Publications scientifiques de l'EnvA
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Unilateral accessory tragi in a cat
No full textInternational audienceAn accessory tragus-a congenital malformation of part of the external ear-is an abnormal appendage developed from the first pharyngeal (or branchial) arch. In humans, an accessory tragus can be associated with other abnormalities as part of congenital malformative syndromes, most of which are transmitted in an autosomal dominant mode. Three cutaneous exophytic lesions were detected in the right preauricular region of a 2.5-y-old, castrated male European shorthair cat. Two of these lesions were submitted for histologic examination and were diagnosed as accessory tragi. They consisted of a vertical axis of loose collagenous tissue with hair follicles and sebaceous glands covered by a simple fold of epidermis. The epidermis was of normal thickness and slightly hyperpigmented. Only the pretragal lesion contained a central core of well-differentiated elastic cartilage. To our knowledge, accessory tragus has not been reported previously in cats and has been reported only once in veterinary medicine, in a dog with a solitary unilateral lesion. For pathologists, the diagnosis of this rare lesion may not be straightforward, especially if the cartilaginous core is absent or the location of the sample is unknown.</div
Data paper: Milk production, body weight and body condition score during lactation in dairy goats: time-series data and model-based curves from two French herds
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Recommendations for Human Sperm Morphology Assessment in 2025: An Expert Review From the French BLEFCO Group
No full textInternational audienceNumerous publications have questioned the lack of analytical reliability and clinical relevance of sperm morphology assessment for infertility workup and before use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART). There is a huge variability in the performance and interpretation of this test. It has become necessary to evaluate its true medical service rendered to the patient. Objectives To develop clinical guidelines for use of spermatozoa morphology assessment during male fertility check‐up and before ART. Materials and Methods These guidelines were produced following a pre‐defined standard methodology for narrative and Patient Intervention Comparison Outcomes (PICO) questions. The French Working Group (WG) on Sperm Morphology Assessment consisted of 15 members including an expert in statistics. Results R1: WG does not recommend systematic detailed analysis of abnormalities (or groups of abnormalities) during sperm morphology assessment. R2: WG recommends that the laboratory should use a qualitative or quantitative method for detection of a monomorphic abnormality (globozoospermia, macrocephalic spermatozoa syndrome, pinhead spermatozoa syndrome, multiple flagellar abnormalities). The result may be given as an interpretative commentary or as a numerical report of the percentage of detailed abnormalities. R3: There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate the clinical value of indexes of multiple sperm defects (TZI, SDI, MAI) in investigation of infertility and before ART. Accordingly, the working group does not recommend the use of sperm abnormality indexes (TZI, SDI, MAI) in sperm morphology assessment. R4: WG gives a positive opinion on the use of automated systems based on cytological analysis after staining after qualification of the operators, and validation of the analytical performance within their own laboratory. R5: WG does not recommend using the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology as a prognostic criterion before IUI, IVF, or ICSI, or as a tool for selecting the ART procedure. Discussion This article examines the clinical interest of sperm morphology assessment during fertility check‐up and before ART. The overall level of evidence from studies is low, challenging current practices regarding sperm morphology assessment. Conclusion These guidelines suggest a significant simplification of sperm morphology assessment in the light of the examined publications while maintaining the detection of monomorphic sperm abnormalities
Heat Stress Induces Locus-Specific DNA Hypomethylation Linked to Immune Regulation in Lactating Holstein Cows
No full textInternational audienceAbstract Epigenetics may play a crucial role in livestock adaptation to environmental challenges like heat stress. In recent years, a growing number of studies have investigated the epigenetic mechanisms underlying dairy cow adaptation to heat stress. However, there is still limited knowledge about the effects of heat stress on immune cells and immune-related phenotypes. Herein we aim to identify heat-stress induced DNA methylation variations on blood methylome potentially affecting regulatory regions and associated phenotypes. Blood samples were collected and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) isolated from four cows before (D0) and after (D14) a 14-d heat stress challenge (cyclical THI 72-82) and, from four cows kept in thermoneutral conditions (THI 61-64). Heat-stressed cows had ad libitum access to diets supplemented with adequate levels of vitamin D₃ and Ca (12,000 IU/kg of vitamin D₃ and 0.73% Ca, respectively). To eliminate confounding effects due to differences in nutrient intake, cows maintained under thermoneutral conditions were pair-fed (PF) to their heat-stressed counterparts and received adequate concentrations of vitamin D₃ and Ca as well. Reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS) was used to profile PBMC's methylome. Differential methylation analysis was performed using methylKit and DSS software's (Δmeth ≥ 25%, adjusted p-value < 0.01), retaining only commonly detected differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs). A total of 2,908 DMCs were identified when comparing pre- and post-heat stress samples. After excluding 649 DMCs that were also detected under thermoneutral conditions, as these changes were likely associated with feed restriction inherent to the pair-feeding design rather than with heat stress per se, 2,259 heat stress-specific DMCs remained, predominantly hypomethylated. About half of the DMCs are annotated in intronic and intergenic regions; known to harbor regulatory elements. By intersecting the DMRs with publicly available functional annotation data, we observed hypomethylation on regulatory regions putatively affecting cow's immune system. As an example, we identified a loss of methylation within an enhancer region of the MSN gene, which is involved in lymphocyte homeostasis, and a loss of methylation in the promoter region of MECP2, a well-established epigenetic regulator with a central role in chromatin organization and gene expression. These findings highlight the impact of heat stress on dairy cow immunity and provide new insights into its epigenetic regulation under environmental stress. Interpretative summary This study examined DNA methylation changes induced by heat stress in dairy cows to elucidate epigenetic mechanisms of thermal adaptation. Using RRBS on PBMCs, 2,259 heat stress-specific differentially methylated cytosines were identified, predominantly hypomethylated and enriched in regulatory regions. Functional annotation highlighted immune-related pathways, including hypomethylated regulatory regions near genes (e.g., MSN, ZBTB33, SLC25A5, GNAS, FAM3A, and MECP2 ) associated with immune function. These findings indicate that heat stress induces targeted epigenetic modifications potentially affecting immune regulation in dairy cows
Avis du CNGOF concernant les accouchements instrumentaux par ventouse obstétricale
No full textNational audienceLa commission d’obstétrique du CNGOF, saisie par le CNP GOGM à la demande de l’ANSM, a examiné la sécurité d’utilisation des ventouses obstétricales. L’accouchement instrumental peut être réalisé pour écourter l’expulsion, notamment en cas de ralentissement du rythme cardiaque fœtal. Les instruments disponibles sont la ventouse, le forceps et les spatules, le choix dépendant de la situation et de l’opérateur. En France, environ 12 % des naissances sont instrumentales, un taux stable depuis 2016. La ventouse est utilisée dans environ deux tiers des cas, proportion similaire à celle observée dans la plupart des pays européens et au Canada, mais supérieure à celle des États-Unis. La ventouse agit par dépression sur le scalp fœtal, permettant une traction contrôlée et sécurisée. Les complications maternelles (lésions périnéales, hémorragies) et néonatales (notamment hémorragies intracrâniennes) sont rares et comparables à celles observées lors des césariennes en cours de travail. Les études épidémiologiques ne mettent pas en évidence de surrisque neurologique ou de séquelles à long terme chez les enfants nés par ventouse. Comparée au forceps, la ventouse réduit la morbidité maternelle, notamment le risque de lésion du sphincter anal, sans différence notable sur la santé néonatale globale, hormis un léger sur-risque de céphalhématome ou d’ictère. Aucune différence n’est observée selon l’expérience de l’opérateur. En conclusion, l’accouchement instrumental par ventouse qui fait partie des techniques recommandées par le CNGOF, constitue une alternative pertinente à la césarienne à dilatation complète
Vasopressor management of post-resuscitation shock: targets, strategies and outcomes
No full textInternational audienceDespite advancements in management of cardiac arrest, mortality remains high due to extended brain injury, severe myocardial dysfunction and systemic inflammatory response leading to refractory shock. Accordingly, in addition to fluid therapy, vasopressors are often required after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) to counteract vasoplegia and to preserve end-organ perfusion. In this narrative review, we discuss the current evidence on the use of adrenergic and non-adrenergic vasopressors after cardiac arrest. Currently, the recommended target is a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of at least 60-65 mmHg and there is little evidence to support aiming for a MAP above 70 mmHg. Norepinephrine remains the most commonly used vasopressor to manage arterial hypotension after ROSC. Outside of clinical research, there is insufficient data to support the routine use of vasopressin, angiotensin II or non-selective nitric oxide inhibitors. Multimodal, real-time hemodynamic monitoring may help clinicians identify the predominant circulatory phenotype and guide vasopressor choice, dosing and timing to reduce the risk of adverse events. More research is needed to establish the role of a balanced vasopressor approach in the management of post-resuscitation vasoplegic shock
Serum Procalcitonin: A Novel Tumor Biomarker for Diagnosis and Follow-Up in Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma
No full textFibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare primary liver cancer that predominantly affects young patients with normal known serum tumor biomarkers (alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and CA19-9). An observation of a markedly elevated procalcitonin (PCT) in one patient prompted us to investigate the potential role of PCT as a biomarker in a larger cohort of FLC. Methods We measured serum PCT levels in 34 samples from 18 patients with metastatic FLC and in 64 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 24 with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and 20 with cirrhosis. Using RNA sequencing, we analyzed CALCA expression, the gene encoding PCT, in 27 FLC tumors, 331 HCC tumors, 39 CCA tumors, 71 hepatoblastomas, 34 hepatocellular adenomas, and 55 non-tumor liver samples. Spatial transcriptomics was performed on three FLC and PCT immunohistochemistry was conducted on 13 FLC and 34 other primary or secondary liver cancers. Results In 8 FLC from the European cohort, median serum PCT was significantly elevated (55.2 µg/l) compared to patients with HCC (0.14 µg/l), CCA (0.16 µg/l), and cirrhosis (0.11 µg/l; P=0.0005). These findings were independently validated in a U.S. cohort of 10 FLC patients compared to HCC and CCA (P=0.0002). Across these cohorts, elevated serum PCT was observed in 83% of FLC cases versus 3% of HCC and CCA cases (P<0.0001). In four patients with longitudinal measurements, changes in PCT levels correlated with radiologic response according to RECIST 1.1. RNA sequencing demonstrated significant overexpression of CALCA in FLC compared to other primary liver tumors (P<0.0001), and spatial transcriptomics localized CALCA expression specifically to tumor cells. Immunohistochemistry confirmed PCT overexpression in 77% of FLC but not in other liver cancers. Conclusion Procalcitonin is a sensitive and specific biomarker for FLC at both the serum and tumor levels among primary liver cancers, with potential utility in diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response. Evidence before this study We searched PubMed from 01th January 2000 to 03th October 2025 using the terms “fibrolamellar carcinoma”, “fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma” “biomarker”, “serum”, in articles written in English Language. This analysis identified numerous studies describing the clinical, molecular, and histopathological features of fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), but none of them have identified a serum biomarker robustly validated for clinical use. FLC is a rare primary liver cancer typically arising in adolescents and young adults with normal liver, and current serum biomarkers used for hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatoblastoma or cholangiocarcinoma (such as alpha-fetoprotein and CA19-9) are systematically normal in FLC. Prior molecular studies have focused mainly on the DNAJB1–PRKACA fusion gene, which is pathognomonic for FLC, but no reliable circulating biomarker has been established for FLC diagnosis or disease monitoring. Added value of this study Our study identifies procalcitonin as a sensitive and specific biomarker for FLC, both at the serum and tumor levels. Across two independent cohorts, elevated serum PCT distinguished FLC from other primary liver cancers and from cirrhosis with high accuracy. Serum PCT level correlated with radiologic tumor response or progression, suggesting utility for disease monitoring. Transcriptomic analyses demonstrated that the CALCA gene, encoding PCT, is overexpressed in FLC compared with other liver tumors, and spatial transcriptomics localized CALCA expression specifically to tumor cells bearing the DNAJB1–PRKACA fusion gene. Immunohistochemistry confirmed PCT protein expression in most FLC tumors but not in other primary hepatic cancer. These findings establish a novel and readily measurable serum biomarker for FLC. Implications of all the available evidence Taken together, current evidence indicates that serum PCT is a robust diagnostic biomarker for FLC, distinguishing it from other primary liver cancers and chronic liver diseases. Routine measurement of serum PCT could facilitate earlier recognition of FLC and also provide a non-invasive tool to track treatment response. Future research should validate these findings prospectively, explore the biological mechanisms underlying CALCA overexpression in FLC, and assess whether PCT-guided monitoring can predict prognosis, improve patient outcomes or clinical trial design in this rare malignanc
Prevalence of gastric ulcers in horses from the French Republican Guard cavalry regiment and association with plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity
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Non‐primary adenocarcinoma in a pet goat ( Capra hircus )
No full textInternational audienceAbstract A 12‐year‐old hysterectomised pet goat was referred for posterior lameness and general weakness evolving into paralysis. Spine radiography showed a sublumbar mass and a vertebral fracture. The computed tomography scan and postmortem examination further confirmed the presence of sublumbar adenocarcinoma infiltrating vertebrae and inducing a pathological fracture of the fifth lumbar vertebra. Metastasis was evident in the liver and lungs but the primary tumour could not be identified. However, the medical history of hysterectomy and hydrometra led to suspicion of primary endometrial adenocarcinoma. This case report supports the consideration of adenocarcinoma as a serious and common disorder in pet goats with weight loss and weakness
Discrimination of the Lame Limb in Horses Using a Machine Learning Method (Support Vector Machine) Based on Asymmetry Indices Measured by the EQUISYM System
No full textInternational audienceLameness detection in horses is a critical challenge in equine veterinary practice, particularly when symptoms are mild. This study aimed to develop a predictive system using a support vector machine (SVM) to identify the affected limb in horses trotting in a straight line. The system analyzed data from inertial measurement units (IMUs) placed on the horse’s head, withers, and pelvis, using variables such as vertical displacement and retraction angles. A total of 287 horses were included, with 256 showing single-limb lameness and 31 classified as sound. The model achieved an overall accuracy of 86%, with the highest success rates in identifying right and left forelimb lameness. However, there were challenges in identifying sound horses, with a 54.8% accuracy rate, and misclassification between forelimb and hindlimb lameness occurred in some cases. The study highlighted the importance of specific variables, such as vertical head and withers displacement, for accurate classification. Future research should focus on refining the model, exploring deep learning methods, and reducing the number of sensors required, with the goal of integrating these systems into equestrian equipment for early detection of locomotor issues