Sex chromosomes, sex ratios and sex gaps in longevity in plants.

In animals, males and females can display markedly different longevity (also called sex gaps in longevity, SGL). Sex chromosomes contribute to establishing these SGLs. X-hemizygosity and toxicity of the Y chromosomes are two mechanisms that have been suggested to reduce male longevity (Z-hemizygosity and W toxicity in females in ZW systems). In plants, SGLs are known to exist, but the role of sex chromosomes remains to be established. Here, by using adult sex ratio as a proxy for measuring SGLs, we explored the relationship between sex chromosomes and SGLs across 43 plant species. Based on the knowledge accumulated in animals, we specifically asked whether: (i) species with XY systems tend to have female-biased sex ratios (reduced male longevity) and species with ZW ones tend to have male-biased sex ratios (reduced female longevity); and (ii) this pattern was stronger in heteromorphic systems compared to homomorphic ones. Our results tend to support these predictions although we lack statistical power because of a small number of ZW systems and the absence of any heteromorphic ZW system in the dataset. We discuss the implications of these findings, which we hope will stimulate further research on sex differences in lifespan and ageing across plants. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sex determination and sex chromosome evolution in land plants'.

[The role of the intensive care unit after thoracic surgery]. / Place de la réanimation après chirurgie thoracique.

Lung (bronchial) cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Western countries today. Thoracic surgery represents a major therapeutic strategy and the various advances made in recent years have made it possible to develop less and less invasive techniques. That said, the postoperative period may be lengthy, post-surgical approaches need to be more precisely codified, and it matters that the different interventions involved be supported by sound scientific evidence. To date, however, there exists no evidence that preventive postoperative admission to intensive care is beneficial for patients having undergone lung resection surgery without immediate complications. A stratification of the risk of complications taking into consideration the patient's general state of health (e.g., nutritional status, degree of autonomy, etc.), comorbidities and type of surgery could be a useful predictive tool regarding the need for postoperative intensive care. However, serious post-operative complications remain relatively frequent and post-operative management of these intensive care patients is liable to become complex and long-lasting. In the aftermath of the validation of "enhanced recovery after surgery" (ERAS) in thoracic surgery, new protocols are needed to optimize management of patients having undergone pulmonary resection. This article focuses on the main postoperative complications and more broadly on intensive care patient management following thoracic surgery.

COVA1-18 neutralizing antibody protects against SARS-CoV-2 in three preclinical models.

One year into the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), effective treatments are still needed 1-3 . Monoclonal antibodies, given alone or as part of a therapeutic cocktail, have shown promising results in patients, raising the hope that they could play an important role in preventing clinical deterioration in severely ill or in exposed, high risk individuals 4-6 . Here, we evaluated the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of COVA1-18 in vivo , a neutralizing antibody isolated from a convalescent patient 7 and highly potent against the B.1.1.7. isolate 8,9 . In both prophylactic and therapeutic settings, SARS-CoV-2 remained undetectable in the lungs of COVA1-18 treated hACE2 mice. Therapeutic treatment also caused a dramatic reduction in viral loads in the lungs of Syrian hamsters. When administered at 10 mg kg - 1 one day prior to a high dose SARS-CoV-2 challenge in cynomolgus macaques, COVA1-18 had a very strong antiviral activity in the upper respiratory compartments with an estimated reduction in viral infectivity of more than 95%, and prevented lymphopenia and extensive lung lesions. Modelling and experimental findings demonstrate that COVA1-18 has a strong antiviral activity in three different preclinical models and could be a valuable candidate for further clinical evaluation.

Acute abdominal pain due to internal herniation of the sigmoid colon, fallopian tube and left ovary, a rare presentation of Allen Masters syndrome.

In 1955, Allen and Masters describe a painful syndrome which associates traumatic delivery to laceration found on the posterior leaf of the broad ligament. Herniation through this defect is a rare entity, accounted for about 4-7% of all internal hernias. Normally, it involves the small bowel. The authors present the case of a multiparous woman admitted at emergency for constipation and abdominal pain. The CT scan showed an extremely rare case of internal hernia of the sigmoid colon, fallopian tube and left ovary through a large defect of the broad ligament. The patient underwent a full laparoscopic surgery that allowed the reduction of the hernia and the suture of the defect with very good outcome.

Does body growth impair immune function in a large herbivore?

According to the principle of allocation, trade-offs are inevitable when resources allocated to one biological function are no longer available for other functions. Growth, and to a lesser extent, immunity are energetically costly functions that may compete with allocation to reproductive success and survival. However, whether high allocation to growth impairs immune system development during the growing period or immune system performance during adulthood is currently unknown in wild mammals. Using three roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) populations experiencing contrasting environmental conditions, we tested for potential costs of growth on immune phenotype over both the short-term (during growth), and the long-term (during adulthood) over the course of an individuals' life. We investigated potential costs on a set of 12 immune traits that reflect both innate and adaptive responses, and compared them between sexes and populations. Although fast growth tended to be associated with low levels of some humoral traits (globulins) during the growing period and some cellular immune traits (i.e. eosinophil and neutrophil counts) during adulthood, evidence for a trade-off between growth and other immune components was limited. Unexpectedly, no detectable growth costs on immunity were found in females from the population experiencing the least favourable environment. We discuss our findings in the light of the complex interplay between resource allocation strategies among reproduction, maintenance and immunity, in relation to local environmental conditions experienced by roe deer.

Immunosenescence patterns differ between populations but not between sexes in a long-lived mammal.

In animals, physiological mechanisms underlying reproductive and actuarial senescence remain poorly understood. Immunosenescence, the decline in the ability to display an efficient immune response with increasing age, is likely to influence both reproductive and actuarial senescence through increased risk of disease. Evidence for such a link has been reported from laboratory animal models but has been poorly investigated in the wild, where variation in resource acquisitions usually drives life-history trade-offs. We investigated immunosenescence patterns over 7 years in both sexes of two contrasting roe deer populations (Capreolus capreolus). We first measured twelve immune markers to obtain a thorough identification of innate and adaptive components of immunity and assessed, from the same individuals, the age-dependent variation observed in parasitic infections. Although the level of innate traits was maintained at old age, the functional innate immune traits declined with increasing age in one of two populations. In both populations, the production of inflammatory markers increased with advancing age. Finally, the adaptive response declined in late adulthood. The increasing parasite burden with age we reported suggests the effective existence of immunosenescence. Age-specific patterns differed between populations but not between sexes, which indicate that habitat quality could shape age-dependent immune phenotype in the wild.

Evolutionary allometry reveals a shift in selection pressure on male horn size.

How selection pressures acting within species interact with developmental constraints to shape macro-evolutionary patterns of species divergence is still poorly understood. In particular, whether or not sexual selection affects evolutionary allometry, the increase in trait size with body size across species, of secondary sexual characters, remains largely unknown. In this context, bovid horn size is an especially relevant trait to study because horns are present in both sexes, but the intensity of sexual selection acting on them is expected to vary both among species and between sexes. Using a unique data set of sex-specific horn size and body mass including 91 species of bovids, we compared the evolutionary allometry between horn size and body mass between sexes while accounting for both the intensity of sexual selection and phylogenetic relationship among species. We found a nonlinear evolutionary allometry where the allometric slope decreased with increasing species body mass. This pattern, much more pronounced in males than in females, suggests either that horn size is limited by some constraints in the largest bovids or is no longer the direct target of sexual selection in very large species.

[Pleuroperitoneal communication: pleural effusion subsequent to the initiation of peritoneal dialysis, about a case]. / Communication pleuro-péritonéale : épanchement pleural consécutif à la mise en route d'une dialyse péritonéale, à propos d'un cas.

We report the case of a patient with pleural effusion occurring after initiation of a peritoneal dialysis. This phenomenon is favoured by the existence of a pleuroperitoneal communication. The latter is described at the origin of other diseases like catamenial pneumothorax and pleural effusion in connection with cirrhotic ascites. We describe this rare complication of peritoneal dialysis in order to draw attention of nephrologists, pulmonologists and surgeons.

Nous rapportons le cas d'un patient présentant un épanchement pleural après mise en route d'une dialyse péritonéale. La cause de ce phénomène est l'existence d'une communication pleuro-péritonéale. Cette dernière est décrite à l'origine d'autres pathologies comme le pneumothorax cataménial et l'épanchement pleural dans le cadre d'ascite cirrhotique. Nous décrivons cette complication rare de la dialyse péritonéale dans le but d'attirer l'attention des néphrologues, pneumologues et chirurgiens sur celle-ci.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells: A disruptive innovation.

This year (2016) will mark the 10th anniversary of the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The finding that the transient expression of four transcription factors can radically remodel the epigenome, transcriptome and metabolome of differentiated cells and reprogram them into pluripotent stem cells has been a major and groundbreaking technological innovation. In this review, we discuss the major applications of this technology that we have grouped in nine categories: a model to study cell fate control; a model to study pluripotency; a model to study human development; a model to study human tissue and organ physiology; a model to study genetic diseases in a dish; a tool for cell rejuvenation; a source of cells for drug screening; a source of cells for regenerative medicine; a tool for the production of human organs in animals.

Haematological parameters do senesce in the wild: evidence from different populations of a long-lived mammal.

Increasing evidence of senescence has been reported from long-term studies of wild populations. However, most studies have focused on life-history traits like survival, reproduction or body mass, generally from a single intensively monitored population. However, variation in the intensity of senescence across populations, and to a lesser extent between sexes, is still poorly understood. In addition, the pattern of age-specific changes in haematological parameters remains virtually unknown to date for any population of vertebrate living in the wild. Using repeated blood samples collected from known-aged (2-15 years of age) roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from two populations facing highly different environmental conditions, we filled the gap. In particular, we investigated age-specific changes in haematocrit, albumin and creatinine. We reported clear evidence of senescence in all haematological parameters. Moreover, senescence patterns differed between sexes and populations. The rate of senescence was higher in males than in females for haematocrit with no site difference. On the other hand, the rate of senescence in creatinine was higher at Trois Fontaines than at Chizé with no sex difference. Our findings provide a first demonstration of age-specific declines in haematological parameters in wild populations of large herbivores and show that the process of senescence in vertebrates is not restricted to body mass or fitness components. We also demonstrate that the senescence pattern of haematological parameters is context dependent and varies both between sexes and according to environmental conditions.

Preliminary results from a prospective study of laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass using a clampless and sutureless aortic anastomotic technique.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study describes the feasibility and safety of a new clampless and sutureless aortic anastomotic technique used during retroperitoneal laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass in extensive aortoiliac occlusive lesions. This is a case series of a previously published technique, demonstrating wider applicability of the technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients underwent a clampless and sutureless laparoscopic bypass for TASC D aortoiliac occlusive lesions using the EndoVascular REtroperitoneoScopic Technique (EVREST). Dissection of the retroperitoneal space and the infrarenal aorta was performed laparoscopically. A bifurcated graft was inserted into the retroperitoneal space. The main body of the graft was connected on the left side of the aorta by an intra- and extra-aortic covered stent-graft. An aortic clamp was used temporarily on four patients because of excessive bleeding when the connector was deployed. The femoral anastomoses were performed by classic open surgery. Initial technical success, complications, and bypass patency were assessed. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 9.3 months. Median operative time was 265 minutes. Median duration of aorto-prosthetic connection was 60 seconds. Thirty-day postoperative mortality was 0%. No major postoperative complications were observed. All grafts were patent at the end of follow-up and there was no early or late disruption of the proximal assembly. CONCLUSIONS: EVREST greatly facilitates laparoscopic aortic surgery in occlusive disease with no need for suture or clamping of the aorta. This technique performed in a single center on 12 patients, seems to be feasible and safe. It offers the advantages of laparoscopy and those of endovascular surgery, especially in the challenging conditions encountered during aortic laparoscopic surgery. Early experience supports procedural and initial postprocedural safety and demonstrates proof-of-concept for EVREST.

Primitive pulmonary "malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma" versus epithelioid angiosarcoma. A case report and review of the literature.

We describe the case of a 56-year-old man presenting a primary pulmonary epithelioid angiosarcoma versus malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma still alive, without recurrence at nearly two years after the beginning of the symptoms. The primary pulmonary angiosarcoma is extremely rare, being reported only in a handful of cases. Metastatic involvement of the lung (90%) is far more common than primary pulmonary involvement (10%). Various predisposing condition for the development of angiosarcoma have been described. Early diagnosis is not common, because of the rarity of angiosarcoma in the lung and consequent low index of suspicion. Due to the paucity of cases, there are no defined treatment regimens for this entity. However, there is a tendency for surgical intervention in all reported cases.

The allometry between secondary sexual traits and body size is nonlinear among cervids.

Allometric relationships between sexually selected traits and body size have been extensively studied in recent decades. While sexually selected traits generally display positive allometry, a few recent reports have suggested that allometric relationships are not always linear. In male cervids, having both long antlers and large size provides benefits in terms of increased mating success. However, such attributes are costly to grow and maintain, and these costs might constrain antler length from increasing at the same rate as body mass in larger species if the quantity of energy that males can extract from their environment is limiting. We tested for possible nonlinearity in the relationship between antler size and body mass (on a log-log scale) among 31 cervids and found clear deviation from linearity in the allometry of antler length. Antler length increased linearly until a male body mass threshold at approximately 110 kg. Beyond this threshold, antler length did not change with increasing mass. We discuss this evidence of nonlinear allometry in the light of life-history theory and stress the importance of testing for nonlinearity when studying allometric relationships.

New fission fragment distributions and r-process origin of the rare-earth elements.

Neutron star (NS) merger ejecta offer a viable site for the production of heavy r-process elements with nuclear mass numbers A≳140. The crucial role of fission recycling is responsible for the robustness of this site against many astrophysical uncertainties, but calculations sensitively depend on nuclear physics. In particular, the fission fragment yields determine the creation of 110≲A≲170 nuclei. Here, we apply a new scission-point model, called SPY, to derive the fission fragment distribution (FFD) of all relevant neutron-rich, fissioning nuclei. The model predicts a doubly asymmetric FFD in the abundant A≃278 mass region that is responsible for the final recycling of the fissioning material. Using ejecta conditions based on relativistic NS merger calculations, we show that this specific FFD leads to a production of the A≃165 rare-earth peak that is nicely compatible with the abundance patterns in the Sun and metal-poor stars. This new finding further strengthens the case of NS mergers as possible dominant origin of r nuclei with A≳140.

Ruptured aneurysm of the popliteal artery. Is the diagnosis still difficult?

The aneurysm of the popliteal artery is the most commonly treated non-aortoiliac aneurysm, accounting for more than 70% of all peripheral aneurysms. The rupture of a popliteal aneurysm is rare and it is often misdiagnosed. In the case of a 46-year old female patient here reported, the patient was referred to our department with the diagnosis of ruptured aneurysm of the right popliteal artery with formation of a large pseudo-aneurysm. We operated the patient on a semi-urgent basis and performed a replacement of the popliteal artery by a saphenous vein graft. Three months after the operation, the patient was free of symptoms. This article's aim was to emphasize on how the pitfalls during clinical examination, as well as the problems of imaging interpretation, can make the diagnosis of ruptured popliteal aneurysm still difficult.

Sperm competition roles and ejaculate investment in a promiscuous mammal.

Theoretical models of sperm competition predict how males should allocate sperm and seminal fluid components to ejaculates according to their mating role (dominant vs. subordinate). Here, we present a detailed analysis of ejaculate expenditure according to male roles in the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). Sperm competition occurs regularly in this species, and dominant males typically achieve higher fertilization success than subordinates. Contrary to theoretical predictions, we found that dominant male bank voles invest more sperm per ejaculate than subordinates, both absolutely and relative to body and testes mass. The testes of dominant males were also absolutely (although not relatively) larger than those of subordinates. However, we found no evidence that subordinate males compensate for lower sperm numbers per ejaculate by increasing ejaculation frequency or sperm velocity. Similarly, we found no evidence for differential investment in copulatory plug size according to male roles in sperm competition, although dominant males had significantly larger seminal vesicles (both absolutely and relative to body mass) compared with subordinates. We conclude that sperm competition roles can have significant but unexpected influences on ejaculate investment in mammals with clearly defined differences in male social status.