Carnet de pédiatrie: néphrologie de l'enfant

Learning material (2013)

The scent of inbreeding: male sex pheromones betray inbred males

in Proceedings of the Royal Society B : Biological Sciences (2013)

Inbreeding depression results from mating among genetically related individuals and impairs reproductive success. The decrease in male mating success is usually attributed to an impact on multiple fitness ... [more ▼]

Inbreeding depression results from mating among genetically related individuals and impairs reproductive success. The decrease in male mating success is usually attributed to an impact on multiple fitness-related traits that reduce the general condition of inbred males. Here, we find that the production of the male sex pheromone is reduced significantly by inbreeding in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Other traits indicative of the general condition, including flight performance, are also negatively affected in male butterflies by inbreeding. Yet, we unambiguously show that only the production of male pheromones affects mating success. Thus, this pheromone signal informs females about the inbreeding status of their mating partners. We also identify the specific chemical component, hexadecanal, probably responsible for the decrease in male mating success. Our results advocate giving increased attention to olfactory communication as a major causal factor of mate-choice decisions and sexual selection. [less ▲]

La clinique psychologique et logopédique : une approche intégrée du patient

Conference given outside the academic context (2013)

Le travail en équipe multidisciplinaire permet d’envisager l’évaluation et la prise en charge d’un patient de manière intégrée : illustration de la collaboration entre neuropsychologue et logopède dans le ... [more ▼]

Le travail en équipe multidisciplinaire permet d’envisager l’évaluation et la prise en charge d’un patient de manière intégrée : illustration de la collaboration entre neuropsychologue et logopède dans le cadre de suivis d’enfants et d’adolescents. [less ▲]

Age-Related Differences in Perceptuomotor Procedural Learning in Children

in Journal of Experimental Child Psychology (2013), 116

Procedural learning is generally considered to proceed in a series of phases, with cognitive resources playing an important role during the initial step. From a developmental perspective, little is known ... [more ▼]

Procedural learning is generally considered to proceed in a series of phases, with cognitive resources playing an important role during the initial step. From a developmental perspective, little is known about the development of procedural learning or the role played by explicit cognitive processes during learning. The main objectives of this study were: (1) to determine whether procedural learning performance improves with age by comparing groups of 7-yearold children, 10-year-old children, and adults, and (2) to investigate the role played by executive functions during the acquisition in these three age groups. Seventy-six subjects were assessed on a computerized adaptation of the mirror tracing paradigm. Results revealed that the youngest children had more difficulty adapting to the task (they were slower and committed more errors at the beginning of the learning process) than 10-year-olds, but despite this age effect observed at the outset, all children improved performance across trials and transferred their skill to a different figure as well as adults. Correlational analyses showed that inhibition abilities play a key role in the performance of 10-year-olds and adults at the beginning of the learning, but not in 7-year-olds. Overall, our results suggest that the age-related differences observed in our procedural learning task are at least partly due to the differential involvement of inhibition abilities, which may facilitate (so long as they are sufficiently developed) learning in the initial steps of learning process; however, they would not be a necessary condition for skill learning to occur. [less ▲]

Osculating circle with microscopes within microscopes

in Foundations of Science (2013), 18(2), 319-325

Classically, an osculating circle at a point of a planar curve is introduced technically, often with formula giving its radius and the coordinates of its center. In this note, we propose a new and ... [more ▼]

Classically, an osculating circle at a point of a planar curve is introduced technically, often with formula giving its radius and the coordinates of its center. In this note, we propose a new and intuitive definition of this concept: among all the circles which have, at the considered point, the same tangent as the studied curve and thus seem equal to the curve through a microscope, the osculating circle is this that seems equal to the curve through a microscope within microscope. [less ▲]

L'anthropologue en plein conflit: secrets, silences et éthique en anthropologie du droit

Conference (2013)

En mai dernier, je déjeunais avec un ami avocat lorsqu’il me fit part de l’anecdote suivante : quelques mois auparavant, il remportait une affaire pour laquelle une compensation financière, destinée à des ... [more ▼]

En mai dernier, je déjeunais avec un ami avocat lorsqu’il me fit part de l’anecdote suivante : quelques mois auparavant, il remportait une affaire pour laquelle une compensation financière, destinée à des clients, avait été versée sur son compte bancaire. Comme ces derniers ne réclamaient pas immédiatement leur dû, l’avocat décida alors d’investir le montant qui « dormait dans son compte » en le prêtant à une connaissance. Lorsque les clients se manifestèrent enfin, il leur restitua l’argent et conserva les intérêts. Au-delà de la protection de l'anonymat de mon informateur, aurais-je dû garder cette anecdote secrète? Dans le cadre de mes recherches sur les conflits d’héritage au Sud-Bénin, je me suis intéressée au fonctionnement des tribunaux, aux pratiques des professionnels de la justice et à leurs relations avec les usagers. Je me suis penchée sur les arguments des parties, sur leur conception du droit et sur leur parcours depuis les funérailles jusqu'au tribunal ou au bureau du notaire. Je reviendrai ici sur les difficultés pratiques et éthiques de mon travail sur le terrain. En effet, s’intégrer au point de passer presque inaperçu est l'objectif de tout anthropologue ayant recours à l'observation participante. Il s’agit pour nous d’une manière de découvrir les « relations réelles » et les jeux de pouvoir, d'aller au-delà des discours officiels dans lesquels la réalité paraît souvent trop bien rangée. Au-delà des limites en termes d’accès à l’information, quelles sont les conséquences en matière d'éthique et de consentement? Comment utiliser ce que nos informateurs mentionnent « off the record », avant ou après un entretien, les choses qu'ils expliquent alors que nous les accompagnons lors d’une journée de travail? Lorsque l'observateur n’est plus perçu comme tel, mais comme un confident, le consentement des participants ne devient-il pas implicite, voire même caduc? Lorsque l’on touche aux dynamiques familiales, aux situations conflictuelles et au secret professionnel, nombreuses sont aussi les questions auxquelles les gens refusent de répondre, les institutions qui déclinent certaines demandes d'accès. Il s’agit alors de comprendre ce à quoi les gens disent « non » et pourquoi. Enfin, si des solutions pour contourner les limites inhérentes à toute recherche sont envisageables, ces dernières vont de pair avec une série de questions éthiques. Peut-on contacter une partie à l'insu de l'autre et ainsi trahir la confiance de certains informateurs ? Provoquer sur base d'informations obtenues lors d'autres entretiens ? Ces questions soulèvent également celle, plus large, de la propriété des données : peut-on considérer qu'une fois enregistré, un entretien appartient à celui qui l'a réalisé ? Qu'en est-il, enfin, du rôle de l'anthropologue « en plein conflit » ? Ces questions sont particulièrement pertinentes dans le cadre d’une ethnographie des administrations publiques (dans mon cas, les tribunaux) en Afrique de l'Ouest : fortement subventionnées par des organismes occidentaux, la pratique montre cependant que ces institutions ne correspondent pas (encore) au standard de la bureaucratie « rationnelle » occidentale. Dans ce cadre, la manière dont les professionnels décrivent leurs pratiques quotidiennes, ce qu’ils acceptent de dire – et à qui – est définitivement partie intégrante de l’analyse. Entre des secrets difficiles à garder et des silences qui en disent parfois long, je reviendrai ici sur la manière dont j’ai abordé mon terrain, sur les difficultés pratiques et sur les dilemmes éthiques. [less ▲]

Hysteroscopic resection of abnormally invasive placenta residuals.

in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica (2013), 92(4), 451-6

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience in hysteroscopic removal of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) residuals using bipolar energy. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: University hospital. POPULATION: Sixteen ... [more ▼]

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience in hysteroscopic removal of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) residuals using bipolar energy. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: University hospital. POPULATION: Sixteen patients with AIP residuals after 17 pregnancies. METHODS: Cases were identified by ultrasound, treated with hysteroscopic bipolar electrosurgery and oral contraceptives, and followed up by ultrasound or hysteroscopy. Nine subsequent pregnancies were described. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: Complete removal of AIP residuals was achieved by hysteroscopic bipolar electrosurgery in all cases except one. No peroperative complications occurred. AIP residual recurred in one patient after a subsequent pregnancy and was successfully treated using the same procedure. CONCLUSIONS: AIP residual is a rare condition. Management by hysteroscopic resection using bipolar energy is save and feasible. [less ▲]

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Solid Organ Transplantation (MiSOT) Fourth Meeting: Lessons Learned from First Clinical Trials.

in Transplantation (2013)

The Fourth Expert Meeting of the Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Solid Organ Transplantation (MiSOT) Consortium took place in Barcelona on October 19 and 20, 2012. This meeting focused on the translation of ... [more ▼]

The Fourth Expert Meeting of the Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Solid Organ Transplantation (MiSOT) Consortium took place in Barcelona on October 19 and 20, 2012. This meeting focused on the translation of preclinical data into early clinical settings. This position paper highlights the main topics explored on the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells as a therapeutic agent in solid organ transplantation and emphasizes the issues (proper timing, concomitant immunossupression, source and immunogenicity of mesenchymal stem cells, and oncogenicity) that have been addressed and will be followed up by the MiSOT Consortium in future studies. [less ▲]

Influence of sleep homeostasis and circadian rhythm on waking EEG oscillations in PER3 polymorphism under sleep deprivation

in Sleep (2013), 36

Principal disease and Insect pests of Jatropha curcas L. in the lower valley of the Senegal river

in Tropicultura (2012), 30(4), 222-229

Jatropha curcas L. seed oil is proven to be toxic to many microorganisms, insects and animals. Despite its toxicity, Jatropha is not pest and disease resistant. The following major pests and diseases ... [more ▼]

Jatropha curcas L. seed oil is proven to be toxic to many microorganisms, insects and animals. Despite its toxicity, Jatropha is not pest and disease resistant. The following major pests and diseases affecting Jatropha in the lower valley of the Senegal river have been identified: the leaf miner Stomphastis thraustica (Meyrick, 1908) (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae), the leaf and stem miner Pempelia morosalis (Saalmuller, 1880) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) and the shield-backed bug Calidea panaethiopica (Kirkaldy, 1909) (Heteroptera, Scutelleridae), which can cause flower and fruit abortion. Damage from these pests was particularly great during the second year after the plantations were set up (2009) and before later receding. Nevertheless, the worst attacks were caused by a vascular disease transmitted through the soil, which killed 65% of the plants in four years. It is mainly characterised by collar and root rot, which causes foliage to yellow and wilt, before the plant eventually dies. These threats should increase if larger areas are planted with Jatropha. Considering the scale of the damage caused by these attacks in Bokhol, the development of an integrated pest management programme adapted to the local context should be considered. [less ▲]