Effects of 17α-ethinylestradiol on the neuroendocrine gonadotropic system and behavior of European sea bass larvae (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The widespread use of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and other estrogenic endocrine disruptors, results in a continuous release of estrogenic compounds into aquatic environments. Xenoestrogens may interfere with the neuroendocrine system of aquatic organisms and may produce various adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to expose European sea bass larvae (Dicentrarchus labrax) to EE2 (0.5 and 50 nM) for 8 d and determine the expression levels of brain aromatase (cyp19a1b), gonadotropin-releasing hormones (gnrh1, gnrh2, gnrh3), kisspeptins (kiss1, kiss2) and estrogen receptors (esr1, esr2a, esr2b, gpera, gperb). Growth and behavior of larvae as evidenced by locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviors were measured 8 d after EE2 treatment and a depuration period of 20 d. Exposure to 0.5 nM EE2 induced a significant increase in cyp19a1b expression levels, while upregulation of gnrh2, kiss1, and cyp19a1b expression was noted after 8 d at 50 nM EE2. Standard length at the end of the exposure phase was significantly lower in larvae exposed to 50 nM EE2 than in control; however, this effect was no longer observed after the depuration phase. The upregulation of gnrh2, kiss1, and cyp19a1b expression levels was found in conjunction with elevation in locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviors in larvae. Behavioral alterations were still detected at the end of the depuration phase. Evidence indicates that the long-lasting effects of EE2 on behavior might impact normal development and subsequent fitness of exposed fish.

Developing leaders through mindfulness practice

Purpose

The study's objective was to examine whether and how mindfulness training and practice might impact indicators of three capacities identified as critical for leading in the twenty-first century: resilience, leading in complex contexts and collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted a non-randomised wait-list controlled study with 57 senior leaders (81 per cent female) who undertook an eight-week “Mindful Leader” programme.

Findings

Our findings suggest the programme was effective in developing leaders in terms of their mindfulness, resilience and self-perceived leadership competencies such as collaboration and agility in complex situations. The amount of mindfulness practice the leaders undertook was associated with improvements in mindfulness, resilience and collaboration. Furthermore, participants reported that the programme was beneficial for them as leaders and that the training format was feasible. However, objective measures of cognitive functioning and leadership competence did not improve significantly within the mindfulness intervention group.

Practical implications

Mindfulness practice may be a promising and effective method for leader development. Our results suggest that mindfulness can be learnt and developed by executive leaders, as long as they practice for at least 10 min per day.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate how resilience, leading in complex contexts and collaboration can be developed through mindfulness training.

Application of a crustacean bioassay to evaluate a multi-contaminated (metal, PAH, PCB) harbor sediment before and after electrokinetic remediation using eco-friendly enhancing agents

Electrokinetic (EK) remediation can be a suitable technology for treating contaminated dredged harbor sediment, stored on terrestrial disposal sites. Citric acid (CA) and biosurfactants (rhamnolipids and saponin) were chosen as enhancing agents for simultaneous metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn) and PAH/PCB removal by EK because of their potential low toxicity with a view to site restoration. Three EK runs were performed using a periodic voltage (1Vcm^-1) and various concentrations of agents. The best combination of CA (0.2molL^-1) and saponin (0.85gL^-1) did not remove high amounts of metals (4.4-15.8%) and provided only slightly better results for PAH and PCB removal (29.2% and 38.2%, respectively). The harbor sediment was highly resistant to metal and organics mobilization and transport because of an aged contamination, a high buffering capacity, a very low hydraulic permeability and a high organic matter content. The efficiency of the EK process was also assessed by measuring the acute toxicity of the EK-treated sediment on E. affinis copepods exposed to sediment elutriates. Fortunately, the use of CA and biosurfactants did not significantly impact on sediment toxicity. Some treated sediment sections, particularly those near the anode compartment, were statistically more toxic than the raw sediment. More particularly, E. affinis copepods were significantly sensitive to low pH values and oxidative conditions, to Cu, and to a lesser extent to Pb amounts. The speciation of these metals probably changed in these pH and redox conditions so that they became more easily leachable and bioavailable. In contrast, toxicity was negatively correlated to PAH and PCB amounts after EK treatment, probably due to the production of oxidized metabolites of PAHs and PCBs.

Exogenous 17β-oestradiol (E2) modifies thymus growth and regionalization in European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax

The effect of 17β-oestradiol (E2) on the growth of the thymus and its regionalization into cortex and medulla was investigated in juvenile European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax as they find themselves close to sources of oestrogenic pollution whilst residing in their estuarine nursery areas. While the exposure to 2, 20 and 200 ng l(-1) in 60 days post-hatch (dph) fish tended to cause a non-monotonous dose-response curve with a significant difference of the cortex size between lowest and highest exposures, the exposure to 20 ng l(-1) E2 from 90 dph onwards resulted in a distinct enlargement of the cortex. It is probable that the alteration of the cortex size also affects the T-cell differentiation and proliferation.

Low-Power consumption Franz-Keldysh effect plasmonic modulator

In this paper we report on a low energy consumption CMOS-compatible plasmonic modulator based on Franz-Keldysh effect in germanium on silicon. We performed integrated electro-optical simulations in order to optimize the main characteristics of the modulator. A 3.3 dB extinction ratio for a 30 µm long modulator is demonstrated under 3 V bias voltage at an operation wavelength of 1647 nm. The estimated energy consumption is as low as 20 fJ/bit.

A 40 Gbit/s optical link on a 300-mm silicon platform

We demonstrated 40 Gbit/s optical link by coupling a silicon (Si) optical modulator to a germanium (Ge) photo-detector from two separate photonic chips. The optical modulator was based on carrier depletion in a pn diode integrated in a 950-µm long Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The Ge photo-detector was a lateral pin diode butt coupled to a silicon waveguide. The overall loss, which is mainly due to coupling (3 grating couplers times ~4 dB) was estimated to be lower than 18 dB. That also included modulator loss (4.9-dB) and propagation loss (<1 dB/cm). Both optoelectronic devices have been fabricated on a 300-mm CMOS platform to address high volume production markets.

Low loss 40 Gbit/s silicon modulator based on interleaved junctions and fabricated on 300 mm SOI wafers

We demonstrate high-speed silicon modulators based on carrier depletion in interleaved pn junctions fabricated on 300 mm-SOI wafers using CMOS foundry facilities. 950 µm-long Mach Zehnder (MZ) and ring resonator (RR) modulator with a 100 µm radius, were designed, fabricated and characterized. 40 Gbit/s data transmission has been demonstrated for both devices. The MZ modulator exhibited a high extinction ratio of 7.9 dB with only 4 dB on-chip losses at the operating point.

Spontaneous emission enhancement of quantum dots in a photonic crystal wire

Photonic wires are the simplest extended low-dimensional systems. Photonic crystal confinement confers them a divergent density of states at zero-group-velocity points, which leads to enhancement of spontaneous emission rates [D. Kleppner, Phys. Rev. Lett. 47, 233 (1981)10.1103/Phys. Rev. Lett. 47.233]. We experimentally evidence, for the first time, the spectral signature of these Purcell factor singularities, using the out-of-plane emission of InAs quantum dots buried in GaAs/AlGaAs based photonic crystal based wire. Additionally, in-plane collection at the wire exit shows large enhancements of the signal at some of the density of states singularities.

Spontaneous emission enhancement at a photonic wire miniband edge

In a multimode photonic-crystal waveguide, we observe strong enhancement of the photoluminescence of embedded quantum dots at the edges of the so-called mini-stopband that were opened by Bragg diffraction between two guided modes. Taking into account light collection, we relate this observation to the singular photon density of states that is characteristic of a one-dimensional photon system. Furthermore, we quantify by how much the radiation losses smooth the divergence. For the first time to our knowledge, a clear account of the control of spontaneous emission in a one-dimensional system is thus demonstrated.

The impact of reduction in the benzene limit value in gasoline on airborne benzene, toluene and xylenes levels

Background benzene, toluene, xylenes (BTX) average concentrations have been measured over the urban agglomeration of Toulouse, France, during both springtime and summer periods of 1999 and 2001. The benzene average amount over the two Toulouse campaigns in 1999 is equal to 2.2 microg/m(3), very close to the French air quality standard and well under the average value of 5 microg/m(3) recommended by European Economic Community countries, recognising that those regulations are given for a whole year. BTX pollution over Toulouse has, in particular, been produced by motor vehicle exhaust gases. For the study conducted during the same periods of 2001, benzene concentrations were within the French quality value in the whole area. This is because the benzene limit value contained in gasoline went from 5% to 1% since 2000 January 1. It will be important to measure benzene over annual periods in order to know its exact values over such a period and to observe its potential seasonal variations.

Compact and fault-tolerant photonic crystal add-drop filter

We propose an add-drop filter consisting of two adjacent waveguides carved into a two-dimensional photonic crystal that is etched through a standard guiding structure. This filter is based on distributed energy transfer via the frequency-selective intermediate conversion of the fundamental guided mode to a high-order low-group-velocity mode. This geometry circumvents the fabrication sensitivity on the single-hole scale of previous cavity-based designs. Combining distributed energy transfer and reduced group velocity preserves compactness. The design is analytically optimized with a coupled-mode approach.

Sensitivity of clinical and behavioural tests of spatial neglect after right hemisphere stroke

OBJECTIVES

The lack of agreement regarding assessment methods is responsible for the variability in the reported rate of occurrence of spatial neglect after stroke. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity of different tests of neglect after right hemisphere stroke.

METHODS

Two hundred and six subacute right hemisphere stroke patients were given a test battery including a preliminary assessment of anosognosia and of visual extinction, a clinical assessment of gaze orientation and of personal neglect, and paper and pencil tests of spatial neglect in the peripersonal space. Patients were compared with a previously reported control group. A subgroup of patients (n=69) received a behavioural assessment of neglect in daily life situations.

RESULTS

The most sensitive paper and pencil measure was the starting point in the cancellation task. The whole battery was more sensitive than any single test alone. About 85% of patients presented some degree of neglect on at least one measure. An important finding was that behavioural assessment of neglect in daily life was more sensitive than any other single measure of neglect. Behavioural neglect was considered as moderate to severe in 36% of cases. A factorial analysis revealed that paper and pencil tests were related to two underlying factors. Dissociations were found between extrapersonal neglect, personal neglect, anosognosia, and extinction. Anatomical analyses showed that neglect was more common and severe when the posterior association cortex was damaged.

CONCLUSIONS

The automatic rightward orientation bias is the most sensitive clinical measure of neglect. Behavioural assessment is more sensitive than any single paper and pencil test. The results also support the assumption that neglect is a heterogeneous disorder.

Miniband transmission in a photonic crystal coupled-resonator optical waveguide

We demonstrate in the near infrared the coupled-resonator optical waveguide (CROW) concept that was recently proposed by Yariv et al. [Opt. Lett.24, 711 (1999)]. Two-dimensional photonic crystals have been used to define, in a GaAs-based waveguiding heterostructure, an array of micrometer-sized hexagonal cavities coupled through thin walls. With the photoexcitation of InAs quantum dots as an internal source, the transmission spectra of the coupled resonators show marked minibands and minigaps, in agreement with theoretical predictions.

Liquid-crystal Hartmann wave-front scanner

The liquid-crystal wave-front scanner (LCWS) is a highly sensitive wave-front sensor suited to the measurement of aberrations in optical systems and, more generally, of static wave fronts, and it is based on the Hartmann test. In the LCWS an incoming wave front is scanned sequentially by a programmable moving aperture that is implemented by use of a liquid-crystal display. The position of the diffraction spot is recorded behind an observation lens with a CCD detector and provides an estimation of the local slopes in two orthogonal directions at the aperture position. The wave front is then reconstructed from slope data by use of a least-squares method. Experiments are reported for nearly planar wave fronts as well as for strongly aberrated wave fronts, demonstrating both the large dynamic range and the great sensitivity of the LCWS. The LCWS is compared with the Shack-Hartmann wave-front sensor in terms of dynamic range and sensitivity.

Hartmann wave-front scanner

A wave-front sensor is described that uses a programmable moving aperture to scan an incoming wave front. The position of the diffraction spot is recorded behind an objective lens with a two-dimensional sensor and gives an estimate of the local slope at the aperture position. Then the wave front is reconstructed by processing of the slope data. The device is basically a programmable Hartmann wave-front sensor. Compared with a microlens Shack-Hartmann wave-front sensor, its much longer focal length provides higher resolution, although real-time operation is lost. A practical implementation of the new scanner with a liquid-crystal television as the programmable aperture is presented.

[Home delivery]

Home delivery, although unconventional, has not totally disappeared. It sometimes results from the desire to "demedicalise" an event deemed natural and is sometimes the consequence of government policy and hence approved by medical authorities. This is the unique situation of Holland, where a highly efficient home delivery system has been created, with the possibility of transfer of the mother at any time to rapidly available emergency medical teams. In fact the large majority of home deliveries are accidental, unprepared and take place in the absence of any medical or paramedical assistance. All available studies show that perinatal and maternal morbidity associated with these accidental deliveries is greater than that of hospital deliveries, and this despite the setting up of emergency services responding as soon as a distress call is received. Home delivery should remain the exception at present since it is unable to guarantee a birth as undangerous as possible.

Isolation and characterization of the rolipram-sensitive cyclic AMP-specific phosphodiesterase (type IV PDE) in human term myometrium

On the basis of the potencies of classical selective modulators of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activities, five cyclic nucleotide PDE isoforms have been isolated and characterized in the cytosolic fraction of human term myometrium. By means of successive ion-exchange chromatographies, a calcium-calmodulin sensitive isoform, a cyclic GMP-stimulated isoform, a cyclic GMP-inhibited isoform, a rolipram-sensitive cyclic AMP-specific isoform and a cyclic GMP-specific isoform, corresponding to PDE I, PDE II, PDE III, PDE IV and PDE V, respectively, have been identified. We found that near term, human myometrium contains a higher proportion of the rolipram-sensitive type IV PDE isoform (about 50% of total cyclic AMP hydrolytic activity) than the type III cyclic GMP-inhibited PDE isoform (only 10%). Type IV PDE displays simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a high affinity for cyclic AMP (Km approximately 4.4 microM) and is selectively and competitively inhibited by rolipram (K(i) approximately 0.9 microM) and Ro 20-1724 (K(i) approximately 2.6 microM). The predominance of type IV PDE at the end of pregnancy suggests that this isoform contributes, via a modulation of the intracellular cyclic AMP level, to local control of uterine motility and thus could help the myometrium prepare for pronounced contractile activity at the time of parturition.

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression and suramin cytotoxicity in vitro

Twenty-five cell lines derived from nine different human cancers were tested for the cytotoxic activity of suramin. Two different initial cellular concentrations were used: C1 (800-2000 cells per well) and C2 (3000-7000 cells per well). Suramin concentrations ranged from 50 to 2500 micrograms/ml. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT test. Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) were assayed by competition analysis and Scatchard plots. In sixteen cell lines suramin had an unexpected growth stimulation effect at low concentration (50-125 micrograms/ml). IC50 varied from 21 micrograms/ml (osteosarcoma, OS2) to 1408 micrograms/ml (melanoma, CAL 24) and, within melanoma cell lines, it varied from 120 micrograms/ml (CAL 41) to 1408 micrograms/ml (CAL 24). The individual IC50 values were positively and significantly linked with the initial cellular density. Eighteen cell lines had measurable EGFR (six with two families of sites, twelve with one): Kd varied between 0.004 nmol/l for the highest affinity site (melanoma, CAL 7) to 1.852 nmol/l for the lowest affinity site (lung, CAL 12). There was no relation between presence or absence of EGF binding sites and distribution of IC50, but for cells with measurable EGFR there was a weak but significant correlation between the number of EGF binding sites per cell and the corresponding IC50 (r = -0.53, P = 0.021).

Endo-rectal repair of rectocele

Rectocele may cause colorectal symptoms particularly difficulty in evacuation. It is readily identified on clinical examination of the perineum but the pathophysiological abnormality can easily be defined by defaecography. Between 1984 and 1988 we have operated on 16 patients who presented with difficulty in evacuation associated with rectocele. We have used a simple endo-anal repair aimed to restore a firm recto-vaginal septum. Excellent functional results were obtained in 11 patients, 4 were considerably improved and one patient had a poor result.