The Common European Framework of Reference and the Co-Constructed Language Curriculum

For the last two decades, the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) has been instrumental in the globalisation of language policy not only across Europe but also around the world. The CEFR competency profiles, expressed in action-oriented statements, provide a clear articulation of language proficiency levels. The comprehensive scales of language competence the CEFR have created provide an essential instrument for language professionals and language learners: a shared language. The CEFR scales and statements assist learners in developing an understanding of the standards of performance expected of them, and allow teachers to ensure coherence between desired learning outcomes, classroom activities and assessment tasks, thus bringing a high level of transparency to the language curriculum. Two initiatives making use of the CEFR descriptors will be discussed: the redesign of an entire three year language curriculum and an approach to language curriculum design that gives a voice to students and lead to a collaborative and continuous design process

Étude du changement de l’architecture du sommeil chez la personne âgée après un sevrage aux benzodiazépines couplé à la thérapie cognitivo-comportementale pour insomnie

Contexte : Les benzodiazépines (BZD) et substances apparentées sont consommées de façon chronique par une large proportion de la population de personnes âgées souffrant d’insomnie chronique. Cet usage dans cette population est cependant critiqué, pour le risque d’effets indésirables associés. La thérapie cognitivo-comportementale pour insomnie (TCC-I) constitue le traitement de première ligne pour lutter contre l’insomnie, en raison de son efficacité et de son innocuité. Objectif : L’objectif de ce projet de recherche est d’évaluer les changements de la qualité du sommeil, de la macroarchitecture et de la microarchitecture du sommeil après un sevrage de BZD chez la personne âgée souffrant d’insomnie chronique. Nous étudierons par la suite l’effet de la TCC-I couplé au sevrage sur les mêmes variables d’intérêts. Nous faisons l’hypothèse que le sevrage s’accompagnera d’une amélioration de la qualité subjective du sommeil (diminution de l’Index de Sévérité de l’Insomnie (ISI) et augmentation de l’efficacité de sommeil (SE)) et d’une modification de certaines variables distinctes : fuseau de sommeil et stade N3 (augmentation du pourcentage au stade N3 et diminution de la densité des fuseaux de sommeil). De plus, nous faisons l’hypothèse que ces changements seront plus prononcés avec la TCC-I couplée au sevrage. Méthodes : 41 participants (âge moyen : 69.39±6.88 ans) ont été randomisés en 2 groupes, stratifiés pour l’âge, la durée et la dose de BZD et apparentés consommés : le groupe sevrage+TCC-I (N=23) et le groupe sevrage (N=18). L’ensemble des participants complètent un plan de sevrage avec suivi de 16 semaines, et dans le même temps, uniquement le groupe sevrage+TCC-I reçoit la TCC-I. L’acquisition des données est réalisée avant et après sevrage à partir de questionnaire (ISI), agenda de sommeil (SE) sur une période de 14 jours, et par enregistrements polysomnographiques (stade N3 et densité des fuseaux de sommeil). Résultats : 60.98% des participants (groupe sevrage+TCC-I: 60.87% ; groupe sevrage: 61.11%) ont réussi une cessation complète de leurs médications après sevrage. Il a été constaté une diminution de l’ISI (F(1,40)=4.36, p=0.01) et de la densité des fuseaux de sommeil (F(1,36)=7.18, p=0.01) après sevrage. Enfin, la TCC-I couplée au sevrage a montré une augmentation plus importante de la SE (F(1,35)=6.75, p=0.01) par rapport au groupe sevrage. Conclusion : Le plan de sevrage avec suivi permet d’obtenir un sevrage complet chez une majorité de participants, sans qu’il ne soit observé d’aggravations significatives de leur qualité de sommeil. L’ajout d’une TCC-I lors d’un sevrage de BZD et apparentés a permis une amélioration plus importante de la qualité du sommeil auto-rapportée (Agenda de sommeil : SE).Background: Benzodiazepines (BZD) and related drugs are consumed chronically by a large part of the elderly population with chronic insomnia. However, this use in this population is criticized for the risk of associated side effects. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the first-line treatment for insomnia because of its efficacy and safety. Objective: The objective of this project is to assess changes in sleep quality, macroarchitecture and sleep microarchitecture after withdrawal from BZD in the elderly with chronic insomnia. Then, we study the effect of CBT-I coupled with withdrawal on the same variables of interest. We hypothesize that weaning will be accompanied by an improvement in the subjective sleep quality (decrease in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and increase in sleep efficiency (SE)) and a modification of certain distinct variables: sleep spindle and stage N3 (increase in the percentage at stage N3 and decrease in the density of sleep spindles). In addition, we hypothesize that these changes will be more pronounced with CBT-I coupled with weaning. Methods: 41 participants (mean age: 69.39 ± 6.88 years) were randomized into 2 groups; stratified for age, duration and dose of BZD and relatives consumed: the weaning+CBT-I group (N = 23) and the weaning group (N = 18). All participants complete a 16-week weaning plan with follow-up, and at the same time, only the therapy group receives CBT-I. Data acquisition is carried out before and after weaning from questionnaire (ISI), sleep diary (SE) over a period of 14 days, and by polysomnographic recordings (stage N3 and density of sleep spindles). Results: 60.98% of participants (weaning+CBT-I group: 60.87%; weaning group: 61.11%) succeeded in completely stopping their medication after withdrawal. A decrease in ISI (F(1.40) = 4.36, p = 0.04) and in sleep spindle density (F(1.36) = 7.18, p = 0.01) was observed after weaning. Finally, CBT-I coupled with weaning showed a greater increase in SE (Sleep Diary; F(1.35) = 6.75, p = 0.01) compared to the control group. Conclusion: The weaning plan with follow-up makes it possible to obtain complete weaning in a majority of participants, without any significant worsening of their quality of sleep being observed. The addition of CBT-I during withdrawal from BZD and related products resulted in a greater improvement in self-reported sleep quality (Sleep Diary: SE)

Trophoblasts, invasion, and microRNA.

International audienceMicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently become essential actors in various fields of physiology and medicine, especially as easily accessible circulating biomarkers, or as modulators of cell differentiation. To this respect, terminal differentiation of trophoblasts (the characteristic cells of the placenta in Therian mammals) into syncytiotrophoblast, villous trophoblast, or extravillous trophoblast constitutes a good example of such a choice, where miRNAs have recently been shown to play an important role. The aim of this review is to provide a snapshot of what is known today in placentation mechanisms that are mediated by miRNA, under the angles of materno-fetal immune dialog regulation, trophoblast differentiation, and angiogenesis at the materno-fetal interface. Also, two aspects of regulation of these issues will be highlighted: the part played by oxygen concentration and the specific function of imprinted genes in the developing placenta

In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Culture Strongly Impact the Placental Transcriptome in the Mouse Model

BACKGROUND: Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) are increasingly used in humans; however, their impact is now questioned. At blastocyst stage, the trophectoderm is directly in contact with an artificial medium environment, which can impact placental development. This study was designed to carry out an in-depth analysis of the placental transcriptome after ART in mice. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Blastocysts were transferred either (1) after in vivo fertilization and development (control group) or (2) after in vitro fertilization and embryo culture. Placentas were then analyzed at E10.5. Six percent of transcripts were altered at the two-fold threshold in placentas of manipulated embryos, 2/3 of transcripts being down-regulated. Strikingly, the X-chromosome harbors 11% of altered genes, 2/3 being induced. Imprinted genes were modified similarly to the X. Promoter composition analysis indicates that FOXA transcription factors may be involved in the transcriptional deregulations. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, our study shows that in vitro fertilization associated with embryo culture strongly modify the placental expression profile, long after embryo manipulations, meaning that the stress of artificial environment is memorized after implantation. Expression of X and imprinted genes is also greatly modulated probably to adapt to adverse conditions. Our results highlight the importance of studying human placentas from ART

FOXD1 mutations are related to repeated implantation failure, intra-uterine growth restriction and preeclampsia

Background: Human reproductive disorders consist of frequently occurring dysfunctions including a broad range of phenotypes affecting fertility and women's health during pregnancy. Several female-related diseases have been associated with hypofertility/infertility phenotypes, such as recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Other occurring diseases may be life-threatening for the mother and foetus, such as preeclampsia (PE) and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR). FOXD1 was defined as a major molecule involved in embryo implantation in mice and humans by regulating endometrial/placental genes. FOXD1 mutations in human species have been functionally linked to RPL's origin. Methods: FOXD1 gene mutation screening, in 158 patients affected by PE, IUGR, RPL and repeated implantation failure (RIF), by direct sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Plasmid constructs including FOXD1 mutations were used to perform in vitro gene reporter assays. Results: Nine non-synonymous sequence variants were identified. Functional experiments revealed that p.His267Tyr and p.Arg57del led to disturbances of promoter transcriptional activity (C3 and PlGF genes). The FOXD1 p.Ala356Gly and p.Ile364Met deleterious mutations (previously found in RPL patients) have been identified in the present work in women suffering PE and IUGR. Conclusions: Our results argue in favour of FOXD1 mutations' central role in RPL, RIF, IUGR and PE pathogenesis via C3 and PlGF regulation and they describe, for the first time, a functional link between FOXD1 and implantation/placental diseases. FOXD1 could therefore be used in clinical environments as a molecular biomarker for these diseases in the near future. Recurrent pregnancy loss, Preeclampsia, Intra-uterine growth restriction, FOXD1. © 2019 The Author(s)

How are podocytes affected in nail–patella syndrome?

Nail–patella syndrome is an autosomal-dominant hereditary disease named for dysplastic fingernails and toenails and hypoplastic or absent kneecaps evident in patients with the syndrome. Prognosis is determined by the nephropathy that develops in many such patients. Besides podocyte foot-process effacement, pathognomonic changes in the kidney comprise electron-lucent areas and fibrillar inclusions in the glomerular basement membrane. These characteristic symptoms are caused by mutations in the gene encoding the transcription factor LMX1B, a member of the LIM-homeodomain gene family. Comparable with the human syndrome, homozygous Lmx1b knockout mice lack patellae and suffer from severe podocyte damage. In contrast, however, podocin and the α3 and α4 chains of collagen IV are absent in the glomeruli of Lmx1b knockout mice. Further studies with podocyte-specific Lmx1b knockout mice have confirmed the importance of LMX1B in podocytes, as these mice apparently develop foot processes initially but lose them later on. We therefore conclude that LMX1B is essential for the development of metanephric precursor cells into podocytes and possibly also for maintaining the differentiation status of podocytes. LMX1B can serve as a model system to elucidate a genetic program in podocytes

Ionic liquids as an additive in fully formulated wind turbine gearbox oils

This work presents the friction and wear behaviour of two fully formulated (polyalphaolefin- and mineral-based) wind turbine gearbox oils separately additivated with two ionic liquids ([Choline][NTf2] and [BMP][NTf2]) at 5wt% concentration. A tribometer using a ball-on-plate reciprocating configuration is adopted for friction and wear experiments. Friction is measured during tests and the worn surface is measured and analysed by confocal microscopy, SEM, EDS and XPS. The friction and wear results show that both ionic liquids used as an additive have a slight friction modifier character but a strong wear reducing performance, with [BMP][NTf2] performing better than [Choline][NTf2]. In addition, EDS and XPS analysis demonstrated the temperature-related chemical interactions and their influence on tribological behaviour

Lack of association between polymorphisms of the IL18R1 and IL18RAP genes and cardiovascular risk: the MORGAM Project

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Interleukin-18 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine suspected to be associated with atherosclerosis and its complications. We had previously shown that one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the <it>IL18 </it>gene was associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) through an interaction with smoking. As a further step for elucidating the contribution of the IL-18 pathway to the etiology of CVD, we here investigated the association between the genetic variability of two IL-18 receptor genes, <it>IL18R1 </it>and <it>IL18RAP</it>, with the risk of developing CVD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eleven tagging SNPs, 5 in <it>IL18R1 </it>and 6 in <it>IL18RAP</it>, characterizing the haplotypic variability of the corresponding genes; were genotyped in 5 European prospective CVD cohorts including 1416 cases and 1772 non-cases, as part of the MORGAM project. Both single-locus and haplotypes analyses were carried out to investigate the association of these SNPs with CVD.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We did not find any significant differences in allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies between cases and non-cases for either of the two genes. Moreover, the search for interactions between SNPs located in different genes, including 5 <it>IL18 </it>SNPs previously studied in the MORGAM project, and between SNPs and environmental factors remained unfruitful.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our analysis suggests that the variability of <it>IL18R1 </it>and <it>IL18RAP </it>genes are unlikely to contribute to modulate the risk of CVD.</p