Which cues are sexy? The evolution of mate preference in sympatric species reveals the contrasted effect of adaptation and reproductive interference.

Mate preferences may target traits (a) enhancing offspring adaptation and (b) reducing heterospecific matings. Because similar selective pressures are acting on traits shared by different sympatric species, preference-enhancing offspring adaptation may increase heterospecific mating, in sharp contrast with the classical case of so-called "magic traits." Using a mathematical model, we study which and how many traits will be used during mate choice, when preferences for locally adapted traits increase heterospecific mating.

The role of the antigen processing machinery in the regulation and trafficking of intracellular -Toll-like receptor molecules.

Intracellular Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key components of the innate immune system. Their expression in antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and in particular dendritic cells (DCs), makes them critical in the induction of the adaptive immune response. In DCs, they interact with the chaperone UNC93B1 that mediates their trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to endosomes where they are cleaved by proteases and activated.

The Limits of Evolutionary Convergence in Sympatry: Reproductive Interference and Historical Constraints Leading to Local Diversity in Warning Traits.

AbstractMutualistic interactions between defended species represent a striking case of evolutionary convergence in sympatry, driven by the increased protection against predators brought by mimicry in warning traits. However, such convergence is often limited: sympatric defended species frequently display different or imperfectly similar warning traits. The phylogenetic distance between sympatric species may indeed prevent evolution toward the exact same signal.

In Vitro and In Vivo Assays to Evaluate Dendritic Cell Phagocytic Capacity.

Phagocytosis is a process by which specific immune cells such as macrophages or dendritic cells engulf large particles. It is an important innate immune defense mechanism for removing a wide variety of pathogens and apoptotic cells. Following phagocytosis, nascent phagosomes are formed which, when fused to lysosome to become phagolysosome containing acidic proteases, will allow the degradation of ingested material.

Evolutionary origins of sexual dimorphism: Lessons from female-limited mimicry in butterflies.

The striking female-limited mimicry observed in some butterfly species is a text-book example of sexually dimorphic trait submitted to intense natural selection. Two main evolutionary hypotheses, based on natural and sexual selection respectively, have been proposed. Predation pressure favoring mimicry toward defended species could be higher in females because of their slower flight, and thus overcome developmental constraints favoring the ancestral trait that limits the evolution of mimicry in males but not in females.

The role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the MHC class I antigen presentation pathway of dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) have the unique capacity to link innate to adaptive immunity. While most cells that express major histocompatibility (MHC) molecules are able to present antigens to activated T cells, DCs possess the means for presenting antigens to naïve T cells, and, as such, are able to instruct T cells to initiate immune response. There are two cascades of events necessary for DCs to start their instructive function.

When Do Opposites Attract? A Model Uncovering the Evolution of Disassortative Mating.

AbstractDisassortative mating is a rare form of mate preference that promotes the persistence of polymorphism. While the evolution of assortative mating and its consequences for trait variation and speciation have been extensively studied, the conditions enabling the evolution of disassortative mating are still poorly understood. Mate preferences increase the risk of missing mating opportunities, a cost that can be compensated by a greater fitness of offspring.

Evolution and genetic architecture of disassortative mating at a locus under heterozygote advantage.

The evolution of mate choice is a major topic in evolutionary biology because it is thought to be a key factor in trait and species diversification. Here, we aim at uncovering the ecological conditions and genetic architecture enabling the puzzling evolution of disassortative mating based on adaptive traits. This rare form of mate choice is observed for some polymorphic traits but theoretical predictions on the emergence and persistence of this behavior are largely lacking.

TLR7 trafficking and signaling in B cells is regulated by the MHCII-associated invariant chain.

Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) is an endosomal receptor that recognizes single-stranded RNA from viruses. Its trafficking and activation is regulated by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone UNC93B1 and lysosomal proteases. UNC93B1 also modulates major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) antigen presentation, and deficiency in MHCII protein diminishes TLR9 signaling.

Cobalt-Iron-Manganese Catalysts for the Conversion of End-of-Life-Tire-Derived Syngas into Light Terminal Olefins.

Co-Fe-Mn/γ-Al O Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts were synthesized, characterized and tested for CO hydrogenation, mimicking end-of-life-tire (ELT)-derived syngas. It was found that an increase of C -C olefin selectivities to 49 % could be reached for 5 wt % Co, 5 wt % Fe, 2.5 wt % Mn/γ-Al O with Na at ambient pressure.

Improving of understanding of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) adsorption on activated carbons by temperature-programmed desorption studies.

In order to understand the interactions between beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and chemical groups at activated carbon (AC) surface, the solid samples were hydrogenated aiming to decrease the amounts of oxygenated groups. Two AC samples designated by BagH2O and BagP1.5 were prepared by water vapor activation and phosphoric acid activation, respectively, of sugarcane bagasse used as an AC precursor.

Characteristics and costs of carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria carriers (2012/2013).

Objectives: We had for aim to determine the characteristics of carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria (CPE) carriers and to assess the economic impact of isolation measures leading to loss of activity (closed beds, prolonged hospital stays) and additional personnel hours.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study for 2years (2012/2013), in a French general hospital, focusing on CPE carriers with clinical case description. The costs were estimated by comparing the activity of concerned units (excluding the ICU) during periods with CPE carriers or contacts, during the same periods of the year (n-1), plus additional hours and rectal swabs.

[Analytical characteristics of Vitros 3600 analyzer].

The newly developed, high throughput, Vitros 3600 immunoassay system associates different technologies on board: MicroWell (analytes immunocapture), MicroSensor (visible interference analysis), and Intellicheck (real time process control for analytical error detection). During a three months period, Vitros 3600 system, ease of use, practicability and MicroSensor technology efficiency have been tested using the following assays: betaHCG, troponin, ferritin, aHBcT, HBsAg, aHCV, AFP and CEA. Within-day and within-batch, between-calibration precisions are acceptable.

[Comparison of two ELISA tests to study the seroprevalence of herpes simplex 1 et 2 infection in a maternity near Paris].

Unlabelled: The diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) genital infection is primarily clinical. The primary indication for serodiagnosis is to detect seronegativity in pregnant women at risk of acquiring the HSV virus during the course of their pregnancy. In this study, two ELISA tests were compared for the detection of HSV infection among a population of 307 pregnant women followed at the maternity of a community-based hospital in France (Robert Ballanger hospital in the Seine-Saint-Denis department).

Unexpected high prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 seropositivity and HSV genital shedding in pregnant women living in an East Paris suburban area.

Both herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence and the proportion of HSV-1 genital ulcers are increasing in industrialized countries. The consequences of these epidemiological changes, in pregnant women in France, for both the genital shedding of HSV and vertical transmission, have been poorly evaluated. The HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence and the rate of subclinical genital shedding of herpes close to delivery were evaluated in pregnant women, with no history of genital herpes, living in the East Paris suburban area.

[Pleural trichomoniasis due to trichomonas tenax].

Thoracic infections due to Trichomonas species often go unrecognised as they are seldom described in the literature. We describe a case that, to our knowledge, is the first reported case of empyema caused by this organism. A 59 year old man with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung developed a right pyopneumothorax following treatment with corticosteroids and radiotherapy.

[Detection of HBV DNA by sensitive techniques and definition of chronic VHB infection by pre-C-C mutants].

Our purpose is to assess the question of the definition of hepatitis B virus pre-C-C mutant-chronic infection, according to the level of the viral load at the era of very sensitive techniques of quantification of HBV DNA.

[Bilateral acute retinal necrosis syndrome associated with meningoencephalitis caused by herpes simplex virus 2. A case report].

Introduction: Acute retinal necrosis syndrome (ARN syndrome) is a rare viral disease with a poor prognosis in most cases. It is characterized by substantial ocular inflammation with progressive retinal necrosis, occlusive vasculitis and sometimes extraocular features.

Case Report: We report the case of a 62-year-old woman who was referred for a suspicion of a stroke.