Microbiological activities in moonmilk monitored using isothermal microcalorimetry (cave of Vers Chez le Brandt, Neuchatel, Switzerland)

Studies of the influence of microbial communities on calcium carbonate deposits mostly rely on classical or molecular microbiology, isotopic analyses, and microscopy. Using these techniques, it is difficult to infer microbial activities in such deposits. In this context, we used isothermal microcalorimetry, a sensitive and nondestructive tool, to measure microbial activities associated with moonmilk ex-situ. Upon the addition of diluted LB medium and other carbon sources to fresh moonmilk samples, we estimated the number of colony forming units per gram of moonmilk to be 4.8 3 105 6 0.2 3 105. This number was close to the classical plate counts, but one cannot assume that all active cells producing metabolic heat were culturable. Using a similar approach, we estimated the overall growth rate and generation time of the microbial community associated with the moonmilk upon addition of various carbon sources. The range of apparent growth rates of the chemoheterotrophic microbial community observed was between 0.025 and 0.067 h21 and generation times were between 10 and 27 hours. The highest growth rates were observed for citrate and diluted LB medium, while the highest carbon-source consumption rates were observed for low molecular weight organic acids (oxalate and acetate) and glycerol. Considering the rapid degradation of organic acids, glucose, and other carbon sources observed in the moonmilk, it is obvious that upon addition of nutrients during snow melting or rainfall these communities can have high overall activities comparable to those observed in some soils. Such communities can influence the physico-chemical conditions and participate directly or indirectly to the formation of moonmilk.

Mise en place percutanée de filtres dans la veine cave inférieure en prévention de l'embolie pulmonaire : recommandations

Recommandations conçues dans le cadre d'un Groupe de travail coordonée par Lucia Mazzolai du Service d'angiologie. Membres du Groupe de travail: Angelillo-Scherrer Anne (Service d'hématologie), Burnier Michel ( Service de néphrologie), Demartines Nicolas (Service de chirurgie viscérale), Duchosal Michel (Service d'hématologie), Farron Alain (Service d'orthopédie), Hohlfeld Patrick (Département de gynéco-obstétrique), Hugli Olivier (Service des urgences), Jichlinski Patrice (Service d'urologie), Jolliet Philippe (Service de médecine intensive), Kern Christian (Service d'anesthésiologie), Levivier Marc (Service de neurochirurgie), Leyvraz Serge (Service d'oncologie), Meuli Reto (Service de radiodiagnostic et radiologie interventionnelle), Nicod Laurent (Service de pneumologie), Qanadli Salah (Service de radiodiagnostic et radiologie interventionnelle), Ris Hans-Beat (Service de chirurgie thoracique et vasculaire), Ruchat Patrick (Service de chirurgie cardiovasculaire), Vial Yvan (Service de gynécologie obstétrique), Vogt Pierre (Service de cardiologie), Von Segesser Ludwig (Service de chirurgie cardiovasculaire), Waeber Gerard (Service de médecine interne), Yersin Bertrand (Service des urgences)

Diverging Cave- and River-Dwelling Newts Exert the Same Mate Preference in their Native Light Conditions

When colonizing a new habitat, populations must adapt their sexual behaviour to new ecological constraints. Because caves display drastically different conditions from surface habitats and cave animals are deprived from visual information, hypogean populations are expected to have modified their mate preference and signalling behaviour after cave colonization. Here, we experimentally examined the female preference and the sexual behaviour of brook newts Calotriton asper from different cave and river populations, either in light or in darkness. Our results suggest that females prefer large individuals in both hypogean and epigean populations, but that this preference is only expressed in the light conditions of their native habitat. Hence, some mate choice criteria would be maintained across genetically divergent populations and throughout dissimilar habitats. However, this sexual behaviour is likely to be expressed via a different sensory pathway in the different habitats, suggesting that a sensory shift has occurred in cave populations, enabling animals to communicate through a non-visual channel.

Léiomyosarcome de la veine cave inférieure. A propos de trois observations [Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava. Three cases].

We report three new cases of leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava observed between 1985 and 1990. Two of them developed in women and one in a man. The age of the patients were 56, 29 and 57 years. The three tumors have been removed completely. One patient received postoperative radio- and chemotherapy and is well 68 months after excision. One patient developed liver metastasis 18 months after resection despite chemotherapy and died after 3 years. The last one refused postoperative radio- and chemotherapy, developed massive local recurrence and pulmonary metastasis three months postoperatively, and is still alive with disease after 8 months. The diagnostic modalities of these rare tumors as well as the problems created by their surgical resection and the need for a complementary treatment are discussed.

A prospective randomised multi-centre controlled trial on tight glucose control by intensive insulin therapy in adult intensive care units: the Glucontrol study.

PURPOSE: An optimal target for glucose control in ICU patients remains unclear. This prospective randomized controlled trial compared the effects on ICU mortality of intensive insulin therapy (IIT) with an intermediate glucose control. METHODS: Adult patients admitted to the 21 participating medico-surgical ICUs were randomized to group 1 (target BG 7.8-10.0 mmol/L) or to group 2 (target BG 4.4-6.1 mmol/L). RESULTS: While the required sample size was 1,750 per group, the trial was stopped early due to a high rate of unintended protocol violations. From 1,101 admissions, the outcomes of 542 patients assigned to group 1 and 536 of group 2 were analysed. The groups were well balanced. BG levels averaged in group 1 8.0 mmol/L (IQR 7.1-9.0) (median of all values) and 7.7 mmol/L (IQR 6.7-8.8) (median of morning BG) versus 6.5 mmol/L (IQR 6.0-7.2) and 6.1 mmol/L (IQR 5.5-6.8) for group 2 (p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). The percentage of patients treated with insulin averaged 66.2 and 96.3%, respectively. Proportion of time spent in target BG was similar, averaging 39.5% and 45.1% (median (IQR) 34.3 (18.5-50.0) and 39.3 (26.2-53.6)%) in the groups 1 and 2, respectively. The rate of hypoglycaemia was higher in the group 2 (8.7%) than in group 1 (2.7%, p < 0.0001). ICU mortality was similar in the two groups (15.3 vs. 17.2%). CONCLUSIONS: In this prematurely stopped and therefore underpowered study, there was a lack of clinical benefit of intensive insulin therapy (target 4.4-6.1 mmol/L), associated with an increased incidence of hypoglycaemia, as compared to a 7.8-10.0 mmol/L target. (ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT00107601, EUDRA-CT Number: 200400391440).

Neither Bad Apple nor Bad Barrel: How the Societal Context Impacts Unethical Behavior in Organizations

Every time another corporate scandal captures media headlines, the 'bad apple vs. bad barrel' discussion starts anew. Yet this debate overlooks the influence of the broader societal context on organizational behavior. In this article, we argue that misbehaviors of organizations (the 'barrels') and their members (the 'apples') cannot be addressed properly without a clear understanding of their broader context (the 'larder'). Whereas previously, a strong societal framework dampened the practical application of the Homo economicus concept (business actors as perfectly rational and egocentric utility-maximizing agents without any moral concern), specialization, individualization and globalization led to a business world disembedded from broader societal norms. This emancipated business world promotes a literal interpretation of Homo economicus among business organizations and their members. Consequently, we argue that the first step toward 'healthier' apples and barrels is to sanitize the larder, that is, adapt the framework in which organizations and their members evolve.Chaque fois qu'un nouveau scandale fait la une des médias, la question de savoir si le problème se situe au niveau des individus (des 'pommes isolées') ou au niveau des organisations (les 'caisses de pommes') refait surface. Ce débat tend néanmoins à sous-estimer l'influence du contexte sociétal plus large sur le comportement dans les organisations. Dans cet article, nous soutenons l'idée que les scandales éthiques dans les organisations ou parmi leurs membres ne peuvent être compris correctement sans une vision plus précise de leur contexte plus large (la 'cave à pommes'). Si dans le passé un contexte sociétal fort permettait d'adoucir les applications pratiques de l'Homo economicus (qui considère l'acteur économique comme un agent parfaitement rationnel et égocentrique cherchant à maximiser son utilité sans réflexion morale), l'individualisation et la globalisation ont conduit à un monde économique désencastré et déconnecté des normes sociales plus larges. Ce monde économique autonome promouvoit une interprétation littérale de l'Homo economicus parmi les entreprises et leurs employés. Il en résulte que le premier pas vers des pommes moins pourries passe par un assainissement de la cave, c'est-à-dire l'adoption d'un cadre socio-normatif qui permet un recadrage du contexte dans lequel les organisations économiques et leurs acteurs agissent.

Immunohistochemical expression of endothelial markers CD31, CD34, von Willebrand Factor and Fli-1 in normal human tissues

Résumé du travail de thèse Introduction : Les différentes cellules endothéliales du lit vasculaire ont de nombreuses similitudes fonctionnelles et morphologiques. Cependant, elles présentent également une importante hétérogénéité structurelle et fonctionnelle qui peut avoir des implications notamment dans l'angiogenèse et le développement des maladies cardio-vasculaires. Peu d'études ont été publiées au sujet de l'expression et de la distribution des marqueurs endothéliaux dans les tissus humain normaux. Objectif : Nous avons étudié l'expression immunohistochimique des marqueurs endothéliaux CD31, CD34, vWF et Fli-1 dans les vaisseaux périphériques du rein, du poumon, de la rate, du foie, du cour et des gros vaisseaux ; incluant l'aorte, la veine cave inférieure, l'artère rénale ainsi que les artères et veines pulmonaires et fémorales. Matériel et méthodes : Les échantillons tissulaires ont été obtenus à partir de matériel d'autopsie et de biopsies. Le matériel a été fixé en formaline et inclus en paraffine. Les coupes de paraffine ont été colorées immunohistochimiquement avec CD31, CD34 et vWF. Les biopsies ont également été colorées immunohistochimiquement avec Fli-1, D2-40 et Lyve-1. Résultats : L'expression immunohistochimique de ces marqueurs est hétérogène dans les différents organes étudiés. Dans le rein, l'endothélium fenêtré des glomérules exprime fortement CD31 et CD34. Par contre, il n'exprime pas ou alors de manière faible et focale vWF. Dans le poumon, les capillaires alvéolaires expriment fortement CD31 et CD34 mais sont habituellement négatifs pour le vWF. L'expression de vWF augmente graduellement avec le calibre vasculaire dans le poumon. Les sinusoïdes de la rate expriment CD31 de manière diffuse mais ils n'expriment pas CD34. Les sinusoïdes du foie expriment CD31 de part et d'autre des lobules. Par contre, CD34 est exprimé seulement dans la région périportale. L'expression de Fli-1 dans les cellules endothéliales est ubiquitaire et ne varie pas suivant le type de vaisseau ou d'organe. Fli-1 est également exprimé dans d'autres types de cellules, essentiellement des lymphocytes. D2-40 est exprimé seulement dans l'endothélium des vaisseaux lymphatiques. L'expression de Lyve-1 dans ce matériel de routine était inconstante et non reproductible. Conclusion : Ces résultats indiquent que l'expression des marqueurs endothéliaux CD31, CD34 et vWF est hétérogène dans le lit vasculaire et qu'elle varie entre différents vaisseaux et différents compartiments anatomiques du même organe. D2-40 ne marque que les cellules endothéliales lymphatiques.

Dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV by cleaving neuropeptide Y induces lipid accumulation and PPAR-γ expression.

We evaluated the effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPPIV), and its inhibitor, vildagliptin, on adipogenesis and lipolysis in a pre-adipocyte murine cell line (3T3-L1). The exogenous rDPPIV increased lipid accumulation and PPAR-γ expression, whereas an inhibitor of DPPIV, the anti-diabetic drug vildagliptin, suppresses the stimulatory role of DPPIV on adipogenesis and lipid accumulation, but had no effect on lipolysis. NPY immunoneutralization or NPY Y(2) receptor blockage inhibited DPPIV stimulatory effects on lipid accumulation, collectively, indicating that DPPIV has an adipogenic effect through NPY cleavage and subsequent NPY Y(2) activation. Vildagliptin inhibits PPAR-γ expression and lipid accumulation without changing lipolysis, suggesting that this does not impair the ability of adipose tissue to store triglycerides inside lipid droplets. These data indicate that DPPIV and NPY interact on lipid metabolism to promote adipose tissue depot.

Integration of ground-penetrating radar and microgravimetric methods to map shallow caves

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and microgravimetric surveys have been conducted in the southern Jura mountains of western Switzerland in order to map subsurface karstic features. The study site, La Grande Rolaz cave, is an extensive system in which many portions have been mapped. By using small station spacing and careful processing for the geophysical data, and by modeling these data with topographic information from within the cave, accurate interpretations have been achieved. The constraints on the interpreted geologic models are better when combining the geophysical methods than when using only one of the methods, despite the general limitations of two-dimensional (2D) profiling. For example, microgravimetry can complement GPR methods for accurately delineating a shallow cave section approximately 10 X 10 mt in size. Conversely, GPR methods can be complementary in determining cavity depths and in verifying the presence of off-line features and numerous areas of small cavities and fractures, which may be difficult to resolve in microgravimetric data.

Unusual fatal petrositis presenting as myofascial pain and dysfunction of the temporal muscle.

Petrositis is a rare and severe complication of acute otitis media and mastoiditis. Although the extension of the inflammatory process from the petrous apex to the adjacent Meckel cave can lead to trigeminal pain, an irritation of the trigeminal nerve roots resulting in acute or chronic hyperactivity of masticatory muscles has never been reported. We report here the unusual case of an 86-year-old man who presented with a handicapping myofascial pain and dysfunction syndrome of the right temporal muscle as a heralding manifestation of an unusual form of petrositis. The patient progressively developed a retropharyngeal abscess, a right sphenoid sinusitis, and fatal meningitis. This case demonstrated that (1) myofascial pain and dysfunction syndrome that does not respond to conventional treatments may suggest an unusual etiology and warrant further medical investigations and a detailed medical history and that (2) petrositis can manifest itself with atypical clinical symptoms and radiologic signs. (Quintessence Int 2011;42:419-422).