MiRNome variations in milk fractions during feed restrictions of different intensities in dairy cows.

BACKGROUND: In dairy cows, diet is one factor that can affect their milk production and composition. However, the effect of feed restriction on milk miRNome has not yet been described. Indeed, milk is the body fluid with the highest RNA concentration, which includes numerous microRNA. Its presence in the four different milk fractions, whole milk, fat globules, mammary epithelial cells and extracellular vesicles, is still poorly documented. This study aimed to describe the effects of different feed restrictions on the miRNome composition of different milk fractions. RESULTS: Two feed restrictions were applied to lactating dairy cows, one of high intensity and one of moderate intensity. 2,896 mature microRNA were identified in the different milk fractions studied, including 1,493 that were already known in the bovine species. Among the 1,096 microRNA that were sufficiently abundant to be informative, the abundance of 1,027 of them varied between fractions: 36 of those were exclusive to one milk fraction. Feed restriction affected the abundance of 155 microRNA, with whole milk and milk extracellular vesicles being the most affected, whereas milk fat globules and exfoliated mammary epithelial cells were little or not affected at all. The high intensity feed restriction led to more microRNA variations in milk than moderate restriction. The target prediction of known microRNA that varied under feed restriction suggested the modification of some key pathways for lactation related to milk fat and protein metabolisms, cell cycle, and stress responses. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted that the miRNome of each milk fraction is specific, with mostly the same microRNA composition but with variations in abundance between fractions. These specific miRNomes were affected differently by feed restrictions, the intensity of which appeared to be a major factor modulating milk miRNomes. These findings offer opportunities for future research on the use of milk miRNA as biomarkers of energy status in dairy cows, which is affected by feed restrictions.

[GrS Montreal: A private hospital specializing in gender-affirming surgery in Canada]. / GrS Montréal : un hôpital privé spécialisé en chirurgie d'affirmation de genre au Canada.

Gender dysphoria refers to the suffering an individual experiences when his or her sex at birth does not correspond to the expression of his or her gender. Gender-affirmation surgery is a procedure that can alleviate this suffering. For 20 years, GrS Montreal has been Canada's only center dedicated exclusively to this type of surgery. Thanks to its expertise, quality of care, state-of-the-art infrastructure and convalescent home, GrS Montreal receives patients from all over the world. This article describes the particularities of this center and puts into perspective the evolution of this type of surgery.

Milk proteins as a feed restriction signature indicating the metabolic adaptation of dairy cows.

Milk production in dairy cows is affected by numerous factors, including diet. Feed restriction is known to have little impact on milk total protein content but its effect on the fine protein composition is still poorly documented. The objective of this study was to describe the effects of two feed restriction trials of different intensities on the milk protein composition of Holstein cows. One restriction trial was of high intensity (H: 8 mid-lactation Holstein cows) and the second of moderate intensity (M: 19 peak lactation Holstein cows). Feed restriction decreased the milk protein yield for caseins under the M trial and of all six major milk proteins under the H trial. These decreased yields lead to lower concentrations of αs1-, αs2- and ß-caseins during the H trial. The milk proteome, analyzed on 32 milk samples, was affected as a function of restriction intensity. Among the 345 proteins identified eight varied under the M trial and 160 under the H trial. Ontology analyses revealed their implication in carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolisms as well as in the immune system. These proteins reflected adaptations of the animal and mammary gland physiology to feed restriction and constituted a signature of this change.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Increases the Number of Opened Lymphatic Pathways in Patients with Lower Limb Lymphedemas: A Sequential Research on 80 Patients.

The purpose of this study was to lymphoscintigraphically assess the effect of skin mobilization, nonspecific massage, and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) on the root of the lower limb in patients with lower limb lymphedema. Lower limb root lymphoscintigraphical exams of 80 patients with lower limb lymphedema were analyzed. All patients underwent our stand 3 phase protocol and then were subjected to the 4th phase which included 3 subphases. Images were taken directly after the injection (subphase 1), after pinching and stretching the injection site (subphase 2), after nonspecific massage was applied to the injected site (subphase 3) and after manual lymphatic drainage of the injected site (subphase 4). The number of opened lymphatic pathways was analyzed and compared after and between each subphase (SP). SP 1 displayed open lymphatic pathways in 22 of the 80 cases (27.5%). SP 2 displayed newly opened lymphatic pathways in 48 of the 80 cases (60.0%). SP 3 displayed newly opened lymphatic pathways in 57 of the 80 cases (71.3%). Only 9 of these 57 cases did not show improvement following the next SP. SP 4 displayed newly opened lymphatic pathways in 60 of the 80 cases (75.1%). MLD improved the visualization of the lymphatic pathways in 48 cases (60%) compared to phase 3. MLD was the only technique to allow visualization of the lymphatic drainage at the level of the root of the edematous limb in 6 cases (7.5%). Physical therapy leads to a greater number of lymphatic collaterals opening in a region where no other complex decongestive therapy technique can be applied.

Evaluation of satisfaction and well being with Breast-Q© of aesthetic breast augmentations by implants using the "Dual Plane" technique: A serie of 191 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Dual Plane allows, according to J.B Tebbetts, to combine the advantages while reducing the drawbacks of the other implantation pockets. We assessed patient satisfaction using the Breast-Q © questionnaire after breast augmentation using the Dual Plane technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study involved evaluating data from the Breast-Q © questionnaire from 191 patients retrospectively. Other secondary criteria were studied such as postoperative complications, the correlation between satisfaction and implant volume, satisfaction and operating time, satisfaction and age of the patient. RESULTS: The Breast-Q © questionnaire allows us to assess the satisfaction of the patients in our series about their breasts, their implants, the information received and the outcome of the intervention. Physical, sexual and psychosocial well-being is also assessed. CONCLUSION: Breast augmentation using a Dual Plane pocket according to Tebbetts achieves significant levels of satisfaction and well-being in patients. To our knowledge, this is the most important series devoted to the evaluation of these criteria after the use of the Dual Plane.

[Use of methoxyflurane on acute pain during burn dressing in adult consultation]. / Utilisation du méthoxyflurane sur la douleur aiguë lors du pansement en consultation des brûlés adultes.

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to compare the short-term efficacy of methoxyflurane vs. MEOPA on acute pain during burn dressing in consultation, the secondary outcome was to assess the patient's comfort and the quality of the dressing performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monocentric, prospective study from April 2018 to January 2019. Men and women>18 years presenting acute burn on<10% SCT were included. A pain≥4 on the numerical scale (from 0 to 10) at the beginning of the treatment established the indication of methoxyflurane or MEOPA, with randomization done by a nurse. The following data were collected: burn description, performed debridement, pain assessment by numerical scale: on arrival, at the beginning of care, after 6 to 10 inhalations for methoxyflurane or 3 to 4minutes of inhalation for MEOPA and at the end of care. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included, 30 in each group. There was a decrease of -2.47 points of numerical scale when initiating methoxyflurane against -1.53 points for MEOPA (P=0.08). Patients were significantly less painful when stopping treatment in the methoxyflurane group -4 points vs -2 points (P=0.001). Methoxyflurane significantly improved the debridement of the burn (P=0.018). CONCLUSION: Methoxyflurane is more effective than MEOPA in acute pain in burn dressing, improved patient comfort, and improved dressing quality.

[Brachioplasty and its complications]. / Brachioplastie et complications.

Due to an increasing number of major weight loss after bariatic surgery, the demand for body-coutouring surgery increase in paralell. Among all the technics which can be realized, brachioplastyis one of them. The goal is to reach a functionnal but an aesthetic improvement too. The literature show that the rate of major complication is very low (or not reported in the majority of the series). Minor complication is more common : hypertrophic scar, large scar, paresthesia, and wound dehiscence. Re-operation can be asked by the patient in order to improve the result. With the help of clinical cases and literature review the authors try to analyse the balance between benefice and risk to realize a second operation.

Calcium citrate insolubilization drives the fouling of falling film evaporators during the concentration of hydrochloric acid whey.

When dairy powders are produced, the mineral fraction undergoes strong modifications during the vacuum concentration step, leading to the fouling of falling film evaporators. The objective of this study was to determine the nature of the deposits formed during the vacuum concentration of two fouling and highly mineralized products: hydrochloric acid whey and lactic acid whey. These products mainly differ in terms of their mineral composition: lactic acid whey contains a high level of lactic acid and traces of citrate, whereas hydrochloric acid whey contains citrate and no lactic acid. Concentrates at different concentration factors were produced using a pilot-scale falling film evaporator. The compositions of the fouling deposits as well as the precipitates present in the concentrates were deduced from the analytical determination of the composition of the concentrates and their respective diffusible phases. The behavior of the mineral fraction of both acid wheys during concentration was shown to be very different. In the case of hydrochloric acid whey, experimental results suggested a deposition of calcium and citrate ions in the evaporator as well as their precipitation in the highly concentrated products. On the contrary, neither mineral deposition nor precipitation occurred during the concentration of lactic acid whey. This study underlined the key role of citrate ions in the fouling of evaporators during the concentration of hydrochloric acid wheys.

Behavior of Antimicrobial Peptide K4 in a Marine Environment.

K4 is a de novo peptide with antibacterial activity on human pathogens. It has a short sequence (14 amino acids), with a cationic N-terminal moiety and an amphipathic ɑ-helix structure. The present paper demonstrates its activity on Vibrio bacteria in a marine environment. It was found non-toxic on marine organisms including Artemia salina, Dicentrarchus labrax, and Magallana gigas at different developmental stages, but influenced the growth of unicellular organisms like microalgae, depending on the algal strain and on K4 concentration. Furthermore, an original approach coupling liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS/MS) allowed us to monitor the degradation time course of the peptide for the first time in conditions close to a hatchery environment, i.e., in the presence of oyster spat. We detected truncated forms over time, and the full K4 was gradually no longer found in these filter-feeder oysters. Finally, using an automated optical density meter, we monitored the growth of several aquatic bacteria identified as pathogenic on animals. K4 had a bactericidal effect on Aeromonas salmonicida and Vibrio splendidus LGP32 at concentrations below 45 µg mL-1. Our results show that K4 could be an environment-friendly alternative to antibiotics, non-toxic to several marine organisms. The use of K4 would be particularly useful to decrease the bacterial load associated with food intake in the early developmental stages of marine animals reared in hatcheries.

Utilisation précoce de l'irm pour l'évaluation du niveau d'amputation des membres dans la prise en charge des brûlures électriques à haute tension.

High-voltage electrical burns are rare, but the functional prognosis is often disastrous. Electrical currents are responsible for a wide range of injuries and their clinical assessment is difficult. For a case of severe electrical burn, and based on the literature, the authors performed an early MRI to elaborate their surgical strategy and avoid multiple surgeries by determining the level of amputation. Analysis of the different MRI signals and the per-operative study of the tissues led the team to take an early surgical approach and we were able to determine the level of limb amputation. Early analysis of lesions by MRI imaging allows us to consider a more aggressive surgical approach and thus reduce the number of interventions and the duration of stay in the intensive care unit.

Characterization of Holstein and Normande whole milk miRNomes highlights breed specificities.

The concept of milk as a healthy food has opened the way for studies on milk components, from nutrients to microRNAs, molecules with broad regulatory properties present in large quantities in milk. Characterization of these components has been performed in several species, such as humans and bovine, depending on the stages of lactation. Here, we have studied the variation in milk microRNA composition according to genetic background. Using high throughput sequencing, we have characterized and compared the milk miRNomes of Holstein and Normande cattle, dairy breeds with distinct milk production features, in order to highlight microRNAs that are essential for regulation of the lactation process. In Holstein and Normande milk, 2,038 and 2,030 microRNAs were identified, respectively, with 1,771 common microRNAs, of which 1,049 were annotated and 722 were predicted. The comparison of the milk miRNomes of two breeds allowed to highlight 182 microRNAs displaying significant differences in the abundance. They are involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism and mammary morphogenesis and development, which affects lactation. Our results provide new insights into the regulation of molecular mechanisms involved in milk production.

Prospect for a 60 GHz multicharged ECR ion source.

The conceptual design of a fourth generation hybrid electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source operated at 60 GHz is proposed. The axial magnetic mirror is generated with a set of three Nb3Sn coils, while the hexapole is made with room temperature (RT) copper coils. The motivations for such a hybrid development are to study further the ECR plasma physics and the intense multicharged ion beams' production and transport at a time when a superconducting (SC) hexapole appears unrealistic at 60 GHz. The RT hexapole coil designed is an evolution of the polyhelix technology developed at the French High Magnetic Field Facility. The axial magnetic field is generated by means of 3 Nb3Sn SC coils operated with a maximum current density of 350 A/mm2 and a maximum coil load line factor of 81%. The ECR plasma chamber resulting from the design features an inner radius of 94 mm and a length of 500 mm. The radial magnetic intensity is 4.1 T at the wall. Characteristic axial mirror peaks are 8 and 4.5 T, with 1.45 T minimum in between.

Antibiothérapie péri-opératoire et greffe de peau: état des lieux sur les prescriptions dans les centres français de traitement de la brûlure, vers une harmonisation des pratiques?

Most hospitals use protocols for surgical antibioprophylaxis (ABP). Despite SFB's 2009 recommendations promoting ABP in burn patients and stating the molecules to be used, wide variations exist within hospitals and among French hospitals, in cases of skin grafting and use of dermal substitutes. We contacted surgeons in 12 French Burn Centres (BCs) via email and questioned them about ABP in cases of skin grafting (thin and total) as well as in the use of dermal substitutes, in acute and sequelae settings. Eight BCs answered. In the acute phase, 3 BCs (37.5%) always use ABP in skin grafts, 2 (25%) use ABP on suspicion of wound infection and 3 (37.5%) never use ABP. When installing skin substitute, 5 BCs (62.5%) use ABP, one (12.5%) does so if the wound is suspected of being infected and 2 (25%) never use ABP. For sequelae, 5 BCs (62.5%) use ABP whatever the surgery, while 3 (37.5%) never use it. Infection onset after skin graft or use of dermal substitute is frequent. Our study shows wide variations in the use of ABP in these surgeries. A multi-centre evaluation of the implementation of SFB's 2009 recommendations and their role in preventing postoperative infections after skin grafting and skin substitute use, both in acute and sequelae phases, could help harmonize practices in BCs.

Bridgehead invasion of a monomorphic plant pathogenic bacterium: Xanthomonas citri pv. citri, an emerging citrus pathogen in Mali and Burkina Faso.

Molecular epidemiology studies further our understanding of migrations of phytopathogenic bacteria, the major determining factor in their emergence. Asiatic citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas citri pv. citri, was recently reported in Mali and Burkina Faso, a region remote from other contaminated areas. To identify the origin and pathways of these emergences, we used two sets of markers, minisatellites and microsatellites, for investigating different evolutionary scales. Minisatellite typing suggested the introduction of two groups of strains in Mali (DAPC 1 and DAPC 2), consistent with microsatellite typing. DAPC 2 was restricted to Bamako district, whereas DAPC 1 strains were found much more invasive. The latter strains formed a major clonal complex based on microsatellite data with the primary and secondary founders detected in commercial citrus nurseries and orchards. This suggests that human activities played a major role in the spread of DAPC 1 strains via the movement of contaminated propagative material, further supported by the frequent lack of differentiation between populations from geographically distant nurseries and orchards. Approximate Bayesian Computation analyses supported the hypothesis that strains from Burkina Faso resulted from a bridgehead invasion from Mali. Multi-locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis and Approximate Bayesian Computation are useful for understanding invasion routes and pathways of monomorphic bacterial pathogens.

Short time effects of radiotherapy on lymphatic vessels and restorative lymphatic pathways: experimental approaches ina mouse model.

Radiotherapy (RT) is an important component in the therapeutic approach to oncologic conditions. This study presents the investigative results on the impact of RT on lymphatic vessels and on the regenerative response of the lymphatic system in a mouse model. We first irradiated 3 groups of ten mice using brachytherapy in a single treatment of 20 Gy. We then performed morphological examination of the irradiated lymphatic vessels using an in vivo microscopic transillumination technique at 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Next we evaluated lymphatic flow using lymphoscintigraphy and in vivo microscopy at 6 to 11 weeks in: 10 additional mice following irradiation as above (IR), in 10 mice following incision of a lymphatic vessel (I), and in a non-treated control group of 10 mice (N). Intact lymphatic vessels were observed in all mice at 2, 4, and 8 weeks following the single dose of radiotherapy in the first group of mice and normal lymphatic flow was fully restored in the irradiated (IR) and incised (I) mice indicating that the reparative substitution lymphatic pathways are functioning normally. We found that following irradiation with one dose of 20 Gy, lymphatic vessels were not visibly damaged and also that lymphatic flow was consistently restored and substitutive lymphatic pathways formed.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome in children. About 10 clinical cases]. / Syndrome du canal carpien chez l'enfant. À propos de 10 cas cliniques.

INTRODUCTION: The carpal tunnel syndrome is a common peripheral neuropathy in adults but is rare in children. We report a series of 10 carpal tunnel syndromes in children. METHODS: We have supported five children, two males and three females, with a bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. We studied the clinical history (history, symptoms, stage of disease), therapeutic management and remote development. Three children were diagnosed with a mucopolysaccharidosis, the fourth with VATER association. For the last child, it was a form considered idiopathic. Two children were referred for night pains, the others for under-utilization of their first three fingers, two of which had a thenar atrophy. Four children underwent an electromyogram for diagnostic confirmation. We realized open surgical treatment at one time, by section of the carpal ligament. RESULTS: The average age of our patients was 4years. The average decline in the surgical study was 19 months. Postoperatively, we noted, in all patients, complete regression of the painful symptoms, a sensory improvement and recovery of the opposition of the thumb. CONCLUSION: The scarcity of carpal tunnel syndrome in children and the atypical symptoms may cause diagnostic delay, with serious consequences. We keep vigilant and ready to access to additional tests (electromyogram). For our team, the therapeutic approach is a systematic open surgical treatment.

Identification and description of the axillary web syndrome (AWS) by clinical signs, MRI and US imaging.

The Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS) follows surgery for breast neoplasia and consists of one, or more frequently two or three, cords of subcutaneous tissue. Cords originate from the axilla, spread to the antero-medial surface of the arm down to the elbow and then move into the antero-medial aspect of the forearm and sometimes into the root of the thumb. The purpose of this study was to compare two techniques, ultrasound (US) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for their sensitivity and accuracy in identifying AWS cords and to provide insights to the origin of this pathology. US examinations were performed on fifteen patients using a high frequency probe (17 MHz). We first palpated and marked the cord with location aided by maximum abduction. To identify the cord with MRI (1.5 Tesla), a catheter filled with a gel detectable under MRI was placed on the skin at the site of the cord. We found that in some US cases, the dynamic abduction maneuver was essential to facilitate detection of the cord. This dynamic method on ultrasound confirmed the precise location of the cord even if it was located deeper in the hypodermis fascia junction. US and MRI images revealed features of the cords and surrounding tissues. Imaging the cords was difficult with either of the imaging modalities. However, US seemed to be more efficient than MRI and allowed dynamic evaluation. Overall analysis of our study results supports a lymphatic origin of the AWS cord.

First Report of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri Causing Asiatic Citrus Canker in Burkina Faso.

Citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas citri pv. citri, is a bacterial disease of economic importance in tropical and sub-tropical citrus-producing areas (EPPO-PQR online database). X. citri pv. citri causes severe infection in a wide range of citrus species, and induces erumpent, callus-like lesions with water-soaked margins leading to premature fruit drop and twig dieback. It has consequently been subjected to eradication efforts and international regulations. It was first described on the African continent in South Africa at the beginning of the 20th century, from which it was eventually eradicated. Since 2006, several outbreaks caused by phylogenetically diverse strains of X. citri pv. citri have been reported from several African countries (Ethiopia, Mali, Senegal, and Somalia). In July 2011, citrus canker in Burkina Faso was suspected in the area adjacent to the Sikassso Province of Mali where X. citri pv. citri has been confirmed. In November and December 2012, leaves of clementine (Citrus clementina), lemon (C. limon), Volkamer lemon (C. volkameriana), sweet orange (C. sinensis), tangelo (C. paradisi× C. reticulata), and mandarin (C. reticulata) were collected from orchards with trees showing symptoms of citrus canker in the Comoé, Houet, and Kénédougou provinces of Burkina Faso. Isolations performed using KC semi-selective medium (4) recovered 45 Xanthomonas-like strains. All Xanthomonas-like strains were tentatively identified as X. citri pv. citri by PCR (4/7 primers) using IAPAR 306 and sterile distilled water as the positive and negative controls, respectively (3). Among these, two strains (LK4-4 and LK4-5) produced a 'fuscans'-like brown diffusible pigment, a phenotype never reported previously for X. citri pv. citri. MultiLocus Sequence Analysis targeting six housekeeping genes (atpD, dnaK, efp, gltA, gyrB, and lepA) (1,2) fully identified seven strains from Burkina Faso (LJ301-1, LJ303-1, LK1-1, LK2-6, LK4-3, LK4-4, and LK4-5) as X. citri pv. citri (and not to any other Xanthomonas pathovars pathogenic to citrus or host range-restricted pathotypes of pathovar citri), and more specifically as sequence type ST2 which is composed mostly of pathotype A strains of X. citri pv. citri (2). The same seven strains were inoculated to at least four leaves of each of grapefruit cv. Henderson, Mexican lime SRA 140 (C. aurantifolia), Tahiti lime SRA 58 (C. latifolia), and sweet orange cv. Washington Navel, using a detached leaf assay (2). All strains developed typical erumpent, callus-like tissue at wound sites on all citrus species inoculated. No lesions developed on the negative control (sterile 10 mM tris buffer). Koch's postulate was fulfilled after reisolation of Xanthomonas-like yellow colonies from symptoms on Mexican lime produced by the seven strains. Boiled bacterial suspensions were assayed by PCR with 4/7 primers (3) and produced the expected 468-bp amplicon in contrast with the PCR negative control. To our knowledge, this is the first report of X. citri pv. citri in Burkina Faso. Citrus canker-free nurseries and grove sanitation should be implemented for reducing the prevalence of Asiatic canker in Burkina Faso and a thorough survey of citrus nurseries and groves in the region should be conducted. References: (1) N. F. Almeida et al. Phytopathology 100:208, 2010. (2) L. Bui Thi Ngoc et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 60:515, 2010. (3) J. S. Hartung et al. Phytopathology 86:95, 1996. (4) O. Pruvost et al. J. Appl. Microbiol. 99:803, 2005.

Impact of manual lymphatic drainage on hemodynamic parameters in patients with heart failure and lower limb edema.

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), intermittent sequential pneumatic therapy (ISPT), multilayered bandages (MLB), and compression garments are main techniques in conservative treatment of peripheral lymphedema. Since 1990, it has been thought that ISPT applied to both lower limbs simultaneously should not be used for patients with heart failure because right atrial, pulmonary arterial, and pulmonary wedge pressures may increase to a critical point. In 2005, these same results were observed in patients with heart failure wearing MLB. For these reasons, MLB and ISPT have been contraindicated during lymphedema treatment in cardiac patients. The aim of this study was to determine if we may continue the treatment of lower limb lymphedema using MLD in patients with heart failure. We evaluated hemodynamic parameters using echography during MLD in patients with cardiac disease and obtained circumferential measurements of the edematous limb before and after treatment. MLD treatment significantly decreased the limbs as expected. The heart rate also decreased following MLD in contrast with all other hemodynamic parameters which were not affected by MLD. The findings suggest that there is no contraindication to use MLD in patients with heart failure and lower limb edema.