Emission lines due to ionizing radiation from a compact object in the remnant of Supernova 1987A.

The nearby Supernova 1987A was accompanied by a burst of neutrino emission, which indicates that a compact object (a neutron star or black hole) was formed in the explosion. There has been no direct observation of this compact object. In this work, we observe the supernova remnant with JWST spectroscopy, finding narrow infrared emission lines of argon and sulfur. The line emission is spatially unresolved and blueshifted in velocity relative to the supernova rest frame. We interpret the lines as gas illuminated by a source of ionizing photons located close to the center of the expanding ejecta. Photoionization models show that the line ratios are consistent with ionization by a cooling neutron star or a pulsar wind nebula. The velocity shift could be evidence for a neutron star natal kick.

One, four or 100 genera? A new classification of the cone snails.

We present a new classification for the genus Conus sensu lato (family Conidae), based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of 329 species. This classification departs from both the traditional classification in only one genus and from a recently proposed shell- and radula-based classification scheme that separates members of this group into five families and 115 genera. Roughly 140 genus-group names are available for Recent cone snails. We propose to place all cone snails within a single family (Conidae) containing four genera-Conus, Conasprella, Profundiconus and Californiconus (with Conus alone encompassing about 85% of known species)-based on the clear separation of cone snails into four distinct and well-supported groups/lineages in molecular phylogenetic analyses. Within Conus and Conasprella, we recognize 57 and 11 subgenera, respectively, that represent well-supported subgroupings within these genera, which we interpret as evidence of intrageneric distinctiveness. We allocate the 803 Recent species of Conidae listed as valid in the World Register of Marine Species into these four genera and 71 subgenera, with an estimate of the confidence for placement of species in these taxonomic categories based on whether molecular or radula and/or shell data were used in these determinations. Our proposed classification effectively departs from previous schemes by (1) limiting the number of accepted genera, (2) retaining the majority of species within the genus Conus and (3) assigning members of these genera to species groups/subgenera to enable the effective communication of these groups, all of which we hope will encourage acceptance of this scheme.

Molecular phylogeny and evolution of the cone snails (Gastropoda, Conoidea).

We present a large-scale molecular phylogeny that includes 320 of the 761 recognized valid species of the cone snails (Conus), one of the most diverse groups of marine molluscs, based on three mitochondrial genes (COI, 16S rDNA and 12S rDNA). This is the first phylogeny of the taxon to employ concatenated sequences of several genes, and it includes more than twice as many species as the last published molecular phylogeny of the entire group nearly a decade ago. Most of the numerous molecular phylogenies published during the last 15years are limited to rather small fractions of its species diversity. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses are mostly congruent and confirm the presence of three previously reported highly divergent lineages among cone snails, and one identified here using molecular data. About 85% of the species cluster in the single Large Major Clade; the others are divided between the Small Major Clade (∼12%), the Conus californicus lineage (one species), and a newly defined clade (∼3%). We also define several subclades within the Large and Small major clades, but most of their relationships remain poorly supported. To illustrate the usefulness of molecular phylogenies in addressing specific evolutionary questions, we analyse the evolution of the diet, the biogeography and the toxins of cone snails. All cone snails whose feeding biology is known inject venom into large prey animals and swallow them whole. Predation on polychaete worms is inferred as the ancestral state, and diet shifts to molluscs and fishes occurred rarely. The ancestor of cone snails probably originated from the Indo-Pacific; rather few colonisations of other biogeographic provinces have probably occurred. A new classification of the Conidae, based on the molecular phylogeny, is published in an accompanying paper.

Using microwaves to prepare gastropods for DNA barcoding.

Extracting DNA from gastropods presents particular difficulties due to the capacity of the living animal to retract into the shell, resulting in poor penetration of the ethanol into the tissues. Because the shell is essential to establish the link between sequences and traditional taxonomic identity, cracking the shell to facilitate fixation is not ideal. Several methods are currently in routine use to overcome this difficulty, including chemical relaxation, drilling the shell and boiling. Most of these methods are time-consuming, may be safety hazards and constitute a bottleneck in the preparation of large numbers of specimens in the field. We have experimented with a method traditionally used to clean shells that involves placing the living gastropods in a microwave (MW) oven; the electromagnetic radiation very quickly heats both the animal and the water trapped inside the shell, resulting in separation of the muscles that anchor the animal to the shell. Done properly, the body can be removed intact from the shell and the shell voucher is preserved undamaged. To test the method, the bodies of live-collected specimens from two gastropod species were separated from their shell by microwaving and by anesthetizing/drilling. After identical extraction and PCR procedures, the gels showed no difference in DNA quantity or quality, and the resulting sequences are identical within species. The method was then implemented on a large scale during expeditions, resulting in higher percentage of DNA extraction success. The MWs are also effective for quickly and easily removing other molluscs from their shells, that is, bivalves and scaphopods. Workflows implementing the MW technique show a three- to fivefold increase in productivity compared with other methods.

Macroevolution of venom apparatus innovations in auger snails (Gastropoda; Conoidea; Terebridae).

The Terebridae are a diverse family of tropical and subtropical marine gastropods that use a complex and modular venom apparatus to produce toxins that capture polychaete and enteropneust preys. The complexity of the terebrid venom apparatus suggests that venom apparatus development in the Terebridae could be linked to the diversification of the group and can be analyzed within a molecular phylogenetic scaffold to better understand terebrid evolution. Presented here is a molecular phylogeny of 89 terebrid species belonging to 12 of the 15 currently accepted genera, based on Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses of amplicons of 3 mitochondrial (COI, 16S and 12S) and one nuclear (28S) genes. The evolution of the anatomy of the terebrid venom apparatus was assessed by mapping traits of six related characters: proboscis, venom gland, odontophore, accessory proboscis structure, radula, and salivary glands. A novel result concerning terebrid phylogeny was the discovery of a previously unrecognized lineage, which includes species of Euterebra and Duplicaria. The non-monophyly of most terebrid genera analyzed indicates that the current genus-level classification of the group is plagued with homoplasy and requires further taxonomic investigations. Foregut anatomy in the family Terebridae reveals an inordinate diversity of features that covers the range of variability within the entire superfamily Conoidea, and that hypodermic radulae have likely evolved independently on at least three occasions. These findings illustrate that terebrid venom apparatus evolution is not perfunctory, and involves independent and numerous changes of central features in the foregut anatomy. The multiple emergence of hypodermic marginal radular teeth in terebrids are presumably associated with variable functionalities, suggesting that terebrids have adapted to dietary changes that may have resulted from predator-prey relationships. The anatomical and phylogenetic results presented serve as a starting point to advance investigations about the role of predator-prey interactions in the diversification of the Terebridae and the impact on their peptide toxins, which are promising bioactive compounds for biomedical research and therapeutic drug development.

New taxonomy and old collections: integrating DNA barcoding into the collection curation process.

Because they house large biodiversity collections and are also research centres with sequencing facilities, natural history museums are well placed to develop DNA barcoding best practices. The main difficulty is generally the vouchering system: it must ensure that all data produced remain attached to the corresponding specimen, from the field to publication in articles and online databases. The Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris is one of the leading laboratories in the Marine Barcode of Life (MarBOL) project, which was used as a pilot programme to include barcode collections for marine molluscs and crustaceans. The system is based on two relational databases. The first one classically records the data (locality and identification) attached to the specimens. In the second one, tissue-clippings, DNA extractions (both preserved in 2D barcode tubes) and PCR data (including primers) are linked to the corresponding specimen. All the steps of the process [sampling event, specimen identification, molecular processing, data submission to Barcode Of Life Database (BOLD) and GenBank] are thus linked together. Furthermore, we have developed several web-based tools to automatically upload data into the system, control the quality of the sequences produced and facilitate the submission to online databases. This work is the result of a joint effort from several teams in the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), but also from a collaborative network of taxonomists and molecular systematists outside the museum, resulting in the vouchering so far of ∼41,000 sequences and the production of ∼11,000 COI sequences.

X-ray illumination of the ejecta of supernova 1987A.

When a massive star explodes as a supernova, substantial amounts of radioactive elements--primarily (56)Ni, (57)Ni and (44)Ti--are produced. After the initial flash of light from shock heating, the fading light emitted by the supernova is due to the decay of these elements. However, after decades, the energy powering a supernova remnant comes from the shock interaction between the ejecta and the surrounding medium. The transition to this phase has hitherto not been observed: supernovae occur too infrequently in the Milky Way to provide a young example, and extragalactic supernovae are generally too faint and too small. Here we report observations that show this transition in the supernova SN 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud. From 1994 to 2001, the ejecta faded owing to radioactive decay of (44)Ti as predicted. Then the flux started to increase, more than doubling by the end of 2009. We show that this increase is the result of heat deposited by X-rays produced as the ejecta interacts with the surrounding material. In time, the X-rays will penetrate farther into the ejecta, enabling us to analyse the structure and chemistry of the vanished star.

[Influence of genital prolapse surgery on patient sexual life]. / Retentissement de la chirurgie du prolapsus génital sur la sexualité des patientes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate quality of life and sexual life of female patients after abdominal or vaginal approach for prolapse surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and nineteen patients with stage 2 or 3 prolapse underwent surgery over a period of 7 years. In this retrospective work, patients have been invited by mail to answer questions on the phone. The questionnaire is a French translation of PISQ12. Time between surgery and study is about 4 years. RESULTS: We got 176 answers: 52.3% of women underwent abdominal surgery (group 1) and 47.7% vaginal reconstructive surgery (group 2). In terms of quality of life, only 8.5% of patients are not satisfied in group 1, compared to 9.5% in group 2. In terms of sexuality, 64% have sexual intercourses. We find a significant total score difference to the detriment of vaginal way after surgery (p=0.005). We note indeed a significant decrease in sexual desire, orgasm frequency and excitement and a significant worsening in dyspareunia after vaginal reconstructive surgery. The other significant factors on sexuality are age and urinary incontinence. After a multivaried study, only age remains the significant factor. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This work confirms that both ways of surgery are an effective prolapse treatment, with identical functional results. Influence on sexuality seems to depend more on age than on the type of reconstructive surgery.

A molecular phylogenetic framework for the Muricidae, a diverse family of carnivorous gastropods.

With over 1600 extant described species, the Muricidae are one of the most species-rich and morphologically diverse families of molluscs. As predators of molluscs, polychaetes, anthozoans barnacles and other invertebrates, they form an important component of many benthic communities. Traditionally, the classification of muricids at specific and generic levels has been based primarily on shells, while subfamilies have been defined largely by radular morphology, although the composition and relationships of suprageneric groups have never been studied exhaustively. Here we present the phylogenetic relationships of 77 muricid species belonging to nine of the ten currently recognized subfamilies, based on Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses of partial sequences of three mitochondrial (12S, 16S and COI) and one nuclear (28S) genes. The resulting topologies are discussed with respect to traditional subfamilial arrangements, and previous anatomical and molecular findings. We confirm monophyly of each of the subfamilies Ergalataxinae, Rapaninae, Coralliophilinae, Haustrinae, Ocenebrinae and Typhinae as previously defined, but earlier concepts of Muricinae, Trophoninae and Muricopsinae are shown to be polyphyletic. Based on our phylogenetic hypothesis, a new arrangement of these subfamilies is proposed.

Correlation between molecular and histopathological diagnoses of B cell lymphomas in bone marrow biopsy and aspirates.

AIMS: PCR has been shown previously to be the most sensitive technique to detect a clonal population in marrow aspirates (MAs), and the clinical standard for evaluation of bone marrow lymphoma involvement today is bone marrow trephine biopsy (BMTB). The goal of this study was to compare morphological evaluation of B cell neoplasm in BMTB (histology and immunohistochemistry) and PCR analysis in MA, with both specimens obtained at the same time, in patients with a known molecular marker of the disease. METHODS: This was a retrospective evaluation of 98 consecutive BMTB specimens from 60 patients with a known B-cell neoplasm and a previous PCR marker of the disease (BCL2 and/or IGH). RESULTS: Considering the IGH PCR cases alone, a B cell clone was detected in 85% and 39% of the morphology (M) positive and negative groups, respectively. Five M(+), IGH(-) cases were found, including two cases of follicular lymphoma (FL), one case of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and two cases of mantle cell lymphoma. The FLs had about 20% and 50% of BMTB involvement each. All other cases had minimal lymphoma localisation. The two FLs were also BCL2-MBR(+). Use of BCL2-MBR detected all M(+) cases and 66% of M(-) cases whenever it was an initial marker of disease. CONCLUSIONS: IGH PCR alone is not good enough for BMTB assessment, especially in FL. On the other hand, the PCR study for BCL2 is more sensitive than morphology, without any false negative results in this series, suggesting that BCL2-MBR PCR on MA can be used as an alternative and more sensitive examination for disease evaluation, providing that there is careful analysis of data, adequate knowledge of PCR pitfalls and absence of other haematological disorders.

Identifying gastropod spawn from DNA barcodes: possible but not yet practicable.

Identifying life stages of species with complex life histories is problematic as species are often only known and/or described from a single stage. DNA barcoding has been touted as an important tool for linking life-history stages of the same species. To test the current efficacy of DNA barcodes for identifying unknown mollusk life stages, 24 marine gastropod egg capsules were collected off the Philippines in deep water and sequenced for partial fragments of the COI, 16S and 12S mitochondrial genes. Two egg capsules of known shallow-water Mediterranean species were used to calibrate the method. These sequences were compared to those available in GenBank and the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD). Using COI sequences alone, only a single Mediterranean egg capsule was identified to species, and a single Philippine egg capsule was identified tentatively to genus; all other COI sequences recovered matches between 76% and 90% with sequences from BOLD and GenBank. Similarity-based identification using all three markers confirmed the Mediterranean specimens' identifications. A phylogenetic approach was also implemented to confirm similarity-based identifications and provide a higher-taxonomic identification when species-level identifications were not possible. Comparison of available GenBank sequences to the diversity curve of a well-sampled coral reef habitat in New Caledonia highlights the poor taxonomic coverage achieved at present in existing genetic databases, emphasizing the need to develop DNA barcoding projects for megadiverse and often taxonomically challenging groups such as mollusks, to fully realize its potential as an identification and discovery tool.

Starting to unravel the toxoglossan knot: molecular phylogeny of the "turrids" (Neogastropoda: Conoidea).

The superfamily Conoidea is one of the most speciose groups of marine mollusks, with estimates of about 340 recent valid genera and subgenera, and 4000 named living species. Previous classifications were based on shell and anatomical characters, and clades and phylogenetic relationships are far from well assessed. Based on a dataset of ca. 100 terminal taxa belonging to 57 genera, information provided by fragments of one mitochondrial (COI) and three nuclear (28S, 18S and H3) genes is used to infer the first molecular phylogeny of this group. Analyses are performed on each gene independently as well as for a data matrix where all genes are concatenated, using Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian approaches. Several well-supported clades are defined and are only partly identifiable to currently recognized families and subfamilies. The nested sampling used in our study allows a discussion of the classification at various taxonomical levels, and several genera, subfamilies and families are found polyphyletic.

Antifungal Activity of Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robinson(Asteraceae) of Cameroon.

An aqueous ethanol extract of leaves of Chromolaena odorata and some of its fractions were examined for their antifungal properties by dilution methods on solid and liquid media, using yeasts and filamentous fungi. Extract and fractions inhibit the in vitro growth of Cryptococcus neoformans, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum with a minimal inhibitory concentration range from 62.5 to 500 microg/ml for the extract and from 25 to 100 microg/ml for fractions. A qualitative chemical analysis of the extract and fractions showed the presence of biologically active constituents such as some coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, tannins and sterols. No toxic effect was observed in mice treated per os with the extract. This study provides a scientific confirmation of the use of Chromolaena odorata in traditional medicine.

Surrenalectomie par abord coelioscopique : experience du Centre Hospitalier de Chambery (France) a propos de 12 cas

Objective: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has reduced the morbidity rate associated with the classical approaches. The authors herein evaluate their experience with this technique at the hospital of Chambery; France. Patients and Methods: The files of all patients subjected to laparoscopic adrenalectomy at the department of General and Thoracic Surgery between 1996 and 2000 were reviewed. A partial lateral decubitus flank approach at 45o was used. Results: The study included 12 patients; 8 of them were females and 4 males. The mean patient age was 45 years ranging from 26 to 69 years. The adrenal gland diseases encountered were Conn adenoma in 4; Cushing's syndrome in 3 (with one case of Cushing's disease); pheochromocytoma in 3 and incidentaloma in 2 cases. The mean tumor size was 5.5 cm (range 1.8 to 9 cm). The operative time ranged from 70 to 135 minutes for unilateral adrenalectomy and it was 322 minutes for bilateral adrenalectomy including the time needed for changing sides and repositioning. Only one patient (8.3) required laparotomy because of uncontrollable bleeding and hemodynamic instability. The mean hospital stay was 5.4 days (range 4 to 9 days) for unilateral adrenalectomy. Due to hormonal treatment; the mean hospital stay for patients subjected to bilateral adrenalectomy was 13 days. One patient (8.3) developed hematoma at the side of adrenalectomy and was treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. No mortality was encountered. Conclusion: This small series has shown that laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a very promising technique which can be recommended for tumors up to the size of 9 cm

[Breast metastases of an ovarian adenocarcinoma]. / Métastase mammaire d'un adénocarcinome ovarien.

INTRODUCTION: Breast metastases are rare. Primary tumors are cutaneous, pulmonary, digestive and prostatic. A malignant tumor of the ovary is rarely responsible. OBSERVATION: A 69-year-old women presented a voluminous unilateral mastitis in a poly-metastatic context 3 years after the discovery of an ovarian adenocarcinoma. The anatomo-pathological examination confirmed the ovarian origin of the breast nodules observed. Progression was poor and the patient died 8 months after the first clinical signs in the breast. COMMENTS: The difficulty in differentiating a primary from a secondary carcinomatous mastitis is enhanced when the primary cancer is unknown. In our patient, the immunohistochemical study did not discriminate between the breast and ovarian origin. The diagnosis was finally made on the basis of standard histology and the anatomoclinical correlation. Since immunohistochemical examinations may not be specific enough, such as was the case in our patient, the anatomoclinical confrontation is essential.

Evaluation of antifungal activity of extracts of two Cameroonian rutaceae: Zanthoxylum leprieurii Guill. et Perr. and Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides Waterm.

Aqueous-ethanol 90% extracts of leaves, roots and stem barks of Zanthoxylum leprieurii and Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides were examined for their antifungal properties against nine fungi by dilution methods on a solid medium and in a liquid medium. Our results indicate that these extracts, to varying extents, inhibit the in vitro growth of Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and seven filamentous fungi tested. Only the extracts obtained from the roots and stem barks of Z. xanthoxyloides showed antifungal activity on the germs studied, with minimal inhibitory concentration varying, respectively, from 0.5 to 1 mg/ml for the roots and from 0.125 to 1 mg/ml for the stem barks.

Mismatch negativity and N100 monitoring: potential clinical value and methodological advances.

Continuous long-term recording of brainstem (BAEPs), middle-latency (MLAEPs) and long-latency auditory evoked potentials, including the mismatch negativity (MMN), brings additional information on the immediate functional state and the outcome of patients in coma or recovering after surgery, in relation with clinical observations and therapeutics. A recently designed monitoring system is introduced, aimed at the continuous recording of late auditory potentials (N100 and MMN) as well as BAEPs and MLAEPs. Specific methodological aspects are emphasized. Long-term monitoring data from one patient recorded in the recovery room after surgery are displayed, allowing an illustration of the techniques used and of the problems raised.