A star is born again: Methods for larval rearing of an emerging model organism, the False clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris

As interest increases in ecological, evolutionary, and developmental biology (Eco-Evo-Devo), wild species are increasingly used as experimental models. However, we are still lacking a suitable model for marine fish species, as well as coral reef fishes that can be reared at laboratory scales. Extensive knowledge of the life cycle of anemonefishes, and the peculiarities of their biology, make them relevant marine fish models for developmental biology, ecology, and evolutionary sciences. Here, we present standard methods to maintain breeding pairs of the anemonefish Amphiprion ocellaris in captivity, obtain regular good quality spawning, and protocols to ensure larval survival throughout rearing. We provide a detailed description of the anemonefish husbandry system and life prey culturing protocols. Finally, a “low-volume” rearing protocol useful for the pharmacological treatment of larvae is presented. Such methods are important as strict requirements for large volumes in rearing tanks often inhibit continuous treatments with expensive or rare compounds

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome associated with COVID-19: An Emulated Target Trial Analysis.

RATIONALE: Whether COVID patients may benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) compared with conventional invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of ECMO on 90-Day mortality vs IMV only Methods: Among 4,244 critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 included in a multicenter cohort study, we emulated a target trial comparing the treatment strategies of initiating ECMO vs. no ECMO within 7 days of IMV in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FiO2 <80 or PaCO2 ≥60 mmHg). We controlled for confounding using a multivariable Cox model based on predefined variables. MAIN RESULTS: 1,235 patients met the full eligibility criteria for the emulated trial, among whom 164 patients initiated ECMO. The ECMO strategy had a higher survival probability at Day-7 from the onset of eligibility criteria (87% vs 83%, risk difference: 4%, 95% CI 0;9%) which decreased during follow-up (survival at Day-90: 63% vs 65%, risk difference: -2%, 95% CI -10;5%). However, ECMO was associated with higher survival when performed in high-volume ECMO centers or in regions where a specific ECMO network organization was set up to handle high demand, and when initiated within the first 4 days of MV and in profoundly hypoxemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In an emulated trial based on a nationwide COVID-19 cohort, we found differential survival over time of an ECMO compared with a no-ECMO strategy. However, ECMO was consistently associated with better outcomes when performed in high-volume centers and in regions with ECMO capacities specifically organized to handle high demand. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Observations of land use transformations during the Neolithic using exploratory spatial data analysis: contributions and limitations

International audienceThe settlement pattern analysis in archaeology implies some methodological questions. In this paper, we question some issues about the use of geostatistical methods for the observation of land use transformations during the Neolithic. We have developed two examples in Burgundy (France): the first one on a regional scale and the second one on a micro-regional scale. Using different ESDA approaches (Ripley’K function, Nearest Neighbour Distance, Kernel Density Estimation), we would like to underline what the methodological and archaeological contributions and their limits are. Both experiences point out that the results obtained depend not only on the analytical scale, but also on the quality and the quantity of the studied data. The contribution of this paper is to prove that scale, quality and quantity, are three essential parameters for the “reflexive approach” when using spatial statistics in landscape problems

Contribution of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of adnexal torsion (AGATA): protocol for a prospective comparative study

Introduction Adnexal torsion is a surgical emergency and its prognosis depends on the time elapsed prior to treatment. The diagnosis relies on pelvic ultrasound in which sensitivity remains low and may lead to misdiagnosis.The primary objective is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the diagnosis of adnexal torsion in women with suspected adnexal torsion. The secondary objectives are: (1) to describe the perfusion parameters of the ovaries by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, (2) to compare diagnostic performance of contrast ultrasound with bidimensional (2D) Doppler for the detection of adnexal torsion, (3) to describe the perfusion parameters of the ovarian as a function of the degree of adnexal torsion, (4) to compare perfusion parameters before and after ovarian detorsion and (5) to describe perfusion parameters of the ovarian by using MicroVascular Flow technique.Methods and analysis This is a monocentric, prospective comparative, non-randomised, open and interventional study. We hypothesise to include 30 women: 20 positive cases compared with 10 control cases. Women are informed and recruited in the emergency ward, over a period of 36 months.The primary endpoint is the signal intensity measurement to assess sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for detection of adnexal torsion in women with suspected adnexal torsion. The presence or absence of adnexal torsion is confirmed during the surgical intervention.Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by the French Ethics Committee, the CPP (Comité de Protection des Personnes) OUEST I on 3 July 2020 with reference number 2020T1-16. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will be presented at relevant conferences.Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT04522219); EudraCT registry (2020-000993-27)

Products and services of the "Urban" THEIA Scientific expertise Centre

International audienceThe THEIA data and services centre (www.theia-land.fr) is a consortium of 10 French public institutions (CEA, CEREMA, CIRAD, CNES, IGN, INRAE, CNRS, IRD, Météo France, and ONERA) designed to foster the use of Earth Observations data for environmental studies. The “Urban” SEC brings together teams from several research laboratories in France that carry out research and develop innovative data processing methods for urban remote sensing using optical and SAR sensors. They are working on the validation of the urban products provided by the THEIA SDI and try to demonstrate user-tailored applications

Products and services of the "Urban" THEIA Scientific expertise Centre

International audienceThe THEIA data and services centre (www.theia-land.fr) is a consortium of 10 French public institutions (CEA, CEREMA, CIRAD, CNES, IGN, INRAE, CNRS, IRD, Météo France, and ONERA) designed to foster the use of Earth Observations data for environmental studies. The “Urban” SEC brings together teams from several research laboratories in France that carry out research and develop innovative data processing methods for urban remote sensing using optical and SAR sensors. They are working on the validation of the urban products provided by the THEIA SDI and try to demonstrate user-tailored applications

Products and services of the "Urban" THEIA Scientific expertise Centre

International audienceThe THEIA data and services centre (www.theia-land.fr) is a consortium of 10 French public institutions (CEA, CEREMA, CIRAD, CNES, IGN, INRAE, CNRS, IRD, Météo France, and ONERA) designed to foster the use of Earth Observations data for environmental studies. The “Urban” SEC brings together teams from several research laboratories in France that carry out research and develop innovative data processing methods for urban remote sensing using optical and SAR sensors. They are working on the validation of the urban products provided by the THEIA SDI and try to demonstrate user-tailored applications