French Experience of 2009 A/H1N1v Influenza in Pregnant Women

BACKGROUND: The first reports on the pandemic influenza 2009 A/H1N1v from the USA, Mexico, and Australia indicated that this disease was associated with a high mortality in pregnant women. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the characteristics of severe critically ill and non-severe pregnant women with 2009 A/H1N1v-related illness in France. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A national registry was created to screen pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed 2009 A/H1N1v influenza. Three hundred and fifteen patients from 46 French hospitals were included: 40 patients were admitted to intensive care units (severe outcomes), 111 were hospitalized in obstetric or medical wards (moderate outcomes), and 164 were outpatients (mild outcomes). The 2009 A/H1N1v influenza illness occurred during all pregnancy trimesters, but most women (54%), notably the severe patients (70%), were in the third trimester. Among the severe patients, twenty (50%) underwent mechanical ventilation, and eleven (28%) were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Three women died from A/H1N1v influenza. We found a strong association between the development of a severe outcome and both co-existing illnesses (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-11.8) and a delay in oseltamivir treatment after the onset of symptoms (>3 or 5 days) (adjusted OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.9-12.1 and 61.2, 95% CI; 14.4-261.3, respectively). Among the 140 deliveries after 22 weeks of gestation known to date, 19 neonates (14%) were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, mainly for preterm delivery, and two neonates died. None of these neonates developed 2009 A/H1N1v infection. CONCLUSIONS: This series confirms the high incidence of complications in pregnant women infected with pandemic A/H1N1v observed in other countries but depicts a lower overall maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity than indicated in the USA or Australia. Moreover, our data demonstrate the benefit of early oseltamivir treatment in this specific population

Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals similarities and dissimilarities in saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strains response to nitrogen availability

Nitrogen levels in grape-juices are of major importance in winemaking ensuring adequate yeast growth and fermentation performance. Here we used a comparative transcriptome analysis to uncover wine yeasts responses to nitrogen availability during fermentation. Gene expression was assessed in three genetically and phenotypically divergent commercial wine strains (CEG, VL1 and QA23), under low (67 mg/L) and high nitrogen (670 mg/L) regimes, at three time points during fermentation (12h, 24h and 96h). Two-way ANOVA analysis of each fermentation condition led to the identification of genes whose expression was dependent on strain, fermentation stage and on the interaction of both factors. The high fermenter yeast strain QA23 was more clearly distinct from the other two strains, by differential expression of genes involved in flocculation, mitochondrial functions, energy generation and protein folding and stabilization. For all strains, higher transcriptional variability due to fermentation stage was seen in the high nitrogen fermentations. A positive correlation between maximum fermentation rate and the expression of genes involved in stress response was observed. The finding of common genes correlated with both fermentation activity and nitrogen up-take underlies the role of nitrogen on yeast fermentative fitness. The comparative analysis of genes differentially expressed between both fermentation conditions at 12h, where the main difference was the level of nitrogen available, showed the highest variability amongst strains revealing strain-specific responses. Nevertheless, we were able to identify a small set of genes whose expression profiles can quantitatively assess the common response of the yeast strains to varying nitrogen conditions. The use of three contrasting yeast strains in gene expression analysis prompts the identification of more reliable, accurate and reproducible biomarkers that will facilitate the diagnosis of deficiency of this nutrient in the grape-musts and the development of strategies to optimize yeast performance in industrial fermentations

Insetos em presépios e as "formigas vestidas" de Jules Martin (1832-1906): uma curiosa manufatura paulistana do final do século XIX

Encontrados no Brasil desde os primórdios da colonização portuguesa, os presépios logo tiveram de adaptar-se à realidade local, circunstância muito propícia ao aparecimento de concepções heterodoxas e ao emprego de elementos exóticos da fauna e flora de cada região. Como registros envolvendo insetos são muito pouco comuns, chama a atenção que fêmeas de saúva, Atta sp. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), tenham sido aproveitadas na composição de presépios no estado de São Paulo. Tendo subsistido pelo menos até a década 1960, os "presépios de formigas" existentes em cidades como Embu das Artes poderiam estar relacionados às "formigas vestidas" criadas por Jules Martin, curiosa manufatura paulistana do último quartel do século XIX.Present in Brazil since the beginning of Portuguese colonization, crèche nativity scenes were soon adapted to local reality, a propitious circumstance for the appearance of heterodox conceptions and the use of exotic elements of the fauna and flora peculiar to each region. As records about insects are very uncommon, it is noteworthy that females of leaf-cutting ants, Atta sp. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), were used to compose crèche nativity scenes in São Paulo State. Having subsisted at least up to the decade of 1960, the "ant crèches" of cities such as Embu das Artes could be related to the then famous "dressed ants" created by Jules Martin, a curious manufacture of the city of São Paulo in the last quarter of the 19th century

II. - Nouvelles scientifiques

Bloch Marc, Bourgin Georges, Cerny V., Febvre Lucien, Leuilliot Paul, Tesnière A. II. - Nouvelles scientifiques. In: Annales d'histoire économique et sociale. 1ᵉ année, N. 4, 1929. pp. 582-584

II. - Nouvelles scientifiques

Bloch Marc, Bourgin Georges, Cerny V., Febvre Lucien, Leuilliot Paul, Tesnière A. II. - Nouvelles scientifiques. In: Annales d'histoire économique et sociale. 1ᵉ année, N. 4, 1929. pp. 582-584

IV. - Nouvelles scientifiques

Bloch Marc, Bourgin Georges, Cerny V., Febvre Lucien, Leuilliot Paul, Tesnière A. IV. - Nouvelles scientifiques. In: Annales d'histoire économique et sociale. 1ᵉ année, N. 3, 1929. pp. 417-422

Improving the quality of transvaginal ultrasound scan by simulation training for general practice residents

Abstract Background Ultrasonography (US) is an essential tool for the diagnosis of acute gynecological conditions. General practice (GP) residents are involved in the first-line management of gynecologic emergencies. They are not familiar with US equipment. Initial training on simulators was conducted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of simulation-based training on the quality of the sonographic images achieved by GP residents 2 months after the simulation training versus clinical training alone. Methods Young GP residents assigned to emergency gynecology departments were invited to a one-day simulation-based US training session. A prospective controlled trial aiming to assess the impact of such training on TVS (transvaginal ultrasound scan) image quality was conducted. The first group included GP residents who attended the simulation training course. The second group included GP residents who did not attend the course. Written consent to participate was obtained from all participants. Images achieved 2 months after the training were scored using standardized quality criteria and compared in both groups. The stress generated by this examination was also assessed with a simple numeric scale. Results A total of 137 residents attended the simulation training, 26 consented to participate in the controlled trial. Sonographic image quality was significantly better in the simulation group for the sagittal view of the uterus (3.6 vs 2.7, p = 0.01), for the longitudinal view of the right ovary (2.8 vs 1.4, p = 0.027), and for the Morrison space (1.7 vs 0.4, p = 0.034), but the difference was not significant for the left ovary (2.9 vs 1.7, p = 0.189). The stress generated by TVS after 2 months was not different between the groups (6.0 vs 4.8, p = 0.4). Conclusion Simulation-based training improved the quality of pelvic US images in GP residents assessed after 2 months of experience in gynecology compared to clinical training alone

Effects of parity and litter size on body reserves dynamics across a complete physiological year in Romane ewes reared under extensive grazing conditions

L'abstract a également été publié dans le Journal of Dairy Science, 2012, 95 (2) et dans le Journal of Animal Science, 2012, 90 (3) : 72How adaptation mechanisms interact across functional levels to control the adaptability of an individual during its own lifetime and also across generations is a core complex question of contemporary research. This work belongs to a series of first efforts in our team looking for gaining insights in identifying and understanding the adaptation mechanisms of ruminants through decrypting functional levels effects in a series of environmental and physiological conditions changes. We consider the evolution of energy body reserves (BR) mobilization or accretion process as an indicator of adaptability while evidencing individual differences responsive of internally or environmentally driven changes in grazing ruminants. Forty-one Romane ewes reared in a natural extensive rangeland of Center France were allocated in homogeneous groups according to body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS), and distributed by parity [multiparous (MULT), n = 20; primiparous (PRIM), n = 21] and litter size (LSi) [having singletons (SING), n = 21 or TWIN, n = 20]. Feeding was restricted to grazing and other fibrous sources (hay), thus avoiding luxury energy intake and enhancing BR mobilization in function of requirements. Individual BW, BCS (1 to 5 scale), plasma NEFA and glucose (GLU) were monitored across a complete physiological year at –44, 0, 24, 61, 88, 119, 168, 207, 227, 257 and 312 d relatives to lambing (DIM). Blood sampling were performed early morning before the first meal. Data were analyzed by mixed procedure of SAS (2003), considering parity, litter size and its interactions as fixed effects. MULT (59.8 ± 1.21 kg) were systematically heavier (P < 0.0001) than PRIM (51.7 ± 1.18 kg). Beginning of lambing, LSi affected (P < 0.05) BW in MULT [where ewes with SING (46.5 ± 0.95 kg) were heavier than TWIN (43.3 ± 0.92 kg)] but not in PRIM. BCS was not affected by parity but, from lambing and throughout the experiment, MULT with SING (2.8 ± 0.06) expressed consistent higher (P < 0.0001) BCS than those MULT with TWIN (2.5 ± 0.06). NEFA was higher for ewes having more than 1 fetus (TWIN; 0.61 ± 0.040 vs. 0.49 ± 0.041 mmol. L−1) just 1.5 mo before lambing, afterward this difference disappeared probably because of a lack of sensitiveness of this parameter for the fluctuating feeding regimens in extensive grazing conditions. This was coherent with the higher concentration of GLU at lambing in MULT with one fetus (SING; 0.83 ± 0.047 vs. 0.68 ± 0.043 g.L−1, P < 0.0385) but not in PRIM. Results indicates that MULT are able to mobilize BR easier than PRIM in situations of negative energy balance (e.g., TWINS vs. SING; peri-lambing days), confirming that flexibility in BR utilization comes with experience, as evidence of an environmentally driven character. Trying to unravel how interactions between heritable and environment-dependent differences between individuals lead to interindividual differences in BR dynamics is our main research goal in the next future

Circannual body reserve dynamics and metabolic profile changes in Romane ewes grazing on rangelands

We thank the technical staff of La Fage experimental farm for assisting with animal care and data collection, the technicians at the biochemistry laboratory Carlos Trives and Gaelle Rocco (UMR SELMET, Montpellier) for their work in plasma metabolites and hormones assays, Benoit Persyn (Agroclim Unit, INRA Domaine St Paul Site, Agroparc, Avignon) for providing us with the meteorologic data, and Philippe Hassoun (UMR SELMET) for the conserved feedstuffs chemical composition data. We also thank the 3 anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions that contributed to the quality of the paper. This project was financially supported by a research grant of the Department of Animal Physiology and Animal Production Systems (Physiologie Animal et Systemes d'Elevage, PHASE) of INRA.Throughout an entire year, 41 Romane ewes reared in an extensive rangeland were used to investigate temporal changes in body reserves (BRs) and profiles of related metabolites and metabolic hormones. Ewes were allocated to homogeneous groups according to BW and BCS and were distributed by parity (primiparous [PRIM], n = 21; multiparous [MULT], n = 20) and litter size (LSi; lambing singletons [SING], n = 21 or TWINS, n = 20). The feeding system was based on rotational grazing of rangeland paddocks and progressive supplementation with hay, silage, and barley at late pregnancy during the winter. Individual BW, BCS, plasma NEFA, beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB), glucose, insulin, leptin, and triiodothyronine (T-3) were monitored at -56, -12, 8, 49, 76, 107, 156, 195, 216, 246, and 301 d relative to lambing. The BR mobilization was observed from late pregnancy to the end of suckling and varied as a function of the ewe energy balance but also because of transitions from fertilized to native rangeland paddocks and by supplementation. Contrarily, BR accretion occurred from weaning, during the dry-off, and until the start of the next pregnancy. Lipolysis was well reflected by NEFA, beta-OHB, and T-3 kinetics. Mean BW (but not mean BCS) was affected by parity (MULT > PRIM), whereas both BW and BCS were influenced by LSi (SING > TWINS) but only for MULT. The most drastic BW loss was observed during the mid-suckling period (49 d in milk [DIM]) in all ewes. The lack of effects of LSi in PRIM but not in MULT was also evident in the majority of blood plasma kinetics, which were affected (P MULT by TWINS; 99.91 vs 85.52 ng/dL) and during suckling (111.7 +/- 4.18 ng/dL). Lamb BW was affected at birth and weaning by parity (MULT > PRIM) and LSi (SING > TWINS). Overall, temporal changes in BR were directly affected by the transition of physiological states and feeding levels, whereas individual responses were predetermined by parity. In MULT, the reactivity and magnitude of response was influenced by LSi. The whole set of parameters allowed us to detect sensitive and critical periods throughout the entire annual cycle. We thus identified opportunities for improved nutritional management, for example, during physiological states usually underestimated such as early and mid-pregnancy. This work indicates the applicability of long-term studies about BR dynamics in ruminants as a potential component contributing to farm economic resilience. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Dynamique saisonnière des réserves corporelles pour des brebis allaitantes conduites en plein air intégral sur parcours

La durabilité des systèmes d’élevage extensifs dépendra notamment de leur capacité à concilier des enjeux environnementaux (préservation de ressources spontanées riches en biodiversité) et de production. Pour ce faire, ces systèmes devront s’appuyer sur des animaux « flexibles », c’est-à-dire capables de s’adapter à des contraintes du milieu ou de la conduite tout en conservant de bonnes performances de production (reproduction, production laitière, …). Ces capacités d’adaptation renvoient à des aptitudes particulières chez les animaux, notamment la plasticité métabolique dont l’efficacité de mobilisation/reconstitution des réserves corporelles (RC) est un exemple