Early Developing Pig Embryos Mediate Their Own Environment in the Maternal Tract

The maternal tract plays a critical role in the success of early embryonic development providing an optimal environment for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Preparation of this environment requires an intimate dialogue between the embryo and her mother. However, many intriguing aspects remain unknown in this unique communication system. To advance our understanding of the process by which a blastocyst is accepted by the endometrium and better address the clinical challenges of infertility and pregnancy failure, it is imperative to decipher this complex molecular dialogue. The objective of the present work is to define the local response of the maternal tract towards the embryo during the earliest stages of pregnancy. We used a novel in vivo experimental model that eliminated genetic variability and individual differences, followed by Affymetrix microarray to identify the signals involved in this embryo-maternal dialogue. Using laparoscopic insemination one oviduct of a sow was inseminated with spermatozoa and the contralateral oviduct was injected with diluent. This model allowed us to obtain samples from the oviduct and the tip of the uterine horn containing either embryos or oocytes from the same sow. Microarray analysis showed that most of the transcripts differentially expressed were down-regulated in the uterine horn in response to blastocysts when compared to oocytes. Many of the transcripts altered in response to the embryo in the uterine horn were related to the immune system. We used an in silico mathematical model to demonstrate the role of the embryo as a modulator of the immune system. This model revealed that relatively modest changes induced by the presence of the embryo could modulate the maternal immune response. These findings suggested that the presence of the embryo might regulate the immune system in the maternal tract to allow the refractory uterus to tolerate the embryo and support its development

Decreased frontal white-matter diffusion and improved cognitive flexibility after burr-hole surgery in moyamoya angiopathy

International audienceBackground: In Moyamoya Angioplasty (MMA), increased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in frontal white matter (WM) with a normal appearance has been associated with frontal hypoperfusion and executive dysfunction. Multiple burr-hole surgery enables the revascularization of large frontal areas.Goal: To assess the effect of multiple burr-hole surgery on the ADC and cognitive functions in adults with MMA.Methods: ADC was measured in 26 brain hemispheres of 14 consecutive adults with MMA (9 women, mean age ± SD: 38.1 ± 10.7 years) prior to and 6 months after burr-hole surgery. ADC was obtained from regions of interest located in frontal and posterior (temporo-occipital) normal-appearing WM. Ten patients had neuropsychological assessment that focused on executive and attentional functions before and after surgery.Results: Anterior and posterior ADC values did not differ before surgery (815.8 ± 60.1 vs. 812.1 ± 35.3 mm2/s, p = 0.88). After surgery, frontal ADC was lower than prior to surgery (789.9 ± 64.5 vs. 815.8 ± 60.1 mm2/s; p <0.001) whereas no change occurred in posterior ADC (p = 0.31). Trail-making test part B median z-score increased from - 1.47 to - 0.21 (p = 0.018), suggesting improved cognitive flexibility.Conclusion: In adults with MMA, indirect revascularization with burr-hole is followed by a decrease of ADC in normal-appearing frontal WM and may have improved some executive functions in the flexibility process. Change in ADC may reflect the improvement in cerebral perfusion after surgery. The measuring of ADC may be a promising tool in exploring potentially reversible microstructural WM damage related to hypoperfusion and cognitive change in MMA

Decentralization of HIV care in Cameroon: Increased access to antiretroviral treatment and associated persistent barriers

Context The national antiretroviral treatment (ART) program in Cameroon has reached one of the highest rate of coverage in Western and Central Africa (58% of the estimated eligible HIV-infected population in June 2008).Objectives To assess the extent to which decentralized delivery of HIV care at the district level has contributed to increased access to ART.Methods Comparison of ART-treated and non-ART-treated in the sub-sample of medically eligible HIV-positive patients (n = 2566) in the cross-sectional ANRS-EVAL survey was carried out among patients seeking HIV care in 14 hospitals at central level (Yaoundé, Douala and capitals of 8 provinces) and 13 at district levels. Logistic regressions and multivariate analysis were carried out to identify factors related to non-access to ART at both levels of care.Results Only 7% of eligible patients did not have access to ART. After adjustment for time since initial HIV diagnosis and CD4 counts (at initiation of treatment for those ART-treated and at time of survey for those who were not), younger and male patients, as well as those who only had a primary level education were less likely to be ART-treated at central but not at district level, whereas those who were unemployed were less likely to be treated at both levels. Patients were less likely to be treated in central hospitals with higher workload per medical staff member and absence of task shifting policy, and in district hospitals with non-availability of equipment for CD4 counts and larger size (150 beds or more).Conclusion Main persisting barriers in access to ART in Cameroon are rather due to insufficient access to HIV testing and difficulties in patients' referral to ART delivery centers after HIV diagnosis, since the overwhelming majority of eligible patients already seeking HIV care had effective access. However, health systems strengthening (HSS) is still needed to overcome some remaining barriers in access to ART and to guarantee its long-term sustainability.HIV/AIDS Decentralization Cameroon Antiretroviral treatment Health services

Optimisation de la production en écloserie de mollusques : Mise au point d'un pilote industriel de production phytoplanctonique en continu et des techniques associées pour leur intégration en écloserie commerciale

Les travaux présentés dans le cadre de ce rapport d'activité rendent compte des avancées réalisées sur le plan (1) biologique, avec d'une part une étude sur le comportement du genre Chaetoceros en culture continue et, d'autre part, les résultats d'expérimentations sur les performances d'élevages larvaires réalisés sur la base de cultures de microalgues en continu, et (2) technologique, avec la continuité des actions de développement du photobioréacteur destiné aux écloseries commerciales ainsi que des périphériques indispensables à son intégration dans le secteur aquacole

4D genome rewiring during oncogene-induced and replicative senescence

To understand the role of the extensive senescence-associated 3D genome reorganization, we generated genome-wide chromatin interaction maps, epigenome, replication-timing, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, and gene expression profiles from cells entering replicative senescence (RS) or upon oncogene-induced senescence (OIS). We identify senescence-associated heterochromatin domains (SAHDs). Differential intra- versus inter-SAHD interactions lead to the formation of senescence-associated heterochromatin foci (SAHFs) in OIS but not in RS. This OIS-specific configuration brings active genes located in genomic regions adjacent to SAHDs in close spatial proximity and favors their expression. We also identify DNMT1 as a factor that induces SAHFs by promoting HMGA2 expression. Upon DNMT1 depletion, OIS cells transition to a 3D genome conformation akin to that of cells in replicative senescence. These data show how multi-omics and imaging can identify critical features of RS and OIS and discover determinants of acute senescence and SAHF formation.Work at the M.A.M.-R. lab was supported by the European Research Council under the 7th Framework Program FP7/2007-2013 (ERC grant agreement 609989), the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement 676556), the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (BFU2017-85926-P), and the Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca, AGAUR (SGR468). Work at CRG, BIST, and UPF was in part funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, ‘‘Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2013-2017’’ (SEV-2012-0208), and ‘‘Centro de Excelencia María de Maeztu 2016-2019.’’ This article/publication is based upon work from COST Action CA18127, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology