Checklist and distribution of the liverworts of the Andasibe (Périnet) region (Madagascar)

This updated checklist of Marchantiophyta (liverworts) of Andasibé (Périnet) region, Madagascar was compiled from the literature, from herbarium specimens and recent collections. A total of 222 species including 9 infraspecific taxa, from 62 genera are recorded. Five species: Cheilolejeunea ngongensis Malombe et Pócs, Cheilolejeunea unciloba (Lindenb.) Malombe, Heteroscyphus grandistipus (Steph.) Schiffn., Lejeunea angulifolia Mitt. and Kymatocalyx africanus Vána et Wigginton are newly reported for Madagascar. Detailed informations on species occurrences are provided as a basis for subsequent research on species distributions and conservation

Contribution to the knowledge of the bryophyte flora of Martinique, Lesser Antilles

Sixty two (62) bryophytes (one hornwort, 36 liverworts and 25 mosses) are added to the flora of Martinique. These include ten new generic records: Phaeomegaceros, Bromeliophila, Monodactylopsis, Myriocoleopsis, Rectolejeunea, Anomobryum, Brymela, Bryohumbertia, Lepidopilidium and Microcampylopus. Campylopus anderssonii and C. heterostachys are newly reported for the West Indies. Drepanolejeunea fragilis and Anomobryum conicum are new for the Lesser Antilles.</p

An Integrative Taxonomic Revision of Aneuraceae H.Klinggr. (Marchantiophyta) from Guadeloupe and Martinique, French West Indies

International audienc

An assessment of the endemic spermatophytes, pteridophytes and bryophytes of the French Overseas Territories: towards a better conservation outlook

International audienceA broad range of climatic and biogeographical conditions are represented in the French Overseas Territories, from sub-polar to equatorial, resulting in a high diversity of endemic species. We mobilized data from herbaria, floras, checklists, literature, the expertise of botanists and plant ecologists to compile the most complete dataset on endemic vascular plants and bryophytes in the 15 French Overseas Territories. To date, 3748 spermatophytes (seed plants), 244 pteridophytes (ferns and lycophytes) and 448 bryophytes are strictly endemic to the overseas territories. New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Réunion harbour the highest numbers of strictly endemic species, yet French Guiana and the French Antilles harbour high numbers of regional endemic species due to their proximity with other territories. The endemic flora of these territories is highly threatened. In particular, 51% of strictly endemic spermatophytes are threatened and many species at risk belong to Rubiaceae and Orchidaceae families. Around 82% and 69% of strict and regional endemic spermatophytes and pteridophytes are found in the Paris herbaria. Only 34% of endemic bryophytes have their label information fully databased so that their total number in Paris herbaria is not known. Databasing the remaining specimens in the collection will greatly enhance future research and conservation projects. To facilitate the use of the information we compiled, we provide a publicly searchable dataset of the checklist. This study not only provides a picture of the flora of French overseas territories; it also identifies gaps in knowledge on which future research efforts in systematics, ecology and conservation could focus

Amniotic fluid peptides predict postnatal kidney survival in developmental kidney disease

Although a rare disease, bilateral congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are the leading cause of end stage kidney disease in children. Ultrasound-based prenatal prediction of postnatal kidney survival in CAKUT pregnancies is far from accurate. To improve prediction, we conducted a prospective multicenter peptidome analysis of amniotic fluid spanning 140 evaluable fetuses with CAKUT. We identified a signature of 98 endogenous amniotic fluid peptides, mainly composed of fragments from extracellular matrix proteins and from the actin binding protein thymosin-β4. The peptide signature predicted postnatal kidney outcome with an area under the curve of 0.96 in the holdout validation set of patients with CAKUT with definite endpoint data. Additionally, this peptide signature was validated in a geographically independent sub-cohort of 12 patients (area under the curve 1.00) and displayed high specificity in non-CAKUT pregnancies (82 and 94% in 22 healthy fetuses and in 47 fetuses with congenital cytomegalovirus infection respectively). Change in amniotic fluid thymosin-β4 abundance was confirmed with ELISA. Knockout of thymosin-β4 in zebrafish altered proximal and distal tubule pronephros growth suggesting a possible role of thymosin β4 in fetal kidney development. Thus, recognition of the 98-peptide signature in amniotic fluid during diagnostic workup of prenatally detected fetuses with CAKUT can provide a long-sought evidence base for accurate management of the CAKUT disorder that is currently unavailable.</p

Amniotic fluid peptides predict postnatal kidney survival in developmental kidney disease

International audienceAlthough a rare disease, bilateral congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are the leading cause of end stage kidney disease in children. Ultrasound-based prenatal prediction of postnatal kidney survival in CAKUT pregnancies is far from accurate. To improve prediction, we conducted a prospective multicenter peptidome analysis of amniotic fluid spanning 140 evaluable fetuses with CAKUT. We identified a signature of 98 endogenous amniotic fluid peptides, mainly composed of fragments from extracellular matrix proteins and from the actin binding protein thymosin-β4. The peptide signature predicted postnatal kidney outcome with an area under the curve of 0.96 in the holdout validation set of patients with CAKUT with definite endpoint data. Additionally, this peptide signature was validated in a geographically independent sub-cohort of 12 patients (area under the curve 1.00) and displayed high specificity in non-CAKUT pregnancies (82 and 94% in 22 healthy fetuses and in 47 fetuses with congenital cytomegalovirus infection respectively). Change in amniotic fluid thymosin-β4 abundance was confirmed with ELISA. Knockout of thymosin-β4 in zebrafish altered proximal and distal tubule pronephros growth suggesting a possible role of thymosin β4 in fetal kidney development. Thus, recognition of the 98-peptide signature in amniotic fluid during diagnostic workup of prenatally detected fetuses with CAKUT can provide a long-sought evidence base for accurate management of the CAKUT disorder that is currently unavailable

Integrated clustering of multiple immune marker trajectories reveals different immunotypes in severely injured patients

International audienceAbstract Background The immune response of critically ill patients, such as those with sepsis, severe trauma, or major surgery, is heterogeneous and dynamic, but its characterization and impact on outcomes are poorly understood. Until now, the primary challenge in advancing our understanding of the disease has been to concurrently address both multiparametric and temporal aspects. Methods We used a clustering method to identify distinct groups of patients, based on various immune marker trajectories during the first week after admission to ICU. In 339 severely injured patients, we initially longitudinally clustered common biomarkers (both soluble and cellular parameters), whose variations are well-established during the immunosuppressive phase of sepsis. We then applied this multi-trajectory clustering using markers composed of whole blood immune-related mRNA. Results We found that both sets of markers revealed two immunotypes, one of which was associated with worse outcomes, such as increased risk of hospital-acquired infection and mortality, and prolonged hospital stays. This immunotype showed signs of both hyperinflammation and immunosuppression, which persisted over time. Conclusion Our study suggest that the immune system of critically ill patients can be characterized by two distinct longitudinal immunotypes, one of which included patients with a persistently dysregulated and impaired immune response. This work confirms the relevance of such methodology to stratify patients and pave the way for further studies using markers indicative of potential immunomodulatory drug targets. Graphical Abstrac