Tool use and Hafting in the Western European Middle Palaeolithic

in Bulletin de la Société Royale Belge d'Etudes Géologiques et Archéologiques "Les Chercheurs de Wallonie" (2011), 4

Haemodynamic changes during a squat test, pulsatile stress and indices of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in patients with long-duration type 1 diabetes.

in Diabètes & Métabolism (2011)

AIM: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and pulsatile stress are considered to be independent cardiovascular risk factors. This study compared haemodynamic changes during an active orthostatic test ... [more ▼]

AIM: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and pulsatile stress are considered to be independent cardiovascular risk factors. This study compared haemodynamic changes during an active orthostatic test in adult patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), using low versus high RR E/I ratios as a marker of CAN. METHODS: A total of 20 T1DM patients with low RR E/I ratios were compared with 20 T1DM patients with normal RR E/I ratios, matched for gender (1/1 ratio), age (mean: 46years) and diabetes duration (22-26years); 40 matched healthy subjects served as controls. All subjects were evaluated by continuous monitoring of arterial blood pressure (Finapres((R))) and heart rate using a standardized posture test (1-min standing, 1-min squatting, 1-min standing), thus allowing calculation of baroreflex gain. RESULTS: Compared with controls, T1DM patients showed lower RR E/I ratios, reduced baroreflex gains, higher pulsatile stress (pulse pressurexheart rate), greater squatting-induced pulse pressure rises, orthostatic hypotension and reduced reflex tachycardia. Compared with T1DM patients with preserved RR E/I ratios, T1DM patients with low RR E/I ratios showed reduced post-standing reflex tachycardia and baroreflex gain, and delayed blood pressure recovery, but no markers of increased pulsatile stress. Interestingly, decreased baroreflex gain was significantly associated with both pulsatile stress and microalbuminuria. CONCLUSION: The use of RR E/I ratios to separate T1DM patients allows the detection of other CAN markers during an orthostatic posture test, but with no significant differences in pulsatile stress or microalbuminuria. In this context, squatting-derived baroreflex gain appears to be more informative. [less ▲]

Beneficial effect of the rhizosphere microbial community for plant growth and health.

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (2011), 15(2), 327-337

La grotte de Spy (Jemeppe-sur-Sambre ; prov. Namur)

in Toussaint, Michel; Di Modica, Kevin; Pirson, Stéphane (Eds.) Le Paléolithique moyen en Belgique. Mélanges Marguerite Ulrix-Closset (2011)

Indol-2-yl ethanones as novel indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitors.

in Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry (2011), 19(4), 1550-61

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a heme dioxygenase which has been shown to be involved in the pathological immune escape of diseases such as cancer. The synthesis and structure-activity relationships ... [more ▼]

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a heme dioxygenase which has been shown to be involved in the pathological immune escape of diseases such as cancer. The synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of a novel series of IDO inhibitors based on the indol-2-yl ethanone scaffold is described. In vitro and in vivo biological activities have been evaluated, leading to compounds with IC(50) values in the micromolar range in both tests. Introduction of small substituents in the 5- and 6-positions of the indole ring, indole N-methylation and variations of the aromatic side chain are all well tolerated. An iron coordinating group on the linker is a prerequisite for biological activity, thus corroborating the virtual screening results. [less ▲]

Les Lais bretons moyen-anglais

Report (2011)

Review article of Colette Stévanovitch/ Anne Mathieu's volume of collected French translations (Turnhout : Brepols, 2010, 503 p., TVMA9). With contributions by Claire Vial, Hélène Dauby, Guy Bourquin ... [more ▼]

Review article of Colette Stévanovitch/ Anne Mathieu's volume of collected French translations (Turnhout : Brepols, 2010, 503 p., TVMA9). With contributions by Claire Vial, Hélène Dauby, Guy Bourquin, Philippe Mahoux-Pauzin, Jean-Jacques Blanchot, Marthe Mensah, Martine Yvernault, and the two editors. [less ▲]

5-ALA-PDT induces RIP3-dependent necrosis in glioblastoma

in Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences (2011)

Glioblastoma constitute the most frequent and deadliest brain tumors of astrocytic origin. They are resistant to all current therapies and are associated with a high rate of recurrence. Glioblastoma were ... [more ▼]

Glioblastoma constitute the most frequent and deadliest brain tumors of astrocytic origin. They are resistant to all current therapies and are associated with a high rate of recurrence. Glioblastoma were previously shown to respond to treatments by 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) mainly by activating a necrotic type of cell death. The receptor-interacting protein 3 (RIP3) has recently been outlined as a key mediator of this caspase-independent form of programmed cell death. In the present study, we analyzed the necrotic mechanism induced by 5-ALA-PDT in human glioblastoma cells and explored the role of RIP3 in this context. Our results show that PDT-induced necrosis is dependent on RIP3, which forms aggregates and colocalizes with RIP1 following photosensitization. We demonstrate that PDT-mediated singlet oxygen production is the cause of RIP3-dependent necrotic pathway activation. We also prove that PDT induces the formation of a pro-necrotic complex containing RIP3 and RIP1 but lacking caspase-8 and FADD, two proteins usually part of the necrosome when TNF-α is used as a stimulus. Thus, we hypothesize that PDT might lead to the formation of a different necrosome whose components, besides RIP1 and RIP3, are still unknown. In most cases, glioblastoma are characterized by a constitutive activation of NF-κB. This factor is a key regulator of various processes, such as inflammation, immune response, cell growth or apoptosis. Its inhibition was shown to further sensitize glioblastoma cells to PDT-induced necrosis, however, no difference in RIP3 upshift or aggregation could be observed when NF-κB was inhibited. [less ▲]

P43 - Remarquables corrélations entre le gain baroréflexe, le stress pulsatile et la présence d’une microalbuminurie dans la population diabétique de type 1

in SOCIÉTÉ FRANCOPHONE DU DIABÈTE (SFD) (2011)

DPP-4 inhibitors in the management of type 2 diabetes: A critical review of head-to-head trials.

in Diabètes & Métabolism (2011)

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors offer new options for the management of type 2 diabetes. Direct comparisons with active glucose-lowering comparators in drug-naive patients have demonstrated that ... [more ▼]

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors offer new options for the management of type 2 diabetes. Direct comparisons with active glucose-lowering comparators in drug-naive patients have demonstrated that DPP-4 inhibitors exert slightly less pronounced HbA(1c) reduction than metformin (with the advantage of better gastrointestinal tolerability) and similar glucose-lowering effects as with a thiazolidinedione (TZD; with the advantage of no weight gain). In metformin-treated patients, gliptins were associated with similar HbA(1c) reductions compared with a sulphonylurea (SU; with the advantage of no weight gain, considerably fewer hypoglycaemic episodes and no need for titration) and a TZD (with the advantage of no weight gain and better overall tolerability). DPP-4 inhibitors also exert clinically relevant glucose-lowering effects compared with a placebo in patients treated with SU or TZD (of potential interest when metformin is either not tolerated or contraindicated), and as oral triple therapy with a good tolerability profile when added to a metformin-SU or pioglitazone-SU combination. Several clinical trials also showed a consistent reduction in HbA(1c) when DPP-4 inhibitors were added to basal insulin therapy, with no increased risk of hypoglycaemia. Because of the complex pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and the complementary actions of glucose-lowering agents, initial combination of a DPP-4 inhibitor with either metformin or a glitazone may be applied in drug-naive patients, resulting in greater efficacy and similar safety compared with either drug as monotherapy. However, DPP-4 inhibitors were less effective than GLP-1 receptor agonists for reducing HbA(1c) and body weight, but offer the advantage of being easier to use (oral instead of injected administration) and lower in cost. Only one head-to-head trial demonstrated the non-inferiority of saxagliptin vs sitagliptin. Clearly, more trials of direct comparisons between different incretin-based therapies are needed. Because of their pharmacokinetic characteristics, pharmacodynamic properties (glucose-dependent glucose-lowering effect) and good overall tolerability profile, DPP-4 inhibitors may have a key role to play in patients with renal impairment and in the elderly. The role of DPP-4 inhibitors in the therapeutic armamentarium of type 2 diabetes is rapidly evolving as their potential strengths and weaknesses become better defined mainly through controlled clinical trials. [less ▲]

Palaeoichthyological investigation in the Luga area of Leningrad Region: past and present

in Lebedev, Oleg; Ivanov, Alexander (Eds.) Palaeozoic Early Vertebrates II - Obruchev Symposium - Abstracts (2011)

A list of Devonian vertebrates from the Luga District of the Leningrad Region (Russia) was originally mentioned by P. N. Venyukov (1884). However, detailed palaeoichthyological studies in this territory ... [more ▼]

A list of Devonian vertebrates from the Luga District of the Leningrad Region (Russia) was originally mentioned by P. N. Venyukov (1884). However, detailed palaeoichthyological studies in this territory started in only during 1926-1931 in the framework of the geological mapping programme. Two field crews studied the sections of the Middle and Upper Devonian by the Luga, Lemovzha, Oredezh, Tesovaya and Vruda rivers. One of the teams was the Devonian Lithological expedition under guided by R. F. Hecher. D. V. Obruchev was also involved in the works of this expedition. Other team headed by B. P. Asatkin surveyed the western part of the Leningrad Region. Both teams sampled numerous outcrops and boreholes, and collected abundant vertebrate remains. As a result the Devonian deposits were subdivided into the regional beds characterized by diverse vertebrate assemblages. Collectioning and research of Devonian vertebrates in this area continued in the 1950-1960ties by D. V. Obruchev and his students: V. N. Karatajute-Talimaa, E. Mark-Kurik, L. A. Lyarskaya. Their descriptions of Eifelian-Frasnian agnathans and fishes were published in the series of monographs or papers (e.g. Karatajute-Talimaa, 1963, Obruchev & Mark-Kurik, 1965, Lyarskaya, 1981). During the last thirty years J. Valiukevicius and some of the authors of the present report supplemented the vertebrate collections from some sections. The new localities in this area were reported by the 2001 Latvian-Russian Expedition (A. Ivanov, E. Luksevics, I. Zupins and others). The 2009-2010 Russo-Franco-Latvian expedition discovered a new diverse material from the historical and new localities of that area. [less ▲]