Cerebral aspergillosis in immunocompromised patient successfully treated with voriconazole

Poster (2012, November 08)

Cerebral aspergillosis is a severe invasive mycosis occurring in immunocompromised patients. This pathology is associated with a high rate of mortality and is a current complication of pulmonary invasive ... [more ▼]

Cerebral aspergillosis is a severe invasive mycosis occurring in immunocompromised patients. This pathology is associated with a high rate of mortality and is a current complication of pulmonary invasive aspergillosis. We report the case of a 44-year-old immunocompromised male with a recent history of oropharyngeal carcinoma. At his admission the patient presented with fever and confusion. Imaging revealed the presence of a cerebral abscess combined with lung infiltrates. During hospitalization and despite a broad-spectrum antibiotic regimen his condition worsened. A thin needle aspiration of the abscess was performed for diagnosis purpose. Histological examination of the tissue showed septate and branched hyphae with 45° angles suggestive of Aspergillus. A real-time PCR specific for the detection of Aspergillus sp. was carried out and confirmed the fungal etiology of the abscess. Rare colonies of A. fumigatus were isolated a few days later. The diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis complicated by a cerebral dissemination was confirmed. Antifungal treatment based on voriconazole 4 mg/kg q12h was introduced and the dosage was successfully increased up to 5 mg/kg q12h by drug monitoring. This case highlights the usefulness of the Aspergillus PCR for the rapid identification of hyphae in tissue biopsies (or in the event of negative culture), and the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring in treatment by voriconazole. [less ▲]

Use of Life Cycle Assesment to determine the environmental impact of thermochemical conversion routes of lignocellulosic biomass: state of the art.

Poster (2012, November 07)

Abstract: The biomass is a promising way to substitute fossil fuels. Lignocellulosic biomass valorisation is part of second generation technologies. They are interesting in that they imply less ... [more ▼]

Abstract: The biomass is a promising way to substitute fossil fuels. Lignocellulosic biomass valorisation is part of second generation technologies. They are interesting in that they imply less competition with food crops for land and water, and they allow for the whole plant to be processed. Moreover, lignocellulose is abundant in cheap and non-food materials extracted from plants such as wood and energy crops. The thermo-chemical route is being considered more extensively, especially the gasification process. This process converts carbonaceous biomass into combustible gases (CO, H2, CO2, CH4, and impurities) called syngas in the presence of a suitable oxidant. The syngas can be converted into a large range of products, such as diesel, via a Fischer-Tropsch process, or methanol, used for producing DME (dimethyl ether), both of which can serve as fuels in traditional motors. Syngas can also be used to produce ethylene and propylene, two building blocks for the chemical industry. Production of these four compounds is specifically investigated. In order to insure that, under the principle of sustainability, the use of lignocellulosic biomass is a viable alternative, its environmental impact must be accurately quantified. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology will be used in this regard for the gasification process. The gasification technology will be described, and a state of the art in LCA of the gasification process will be presented. Finally, the need for new research will be established. [less ▲]

Variable Renewable Energy integration and the balancing challenge: Flexibility assessment in Belgium

Poster (2012, November)

The world is facing a historical increase in energy demand and energy consumption. Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) sources are considered as a solution to both environmental issues and energy demand, even ... [more ▼]

The world is facing a historical increase in energy demand and energy consumption. Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) sources are considered as a solution to both environmental issues and energy demand, even though they present high variability and low predictability. Variability and uncertainty are familiar aspects of all power systems. However, the increase of the share of renewable sources leads to new needs in terms of flexible resources. These resources can be provided by four different means: 1. Dispatchable power plants (i.e. with ramp up and ramp down capabilities) 2. Storage systems, mainly in the form of pumping stations. 3. Grid interconnections between countries 4. Demand side management. The present work focuses on the Belgian transmission grid. In order to assess its flexibility, both the technical flexible resource available and the flexibility requirement are evaluated in the considered area and the Present Variable Renewable Energy penetration Potential is calculated. [less ▲]

MODELING OF A GLASS WOOL PROCESS IN VIEW OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (L.C.A.)

Poster (2012, November)

Taking into account the environmental aspects in the building sector has become unavoidable. In France, environmental and sanitary statements for building products (“Fiches de Déclarations ... [more ▼]

Taking into account the environmental aspects in the building sector has become unavoidable. In France, environmental and sanitary statements for building products (“Fiches de Déclarations Environnementales et Sanitaires” (FDE&S)) have been developed. The environmental part of the statement is based on Life Cycle Assessment. So, KnaufInsulation, glass wool producer for the French market, has started to evaluated the environmental impacts of it process in view of FDE&S realization. The process has been modeling in GaBi with industrial data. Adjustable parameters have been introduced to allow to study the environmental impacts of almost all the KnaufInsulation products. So the FDE&S can be easily done for the different products. This model is also used for eco-conception. The LCA results allow to show the life cycle leaks. More, in modifying the model, the impact of a change in the process on its environmental performances will be highlighted. So relevant improvement will be brought out. The model and the mains results as the eco-conception strategy will be presented. The interest of making a modeling based on the step and process of the life cycle of a product or a product range will be clearly understood. [less ▲]

What is the best use of sugar crops? Environmental assessment of two applications : biofuels vs. bioproducts

Poster (2012, November)

Agricultural crops became through years a possibility to increase European energy independence. Brazil has taken this opportunity since the seventies by using sugar cane bioethanol as vehicle fuel. The ... [more ▼]

Agricultural crops became through years a possibility to increase European energy independence. Brazil has taken this opportunity since the seventies by using sugar cane bioethanol as vehicle fuel. The development of biofuels production is more recent in Europe. Due to temperate climates, bioethanol production is mostly based on wheat and sugar beet, this latter being considered as the ‘equivalent’ sugar crop to sugar cane for Europe. Biofuel is the most common application of bioethanol but its transformation into bioethylene through a dehydration step can be an alternative as already found in Brazil. This paper will consider both potential uses and compare them using Life Cycle Assessment methodology. Common boundaries of the systems comprise the cultivation step for both crops, i.e. sugar cane and sugar beet, with all associated energetic and fertilizer consumptions, the transportation step from field to the industrial plant, the sugar crops transformation into hydrate bioethanol and the by-products valorisation. For the biofuel scenario, a dehydration step using molecular sieve is added to get anhydrous bioethanol. For the bioethylene scenario, an industrial dehydration step is added. Direct comparison between both scenarios is not possible due to different products uses. The comparison was then performed for both scenarios between the bio-based product and its fossil equivalent. ReCiPe 2008 method was used to get the environmental impacts. As expected, the impact of bio-based products in climate change and fossil fuel depletion categories decreases compared to the fossil counterparts. For other categories, difference is less significant and results are often better for fossil products. Land use change category was implemented to assess its importance. Depending on assumptions, the greenhouse gas emissions from crop implementation on a natural land can counteract the previous mentioned benefits. This study shows the importance of assumptions, especially in the agricultural field, on the obtained results. [less ▲]

Socio-ecological study of recreational boating in a Mediterranean marine protected area

Poster (2012, November)

Optimisation de l'efficacité des graines de Moringa oleifera dans le traitement des eaux de consommation en Afrique sub-saharienne : cas des eaux du Burkina Faso

Poster (2012, November)

Development of Highly Active doped Titania Photocatalysts by Aqueous Sol-Gel Processing

Poster (2012, November)

Long term culture and characterization of chicken primordial germ cells

Poster (2012, November)

Avian primordial germ cells (PGCs), can keep their germ cells properties and are foreseen as promising tools for developing avian transgenesis and preservation of genetic resources of endangered species ... [more ▼]

Avian primordial germ cells (PGCs), can keep their germ cells properties and are foreseen as promising tools for developing avian transgenesis and preservation of genetic resources of endangered species. We have developed original methods that allow long term (20 month) expansion of primary cultures of undifferentiated PGCs and their efficient cryopreservation. Blood samples were collected from stage 13-18 embryos, pooled, deposited in cell culture inserts and co-cultivated in the presence of irradiated BRL cells. This physically separated co-culture system along with selective culture medium promoted emergence, selection and proliferation of undifferentiated PGCs lines. Overall, 35% of blood samples gave rise to PGCs cell lines originating from three commercial layer breeds and two Belgian endangered breeds. PGCs lines were first characterised for the expression of the stem cells and PGCs characteristic marker SSEA-1 by FACS (expression rate: 90-99%). RT-PCR confirmed expression of germ-line specific markers (CVH, CDH, DAZL), pluripotency markers (cPouV, cSox2, cNanog), telomerase and CXCR4 receptor. In addition, by means of a quantitative PCR amplification of a chromosome W specific sequence, we demonstrated a drift of all our lines towards the male sex (WL), while they were initially isolated from pooled blood samples with statistically equivalent numbers of male and female embryos (35 females: 29 males). PGCs were subsequently efficiently cryopreserved by slow freezing or by a newly developed vitrification method. Labelled PGCs from 10 lines were injected in recipient embryos. Colonization of the genital ridges confirmed that PGCs retain their gonadal migratory ability, both after long-term culture (min 3, max 20 month) and after cryopreservation. [less ▲]

ESR spectroscopy for the study of an inflammation-induced AKI cellular model

Poster (2012, November)

The kidney is faced to an impairment of oxygen extraction during sepsis which is well-known to be a risk factor for the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). Recent research activities in the ... [more ▼]

The kidney is faced to an impairment of oxygen extraction during sepsis which is well-known to be a risk factor for the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). Recent research activities in the mechanisms involved in the development of AKI in sepsis emphasize the central role of hemodynamic and inflammatory events. More particularly, two mechanisms are suggested to explain the inability of the injured kidney to extract oxygen: tissue hypoxia and cellular energetic metabolism dysfunction. Our working hypothesis of the pathophysiology of AKI is based on cellular respiratory dysfunction due to the inflammatory response inherent to sepsis. To study the mechanism of oxygen regulation in inflammation-induced acute kidney injury, we investigate the effects of a bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) on the basal respiration of proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) by ESR oximetry. This method has shown that HK-2 cells exhibit a decreased oxygen consumption rate when treated with LPS. Surprisingly, this cellular respiration alteration persists even after the stress factor was removed. We suggested that this irreversible decrease in renal oxygen consumption after LPS challenge is related to a pathologic metabolic down-regulation such as a lack of oxygen utilization by cells. This decrease was accompanied by increased nitric oxide (NO) production as measured by a spin trapping technique using ESR spectroscopy. This method is based on the trapping of NO by a metal-chelator complex consisting of N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (MGD) and reduced iron (Fe2+) forming a water-soluble NO-FeMGD complex detected by ESR. Since inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been shown to play an important role in sepsis-induced AKI, the iNOS inhibitor L-NMMA (L-NG-monomethyl Arginine citrate) was tested in this in vitro model. L-NMMA blocked NO generation and permitted the HK-2 cells to recover a normal cellular respiration. Overall, ESR spectroscopy and the model of HK-2 cells exposed to LPS displays some key features of inflammation-induced acute kidney injury. [less ▲]

Investigation of eighteenth-century Prussian blue pigments by PDF analysis

Poster (2012, October 30)

Prussian blue, a hydrated iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II) complex, is a synthetic pigment discovered in Berlin in 1704. Because of both its highly intense color and its low cost, Prussian blue was widely ... [more ▼]

Prussian blue, a hydrated iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II) complex, is a synthetic pigment discovered in Berlin in 1704. Because of both its highly intense color and its low cost, Prussian blue was widely used as a pigment in paintings until the 1970's. The early preparative methods were rapidly recognized as a contributory factor in the fading of the pigment [1], a fading already known by the mid-eighteenth century. The eighteenth-century methods are based on the calcination of dried blood to produce a potassium hexacyanoferrate complex, which is the first of two essential reactants for synthesizing Prussian blue. The second reactant is an iron salt. We successfully reproduced two typical eighteenth-century empirical recipes [2]. The resulting pigments were of variable color quality, ranging from intense blue to blue-gray or blue-green, and exhibit broadened or inexistent Bragg peaks. High-energy powder X-ray diffraction experiments were performed at the ID11 beamline at ESRF, Grenoble, France. The pair distribution function (PDF) of the pure Prussian blue pigments was refined with a three-phase model, in order to take into account the vacancy distribution in the unit cell of Prussian blue. In certain ancient Prussian blues, the PDF analysis revealed the presence of nanocrystalline ferrihydrite, Fe10O14(OH)2, and also identified the presence of alumina hydrate, Al10O14(OH)2, with a particle size of ca. 15 Å. Paint layers prepared from these ancient pigments subjected to accelerated ageing showed a tendency to turn green, a tendency that was often reported in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century books. The presence of particles of hydrous iron(III) oxides was also observed in a genuine Prussian blue sample obtained from an eighteenth-century polychrome sculpture. [1] Kirby, J.; Saunders, D. The National Gallery Technical Bulletin 2004, 25, 73. [2] Dossie, R. The Handmaid to the Arts; Nourse, J.: London, 1758; Le Pileur d'Apligny, M. Traité des couleurs matérielles et de la manière de colorer relativement aux différents arts et métiers; Saugrain et Lamy: Paris, 1779. [less ▲]

Cambios ambientales del último milenio en sedimentos lacustres del Lago Thompson, Patagonia Chilena Norte

Poster (2012, October 25)

Este estudio se enfoca en un análisis multiproxy de un testigo sedimentario del Lago Thompson (area 1 km2; 751 masl ; 45°38’S 72°47’W) obtenido en 2008 (LT08-E, 130 cm), con el objetivo de documentar la ... [more ▼]

Este estudio se enfoca en un análisis multiproxy de un testigo sedimentario del Lago Thompson (area 1 km2; 751 masl ; 45°38’S 72°47’W) obtenido en 2008 (LT08-E, 130 cm), con el objetivo de documentar la variabilidad climática durante el último milenio en la Patagonia Chilena Norte y su impacto sobre el ambiente. El modelo de datación se basó en cinco fechados de 14C. Los resultados de 210Pb y 137 Cs no permitieron estimar la tasa de sedimentación para la parte superficial del núcleo. El lago Thompson esta caracterizado por una pequeña cuenca de suaves pendientes y sus sedimentos están dominados por limo arcilloso y partículas amorfas (principalmente diatomeas). Esto último es sustentado por la relación atómica de carbono/nitrógeno (C/N) que indica el origen fitoplanctónico del sedimento (8-10). Los perfiles de rayos –X, susceptibilidad magnética y LOI 550ºC evidencian dos depósitos volcánicos en 1410-1440 y 1780-1790 AD. Los perfiles de C/N y sílice biogénica (SiB) sugieren una alta productividad durante un periodo equivalente a la Pequeña Edad del Hielo (1650-1850 AD), con una máxima intensidad durante ~1800 AD. Desde 1850 AD hasta la actualidad, los perfiles de LOI 550ºC y SiB evidencian una reciente eutrofización y aumento del nivel del lago (asociado con aumento de temperaturas y humedad). Además, los perfiles de SiB presentan una correlación inversa con las temperaturas reconstruidas por anillos de árboles en la Patagonia. El contenido de diatomeas es dominado por especies planctónicas (Aulacoseira sp. y Cyclotella sp.), mientras que taxa bentónicos no muestran una buena diversificación en comparación a otros lagos de la Patagonia. La abundancia de diatomeas muestra respuestas específicas a los depósitos volcánicos con una disminución de Aulacoseira sp.. La relación planctónica/bentónica permite identificar dos periodos de alto y bajo nivel del lago coincidiendo con fases húmedas y secas de la Pequeña Edad de Hielo (1200-1650 y 1650-1850 AD). La realización de análisis sedimentológicos, geoquímicos y de microfósiles permitiría una mejor caracterización de los modelos de depositación del sedimento (impregnación del núcleo sedimentario) y de la interacción entre depósitos volcánicos y diatomeas. Agradecimientos a Fondecyt Nº1070508, FNRS 1360 2007-2010 y ULg CFRA 1060 2009-2010. [less ▲]

La Régénération Naturell e Assistée, un outil efficace pour endiguer la savanisation des forêts galeries du plateau Batéké en RD Congo ?

Poster (2012, October 24)

L’agriculture itinérante sur brûlis et l’extraction du bois énergie sont les principales causes de dégradation des forêts d’Afrique Centrale. La Régénération Naturelle Assistée (RNA) des jeunes arbres ... [more ▼]

L’agriculture itinérante sur brûlis et l’extraction du bois énergie sont les principales causes de dégradation des forêts d’Afrique Centrale. La Régénération Naturelle Assistée (RNA) des jeunes arbres dans les parcelles cultivées, un outil de gestion appliqué avec succès depuis plus de vingt ans au Sahel (Larwanou et al, 2006), a été expérimentée en zone tropicale humide avec des villageois de République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) par le projet européen Makala, depuis 2010. La RNA pourrait constituer une solution viable pour lutter contre la savanisation des dernières forêts galeries du plateau Batéké, tout en pérennisant les productions agricoles et de charbon. [less ▲]

HR managers views and practices in SME's regarding return to work of sick listed employees

Poster (2012, October 24)

Background Little is known about the return to work (RTW) policies implemented in small and medium size enterprises (SME) which have limited resources to define and apply such policies. This study aimed ... [more ▼]

Background Little is known about the return to work (RTW) policies implemented in small and medium size enterprises (SME) which have limited resources to define and apply such policies. This study aimed at assessing the existing return to work practices in SME’s and exploring their view regarding the help they could receive from their occupational health service. Methods HR managers of 46 SME’s (23 in Flanders, 23 in Wallonia) employing 100 to 200 employees were contacted for an interview. The manager was asked to fill in a written questionnaire and to comment his/her answers in an open discussion with the researcher. The questionnaire involved three parts: 1°) describing existing rules or procedures when returning to work after sick leave, 2) assessing the manager knowledge of the RTW legal regulations within the occupational health care system, 3) assessing the occupational health physician (OP) involvement in RTW and the enterprise expectations for the future. Results Participation to the survey was accepted in 38 SME’s. In slightly more than half of them a sick leave related policy has been defined. While almost all SME’s have a well-defined procedure for the RTW examination by the OP, only 22 (out of 38) have defined procedures for maintaining a contact with the worker during the sick leave period, only 17 are informing their employees about the possibility to meet the OP during that period, and only 6 are systematically organising a worker-supervisor meeting when the worker comes back at work. Knowledge about RTW regulations is rather poor: 10 managers wrongly think that the OP may check the sick leave medical validity; only 14 managers know that the employer must inform the OP about any sick leave longer than 4 weeks; less than half of the managers have a good knowledge of the pre-return to work visit. Various expectations have been put forward as regard the role of the OH service: knowledge transfer about the regulations, coaching of the supervisors, training managers in carrying RTW talks with the worker, suggesting procedures, etc. Conclusions The lack of knowledge about RTW regulations underlines the need for information campaigns focused on the employers. The participating RH managers are awaiting a more proactive role from their OH service. [less ▲]

Adapting the Sherbrooke model to the Belgian situation

Poster (2012, October 23)

In Canada and the Netherlands, randomized controlled trials proved that the Sherbrooke model is an effective method to induce sustainable work resumption for patients off work over one month due to back ... [more ▼]

In Canada and the Netherlands, randomized controlled trials proved that the Sherbrooke model is an effective method to induce sustainable work resumption for patients off work over one month due to back problems. The model offered an individually tailored, workplace oriented, step-by-step multidisciplinary return to work strategy. Prior to implementing the model in Belgium, this study aimed at adapting it to the Belgian social security system and labour market needs. A qualitative study was conducted in 2011, with the support of the European Social Fund: discussion groups were organised with sickness absence benefit insurers; employers and workers unions; physicians, ergonomists, psychologists and nurses involved in disability management; and academic experts including the international group of trainees and mentors of the Strategic Training Program in Work Disability Prevention. The meetings aimed at collecting ideas and proposals for model adaptation. For the final model adaptation, the research team relied on a multidisciplinary expert group. To answer company’s requirements a tool was developed making co-workers co-responsible for the worker’s successful work resumption trajectory. To enhance the workers’ own responsibility in the return to work process, a patient return to work diary was designed. To take into account the rising trend in mental health reasons for prolonged sickness absence, the model was opened up to patients irrespectively of the cause of their sickness absence. Belgian employers having limited financial incentives for return to work initiatives when sickness absence periods exceed one month, it was decided to a) implement the model in sectors having difficulties finding suitable personnel due to the labour market scarcity, and b) ask participating companies to commit to fulfil 85% of multidisciplinary work resumption advices and to report in detail on non-followed advices. The Sherbrooke model was mirrored among the Belgian situation and adapted to Belgium’s specific needs. In 2012, the adapted model will be evaluated in a pilot study including five companies employing about 8000 workers in the Antwerp region of Belgium. [less ▲]

Determination of seven azole antifungals in human serum by UHPLC-DAD.

Poster (2012, October 20)

Investigation of the effect of exercise on the innate immunity in horses

Poster (2012, October 19)

Cardiac ultrasound in canine emergencies with a systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Poster (2012, October 19)

Vitamin D Status, calcium and protein metabolism in dogs fed bone and raw food (BARF) or commercial pet food

Poster (2012, October 19)

Validation of a method for measuring the colour and determining the proportions of myoglobin redox forms on beef

Poster (2012, October 19)

The aim of this study was to validate the use of the spectrophotometer Minolta CM-600d for measuring the colour and the proportions of different myoglobin redox forms (oxymyoglobin, deoxymyoglobin, and ... [more ▼]

The aim of this study was to validate the use of the spectrophotometer Minolta CM-600d for measuring the colour and the proportions of different myoglobin redox forms (oxymyoglobin, deoxymyoglobin, and metmyoglobin) on the surface of meat. One vacuum-packaged (VP) striploin was supplied by a Belgian food wholesaler. It was cut in 3 cm thick steaks, repacked under vacuum and stored at −0.5 °C until analyses. The measurement of colour in the C.I.E. L*a*b* space and the determination of oxymyoglobin, deoxymyoglobin, and metmyoglobin were performed on VP and modified atmosphere-packed (70 % O2/30 % CO2 for 24 h) samples (n = 10). Results obtained were compared to two reference methods (colour measurement using a chromameter Minolta CR-400 and spectrophotometric determination of different myoglobin redox forms in aqueous meat extracts) by F-test for precision and t-test for accuracy. Statistic significance level was established at 5 %. The two colour measurement methods presented the same precision, when considering VP samples only, and different accuracies, probably because of the different detectors and observation angles used by both devices. The two methods for determining the different myoglobin forms presented also the same precision but different accuracies, probably due to the fact that oxygenation is favoured during some steps of the reference method (e.g. extraction, filtration). In conclusion, the results for colour measurement obtained by both devices cannot be compared. It is necessary to compare both methods for determining oxymyoglobin, deoxymyoglobin, and metmyoglobin in complete anaerobic conditions in order to eliminate the oxygenation bias. [less ▲]

Caractérisation des performances d’élevage et de production de deux variétés de la race Ardennaise

Poster (2012, October 19)

La poule Ardennaise est une race emblématique de la biodiversité avicole belge. Dans un contexte mondial favorable à la conservation des races locales d’animaux domestiques, cette étude est consacrée à la ... [more ▼]

La poule Ardennaise est une race emblématique de la biodiversité avicole belge. Dans un contexte mondial favorable à la conservation des races locales d’animaux domestiques, cette étude est consacrée à la comparaison de deux variétés de la race Ardennaise (Noire dorée et Noire Argentée). La comparaison est réalisée par le biais de trois études: (1) caractérisation morpho-biométrique des deux variétés; (2) caractérisation de la croissance et de la qualité de la carcasse et de la viande; (3) suivi du taux de ponte pendant 52 semaines et l’étude de la qualité des œufs à 30, 45, 60 et 75 semaines d’âge. Des différences significatives ont été enregistrées au niveau des poids corporels, du grand diamètre du tarse, de la longueur du tarse et de la taille de la crête des deux variétés. La variété de la poule Ardennaise n’influence pas significativement les caractères quantitatifs et qualitatifs de production de viande (rendement, poids après abattage, pH, couleur de la viande). Elle influence cependant significativement le poids de l’œuf entier, le poids du blanc, le pourcentage du blanc, le pourcentage du jaune, le rapport jaune/blanc et le pH du blanc (p<0,05). Pour plusieurs caractères morphologiques, d’engraissement et de ponte, les deux variétés ne présentent aucune différence significative. Il serait intéressant de compléter cette étude par une analyse moléculaire permettant de préciser le degré de similitude génétique entre les deux variétés et éventuellement avec les autres variétés de la race. [less ▲]

Culicoides (Diptera : Ceratopogonidae) : important vectors of cattle diseases. Control assays in Belgium

Poster (2012, October 19)

Comparison of in-line active content determination of polymeric implant by near infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy

Poster (2012, October 16)

Determination of the molecular players of adaptation to anti-angiogenic therapy in breast cancer by quantitative proteomic and high molecular MALDI Imaging.

Poster (2012, October 13)

Breast carcinoma is the most common and second leading cause of cancer mortality in women. The recognition of the “angiogenic switch” as a rate-limiting secondary step in tumorigenesis led to extensive ... [more ▼]

Breast carcinoma is the most common and second leading cause of cancer mortality in women. The recognition of the “angiogenic switch” as a rate-limiting secondary step in tumorigenesis led to extensive pre-clinical researches on angiogenesis and finally the approval of VEGF-neutralizing antibodies (bevacizumab) and VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKs:Sunitinib). The Sunitinib has been used clinically in patients with breast cancer refractory to other therapeutic agents. Unfortunately, like the cytotoxic therapies, these drugs do not produce lasting effects and resistance to treatment appeared clinically. Questions have emerged about the failure of anti-angiogenic therapy in clinic and the limitations of predictive preclinical models, and also about the molecular assessment of all stages of tumor adaptation and me<x>tastatic disease. To this end, we applied quantitative proteomics and imaging mass spectrometry tools to visualize and study the profiles of proteins and small molecules associated with tumor treated or not with Sunitinib using a novel preclinical model of breast carcinoma cells. In this project, we first developed a reproducible model of resistance to Sunitinib of human triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells expressing luciferase gene. Cells were subcutaneously injected into mice RAG1-/- and divided into four experimental groups including, control mice treated with vehicle or Sunitinib for 30 days and sacrificed 1 days after treatment withdrawal or when tumor reached a volume of 300 mm3. In the second step. Tumors were analyzed using a nanoAcquity UPLC Synapt TM HDMS TM G1 (Waters, Manchester,UK) and Mass Spectrometry Imaging. For quantitative proteomic analyses of tumors, a bioinformatics analysis was used with the Protein lynx global server 2.2.5 software. Imaging mass spectrometry was performed on tissue sections of tumors and organs subsequently colonized by me<x>tastases. Matrix sublimation was used to coat tumor sections (14 µm-tick) with 1.5 Diaminonaphthalene for lipids analysis and Sinapinic acid for entire proteins analysis. Ion cartographies were recorded with a Solarix 9.4T FTMS instrument for lipids and with an Ultraflex II TOF-TOF instrument for entire proteins (Bruker Daltonics, Germany) with a spatial resolution of 100 µm. Global protemic revealed different protein profiles between tumor treated or not with Sunitinib. The Mass Spectrometry Imaging detected differences in intensity and location of some proteins and lipids are also associated with some histological features including inflammatory, necrotic and angiogenic areas. Bioinformatics analysis will be applied to ensure the integration of all data in order to provide the basis for identifying molecular pathways activated during the acquisition of refractoriness to drug treatments. [less ▲]

Simulation-based comparative performance of multiple imputation methods for incomplete longitudinal ordinal datasets

Poster (2012, October 11)

Detection and Quantification of Efficiency and Quality of Gait Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis through Foot Path Analysis

Poster (2012, October 11)

Introduction: Walking speed is generally considered as the best outcome measure in trials for people with multiple sclerosis (pMS). We recently designed a device based on range laser scanner capable to ... [more ▼]

Introduction: Walking speed is generally considered as the best outcome measure in trials for people with multiple sclerosis (pMS). We recently designed a device based on range laser scanner capable to track feet paths of walking subjects. Our purpose was to explore gait descriptors of pMS and compare them with those of healthy volunteers (HV). Methods: Fourty-four pMS (considered as moderatly or highly disabled according to a cut-off EDSS value of 3.0) and 28 HV performed 4 walking tasks along 2 trajectories in 3 walking modes. Twenty-six gait descriptors crudely dichotomized in « efficiency» and « quality » of gait were compared in the 2 populations using unpaired t-tests. Results: (i) apart from an older age in pMS, the two populations were comparable, (ii) efficiency of gait descriptors including walking speed distinguished HV from pMS, and pMS with moderate from pMS with high disability, (iii) quality of gait descriptors were also significantly altered in pMS, including in walking tasks where their walking speed was comparable to that of HV. Conclusions: RLS technology can distinguish pMS from HV according to (i) more efficiency of gait descriptors than the sole walking speed and (ii) quality of gait descriptors, including in subjects with a « normal » walking speed. [less ▲]

Le logiciel PegOpera : un outil pour la gestion intégrée des eaux de surface

Poster (2012, October 10)

Le logiciel PegOpera inclut la version 5 du modèle Pegase (Planification Et Gestion de l’ASsainissement des Eaux) et une nouvelle interface graphique. PegOpera est un outil personnalisé utilisé par les ... [more ▼]

Le logiciel PegOpera inclut la version 5 du modèle Pegase (Planification Et Gestion de l’ASsainissement des Eaux) et une nouvelle interface graphique. PegOpera est un outil personnalisé utilisé par les gestionnaires de l’eau et opérationnel dans les champs d’applications de la Gestion Intégrée des Ressources en Eau (assainissement, DCE, NQE, …). [less ▲]

A computationally efficient algorithm for the provision of a day-ahead modulation service by a load aggregator

Poster (2012, October 08)

We study a decision making problem faced by an aggregator willing to offer a load modulation service to a Transmission System Operator (TSO). In particular, we concentrate on a day-ahead service ... [more ▼]

We study a decision making problem faced by an aggregator willing to offer a load modulation service to a Transmission System Operator (TSO). In particular, we concentrate on a day-ahead service consisting of a load modulation option, which can be called by the TSO once per day. The option specifies the maximum amplitude of a potential modification on the demand of the loads within a certain time interval. We consider the specific case where the loads can be modeled by a generic tank model whose inflow depends on the power consumed by the load and outflow is assumed to be known the day before for every market period. The level of the reservoir at the beginning of the market day is also assumed to be known. We show that, under these assumptions, the problem of maximizing the amplitude of the load modulation service can be formulated as a mixed integer linear programming problem (MILP). In order to solve this problem in a computationally efficient manner we introduce a novel heuristic-method. We test this method on a set of problems and demonstrate that our approach is orders of magnitude faster than CPLEX - a state-of-the-art software for solving MILP problems - without considerably compromising the solution accuracy. [less ▲]

Laboratory and field preliminary tests of Metarhizium anisopliae formulated with neem oil (Suneem) against Anopheles gambiae sl adult emergence

Poster (2012, October 08)

A unicellular mechanism to switch a network behavior from tonic activity to synchronous oscillations

Poster (2012, October 08)

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the basal ganglia (BG), a set of small subcortical nervous system nuclei. The hallmark of the disease is a dopaminergic denervation of ... [more ▼]

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the basal ganglia (BG), a set of small subcortical nervous system nuclei. The hallmark of the disease is a dopaminergic denervation of the input stage of the BG, altering information patterns along movement-related ganglia-mediated pathways in the brain, inducing therefore movement disorders such as tremor at rest, bradykinesia, akinesia, and rigidity. It is still unclear how dopamine depletion causes those motor symptoms. Experimental studies have shown that abnormally synchronized oscillatory activities- rhythmic bursting activity at the neurocellular level and beta frequency band oscillations at the network level-emerge in PD at multiple levels of the BG-cortical loops and are correlated with motor symptoms. We propose a computational model of the BG using a novel unicellular mechanism to explain the induction of bursting activity and beta band oscillations in the network. We show how a single change in the dopaminergic level at the input stage of the BG can switch the model from its physiological state to the pathological state. This computational model also proposes a simple mechanism for high-frequency deep brain stimulations. [less ▲]

Small satellite activities at the University of Liège

Poster (2012, October 01)

Simultaneous finding of hereditary spherocytosis in a mother and her daughter following parvovirus B19 infection

Poster (2012, October)

Molecular analysis of the interfacial and membrane-interacting properties of D-xylose-based bolaforms

Poster (2012, October)

Development of a quantitative approach to measure phospholipids in dried drops by Raman spectroscopy

Poster (2012, October)

We present here the results obtained during our tentative to analyse quantitatively dried drops of phospholipidic solutions by Raman spectroscopy. Drops of different solutions of phospholipid were deposed ... [more ▼]

We present here the results obtained during our tentative to analyse quantitatively dried drops of phospholipidic solutions by Raman spectroscopy. Drops of different solutions of phospholipid were deposed onto different material supports. The spots were then analyses by confocal Raman microspectroscopy. Experimental settings have been optimised and the analysis of the intensity profile of the Raman signal inside the spot allows the establishment of a calibration curve for the determination of the phospholipids amount within a 1 µL solution. [less ▲]

Potential of CE/MS for Small Carboxylic Acids Analysis as Alternative to GC/MS Reference Analytical Methods

Poster (2012, October)

GC/MS (Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry) is the analytical method of choice for carboxylic acids analysis because of good sensitivity, low limit of detection and the possibility to compare ... [more ▼]

GC/MS (Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry) is the analytical method of choice for carboxylic acids analysis because of good sensitivity, low limit of detection and the possibility to compare the pattern of fragmentation with existing databases for identification. However GC requires that the analytes are volatile. If it is not the case, the use of chemicals in order to perform the derivatization is mandatory, this may induce analytical bias. CE (Capillary electrophoresis) is a technique of choice for ions separation without prior treatments. The method is fast and do not require highly technical skills. A UV detector is the most common detection method; however electrospray mass spectrometry detection is recently gaining interest, while it really helps for structural information of the detected compounds. In this poster, the preliminary results of CE/MS analysis of several carboxylic acids are presented. All carboxylic acids are analyzed without any sample pretreatment. These acids looked at are from the “Citric Acid Cycle” including pyruvate and some isotope labeled analogues but also glyoxylate, lactate, oxalate and tartrate. Moreover, the preliminary results of a sample preparation approach to remove phosphate salts are presented. Phosphate is a very common salt that is often used in biological buffers but prevents the derivatization of carboxylic acid for GC/MS analysis and reduces the reproducibility of results for both GC/MS and CE/MS analysis. [less ▲]

In Ovo PET Imaging Of A Human Colorectal Carcinoma Model In Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane

Poster (2012, October)

Aim. The objective of this study was to use in vivo PET/CT imaging as a validation tool for a novel human colorectal carcinoma model being developed in chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). For this ... [more ▼]

Aim. The objective of this study was to use in vivo PET/CT imaging as a validation tool for a novel human colorectal carcinoma model being developed in chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). For this initial pilot study a cell line modeling colon cancer was selected and imaged using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). <br />Materials and methods. A window was made in the shell of fertilized chicken eggs and 3x106 SW1222 human colorectal carcinoma cells were implanted at day 10 post-fertilization. On day 17 the shell window was enlarged to allow direct injection of FDG (12.2 ± 4.5 MBq/egg) into a CAM blood vessel. During injection the egg was warmed on a heating pad. A mixture of ketamine/medetomidine (50 :1 mg/ml, 0.2 ml/egg) was injected into the albumin in some eggs to assess the effect of anesthesia. After FDG injection the egg was returned to the incubator for a 45 min uptake period before imaging. Imaging was performed on a Siemens Focus 120 microPET with structural CT on a General Electric eXplore CT120. A Minerve cell system allowed reproducible positioning between modalities. PET data was acquired in list mode before histogramming into a single 10 min frame for reconstruction using a 3D maximum a posteriori (MAP) method with all corrections except scatter. A standard 100 µm (theoretical) image resolution protocol (70 kV, 50 mA, 32 ms, 220 views) was used to obtain structural CT data. Image coregistration was performed in PMOD version 3.3. In a separate egg, the influence of added contrast on the CT data was investigated by adding iodinated contrast agent (Iobitridol 35 mgI/ml) to the albumin. <br />Results. FDG uptake was clear in chick and tumor, with notably high uptake at the major joints. Tumors were identified by localization of FDG uptake on the surface of the CAM. A lack of soft tissue contrast between tumor, CAM and albumin made precise structural identification of the tumor difficult. Anesthesia was crucial to image quality in both PET and CT. CT contrast between the soft tissues of the chick and surrounding albumin/structures was improved by addition of contrast agent. <br />Conclusion. For the first time we demonstrate successful imaging of FDG uptake in a human colorectal carcinoma chicken CAM model in ovo. Methods to improve structural data are under investigation and will be used in further studies. With such improvement, this model could be of great value to PET oncology imaging. [less ▲]

Morphological and morphometric analyses of the suspensory ligament in Standardbreds

Poster (2012, October)

Ultrasound techniques allow examination of some parts of the suspensory ligament (SL) but "anomalies" are regularly observed. Their significance is not known. Few studies have described the relationship ... [more ▼]

Ultrasound techniques allow examination of some parts of the suspensory ligament (SL) but "anomalies" are regularly observed. Their significance is not known. Few studies have described the relationship between ultrasonographic appearance and the exact morphology in histological sections. The aim of this study is to develop good techniques for cutting, staining, and showing the variation in the tissue composition within the SL. The SLs from the right limbs of 11 horses were collected. Samples were taken from cross-sections at six levels of the SL and they were embedded in paraffin or in Tissue-Tek®. Most of the paraffin sections were shredded. By using the cryosection technique, some freezing artifacts (holes) appeared. Therefore, a technique of freezing with cryoprotection was carried out, which produced the best results. Hematoxylin-phloxine-saffron gives a good contrast of colors between the tissues observed allowing the use of an image analysis program. The percentage of each tissue within the SL for each section and for six levels of the ligament was calculated. Results were analyzed by SAS software. The muscle tissue (PMT) and adipose tissue (PAT) decreased significantly (p < 0.0001), whereas the connective tissue (PCT) increased significantly (p < 0.0001) with age and when descending from the proximal to the distal level of the SL. The PMT was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in females than males, while the PCT was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in males than females. The PAT was significantly higher (p = 0.0278) in hindlimbs than in forelimbs. [less ▲]

Active Foxp3 (+) Regulatory T Cells Rather Than Other Foxp3 (+) T Cells Subsets CorrelateWith Clinical Response To Infliximab Therapy For IBD

Poster (2012, October)

Modulating effect of COMT genotype on the brain regions underlying proactive control process

Poster (2012, October)

N-Acetylglucosamine-Mediated Inhibition of Siderophore Biosynthesis Counteracts the suicidal Tendencies of Streptomyces coelicolor

Poster (2012, October)

Numerical modelling of an in situ ventilation test in Callovo-Oxfordian claystone

Poster (2012, October)

The relationships between anomia and short-term memory deficits

Poster (2012, October)

Anomia is the most common symptom of language dysfunction occurring in aphasia. Moreover, verbal short-term memory (STM) impairments are a frequent characteristic of aphasic syndromes. However, the nature ... [more ▼]

Anomia is the most common symptom of language dysfunction occurring in aphasia. Moreover, verbal short-term memory (STM) impairments are a frequent characteristic of aphasic syndromes. However, the nature of these deficits and their relationships to language production impairments in these patients are still debated. Recent STM models have been proposed incorporating relationships between language representations and STM, including distinct capacities for temporary storage of phonological and lexical-semantic information (N. Martin & Saffran, 1992; R. Martin, Lesch, & Bartha, 1999). This study explores the relationships between anomia and STM deficits. We assume that a naming impairment may be related to either a phonological STM impairment with preserved lexical-semantic STM or to an impaired lexical-semantic STM with preserved phonological STM. We tested these predictions in two aphasic patients, BN and TM. Phonological STM was assessed using a rhyme-probe task (R. Martin et al., 1999) and a lexical-decision task, each target word being preceded by a phonologically related prime word. Lexical-semantic STM was assessed by a category-probe task and a lexical-decision task with semantically related primes. BN was impaired on the rhyme-probe task and presented a reversed phonological priming effect, suggesting phonological STM impairment. However, she presented normal performance on the category-probe task and a normal semantic priming effect. By contrast, TM performed normally on the rhyme-probe and phonological lexical-decision tasks but was impaired on the category-probe task and presented no semantic priming effect, indicating lexical-semantic STM impairment. Moreover, both patients’ word retrieval capacity, as assessed with a picture naming task, was impaired. BN produced phonological paraphasias, repetitive self-corrections and presented an increased length effect. We assume that BN’s errors and effects may be related to her phonological STM deficit. TM instead produced semantic paraphasias, omissions and circumlocutions and presented an increased frequency effect. These errors and effects may be related to his lexical-semantic STM deficit. Results show a double dissociation between phonological and lexical-semantic STM deficits. Furthermore, the patients’ naming patterns seem to indicate that their naming impairment may be related to a selective STM deficit. The results are discussed within the STM framework of N. Martin and Saffran (1992). Martin, N., & Saffran, E. (1992). A computational account of deep dysphasia: evidence from a single case study. Brain and Language, 43(1), 240-274. Martin, R. C., Lesch, M. F., & Bartha, M. C. (1999). Independence of input and output phonology in word processing and short-term memory. Journal of Memory and Language, 41(1), 3-29. [less ▲]

Application of a new thermo-mechanical model for the study of the nuclear waste disposal in clay rocks

Poster (2012, October)

A hydromechanical model for unsaturated bentonite incorporating the effect of the microstructure

Poster (2012, October)

Genotypic and phenotypic characterisation of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus intermedius and pseudintermedius (MRSI and MRSP) isolated from dogs and cats in Japan

Poster (2012, October)

Postoperative bleeding and autotransfusion

Poster (2012, September 29)

Introduction: Bleeding in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery is not infrequent. Mediastinal bleeding is usually collected in a chest drainage system and discarded. Nevertheless, this blood could ... [more ▼]

Introduction: Bleeding in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery is not infrequent. Mediastinal bleeding is usually collected in a chest drainage system and discarded. Nevertheless, this blood could potentially be managed with a cell salvage device during the first six postoperative hours. This practice is generally performed only in case of a surgical re-exploration for massive bleeding and may contribute to decreased allogeneic transfusion. But in case of postoperative coagulopathy requiring medical treatment, re-exploration is usually postponed and consequently, collected blood is discarded. Therefore, chest drainage systems combined with a cell salvage option could optimize the management of blood losses and transfusions in the postoperative period, regardless of any surgical re-exploration. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of such a system during the postoperative period of cardiac surgery, in patient at high risk of bleeding. Method : During a 6 months period, the CardioPAT® (Haemonetics) device was used in all cardiac surgery patients at high risk of postoperative bleeding. The following data were prospectively collected: hemoglobin level, bleeding volume, volume of autologous washed red blood cell transfused by the CardioPAT® (WRBC), volume of allogeneic red blood cell (RBC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or platelets (PT) transfused and surgical re-exploration. Results : The CardioPAT® was used in 16 patients during the target period. Mean postoperative bleeding volume was 338±337mL after 1 hour and 820±727mL after 6 hours. The cell salvage option was used in 9 (56%) cases and mean WRBC transfused volume was 153±212mL. One patient required surgical re-exploration. All patients transfused by WRBC received previously an allogeneic transfusion (RBC, FFP and/or PT). The hemoglobin level of blood collected in the CardioPAT® device impacted on the delay and the blood volume required for WRBC availability; lower was the hemoglobin level, larger was the volume of blood required to obtain a concentrate of WRBC. Consequently, patients with a very low hemoglobin level were anyway transfused with RBC. Conclusion : The CardioPAT® device can reduce allogeneic blood transfusion after cardiac surgery in patients at high risk of bleeding. It gives time to treat coagulopathy, leading to a decrease of surgical re-exploration. However, a device with a larger reservoir and with a flexible processing speed would be more accurate in case of major haemorrhage. Systematic utilisation of this device at the time of FFP and/or PT transfusion is a safe but expensive strategy. It seems more accurate to use this device in a permissive bleeding strategy, waiting for the spontaneous coagulation recovery of the patient, in the first postoperative hours. [less ▲]

Auroral counterpart of magnet ic dipolarizations in Saturn’s tail

Poster (2012, September 27)

Following magnetic reconnection in a planetary magnetotail, newly closed field lines can be rapidly accelerated back towards the planet, becoming “dipolarized” in the process. At Saturn, dipolarizations ... [more ▼]

Following magnetic reconnection in a planetary magnetotail, newly closed field lines can be rapidly accelerated back towards the planet, becoming “dipolarized” in the process. At Saturn, dipolarizations are initially identified in magnetometer data by looking for a southward turning of the magnetic field, indicating the transition from a radially stretched configuration to a more dipolar field topology. The highly stretched geometry of the kronian magnetotail lobes gives rise to a tail current which flows eastward (dusk to dawn) in the near equatorial plane across the centre of the tail. During reconnection and associated dipolarization of the field, the inner edge of this tail current can be diverted through the ionosphere, in a situation analogous to the substorm current wedge picture at Earth. We present a picture of the current circuit arising from this tail reconfiguration, and outline the equations which govern the field- current relationship. We show the first in situ example of a dipolarization identified in the Cassini magnetometer data and use this formalism to estimate the ionospheric current density that would arise for this example and the implications for auroral electron acceleration in regions of upward directed field-aligned current. We then present a separate example of data from the Cassini UVIS instrument where we observe small ‘spots’ of auroral emission lying near the main oval; features suggested to be associated with dipolarizations in the tail. In the example shown, such auroral features are the precursor to more intense activity associated with recurrent energisation via particle injections from the tail following reconnection. [less ▲]

Conception and development of an optofluidic biosensor based on optical fibers

Poster (2012, September 21)

Diffuse urban and industrial groundwater pollution with metallic trace elements: a comparison between affected and unaffected areas

Poster (2012, September 20)

For metalic trace elements, spatially distributed background concentrations will be defined as a function of geological and hydrogeological context and considering the impact of diffuse pollution.

Intraocular Lens Adsorbome: a Proteomic Study of Adsorbed Proteins onto Acrylic Materials and Its Implication in Secondary Cataract

Poster (2012, September 17)

The intraocular lens (IOL) is a polymer implant designed to replace the natural lens after cataract surgery. When the implant is introduced into the lens capsule, the polymer starts to interact with the ... [more ▼]

The intraocular lens (IOL) is a polymer implant designed to replace the natural lens after cataract surgery. When the implant is introduced into the lens capsule, the polymer starts to interact with the aqueous humour and the exchange of molecules between the solid and the liquid begins. The nature of exchange in water, ions, and biomolecules may result in several postoperative complications including glistening, calcification, and posterior capsular opacification. The posterior capsular opacification (PCO, also called “Secondary Cataract”) is raised from the over-growth of residual lens epithelial cells. The first step of the over-growth process of the cells is their adhesion to the deposited biomolecules, such as proteins involved in extra-cellular matrices. The purpose of this study is to identify the principal proteins adsorbed onto the acrylic polymers by mass spectrometry. The concept of adsorbome is to generate a list of adsorbed proteins to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers, and then compare the difference to the original component of aqueous humour in order to see the affinity of individual protein to each material. Two kinds of hydrophilic and two kinds of hydrophobic acrylic polymers were tested for their adsorbomes by treating them with an aqueous humour analogue and the major adsorbed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. Interestingly, the hydrophilic acrylic polymer shows a relative lower protein adsorption rate but shows a higher incidence of secondary cataract. This phenomenon implies the adsorbed proteins play a crucial role in progress of secondary cataract. [less ▲]