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Gender differences in audience participation at infectious disease and microbiology conferences: a prospective observational study
No full textInternational audienceObjectivesIn medicine, women constitute a large proportion of the workforce but remain underrepresented in senior positions. Scientific conferences, critical for career advancement, reflect these inequities, with prior studies documenting gender gaps in invited speakers. However, less attention has been given to audience engagement, such as asking questions or making comments, which also enhances professional visibility. This study investigates gender differences in audience participation at infectious disease and clinical microbiology conferences, examining their prevalence, contextual variation, and potential structural drivers.MethodsThis prospective observational study recorded audience participations during national and international infectious disease and clinical microbiology conferences (October 2023–October 2024). Consortium members documented eligible sessions with traditional presentation–discussion formats, noting gender, role, and type of participation. Statistical analyses compared observed gender proportions with attendee distributions and examined factors associated with women's participation.ResultsA total of 298 sessions from 24 conferences were analysed, comprising 1873 audience participations. Women delivered 47.8% of presentations (n = 487/1018; 95% CI, 44.8–50.9%) but accounted for only 36.4% of participations (n = 681/1873; 95% CI, 34.2–38.5%), significantly fewer than men both in absolute terms and relative to their representation among attendees (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed women were more likely to intervene when at least one moderator was female (OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.02–2.04%; p 0.037), with a stronger effect when all moderators were women (OR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.40–3.24%; p < 0.001), and when the first question was asked by a woman (OR = 1.35; 95% CI, 1.00–1.81%; p 0.046).ConclusionOur findings highlight actionable levers to advance equity. Addressing participation gaps and raising awareness of gender disparities are essential to foster inclusive visibility, empower women, and strengthen scientific innovation
Impact of seasonal snow on the recharge of a mountain karst aquifer under climate change: the Dévoluy case study (Southern Alps, France)
No full textPreprint to HESS (Hydrology and Earth System Sciences) - Discussion started: 9 January 2026International audienceSeasonal snow strongly influences groundwater recharge in mountain aquifers, yet its role in mid-altitude karst systems under climate warming remains poorly quantified. We investigated the Dévoluy karst aquifer (Southern French Alps) to assess how snow controls recharge and how spring discharge may respond to rising temperatures. Using the KarstMod platform, we developed a rainfall–snow–discharge model incorporating a degree-day snow routine to partition precipitation between rainfall and snow, and simulate the snowmelt. The model was calibrated and validated over four contrasting years (two low-snow, one high-snow, and one very high-snow year). Results show that accounting for snow processes is essential to reproduce the observed discharge dynamics, highlighting the dominant role of snow accumulation and melt in controlling both flow timing and magnitude. Under +2 °C and +4 °C warming scenarios, simulated winter flows increase while snowmelt peaks occur earlier, resulting in earlier and more severe summer low-flow periods. August discharge decreases by 28 % to 44 %, respectively, compared to present conditions. These findings demonstrate the critical role of seasonal snow in regulating recharge in mid-altitude karst aquifers and highlight that ongoing warming will substantially reduce summer water availability in mountain regions
Physiopathology of fibrinolysis in sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation: Emerging mechanisms and pharmacological targets
No full textInternational audienceSeptic shock represents the most severe form of an infection, marked by a dysregulated host response that can lead to multiple organ failure and death. Among these patients, 30-40% develop disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a life-threatening complication associated with a 60% increase in mortality. DIC is characterized by widespread activation of the coagulation cascade, resulting in disseminated microthrombi and a hypercoagulable state. This prothrombotic profile arises from the upregulated expression of tissue factor by endothelial cells, monocytes, and neutrophils, combined with insufficient regulation by endogenous anticoagulant pathways. In addition, a profound impairment of fibrinolysis further contributes to this imbalance. Initially, this fibrinolytic insufficiency was attributed to elevated plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor. More recently, it has been shown that DIC-associated fibrinolytic insufficiency during septic shock involves plasminogen degradation driven by neutrophil elastase carried by neutrophil extracellular traps circulating in patients' plasma.The failure to resolve this hypercoagulable state and restore hemostatic balance has emerged as a key determinant of poor outcomes in DIC. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms underlying fibrinolytic insufficiency is very important both to identify at-risk patients and to treat DIC.This review provides an overview of the most recent advances in our understanding of fibrinolytic dysregulation in sepsis-induced DIC, with a particular focus on emerging molecular mechanisms and their implications for the identification of novel pharmacological targets
The association of post-stroke changes in body mass index with activity of daily living and instrumental activity of daily living trajectories: A multi-cohort analysis
No full textInternational audienceObjectives: The determinants of functional limitation trajectories after stroke remain scarce. This study aimed to investigate the association of early body mass index (BMI) changes with trajectories of activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) following stroke. Design: Three cohorts from Europe and the United States. Setting: Community. Participants: Stroke survivors. Measurements: BMI changes were assessed 1-4 years after self-reported stroke and categorized as decreased (≤-5% initial BMI), increased (≥5% initial BMI), and stable. An alternate cut-point of 2% was also used. Functional limitations were measured as the number of ADL and IADL limitations, which were repeatedly measured for up to 24 years after stroke. Associations were evaluated using segmented linear mixed-effects models after adjusting for demographic, behavioral, and medical factors. Results:The study population comprised 2544 adults with stroke (mean [standard deviation] age 70.0 [10.9] years; 52.0% women). Based on a 5% cutoff, the number of ADL and IADL limitations was higher in the groups of decreased (ADL: 0.56 [95% CI = 0.28, 0.85]; IADL: 0.66 [95% CI = 0.38, 0.94]) and increased BMI (ADL: 0.55 [95% CI = 0.28, 0.81]; IADL: 0.59 [95% CI = 0.33, 0.85]) compared to stable BMI, respectively. Similar findings were obtained for a 2% cutoff. These differences frequently persisted for 24 years for decreased BMI and 6-12 years for increased BMI. Conclusion: Early decreased BMI, and to a lesser extent increased BMI, following stroke could be a marker of longterm adverse trajectories of physical functioning, underlying the importance of nutritional and physical activity management after a stroke
Nature-based solutions for water management: Pluridisciplinary state-of-the-art and research needs
No full textInternational audienceNature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a way to preserve, manage and restore ecosystems so as to better meet today's societal challenges, by combining benefits for society and the environment, including biodiversity. They are a response to current climate change-related challenges for water management. However, various barriers exist to the implementation of NbS, such as a lack of appropriation of the concept, as well as needs for knowledge and know-how. Focusing on societal challenges linked to water, we highlight the importance of implementing pluridisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects when trying to implement NbS projects. This requires new approaches in research, practice, and governance. This discussion allows identifying levers for a widespread use of NbS for water management
Impact of Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM I-4884 on canine giardiasis: a probiotic-based approach
No full textInternational audienceThis study reports a new therapeutic approach for canine giardiasis, the most common intestinal protozoan infection caused by Giardia intestinalis. It is based on the use of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM I-4884 and, in particular, its bile salt hydrolase enzymatic activities. Clinical trials in dogs demonstrated that daily administration of L. johnsonii CNCM I-4884 significantly reduced Giardia cyst shedding after 14 days. These results highlight the potential of this probiotic as a promising alternative to antimicrobials, such as nitroimidazoles or benzimidazoles, for the treatment of giardiasis in dogs. Moreover, they provide a novel approach for the veterinary industry to develop innovative products targeting this parasite. In addition to its direct anti-Giardia effect, L. johnsonii CNCM I-4884 may also act as an adjuvant therapy, supporting intestinal homeostasis, enhancing host defense mechanisms, and promoting recovery of gut balance during or after antiparasitic treatments. This dual role suggests that the strain could be considered not only as a complementary therapy but, in specific cases, as a potential stand-alone probiotic treatment for canine giardiasis
Legitimacy of life cycle assessment for sustainable communities
No full textInternational audienceLife Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been developed within companies with high environmental impacts, and is widely used in industrial contexts. More recently, LCA has gained importance in sustainable communities. Thus, in this paper we aim to answer the question: how legitimate is the LCA method for sustainable communities, regarding their values, practices and goal? For this purpose, we conducted an experiment rooted in a sustainable community. We observed the work of a focus group composed of seven residents of a sustainable community, who conducted an LCA with the support of an LCA expert (the researcher conducting the study). Each focus group session was recorded and analysed using a qualitative method (thematic coding). Focusing on moral and cognitive legitimacy, our study highlighted three main themes: the tracking of material flows within a community, the notion of complexity, and the dissemination of results. We identified certain tensions between LCA practices and the residents’ beliefs. Nonetheless, the output of LCA could still be valuable for residents, especially in terms of communicating their alternative way of life. It is also worth noting that the barriers to LCA adoption are similar in both industrial contexts and sustainable communities. We conclude on the need to better understand the role of LCA as a strategy for sustainable communities to upscale their way of life, while also acknowledging the persistent (and necessary) tensions in terms of values and organization
Integrating EICAT and EICAT+ assessments and expert knowledge to classify invasive alien plants in France, based on their ecological impact
No full textInternational audienceThe EICAT and EICAT+ methods were developed to assess the negative and positive environmental impacts of alien species respectively. While both methods are theoretically applicable across spatial scales, their use has thus far been predominantly at the global level. In the case of EICAT, this reflects its original design for global assessments, whereas for EICAT+, which was only introduced in 2022, its application across different spatial scales remains to be assessed. At this stage, it remains unclear to what extent EICAT and EICAT+ can effectively support national regulations or local management strategies. Here we put forward a series of adaptations with the aim of enhancing the applicability of EICAT and EICAT+ at the national level. The main adaptation was to incorporate expert knowledge from botanists and wildlife specialists into the assessments, in addition to the literature review. To this end, a key was designed to facilitate the translation of field observations into impact categories using standardised criteria. We then tested the formal EICAT and EICAT+ protocols and EICAT and EICAT+ based protocols in France on 228 invasive alien plants. This test demonstrated that expert knowledge is an essential source of data for national-scale assessments, as it allowed reducing the proportion of Data deficient species from 39% to 5% for EICAT and from 86% to 37% for EICAT+. Consequently, this study represents the most thorough evaluation to date of the current ecological impacts of alien plants in France, highlighting 129 out of 228 taxa with harmful impacts: 71 taxa with a Moderate impact, 56 taxa with a Major impact and two taxa with a Massive impact. Furthermore, when using both EICAT and EICAT+, it is crucial to emphasise that directly comparing the two methods is not appropriate. National priority lists should be formulated solely based on EICAT, while EICAT+ can serve as a valuable tool for guiding managers on the risks associated with management actions and strategies to mitigate unintended consequences