Dent and Flint maize diversity panels reveal important genetic potential for increasing biomass production.

KEY MESSAGE: Genetic and phenotypic analysis of two complementary maize panels revealed an important variation for biomass yield. Flowering and biomass QTL were discovered by association mapping in both panels. The high whole plant biomass productivity of maize makes it a potential source of energy in animal feeding and biofuel production. The variability and the genetic determinism of traits related to biomass are poorly known. We analyzed two highly diverse panels of Dent and Flint lines representing complementary heterotic groups for Northern Europe. They were genotyped with the 50 k SNP-array and phenotyped as hybrids (crossed to a tester of the complementary pool) in a western European field trial network for traits related to flowering time, plant height, and biomass. The molecular information revealed to be a powerful tool for discovering different levels of structure and relatedness in both panels. This study revealed important variation and potential genetic progress for biomass production, even at constant precocity. Association mapping was run by combining genotypes and phenotypes in a mixed model with a random polygenic effect. This permitted the detection of significant associations, confirming height and flowering time quantitative trait loci (QTL) found in literature. Biomass yield QTL were detected in both panels but were unstable across the environments. Alternative kinship estimator only based on markers unlinked to the tested SNP increased the number of significant associations by around 40% with a satisfying control of the false positive rate. This study gave insights into the variability and the genetic architectures of biomass-related traits in Flint and Dent lines and suggests important potential of these two pools for breeding high biomass yielding hybrid varieties.

Hot electron cooling by acoustic phonons in graphene.

We have investigated the energy loss of hot electrons in metallic graphene by means of GHz noise thermometry at liquid helium temperature. We observe the electronic temperature T ∝ V at low bias in agreement with the heat diffusion to the leads described by the Wiedemann-Franz law. We report on T ∝ √V behavior at high bias, which corresponds to a T(4) dependence of the cooling power. This is the signature of a 2D acoustic phonon cooling mechanism. From a heat equation analysis of the two regimes we extract accurate values of the electron-acoustic phonon coupling constant Σ in monolayer graphene. Our measurements point to an important effect of lattice disorder in the reduction of Σ, not yet considered by theory. Moreover, our study provides a strong and firm support to the rising field of graphene bolometric detectors.

[Acute idiopathic scrotal oedema in young boys: A report of ten cases and a review of the literature]. / Œdème aigu scrotal idiopathique de l'enfant : présentation d'une série de dix cas et revue de la littérature.

BACKGROUND: acute idiopathic scrotal oedema (AISO) is most commonly seen in boys aged between 5 and 10 years. It comprises a benign dermatosis of spontaneously favourable outcome but requiring surgical exploration in some cases in order to rule out testicular torsion. Our retrospective study of a series of 10 children presenting AISO allowed us to set out the specific features of this dermatological disorder well-known to paediatric surgeons, but concerning which only one publication exists in the dermatology literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: this was a retrospective study of the files of all children seen in the paediatric surgery department of Reims University Hospital between 1996 and 2008 for acute scrotal oedema. Diagnosis of AISO was made on the basis of clinical criteria after ruling out potential differential diagnosis. The demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collated from patient files. Long-term outcome was determined by means of telephone calls. RESULTS: among 185 cases of acute scrotal disease, 10 cases of AISO (5.4%) were identified. The mean age at onset of the initial episode was 6 years (range: 3 to 12 years). Oedema was unilateral in eight cases and bilateral in two cases; there was involvement of the inguinal folds, the perineum and the homolateral buttock in three cases, and of the penis in one case. The skin was erythematous and relatively non-inflamed in all but one case. Non-focal scrotal pain was present on palpation in nine cases. General health status was unimpaired and none of the children presented any associated signs. White cell count was between 7000 and 12000 per millimeter cube, with no neutrophil polynucleosis or inflammatory syndrome; in three cases, hypereosinophilia was between 700 and 2300 per millimeter cube. Two patients underwent surgical exploration to rule out testicular torsion; Doppler ultrasound was performed in the remaining eight cases and no surgery was required in six cases. In all cases, a favourable outcome was attained within 2 to 3 days and there were no sequelae. Five children presented a total of 21 recurrences (between three and eight per child) over a maximum period of 12 years. DISCUSSION: the clinical characteristics of our patients are entirely consistent with the descriptions given in the literature. The chief problem with AISO is differential diagnosis; in this respect, Doppler ultrasound may be useful in obviating surgical investigation for testicular torsion. Treatment involves bed rest and analgesics where necessary; a rapidly favourable outcome is achieved within 2 to 3 days, but relapse occurs in at least 20% of cases, although these were more frequent and more numerous in our series. The aetiopathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. CONCLUSION: Identification of AISO, a fairly stereotypical though misunderstood diagnostic entity, is useful in order to avoid unwarranted medical treatment and, above all, unnecessary surgical exploration.

Phylogeographic evidence of crop neodiversity in sorghum.

Sorghum has shown the adaptability necessary to sustain its improvement during time and geographical extension despite a genetic foundation constricted by domestication bottlenecks. Initially domesticated in the northeastern part of sub-Saharan Africa several millenia ago, sorghum quickly spread throughout Africa, and to Asia. We performed phylogeographic analysis of sequence diversity for six candidate genes for grain quality (Shrunken2, Brittle2, Soluble starch synthaseI, Waxy, Amylose extender1, and Opaque2) in a representative sample of sorghum cultivars. Haplotypes along 1-kb segments appeared little affected by recombination. Sequence similarity enabled clustering of closely related alleles and discrimination of two or three distantly related groups depending on the gene. This scheme indicated that sorghum domestication involved structured founder populations, while confirming a specific status for the guinea margaritiferum subrace. Allele rooted genealogy revealed derivation relationships by mutation or, less frequently, by recombination. Comparison of germplasm compartments revealed contrasts between genes. Sh2, Bt2, and SssI displayed a loss of diversity outside the area of origin of sorghum, whereas O2 and, to some extent, Wx and Ae1 displayed novel variation, derived from postdomestication mutations. These are likely to have been conserved under the effect of human selection, thus releasing valuable neodiversity whose extent will influence germplasm management strategies.

Influence of the hydrothermal treatment on the chromatographic properties of monolithic silica capillaries for nano-liquid chromatography or capillary electrochromatography.

In the last decade, silica monolithic capillaries have focused more and more attention on miniaturized separation techniques like capillary electrochromatography (CEC), nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC) and chip electrochromatography owing to their unique chromatographic properties and their simplified preparation compared with packed columns. They are synthesized according to a sol-gel multi-step process that includes, after a gelation step at 40 degrees C leading to the formation of the macropores network and the silica skeleton, a post-gelation step (hydrothermal treatment at 120 degrees C in basic medium) that allows to tailor the mesopores and finally a calcination or a washing step to remove remaining polymers. In order to reduce the synthesis time, the number of synthesis steps and above all the temperature synthesis, to adapt the synthesis of such silica monoliths in polymeric microsystem devices, we extensively studied the influence of the hydrothermal treatment and its duration on textural (pore size distribution) and chromatographic properties (retention, efficiency) of in situ-synthesized capillary monoliths in nano-LC and CEC. This study was performed on pure silica and octyl chains grafted silica monoliths. Untreated monoliths show small pores (<6 nm), whereas hydrothermally treated monoliths exhibit medium and large mesopores (8-17 nm). It was demonstrated that the hydrothermal treatment at 120 degrees C was not necessary for pure silica monolithic capillaries dedicated to normal phase liquid chromatography or hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and electrochromatography: the suppression of the hydrothermal treatment did not impair efficiencies in CEC and in nano-LC but contributed to increase in retention factors. Minimal plate heights of ca. 5 microm in CEC and 6 microm in nano-LC were obtained with or without hydrothermal treatment with bare silica. In the same way, the hydrothermal treatment was not necessary for grafted silica monoliths only dedicated to CEC. However, the results clearly indicate that the hydrothermal treatment becomes essential before grafting in order to preserve the efficiency of the monolithic silica capillaries dedicated to nano-LC: in this particular case, the suppression of the hydrothermal treatment leads approximately to a loss of a factor two in efficiency.

[Motivations for a consultation before adoption: A multicenter study]. / Étude multicentrique sur les motivations d'une consultation avant adoption.

INTRODUCTION: While the number of international adoptions in France is decreasing, adopted children are older and in poorer health than they used to be. This phenomenon has resulted in an increase in the demand for preadoption consultations over the past several years. This study analyses the reasons for these consultations. METHOD: Prospective multicenter study conducted from 1 January to 31 December 2013. RESULTS: Ten centers contributed to the study, i.e., 196 preadoption consultations. Seeking medical advice was the reason for 88% of the consultations, whether the advice was based on the study of an identified child's medical file (32%) or a country's healthcare characteristics, whether the country was identified (34%) or not (23%). In 6% of cases, the motive for preadoption consultations was social and familial, and in the last 5% it was to obtain general information about adoption and its procedures. In more than 40% of the cases, whether the child or the country identified, Russia is the subject of the consultation because of the complexity of the files and because of the dreaded but rarely mentioned fetal alcohol syndrome. CONCLUSION: The deterioration of adopted children's health is an additional worry for future adoption applicants. To provide them with the best information possible without making choices for them, specialists should have substantial experience in adoption before going into these preadoption consultations.

Onset of optical-phonon cooling in multilayer graphene revealed by RF noise and black-body radiation thermometries.

We report on electron cooling power measurements in few-layer graphene excited by Joule heating by means of a new setup combining electrical and optical probes of the electron and phonon baths temperatures. At low bias, noise thermometry allows us to retrieve the well known acoustic phonon cooling regimes below and above the Bloch-Grüneisen temperature, with additional control over the phonon bath temperature. At high electrical bias, we show the relevance of direct optical investigation of the electronic temperature by means of black-body radiation measurements. In this regime, the onset of new efficient relaxation pathways involving optical modes is observed.

From Arabidopsis thaliana to Brassica napus: development of amplified consensus genetic markers (ACGM) for construction of a gene map.

The evolution of genomes can be studied by comparing maps of homologous genes which show changes in nucleic acid sequences and chromosome rearrangements. In this study, we developed a set of 32 amplified consensus gene markers (ACGMs) that amplified gene sequences from Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica napus. Our methodology, based on PCR, facilitated the rapid sequencing of homologous genes from various species of the same phylogenetic family and the detection of intragenic polymorphism. We found that such polymorphism principally concerned intron sequences and we used it to attribute a Brassica oleracea or Brassica rapa origin to the B. napus sequences and to map 43 rapeseed genes. We confirm that the genetic position of homologous genes varied between B. napus and A. thaliana. ACGMs are a useful tool for genome evolution studies and for the further development of single nucleotide polymorphism suitable for use in genetic mapping and genetic diversity analyses.

Dissipative water intrusion in hydrophobic MCM-41 type materials.

Texture-related features of water intrusion in hydrophobised MCM-41 silicas render these materials especially suitable for energy dissipation in mechanical dampers.

Vertebro-basilar arterial occlusion in childhood--report of a case and review of the literature.

A 9-year-old boy developed ataxia, right transient hemiparesis, left transient hemichorea, dysarthria and swallowing difficulties with left velar paralysis following two transient episodes of vomiting, headache and dizziness. Angiography demonstrated an occlusion of the distal part of the basilar artery. Thirty-six previously reported cases of vertebro-basilar arterial occlusion in children were reviewed, with particular regard to possible etiologies.

[Surgically treated syphilitic gumma of the brain. Computerized tomography findings]. / Gomme syphilitique cérébrale opérée. Données du scanner X.

Syphilitic gumma is now exceptional. Symptomatology is non-specific and frequently, as in the case reported here, the onset is marked by a localized or generalized convulsion. A space-occupying lesion is recognized by angiography and CT. The precise diagnosis is suggested by evidence of arteritis or of a hypodense mass outlined by contrast or slight calcifications and confirmed by positive serology in a patient with a suspected cerebral tumor. In some cases a positive diagnosis can be made only by pathological examination after surgical ablation of the gumma. An area of central necrosis is surrounded by a granulomatous layer rich in plasmocytes (the polyclonal nature of the secretion is shown by immunocytochemistry) and a peripheral fibroblastic zone. The arteries are ensheathed by a dense inflammatory infiltrate constituted almost entirely by plasmocytes and their lumens are either stenosed or filled with endarteritic debris. Surgical treatment should be combined with penicillin administration. For a patient in good general condition with a suspected gumma, medical treatment can be given initially, with follow-up by CT, neurosurgery being indicated only in case of failure of medical therapy. The rarity of gummata in relation to other tertiary syphilitic lesions remains unexplained. The patient reported here had multiple infections including one due to cytomegalovirus after ablation of the gumma, highly suggesting an immunity disorder.

[The Landry-Guillain-Barré syndrome. Study of prognostic factors in 223 cases]. / Le syndrome de Landry-Guillain-Barré. Etude des facteurs pronostiques dans 223 cas.

A retrospective study of 223 patients (111 men, 112 women, mean age 40.6 years) with the Landry-Guillain-Barre syndrome investigated vital or functional prognostic factors. Patients were first seen between 1963 and 1981, when 192 were noted to have cranial nerve disorders. Assisted ventilation was required in 152 cases, and 23 patients died, including 5 from cardiocirculatory dysautonomy. Plasma exchange was not used. Patients were divided into 3 groups as a function of the degree of maximum paralysis: group 1 (n = 63) patients had incomplete quadriplegia without assisted ventilation, group 2 (n = 93) incomplete quadriplegia with assisted ventilation, group 3 (n = 62) quadriplegia with or without assisted ventilation. Vital prognosis was related to the severity of neurologic disorders. Frequency of intercurrent complications, dysautonomic disorders and mortality increased with maximal severity of motor deficit. The 3 groups did not differ as a function of previous history, mode of onset of polyradiculoneuritis, duration of extension phase of paralysis, or CSF protein content at the first examination during the extension phase of the paralyses. It is therefore impossible at an early stage of the disease to predict future motor deficit. The cumulative percentage of patients who recovered a normal muscular force in limbs and cranial territories was 48 p. 100 after one year and 60 p. 100 after two years (actuarial values). The functional prognosis depends upon the degree of motor deficit at maximum paralysis and duration of the plateau phase. Probability of full muscular strength recovery was lower in group 3 and in those patients with a plateau phase duration longer than 2 weeks. Independently of groups, motility recovery rate was markedly higher in patients with a plateau phase duration of less than one week. Motility recuperation was independent of age, sex, duration of extension phase, CSF protein levels during the acute phase, and presence of autonomic nervous system disorders.

[Evaluation of tissue perfusion by simultaneous monitoring of aortic flow rate and capnography]. / Evaluation de la perfusion tissulaire par surveillance simultanée du débit aortique et de la capnographie.

Ten patients under general anaesthesia were subjected to non-invasive haemodynamic monitoring, together with arterial gasometry and capnography. When enflurane was administered for maintenance anaesthesia, a 33 percent fall in aortic flow rate was observed (P less than 0.01), together with prolongation of the pre-ejection period and left ventricular pre-ejection/ejection ratio, an increase of central venous pressure and total vascular systemic resistances. The end-expiratory CO2 (Pet CO2) was reduced by 13 percent (P less than 0.05). There was no significant variation in arteriolo-alveolar CO2 difference (P(a-A)CO2). Under dobutamine (mean dose: 3.4 +/- 0.5 micrograms/kg/min), the haemodynamic parameters returned to their initial values. Pet CO2 rose above its initial level (+ 12 percent; P less than 0.05), but P(a-A)CO2 was not significantly modified. The variations of Pet CO2 were parallel with those of aortic flow rate. It is concluded that the changes in Pet CO2 observed during haemodynamic modifications could be used as markers for qualitative evaluation of tissue perfusion.

[Enterobacter cloacae and E. aerogenes septicemia: emergence of resistant variants (derepressed cephalosporinase) during treatment with third-generation cephalosporins]. / Septicémies à Enterobacter cloacae et E. aerogenes: émergence de variants résistants (céphalosporinase déréprimée) en cours de traitement par des céphalosporines de troisième génération.

From three patients hospitalised in intensive care units with Enterobacter septicaemia (two cases with E. cloacae, and one with E. aerogenes), cefotaxime therapy, alone or in combination with an aminoglycoside, selected variants (R) with increased resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. The cross-resistance extended to all the beta-lactam antibiotics tested, penicillins and cephalosporins, including third-generation cephalosporins. The crude extracts of uninduced cultures of R variants showed high beta-lactamase activity and of the cephalosporinase type. These variants were selected in vitro with a frequency of 10(-6) to 10(-7) and may result from a mutation involving the regulation of Enterobacter cephalosporinases, usually inducible. Data from the literature indicated that this new type of resistance is actually emerging and observed not only in Enterobacter sp. The problem of emergence of R variants exhibiting cross-resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics should be considered when third-generation cephalosporins are used.

[Effect of dobutamine on the transport and consumption of oxygen during general anesthesia with enflurane]. / Efecto de la dobutamina sobre el transporte y consumo de oxígeno durante la anestesia general con enflurano.

We undertook a comparative study on the effects of dobutamine and placebo on hemodynamic parameters, O2 transport (DO2), O2 consumption (VO2, and acid lactic production during peripheral arterial surgery under general anesthesia with enflurane at a constant inspiratory concentration (1.2%). This study involved 18 patients older than 65 years (9 patients allocated in the dobutamine group and 9 in the placebo group). The hemodynamic course was monitorized by means of noninvasive methods such as the aortic output measured by continuous transoesophageal echo-Doppler. After introduction of enflurane into the circuit aortic output decreased by 39% in dopamine group and 36% in placebo. Total systemic vascular resistances increased by 52% in dopamine and by 48% in placebo treatment. DO2 showed a decrease of 39% in dopamine and 38% in placebo group. There were no appreciable differences in VO2 among the two groups. Recovery of hemodynamic parameters and DO2 was only observed in the dopamine group when the drug was perfused at a rate of 4 +/- 1.2 micrograms/kg/min. Dobutamine induced a transient increase of VO2 up to 225% of the baseline value. During the postanesthetic period VO2 and blood acid lactic were significantly higher in the dopamine than in the placebo group (192%, p less than 0.01 and 33%, p less than 0.05, respectively). The course of hemodynamic parameters, DO2, VO2, and blood acid lactic of dobutamine group appear to demonstrate that dobutamine perfusion reverts myocardial depression and improves cellular perfusion during general anesthesia with enflurane.

[A retrospective study to evaluate a protocol aimed at reducing the number of unnecessary voiding cystourethrographies performed after a first episode of febrile urinary tract infection]. / Évaluation d'un protocole de limitation des indications de cystographie dans les infections urinaires fébriles.

AIM: Whether or not voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) should be performed after a first episode of urinary tract infection (UTI) remains a matter of debate. The role of VCUG is primarily to diagnose high-grade vesicoureteral reflux (≥grade III) (VUR) and hence prevent the development of renal scars and poor long-term outcome. We designed a protocol designed to reduce the indications for performing unnecessary VCUGs after a first episode of febrile UTI. In order to evaluate the efficacy of our protocol, we designed a retrospective study to verify whether high-grade VUR was subsequently being underdiagnosed. METHODS: This study compared the number of cases of VUR diagnosed over 2 1-year periods in children aged 1 month to 18 years. Data were collected from records held in the pediatric emergency department of the University Hospital of Reims. All cases included had presented to the department with a first episode of febrile UTI. During the first 1-year collection period, all patients underwent a VCUG. During the second collection period, the protocol was in place and VCUG was only performed in children with a serum procalcitonin level greater than 1 ng/L and/or an abnormal renal ultrasound scan. RESULTS: During the first year, 100 patients underwent routine VCUG and 7 cases of high-grade VUR were diagnosed. During the following year, VCUG was limited according to the new protocol: 102 patients were enrolled, 52 VCUGs were performed and 8 cases of high-grade VUR were diagnosed. Cases of low-grade VUR (I and II) were less frequently detected, without significant consequences for the patients. CONCLUSION: The protocol led to a 40% decrease in the number of VCUGs performed. No cases of high-grade VUR were missed; however, the number of VCUGs performed with a normal outcome remained significant.

Maximizing the reliability of genomic selection by optimizing the calibration set of reference individuals: comparison of methods in two diverse groups of maize inbreds (Zea mays L.).

Genomic selection refers to the use of genotypic information for predicting breeding values of selection candidates. A prediction formula is calibrated with the genotypes and phenotypes of reference individuals constituting the calibration set. The size and the composition of this set are essential parameters affecting the prediction reliabilities. The objective of this study was to maximize reliabilities by optimizing the calibration set. Different criteria based on the diversity or on the prediction error variance (PEV) derived from the realized additive relationship matrix-best linear unbiased predictions model (RA-BLUP) were used to select the reference individuals. For the latter, we considered the mean of the PEV of the contrasts between each selection candidate and the mean of the population (PEVmean) and the mean of the expected reliabilities of the same contrasts (CDmean). These criteria were tested with phenotypic data collected on two diversity panels of maize (Zea mays L.) genotyped with a 50k SNPs array. In the two panels, samples chosen based on CDmean gave higher reliabilities than random samples for various calibration set sizes. CDmean also appeared superior to PEVmean, which can be explained by the fact that it takes into account the reduction of variance due to the relatedness between individuals. Selected samples were close to optimality for a wide range of trait heritabilities, which suggests that the strategy presented here can efficiently sample subsets in panels of inbred lines. A script to optimize reference samples based on CDmean is available on request.