Methamphetamine decreases dentate gyrus stem cell self-renewal and shifts the differentiation towards neuronal fate

Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug of abuse that negatively interferes with neurogenesis. In fact, we have previously shown that METH triggers stem/progenitor cell death and decreases neuronal differentiation in the dentate gyrus (DG). Still, little is known regarding its effect on DG stem cell properties. Herein, we investigate the impact of METH on mice DG stem/progenitor cell self-renewal functions. METH (10 nM) decreased DG stem cell self-renewal, while 1 nM delayed cell cycle in the G0/G1-to-S phase transition and increased the number of quiescent cells (G0 phase), which correlated with a decrease in cyclin E, pEGFR and pERK1/2 protein levels. Importantly, both drug concentrations (1 or 10 nM) did not induce cell death. In accordance with the impairment of self-renewal capacity, METH (10 nM) decreased Sox2+/Sox2+ while increased Sox2−/Sox2− pairs of daughter cells. This effect relied on N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) signaling, which was prevented by the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801 (10 μM). Moreover, METH (10 nM) increased doublecortin (DCX) protein levels consistent with neuronal differentiation. In conclusion, METH alters DG stem cell properties by delaying cell cycle and decreasing self-renewal capacities, mechanisms that may contribute to DG neurogenesis impairment followed by cognitive deficits verified in METH consumers

Huntingtin mediates anxiety/depression-related behaviours in mouse through BDNF transport and hippocampal neurogenesis

peer reviewe

Plasma treatment in textile industry

Plasma technology applied to textiles is a dry, environmentally- and worker-friendly method to achieve surface alteration without modifying the bulk properties of different materials. In particular, atmospheric non-thermal plasmas are suited because most textile materials are heat sensitive polymers and applicable in a continuous processes. In the last years plasma technology has become a very active, high growth research field, assuming a great importance among all available material surface modifications in textile industry. The main objective of this review is to provide a critical update on the current state of art relating plasma technologies applied to textile industryFernando Oliveira (SFRH/BD/65254/2009) acknowledges Fundacao para a Cioncia e Tecnologia, Portugal, for its doctoral grant financial support. Andrea Zille (C2011-UMINHO-2C2T-01) acknowledges funding from Programa Compromisso para a Cioncia 2008, Portugal

Bilan et variabilité temporelle des matières en suspension dans le bassin de la Macta : cas du sous bassin versant de Bou-Hanifia (Algérie du nord)

L’intérêt principal des mesures de concentrations des matières en suspension (MES) sur un bassin versant est qu’elles permettent d’établir un bilan moyen des exportations de MES et de déduire un taux d'érosion mécanique à l’échelle du bassin. Cependant, la quantification des flux solides d’un cours d'eau est une tâche délicate, en particulier en zone semi-aride où les crues violentes et de courte durée rendent les prélèvements difficiles. Dans la présente étude, les mesures de débits et de concentrations ont été menées par l'Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydriques sur le bassin versant de Bou-Hanifia, un sous bassin important de la Macta caractérisé par un climat semi-aride et une forte érosion hydrique. Les résultats du bilan témoignent d’une très importante variabilité temporelle du transport solide, tant à l’échelle saisonnière qu’à l’échelle interannuelle. Ceci est lié en grande partie à l’agressivité des précipitations pouvant assurer une très forte et irrégulière mobilisation des MES. À l’échelle du bassin au cours de la période 1993-2006, le flux annuel moyen de MES est estimé à 1,8 x 106 tonnes (t) soit un débit solide spécifique moyen de 343 t∙a-1∙km-2. En effet, les années humides sont les plus exportatrices de sédiments en suspension. Ainsi, la saison d'automne, la plus érosive de l’année, représente 75 % du bilan annuel. L’essentiel des MES est exporté lors des crues de fin d’été - début d’automne, et sont à l’origine de 36 à 94 % des flux de MES transportés annuellement pendant 1 % du temps, soit trois jours par an.The main interest of concentrations measurements of suspended sediment (SS) in a catchment area is to establish an average sediment budget and deduct mechanical erosion rates at the basin scale. However, quantification of SS yield of a river is a delicate task, particularly in semi-arid area where the violent floods and short duration make it difficult samples. In the present study, measurements of water discharge and concentrations has been conducted by the National Agency of Water Resources in Bou-Hanifia basin, an important sub-basin of the Macta watershed characterized by a semi arid climate and strong rates of erosion. The sediments budgets results reflect a very strong temporal variability, both at seasonal as interannual scale, of solid transport. This is largely related to the climate aggressivity that can provide a very strong mobilization of SS occurring at varying periods. At the watershed scale during the period 1993-2006, the average sediments budgets is estimated to be 1,8 x 106 tonnes (t) and a degradation of 343 t∙a-1∙km-2. Indeed, the wet years are more exporting of SS. Thus, autumn season is the most erosive of the year representing 75% of the annual budget. In fact, the majority of SS export occurs during flood at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, and they are at the origin between 36% and 94% sediment yield annually transported for 1% of the time, or three days per year

Bilan et variabilité temporelle des matières en suspension dans le bassin de la Macta : cas du sous bassin versant de Bou-Hanifia (Algérie du nord)

L’intérêt principal des mesures de concentrations des matières en suspension (MES) sur un bassin versant est qu’elles permettent d’établir un bilan moyen des exportations de MES et de déduire un taux d'érosion mécanique à l’échelle du bassin. Cependant, la quantification des flux solides d’un cours d'eau est une tâche délicate, en particulier en zone semi-aride où les crues violentes et de courte durée rendent les prélèvements difficiles. Dans la présente étude, les mesures de débits et de concentrations ont été menées par l'Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydriques sur le bassin versant de Bou-Hanifia, un sous bassin important de la Macta caractérisé par un climat semi-aride et une forte érosion hydrique. Les résultats du bilan témoignent d’une très importante variabilité temporelle du transport solide, tant à l’échelle saisonnière qu’à l’échelle interannuelle. Ceci est lié en grande partie à l’agressivité des précipitations pouvant assurer une très forte et irrégulière mobilisation des MES. À l’échelle du bassin au cours de la période 1993-2006, le flux annuel moyen de MES est estimé à 1,8 x 106 tonnes (t) soit un débit solide spécifique moyen de 343 t∙a-1∙km-2. En effet, les années humides sont les plus exportatrices de sédiments en suspension. Ainsi, la saison d'automne, la plus érosive de l’année, représente 75 % du bilan annuel. L’essentiel des MES est exporté lors des crues de fin d’été - début d’automne, et sont à l’origine de 36 à 94 % des flux de MES transportés annuellement pendant 1 % du temps, soit trois jours par an.The main interest of concentrations measurements of suspended sediment (SS) in a catchment area is to establish an average sediment budget and deduct mechanical erosion rates at the basin scale. However, quantification of SS yield of a river is a delicate task, particularly in semi-arid area where the violent floods and short duration make it difficult samples. In the present study, measurements of water discharge and concentrations has been conducted by the National Agency of Water Resources in Bou-Hanifia basin, an important sub-basin of the Macta watershed characterized by a semi arid climate and strong rates of erosion. The sediments budgets results reflect a very strong temporal variability, both at seasonal as interannual scale, of solid transport. This is largely related to the climate aggressivity that can provide a very strong mobilization of SS occurring at varying periods. At the watershed scale during the period 1993-2006, the average sediments budgets is estimated to be 1,8 x 106 tonnes (t) and a degradation of 343 t∙a-1∙km-2. Indeed, the wet years are more exporting of SS. Thus, autumn season is the most erosive of the year representing 75% of the annual budget. In fact, the majority of SS export occurs during flood at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, and they are at the origin between 36% and 94% sediment yield annually transported for 1% of the time, or three days per year

Enhancement of the Adsorptive Properties of a Desert Salsola Vermiculata Species

Heat pretreatment, steam activation and 20% phosphoric acid activation were found to enhance the adsorption capacity of a desert Salsola Vermiculata plant species significantly relative to the inactivated plant and powdered wood carbon 600200 EX 694 as obtained from Belgium. The batch adsorption experiments resulted in a maximum adsorption capacity determined from Langmuir models of up to 476 mg/g for acetic acid, 238 mg/g for copper(II) ions and 144 mg/g for nickel(II) ions, whereas for the inactivated plant they attained values of 53 mg/g, 65 mg/g and 18 mg/g, respectively. The results for the wood carbon were 65 mg/g for acetic acid, 45 mg/g for copper(II) ions and 2.4 mg/g for nickel(II) ions. The Freundlich model was found to provide a better description of copper(II) ion adsorption onto the steam- and chemically-activated plant, whereas nickel(II) ion adsorption processes followed Langmuir behaviour. These results showed that the activated plant could prove to be very useful in removing toxic substances from wastewater