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Affiliative behaviours regulate allostasis development and shape biobehavioural trajectories in horses
No full textInternational audienceSocial interactions shape both the physiological and behavioural development of offspring, and poor care/early caregiver loss is known to promote adverse outcomes during infancy in both animals and humans. How affiliative behaviours impact the future development of offspring remains an open question. Here, we used Equus caballus (domestic horse) as a model to investigate this question. By coupling magnetic resonance imaging, longitudinal biobehavioural assessments and advanced multivariate statistical modelling, we found that prolonged maternal presence during infancy promotes the maturation of brain regions involved in both social behaviour (anterior cingulate cortex and retrosplenial cortex) and physiological regulation (hypothalamus and amygdala). Additionally, offspring benefiting from a prolonged maternal presence showed higher default mode network connectivity, improved social competences and feeding behaviours, and higher concentrations of circulating lipids (triglyceride and cholesterol). The findings of the present study underscore the salient role of social interactions in the development of allostatic regulation in offspring
Neurological and psychiatric issues in 187 adults with early-treated PKU: The ECOPHEN study
No full textInternational audienceIntroduction: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the PAH gene leading to phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency. This results in the accumulation of phenylalanine (Phe) in blood and brain, causing neurological and psychiatric impairments if untreated. Newborn screening (NBS) introduced in the 1960s enables early PKU diagnosis, allowing prompt dietary or sapropterin treatment. The long-term outcomes in adults with early-treated PKU, however, may include subtle neurocognitive deficits alongside somatic neurological and psychiatric complications, which remain incompletely characterized. Patients and methods: The ECOPHEN study was a French 5-year multicenter prospective cohort assessing neuropsychiatric disorders in adults with early-treated PKU. Results: Here are presented the data at inclusion. The study recruited 187 patients who were classified by PKU severity-classic, mild, or mild persistent hyperphenylalaninemia-and diet adherence status. Neurological history revealed symptoms in 11.2 % of patients, exclusively in classic PKU, including tremor, migraines, and balance disorders, without significant differences between diet groups. Neurological examination abnormalities predominantly included abnormal deep tendon reflexes in classic PKU patients. Psychiatric issues affected 25.7 % of patients across severity groups, mainly depressive episodes and anxiety, with no clear influence of diet adherence. Discussion/conclusion: The present study highlights neurological complications persisting despite early treatment, particularly in classic PKU. Diet adherence and current plasma Phe levels did not correlate significantly with neurological or psychiatric outcomes, possibly due to suboptimal metabolic control. Limitations included the cross-sectional design, absence of control group, and retrospective data collection. Overall, adults with early-treated PKU show a generally favorable outcome but remain at risk for neuropsychiatric manifestations, supporting the need for lifelong follow-up including neurologic and psychiatric evaluation
Une histoire des formations en français langue étrangère et seconde à l'université de Tours : vers la construction d'une politique et d'orientations de formation partagées
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Lire le sol en archéologie : pratiques de terrain et regards croisés
No full textInternational audienceActes d'un colloque international visant à promouvoir la lecture interdisciplinaire du sol en archéologie sur le terrain, en s’appuyant en particulier sur l’apport des sciences de la Terre. Il s’agissait de faire le lien entre les choix effectués sur le terrain et les étapes qui en résultent (analyses, interprétations…), de favoriser la constitution de référentiels, de guides de bonnes pratiques et de sensibiliser à la reconnaissance des traits pédo-sédimentaires. Le cadre thématique du colloque n’impliquait pas de limite chronologique ou géographique. Toute approche sur des contextes archéologiques pouvait être retenue dès lors qu’il s’agissait de mettre en commun la compréhension du passé, l’étude des occupations, des activités humaines, de l’environnement et des horizons naturels ou anthropisés, dans le dialogue nécessaire entre archéologie et sciences environnementales. Quelles perspectives peuvent offrir l’analyse et l’interprétation des structures et des couches lorsqu’elles sont prises en compte dès les premières observations de terrain ? Comment faciliter cette démarche, rendre cette approche plus efficiente et fluide entre les différents acteurs ? Afin d’optimiser l’étude des sites tout en améliorant leur compréhension, il fallait également entamer une réflexion sur l’utilité de protocoles adaptés et d’outils d’aide à la décision qui peuvent varier de l’échelle intra site à l’échelle territoriale. Tous les acteurs impliqués sur le terrain étaient donc concernés par les échanges de cette rencontre
Land use and management intensity shape nitrogen cycling and microbial functions, driving environmental impacts in French urban soils
No full textInternational audienceUrbanization profoundly alters soil through changes in land use and management intensity, affecting both soil functions and microbial communities. These shifts can degrade soil fertility and disrupt ecosystem processes. This study investigates how different public urban land uses -including showcase gardens, parks, tree-covered areas, roadsides, residential zones, sports fields and unused areas-influence nitrogen dynamics and microbial functions. We used a multifaceted approach combining biogeochemical measurements (NH₄ + , NO₃ -, total N), functional assays (potential mineralization, potential nitrification, potential denitrification), and molecular techniques (functional gene abundances and bacterial community profiling using Illumina MiSeq). Results showed that land use significantly influenced nitrogen cycle processes. Showcase garden areas were characterized by elevated nitrate levels, driven by fertilization and higher nitrification activity, whereas denitrification and related gene abundances were higher in parks and roadside soils. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that soil organic carbon was a major driver of denitrification in most of the land uses, and pH positively influenced the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), whereas soil water retention, often reduced in compacted soils, was negatively correlated with most nitrogen variables. In terms of bacterial communities, this study revealed that bacterial functions linked to the nitrogen cycle varied according to land use. Lightly managed areas harboured more nitrogen-fixing bacteria, while intensely managed areas showed a predominance of bacteria involved in nitrification. Furthermore, the absence of any significant correlation between the multiple stages of the nitrogen cycle (mineralization, nitrification, denitrification) in intensively managed areas suggested a breakdown in nitrogen cycling, probably linked to excessive aeration, tillage and low organic matter accumulation or to differences in organic matter decomposition and stability. These findings highlight the sensitivity of nitrogen cycling to urban land management. Crucially, the role of organic matter dynamics in this context requires deeper investigation
Heat Kernels and Resummations: the Spinor Case
No full textInternational audienceAmong the available perturbative approaches in quantum field theory, heat kernel techniques provide a powerful and geometrically transparent framework for computing effective actions in nontrivial backgrounds. In this work, resummation patterns within the heat kernel expansion are examined as a means of systematically extracting nonperturbative information. Building upon previous results for Yukawa interactions and scalar quantum electrodynamics, we extend the analysis to spinor fields, demonstrating that a recently conjectured resummation structure continues to hold. The resulting formulation yields a compact expression that resums invariants constructed from the electromagnetic tensor and its spinorial couplings, while preserving agreement with known proper-time coefficients. Beyond its immediate computational utility, the framework offers a unified perspective on the emergence of nonperturbative effects (such as Schwinger pair creation) in relation to perturbative heat kernel data, and provides a basis for future extensions to curved spacetimes and non-Abelian gauge theories
Addictions : ce qui a changé en 2025
No full textInternational audienceThe field of addiction medicine is rapidly evolving due to shifting drug markets and emerging patterns of use. In Switzerland, the possible arrival of highly potent synthetic opioids highlights the need for interprofessional preparedness, particularly through wider training in naloxone use. At the same time, the rise in recreational ketamine use brings an underestimated urological complication: ketamine-induced cystitis, whose early detection is crucial. Growing digitalisation also fosters compulsive pornography use, where craving plays a key role; new tools such as the PCE-S scale help to better assess these mechanisms. Together, these trends call for strengthened monitoring, prevention, and adaptive clinical strategies.Le champ de l’addictologie évolue rapidement sous l’effet des nouveaux marchés des substances et des changements de consommation. En Suisse, la possible arrivée d’opioïdes de synthèse très puissants souligne la nécessité d’une préparation interprofessionnelle, notamment par la diffusion et l’apprentissage de la naloxone. Parallèlement, l’usage récréatif croissant de kétamine s’accompagne d’une complication urologique encore sous-estimée : la cystite induite par la kétamine, dont la détection précoce est essentielle. Enfin, la digitalisation favorise des usages compulsifs de la pornographie, où le craving joue un rôle central ; de nouveaux outils comme l’échelle PCE-S permettent de mieux évaluer ces mécanismes. Ces évolutions appellent à adapter surveillance, prévention et stratégies cliniques
Animal models of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Diversity and validity
No full textInternational audienceAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most widespread neurodevelopmental disorders globally, marked by chronic symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Its multifactorial origin and phenotypic heterogeneity make it a complex condition, and despite substantial research, the precise causes of ADHD remain poorly understood. A significant challenge in advancing ADHD research is the lack of a unified resource that consolidates animal models across different species and considers the diversity of ADHD subtypes and associated coexisting conditions. This lack of standardization of the models delays progress in developing a deeper understanding of the neuronal and molecular mechanisms behind the disorder, which is essential to advance its treatment. This review aims to bridge this gap by offering a comprehensive compilation of available animal models used in ADHD research, accompanied by an evaluation of their validity. It is essential for researchers to have access to a range of models, each selected based on the specific scientific objectives and hypotheses of their studies. The review highlights that an extensive approach to studying ADHD, including its various dimensions and associated conditions, requires the use of multiple animal models. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of assessing the mechanisms and broader effects of current pharmacological treatments while also exploring novel therapeutic possibilities. By providing a clearer and more structured resource, this work pursues to assist researchers in selecting the most appropriate models for their investigations. Additionally, it aims to contribute to the broader understanding of ADHD neurobiology, offering new perspectives for new models and the potential for more targeted therapeutic strategies. SIGNIFICANT STATEMENT: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders globally, is marked by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. This review evaluates animal models for ADHD and its coexisting conditions, emphasizing the need for diverse models to reflect its complexity. It underscores the importance of selecting appropriate models to address specific research goals and investigates current and potential pharmacological treatments, providing a vital resource for advancing ADHD research and improving therapeutic approaches
Eye2Heart: A reduced mathematical model bridging cardiovascular and ocular hemodynamics
No full textInternational audienceThe cardiovascular and ocular systems are intricately connected, with hemodynamic interactions playing a crucial role in both physiological regulation and pathological conditions. However, existing models often treat these systems separately, thus limiting the understanding of their interdependence. In this study, we present the Eye2Heart model, which is a novel closed-loop mathematical framework that integrates cardiovascular and ocular dynamics. Using an electrical-hydraulic analogy, the model describes the interactions between the heart and retinal circulation through a nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations. The model is tested against clinical and experimental data, thus demonstrating its ability to reproduce key cardiovascular parameters (e.g., stroke volume, cardiac output) and ocular hemodynamics (e.g., retinal blood flow). Additionally, we explore in silico the effects of intraocular pressure and left ventricular compliance on both local ocular and global systemic circulation, thus revealing critical dependencies between cardiovascular and ocular health. The results highlight the model's potential for studying cardiovascular diseases with ocular manifestations and support emerging research in oculomics by providing a mechanistic basis to interpret ocular biomarkers within a systemic context. This paves the way for patient-specific data integration and broader applications in personalized medicine
Process evaluation of a school-based vaccination intervention to improve HPV vaccine coverage: A mixed-method study embedded in the French PrevHPV cluster randomized controlled trial
No full textInternational audienceBackgroundHuman papillomavirus vaccine coverage (HPV VC) remains suboptimal in many countries. French authorities launched the PrevHPV research program, which included a cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of an ‘at-school vaccination’ intervention. Within this trial, we conducted a process evaluation of this intervention, specifically analyzing (i) its implementation, (ii) its mechanisms of impact, and (iii) the contextual factors influencing implementation (facilitators/barriers).MethodWe conducted a mixed-method study embedded in the PrevHPV cRCT (April 2021–April 2022). ‘At-school vaccination’ consisted of vaccination day(s) on school premises where mobile vaccination teams (MVTs) initiated HPV vaccination free of charge for eligible adolescents (i.e., non-vaccinated adolescents aged 11+). Quantitative data were collected through activity reports and self-administered questionnaires of adolescents and school staff. Qualitative data collected through six focus groups with school staff and MVTs were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsOf the 31 schools (14,772 adolescents) randomized to implement ‘at-school vaccination’, 12 (39 %) dropped out. Among the participating schools, analysis of implementation showed that 17 % of adolescents returned valid consent forms, of whom 89 % initiated vaccination. MVTs played a central role in implementing vaccination day(s), supported by several school staff (e.g., school nurses, education assistants). Regarding mechanisms of impacts, satisfaction with the vaccination days was high among adolescents and school staff. The intervention generated both positive and negative group effects among adolescents. Contextual factors that facilitated implementation included the preparation of a list of adolescents to be vaccinated and the availability and motivation of school staff. The main barriers related to the management of consent forms and missing health records.ConclusionWe formulated recommendations for implementing at-school vaccination, which may be particularly helpful for the French school HPV vaccination campaigns that were scaled up nationally in 2023. We also discussed potential macro-level improvement strategies, involving modifications to the legislative framework