Transposition burst of mariner-like elements in the sequenced genome of Rhodnius prolixus

Transposable elements (TEs) are widespread in insect´s genomes. However, there are wide differences in the proportion of the total DNA content occupied by these repetitive sequences in different species. We have analyzed the TEs present in R. prolixus (vector of the Chagas disease) and showed that 3.0% of this genome is occupied by Class II TEs, belonging mainly to the Tc1-mariner superfamily (1.65%) and MITEs (1.84%). Interestingly, most of this genomic content is due to the expansion of two subfamilies belonging to: irritans himar, a well characterized subfamily of mariners, and prolixus1, one of the two novel subfamilies here described. The high amount of sequences in these subfamilies suggests that bursts of transposition occurred during the life cycle of this family. In an attempt to characterize these elements, we performed an in silico analysis of the sequences corresponding to the DDD/E domain of the transposase gene. We performed an evolutionary analysis including network and Bayesian coalescent-based methods in order to infer the dynamics of the amplification, as well as to estimate the time of the bursts identified in these subfamilies. Given our data, we hypothesized that the TE expansions occurred around the time of speciation of R. prolixus around 1.4 mya. This suggestion lays on the Transposon Model of TE evolution, in which the members of a TE population that are replicative active are present at multiple loci in the genome, but their replicative potential varies, and of the Life Cycle Model that states that when present-day TEs have been involved in amplification bursts, they share an ancestral copy that dates back to this initial amplification.

SCIENTIFIC LANGUAGE RHETORIC: FROM THE THEORETICAL BASIS TO THE PRODUCTION OF DIDACTIC MATERIAL FOR UNDERGRADUATE CHEMISTRY TEACHING

This work is part of a study that focused on analyzing the contributions of didactic activities related to scientific language rhetoric characteristics aimed at developing students' abilities to identify such characteristics in chemistry scientific texts and critical reading of those texts. In this study, we present the theoretical basis adopted to determine the scientific discourse characteristics and for the production of the didactic material used in those activities. Latour, Coracini and Campanario studies on persuasive rhetorical strategies present in scientific articles aided the production of such material.

Rendre les stéréotypes dans le film "Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au bon Dieu?": transposition ou traduction ?

Le rôle du traducteur est de permettre le dialogue entre deux « mondes autres », de connaître les éléments qui les différencient et de transmettre le message le plus fidèlement possible. Tout dans un texte peut résister à la traduction (vocabulaire, syntaxe, culture). Le but de la traduction est de recréer l’original, tout en sachant que la traduction a ses limites. Quelles sont les limites de la traduction ? Est-il suffisant de bien maîtriser une langue pour pouvoir la traduire ? Est-ce que tous nos mots ont une équivalence dans les autres langues ? Pouvons-nous faire rire l'autre avec les mêmes traits d’humour ? Une traduction, peut-elle transmettre au lecteur ou au spectateur cible toutes les nuances présentes dans le texte ou le film de départ ? Le film français Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au bon Dieu ?3 sera l'objet de notre analyse. Tout comme le film de Dany Boon, il a eu beaucoup de succès en France et il a également été doublé en italien. Il s'agit ici aussi d'un film humoristique qui joue sur les stéréotypes que nous avons sur l'autre, d'où le choix de commenter le doublage et d'imaginer une piste de transposition italienne. Ce mémoire se propose de répondre aux questions posées ci-dessus, tout en proposant des commentaires de traduction et des pistes de transposition. Nous allons développer trois parties : tout d'abord, nous allons voir comment notre vision du monde influence notre langue et, vice versa, comment notre langue crée un ordre dans le monde. Ensuite, nous allons nous concentrer sur l'intraduisible verbal et non verbal, sur la traduction et l'adaptation de l'humour. Enfin, la troisième et dernière partie sera consacrée au thème de la transposition et, plus particulièrement, à la piste transposition du film Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au bon Dieu ?.

The transposition advancement flap for repair of postsurgical defects on the upper lip

Skin cancer of the lip is frequent, and reconstruction after Mohs surgery might be challenging mostly when the postsurgical defect has a size of more than 1 cm(2) and is situated adjacent to the philtrum.

Transposition of the supra-aortic vessels before stent grafting the aortic arch and descending aorta

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair has broadened the spectrum of treatment options for various acute and chronic thoracic aortic diseases. In clinical practice, aneurysms of the descending aorta are rarely limited to 1 segment. Thus, various surgical and endovascular options have been developed to offer treatment to those patients with more extended descending thoracic aortic disease. We have summarized the most common methods of arch rerouting, depending on the aortic involvement, emphasizing that these techniques should be used very selectively by experienced cardiovascular surgery teams.

Distensibility and diameter of ascending aorta assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in adults with tetralogy of fallot or complete transposition

Structural abnormalities of the medial aorta have been described for conotruncal defects (e.g., tetralogy of Fallot [TOF] and complete transposition of the great arteries (dextrotransposition [d]-TGA). In TOF, progressive aortic dilation is a frequent finding. In patients with d-TGA with an atrial switch, this problem is less often described. The aim of the present study was to compare the extent of dilative aortopathy and aortic distensibility in adults with an atrial switch procedure (n = 39) to that in adults with repaired TOF (n = 39) and controls (n = 39), using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The groups were matched for age and gender. Diameters of the aorta indexed to the body surface area were significantly increased in the patients with d-TGA and TOF compared to that of the controls at the aortic sinus up to the level of the right pulmonary artery. On multivariate testing, the diagnosis of a conotruncal defect (β = 0.260; p = 0.003) and aortic regurgitant fraction (β = 0.405; p <0.001) were independent predictors of an increased aortic sinus diameter. Ascending aorta distensibility was significantly reduced in those with d-TGA and TOF compared to controls: 3.6 (interquartile range 1.5 to 4.4) versus 2.8 (interquartile range 2.0 to 3.7) versus 5.5 (interquartile range 4.8 to 6.9) ×10(-3) mm Hg(-1) (p <0.001). The independent predictors of ascending aorta distensibility were the diagnosis of a conotruncal defect (p <0.001) and age (p = 0.028). In conclusion, intrinsic aortopathy, manifested as increased ascending aortic diameters and reduced ascending aortic distensibility, is not only evident in adults with TOF, but also in adults with d-TGA and an atrial switch procedure. Long-term follow-up is needed to monitor the aortic size in both patient groups.

Echocardiogram versus cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for assessing systolic function of subaortic right ventricle in adults with complete transposition of great arteries and previous atrial switch operation

In adults with congenital heart disease and a systemic right ventricle, subaortic ventricular systolic dysfunction is common. Echocardiographic assessment of systolic right ventricular (RV) function in these patients is important but challenging. The aim of the present study was to assess the reliability of conventional echocardiographic RV functional parameters to quantify the systolic performance of a subaortic right ventricle. We compared 56 contemporary echocardiograms and cardiac magnetic resonance studies in 37 adults, aged 26.9 ± 7.4 years, with complete transposition and a subaortic right ventricle. The fractional area change (FAC), lateral tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, lateral RV systolic motion velocities by tissue Doppler, RV myocardial performance index, and the rate of systolic RV pressure increase (dp/dt) measured across the tricuspid regurgitant jet were assessed by echocardiography and correlated with the cardiac magnetic resonance-derived RV ejection fraction (EF). The mean RVEF was 48.0 ± 7.8%. FAC (r(2) = 0.206, p = 0.001) and dp/dt (r(2) = 0.173, p = 0.009) significantly correlated with RVEF, and the other nongeometric echocardiographic parameters failed to show a significant correlation with RVEF by linear regression analysis. FAC <33% and dp/dt <1,000 mm Hg/s identified a RVEF of <50% with a sensitivity of 77% and 69% and a specificity of 58% and 87%, respectively. In conclusion, in patients with a systemic right ventricle, routine nongeometric echocardiographic parameters of RV function correlated weakly with cardiac magnetic resonance-derived EF. RV FAC and the measurement of the rate of systolic RV pressure increase (dp/dt) should be preferentially used to assess systemic systolic function in adult patients with a subaortic right ventricle.

Outcome in adult patients after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries

BACKGROUND: The arterial switch operation (ASO) is currently the treatment of choice in neonates with transposition of the great arteries (TGA). The outcome in childhood is encouraging but only limited data for long-term outcome into adulthood exist. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 145 adult patients (age>16, median 25years) with ASO followed at our institution. Three patients died in adulthood (mortality 2.4/1000-patient-years). Most patients were asymptomatic and had normal left ventricular function. Coronary lesions requiring interventions were rare (3 patients) and in most patients related to previous surgery. There were no acute coronary syndromes. Aortic root dilatation was frequent (56% patients) but rarely significant (>45mm in 3 patients, maximal-diameter 49mm) and appeared not to be progressive. There were no acute aortic events and no patient required elective aortic root surgery. Progressive neo-aortic-valve dysfunction was not observed in our cohort and only 1 patient required neo-aortic-valve replacement. Many patients (42.1%), however, had significant residual lesions or required reintervention in adulthood. Right ventricular outflow tract lesions or dysfunction of the neo-pulmonary-valve were frequent and 8 patients (6%) required neo-pulmonary-valve replacement. Cardiac interventions during childhood (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.7-5.4, P<0.0001) were strong predictors of outcome (cardiac intervention/significant residual lesion/death) in adulthood. CONCLUSIONS: Adult patients with previous ASO remain free of acute coronary or aortic complications and have low mortality. However, a large proportion of patients require re-interventions or present with significant right sided lesions. Life-long cardiac follow-up is, therefore, warranted. Periodic noninvasive surveillance for coronary complications appears to be safe in adult ASO patients.

The arterial switch operation in Europe for transposition of the great arteries: a multi-institutional study from the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzes the results of the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries in member institutions of the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association. METHODS: The records of 613 patients who underwent primary arterial switch operations in each of 19 participating institutions in the period from January 1998 through December 2000 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A ventricular septal defect was present in 186 (30%) patients. Coronary anatomy was type A in 69% of the patients, and aortic arch pathology was present in 20% of patients with ventricular septal defect. Rashkind septostomy was performed in 75% of the patients, and 69% received prostaglandin. There were 37 hospital deaths (operative mortality, 6%), 13 (3%) for patients with an intact ventricular septum and 24 (13%) for those with a ventricular septal defect (P < .001). In 36% delayed sternal closure was performed, 8% required peritoneal dialysis, and 2% required mechanical circulatory support. Median ventilation time was 58 hours, and intensive care and hospital stay were 6 and 14 days, respectively. Although of various preoperative risk factors the presence of a ventricular septal defect, arch pathology, and coronary anomalies were univariate predictors of operative mortality, only the presence of a ventricular septal defect approached statistical significance (P = .06) on multivariable analysis. Of various operative parameters, aortic crossclamp time and delayed sternal closure were also univariate predictors; however, only the latter was an independent statistically significant predictor of death. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the procedure in European centers are compatible with those in the literature. The presence of a ventricular septal defect is the clinically most important preoperative risk factor for operative death, approaching statistical significance on multivariable analysis.

Ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in adults after a Mustard operation for transposition of the great arteries

AIMS: To examine the prevalence of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) and sudden death (SD) in adults with atrial repair of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and to determine associated risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a single-centre review, we studied the outcome of 149 adults (mean age 28 +/- 7 years) who had undergone a Mustard operation for TGA. During a mean follow-up of 9 +/- 6 years, sustained VT and/or SD occurred in 9% (13/149) of the cohort. Sustained VT/SD was more likely to occur in patients with associated anatomic lesions [hazard ratio (HR) 4.9, 95% CI 1.5-16.0], with NYHA class >or=III (HR 9.8, 95% CI 3.0-31.6) and with an impaired subaortic right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (EF) (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.0 per 10% decrease in EF). There was an inverse correlation between the RV-EF and both age and QRS duration. Patients with a QRS duration >or=140 ms were at highest risk of sustained VT/SD (HR 13.6, 95% CI 2.9-63.4). Atrial tachyarrhythmia was detected in 66 (44%) patients, but was not a statistically significant predictor of sustained VT/SD in our adult population (HR 2.7, 95% CI 0.6-13.0). CONCLUSION: Sustained VT/SD in adults after a Mustard operation for TGA are more common than previously described. Age, systemic ventricular function, and QRS duration are interrelated and are associated with VT/SD. A QRS duration >or=140 ms helps to identify the high risk patient.

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries in an 80 year old woman

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) is a rare form of congenital heart disease characterised by atrioventricular as well as ventriculoarterial discordance. It is usually associated with a variety of severe intracardiac defects. Few patients with this abnormality survive past 50 years. An 80 year old woman was admitted to the hospital because of mild congestive heart failure. Cardiac examination revealed a 4/6 holosystolic and a 2/6 decrescendo diastolic murmur at the left sternal border. Radiography, echocardiography, and computed tomography confirmed newly diagnosed CCTGA without associated intracardiac defects.