Insights into Eyestalk Ablation Mechanism to Induce Ovarian Maturation in the Black Tiger Shrimp

Eyestalk ablation is commonly practiced in crustacean to induce ovarian maturation in captivity. The molecular mechanism of the ablation has not been well understood, preventing a search for alternative measures to induce ovarian maturation in aquaculture. This is the first study to employ cDNA microarray to examine effects of eyestalk ablation at the transcriptomic level and pathway mapping analysis to identify potentially affected biological pathways in the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Microarray analysis comparing between gene expression levels of ovaries from eyestalk-intact and eyestalk-ablated brooders revealed 682 differentially expressed transcripts. Based on Hierarchical clustering of gene expression patterns, Gene Ontology annotation, and relevant functions of these differentially expressed genes, several gene groups were further examined by pathway mapping analysis. Reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR analysis for some representative transcripts confirmed microarray data. Known reproductive genes involved in vitellogenesis were dramatically increased during the ablation. Besides these transcripts expected to be induced by the ablation, transcripts whose functions involved in electron transfer mechanism, immune responses and calcium signal transduction were significantly altered following the ablation. Pathway mapping analysis revealed that the activation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone signaling, calcium signaling, and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation pathways were putatively crucial to ovarian maturation induced by the ablation. These findings shed light on several possible molecular mechanisms of the eyestalk ablation effect and allow more focused investigation for an ultimate goal of finding alternative methods to replace the undesirable practice of the eyestalk ablation in the future

Comparaison médico-économique de la laparoscopie robot-assistée et de la lombotomie pour la réalisation de néphrectomies partielles pour cancer du rein

International audienceINTRODUCTION:Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy rapidly took on among urologists, even though studies showing its superiority over other techniques are still scarce and its costs hard to evaluate, especially in the French medical system.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the cost overrun of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy compared to that of open partial nephrectomy.EQUIPMENT AND METHODS:From January 2010 to December 2013, 77 patients underwent a partial nephrectomy, 46 of which by robot-assisted laparoscopy and the remaining 31 by lombotomy. The two groups were similar in composition. Economic data regarding the staff, the consumables and the premises involved have been analyzed.RESULTS:Costs are significantly higher in the NPR group (9253.21 euros vs. 7448.42 euros) due to higher consumable expenses as well as the costs pertaining to the amortization and maintenance of the robot. Yet, that difference tends to diminish as the duration of the experiment increases. No significant difference was found in warm ischemia times, operation duration and renal function a month after the operation. On the other hand, patients from the NPR group spent a significantly smaller amount of time in recovery room (159 minutes vs. 205 minutes, P=0.004), presented fewer complications and were discharged faster (6.1 days vs. 8.1 days, P=0.04).CONCLUSIONS:To be profitable for the hospital in the French GHS system, robot-assisted partial nephrectomy must take place in a complex where at least 300 robot-assisted interventions are performed annually, in the framework of a hospitalization lasting four days or less, the use of a single needle holder and no systematic use of a haemostatic agent.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:4

Évaluation de l’acceptabilité du point de vue du médecin traitant et de la faisabilité de la prise en charge ambulatoire de l’embolie pulmonaire

International audienceRationnel : En France, la prise en charge initiale des embolies pulmonaires (EP) est hospitalière. Les dernières recommandations suggèrent une prise en charge ambulatoire des EP stables. Cependant, le parcours de soins ambulatoire reste à déterminer ainsi que l’acceptabilité pour le médecin traitant (MT) de ce changement de pratique.Objectifs : Déterminer : (1) la proportion de patients éligibles à une prise en charge ambulatoire et les raisons d’hospitalisation des EP stables ; (2) l’acceptabilité pour le MT d’une prise en charge ambulatoire de l’EP et le parcours de soins souhaité.Méthode : Étude prospective observationnelle réalisée au CHU de Montpellier de mai 2012 à août 2013 en 2 parties : (1) étude hospitalière auprès des patients présentant une EP extrahospitalière ; (2) enquête parcours de soins auprès des MT des patients.Résultats : Étude hospitalière : 99,1 % (n = 211) des patients inclus ont été hospitalisés mais seuls 14,1 % (n = 30) présentaient tous les critères médicaux et sociaux pour une prise en charge ambulatoire. Enquête « parcours de soins » : 68,3 % (n = 112) des MT étaient favorables à une prise en charge ambulatoire d’autant plus qu’ils étaient âgés de 40–54 ans et qu’ils prenaient déjà en charge seuls leurs patients à la sortie de l’hôpital. Cent trente-neuf (84,8 %) médecins souhaitaient une prise en charge collaborative avec une visite de suivi à une semaine auprès d’un spécialiste des maladies vasculaires.Conclusion : Peu de patients pris en charge au CHU de Montpellier pour une EP sont éligibles à un traitement ambulatoire. Les MT sont favorables à une telle prise en charge, si celle-ci est collaborative