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Thyroid cancer represents approximately 90% of endocrine cancers. Difficulties in diagnosis and low inter-observer agreement are sometimes encountered, especially in the distinction between the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (fvptc) and other follicular-patterned lesions, and can present significant challenges. In the present proof-of-concept study, we report a gene-expression assay using NanoString nCounter technology (NanoString Technologies, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.) that might aid in the differential diagnosis of thyroid neoplasms based on gene-expression signatures. Our cohort included 29 patients with classical papillary thyroid carcinoma (ptc), 13 patients with fvptc, 14 patients with follicular thyroid carcinoma (ftc), 14 patients with follicular adenoma (fa), and 14 patients without any abnormality. We developed a 3-step classifier that shows good correlation with the pathologic diagnosis of various thyroid neoplasms. Step 1 differentiates normal from abnormal thyroid tissue, step 2 differentiates benign from malignant lesions, and step 3 differentiates the common malignant entities ptc, ftc, and fvptc. Using our 3-step classifier approach based on selected genes, we developed an algorithm that attempts to differentiate thyroid lesions with varying levels of sensitivity and specificity. Three genes&mdash, namely SDC4, PLCD3, and NECTIN4/PVRL4&mdash, were the most informative in distinguishing normal from abnormal tissue with a sensitivity and a specificity of 100%. One gene, SDC4, was important for differentiating benign from malignant lesions with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 92%. Various combinations of genes were required to classify specific thyroid neoplasms. This preliminary proof-of-concept study suggests a role for nCounter technology, a digital gene expression analysis technique, as an adjunct assay for the molecular diagnosis of thyroid neoplasms.

As 2020 approaches, countries are accelerating their commitments to protect 10% of the ocean by establishing and expanding marine protected areas (MPAs) and other area-based protections. Since it began in 2014, the Our Ocean Conference (OOC) has become a high-profile platform to announce ocean commitments. To evaluate the impact of these promises, this analysis asked: (1) What are the MPA commitments? (2) Who is making them? (3) Have these announcements been followed by action? and (4) Have they contributed significantly to ocean protection? A systematic review of the 143 MPA announcements made at the four OOCs between 2014 and 2017 (and the 202 individual actions they encompassed) concluded that the numbers and sectors of announcers, as well as the types of actions, increased over time. Fifty-two countries and 52 other organizations made OOC commitments, 46% of which have been completed and 56% of which are still incomplete. Thirteen countries and 17 organizations have completed all of their actions. All organizations and 48 out of 52 countries have made some progress on their actions, but no evidence of progress could be found for actions from four countries. OOC announcements have promised to protect 3.4% of the ocean (12,279,931 km2). To date, 43% of that promised area has been implemented, with another 57% yet to be implemented. Based on these findings, a number of actions are recommended to improve the clarity and traceability of OOC announcements, facilitate the monitoring of outcomes, and deliver on the promise of accountability emphasized at the OOCs.

The aim of this work was to develop a molecular method using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for detection of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae from meat, and to compare it with different isolation agars and microarrays. LAMP assays were developed for CTX-M groups 1, 2, and 9 and OXA-10-like genes. Chicken, lamb, beef, pork, and turkey samples were spiked with 10, 100, and 1,000 cfu/gram using 8 strains of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CTX-M sequence types 1, 2, 3, 14, 15, OXA-11, SHV-2, TEM-52) +/- a mix of competitor organisms. Samples were enriched overnight in buffered peptone water (BPW) +/- antibacterials before plating to CHROMagar CTX, OXOID ESBL Brilliance agar, and MacConkey agar with 1 mg/L cefotaxime. Selected BPW broths were also tested using LAMP assays, microarrays and using cefpodoxime discs on agar. For isolation/detection of ESBL producers from beef, pork, lamb, and turkey spiked with 10 or 100 cfu/gram ESBL (natural flora only), all agars and the LAMP assays showed 100% sensitivity and specificity for ESBL spike strains. For chicken samples, both LAMP and chromogenic agars showed improved sensitivity and specificity for isolation of ESBLs compared with MacConkey agar, particularly with competitor bacteria added. In comparison, the cefpodoxime disc method and microarray showed reduced sensitivity.

International audience; Dwindling supplies of fresh water and climate changes have drawn attention to the need to find alternative sources of water globally. This study examines the potential of the semi-arid region of Baku (Azerbaijan) to exploit in particular dew, but also fog, drizzle and rain water. The Absheron Peninsular suffers from scarceness of water and non-hazardous water sources. Measurements were taken in this region on a 30° inclined plane passive condenser over a year (1/4/2010–31/3/2011) to determine the contribution and validity of using these alternative sources of water. The results show an significant relative contribution from these sources during this period (rain: 84 mm; dew:15 mm; fog: 6 mm; drizzle: 13 mm). The fact that rain was measured within 23 km from the main station leads to uncertainties in its relative contribution. However, at least for the year under study, there are fair indications that collecting dew, fog and drizzle in addition to rain can significantly increase the collected atmospheric water with value estimated on order 40 ± 20%.

Studies that monitor the intensity of biocontrol insect damage on target and nontarget hosts in the field often consider the effects of neighboring vegetation that serve as acceptable alternative hosts. Whether nonhost neighboring plants can also influence damage to hosts has received less attention. The nonnative, seed-eating weevil Larinus planus has been distributed as a biocontrol agent for weedy thistles in the U.S., but also attacks native thistles including the federally threatened Cirsium pitcheri. To test the hypothesis that nonhost Ammophila breviligulata grass neighbors increase susceptibility of C. pitcheri to L. planus damage, we clipped the neighboring vegetation within a 1 m radius around focal C. pitcheri, and assessed weevil infestation in flower heads of plants with clipped or unclipped neighbors. We also examined elevational effects by surveying weevil presence along an environmental gradient and comparing infestation rates between primary and secondary dune habitats with intact neighboring vegetation. Larinus planus infestation was more prevalent at low than at high dune elevations. At low elevations, clipping neighboring vegetation surrounding C. pitcheri significantly decreased the proportion of flower heads infested by weevils. Grasses may aid L. planus dispersal to C. pitcheri hosts and/or provide a refuge from environmental stress or natural enemies. Our results highlight two factors that predict L. planus attack, as well as areas of the dune on which to focus Cirsium pitcheri management or weevil control efforts. More broadly, our results suggest that nonhost neighboring vegetation may be an important factor determining the intensity of damage by invasive and biocontrol insects. Keywords: Associational susceptibility, Elevation, Invasive species, Larinus planus

This work was aimed to analyze trends in susceptibility to antibiotics among the main species of beta-hemolytic streptococci involved in community-acquired infections in human (Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae), or in animals (Streptococcus suis and Streptococcus uberis) and also among the main enterocci species, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. Data were recorded since 1996 through the Onerba networks. S. pyogenes, as the other beta-hemolytic streptococci studied remained fully susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics. However, susceptibility to macrolides is clearly decreasing in S. pyogenes. In 2002, only 62 to 65% of the strains according to the network considered, were susceptible to erythromycin. A similar trend was observed for S. agalactiae with only 75% of erythromycin susceptibility in 2002, and for both species isolated from animals S. suis and S. uberis, with respectively 35 and 76% of strains susceptible to erythromycin. In enterococci, susceptibility to beta-lactams remained stable between 2000 and 2004. Indeed, the susceptibility to aminopenicillins remained high in E. faecalis (about 98%), whereas the proportion of E. faecium isolates susceptible to these antibiotics were lower than 60%. From 1999 to 2004, various studies conducted in French hospitals showed that the vancomycin resistance among enterococci accounted for less than 2%. However, the recent emergence of glycopeptide resistant enterococci clusters in French hospitals is a matter of concern and emphasizes the need for an ongoing surveillance. Such trend in macrolide resistance among S. pyogenes or S. agalactiae should consequently lead to propose other alternatives in case of beta-lactam allergy, and for pharyngitis, to rethink the place of the culture for susceptibility testing.

Resume Objectif Le but de cette etude etait d’evaluer l’impact de stimuli nociceptifs sur la capacite proprioceptive cervicale. Methode Trente sujets jeunes et sains ont effectue un test de repositionnement cephalique (TRC) dans deux conditions aleatoires : avec une stimulation electrique nociceptive (condition « douleur ») et avec une stimulation electrique indolore (condition « controle »). Le TRC consistait a faire repositionner la tete sur le tronc, apres un mouvement actif de la tete dans le plan transversal, les yeux clos. Le pointage, enregistre par video, s’effectuait au depart et a l’arrivee de chaque rotation. Resultats L’erreur moyenne de repositionnement etait de 3,98 ± 0,99° (moyenne, ecart-type) en condition « douleur » contre 1,75 ± 0,37° en condition « controle » (p Conclusion La douleur aigue induit une perturbation des capacites proprioceptives cervicales sans qu’il y ait de deterioration des structures anatomiques. Ce constat suggere l’interet d’une prise en charge precoce de la douleur pour eviter les perturbations sensorielles, et en complement, l’utilite d’une reeducation cervicale proprioceptive apres tout episode algique.

Dogs have made and will continue to make valuable contributions as animal models in biomedical research. A comprehensive approach from time of breeding through completion of in-life usage is necessary to ensure that high-quality dog models are used in studies. This approach ensures good care and minimizes the impact of interanimal variability on experimental results. Guidance related to choosing and developing high-quality laboratory dogs and managing canine research colonies is provided in this article. Ensuring that dogs are healthy, well adapted, and cooperative involves good communication between vendors, veterinarians, care staff, and researchers to develop appropriate dog husbandry programs. These programs are designed to minimize animal stress and distress from the postweaning period through the transfer and acclimation period within the research facility. Canine socialization and training programs provided by skilled personnel, together with comprehensive veterinary health programs, can further enhance animal welfare and minimize interanimal and group variability in studies.

SUMMARY The self-potential (SP) method is a fast and cheap reconnaissance tool sensitive to ground water flow in unconfined aquifers. A model based on the use of Green's functions for the coupled hydroelectric problem yields an integral equation relating the SP field to the distribution of the piezometric head describing the phreatic surface and to the electrical resistivity contrast through this phreatic surface. We apply this model to SP data measured on the south flank of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano, a large shield volcano located on Reunion island, Indian ocean. The phreatic surface, inverted with the help of the Simplex algorithm from the SP data, agrees well with the available information in this area [one borehole and electromagnetic (EM) data]. This interpretation scheme, which we call electrography, has many applications to the crucial problem of water supply in volcanic areas where drilling is expensive.

Because of their rich blood supply and of their original detersive and filling properties, the muscular pedicled flaps harvested from the trunk or the omental flap elevated from the abdomen may be very usefull to treat large defects or major septic problems in pleural, pericardic or mediastinal cavities. We here describe the main principles to be followed in such intrathoracic reconstructions performed in order to control severe mediastinites, aortic prosthetic infections, pleural empyemas and broncho-pleural, tracheo-esophageal or broncho-esophageal fistulas. In all these circumstances, the muscular or omental flaps which are transferred into the chest are selected according to the recipient field and to their respective access to the upper, middle and lower portions of the pleural space or mediastinum. Twelve different flaps so appear available to achieve the adequate reconstruction, filling or coverage of nine distinct topographic sites. Their rational use, based on various anatomical guidelines, allows to prevent or to cure efficiently 90% of the infectious or fistular complications frequently observed in the postoperative course of aggressive, functional or oncological, intrathoracic surgical procedures.

There is often a heightened concern for the welfare of dogs and cats since they play a special role as companion animals. While most individuals with knowledge of dogs or cats have opinions about what constitutes good welfare, there are unique considerations that must be applied for these species as laboratory animals. Oversight of measures that promote good welfare begins even before acquisition and continues throughout the life of the animal. Included are discussions of choosing the right animal, transportation to the research facility, care at the facility, importance of socialization, acclimation, and enrichment, and re-homing of laboratory dogs and cats. As knowledge and perspectives change about what constitutes good welfare, so too does the expectation for better care at all stages of the animal's life.

We compared the relative abundances of small mammals along extensively managed motorway roadsides (with a narrow mown strip adjacent to the roadway) in three distinct landscapes (garrigue, pine plantation, and intensive farmland), to evaluate the relative effects of management and landscape traversed on roadside small-mammal populations. In each landscape, the landscape matrix (adjacent habitats), the mown strip, and the intervening unmown strip of roadside were sampled using snap traps. The roadside communities differed from those of landscape matrices, both in the relative abundances of individual species and in the proportion of each species captured. Species richness was greater on roadsides than in cropland and pine plantations, but there was no difference in the garrigue landscape. However, this greater richness was due to species that were rarely caught. The three dominant species (93.7% of captures), greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), and common vole (Microtus arvalis), were generally more abundant on roadsides than in the landscape matrices, especially in the unmown strip in the case of the first two species. Voles showed seasonal variation, being more abundant in mown strips at the population peak. The ecotone attributes of extensively managed motorway roadsides seem to be favourable to most small-mammal species, regardless of the landscape matrix.

FIB modifications are known to result in successful repairs of integrated circuits. Nevertheless, it appears necessary to understand the interaction between Ga+ FIB and integrated circuits and to be able to confirm that modifications do not induce electrical damages. In this paper, we present electrical parameter evolution of NPN bipolar transistor under FIB exposure. These experimental results allow assuming hypothesis on the physical origin of dielectric passivation degradation. Based on this hypothesis, 21) physical simulation results allow confirming the identification of the physical mechanism responsible for the DC electrical parameter degradation of bipolar transistor.

We have investigated the effects of landscape traversed and roadside structure on the use of highway verges by birds. Three contrasted landscapes were chosen in terms of human land use and vegetation structure: an intensive farmland, a pine plantation, and a matoral. The roadside sections varied in vegetation structure, width and profile. We recorded birds present in roadsides and adjacent habitats by transect counts over all seasons. Roadside bird species appeared for a great part similar to those of adjacent habitats. However, diversity and abundance in verges did not depend on that of adjacent habitats. Woody roadsides were comparable to hedges, as trees (and shrubs) in verges enhanced species richness and abundance of birds in the farmland and woodland sites. Width and profile of verges had less influence. In all sites, typical species of the habitat traversed partly avoided roadsides. On the contrary, numerous species associated with ‘rare’ habitats in one site preferred roadsides, provided that verge vegetation contrasted with the dominant habitat. It is concluded that birds responses to highways can vary greatly with landscape traversed and verge vegetation. Highway verges could be favorable to birds, if they constitute a complementary habitat to the dominant habitat within a landscape.

The feasibility of microsystems has been achieved in the early 90's and is now followed by a growing industrialization period. Nevertheless, diversity of fields combined and materials heterogeneity generate new failure mechanisms different from traditional microelectronics. Now, if we take into account the lessons from the past in microelectronics, we note that failure analysis played a major role not only in development time reduction but also in qualification and reliability evaluation. That is why we decided to elaborate a specific failure analysis methodology for microsystems using existing instrumentation from microelectronics in order to prepare for present and future expert appraisement requirements in the micro-technologies field. For this, we chose to perform accelerated aging tests of a commercial micro-accelerometer. This paper demonstrates how we realized the reverse engineering of this MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) using an Electron Beam Tester (Integrated Diagnostic System : IDS-5000) and how we modified its functions with a Focused Ion Beam (FIB-P2X) in order to control its full mechanical capabilities with electrical stimulation.

The composition and origin of vanadium-bearing clay minerals in the Jurassic (Morrison and Entrada Formations) sandstones of the Colorado Plateau are reassessed using microanalyses (microprobe and scanning electron microscope). The main V-clays are authigenic illite and chlorite of various petrologic habits: clay casts and matrix, pore lining, replacement of detrital grains. The chemical composition of the V-clays is similar in three different localities in the Morrison Formation separated by about 50 km, suggesting that the V-clays are the result of a large regional event. In both illite and chlorite, Al and V are inversely correlated, showing that V replaces Al in the octahedral position. The chlorite contains a complex mixture of divalent and trivalent cations that cannot fit within a sudoite structure. A classification of V-micas is proposed that employs V3+/sum of the octahedral cations vs. the sum of the interlayer charges. V-illite and roscoelite from the Colorado Plateau are characteristic of diagenetic/hydrothermal environments. For a given locality the composition of the V-clays does not vary with habit, showing that these minerals formed at thermodynamic equilibrium.

The purpose of this paper is to propose two types of wall shear stress sensor based on MEMS-technology. The wall shear stress sensor's operation is based upon the principle of hot wire anemometry. The sensing element is made of polysilicon or platinium resistors. The latter has to be thermally isolated from the substrate by a sealed or open cavity to minimize the heat exchange with the substrate. Fabrication of the shear stress sensor requiring only three masks levels where the hot wire (in polycrystalline silicon or platinium). The static calibration in low speed air flow facility shows that the sensor behaves like a wall shear stress sensor. In situ calibration in wind tunnel is performed by wireless technologies.

355 Critical Evaluation of the Use of Dogs in Biomedical Research and Testing Joanne Zurlo 1, Kathryn A. Bayne 2, Dorothy Cimino Brown 3, Tanya H. Burkholder 4, Vicki L. Dellarco 5, Amy Ellis 6, Laura Garrett 7, Robert Hubrecht 8, Erik R. Janus 9, Lewis B. Kinter 10, Elizabeth Luddy 11, LaVonne D. Meunier 12, Diana G. Scorpio 13, James A. Serpell 14, and Rory J. Todhunter 15 Center for Alternatives to Animal testing, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; AAAlAC International, Frederick, MD, USA; University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Veterinary Resources, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Office of Pesticides, US environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA; Center for Drug evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA; University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, UrbanaChampaign, Il, USA; Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, UK; Steptoe & Johnson, llP, Washington, DC, USA; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals lP, Wilmington, De, USA; Center for Veterinary Medicine, US Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD, USA; GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, PA, USA; Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA (current address: California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis); University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA

a new type of hot wire anemometer was developed by using surface micro machining techniques. The reduction of the microprobes section and the development of a cavity below the hot polycrystalline silicon film reduced considerably indirect thermal exchanges between the hot wire and its substrate enhancing the dynamic response time of these probes. This will make possible to measure fast fluctuations and turbulent phenomena in fluid mechanics.

This work was aimed to analyze trends in susceptibility to antibiotics among the main species of beta-hemolytic streptococci involved in community-acquired infections in human (Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae), or in animals (Streptococcus suis and Streptococcus uberis) and also among the main enterocci species, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. Data were recorded since 1996 through the Onerba networks. S. pyogenes, as the other beta-hemolytic streptococci studied remained fully susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics. However, susceptibility to macrolides is clearly decreasing in S. pyogenes. In 2002, only 62 to 65% of the strains according to the network considered, were susceptible to erythromycin. A similar trend was observed for S. agalactiae with only 75% of erythromycin susceptibility in 2002, and for both species isolated from animals S. suis and S. uberis, with respectively 35 and 76% of strains susceptible to erythromycin. In enterococci, susceptibility to beta-lactams remained stable between 2000 and 2004. Indeed, the susceptibility to aminopenicillins remained high in E. faecalis (about 98%), whereas the proportion of E. faecium isolates susceptible to these antibiotics were lower than 60%. From 1999 to 2004, various studies conducted in French hospitals showed that the vancomycin resistance among enterococci accounted for less than 2%. However, the recent emergence of glycopeptide resistant enterococci clusters in French hospitals is a matter of concern and emphasizes the need for an ongoing surveillance. Such trend in macrolide resistance among S. pyogenes or S. agalactiae should consequently lead to propose other alternatives in case of beta-lactam allergy, and for pharyngitis, to rethink the place of the culture for susceptibility testing.

La Reunion Island (Indian Ocean) is one of the tropical oceanic islands that exhibits a lowland forest still not destroyed by human activities and by introduced species. In order to protect and conserve native intact habitats, information concerning their functioning is needed. We measure the biomass and litterfall of the Marelongue Reserve lowland rainforest on a permanent plot and examine what is the part played by the different species as well as the role of seasonality and cyclones. The total biomass estimated at 535 t/ha is relatively consistent with biomasses measured in other tropical forests. Over 92% of the biomass is due to 10 species only. The annual fine litterfall, measured at 7.6 t/ha during the two studied years, is similar to annual litterfall measured in similar ecosystems and is strongly affected by cyclones. The litterfall seasonality seemed to be linked to temperature fluctuations, rather than to either of the other two studied climatic factors (rainfall and wind speed). The results of this study will define valuable basic information for conservation and management of fragmented rainforest remnants.

The target of the in-situ research of optical activity in extraterrestrial samples stimulated an extended investigation of a GC–MS method based on the derivatization of amino acids by using a mixture of perfluorinated alcohols and perfluorinated anhydrides. Amino acids are converted to their N(O,S)–perfluoroacyl perfluoroalkyl esters in a single-step procedure, using different combinations of the derivatization reagents trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-ethanol (TFE), TFAA-2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butanol (HFB), and heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA)-HFB. The derivatives obtained are analyzed using two different chiral columns: Chirasil-L-Val and γ-cyclodextrin (Rt-γ-DEXsa) stationary phases which show different and complementary enantiomeric selectivity. The mass spectra of the derivatives are studied, and mass fragmentation patterns are proposed: significant fragment ions can be identified to detect amino acid derivatives. The obtained results are compared in terms of the enantiomeric separation achieved and mass spectrometric response. Linearity studies and the measurement of the limit of detection (LOD) show that the proposed method is suitable for a quantitative determination of enantiomers of several amino acids. The use of the programmed temperature vaporiser (PTV) technique for the injection of the untreated reaction mixture is a promising method for avoiding manual treatment of the sample and decreasing the LOD. Chirality, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A solid-liquid extraction method able to perform in situ extraction of organic compounds on Mars is proposed. The extraction efficiency of various organic solvents was tested and compared to that of water. The selected key compounds are molecules of exobiological interest: glycine, alanine, serine, glutamic acid, oxalic acid, benzoic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid. Among the organic solvents, propanol gives the highest yield of extraction for all the targeted compounds except for benzoic acid. A mixture of propanol and ethyl acetate increases significantly the extraction yield of benzoic acid. The extraction time was considerably reduced (140 h to 15 min) by using sonication. The method is discussed for an easy automation with coupling to an in situ GC-MS space instrument.

Because of their rich blood supply and of their original detersive and filling properties, the muscular pedicled flaps harvested from the trunk or the omental flap elevated from the abdomen may be very usefull to treat large defects or major septic problems in pleural, pericardic or mediastinal cavities. We here describe the main principles to be followed in such intrathoracic reconstructions performed in order to control severe mediastinites, aortic prosthetic infections, pleural empyemas and broncho-pleural, tracheo-esophageal or broncho-esophageal fistulas. In all these circumstances, the muscular or omental flaps which are transferred into the chest are selected according to the recipient field and to their respective access to the upper, middle and lower portions of the pleural space or mediastinum. Twelve different flaps so appear available to achieve the adequate reconstruction, filling or coverage of nine distinct topographic sites. Their rational use, based on various anatomical guidelines, allows to prevent or to cure efficiently 90% of the infectious or fistular complications frequently observed in the postoperative course of aggressive, functional or oncological, intrathoracic surgical procedures.

A novel, totally implantable catheter system that allows complete bile collection and duodenal access in conscious, freely moving dogs is described. Bile collection catheters remained patent for an average of 417 days (range, 711010 days) in eight animals which were used on study. Three animals have been used to validate the models complete collection of bile via biliary recovery of an intravenous dose of 14C-glycocholic acid, and in selected animals, parameters potentially indicative of liver damage (serum alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, and total bilirubin levels) were within normal ranges for as many as 14 months after surgery. The eight study dogs have been used in a total of 29 studies, in which bile was successfully collected for 1248 h. The bile has been collected by using either a tethering system or a protected pouch arrangement. Compared to exteriorized catheter techniques, this system requires less maintenance and is better tolerated by the animals. The potential for a longer functional life span for individual animals, more normal liver enzymes, and the capability to selectively infuse towards the duodenum and flush the entire catheter and bile duct are other advantages of this model.

International audience; In a 2772 km survey in western France, we compared the relative abundance and activity of diurnal raptors along motorway verges and secondary roads to those in open cropland, during di€erent seasons and hours of the day. Motorway verges, and to a lesser extent secondary road verges, were used signi®cantly more than adjacent areas by buzzards (Buteo buteo), kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and black kites (Milvus migrans), but not by harriers (Circus aeruginosus, C. cyaneus, C. pygargus). There was a sea- sonal shift in the use of roadsides by buzzards and kestrels, with a high use of motorway verges in winter and a low use in summer. Although kestrels and buzzards clearly used verges for hunting, their abundance along roads was not directly related to the relative abundance of small mammals. The supply of perching sites, allowing a less energy-demanding hunting behaviour than ¯ight-hunting, and the width of the verges, appeared important factors in the attractiveness of roadsides for these species. This study shows that roadsides, particularly wide motorway verges, can be managed with respect to the conservation and abundance of raptor species in agricultural landscapes, in providing stable prey habitats and perching sites. # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the increased airway reactivity to antigen induced by beta-adrenoceptor blockade, adrenalectomy or medullectomy and to assess the contribution of circulating catecholamines to the increased reactivity. In anesthetized guinea pigs sensitized to ovalbumin (OA), administration of OA produced a dose-related bronchoconstriction characterized by threshold increases in airway insufflation pressure at 0.1 mg/kg i.v. and a near-maximal increase by 0.3 mg/kg i.v. Pretreatment with R(+) propranolol (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) 5 min prior to antigen did not significantly alter airway responses to antigen when compared to vehicle-treated animals. However, pretreatment with 0.5 mg/kg i.v. S(-) propranolol, racemic propranolol or nadolol markedly enhanced (10- to 15-fold) the airway response to the low-dose antigen. In addition, in guinea pigs which had been adrenalectomized, the reactivity to low-dose antigen was enhanced to a similar extent as that of beta-antagonist-treated animals when compared to sham-operated animals. Baseline plasma concentrations of epinephrine were significantly higher in sham-operate guinea pigs (1,494 +/- 223 ng/ml) when compared to adrenalectomized animals (412 +/- 44 ng/ml). Upon antigen exposure, epinephrine levels rose 5-fold (6,859 +/- 1,308 ng/ml) from baseline in sham-operated guinea pigs and were not significantly changed in adrenalectomized animals (848 +/- 208 ng/ml). Specific airway conductance measurements in conscious guinea pigs revealed that animals which had been medullectomized 2 weeks previously responded to lower provocative concentrations of aerosol OA (0.05-0.5%) than corresponding sham-operated animals. Airway reactivity to inhaled acetylcholine (0.1-1%) was similar in medullectomized and sham guinea pigs. Plasma concentrations of epinephrine were significantly lower in medullectomized guinea pigs (327 +/- 88 ng/ml) when compared to sham-operated animals (832 +/- 162 ng/ml). The results of the present study indicate that beta-adrenoceptor antagonism or changes in circulating epinephrine levels markedly alter the response to antigen in sensitized guinea pigs.

Between October 1992 and September 1994, 70 patients presenting with primary unilateral hernia were randomly assigned to either a transabdominal preperitoneal laparoscopic (group L) repair (n = 35) with a 3 x 5 inch polypropylene mesh or a conventional Shouldice repair (group S) (n = 35). The series consisted of 60 men and 10 women, with a median age of 56 years and a BMI of 24. We used the Nyhus classification; there were 25 type 2, 24 type 3a and 21 type 3b hernias. Preoperative characteristics of both groups were equivalent. When comparing group L to group S, we noted a similar operative time (65 +/- 20 min) and a similar postoperative hospital stay (3.8 +/- 1.3 days). The postoperative pain that was evaluated on a visual analogue scale (score from 0 to 10) was lower in group L. On the first and third postoperative day, the mean score was 3.4 +/- 1.5 and 1.3 +/- 1.4 in (group L compared) to 5.3 +/- 1.9 (p0.001) and 2.8 +/- 1.8 (p0.005) in group S. Significant morbidity occurred in 7 patients of group L: 3 seromas and 4 cases of orchitis, and in 5 patients of group S: 1 wound abcess, 2 cases of chronic neuralgia and 2 cases of orchitis. We recorded a quicker return to home activities in group L: 6 +/- 2 versus 10 +/- 4 days (p0.05) in group S but time off work was similar in both groups (30 +/- 9 days). All patients were evaluated in April 1996: the median follow-up was 30 months (range: 19-42 months). We recorded 1 recurrence in group L and 3 in group S. Statistical analysis revealed that the recurrence rate, for patients older than 50 and presenting with type 3 hernia, was higher in group S (3/14 = 21%) than in group L (0/13 = 0%). In conclusion, compared to Shouldice repair, laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is associated with less postoperative pain, a quicker return to everyday activities and an equivalent postoperative morbidity. In our series, the recurrence rate was even lower for patients older than 50 with type 3 hernia.

Gastric physiologic properties and emptying can significantly affect the stability and absorption of drugs given orally. A method to deliver drugs directly into the intestines and peritoneal cavity in conscious dogs by using a modified Vascular-Access Port (VAP) was developed and validated. Modified silastic VAP catheters size 7 or 9 French were placed in the duodenum, jejunum, colon, and/or peritoneal cavity in nine adult male dogs. Catheter placement was validated in six dogs by using contrast radiography and by monitoring the fecal excretion of blood after injection of blood via the VAP directly into the intestines. Three dogs were successfully used to evaluate the absorption of a peptide that inhibits platelet aggregation. Results showed this to be a feasible, easily validated model for delivering drugs directly into the intestines of conscious dogs.

This review deals first with the methodology of anorectal manometry. The methods of recording anorectal pressures with perfused catheters, sleeve catheters, water- or air-filled balloon catheters and microtransducers are presented and discussed as well as the various polygraphs used in this investigation. In the second part, the routine anorectal manometry and the parameters to be studied in this investigation are described. Then, the additional manoeuvres which have been described in anorectal manometry are discussed. Finally, the major results obtained in recto-anal dysfunctions are described, that is manometric findings in constipation in adults and children, in incontinence and in the descending perineum syndrome. The usefulness of anorectal manometry in surgical and various conditions is also discussed.

Although rabbit ear vessels are readily accessible, the veins can collapse and thrombose after multiple venipunctures, and the artery may undergo vasospasm when repeatedly catheterized. Twenty-two male and female New Zealand White rabbits were cannulated with the catheter tip located in the jugular vein. The mean life of the port was noted to be approximately 3.5 months, with ranges of 3 days to 10 months. With proper maintenance and care, vascular access ports are a useful alternative to multiple venipuncture for long-term studies, thereby sparing marginal and central vessels and minimizing stress to both animals and investigators.

ResumeL'analyse par diffraction des rayons X, résonance paramagnétique électronique et par spectrométrie infra-rouge des constituants minéraux du profil des Canonnettes (Sud-Est de la France) permet de montrer que les kaolinites sont ferrifères. De plus, au fur et à mesure du développement et de l'accumulation des oxy-hydroxydes de fer et d'alumine dans le profil, on note l'enrichissement progressif des kaolinites en fer en même temps qu'augmente leur désordre et que les taux de substitution en moles % d'AlOOH des goethites alumineuses devient plus important. Finalement, les kaolinites disparaissent remplacées par les oxy-hydroxydes de fer et d'aluminium, là ou leur accumulation est maximum.

A simplified design method is developed for submerged filter and expanded bed biofilm reactors. The method incorporates limitations of both the electron donor and electron acceptor based upon Monod kinetics, and the stagnant liquid layer at the biofilm surface based upon the packing media and the waste flow rate. The model has been programmed so that calculations can be accomplished on a hand-held calculator, offering wide-scale availability to designers. The model consists of two basic processes: diffusion of substrate from the bulk liquid into the biofilm, and transformation of the substrate by bacteria within the biofilm. Conceptually, substrate must diffuse first from the bulk liquid through a stagnant liquid layer at the biofilm surface, and then into the biofilm until reaching a constant concentration, close to zero, at the effective depth.

A simplified design method is applied to the design of submerged filter and expanded bed biofilm reactors. Typical design parameters as well as kinetic and mass transfer coefficients are listed for several bacterial reactions including fermentation, aerobic respiration, nitrification and denitrification. The Monod maximum utilization rate appears to be smaller for biofilm reactors than for suspended growth reactors. However, biofilm reactors have much larger substrate removal rates per unit volume than suspended growth reactors due to the larger organism concentration. The expanded bed reactor has greater substrate removal rates than the submerged filter due to larger surface areas, less trapping of influent suspended solids, and smaller stagnant liquid layer depths.

Data for diagnosing production problems or for zone-by-zone analysis of well performance are obtained with speed and safety using a combination production logging tool. As many as six items can be measured and recorded production logging tool. As many as six items can be measured and recorded sequentially in one trip, under essentially stable (or purposely varied) well conditions. Introduction Production logging is often used for diagnosis of Production logging is often used for diagnosis of production problems and sometimes for reservoir production problems and sometimes for reservoir analysis. To be valid, all measurements must be made under stabilized well conditions. In the past, the necessary information has been provided by a number of single-purpose through-tubing tools. In many cases the length of time required to make the various measurements raised doubt that the conditions remained constant throughout the survey. Moreover, the scope of application of production logging has been limited by the lack of a companion bottom-hole pressure measurement. pressure measurement. With the Production Combination Tool (PCT) the necessary information - flow rate, pressure, temperature, hole size, and fluid density, along with casing collar depths - is obtained sequentially in one trip in the hole. Usually only a few minutes are required for each measurement, so it can be assumed that uniform conditions prevail for the entire survey. A new technique for in-situ calibration of the flowmeter section establishes an accurate response curve for the particular fluids and casing size. particular fluids and casing size. When used with dynamic pressure control at the wellhead, the PCT makes it possible to obtain the measurements under normal production or injection conditions. (Or, if desired, well conditions can be changed and additional measurements made without the need to wait long periods for stabilization.) Zone-by-zone evaluation of initial production, as well as periodic reservoir auditing during the life of the well, can be done with a minimum of time, equipment, and surface data. Information for planning remedial procedures in workover wells is also provided. procedures in workover wells is also provided. The PCT Equipment The PCT is a combination of five different sensors and a casing collar locator (Fig. 1). The sensors are: continuous flowmeter, caliper, gradiomanometer, thermometer, and manometer. By means of a relay in the tool, controlled from the surface panel, any sensor may be selected. The corresponding property is recorded simultaneously with the casing collar log so that proper depth control is ensured. The various measurements are made sequentially in one trip in the hole, so a minimum time elapses between the different recordings. The principal advantage is that all necessary measurements are made in such a short time that the well producing conditions can be considered stable, and the different recordings are quasi-simultaneous. It is possible to change the producing conditions and monitor this change from the producing conditions and monitor this change from the surface through the various senors to obtain, in a very short time, information on the reservoir dynamics. The PCT is small in diameter (1 11/16 in.) so it can be lowered through the tubing against high pressure and flow to make dynamic measurements in the casing or open hole below the tubing shoe. The tool is centered in the fluid vein by spring centralizers. The tool ratings and specifications are summarized in Table 1. JPT P. 603

Introduction In the second of this two-part treatment of the subject, three main topics will be discussed.The interpretation techniques developed in Part I will be illustrated with an example in a Middle East well. The thermal decay time log was made with a 1 11/16-in. tool lowered through tubing. Neutron and gamma ray logs furnish the necessary porosity and shaliness data. The final results are presented as a computer-produced log.A study is made of the errors that may be tolerated in each of the following items appearing in the equation for water saturation: Slog, Sma, Sh, Sw, Ssh, øe, and Vsh. "Tolerance factors" for each enable the analyst to evaluate the accuracy of actual log interpretation.The time-lapse technique is discussed. In this method two thermal decay time logs are compared, the first one being a reference log run early in the production life of the well. This comparison provides a more accurate evaluation of changes in saturation. The degree of accuracy can be evaluated by means of tolerance factors provided as a result of the error study. Interpretation Example Gamma ray, neutron, decay time (run through tubing), and induction-log conductivity curves over an interval of a typical Middle East well are shown on Fig. 1.

Telepsychiatry (consultation carried out through 2-way interactive television) has been the object of a number of trials in the past twenty years, but to our knowledge there is no previous control study which compares CCTV and face-to-face interviews. Various aspects of the interviews carried out on CCTV were rated on a 5-point scale in questionnaires filled out by: (a) patients; (b) consultees and; (c) consultants. No significant difference was elicited with control interviews in respect to patients’ diagnosis, age and sex. CCTV interview ratings by consultee and consultant were rated only slightly below those of the control group. Such findings should encourage a broader application of interactive CCTV, particularly as a complement to live consultations in distant areas.