The fecal microbiota of Holstein cows is heritable and genetically correlated to dairy performances.

The fecal microbiota of ruminants constitutes a diversified community that has been phenotypically associated with a variety of host phenotypes, such as production and health. To gain a better understanding of the complex and interconnected factors that drive the fecal bacterial community, we have aimed to estimate the genetic parameters of the diversity and composition of the fecal microbiota, including heritabilities, genetic correlations among taxa, and genetic correlations between fecal microbiota features and host phenotypes. To achieve this, we analyzed a large population of 1,875 Holstein cows originating from 144 French commercial herds and routinely recorded for production, somatic cell score, and fertility traits. Fecal samples were collected from the animals and subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing, with reads classified into Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs). The estimated α- and ß-diversity indices (i.e., Observed Richness, Shannon index, Bray-Curtis and Jaccard dissimilarity matrices) and the abundances of ASVs, genera, families and phyla, normalized by centered-log ratio (CLR), were considered as phenotypes. Genetic parameters were calculated using either univariate or bivariate animal models. Heritabilities estimates, ranging from 0.08 to 0.31 for taxa abundances and ß-diversity indices, highlight the influence of the host genetics on the composition of the fecal microbiota. Furthermore, genetic correlations estimated within the microbial community and between microbiota features and host traits reveal the complex networks linking all components of the fecal microbiota together and to their host, thus strengthening the holobiont concept. By estimating the heritabilities of microbiota-associated phenotypes, our study quantifies the impact of the host genetics on the fecal microbiota composition. In addition, genetic correlations between taxonomic groups and between taxa abundances and host performance suggest potential applications for selective breeding to improve host traits or promote a healthier microbiota.

Short communication: Bifidobacterium abundance in the faecal microbiota is strongly associated with milk traits in dairy cattle.

The performance of dairy cows is influenced by the microbial communities hosted within their digestive tract. While the rumen microbiota has long been associated with host phenotypes, the impact of the faecal microbiota remains elusive. In this study, we collected 697 faecal samples from commercial Holstein cows and analysed them with 16S rRNA gene analyses. For each animal, routinely recorded data, i.e., milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, fat content, protein content, and an aggregate production trait (pINEL) based on the French economic dairy index, were available to assess the links between the faecal microbiota and host production. Our findings revealed a strong and significant association between the structure of the bacterial and prokaryote community (ß-diversity) and dairy production. In addition, differential abundance analyses identified 48 genera whose abundances were significantly associated with pINEL, milk, fat and protein yield. Among these genera, the increased abundance of Bifidobacterium, and particularly an amplicon sequence variant with a 16S rRNA V3-V4 gene region identical to B. globosum and B. pseudolongum, was found to be the most important for high-yielding animals. Bifidobacterium seemed to be a potential key member of the bovine faecal microbiota that should be further investigated. Conversely, the p-1088-a5 gut group genus was found more abundant in low-productive cows. In conclusion, this study demonstrates significant associations between the faecal microbiota and the performance of dairy cows at the whole lactation scale. A better understanding of the physiology of the gut microbiota could help to improve dairy cow production.

Characterization of bovine vaginal microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing: associations with host fertility, longevity, health, and production.

Due to their potential impact on the host's phenotype, organ-specific microbiotas are receiving increasing attention in several animal species, including cattle. Specifically, the vaginal microbiota of ruminants is attracting growing interest, due to its predicted critical role on cows' reproductive functions in livestock contexts. Notably, fertility disorders represent a leading cause for culling, and additional research would help to fill relevant knowledge gaps. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the vaginal microbiota of a large cohort of 1171 female dairy cattle from 19 commercial herds in Northern France. Vaginal samples were collected using a swab and the composition of the microbiota was determined through 16S rRNA sequencing targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable regions. Initial analyses allowed us to define the core bacterial vaginal microbiota, comprising all the taxa observed in more than 90% of the animals. Consequently, four phyla, 16 families, 14 genera and a single amplicon sequence variant (ASV) met the criteria, suggesting a high diversity of bacterial vaginal microbiota within the studied population. This variability was partially attributed to various environmental factors such as the herd, sampling season, parity, and lactation stage. Next, we identified numerous significant associations between the diversity and composition of the vaginal microbiota and several traits related to host's production and reproduction performance, as well as reproductive tract health. Specifically, 169 genera were associated with at least one trait, with 69% of them significantly associated with multiple traits. Among these, the abundances of Negativibacillus and Ruminobacter were positively correlated with the cows' performances (i.e., longevity, production performances). Other genera showed mixed relationships with the phenotypes, such as Leptotrichia being overabundant in cows with improved fertility records and reproductive tract health, but also in cows with lower production levels. Overall, the numerous associations underscored the complex interactions between the vaginal microbiota and its host. Given the large number of samples collected from commercial farms and the diversity of the phenotypes considered, this study marks an initial step towards a better understanding of the intimate relationship between the vaginal microbiota and the dairy cow's phenotypes.

A new primate from the Middle Eocene of Myanmar and the Asian early origin of anthropoids.

A new genus and species of anthropoid primate, Bahinia pondaungensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Yashe Kyitchaung locality in the Late Middle Eocene Pondaung Formation (Myanmar). It is related to Eosimias, but it is represented by more complete remains, including upper dentition with associated lower jaw fragment. It is interpreted as a new representative of the family Eosimiidae, which corresponds to the sister group of the Amphipithecidae and of all other anthropoids. Eosimiidae are now recorded from three distinct Middle Eocene localities in Asia, giving support to the hypothesis of an Asian origin of anthropoids.

A fossil lemur from the Oligocene of Pakistan.

In the absence of a comprehensive fossil record, the origin and early evolution of Malagasy lemurs have been subject to much uncertainty. We report here the discovery of a strepsirrhine fossil with strong cheirogaleid lemur affinities, Bugtilemur mathesoni gen. et sp. nov., from early Oligocene deposits of the Bugti Hills (Balochistan, Pakistan). Bugtilemur represents the earliest record of Lemuriformes, which hence appear to have already diversified outside of Madagascar at least 30 million years ago. This fossil clearly enhances the critical role of the Indian subcontinent in the early diversification of lemurs and constrains paleobiogeographic models of strepsirrhine lemur evolution.

[Caffeine citrate utilization for treatment of apnea in French neonatal units]. / Utilisation du citrate de caféine pour le traitement des apnées idiopathiques du prématuré dans les équipes Françaises de médecine néonatale.

UNLABELLED: Caffeine citrate is commonly used for prophylaxis and treatment of apnea in preterm babies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of caffeine citrate in french neonatal units. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Postal survey in 100 neonatal units. RESULTS: Answers were obtained from 81 units. Sixty-three units use systematic prophylactic treatment and the threshold of gestationnal age (weeks gestation) for this systematic treatment is 32 weeks. Caffeine citrate is administered as a loading dose of 20 mg/kg followed by a maintenance dose of 5 mg/kg in 95% of the units. Discontinuing the treatment occurs between 33 and 35 weeks in 37% of the units and between 35 and 37 weeks in 53%. Two third of neonatologits describe recurrent apnea beyond 37 weeks, with the need to continue treatment. Fourteen units sometimes discharge babies at home with ambulatory caffeine citrate treatment and discontinue treatment by 42 to 46 weeks'gestation. A mean duration of 5 days without apnea is required before discharge. CONCLUSION: French teams respect "recommendations" concerning doses and duration without apnea before discharge. Indication of treatment, threshold for systematic treatment, duration of treatment and ambulatory treatment differ among teams.

[Apnea of prematurity: risk factors and ambulatory treatment with caffeine citrate]. / Apnées tardives du prématuré: facteurs de risque, traitement ambulatoire par citrate de caféine.

INTRODUCTION: Apnea of prematurity develop during the first days of life and usually resolve by the time the infant reaches 36-37 weeks postmenstrual age. In a few cases, they persist beyond term, especially in infants delivered at the youngest gestational ages (24-28 GA), and require specific care. In our unit, those preterm babies are discharged home with caffeine citrate treatment. Discontinuing the treatment is performed in hospital when they achieve a postmenstrual age of at least 42 weeks. OBJECTIVE: To identify predictive factors of persistent apnea in preterm babies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study comparing a population of 41 preterm infants discharged with treatment to 123 preterm babies discharged without treatment to identify predictors of persistent apnea. RESULTS: Factors significantly associated were: birth weight<1500 g, initial hypotension, gastroesophageal reflux, need for continuous positive airway pressure and multiparity. At home, no infant died and no adverse effect was reported by parents. CONCLUSION: Persistent apnea can be responsible for prolonged hospitalization. Risk factors can be identified in some children. Discharging with treatment can be an alternative to their hospitalization.

[Mortality in a pediatric hospital. Six-year retrospective study]. / Mortalité dans un hôpital pédiatrique. Etude rétrospective sur six ans.

AIMS: To define the characteristics of patients dying in a pediatric hospital, including causes and modes of death. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective, descriptive, epidemiologic study was performed between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1995. All patients who died in the hospital between these dates were included. Patients already dead on arrival (sudden infant death syndrome, children deceased during their transport), and those whose hospital records could not be found, were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 375 children were studied, including 195 neonates. The sex ratio was 1.3. Ninety-one percent of deaths took place in three departments: intensive care, neurosurgery-neurology and oncology. Median duration of hospitalization was three days. The most common causes of deaths were accidents, neurologic diseases (particularly among neonates) and tumours. Analysis of modes of death revealed that 41.1% occurred following unsuccessful resuscitation, 38.8% were the result of withdrawal of life-support or a 'do not resuscitate' order and 21.6% resulted from brain death. Evolution of modes of death over the six years showed a reduction of cases with unsuccessful resuscitation, an increase in decisions of 'do not resuscitate' orders and withdrawal of life-support and no change in rates of brain death. Organs were made available for transplantation from 12 of the 81 children with brain death (14.8%). CONCLUSION: Accidents were the most common cause of death. The distribution of deaths showed a clear increase in withdrawal or withholding of life-support care, relying on ethical decisions, which are more frequent than some years ago.

[Analgesic effects of Emla cream and saccharose solution for subcutaneous injections in preterm newborns: a prospective study of 265 injections]. / Effet analgésique de la crème Emla, du saccharose et de leur association pour les injections sous-cutanées chez le nouveau-né prématuré: étude prospective de 265 injections.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the analgesic effects of non nutritive pacifier sucking, oral administration of a 30% saccharose solution, local application of Emla and their association for subcutaneous injection of erythropoietin (EPO) in preterm infants. METHODS: Our study was a randomised, prospective study conducted over 5 months. Neonates with a gestational age below 33 weeks of gestation and older than 8 days of life were included if they were treated with EPO (three subcutaneous injections per week during 6 weeks). For each consecutive EPO injection, patients were randomised between four groups of intervention: non nutritive pacifier sucking (T), oral administration of 0.2-0.5 ml of a 30% saccharose solution with non nutritive pacifier sucking (S), local application of Emla with non nutritive pacifier sucking (E), and oral administration of 0.2-0.5 ml of a 30% saccharose solution with local application of Emla and with non nutritive pacifier sucking (S + E). Each child was its own control. Pain was assessed with the Newborn Acute Pain scale (DAN) and with the Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS). RESULTS: Thirty-three neonates were included, representing 265 injections. Distribution was: 41 in group T, 71 in group E, 86 in group S and 67 in group E + S. Mean DAN and NFCS scores were statistically different between groups T, E and S. Analgesic effect of saccharose (-1.05) was greater than Emla (-0.56). Used together, effects were adding up without potentialisation. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the association of non nutritive pacifier sucking with oral administration of saccharose and local application of Emla has a better analgesic effect than each of these three interventions alone for subcutaneous injection of EPO.

[Congenital toxoplasmosis: a new case of infection during pregnancy in an previously immunized and immunocompetent woman]. / Toxoplasmose congénitale: un nouveau cas d'infection pendant la grossesse chez une femme antérieurement immunisée et immunocompétente.

UNLABELLED: Congenital toxoplasmosis is a potentially serious infection which usually affects infants born to non immune women. CASE REPORT: Our case report focuses on a baby born to a normally immunocompetent woman previously immunized against toxoplasmosis. To our knowledge only three similar cases have been published until now. CONCLUSION: We conclude that in front of a patient neonatal congenital infection picture, toxoplasmosis cannot be excluded on the ground of maternal immunity status and must be quickly investigated, given the emergency of appropriate treatment.

[Use of diazepam in the treatment of opioid neonatal abstinence syndrome]. / Traitement par le diazépam du syndrome de sevrage néonatal aux opiacés (23 cas).

INTRODUCTION: The fetal opiate exposure presents many risks for the newborn. One of the most important is the neonatal abstinence syndrome that associates neurological and digestive signs. In some cases the vital prognosis can be involved. The evaluation of the syndrome's severity is based on certificated scales. The mortality has been reduced by the improved management of these neonates. Diamorphine, phenobarbital, chlorpromazine and diazepam are the most currently used. However, there is no consensus on the treatment. The data concerning the treatment are controversial, especially for the use of diazepam. The aim of our study was to describe the effects of diazepam obtained in three different centers and to compare our results to those of the literature. POPULATION AND METHODS: Twenty-three neonates were included. They were all hospitalized for abstinence syndrome and treated by diazepam. The Finnegan scale was used to evaluate the symptom's severity and the effects of the diazepam. The principal evaluation criteria were the duration of treatment and hospitalization, the timing in recovery of birth weight and the percentage of birth weight loss. RESULTS: The average treatment duration was 7 days, the average hospitalization duration was 18 days, the birth weight was recovered at 10 days of life and the percentage of loss of birth weight was 6.5%. Diazepam treatment failed in only one case. No case of intense dehydration occurred. CONCLUSION: Due to the retrospective design of the study, the diazepam could not be compared to other drugs. Nevertheless, it argues against the "anti-diazepam" attitude. A controlled randomised prospective study is needed to evaluated the optimal therapeutic strategy.

Siamopithecus eocaenus, a late Eocene anthropoid primate from Thailand: its contribution to the evolution of anthropoids in Southeast Asia.

Dental remains of a late Eocene anthropoid primate from Thailand, Siamopithecus eocaenus, have been recently reported; complete description and comparisons of this material are given here. Siamopithecus displays several derived dental features that suggest close phylogenetic affinities among the Thai species, the Burmese Pondaungia, and the North African and Omani propliopithecines Aegyptopithecus and Moeripithecus. The geographic origin of anthropoid primates cannot be securely determined at present, but the available fossil record indicates that faunal exchanges between Africa and Southeast Asia were very probable during the Eocene, and that direct relationships between Asian and African anthropoid primates can be inferred.

What is a Suiforme (Artiodactyla)? Contribution of cranioskeletal and mitochondrial DNA data.

Suiformes (Artiodactyla) traditionally includes three families: Suidae, Tayassuidae, and Hippopotamidae but the monophyly of this suborder has recently been questioned from molecular data. A maximum parsimony analysis of molecular, morphological, and combined data was performed on the same set of taxa including representatives of the three Artiodactyla suborders (Suiformes, Ruminantia, and Tylopoda) and Perissodactyla as outgroup. Mitochondrial (cytochrome b and 12S rRNA) sequence comparisons support the monophyly of Suina (Suidae and Tayassuidae) and Ancodonta (Hippopotamidae) but not the monophyly of Suiformes. Inversely, our preliminary morphological analysis supports the monophyly of Suiformes whereas relationships among the three families are not resolved. The combined data set does not resolve the relationships between Suina, Ancodonta, and Ruminantia. These results are discussed in relation to morphological characters and paleontological data. Some improvements are suggested to clarify the morphological definition of Suiformes and relationships among them.

A new Late Eocene anthropoid primate from Thailand.

The fossil record of anthropoid primates from the Middle Eocene of South Asia is so far restricted to two genera (Pondaungia cotteri Pilgrim, 1937 and Amphipithecus mogaungensis Colbert, 1937 from the Eocene Pondaung deposits of Burma) whose anthropoid status and phylogenetic position have long been under debate because they represent the oldest highly derived fossil primates of anthropoid grade. Moreover, several new African taxa, some of which are even older, have been recently included in the suborder Anthropoidea, suggesting an African origin for this group. Conversely, new fossil primates recently discovered in China (Eosimias) have been related to the most primitive representatives of Anthropoidea, alternatively suggesting an Asian origin and a probable Asian radiation centre. We report here the discovery of a new anthropoid from the Thai Late Eocene locality of Krabi, which displays several additional anthropoid characters with regard to those of the Eocene Burmese genera. This species, which is about the size of the Fayum Aegyptopithecus, can be related to the Burmese forms, and it further provides strong additional evidence for a southeast Asian evolutionary centre for anthropoids.

Origin and evolution of Asian hominoid primates. Paleontological data versus molecular data.

The origin and evolution of hominoid primates (apes and man) has long been studied exclusively on the basis of available fossil remains. Indeed, a migration of African primates towards Asia at about -16 to -17 Ma might have given the lineage of Miocene Asian hominoids. This hypothesis is supported by the oldest remains of Miocene Asian hominoids dated at about -16.1 Ma. But the recent discovery of anthropoid primates in the Eocene of Asia seems to indicate that Asia was a major evolutionary and differentiation centre for anthropoid primates as early as the Eocene. In addition, Asian primates probably continued to evolve in Asia from the Eocene onward and led at least to the extant Asian hominoids (orangutans and gibbons). African and Asian extant anthropoid primates might therefore have diverged at least 36 Ma ago, and this hypothesis is also supported by the most recent data in molecular biology. Moreover, an Asiatic origin of African Paleogene propliopithecine primates is suggested. In that context, evolutionary rates might not be constant, and molecular clocks should be necessarily characteristic for each studied group of mammals. Several examples that illustrate the conflict between paleontological and molecular data are discussed. The necessity to integrate more systematically paleontological data as chronological reference points in studies in molecular phylogeny is discussed.

Pediatric neurologic emergencies.

Neuroemergencies are life-threatening situations in which, whatever the cause, common pathologic phenomena result in secondary brain lesions. The goal of critical care management is to stop these self-aggravating processes as soon as possible. Initial resuscitation is devoted to control of the airway and hemodynamic and hydroelectrolytic stabilization. With mass lesions, minimal computed tomographic exploration immediately precedes surgical decompression. Further critical care adapted to the child's needs requires multimodal monitoring. Normoventilation, deep sedation, osmotherapy with mannitol or hypertonic saline solutions, and optimization of mean arterial pressure are the basis of management. A purely pressure-driven approach aimed at controlling cerebral perfusion pressure could be potentially harmful, and associated measurement of blood flow velocity with transcranial Doppler and jugular bulb oxygen saturation monitoring allows an approach to cerebral blood flow and metabolism. Outcome can be improved in dangerous situations such as severe brain injuries, cerebral arteriovenous malformation rupture, status epilepticus, and acute hydrocephalus, provided that emergency management could be applied efficiently.

Poly(ADP-ribose) synthase inhibition reduces ischemic injury and inflammation in neonatal rat brain.

Poly(ADP-ribose) synthase (PARS), an abundant nuclear protein, has been described as an important candidate for mediation of neurotoxicity by nitric oxide. However, in cerebral ischemia, excessive PARS activation may lead to energy depletion and exacerbation of neuronal damage. We examined the effect of inhibiting PARS on the (a) degree of cerebral injury, (b) process of inflammatory responses, and (c) functional outcomes in a neonatal rat model of focal ischemia. We demonstrate that administration of 3-aminobenzamide, a PARS inhibitor, leads to a significant reduction of infarct volume: 63 +/- 2 (untreated) versus 28 +/- 4 mm(3) (treated). The neuroprotective effects currently observed 48 h postischemia hold up at 7 and 17 days of survival time and attenuate neurological dysfunction. Inhibition of PARS activity, demonstrated by a reduction in poly(ADP-ribose) polymer formation, also reduces neutrophil recruitment and levels of nitrotyrosine, an indicator of peroxynitrite generation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that PARS inhibition reduces ischemic damage and local inflammation associated with reperfusion and may be of interest for the treatment of neonatal stroke.