Green Edge ice camp campaigns : understanding the processes controlling the under-ice Arctic phytoplankton spring bloom

The Green Edge initiative was developed to investigate the processes controlling the primary productivity and fate of organic matter produced during the Arctic phytoplankton spring bloom (PSB) and to determine its role in the ecosystem. Two field campaigns were conducted in 2015 and 2016 at an ice camp located on landfast sea ice southeast of Qikiqtarjuaq Island in Baffin Bay (67.4797∘ N, 63.7895∘ W). During both expeditions, a large suite of physical, chemical and biological variables was measured beneath a consolidated sea-ice cover from the surface to the bottom (at 360 m depth) to better understand the factors driving the PSB. Key variables, such as conservative temperature, absolute salinity, radiance, irradiance, nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll a concentration, bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance and taxonomy, and carbon stocks and fluxes were routinely measured at the ice camp. Meteorological and snow-relevant variables were also monitored. Here, we present the results of a joint effort to tidy and standardize the collected datasets, which will facilitate their reuse in other Arctic studies

A meta-analysis of previous falls and subsequent fracture risk in cohort studies

NC Harvey acknowledges funding from the UK Medical Research Council (MC_PC_21003; MC_PC_21001). The WHI program is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through 75N92021D00001, 75N92021D00002, 75N92021D00003, 75N92021D00004, and 75N92021D00005. Funding for the MrOS USA study comes from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), and NIH Roadmap for Medical Research under the following grant numbers: U01 AG027810, U01 AG042124, U01 AG042139, U01 AG042140, U01 AG042143, U01 AG042145, U01 AG042168, U01 AR066160, and UL1 TR000128. Funding for the SOF study comes from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), supported by grants (AG05407, AR35582, AG05394, AR35584, and AR35583). Funding for the Health ABC study was from the Intramural research program at the National Institute on Aging under the following contract numbers: NO1-AG-6–2101, NO1-AG-6–2103, and NO1-AG-6–2106.Peer reviewedPostprin

Obeticholic acid for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: interim analysis from a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial

Background Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common type of chronic liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis. Obeticholic acid, a farnesoid X receptor agonist, has been shown to improve the histological features of NASH. Here we report results from a planned interim analysis of an ongoing, phase 3 study of obeticholic acid for NASH. Methods In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, adult patients with definite NASH,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score of at least 4, and fibrosis stages F2–F3, or F1 with at least oneaccompanying comorbidity, were randomly assigned using an interactive web response system in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive oral placebo, obeticholic acid 10 mg, or obeticholic acid 25 mg daily. Patients were excluded if cirrhosis, other chronic liver disease, elevated alcohol consumption, or confounding conditions were present. The primary endpointsfor the month-18 interim analysis were fibrosis improvement (≥1 stage) with no worsening of NASH, or NASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis, with the study considered successful if either primary endpoint was met. Primary analyses were done by intention to treat, in patients with fibrosis stage F2–F3 who received at least one dose of treatment and reached, or would have reached, the month 18 visit by the prespecified interim analysis cutoff date. The study also evaluated other histological and biochemical markers of NASH and fibrosis, and safety. This study is ongoing, and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02548351, and EudraCT, 20150-025601-6. Findings Between Dec 9, 2015, and Oct 26, 2018, 1968 patients with stage F1–F3 fibrosis were enrolled and received at least one dose of study treatment; 931 patients with stage F2–F3 fibrosis were included in the primary analysis (311 in the placebo group, 312 in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group, and 308 in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group). The fibrosis improvement endpoint was achieved by 37 (12%) patients in the placebo group, 55 (18%) in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group (p=0·045), and 71 (23%) in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group (p=0·0002). The NASH resolution endpoint was not met (25 [8%] patients in the placebo group, 35 [11%] in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group [p=0·18], and 36 [12%] in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group [p=0·13]). In the safety population (1968 patients with fibrosis stages F1–F3), the most common adverse event was pruritus (123 [19%] in the placebo group, 183 [28%] in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group, and 336 [51%] in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group); incidence was generally mild to moderate in severity. The overall safety profile was similar to that in previous studies, and incidence of serious adverse events was similar across treatment groups (75 [11%] patients in the placebo group, 72 [11%] in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group, and 93 [14%] in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group). Interpretation Obeticholic acid 25 mg significantly improved fibrosis and key components of NASH disease activity among patients with NASH. The results from this planned interim analysis show clinically significant histological improvement that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. This study is ongoing to assess clinical outcomes

Performance of diagnostic ultrasound to identify causes of hydramnios

International audienceIntroduction: We aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of ultrasonography in the identification of the etiology of hydramnios, and the added value of MRI or amniocentesis.Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study including pregnancies with confirmed hydramnios (defined as deepest pocket ≥8 cm) between January 2013 and May 2017. Twin pregnancies, secondary hydramnios discovered after the diagnosis of a causal pathology, and pregnancies of unknown outcome were excluded. All pregnancies underwent a targeted scan, and selected cases underwent MRI or amniocentesis.Results: A total of 158 patients with confirmed hydramnios were included. Hydramnios was associated with a fetal pathology in 37 cases (23.4%), with diabetes in 39 (24.6%), isolated macrosomia in 16 (10.1%), and considered idiopathic in 66 (41.7%). Ultrasonography established a diagnosis of the underlying pathology in 73% of cases. Amniocentesis was done in 31 cases (20%) and it allowed diagnosis of chromosome anomalies, esophageal atresia, myotonic dystrophy congenital type, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Bartter syndrome. MRI was done in 15 cases (10%) and it allowed one additional diagnosis of esophageal atresia. The diagnostic yields of MRI and amniocentesis were 91.7% and 95.2%, respectively. There were 5 false positive diagnoses at ultrasonography, and 1 false positive diagnosis at MRI.Conclusion: Hydramnios can be associated with a wide variety of underlying pathologies. Diagnostic ultrasound can attain a diagnosis in the majority of cases. Amniocentesis offers a valuable complementary assessment

Early-onset encephalopathy with paroxysmal movement disorders and epileptic seizures without hemiplegic attacks: About three children with novel ATP1A3 mutations

International audienc

Sépultures privilégiées dans la cité des Pictons : l’espace funéraire de Jaunay-Clan (Vienne)

International audienceA rescue excavation undertaken in 2011-2012 in Jaunay-Clan (Vienne) revealed a Late Antique funerary area consisting of a pyre, a mausoleum and a large masonry building. The pyre yielded significant accompanying goods, and is associated with a large deposit of broken vases. The surrounding enclosure and the stone pedestal undoubtedly correspond to the final construction of the burial. In the mausoleum, the embalming of bodies and the use of precious textiles (some of which are dyed Tyrian purple) provide evidence of elite funerary practices in the Pictons civitas in the 3rd-4th c. AD.La fouille préventive réalisée en 2011-2012 à Jaunay-Clan (Vienne) a révélé un espace funéraire de la fin de l’Antiquité constitué d’un bûcher, d’un mausolée et d’un vaste bâtiment dont la fonction reste indéterminée. Le bûcher contient un mobilier d’accompagnement fourni et est associé à un important dépôt de vases brisés. L’enclos qui l’entoure et le socle maçonné correspondent sans doute à l’aménagement définitif de la sépulture. Dans le mausolée, qui a livré deux inhumations, l’embaumement des corps et l’usage de textiles précieux (dont certains teints à la pourpre) apportent un témoignage des pratiques funéraires des élites de la cité pictonne aux IIIe-IVe s. apr. J.-C

Le mausolée de Jaunay-Clan (Vienne) : protocole d’étude de sépultures en milieu clos

International audienceUne fouille préventive réalisée en 2011-2012 à Jaunay-Clan, près de Poitiers, a porté sur un mausolée de la fin de l’Antiquité contenant deux sépultures. Chacune d’entre elles était constituée d’un sarcophage de calcaire renfermant un cercueil de plomb. Le caractère exceptionnel de ce type de découverte et les excellentes conditions de conservation ont conduit à mettre en place un protocole d’étude destiné à préserver et à étudier au mieux les deux sépultures (restes organiques, textiles, pollen, etc.). Ce protocole a compris la présence de plusieurs anthropologues, et surtout l’intervention de spécialistes dès l’ouverture des sarcophages : palynologues, entomologue, paléopathologiste, chimiste, spécialistes de paléoparasitologie, des textiles, de l’ADN, et de la conservation préventive. Leur présence était destinée à observer certains vestiges susceptibles de se dégrader rapidement, à réaliser des prélèvements avant contamination (ADN) et à orienter la stratégie de fouille et de prélèvement. Les habituels protocoles de fouille et de démontage ont ensuite été adoptés, en focalisant l’attention sur la localisation précise des restes organiques (tissus humains et textiles notamment par rapport au squelette dans le cercueil. L’ensemble du contenu des deux sépultures (notamment les résidus de décomposition et les fragments de textiles) recouvrant le fond de chaque cercueil en plomb) a été prélevé et localisé suivant un carroyage fin. Les études réalisées à l’issue de la fouille ont permis de préciser les pratiques funéraires appréhendées par l’étude du squelette. Elles constituent un apport majeur pour lareconstitution précise des pratiques funéraires de l’aristocratie, en identifiant la présence d’offrandes végétales ou en permettant de restituer l’usage de différents textiles dans les sépultures. Cette communication propose de développer les aspects méthodologiques et de détailler les différentes étapes du protocole mis en oeuvre. A travers les résultats de chacune des études et analyses, elle propose en même temps de discuter de leur validité et de leur contribution à la connaissance des pratiques funéraires