Qualitative Comparison of 0.27T, 1.5T,and 3T Magnetic Resonance Images of the Normal Equine Foot     

Géraldine Bolen  Fabrice Audigié  Mathieu Spriet  Filip Vandenberghe  Valeria Busoni 《Journal of Equine Veterinary Science》2010

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has become an important diagnostic tool in the investigation of foot pain in horses. The aim of this study was to qualitatively compare ex-vivo MR images of the same equine feet obtained at three magnetic field strengths: 0.27, 1.5, and 3 tesla (T). Ten cadaver feet were used. All feet were imaged with two high-field systems (3T, 1.5T) and with a low-field (LF) system at 0.27 T designed for standing horses. Images were acquired using similar pulse sequences in all 3 MR units. MR images were subjectively evaluated by three independent experienced image analysts for image quality and clarity of visualization of individual anatomical structures using a four-point grading scale. The images from all of the examinations were considered to be of diagnostic value except for the hoof capsule where substantial artifacts were present in LF images with distortion and loss of signal at the dorsal/distal aspect of the hoof capsule in LF images. Anatomical structure scoring values of images obtained at 3T and 1.5T were significantly greater than scores of images obtained at 0.27T. Scores for images obtained at 3T were significantly higher than those for images obtained at 1.5T. Mean score differences between 1.5T and 3T were higher for cartilage of the distal interphalangeal joint and for the ungular cartilages.  相似文献   

Apple polyphenols and fibers attenuate atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice     

Auclair S  Silberberg M  Gueux E  Morand C  Mazur A  Milenkovic D  Scalbert A 《Journal of agricultural and food chemistry》2008,56(14):5558-5563

Atherosclerosis, which is closely linked to nutritional habits, is a major cause of mortality in Western countries. Most of the previous investigations carried out on health effects of apples have been focused on their capacity to lower lipid concentration as well as on their antioxidant effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antiatherosclerotic effects of apple polyphenols and fibers. A crude apple polyphenol extract and low-viscosity apple fibers isolated from cider apples were administered separately or in association with the diet of apo E-deficient mice. After 4 months of supplementation, lipemia and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured and atheroslerotic lesions assessed by histomorphometry. Total plasmatic cholesterol and triacylgycerol levels were not affected by supplementation, and hepatic cholesterol level was lower in the group supplemented with both fibers and polyphenols. Uric acid concentrations and antioxidant capacity (FRAP) in plasma were reduced in all groups supplemented with polyphenols or fibers. The mean lesion area was reduced by 17, 38, and 38%, respectively, for the polyphenol, fiber, and polyphenol + fiber groups. Apple constituents supplied at nutritional doses therefore limit the development of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta of apo E-deficient mice. On the basis of the results, we hypothesize that apple fibers and polyphenols may play a role in preventing atherosclerosis disease by decreasing uric acid plasma level.  相似文献   

Laboratory Evaluation of Flight Capacities of Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) Using a Flight Mill Device     

Eva Krupa  Alexa-Lou Grhal  Jrmy Esnault  Christelle Bender  Bruno Mathieu 《Journal of insect science (Online)》2021,21(6)

Dispersion expands the distribution of invasive species and as such, it is a key factor of the colonization process. Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901) is an invasive species of mosquito and a vector of various viruses. It was detected in the northeast of France in 2014. The population of this species can expand its distribution by several kilometers per year. However, though flight capacities play an active part in the dispersion of Ae. japonicus, they remain unknown for this species. In this study, we investigated the flight capacities of Ae. japonicus in a laboratory setting using the flight mill technique. We evaluated the influence of age on flight. We recorded videos of individual flights with a camera mounted on Raspberry Pi. We extracted data on distance, duration, and speed of flight using the Toxtrac and Boris software. Our analysis showed a median flight distance of 438 m with a maximum of 11,466 m. Strong flyers, which represented 10% of the females tested, flew more than 6,115 m during 4 h and 28 min at a speed of 1.7 km per h. As suspected, Ae. japonicus is a stronger flyer than the other invasive species Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) (Diptera: Culicidae). To our knowledge, this is the first flight mill study conducted on Ae. japonicus and therefore the first evaluation of its flight capacity. In the future, the flight propensity of Ae. japonicus determined in this study can be included as a parameter to model the colonization process of this invasive vector species.  相似文献   

Effect of fishmeal replacement with Artemia biomass as a protein source in practical diets for the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii     

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh  Tran Thi Thanh Hien  Wille Mathieu  Nguyen Van Hoa  & Patrick Sorgeloos 《Aquaculture Research》2009,40(6):669-680

A 30-day feeding experiment was conducted in 160-L plastic tanks to evaluate the potential use of Artemia biomass as a protein source in practical diets for postlarval Macrobrachium rosenbergii (initial mean weight of 12.12–12.29 mg). Nine isoenergetic and isonitrogenous experimental diets (approximately 40% crude protein) were formulated by replacing levels of the fishmeal (FM) protein difference either with dried or frozen Artemia (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%). The 0% Artemia treatment, in which Peruvian FM was the only main protein source, was considered to be the control diet. The results showed that prawn postlarvae (PLs) fed the FM control diet had a lower survival (46%) compared with all Artemia diets. Significant differences ( P <0.05) were, however, only found at 75% and 100% Artemia protein inclusion levels (survival of 68–77%). A gradual increase in growth performance (live weight gain, specific growth rate and total length) of the prawns was achieved on increasing dietary inclusion of Artemia protein. Additionally, the size distribution exhibited the same response as growth performance. However, prawns fed the frozen Artemia diets showed a better performance than the ones fed the dried Artemia diets. It can be suggested that Artemia biomass may totally replace FM in practical diets for PLs of the freshwater prawn M. rosenbergii .  相似文献   

Mechanical and moisture absorption characterization of PLA composites reinforced with nano-coated flax fibers     

Marie Bayart  Florent Gauvin  M. Reza Foruzanmehr  Saïd Elkoun  Mathieu Robert 《Fibers and Polymers》2017,18(7):1288-1295

This research is intended to improve the interface between the fibers and the matrix and limit water absorption of bio-based material thereby decreasing degradation of the composites when they are exposed to external environment such as high temperature and humidity. In this study, flax fibers were treated with an organic surface coating containing SiO₂ nanoparticles. This coating was a dispersion of silica fume in epoxy. One composite was also made with raw fibers as reference as well as one sample of pure PLA. Flax fibers/PLA composites were manufactured by hot pressing by stacking 4 PLA films and 3 pieces of flax fabric. Morphology and dispersion of the coating on the fibers was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Accelerated ageing was carried out on the 3 materials by placing them in a 50 °C water bath until saturation to investigate the influence of the coating on water diffusion. Mechanical properties of the different composites were investigated by tensile (before and after conditioning) and short beam shear (SBS) testing in order to evaluate the impact of the coating on the interfacial properties of the materials. The results show that the fibers surface was homogenized and that a better adhesion was reached because of the coating. Coating the fibers also allowed the decrease in water uptake by more than 10 % and their protection during conditioning, preserving their mechanical properties.  相似文献   

Towards effective soybean seed systems in Benin: Current situation and prospects for production and delivery of good quality seed     

Mathieu Anatole Tele Ayenan  Patrice Lagnon Sèwadé  Sègbégnon Martin Agboton 《Journal of Crop Improvement》2017,31(3):379-399

Facilitating farmers’ access to quality seed requires proper understanding of the functioning of seed systems. This study aimed at analyzing soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) seed systems in Benin to pave the way for strengthening this sector. The research approach consisted of desk research, focus group discussions, individual interviews and validation workshop with stakeholders involved in soybean seed systems. Our findings revealed that despite the existence of an institutional and organizational framework, the formal soybean seed system is not at all functioning. Farmers mainly relied on informal seed system through self-saved seed and seed purchase in the markets. There is an emerging soybean seed system led by NGOs and farmers’ organizations. Current soybean seed systems are ineffective in timely supplying desired soybean varieties to farmers. Creation of enabling environment to attract private investment and develop local seed businesses is proposed along with new organizational arrangements among stakeholders. Farmers’ training in seed production, processing and managerial skills, as strategy to improve informal seed system, are proposed to strengthen local seed business. Farmers’ organizations have a critical role to play, as they serve as intermediary between their members and seed producers. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) could be exploited not only to promote improved seeds but also to ensure traceability in the system. Quality Declared Seed could be the most adapted quality insurance scheme in remote areas. The proposed arrangements among stakeholders in the seed systems in this study could be applied to legume crops other than soybean.  相似文献   

Effect of feeding scheme and prey density on survival and development of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis zoea larvae     

Li-ying Sui  Mathieu Wille  Xu-gan Wu  Yong-xu Cheng  & Patrick Sorgeloos 《Aquaculture Research》2008,39(6):568-576

The effect of feeding scheme and prey density on survival and development of Eriocheir sinensis zoea larvae was studied in three experiments. Different combinations and densities of rotifers (Brachionus rotundiformis) and newly hatched Artemia nauplii were fed to zoea larvae. Average survival at each stage, larval development (larval stage index, LSI), duration of zoeal stage and individual megalopa dry weight were compared among treatments. This study revealed that, under the experimental conditions, rotifers should be replaced with Artemia between the zoea 3 (Z3) and the zoea 4 (Z4) stage. The optimal rotifer feeding densities for zoea 1 (Z1) and zoea 2 (Z2) were 15 and 20 mL^?1 respectively, while the optimal Artemia feeding density for Z3, Z4 and zoea 5 (Z5) was 3, 5 and 8 mL^?1 respectively. Further trials in production scale are recommended.  相似文献   

Is invasion of deforested Amazonia by the earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus driven by soil texture and chemical properties?     

Raphael Marichal  Michel Grimaldi  Jerome Mathieu  George G. Brown  Thierry Desjardins  Mario Lopes da Silva Junior  Catarina Praxedes  Marlucia B. Martins  Elena Velasquez  Patrick Lavelle 《Pedobiologia》2012,55(5):233-240

Pontoscolex corethurus (Müller, 1857) is the most common invasive earthworm in disturbed lands in the tropics. Conditions required for its successful colonization of new plots are still not understood since some areas can be invaded while others, sometimes in the vicinity, are not. We kept newly hatched P. corethrurus in a wide range of Amazonian soils where population densities had been previously evaluated. We identified soil conditions that best sustain survival, soil ingestion and growth of P. corethrurus in controlled laboratory conditions and checked if presence/absence in the field was consistent with laboratory observations. While pH and Ca influenced survival; Mg and C content were the greatest determinants for growth and C:P, Mg and clay contents determined soil ingestion rates. Soil ingestion and growth rate were correlated. There were no differences in earthworm soil ingestion rates between invaded and non-invaded soils. However, growth rate and survival were higher in soils from invaded sites than in soils from non invaded sites, indicating that soil quality may play a role in the invasion process. We identified two cases where P. corethrurus did not occur: (1) unfavourable soil texture and chemical properties, but also some areas with and (2) favourable soil texture and chemical properties but no invasion. Other parameters, like vegetation cover (grass or trees), soil structure and compaction, soil hydrologic processes or biotic resistance of native earthworm communities could potentially also be key elements for understanding why P. corethrurus populations occur in some sites and not in others.  相似文献   

Macrobenthic biodiversity and oxygen uptake in estuarine systems: the example of the Seine estuary     

Anne-Laure Janson  Lionel Denis  Mathieu Rauch  Nicolas Desroy 《Journal of Soils and Sediments》2012,12(10):1568-1580

Purpose

Bioturbation is a major process influencing the functioning of benthic ecosystems. Although controlled experiments with species in monoculture or in artificial combinations have increased the knowledge about the role of biological diversity on geochemical processes, specific interactions have been neglected, making the extrapolation of experimental results to natural systems difficult. In this context, the main objective of this study was to measure the effects of a whole natural macrobenthic community on benthic oxygen uptake.

Materials and methods

The relationships between macrofauna and oxygen uptakes were investigated in the estuarine system of the Seine, France, during the winter and fall according to the variability of river discharge. Four undisturbed sediment cores with associated macrofauna and overlying water were sampled at nine subtidal stations in order to perform whole core incubations and measure total oxygen uptake (TOU). Moreover, values of diffusive oxygen uptake (DOU) were obtained using microelectrode profiling and fauna-mediated oxygen uptake (FOU) was calculated as the difference between TOU and DOU. FOUs were thus linked to macrofaunal parameters; both traditional (species richness, abundance and biomass) and functional (trophic guilds and bioturbation modes).

Results and discussion

The average FOU (±SD) ranged from 170?±?36 to 1,324?±?701???mol?m^?2?h^?1, and values represented 33 to 89?% of TOU. Each of the traditional macrofauna parameters had a significant and positive correlation with FOU. In addition, abundance, biomass and species number of some functional groups (e.g. suspension feeders and biodiffusors) were also correlated to FOU, supporting the diversity?Cstability hypothesis of McArthur (Ecology 36:533?C536, 1955). Nevertheless, the relationship between FOU and other functional groups such as conveyors illustrated the idiosyncratic nature of this hypothesis, underlining the difficulty of clearly identifying the role of a macrofaunal community on oxygen exchanges at the sediment?Cwater interface.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the importance of functional biodiversity on mineralization processes as well as the need to take into account the whole community. They also suggest that future studies should focus on the functional consequences of species loss and the potential resilience of the communities as a way to maintain ecosystem processes.  相似文献   

Pathogens at the livestock-wildlife interface in Western Alberta: does transmission route matter?     

Mathieu Pruvot  Susan Kutz  Frank van der Meer  Marco Musiani  Herman W Barkema  Karin Orsel 《Veterinary research》2014,45(1):18

In southwestern Alberta, interactions between beef cattle and free-ranging elk (Cervus elaphus) may provide opportunities for pathogen transmission. To assess the importance of the transmission route on the potential for interspecies transmission, we conducted a cross-sectional study on four endemic livestock pathogens with three different transmission routes: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus and Bovine Herpesvirus 1 (predominantly direct transmission), Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) (indirect fecal-oral transmission), Neospora caninum (indirect transmission with definitive host). We assessed the occurrence of these pathogens in 28 cow-calf operations exposed or non-exposed to elk, and in 10 elk herds exposed or not to cattle. We characterized the effect of species commingling as a risk factor of pathogen exposure and documented the perceived risk of pathogen transmission at this wildlife-livestock interface in the rural community. Herpesviruses found in elk were elk-specific gamma-herpesviruses unrelated to cattle viruses. Pestivirus exposure in elk could not be ascertained to be of livestock origin. Evidence of MAP circulation was found in both elk and cattle, but there was no statistical effect of the species commingling. Finally, N. caninum was more frequently detected in elk exposed to cattle and this association was still significant after adjustment for herd and sampling year clustering, and individual elk age and sex. Only indirectly transmitted pathogens co-occurred in cattle and elk, indicating the potential importance of the transmission route in assessing the risk of pathogen transmission in multi-species grazing systems.  相似文献