Application of Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) in neuroimaging.

Since the early eighties MRI has become the most powerful technic for in-vivo imaging particularly in the field of brain research. This non-invasive method allows acute anatomical observations of the living brain similar to post-mortem dissected tissues. However, one of the main limitation of MRI is that it does not make possible the neurochemical identification of the tissues conversely to positron emission tomography scanner which can provide a specific molecular characterization of tissue, in spite of poor anatomical definition.

Stochastic nonlinear model for somatic cell population dynamics during ovarian follicle activation.

In mammals, female germ cells are sheltered within somatic structures called ovarian follicles, which remain in a quiescent state until they get activated, all along reproductive life. We investigate the sequence of somatic cell events occurring just after follicle activation, starting by the awakening of precursor somatic cells, and their transformation into proliferative cells. We introduce a nonlinear stochastic model accounting for the joint dynamics of the two cell types, and allowing us to investigate the potential impact of a feedback from proliferative cells onto precursor cells.

The C-terminal Domain of piggyBac Transposase Is Not Required for DNA Transposition.

PiggyBac(PB)-like elements (pble) are members of a eukaryotic DNA transposon family. This family is of interest to evolutionary genomics because pble transposases have been domesticated at least 9 times in vertebrates. The amino acid sequence of pble transposases can be split into three regions: an acidic N-terminal domain (~100 aa), a central domain (~400 aa) containing a DD[D/E] catalytic triad, and a cysteine-rich domain (CRD; ~90 aa).

Artificial milk preference of newborn lambs is prenatally influenced by transfer of the flavor from the maternal diet to the amniotic fluid.

The present study examined in lambs whether exposure to flavors derived from pregnant mother's diet and transferred to amniotic fluid (AF) could induce a preference for artificial milk containing one of these flavors. To test this hypothesis, cumin was added to the maternal diet in the last month of gestation. Preference for artificial milk containing p-cymene, one of the chemosensory compounds of cumin, was tested within the first two days after birth in maternally deprived lambs born from mothers fed a cumin-flavored diet (Cumin group), or an unflavored diet (Control group).

Genetic architecture and genomic selection of female reproduction traits in rainbow trout.

Background: Rainbow trout is a significant fish farming species under temperate climates. Female reproduction traits play an important role in the economy of breeding companies with the sale of fertilized eggs. The objectives of this study are threefold: to estimate the genetic parameters of female reproduction traits, to determine the genetic architecture of these traits by the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL), and to assess the expected efficiency of a pedigree-based selection (BLUP) or genomic selection for these traits.

Microbiota Changes Due to Grape Seed Extract Diet Improved Intestinal Homeostasis and Decreased Fatness in Parental Broiler Hens.

In poultry, the selection of broilers for growth performance has induced a deterioration in the health of the parental hens associated with poor reproductive efficiency. To improve these parameters, we administered to laying parental broiler hens a regular diet supplemented or not (Control) with a moderate (1%) or a high level (2%) of grape seed extract (GSE). The 1% GSE diet was administered from a young age (from 4 to 40 weeks of age) and the high level of 2% GSE was administered only during a 2-week period (from 38 to 40 weeks of age) in the laying period.

Adipokines Expression and Effects in Oocyte Maturation, Fertilization and Early Embryo Development: Lessons from Mammals and Birds.

Some evidence shows that body mass index in humans and extreme weights in animal models, including avian species, are associated with low in vitro fertilization, bad oocyte quality, and embryo development failures. Adipokines are hormones mainly produced and released by white adipose tissue. They play a key role in the regulation of energy metabolism.

Protective Effect of Oral BCG and Inactivated Vaccines in European Badgers () Experimentally Infected With .

In Europe, badgers () are recognized as major tuberculosis (TB) reservoir hosts with the potential to transmit infection to associated cattle herds. Recent studies in Spain have demonstrated that vaccination with a heat-inactivated vaccine (HIMB) successfully protects captive wild boar and red deer against progressive disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two oral vaccines against TB in a badger model: the live-attenuated bacillus Calmette-Guérin BCG vaccine (Danish strain) and a HIMB vaccine.