Search

Resume Au travers de sa commission d’ethique, l’Institut national de la transfusion sanguine a interroge les differentes strates des relations interpersonnelles qui se nouent tout au long de la chaine transfusionnelle. Au travers de parcours tres divers, les professionnels autour de la transfusion ont des approches a la fois divergents sur des specificites de metier et aussi des points de vue convergents autour de valeurs partagees. La chaine transfusionnelle rend possible la relation entre (ai) les personnes malades ou blessees, requerant ce type de soin ; (ai) les donneurs de sang sans lesquels l’objet meme de cette offre de soin n’existerait pas ; et (aiii) un arsenal de professionnels prenant en charge tous les aspects techniques, logistiques, medicaux et administratifs de la transfusion. Cette categorie professionnelle est plurielle : au plus proche des donneurs, au plus proche des personnes malades, au plus proche du produit sanguin detache du donneur mais pas encore administre a la personne malade, ou au plus pres de l’Etat regulateur et administrateur. Ces professionnels sont soumis a differents niveaux de tensions dans le cadre de leur(s) mission(s), dans une relation aussi dependante de leur passe ou leur absence de passe relatif aux periodes sombres de la transfusion. Dans ce contexte, l’ethique apparait comme le point de convergence et le sujet pour lequel nul debatteur n’est plus — ou moins — legitime qu’un autre. Cette journee s’est deroulee en trois temps principaux : (bi) un debat sur le don et l’accueil du candidat au don ou du donneur de sang ; (bii) un debat sur le transfert du don a la personne malade (au beneficiaire) au risque de la dette ; (biii) une synthese et l’identification de pistes de travail. Le present compte-rendu, loin d’en faire un verbatim, en est davantage le recueil des points saillants.

The not-for-profit issue has been debated in November 2016 in Paris; this issue is one of the four canonical pillars of ethical blood donation. It is intimately bound to benevolence though it is distinct, as not-for-profit calls for institutions while benevolence calls for individuals. It is indeed intended that voluntary blood donors do not benefit from their donation and are thus non-remunerated. Not-for-profit is essential since it refers to the public character of blood as a putative public resource aimed at being shared as a tribute of solidarity. A central question however is linked to the capacity- or not -of public sectors to ensure that blood components are universally available, with special mention to plasma derived drugs, without the contribution of the for profit, private sector.

Morphological differences associated with sex or stage, together with total lipids and carotenoids, were studied in Euphausia superba as possible indicators of physiological condition. E. superba displays sexual dimorphism during growth. A group of mature males, called Males II herein, has a greater abdominal length, suggesting that they are faster swimmers, a feature implying higher metabolic rates and a higher demand for protecting pigments like carotenoids. Mature Males II have proportionally lower lipids but higher total lipid-soluble carotenoids, a counterintuitive finding. Males II also have bigger eyes. Significant regressions with carotenoids were found for wet weight, abdominal length, and eye diameter. On a spatial analysis, population composition reflects reproductive activity. Males II would be in search of females for fecundation and, thus, are dominant in some areas. The PCA analysis of 10 allometric and biochemical variables show a distinct Males II group differing in morphology, carotenoids, and lipid contents. The carotenoid:lipid ratio was highest for Males II, supporting the hypothesis of the role of carotenoids in the activity of the species. Mature males may experience physiological stress during reproduction and probably die shortly afterwards. A relationship between activity, morphometrics, and carotenoid content seems evident, deserving further investigation.

The not-for-profit issue has been debated in November 2016 in Paris; this issue is one of the four canonical pillars of ethical blood donation. It is intimately bound to benevolence though it is distinct, as not-for-profit calls for institutions while benevolence calls for individuals. It is indeed intended that voluntary blood donors do not benefit from their donation and are thus non-remunerated. Not-for-profit is essential since it refers to the public character of blood as a putative public resource aimed at being shared as a tribute of solidarity. A central question however is linked to the capacity- or not -of public sectors to ensure that blood components are universally available, with special mention to plasma derived drugs, without the contribution of the for profit, private sector.

Resume Un des principaux changements de paradigmes introduits par les lois sur les droits des malades depuis 2002 est la primaute du principe d’autonomie de la personne, et de facon consecutive, la recherche d’un consentement aux soins. L’information loyale, claire, comprehensible est indispensable mais seulement si elle est appropriee a la situation. Ces notions precisent une relation entre la personne malade et l’equipe des soignants mais elle laisse pour autant des zones d’incertitude quant a la completude de l’information delivree et relative a la capacite de la personne autonome a recevoir l’entierete ou la partialite de l’information et a l’assimiler ? A quoi consent-on en effet quand on est pris en soin ? Quels effets secondaires annoncer (et recevoir) afin que l’acceptation d’un soin soit encore une option ? N’est-ce pas plutot a qui consent-on de donner sa confiance dans un plan de soin ? Appliques a la transfusion (don de sang et de cellules souches, reception de produits sanguins), tels sont les sujets et les questions qui ont ete debattus lors du seminaire annuel de l’Institut national de la transfusion sanguine en decembre 2018. Les debats, nourris, n’ont pas clos la question, mais permis l’emergence de points meritant certainement une poursuite et un approfondissement de la reflexion.

The reconstruction of jaws with a free fibula flap can be anticipated virtually. The simulation can be transferred to the operating theater using customized devices obtained from computer-assisted design and manufacturing in a complete digital workflow. Several alternatives are available, from cutting guides to customized titanium osteosynthesis plates, to obtain the best accuracy and reproducibility of reconstruction. Moreover, these new processes allow integrating prosthetic planning concomitantly with reconstruction. We present the virtual three-dimensional planning method for jaw reconstruction with a free fibula flap and the various alternatives of surgery guided by customized devices provided by this planning.

Summary Objectives Mortality among HIV patients with tuberculosis (TB) remains high in Eastern Europe (EE), but details of TB and HIV management remain scarce. Methods In this prospective study, we describe the TB treatment regimens of patients with multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB and use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Results A total of 105 HIV-positive patients had MDR-TB (including 33 with extensive drug resistance) and 130 pan-susceptible TB. Adequate initial TB treatment was provided for 8% of patients with MDR-TB compared with 80% of those with pan-susceptible TB. By twelve months, an estimated 57.3% (95%CI 41.5–74.1) of MDR-TB patients had started adequate treatment. While 67% received ART, HIV-RNA suppression was demonstrated in only 23%. Conclusions Our results show that internationally recommended MDR-TB treatment regimens were infrequently used and that ART use and viral suppression was well below the target of 90%, reflecting the challenging patient population and the environment in which health care is provided. Urgent improvement of management of patients with TB/HIV in EE, in particular for those with MDR-TB, is needed and includes widespread access to rapid TB diagnostics, better access to and use of second-line TB drugs, timely ART initiation with viral load monitoring, and integration of TB/HIV care.

L’exercice de l’oncohematologie s’est diversifie, complexifie et democratise a un point tel qu’une prise de decision par un medecin seul n’est plus concevable ni defendable desormais. La pratique deja ancienne des comites pluridisciplinaires a habitue les oncologues a decider a plusieurs, mais l’argumentaire deploye reste le plus souvent cantonne au champ et a la logique medicotechniques. Les travaux d’ethique clinique, realises en Amerique du Nord dans le cadre de la bioethique, ont considerablement enrichi la discussion autour des cas difficiles en s’ouvrant a des competences etrangeres au monde de la sante telles que la theologie, le droit, la philosophie et les sciences humaines, mais cette pratique que d’aucuns voient comme une discipline nouvelle avec ses consultants specialises n’est ni adaptee ni aisement transposable dans notre culture latine. Finalement, en assumant de l’interieur meme de la specialite et des services d’oncologie l’heritage des pionniers des soins palliatifs et en favorisant une dynamique participative au sein d’une equipe dument formee, soutenue et ouverte a l’aide de professionnels transversaux, la demarche palliative apparait comme la mieux a meme d’offrir les conditions necessaires a une prise de decision ethique au chevet des personnes atteintes d’un cancer.

Le Groupe de reflexion sur l’accompagnement et les soins palliatifs en hematologie (GRASPH) fut cree en 1991 sur le concept de la demarche palliative qui affirme que la mise en place d’une demarche participative des equipes centrees sur le malade permet une meilleure prise en charge du patient et des proches. Ce concept, repris dans plusieurs textes officiels et plusieurs recommandations (Plan cancer [2003], rapport de Marie de Haennezel [2003], Conference de consensus sur l’accompagnement des personnes en fin de vie et de leurs proches [2004]), est detaille dans deux circulaires ministerielles des 19 fevrier 2002 et 9 juin 2004. La demarche palliative associe differents points de la demarche participative: formation interne aux unites de soins, mise en place d’un projet commun d’equipe, creation d’espaces de paroles pluriprofessionnels ou sont discutes les cas difficiles, soutien aux equipes. Depuis 1991, le GRASPH a diffuse la demarche palliative par le courrier du Groupe de reflexion sur l’accompagnement et les soins de support pour les patients en hematologie et oncologie (GRASSPHO), son site web, un congres national tous les deux ans, puis annuel, des formations nationales, la creation de groupes regionaux. En 2005, le groupe a integre les soins de support (definis comme l’ensemble des soins et soutiens necessaires aux personnes malades tout au long de la maladie, conjointement aux traitements specifiques) dans le concept de demarche participative des equipes transversales (douleur, soins palliatifs, psychooncologie, soutien social, nutrition, reeducation fonctionnelle...).

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in geriatrics and oncology. For elderly cancer patients, it has a significant impact on quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Nevertheless, depression is under-diagnosed and under-treated. Cancer management is key in improving the quality of care in this population. We aim to identify sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment-related factors of depression in elderly patients during chemotherapy, thus allowing early detection of patients in need of specific treatment. Further, we investigate whether chemotherapy efficacy and safety are associated with depression.A prospective multicenter cohort composed of incident cases of cancer diagnosed in patients 70 years and older, receiving first-line chemotherapy. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale at baseline and after four chemotherapy cycles. Associations between depressive symptoms during chemotherapy and patients' clinical and treatment characteristics were identified by logistic regression.Among 344 patients measured for depression before chemotherapy, 260 had a second assessment at the fourth treatment cycle. At baseline, 45.4% were depressed, and 44.6% were depressed after the fourth cycle. Independent factors of depression were depressive symptoms at baseline (odds ratio (OR) = 6.7, p 0.001), malnutrition (OR = 5.1, p = 0.014), and risk of malnutrition (OR = 1.6, p = 0.014). After controlling for missing data, effective chemotherapy was associated with a lower risk of depression (OR = 0.4, p = 0.018).We highlight the role of depressive symptoms and nutritional status at baseline, on the occurrence of depressive symptoms during chemotherapy. These factors should be taken into account in any pre-treatment consultation and appropriate nutritional and psychiatric preventative measures established. Copyright © 2016 John WileySons, Ltd.

Introduction Lors de l’indication d’une reconstruction mandibulaire par un transfert osseux vascularise, le lambeau libre de perone constitue le meilleur choix du fait de sa longueur et de sa fiabilite. L’interet essentiel est de pouvoir y mettre ensuite des implants dentaires. La reconstruction peut etre faite par un montage en simple barre ou en double barre. Du fait de la superposition des baguettes osseuses et du gain de hauteur, le montage en double barre est le plus favorable a la mise en place d’implants dentaires. Materiel et methodes Depuis 3 ans, parmi notre serie de reconstructions mandibulaires par lambeau libre de perone destinees a la pose d’implants dentaires (11 cas), cinq cas ont beneficie d’un montage en double barre. Resultats A ce jour, trois des cinq cas ont pu etre implantes en vue d’une rehabilitation prothetique : l’etape implantaire est detaillee. Discussion La reconstruction mandibulaire en simple barre peut parfois apporter suffisamment de hauteur osseuse, mais impose parfois secondairement des greffes osseuses d’apposition pour un gain de hauteur. En definitive, nous privilegions le montage en double barre : il apporte d’emblee une hauteur osseuse satisfaisante. La technique de conformation du perone en double barre nous parait la plus efficace afin d’obtenir une hauteur osseuse suffisante pour la mise en place d’implants.

The objective of the present study was to characterize the relationship between vitellogenin (Vtg) and vitellin (Vt) concentration profiles during the reproductive cycle of the penaeid prawn Fenneropenaeus indicus. Vt was purified from ovaries of vitellogenic females by gradient ultracentrifugation. Purified Vt was used to raise polyclonal antibodies (anti-Vt) for this species. Vtg and Vt concentrations in hemolymph, hepatopancreas, and ovaries were measured by validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Parallel displacement curves were obtained between purified Vt and tissues from ovaries, hepatopancreas, and hemolymph. Vtg concentrations increased in the hemolymph and hepatopancreas in the early stages of ovarian development (until GSI 3.4) and decreased significantly (P

The spatial distribution of heterotrophic prokaryotes was investigated during the Tokyo–Palau cruise in the western part of the North Pacific subtropical gyre (NPSG) along a north–south transect between 33.60 and 13.25° N. The cruise was conducted in three different hydrological areas identified as the Kuroshio region, the Subtropical gyre area and the Transition zone. Two eddies were crossed along the transect: one cold core cyclonic eddy and one warm core anticyclonic eddy and distributions of the heterotrophic prokaryotes were recorded. By using analytical flow cytometry and a nucleic acid staining protocol, heterotrophic prokaryotes were discriminated into three subgroups depending on their nucleic acid content (low, high and very high nucleic acid contents labeled LNA, HNA and VHNA, respectively). Statistical analyses performed on the dataset showed that LNA, mainly associated with temperature and salinity, were dominant in all the hydrological regions. In contrast, HNA distribution seemed to be associated with temperature, salinity, Chl a and silicic acid. A latitudinal increase in the HNA / LNA ratio was observed along the north–south transect and was related to higher phosphate and nitrate concentrations. In the Kuroshio Current, it is suggested that the high concentration of heterotrophic prokaryotes observed at station 4 was linked to the path of the cold cyclonic eddy core. In contrast, it is thought that low concentrations of heterotrophic prokaryotes in the warm core of the anticyclonic gyre (Sta. 9) are related to the low nutrient concentrations measured in the seawater column. Our results showed that the high variability between the various heterotrophic prokaryote cluster abundances depend both on the mesoscale structures and the oligotrophic gradient.

Purpose: To determine the effect of low-dose splenic irradiation on severe Zidovudine-resistant, HIV-1–associated thrombocytopenia (HAT). Methods and Materials: Between September 1994 and October 1996, 17 patients were included in a prospective study. The patients met the following criteria for inclusion: hemorrhagic symptoms or a platelet count below or equal to 50 × 10 9 /l and normal numbers of megakaryocytes on bone aspiration. The mean baseline platelet count was 20.3 (± 14.4) × 10 9 /l; four patients had a platelet count inferior to 10 × 10 9 /l. Splenic volume was defined by ultrasonography. A total dose of 9 Gy was given using an isocentric parallel pair field technique. Results: One month after the end of treatment six patients had a significant rise in their platelet count. Clinically, hemorrhagic symptoms stopped for all patients that were symptomatic. Unfortunately, duration of response was short because for one patient only the platelet count remains stable with a follow-up of 6 months. All patients are alive and in recent evaluation, with four out of eight patients receiving a combination of antiretroviral therapy had a platelet count above 50 × 10 9 /l. Conclusion: Our results are disappointing concerning the duration of response, especially comparatively to those reported in autoimmune thrombocytopenia. Mechanisms of HAT are more complex, and megakaryocytes' infection may play an important role. Splenic irradiation should be considered as palliative treatment for the minority of patients with severe bleeding that does not respond to standard medical treatment.

In crustaceans, assimilation of nutrients depends on their complex digestive systems. Early studies were limited to morphology and histology. More recently, biochemistry and molecular biology studies have generated interesting results about the processes of digestion and food utilization. Selection of foods in nature; consumption in aquaculture; ingestion; transit of nutrients in the digestive tract; mechanical digestion; enzyme activity and their physiological variations and control of their synthesis, use of compound diets, cellular absorption and storage as well as transfer of excreta are the main functions of the digestive tract of crustaceans. Numerous studies have addressed these subjects in relation to several crustacean species living in European waters, including Homarus, crayfish Astacus, shrimps Crangon, Palaemonetes and Paiaemon, crabs Cancer and Portunus, as well as other genera, such as Penaeus and Macrobrachium living in overseas territories. This article reviews the results of these studie...

The oxygen consumption of the six successive zoeal stages of Palaemon serratus reared in 30 different combinations of temperature and salinity was measured. Oxygen consumption per individual, R, increased with the age (or the dry weight, W) of the larvae according to a power function R=a·Wb, but no significant relationship was found between the specific respiration, R′ (respiration rate per dry weight unit), and the dry weight of successive larval stages. Nevertheless, highest rates were always observed in the ZIV, for all temperature and salinity conditions. These maxima were probably related to large nutritional changes occurring at this period of development. Temperature affected R′ according to a linear function R′ = a′ + b′·T.Q10 values varied between 1.50 and 2.58 according to the larval stage and the salinity, except for the ZI at the lowest salinity where a very high value of 5.89 was recorded. The respiration rate decreased at the lowest and highest salinity values. The salinity effect on metabolic rates is described by a quadratic equation R′ = a″+b″·S+c·S2. The combined effect of temperature and salinity on the respiration of the six successive larval stages is illustrated using tridimensional models. Maximal respiration rates were recorded at salinities between 25‰ and 31‰ and at the highest temperature (29°C).

Day and night variations (nycthemeral) of ammonia excretion were studied in post-larvae and adults (male and female) of Penaeus japonicus . When the photoperiod was 16:8 ( L D ), ammonia excretion by adults varied only at night, with two maxima: 21.00–23.00 h and 01.00–03.00 h. Ammonia excretion by the post-larvae exhibited variations during the whole day, with four maxima: 21.00–23.00 h, 01.00–03.00 h, 07.00–09.00 h and 13.00–15.00 h. In adults, hourly specific excretion was enhanced during the dark period (× 2). There was no such difference for post-larvae between day and night. The daily specific excretion did not differ between males and females except for some periods of the daily cycle. The daily specific excretion by post-larvae (47.8 μatg NNH 3 NH 4 ·g −1 live weight·24 h −1 ) was about five-fold higher than excretion by adults (10.3 μatg NNH 3 NH 4 ·g −1 live weight·24 h −1 at 23°C). The relationships between behaviour and ammonia excretion variations are discussed.

Variations of free amino-acids (FAA) content during the larval development of Penaeus japonicus have been studied.FAA content increases from 83 to 687 μmoles/g dry weight from egg to post-larval (20 days old: P20) development. There is a sharp increase between zoe and mysis stages, and another one between one day post-larvae (P1) and P20. After the mysis stage, free essential and non essential amino-acids evolve in a different way: the non essential FAA content, mainly glycine, increases continuously, whereas essential FAA content decreases (about 40%) from the mysis stage to metamorphosis in post-larvae (P1).FAA content evolution during larval development exhibits the same trend as the variation of the digestive enzyme activity.ResumeLes variations des concentrations des acides amines libres (AAL) ont ete etudiees au cours du developpement larvaire de Penaeus japonicus.La concentration totale des AAL de l'aeuf a la post-larve de 20 jours (P20) augmente de 83 a 687 μmoles/g de poids sec. Cette augm...

1. 1. This study deals with the modifications of the hemolymph proteins of the Crustacea, Isopoda Idotea balthica basteri when this isopod is exposed to the effect of a non-ionic detergent (long-term effect: > 3 months). 2. 2. Three concentrations were used: 1, 5 and 30 mg/l, and the effect of the temperature was considered 3. 3. The electrophoretograms indicate that in the second month there were numerous fractions produced. In the third month there was an important and general reduction in proteins. 4. 4. The hemocyanin fractions were affected by the detergent. The detergent may stop or stimulate the synthesis of fraction B and influence the process of coupling-separation of fractions A and C. 5. 5. In females, detergent may cause resorption of oocyte proteins.

As major loss of mandibular bone stock requires a vascularized transfer, fibula free flap reconstruction is considered to be the best free flap for its length and reliability. Its main advantage is to accept dental implants. Single or double-barrel reconstruction can be performed. Double-barrel reconstruction is generally preferred because the bone superposition offers enough height to allow dental implants.We reviewed five selected cases of double-barrel fibula free flap adaptive mandibular reconstruction performed among a series of 11 oral rehabilitations with planned dental implants, focusing on the technical aspects.Today, dental rehabilitation has been achieved in three double-barrel fibula flaps. Details are reported concerning the implant step.In this perspective, we discuss the choice of the reconstructive technique in order to obtain adequate bone height. Early in our experience and for different reasons discussed in the text, we used a single barrel fibula flap. This technique provided sufficient height in some cases, but had to be completed by bone grafts in few patients. Our experience illustrates the usefulness of the double barrel technique which provide definitive bone height sufficient for dental implants. The double-barreled technique should be considered as the best solution.

Sinus bone grafting with autogenous bone is routinely performed to allow placement of endosseous dental implants. Although numerous maxillary sinuses have been successfully grafted, some complications of this procedure have been reported. These include maxillary sinusitis, resorption, infection and possible failure of grafts, loss of implants after 1-stage surgery, and oroantral fistulae. Only one case of postoperative maxillary cyst developing in the graft has been reported in the literature. Here, the authors report a similar case that necessitated grafting of the cyst with autologous iliac bone.

Splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL) is a low grade lymphoproliferation characterized by a massive splenomegaly, an absence of lymphadenopathy and the presence in the peripheral blood of atypical B-lymphocytes with hairy-cell appearance. We have studied the morphological, immunological and molecular characteristics of 3 cases of SLVL. SLVL presented on blood smears characteristic irregularities of the plasma membrane consisting in thin and short villi unevenly distributed. The main phenotype was CD5-, CD11c+, and CD25-, but individual SLVL cases can not be identified by using immunohistochemical criteria alone. Clonal rearrangements of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene were found in all 3 cases and in one case presented a bcl2-JH rearrangement. SLVL are clonal B-cell lymphoproliferations and can be associated with t(14; 18) translocation.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and the efficacy of high-dose chemoradiotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell support with peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) harvested after high-dose cyclophosphamide (HDCYC) treatment in patients with high-risk multiple myeloma (MM). Inclusion criteria were: age less than 65 years and high-risk MM defined as stage II MM, stage III MM, refractory or relapsed MM. The design of the study was: 1) HDCYC +/- hematopoietic growth factors followed by PBPC collection, and 2) high-dose melphalan combined with total body irradiation (or busulfan for previously irradiated patients) followed by PBPC reinfusion (ABPCT). All 60 patients completed the procedure except two who died from infection after HDCYC and another of acute cardiac failure after reinfusion of PBPC. Out of the 60 evaluable patients, three failed to respond while the other 57 achieved either a partial (n = 33) or complete (n = 24) response. Thirty-one patients progressed or relapsed after a median duration of response of 15 months (range: 3-43). The median follow-up for the other 26 responder patients was 24 months (range: 2-66). Twenty-one patients died, 18 of MM (2 after failure, 16 after relapse) and three responders of lung cancer (n = 1) and infection (n = 2). In conclusion, this study shows that this therapeutic approach is feasible and efficient.

Variations of free amino-acids (FAA) content during the larval development of Penaeus japonicus have been studied. FAA content increases from 83 to 687 mumoles/g dry weight from egg to post-larval (20 days old: P20) development. There is a sharp increase between zoe and mysis stages, and another one between one day post-larvae (P1) and P20. After the mysis stage, free essential and non essential amino-acids evolve in a different way: the non essential FAA content, mainly glycine, increases continuously, whereas essential FAA content decreases (about 40%) from the mysis stage to metamorphosis in post-larvae (P1). FAA content evolution during larval development exhibits the same trend as the variation of the digestive enzyme activity.

This study deals with the variation in the lipids of tissues during the molting cycle of prawn, Penaeus japonicus. During the molting cycle, the most notable variation in the lipid concentration (mg/100g fresh tissue) was seen in the hepatopancreas; the lipid concentration reached a maximum at stage D0 (beginning of premolt period). Also, the pre-ecdysial increase of hepatopancreatic lipids was found to be derived from both polar and neutral lipids. In other tissues such as the muscle, eyestalk, integument, and remains, the lipid concentration varied with the molting stages, but the variation was not as remarkable as observed in the hepatopancreas.

The influence of purified and proteic amino acids in the diet on the carotenoid content of crustaceans was investigated with the shrimp, Palaemon serratus . Methionine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and arginine, combined in pairs and in varying proportions, were added to a standard artificial diet containing 45.7% protein. The addition of 8% methionine resulted in a stronger concentration of carotenoid pigments, while the methionine-isoleucine pair produced the most striking results. A too high addition of free amino acids in the food supply led to a lower concentration of carotenes in the specimens studied; the smaller doses of purified amino acids applied in the experiment produced the best results.

Soluble proteins, esterases 2C, acid phosphatases of the digestive gland and foot muscle of Cyclonassa neritea , were compared using polyacrylamide gradient gels. α-Glucosidases, alkaline phosphatases, l -leucine aminopeptidase and peptidase were studied from digestive gland extracts. Molecular weights of isoenzymes were evaluated with 5000 d accuracy. Variation in activity of the most important isoenzymes of each enzyme under the influence of acclimation temperature was measured. In both muscle and digestive gland, the concentration of soluble proteins is stable. Through the whole acclimation temperature range, esterase activity per mg protein decreased with increased temperature. l -Leucine aminopeptidase activity decreases steadily from 10 to 25°, even though the two alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme activities increase. The other enzymes have their maximum activities at 20°.

Esterase 2 C activities, involving the hydrolysis of 2-carbon carboxylic esters, α-glucosidase, acetylglucosaminidase, alkaline and acid phosphatases in the hepatopancreas of Palaemon serratus, were examined by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. The isoenzymatic equipments of shrimps acclimated at 6 different ligh intensities (1 to 1200 lx) were compared. Enzymatic activities were measured and the molecular weight of each isozyme was evaluated. It was found that (a) the concentration of soluble proteins decreases between 1 and 600 lx; (b) esterase 2 C and alkaline phosphatase activities increase substantially between 1 and 1200 lx; (c) for these two activities, light intensity acts differently according to the isozyme under consideration; (d) α-glucosidase activities vary inversely with acetylglucosaminidase activity at light intensities greater than 150 lux.

The carotenoid pigments of the copepod, Calanipeda aquae-dulcis, were investigated by thin layer chromatography and absorption spectrophotometry. The following pigments were identified: β-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, echinenone, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin and phoenicoxanthin. The nature of the fatty acids derived from natural esters has been determined quantitatively by gas chromatography of their methyl esters. Complexes between fatty acids and carotenoid pigments are discussed; not only esterified pigments are present. The linkage between fatty acids and carotenoid pigments depends on the extent of oxygenation of the pigments. The presence of monounsaturated fatty acids increases if carotenoid pigments are low in oxygenation. Conversely, the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids increases with the oyxgenation of the carotenoid pigments. The role of the links between carotenoid pigments and fatty acids in the trophic webs is discussed.

Variations in ascorbic acid content of the ovary, somatic tissues and the whole female body were studied during ovarian development and the molting cycle of Palaemon serratus. The conclusions are incomplete, due to insufficient data on the role of ascorbic acid in the physiology and metabolism of animals, and especially crustaceans. However, some results indicate that Vitamin C is accumulated in the female as the gonad index increases. Ascorbic acid is concentrated preferentially in the ovarian tissue. Some hypotheses are put forward relating to the role of ascorbic acid in the biosynthesis of chitin, steroid hormones, and in ovarian maturation.

The non-essential free amino acids of Peneaus japonicus hemolymph (asp, ser, glu, pro, gly, tyr, arg, ala, cys, tau) are more common than the essential ones: 750 pmol μl −1 of hemolymph vs 330 pmol. Under a light-dark (L-D); 12-12 photoperiod, tricircadian variations of males or tetracircadian variations of females are more pronounced for non-essential amino acids then for essential ones. In the first case, free amino acid concentrations of hemolymph can be multiplied by a factor of three, and in the second case by a factor of six; but circadian variations of females are greater than those of males. Differences between the maximum and minimum of essential free amino acid concentrations of male and female hemolymph are more frequent than for non-essential amino acids. A differences of 2 h between the minimum of essential and non-essential amino acid concentrations in males only appeared during the afternoon. The more concentrated free amino acids in P. japnicus hemolymph are glycine, proline, histidine, and alanine; the less concentrated are lysine, cysteine and glutamic acid while others, like leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and tyrosine can only be estimated at 10.00 and 24.00 h.

In order to improve the formulation of diets fed to reared Penaeus vannamei, the effects of soya bean and fish meals on the growth, survival, and the characteristics of the hepatopancreas and digestive enzymes of the species were studied. Four soya bean meal concentrations (0, 5, 15, 40%), four fish meal concentrations (0, 5, 15, 30%), two forms of soya bean meal and three fish meals of different geographical origin were tested. Experimental conditions were as follows: ten individuals were placed in each tank (0.5 m2 ) and two tanks were subjected to each treatment. Food was given twice a day (08-09.00 h and 19.00 h) at 10% of the initial weight each day. For biochemical analyses, nine individuals per treatment were used for the determination of the hepatosomatic ratio, proteins, proteases, amylases and trypsin. The results show that a high level of soya bean or fish meals in the diet strongly depresses growth without any apparent effect on the digestive enzymes or the hepatopancreas parameters. No effect of soya bean meal type or geographical origin of the fish meal was detected. The results suggest that the incorporation of both soya bean and fish meals in the diet should be restricted to low concentrations and only with the aim of diversifying the protein sources., Afin d'améliorer la formulation des aliments composés destinés à la croissance de Penaeus vannamei, nous avons étudié l'effet de l'incorporation de farine de soja et de farine de poisson sur la croissance, la survie, les caractéristiques de l'hépatopancréas et les enzymes de cette espèce. Quatre concentrations de farine de soja (5, 10, 20, 40%), quatre concentrations de farine de poisson (0, 5, 15, 30%) deux formes de farine de soja et trois farines de poissons différentes suivant leur origine géographique ont été successivement testées. La nourriture (10% du poids initial) a été distribuée deux fois par jour (8-9 h et 19 h). Les rapports hépatosomatiques, les protéines, les protéases, les amylases et la trypsine ont été déterminés sur neuf individus par traitement. Les résultats montrent qu'une forte incorporation de farine de soja ou de farine de poisson a pour effet de diminuer la croissance des animaux. Cette diminution est liée à une baisse de l'ingestibilité des aliments. Les enzymes digestives ne sont pas affectées. Les résultats montrent par ailleurs que l'origine géographique d'une source de poisson et le traitement subi par la farine de soja et la farine de poisson d'autre part, n'affectent pas les performances zootechniques et les enzymes digestives. L'ensemble des résultats permet de conclure que l'incorporation de soja ou de farine de poisson dans l'aliment doit être réalisée à faible taux, et ce, uniquement dans le but de diversifier les sources de protéines.

The effects of a fat-free diet and compounded diets containing tripalmitin, soybean, linseed, sardine and clam oils on moult, growth and fatty acid composition of prawn were investigated. Compounded diets containing fatty acids of the linolenic family such as 18 : 3 ω 3, 20 : 5 ω 3 and 22 : 6 ω 3 resulted in good moult and growth. Determination of the fatty acid composition of total lipids from prawns fed the test diets showed: 1. (1) Prawns given fat-free diets had the highest levels of 16 : 0, 16 : 1 and 18 : 1, indicating that they were able to synthesize those acids de novo. 2. (2) Addition of soybean oil rich in linoleic acid significantly increased the level of 18 : 2 ω 6. 3. (3) Feeding of linseed oil, high in linolenic acid, gave better moulting rate and growth than (2), and resulted mainly in high levels of 18 : 3 ω 3. 4. (4) Prawns receiving tripalmitin had a high level of 16 : 1 ω 7, indicating that regulation of palmitic acid synthesis could be exercised through desaturation and chain elongation. 5. (5) Prawns fed diets supplemented with 4% sardine oil or 4% clam oil, rich in ω 3 PUFA had a high moulting rate, the best growth and a high level of ω 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

1. 1. The bioconversion of desmosterol to cholesterol during the molting cycle of the shrimp, Palaemon serratus, was investigated in conjunction with the variation of lipids, unsaponifiable matter and sterol concentrations. 2. 2. The lipid concentration was high at stages D1′ and D1″ (early premolt). The unsaponifiable matter concentration was high at stages A2, B1 and B2 (postmolt). However, the sterols were contained at an almost constant level in the tissues throughout all the molting stages examined. 3. 3. The ability for conversion of desmosterol to cholesterol rose markedly at stages A2-B1, decreased at stage B2 and then appeared to increase slightly up to stage D1′ and decreased notably at stages D1′-D1″ to the almost constant levels maintained throughout the late premolt (stages D1‴ and D2).