PloS one

Down syndrome (DS) results from one extra copy of human chromosome 21 and leads to several alterations including intellectual disabilities and locomotor defects. The transchromosomic Tc1 mouse model carrying an extra freely-segregating copy of human chromosome 21 was developed to better characterize the relation between genotype and phenotype in DS. The Tc1 mouse exhibits several locomotor and cognitive deficits related to DS. In this report we analyzed the contribution of the genetic dosage of 13 conserved mouse genes located between Abcg1 and U2af1, in the telomeric part of Hsa21. We used the Ms2Yah model carrying a deletion of the corresponding interval in the mouse genome to rescue gene dosage in the Tc1/Ms2Yah compound mice to determine how the different behavioral phenotypes are affected. We detected subtle changes with the Tc1/Ms2Yah mice performing better than the Tc1 individuals in the reversal paradigm of the Morris water maze. We also found that Tc1/Ms2Yah compound mutants performed better in the rotarod than the Tc1 mice. This data support the impact of genes from the Abcg1-U2af1 region as modifiers of Tc1-dependent memory and locomotor phenotypes. Our results emphasize the complex interactions between triplicated genes inducing DS features

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Variation in general supportive and preventive intensive care management of traumatic brain injury: a survey in 66 neurotrauma centers participating in the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study

Abstract Background General supportive and preventive measures in the intensive care management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) aim to prevent or limit secondary brain injury and optimize recovery. The aim of this survey was to assess and quantify variation in perceptions on intensive care unit (ICU) management of patients with TBI in European neurotrauma centers. Methods We performed a survey as part of the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study. We analyzed 23 questions focused on: 1) circulatory and respiratory management; 2) fever control; 3) use of corticosteroids; 4) nutrition and glucose management; and 5) seizure prophylaxis and treatment. Results The survey was completed predominantly by intensivists (n = 33, 50%) and neurosurgeons (n = 23, 35%) from 66 centers (97% response rate). The most common cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) target was > 60 mmHg (n = 39, 60%) and/or an individualized target (n = 25, 38%). To support CPP, crystalloid fluid loading (n = 60, 91%) was generally preferred over albumin (n = 15, 23%), and vasopressors (n = 63, 96%) over inotropes (n = 29, 44%). The most commonly reported target of partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2) was 36–40 mmHg (4.8–5.3 kPa) in case of controlled intracranial pressure (ICP) < 20 mmHg (n = 45, 69%) and PaCO2 target of 30–35 mmHg (4–4.7 kPa) in case of raised ICP (n = 40, 62%). Almost all respondents indicated to generally treat fever (n = 65, 98%) with paracetamol (n = 61, 92%) and/or external cooling (n = 49, 74%). Conventional glucose management (n = 43, 66%) was preferred over tight glycemic control (n = 18, 28%). More than half of the respondents indicated to aim for full caloric replacement within 7 days (n = 43, 66%) using enteral nutrition (n = 60, 92%). Indications for and duration of seizure prophylaxis varied, and levetiracetam was mostly reported as the agent of choice for both seizure prophylaxis (n = 32, 49%) and treatment (n = 40, 61%). Conclusions Practice preferences vary substantially regarding general supportive and preventive measures in TBI patients at ICUs of European neurotrauma centers. These results provide an opportunity for future comparative effectiveness research, since a more evidence-based uniformity in good practices in general ICU management could have a major impact on TBI outcome

Implication de la région Abcg1-U2af1 dans le syndrome de Down : effets de doses de la région et rôle du gène Cbs dans les défauts de mémorisation

The Down syndrome (DS), or Trisomy21, is the most frequent aneuploidy in human. The genomic disorder is such an extent that any single cure could overcome all the symptoms (mental retardation, motor defects…). That’s why mouse models’ using allows studies on Hsa21 regions impact in deficits apparition. My PhD project was turned toward the telomeric locus of the Hsa21 framed between Abcg1 and U2af1. We focused our research on two models, Ts1Yah and Ms2Yah, dedicated to this region. The study of those lines, combined with several other transgenic ones, showed the contribution of the interval into the optimisation of motor learning. In a second step, the Cbs gene, candidate on memory loss of function, has highlighted a functional rescue in dose-effect experiment. This discovery paves the way to new therapeutic perspectives.Le syndrome de Down (SD), ou Trisomie 21, est l’aneuploïdie la plus fréquente chez l’humain. Le désordre génomique est tel qu’aucun traitement unique ne peut pallier à tous les symptômes (retard mental, troubles moteurs...). C’est pourquoi l’utilisation de modèles murins permet d’étudier l’impact de régions partielles du Hsa21 dans l’apparition des déficits. Mon projet de thèse s’est orienté sur un locus télomérique encadré par les gènes Abcg1 et U2af1. Mes recherches se sont focalisées sur deux modèles, Ts1Yah et Ms2Yah, dédiés à cette région. L’étude de ces lignées, combinées à d’autres modèles transgéniques, a montré la contribution de l’intervalle génique dans l’optimisation de l’apprentissage locomoteur. Dans un deuxième temps, le gène Cbs, candidat à la perte de fonction de mémoire, a permis de mettre en évidence un sauvetage fonctionnel dans une expérience à effets de doses. Cette découverte ouvre la voie à de nouvelles perspectives thérapeutiques

Implication of the Abcg1-U2af1 region in Down syndrome : dose effects of the region and the role of Cbs gene in memorisation defects

Le syndrome de Down (SD), ou Trisomie 21, est l’aneuploïdie la plus fréquente chez l’humain. Le désordre génomique est tel qu’aucun traitement unique ne peut pallier à tous les symptômes (retard mental, troubles moteurs...). C’est pourquoi l’utilisation de modèles murins permet d’étudier l’impact de régions partielles du Hsa21 dans l’apparition des déficits. Mon projet de thèse s’est orienté sur un locus télomérique encadré par les gènes Abcg1 et U2af1. Mes recherches se sont focalisées sur deux modèles, Ts1Yah et Ms2Yah, dédiés à cette région. L’étude de ces lignées, combinées à d’autres modèles transgéniques, a montré la contribution de l’intervalle génique dans l’optimisation de l’apprentissage locomoteur. Dans un deuxième temps, le gène Cbs, candidat à la perte de fonction de mémoire, a permis de mettre en évidence un sauvetage fonctionnel dans une expérience à effets de doses. Cette découverte ouvre la voie à de nouvelles perspectives thérapeutiques.The Down syndrome (DS), or Trisomy21, is the most frequent aneuploidy in human. The genomic disorder is such an extent that any single cure could overcome all the symptoms (mental retardation, motor defects…). That’s why mouse models’ using allows studies on Hsa21 regions impact in deficits apparition. My PhD project was turned toward the telomeric locus of the Hsa21 framed between Abcg1 and U2af1. We focused our research on two models, Ts1Yah and Ms2Yah, dedicated to this region. The study of those lines, combined with several other transgenic ones, showed the contribution of the interval into the optimisation of motor learning. In a second step, the Cbs gene, candidate on memory loss of function, has highlighted a functional rescue in dose-effect experiment. This discovery paves the way to new therapeutic perspectives

Implication of the Abcg1-U2af1 region in Down syndrome : dose effects of the region and the role of Cbs gene in memorisation defects

Le syndrome de Down (SD), ou Trisomie 21, est l’aneuploïdie la plus fréquente chez l’humain. Le désordre génomique est tel qu’aucun traitement unique ne peut pallier à tous les symptômes (retard mental, troubles moteurs...). C’est pourquoi l’utilisation de modèles murins permet d’étudier l’impact de régions partielles du Hsa21 dans l’apparition des déficits. Mon projet de thèse s’est orienté sur un locus télomérique encadré par les gènes Abcg1 et U2af1. Mes recherches se sont focalisées sur deux modèles, Ts1Yah et Ms2Yah, dédiés à cette région. L’étude de ces lignées, combinées à d’autres modèles transgéniques, a montré la contribution de l’intervalle génique dans l’optimisation de l’apprentissage locomoteur. Dans un deuxième temps, le gène Cbs, candidat à la perte de fonction de mémoire, a permis de mettre en évidence un sauvetage fonctionnel dans une expérience à effets de doses. Cette découverte ouvre la voie à de nouvelles perspectives thérapeutiques.The Down syndrome (DS), or Trisomy21, is the most frequent aneuploidy in human. The genomic disorder is such an extent that any single cure could overcome all the symptoms (mental retardation, motor defects…). That’s why mouse models’ using allows studies on Hsa21 regions impact in deficits apparition. My PhD project was turned toward the telomeric locus of the Hsa21 framed between Abcg1 and U2af1. We focused our research on two models, Ts1Yah and Ms2Yah, dedicated to this region. The study of those lines, combined with several other transgenic ones, showed the contribution of the interval into the optimisation of motor learning. In a second step, the Cbs gene, candidate on memory loss of function, has highlighted a functional rescue in dose-effect experiment. This discovery paves the way to new therapeutic perspectives

Implication de la région Abcg1-U2af1 dans le syndrome de Down (effets de doses de la région et rôle du gène Cbs dans les défauts de mémorisation)

Le syndrome de Down (SD), ou Trisomie 21, est l aneuploïdie la plus fréquente chez l humain. Le désordre génomique est tel qu aucun traitement unique ne peut pallier à tous les symptômes (retard mental, troubles moteurs...). C est pourquoi l utilisation de modèles murins permet d étudier l impact de régions partielles du Hsa21 dans l apparition des déficits. Mon projet de thèse s est orienté sur un locus télomérique encadré par les gènes Abcg1 et U2af1. Mes recherches se sont focalisées sur deux modèles, Ts1Yah et Ms2Yah, dédiés à cette région. L étude de ces lignées, combinées à d autres modèles transgéniques, a montré la contribution de l intervalle génique dans l optimisation de l apprentissage locomoteur. Dans un deuxième temps, le gène Cbs, candidat à la perte de fonction de mémoire, a permis de mettre en évidence un sauvetage fonctionnel dans une expérience à effets de doses. Cette découverte ouvre la voie à de nouvelles perspectives thérapeutiques.The Down syndrome (DS), or Trisomy21, is the most frequent aneuploidy in human. The genomic disorder is such an extent that any single cure could overcome all the symptoms (mental retardation, motor defects ). That s why mouse models using allows studies on Hsa21 regions impact in deficits apparition. My PhD project was turned toward the telomeric locus of the Hsa21 framed between Abcg1 and U2af1. We focused our research on two models, Ts1Yah and Ms2Yah, dedicated to this region. The study of those lines, combined with several other transgenic ones, showed the contribution of the interval into the optimisation of motor learning. In a second step, the Cbs gene, candidate on memory loss of function, has highlighted a functional rescue in dose-effect experiment. This discovery paves the way to new therapeutic perspectives.STRASBOURG-Bib.electronique 063 (674829902) / SudocSudocFranceF

Lipid Droplets in Unicellular Photosynthetic Stramenopiles

International audienceThe Heterokonta or Stramenopile phylum comprises clades of unicellular photosynthetic species, which are promising for a broad range of biotechnological applications, based on their capacity to capture atmospheric CO 2 via photosynthesis and produce biomolecules of interest. These molecules include triacylglycerol (TAG) loaded inside specific cytosolic bodies, called the lipid droplets (LDs). Understanding TAG production and LD biogenesis and function in photosynthetic stramenopiles is therefore essential, and is mostly based on the study of a few emerging models, such as the pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and eustigmatophytes, such as Nannochloropsis and Microchloropsis species. The biogenesis of cytosolic LD usually occurs at the level of the endoplasmic reticulum. However, stramenopile cells contain a complex plastid deriving from a secondary endosymbiosis, limited by four membranes, the outermost one being connected to the endomembrane system. Recent cell imaging and proteomic studies suggest that at least some cytosolic LDs might be associated to the surface of the complex plastid, via still uncharacterized contact sites. The carbon length and number of double bonds of the acyl groups contained in the TAG molecules depend on their origin. De novo synthesis produces long-chain saturated or monounsaturated fatty acids (SFA, MUFA), whereas subsequent maturation processes lead to very long-chain polyunsaturated FA (VLC-PUFA). TAG composition in SFA, MUFA, and VLC-PUFA reflects therefore the metabolic context that gave rise to the formation of the LD, either via an early partitioning of carbon following FA de novo synthesis and/or a recycling of FA from membrane lipids, e.g., plastid galactolipids or endomembrane phosphor- or betaine lipids. In this review, we address the relationship between cytosolic LDs and the complex membrane compartmentalization within stramenopile cells, the metabolic routes leading to TAG accumulation, and the physiological conditions that trigger LD production, in response to various environmental factors

Monitoring de poissons par RFID au niveau du canal de fuite de la centrale de Coo dérivation

L’étude est réalisée en vue de la construction d’une passe à poisson, à l’amont du canal de fuite de la centrale Electrabel, en rive droite. La cascade de Coo, qui se situe à proximité immédiate du site d’étude, est un obstacle infranchissable naturel pour les poissons qui remontent l’Amblève et qui se retrouvent bloqués au pied de l’obstacle. L’étude du comportement des poissons dans le canal de fuite de la centrale Electrabel, pourrait permettre de déterminer l’efficacité et l’attractivité d’une future passe à poissons en vue de réaliser la capture/transport des poissons