Expressed repetitive elements are broadly applicable reference targets for normalization of reverse transcription-qPCR data in mice

Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is the gold standard method for gene expression analysis on mRNA level. To remove experimental variation, expression levels of the gene of interest are typically normalized to the expression level of stably expressed endogenous reference genes. Identifying suitable reference genes and determining the optimal number of reference genes should precede each quantification study. Popular reference genes are not necessarily stably expressed in the examined conditions, possibly leading to inaccurate results. Stably and universally expressed repetitive elements (ERE) have previously been shown to be an excellent alternative for normalization using classic reference genes in human and zebrafish samples. Here, we confirm that in mouse tissues, EREs are broadly applicable reference targets for RT-qPCR normalization, provided that the RNA samples undergo a thorough DNase treatment. We identified Orr1a0, Rltr2aiap, and Rltr13a3 as the most stably expressed mouse EREs across six different experimental conditions. Therefore, we propose this set of ERE reference targets as good candidates for normalization of RT-qPCR data in a plethora of conditions. The identification of widely applicable stable mouse RT-qPCR reference targets for normalization has great potential to facilitate future murine gene expression studies and improve the validity of RT-qPCR data

Brain energy rescue:an emerging therapeutic concept for neurodegenerative disorders of ageing

The brain requires a continuous supply of energy in the form of ATP, most of which is produced from glucose by oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria, complemented by aerobic glycolysis in the cytoplasm. When glucose levels are limited, ketone bodies generated in the liver and lactate derived from exercising skeletal muscle can also become important energy substrates for the brain. In neurodegenerative disorders of ageing, brain glucose metabolism deteriorates in a progressive, region-specific and disease-specific manner — a problem that is best characterized in Alzheimer disease, where it begins presymptomatically. This Review discusses the status and prospects of therapeutic strategies for countering neurodegenerative disorders of ageing by improving, preserving or rescuing brain energetics. The approaches described include restoring oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, increasing insulin sensitivity, correcting mitochondrial dysfunction, ketone-based interventions, acting via hormones that modulate cerebral energetics, RNA therapeutics and complementary multimodal lifestyle changes

Essai de cryoconservation des gamétophytes de l'algue alimentaire

La tolérance aux basses températures des gamétophytes de l'algue alimentaire Undaria pinnatifida est examinée selon différentes méthodes de cryoconservation. La conservation à -80 °C dans une solution glycérolée à 28 % et celle à −196 °C dans une solution en eau de mer de glycérol à 5 ou 10 % ne permettent que des survies de, respectivement, 9 et 4 jours. Par ailleurs, la viabilité n'est pas affectée par un refroidissement de 5 °C/min et une conservation de 15 minutes à −15 °C sans milieu de cryoprotection mais est fortement diminuée par un stockage de 15 minutes à −30 ou −196 °C, même en présence de DMSO. La réduction de la survie des gamétophytes se traduit morphologiquement par une dépigmentation et/ou une contraction des cellules

Anticoagulation management during pulmonary endarterectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary endarterectomy requires cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, which may prolong the activated clotting time. We investigated whether activated clotting time-guided anticoagulation under these circumstances suppresses hemostatic activation. METHODS: Individual heparin sensitivity was determined by the heparin dose-response test, and anticoagulation was monitored by the activated clotting time and heparin concentration. Perioperative hemostasis was evaluated by thromboelastometry, platelet aggregation, and several plasma coagulation markers. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were included in this study. During cooling, tube-based activated clotting time increased from 719 (95% confidence interval = 566-872 seconds) to 1,273 (95% confidence interval = 1,136-1,410 seconds; p 240 seconds. Platelet aggregation through activation of the P2Y12 (adenosine diphosphate test) and thrombin receptor (thrombin receptor activating peptide-6 test) decreased (both -33%) and PF4 levels almost doubled (from 48 (95% confidence interval = 42-53 ng/mL) to 77 (95% confidence interval = 71-82 ng/mL); p < 0.01) between weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass and 3 minutes after protamine administration. CONCLUSION: This study shows a wide variation in individual heparin sensitivity in patients undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Although activated clotting time-guided anticoagulation management may underestimate the level of anticoagulation and consequently result in a less profound inhibition of hemostatic activation, this study lacked power to detect adverse outcomes

Images en tr@nsit territoires et médiums

Le programme de recherche international Images en tr@nsit : territoires et médiums, initié par le LESA (laboratoire d’études en sciences des arts, AMU, France), a pour objectif d’étudier les phénomènes actuels de déplacements, de transformations, de transcodages ou de recompositions des images. Pour en analyser les incidences esthétiques, socioculturelles et géopolitiques, ce champ de recherche tient compte des technologies innovantes relatives à la gestion des flux d’images entre divers territoires. Au- jourd’hui l’industrie de la communication fabrique des images en permanence, afin de véhiculer toutes sortes de récits médiatiques. Ce programme envisage principalement comment les artistes élaborent des espaces critiques et des contre-récits alternatifs, quels que soient leurs médiums et supports, en interro- geant en tous sens les faits par la fiction et inversement.Images en tr@nsit ne sépare pas recherche scientifique et recherche-création. En pleine transition nu- mérique, comment artistes et théoriciens interrogent-ils la relation entre l’image et le réel. Dans quelle mesure spéculent-ils sur nos relations à l’instabilité des images ? En d’autres termes, si l’image devient de plus en plus ce qui constitue ou engendre le monde selon un mouvement incessant – ce qui lui ferait perdre sa secondarité – comment est-elle encore un outil critique de connaissance par l’art ?Cet article s’articule en quatre parties :1. Usages du document et compositing artistique à l’ère de l’instabilité des images2. Images en transit et transmission : la question de l’archive3. Émergence de nouveaux récits intermédiaux : translations et transpositions matérielles de l’image4. Cartographies et territoire