Normal levels of p27Xic1 are necessary for somite segmentation and determining pronephric organ size

The Xenopus laevis cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p27Xic1 has been shown to be involved in exit from the cell cycle and differentiation of cells into a quiescent state in the nervous system, muscle tissue, heart and retina. We show that p27Xic1 is expressed in the developing kidney in the nephrostomal regions. Using over-expression and morpholino oligonucleotide (MO) knock-down approaches we show normal levels of p27Xic1 regulate pronephros organ size by regulating cell cycle exit. Knock-down of p27Xic1 expression using a MO prevented myogenesis, as previously reported; an effect that subsequently inhibits pronephrogenesis. Furthermore, we show that normal levels of p27Xic1 are required for somite segmentation also through its cell cycle control function. Finally, we provide evidence to suggest correct paraxial mesoderm segmentation is not necessary for pronephric induction in the intermediate mesoderm. These results indicate novel developmental roles for p27Xic1, and reveal its differentiation function is not universally utilised in all developing tissues

Prevalence and factors associated with alcohol and drug-related disorders in prison: a French national study

BACKGROUND: Most studies measuring substance-use disorders in prisons focus on incoming or on remand prisoners and are generally restricted to drugs. However, there is evidence that substance use initiation or continuation occurs in prison, and that alcohol use is common. The aim of this study is 1) to assess prevalence of both drug and alcohol abuse and dependence (DAD/AAD) in a national randomised cohort of French prisoners, short or long-term sentence 2) to assess the risk factors associated with DAD/AAD in prison. a stratified random strategy was used to select 1) 23 prisons among the different types of prison 2) 998 prisoners. Diagnoses were assessed according to a standardized procedure, each prisoner being assessed by two psychiatrists, one junior, using a structured interview (MINI 5 plus), and one senior, completing the procedure with an open clinical interview. At the end of the interview the clinicians met and agreed on a list of diagnoses. Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was also used. RESULTS: More than a third of prisoners presented either AAD or DAD in the last 12 months. Cannabis was the most frequent drug and just under a fifth of prisoners had AAD. AAD and DAD were clearly different for the following: socio-demographic variables, childhood history, imprisonment characteristics, psychiatric comorbidity and Cloninger's TCI. Profiles of AAD in prison are similar to type II alcoholism. CONCLUSION: Regular screening of AAD/DAD in prison, and specific treatment programmes taking into account differences between prisoners with an AAD and prisoners with a DAD should be a public health priority in priso

The Celtic Sea banks: an example of sand body analysis from very high-resolution seismic data.

International audienc

Eustatic and hydrodynamic controls on the architecture of a deep shelf sand bank (Celtic Sea).

The architecture of a tidal sand bank in the south-eastern Celtic Sea was examined using very high-resolution seismic surveys. The bank comprises four depositional units. The lowest unit 1 is characterized by gently dipping (1–8°) strata that strike parallel to the length of the bank. Unit 1 is erosionally overlain by unit 2, which forms the bulk of the bank. This unit consists of stacked sets of downcurrent-dipping (7–12°) master bedding formed by climbing, sinuous-crested tidal dunes that are up to 20 m high. These deposits are locally incised by an anastomosed channel network (unit 3) that may represent a buried swatchway system. The upper part of the bank comprises wave-related deposits that are mainly preserved on the bank flanks (unit 4). The outer bank surface is erosional. The bank is believed to have formed during the last post-glacial sea-level rise. The facies evolution from unit 1 to unit 3 indicates an upward increase in tidal energy, mainly characterized by the thickening of dune cross-bed sets in unit 2. The majority of bank growth is inferred to have occurred in water depths of the order of 60 m. This evolution was controlled by relative sea-level rise, which is likely to have caused an episode of tidal resonance with associated strong tidal currents that were responsible for the incision of the deep, cross-cutting channels of unit 3. The transition to wave-dominated sedimentation in unit 4 is related to the decay of resonance with continued sea-level rise

Setorectomia posterior direita laparoscópica no tratamento dos tumores hepáticos Laparoscopic right posterior sectioniectomy for treating hepatic tumors

INTRODUÇÃO: A ressecção de neoplasias no setor posterior direito costuma ser um desafio técnico pela dificuldade de sua abordagem. Adicionalmente, as hepatectomias laparoscópicas tem se tornado alternativa interessante em virtude de muitas vantagens (baixa morbidade, curto tempo de internação, retorno precoce as atividades laborais e bons resultados cosméticos). OBJETIVO: Relatar experiência em doentes submetidos à setorectomia posterior direita laparoscópica por uma única equipe. MÉTODOS: Cinco doentes foram operados entre novembro de 2008 a agosto de 2010. A idade variou de 21 a 63 anos com mediana de 43 anos. Foram quatro mulheres e um homem. A causa das neoplasias foi: adenoma (n=2), hepatocarcinoma (n=1) e metástases (n=2). A lesão foi solitária em três casos (60 %). A média do tamanho das lesões foi 3,3 cm (1,8-5). Foram analisados: tempo cirúrgico, sangramento operatório, morbimortalidade, tempo de internação e tempo de retorno à atividade habitual. RESULTADOS: A média de tempo cirúrgico foi de 160 minutos (90-260). A de sangramento intra-operatório foi de 200 ml (0-500). Nenhum doente foi transfundido. Não houve mortalidade e a morbidade foi nula. A mediana de internação foi de três dias (2-5). A mediana de retorno às atividades cotidianas foi de 12 dias (7-20). A mediana de seguimento foi de 13 meses (1-20). Não houve recidiva de lesão. CONCLUSÃO: A setorectomia posterior direita laparoscópica representa boa opção tática para o tratamento dos tumores hepáticos situados no setor posterior do lobo direito. É opção segura que evita grandes incisões com morbimortalidade. Também apresenta bom resultado cosmético e retorno precoce ao trabalho.<br>BACKGROUND: Resection of neoplasms arising in the posterior right sector is usually a technical challenge due to approach difficulties. Additionally, laparoscopic hepatectomy has become an interesting alternative with several advantages (low morbidity, short hospital stay, early return work activities and good cosmetic results). AIM: To report a series of patients who underwent laparoscopic right posterior sectioniectomy performed by a single surgical team. METHODS: Five patients were operated. Their ages ranged from 21 to 63 years (median 43 years). There were four women and one man. Etiology of the neoplasm was: adenoma (n=2), hepatocellular carcinoma (n=1) and metastasis (n=2). There was a single lesion in three cases (60 %). The mean lesion diameter was 3,3 cm (1,8-5). It was analyzed: operative time, intraoperative bleeding, morbidity, length of stay and time of return to usual activity. RESULTS: The mean surgical time was 160 minutes (90-260). The mean intraoperative blood loss was 200 ml (0-500). None of the patients received transfusions. There was no mortality and no morbidity. The median hospital stay was three days (2-5). The median length of time taken to return to day-to-day activities was 12 days (7-20). The median follow-up period was 13 months (1-20). There was no tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic right posterior sectioniectomy (bi-segmentectomy VI + VII) is a good option to treat hepatic tumors located in the posterior sector of the right lobe. It is a safe procedure that avoids large incisions with no mortality or morbidity is this series. This approach also bring good cosmetic result and early return to work

A Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial of Ibuprofen for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in a Bovine Model

<div><p>Background</p><p>Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and hospital admission in infants. An analogous disease occurs in cattle and costs US agriculture a billion dollars a year. RSV causes much of its morbidity indirectly via adverse effects of the host response to the virus. RSV is accompanied by elevated prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) which is followed by neutrophil led inflammation in the lung. Ibuprofen is a prototypical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that decreases PGE₂ levels by inhibiting cyclooxygenase.</p><p>Hypotheses</p><p>We hypothesized that treatment of RSV with ibuprofen would decrease PGE₂ levels, modulate the immune response, decrease clinical illness, and decrease the histopathological lung changes in a bovine model of RSV. We further hypothesized that viral replication would be unaffected.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We performed a randomized placebo controlled trial of ibuprofen in 16 outbred Holstein calves that we infected with RSV. We measured clinical scores, cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and endocannabinoid products in plasma and mediastinal lymph nodes and interleukin (Il)-4, Il-13, Il-17 and interferon-γ in mediastinal lymph nodes. RSV shedding was measured daily and nasal Il-6, Il-8 and Il-17 every other day. The calves were necropsied on Day 10 post inoculation and histology performed.</p><p>Results</p><p>One calf in the ibuprofen group required euthanasia on Day 8 of infection for respiratory distress. Clinical scores (p<0.01) and weight gain (p = 0.08) seemed better in the ibuprofen group. Ibuprofen decreased cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and cytochrome P450 products, and increased monoacylglycerols in lung lymph nodes. Ibuprofen modulated the immune response as measured by narrowed range of observed Il-13, Il-17 and IFN-γ gene expression in mediastinal lymph nodes. Lung histology was not different between groups, and viral shedding was increased in calves randomized to ibuprofen.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Ibuprofen decreased PGE₂, modulated the immune response, and improved clinical outcomes. However lung histopathology was not affected and viral shedding was increased.</p></div