Robust estimation of fetal heart rate from US Doppler signals

International audienceIn utero, Monitoring of fetal wellbeing or suffering is today an open challenge, due to the high number of clinicalparameters to be considered. An automatic monitoring of fetal activity, dedicated for quantifying fetal wellbeing, becomes necessary. For this purpose and in a view to supply an alternative for the Manning test, we used an ultrasound multitransducer muligate Doppler system. One important issue (and first step in our investigation) is the accurate estimation of fetal heart rate (FHR). An estimation of the FHR is obtained by evaluating the autocorrelation function of the Doppler signals for ills and healthiness foetus. However, this estimator is not enough robust since about 20% of FHR are not detected in comparison to a reference system. These non detections are principally due to the fact that the Doppler signal generated by the fetal moving is strongly disturbed by the presence of others several Doppler sources (mother' s moving, pseudo breathing, etc.). By modifying the existing method (autocorrelation method) and by proposing new time and frequency estimators used in the audio' s domain, we reduce to 5% the probability of non-detection of the fetal heart rate. These results are really encouraging and they enable us to plan the use of automatic classification techniques in order to discriminate between healthy and in suffering foetus

Etude des mécanismes moléculaires de la Dystrophie Myotonique de Type 1 à l'aide de cellules souches embryonnaires humaines porteuses de la mutation causale

Les cellules souches embryonnaires humaines (hESC) représentent un nouvel outilbiologique au potentiel prometteur pour l amélioration de la compréhension des mécanismes moléculaires et cellulaires impliqués dans le développement de maladies monogéniques. Cette application est dans un premier temps devenue possible grâce à l utilisation de lignées de cellules souches embryonnaires humaines porteuses de mutation causale de pathologie, obtenues au cours d un diagnostique pré-implantatoire. Mon travail de thèse s est inscrit dans la validation de ce nouveau concept en utilisant des lignées de cellules souches embryonnaires humaines porteuses de la mutation causale de la Dystrophie Myotonique de type 1 (DM1). Ces cellules, ainsi que leurs progenies neurales et mésenchymateuses représentent un modèle pertinent pour l étude des conséquences physiopathologiques de la mutation DM1 dans la mesure où elles reproduisent certaines caractéristiques moléculaires connues de la pathologie. Mon projet a eu pour objectif de caractériser d un point de vue moléculaire et physiopathologique deux nouvelles altérations géniques identifiées par transcriptome différentiel entre les cellules contrôles et DM1. Ainsi, ce travail nous a permis d identifier un nouveau marqueur, le facteur de transcription ZNF37A, dont l expression est diminuée en association avec la mutation DM1 et qui serait impliqué dans les défauts myogéniques caractérisant cette pathologie. Parallèlement nous avons identifié un nouveau défaut d épissage alternatif d un gène impliqué dans la guidance axonale, l EphA5 qui pourrait être impliqué dans les défauts cognitifs des patients DM1.Abstract not availableEVRY-Bib. électronique (912289901) / SudocSudocFranceF

SAPOLL : A cross-border action plan for wild pollinators

Wild pollinators in the France-Wallonia-Vlaanderen cross-border zone represent a valuable but highly endangered resource. In order to protect these pollinators, it is essential to set up a cross-border organization that enables coordinated actions and synergies between regions. Indeed, isolated actions on both sides of the border are unlikely to lead to the sustainable management of this indispensable resource. The challenge is huge because wild pollinators, wild bees, syrphs and butterflies, are essential to maintaining agriculture and ecosystems in our regions. In order to meet this challenge, the SAPOLL project initiates the implementation of a cross-border action plan for wild pollinators with the actors from Wallonia, Flanders and northern France. This plan is the initiator of actions in favor of pollinators, bringing the necessary scientific, didactic and applied context to citizens, decision-makers, entrepreneurs or enrionmental managers. It is also adapted to the regional context of each area. The action plan, which is co-built with the partners in the cross-border territory. The SAPOLL project also organizes activities that aim to homogenize and share scientific knowledge, awareness-raising experience and naturalistic competences

A Unitary Association-based conodont biozonation of the Smithian–Spathian boundary (Early Triassic) and associated biotic crisis from South China

The Smithian–Spathian boundary (SSB) crisis played a prominent role in resetting the evolution and diversity of the nekton (ammonoids and conodonts) during the Early Triassic recovery. The late Smithian nektonic crisis culminated at the SSB, ca. 2.7 Myr after the Permian–Triassic boundary mass extinction. An accurate and high-resolution biochronological frame is needed for establishing patterns of extinction and re-diversification of this crisis. Here, we propose a new biochronological frame for conodonts that is based on the Unitary Associations Method (UAM). In this new time frame, the SSB can thus be placed between the climax of the extinction and the onset of the re-diversification. Based on the study of new and rich conodont collections obtained from five sections (of which four are newly described here) in the Nanpanjiang Basin, South China, we have performed a thorough taxonomical revision and described one new genus and 21 new species. Additionally, we have critically reassessed the published conodont data from 16 other sections from South China, and we have used this new, standardized dataset to construct the most accurate, highly resolved, and laterally reproducible biozonation of the Smithian to early Spathian interval for South China. The resulting 11 Unitary Association Zones (UAZ) are intercalibrated with lithological and chemostratigraphical (δ$^{13}$C$_{carb}$) markers, as well as with ammonoid zones, thus providing a firm basis for an evolutionary meaningful and laterally consistent definition of the SSB. Our UAZ$_{8,}$ which is characterized by the occurrence of Icriospathodus ex gr. crassatus, Triassospathodus symmetricus and Novispathodus brevissimus, is marked by a new evolutionary radiation of both conodonts and ammonoids and is within a positive peak in the carbon isotope record. Consequently, we propose to place the SSB within the separation interval intercalated between UAZ$_{7}$ and UAZ$_{8}$ thus leaving some flexibility for future refinement and updating

Bumetanide Prevents Brain Trauma-Induced Depressive-Like Behavior

Brain trauma triggers a cascade of deleterious events leading to enhanced incidence of drug resistant epilepsies, depression, and cognitive dysfunctions. The underlying mechanisms leading to these alterations are poorly understood and treatment that attenuates those sequels are not available. Using controlled-cortical impact as an experimental model of brain trauma in adult mice, we found a strong suppressive effect of the sodium-potassium-chloride importer (NKCC1) specific antagonist bumetanide on the appearance of depressive-like behavior. We demonstrate that this alteration in behavior is associated with an impairment of post-traumatic secondary neurogenesis within the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. The mechanism mediating the effect of bumetanide involves early transient changes in the expression of chloride regulatory proteins and qualitative changes in GABA(A) mediated transmission from hyperpolarizing to depolarizing after brain trauma. This work opens new perspectives in the early treatment of human post-traumatic induced depression. Our results strongly suggest that bumetanide might constitute an efficient prophylactic treatment to reduce neurological and psychiatric consequences of brain trauma.Peer reviewe

SAPOLL - A cross-border action plan for wild pollinators

Pollinators such as wild bees, hoverflies or butterflies represent a valuable resource in Europe but are greatly threatened. To protect these pollinators, that are not limited by the borders of the countries, it is necessary to develop adapted tools at large scales. The SAPOLL project rises to this challenge by initiating the creation of a cross-border action plan for pollinators in Belgium and in the north of France. This plan will encourage the development of concerted actions for pollinators conservation by spreading scientific, didactic and applied contexts to all the citizens and stakeholders. The SAPOLL project also organises additional actions that are essential for the creation and the success of the cross-border action plan. These actions will facilitate the sharing of skills and the homogenisation of knowledge between regions and will focus on three aspects: (i) Communication and awareness raising for the general public in order to inform the general public of the pollinator decline. (ii) Organisation and homogenisation of naturalist networks in the cross-border area through the animation of working groups and training courses. (iii) Global scientific monitoring of wild pollinators on the whole cross-border territory. The area of high importance for pollination service will be demarcated

SAPOLL - A cross border action plan for wild pollinators

Pollinators such as wild bees, hoverflies or butterflies represent a valuable resource in Europe but are greatly threatened. To protect these pollinators, that are not limited by the borders of the countries, it is necessary to develop adapted tools at large scales. The Interreg SAPOLL project rises to this challenge by initiating the creation of a cross-border action plan for pollinators in Belgium and in the north of France. This plan will encourage the development of concerted actions for pollinators conservation by spreading scientific, didactic and applied contexts to all the citizens and stakeholders

Isotope-based inferences of the trophic niche of short-finned pilot whales in the Webbnesia

Knowledge of predator-prey interactions is key in ecological studies and understanding ecosystem function, yet this is still poorly explored in the deep-sea environment. Carbon (δ13C: 13C/12C) and nitrogen (δ15N: 15N/14N) stable isotope ratios of a deep-diving species, the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), were used to explore knowledge gaps on its ecological niche and foraging habitats in the Webbnesia marine ecoregion (Tenerife Island, n = 27 animals vs. Madeira, n = 31; 500 km apart) where animals display distinct levels of site fidelity. Specifically, we tested whether intraspecific isotopic variation results from differences between geographic areas (due to possible foraging plasticity between regions), sexes, and/or years (2015–2020) using Generalized Linear Models. In general, significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the stable isotope profiles of pilot whales between the two archipelagos, which were also reflected in their isotopic niche. The higher mean and wider range of δ15N values in Tenerife suggest that pilot whales consume prey of higher trophic levels and more diverse than Madeira. The higher mean and wider range of δ13C values in Madeira suggest that in that island, pilot whales rely on prey from more diverse habitats. There was significant variation between some years, but not between sexes. Finally, we discuss pilot whales’ foraging strategies worldwide and infer the reliance on benthic or benthopelagic food sources in the Webbnesia.Fundación BiodiversidadGobierno de Canarias | Ref. COVCALD-1286139Fundação para a Ciência e a TecnologiaMinisterio de UniversidadesUniversidade de Vigo/CISU