Archéologie, architecture et ébénisterie : les meubles de la villa Kérylos à Beaulieu-sur-Mer

La villa Kérylos fut construite à Beaulieu-sur-Mer entre 1902 et 1908, par Emmanuel Pontremoli pour l’helléniste Théodore Reinach, à la manière d’une maison antique. L’architecte fut également le concepteur de l’intégralité du décor et du mobilier, inspirés par l’Antiquité grecque et romaine, y compris les objets usuels, comme la vaisselle fabriquée par Emile Lenoble et l’argenterie de la maison parisienne Leverrier et Cie. Les meubles, pour la plupart en bois exotiques décorés d’incrustations, ont été réalisés par l’ébéniste Louis-François Bettenfeld, à partir de dessins précis de Pontremoli. L’analyse des croquis et l’étude des œuvres a permis d’identifier les bois et de reconstituer les ensembles prévus par l’architecte pour chaque pièce. La combinaison d’un petit nombre de motifs de base produit une grande variété de décors tout en créant une grande harmonie dans la demeure car les thèmes décoratifs se répondent d’une pièce à l’autre. La qualité d’exécution des meubles, dont les formes se rapprochent le plus possible des modèles antiques visibles sur les céramiques figurées, est telle que l’on peut les qualifier de chefs-d’œuvre d’ébénisterie. Il faut enfin souligner la prouesse technique consistant à intégrer et à dissimuler parfaitement les commodités modernes, électricité, eau courante et chauffage central, dans un cadre « antique ».The Kérylos villa was built at Beaulieu-sur-Mer between 1902 and 1908 to the designs of the architect Emmanuel Pontremoli for the Hellenist Théodore Reinach. The villa was conceived as a house of classical antiquity. The architect was also responsible for all the villa’s interior design and furniture, similarly inspired by Greek and Roman antiquity. Even everyday object like the tableware, made by Emile Lenoble, and the silverware, coming from the Paris manufacturer Leverrier et Cie, was of classical inspiration. Most of the furniture is of wood and was executed by the cabinet-maker Louis-François Bettenfeld, following detailed designs by Pontremoli. The analysis of the architect’s sketches and the study of the actual pieces of furniture has allowed for the different types of wood to be identified and for a better understanding of the architect’s intentions for each of the villa’s rooms. The combination of a relatively limited number of basic decorative motifs produces a broad variety in the decors and an overall harmony throughout the villa, the decorative themes echoing one another from one room to the next. The forms of the different items of furniture are as close as possible to models found on classical vase paintings, and the quality of their execution allows them to be described as cabinet-making masterpieces. It is also worth drawing attention to the technical prowess in the perfect dissimulation of features of modern comfort (electricity, hot water, central heating) in this “antique” environment

Increase of mitochondrial DNA content and transcripts in early bovine embryogenesis associated with upregulation of mtTFA and NRF1 transcription factors

BACKGROUND: Recent work has shown that mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial functions are critical determinants of embryonic development. However, the expression of the factors controlling mitochondrial biogenesis in early embryogenesis has received little attention so far. METHODS: We used real-time quantitative PCR to quantify mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in bovine oocytes and in various stages of in vitro produced embryos. To investigate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the replication and the transcriptional activation of mtDNA, we quantified the mRNA corresponding to the mtDNA-encoded cytochrome oxidase 1 (COX1), and two nuclear-encoded factors, i.e. the Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 (NRF1), and the nuclear-encoded Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A (mtTFA). RESULTS: Unlike findings reported in mouse embryos, the mtDNA content was not constant during early bovine embryogenesis. We found a sharp, 60% decrease in mtDNA content between the 2-cell and the 4/8-cell stages. COX1 mRNA was constant until the morula stage after which it increased dramatically. mtTFA mRNA was undetectable in oocytes and remained so until the 8/16-cell stage; it began to appear only at the morula stage, suggesting de novo synthesis. In contrast, NRF1 mRNA was detectable in oocytes and the quantity remained constant until the morula stage. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed a reduction of mtDNA content in early bovine embryos suggesting an active process of mitochondrial DNA degradation. In addition, de novo mtTFA expression associated with mitochondrial biogenesis activation and high levels of NRF1 mRNA from the oocyte stage onwards argue for the essential function of these factors during the first steps of bovine embryogenesis

Altered Mitochondrial Opa1-Related Fusion in Mouse Promotes Endothelial Cell Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis

Flow (shear stress)-mediated dilation (FMD) of resistance arteries is a rapid endothelial response involved in tissue perfusion. FMD is reduced early in cardiovascular diseases, generating a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. As alteration of mitochondrial fusion reduces endothelial cells' (ECs) sprouting and angiogenesis, we investigated its role in ECs responses to flow. Opa1 silencing reduced ECs (HUVECs) migration and flow-mediated elongation. In isolated perfused resistance arteries, FMD was reduced in Opa1+/− mice, a model of the human disease due to Opa1 haplo-insufficiency, and in mice with an EC specific Opa1 knock-out (EC-Opa1). Reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress restored FMD in EC-Opa1 mice. In isolated perfused kidneys from EC-Opa1 mice, flow induced a greater pressure, less ATP, and more H2O2 production, compared to control mice. Opa1 expression and mitochondrial length were reduced in ECs submitted in vitro to disturbed flow and in vivo in the atheroprone zone of the mouse aortic cross. Aortic lipid deposition was greater in Ldlr−/--Opa1+/- and in Ldlr−/--EC-Opa1 mice than in control mice fed with a high-fat diet. In conclusion, we found that reduction in mitochondrial fusion in mouse ECs altered the dilator response to shear stress due to excessive superoxide production and induced greater atherosclerosis development

Archéologie, architecture et ébénisterie : les meubles de la villa Kérylos à Beaulieu-sur-Mer

The Kérylos villa was built at Beaulieu-sur-Mer between 1902 and 1908 to the designs of the architect Emmanuel Pontremoli for the Hellenist Théodore Reinach. The villa was conceived as a house of classical antiquity. The architect was also responsible for all the villa’s interior design and furniture, similarly inspired by Greek and Roman antiquity. Even everyday object like the tableware, made by Emile Lenoble, and the silverware, coming from the Paris manufacturer Leverrier et Cie, was of classical inspiration. Most of the furniture is of wood and was executed by the cabinet-maker Louis-François Bettenfeld, following detailed designs by Pontremoli. The analysis of the architect’s sketches and the study of the actual pieces of furniture has allowed for the different types of wood to be identified and for a better understanding of the architect’s intentions for each of the villa’s rooms. The combination of a relatively limited number of basic decorative motifs produces a broad variety in the decors and an overall harmony throughout the villa, the decorative themes echoing one another from one room to the next. The forms of the different items of furniture are as close as possible to models found on classical vase paintings, and the quality of their execution allows them to be described as cabinet-making masterpieces. It is also worth drawing attention to the technical prowess in the perfect dissimulation of features of modern comfort (electricity, hot water, central heating) in this “antique” environment

Le mobilier du XVIIe siècle dans la cathédrale de Cavaillon

De l'extérieur, rien ne laisse présager l'abondance et la richesse du mobilier conservé dans la cathédrale Saint-Véran. En effet, la majeure partie de l'édifice, du XIIe siècle, est noyée dans diverses adjonctions qui empêchent toute lisibilité immédiate. Nous ne sommes pas en face d'une construction homogène répondant à un programme alors que c'est précisément cette notion de programme qui peut s'appliquer à la plupart de ses décors intérieurs, notamment ceux de la seconde moitié du XVIIe si..

Mitochondries et reproduction

Les mitochondries jouent un rôle central dans le métabolisme énergétique cellulaire. Une de leurs particularités est de posséder leur propre génome, dont la transmission est exclusivement maternelle. Leur implication dans la reproduction humaine est une notion relativement récente qui suscite un intérêt scientifique et médical croissant. Elles peuvent influencer la qualité des ovocytes et des spermatozoïdes, mais aussi la fécondation et le développement embryonnaire. De nouvelles techniques thérapeutiques telles que le transfert de cytoplasme ovocytaire compromettent fortement la transmission uniparentale de l’ADN mitochondrial et soulèvent d’importantes questions éthiques. Cet article tente de faire le point sur les acquisitions récentes concernant le rôle des mitochondries dans la fertilité et la reproduction humaines.Mitochondria play a primary role in cellular energetic metabolism. They possess their own DNA, which is exclusively maternally transmitted. The relatively recent idea that mitochondria may be directly involved in human reproduction is arousing increasing interest in the scientific and medical community. It has been shown that the functional status of mitochondria contributes to the quality of oocytes and spermatozoa, and plays a part in the process of fertilisation and embryo development. Moreover, new techniques, such as ooplasm transfer, compromise the uniquely maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA, raising important ethical questions. This review discusses recent information about mitochondria in the field of human fertility and reproduction