Abstract The field of marine mammal conservation has dramatically benefited from the rapid advancement of methods to assess the reproductive physiology of individuals and populations from steroid ...hormones isolated from minimally invasive skin–blubber biopsy samples. Historically, this vital information was only available from complete anatomical and physiological investigations of samples collected during commercial or indigenous whaling. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are a migratory, cosmopolitan species that reproduce in warm, low-latitude breeding grounds. New Caledonia is seasonally visited by a small breeding sub-stock of humpback whales, forming part of the endangered Oceania subpopulation. To better understand the demographic and seasonal patterns of reproductive physiology in humpback whales, we quantified baseline measurements of reproductive hormones (progesterone—P4, testosterone—T and 17β-estradiol—E2) using an extensive archive of skin–blubber biopsy samples collected from female humpback whales in New Caledonia waters between 2016 and 2019 (n = 194). We observed significant differences in the P4, T and E2 concentrations across different demographic groups of female humpback whales, and we described some of the first evidence of the endocrine patterns of estrous in live free-ranging baleen whales. This study is fundamental in its methodological approach to a wild species that has a global distribution, with seasonally distinct life histories. This information will assist in monitoring, managing and conserving this population as global ecological changes continue to occur unhindered.
Summary Background No large trials have been done to investigate the efficacy of an intervention combining a specific compound and several lifestyle interventions compared with placebo for the ...prevention of cognitive decline. We tested the effect of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation and a multidomain intervention (physical activity, cognitive training, and nutritional advice), alone or in combination, compared with placebo, on cognitive decline. Methods The Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial was a 3-year, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled superiority trial with four parallel groups at 13 memory centres in France and Monaco. Participants were non-demented, aged 70 years or older, and community-dwelling, and had either relayed a spontaneous memory complaint to their physician, limitations in one instrumental activity of daily living, or slow gait speed. They were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to either the multidomain intervention (43 group sessions integrating cognitive training, physical activity, and nutrition, and three preventive consultations) plus omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ie, two capsules a day providing a total daily dose of 800 mg docosahexaenoic acid and 225 mg eicosapentaenoic acid), the multidomain intervention plus placebo, omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids alone, or placebo alone. A computer-generated randomisation procedure was used to stratify patients by centre. All participants and study staff were blinded to polyunsaturated fatty acid or placebo assignment, but were unblinded to the multidomain intervention component. Assessment of cognitive outcomes was done by independent neuropsychologists blinded to group assignment. The primary outcome was change from baseline to 36 months on a composite Z score combining four cognitive tests (free and total recall of the Free and Cued Selective Reminding test, ten Mini-Mental State Examination orientation items, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and Category Naming Test) in the modified intention-to-treat population. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT00672685 ). Findings 1680 participants were enrolled and randomly allocated between May 30, 2008, and Feb 24, 2011. In the modified intention-to-treat population (n=1525), there were no significant differences in 3-year cognitive decline between any of the three intervention groups and the placebo group. Between-group differences compared with placebo were 0·093 (95% CI 0·001 to 0·184; adjusted p=0·142) for the combined intervention group, 0·079 (−0·012 to 0·170; 0·179) for the multidomain intervention plus placebo group, and 0·011 (−0·081 to 0·103; 0·812) for the omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids group. 146 (36%) participants in the multidomain plus polyunsaturated fatty acids group, 142 (34%) in the multidomain plus placebo group, 134 (33%) in the polyunsaturated fatty acids group, and 133 (32%) in the placebo group had at least one serious emerging adverse event. Four treatment-related deaths were recorded (two in the multidomain plus placebo group and two in the placebo group). The interventions did not raise any safety concerns and there were no differences between groups in serious or other adverse events. Interpretation The multidomain intervention and polyunsaturated fatty acids, either alone or in combination, had no significant effects on cognitive decline over 3 years in elderly people with memory complaints. An effective multidomain intervention strategy to prevent or delay cognitive impairment and the target population remain to be determined, particularly in real-world settings. Funding French Ministry of Health, Pierre Fabre Research Institute, Gerontopole, Exhonit Therapeutics, Avid Radiopharmaceuticals.
Humpback whales
Megaptera novaeangliae
were severely depleted by commercial whaling. Understanding key factors in their recovery is a crucial step for their conservation worldwide. In Oceania, the ...Chesterfield-Bellona archipelago was a primary whaling site in the 19
th
century, yet has been left almost unaffected by anthropogenic activities since. We present the results of the first multidisciplinary dedicated surveys in the archipelago assessing humpback whale populations 2 centuries post-whaling. We encountered 57 groups during 24 survey days (2016-2017), among which 35 whales were identified using photographs of natural markings (photo-ID), 38 using genotyping and 22 using both. Humpback whales were sparsely distributed (0.041 whales km
-1
): most sightings concentrated in shallow inner-reef waters and neighbouring offshore shallow banks. The recently created marine protected area covers most of the areas of high predicted habitat suitability and high residence time from satellite-tracked whales. Surprisingly for a breeding area, sex ratios skewed towards females (1:2.4), and 45% of females were with calf. Connectivity was established with the New Caledonia breeding area to the east (mtDNA
F
ST
= 0.001, p > 0.05, 12 photo-ID and 10 genotype matches) and with the Australian Great Barrier Reef breeding area to the west (mtDNA
F
ST
= 0.006, p > 0.05). Movement of satellite-tracked whales and photo-ID matches also suggest connections with the east Australian migratory corridor. This study confirms that humpback whales still inhabit the Chesterfield-Bellona archipelago 2 centuries post whaling, and that this pristine area potentially plays a role in facilitating migratory interchange among breeding grounds of the western South Pacific.
Le 18 décembre 1914, un protectorat britannique sur l’Égypte est proclamé. La présence britannique en Égypte se normalise sur le schéma d’autres situations coloniales. Or le changement de statut ...imposé à l’Égypte en raison de la guerre, loin de consolider le pouvoir et la présence britanniques, comme espéré, les fragilise. La multiplication des dysfonctionnements et maladresses dans la prise en main du protectorat est une première cause de fragilité. La seconde tient à la réception de ce nouveau statut par les Égyptiens. Ceux-ci sont déçus de ne pas voir leur pays gagner en autonomie. Enfin, le contexte d’une guerre qui se prolonge oblige les Britanniques à solliciter l’aide de la population locale, contrairement à ce qu’ils avaient promis au début du conflit. Les difficultés du quotidien et le non-respect de l’engagement pris suscitent la colère de la population qui met en cause la structure même du protectorat.
Purpose: The recent introduction of a project management office (PMO) in a major healthcare center, led by a nurse, provides a unique opportunity to understand how a PMO facilitates successful ...implementation of evidence‐based practices in care delivery.
Design: A case study with embedded units (individuals, projects, and organization). In this study, the case is operationally defined as the PMO deployed in a Canadian healthcare center.
Methods: The sources of evidence used in this study were diverse. They consisted of 38 individual interviews, internal documents, and administrative data. The data were collected from March 2009 to November 2011. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data.
Findings: PMO experts help improve practices, and the patients thus receive safer and better quality care. Several participants point out that they could not make the changes without the PMO's support. They mention that they succeeded in changing their practices based on the evidence and acquired knowledge of change management with the PMO members that can be transferred to their practice.
Conclusions: With the leadership of the nurse director of the PMO, members provide a range of expertise and fields in evidence‐based change management, project management, and evaluation.
Clinical Relevance: PMO facilitates the implementation of clinical and organizational practices based on evidence to improve the quality and safety of care provided to patients.
À l’issue de la Première Guerre mondiale, l’Égypte demande l’indépendance et, devant le refus des Britanniques de la lui accorder, la population égyptienne se mobilise. L’écho international de cet ...épisode a été peu étudié, au-delà de son impact sur les relations anglo-égyptiennes. L’étude porte sur la perception française de la lutte égyptienne pour l’indépendance. Les diplomates et militaires français sont frappés par les pressions que les nationalistes exercent pour obtenir la mobilisation des différents segments de la population. Ils jaugent également les choix politiques britanniques. À leurs yeux, ceux-ci sont largement responsables de la situation égyptienne.
À l’heure où des forces politiques ébranlent les constructions étatiques issues de l’Empire ottoman, nous postulons qu’un regard par-dessus un siècle peut éclairer certains enjeux des évolutions les ...plus récentes. Notre étude s’organise autour de trois axes, en premier lieu la formation de la Turquie moderne qui enterre le projet d’autonomie kurde. Or, la guerre conduite par les Kurdes contre le groupe « État islamique » donne à cette communauté oubliée l’espoir d’une reconnaissance par la communauté internationale. Dans un second temps, nous nous intéresserons à la formation des États arabes, aujourd’hui défiés par « l’État islamique ». Enfin, le chef de guerre Abû Bakr al-Baghdâdî prétend faire revivre, à travers la proclamation du califat, une institution multiséculaire abolie en 1924.
Alors qu’il existe plusieurs atlas de l’Égypte ancienne, aucun atlas de l’Égypte contemporaine n’avait encore été publié. Cet ouvrage vient donc combler un vide, en offrant au grand public un ...panorama illustré de l’Égypte au début du XXIe siècle. Réunissant les contributions d’une cinquantaine de chercheur.e.s, il présente, sous une forme cartographiée et vulgarisée, les faits saillants et les enjeux de l’Égypte actuelle en matière politique, géopolitique, économique, démographique, sociale, environnementale et culturelle. Il s’appuie, à cette fin, sur des ressources documentaires inédites : les cartes notamment, qui exploitent les résultats du recensement officiel égyptien de 2017, offrent une version actualisée du territoire. Pour mieux connaître et comprendre l’Égypte d’aujourd’hui.
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