Activating mutations of the tyrosine kinase receptor FGFR3 are associated with benign skin tumors in mice and humans

Specific germline activating point mutations in the gene encoding the tyrosine kinase receptor FGFR3 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 3) result in autosomal dominant human skeletal dysplasias. The identification in multiple myeloma and in two epithelial cancers—bladder and cervical carcinomas—of somatic FGFR3 mutations identical to the germinal activating mutations found in skeletal dysplasias, together with functional studies, have suggested an oncogenic role for this receptor. Although acanthosis nigricans, a benign skin tumor, has been found in some syndromes associated with germinal activating mutations of FGFR3, the role of activated FGFR3 in the epidermis has never been investigated. Here, we targeted an activated receptor mutant (S249C FGFR3) to the basal cells of the epidermis of transgenic mice. Mice expressing the transgene developed benign epidermal tumors with no sign of malignancy. These skin lesions had features in common with acanthosis nigricans and other benign human skin tumors, including seborrheic keratosis, one of the most common benign epidermal tumors in humans. We therefore screened a series of 62 cases of seborrheic keratosis for FGFR3 mutations. A large proportion of these tumors (39%) harbored somatic activating FGFR3 mutations, identical to those associated with skeletal dysplasia syndromes and bladder and cervical neoplasms. Our findings directly implicate FGFR3 activation as a major cause of benign epidermal tumors in human

Is the choice of conservation measures influenced by the targeted natural habitats? The case of French coastal Natura 2000 sites

International audienceNatura 2000 (N2K) is a European network of protected areas that has grown out of the implementation of the Birds Directive (1979) and the Habitats Directive (1992). To date, the literature focussing on “conservation measures” required by the directives has been scarce. This article contributes to a better understanding of associated practices with regard to these measures in the case of France.We put forward a quantitative approach based on 1378 “action-sheets” randomly extracted from 113 management documents of French Natura 2000 coastal sites. These action-sheets are considered to be the physical embodiment of the notion of the conservation measure itself. The analysis concentrates on the “type” of the proposed measures, expressed in terms of a 9-category public policy instrument typology.In terms of frequency of quotation, we show the specific expected importance of three instruments: the work of Natura 2000 project managers, ecological/civil engineering, and data production. Awareness-raising is the main expected means to the end of countering harmful practices and detrimental behaviours.We then propose an exploratory analysis of contextual variables explaining the choice of the type of measure, with an AIC-based procedure of model selection and averaging. The interest of this approach is exemplified by a focus on five explanatory variables reflecting the kind of natural habitats concerned by the measures.Our results show the specificity of instruments associated with coastal habitats. In particular, whereas coastal terrestrial habitats are statistically managed by physical measures (physical regulation and engineering), methods for managing coastal marine habitats are geared towards, on the one hand, awareness raising and participatory approaches, and on the other, regulatory approaches and an integration of Natura 2000 objectives into exogenous institutional frameworks.The results we obtained shed light on the limits and prospects of the implementation of the Natura 2000 program in the marine environment

Le Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (mea) : quelles perspectives pour le domaine marin et côtier ?

Document de travail Ifremer, Prospective biodiversité marine, 10p

The nationwide assessment of marine recreational fishing: A French example

International audienceIn 2006, IFREMER, with the help of the polling institute BVA, implemented a national pilot study of recreational fishing. Taking into account all the different fishing methods, from shellfish gathering to offshore angling, including spear-fishing, this study was designed to provide estimates of (i) the number of recreational fishers in France, (ii) recreational fishing effort; (iii) catches and landings; (iv) the economic impacts of recreational fishing, and to develop a classification of recreational fishers. A two-part method was adopted: a random-digit-dialing (RDD) survey combined with an on-site survey. The data collected from telephone and on-site surveys were compared and then used in combination to provide a reliable estimate of this growing activity in France. Recreational fishers are estimated at around 2.5 million, with the total catch estimated at 24,000 t of fish and 3100 t of shellfish. Fishing expenditure was estimated at between 1200 and 2000 million euros

Has the value of global marine and coastal ecosystem services changed?

In 1997, Robert Costanza and his colleagues published a groundbreaking study [1] that estimated the monetary value of the contribution of the world's ecosystems to human wellbeing. The methods used were cited as preliminary and received considerable criticism [2] and [3]. In two more recent peer-reviewed studies [4] and [5], the authors update the original estimates of ecosystem service value and find: (1) that original per area ecosystem service values were underestimated and (2) using these revised per area values, the total global value of ecosystem services has declined. Just under ninety-five percent of the estimated loss in ecosystem service value comes from revisions by the authors in the value estimates of marine ecosystem services. These revisions include additional per area value estimates of coral reefs and coastal wetlands that are many times the value of estimates used in the original analysis. The reasons cited by Costanza et al. for the increases in revised value estimates are examined and rejected. The data are found to be insufficient for a rigorous estimate of the global value of marine ecosystems services

Has the value of global marine and coastal ecosystem services changed?-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

a b s t r a c t In 1997, Robert Costanza and his colleagues published a groundbreaking stud

First results from a pilot survey of recreational fishing in France

Between 2006 and 2008, Ifremer, in collaboration with the polling institute BVA, implemented a pilot survey of french recreational fisheries. The aim of the survey was to assess the overall population involved in this activity, taking into account the diversity of recreational fishing practices, from fish and shellfish gathering on the seashore to angling and spearfishing. The study was designed to provide first estimates of fishing effort, catches and landings, and economic impacts of recreational fishing. The protocol implemented was two-step. First, a telephone survey of french households, based on a sampling frame of the entire french population of people aged 15+, was carried out to assess the population of fishers and give a first general view of the diversity of fishing practices. Information was also collected regarding catches and landings and expenditure at various temporal scale. Second, on-site surveys were carried out to establish more precise measures of catches and expenditure per fishing trip. Sampling schemes for both phases of the survey work were designed such that data collected from telephone and on-site surveys could be confronted and used jointly in the estimation of catches and expenditure by fishers at the national level. The paper presents the methodology developed and first results obtained based on the telephone survey

Recreational fishing activities in the French West Indies: A preliminary analysis of their structure and economic impact

International audienc

Combining telephone and on-site surveys for the estimation of catches and expenditures by recreational fishers: the pilot survey of French recreational fisheries

International audienceIn 2006, Ifremer, with the help of the polling institute BVA, implemented a pilot national study of recreational fisheries. The aim of the study was to assess the population involved in this activity, taking into account the diversity of recreational fishing activities, from seafood gathering to offshore angling. This study 180 | ICES Annual Science Conference 2007 was designed to provide first estimates of (i) fishing activity; (ii) catches and landings; and (iii) economic impacts of recreational fishing. The protocol implemented was two-step. First, a telephone survey of French households, based on a sampling frame of the entire French population of people aged 15+, was carried out to assess the population of fishers and give a first general view of the diversity of fishing practices, Information was also collected regarding catches and landings and expenditure at various temporal scales (annual, previous three months, last fishing trip). Second, on-site surveys were carried out to obtain precise measures of catches and expenditure per fishing trip. Sampling schemes for both phases of the survey work were designed such that data collected from telephone and on-site surveys could be combined and used jointly in the estimation of catches and expenditure by fishers at national level. The paper presents the methodology developed and first results obtained based on the joint use of the telephone and on-site survey data. Particular emphasis is placed on the way in which the methodology was designed to allow local observations of catches and expenditure per trip to be extrapolated to the national level

Monetary valuation of ecosystem services. An example through a water policy implementation in France

In the context of the Water Framework Directive, the French Water Agencies were asked to justify exemptions, for disproportionate cost reasons, to the “good water” status in a series of river basins in 2015. The ministry of the Environment and the economists of the Water Agencies agreed on the fact that this justification would be based on cost-benefit analyses. A great number of cost-benefit analyses were carried out on water bodies or groups of water bodies. This article reports on this experience conducted by the French Water Agencies. It highlights the fact that the large majority of restoration projects generated higher costs than benefits. It suggests that the implementation of the Water Framework Directive could be considerably limited by the use of the Costs-Benefits-Analysis. This result is discussed, especially with regard to the assessment of non-market benefits. These methods are in fact a source of much technical uncertainty which can be used in a strategic way to justify lack of implementation of the EU Directive. Last, the article questions the limits of economic referentials against the legal referential in the implementation of environmental policy.L’État a sollicité les agences de l’eau françaises pour justifier des dérogations à l’atteinte du « bon état » des eaux en 2015, pour cause de coûts disproportionnés, sur un certain nombre de petits bassins versants. En accord avec le ministère chargé de l’environnement, il a été convenu de s’appuyer pour ce faire sur des analyses coûts-bénéfices. Le présent article rend compte de cette expérience et des questionnements suscités par le chiffrage des bénéfices non marchands, qui se sont posés en termes techniques, stratégiques et éthiques, pour pointer plus globalement les limites de l’usage des référentiels économiques dans le cadre de l’application d’une politique environnementale