Vagus nerve stimulation attenuates heat- and formalin-induced pain in rats

in Neuroscience Letters (2003), 351(2), 79-82

The analgesic effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has not yet been demonstrated in animals with the devices used in the clinic. We studied in awake rats the effects of two VNS protocols on the hind ... [more ▼]

The analgesic effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has not yet been demonstrated in animals with the devices used in the clinic. We studied in awake rats the effects of two VNS protocols on the hind paw hot water test and compared the results with those previously obtained in the oro-facial formalin test. A stringent duty cycle (20 s on/18 s off) increased heat pain tolerance in both hind paws (average 188%) after 2 h of stimulation. VNS with parameters used in epilepsy (30 s on/5 min off) decreased heat tolerance after 2 h, but produced a significant antinociceptive effect after days of stimulation. VNS may thus be useful in pain disorders, even with the less stringent protocol. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. [less ▲]

Crystal structure of the sensor domain of the BlaR penicillin receptor from Bacillus licheniformis

in Biochemistry (2003), 42(44), 12835-12843

As in several staphylococci, the synthesis of the Bacillus licheniformis 749/I beta-lactamase is an inducible phenomenon regulated by a signal-transducing membrane protein BlaR. The C-terminal domain of ... [more ▼]

As in several staphylococci, the synthesis of the Bacillus licheniformis 749/I beta-lactamase is an inducible phenomenon regulated by a signal-transducing membrane protein BlaR. The C-terminal domain of this multimodular protein is an extracellular domain which specifically recognizes beta-lactam antibiotics. When it binds a beta-lactam, a signal is transmitted by the transmembrane region to the intracellular loops. In response, the hydrolytic activity of the BlaR large cytoplasmic L3 loop is induced, and a cascade of reactions is generated, leading to the transcription of the beta-lactamase gene. Here, we describe the crystal structure of the extracellular penicillin-receptor domain of BlaR (residues 346-601) at 2.5 Angstrom resolution in order to understand why this domain, whose folding is very similar to that of class D beta-lactamases, behaves as a highly sensitive penicillin-binding protein rather than a beta-lactamase. Two residues of the BlaR C-terminal domain, Thr452 and Thr542, modify the hydrophobic characteristic of the class D beta-lactamase active site. Both residues seem to be in part responsible for the lack of beta-lactamase activity of the BlaR protein due to the stability of the acyl-enzyme. Although further experimental data are needed to fully understand the transmembrane induction process, the comparison of the BlaR sensor domain structure with those of class D beta-lactamase complexes and penicillin-binding proteins provides interesting elements to hypothesize on possible signal transmission mechanisms. [less ▲]

Size heterogeneity, cannibalism and competition in cultured predatory fish larvae: biotic and abiotic influences

in Aquaculture (2003), 227(1-4), 333-356

Growth heterogeneity is a central problem in larviculture and especially in predatory species. It can be influenced by a wide range of intrinsic and environmental factors, of which the respective ... [more ▼]

Growth heterogeneity is a central problem in larviculture and especially in predatory species. It can be influenced by a wide range of intrinsic and environmental factors, of which the respective influences are largely unknown. The role of non-interactive (temperature, day length, light intensity, food availability and composition) and interactive factors (stocking density, initial size heterogeneity, hatching time) on growth, survival and size heterogeneity was measured in larvae and post-larvae of the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax and Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis. Embryos hatching later than others were found less competitive than those hatching earlier in both species, but to a greater extent in perch. By contrast, the final size heterogeneity in both species was independent from the initial size heterogeneity or recurrent size sorting. High stocking density had a positive effect on perch larvae, no effect on seabass larvae and a negative impact on the post-larvae of both species, owing principally to density-dependent access to food. Day length and light intensity produced contrasting results in larvae and post-larvae. Larvae of both species performed better under bright light and continuous day length. Post-larvae of seabass performed equally well at different light levels but did better under short day lengths, whereas post-larvae of perch were unaffected by day length but performed better under reduced light levels. Increasing food availability resulted in increasing performance of perch larvae, although cannibalism was higher for submaximal than for maintenance rations. The similarity between the two species at the larval stage, and differences at the post-larval stage can be accounted for by the increasing specialisation towards specific environments and niches. Regarding the impact of rearing factors on growth, survival and size heterogeneity, interactive variables impacted essentially on growth and survival, whereas size heterogeneity was chiefly influenced by non-interactive variables, either directly or indirectly via interactive mechanisms such as cannibalism and size-dependent mortality. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Campagne de mesure des odeurs sur le CET réhabilité de Belderbusch (Montzen) Enquête sur les nuisances olfactives

Report (2003)

The study is made in the frame of a follow-up monitoring of all landfill sites in Wallonia, initiated by the Ministry of Environment and managed by ISSeP. The present report concerns the restored site of ... [more ▼]

The study is made in the frame of a follow-up monitoring of all landfill sites in Wallonia, initiated by the Ministry of Environment and managed by ISSeP. The present report concerns the restored site of Belderbusch. However, as first field inspections revealed no odour, the usual measurement methodology was not applied and a short survey in the neighbourhood population was conducted. [less ▲]

« Immigration, Intégration et Citoyenneté au regard de la Communication du 3 juin 2003 »

Scientific conference (2003, November 07)

Aislamiento de Escherichia coli enterohemorrágico (EHEC) de una cría de guanaco en Argentina.

Poster (2003, November 05)

Prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in southern Belgium

in Veterinary Parasitology (2003), 117(1-2), 23-28

Between June 1998 and February 2002,709 red foxes killed in Wallonia (south of Belgium) were available for parasitological examination of the gut. The identification of Echinococcus multilocularis was ... [more ▼]

Between June 1998 and February 2002,709 red foxes killed in Wallonia (south of Belgium) were available for parasitological examination of the gut. The identification of Echinococcus multilocularis was based on morphological data. E. multilocularis adults were observed in 20.2% of the animals. The analysis of data revealed marked differences between the geological areas of Wallonia; the highest prevalence (33%) was found in the Ardenne and the lowest (0%) on the Plateau de Herve. Host gender and the collection season had no effect on the prevalence. However, the latter was significantly higher in juveniles (<8 months of age). The geographical distribution of E. multilocularis in Belgium is much wider than originally thought. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Jupiter's main auroral oval observed with HST-STIS

in Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics (2003), 108(A11),

An extended series of FUV images obtained on 7 days during winter 2000-2001, with fixed pointing, yielded highly accurate tracking of emisson features as Jupiter rotated. They provided newly detailed ... [more ▼]

An extended series of FUV images obtained on 7 days during winter 2000-2001, with fixed pointing, yielded highly accurate tracking of emisson features as Jupiter rotated. They provided newly detailed measurements of the degree of corotation of auroral emissions and their variations with changing central meridian longitude. This 2-month data set provides a statistical average location of the auroral emission and leads to the definition of new "reference ovals.'' The overall auroral morphology pattern is shown to be fixed in System-III longitude and unchanged over a 5-year period. When arranged in central meridian longitude ranges, the images show a significant contraction of the northern main oval as the central meridian longitude increases from 115 to 255degrees. The main auroral oval brightness is globally very stable in comparison with its terrestrial counterpart. It is shown to vary with magnetic local time, increasing from noon to dusk and then decreasing again in the magnetic evening. Hectometric emissions observed simultaneously with Galileo and Cassini reveal interplanetary shocks propagating outward from the Sun which may be related to the contraction of the main auroral oval observed in the HST images taken on 14 December 2000. In addition, we find that a brightening and a significant contraction of the main oval observed on 13 January 2001 corresponded to a time of increased solar wind dynamic pressure. [less ▲]

Evolution of the polarization of the optical afterglow of the γ-ray burst GRB030329

in Nature (2003), 426

The association of a supernova with GRB030329 strongly supports the `collapsar' model of γ-ray bursts, where a relativistic jet forms after the progenitor star collapses. Such jets cannot be spatially ... [more ▼]

The association of a supernova with GRB030329 strongly supports the `collapsar' model of γ-ray bursts, where a relativistic jet forms after the progenitor star collapses. Such jets cannot be spatially resolved because γ-ray bursts lie at cosmological distances; their existence is instead inferred from `breaks' in the light curves of the afterglows, and from the theoretical desire to reduce the estimated total energy of the burst by proposing that most of it comes out in narrow beams. Temporal evolution of the polarization of the afterglows may provide independent evidence for the jet structure of the relativistic outflow. Small-level polarization (~1-3 per cent) has been reported for a few bursts, but its temporal evolution has yet to be established. Here we report polarimetric observations of the afterglow of GRB030329. We establish the polarization light curve, detect sustained polarization at the per cent level, and find significant variability. The data imply that the afterglow magnetic field has a small coherence length and is mostly random, probably generated by turbulence, in contrast with the picture arising from the high polarization detected in the prompt γ-rays from GRB021206 (ref. 18). [less ▲]

Optical and mechanical design of a straylight rejection baffle for CoRoT

in Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Conference Series (2003, November 01)

The COROT mission is part of the program "Petites Missions" of CNES (French space agency). It implies international cooperation between France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Spain and the European Space ... [more ▼]

The COROT mission is part of the program "Petites Missions" of CNES (French space agency). It implies international cooperation between France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Spain and the European Space Agency (ESA). COROT aims to perform astroseismology measurements and to detect exoplanets. Long duration observations of stars will be used to detect periodic variations with an afocal telescope followed by a dioptric objective and 4 CCDs. Due to the orbit of the spacecraft (low altitude polar orbit) and even if the observation are performed in a direction perpendicular to orbit plane, the measurements can be disturbed by the straylight reflected on the earth (albedo) that can generate periodic perturbation. CSL is in charge of the design and procurement, with the help of Belgian industries, of a baffle and its protective cover that will be mounted on top of the afocal entrance telescope. The requirements are very stringent from the optical point of view as well as from the mechanical point of view. The rejection of the baffle must be of the order of 10[SUP]13[/SUP] for field angles above 20 degrees while the allocated mass is 19 kilograms. [less ▲]