Does body growth impair immune function in a large herbivore?

According to the principle of allocation, trade-offs are inevitable when resources allocated to one biological function are no longer available for other functions. Growth, and to a lesser extent, immunity are energetically costly functions that may compete with allocation to reproductive success and survival. However, whether high allocation to growth impairs immune system development during the growing period or immune system performance during adulthood is currently unknown in wild mammals. Using three roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) populations experiencing contrasting environmental conditions, we tested for potential costs of growth on immune phenotype over both the short-term (during growth), and the long-term (during adulthood) over the course of an individuals' life. We investigated potential costs on a set of 12 immune traits that reflect both innate and adaptive responses, and compared them between sexes and populations. Although fast growth tended to be associated with low levels of some humoral traits (globulins) during the growing period and some cellular immune traits (i.e. eosinophil and neutrophil counts) during adulthood, evidence for a trade-off between growth and other immune components was limited. Unexpectedly, no detectable growth costs on immunity were found in females from the population experiencing the least favourable environment. We discuss our findings in the light of the complex interplay between resource allocation strategies among reproduction, maintenance and immunity, in relation to local environmental conditions experienced by roe deer.

Acute abdominal pain due to internal herniation of the sigmoid colon, fallopian tube and left ovary, a rare presentation of Allen Masters syndrome.

In 1955, Allen and Masters describe a painful syndrome which associates traumatic delivery to laceration found on the posterior leaf of the broad ligament. Herniation through this defect is a rare entity, accounted for about 4-7% of all internal hernias. Normally, it involves the small bowel. The authors present the case of a multiparous woman admitted at emergency for constipation and abdominal pain. The CT scan showed an extremely rare case of internal hernia of the sigmoid colon, fallopian tube and left ovary through a large defect of the broad ligament. The patient underwent a full laparoscopic surgery that allowed the reduction of the hernia and the suture of the defect with very good outcome.

Evolutionary allometry reveals a shift in selection pressure on male horn size.

How selection pressures acting within species interact with developmental constraints to shape macro-evolutionary patterns of species divergence is still poorly understood. In particular, whether or not sexual selection affects evolutionary allometry, the increase in trait size with body size across species, of secondary sexual characters, remains largely unknown. In this context, bovid horn size is an especially relevant trait to study because horns are present in both sexes, but the intensity of sexual selection acting on them is expected to vary both among species and between sexes. Using a unique data set of sex-specific horn size and body mass including 91 species of bovids, we compared the evolutionary allometry between horn size and body mass between sexes while accounting for both the intensity of sexual selection and phylogenetic relationship among species. We found a nonlinear evolutionary allometry where the allometric slope decreased with increasing species body mass. This pattern, much more pronounced in males than in females, suggests either that horn size is limited by some constraints in the largest bovids or is no longer the direct target of sexual selection in very large species.

[Pleuroperitoneal communication: pleural effusion subsequent to the initiation of peritoneal dialysis, about a case]. / Communication pleuro-péritonéale : épanchement pleural consécutif à la mise en route d'une dialyse péritonéale, à propos d'un cas.

We report the case of a patient with pleural effusion occurring after initiation of a peritoneal dialysis. This phenomenon is favoured by the existence of a pleuroperitoneal communication. The latter is described at the origin of other diseases like catamenial pneumothorax and pleural effusion in connection with cirrhotic ascites. We describe this rare complication of peritoneal dialysis in order to draw attention of nephrologists, pulmonologists and surgeons.

Nous rapportons le cas d'un patient présentant un épanchement pleural après mise en route d'une dialyse péritonéale. La cause de ce phénomène est l'existence d'une communication pleuro-péritonéale. Cette dernière est décrite à l'origine d'autres pathologies comme le pneumothorax cataménial et l'épanchement pleural dans le cadre d'ascite cirrhotique. Nous décrivons cette complication rare de la dialyse péritonéale dans le but d'attirer l'attention des néphrologues, pneumologues et chirurgiens sur celle-ci.

Haematological parameters do senesce in the wild: evidence from different populations of a long-lived mammal.

Increasing evidence of senescence has been reported from long-term studies of wild populations. However, most studies have focused on life-history traits like survival, reproduction or body mass, generally from a single intensively monitored population. However, variation in the intensity of senescence across populations, and to a lesser extent between sexes, is still poorly understood. In addition, the pattern of age-specific changes in haematological parameters remains virtually unknown to date for any population of vertebrate living in the wild. Using repeated blood samples collected from known-aged (2-15 years of age) roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from two populations facing highly different environmental conditions, we filled the gap. In particular, we investigated age-specific changes in haematocrit, albumin and creatinine. We reported clear evidence of senescence in all haematological parameters. Moreover, senescence patterns differed between sexes and populations. The rate of senescence was higher in males than in females for haematocrit with no site difference. On the other hand, the rate of senescence in creatinine was higher at Trois Fontaines than at Chizé with no sex difference. Our findings provide a first demonstration of age-specific declines in haematological parameters in wild populations of large herbivores and show that the process of senescence in vertebrates is not restricted to body mass or fitness components. We also demonstrate that the senescence pattern of haematological parameters is context dependent and varies both between sexes and according to environmental conditions.

The allometry between secondary sexual traits and body size is nonlinear among cervids.

Allometric relationships between sexually selected traits and body size have been extensively studied in recent decades. While sexually selected traits generally display positive allometry, a few recent reports have suggested that allometric relationships are not always linear. In male cervids, having both long antlers and large size provides benefits in terms of increased mating success. However, such attributes are costly to grow and maintain, and these costs might constrain antler length from increasing at the same rate as body mass in larger species if the quantity of energy that males can extract from their environment is limiting. We tested for possible nonlinearity in the relationship between antler size and body mass (on a log-log scale) among 31 cervids and found clear deviation from linearity in the allometry of antler length. Antler length increased linearly until a male body mass threshold at approximately 110 kg. Beyond this threshold, antler length did not change with increasing mass. We discuss this evidence of nonlinear allometry in the light of life-history theory and stress the importance of testing for nonlinearity when studying allometric relationships.

Preliminary results from a prospective study of laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass using a clampless and sutureless aortic anastomotic technique.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study describes the feasibility and safety of a new clampless and sutureless aortic anastomotic technique used during retroperitoneal laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass in extensive aortoiliac occlusive lesions. This is a case series of a previously published technique, demonstrating wider applicability of the technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients underwent a clampless and sutureless laparoscopic bypass for TASC D aortoiliac occlusive lesions using the EndoVascular REtroperitoneoScopic Technique (EVREST). Dissection of the retroperitoneal space and the infrarenal aorta was performed laparoscopically. A bifurcated graft was inserted into the retroperitoneal space. The main body of the graft was connected on the left side of the aorta by an intra- and extra-aortic covered stent-graft. An aortic clamp was used temporarily on four patients because of excessive bleeding when the connector was deployed. The femoral anastomoses were performed by classic open surgery. Initial technical success, complications, and bypass patency were assessed. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 9.3 months. Median operative time was 265 minutes. Median duration of aorto-prosthetic connection was 60 seconds. Thirty-day postoperative mortality was 0%. No major postoperative complications were observed. All grafts were patent at the end of follow-up and there was no early or late disruption of the proximal assembly. CONCLUSIONS: EVREST greatly facilitates laparoscopic aortic surgery in occlusive disease with no need for suture or clamping of the aorta. This technique performed in a single center on 12 patients, seems to be feasible and safe. It offers the advantages of laparoscopy and those of endovascular surgery, especially in the challenging conditions encountered during aortic laparoscopic surgery. Early experience supports procedural and initial postprocedural safety and demonstrates proof-of-concept for EVREST.

Primitive pulmonary "malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma" versus epithelioid angiosarcoma. A case report and review of the literature.

We describe the case of a 56-year-old man presenting a primary pulmonary epithelioid angiosarcoma versus malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma still alive, without recurrence at nearly two years after the beginning of the symptoms. The primary pulmonary angiosarcoma is extremely rare, being reported only in a handful of cases. Metastatic involvement of the lung (90%) is far more common than primary pulmonary involvement (10%). Various predisposing condition for the development of angiosarcoma have been described. Early diagnosis is not common, because of the rarity of angiosarcoma in the lung and consequent low index of suspicion. Due to the paucity of cases, there are no defined treatment regimens for this entity. However, there is a tendency for surgical intervention in all reported cases.

New fission fragment distributions and r-process origin of the rare-earth elements.

Neutron star (NS) merger ejecta offer a viable site for the production of heavy r-process elements with nuclear mass numbers A≳140. The crucial role of fission recycling is responsible for the robustness of this site against many astrophysical uncertainties, but calculations sensitively depend on nuclear physics. In particular, the fission fragment yields determine the creation of 110≲A≲170 nuclei. Here, we apply a new scission-point model, called SPY, to derive the fission fragment distribution (FFD) of all relevant neutron-rich, fissioning nuclei. The model predicts a doubly asymmetric FFD in the abundant A≃278 mass region that is responsible for the final recycling of the fissioning material. Using ejecta conditions based on relativistic NS merger calculations, we show that this specific FFD leads to a production of the A≃165 rare-earth peak that is nicely compatible with the abundance patterns in the Sun and metal-poor stars. This new finding further strengthens the case of NS mergers as possible dominant origin of r nuclei with A≳140.

Sperm competition roles and ejaculate investment in a promiscuous mammal.

Theoretical models of sperm competition predict how males should allocate sperm and seminal fluid components to ejaculates according to their mating role (dominant vs. subordinate). Here, we present a detailed analysis of ejaculate expenditure according to male roles in the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). Sperm competition occurs regularly in this species, and dominant males typically achieve higher fertilization success than subordinates. Contrary to theoretical predictions, we found that dominant male bank voles invest more sperm per ejaculate than subordinates, both absolutely and relative to body and testes mass. The testes of dominant males were also absolutely (although not relatively) larger than those of subordinates. However, we found no evidence that subordinate males compensate for lower sperm numbers per ejaculate by increasing ejaculation frequency or sperm velocity. Similarly, we found no evidence for differential investment in copulatory plug size according to male roles in sperm competition, although dominant males had significantly larger seminal vesicles (both absolutely and relative to body mass) compared with subordinates. We conclude that sperm competition roles can have significant but unexpected influences on ejaculate investment in mammals with clearly defined differences in male social status.

Ruptured aneurysm of the popliteal artery. Is the diagnosis still difficult?

The aneurysm of the popliteal artery is the most commonly treated non-aortoiliac aneurysm, accounting for more than 70% of all peripheral aneurysms. The rupture of a popliteal aneurysm is rare and it is often misdiagnosed. In the case of a 46-year old female patient here reported, the patient was referred to our department with the diagnosis of ruptured aneurysm of the right popliteal artery with formation of a large pseudo-aneurysm. We operated the patient on a semi-urgent basis and performed a replacement of the popliteal artery by a saphenous vein graft. Three months after the operation, the patient was free of symptoms. This article's aim was to emphasize on how the pitfalls during clinical examination, as well as the problems of imaging interpretation, can make the diagnosis of ruptured popliteal aneurysm still difficult.

Sex chromosomes, sex ratios and sex gaps in longevity in plants.

In animals, males and females can display markedly different longevity (also called sex gaps in longevity, SGL). Sex chromosomes contribute to establishing these SGLs. X-hemizygosity and toxicity of the Y chromosomes are two mechanisms that have been suggested to reduce male longevity (Z-hemizygosity and W toxicity in females in ZW systems). In plants, SGLs are known to exist, but the role of sex chromosomes remains to be established. Here, by using adult sex ratio as a proxy for measuring SGLs, we explored the relationship between sex chromosomes and SGLs across 43 plant species. Based on the knowledge accumulated in animals, we specifically asked whether: (i) species with XY systems tend to have female-biased sex ratios (reduced male longevity) and species with ZW ones tend to have male-biased sex ratios (reduced female longevity); and (ii) this pattern was stronger in heteromorphic systems compared to homomorphic ones. Our results tend to support these predictions although we lack statistical power because of a small number of ZW systems and the absence of any heteromorphic ZW system in the dataset. We discuss the implications of these findings, which we hope will stimulate further research on sex differences in lifespan and ageing across plants. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sex determination and sex chromosome evolution in land plants'.

[The role of the intensive care unit after thoracic surgery]. / Place de la réanimation après chirurgie thoracique.

Lung (bronchial) cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Western countries today. Thoracic surgery represents a major therapeutic strategy and the various advances made in recent years have made it possible to develop less and less invasive techniques. That said, the postoperative period may be lengthy, post-surgical approaches need to be more precisely codified, and it matters that the different interventions involved be supported by sound scientific evidence. To date, however, there exists no evidence that preventive postoperative admission to intensive care is beneficial for patients having undergone lung resection surgery without immediate complications. A stratification of the risk of complications taking into consideration the patient's general state of health (e.g., nutritional status, degree of autonomy, etc.), comorbidities and type of surgery could be a useful predictive tool regarding the need for postoperative intensive care. However, serious post-operative complications remain relatively frequent and post-operative management of these intensive care patients is liable to become complex and long-lasting. In the aftermath of the validation of "enhanced recovery after surgery" (ERAS) in thoracic surgery, new protocols are needed to optimize management of patients having undergone pulmonary resection. This article focuses on the main postoperative complications and more broadly on intensive care patient management following thoracic surgery.

[Iliac arteriovenous fistula as a complication of lumbar disc surgery]. / Fistule artério-veineuse, complication possible de la chirurgie lombaire.

A 56-year-old man suffering from moderate dyspnea was hospitalised in the unit of surgery. Fifteen days before, he was subjected to a discectomy at L4-L5. The clinical examination demonstrated sinus tachycardia and hepatomegalia. An abdominal CT revealed an arteriovenous fistula between the right common iliac artery and vein that was subsequently confirmed by angiography. The patient underwent an endovascular stent-graft which was positioned at the level of the right common iliac artery related to the fistula. This treatment had an immediate successful effect leading the cardiac rhythm to be back to normal and the fistula to dry up.

COVA1-18 neutralizing antibody protects against SARS-CoV-2 in three preclinical models.

One year into the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), effective treatments are still needed 1-3 . Monoclonal antibodies, given alone or as part of a therapeutic cocktail, have shown promising results in patients, raising the hope that they could play an important role in preventing clinical deterioration in severely ill or in exposed, high risk individuals 4-6 . Here, we evaluated the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of COVA1-18 in vivo , a neutralizing antibody isolated from a convalescent patient 7 and highly potent against the B.1.1.7. isolate 8,9 . In both prophylactic and therapeutic settings, SARS-CoV-2 remained undetectable in the lungs of COVA1-18 treated hACE2 mice. Therapeutic treatment also caused a dramatic reduction in viral loads in the lungs of Syrian hamsters. When administered at 10 mg kg - 1 one day prior to a high dose SARS-CoV-2 challenge in cynomolgus macaques, COVA1-18 had a very strong antiviral activity in the upper respiratory compartments with an estimated reduction in viral infectivity of more than 95%, and prevented lymphopenia and extensive lung lesions. Modelling and experimental findings demonstrate that COVA1-18 has a strong antiviral activity in three different preclinical models and could be a valuable candidate for further clinical evaluation.

Sperm competition and brain size evolution in mammals.

The 'expensive tissue hypothesis' predicts a size trade-off between the brain and other energetically costly organs. A specific version of this hypothesis, the 'expensive sexual tissue hypothesis', argues that selection for larger testes under sperm competition constrains brain size evolution. We show here that there is no general evolutionary trade-off between brain and testis mass in mammals. The predicted negative relationship between these traits is not found for rodents, ungulates, primates, carnivores, or across combined mammalian orders, and neither does total brain mass vary according to the level of sperm competition as determined by mating system classifications. Although we are able to confirm previous reports of a negative relationship between brain and testis mass in echolocating bats, our results suggest that mating system may be a better predictor of brain size in this group. We conclude that the expensive sexual tissue hypothesis accounts for little or none of the variance in brain size in mammals, and suggest that a broader framework is required to understand the costs of brain size evolution and how these are met.

Dynamics of the genome during early Xenopus laevis development: karyomeres as independent units of replication.

During Xenopus laevis early development, the genome is replicated in less than 15 min every 30 min. We show that during this period, DNA replication proceeds in an atypical manner. Chromosomes become surrounded by a nuclear membrane lamina forming micronuclei or karyomeres. This genomic organization permits that prereplication centers gather on condensed chromosomes during anaphase and that DNA replication initiates autonomously in karyomeres at early telophase before nuclear reconstruction and mitosis completion. The formation of karyomeres is not dependent on DNA replication but requires mitotic spindle formation and the normal segregation of chromosomes. Thus, during early development, chromosomes behave as structurally and functionally independent units. The formation of a nuclear envelope around each chromosome provides an in vivo validation of its role in regulating initiation of DNA replication, enabling the rate of replication to accelerate and S phase to overlap M phase without illegitimate reinitiation. The abrupt disappearance of this atypical organization within one cell cycle after thirteen divisions defines a novel developmental transition at the blastula stage, which may affect both the replication and the transcription programs of development.

Endovascular treatment of axillary artery dissection following anterior shoulder dislocation.

Injury to the axillary artery is a rare complication of anterior shoulder dislocation. Open surgical repair is technically demanding because of the anatomical position of the vessel and the propensity for concomitant injuries. Standard surgical exposure techniques involve extensive dissection, including a combination of supraclavicular or infraclavicular incision, median sternotomy, and thoracotomy causing significant morbidity and mortality rates. Endovascular techniques may offer an alternative to these surgically demanding procedures. We present a patient with a traumatic dissection of the axillary artery following anterior shoulder dislocation who was successfully managed with an endovascular stent.

Selective and rapid nuclear translocation of a c-Myc-containing complex after fertilization of Xenopus laevis eggs.

We report here unusual features of c-Myc specific to early embryonic development in Xenopus laevis, a period characterized by generalized transcriptional quiescence and rapid biphasic cell cycles. Two c-Myc protein forms, p61 and p64, are present in large amounts in the oocyte as well as during early development. In contrast, only p64 c-Myc is present in Xenopus somatic cells. p61 c-Myc is the direct translation product from both endogenous c-myc mRNAs and c-myc recombinant DNA. It is converted to the p64 c-Myc form after introduction into an egg extract, in the presence of phosphatase inhibitors. p61 and p64 belong to two distinct complexes localized in the cytoplasm of the oocyte. A 15S complex contains p64 c-Myc, and a 17.4S complex contains p61 c-Myc. Fertilization triggers the selective and total entry of only p64 c-Myc into the nucleus. This translocation occurs in a nonprogressive manner and is completed during the first cell cycles. This phenomenon results in an exceptionally high level of c-Myc in the nucleus, which returns to a somatic cell-like level only at the end of the blastulation period. During early development, when the entire embryonic genome is transcriptionally inactive, c-Myc does not exhibit a DNA binding activity with Max. Moreover, embryonic nuclei not only prevent the formation of c-Myc/Max complexes but also dissociate such preformed complexes. These peculiar aspects of c-Myc behavior suggest a function that could be linked to the rapid DNA replication cycles occurring during the early cell cycles rather than a function involving transcriptional activity.