Utilités socioéconomiques et culturelles du Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. (Famille Zygophyllaceae) chez les populations locales de la Région du Ouaddaï au Tchad

Objectif: Cette étude réalisée dans la Région du Ouaddaï au Tchad a pour objectif de comprendre les pratiques et les perceptions paysannes dans l’utilisation de Balanites aegyptiaca.Méthodes et résultats: des enquêtes socioéconomiques et ethnobotaniques ont été menées auprès d’un échantillon de 172 personnes appartenant à trois villages de la région. Les utilisations de l’arbre par ces populations sont alimentaires, médicinales, fourragères et socioculturelles. Les parties de l’arbre les plus utilisées sont les fruits (100%), les feuilles (98%) et le bois (66%). Les jeunes feuilles sont consommées comme légume par 100% des Maba et Tama, 95,22% des Massalit et 68,54% des Mimi. Sur le plan médicinal, B. aegyptiaca est utilisé pour soigner plusieurs affections dont la diarrhée (59,75%), la dysenterie (51,50%), les maux de poitrine (40%), la constipation (20,38%) et la Coqueluche (18,56%). Les principaux modes de préparation des recettes sont, la décoction (35,24%), la trituration (31,23%), l’infusion (24,12%) et les macérations aqueuses (10,67%). Les graines et les épines sont aussi d’une grande importance socio-culturelle. Les activités socio-économiques observées autour des produits de l’arbre concernent la commercialisation des fruits, des graines et du bois qui constitue un intérêt socio-économique certain pour les populations, notamment les femmes.Conclusion et applicabilité des résultats: Cette étude a montré que les populations de la région du Ouaddaï disposent d’un ensemble de connaissance et de savoir-faire sur le B. aegyptiaca. Les savoirs locaux endogènes identifiés ainsi que les perceptions constituent une base pour le développement de stratégies de conservation et d’utilisation durable de ces ressources génétiques. En conséquence, la disponibilité des produits issus de cet arbre devrait être accrue à travers sa domestication et son introduction dans les systèmes locaux de production paysans existants.Mots clés: Savoirs endogènes, Balanites aegyptiaca, domestication, Ouaddaï, TchadEnglish Title: Socioeconomic and cultural utilities of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. for local populations of the Ouaddaï region in ChadEnglish AbstractObjective: This study done in the region of Ouaddaï in Chad aims to assess the farmer practices and perceptions in the use and conservation of Balanites aegyptiaca.Methodology and results: Socio-economic and ethno botanical interviews were undertaken with a sample of 172 people from three villages of this region. The usages of this tree by local populations are food, medicinal, forage and socio-cultural. The fruits (100%), leaves (98%) and wood (66%) are the most highly used parts of the tree. Young leaves are consumed as vegetables by 100% of Maba and Tama, 95.22% of Massalit and 68.54% of Mimi. In medicinal terms, B. aegyptiaca is used to treat several affections including diarrhea (59.75%), dysentery (51.50%), chest pain (40%), constipation (20.38%) and pertussis (18.56%). The main types of recipes preparation were described are decoction (35.24%), powders (31.23%), infusion (24.12%) and aqueous macerations (10.67%). Seeds and thorns are also a great socio-cultural importance. The socioeconomic activities observed around the tree products concern fruits, seeds and wood marketing which constitute a socio-economic interest for local community and in particular for women.Conclusion and Application of findings: This study showed that local people in the region of Ouaddaï have a wealth of knowledge and expertise on B. aegyptiaca. The endogenous local knowledge identified and the perceptions constitute a basis for the development of conservation strategies and sustainable use of these genetic resources. Consequently, the availability of products derived from this three should be increased through his domestication and introduction into the existing local farmer production systems.Keywords: Endogenous knowledge, Balanites aegyptiaca, domestication, Ouaddaï, Cha

MAT-762: BUILDING SUSTAINABLE CONTINUOUSLY REINFORCED CONCRETE PAVEMENT USING GFRP BARS: CASE STUDY-HIGHWAY 40 WEST-MONTREAL, CANADA

Continuously reinforced concrete pavement designs (CRCP) are premium pavement designs that are often used on heavily-trafficked roadways and urban corridors. Although CRCP typically is an effective, long-lasting pavement design, it can develop performance problems when the aggregate-interlock load transfer at the transverse cracks is degraded. The prevalence of wide cracks in CRCP has frequently been associated with ruptured steel and significant levels of corrosion. Because of that, there has been recent interest in identifying new reinforcing materials that can prevent or minimize corrosion-related issues in CRCP. Glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars are one product being investigated for use in CRCP in place of traditional steel bars. This paper summarizes the construction details, material properties, early-age behaviour, and preliminary monitoring results of GFRP CRCP after 12 months in service. The project is located westbound HW-40 in Montreal, Qc, Canada, and presents a collaboration between the Ministry of Transportation of Quebec (MTQ) and the University of Sherbrooke. Varieties of sensors were installed in this project in order to monitor the early-age behaviour and the effects of repeated traffic loads and environmental conditions on the performance of CRCP slabs

Functional Implication of Dp71 in Osmoregulation and Vascular Permeability of the Retina

Functional alterations of Müller cells, the principal glia of the retina, are an early hallmark of most retina diseases and contribute to their further progression. The molecular mechanisms of these reactive Müller cell alterations, resulting in disturbed retinal homeostasis, remain largely unknown. Here we show that experimental detachment of mouse retina induces mislocation of the inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kir4.1) and a downregulation of the water channel protein (AQP4) in Müller cells. These alterations are associated with a strong decrease of Dp71, a cytoskeleton protein responsible for the localization and the clustering of Kir4.1 and AQP4. Partial (in detached retinas) or total depletion of Dp71 in Müller cells (in Dp71-null mice) impairs the capability of volume regulation of Müller cells under osmotic stress. The abnormal swelling of Müller cells In Dp71-null mice involves the action of inflammatory mediators. Moreover, we investigated whether the alterations in Müller cells of Dp71-null mice may interfere with their regulatory effect on the blood-retina barrier. In the absence of Dp71, the retinal vascular permeability was increased as compared to the controls. Our results reveal that Dp71 is crucially implicated in the maintenance of potassium homeostasis, in transmembraneous water transport, and in the Müller cell-mediated regulation of retinal vascular permeability. Furthermore, our data provide novel insights into the mechanisms of retinal homeostasis provided by Müller cells under normal and pathological conditions

AAV-mediated gene therapy in Dystrophin-Dp71 deficient mouse leads to blood-retinal barrier restoration and oedema reabsorption

International audienceDystrophin-Dp71 being a key membrane cytoskeletal protein, expressed mainly in Müller cells that provide a mechanical link at the Müller cell membrane by direct binding to actin and a transmembrane protein complex. Its absence has been related to blood-retinal barrier (BRB) permeability through delocalization and down-regulation of the AQP4 and Kir4.1 channels (1). We have previously shown that the adeno-associated virus (AAV) variant, ShH10, transduces Müller cells in the Dp71-null mouse retina efficiently and specifically (2,3). Here, we use ShH10 to restore Dp71 expression in Müller cells of Dp71 deficient mouse to study molecular and functional effects of this restoration in an adult mouse displaying retinal permeability. We show that strong and specific expression of exogenous Dp71 in Müller cells leads to correct localization of Dp71 protein restoring all protein interactions in order to re-establish a proper functional BRB and retina homeostasis thus preventing retina from oedema. This study is the basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies in dealing with diseases with BRB breakdown and macular oedema such as diabetic retinopathy (DR)