3D models related to the publication: Comparative anatomy and phylogenetic contribution of intracranial osseous canals and cavities in armadillos and glyptodonts (Xenarthra, Cingulata)

INTRODUCTION: The phylogeny of the Cingulata has been debated in morphological analyses for a long time (Engelmann, 1985; Gaudin &Wible, 2006; Billet et al., 2011; Delsuc et al., 2016; Mitchell et al., 2016; Herrera et al., 2017) and this incongruence was enriched by the contribution of recent molecular analyses (Delsuc et al., 2016; Mitchell et al., 2016). This is particularly the case for the emblematic group of glyptodonts whose mitochondrial genome was recently assembled (Delsuc et al., 2016; Mitchell et al., 2016). Although the cranial anatomy is relatively well known in xenarthrans, their internal cranial anatomy remains poorly studied. Yet, several studies have shown that their exploration provides systematic interest on their past and present diversity (Zurita et al., 2011; Fernicola et al., 2012; Billet et al., 2015; Tambusso & Fari˜na, 2015a; Tambusso & Fari˜na, 2015b; Billet et al., 2017; Boscaini et al., 2018; Boscaini et al., 2020; Tambusso et al., 2021). In a recent study (Le Verger et al., 2021), we describe and compare 8 cranial canals (involved in the vascularization and innervation of the cranium) and alveolar cavities (Figure 1) of 30 specimens belonging to the Cingulata. In this sampling, all extant subfamilies are represented and several large fossil groups including giant forms such as pampatheres and glyptodonts are represented. For the latter, the oldest complete crania have been studied. A sloth and an anteater were also added to the sample as outgroup. Of the total sample, 3D models of 13 specimens are made available (Table 1). The rest of the specimens are available only upon request from LGR. In this study (Le Verger et al., 2021), we present the comparativ investigation of these intracranial osseous canals and alveolar cavities using X-ray microtomography. Their 3D virtual reconstruction enabled us to compare the locations, trajectories, and shape of each homologous structure and discuss their potential interest for cingulate systematics

Energy Dispersive X-Ray Diffraction System as a Promising Virtual Biopsy in Mammography

International audienceX-ray diffraction is a powerful technique to provide information on the molecular structure of samples. Thanks to this property, it has been found to be useful in different fields of applications such as security check and cancer research, especially breast cancer. A diffraction imaging might bemore specific than conventional mammography, especially to distinguish dense healthy fibroglandular tissues from carcinoma.Hence, the idea is to realize a virtual biopsy using Xray diffraction rather than a breast biopsy if mammography outcome is unsure

Efficient SUM Query Processing over Uncertain Data

Selected as one of the best papersNational audienceSUM queries are crucial for many applications that need to deal with probabilistic data. In this paper, we are interested in the queries, called ALL_SUM, that return all possible sum values and their probabilities. In general, there is no efficient solution for the problem of evaluating ALL_SUM queries. But, for many practical applications, where aggregate values are small integers or real numbers with small precision, it is possible to develop efficient solutions. In this paper, based on a recursive approach, we propose a new solution for this problem. We implemented our solution and conducted an extensive experimental evaluation over synthetic and real-world data sets; the results show its effectiveness

Calcul analytique de courbes COR en imagerie de diffraction X

National audience– Les caractéristiques opérationnelles de réception (COR) sont utilisées pour étudier la séparabilité entre deux distributions A et B. Généralement, des courbes COR sont construites en générant de nombreuses réalisations de A et B. Dans cet article, nous proposons une méthode analytique d'analyse COR basée sur la géométrie d'information. Cette méthode a été validée sur des données simulées de diffraction X. Abstract – Receiver operation charactéristics (ROC) are used to study the discrimination power of a system or test between two distributions A and B. In general, ROC curves are obtained by producing numerous observations of A and B. In this paper, we propose an analytical ROC calculation method based on information geometry. This method has been tested on simulated X-ray diffraction data

Pervasive cranial allometry at different anatomical scales and variational levels in extant armadillos

Allometry, i.e., morphological variation correlated with size, is a major pattern in organismal evolution. Since size varies both within and among species, allometry occurs at different variational levels. However, the variability of allometric patterns across levels is poorly known since its evaluation requires extensive comparative studies. Here, we implemented a 3D geometric morphometric approach to investigate cranial allometry at three main variational levels—static, ontogenetic, and evolutionary—and two anatomical scales—entire cranium and cranial subunits—based on a dense intra- and interspecific sampling of extant armadillo diversity. While allometric trajectories differ among distantly related species, they hardly do so among sister families. This suggests that phylogenetic distance plays an important role in explaining allometric divergences. Beyond trajectories, our analyses revealed pervasive allometric shape changes shared across variational levels and anatomical scales. At the entire cranial scale, craniofacial allometry (relative snout elongation and braincase reduction) is accompanied notably by variations of nuchal crests and postorbital constriction. Among cranial subunits, the distribution of allometry was highly heterogeneous, with the frontal and petrosal bones showing the most pervasive shape changes, some of which were undetected at a more global scale. Evidence of widespread and superimposed allometric variations raises questions on their determinants and anatomical correlates and demonstrates the critical role of allometry in morphological evolution

Design of soft-X-ray tomographic system in WEST using GEM detectors

In metallic tokamaks, the interplay between particle transport and MagnetoHydroDynamic (MHD) activity might lead to impurities accumulation and finally to disruption. Studying such phenomena is thus essential if stationary discharges are to be achieved. Measuring the soft X-ray (SXR) radiation ([0.1 keV; 20 keV]) of magnetic fusion plasmas is a standard way of accessing valuable information on particle transport and MHD. Generally, like at Tore Supra (TS), the analysis is performed with a 2D tomographic system composed of several cameras equipped with silicon barrier diodes (SBD). On WEST the installation of an upper divertor masks many of the actual TS vertical diodes so that no proper tomography is possible. This paper presents the design of a new SXR diagnostic for the WEST project developed in collaboration with IPPLM (Poland) and the Warsaw University of Technology, based on a triple gas electron multiplier (GEM) detector. Preliminary simulations performed to size and position the detector and its electronics inside the vertical thimble are also presented, in particular estimation of magnetic field and temperature variation affecting GEM spatial resolution and signal quality. As a conclusion, perspectives about tomographic capabilities of the new system for studying impurity transport are given

Study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial to improve dietary diversity and physical fitness among older people who live at home (the “ALAPAGE study”)

Background : Diet and physical activity are key components of healthy aging. Current interventions that promote healthy eating and physical activity among the elderly have limitations and evidence of French interventions’ effectiveness is lacking. We aim to assess (i) the effectiveness of a combined diet/physical activity intervention (the “ALAPAGE” program) on older peoples’ eating behaviors, physical activity and fitness levels, quality of life, and feelings of loneliness; (ii) the intervention’s process and (iii) its cost effectiveness. Methods : We performed a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms (2:1 ratio) among people ≥60 years old who live at home in southeastern France. A cluster consists of 10 people participating in a “workshop” (i.e., a collective intervention conducted at a local organization). We aim to include 45 workshops randomized into two groups: the intervention group (including 30 workshops) in the ALAPAGE program; and the waiting-list control group (including 15 workshops). Participants (expected total sample size: 450) will be recruited through both local organizations’ usual practices and an innovative active recruitment strategy that targets hard-to-reach people. We developed the ALAPAGE program based on existing workshops, combining a participatory and a theory-based approach. It includes a 7-week period with weekly collective sessions supported by a dietician and/or an adapted physical activity professional, followed by a 12-week period of post-session activities without professional supervision. Primary outcomes are dietary diversity (calculated using two 24-hour diet recalls and one Food Frequency Questionnaire) and lower-limb muscle strength (assessed by the 30-second chair stand test from the Senior Fitness Test battery). Secondary outcomes include consumption frequencies of main food groups and water/hot drinks, other physical fitness measures, overall level of physical activity, quality of life, and feelings of loneliness. Outcomes are assessed before the intervention, at 6 weeks and 3 months later. The process evaluation assesses the fidelity, dose, and reach of the intervention as its causal mechanisms (quantitative and qualitative data). Discussion : This study aims to improve healthy aging while limiting social inequalities. We developed and evaluated the ALAPAGE program in partnership with major healthy aging organizations, providing a unique opportunity to expand its reach

Intravenous versus subcutaneous tocilizumab in Takayasu arteritis: multicentre retrospective study

ObjectivesIn this large multicentre study, we compared the effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab intravenous versus subcutaneous (SC) in 109 Takayasu arteritis (TAK) patients.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective multicentre study in referral centres from France, Italy, Spain, Armenia, Israel, Japan, Tunisia and Russia regarding biological-targeted therapies in TAK, since January 2017 to September 2019.ResultsA total of 109 TAK patients received at least 3 months tocilizumab therapy and were included in this study. Among them, 91 and 18 patients received intravenous and SC tocilizumab, respectively. A complete response (NIH <2 with less than 7.5 mg/day of prednisone) at 6 months was evidenced in 69% of TAK patients, of whom 57 (70%) and 11 (69%) patients were on intravenous and SC tocilizumab, respectively (p=0.95). The factors associated with complete response to tocilizumab at 6 months in multivariate analysis, only age <30 years (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.14 to 7.12; p=0.027) and time between TAK diagnosis and tocilizumab initiation (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.36; p=0.034). During the median follow-up of 30.1 months (0.4; 105.8) and 10.8 (0.1; 46.4) (p<0.0001) in patients who received tocilizumab in intravenous and SC forms, respectively, the risk of relapse was significantly higher in TAK patients on SC tocilizumab (HR=2.55, 95% CI 1.08 to 6.02; p=0.033). The overall cumulative incidence of relapse at 12 months in TAK patients was at 13.7% (95% CI 7.6% to 21.5%), with 10.3% (95% CI 4.8% to 18.4%) for those on intravenous tocilizumab vs 30.9% (95% CI 10.5% to 54.2%) for patients receiving SC tocilizumab. Adverse events occurred in 14 (15%) patients on intravenous route and in 2 (11%) on SC tocilizumab.ConclusionIn this study, we confirm that tocilizumab is effective in TAK, with complete remission being achieving by 70% of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs-refractory TAK patients at 6 months

Isolation and Characterization of EstC, a New Cold-Active Esterase from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

The genome sequence of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) contains more than 50 genes coding for putative lipolytic enzymes. Many studies have shown the capacity of this actinomycete to store important reserves of intracellular triacylglycerols in nutrient depletion situations. In the present study, we used genome mining of S. coelicolor to identify genes coding for putative, non-secreted esterases/lipases. Two genes were cloned and successfully overexpressed in E. coli as His-tagged fusion proteins. One of the recombinant enzymes, EstC, showed interesting cold-active esterase activity with a strong potential for the production of valuable esters. The purified enzyme displayed optimal activity at 35°C and was cold-active with retention of 25% relative activity at 10°C. Its optimal pH was 8.5–9 but the enzyme kept more than 75% of its maximal activity between pH 7.5 and 10. EstC also showed remarkable tolerance over a wide range of pH values, retaining almost full residual activity between pH 6–11. The enzyme was active toward short-chain p-nitrophenyl esters (C2–C12), displaying optimal activity with the valerate (C5) ester (kcat/Km = 737±77 s−1 mM−1). The enzyme was also very active toward short chain triglycerides such as triacetin (C2:0) and tributyrin (C4:0), in addition to showing good primary alcohol and organic solvent tolerance, suggesting it could function as an interesting candidate for organic synthesis of short-chain esters such as flavors