Analysis of 67 RNA-seq datasets from various tissues at different stages of a model insect, Manduca sexta

Background: Manduca sexta is a large lepidopteran insect widely used as a model to study biochemistry of insect physiological processes. As a part of its genome project, over 50 cDNA libraries have been analyzed to profile gene expression in different tissues and life stages. While the RNA-seq data were used to study genes related to cuticle structure, chitin metabolism and immunity, a vast amount of the information has not yet been mined for understanding the basic molecular biology of this model insect. In fact, the basic features of these data, such as composition of the RNA-seq reads and lists of library-correlated genes, are unclear. From an extended view of all insects, clear-cut tempospatial expression data are rarely seen in the largest group of animals including Drosophila and mosquitoes, mainly due to their small sizes.Results: We obtained the transcriptome data, analyzed the raw reads in relation to the assembled genome, and generated heatmaps for clustered genes. Library characteristics (tissues, stages), number of mapped bases, and sequencing methods affected the observed percentages of genome transcription. While up to 40% of the reads were not mapped to the genome in the initial Cufflinks gene modeling, we identified the causes for the mapping failure and reduced the number of non-mappable reads to <8%. Similarities between libraries, measured based on library-correlated genes, clearly identified differences among tissues or life stages. We calculated gene expression levels, analyzed the most abundantly expressed genes in the libraries. Furthermore, we analyzed tissue-specific gene expression and identified 18 groups of genes with distinct expression patterns.Conclusion: We performed a thorough analysis of the 67 RNA-seq datasets to characterize new genomic features of M. sexta. Integrated knowledge of gene functions and expression features will facilitate future functional studies in this biochemical model insect.Peer reviewedBiochemistry and Molecular BiologyEntomology and Plant Patholog

Giant Splenic Artery Pseudoaneurysms: Two Case Reports and Cumulative Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Giant splenic artery pseudoaneurysms (GSAPs) &gt; 5 cm are a rare clinical entity. The aim of this study was to present our experience with 2 such patients successfully treated by coil embolization and surgery and review the pertinent literature. METHODS: A 58-year-old woman and 57-year-old man with a history of chronic pancreatitis were diagnosed with GSAP based on computed tomography (CT) angiography. The first patient had a 6-cm pseudoaneurysm, which was successfully treated with transcatheter coil embolization using a sandwich exclusion method. The second patient had two 7-cm lesions, which were successfully treated with distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. RESULTS: Postembolization CT angiography at 12 months showed remaining calcified pseudocyst without evidence of pseudoaneurysm in the first patient. Both patients remained well and symptom-free at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Combined with the experience of the previous literature, we believe that management of GSAP should be tailored for each individual case depending on the location and number of pseudoaneurysms, the underlying etiology, and the patient's hemodynamic status. Embolization should be considered as the first-line treatment for clinically stable patients with GSAP, whereas GSAPs with a pseudocyst are best treated with surgery

Production of the bioinsecticide Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis with deltamethrin increases toxicity towards mosquito larvae

International audienc

A systematic review on clinical features and management of true giant splenic artery aneurysms

BACKGROUND: True giant splenic artery aneurysms (GSAAs) &gt;5 cm are rare and present unique therapeutic challenges. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomic and clinical characteristics of these lesions and the current surgical and endovascular techniques available for their treatment. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature from 2004 to 2018 and the personal experience of the authors with management of GSAAs are presented. A total of 92 GSAA cases were reviewed. Analyses were performed on anatomic and clinical features and management modalities and outcomes of GSAA, including reintervention, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: GSAA presented at a mean age of 56.1 \ub1 17.3 years, with no sex predilection; 73% were symptomatic at presentation. Abdominal pain was the presenting symptom in &gt;50% of cases; 34% percent were ruptured, with an overall mortality rate of 12.5%. This group often presented with gastrointestinal bleeding or hemodynamic collapse. The aneurysms were almost evenly distributed across the splenic artery and were not uncommonly associated with arteriovenous fistula formation (8.7%). There were 88 patients who had surgical (53.4%), endovascular (44.3%), or combination (2.3%) therapy. The most commonly performed procedure was aneurysmectomy and splenectomy with or without additional resection. Overall, surgical treatment had a lower morbidity (P = .041) than endovascular therapy and comparable reintervention and mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: GSAAs are uncommon vascular lesions, with distinct clinical features and aneurysm characteristics. Considering their high risk of rupture, timely diagnosis and management are essential to attain a satisfactory outcome. Surgery remains the standard treatment of these lesions. Endovascular intervention is a viable alternative in high-risk patients, particularly those with lesions &lt;10 cm or with anomalous origin

Quelle prise en charge optimale pour un sarcome du cordon spermatique en 2018 ?

International audienceSpermatic cord sarcomas are rare tumors for which the most important is the initial diagnostic procedure. They are frequently misdiagnosed after surgery for inguinal hernia, inguinal lymphadenectomy or testicular malignancy. Any clinical suspicion has to lead to perform imaging with MRI and a core needle biopsy in order to obtain an accurate preoperative diagnosis. Liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma are the most common histological subtypes in elderly adults, rhabdomyosarcoma in children or in young adults. A CT scan will precede the treatment in order to look for distant metastasis and abdominal involvement. The therapeutic strategy as well as the surgical planning are then adapted to the histological, morphological and prognostic factors. Surgery is the cornerstone for the treatment of spermatic cord sarcoma. The minimum requirements for the surgical procedure are a wide excision of the tumor en bloc with radical orchidectomy, excision of the ipsilateral scrotum and high spermatic cord ligation. It could be enlarged to the anterior abdominal wall and adjacent organs some required a soft tissue flap. Spermatic cord sarcoma and trunk wall sarcoma have the same prognosis for which local recurrence could significantly decrease survival. Consequently, surgeon in charge with these tumors has to be familiar with soft tissue sarcoma and the management of these patients must be carried out under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team within the Netsarc network.Le sarcome du cordon spermatique est une pathologie rare pour laquelle la prise en charge initiale est d’importance primordiale. Le diagnostic est souvent découvert a posteriori après une chirurgie pour cure de hernie inguinale, pour suspicion de cancer du testicule ou après exérèse d’une adénopathie inguinale. Toute suspicion clinique doit donc faire l’objet d’une imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) et d’une biopsie percutanée sous contrôle radiologique dans le but d’obtenir un diagnostic préopératoire précis. Les histologies les plus fréquentes sont le liposarcome et le léiomyosarcome chez l’adulte âgé, le rhabdomyosarcome chez l’enfant et l’adulte jeune. Un bilan d’extension intra-abdominal et à distance par scanner précédera le traitement. La stratégie thérapeutique de même que la planification chirurgicale sont ensuite adaptées aux paramètres histologiques, morphologiques et pronostiques. La chirurgie est la pierre angulaire du traitement des sarcomes du cordon spermatique. Le geste minimal requis est l’exérèse de la tumeur en bloc avec la réalisation d’une orchidectomie totale, l’exérèse du cordon spermatique et la ligature des vaisseaux spermatiques à l’orifice inguinal profond. Elle peut être élargie à la paroi abdominale et aux organes de voisinage et nécessiter si besoin une reconstruction par lambeau. Le pronostic des sarcomes du cordon spermatique est équivalent à celui des sarcomes du tronc dont l’évolutivité locale est péjorative pour la survie des patients. De fait, l’exérèse doit être réalisée par un chirurgien ayant l’expertise des problématiques liées à la chirurgie des sarcomes au sein d’un centre spécialisé du réseau Netsarc