Adult neural crest stem cells and neuronal fate decision

in Trends in cell signaling pathways in neuronal fate decision (2012)

New excavation in the Ikh Tulberiin Gol, Mongolia: the Tolbor 16 Upper Paleolithic site

Conference (2012)

Malignant melanoma and its stromal nonimmune microecosystem.

in Journal of Oncology (2012), 2012

In recent years, rapid advances were reached in the understanding of a series of biologic signals influencing cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) cells. CMM is in close contact with a peculiar dermal ... [more ▼]

In recent years, rapid advances were reached in the understanding of a series of biologic signals influencing cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) cells. CMM is in close contact with a peculiar dermal extracellular matrix (ECM). Stromal cells store and release various structural ECM components. The impact on CMM growth and progression is mediated through strong and long-lasting effects of ECM products. This paper summarizes some peculiar aspects of the peri-CMM stroma showing intracytoplasmic loads in Factor XIIIa, CD34, versican, and alpha (IV) collagen chains. The restricted peri-CMM skin territory exhibiting such changes corresponds to the area showing neoangiogenesis and extravascular unicellular metastatic spread. The latter inconspicuous migratory CMM cells possibly correspond to CMM stem cells or to CMM cells with aberrant HOX gene expression. Their presence is associated with an increased risk for metastases in the regional sentinel lymph nodes. In conclusion, the CMM-stroma connection appears crucial to the growth regulation, invasiveness and initial metastatic spread of CMM cells. Although much remains to be learned in this field, the active intervention of the peri-CMM stroma is likely involved in the inconspicuous early metastatic migration of CMM cells. [less ▲]

Bibliographie indicative de travaux de langue française

in AnthropoChildren : Perspectives ethnographiques sur les enfants & l'enfance = Ethnographic Perspectives in Children & Childhood (2012)

Ectopic Hormones-Secreting Pheochromocytoma: A Francophone Observational Study

in World Journal of Surgery (2012), 36

Background Ectopic hormone-secreting pheochromocytomas <br />are rare; only case reports exist in the literature. This <br />condition has been linked with increased malignancy, <br />familial syndromes ... [more ▼]

Background Ectopic hormone-secreting pheochromocytomas <br />are rare; only case reports exist in the literature. This <br />condition has been linked with increased malignancy, <br />familial syndromes, and ACTH secretion. We wanted to <br />test these hypotheses and shed light on the nature of ectopic <br />hormone-secreting pheochromocytomas. <br />Methods This is a multicenter (francophone) observational <br />study. Inclusion was based upon abnormal preoperative <br />hormone tests in patients with pheochromocytoma <br />that normalized after removal of the tumor. Where <br />possible, immunohistochemistry was performed to confirm <br />that ectopic secretion came from the tumor. <br />Results Sixteen cases were found: nine female and seven <br />male patients. Median age was 50.5 (range 31–89) years. <br />Most presented with hypertension, diabetes, or cushingoid <br />features. Ten patients had specific symptoms from the <br />ectopic hormone secretion. Two had a familial syndrome. <br />Of eight patients with excess cortisol secretion, three died <br />as a result of the tumor resection: two had pheochromocytomas[ <br />15 cm and their associated cortisol hypersecretion <br />complicated their postoperative course. The other died <br />from a torn subhepatic vein. The 13 survivors did not <br />develop any evidence of malignancy during follow-up <br />(median 50 months). Symptoms from the ectopic secretion <br />resolved after removal of the tumor. Immunohistochemistry <br />was performed and was positive in eight tumors: five <br />ACTH, three calcitonins, and one VIP. <br />Conclusions Most pheochromocytomas with ectopic <br />secretion are neither malignant nor familial. Most ectopic <br />hormone-secreting pheochromocytoma cause hypercortisolemia. <br />Patients with a pheochromocytoma should be <br />worked up for ectopic hormones, because removal of the <br />pheochromocytoma resolves those symptoms. Associated <br />cortisol secretion needs careful attention. [less ▲]

Identification of protein networks involved in the disease course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis.

in PLoS ONE (2012), 7(4), 35544

A more detailed insight into disease mechanisms of multiple sclerosis (MS) is crucial for the development of new and more effective therapies. MS is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the ... [more ▼]

A more detailed insight into disease mechanisms of multiple sclerosis (MS) is crucial for the development of new and more effective therapies. MS is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The aim of this study is to identify novel disease associated proteins involved in the development of inflammatory brain lesions, to help unravel underlying disease processes. Brainstem proteins were obtained from rats with MBP induced acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a well characterized disease model of MS. Samples were collected at different time points: just before onset of symptoms, at the top of the disease and following recovery. To analyze changes in the brainstem proteome during the disease course, a quantitative proteomics study was performed using two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) followed by mass spectrometry. We identified 75 unique proteins in 92 spots with a significant abundance difference between the experimental groups. To find disease-related networks, these regulated proteins were mapped to existing biological networks by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). The analysis revealed that 70% of these proteins have been described to take part in neurological disease. Furthermore, some focus networks were created by IPA. These networks suggest an integrated regulation of the identified proteins with the addition of some putative regulators. Post-synaptic density protein 95 (DLG4), a key player in neuronal signalling and calcium-activated potassium channel alpha 1 (KCNMA1), involved in neurotransmitter release, are 2 putative regulators connecting 64% of the identified proteins. Functional blocking of the KCNMA1 in macrophages was able to alter myelin phagocytosis, a disease mechanism highly involved in EAE and MS pathology. Quantitative analysis of differentially expressed brainstem proteins in an animal model of MS is a first step to identify disease-associated proteins and networks that warrant further research to study their actual contribution to disease pathology. [less ▲]

Inference and comparison of different genetic stratification techniques

Conference (2012)

Long-term series of tropospheric water vapour amounts and HDO/H2O ratio profiles above Jungfraujoch

in Geophysical Research Abstracts (2012), 14

Water vapour is a crucial climate variable involved in many processes which widely determine the energy budget of our planet. In particular, water vapour is the dominant greenhouse gas in the Earth’s ... [more ▼]

Water vapour is a crucial climate variable involved in many processes which widely determine the energy budget of our planet. In particular, water vapour is the dominant greenhouse gas in the Earth’s atmosphere and its radiative forcing is maximum in the middle and upper troposphere. Because of the extremely high variability of water vapour concentration in time and space, it is challenging for the available relevant measurement techniques to provide a consistent data set useful for trend analyses and climate studies. Schneider et al. (2006a) showed that ground-based Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, performed from mountain observatories, allows for the detection of H2O variabilities up to the tropopause. Furthermore, the FTIR measurements allow the retrieval of HDO amounts and therefore the monitoring of HDO/H2O ratio profiles whose variations act as markers for the source and history of the atmospheric water vapour. In the framework of the MUSICA European project (Multi-platform remote Sensing of Isotopologues for investigating the Cycle of Atmospheric water, http://www.imk-asf.kit.edu/english/musica.php), a new approach has been developed and optimized by M. Schneider and F. Hase, using the PROFFIT algorithm, to consistently retrieve tropospheric water vapour profiles from high-resolution ground-based infrared solar spectra and so taking benefit from available long-term data sets of ground-based observations. The retrieval of the water isotopologues is performed on a logarithmic scale from 14 micro-windows located in the 2600-3100 cm-1 region. Other important features of this new retrieval strategy are: a speed dependant Voigt line shape model, a joint temperature profile retrieval and an interspecies constraint for the HDO/H2O profiles. In this contribution, we will combine the quality of the MUSICA strategy and of our observations, which are recorded on a regular basis with FTIR spectrometers, under clear-sky conditions, at the NDACC site (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change, http://www.ndacc.org) of the Jungfraujoch International Scientific Station (Swiss Alps, 46.5°N, 8.0°E, 3580m asl). Information content analysis of the retrieved H2O products allows us to produce a long-term trend from 1996 to 2011 for different tropospheric levels. We will compare the annual cycle of tropospheric HDO/H2O ratio profiles with those already produced at other sites (Schneider et al., 2010). We will also focus on the diurnal variability of water vapour to determine a time limit in the inter-comparison of different water vapour measurement techniques. [less ▲]

Internationaal privaatrecht geannoteerd

Book published by La Charte (2012)

This collection presents the most important statutory materials useful for the practice in Belgium of private international law. Each instrument (Belgian Acts, European Regulations and International ... [more ▼]

This collection presents the most important statutory materials useful for the practice in Belgium of private international law. Each instrument (Belgian Acts, European Regulations and International Conventions in force in Belgium) is reproduced together with comments highlighting the most important case law in relation to the provisions studied. [less ▲]

Parler de(s) génocide(s) avec des jeunes : appréhender un sujet difficile par des focus groups longitudinaux

in Brunet, Sébastien; Claisse, Frédéric; Fallon, Catherine (Eds.) La participation à l’épreuve (2012)