Effects of irradiance and stimulus duration on early gene expression (Fos) in the suprachiasmatic nucleus: temporal summation and reciprocity.

The daily behavioral, physiological, and hormonal rhythms in mammals are regulated by an endogenous circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and are synchronized by the natural 24 hr light/dark cycle. We studied the response properties (threshold, saturation, and linearity) of the photic system to irradiance by assaying light induction of Fos, the protein product of the immediate early gene c-fos. Fos expression was quantified by image analysis in the SCN and in the retina. Fos expression in the SCN and retina are unrelated because the response differs in terms of threshold, saturation, and range. In the SCN, Fos expression increases proportionately to increases in both irradiance and duration of light exposure. The photic system shows a linear temporal integration of photons for durations ranging from 3 sec to 47.5 min. The principal result of this study shows that in the SCN, Fos expression is directly proportional to the total number of photons rather than to irradiance or duration alone (reciprocity), and that integration occurs over a range of 5 log units of photon number. This report provides the first demonstration that the mechanism of photon integration by the circadian system is expressed at a cellular level in the SCN

Polymorphisme de l’apolipoprotéine E dans la population du nord du Maroc: fréquence et influence sur les paramètres lipidiques

Introduction: L'objectif de ce travail est de déterminer les fréquences alléliques et génotypiques des sites polymorphes situés dans le gène de l'apolipoprotéine E (apo E) ainsi que leur impact sur les paramètres cliniques et lipidiques dans un échantillon de la population du nord du Maroc cliniquement diagnostiqué ADH. Méthodes: Le génotype de l'apo E a été analysé par séquençage direct chez 46 patients cliniquement diagnostiqués ADH selon les critères standards. Résultats: Les fréquences des allèles epsilon 3, epsilon 2 et epsilon 4 ont été respectivement 78.3%, 2.2% et 19.6%. La fréquence de l'allèle epsilon 4 est très élevée chez la population du nord du Maroc en comparaison avec les populations des autres régions marocaines. Elle est similaire à celle rapportée dans les pays de l'Europe du nord. Les taux du cholestérol total, du cholestérol LDL ainsi que la présence des xanthomes et les maladies cardiovasculaires ne différent pas entre les génotypes de l'apoE. En revanche, les résultats ont montré une influence de l'allèle epsilon4 sur le taux des triglycérides chez les sujets obèses. Conclusion: Le génotype de l'apoE ne peut expliquer le phénotype clinique et biochimique présenté par des patients du Nord du Maroc cliniquement diagnostiqués ADH.Key words: Paramètres lipidiques, Maladies cardiovasculaires, Polymorphisme génétique, Gène APO

Utilization of shop floor management as a tool for communication and knowledge sharing in the framework of lean logistics - A case study

The study investigates whether establishing of the shopfloor management in the company is beneficial for the company or not even in difficult conditions (food production with BRC standards of production, presence of foreigners, agency employees). A qualitative research based on detailed long-term observation the real process of planning and establishing the shopfloor management in the company was used, as well as interviews with industrial engineers, first line managers, blue-collar workers, and shopfloor management practitioners. The company was chosen for this case study on purpose. The findings say it was good to establish SFM in the company. In spite of obstacles, the utilization of machines increased by 20% and one machine (out of 12) could be sold due to redundancy. The need for human capital decreased, the number of scraps decreased, and the cooperation improved.[RO/2016/07

Modeling the role of mid-wavelength cones in circadian responses to light.

Nonvisual responses to light, such as photic entrainment of the circadian clock, involve intrinsically light-sensitive melanopsin-expressing ganglion cells as well as rod and cone photoreceptors. However, previous studies have been unable to demonstrate a specific contribution of cones in the photic control of circadian responses to light. Using a mouse model that specifically lacks mid-wavelength (MW) cones we show that these photoreceptors play a significant role in light entrainment and in phase shifting of the circadian oscillator. The contribution of MW cones is mainly observed for light exposures of short duration and toward the longer wavelength region of the spectrum, consistent with the known properties of this opsin. Modeling the contributions of the various photoreceptors stresses the importance of considering the particular spectral, temporal, and irradiance response domains of the photopigments when assessing their role and contribution in circadian responses to light

L’OSTEOPOROSE MASCULINE

L’ostéoporose est une affection généralisée du squelette caractérisée par une masse osseuse basse et une détérioration de la micro-architecture du tissu osseux, conduisant à une fragilisation de l’os et une susceptibilité accrue aux fractures.L’ostéoporose était considérée comme une pathologie essentiellement féminine. Actuellement, de nombreuses recherches concernant l’ostéoporose masculine sont en cours vu :- L’incidence croissante parallèle de l’espérance de vie chez l’homme.- Sa gravité particulière devant l’élévation de la morbidité et de la mortalité

Circadian Clock Protein Content and Daily Rhythm of Locomotor Activity Are Altered after Chronic Exposure to Lead in Rat

Lead exposure has been reported to produce many clinical features, including parkinsonism. However, its consequences on the circadian rhythms are still unknown. Here we aimed to examine the circadian rhythms of locomotor activity following lead intoxication and investigate the mechanisms by which lead may induce alterations of circadian rhythms in rats. Male Wistar rats were injected with lead or sodium acetate (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) during 4 weeks. Both groups were tested in the “open field” to quantify the exploratory activity and in the rotarod to evaluate motor coordination. Then, animals were submitted to continuous 24 h recordings of locomotor activity under 14/10 Light/dark (14/10 LD) cycle and in complete darkness (DD). At the end of experiments, the clock proteins BMAL1, PER1-2, and CRY1-2 were assayed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) using immunohistochemistry. We showed that lead significantly reduced the number of crossing in the open field, impaired motor coordination and altered the daily locomotor activity rhythm. When the LD cycle was advanced by 6 h, both groups adjusted their daily locomotor activity to the new LD cycle with high onset variability in lead-intoxicated rats compared to controls. Lead also led to a decrease in the number of immunoreactive cells (ir-) of BMAL1, PER1, and PER2 without affecting the number of ir-CRY1 and ir-CRY2 cells in the SCN. Our data provide strong evidence that lead intoxication disturbs the rhythm of locomotor activity and alters clock proteins expression in the SCN. They contribute to the understanding of the mechanism by which lead induce circadian rhythms disturbances

Etude comparative des huiles essentielles de six variétés des nouvelles obtentions d’agrumes cultivées au Maroc

In this research, the essential oils of six INRA’s citrus varieties, which are mandarines El Marzaka, El Mahdia, El Gharabaouia, El Hamra, El Maamoura and orange Shemsia were compared and analyzed. For this purpose, the oil yield, chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity were investigated. The extraction was carried out by hydro-distillation. The highest essential oil yield was obtained for Shemsia (5,63%/ DW). The main components of essential oils were identified by GC-MS and their antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH method. The major component of essential oils is D-Limonene, and the highest antioxidant activity was obtained for Shemsia essential oil (24.02%). Antifungal activity was detected in all varieties and the highest value was identified in El Maamoura, while antibacterial activity was not distinguished. From the obtained results, we note that the essential oils of El Maamoura can be valued as a fungicide in agriculture or in medical field. in addition, El Hamra, can be used in Solar cream industry.Les huiles essentielles de six variétés d’agrumes obtenues de l’INRA du Maroc, et qui sont : les mandarines El Marzaka, El Mahdia, El Gharabaouia, El Hamra, El Maamoura et l’orange Shemsia ont été comparées et analysées. La comparaison a été effectuée en termes de rendement, de composition chimique, d’activité antioxydante et d’activité antimicrobienne de ces huiles essentielles. L’extraction a été effectuée par hydro-distillation. Le rendement en huile essentielle le plus élevé a été obtenu chez la variété Shemsia (5,63%/PS). Les principaux composants des huiles essentielles ont été identifiés par CPG-MS et leur activité antioxydante a été déterminée en testant la capacité de piégeage des radicaux libres par DPPH. Le composant majeur des huiles essentielles est le D-Limonène et la plus haute activité antioxydante a été obtenue pour l'huile essentielle d’El Maamoura (24,02%). L'activité antifongique a été détectée chez toutes les variétés et la valeur la plus élevée a été repérée chez El Maamoura, alors que l'activité antibactérienne n'a été détectée chez aucune variété. À partir des résultats obtenus, nous constatons que l’huile essentielle de la mandarine El Maamoura peut être valorisée sous forme de fongicide dans le domaine d’agriculture ou dans le domaine médical. En plus, la variété El Hamra peut être incorporée dans l’industrie de la fabrication des crèmes solaires