Symboles et abréviation chrétiens dans les papyrus littéraires grecs à contenu profane (IVe-VIIe siècles)

Conference (2013)

MicroRNA-146a is a therapeutic target and biomarker for peripartum cardiomyopathy.

in Journal of Clinical Investigation (2013), 123(5), 2143-54

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a life-threatening pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy in previously healthy women. Although PPCM is driven in part by the 16-kDa N-terminal prolactin fragment (16K PRL ... [more ▼]

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a life-threatening pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy in previously healthy women. Although PPCM is driven in part by the 16-kDa N-terminal prolactin fragment (16K PRL), the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. We found that 16K PRL induced microRNA-146a (miR-146a) expression in ECs, which attenuated angiogenesis through downregulation of NRAS. 16K PRL stimulated the release of miR-146a-loaded exosomes from ECs. The exosomes were absorbed by cardiomyocytes, increasing miR-146a levels, which resulted in a subsequent decrease in metabolic activity and decreased expression of Erbb4, Notch1, and Irak1. Mice with cardiomyocyte-restricted Stat3 knockout (CKO mice) exhibited a PPCM-like phenotype and displayed increased cardiac miR-146a expression with coincident downregulation of Erbb4, Nras, Notch1, and Irak1. Blocking miR-146a with locked nucleic acids or antago-miRs attenuated PPCM in CKO mice without interrupting full-length prolactin signaling, as indicated by normal nursing activities. Finally, miR-146a was elevated in the plasma and hearts of PPCM patients, but not in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. These results demonstrate that miR-146a is a downstream-mediator of 16K PRL that could potentially serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target for PPCM. [less ▲]

Modeling of strain localization around the radioactive waste disposal galleries

in Coupled Phenomena in Environmental Geotechnics (2013)

Thyroid-specific inactivation of Kif3a alters TSH signaling pathway and leads to hypothyroidism.

in Journal of Molecular Endocrinology (2013), 50

Kinesins, including the kinesin 2/KIF3 molecular motor, play an important role in intracellular traffic and can deliver vesicles to distal axon terminal, to cilia, to non-polarized cell surface or to ... [more ▼]

Kinesins, including the kinesin 2/KIF3 molecular motor, play an important role in intracellular traffic and can deliver vesicles to distal axon terminal, to cilia, to non-polarized cell surface or to epithelial cell basolateral membrane, thus taking part to the establishment of cellular polarity. We report here the consequences of the kinesin 2 motor inactivation in the thyroid of 3 week-old Kif3a∆/flox Pax8Cre/+ mutant mice. Our results indicate first that 3 week-old Pax8Cre/+ mice used in these experiments present minor thyroid functional defects resulting in a slight increase in circulating bioactive TSH and intracellular cAMP levels, sufficient to maintain blood T4 levels in the normal range. Second, Kif3a inactivation in thyrocytes markedly amplified the phenotype observed in Pax8Cre/+ mice, resulting in an altered TSH signaling upstream of the second messenger cAMP and mild hypothyroidism. Finally, our results in mouse embryonic fibroblasts indicate that Kif3a inactivation in the absence of any Pax8 gene alteration leads to altered GPCR plasma membrane expression, as shown for the β2 adrenergic receptor, and we suggest that a similar mechanism may explain the altered TSH signaling and mild hypothyroidism detected in Kif3a∆/flox Pax8Cre/+ mutant mice. [less ▲]

Enzymatic synthesis and surface properties of novel rhamnolipids

in Process Biochemistry (2013), 48

New rhamnolipids were obtained via the development of a synthesis procedure consisting of two biocatalyzed steps. In the first step, naringinase was used to introduce a primary alcohol function onto ... [more ▼]

New rhamnolipids were obtained via the development of a synthesis procedure consisting of two biocatalyzed steps. In the first step, naringinase was used to introduce a primary alcohol function onto rhamnose by glycosylation of 1,3-propanediol. In the second step, immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica catalyzed the esterification of the primary hydroxyl group with mono- and di-carboxylic fatty acids of increasing chain length (from C8 to C14). For the monoic acids, the initial rate and 24 h yield decreased with increasing chain length. For the dioic acid, the number of carbon atoms of the acid did not influence these parameters. The new rhamnolipid obtained with tetradecanoic acid showed very good surface properties. At pH 5, it had a very low critical aggregation concentration of 1.70 M and it diminished water’s surface tension to 27.6 mN/m. It was also able to form stable insoluble monolayers. On the other hand, the rhamnolipid formed with tetradecanedioic acid showed far less interesting surface properties. [less ▲]

Aby Warburg, Plasticité du visuel. Suivi de Textes & Fragments (1926-1929)

Book published by Presses Universitaires de Liège (2013)

Assorti d’une série de textes inédits, cet ouvrage monographique vise à faire connaître dans le milieu francophone les écrits d’Aby Warburg (1866-1929), en particulier ceux rédigés dans les dernières ... [more ▼]

Assorti d’une série de textes inédits, cet ouvrage monographique vise à faire connaître dans le milieu francophone les écrits d’Aby Warburg (1866-1929), en particulier ceux rédigés dans les dernières années de sa vie. Peu connus, ces textes datent de la période d’élaboration de l’Atlas d’images Mnemosyne – Atlas dont le succès grandissant auprès des artistes et des théoriciens de l’art n’est plus à démontrer . Mais si Mnemosyne attire de plus en plus les spécialistes des images de tous horizons, on accorde encore peu d’intérêt aux textes et aux notes rédigées par son auteur dans les années 1926-1929. Ces textes auraient du accompagner les planches de l’Atlas si le projet avait abouti. Or, les manuscrits inédits conservés au Warburg Institute (Londres) montrent la portée philosophique des recherches tardives d’Aby Warburg. Il y développe une théorie culturelle de l’image pour le moins originale et qui a profondément influencé certaines démarches plus contemporaines (dans les domaines de l’histoire de l’art, de l’anthropologie du visuel, de la Bildwissenschaft allemande ou des Visual Studies anglo-saxonnes). À l’occasion d’un débat avec les pensées de Nietzsche et de Burckhardt, Warburg élabore une conception nouvelle de la Kultur. [less ▲]

Impaired short-term memory for order in adults with dyslexia

in Research in Developmental Disabilities (2013), 34

Verbal short-term memory (STM) deficits are consistently associated with dyslexia, but the nature of these deficits remains poorly understood. This study used the distinction between item and order ... [more ▼]

Verbal short-term memory (STM) deficits are consistently associated with dyslexia, but the nature of these deficits remains poorly understood. This study used the distinction between item and order retention processes to achieve a better understanding of STM deficits in adults with dyslexia. STM for item information has been shown to depend on the quality of underlying phonological representations, and hence should be impaired in dyslexia, which is characterized by poorly developed phonological representations. On the other hand, STM for order information is considered to reflect core STM processes, which are independent from language processing. Thirty adults with dyslexia and thirty control participants matched for age, education, vocabulary, and IQ were presented STM tasks, which distinguished item and order STM capacities. We observed not only impaired order STM in adults with dyslexia, but this impairment was independent of item STM impairment. This study shows that adults with dyslexia present a deficit in core verbal STM processes, a deficit which cannot be accounted for by the language processing difficulties that characterize dyslexia. Moreover, these results support recent theoretical accounts considering independent order STM and item STM processes, with a potentially causal involvement of order STM processes in reading acquisition. [less ▲]

The socio-economic resilience of widow’s survivors of the Genocide against Tutsi in Rwamagana District (Eastern Province of Rwanda)

in East African Journal of Science and Technology (2013), 2(2), 124-135

This article examines the fate of widows survivorsi of the genocide against the Tutsi grouped in the Association of Widows who survived the Genocide-Agahozo (AVEGAii). The following questions were ... [more ▼]

This article examines the fate of widows survivorsi of the genocide against the Tutsi grouped in the Association of Widows who survived the Genocide-Agahozo (AVEGAii). The following questions were addressed: eighteen years after the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, what have become the widows’ victims of genocide? Did they manage to remake life and adapt themselves to adversity which has been imposed to them by the effects of the genocide? In order to respond to these concerns, we used the literature review, direct observation of the achievements of AVEGA members, semi-structured interviews to 60 widows and 10 key informers including local authorities and AVEGA’s Managers. The study found that the main steps to resilience include (i) psychological reconstruction, (ii) survival and representance which refer to the ability to maintain one alive with a mission to become witness and give courage, support and confidence to those who survived and especially the orphans, and (iii) tutorship efforts which promote the socio-economic conditions of widows. Tutors include the Rwandan Government through the Assistance Fund for Genocide Survivors (FARG) and other public initiatives of poverty reduction, AVEGA association and other NGOs through programs such as the schooling of orphans, housing and health as well as the socio-economic activities that generate income. These activities greatly contributed to these widows’ socio-economic conditions and helped them to feel more self-confident. [less ▲]

Enzymatic synthesis, surface and lipid interaction properties of novel rhamnolipids

Conference (2013)

Amongst glycolipidid biosurfactants, rhamnolipids have drawn particular attention as they have several interesting biological properties such as antimicrobial, antiphytoviral, zoosporicidal and plant ... [more ▼]

Amongst glycolipidid biosurfactants, rhamnolipids have drawn particular attention as they have several interesting biological properties such as antimicrobial, antiphytoviral, zoosporicidal and plant defense elicitor activities [1-3]. It is generally recognised that these activities must be linked to the interaction of these molecules with constituents of biological membranes [4] but the detailed mechanism is far from being fully understood. The objective of this work is double. First, it aims to investigate a new strategy of synthesis for the production of novel rhamnolipids [5] that could exhibit properties as promising for industrial and environmental applications as their natural counterparts while avoiding the use of the pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa for their production. Secondly, their basic surface properties (critical aggregation concentration, surface tension at CAC and interfacial behaviour of their monolayer) and their interaction with model membranes are investigated in relation with their structure in order to give insight about the mechanism of their biological actions. [1] Vatsa P. et al. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2010;11:5095. [2] Varnier A-L. et al. Plant, Cell Environ. 2009;32:178. [3] Lang S. et al. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechn. 1999;51:22. [4] Aranda F.J. et al. Langmuir. 2007;23:2700. [5] Nott K. et al. Process Biochemistry, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2012.11.019 [less ▲]

The BONUS-GoodHope IPY project: dynamics and biogeochemistry interactions in the Southern Ocean south off Africa

Book published by EGU (2013)