Effets sur les flux d'énergie impliqués dans l'homéostasie lors d'une exposition chronique à un champ radiofréquence chez le rat juvénile

National audienceLa balance énergétique impliquant sommeil, prise alimentaire et thermorégulation, est importante pour les organismes en croissance. Nous avons étudié les effets d'une exposition chronique aux ondes radiofréquences (RF) type antenne relais sur ces 3 fonctions physiologiques chez des rats juvéniles dans 2 environnements thermiques (24°C et 31°C). 13rats mâles Wistar âgés de 3 semaines ont été exposés continuellement pendant 5 semaines aux ondes RF (900 MHz, 1V.m-1) et comparé à 11 rats non exposés. Les résultats montrent une augmentation de la fréquence des épisodes de sommeil paradoxal à 24°C et 31°C. Les autres effets sur le sommeil dépendent de l'environnement thermique. A 31°C, la température caudale des animaux exposés est moindre que celle des contrôles suggérant une vasoconstriction exacerbée ; ce qui est confirmée avec la prazosine vasodilatatrice. De plus, la prise alimentaire est plus élevée chez les animaux exposés. La plupart des effets de l'exposition chronique aux ondes RF sur le sommeil dépendent de l'environnement thermique et les animaux exposés semblent mettre en place des processus d'économie d'énergie

Effets spécifiques d'une exposition aux ondes radiofréquences de téléphone mobile sur le contrôle nerveux autonome du tonus vasomoteur cutané

National audienceLes résultats de l'étude effectuée sur 21 jeunes adultes volontaires ont révélé des effets athermiques de l'exposition réelle aux ondes RF de téléphone mobile sur le micro débit sanguin cutané en comparaison avec une exposition sham, par approche laser Doppler thermostatique (LD). L'analyse spectrale du signal LD en fin d'exposition a permis de montrer que ces modifications de vasomotricité cutanée étaient associées à une activité nerveuse sympathique locale plus élevée sous exposition réelle que sous exposition sham. Un test de provocation thermique spécifique induisant une hyperémie réactive maximale effectué à la 25è minute post-exposition a montré que la réserve vasodilatatrice des micro-vaisseaux cutanés exposés aux ondes RF était plus grande que celle sous exposition sham

Assessment of radiant temperature in a closed incubator

In closed incubators, radiative heat loss (R) which is assessed from the mean radiant temperature [Formula: see text] accounts for 40–60% of the neonate’s total heat loss. In the absence of a benchmark method to calculate [Formula: see text]—often considered to be the same as the air incubator temperature—errors could have a considerable impact on the thermal management of neonates. We compared [Formula: see text] using two conventional methods (measurement with a black-globe thermometer and a radiative “view factor” approach) and two methods based on nude thermal manikins (a simple, schematic design from Wheldon and a multisegment, anthropometric device developed in our laboratory). By taking the [Formula: see text] estimations for each method, we calculated metabolic heat production values by partitional calorimetry and then compared them with the values calculated from [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] measured in 13 preterm neonates. Comparisons between the calculated and measured metabolic heat production values showed that the two conventional methods and Wheldon’s manikin underestimated R, whereas when using the anthropomorphic thermal manikin, the simulated versus clinical difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, there is a need for a safety standard for measuring [Formula: see text] in a closed incubator. This standard should also make available estimating equations for all avenues of the neonate’s heat exchange considering the metabolic heat production and the modifying influence of the thermal insulation provided by the diaper and by the mattress. Although thermal manikins appear to be particularly appropriate for measuring [Formula: see text], the current lack of standardized procedures limits their widespread use

Is the effect of mobile phone radiofrequency waves on human skin perfusion non-thermal ?

International audienceTo establish whether SkBF can be modified by exposure to the radiofrequency waves emitted by a mobile phone when the latter is held against the jaw and ear. Variations in SkBF and Tsk in adult volunteers were simultaneously recorded with a thermostatic laser Doppler system during a 20-minute radiofrequency exposure session and a 20-minute sham session. The skin microvessels' vasodilatory reserve was assessed with a heat challenge at the end of the protocol. During the radiofrequency exposure session, SkBF increased (vs. baseline) more than during the sham exposure session. The sessions did not differ significant in terms of the Tsk time-course response. The skin microvessels' vasodilatory ability was found to be greater during radiofrequency exposure than during sham exposure. Our results reveal the existence of a specific vasodilatory effect of mobile phone radiofrequency emission on skin perfusion

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Dietary polyphenol supplementation prevents alterations of spatial navigation in middle-aged mice

Spatial learning and memory deficits associated with hippocampal synaptic plasticity impairments are commonly observed during aging. Besides, the beneficial role of dietary polyphenols has been suggested as potential functional food candidates to prevent this memory decline. Indeed, polyphenols could potentiate the signaling pathways of synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory. In this study, spatial learning deficits of middle-aged mice were first highlighted and characterized according to their navigation patterns in the Morris water maze task. An eight-week polyphenol-enriched diet, containing a polyphenol-rich extract from grape and blueberry (PEGB; from the Neurophenols Consortium) with high contents of flavonoids, stilbenes and phenolic acids, was then successful in reversing these age-induced effects. The use of spatial strategies was indeed delayed with aging whereas a polyphenol supplementation could promote the occurrence of spatial strategies. These behavioral results were associated with neurobiological changes: while the expression of hippocampal calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) mRNA levels was reduced in middle-aged animals, the polyphenol-enriched diet could rescue them. Besides, an increased expression of nerve growth neurotrophic factor (NGF) mRNA levels was also observed in supplemented adult and middle-aged mice. Thus these data suggest that supplementation with polyphenols could be an efficient nutritional way to prevent age-induced cognitive decline

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men