Local effects drive heterozygosity-fitness correlations in an outcrossing long-lived tree.

Heterozygosity-fitness correlations (HFCs) have been used to understand the complex interactions between inbreeding, genetic diversity and evolution. Although frequently reported for decades, evidence for HFCs was often based on underpowered studies or inappropriate methods, and hence their underlying mechanisms are still under debate. Here, we used 6100 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to test for general and local effect HFCs in maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.), an iconic Mediterranean forest tree. Survival was used as a fitness proxy, and HFCs were assessed at a four-site common garden under contrasting environmental conditions (total of 16 288 trees). We found no significant correlations between genome-wide heterozygosity and fitness at any location, despite variation in inbreeding explaining a substantial proportion of the total variance for survival. However, four SNPs (including two non-synonymous mutations) were involved in significant associations with survival, in particular in the common gardens with higher environmental stress, as shown by a novel heterozygosity-fitness association test at the species-wide level. Fitness effects of SNPs involved in significant HFCs were stable across maritime pine gene pools naturally growing in distinct environments. These results led us to dismiss the general effect hypothesis and suggested a significant role of heterozygosity in specific candidate genes for increasing fitness in maritime pine. Our study highlights the importance of considering the species evolutionary and demographic history and different spatial scales and testing environments when assessing and interpreting HFCs.

Harmonization of training and assessment of medical specialists in physical and rehabilitation medicine across Europe - The contribution of the UEMS Board of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine

Background.- The main goals of the European Board of Physical and Rehabili-tation Medicine (EBPRM), founded in 1991 as the third speciality board of theUnion of European Medical Specialists (UEMS), are to harmonize pre-graduate,post-graduate and continuous medical education in physical and rehabilitationmedicine (PRM) all over Europe. The harmonization of curricula of the medi-cal specialities and the assessment of medical specialists has become one of thepriorities of the UEMS and its working groups to which the EBPRM contributes.Action.- The EBPRM will continue to promote a specific minimal undergraduatecurriculum on PRM including issues like disability, participation and handicapto be taught all over Europe as a basis for general medical practice. The EBPRMwill also expand the existing EBPRM postgraduate curriculum into a detailedcatalogue of learning objectives. This catalogue will serve as a tool to boostharmonization of the national curricula across Europe as well as to structurethe content of the MCQ examination. It would be a big step forward towardsharmonization of European PRM specialist training if an important number ofcountries would use the certifying MCQ examination of the Board as a part ofthe national assessments for PRM specialists.

Social Support, Social and Temporal Comparisons Protect Well-Being and Health between 45 and 70 Years Old in Four Urban Communities

This study examined the impact of social support and of temporal and social comparisons on well-being and selfreported health in four capital cities: Paris, Berlin, Moscow and Beijing. Based on the lifespan control theory, an integrative model investigating the influence of these coping strategies, especially on the psychological regulation of health losses, was tested on 1141 respondents aged 45 to 70 years by using structural equation modelling with multigroup comparisons. Results indicated a good fit of the model to participants' responses. In all contexts, physical weaknesses favoured the use of social and temporal comparison strategies rather than social support. Moreover, across the cities, coping strategies were oriented more toward protecting self-evaluation of health than toward enhancement of well-being. Social comparison decreased the impact of physical weaknesses on health evaluation and on well-being in the four cities, but to a lesser extent in China. Results are discussed regarding the normative cross-cultural aspects that intervene during ageing in the four urban contexts.

Le sentiment de gratitude en soins palliatifs : un facteur contribuant au bien-être et à la qualité de vie ? [Gratitude in palliative care: is it a psychological factor contributing to well-being and quality of life?]

En s'appuyant sur la littérature scientifique et l'état de la recherche, cet article a pour objectif de montrer pourquoi la prise en compte du sentiment de gratitude peut s'avérer utile dans le contexte palliatif en mettant en évidence dans quelle mesure cette émotion ou disposition individuelle: 1) entre en résonance avec le concept de croissance posttraumatique et certains enjeux relationnels chez les patients en fin de vie; 2) représente un facteur favorisant le bien-être et la qualité de vie; 3) peut être considérée comme un facteur protecteur contre les troubles psychopathologiques. Based on the scientific literature and the state of research, this article aims to show why the feeling of gratitude may represent a point of interest for palliative care. We will highlight the following in this article: 1) why this feeling of gratitude resonates with the concept of post-traumatic growth and relational challenges in end-of-life patients; 2) in which measure this feeling represents a factor contributing to well-being and quality of life; 3) in which measure this feeling may be considered as a protective factor against psychopathological troubles.

High-density sex-specific linkage maps of a European tree frog (Hyla arborea) identify the sex chromosome without information on offspring sex.

Identifying homology between sex chromosomes of different species is essential to understanding the evolution of sex determination. Here, we show that the identity of a homomorphic sex chromosome pair can be established using a linkage map, without information on offspring sex. By comparing sex-specific maps of the European tree frog Hyla arborea, we find that the sex chromosome (linkage group 1) shows a threefold difference in marker number between the male and female maps. In contrast, the number of markers on each autosome is similar between the two maps. We also find strongly conserved synteny between H. arborea and Xenopus tropicalis across 200 million years of evolution, suggesting that the rate of chromosomal rearrangement in anurans is low. Finally, we show that recombination in males is greatly reduced at the centers of large chromosomes, consistent with previous cytogenetic findings. Our research shows the importance of high-density linkage maps for studies of recombination, chromosomal rearrangement and the genetic architecture of ecologically or economically important traits.

Added value of SPECT/CT in addition to whole-body scintigraphy augmented with prone lateral views in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Purpose: We aimed to determine the impact of SPECT/CT performed in addition to whole-­‐body scintigraphy augmented with prone lateral views in patients with well-­‐differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Methods and Materials: This retrospective study included 141 patients (87 female, 54 male, mean age 47 years) with well-­‐differentiated thyroid carcinoma (105 papillary, 31 follicular, 1 Hürthle cell and 4 poorly differentiated) treated with radioiodine therapy (1000-7400 MBq). Patients were referred for either first postsurgical therapy (n=76) or further treatment (n=65). Two nuclear medicine physicians interpreted the scans in consensus (first whole-­‐body scintigraphy with prone lateral view, then SPECT/CT) reporting abnormal iodine uptake in the thyroid bed, lymph nodes and distant metastasis. The corresponding ATA risk score was calculated for each patient before and after SPECT/CT, as well as change in disease extension Results: The analysis showed a difference between scintigraphy and SPECT/CT in n=17 lesions in 14 patients (9.9%): 12 were described as suspicious on scintigraphy and could be considered as benign on SPECT/CT (3 corresponded to local iodine uptake, 6 to lymph nodes metastases and 3 to distant metastases). The others 5 corresponded to metastases (4 lymph nodes and 1 distant) that were not seen on whole-­‐body scintigraphy augmented with prone lateral views. In 10 of 141 (7.1%) patients, we observed a change in ATA risk stratification, with a risk increase in 4 of them (2.8%). Conclusion: SPECT/CT allowed detecting 5 focal lesions missed on planar scintigraphy, and to precise benignity of 12 suspicious lesions on planar scintigraphy. Moreover, SPECT/CT improved the risk stratification in 10 patients with a significant change in the patient management