Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila improves irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms and related behavioral disorders in mice

International audienceGut-brain communications disorders in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are associated with intestinal microbiota composition, increased gut permeability, and psychosocial disturbances. Symptoms of IBS are difficult to medicate, and hence much research is being made into alternative approaches. This study assesses the potential of a treatment with pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila for alleviating IBS-like symptoms in two mouse models of IBS with different etiologies. Two clinically relevant animal models were used to mimic IBS-like symptoms in C57BL6/J mice: the neonatal maternal separation (NMS) paradigm and the Citrobacter rodentium infection model. In both models, gut permeability, colonic sensitivity, fecal microbiota composition and colonic IL-22 expression were evaluated. The cognitive performance and emotional state of the animals were also assessed by several tests in the C. rodentium infection model. The neuromodulation ability of pasteurized A. muciniphila was assessed on primary neuronal cells from mice dorsal root ganglia using a ratiometric calcium imaging approach. The administration of pasteurized A. muciniphila significantly reduced colonic hypersensitivity in both IBS mouse models, accompanied by a reinforcement of the intestinal barrier function. Beneficial effects of pasteurized A. muciniphila treatment have also been observed on anxiety-like behavior and memory defects in the C. rodentium infection model. Finally, a neuroinhibitory effect exerted by pasteurized A. muciniphila was observed on neuronal cells stimulated with two algogenic substances such as capsaicin and inflammatory soup. Our findings demonstrate novel anti-hyperalgesic and neuroinhibitory properties of pasteurized A. muciniphila, which therefore may have beneficial effects in relieving pain and anxiety in subjects with IBS

Fused Deposition Modelling 3D printing and solubility improvement of BCS II and IV active ingredients – A narrative review

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Growing Diamonds in the Laboratory to investigate Growth, Dissolution, and Inclusions Formation processes

International audienceReplicating lithospheric diamonds experimentally helps reveal their histories at depth, which may be complicated by successive growth and dissolution episodes. Here, we present diamond growth and dissolution experiments to constrain the conditions of diamond formation and residence in the Earth’s lithosphere before their transport to the surface. Experiments were performed on mixtures of carbonates, natural lherzolite or MORB, water, diamond seeds, and with or without graphite using multi-anvil presses over a few hours to more than a day at conditions relevant to the lithosphere (7 GPa, 1300–1670 °C). We observed growth within a volatile-rich melt resulting from the miscibility of silicate-carbonate melt and aqueous fluid via the reaction: Carbonate minerals + Silicate minerals/glasses + H2O = [volatile-rich melt] ± minerals + Cdiamond + O2. In the absence of graphite, we observed diamond dissolution within the same hydrous-carbonate-silicate-bearing melts and under similar pressure and temperature conditions used to grow diamond, indicating that diamond formation requires an oxygen sink (graphite, metallic and/or sulphide melts). In dissolution experiments, we also observed resorption features similar to those described in lithospheric monocrystalline diamonds, which we thus attribute to mantle fluids and not to kimberlite-induced resorption during magma ascent. We show that dissolution and growth may alternate in the mantle, and that protracted periods are not necessary to explain natural diamond histories. During experimental growth, inclusions were trapped in diamonds as they are in nature. We observed both syngenetic (formed during growth, representing the parental fluid) and protogenetic inclusions (here particles from the capsule), indicating that both kinds of inclusions can be trapped within a single growth event. Our experiments confirm that inclusions trapped in natural diamonds do not necessarily represent remnants of their parental fluids and are not necessarily contemporaneous: two inclusions near each other within a single monocrystalline diamond may have different histories, and inclusions must be shown to have achieved chemical and isotopic equilibrium before being considered synchronous

Higher energy flux may improve short-term appetite control in adolescents with obesity: The NEXT study.

International audienceRecent evidence suggests better appetite control in states of high-energy flux (HEF) in adults and lean children. Nevertheless, it is unknown whether this extends to youth with obesity. This study compares the effects of low, moderate or HEF on short-term appetitive control in adolescents with obesity. Sixteen adolescents with obesity (12-16 years, Tanner stages 3-5, 11 females) randomly completed three conditions: (i) low-energy flux (LEF); (ii) moderate energy flux (MEF; + 250 kcal) and (iii) HEF (HEF; + 500 kcal). Energy flux was achieved in MEF and HEF through elevated energy intake (EI) and concomitant increase in energy expenditure using cycling exercise (65 % VO2peak). Ad libitum EI, macronutrient intake and relative EI were assessed at dinner, subjective appetite sensations taken at regular intervals and food reward measured before dinner. Ad libitum EI at dinner was greater in LEF compared with HEF (P = 0·008), and relative EI (REI) was higher in LEF compared with MEF (P = 0·003) and HEF (P < 0·001). The absolute consumption of carbohydrates was lower in LEF compared with MEF (P = 0·047) and HEF (P < 0·001). Total AUC for hunger and desire to eat was lower in HEF compared with LEF (P < 0·001) and MEF (P = 0·038). Total AUC for prospective food consumption was lower on HEF compared with LEF (P = 0·004). Food choice sweet bias was higher in HEF (P = 0·005) compared with LEF. To conclude, increasing energy flux may improve short-term appetite control in adolescents with obesity

Conflits et controverses sur le statut des mers aux XVIe- XVIIe siècles : La délicate question des territoires sans maître

International audienceThe violent maritime conflicts between European nations in the 16th century put the question of the status of the seas at the centre of the debate. The latter is atypical since the seas are part of the undivided property for the use of all - a legal rule that is widely contradicted when it serves the interests of the cities. This is particularly the case with the Iberian power imposing a monopoly on the sea lanes for the transfer of wealth from the New World, a practice strongly contested by the other European states. This international context provides an opportunity to cross-reference the opposing arguments of two of the greatest jurists of the 17th century, Alberico Gentili and Hugo Grotius, the former in favour of Spain and supporter of public maritime jurisdiction, the latter in favour of the United Provinces and defender of the freedom of the seas. The present contribution proposes to identify the main rules of maritime law by comparing their pleadings.Les violents conflits maritimes opposant au XVIe siècle les nations européennes placent au centre des débats la question du statut des mers. Ce dernier est atypique puisque les mers font partie des biens restés indivis à l'usage de tous – une règle de droit largement contredite lorsqu'elle dessert les intérêts des cités. C'est en particulier le cas de la puissance ibérique imposant un monopole sur les voies maritimes pour le transfert des richesses du Nouveau Monde, une pratique vivement contestée par les autres États européens. Ce contexte international donne l’occasion de croiser les plaidoiries adverses de deux des plus grands juristes du XVIIe siècle, Alberico Gentili et Hugo Grotius, le premier en faveur de l'Espagne et partisan d'une juridiction maritime publique, le second en faveur des Provinces-Unies et défenseur de la liberté des mers. La présente contribution propose de dégager les principales règles du droit maritime par une mise en parallèle de leurs plaidoiries

J. Hardwig, Dépendance épistémique (traduction)

John Hardwig, “Epistemic Dependence”, The Journal of Philosophy, vol. 82, No. 7 (Juillet 1985), 3335-349Je crois toutes sortes de choses dont je ne possède aucune preuve. Bien que je puisse imaginer ce que je devrais faire pour obtenir les preuves qui appuieraient chacune de mes croyances, je ne me crois pas capable de le faire pour toutes mes croyances. Je crois trop, trop de preuves sont requises (la plupart d'entre elles accessibles seulement après une longue formation spécialisée), l'intellect est trop petit et la vie, trop courte. Que dire, en tant qu'épistémologues, à propos de toutes ces croyances

Les critiques écologiques de la représentation politique

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"Fin de vie : des droits, des questions éthiques et des incertitudes"

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Etude analytique d’ontologies pour le projet ACCORD

National audienceLe secteur de l’architecture, de l’ingénierie et de la construction (AEC) bénéficie déjà beaucoup des solutions numériques pour améliorer la qualité, la productivité et la durabilité. Le projet européen ACCORD (Automated Compliance Checks for Construction, Renovation or Demolition Works) vise à automatiser le processus de conformité aux réglementations et normes du secteur de la construction. ACCORD a besoin de s’appuyer sur des ressources sémantiques (ontologies) afin d’interfacer les procédures et les solutions logicielles différentes. Cette étude examine les ontologies existantes visées par ACCORD, recueillies à partir des travaux de différents groupes et organisations du domaine de la construction. Une analyse détaillée des ontologies et de leurs caractéristiques est présentée, ainsi que les métriques utilisées pour évaluer leur qualité. L’étude se conclut par une synthèse sur l’utilité des ontologies dans le contexte du projet ACCORD et dans le domaine de l’AEC, ainsi que sur les gaps de ces ontologies