La couleur de l'eau et la transmission de la lumière dans les écosystèmes lacustres

L'objectif général était de faire progresser notre compréhension des caractéristiques du rayonnement solaire dans une gamme optiquement diversifiée des eaux continentales et en particulier pour le rayonnement photosynthétiquement actif (PAR, 400-700 nm). Les mesures sur le terrain et en laboratoire des propriétés optiques apparentes et inhérentes (les AOP et les IOP, respectivement) ont été réalisées en utilisant des instruments d'optique de pointe. Ces instruments et méthodes avaient jusqu'à ce jour été utilisés surtout aux eaux claires de l'océan au large des zones côtières. J'ai tout d'abord examiné les mécanismes contrôlant les différences de couleur entre les mares thermokarstiques dans le Québec subarctique. Les résultats ont montré que les variations quantitatives du carbone organique dissous et des particules en suspension non algales étaient les facteurs principaux. L'analyse d'une image satellite suggère que ces composantes peuvent être estimées à distance. Les résultats indiquent que la télédétection par satellite pourrait permettre la mise à l'échelle de certains processus biogéochimiques. J'ai par la suite quantifié les processus d'atténuation du PAR dans un réservoir d'eau potable. Les résultats d'analyse du budget de photons ont également révélé les changements spectraux du PAR en fonction de la profondeur affectant l'estimation des coefficients d'absorption moyen du PAR in situ pour la zone euphotique; par exemple, le coefficient de l'eau pure était dix fois plus élevé que celui mesuré dans l'océan. Dans la dernière partie de cette étude, j'ai entrepris une analyse de la «fermeture optique» afin d'évaluer la relation entre les AOP et les IOP pour un lac hypereutrophe urbain. Une similarité a été observée entre la luminance spectrale mesurée par télédétection avec un système de profilage dans l'eau et les valeurs obtenues grâce à un modèle de transfert radiatif (HydroLight). En conclusion, ces études réalisées à trois sites contrastés ont permis d'étendre la gamme de mesures et de modélisation optiques pour les écosystèmes lacustres, et de faire progresser notre compréhension des processus qui influencent l'éclairement spectral dans les eaux douces. Ces résultats soulignent la valeur mais aussi les sources d'incertitude associées à l'application de l'optique hydrologique dans les eaux continentales optiquement complexes

Retroperitoneal lymphatic malformation causing scrotal swelling– a useful diagnostic work-up with two-phase MRI to differentiate from scrotal lymphatic malformation or abdomino-scrotal hydrocele

Background: Lymphatic malformation (LM) is an abnormal collection of lymphatic fluid within cysts or channels. LM can occur in any part of the body, but LM leading to scrotal swelling is very rare, and this unusual location often leads to diagnostic errors because the most common cause of a scrotal cystic lesion is a hydrocele. In the case presented here, a previously healthy 3-year-old boy recently developed a left scrotal swelling clinically mimicking a communicating hydrocele. However, a diagnostic laparoscopy showed a cystic lesion at the left internal inguinal ring with a closed internal inguinal ring, which is not an expected finding of communicating hydrocele. Differential diagnoses at surgery were scrotal LM, retroperitoneal LM, or abdomino-scrotal hydrocele (ASH). Two phase MRI performed both at the time of scrotal swelling and scrotal non-swelling showed a retroperitoneal LM bulging into the scrotum via the inguinal canal. Therefore, the retroperitoneal LM was completely resected using the inguinal approach. Conclusion: LM causing scrotal cystic lesion is rare, and it requires a high index of suspicion to make the correct diagnosis. Laparoscopy was needed to rule out the communicating hydrocele, and two-phase MRI was very useful to differentiate retroperitoneal LM causing scrotal swelling from scrotal LM or ASH. Both examinations helped with diagnosis and treatment planning.Chizue Ichijo, Shohei Takami, Kan Suzuki, Jun Fujishiro, Miho Watanabe, Retroperitoneal lymphatic malformation causing scrotal swelling– a useful diagnostic work-up with two-phase MRI to differentiate from scrotal lymphatic malformation or abdomino-scrotal hydrocele, Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports, Volume 64, 2021, 101701, ISSN 2213-5766, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsc.2020.101701

FRET probe for detecting two mutations in one EGFR mRNA

Technologies for visualizing and tracking RNA are essential in molecular biology, including in disease-related fields. In this study, we propose a novel probe set (DAt-probe and T-probe) that simultaneously detects two mutations in the same RNA using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The DAt-probe carrying the fluorophore Atto488 and the quencher Dabcyl were used to detect a cancer mutation (exon19del), and the T-probe carrying the fluorophore Tamra was used to detect drug resistance mutations (T790M) in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA. These probes were designed to induce FRET when both mutations were present in the mRNA. Gel electrophoresis confirmed that the two probes could efficiently bind to the mutant mRNA. We measured the FRET ratios using wild-type and double-mutant RNAs and found a significant difference between them. Even in living cells, the FRET probe could visualize mutant RNA. As a result, we conclude that this probe set provides a method for detecting two mutations in the single EGFR mRNA via FRET

Abiotic control of underwater light in a drinking water reservoir: Photon budget analysis and implications for water quality monitoring.

In optically complex inland waters, the underwater attenuation of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is controlled by a variable combination of absorption and scattering components of the lake or river water. Here we applied a photon budget approach to identify the main optical components affecting PAR attenuation in Lake St. Charles, a drinking water reservoir for Quebec City, Canada. This analysis showed the dominant role of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) absorption (average of 44% of total absorption during the sampling period), but with large changes over depth in the absolute and relative contribution of the individual absorption components (water, non-algal particulates, phytoplankton and CDOM) to PAR attenuation. This pronounced vertical variation occurred because of the large spectral changes in the light field with depth, and it strongly affected the average in situ diffuse absorption coefficients in the water column. For example the diffuse absorption coefficient for pure-water in the ambient light field was ten-fold higher than the value previously measured in the blue open ocean and erroneously applied to lakes and coastal waters. Photon absorption budget calculations for a range of limnological conditions confirmed that phytoplankton had little direct influence on underwater light, even at chlorophyll a values above those observed during harmful algal blooms in the lake. These results imply that traditional measures of water quality such as Secchi depth and radiometric transparency do not provide a meaningful estimate of the biological state of the water column in CDOM-colored lakes and reservoirs

Trion confinement in monolayer MoSe2 by carbon nanotube local gating

We have successfully confined trions into a one-dimensional restricted space of a MoSe2 device with CNT gate electrodes. The dry transfer process, including deterministic dry transfer of aligned CNTs, has led to an hBN-encapsulated MoSe2 device with CNT back gate electrodes. In contrast to a location without CNT gate electrodes, applying voltage via CNT gate electrodes significantly alters PL spectra at a location with CNT gate electrodes. PL imaging has revealed that image contrast from trions is linear along the CNT electrode underneath, consistent with 1D confinement of trions in response to the CNT local gating. The confinement width obtained from the PL image is 5.5 x 10^2 nm, consistent with nanoscale 1D confined trions with the diffraction limit broadening. This work has demonstrated electrical control of excitonic states at the nanoscale, leading to novel optoelectronic properties and exciton devices in the future

Three Pediatric Patients with Congenital Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus due to AVPR2 Nonsense Mutations and Different Clinical Manifestations: A Case Report

Congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (CNDI), a rare hereditary disorder, is characterized by the inability of the kidneys to concentrate urine in response to the antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP); as a result, large volumes of unconcentrated urine are excreted. In addition to the clinical manifestations of CNDI, such as dehydration and electrolyte disturbances (hypernatremia and hyperchloremia), developmental delay can result without prompt treatment. In approximately 90% of cases, CNDI is an X-linked disease caused by mutations in the arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (AVPR2) gene. In approximately 9% of cases, CNDI is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the water channel protein aquaporin 2 (AQP2), and 1% of cases are autosomal dominant. We report a case of CNDI caused by a novel AVPR2 nonsense mutation, c.520C>T (p.Q174X), and cases of siblings in another family who had a different AVPR2 nonsense mutation, c.852G>A (p.W284X). Both cases responded well to treatment with hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone. If CNDI is suspected, especially in carriers and neonates, aggressive genetic testing and early treatment may alleviate growth disorders and prevent irreversible central nervous system disorders and developmental delay