Aventure Vert Soi : programme d'intervention - INA

Description détaillée d'un programme d'intervention thérapeutique en contexte de nature et d’aventure visant l’expérimentation de quatre outils d’autogestion du stress auprès d'un groupe d'adultes présentant des symptômes de troubles anxieux

Santé mentale et population universitaire : un laboratoire-vivant au service de la communauté : rapport de recherche

Cette étude a trois objectifs : 1) Identifier les principaux enjeux de santé des étudiant·es et des employé·es de l’UQAC en contexte pandémique, 2) Répertorier l’ensemble des mesures de soutien à la santé mises à la disposition des étudiant·es et des employé·es de l’UQAC, et 3) Identifier de nouvelles solutions à mettre en place afin de pallier les manques et de soutenir les étudiant·es et les employé·es de l’UQAC

Ensemble : l’intervention familiale en contexte de nature et d’aventure

Bien que la pertinence de l’intervention en contexte de nature et d’aventure (INA) soit de plus en plus reconnue dans les écrits scientifiques, les défis et les retombées qui y sont associés lors d’intervention familiale demeurent peu documentés (Liermann et Norton, 2016; Tucker et al., 2016). Or, les INA offrent un contexte favorable au développement de liens familiaux, notamment en raison des interactions que requiert l’adaptation au milieu naturel et de la possibilité de relever des défis (Overholt, 2014). Ainsi, cet article propose une recension exploratoire d’études portant sur l’intervention familiale en contexte de nature et d’aventure (IFNA). Les neuf études recensées permettent de dresser un portrait de différents programmes et de leurs retombées sur les jeunes et les familles. Une discussion met ensuite en lumière des éléments propres à l’INA pouvant être mis au service de l’intervention familiale, de même que les défis qui y sont associés en travail social. En conclusion, de nouvelles pistes de recherche et d’intervention sont identifiées.Although the relevance of nature and adventure-based intervention (NABI) is increasingly recognized in the scientific literature, its challenges and benefits in family intervention remain poorly documented (Liermann and Norton, 2016; Tucker et al., 2016). Yet, NABIs provide a supportive context for the development of family bonds because of interactions required by adaptation to the natural environment, and the opportunity for the challenge (Overholt, 2014). Thus, this article suggests an exploratory review of studies on family intervention in the context of NABI. The nine studies selected provide an overview of different programs and their impact on youth and families. A discussion then highlights elements specific to NABI’s that can be applied to family intervention, as well as the associated social work challenges. In conclusion, new avenues for research and intervention are identified

Thermoelectric Freeze-Casting of Biopolymer Blends: Fabrication and Characterization of Large-Size Scaffolds for Nerve Tissue Engineering Applications

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) are detrimental to the quality of life of affected individuals. Patients are often left with life-long ailments that affect them physically and psychologically. Autologous nerve transplant is still the gold standard treatment for PNIs despite limited donor site and partial recovery of nerve functions. Nerve guidance conduits are used as a nerve graft substitute and are efficient for the repair of small nerve gaps but require further improvement for repairs exceeding 30 mm. Freeze-casting is an interesting fabrication method for the conception of scaffolds meant for nerve tissue engineering since the microstructure obtained comprises highly aligned micro-channels. The present work focuses on the fabrication and characterization of large scaffolds (35 mm length, 5 mm diameter) made of collagen/chitosan blends by freeze-casting via thermoelectric effect instead of traditional freezing solvents. As a freeze-casting microstructure reference, scaffolds made from pure collagen were used for comparison. Scaffolds were covalently crosslinked for better performance under load and laminins were further added to enhance cell interactions. Microstructural features of lamellar pores display an average aspect ratio of 0.67 ± 0.2 for all compositions. Longitudinally aligned micro-channels are reported as well as enhanced mechanical properties in traction under physiological-like conditions (37 °C, pH = 7.4) resulting from crosslinking treatment. Cell viability assays using a rat Schwann cell line derived from sciatic nerve (S16) indicate that scaffold cytocompatibility is similar between scaffolds made from collagen only and scaffolds made from collagen/chitosan blend with high collagen content. These results confirm that freeze-casting via thermoelectric effect is a reliable manufacturing strategy for the fabrication of biopolymer scaffolds for future peripheral nerve repair applications

Effect of manufacturing and experimental conditions on the mechanical and surface properties of silicone elastomer scaffolds used in endothelial mechanobiological studies

Abstract Background Mechanobiological studies allow the characterization of cell response to mechanical stresses. Cells need to be supported by a material with properties similar to the physiological environment. Silicone elastomers have been used to produce various in vitro scaffolds of different geometries for endothelial cell studies given its relevant mechanical, optical and surface properties. However, obtaining defined and repeatable properties is a challenge as depending on the different manufacturing and processing steps, mechanical and surface properties may vary significantly between research groups. Methods The impact of different manufacturing and processing methods on the mechanical and surface properties was assessed by measuring the Young’s modulus and the contact angle. Silicone samples were produced using different curing temperatures and processed with different sterilization techniques and hydrophilization conditions. Results Different curing temperatures were used to obtain materials of different stiffness with a chosen silicone elastomer, i.e. Sylgard 184®. Sterilization by boiling had a tendency to stiffen samples cured at lower temperatures whereas UV and ethanol did not alter the material properties. Hydrophilization using sulphuric acid allowed to decrease surface hydrophobicity, however this effect was lost over time as hydrophobic recovery occurred. Extended contact with water maintained decreased hydrophobicity up to 7 days. Mechanobiological studies require complete cell coverage of the scaffolds used prior to mechanical stresses exposure. Different concentrations of fibronectin and collagen were used to coat the scaffolds and cell seeding density was varied to optimize cell coverage. Conclusion This study highlights the potential bias introduced by manufacturing and processing conditions needed in the preparation of scaffolds used in mechanobiological studies involving endothelial cells. As manufacturing, processing and cell culture conditions are known to influence cell adhesion and function, they should be more thoroughly assessed by research groups that perform such mechanobiological studies using silicone

Cyclic traction machine for long-term culture of fibroblast-populated collagen gels

Our research group has been investigating the effect of cyclic deformations on the evolution of fibroblast populated collagen gels (FPCG). Since existing traction machines are not designed for such an application, we had to design a cyclic traction machine adapted to tissue culture inside an incubator over an extended period of time. Biocompatible materials were used for fabrication to allow for easy sterilization and to prevent any adverse reaction from the tissue. The traction machine is based on a computer-controlled stepping motor system for easy adjustment of the deformation amplitude and frequency. The maximum stretching speed achieved is around 1mm/s. The traction machine can measure FPCG mechanical properties and perform rupture tests to determine its ultimate strength. Several FPCGs have been successfully cultured with the machine for up to four weeks without any adverse reaction

Tissue reorganization in response to mechanical load increases functionality

In the rapidly growing field of tissue engineering, the functional properties of tissue substitutes are recognized as being of the utmost importance. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of static mechanical forces on the functionality of the produced tissue constructs. Living tissue sheets reconstructed by the self-assembly approach from human cells, without the addition of synthetic material or extracellular matrix (ECM), were subjected to mechanical load to induce cell and ECM alignment. In addition, the effects of alignment on the function of substitutes reconstructed from these living tissue sheets were evaluated. Our results show that tissue constructs made from living tissue sheets, in which fibroblasts and ECM were aligned, presented higher mechanical resistance. This was assessed by the modulus of elasticity and ultimate strength as compared with tissue constructs in which components were randomly oriented. Moreover, tissue-engineered vascular media made from a prealigned living tissue sheet, produced with smooth muscle cells, possessed greater contractile capacity compared with those produced from living tissue sheets that were not prealigned. These results show that the mechanical force generated by cells during tissue organization is an asset for tissue component alignment. Therefore, this work demonstrates a means to improve the functionality (mechanical and vasocontractile properties) of tissues reconstructed by tissue engineering by taking advantage of the biomechanical forces generated by cells under static strain

MOESM1 of Effect of manufacturing and experimental conditions on the mechanical and surface properties of silicone elastomer scaffolds used in endothelial mechanobiological studies

Additional file 1. Effect of storage conditions (water or air). Data normalized to the mean Young’s modulus of the reference samples (produced in the same batch, tested prior to the storage) at each temperature (n = 3) (Two-way ANOVA, no effect of the storage condition on the silicone stiffness, significant effect of time (aging) (***p < 0.0001), significant effect between reference and samples stored for 7 days)