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Sea anemones Allantactis parasitica Danielssen, 1890 (Actiniaria: Hormathiidae) living as epibionts on various gastropods were found at depths of ~725–1100 m off Labrador (eastern Canada). Live specimens collected with their hosts were studied in the laboratory to elucidate the role of the gastropod host in the reproductive and colonizing success of its actinian symbiont. Broadcast spawning occurred twice a year, in spring and late fall, in correlation with maximum phytoplankton or phytodetritus abundance, often during copulation of the gastropod hosts. The fully developed planula stage was reached after ~22 d. Settlement on the host’s shell generally occurred 40–44 d postfertilization, although some larvae delayed settlement for up to 22 weeks in the absence of a host. Independent and pairwise settlement trials showed that shells of live bathyal gastropods were highly favoured compared with shells of shallow-water gastropods, empty shells, pebbles, or sand. Juveniles developed 24 tentacles and reached ~10 mm in basal disk diameter and ~12 mm in stalk height after 21 months of growth. The estimated growth rates of A. parasitica suggest that symbiotic individuals would require 6–7 years to reach the mean maximum adult size (~35 mm, basal disk diameter), whereas asymbiotic individuals would need 11–12 years.

Combining field and laboratory work, this study investigated the reproductive cycle, aggregative behavior, spawning periodicity, development and early growth of the sea star Henricia lisa living at bathyal depths off eastern Canada. Marked differences were found between individuals from ~1,300 and ~600 m deep. The former had a male biased sex ratio and an aperiodic reproductive cycle, whereas the latter displayed an equal sex ratio and a biannual breeding pattern. Furthermore, the maximum size was larger and female fecundity roughly five times higher in shallower compared to deeper populations. In the tanks, aggregative behavior was recorded twice a year during the summer and winter breeding periods. The onset of aggregations and spawning coincided with a temperature of 3–4°C. Males spawned first and females typically responded inside 30–60 min. Between 12 and 20 eggs were retained to be brooded under the arched arms of the female, whereas the remainder were broadcasted and developed without parental care. The fertilized eggs underwent a first cleavage after 12 h, reached the brachiolaria stage in 1 month, became juveniles within 3–4 months and reached ~ 4 mm in diameter after 14–17 months of growth. The embryos and juveniles developed at the same rate whether brooded or not, and development of winter cohorts was typically slower due to lower prevailing temperatures. This study of H. lisa provides the first evidence of lecithotrophy in a seasonally breeding deep-sea echinoderm and of brooding in a deep-sea asteroid.

The hormathiid sea anemone Allantactis parasitica was found living as an epibiont on numerous species of gastropods at depths of 725–1100 m along the continental slope of eastern Canada. The proportion of bathyal gastropods hosting 1–6 sea anemones reached 72.5% in a single trawl. Although A. parasitica was occasionally found on other substrata (i.e. empty shells, pebbles), laboratory trials confirmed that they preferably associate with living gastropods. Settlement of planula larvae occurred significantly more often on the shells of live bathyal gastropods than on all other substrata present in the tanks. Juvenile sea anemones (∼ 1 mm diameter) readily moved from the mud or other inert substrata onto shells of burrowed bathyal gastropods. Conversely, larvae, juveniles and adults of A. parasitica never associated with any shallow-water gastropods when given the opportunity. Trials exposing predatory sea stars (Leptasterias polaris) from shallow and bathyal depths to bathyal gastropods (Buccinum undatum) with epibiotic A. parasitica, and to asymbiotic bathyal and shallow-water B. undatum, revealed adaptive behaviours in both prey and predator. Shallow-water gastropods (devoid of epibionts) reacted defensively to L. polaris, whereas bathyal gastropods relied mostly on their epibionts to protect them, thus falling prey to L. polaris when the epibionts were removed. L. polaris from bathyal depths typically ignored symbiotic gastropods, but they consistently preyed on asymbiotic ones, while L. polaris from shallow areas initially attempted to prey on all gastropods, but learned to avoid those harbouring sea anemones. Furthermore, living as epibionts afforded sea anemones a means to escape one of their own predators, the sea star Crossaster papposus. The mutualistic relationship between hormathiid sea anemones and bathyal gastropods from the NW Atlantic may have evolved in response to predation pressure.

Egg masses, juveniles and adults of the gastropod Palio dubia were found in shallow rocky habitats of eastern Canada dominated by the bryozoan Eucratea loricata. Multiple-choice experiments and direct field observations revealed that P. dubia prefers to feed on E. loricata. Courtship, copulation and egg-laying as well as hatching of P. dubia were closely related to the lunar cycle. Reproduction was preceded by increased pairing and aggregative behaviour. The duration of embryonic development in the capsules was 10–15 d. After hatching, most veligers were retained within the bryozoan branches during their pelagic phase (1–3 d). In multiple-choice experiments, settlement occurred preferentially on the bryozoan E. loricata. In the absence of the preferred substratum, the larvae continued to swim and died after a period that never exceeded 8 d. Juveniles remained associated with the bryozoans on which they settled and reached the adult size in ~3 months.

A sequential in vivo approach was used to examine the transformations undergone by oocytes during transit in the gonoduct of the sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota, from ovulation until fertilization competency. Spasms of the ovarian muscle bands, during the pre-spawning locomotor activity of the females, coincided with the extrusion of oocytes from the follicle cells (ovulation). No germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) was visible and the oocytes were not fertilizable. As the animal began to display the anterior sweeping movements characteristic of spawning, the oocytes streamed out of the gonad and were stored in the gonad basis. The oocytes, which were still non-fertilizable, were then pressed forward through the first (proximal) section of the gonoduct. GVBD was completed during this rapid transit, but oocytes could not be fertilized unless they had soaked ≥20 min in seawater. In the second (distal) section of the gonoduct, most oocytes were readily fertilizable; fertilization rates increased noticeably after the formation of a bulge beneath the gonopore, which favored the entry of seawater. Hydration of the jelly coat was apparent (i.e., a 60% increase in oocyte surface area). Gamete release occurred in one powerful spurt ∼85 min after the onset of ovulation. This oocyte maturation sequence is expected to occur in holothurian species with similar anatomy and spawning behavior.

Annual and monthly patterns of gamete release by the sea cucumber Isostichopus fuscus on the coast of Ecuador were studied to determine the proximal spawning cue and variations in reproductive output throughout the year. Several hundred newly collected individuals were monitored nearly every month for 4 yr. I. fuscus displayed a lunar spawning periodicity: 0.7 to 34.9% of individuals consistently spawned 1 to 4 d after the new moon. Spawning mostly occurred within one evening; however, some gamete release was often recorded over 2 to 4 consecutive evenings. Individuals maintained in captivity for several months retained their spawning periodicity and timing with the lunar cycle. Conversely, newly caught individuals that were shaded from the moonlight did not spawn, thus demonstrating the apparent lack of endogenous rhythms and prevalence of lunar luminance over other cues (i.e. tidal cycle, fluctuations in barometric pressure). On a spawning night, males typically initiated gamete release around sunset; females spawned just after the peak male broadcast. The percentage of spawning individuals was higher and a greater overlap between male and female peak spawning activity was observed during clear conditions compared with overcast conditions. The gonads of individuals that did not spawn in a given month showed a variety of maturity levels, including post-spawning, growth and mature gametogenic stages. Hence, the individual reproductive cycle is apparently longer than the monthly spawning periodicity observed at the population level, enabling I. fuscus populations to be reproductive year round.

Introduction: Gene expression studies have consistently identified a HOXA positive (HOXAPos) subgroup of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) (Ferrando et al, Cancer Cell 2002, Soulier et al, Blood 2005, Homminga et al, Cancer Cell 2011). It is however unclear if HOXAPos T-ALL constitutes a distinct and homogeneous clinical entity, and the biological consequences of HOXA over-expression have not been systematically examined. Methods: We identified and characterized the biological characteristics and clinical outcome of 55 HOXAPos cases among a cohort of 209 adult T-ALL patients who were uniformly treated as part of the Group for Research on Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (GRAALL)-2003 and -2005 studies. Results: HOXAPos patients had higher rates of an early thymic precursor (ETP)-like immunophenotype (38% v 13.9%, p = 0.0008), early bone marrow chemoresistance (59.3% v 40.8%, p = 0.026) and positive minimal residual disease (MRD, 51.5% v 23.5%, p = 0.01) than the HOXANeg group. These differences were due to a particularly high frequency of chemoresistant ETP-ALL among HOXAPos cases harboring leukemic fusion proteins that trans-activate the HOXA locus (e.g. PICALM-MLLT10, SET-NUP214). Strikingly, the presence of an ETP-like immunophenotype conferred marked differences in outcome within the HOXAPos group (5 year event-free survival (EFS) 25% for HOXAPos ETP v 52.2% for HOXAPos non-ETP, p = 0.02), which were mirrored by corresponding increases in cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR, 57.1% v 25%, p = 0.01, Figure 1). In contrast, these survival differences were not seen in the HOXANeg patients, where ETP and non-ETP cases had similar 5 year EFS (54.9% v 50%, p = 0.73) and CIR (34.5% v 41.2%, p = 0.57). Multivariate analysis revealed that early bone marrow chemosensitivity was the clinico-biological covariate that had the strongest prognostic interaction with HOXA status. HOXA positivity conferred significant decreases in both the EFS and CIR of chemoresistant patients (p = 0.053 and 0.039 respectively), that was independent of white blood cell count (WCC), stem cell transplant (SCT), ETP phenotype, EGIL classification, and our recently reported risk classifier that integrates the prognostic effects of mutations of NOTCH1, FBXW7, RAS and PTEN (Trinquand et al, J Clin Oncol 2013). There were corresponding marked survival differences within the HOXAPos cohort between chemoresistant and chemosensitive cases. These disparities were not seen in the HOXANeg group, indicating that the prognostic value of chemosensitivity in adult T-ALL is specific to HOXAPos patients. Discussion: Our data show that clinico-biological phenotype is intimately linked to the underlying mechanism of HOXA locus deregulation, and we identify HOXA overexpression as a novel prognostic variable in ETP-ALL. Multivariate analysis suggests that this poor outcome is strongly related to intrinsic treatment resistance, and that this effect is exclusive to the HOXAPos cohort. Patients in the GRAALL-2003 and -2005 studies received enhanced induction and/ or salvage therapy in the event of poor early treatment response. Our results suggest that pediatric regimen-based intensification provides significant survival benefits for HOXANeg chemoresistant cases. In contrast, these modifications are inadequate for therapeutic rescue of the majority of HOXAPos chemoresistant ETP-ALL. The dramatically inferior prognosis of this group mandates consideration for alternative treatments in future clinical trials. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

International audience; INTRODUCTION: The sensitivity of preoperative assessment of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) ranges from 74 to 80%. Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) associated with contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasound (CE-IOUS) may be able to improve this. Thus, the aims of this study were to assess the value of IOUS and CE-IOUS for the surgical approach and to determine risk factors both for the detection of new nodules and for the modification of the surgical strategy.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients who underwent CRLM surgery were included. These patients had an MRI in the 8 weeks preceding surgery and benefited from intraoperative IOUS and CE-IOUS.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The use of IOUS/CE-IOUS permitted the identification of 43 additional lesions and an improved characterization of nodules in 23 patients with a resulting modification of surgical strategy. Lesions were down-staged in six patients and up-staged in six patients. Chemotherapy (p = 0.02) and the presence of nodules in the left lobe (p = 0.04) were predictive factors for finding new nodules at IOUS/CE-IOUS. The discovery of a new nodule systematically modified surgical management. IOUS/CE-IOUS improved intraoperative management of liver metastases. The techniques enable pertinent modification of surgical resections and a reduction of residual lesions.

Patient's nursing is carried out several time per day in the intensive care. It is often described as painful by patients. The measurement of pupillary dilatation reflex (PDR) during a tetanic stimulation by pupillometry predicts analgesia level in the operating room and during tracheal aspirates in critically ill patients [1].

To compare severe short-term maternal and neonatal morbidity associated with midpelvic and low pelvic attempted operative vaginal delivery.Prospective study of 2,138 women with live singleton term fetuses in vertex presentation who underwent an attempted operative vaginal delivery in a tertiary care university hospital. We used multivariate logistic regression and propensity score methods to compare outcomes associated with midpelvic and low pelvic delivery. Severe maternal morbidity was defined as third- or fourth-degree perineal laceration, perineal hematoma, cervical laceration, extended uterine incision for cesarean delivery, postpartum hemorrhage greater than 1,500 mL, surgical hemostatic procedures, uterine artery embolization, blood transfusion, infection, thromboembolic events, admission to the intensive care unit, and maternal death; severe neonatal morbidity was defined as 5-minute Apgar score less than 7, umbilical artery pH less than 7.00, need for resuscitation or intubation, neonatal trauma, intraventricular hemorrhage greater than grade 2, neonatal intensive care unit admission for more than 24 hours, convulsions, sepsis, and neonatal death.From December 2008 through October 2013 there were 2,138 attempted operative vaginal deliveries; 18.3% (n=391) were midpelvic, 72.5% (n=1,550) low, and 9.2% (n=197) outlet. Severe maternal morbidity occurred in 10.2% (n=40) of midpelvic, 7.8% (n=121) of low, and 6.6% (n=13) of outlet attempts (P=.21); and severe neonatal morbidity in 15.1% (n=59), 10.2% (n=158), and 10.7% (n=21) (P=.02), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found no significant difference between midpelvic and low attempted operative vaginal delivery for either composite severe maternal (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-1.55) or neonatal morbidity (adjusted OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.84-1.86). Similarly, propensity score matching found no significant difference between midpelvic and low operative vaginal delivery for either severe maternal (adjusted OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.39-1.22) or neonatal morbidity (adjusted OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.53-1.45).In singleton term pregnancies, midpelvic attempted operative vaginal delivery compared with low pelvic attempted operative vaginal delivery was not associated with an increase in severe short-term maternal or neonatal morbidity.II.

Procedures tested in clinical trials require adequate competence of one or more health professionals and an adequate environment of care. In the context of clinical trials, it is usually not possible to separate the effect of treatments studied from the effect of the proficiency levels. This work proposes a method to assess not individual proficiency but practice performance of centres participating in clinical trials. We used the LC-CUSUM test to retrospectively assess centres' proficiency. We were finally able to ascertain one date for each centres from which they were considered as proficient. In conclusion, LC-CUSUM test seems suitable for centre's performance assessment to avoid potential bias in analyses due to suboptimal achievements of studied procedures. Prospective proficiency analyses could also be considered in a preliminary stage to standard clinical trials.

Summary The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is an economically important species along the northwest Pacific Coast, including China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Russia, and Japan. In the present chapter, we summarize knowledge on the embryonic and larval development of A. japonicus, as well as the impacts of various environmental factors on these processes. A. japonicus is a dioecious broadcast spawner. Its life cycle can be divided into eight major stages: fertilization, blastula, gastrula, auricularia, doliolaria, pentactula, juvenile, and adult. The fertilized, mainly demersal eggs measure ∼165 μm in diameter, and develop into freely rotating blastulae in 14 h at 20–21 °C. The embryos then develop into auricularia larvae over the following 34 h, at which time they gain the ability to feed. When the auriculariae grow to their maximum size of ∼800–950 μm, they shrink and transform into doliolariae, and subsequently into pentactulae after completion of metamorphosis. The development of buccal and ambulacral podia indicates the onset of the juvenile stage. It takes almost two years for A. japonicus to reach sexual maturity, and the life span of this species is commonly estimated to be at least five years. The influence of environmental factors, such as temperature, salinity, and planktic food, on larval development and growth, as well as substrate selection during metamorphosis are discussed. Transitional functions of locomotory and feeding organs in larvae, behavioral characteristics during settlement, and interindividual variations in early growth rates are also examined.

Introduction Le thiopental (Pento) est un barbiturique regulierement propose pour traiter les poussees d’hypertension intracrâniennes (HTIC), notamment chez les traumatises crâniens (prescrit dans 20 % des cas sur une cohorte recente de 1172 patients) [1] . Cependant son interet est controverse, du fait des effets secondaires hemodynamiques mais aussi immunologiques. En effet, il a ete decrit une immunosuppression dans des series anciennes [2] et une association aux pneumopathies precoces [3] . L’objectif de cette etude est de rechercher si l’utilisation de Pento est un facteur de risque de pneumopathie chez les traumatises crâniens graves. Materiel et methodes Analyses post-hoc a partir de deux bases de donnees prospectives (issues des etudes SPIRIT et Corti-TC). Dans les deux etudes, la survenue d’HTIC (et son traitement, y compris l’utilisation du Pento) etait notee prospectivement. La survenue de pneumopathie etait le critere de jugement principal dans ces 2 etudes randomisees controlees. Nous avons realise une analyse uni-, puis multivariee afin d’identifier les facteurs de risque de pneumopathie precoce (i.e. entre j2 et j7) et tardive (> j7–j28). Resultats Parmi les 441 traumatises crâniens graves (âge 39 ± 17 ans, 135 (80,3 %) Hommes, IGS II 44,7 ± 11,3, Glasgow initial 5,7 ± 1,9, ISS 20,5 ± 13,7) inclus dans les 2 etudes (275 patients pour Corti-TC et 166 pour Spirit), 183 (41 %) ont presente une HTIC. Parmi ces 183 patients, 138 (75 %) ont recu du Pento, (debut 11,8 ± 2,8 jours apres l’admission, pour une duree de 4,1 ± 3,9 jours dans la base corti-TC). Il n’y avait pas de difference significative entre les patients HTIC ayant recu du pento ou non, en dehors d’un recours plus frequent a l’hyperventilation [16 (12 %) vs 0, p = 0,017]. En analyse multivariee, le Pento etait le seul facteur associe a la survenue de pneumopathie precoce (OR 5,56 [IC95 ; 1,44–21,44], p = 0,013) (facteurs testes : sexe, craniectomie, IGS, Glasgow, tabagisme, Score AIS cerebral). Mais, cette association n’existait pas pour les pneumopathies tardives (OR 0,48 [0,17–1,39], p = 0,18). Seul le score AIS initial etait associe de a la survenue de pneumopathies tardives (OR 1,19 [1,21–3,02], p = 0,005). L’utilisation du pento etait associe a moins de jours sans ventilation mecanique a j28 (pour la population HTIC 12 ± 9 vs 7 ± 8 jours, p = 0,001 et pour la population totale 13 ± 8 vs 7 ± 8 jours p = 0,001). La survie a j28 etait identique pour les patients HTIC ayant recu du pento ou non [71 (60 %) vs 14 (64 %) patients vivants a j28, p = 0,72]. Discussion Dans ces deux cohortes prospectives, issues d’etudes randomisees controlees recentes, l’utilisation de Pento est associee a la survenue de pneumopathies precoces, probablement liees a la gravite des patients, la survenue de la pneumopathie etant souvent anterieure a la mise sous Pento ; mais pas a la survenue de pneumopathie tardive. Une analyse longitudinale prenant en compte le facteur temps nous permettra probablement de mieux determiner si le Pento est associe ou non a la survenue de pneumopathies.

Summary The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is a deposit feeder. This chapter examines its feeding biology, focusing on feeding habits, selectivity, and seasonal variation in food sources, digestive enzymes, and nutritional requirements. The influence of feed composition, including protein sources, on growth rates and metabolic and immune responses are also discussed.

Specimens of the deep-sea scale worm Neopolynoe acanellae (Verrill, 1881) (Polychaeta, Polynoidae) were collected at depths between 466 and 1405 m in Canadian waters while still attached to their host, the pennatulacean coral (sea pen) Pennatula grandis Ehrenberg, 1834. The present records extend the northern latitude of occurrence of N. acanellae in North America by 17o (~2000 km) to include the northern continental shelf of Newfoundland and Labrador and the lower Arctic, off the southern coast of Baffin Island (Canada). Analysis of the worm's intestinal content confirmed the presence of sea pen soft tissues and sclerites, suggesting that this species feeds on its host and is therefore parasitic.

Summary This chapter focuses on the gametogenic maturation and spawning of Apostichopus japonicus and explores the influence of environmental factors on gamete release. It also presents and discusses artificial spawning induction techniques. Food supply and water temperature have been identified as important mediators of gonad maturation in A. japonicus. Temperature shocks, exposure to air under shade, and exposure to running water have been used to induce spawning under laboratory conditions for the purpose of sea cucumber seedling production. In recent years, scientists have also identified other factors, such as variations in salinity, pH and light, as potential inducers of gamete release in this species.

Aim Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement for high-risk patients. The relative event rates following TAVI have not yet been well described and seem to differ between genders. We sought to determine gender imbalances in TAVI patients with regard to baseline presentation, management, and prognosis. Methods and results A total of 3,972 patients underwent TAVI and were prospectively included in the FRANCE 2 registry. Women (n=1967) presented with older age and lower rates of coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal failure, and arrhythmia, though higher prevalence of hypertension and congestive heart failure (43.7% vs. 39.7%; p=0.010). EuroSCORE was similar between genders. Women presented with smaller aortic annulus and were implanted with smaller bioprostheses. At 1 month, mortality rates were similar between genders. Multivariate analysis revealed the following independent predictors for 1-month all-cause mortality: female gender; New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV; transapical approach; moderate to severe postprocedural aortic regurgitation. We observed a specific interaction between gender and EuroSCORE, confirming EuroSCORE as less capable to discriminate women in order to establish 1-month mortality. Women presented with lower 1-year mortality rates than men (19.3% vs. 23.7%; p=0.021). Female gender was an independent predictor of 1-year survival (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: [0.57-0.88]). Conclusion Men and women exhibited several differing baseline characteristics, as well as procedural and clinical outcomes. Notably, Euroscore proved inconvenient for 1-month survival prediction in women. Women also presented with an 18.5% decrease in 1-year all-cause mortality compared to men.

Summary The survival of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus in various land-based and field aquaculture systems is negatively correlated with the abundance of potential predators. Different predators affect the various life stages. Copepods, such as Microsetella sp. and Tigriopus japonicus , can compete for food and space with sea cucumber larvae, and they can also be predators of juveniles A. japonicus themselves) are potential predators of larvae and newly settled juveniles. Juvenile sea cucumbers with a body length 10 cm have few known predators. Various methods have been developed in an effort to protect the various life stages of A. japonicus against predators. In hatcheries and nurseries, trichlorphon can eliminate copepods without harming early life stages. In grow-on ponds and coastal areas, rocks and artificial reefs are used to provide shelter from predators. Bottom trawling, trapping, and manual removal by divers may also be used to decrease the abundance of predators in aquaculture systems.

Summary The production value of Apostichopus japonicus aquaculture surpasses that of all other marine species cultivated in China. This chapter presents the various production modes, including industrial (indoor) culture, pond (cofferdam) culture, suspended culture, and sea ranching of A. japonicus . Different facilities, production systems, techniques, and management schemes are outlined. New technologies applicable to industrial culture and novel systems developed in recent years for the culture of A. japonicus in ponds, and for stock enhancement in near-shore and off-shore areas, are also discussed. This chapter provides general guidelines and can hopefully be used as a reference for researchers or managers working on the culture and protection of A. japonicus and other sea cucumber species.

Summary This chapter provides a brief introduction to the history of consumption and fishery of the Japanese sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (i.e., North Korea). Commercial fishing of this holothurian species dates back to the early fifteenth century; collection was mainly by hand by women skin divers. Fishing intensified in the early 1900s with the introduction of SCUBA equipment, which led to a gradual decline of the wild resources. This chapter also presents information on the recent development of aquaculture programs aimed at restoring the natural resources and boosting production, both for the domestic markets and the lucrative export markets.

Si Prochain épisode présente une certaine muséification de l'histoire, souvent lue comme le signe d'un échec de la révolution, le roman n'en est pas moins porteur d'un questionnement sur les rapports entre, d'une part, la mémoire collective et les représentations de l'histoire et, d'autre part, l'expérience du présent historique. L'analyse des nombreux phénomènes de répétition narrative qui innervent le roman, ainsi que de certains propos d'Aquin sur l'Ulysse de Joyce, met en lumière les conceptions aquiniennes de la révolution, de la répétition et, plus généralement, du temps de l'histoire., Prochain épisode presents history in the process of becoming a museum exhibit, a process that is often read as a sign of the revolution's failure. However, the novel also raises questions on the relations between, on the one hand, collective memory and representations of history, and, on the other hand, the experience of the historical present. Analysis of the many examples of narrative repetition that structure the novel, and Aquin's remarks on Joyce's Ulysse, sheds light on Aquinian views of revolution, repetition and historical time in general.

This study investigated the influence of environmental factors on the foraging cycle, breeding activity, settlement and growth of the opisthobranch Hydatina physis using laboratory trials and field observations. Results showed that H. physis follows a nocturnal circadian rhythm mediated by photic intensity and modulated by food availability. The adults foraged between 1900 and 0530 h, with an activity peak between 2000 and 2200 h, and remained inactive and burrowed in the sand during the day. This pattern was clearly influenced by cloud cover, rain and laboratory manipulated light:dark cycle. The reproduction of H. physis was primarily influenced by the lunar cycle. For 4 consecutive months, hermaphroditic reciprocal copulation, preceded by pre-copulatory courtship behaviour, occurred at night 5–7 d before the full moon. Spawning occurred 3–5 d later for up to 5 consecutive nights, the egg mass gradually decreasing in size with each spawning. An overcast sky or rain prevented or delayed both copulation and egg release. Settlement of veligers was largely influenced by the nature of the substrate. In multiple-choice experiments, settlement occurred predominantly on sand containing cirratulid polychaetes. The juveniles reached ca. 3.9 mm in shell length after 5.5 months growth.

Specimens of the pearlfish Carapus mourlani (Carapidae) were observed for the first time in association with the sea cucumber Isostichopus fuscus (Holothuroidea: Echinodermata) along the coast of Ecuador. Out of 4345 sea cucumbers collected from various depths between 5 and 60 m, 12 harbored a pearlfish either in the coelomic cavity, the respiratory tree, or the digestive tract, yielding a prevalence of ca. 0.0028. The presence of C. mourlani appeared to be detrimental to the holothurian host in some cases. Side effects resulting from coelomic cavity infections included less advanced gonad maturity (reduced gonadal tubule diameter and length, lower ratio of mature oocytes) and a significant proportion of necrotic and shriveled gonadal tubules, devoid of gametes. Aside from discussing this evidence, the present paper briefly describes the biology of the pearlfish, its relationship with the host, and its daily activity cycle.

Par la lecture de différents passages où se trouve thématisée l'énonciation de la République de Platon, l'Utopie de More et Nous autres de Zamiatine, l'auteur entend démontrer que l'utopie, du moins dans sa forme canonique, repose sur un paradoxe pragmatique, sur une contradiction entre, d'une part, l'énoncé décrivant la vérité eternelle et paisible d'une communauté idéale et, d'autre part, son énonciation turbulente et précaire. Cette agonique entre l'énoncé et l'énonciation, se manifestant par les isotopies de la violence, de la surdité et du solipsisme, dévoile des contradictions non seulement pragmatiques, mais aussi épistémologiques, historiques et politiques, et elle laisse entrevoir la possibilité d'une éthique essentiellement pragmatique pour les utopies à venir de notre postmodernité., By reading some extracts of Plato's Republic, More's Utopia and Zamiatine's We, in which the enunciation process is thematized, the author shows that utopia, at least in its most canonic form, is based on a pragmatic paradox, on a contradiction between the statement describing the eternal and peaceful truth of the ideal community and its turbulent and precarious enunciation. The agonistic relation between the statement and its enunciation, that is shown through the topics of violence, deafness and solipsism, unveils not only pragmatic contradictions, but also epistemological, historical and political ones, and open the possibility of truly pragmatic ethics for postmodern utopias.

L’Éternité par les astres de Louis-Auguste Blanqui est révélatrice de la posture critique et ironique des écrivains modernes face aux philosophies de l’histoire du XIXe siècle. Le projet est à forte connotation politique, puisque Blanqui cherche à symboliser l’horizon des événements historiques sans réduire le déploiement du devenir à une Origine ou à une Finalité. L’aporie surgissant dans le texte ne peut toutefois que ramener la question de l’origine à l’avant-scène, puisque sa propre pragmatique doit nécessairement désigner le lieu et le moment de son avènement : comment s’engager dans la description du plan d’où procède toute historicité sans y laisser la marque de sa propre inscription historique ? Comment, sinon par la répétition, refuser à sa propre prise de parole une origine ?, Louis-Auguste Blanqui’s L’Éternité par les astres reveals the modern writers’ critical and ironic attitude towards nineteenth century philosophy of history. Blanqui’s project is politicallyoriented, since it tries to symbolize the horizon of historical events without reducing it to an Origin or an Ending. The aporia that appears in his text nevertheless reintroduces the question of origin because his own pragmatics necessarily designates the place and time of its event. How can one pursue the description of a plane, from which all historicity proceeds, without leaving the marks of his own historical inscription ? How, except by repetition, can one refuse to acknowledge the origin of his own speech ?

Objectif Ce travail propose de creer un score d’aide a l’evaluation du risque de symptomes musculo-squelettiques chroniques des membres superieurs (SMS-MS), base sur des donnees d’exposition professionnelle. Ce score ne prenant pas en compte les facteurs individuels, permettra de classer les situations de travail devant beneficier d’une action de prevention. Methodes L’echantillon d’etude etait constitue de 1 749 salaries recrutes lors de la phase d’inclusion de la Cohorte des Salaries Ligeriens (COSALI). Les facteurs organisationnels, biomecaniques et psychosociaux et les variables associees aux SMS-MS chroniques (douleur quotidienne au cours de l’annee ecoulee pour au moins une localisation du membre superieur) ont ete recueillis par auto-questionnaire. Trois methodes statistiques ont ete utilisees : une regression logistique binaire, une analyse en clusters suivie d’une analyse par arbre de decision et une modelisation par classes latentes. La methode maximisant le critere statistique AUC (area under the curve) a ete retenue pour la creation du score. Resultats La prevalence des salaries declarant au moins un SMS-MS chronique etait de 12,9 %. La regression logistique a ete retenue pour la creation du score (AUC = 0,7). Les facteurs associes aux SMS-MS chroniques etaient l’intensite elevee des efforts physiques ressentie (echelle RPE de Borg), la repetitivite des gestes plus de 4 h/j, le travail avec un ou deux bras au-dessus des epaules plus de 2 h/j, la flexion du coude plus de 2 h/j, l’utilisation de la pince pouce-index plus de 4 h/j, la possibilite d’influencer le deroulement de son travail et l’aide des collegues. Le score a ensuite ete cree a partir des parametres estimes de la regression logistique, il s’etend de 0 a 13. Par exemple, 58,0 % de l’echantillon a un score superieur ou egal a deux. Pour ce seuil, la valeur predictive negative est de 92,8 %, ce qui signifie que pour l’ensemble des salaries on classe correctement 92,8 % des salaries qui ne declaraient pas de SMS-MS chroniques. En revanche, on ne classe correctement que 19,5 % des salaries qui declaraient au moins un SMS-MS chronique. Conclusions Selon le seuil choisi, le score aboutit a une forte valeur predictive negative. Il pourrait constituer un outil utile aux preventeurs en entreprise afin de cibler l’effectif pour lequel il n’est pas indispensable de mettre en place des actions de prevention. Neanmoins, ce score ne permet pas de predire avec confiance les salaries qui seront atteints de SMS. Pour avoir un score plus performant, il faudrait integrer des facteurs individuels tels que l’âge et le sexe, mais la caracterisation par situation de travail n’est alors plus envisageable.

Summary Holothurians are among the most commercially valuable echinoderms for which successful spawning induction under laboratory conditions is still difficult to obtain on a reliable basis. The present study demonstrates that the transfer of perivisceral coelomic fluid (PCF) can be used as a reliable tool to induce spawning in mature individuals. PCF collected from holothurians that had been in the typical spawning posture, without shedding gametes, for ca. 20 min triggered spawning in 71 to 100% of conspecifics. The individuals responded to the injection of a 2–3 ml aliquot by displaying the spawning posture within 30–62 min and by massive gamete broadcast 57–83 min later. The results varied according to the time of PCF collection with respect to the spawning activity of the donor and the amount of PCF injected. The inductive substance was found not to be sex—specific since positive responses were observed in individuals of the same or opposite sex as the donor. The PCF of a spawning donor was also act...

Anthoptilum grandiflorum and Halipteris finmarchica are two deep-sea corals (Octocorallia: Pennatulacea) common on soft bottoms in the North Atlantic where they are believed to act as biogenic habitat. The former also has a worldwide distribution. To assist conservation efforts, this study examines spatial and temporal patterns in the abundance, diversity, and nature of their faunal associates. A total of 14 species were found on A. grandiflorum and 6 species on H. finmarchica during a multi-year and multi-site sampling campaign in eastern Canada. Among those, 7 and 5 species, respectively, were attached to the sea pens and categorized as close associates or symbionts. Rarefaction analyses suggest that the most common associates of both sea pens have been sampled. Biodiversity associated with each sea pen is analyzed according to season, depth and region using either close associates or the broader collection of species. Associated biodiversity generally increases from northern to southern locations and does not vary with depth (∼ 100-1400 m). Seasonal patterns in A. grandiflorum show higher biodiversity during spring/summer due to the transient presence of early life stages of fishes and shrimps whereas it peaks in fall for H. finmarchica. Two distinct endoparasitic species of highly modified copepods (families Lamippidae and Corallovexiidae) commonly occur in the polyps of A. grandiflorum and H. finmarchica, and a commensal sea anemone frequently associates with H. finmarchica. Stable isotope analyses (δ(13)C and δ(15)N) reveal potential trophic interactions between the parasites and their hosts. Overall, the diversity of obligate/permanent associates of sea pens is moderate; however the presence of mobile/transient associates highlights an ecological role that has yet to be fully elucidated and supports their key contribution to the enhancement of biodiversity in the Northwest Atlantic.

Extinction risk has been linked to biological and anthropogenic variables. Prediction of extinction risk in valuable fauna may not follow mainstream drivers when species are exploited for international markets. We use results from an International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessment of extinction risk in all 377 known species of sea cucumber within the order Aspidochirotida, many of which are exploited worldwide as luxury seafood for Asian markets. Extinction risk was primarily driven by high market value, compounded by accessibility and familiarity (well known) in the marketplace. Extinction risk in marine animals often relates closely to body size and small geographical range but our study shows a clear exception. Conservation must not lose sight of common species, especially those of high value. Greater human population density and poorer economies in the geographical ranges of endangered species illustrate that anthropogenic variables can also predict extinction risks in marine animals. Local-level regulatory measures must prevent opportunistic exploitation of high-value species. Trade agreements, for example CITES, may aid conservation but will depend on international technical support to low-income tropical countries. The high proportion of data deficient species also stresses a need for research on the ecology and population demographics of unglamorous invertebrates.

Moon-related rhythms of reproduction in the sea were originally evidenced and studied in selected species from tropical or subtropical nearshore or tidal environments. They are now being recorded across a widening range of taxa, habitats, and depths. Although still poorly understood, lunar components in the cyclic breeding of boreal subtidal and deep-sea organisms contribute to extend the putative influence of celestial forces to the most remote regions of the globe. Such occurrences deserve more attention if we are to develop a comprehensive understanding of biological rhythms. The present chapter reviews and discusses putative drivers of lunar periodicities and their adaptive significance in previously neglected taxa. It shows that the interplay between the moon and the sun seems to provide a diversity of marine organisms with a means to coordinate their reproductive events. However, universal underlying pathways have yet to be identified.

International audience; INTRODUCTION: Prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) at intensive care (ICU) admission is around 25 to 40%. Blood losses are important during ICU stay, leading to iron losses, but prevalence of ID at ICU discharge is unknown. ID has been associated with fatigue and muscular weakness, and may thus impair post-ICU rehabilitation. This study assessed ID prevalence at ICU discharge, day 28 (D28) and six months (M6) after and its relation with fatigue. METHODS: We conducted this prospective, multicenter observational study at four University hospitals ICUs. Anemic (hemoglobin (Hb) less than 13 g/dL in male and less than 12 g/dL in female) critically ill adult patients hospitalized for at least five days had an iron profile taken at discharge, D28 and M6. ID was defined as ferritin less than 100 ng/L or less than 300 ng/L together with a transferrin saturation less than 20%. Fatigue was assessed by numerical scale and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 questionnaire at D28 and M6 and muscular weakness by a hand grip test at ICU discharge. RESULTS: Among 107 patients (men 77%, median (IQR) age 63 (48 to 73) years) who had a complete iron profile at ICU discharge, 9 (8.4%) had ID. At ICU discharge, their hemoglobin concentration (9.5 (87.7 to 10.3) versus 10.2 (92.2 to 11.7) g/dL, P =0.09), hand grip strength (52.5 (30 to 65) versus 49.5 (15.5 to 67.7)% of normal value, P =0.61) and visual analog scale fatigue scale (57 (40 to 80) versus 60 (47.5 to 80)/100, P =0.82) were not different from non-ID patients. At D28 (n =80 patients) and M6 (n =78 patients), ID prevalence increased (to 25 and 35% respectively) while anemia prevalence decreased (from 100% to 80 and 25% respectively, P \textless0.0001). ID was associated with increased fatigue at D28, after adjustment for main confounding factors, including anemia (regression coefficient (95%CI), 3.19 (0.74 to 5.64), P =0.012). At M6, this association disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ID increases from 8% at discharge to 35% six months after prolonged ICU stay (more than five days). ID was associated with increased fatigue, independently of anemia, at D28

This work presents records of two endobenthic species of sea cucumber (Holothuroidea: Echinodermata) not previously reported in Canadian waters. Thyone inermis (Dendrochirotida) and Labidoplax buskii (Apodida) were collected south-west of Nova Scotia (eastern Canada) in 2009 in Georges and Crowell Basins in the upper 2 cm of muddy seafloor at upper bathyal depths (240–370 m). Both species are of small size, 3.7–8 mm and 5–8 mm long, respectively.

Ossicles of Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra Jaeger 1833 vary mainly in early juveniles between 0.9 and 15mm long. While ossicles were not observed in auricularia and doliolaria larvae, which instead possessed elastic balls, ossicles were present in late pentactulae. Specimens 0.9–1.5mm long have tables with tall spire (4–5 cross beams), no buttons, and large irregular perforated plates. Specimens 5–6mm long have tables with moderate spire (2–4 cross beams) and a few smooth buttons. Specimens 9–16mm long have tables with low spire (1–2 cross beams) and knobbed buttons. From 30mm, ossicle are similar to those of adults, with more buttons and fewer tables. Several features of the ossicles of early juveniles, including their size, shape and prevalence, are unique to the species. Comparison with holothurian juveniles of other species indicates that presence of tables with tall spire and absence of buttons are plesiomorph characters in the evolution of the Holothuriidae.

The tropical holothurians, Holothuria leucospilota, Bohadschia argus and B. marmorata responded to tactile stimulation by expelling Cuvierian tubules in proportion to the intensity of the stimulation. They were able to target the stimulated area with variable success depending on the location of the stimulus. Held surveys showed that 2.3–6.1% of H. leucospilota presented signs of having recently used their Cuvierian tubules and laboratory experiments revealed that they released tubules in response to several natural predators. The tubules did not adhere nor cause any distress to fish, but proved effective in discouraging attacks. Crabs, molluscs and echino‐derms were entangled and also efficiently repelled. H. leucospilota without tubules were wounded and even killed by predators that were usually discouraged by tubule discharge. Conversely, after having induced the release of tubules once, 96% of the predators placed in the presence of H. leucospilota three days later remained at a distance. Released tub...

A new species of pea crab, Pinnotheres halingi sp. nov. (Pinnotheridae), found encysted in the right respiratory tree of the sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra (Holothuridea), from Solomon Islands, is described. The reproduction, infestation and pairing behaviour of the crabs were investigated through field observations and experiments. Infestation frequency in 8 monthly samplings of 25–30 holothurians was 98.6±2.6% in Kogu Halingi bay and 0% in two nearby sites. Of 403 pea crabs, 91.4% were found in pairs of opposite sex, 7.9% were single females and

This study investigated the daily activities of juvenile sea cucumbers Holothuria scabra Jaeger. All individuals exhibited daily burrowing and feeding rhythms in response to environmental factors. The cycle of the smallest juvenile, >10–40 mm, was linked to light; they began to burrow around sunrise and emerged close to sunset. Their burrowing activity was inhibited by continuous darkness. Juveniles >40–140 mm responded to changes in temperature; they burrowed earlier around 03:30 h, seeking shelter in the sediment as temperature declined, and emerged around mid-day. The maintenance of a constant warm temperature prevented them from burrowing. For all juveniles, time spent on the surface corresponded with feeding and periods of locomotion; while burrowed they remained stationary, did not feed and had a low intestinal transit. Organic matter content in the intestine was also found to vary with the daily cycle. Decreases in salinity from 35 to 30, 25 and 20‰ induced the burrowing of all juveniles within minutes, but they began to re-emerge after a few hours. Acclimation occurred most rapidly at salinity 30‰ and was slowest at salinity 20‰. Conversely, nearly 40% of the juveniles were unable to cope with a decrease to salinity 15‰. Juveniles of all sizes demonstrated a strong selectivity for sediment characteristics. In two substrate selection experiments, their preference for sand with a grain size around 0.4 mm and for organically rich material was firmly expressed within an hour. The general behavior of juvenile H. scabra reflects their ability to inhabit shallow sandy areas with high terrigenous inputs and variable environmental conditions.

The data presented here demonstrate that the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa secretes a biologically active mucus that helps maintain gametogenic synchrony among conspecifics. Either a whole mature individual or a sample of its freshly collected mucus was able to initiate gametogenesis in conspecifics that were in the gametogenic recovery stage when other environmental conditions, including daylength, were maintained constant. Similar results were obtained when the mucus was kept in seawater for less than 3 h prior to its use, whereas after 6 h in seawater, the mucus had lost its inducing properties. Laboratory experiments showed that the mucus was produced in lesser amount during late summer and autumn; the production rapidly increased in early January to reach a peak a few months before the June spawning, in 1992 and 1993. The increment of mucus production was concurrent with the initiation of gametogenesis. Synthesis of mucus was maximal in individuals having attained gametogenic maturity and minimum in individuals with less developed gonads. At first relatively stable in seawater, the mucus gradually lost its integrity within a period of 3–5 h, suggesting that the mucus may be carried over long distances by currents, thus allowing a transfer of information before its complete degradation. This phenomenon was observed in the field where streams of mucus could be followed by SCUBA divers as far as 20–30 m away from the secreting animal. The data presented here are the first evidence of the important role played by mucus secretion during the gametogenic processes of an echinoderm.

Introduction Le change, realise de maniere pluri-quotidienne en reanimation, est souvent decrit comme douloureux par les patients. La mesure du reflexe de dilatation pupillaire (RDP) par pupillometrie permet de predire le niveau d’analgesie au bloc operatoire et lors des aspirations tracheales en reanimation [1] . L’objectif de cette etude est d’evaluer si la pupillometrie permet de predire la survenue de douleur lors d’un change. Materiel et methodes Etude prospective, interventionnelle, apres accord du CPP Ouest 2 et consentement (proches puis patients), les patients de reanimation, intubes-ventiles, sedates et non communiquants etaient inclus en l’absence de pathologie oculaire, de pace-maker, de curarisation, de TC ou de lesion medullaire. Avant chaque change, le RDP etait mesure a l’aide du pupillometre (AlgiScan, IDMed France) pendant des stimulations electriques d’intensite croissante (5, 10, 20, 40 et 60 mA). Le score PPI (de 0 a 10) etait egalement mesure. La douleur durant le change etait mesuree a l’aide de la Behavorial Pain Scale (BPS). Les valeurs de RDP pour chaque seuil de stimulation et le score PPI etaient compares pour les changes douloureux (BPS > 5) ou non (BP ≤ 5). La meilleure valeur diagnostique etait recherchee a l’aide de courbes ROC. Resultats Parmi les 170 changes realises chez 41 patients (âges de 65 ± 15 ans, 33 [80 %] hommes, IGS 56 ± 18, 82 % chirurgies urgentes, 5 % chirurgies reglees), 32 (18,8 %) etaient douloureux. Les niveaux de PA pendant le change etaient plus eleves en cas de douleur (p = 0,02). Mais aucun autre parametre n’etait associe avec la douleur durant le change (notamment pas les debits de la sedation et de morphiniques recus). Les aires sous la courbes du RDP obtenues aux differents niveaux de stimulation ne depassent pas 0,6 ( Fig. 1 ), sans difference entre les niveau de stimulation. Le score PPI ne fait pas mieux (4,1 [3,2–5] vs 4,9 [4–5,4], pour douloureux ou non, p = 0,10). Discussion La pupillometrie ne permet pas de predire une douleur au change des patients non communiquants de reanimation chirurgicale. L’heterogeneite des pathologies (peritonite, mediastinite, polytraumatisme, cause medicale…) pourrait expliquer ces resultats, une meme procedure (ex. le change) pouvant induire un degre de douleur tres variable selon les conditions du patient.

Combined laboratory and field experiments showed that sea cucumbers (Cucumaria frondosa) from the St. Lawrence estuary in eastern Canada have well-defined feeding cycles with marked seasonal and tidal variations. Typical feeding behaviour involved extension of the tentacles, which were then successively introduced into the oral cavity. Field observations and analysis of intestinal contents and indices demonstrated that C. frondosa fed mainly during spring and summer. Their diet comprised an abundance of phytoplanktonic cells (Coscinodiscus centralis, Chaetoceros debilis, Skeletonema costatum, and Thalassiosira gravida), with occasional ingestion of small crustaceans and a variety of eggs and larvae. Food types found in the digestive tract were closely related to the periodic abundance of plankton species in the water. Fewer individuals were observed feeding during fall and winter; they mostly ingested nonliving particles and the intestinal indices were low. In field populations, feeding rates were highest during ebb and rising tides, whereas under laboratory conditions without tidal variation, individuals showed no distinct feeding periods. However, individuals maintained under laboratory conditions and periodically provided with phytoplanktonic cells demonstrated a strong ability to detect the food in the water and react accordingly by extending their tentacles and beginning to feed. The results of the study suggest that food availability, rather than physical parameters such as temperature or current, best explains the cyclic feeding behaviour of C.\x11frondosa at seasonal and tidal scales.

Two common species from the North Atlantic, Metridium senile and Bunodactis stella, were used to assess the response of temperate sea anemones toward tributyltin (TBT) contamination. Sea anemones M. senile exposed to a nominal TBT concentration of 50 ng ·L seawater-1in a continuous-flow system for 5 days accumulated 0.33 ± 0.02 ng TBT ·mg dry mass-1and 0.49 ± 0.02 ng dibutyltin (DBT) ·mg dry mass-1, a TBT derivative that dominates in seawater. The daily ingestion of 10 mg of mussel homogenate, contaminated with 10 ng TBT ·mg wet mass-1, for 5 days led to comparable accumulations in M. senile and B. stella of 0.52 ± 0.09 ng TBT ·mg dry mass-1(0.61 ± 0.01 ng DBT ·mg dry mass-1) and 0.47 ± 0.10 ng TBT ·mg dry mass-1(0.62 ± 0.12 ng DBT ·mg dry mass-1), respectively. Total burdens to the tissues after 5 days, combining TBT and DBT as Sn, represented 35 ± 6 and 42 ± 15% of ingested TBT in M. senile and B. stella, respectively. Adsorption and degradation processes are apparently involved in butyltin regulation. The two cold-water species metabolized TBT almost as efficiently as a previously studied tropical symbiotic species, but they accumulated lower levels of butyltins and therefore seem less vulnerable to TBT contamination.

International audience; INTRODUCTION: The relationships between systemic hemodynamics and renal blood flow and renal microcirculation are poorly known in sepsis. Norepinephrine (NE) infusion may add another level of complexity. METHODS: Ventilated and anesthetized rats were submitted to various mean arterial pressure (MAP) steps by blood removal, in presence and absence of sepsis and/or NE. Renal blood flow (RBF) and blood velocity (Vm) in renal cortical capillaries (using Sidestream Dark Field Imaging) were measured. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models enabling us to display the effects of both the considered explanatory variables and their interactions. RESULTS: Positive correlations were found between MAP and RBF. Sepsis had no independent impact on RBF whereas norepinephrine decreased RBF, regardless of the presence of sepsis. The relationship between MAP and RBF was weaker above a MAP of 100 mmHg as opposed to below 100 mmHg, with RBF displaying a relative "plateau" above this threshold. Sepsis and NE impacted carotid blood flow (CBF) differently compared to RBF, demonstrating organ specificity. A positive relationship was observed between MAP and Vm. Sepsis increased Vm while nNE decreased Vm irrespective of MAP. Sepsis was associated with an increase in serum creatinine determined at the end of the experiments, which was prevented by NE infusion. CONCLUSION: In our model, sepsis at an early phase did not impact RBF over a large range of MAP. NE elicited a renal vasoconstrictive effect. Autoregulation of RBF appeared conserved in sepsis. Conversely, sepsis was associated with "hypervelocity" of blood flow in cortical peritubular capillaries reversed by NE infusion.

This research provides evidence for chemical mediation in the initiation of gametogenesis and interindividual fine-tuning among populations of the holothurian Cuc- umaria frondosa. Initiated in the laboratory by increased day length, the gametogenesis of C. frondosa developed normally when individuals were transferred to an environment in which temperature and photoperiod were held constant and food was withheld. Gonad development and spawning of these sea cucumbers occurred simultaneously with animals that were fed. Individuals collected from the deep aphotic zone showed gonadal indices and histological development of gametes synchronous with populations found in the shal- lower photic zone. These data strongly suggest that day length and temperature were not the sole factors controlling the onset and development of gametogenesis, but rather that they act synergistically with other mechanisms. Laboratory experiments showed that ga- metogenic synchrony was less for individuals separately maintained under natural envi- ronmental conditions than it was for similarly treated individuals kept in groups. Finally, gametogenesis was initiated by exposure to more developed individuals, even without the photoperiod cue. This induction, effective only between animals of the same sex, became more evident with increasing maturity of the more developed individuals.

Cucumaria frondosawas studied in the field and in the laboratory to elucidate its development, growth, substrate selection, and migration patterns. In 1992 and 1993, spawnings in the laboratory and in the lower St. Lawrence Estuary occurred in mid-June. Males spawned first, followed shortly by females. The fertilized eggs and resulting embryos were buoyant. They developed into pentactula 9 d after fertilization. In the laboratory, embryonic development was fastest at 12°C, pH 8, and salinity 26 psu (practical salinity unit). The first contact of embryos with the substrate, made with the tentacles, occurred ca. 48 d after fertilization. Following a search period of 3-40 h, settlement was achieved using the ambulacral podia. Laboratory and field observations showed that gravel or rock were favored by larvae during settlement. After reaching ca. 2.8 mm in length, ca. 4-5 months later, young sea cucumbers moved to sheltered, illuminated areas of rocky substrate, and migrated from protected to exposed areas after they exceeded ca. 35 mm in length. Overall, the growth rates were maximal during the spring and summer phytoplanktonic blooms with rising temperature. Field observations showed a size-dependent migration from photic to aphotic depths (≥40 m depth), when the animals reached sexual maturity.

The externally brooding sea anemone Epiactis fecunda (Verrill, 1899) is redescribed as Urticina fecunda, comb. nov., onthe basis of preserved type material and anatomical and behavioural observations of recently collected animals. The sea-sonal timing of reproduction and aspects of the settlement and development of brooded offspring are reported. Preciselocality data extend the bathymetric range to waters as shallow as 10 m, and the geographical range east to the AvalonPeninsula (Newfoundland, Canada). We differentiate it from other known northern, externally brooding species of seaanemone. Morphological characters, including verrucae, decamerous mesenterial arrangement, and non-overlapping sizesof basitrichs in tentacles and actinopharynx, agree with a generic diagnosis of Urticina Ehrenberg, 1834 rather than Epiactis Verrill, 1869.

Newly collected specimens of the Atlantic Myxaster sol and a further record of Pythonaster atlantidis add to the knownoccurrence records and the morphological variation of these rarely encountered species. Distribution data suggests thatboth M. sol and P. atlantidis are pan-Atlantic species and are similar to other widely distributed deep-sea asteroid species.Re-examination of the type of Myxaster perrieri further supports its placement within Myxaster and not Pythonaster as has been recently reported.