Mosaicism of Solid Gold supports the causality of a noncoding A-to-G transition in the determinism of the callipyge phenotype.

in Genetics (2003), 163(1), 453-6

To identify the callipyge mutation, we have resequenced 184 kb spanning the DLK1-, GTL2-, PEG11-, and MEG8-imprinted domain and have identified an A-to-G transition in a highly conserved dodecamer motif ... [more ▼]

To identify the callipyge mutation, we have resequenced 184 kb spanning the DLK1-, GTL2-, PEG11-, and MEG8-imprinted domain and have identified an A-to-G transition in a highly conserved dodecamer motif between DLK1 and GTL2. This was the only difference found between the callipyge (CLPG) allele and a phylogenetically closely related wild-type allele. We report that this SNP is in perfect association with the callipyge genotype. The demonstration that Solid Gold-the alleged founder ram of the callipyge flock-is mosaic for this SNP virtually proves the causality of this SNP in the determinism of the callipyge phenotype. [less ▲]

Myotonie de Becker : à propos d’un cas avec une nouvelle mutation du gène CLCN1

Conference (2003)

Communication, positionnement et GPS

in Journal des Ingénieurs (Le) (2003), (87), 2-31

The eggshell approach for the computation of electromagnetic forces in 2D and 3D

in Sixth International Symposium on Electric and Magnetic Fields, EMF 2003: Aachen, Germany, October 6-9, 2003 (2003)

Site E-VEIL : veille informatique et pédagogique, produit d'une recherche subsidiée par le Fond Social Européen.

Learning material (2003)

EFFECTS OF O2 TENSION AND GLUCOSE CONCENTRATION ON THE CELLULAR RESPIRATION OF EQUINE ARTICULAR CHONDROCYTES IN CULTURE.

Poster (2003)

In vivo, articular chondrocytes are exposed to 5 to 10% O2. Chondrocytes are also suspected to produce reactive oxygen species when submitted to anoxia/re-oxygenation. We were interested to study the ... [more ▼]

In vivo, articular chondrocytes are exposed to 5 to 10% O2. Chondrocytes are also suspected to produce reactive oxygen species when submitted to anoxia/re-oxygenation. We were interested to study the effects of O2 and glucose variations on cellular respiration, glucose consumption and lactate production. Equine articular chondrocytes were cultured in suspension for 2 days under 5 or 21 % O2 in the gaseous phase, and with 0, 1.0 or 4.5 g/L glucose. The viable cells were then counted and the respiration rate (O2 consumption) of 10.106 cells was monitored by oxymetry for 2 hours; after oxymetry, glucose and lactate were measured in the medium (enzymatic assays). After 2 days, the cell viability was the best at 5% O2 and 1g/L glucose; it decreased at 4.5 g/L glucose and was the worst at 0g/L glucose, for the two O2 tensions (n=3). There was no obvious difference of the respiration rate between cells cultured at 5 and 21% O2, but respiration of chondrocytes was surprisingly low. When cells were submitted to 20 min anoxia at 0% O2, the O2 consumption was doubled at re-oxygenation for cells previously cultured at 21% O2. Glucose and lactate values found in the medium after oxymetry: lactate release in medium was similar (36.23 and 34.57 mg/L respectively) for cells cultured with 1g glucose and 5 or 21% O2 conditions; lactate values were low (2.03 and 8,63 mg/L respectively) for 4.5 g glucose and 5 or 21% O2. Glucose uptake was not different whatever the culture conditions. These results indicate a low cellular respiration with a lactate production linked to the glucose concentrationin the medium, and raise the question of the capacity of chondrocytes to produce ROS in vivo starting from the mitochondrial chain. [less ▲]

Framing the future of antifungals in atopic dermatitis.

in Dermatology : International Journal for Clinical & Investigative Dermatology (2003), 206(4), 398-400

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a frequent chronic inflammatory skin disease. Some fungal colonization or infection of the skin may exacerbate AD severity, particularly the so-called head and neck variant. In ... [more ▼]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a frequent chronic inflammatory skin disease. Some fungal colonization or infection of the skin may exacerbate AD severity, particularly the so-called head and neck variant. In addition, excessive intestinal colonization by Candida albicans may represent an additional triggering factor. Hence, there is a rationale to use antifungals in selected AD patients. Early trials with topical ketoconazole in head and neck AD showed a decrease in Malassezia colonization, but no significant improvement was observed in the clinical severity. In contrast, clinical improvement and decreased serum IgE were obtained in patients with positive Malassezia radioallergosorbent tests (RASTs) who were treated by oral ketoconazole. Some preliminary data suggested that oral itraconazole treatment in AD patients reduced the need for topical corticosteroids, provided clinical improvement particularly in head and neck AD, reduced the cutaneous and intestinal fungal colonization that may trigger AD, reduced the percentage of positive Malassezia cultures and demonstrated a decrease in C. albicans and Malassezia RAST values. Furthermore, beside its antifungal action, itraconazole in part relieves pruritus and inflammation. In conclusion, oral itraconazole treatment can alleviate AD severity in selected patients. Fluconazole is also effective. Further research is warranted to identify whether the load in skin surface fungal agents, the fungal RAST values and specific prick testing should be assessed in order to optimize the antifungal management in AD patients. [less ▲]

Electromagnetic force density in a ferromagnetic material

Conference (2003)

The Sturtian 'snowball' glaciation: fire and ice

in Earth And Planetary Science Letters (2003), 211(1-2), 1-12

The Sturtian 'snowball' glaciation (730 Ma) is contemporary with the dislocation of the Rodinia supercontinent. This dislocation is heralded and accompanied by intense magmatic events, including the onset ... [more ▼]

The Sturtian 'snowball' glaciation (730 Ma) is contemporary with the dislocation of the Rodinia supercontinent. This dislocation is heralded and accompanied by intense magmatic events, including the onset of large basaltic provinces between 825 and 755 Ma. Among these magmatic events, the most important one is the onset of a Laurentian magmatic province at 780 Ma around a latitude of 30degreesN. The presence of these fresh basaltic provinces increases the weatherability of the continental surfaces, resulting in an enhanced consumption of atmospheric CO2 through weathering, inducing a global long-term climatic cooling. Based on recent weathering laws for basaltic lithology and on climatic model results, we show that the weathering of a 6 x 10(6) km(2) basaltic province located within the equatorial region (where weathering of the province and consumption of CO2 are boosted by optimal climatic conditions) is sufficient to trigger a snowball glaciation, assuming a pre-perturbation PCO2 value of 280 ppmv. We show that the Laurentian magmatic province might be the main culprit for the initiation of the Sturtian 'snowball' glaciation, since the Laurentian magmatic province had drifted within the equatorial region by the time of the glaciation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Comparison of aquifer vulnerability assessment techniques. Application to the Neblon river basin (Belgium)

in Environmental Geology (2003), 44(8), 881-892

Five different methods for assessing intrinsic aquifer vulnerability were tested in a case study and their results compared. The test area was a slightly karstified district in the Condroz region of ... [more ▼]

Five different methods for assessing intrinsic aquifer vulnerability were tested in a case study and their results compared. The test area was a slightly karstified district in the Condroz region of Belgium. The basin covers about 65 km(2) and the karst aquifer provides a water-supply of about 28,000 m(3)d(-1). The methods tested were: EPIK (Doerfliger et al. 1999), DRASTIC (Aller et al.1987), 'German method' (von Hoyer and Sofner 1998), GOD (Foster 1987) and ISIS (Civita and De Regibus 1995). The results are compared and critically examined. From the analysis, it seems that reducing the number of parameters is unsatisfactory, due to the variety of geological conditions. The various methods produce very different results at any given site. As only physically-based methods can be checked for their reliability, it is clear that future vulnerability mapping techniques must incorporate such methods. [less ▲]