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The likeability of organisms is an effective tool for conservation education. However, stimulating the cute appeal of animals can also bolster the desire to possess them, and thus can encourage the trade in animals as pets. We assessed the perception of primary French schoolchildren (7-11 years old) for the Hermann tortoise (Testudo hermanni), a popular species endangered by illegal harvesting. Likeability for tortoises is associated with a strong willingness to protect them. Many children, however, expressed controversial attitudes toward them, such as the desire to possess a tortoise as a pet and to remove it from its natural habitat. Likeability was a significant determinant of these attitudes, and must thus be used with caution. Implementing these findings in conservation education programs should, therefore, be considered.

The individual results of SARS-CoV-2 serological tests measured after the first pandemic wave of 2020 cannot be directly interpreted as a probability of having been infected. Plus, these results are usually returned as a binary or ternary variable, relying on predefined cut-offs. We propose a Bayesian mixture model to estimate individual infection probabilities, based on 81,797 continuous anti-spike IgG tests from Euroimmun collected in France after the first wave. This approach used serological results as a continuous variable, and was therefore not based on diagnostic cut-offs. Cumulative incidence, which is necessary to compute infection probabilities, was estimated according to age and administrative region. In France, we found that a "negative" or a "positive" test, as classified by the manufacturer, could correspond to a probability of infection as high as 61.8% or as low as 67.7%, respectively. "Indeterminate" tests encompassed probabilities of infection ranging from 10.8 to 96.6%. Our model estimated tailored individual probabilities of SARS-CoV-2 infection based on age, region, and serological result. It can be applied in other contexts, if estimates of cumulative incidence are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the SARS-CoV-2 infection among primary health care workers (PHCWs) are scarce but essential to reflect on policy regarding prevention and control measures. We assessed the prevalence of PHCWs who have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 in comparison with modeling from the general population in metropolitan France, and associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among general practitioners (GPs), pediatricians, dental and pharmacy workers in primary care between May and August 2021. Participants volunteered to provide a dried-blood spot for SARS-CoV-2 antibody assessment and completed a questionnaire. The primary outcome was defined as the detection of infection-induced antibodies (anti-nucleocapsid IgG, and for non-vaccinees: anti-Spike IgG and neutralizing antibodies) or previous self-reported infection (positive RT-qPCR or antigenic test, or positive ELISA test before vaccination). Estimates were adjusted using weights for representativeness and compared with prediction from the general population. Poisson regressions were used to quantify associated factors. The analysis included 1612 PHCWs. Weighted prevalences were: 31.7% (95% CI 27.5–36.0) for GPs, 28.7% (95% CI 24.4–33.0) for pediatricians, 25.2% (95% CI 20.6–31.0) for dentists, and 25.5% (95% CI 18.2–34.0) for pharmacists. Estimates were compatible with model predictions for the general population. PHCWs more likely to be infected were: GPs compared to pharmacist assistants (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 2.26; CI 95% 1.01–5.07), those living in Île-de-France (aPR = 1.53; CI 95% 1.14–2.05), South-East (aPR = 1.57; CI 95% 1.19–2.08), North-East (aPR = 1.81; CI 95% 1.38–2.37), and those having an unprotected contact with a COVID-19 case within the household (aPR = 1.48; CI 95% 1.22–1.80). Occupational factors were not associated with infection. In conclusion, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure for PHCWs was more likely to have occurred in the community rather than at their workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the immunoglobulin G response and neutralizing activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) among primary health care workers (PHCW) in France and assess the association between the neutralizing activity and several factors, including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination scheme. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 10 May 2021 and 31 August 2021. Participants underwent capillary blood sampling and completed a questionnaire. Sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against the nucleocapsid (N) protein and the S-1 portion of the spike (S) protein and neutralizing antibodies. In total, 1612 PHCW were included. The overall seroprevalences were: 23.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 21.6–25.7%) for antibodies against the N protein, 94.7% (93.6–95.7%) for antibodies against the S protein, and 81.3% (79.4–83.2%) for neutralizing antibodies. Multivariate regression analyses showed that detection of neutralizing antibodies was significantly more likely in PHCW with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection than in those with no such history among the unvaccinated (odds ratio (OR) 16.57, 95% CI 5.96–59.36) and those vaccinated with one vaccine dose (OR 41.66, 95% CI 16.05–120.78). Among PHCW vaccinated with two vaccine doses, the detection of neutralizing antibodies was not significantly associated with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 1.31, 95% CI 0.86–2.07), but was more likely in those that received their second vaccine dose within the three months before study entry than in those vaccinated more than three months earlier (OR 5.28, 95% CI 3.51–8.23). This study highlights that previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and the time since vaccination should be considered when planning booster doses and the design of COVID-19 vaccine strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The interplay between age and symptoms intensity on antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection has not been studied in a general population setting. Methods: We explored the serologic profile of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after the first wave of the pandemic, by assessing IgG against the spike protein (ELISA-S), IgG against the nucleocapsid protein (ELISA-NP) and neutralizing antibodies (SN) in 82,126 adults from a French population-based multi-cohort study. Results: ELISA-S positivity was increased in 30- to 49-year-old adults (8.5%) compared to other age groups (5.6% in 20- to 29-year-olds, 2.8% in ≥ 50-year-olds). In the 3681 ELISA-S positive participants, ELISA-NP and SN positivity exhibited a U-shaped relationship with age, with a lower rate in 30- to 49-year-old adults, and was strongly associated with COVID-19-like symptoms. Conclusion: Our study confirms the independent role of age and symptoms on the serologic profile of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, but the non-linear relationship with age deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Federation of Visceral and Digestive Surgery (FCVD) is in charge in France of the continuing medical education of digestive surgeons. Since 2016 and in collaboration with SAGES, it has offered the Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE) program as part of the continuing education for surgeons including eLearning and hands-on workshops.Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the FUSE program on the participants by participating in a knowledge test and completing a survey.Results: 485 participants fully completed the knowledge test of 18 questions. Post-test assessment showed an increase in the mean score with respect to pre-test assessment, and the surgeons who have participated to the hands-on workshops had a better score. 304 participants filled the survey of 6 questions. The majority were satisfied by the FUSE program and felt that the objectives were achieved.Conclusions: The FUSE program developed by SAGES and adopted by the FCVD in France was very much appreciated by the participants and achieved its educational objectives. Our goal is to spread it as widely as possible to all members of the operating room team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Networks for the exchange and/or sharing of genetic data are developing in many countries. We focus here on the situations in the US and France. We highlight some recent and remarkable differences between these two countries concerning the mode of access to, and the storage and use of genetic data, particularly as concerns two-sided markets and dynamic consent or dynamic electronic informed consent (e-IC). This brief overview suggests that, even though the organization and function of these two-sided markets remain open to criticism, dynamic e-IC should be more widely used, especially in France, if only to determine its real effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to model the volume expansion factor (VEF), defined as being the ratio between the total aboveground woody volume and the stem merchantable volume of a tree, as a function of tree height and diameter at breast height. A large database (dataset #1) of detailed stem and branches volume measurements, constituted by 8192 felled trees from 19 temperate tree species, was used for calibrating the models. In addition, an independent dataset (dataset #2), constituted by 176 felled trees from 13 species, was collected for validating the models. From dataset #1, the RMSE for the prediction of the total volume varied from 0.005 to 0.476m3, depending on the diameter class, and the corresponding relative RMSE varied from 8.0% to 13.7%, depending on the diameter class. A 10-fold cross-validation on dataset #1 gave an average RMSE of 0.136 for the prediction of the VEF and of 0.150m3 for the prediction of the total volume, which was in the same order as average RMSE obtained from the whole dataset #1. Validation on dataset #2 gave satisfactory results, even for the application of VEF to other tree species: RMSE obtained for the different tree species were in the same order as RMSE obtained from calibration dataset #1, except for some particular cases. The largest errors were obtained when the model was clearly used in extrapolation, e.g., for five large-size Fraxinus (whereas dataset #1 included smaller trees) and several Quercus and Fagus from coppice-with-standards stands (whereas dataset #1 included mainly pure even-aged high-forest trees). The observed differences between species seemed consistent with the general knowledge about species-specific traits. For a given diameter at breast height, angiosperms were found to have a much larger volume of branches in comparison with the corresponding stem volume than gymnosperms. For a tree of 30cm in diameter, the lowest values of VEF were obtained for Picea and Abies (VEF <1.1) and the highest ones for Fraxinus and Carpinus (VEF >1.3). The methodology that was developed, based on nonlinear mixed-effects modeling, is easily applicable to other definitions of VEF or biomass expansion factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article discusses the Bibliothèque publique d'information and the library users which frequent it. It examines ways in which the library materials and the services provided to users can be comprehensive enough to cover the needs and expectations of both casual and academic users. The ability of a public library to also function as a research library is thus highlighted. Other topics discussed in the article include the development of library collections, the administration of libraries, and library science.

Abstract: Objective: To summarize the benefits and lateral effects of hyaluronidase (H) use in ophthalmologic anaesthesia and to address its unavailability in current practice in France. Data sources: The Medline data bank and the Cochrane database were consulted. The keywords employed separately or in combination were: H, regional anaesthesia, ophthalmologic surgery, local aneasthetics myotoxicity, diplopia. Study selection: Original articles since 1949 were selected. We also selected isolated clinical cases according to their relevance compared with the existing literature. Data synthesis: H is a “spreading factor” of animal origin used as an adjuvant in ophthalmic anaesthesia for more than half a century. It allows a moderate better block quality with a slightly quicker onset. It also limits the acute intraocular pressure increase secondary to periocular injection and seems to have a protective effect against local anaesthetics myotoxicity resulting in postoperative strabismus. However, during these last 50 years, numerous studies often ended in divergent results. Conclusion: H seems to be a useful adjuvant in ophthalmologic anaesthesia in spite of his current unavailability in France. Recombinant H could be the solution in the near future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The transition from the Late Neolithic to the Bronze Age has witnessed important population and societal changes in western Europe. 1 These include massive genomic contributions of pastoralist herders originating from the Pontic-Caspian steppes 2,3 into local populations, resulting from complex interactions between collapsing hunter-gatherers and expanding farmers of Anatolian ancestry. 4–8 This transition is documented through extensive ancient genomic data from present-day Britain, 9,10 Ireland, 11,12 Iberia, 13 Mediterranean islands, 14,15 and Germany. 8 It remains, however, largely overlooked in France, where most focus has been on the Middle Neolithic (n = 63), 8,9,16 with the exception of one Late Neolithic genome sequenced at 0.05× coverage. 16 This leaves the key transitional period covering ∼3,400–2,700 cal. years (calibrated years) BCE genetically unsampled and thus the exact time frame of hunter-gatherer persistence and arrival of steppe migrations unknown. To remediate this, we sequenced 24 ancient human genomes from France spanning ∼3,400–1,600 cal. years BCE. This reveals Late Neolithic populations that are genetically diverse and include individuals with dark skin, hair, and eyes. We detect heterogeneous hunter-gatherer ancestries within Late Neolithic communities, reaching up to ∼63.3% in some individuals, and variable genetic contributions of steppe herders in Bell Beaker populations. We provide an estimate as late as ∼3,800 years BCE for the admixture between Neolithic and Mesolithic populations and as early as ∼2,650 years BCE for the arrival of steppe-related ancestry. The genomic heterogeneity characterized underlines the complex history of human interactions even at the local scale. • Sequencing of 24 human genomes from France dated to ∼3,400–1,600 cal. years BCE • These genomes show heterogeneous hunter-gatherer and steppe-related ancestries • Paris Basin Neolithic and Mesolithic groups admixed as recently as ∼3,800 years BCE • Admixture with steppe herders in southern France dated as early as ∼2,650 years BCE The Late Neolithic to Bronze Age transition was marked by major genetic changes in Europeans but is poorly documented at the genomic level in France. With new extensive whole-genome time series for this period, Seguin-Orlando et al. extend the time frame during which steppe-related and hunter-gatherer ancestries entered and vanished in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complications related to energy sources in the operating room are not well-recognized or published, despite occasionally dramatic consequences for the patient and the responsible surgeon. The goal of this study was to evaluate the risks and consequences related to use of energy sources in the operating room., Patients and Methods: Between 2009 and 2015, 876 adverse events related to health care (AERHC) linked to energy sources in the operating room were declared in the French experience feedback data base "REX". We performed a descriptive analysis of these AERHC and analyzed the root causes of these events and of the indications for non-elective repeat operations, for each energy source., Results: Five different energy sources were used, producing 876 declared AERHC: monopolar electrocoagulation: 614 (70%) AERHC, advanced bipolar coagulation (thermofusion): 137 (16%) AERHC, ultrasonic devices: 69 (8%) AERHC, traditional bipolar electrocoagulation: 32 AERHC, and cold light: 24 AERHC. The adverse events reported were skin burns (27.5% of AERHC), insulation defects (16% of AERHC), visceral burns or perforation (30% of AERHC), fires (11% of AERHC), bleeding (7.5% of AERHC) and misuse or miscellaneous causes (8% of AERHC). For the five energy sources, the root causes were essentially misuse, imperfect training and/or cost-related reasons regarding equipment purchase or maintenance. One hundred and forty-six non-elective procedures (17% of AERHC) were performed for complications related to the use of energy sources in the operating room., Conclusion: This study illustrates the risks related to the use of energy sources on the OR and their consequences. Most cases were related to persistent misunderstanding of appropriate usage within the medical and paramedical teams, but complications are also related to administrative decisions concerning the purchase and maintenance of these devices., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)