. The vegetation and environmental conditions of the study area were studied along two transects for periods ranging between four and seven years. The amount of salt present in the water table at various seasons has been estimated. Both the amount of salt present and the pattern of its variation throughout the year are important parameters of these micro-habitats. The same is true of the conditions of submersion : duration, depth and seasonal rythm. Year to year variations in vegetation structure depend mostly on climatic conditions. During the study period the effects of an increased annual rainfall were investigated. Two categories of vegetation mosaics are described : (1) exogenous mosaics, which result from environmental heterogeneity, prior to the establishment of the present-day vegetation, and (2) endogenous mosaics, which result from the action of the vegetation itself upon the habitat. Such is the case, for instance, on the “bourrelets d’étangs” where vegetation favours the accumulation of sediments and organic matter.A petite échelle les formations végétales permettent en Camargue de repérer aisément les différentes unités géomorphologiques. C’est ainsi que les formations lagunaires émergées sont indiquées principalement par des formations végétales de salicornes appelées enganes * ou sansouires *. Malgré leur pauvreté floristique ces formations végétales présentent une grande diversité qui tient aux différences quantitatives prises localement par chacune des espèces. Les groupements que l’on peut ainsi définir forment des mosaïques révélatrices de différentes conditions du milieu, singulièrement des conditions de submersion et de salinité comme cela a déjà été démontré. Les mesures entreprises portent sur deux coupes le long desquelles les observations ont été effectuées durant respectivement quatre et sept ans. Les conditions de salinité ont été appréciées à partir des analyses de la nappe phréatique, source des sels présents dans la rhizosphère. Elles montrent que le taux de sels mais aussi son rythme de variations ont un rôle dans la définition des biotopes. Les conditions de submersion interviennent par leur durée, leur hauteur ainsi que le rythme des mises en eau au fil des années. L’étude permanente de la végétation permet d’analyser le mécanisme d’action des variations pluriannuelles de la submersion et de la salinité. Ces dernières sont liées essentiellement à la variabilité climatique. Elles déterminent pour chaque population des tendances évolutives réversibles dont la résultante agit sur la structure des groupements. Une période de transition entre une faible puis une forte pluviosité a, seule, pu être étudiée, mais des observations à plus long terme devraient permettre de définir pour chaque biocénose, un stade moyen affecté d’une certaine variabilité. Les mosaïques de végétation peuvent être classées en deux catégories : exogènes lorsque l’hétérogénéité est antérieure à l’installation de la végétation, c’est le cas des auréoles sédimentaires liées aux anciens déversoirs du Rhône dans les lagunes ; endogènes lorsqu’elles résultent d’une action de la végétation sur son biotope, c’est le cas, par exemple, des bourrelets de bords d’étang où la végétation favorisant l’accumulation de sédiments et de matières organiques modifie les caractères du milieu édaphique. Cette distinction est importante à prendre en compte lorsque l’on veut étudier la dynamique des paysages végétaux.Corre Jean-Jacques. Chapitre 5. Structure des communautés végétales et animales (Invertébrés) en Basse-Camargue. In: La Terre et La Vie. Supplément n°2, 1979. Recherches sur les communautés halophiles de Camargue. Étude pluridisciplinaire. pp. 105-128

Exemple de didactisation d’un événement de l’actualité

Séquence de travail basée sur l’étude d’un extrait de Behind The News (BTN) sur www.abcnews.au.net/broadband. Public : étudiants entrant en GEA 1e année Objectif pédagogique principal : révision du questionnement Texte + vidéo (libre de droits) sur Internet : Hurricane Katrina Temps de la séquence : 4/5 heures Matériel nécessaire : ordinateur et vidéo-projecteur L’actualité nous a malheureusement fourni un sujet de travail intéressant juste avant la rentrée de 2005 : l’ouragan Katrina et la d..