Evolution des recouvrements forestiers et de l'Occupation des sols entre 1964 et 2002 dans la haute vallée des Ait Bouguemez (Haut Atlas Central, Maroc). Impact des modes de gestion.

Les espaces forestiers montagnards méditerranéens sont souvent fortement dégradés. La cause principale est la surexploitation des ressources. Au cours de l'histoire, la rareté des ressources a probablement incité les hommes à mettre en place des formes de contrôle coutumières (ou « traditionnelles ») des espaces forestiers et pastoraux. Ces régimes perdurent dans le Haut Atlas marocain sous le nom d'agdal, terme qui désigne un territoire sylvopastoral collectif soumis à des mises en défens temporaires. Ce travail vise à évaluer l'impact de cette gestion coutumière sur les dynamiques des formations boisées dans une zone de montagne, la vallée des Ait Bouguemez, à travers une analyse diachronique basée sur la comparaison de documents anciens (photographies aériennes de 1964) avec des documents récents (image satellitaire Spot 5 à très haute résolution). La méthodologie adoptée repose sur la photointerprétation visuelle des documents précités en se basant sur une charte commune d'estimation du recouvrement arboré. Deux cartes de recouvrement ont été produites pour 1964 et 2002, dont le croisement a permis d'obtenir une carte de la dynamique des peuplements. Les résultats obtenus soulignent de fortes disparités dans les dynamiques forestières selon le statut agdal ou non-agdal de la forêt. La surface forestière a diminué de 21 % en 38 ans, et le recouvrement arboré moyen sur la zone forestière chute globalement de 20 % à 18 % pendant cette période. On observe un maintien du couvert boisé en zone agdal et sa forte dégradation hors agdal dans un contexte de forte croissance démographique

Nanodisc-cell fusion: Control of fusion pore nucleation and lifetimes by SNARE protein transmembrane domains

The initial, nanometer-sized connection between the plasma membrane and a hormone- or neurotransmitter-filled vesicle-the fusion pore- can flicker open and closed repeatedly before dilating or resealing irreversibly. Pore dynamics determine release and vesicle recycling kinetics, but pore properties are poorly known because biochemically defined single-pore assays are lacking. We isolated single flickering pores connecting v-SNARE-reconstituted nanodiscs to cells ectopically expressing cognate, "flipped" t-SNAREs. Conductance through single, voltage-clamped fusion pores directly reported sub-millisecond pore dynamics. Pore currents fluctuated, transiently returned to baseline multiple times, and disappeared ∼6 s after initial opening, as if the fusion pore fluctuated in size, flickered, and resealed. We found that interactions between v- and t-SNARE transmembrane domains (TMDs) promote, but are not essential for pore nucleation. Surprisingly, TMD modifications designed to disrupt v- and t-SNARE TMD zippering prolonged pore lifetimes dramatically. We propose that the post-fusion geometry of the proteins contribute to pore stability.Fil: Wu, Zhenyong. University of Yale; Estados Unidos. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Auclair, Sarah M.. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados Unidos. University of Yale; Estados UnidosFil: Bello, Oscar Daniel. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados Unidos. University of Yale; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Vennekate, Wensi. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados Unidos. University of Yale; Estados UnidosFil: Dudzinski, Natasha R.. University of Yale; Estados Unidos. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Krishnakumar, Shyam S.. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados Unidos. University of Yale; Estados UnidosFil: Karatekin, Erdem. University of Yale; Estados Unidos. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados Unidos. Universite Paris Descartes; Francia. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Franci

Calcium sensitive ring-like oligomers formed by synaptotagmin

The synaptic vesicle protein synaptotagmin-1 (SYT) is required to couple calcium influx to the membrane fusion machinery. However, the structural mechanism underlying this process is unclear. Here we report an unexpected circular arrangement (ring) of SYT's cytosolic domain (C2AB) formed on lipid monolayers in the absence of free calcium ions as revealed by electron microscopy. Rings vary in diameter from 18-43 nm, corresponding to 11-26 molecules of SYT. Continuous stacking of the SYT rings occasionally converts both lipid monolayers and bilayers into protein-coated tubes. Helical reconstruction of the SYT tubes shows that one of the C2 domains (most likely C2B, based on its biochemical properties) interacts with the membrane and is involved in ring formation, and the other C2 domain points radially outward. SYT rings are disrupted rapidly by physiological concentrations of free calcium but not by magnesium. Assuming that calcium-free SYT rings are physiologically relevant, these results suggest a simple and novel mechanism by which SYT regulates neurotransmitter release: The ring acts as a spacer to prevent the completion of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor activating protein receptor (SNARE) complex assembly, thereby clamping fusion in the absence of calcium. When the ring disassembles in the presence of calcium, fusion proceeds unimpeded.Fil: Wang, Jing. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Bello, Oscar Daniel. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Auclair, Sarah M.. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Coleman, Jeff. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Pincet, Frederic. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados Unidos. Ecole Normale Supérieure; Francia. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; FranciaFil: Krishnakumar, Shyam S.. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Sindelar, Charles V.. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Rothman, James E.. University of Yale. School of Medicine; Estados Unido

Different prelamin A forms accumulate in human fibroblasts: a study in experimental models and progeria

Lamin A is a component of the nuclear lamina mutated in a group of human inherited disorders known as laminopathies. Among laminopathies, progeroid syndromes and lipodystrophies feature accumulation of prelamin A, the precursor protein which, in normal cells, undergoes a multi-step processing to yield mature lamin A. It is of utmost importance to characterize the prelamin A form accumulated in each laminopathy, since existing evidence shows that drugs acting on protein processing can improve some pathological aspects. We report that two antibodies raised against differently modified prelamin A peptides show a clear specificity to full-length prelamin A or carboxymethylated farnesylated prelamin A, respectively. Using these antibodies, we demonstrated that inhibition of the prelamin A endoprotease ZMPSTE24 mostly elicits accumulation of full-length prelamin A in its farnesylated form, while loss of the prelamin A cleavage site causes accumulation of carboxymethylated prelamin A in progeria cells. These results suggest a major role of ZMPSTE24 in the first prelamin A cleavage step

Otoferlin acts as a Ca2+ sensor for vesicle fusion and vesicle pool replenishment at auditory hair cell ribbon synapses

Hearing relies on rapid, temporally precise, and sustained neurotransmitter release at the ribbon synapses of sensory cells, the inner hair cells (IHCs). This process requires otoferlin, a six C2-domain, Ca2+-binding transmembrane protein of synaptic vesicles. To decipher the role of otoferlin in the synaptic vesicle cycle, we produced knock-in mice (Otof Ala515,Ala517/Ala515,Ala517) with lower Ca2+-binding affinity of the C2C domain. The IHC ribbon synapse structure, synaptic Ca2+ currents, and otoferlin distribution were unaffected in these mutant mice, but auditory brainstem response wave-I amplitude was reduced. Lower Ca2+ sensitivity and delay of the fast and sustained components of synaptic exocytosis were revealed by membrane capacitance measurement upon modulations of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, by varying Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+-channels or Ca2+ uncaging. Otoferlin thus functions as a Ca2+ sensor, setting the rates of primed vesicle fusion with the presynaptic plasma membrane and synaptic vesicle pool replenishment in the IHC active zone

Development and aetiology of body dissatisfaction in adolescent boys and girls

This longitudinal study aims to describe the development of body dissatisfaction (BD), measured with the Contour Drawing Rating Scale, between the ages of 14 and 18, and to identify factors associated with BD at age 18, among 413 adolescents. Between the ages of 14 and 18, the proportion of girls wanting to be thinner increased, although it remained unchanged among boys. A ratio of 1:2 girls and 1:5 boys reported having seriously tried to lose weight. Factors associated with BD in girls at age 18 were (1) wanting to be thinner, (2) body mass index (BMI), (3) weight control behaviours and (4) negative comments about weight. Factors associated with BD in boys at age 18 were (1) wanting to be thinner or bigger, (2) BMI, (3) having experienced sexual intercourse and (4) negative comments about weight. The high prevalence of BD and weight-related concerns suggest a need for early interventions. © 2014 © 2014 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis

First amyloid β1-42 certified reference material for re-calibrating commercial immunoassays

INTRODUCTION: Reference materials based on human cerebrospinal fluid were certified for the mass concentration of amyloid beta (Aβ)1-42 (Aβ42 ). They are intended to be used to calibrate diagnostic assays for Aβ42 . METHODS: The three certified reference materials (CRMs), ERM-DA480/IFCC, ERM-DA481/IFCC and ERM-DA482/IFCC, were prepared at three concentration levels and characterized using isotope dilution mass spectrometry methods. Roche, EUROIMMUN, and Fujirebio used the three CRMs to re-calibrate their immunoassays. RESULTS: The certified Aβ42 mass concentrations in ERM-DA480/IFCC, ERM-DA481/IFCC, and ERM-DA482/IFCC are 0.45, 0.72, and 1.22 μg/L, respectively, with expanded uncertainties (k = 2) of 0.07, 0.11, and 0.18 μg/L, respectively. Before re-calibration, a good correlation (Pearson's r > 0.97), yet large biases, were observed between results from different commercial assays. After re-calibration the between-assay bias was reduced to < 5%. DISCUSSION: The Aβ42 CRMs can ensure the equivalence of results between methods and across platforms for the measurement of Aβ42

The rotation of planets hosting atmospheric tides: From Venus to habitable super-Earths

The competition between the torques induced by solid and thermal tides drives the rotational dynamics of Venus-like planets and super-Earths orbiting in the habitable zone of low-mass stars. The resulting torque determines the possible equilibrium states of the planet's spin. Here we have computed an analytic expression for the total tidal torque exerted on a Venus-like planet. This expression is used to characterize the equilibrium rotation of the body. Close to the star, the solid tide dominates. Far from it, the thermal tide drives the rotational dynamics of the planet. The transition regime corresponds to the habitable zone, where prograde and retrograde equilibrium states appear. We demonstrate the strong impact of the atmospheric properties and of the rheology of the solid part on the rotational dynamics of Venus-like planets, highlighting the key role played by dissipative mechanisms in the stability of equilibrium configurations. © ESO, 2017

Giant cell tumor of the temporal bone – a case report

BACKGROUND: Giant cell tumor is a benign but locally aggressive bone neoplasm which uncommonly involves the skull. The petrous portion of the temporal bone forms a rare location for this tumor. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors report a case of a large giant cell tumor involving the petrous and squamous portions of the temporal bone in a 26 year old male patient. He presented with right side severe hearing loss and facial paresis. Radical excision of the tumor was achieved but facial palsy could not be avoided. CONCLUSION: Radical excision of skull base giant cell tumor may be hazardous but if achieved is the optimal treatment and may be curative