MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Comptes Rendus Biologies' source. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:28:22 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302927&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20176329%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rouer E The two main tyrosine kinases (TK) in the brain are p60Src and p59Fyn, expressed as specific isoforms (p60SrcNI, p60SrcNI+NII and p59fynB). They play a pivotal role in some major processes such as neuronal growth and myelinisation. Another member of this TK family was then reported in brain, the p56lck. Its name Lck (lymphocyte cell kinase) indicates its cellular specificity observed initially, so its presence in the brain was intriguing. But no further studies were performed to understand its role in brain until recent clinical studies on Alzheimer patients' brains. One study reveals a decreased p56lck level in the brains of these patients while another study shows an association between one peculiar SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) of the lck gene and some cases ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302927 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302926&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20176330%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nijman V, Aliabadian M For comparative primatology proper recognition of basal taxa (i.e. species) is indispensable, and in this the choice of a suitable gene with high phylogenetic resolution is crucial. For the goals of species identification in animals, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) has been introduced as standard marker. Making use of the difference in intra- and interspecific genetic variation - the DNA barcoding gap -cox1 can be used as a fast and accurate marker for the identification of animal species. For the Order Primates we compare the performance of cox1 (166 sequences; 50 nominal species) in species-identification with that of two other mitochondrial markers, 16S ribosomal RNA (412 sequences, 92 species) and cytochrome b (cob: 547 sequences, 72 specie... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302926 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302925&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20176331%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yezdani E, Sendi JJ, Zibaee A, Ghadamyari M The pyralid moth, Glyphode pyloalis Walker, is an important pest of the mulberry. Amylases are the hydrolytic enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of the alpha-D-(1,4)-glucan linkage in glycogen and other related carbohydrates. Laboratory-reared fifth stadium larvae were randomly selected; the midgut (MG) and the salivary glands (SG) were removed by dissection under a dissecting microscope and alpha-amylase activity was assayed using the dinitrosalicylic acid procedure. The activity of alpha-amylase in the MG and the SG were 0.011 and 0.0018mumol/min, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature for alpha-amylase were 9 for MG at 37-40 degrees C and 10 for SG at 37 degrees C respectively. Various concentrations of compounds (NaCl, KC... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302925 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302924&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20176332%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Erazi H, Sansar W, Ahboucha S, Gamrani H Aluminum (Al) has been associated with neuronal dysfunction. These neuronal changes may involve glial alterations. We intend to evaluate the consequence of Al on the glial system and the behavior of rats exposed chronically to 0.3% of aluminum chloride in drinking water during 4months in adulthood (A) or since intra-uterine age (IU); animals from this latter group were sacrificed at four months of age. Our data show an intense glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactivity with a high density of astrocytes in both treated groups compared with controls. However, in IU rats, astrocytes display prominent glial cell bodies and processes. A and IU rat groups perform a significantly reduced locomotor activity. However, using the dark... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302924 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302923&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20176333%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ovono PO, Kevers C, Dommes J The control of field tuber dormancy in the yam (Dioscorea cayenensis-D. rotundata complex) is poorly understood. Although studies have examined single environmental factors and chemical treatments that might prolong tuber dormancy and storage, only a few were focused on further tuber sprouting. The present study concerns microtubers obtained by in vitro culture. When microtubers were harvested (after 9 months of culture) and directly transferred on a new medium without hormones, the tubers rapidly sprouted in in vitro conditions. No dormancy was observed in this case. Harvested microtubers were also stored dry in jars in sterile conditions during 2 to 18 weeks before in vitro sprouting. In this case, microtubers stored during 18 weeks sprouted more... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302923 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302923 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302922&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20176334%26dopt%3DAbstract Nest relocation and high mortality rate in a Neotropical social wasp: Impact of an exceptionally rainy La Niña year. C R Biol. 2010 Jan;333(1):35-40 Authors: Dejean A, M Carpenter J, Gibernau M, Leponce M, Corbara B After noting the forecast of a La Niña episode, associated with heavy rainfall in French Guiana, we monitored the fate of wasp nests before and during the 2006 short rainy season. The population of the most abundant epiponine wasp species, Polybia bistriata, decreased dramatically during the short rainy season (60.6% of the nests disappeared) then remained low for at least 18 months. Colonies that survived moved from the shelter of large, low leaves (a situation well adapted to the previous dry season) of the most frequent substrate tree, Clusia grandiflor... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302922 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302921&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20176335%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lourenço WR A new species, Hadrurochactas araripe sp. n. (Chactidae) is described from 'Chapada do Araripe', a 'Brejo type' formation located in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The description of the new species confirms a disrupted pattern of distribution presented by the genus Hadrurochactas. This includes species present both in Guiano-Amazon forests and forest islands within the 'Caatingas'. These are xerophytic formations in northeastern Brazil. This new species brings further evidence of a past connection between the Amazonian and Atlantic forests, as already suggested by palaeobotanists. PMID: 20176335 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302921 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302920&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20176336%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vidal N, Dewynter M, Gower DJ The Dipsadidae contains more than 700 extant species belonging to 92 genera and is the largest family of American snakes. In this work, we built a data set including two mitochondrial genes (12S and 16S rRNA) for 125 dipsadid taxa belonging to 59 genera, in order to gain further insights on the phylogenetic relationships of this large group at the subfamilial and generic levels. Among dipsadines, the monotypic genus Nothopsis is the sister-group to Leptodeira. Among xenodontines, the monophyly of seven previously recognized tribes (Alsophiini, Elapomorphini, Hydropsini, Philodryadini, Pseudoboini, Tachymenini and Xenodontini) is confirmed. Among Xenodontini, the genus Liophis is paraphyletic with respect to Erythrolamprus and Umbrivaga and workers... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302920 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302920 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302919&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20176337%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Machado LP, Wellendorf H, Brito PM Lepidosiren paradoxa, the first living dipnoan to be discovered, was first described from two specimens collected by Johann Natterer during his 18-year expedition in Brazil. Those specimens were first studied by Fitzinger and Bischoff, but few data are available to identify the syntypes of L. paradoxa. A reevaluation of Bischoff's original description permits one to clearly identify one of four lots - NMW-50270 pt.a - currently housed in the Naturhistorisches Museum Wien as part of one of the syntypes of this species, based mostly on the reported measurements and marks on the skull, and putatively attribute another lot - NMW-50270 pt.b - to the same specimen. Two lots could be definitely ruled out as part of the type series. The second type s... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302919 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302919 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302918&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20176338%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shahidullah SM, Hanafi MM, Ashrafuzzaman M, Razi Ismail M, Salam MA, Khair A A field experiment was conducted to evaluate photosynthetic efficiency along with different growth parameters of aromatic rice genotypes. Forty genotypes including three non-aromatic checks exhibited enormous variations for leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), grain yield, total dry matter, harvest index and photosynthetic efficiency or energy use efficiency (Emu) at panicle initiation and heading stages. Minimum LAI-value was 0.52 in Khazar at PI stage and maximum was 4.91 in Sakkor khora at heading stage. The CGR-value was in the range of 4.80-24.11g m(-2) per day. The best yielder BR39 produced grain of 4.21t ha(-1) and the worst yi... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302918 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302917&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20176339%26dopt%3DAbstract This study aims to investigate the chemical-physical demands of A. pallipes in NW Italy. To this end, we investigated 98 sites. We performed Principal Component Analysis using chemical-physical parameters, collected in both presence and absence sites. We then used principal components with eigenvalue > 1 to run Discriminant Function Analysis and Logistic Regression. The statistics on the concentration of Ca(2+), water hardness, pH and BOD(5) were significantly different in the presence and in the absence sites. pH and BOD(5) played the most important role in separating the presence from the absence locations. These findings are further evidence that we should reduce dissolved organic matter and fine particles in order to contribute to species management and conservation. PMID: 20176... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302917 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302916&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20176340%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ineich I I here provide some field observations and literature data showing that egg laying site availability could be the main limiting factor for most arboreal gecko population dynamics. Several natural (typhoons, volcanism, sea level variations) or human-mediated habitat modifications (garden openings in forested areas) provide enough habitat disturbances to significantly increase reproductive outputs in island gecko populations. Such observations, however, also apply to continental populations. Our observations suggest that artificial shelter and egg laying site creation could easily allow populations to increase and also supply easier access to arboreal species for ecological or biodiversity studies. Furthermore, our observations also point out that occurrence in man-made... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302916 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3031423&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19931842%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Breton C, Terral JF, Pinatel C, Médail F, Bonhomme F, Bervillé A The present diversity of the olive (crop) and oleaster (wild) tree was investigated with nuclear and cytoplasm markers. Patterns of diversity of the wild form inferred eleven ancestral populations in the East and the West of the Mediterranean basin. Patterns of diversity for cultivars are less clear, but we showed that cultivars admixed to nine groups that corresponded to oleaster ancestral populations. We inferred that nine domestication events took place in the olive, but these origins were blurred by gene flow from oleaster and by human displacements. These origins of domestication probably reflected different reasons and uses to domesticate the oleaster. PMID: 19931842 [PubMed - in process] (Sou... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3031423 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:10:24 +0100 3031423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3031422&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19931843%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bach JF PMID: 19931843 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3031422 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:10:21 +0100 3031422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3031421&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19931844%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cherif A, Belkacemi K, Kallel H, Angers P, Arul J, Boukhchina S The evolution of the composition of sterols and squalene during the maturation of the fruit of three cultivars (Achaak, Perlees and Mazetto) almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsh) was investigated. At the same time the evolution of oleic, linoleic and linolenic fatty acids was also studied. The qualitative and quantitative analyses were made by GC-MS and GC-FID. The present study is based on three axes: The first one is the structural and molecular identification of compounds sterolic and squalene, which are based on the principal of cleavage and the fragmentation characteristic of each peak provided by mass spectrometry. The second axis is interested in the physiological phenomenon of phytosterols accumulation: biosynth... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3031421 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:10:19 +0100 3031421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3031420&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19931845%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Paiva EA Reports concerning colleters in Fabaceae have been scarce, mainly in the Caesalpinioideae subfamily. The present work reports the occurrence, structure, and functional aspects of the colleters of Copaifera langsdorffii. Shoot apices and developing leaves were fixed and processed for examination by light and electron microscopy. Secretion samples were studied to determine their chemical nature and physical properties. The colleters are clavate and occur on the adaxial face of the stipules, petiole and rachis. The secretory stage of the colleters occurs during the leaf expansion, after which these structures turn brown and senesce. The secretion is composed of highly hygroscopic acidic polysaccharides and lipids. The colleters are composed of cells with thin walls, larg... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3031420 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:10:16 +0100 3031420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3031419&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19931846%26dopt%3DAbstract The genus Vachoniochactas González-Sponga (Scorpiones, Chactidae), a model of relictual distribution in past refugia of the Guayana region of South America. C R Biol. 2009 Dec;332(12):1085-91 Authors: Lourenço WR, Duhem B A new species, Vachoniochactas roraima sp. n. (Chactidae) is described from Mount Roraima, a site located on the borders of Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela. The description of the new species brings further evidence to the biogeographic pattern of distribution presented by the genus Vachoniochactas, as an endemic element to the Tepuys formations of South America. PMID: 19931846 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3031419 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:10:14 +0100 3031419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3031418&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19931847%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ozenda P The present work reconsiders the history of the vegetation of the alpine arc within a framework called the alpine Orosystem, comprising mid-latitude mountain ranges throughout Europe (mainly the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Carpathians and the northern Balkan mountains). The unity and originality of this whole is attested in its high supraspecific endemism and in the existence of a complex of distinctive grasslands within the alpine belt. Maximum differentiation of the flora must be placed forward during the Pliocene epoch. The system remained relatively isolated, to the extreme west of Eurasia, and remote contributions appear to have been overestimated. PMID: 19931847 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3031418 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:10:11 +0100 3031418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3031417&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19931848%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pétinay S, Chataigner C, Basuyaux O All stages of development of the sea urchin are of interest in ecotoxicology; the largest number of prior works concerns studies on gametes. Previous studies indicated that the use of sea urchin larvae was difficult because of the need to obtain the parent generations and good quality gametes. Progress in sea urchin culture has allowed one to standardize the method. The proposed technique is based on an evaluation of the number of non-developing fertilized eggs, on the frequency of malformations, and on the length of the larvae at 96 hours, using parents raised under well-controlled conditions. Temperature (18-22 degrees C), salinity (28-34 ppt) and pH (8-8.4) have been fixed to standardize the proposed biological test. Thirty microgram... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3031417 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:10:09 +0100 3031417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3031416&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19931849%26dopt%3DAbstract This report constitutes the first evidence for the coexistence of two ploidy types in an olive population. The triploid genotypes, probably in mean more vigorous than diploid trees, may be positively selected in the absence of sexual regeneration since a very long time, explaining their relative high frequency in the investigated population. PMID: 19931849 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3031416 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:10:06 +0100 3031416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3000639&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19909916%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Christophe C, Houllier F PMID: 19909916 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3000639 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3000639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3000638&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19909917%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gaudin V, Andrey P, Devinoy E, Kress C, Kieu K, Beaujean N, Maurin Y, Debey P Compartmentalization is one of the fundamental principles which underly nuclear function. Numerous studies describe complex and sometimes conflicting relationships between nuclear gene positioning and transcription regulation. Therefore the question is whether topological landmarks and/or organization principles exist to describe the nuclear architecture and, if existing, whether these principles are identical in the animal and plant kingdoms. In the frame of an agroBI-INRA program on nuclear architecture, we set up a multidisciplinary approach combining biological studies, spatial statistics and 3D modeling to investigate spatial organization of a nuclear compartment in both plant and animal cells i... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3000638 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3000638 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3000637&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19909918%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Heitzler D, Crépieux P, Poupon A, Clément F, Fages F, Reiter E G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) control all the main physiological functions and are targeted by more than 50% of therapeutics. Our perception of GPCRs signalling has grown increasingly complex since it is now accepted that they activate large signalling networks which are integrating the information fluxes into appropriate biological responses. These concepts lead the way to the development of pathway-selective agonists (or antagonists) with fewer side effects. Systems biology approaches focused on GPCR-mediated signalling would help dealing with the huge complexity of these mechanisms therefore speeding-up the discovery of new drug classes. In this review, we present the various technical and concep... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3000637 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3000637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3000636&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19909919%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Picard F, Dressaire C, Girbal L, Cocaign-Bousquet M In cells, mRNA and protein levels are fine-regulated to adjust continuously to cellular needs. Recently, several large-scale studies in prokaryotes showed weak correlations between mRNA and protein abundances highlighting the significant importance of post-transcriptional regulations. Post-transcriptional regulations involve dynamic adaptation of mRNA and protein turnover and also modulation of the efficiency of mRNA translation into protein. mRNA and protein stabilities are function of both sequence determinants and decay processes. Translation efficiency is mainly dependent on ribosome synthesis and activity. Conciliation through an integrative biology approach of large-scale data obtained for each level of regulation is no... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3000636 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3000636 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3000635&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19909920%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Traas J, Hamant O The shoot apical meristem is a population of stem cells which controls the initiation of leaves, flowers and branches during the entire life of the plant. Although we have gained significant new insight in the nature of the genetic networks and cellular processes that control meristem function, major questions have remained unsolved. It has been difficult, for instance, to define the precise role of genetic determinants in controlling morphogenesis and the control of shape is currently a major and largely unresolved issue in plant biology. This is a difficult task, notably because it is close to impossible to predict the activity of a single gene, in a context where thousands of genes interact. Systems biology has emerged as a powerful tool to address this ty... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3000635 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3000635 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3000634&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19909921%26dopt%3DAbstract We present a computational approach to analyze the cellular organization during the elongation process of the ovine conceptus. First, we selected a set of mathematical descriptors to quantify cell geometry and cell neighborhood within the external epithelial layer of the conceptus: the trophoblast. Second, we established a hybrid image segmentation framework, and analyzed the extracted features with statistical tools to describe and compare the spatio-temporal dynamics of cellular organization within this epithelium. The main results indicated that the average geometry and neighborhood of the trophoblast cells are relatively stable from a sampling position to another and from a stage of development to another. Further, their elongation axes are randomly distributed. The cellular organizati... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3000634 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3000634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3000633&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19909922%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wenden B, Rameau C As part of a breeding strategy applied to pea (Pisum sativum L.), we propose the use of modelling as a tool for studying flowering time. The pea, both a crop and a model species for developmental processes, represents a valuable tool for systems biology approaches. A preliminary computational model for flowering control was previously developed based on genetic and physiological approaches. This paper discusses possible improvements of the model based on recent molecular advances on the regulation of flowering in peas and the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. A combination of a genetic approach together with agroecophysiological models that are not based on genotype, built into a complete model for flowering time prediction is also proposed. This complete ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3000633 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3000633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3000632&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19909923%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Garcia V, Stevens R, Gil L, Gilbert L, Gest N, Petit J, Faurobert M, Maucourt M, Deborde C, Moing A, Poessel JL, Jacob D, Bouchet JP, Giraudel JL, Gouble B, Page D, Alhagdow M, Massot C, Gautier H, Lemaire-Chamley M, de Daruvar A, Rolin D, Usadel B, Lahaye M, Causse M, Baldet P, Rothan C Very few reports have studied the interactions between ascorbate and fruit metabolism. In order to get insights into the complex relationships between ascorbate biosynthesis/recycling and other metabolic pathways in the fruit, we undertook a fruit systems biology approach. To this end, we have produced tomato transgenic lines altered in ascorbate content and redox ratio by RNAi-targeting several key enzymes involved in ascorbate biosynthesis (2 enzymes) and recycling (2 enzymes). In the VTC (V... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3000632 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3000632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3000631&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19909924%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Salon C, Lepetit M, Gamas P, Jeudy C, Moreau S, Moreau D, Voisin AS, Duc G, Bourion V, Munier-Jolain N An integrative biology approach was conducted in Medicago truncatula for: (i) unraveling the coordinated regulation of NO3-, NH4+ and N(2) acquisition by legumes to fulfill the plant N demand; and (ii) modeling the emerging properties occurring at the whole plant level. Upon localized addition of a high level of mineral N, the three N acquisition pathways displayed similar systemic feedback repression to adjust N acquisition capacities to the plant N status. Genes associated to these responses were in contrast rather specific to the N source. Following an N deficit, NO3- fed plants maintained efficiently their N status through rapid functional and developmental up regulations... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3000631 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3000631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3000627&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19909925%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Brinza L, Viñuelas J, Cottret L, Calevro F, Rahbé Y, Febvay G, Duport G, Colella S, Rabatel A, Gautier C, Fayard JM, Sagot MF, Charles H Buchnera aphidicola is the primary obligate intracellular symbiont of most aphid species. B. aphidicola and aphids have been evolving in parallel since their association started, about 150 Myr ago. Both partners have lost their autonomy, and aphid diversification has been confined to smaller ecological niches by this co-evolution. B. aphidicola has undergone major genomic and biochemical changes as a result of adapting to intracellular life. Several genomes of B. aphidicola from different aphid species have been sequenced in the last decade, making it possible to carry out analyses and comparative studies using system-level in silic... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3000627 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3000627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3000621&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19909926%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kahlem P, Clegg A, Reisinger F, Xenarios I, Hermjakob H, Orengo C, Birney E Integration of biological data of various types and the development of adapted bioinformatics tools represent critical objectives to enable research at the systems level. The European Network of Excellence ENFIN is engaged in developing an adapted infrastructure to connect databases, and platforms to enable both the generation of new bioinformatics tools and the experimental validation of computational predictions. With the aim of bridging the gap existing between standard wet laboratories and bioinformatics, the ENFIN Network runs integrative research projects to bring the latest computational techniques to bear directly on questions dedicated to systems biology in the wet laboratory environment. The ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3000621 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3000621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2887314&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19819407%26dopt%3DAbstract This article aims at reviewing the theoretical and experimental data published in 562 publications referring to genetically modified (GM) maize dispersal. Our choice was limited to this since in the European Union (EU), GM maize is the only GM crop currently grown commercially. The pollen dispersal of transgenic maize is due to two factors: (i) pollen-mediated gene flow; (ii) seed admixture during harvest and post-harvest processes. The pollen dispersal decreases rapidly with the distance from GM plots. Climatic and topographic factors and factors of relative density between GM and non-GM maize plots impact on the pollen dispersal. The combination of both isolation distance and flowering date between source plots and sink plots limits the adventitious presence of transgenes in non-GM plots... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2887314 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2887314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2887313&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19819408%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim TW, Goo YM, Lee CH, Lee BH, Bae JM, Lee SW Molecular farming refers to the process of creating bioengineered plants with the capability of producing potentially valuable products, such as drugs, vaccines, and chemicals. We have investigated the potential of the sweet potato ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene (ibAGP1) promoter and its transit peptide (TP) as an expression system for the mass production of foreign proteins in potato. The ibAGP1 promoter and its TP sequence were transformed into potato along with beta-glucuronidase (GUS) as a reporter gene, and GUS activity was subsequently analyzed in the transgenic potato plants. In tuber tissues, GUS activity in transgenic plants carrying only the ibAGP1 promoter (ibAGP1::GUS) increased up to 15.6-fold compared with that o... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2887313 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2887313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2887312&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19819409%26dopt%3DAbstract This article presents a synthesis of all localities where Pilularia minuta, an endangered Pteridophyte endemic of acidic Mediterranean temporary pools, was observed since its discovery in 1835. It aims at analysing the implications of its recent discovery in Tunisia, based on the comparison between new and previously published floristic surveys. The obtained data confirm the heliophilous pioneer character of P. minuta and reveal a disturbance-favoured behaviour in Tunisia. The small pillwort, which occurs in 16 locations around the Mediterranean basin, could be characterised by a good dispersion. However, it experienced the extinction of a quarter of its known populations over the last century. This decline seems to have affected only small populations (Maritime-Alps, France; Lazio, Italy)... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2887312 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2887312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2887311&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19819410%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yassin A, David JR, Bitner-Mathé BC Phenotypic variability in nature is the most important feature for Darwinian adaptation, yet it has been rarely investigated in invasive species. Zaprionus indianus is an Afrotropical drosophilid species that have recently invaded the Palearctic and the Neotropical regions. Here, we compared the variability of three size-related traits and one meristic trait the sternopleural (STP) bristle number, between wild-collected flies living under different conditions: a stressful Mediterranean environment in Egypt, and a benign tropical environment in Brazil. From each population, a F(1) generation was also grown under the stable conditions of the laboratory. Variability of size in nature had a variance 13 times greater than in the laboratory, ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2887311 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2887311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2887310&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19819411%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shahidullah SM, Hanafi MM, Ashrafuzzaman M, Salam MA, Khair A Crop duration of a rice plant, essentially dictated by flowering response, is an important selection criterion. It is determined by the interaction of genotype and environment. A field experiment was conducted with 40 rice genotypes to assess the fluctuation and/or stability of crop duration in a series of 16 environmental conditions. The effects of genotype, environment and all the components of GxE interaction were highly significant. Among the genotypes Benaful and Gandho kasturi were most sensitive to environmental changes, and indicating lower adaptability over the environments. Crop durations of 17 genotypes were comparatively stable against environmental changes. Four genotypes viz. Basmati PNR346, BR28, Neim... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2887310 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2887310 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2887309&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19819412%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Brucato N, Tortevoye P, Plancoulaine S, Guitard E, Sanchez-Mazas A, Larrouy G, Gessain A, Dugoujon JM The Noir Marron communities are the direct descendants of African slaves brought to the Guianas during the four centuries (16th to 19th) of the Atlantic slave trade. Among them, three major ethnic groups have been studied: the Aluku, the Ndjuka and the Saramaka. Their history led them to share close relationships with Europeans and Amerindians, as largely documented in their cultural records. The study of Gm polymorphisms of immunoglobulins may help to estimate the amount of gene flow linked to these cultural exchanges. Surprisingly, very low levels of European contribution (2.6%) and Amerindian contribution (1.7%) are detected in the Noir Marron gene pool. On the other hand, ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2887309 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2887309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2887308&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19819413%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we focus on genetic factors and investigate how the spatial distribution of some individuals colonizing a new environment is influenced by inbreeding. Our biological model is Tetranychus urticae, a phytophagous mite considered as a major pest of many cultivated plants. Groups of T. urticae were composed of individuals from successive inbreeding (sister-brother sib-mating). Our results show that the inter-individual distances increase with inbreeding. Indeed, inbreeding level seems to be an important factor affecting the intra-plant spatial distribution of mites. These results confirm that mites have the capability to discriminate their kin and, moreover, that they are able to accurately perceive differences between close relatives from sib-mating lines. To cite this article:... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2887308 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2887308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2797321&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19748452%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Larignon P, Fontaine F, Farine S, Clément C, Bertsch C Grapevine trunk diseases are very harmful to wine-growing heritage durability because the fungi responsible, by attacking perennial organs, cause at a more or less long-term the death of the vine stock. Esca and BDA are the two main pathogens inducing such decaying diseases. The infection can be diagnosed by the presence in the wood forming tissues of sectorial and/or central necrosis, which revealed itself by brown stripes or canker, and at the foliar level by discoloration and withering. This review presents an overview of both Esca and BDA, their symptomatology, the characteristics of the associated fungi and host-pathogen interactions. To conclude, a progress report on the control of both diseases is discussed. ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2797321 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2797321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2797320&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19748453%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kaddour R, Nasri N, M'rah S, Berthomieu P, Lachaâl M Potassium-sodium interaction was compared in two natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana, Columbia-0 and NOK2. Seedlings were grown in the presence of 0 or 50 mM NaCl and 0.1; 0.625 or 2.5 mM K(+). At the lowest K(+) concentration, salt treatment inhibited both K(+) uptake and growth. Increasing the K(+) availability did not modified salt response in Columbia-0, but restored nearly normal net K(+) uptake in NaCl condition and alleviated NaCl growth reduction in NOK2. The effect of K(+) and NaCl on transcript level of several K(+) and Na(+) transporters in both shoots and roots was assessed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The mRNA abundance of the NHX1 and SOS1 Na(+)/H(+) antiporters was significantly increased by 50 ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2797320 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2797320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2797319&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19748454%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: de Vaufleury A, Gimbert F The present work revealed that growth and reproduction of Helix aperta (syn. Cantareus apertus), sampled at the end of summer in the region of Bazina (Tunisia), are stimulated by short-day photoperiod (SD 8hL-16hD) and inhibited by long-day photoperiod (LD 18hL-6hD). Indeed, under SD at 20 degrees C, 80% humidity and ad libitum Helixal snail food, 2 generations (F1, F2) were obtained in 10 months with no refractory period. The effects of photoperiod on growth were found to be reversible and appeared after a time lag of 4 and 8 weeks for stimulation by SD and the inhibition by LD respectively. PMID: 19748454 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2797319 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2797319 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2797318&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19748455%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Khan MA, Ansari R, Gul B, Li W Ethylene is invariably produced during seed germination but its role in regulating seed dormancy and germination is poorly understood. Seeds of 22 halophytic species having different life forms - salt secreting dicots, salt secreting monocots, stem succulents and leaf succulents were germinated in Petri dishes kept in a growth chamber set at 20/30 degrees C (night/day) temperature and a 12 hr light period. Sodium chloride and ethephon were added to the medium from the beginning of the experiment. Seed germination was recorded every other day for twenty days. Application of ethylene did not have any significant effect on releasing seeds from innate dormancy. However, it appeared to have a role in alleviation of salinity effects which varied from n... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2797318 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2797318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2797317&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19748456%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang Y, Wang ZZ Two traditional Chinese medicines (Phlomis umbrosa Turcz. and Phlomis megalantha Diels), as well as five pure phenolic compounds (protocatechic, chlorogenic, benzoic, rosmarinic acid, and rutin) have been studied for antioxidant activities in acetone and methanol extracts from leaves. An HPLC method was developed to quantify the amounts of 14 phenolic compounds in the leaf extracts. The antioxidant capacities of the studied species are high. Almost all samples were capable of directly scavenging DPPH and superoxide free radicals, inhibiting linoleic acid oxidation, acting as reducing agents, and reducing plasmid DNA damage induced by hydroxyl radicals. Among different extracts, the acetone extract of P. megalantha exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. Th... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2797317 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2797317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2797316&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19748457%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was conducted to evaluate the potential antioxidant activity of lignin obtained from black liquor, a hazardous waste product generated during the extraction of palm oil. Antioxidant potential of the extracted lignin was evaluated by dissolving the extracted samples in 2 different solvent systems, namely, 2-methoxy ethanol and DMSO. Results revealed high percent inhibition of the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical in the lignin sample dissolved in 2-methoxy ethanol over DMSO (concentration range of 1-100 microg/ml). Lignin extracted in 2-methoxy ethanol exhibited higher inhibition percentage (at 50 microg/ml, 84.2%), whereas a concentration of 100 microg/ml was found to be effective in the case of the DMSO solvent (69.8%). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2797316 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2797316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2797315&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19748458%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ropiquet A, Li B, Hassanin A Supermatrix and supertree are two methods for constructing a phylogenetic tree by using multiple data sets. However, these methods are not a panacea, as conflicting signals between data sets can lead to misinterpret the evolutionary history of taxa. In particular, the supermatrix approach is expected to be misleading if the species-tree signal is not dominant after the combination of the data sets. Moreover, most current supertree methods suffer from two limitations: (i) they ignore or misinterpret secondary (non-dominant) phylogenetic signals of the different data sets; and (ii) the logical basis of node robustness measures is unclear. To overcome these limitations, we propose a new approach, called SuperTRI, which is based on the branch support a... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2797315 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2797315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2797314&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19748459%26dopt%3DAbstract This study presents the first data describing the communities of insects and arachnida colonizing 4 aerial compartments of Populus nigra. In terms of temporal variation and total abundance, the analyses show that the communities are structurally and functionally different. It also appears that the taxonomic richness of the communities, and partly their temporal distribution, change according to the gradient of the energy and defense resources under the effect of seasonal variations. The highest species richness recorded on the leaves compartment is due to the amplitude of histo-physiological modifications observed throughout the growing season. PMID: 19748459 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2797314 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2797314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645844&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19632651%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gopal R, Narmada S, Vijayakumar R, Jaleel CA In this age of modern biology, aquatic toxicological research has provided potential tools for ecotoxicologic investigations. Heavy metals primarily affect protein structures and induce a stress in the organisms. The present investigation was carried out to assess the effect of nickel chloride on the selected organs of the freshwater fish Cirrhinus mrigala and how CaNa(2) EDTA counters its effects as an antidote. Toxicity experiments were conducted for different exposure periods and also in certain tissues namely gill, liver, kidney and muscle. The total protein content, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxidation were found to be decreased in the nickel chloride treated tissues and the treatment with CaNa(2) ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645844 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:52:27 +0100 2645844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645843&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19632652%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ichinose K, Lenoir A In ants, cuticular hydrocarbons are used for nestmate recognition; they are stored in the postpharyngeal gland and shared among the individuals. Newly emerged ants have a very small quantity of hydrocarbons. We studied the ontogeny of the hydrocarbon profile in Aphaenogaster senilis. The total quantities of both cuticular and postpharyngeal gland (PPG) hydrocarbons increased with age from 0 to 20 days after emergence and then stabilised. These quantities are correlated with the development of the ovary. Under individual social isolation, cuticular hydrocarbons increased as normal, but the total quantity of PPG hydrocarbons never increased from the initial low level. This effect of social isolation on the PPG hydrocarbon level indicates the importance of hy... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645843 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:52:25 +0100 2645843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645842&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19632653%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Atia A, Debez A, Barhoumi Z, Smaoui A, Abdelly C Impaired germination is common among halophyte seeds exposed to salt stress, partly resulting from the salt-induced reduction of the growth regulator contents in seeds. Thus, the understanding of hormonal regulation during the germination process is a main key: (i) to overcome the mechanisms by which NaCl-salinity inhibit germination; and (ii) to improve the germination of these species when challenged with NaCl. In the present investigation, the effects of ABA, GA(3), NO(-)(3), and NH(+)(4) on the germination of the oilseed halophyte Crithmum maritimum (Apiaceae) were assessed under NaCl-salinity (up to 200 mM NaCl). Seeds were collected from Tabarka rocky coasts (N-W of Tunisia). The exogenous application of GA(3), nitrate (ei... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645842 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:52:22 +0100 2645842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645841&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19632654%26dopt%3DAbstract This study is devoted to the analysis of the psammophyte of the coastal and semi-continental dunes in Tlemcen. Interesting results have been obtained, in particular, on the biological and ecological aspects of the psammophyte. The interpretation from Factoriel analysis of correspondences enabled us to identify the different phytosociological classes (Cakiletea maritimae, Ammophiletea, Quercetea ilicis, Therobrachypodietea and Stellarietea mediae). Some of these classes (Cakiletea maritimae and Ammophiletea) inhabit, exceedingly well, the embryonic dunes. Some species (Therobrachypodietea) colonize the quickset dunes. Lastly, some others (Quercetea ilicis) settle in the more mature and stable dunes. By using the phytosociological and phytodynamical data, we have been able to understand the ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645841 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:52:19 +0100 2645841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645840&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19632655%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pellerin S, Lagneau LA, Lavoie M, Larocque M Although ombrotrophic temperate peatlands are important ecosystems for maintaining biodiversity in eastern North America, the environmental factors influencing their flora are only partly understood. The relationships between plant species distribution and environmental factors were thus studied within the oldest temperate peatland of Québec. Plant assemblages were identified by cluster analysis while CCA was used to related vegetation gradients to environmental factors. Five assemblages were identified; three typical of open bog and two characterized by more minerotrophic vegetation. Thicker peat deposit was encounter underlying the bog assemblages while higher water table level and percentage of free surface water distinguish... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645840 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:52:17 +0100 2645840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645839&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19632656%26dopt%3DAbstract Acoustic telemetry survey of the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) in the Marine Reserve of Cerbère-Banyuls: informations on the territoriality of this emblematic species. C R Biol. 2009 Aug;332(8):732-40 Authors: Pastor J, Verdoit-Jarraya M, Astruch P, Dalias N, Nelva Pasqual JS, Saragoni G, Lenfant P The Marine Reserve of Cerbère-Banyuls represents a refuge for dusky grouper populations (Epinephelus marginatus). Density survey and observation of the reproductive behavior of this species have been conducted there for the last 30 years. However, information on the behavior or habitat utilization for this species during winter time is limited. We conducted acoustic telemetry surveys from September 2005 to June 2006 in the Marine Reserve of Cerbère-Banyuls for... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645839 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:52:15 +0100 2645839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645838&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19632657%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kopp D, Cucherousset J, Syväranta J, Martino A, Céréghino R, Santoul F During the last decades, non-native predatory fish species have been largely introduced in European lakes and rivers, calling for detailed information on the trophic ecology of co-existing native and non-native predators. The present study describes the trophic ecology of the introduced pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) in two southwestern French rivers, using stable isotope analysis. Pikeperch could be categorized as a top-predator, and had a significantly higher trophic position (TP, mean+/-SE=4.2+/-0.1) compared to other predatory fish such as the native pike (Esox lucius, TP=3.7+/-0.1) and the introduced European catfish (Silurus glanis, TP=3.8+/-0.1). Most studies of resource use in freshwat... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645838 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:52:13 +0100 2645838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645837&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19632658%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we aimed to map precisely their geographical distribution in Corsica and to quantify their presence by using an infestation index. We recorded changes in the distribution of Argentine ants in Corsica over the past decade. Argentine ants appeared to be well established within their introduced range and spreading along the Corsican coasts principally through Human-mediated jump-dispersal but not homogenously. PMID: 19632658 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645837 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:52:10 +0100 2645837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645836&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19632659%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Benmahioul B, Daguin F, Kaid-Harche M In order to study the salinity tolerance of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.), embryos developed from mature seeds were isolated and cultured in vitro and subjected to different NaCl concentrations (0, 42.8, 85.5, 171.1 and 256.6 mM) for 30 days. The results showed that in vitro germination of embryonic axes was not affected by the salt concentration. However, the germinated embryo survival rates decreased from 100% for the control to 62.9% for the highest salt concentration (256.6 mM). In addition, the plantlet growth (length of aerial and root parts, number of leaf produced per embryo, as well as the production of total fresh and dry matter for both aerial parts and roots) showed significant differences according the various salt concentratio... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645836 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:52:07 +0100 2645836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645835&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19632660%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was initiated to test water stress environmental effects on grain quality and nutritional value of wheat by using single different water conditions at post-anthesis stage. Further analyses were conducted to examine variations in concentrations and compositions of the bioactive compounds and nutritions in strong-gluten winter wheat subjected to different levels of water deficit during grain filling. For the experiment on the response to different soil water conditions during post-anthesis stage, effects of soil water environment on protein content and composition in the grains were significant. Soil water conditions in this study greatly affected mineral contents in the grains of winter wheat, particularly with regard to the major minerals (P, K, Ca and Mg). Water deficit during ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645835 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:52:04 +0100 2645835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547486&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19523599%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we identified the NADP-ME isoforms from hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L). Two different NADP-ME transcripts were first identified in this C3 plant. The first is named TaNADP-ME1 [NCBI: EU170134] and encodes a putative plastidic isoform, while the second is named TaNADP-ME2 [NCBI: EU082065] and encodes a cytosolic counterpart. Sequence alignment shows that the two NADP-ME isoforms share an identity of 73.26% in whole amino acids and 64.08% in nucleotide sequences. The phylogenetic analysis deciphers the two NADP-MEs as belonging to the monocots (Group II), which closely resemble OschlME6 and OscytME2, respectively. Tissue-specific analyses indicate that the two NADP-ME genes are both expressed in root, stem and leaf, and that TaNADP-ME1 is a leaf-abundant isoform. Semi-q... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547486 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:29:25 +0100 2547486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547484&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19523600%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Auroux M, Volteau M, Ducot B, Wack T, Letierce A, Meyer L, Mayaux MJ Psychometric tests obtained from 6564 young men were studied as a function of the parents' ages at conception and of some characteristics of the subject's postnatal environment. Individual scores, from 0 to 20, were divided into two groups: n(1)11 and n(2)<11. In univariate analysis, scores <11 were respectively related to low height, high number of siblings and junior in birth order, subject's and parents' tobacco consumption, parents' alcohol consumption, subject's and parents' low academic standard, parents' youth or ageing at conception. In multivariate analysis, these scores remained related to low height, junior in birth order, subject's and parents' tobacco consumption, parents' low academic stan... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547484 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:29:23 +0100 2547484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547482&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19523601%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Harrat A, Petit D Examination of the eggs taken every 24 hours after laying enabled us to study the chronology of the embryonic development of the "Espiguette" strain of L. migratoria L. This strain is heterogeneous since the development at 27 degrees C is with or without diapause according to the eggs. The eggs that will later on enter diapause present a slower development than that of the other eggs. The slowdown of development becomes more pronounced until the entering into diapause. After the period of diapause, the development of univoltin eggs at 27 degrees C resumes very slowly since the katatrepsis is accomplished in three days, whereas the katatrepsis of the eggs without diapause lasts only 24 hours. As for the eggs which do not express diapause, the embryos complete ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547482 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:29:20 +0100 2547482 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547480&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19523602%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Upadhyay RK, Panda SK The effects of increasing concentrations of copper on the growth, ultra-structure and on certain biochemical parameters of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) were investigated under controlled conditions in the nutrient solutions containing increased copper sulfate concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 microM. Copper treatment for 12, 18 or 24 h resulted in inhibition of roots and leaves dry biomass. Atomic absorption spectrometry analysis of roots and leaves showed that copper accumulation increased with increase in concentration and duration of metal treatment. It is seen that copper resulted in increased production of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radical in both roots and leave cells, showed a significant change after 24 h of treatment. Also, the ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547480 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:29:18 +0100 2547480 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547478&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19523603%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zibaee A, Bandani AR, Ramzi S The study of digestive enzymes, especially in important pests like Chilo suppressalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), which are a key constraint on rice production in a wide area of the globe and also in Iran, could be a successful procedure in the development of a safe and useful control strategy. Glycosidase are a type of digestive enzymes which have a critical role in the final stages of carbohydrate digestion; they hydrolyze alpha-D-(1,4)-glucose linkage such as p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-glucoside in di and oligosaccharide components. Laboratory reared 4th instar larvae were randomly selected; midgut and salivary gland were removed by dissection under a stereo microscope and glucosidase activities were assayed by Ferreira and Terra's procedures. ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547478 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:29:15 +0100 2547478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547476&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19523604%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kar TK, Batabyal A In this article a system of retarded differential equations is proposed as a predator-prey model. We investigate the model, representing a resource (prey) and a two predator system with delay due to gestation. The response function is assumed here to be concave in nature. Since global stability of positive equilibrium is of great interest, we provide sufficient conditions in terms of parameters of the system to guarantee it. By the simulation process the bifurcation occurring are discussed in terms of two bifurcation parameters. We have also shown that the time delay can cause a stable equilibrium to become unstable and even switching of stabilities. Numerical simulations are given to illustrate the results. PMID: 19523604 [PubMed - in process] (Source: ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547476 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:29:13 +0100 2547476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547474&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19523605%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Campagne P, Baumel A, Affre L, Juin M, Duong N, Roche P, Tatoni T The effects of landscape configuration on the genetic connectivity of the heterostylous species Primula vulgaris Huds. (Primulaceae) were studied using AFLP markers. Isolation by distance pattern was shown by spatial autocorrelation analysis; moreover, hedgerow network distances were found to contribute less than Euclidian distances to spatial genetic structure. Pollen flow is probably the main factor shaping the spatial genetic structure rather than seed dispersal, which is limited in this myrmecochorous species. Detailed analysis on the genetic similarity between neighborhoods and differentiation rates showed that density of hedgerow networks impede gene flow. We therefore concluded that a high degree of habit... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547474 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:29:10 +0100 2547474 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547472&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19523606%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Besnard G, Baali-Cherif D, Bettinelli-Riccardi S, Parietti D, Bouguedoura N In the present central Saharan conditions, the Laperrine's olive regeneration has never been observed and its populations are locally threatened. The production of plants originating from seeds was proposed as a multiplication strategy. In order to determine the impact of sexual reproduction, seeds issued from ten mothers (sampled from four locations in the Hoggar, Algeria) were genotyped using microsatellites. Compared to the initial population, a significant lost of allelic richness was revealed, indicating that our seed sampling was not representative of the local gene diversity. Paternity analyses allowed measurement of the effective pollen-mediated gene flow within patches. Preferential mating bet... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547472 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:29:08 +0100 2547472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547470&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19523607%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined the ecological impact of traditional land use by Wayana Amerindians in French Guiana using ants as bio-indicators. Ants were sampled through a rapid assessment method and the core results analyzed using Kohonen's self-organizing maps (SOM). Our sample sites included: (1) a Wayana village; (2) a cassava plantation; (3) an abandoned cassava plantation; (4) a forest fragment near the village; (5) a riparian forest; and (6) a primary terra firma forest. The ant diversity decreases according to the degree to which the habitat is disturbed. The SOM allowed us to compare the ecological succession between the six habitats. The protocol used is robust since the same conclusions were drawn using partial data. PMID: 19523607 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547470 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:29:06 +0100 2547470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547504&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19520313%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Albert B, Gouyon PH, Ressayre A A study of microsporogenesis (the earliest stage of pollen ontogeny) was undertaken in seven cultivars of Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum, a eudicot species that produces inaperturate pollen grains. Microsporogenesis appears highly variable for the developmental events suspected to be implicated in the determination of aperture pattern. Most eudicots have tri-aperturate pollen grains and microsporogenesis is described as highly conserved in this clade. The observed burst of variation in C. variegatum therefore appears especially remarkable. A plausible hypothesis to explain the variation is that the pollen being inaperturate, the selective forces applying on the ontogeny of the aperture pattern are relaxed. PMID: 19520313 [PubMed - in proces... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547504 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547502&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19520314%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Roy S, Llinás R Mathematical modeling of ionic diffusion along K ion channels indicates that such diffusion is oscillatory, at the weak non-Markovian limit. This finding leads us to derive a Schrödinger-Langevin equation for this kind of system within the framework of stochastic quantization. The Planck's constant is shown to be relevant to the Lagrangian action at the level of a single ion channel. This sheds new light on the issue of applicability of quantum formalism to ion channel dynamics and to the physical constraints of the selectivity filter. PMID: 19520314 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547502 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547502 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547500&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19520315%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we evaluated some traits other than PS release capacity that could be responsible for differences in iron deficiency tolerance in two barley species, Hordeum maritimum and Hordeum vulgare. Results showed that under iron starvation, biomass production was affected in both species, but H. maritimum kept higher root/shoot ratios due to the distribution efficiency of carbohydrates within the plant and the growth flexibility of its organs. Both species responded to iron starvation by an early release of PS, but they differed in their secretion capacity. In cultivated barley, the PS release rate was 1.5-2-fold higher than that of wild barley. This behavior was also concomitant with no modification in shoot iron concentration of the latter, which may lead to a low stimulation of it... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547500 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547498&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19520316%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Uzuegbu UE, Onyesom I Syndrome X is biochemically characterized by impaired glucose tolerance, hypertriacylglycerolemia, altered HDL-cholesterol content and high blood pressure. In different isolated studies, alcohol and fructose have been observed to increase the risk of Syndrome X. However, several reports have recognized the potential of fructose in stimulating the elimination of alcohol from the bloodstream, but the effects of such an anti-intoxicating property of fructose on the biochemical features of Syndrome X have remained scarce. Thus, in this study, oral fructose was used to increase the metabolism of alcohol and the associated changes in blood glucose, triacylglycerol, lipoprotein cholesterol and blood pressure were measured and used to classify subjects into the S... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547498 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547496&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19520317%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pontier D, Guiserix M, Fouchet D, Sauvage F, Gonzalez JP Our understanding of disease emergence is largely limited by the assumption that disease emergence is the result of increased exposure to pathogenic agents. Pathogen exposure is thought to arise through an increase in the number of interactions between humans and their natural environment, changes in demography and mobility, or through genetic variation in the infectious agents which may alter virulence or ability to infect new host species. The study of new diseases (which are often revealed by unusually severe symptoms or atypical epidemiological patterns) applies the most effort to the research of new pathogens. Here, using examples, we discuss alternative but non-exclusive mechanisms that may either reveal the presen... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547496 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547494&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19520318%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Johanet A, Secondi J, Pays O, Pagano A, Lodé T, Lemaire C Reproductive character displacement is commonly described as larger phenotypic differences between species living in sympatry rather than in allopatry. We investigated this phenomenon on two amphibians found in their contact zone where syntopic and allotopic sites alternate. To test the effect of syntopy with Lissotriton vulgaris on the Lissotriton helveticus phenotype, we studied the morphology of adult males and females while controlling for environmental factors (i.e. land use and flood risk). Using linear mixed-effects models, we found that females of L. helveticus expressed a deeper tail when in the presence of the other species, a pattern consistent with reproductive character displacement. This pattern has b... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547494 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547492&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19520319%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yang P, Mao R, Shao H, Gao Y The understanding of the spatial variability of soil heavy metals is an important precondition for suitably monitoring and evaluating eco-environment quality in a primary agricultural production zone. 100 topsoils were sampled from the Zhengding County of the urban-rural transition zone in Taihang Piedmont Plain, China. The contents of eight heavy metals Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, Hg and As were tested for each soil sample, and their spatial patterns were analyzed by using the semivariogram approach of geostatistics, with which the kriging method was used to estimate the unobserved points. Then GIS technology was employed to produce spatial distribution maps of the 8 elements. The results showed that the concentration of Cd exceeded its background lev... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547492 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547490&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19520320%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chouteau P Two ground-dwelling couas species, Coquerel's Coua Coua coquereli and Giant Coua Coua gigas, live in sympatry in the dry forest of Madagascar. These birds are typically insectivorous and mainly feed at ground level. The two species differ by size but have the same morphology, suggesting they have the same physical attributes for foraging and prey capture. To test if the two species have the same foraging behaviour, and also to know how habitat disturbance due to logging could affect their foraging behaviour, I compared and analysed the foraging strategies of both species in two different dry forest habitats: unlogged and logged. The two species differed in their foraging behaviour between the two habitats, mainly by the ability to climb in the vegetation, and by the... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547490 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547488&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19520321%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Levréro F, Durand L, Vignal C, Blanc A, Mathevon N In colonial birds, the recognition between parents and their offspring is essential to ensure the exclusivity of parental care. Although individual vocal recognition seems to be a key component of parent-chicks recognition, few studies assessed the period when the emergence of the vocal signature takes place. The present study investigated the acoustic cues of signaler identity carried in the begging calls at three stages of development in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata castanotis), a colonial species which experiences food-dependence after fledging. Testing parents with playback of begging calls recorded the day before fledging, we found that the offspring recognition was based on acoustic cues. Begging calls showed ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547488 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547524&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19393973%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Changeux JP PMID: 19393973 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547524 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547522&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19393974%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ben Elarbi M, Khemiri H, Jridi T, Ben Hamida J alpha-Amylase (alpha-1-4 D-glucan glucanohydrolase EC 3.2.1.1) crude extract was obtained from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cotyledons excised from 5-day-old dark grown seedlings. The enzyme was purified by precipitating the crude extract with ammonium sulphate at 20-60% saturation, and then by subjecting this fraction to affinity chromatography on a beta-cyclodextrin-Sepharose 6B column. The active fraction was dialysed and concentrated. An overall purification of about 131 folds with an activity yield of 81.25% was achieved. The molecular mass of purified enzyme determined by SDS-PAGE was 35 kD. When the purified alpha-amylase was subjected to gel electrophoresis followed by negative staining, only one band of active prot... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547522 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547520&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19393975%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cottart CH, Laguillier C, Nivet-Antoine V, Klimczak C, Sebban C, Beaudeux JL Arterial ageing - arteriosclerosis - is characterised by both thickening and stiffening of the walls of large and medium arteries. The molecular and cellular mechanisms (i.e. endothelial dysfunction, matrix remodelling, ...) involved in this process are complex, and at least in part common to atherosclerotic injury. Arterial stiffness is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the pathophysiology and the biological process of arterial ageing and to underline the main difference with atherosclerosis damage process in particularly during the calcification step. PMID: 19393975 [PubMed - indexed... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547520 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547518&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19393976%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Koné D, Badou OJ, Bomisso EL, Camara B, Ake S In Côte-d'Ivoire, banana leaf surfaces are attacked by Mycosphaerella fijiensis var. difformis, Cladosporium musae, and Deigthonielle torulosa. Control is based on fungicides recommanded for Mycosphaerella fijiensis. Fungicides belonging to triazoles and strobilurines types were added, at different concentrations, to the PDA medium, using this PDA medium containing no fungicide as the control. Mycelium disc and spores of Cladosporium musae, Mycosphaerella fijiensis and Deightoniella torulosa were put on the different media. Total inhibition of mycelium growth of every fungus on the PDA amended with propiconazole was observed. The fungicides used show different activities according to their concentration and their mode of ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547518 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547516&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19393977%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Carcaillet C, Fauvart N, Roiron P, Terral JF, Ali AA Dwarf pines were discovered in 2004 during a paleoecological survey in the Mont Cenis massif (Savoy, France). These dwarf pines are the sole natural and spontaneous population in the NW French Alps of Pinus mugo Turra, ssp. mughus (Scop.) O. Schwarz. The population, fragile in light of the individual numbers, is currently isolated, but likely results from populations that would have covered larger areas during the Lateglacial or the early-Holocene, from the SW Alps (France) toward the Mont Cenis, throughout the Susa valley (Italy). With a fragmented distribution area of dwarf pine, the future of the Mont Cenis population seems altered due to important necroses observed on the topmost part of pine crowns, except for individua... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547516 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547514&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19393978%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sayim F, Başkale E, Tarkhnishvili D, Kaya U Selection of breeding habitat plays a fundamental role in the reproductive success of urodeles and anurans. We studied the influence of water chemistry variables on the selection of a specific water resource as breeding habitat in Mertensiella caucasica. To determine the influence of water chemistry parameters on their habitat selection, we surveyed a total of 45 small river, streams and brooks in the Western Lesser Caucasus (northeastern Turkey and southwestern Georgia). The water samples taken from these localities were analyzed for 14 chemical variables and the results submitted to multiple logistic regression analysis in order to evaluate the influence of these parameters on the presence or absence of the species in the loc... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547514 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547512&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19393979%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined 424 nests belonging to 61 wasp species along 5 km of rainforest edges in French Guiana (ca. 15,235 plants monitored), and estimate that we recorded up to 73% of the local social wasp fauna. This baseline study was complemented by a long-term survey of the same area and the examination of isolated trees (permitting us to record two additional species, resulting in a total of 63 wasp species). Our results form a continuum from species avoiding nesting on any plant (6.5% of the wasp species) to species nesting on plants but avoiding those sheltering ant nests (82%), to, finally, wasps nesting in association with arboreal ants known to divert army ant raids (11.5%). Consequently, this study documents that most wasp species select plants possibly repulsive to arboreal ants, while as... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547512 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547512 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547510&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19393980%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigate skull size and shape differentiation between sibling species of Mastomys with the aim to characterize and discriminate three sympatric species found in West Africa: M. huberti, M. erythroleucus and M. natalensis. A total of 133 genetically determined specimens were used for the morphometric analyses. Statistical analyses clearly demonstrated that the three species largely overlapped in centroid size (M. erythroleucus tends to be larger on average than the M. huberti and M. natalensis) but they exhibited large differences in skull shape. The current study focused on skull shape, and allowed us to discriminate three morphological groups that are congruent with the three species suggested by molecular identification (90% of the individuals are correctly assigned ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547510 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547508&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19393981%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lardeux F, Chávez T, Rodríguez R, Torrez L Anopheles squamifemur has been identified from CDC light trap collections carried out at Arca de Israel, a small community located in the extreme north-east of Bolivia (Pando Department) on the banks of the river Madera, on the border with Brazil. Anopheles costai and An. forattinii have been identified in place of An. mediopunctatus which has been removed from the Bolivian list of Anopheles species. The first identification of An. trinkae in Bolivia by Dr. J.C. Lien in 1984 is cleared. The presence of An. deaneorum in Bolivia has been confirmed by our mosquito captures carried out in Guayaramerín (Pando Department, north-east of Bolivia), a border city separated from the type locality of An. deaneorum, the Brasilian ci... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547508 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2547506&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19393982%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mailleux AC, Deneubourg JL, Detrain C The decision for a Lasius niger forager to lay a chemical trail and launch recruitment to a food source is governed by an internal individual threshold. The value of this threshold triggering chemical communication is not set by the maximal capacity of the crop. Actually, trail-laying ants are still able to drink additional food encountered on their homeward journey. The partial filling of the crop by trail-laying ants may be a means for the ants to shorten foraging trips and to speed up the information updating within the nest. Moreover, by partially filling their crop, foragers keep a potential for sampling resources and for tasting other encountered food sources. PMID: 19393982 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Comptes Rendus ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2547506 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2547506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295850&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19304263%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chaoui L, Kara MH, Quignard JP, Faure E, Bonhomme F We characterised four samples of gilthead sea bream from the two western Mediterranean banks with three microsatellite loci and two RAPDs systems. Contrarily to what could be predicted for a highly mobile species with a planktonic larval dispersal phase, we observed a strong and significant genetic differentiation at all loci between the two banks (F(st)=0.069(***)), whereas two samples from the Gulf of Lions were almost identical (F(st)=0.003 ns) while the two from the Gulf of Annaba displayed varied levels of differentiation according to the molecular marker considered. RAPDs showed a similar trend as microsatellites. The reasons for this surprisingly strong genetic differentiation, as compared to what has been observed in ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295850 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:14:00 +0100 2295850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295839&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19304264%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Radomski JP, Slonimski PP Synonymous codons do not occur at equal frequencies. Codon usage and codon bias have been extensively studied. However, the sequential order in which synonymous codons appear within a gene has not been studied until now. Here we describe an in silico method, which is the first attempt to tackle this problem: to what extent this sequential order is unique, and to what extent the succession of synonymous codons is important. This method, which we called Intragenic, Stochastic Synonymous Codon Occurrence Replacement (ISSCOR), generates, by a Monte Carlo approach, a set of genes which code for the same amino acid sequence, and display the same codon usage, but have random permutations of the synonymous codons, and therefore different sequential codon orde... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295839 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:13:54 +0100 2295839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295833&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19304265%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ma YY, Song WY, Liu ZH, Zhang HM, Guo XL, Shao HB, Ni FT Maize cultivar zhengdan958 was selected as materials. The sub-cellular distribution of soluble calcium at different phases was shown by the potassium-pyroantinonate-precipitation method and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the deposits of calcium antimonate as the indicator for Ca(2+) localization were mainly concentrated within the vacuoles and intercellular spaces without PEG treatment. Firstly, when the leaf was treated with PEG, the Ca(2+) level increased remarkably in the cytoplasm, but considerably decreased in vacuoles and intercellular gaps. Meanwhile, the level of Ca(2+) also increased in chloroplast and nucleus. When the treatment continued, the level of Ca(2+) in chloroplasts and nucle... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295833 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:13:45 +0100 2295833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295829&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19304266%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ben Ghnaya A, Charles G, Hourmant A, Ben Hamida J, Branchard M Eliminating heavy metals in the environment by phytoremediation is a method that uses, generally, plants with a low biomass yielded and feeble depth of root system. For the purpose of improving this technique, we have tested four varieties of productive specie with high yields, the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). In particular, we have studied metal stress effect on biomass, growth, and endogenous Zn and Cd content. Metal treatment caused significant dry weight differences between metal-treated and control plants. A significant genotypic difference has been noticed between the four cv. For two varieties, Jumbo and Drakkar, the accumulation is more important in the stems and petioles, whereas, this accumulation is at ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295829 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:13:39 +0100 2295829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295824&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19304267%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Soro TY, Traore F, Sakande J Pharmacological studies were conducted with the aqueous extract of the bark of the stem of Ximenia americana Linne (Olacaceae) on experimental animals, evaluating the analgesic activities. In the analgesic test, the aqueous extract elicited an inhibitory intensity on the acetic acid-induced writhing response and on the late phase of the formalin test, but possessed only a weak effect on the tail-flick response and on the early phase of the formalin test. PMID: 19304267 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295824 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:13:35 +0100 2295824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295816&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19304268%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Le Goff M, Helmer C, Foubert-Samier A, Cowppli-Bony P, Berr C, Dartigues JF It is necessary to develop the prevention of Alzheimer's disease, because of the increase in the number of cases and unavailability of a curative treatment. From the data of the cohort PAQUID, we studied the risk of dementia according to leisure activities and the age of cessation of professional activity. The practice of a sport and reading decreases by 25% the risk of dementia during 15 years. The age of cessation of professional activity is not associated with the risk of dementia. An active life seems to be a possible way to prevent dementia. PMID: 19304268 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295816 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:13:25 +0100 2295816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295811&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19304269%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Song XZ, Zhao CX, Wang XL, Li J Because of intensive vegetable production in plastic greenhouses in northern China, the potential risk of nitrate leaching to groundwater is increasingly apparent, threatening ecosystem services and the sustainability of food production. In the present work, nine drainable lysimeters were installed into vegetable fields, with in-situ loamy soils, in Shouguang City of the north China vegetable base. The experiments were conducted to quantify the magnitude and variability of nitrate leaching to groundwater and to access the fate of total fertilizer-N inputs in the area. The results obtained indicated that: under local conventional agronomic practices, there is a high discrepancy in leaching nitrate-N concentration (ranging from 17 to 457 mg L(-1))... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295811 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:13:12 +0100 2295811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295806&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19304270%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang A, Yu Z, Ding Y The genetic diversity analysis of 90 barley samples, including 45 wild close relatives of barley from the Tibet region of China and 45 wild accessions from different countries throughout the Middle East, were carried out using ISSR and SSR markers. The results showed that Tibetan wild close relatives of barley had a higher genetic diversity than those from the Middle East. Ten ISSR primers amplified 91 allelic variants, of which 79 were polymorphic (86.81%), in the Tibetan genotypes and 82 allelic variants, of which 66 were polymorphic (80.49%), in the Middle East genotypes. Eleven primer pairs of SSR markers amplified 100 allelic variants among the Tibetan genotypes with 100 polymorphic bands (100%). Among the Middle East genotypes, 78 allelic variants we... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295806 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:13:03 +0100 2295806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295800&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19304271%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examines the distribution of electrosensorial pore regions on the ventral surface of the cephalofoil (VSC) in Sphyrna lewini, S. tiburo, S. tudes and S. zygaena from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. The pore distribution patterns in the VSC can distinguish these species. Use of those patterns, with the head shape, confirms the identification of the four most common species of hammerhead sharks in the Southwestern Atlantic. PMID: 19304271 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295800 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:12:53 +0100 2295800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295796&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19304272%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chanet B, Fusellier M, Baudet J, Madec S, Guintard C Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examinations have been conducted both on fresh and alcohol-preserved common carps (Cyprinus carpio). The images have been compared to those of a sagittally-cut frozen animal of the same species. This work shows that the images obtained are globally similar, and that the MRI technique can be applied to investigate the gross anatomy of alcohol-preserved specimens without destroying them. Unfortunately, this kind of study does not provide precise enough anatomical data for small specimens (less than 10 cm in total length) with a 1 Tesla magnetic field. Nevertheless, leaving the specimen in the jar during MRI examinations does not affect the quality of the final images. PMID: 19304272 [PubMed... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295796 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:12:40 +0100 2295796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273192&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281942%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Le Guyader H, Combes C PMID: 19281942 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273192 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273189&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281943%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Padian K The history of anti-evolutionism in the United States begins only in the early decades of the 20th century but has evolved considerably since then. Various versions of the movement ("equal time" for creationism, "creation science", "intelligent design") have developed over time, but they have made few positive contributions to serious discourse about science and religion. Their main goal has been to try to stop the teaching of evolution. The most recent version of creationism, "intelligent design" (ID), has little in common with William Paley's 18th-century version: ID posits an interventionist Deity who regularly interferes in natural processes to produce complex biological structures and functions. The 2005 "intelligent design" trial in Dover, Pennsylvania, destroye... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273189 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273186&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281944%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schmitt S German biologist Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919) is often considered the most renowned Darwinian in his country since, as early as 1862, he declared that he accepted the conclusions Darwin had reached three years before in On the Origin of Species, and afterwards, he continuously proclaimed himself a supporter of the English naturalist and championed the evolutionary theory. Nevertheless, if we examine carefully his books, in particular his General Morphology (1866), we can see that he carries on a tradition very far from Darwin's thoughts. In spite of his acceptance of the idea of natural selection, that he establishes as an argument for materialism, he adopts, indeed, a conception of evolution that is, in some respects, rather close to Lamarck's views. He is, thus, a goo... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273186 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273183&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281945%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dubuisson JY, Schneider H, Hennequin S As for other vascular plants, numerous adaptive strategies have been selected in epiphytic ferns in order to survive in a constraining and desiccating environment and thus to prevent dehydration and/or to access to water and nutrients. Here we present some of the specializations that allow ferns to survive in this particular habitat. Some of the most spectacular epiphytic specializations are observed in the Polypodiaceae family, involving humus-collectors which entrap humus in specialized organs, and ant-plant mutualism strategies. We then address the question of epiphytism in an evolutionary context. There is little fossil evidence of vascular epiphytes. Inferring the evolution of epiphytism in extant ferns shows that diversification of ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273183 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273180&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281946%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vidal N, Hedges SB Squamate reptiles (lizards, snakes, amphisbaenians) number approximately 8200 living species and are a major component of the world's terrestrial vertebrate diversity. Recent molecular phylogenies based on protein-coding nuclear genes have challenged the classical, morphology-based concept of squamate relationships, requiring new classifications, and drawing new evolutionary and biogeographic hypotheses. Even the key and long-held concept of a dichotomy between iguanians (approximately 1470 sp.) and scleroglossans (all other squamates) has been refuted because molecular trees place iguanians in a highly nested position. Together with snakes and anguimorphs, iguanians form a clade--Toxicofera--characterized by the presence of toxin secreting oral glands and d... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273180 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273177&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281947%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pleijel F, Dahlgren TG, Rouse GW We review the taxonomic history of pogonophores (frenulates and vestimentiferans), from the species in first described 1914 to the recently described bone-eating worm Osedax. Previous systematists have referred both groups to the rank of phylum, and the animals have been treated as deuterostomes with a dorsal nerve cord. Further knowledge on their embryology, the discovery of the previously overlooked posterior, segmented part provided with chaetae, and access to molecular data, have completely changed earlier views on their affinities. They are now referred to as a single family of polychaete annelids, Siboglinidae. PMID: 19281947 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273177 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273173&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281948%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Verneau O, Du Preez L, Badets M Cophylogenetic studies investigate the evolutionary trends within host-parasite associations. Examination of the different levels of fidelity between host and parasite phylogenies provides a powerful tool to inspect patterns and processes of parasite diversification over host evolution and geological times. Within the phylum Platyhelminthes, the monogeneans are mainly fish parasites. The Polystomatidae, however, are known from the sarcopterygian Australian lungfish and tetrapods such as amphibians, freshwater turtles, and the African hippopotamus. Cophylogenetic and biogeographic vicariance analyses, supplemented by molecular calibrations, showed that the Polystomatidae may track the evolutionary history of the first aquatic tetrapods in the Pal... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273173 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273170&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281949%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Simon N, Cras AL, Foulon E, Lemée R Marine phytoplankton organisms account for more than 45% of the photosynthetic net primary production on Earth. They are distributed across many of the major clades of the tree of life and include prokaryotes, and eukaryotes that acquired photosynthesis through the process of endosymbiosis. If the number of extant described species is relatively low compared to the diversity of the terrestrial plants, recent insights into the genetic diversity of natural assemblages have revealed a large unsuspected diversity at different taxonomic levels. Wide infra-specific diversity is also being discovered in many widespread and well known morphological species. This review summarizes data obtained in the fields of ecology, evolutionary biology, phy... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273170 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273167&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281950%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lopez P, Bapteste E Phylogeny, be it morphological or molecular, has long tried to explain the extant biodiversity by the Tree of Species, which is a logical consequence of strict Darwinian evolutionary principles. Through constant improvement of both methods and data sets, some parts of this diversity have actually been demonstrated to be the result of a tree-like process. For some other parts, and especially for prokaryotes, different molecular markers have, however, produced different evolutionary trees, preventing the reconstruction of such a Tree. While technical artifacts could be blamed for these discrepancies, Lateral Gene Transfers are now largely held for responsible, and their existence requires an extension of the Darwinian framework, since genetic material is not ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273167 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273165&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281951%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Manuel M The early diverging metazoan lineages have highly disparate adult body plan geometries, which can be characterised in terms of five major types of symmetry (asymmetrical, spherical, cylindrical, n-radial, bilateral). Patterns of evolutionary changes in symmetry types and the homology of body axes across lineages are discussed here by confronting evidence from comparative anatomy, phylogeny, genomics and evo-devo. The conventional scenario, postulating a graded complexification from asymmetry to radial and finally bilateral symmetry, is considered untenable. Cylindrical symmetry is likely to be the ancestral type from which derived all remaining types through multiple convergences. Recent proposals prompted by molecular data that the bilateral anatomies of many cnidari... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273165 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273165 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273160&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281952%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Coolen M, Menuet A, Mazan S The genetic mechanisms, which control axis specification, apparently extensively diverge across vertebrates. In amphibians and teleosts, they are tightly linked to the establishment of an early dorso-ventral polarity. This polarity has no equivalent in amniotes, which unlike the former, retain a considerable plasticity for their site of axis formation until blastula stages and rely on signals secreted by extra-embryonic tissues for the establishment of their early rostro-caudal pattern. In order to better understand the links between these seemingly highly divergent mechanisms, we have used an evo-devo approach, aimed at reconstructing the gnathostome ancestral state and focussed on a chondrichthyan, the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula. A detailed mol... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273160 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273158&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281953%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jabbour F, Nadot S, Damerval C The genetic determinants of the organisation and variation of the flower, a striking feature of the angiosperms, are only beginning to be deciphered. Floral symmetry has recurrently evolved among angiosperms, zygomorphy (monosymmetry) being a key innovation due to its role in the plant-pollination interaction. As such, it represents a case study for evo-devo. Phylogenetic comparative studies conducted in two eudicot clades, the Ranunculales and the Asteridae sensu APGII, have shown that the evolution of this trait is dependent upon the architectural context of the flower. Genetic and developmental bases of zygomorphy have been investigated in several unrelated model species. In all these species, zygomorphy appears to be controlled, at least part... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273158 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273156&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281954%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bonnivard E, Higuet D The understanding the different kinds of sequences that make up a genome, as well as their proportions in genomes (obtained by the sequencing of the complete genome), has considerably changed our idea of evolution at the genomic level. The former view of a slowly evolving genome has given way to the idea of a genome that can undergo many transformations, on a large or small scale, depending on the evolution of the different types of sequences constituting it. Here we summarise the evolution of these sequences and the impact it can have on the genome. We have focused on micro-transformations, and especially on the impact of transposable elements on genomes. PMID: 19281954 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273156 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273153&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281955%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jaillon O, Aury JM, Wincker P Species are usually defined by reproductive isolation and are characterized by their gene repertoire. These two aspects are consequences of events fixed during evolution, including whole genome duplications and other polyploidizations. Thanks to the recent progress in genome sequencing, new light has been shed on these events. In this review, we will summarize these findings and discuss the methodology involved. Evolutionary traces of such events have been evidenced in various lineages in plants, animals, fungi and protozoa. Comparative analysis of synteny is a powerful approach to unveil evolutionary footprints of these events. According to expectations, these events would facilitate speciation since some of them are thought to be at the base of ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273153 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273153 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273150&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281956%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Koszul R, Fischer G Segmental duplications (SDs) are a major element of eukaryotic genomes. Whereas their quantitative importance vary among lineages, SDs appear as a fundamental trait of the recent evolution of great-apes genomes. The chromosomal instability generated by these SDs has dramatic consequences both in generating a high level of polymorphisms among individuals and in originating numerous human pathogenic diseases. However, even though the importance of SDs has been increasingly recognized at the genomic level, some of the molecular pathways that lead to their formation remain obscure. Here we review recent evidences that the interplay between several mechanisms, some conservative, some based on replication, explains the complex SDs patterns observed in many genome... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273150 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273146&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281957%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Panaud O In this review, we discuss the development of molecular genetics and genomics that has allowed one to identify and characterize some of the key genes involved in cereal domestication. The list is far from being complete, but the first conclusion that can be drawn from the published works is that only a few loci have been the target of human selection in the first stages of the domestication process at the late neolithic. Mutations at these few loci have led to dramatic changes in plant morphology and phenology, transforming a wild into a cultivated plant. We also show that in the case of rice, for which the complete genome sequence is available, the development of new molecular markers based on retrotransposon insertion polymorphisms helped to resolve some of the ques... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273146 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273144&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281958%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wajcman H, Kiger L, Marden MC The superfamily of globins has emerged some 4000 Myr from a common ancestor, which was among the basic protein components required for life. Globins are present in the three kingdoms of life. From a structure point of view, these molecules are defined by the presence of a characteristic protein fold, rich in alpha-helix, surrounding a heme group. Depending on the species or organs, they may be physiologically active as monomers, tetramers or large size polymers. Their function varies from the classical reversible binding of oxygen for transport and storage to cytoprotection against reactive oxygen species, NO scavenging, signaling in oxygen dependent metabolic pathways, or possibly other specific properties involving ligand or electron transfer. A... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273144 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273141&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281959%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Merçot H, Poinsot D Wolbachia are endosymbiotic alpha-proteobacteria harboured by terrestrial arthropods and filarial nematodes, where they are maternally transmitted through egg cytoplasm. According to the host group, Wolbachia have developed two contrasting symbiotic strategies. In arthropods, symbiosis is secondary (i.e. facultative), and Wolbachia insure their transmission as reproduction parasites. However, despite of the efficiency of the manipulation mechanisms used, Wolbachia are limited to the state of passenger because some factors can prevent the association between Wolbachia and their hosts to become permanent. On the contrary, symbiosis is primary (i.e. obligatory) in filarial nematodes where Wolbachia insure their transmission via a mutualistic relationship,... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273141 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273141 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273138&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281960%26dopt%3DAbstract This article attempts to summarize current knowledge about symbiosis in Bathymodiolinae, focusing on mussel species for which information is available regarding both hosts and symbionts. Moreover, new data obtained from small mussels inhabiting sunken woods around the Philippines are provided. Indeed, mussel species from organic falls remain poorly studied compared to their vent and seep relatives despite their importance for the understanding of the evolution of symbiosis in the subfamily Bathymodiolinae. PMID: 19281960 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273138 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273135&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281961%26dopt%3DAbstract This article synthesizes available physiological and molecular data on parasitoid virulence strategies and discusses the evolutionary processes at work. PMID: 19281961 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273135 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2273132&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19281962%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pontier D, Fouchet D, Bahi-Jaber N, Poulet H, Guiserix M, Natoli E, Sauvage F Many theoretical studies have proposed different causal mechanisms by which the structure of a host population could have important implications for life history traits of pathogens. However, little information is available from real systems to test these hypotheses. The domestic cat, Felis silvestris catus, whose populations exhibit a great variability in social and spatial structure, represent an ideal case study to assess this question. In the present article, we show how cat population structure may have influenced the evolution of feline viruses and, in return, how these viruses may have modified the genetic structure of cat populations. PMID: 19281962 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2273132 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2273132 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2182833&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19200921%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dupasquier S, Quittau-Prévostel C Tumor cells exhibit significant variations in the rate of pro- or anti-tumoral proteins that provide them a selective advantage of growth over normal cells. The control of these rates occurs at the three DNA, RNA and protein levels, and is determined by the structure of each of these three actors for the implementation of the molecular mechanisms involved in the control of the synthesis, maturation and stability of the mRNA and the protein itself. We give here an overview of the main events that can lead to a disruption of these mechanisms. PMID: 19200921 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2182833 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2182833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2182832&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19200928%26dopt%3DAbstract This study highlights the role of disturbance on the development of the Aigoual peatlands, and their present-day degradation status, and underlines the need of a well-adapted conservatory management. PMID: 19200928 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2182832 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2182832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173163&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19200921%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dupasquier S, Quittau-Prévostel C Tumor cells exhibit significant variations in the rate of pro- or anti-tumoral proteins that provide them a selective advantage of growth over normal cells. The control of these rates occurs at the three DNA, RNA and protein levels, and is determined by the structure of each of these three actors for the implementation of the molecular mechanisms involved in the control of the synthesis, maturation and stability of the mRNA and the protein itself. We give here an overview of the main events that can lead to a disruption of these mechanisms. To cite this article: S. Dupasquier, C. Quittau-Prévostel, C. R. Biologies 332 (2009). PMID: 19200921 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2173163 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2173163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173162&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19200922%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bonnet P, Barthélémy D, Schuiteman A, Svengsuksa B The aim of this study was to characterise the remarkable architectural development of the orchid species Chrysoglossum ornatum Blume. Living specimens were collected in two sites in Laos, a country where this species had not been recorded before. Examination of herbarium material of the three other species of Chrysoglossum has confirmed the regularity of this growth pattern at the genus level. Such a vegetative architecture, unique within the plant kingdom, was first described by Barthélémy (1987) for a South American orchid species, Gongora quinquenervis Ruiz and Pav. The nature of this growth pattern within the genus Chrysoglossum and within this particular species, as well as the occurrence of similar pa... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2173162 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2173162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173161&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19200923%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bhagya B, Sridhar KR, Raviraja NS, Young CC, Arun AB Raw and pressure-cooked ripened beans of Canavalia maritima were assessed for nutritional quality. The beans possess high protein, carbohydrate, fiber and energy contents. Potassium, magnesium, zinc and manganese of the raw and cooked beans meet NRC/NAS recommended pattern for infants. The essential amino acids (threonine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine/phenylalanine and lysine) in raw and cooked ripened beans fulfill the FAO/WHO/UNU recommended pattern for adults. Oleic acid in raw beans and linolenic acid in cooked beans were highest and linoleic and arachidonic acids were confined to raw beans. Cooking lowered the total phenolics, while tannins were negligible and devoid of orthodihydric phenols and trypsin inhibit... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2173161 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2173161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173160&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19200924%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Durak D, Kalender Y Morphology and ultrastructure of metathoracic scent glands (MTGs) of Graphosoma lineatum (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Extracts of the volatile fraction of the MTG secretion from males and females were subjected to initial analysis. One pair of the MTG is composed of a reservoir and a pair of lateral glands connected to the reservoir with a duct. MTGs are open in between the meso- and metacoxae, on evaporation areas with a mushroom-like structure. Reservoir walls embody two types of cells, type I and type II, respectively. Cells of type I have numerous organelles, while type II cells have only been found in a certain area of the reservoir wall. They have large secre... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2173160 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2173160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173159&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19200925%26dopt%3DAbstract This study aims at identifying morphological traits of the hind foot that are related to environment preferences, using seven of the nine species. The morphology of the foot was defined by the coordinates in three dimensions of twenty five landmarks on the foot. These were analysed using Procrustes analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). The first axis of the PCA corresponded to a gradient of adaptation to tree-dwelling, in relation to foot morphology. Species living on the ground had a longer, narrower and thinner foot, adapted to horizontal locomotion on the ground. Species with an arboreal habitat had a shorter, wider and thicker foot, adapted to vertical locomotion. The second axis of the PCA could be interpreted in terms of phylogeny. To cite this article: R. Akoma Mintsa et ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2173159 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2173159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173158&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19200926%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vijayakumar R, Zhao CX, Gopal R, Jaleel CA In the present investigation, Strychnos nux-vomica, an important plant used in traditional medicine, was evaluated for its antioxidant potential. The antioxidant potentials were examined in terms of non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules and activities of antioxidant enzymes. The non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules studied were ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and reduced glutathione. The estimated antioxidant enzymes were superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. The analyses were carried out in the field-collected leaf samples. It was found that plant contained a significant quantity of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants in the leaves. These findings have high significance in the phar... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2173158 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2173158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173157&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19200927%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Maaroufi Dguimi H, Debouba M, Ghorbel MH, Gouia H Tobacco (Nicotiana Tabaccum, Bureley v. Fb9) seedlings were grown for 30 days on control medium, and then treated for seven days with different concentrations (0, 10, 20, 50 and 100 muM) of CdCl(2). Cadmium (Cd) was mostly accumulated in the leaves. However, nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase activities (NR, EC 1.6.1.6 and NiR, EC 1.7.7.1) were more inhibited by Cd stress in the roots than in leaves. Glutamine synthetase activity (GS, EC 6.3.1.2) was inhibited by Cd treatment in roots and leaves. In both organs, aminating activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH, EC 1.4.1.2) and protease activity were significantly stimulated in the leaves and roots of stressed plants. The lesser extents of Cd stress effects on leaves, des... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2173157 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2173157 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173156&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19200928%26dopt%3DAbstract This study highlights the role of disturbance on the development of the Aigoual peatlands, and their present-day degradation status, and underlines the need of a well-adapted conservatory management. To cite this article: M. Bottollier-Curtet, S.D. Muller, C. R. Biologies 332 (2009). PMID: 19200928 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2173156 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2173156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173155&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19200929%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Botero-Trujillo R Two new scorpion species, Ananteris faguasi sp. nov. and Ananteris volschenki sp. nov., are described from the eastern extreme of El Tuparro Natural National Park, eastern Colombia near the border with Venezuela. These new species are the first of the genus to be known from Vichada department, and represent the easternmost records in the country. With their description, the number of known species of Ananteris is raised to 64, ten of which are present in Colombia. A map with the known distribution of the Colombian species of Ananteris is presented. To cite this article: R. Botero-Trujillo, C. R. Biologies 332 (2009). PMID: 19200929 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2173155 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2173155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996547&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027690%26dopt%3DAbstract This article starts with the observation of a non-linear relationship between health progress and economic development. This relationship is interpreted as resulting from a bidirectional interaction between these two variables, which may lead a country to a poverty trap or, alternatively, to a virtuous circle of economic take-off. Emerging countries have pulled out of poverty after having made progress in health and education. African countries still lag behind in this respect, and their backwardness has been worsened by the HIV/AIDS crisis. This analysis contributes to justifying the current emphasis on aid policies to the health sector in Africa. However, improving health conditions, and escaping the poverty trap, cannot be done just by increasing health budgets. More emphasis should be ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996547 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:53:37 +0100 1996547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996546&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027691%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marek T Most projects financed by governments often end in deceptive results; certain indicators of health improve little, and certain not at all. Why? One cause could be the concentration of initiatives in the public sector, whereas half of heath care spending in Africa is in the private sector. It is time to consider the health care system in its entirety, and not just the public part. In this article the private sector is defined as all service provision provided by non-governmental supplier, either in the formal private sector (pharmacy, private hospital, etc.) or in the informal private sector (local, traditional therapists, informal consultations, for example). PMID: 19027691 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996546 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:53:33 +0100 1996546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996545&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027693%26dopt%3DAbstract This article provides a comparative analysis of two different inpatient systems: referral hospitals and health centres, with particular reference to the French experience. For having stayed unreformed for the past 50 years, the French hospital system is now facing a financial crisis, as well as a human resource crisis. By comparison, positive lessons can be drawn from the experience of health centres. Such observations can be useful for developing and emerging countries. PMID: 19027693 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996545 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:53:27 +0100 1996545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996544&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027694%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Perrot J The use of contractualisation has greatly developed over the last years in the field of health care, with results that are often promising, but also with failures and sometime virulent criticism. Thus it has become more and more necessary to regulate contractual practices. In the framework of its mission of general administration, that is to say, protection of the general interest, it falls to the Ministry of Health to put in place this regulation. Several tools are available. Certain, such as standard contracts and master agreements, although useful, do not remain specific and ad hoc. On the other hand, the politics of contractualisation, fitting well in the general politics of Health Care, form, without doubt, the most globalised tool, since they allow contractualis... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996544 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:53:24 +0100 1996544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996543&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027695%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mathonnat J The improvement of health in Africa is confronted with many challenges. The financial resources devoted to health are insufficient, but to increase them is not enough. It is essential to reinforce the systems of health care and to improve efficiency of the public and private expenditure in health. In the majority of the countries, the budgetary constraints are strong, but there is room for maneuver to increase the public health expenditure, by domestic financing or by foreign assistance. It is advisable, however, to be particularly vigilant as to the negative effects which could possibly result from this on the various elements which might play a significant role in the improvement of health. States must exploit relevantly all possibilities of increasing the health... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996543 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:53:21 +0100 1996543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996542&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027696%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Letourmy A Health financing reforms in most low-income countries promote social and micro health insurance, in order to reduce direct spending by patients. Three phases of development can be distinguished in African countries: at first, schemes were developed only for the formal sector, then micro health insurance targeted the informal sector, and finally, health insurance was included in larger plans to reach universal coverage. The impact of health insurance is, as yet, difficult to assess. If beneficiaries have a better access to health services, the financing of health sector is not significantly improved, and there is no change in professional behaviour, in particular, in public facilities. In spite of their limits, social health insurance schemes continue to be implement... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996542 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:53:17 +0100 1996542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996541&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027697%26dopt%3DAbstract This article shows how this struggle has been accompanied with a renewal of the economic paradigms governing international action in favour of health care in developing countries: the idea that an improvement in health care constitutes an unavoidable prerequisite to macroeconomic growth, rather than a consequence; the insistence on the founding of mechanisms for health insurance to finance the costs of health care, rather than covering the costs at the point of use by the health care users; a concern to impose price differentials for access to medicine in developing countries, and to introduce flexibility in the regulation of international intellectual property law; the priority to vertical programmes targeted on certain illnesses, thought to act as levers for a global reinforcement of hea... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996541 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:53:14 +0100 1996541 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996540&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027699%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chauvé M The counterfeiting of medicines is a global scourge, which is particularly serious in the African continent. According to WHO estimations, whereas counterfeit medicines represent 1% of the market in developed countries, up to 30% of the medicines sold in African countries are counterfeit. Several factors may explain this high rate in Africa, from the weaknesses of legislation and controls, to the lack of affordability of medicines and the attitude of governments. A counterfeit medicine represents different levels of risk, depending if the active substance is present or not, if the dosage is the right one, if the product contains toxic substances, etc. In Africa, several examples sadly showed the terrible impact the use of counterfeit medicines may have (i.e. Nige... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996540 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:53:07 +0100 1996540 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996539&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027702%26dopt%3DAbstract This article is organising in three sections. The first presents the different (economic, ethical and social) stakes of an evaluation system. The second section describes its methods and the third analyses its constraints. PMID: 19027702 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996539 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:52:58 +0100 1996539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991094&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027689%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Berthélemy JC, Gros F PMID: 19027689 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991094 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:34:03 +0100 1991094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991093&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027690%26dopt%3DAbstract This article starts with the observation of a non-linear relationship between health progress and economic development. This relationship is interpreted as resulting from a bidirectional interaction between these two variables, which may lead a country to a poverty trap or, alternatively, to a virtuous circle of economic take-off. Emerging countries have pulled out of poverty after having made progress in health and education. African countries still lag behind in this respect, and their backwardness has been worsened by the HIV/AIDS crisis. This analysis contributes to justifying the current emphasis on aid policies to the health sector in Africa. However, improving health conditions, and escaping the poverty trap, cannot be done just by increasing health budgets. More emphasis should be ... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991093 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:34:00 +0100 1991093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991092&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027691%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marek T Most projects financed by governments often end in deceptive results; certain indicators of health improve little, and certain not at all. Why? One cause could be the concentration of initiatives in the public sector, whereas half of heath care spending in Africa is in the private sector. It is time to consider the health care system in its entirety, and not just the public part. In this article the private sector is defined as all service provision provided by non-governmental supplier, either in the formal private sector (pharmacy, private hospital, etc.) or in the informal private sector (local, traditional therapists, informal consultations, for example). To cite this article: T. Marek, C. R. Biologies 331 (2008). PMID: 19027691 [PubMed - in process] (Source: C... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991092 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:33:57 +0100 1991092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991091&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027692%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Girard JF PMID: 19027692 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991091 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:33:54 +0100 1991091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991090&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027693%26dopt%3DAbstract This article provides a comparative analysis of two different inpatient systems: referral hospitals and health centres, with particular reference to the French experience. For having stayed unreformed for the past 50 years, the French hospital system is now facing a financial crisis, as well as a human resource crisis. By comparison, positive lessons can be drawn from the experience of health centres. Such observations can be useful for developing and emerging countries. To cite this article: P. Bauchet, C. R. Biologies 331 (2008). PMID: 19027693 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991090 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:33:51 +0100 1991090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991089&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027694%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Perrot J The use of contractualisation has greatly developed over the last years in the field of health care, with results that are often promising, but also with failures and sometime virulent criticism. Thus it has become more and more necessary to regulate contractual practices. In the framework of its mission of general administration, that is to say, protection of the general interest, it falls to the Ministry of Health to put in place this regulation. Several tools are available. Certain, such as standard contracts and master agreements, although useful, do not remain specific and ad hoc. On the other hand, the politics of contractualisation, fitting well in the general politics of Health Care, form, without doubt, the most globalised tool, since they allow contractualis... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991089 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:33:47 +0100 1991089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991088&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027695%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mathonnat J The improvement of health in Africa is confronted with many challenges. The financial resources devoted to health are insufficient, but to increase them is not enough. It is essential to reinforce the systems of health care and to improve efficiency of the public and private expenditure in health. In the majority of the countries, the budgetary constraints are strong, but there is room for maneuver to increase the public health expenditure, by domestic financing or by foreign assistance. It is advisable, however, to be particularly vigilant as to the negative effects which could possibly result from this on the various elements which might play a significant role in the improvement of health. States must exploit relevantly all possibilities of increasing the health... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991088 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:33:44 +0100 1991088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991087&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027696%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Letourmy A Health financing reforms in most low-income countries promote social and micro health insurance, in order to reduce direct spending by patients. Three phases of development can be distinguished in African countries: at first, schemes were developed only for the formal sector, then micro health insurance targeted the informal sector, and finally, health insurance was included in larger plans to reach universal coverage. The impact of health insurance is, as yet, difficult to assess. If beneficiaries have a better access to health services, the financing of health sector is not significantly improved, and there is no change in professional behaviour, in particular, in public facilities. In spite of their limits, social health insurance schemes continue to be implement... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991087 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:33:41 +0100 1991087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991086&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027697%26dopt%3DAbstract This article shows how this struggle has been accompanied with a renewal of the economic paradigms governing international action in favour of health care in developing countries: the idea that an improvement in health care constitutes an unavoidable prerequisite to macroeconomic growth, rather than a consequence; the insistence on the founding of mechanisms for health insurance to finance the costs of health care, rather than covering the costs at the point of use by the health care users; a concern to impose price differentials for access to medicine in developing countries, and to introduce flexibility in the regulation of international intellectual property law; the priority to vertical programmes targeted on certain illnesses, thought to act as levers for a global reinforcement of hea... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991086 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:33:38 +0100 1991086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991085&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027698%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Germani Y, Sansonetti P PMID: 19027698 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991085 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:33:35 +0100 1991085 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991084&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027699%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chauvé M The counterfeiting of medicines is a global scourge, which is particularly serious in the African continent. According to WHO estimations, whereas counterfeit medicines represent 1% of the market in developed countries, up to 30% of the medicines sold in African countries are counterfeit. Several factors may explain this high rate in Africa, from the weaknesses of legislation and controls, to the lack of affordability of medicines and the attitude of governments. A counterfeit medicine represents different levels of risk, depending if the active substance is present or not, if the dosage is the right one, if the product contains toxic substances, etc. In Africa, several examples sadly showed the terrible impact the use of counterfeit medicines may have (i.e. Nige... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991084 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:33:31 +0100 1991084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991083&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027700%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bernagou P PMID: 19027700 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991083 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:33:28 +0100 1991083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991082&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027701%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Valleron AJ The knowledge of the global distribution of death, diseases and risk factors is important to make clear to the general public and to governments that health inequalities are incredibly high, at the dawn of this 21(st) century, and to help fight these. More than 20% of the 56 millions of deaths in 2001 were of children less than 5 years old. There are at least 1 million deaths per year from malaria. Diarrhoea kill more than 1.5 million, and measles more than half a million. The large majority of deaths by infectious diseases occur in underdeveloped countries. Moreover, chronic diseases kill an increasing number in underdeveloped countries, because populations are aging, because expansive health care which is needed to prevent and control these diseases is unavailabl... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991082 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:33:24 +0100 1991082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991081&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19027702%26dopt%3DAbstract This article is organising in three sections. The first presents the different (economic, ethical and social) stakes of an evaluation system. The second section describes its methods and the third analyses its constraints. To cite this article: M. Audibert, C. R. Biologies 331 (2008). PMID: 19027702 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Comptes Rendus Biologies) Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991081 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:33:21 +0100 1991081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1960996&cid=s_35422_62_f&fid=35422&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940705%26dopt%3DAbstract This article presents a synthesis of the relationships between plants and climates at the scale of France, based on a probabilistic classification of 1874 bio-indicators. This classification defines plants groups that indicate the climate, named phytoclimates, expressing the climatic gradients in France. This classification shows 210 phytoclimatic groups distributed into ten cluster levels. The analysis of the various hierarchical levels shows two main phytoclimates testifying the importance of the marine masses and the altitude. The analysis of the third hierarchical level underlines particular phytoclimates which would not be easily recognizable by only analysing the overlapping of floristic and climatic territories. This classification allows one to select taxa that are indicators of th... Comptes Rendus Biologies journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1960996 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1960996