Négation de soi, hostilité, estime de soi et violence dans les fréquentations amoureuses chez les adolescentes

L’étude de certaines caractéristiques associées aux filles victimes de violence dans le cadre de relations amoureuses peut contribuer à la prévention de la problématique. À ce titre, ce mémoire vérifie l’estime de soi, la négation de soi et l’hostilité chez 599 filles de quatrième et de cinquième secondaire, dont l’âge moyen est de 16 ans et qui ont vécu une relation amoureuse au cours des 12 derniers mois. La négation de soi et l’hostilité sont étudiées pour la première fois chez une population d’adolescentes en regard à la violence dans les fréquentations amoureuses. Les différents types de violence sont vérifiés à l’aide d ’un questionnaire de 40 items. Des corrélations, des tests t ainsi qu’une analyse de régression multiple sont utilisés dans l’analyse statistique des données. Les résultats indiquent que les adolescentes victimes de violence démontrent une plus grande hostilité, ont une plus grande propension à la négation de soi et affichent une estime de soi plus faible que les autres adolescentes. Ces données montrent de nouvelles avenues quant aux actions préventives, notamment au niveau des croyances des jeunes

Efficacy of transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) in women with provoked vestibulodynia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract: Background: Provoked vestibulodynia is the most common form of vulvodynia. Despite its high prevalence and deleterious sexual, conjugal, and psychological repercussions, effective evidence-based interventions for provoked vestibulodynia remain limited. For a high proportion of women, significant pain persists despite the currently available treatments. Growing evidence suggests that the central nervous system (CNS) could play a key role in provoked vestibulodynia; thus, treatment targeting the CNS, rather than localized dysfunctions, may be beneficial for women suffering from provoked vestibulodynia. In this study, we aim to build on the promising results of a previous case report and evaluate whether transcranial direct-current stimulation, a non-invasive brain stimulation technique targeting the CNS, could be an effective treatment option for women with provoked vestibulodynia. Methods/design: This single-center, triple-blind, parallel group, randomized, controlled trial aims to compare the efficacy of transcranial direct-current stimulation with sham transcranial direct-current stimulation in women with provoked vestibulodynia. Forty women diagnosed with provoked vestibulodynia by a gynecologist, following a standardized treatment protocol, are randomized to either active transcranial direct-current stimulation treatment for ten sessions of 20 minutes at an intensity of 2 mA or sham transcranial direct-current stimulation over a 2-week period. Outcome measures are collected at baseline, 2 weeks after treatment and at 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome is pain during intercourse, assessed with a numerical rating scale. Secondary measurements focus on the sexual function, vestibular pain sensitivity, psychological distress, treatment satisfaction, and the patient’s global impression of change. Discussion: To our knowledge, this study is the first randomized controlled trial to examine the efficacy of transcranial direct-current stimulation in women with provoked vestibulodynia. Findings from this trial are expected to provide significant information about a promising intervention targeting the centralization of pain in women with provoked vestibulodynia

SARS-CoV-2 infection among employees working from home and on site: An occupational study in Switzerland.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies implemented working from home to mitigate the spread of the disease among their employees. Using data from Corona Immunitas Nestlé, a seroepidemiological study conducted among employees from two Nestlé sites in Switzerland, we aimed to investigate whether there was a difference in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates between employees working most of the time from home and employees mobilized in a workplace equipped with a specialized occupational safety unit and strict sanitary measures. We also investigated whether this association was modified by household size, living with children, vulnerability, worries about an infection, and worries about adverse health consequences if infected. Data were collected between 8 December 2020, and 11 February 2021. Previous SARS-CoV-2 infections were ascertained by the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in the blood. Of the 425 employees included (53% women; mean age 42 years ranging between 21 and 64 years), 37% worked most of the time from home in 2020 and 16% had been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Participants who worked most of the time from home in 2020 had slightly higher odds of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared to participants who never or only sometimes worked from home (adjusted OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.73-2.27). The association was stronger in participants living alone or with one other person (adjusted OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.13-6.25). Among participants living with two or more other persons (adjusted OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.30-1.39) and among vulnerable participants (adjusted OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.13-1.93), working from home tended to be associated with lower odds of infection. In conclusion, in a context of strict sanitary measures implemented in the workplace, employees working from home did not seem to be at lower risk of infection compared to those working on site, especially if living alone or with one other person

Capteur en Optique Intégrée à Base de Verres de Chalcogénures pour la Détection de Polluants dans le Moyen-Infrarouge

National audienceLe Moyen Infra-Rouge (MIR) est la région spectrale comprise entre 3 et 20 µm. Cette gamme de longueurs d’onde est connue pour contenir des transitions vibrationnelles fondamentales caractéristiques d’espèces moléculaires en phase liquide ou gazeuse. De nombreuses substances telles que le toluène, le méthanol, l’éthanol, l’acétone, le glucose, le dioxyde de carbone peuvent être caractérisées par spectroscopie infrarouge grâce à leur signature spectrale d’absorption. Cette technique est ainsi une des plus appropriées parmi les techniques classiques d’analyse pour l’identification et la caractérisation structurelle des espèces moléculaires. Les disponibilités récentes de plateformes optiques présentant de faibles pertes de propagation et de sources émettant dans le MIR, notamment des QCL ont été la clé du développement d’études destinées à la réalisation de capteurs optiques fonctionnant dans la gamme spectrale du MIR. Par ailleurs, les capteurs en optique intégrée sont devenus une excellente alternative pour la détection in situ car ils présentent certains avantages sur les autres types de capteurs, tels que l'intégration des éléments dans un dispositif compact. Ils sont actuellement utilisés dans divers domaines sociétaux tels que la santé, la défense et l’environnement.Il existe différents matériaux transparents dans le MIR (le silicium, le germanium, l’arséniure de galium ou encore les verres de chalcogénures) susceptibles de constituer la plateforme optique de ces capteurs intégrés. Les verres de chalcogénures (ChGs) sont des matériaux semi-conducteurs composés par les éléments du groupe VIa (sélénium (Se), tellure (Te) ou soufre (S)). Ils forment des verres lorsqu’ils sont mélangés à un ou plusieurs autres éléments tels que le galium (Ga), le germanium (Ge), l’antimoine (Sb), le silicium (Si) ou le phosphore (P). Ces verres de ChGs se distinguent par leur transparence étendue dans l’infrarouge: certaines compositions transmettent jusqu’à 20 µm. Typiquement, leur transmission dans le MIR a été caractérisée jusqu’à 12 µm pour les sulfures, à 16 µm pour les séléniures et à 18 µm pour les tellures. Certains travaux ont montré la fabrication et la caractérisation de capteurs optiques dans le proche infra-rouge. Dans cet article, nous proposons de tirer profit de la transparence élevée de ces matériaux dans le MIR pour fabriquer un capteur spectroscopique à onde évanescente fonctionnant dans cette gamme spectrale.

Efficacy of transcranial direct-current stimulation in women with provoked vestibulodynia

Abstract: Background: Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a highly prevalent condition characterized by acute recurrent pain located at the vaginal entrance in response to pressure application or attempt of vaginal penetration. Despite a wide variety of treatments offered to women with PVD, a high proportion of women are refractory to conventional treatment. Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has been shown effective for improving various chronic pain conditions. Growing evidence suggests that the central nervous system (CNS) could play a key role in PVD. Targeting the CNS could be a promising treatment avenue for women suffering from PVD. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of active and sham tDCS in reducing pain intensity during intercourse in women with PVD. Study design: We conducted a triple-blind, parallel group, randomized controlled trial (RCT). Women, aged between 17-45 years and diagnosed with PVD by a gynecologist using a validated protocol were randomized to 10 sessions of either active tDCS (intensity = 2mA) or 10 sessions of sham tDCS, over a 2-week period. Both active and sham tDCS were applied for 20 minutes, with the anode positioned over the primary motor cortex (M1), and the cathode, over the contralateral supraorbital area. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, 2 weeks after treatment and at 3-month follow-up by an evaluator blinded to group assignation. The primary objective was pain intensity during intercourse, as assessed with a numerical rating scale. Secondary outcomes focused on sexual function and distress, vestibular sensitivity, psychological distress, treatment ,satisfaction and patient impression of change. Statistical analyses were conducted on the intention-to-treat basis, and treatment effects were evaluated using a mixed linear model for repeated measures. Results: A total of 40 women were randomly assigned to received either active (n=20) or sham (n=20) tDCS treatments between November 2014 and February 2016. Baseline characteristics were similar between active and sham tDCS groups. Active tDCS did not significantly reduced pain during sexual intercourse compared to sham tDCS 2 weeks after treatment (p=0.84) and at follow-up (p=0.09). Mean [95% CI] baseline and 2-week assessment pain intensity were respectively 6.8 [5.9 - 7.7] and 5.6 [4.7 - 6.5] for active tDCS (p=0.03) versus 7.5 [6.6 - 8.4] and 5.7 [4.8 - 6.6] for sham tDCS (p=0.001). Non-significant differences between the two groups were also found in regards to sexual function and distress after treatment (p>0.20) and at follow-up (p>0.10). Overall, at 2-week assessment 68% women assigned to active tDCS reported being very much, much or slightly improved compared to 65% of women assigned to sham tDCS (p=0.82), and still comparable at follow-up 42% versus 65%, respectively (p=0.15). Conclusion: Findings suggest that active tDCS is not more effective than sham tDCS for reducing pain in women with PVD. Likewise, no significant effects were found on sexual function, vestibular sensitivity or psychological distress

Paroxysmal Permeability Disorders: Development of a Microfluidic Device to Assess Endothelial Barrier Function

Background: Paroxysmal Permeability Disorders (PPDs) are pathological conditions caused by periodic short lasting increase of endothelial permeability, in the absence of inflammatory, degenerative, ischemic vascular injury. PPDs include primary angioedema, idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome and some rare forms of localized retroperitoneal-mediastinal edema.Aim: to validate a microfluidic device to study endothelial permeability in flow conditions.Materials and Methods: we designed a microchannel network (the smallest channel is 30μm square section). Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) were cultured under constant shear stress in the networks. Endothelial permeability assessment was based on interaction of biotinylated fibronectin used as a matrix for HUVECs and FITC-conjugated avidin. The increase in endothelial permeability was identified as changes in fluorescence intensity detected by confocal fluorescent microscopy.Results: The microchannels were constantly perfused with a steady flow of culture medium, ensuring a physiologically relevant level of shear stress at the wall of ~0.2 Pa. Our preliminary results demonstrated that circulation of culture medium or plasma from healthy volunteers was associated with low fluorescence of fibronectin matrix. When bradykinin diluted in culture medium was perfused, an increase in average fluorescence was detected.Conclusion: Our microvasculature model is suitable to study endothelial functions in physiological flow conditions and in the presence of factors like bradykinin known as mediator of several PPDs. Therefore, it can be a promising tool to better understand the mechanisms underlying disorders of endothelial permeability

Occurrence of pesticide residues in indoor dust of farmworker households across Europe and Argentina.

Pesticides are widely used as plant protection products (PPPs) in farming systems to preserve crops against pests, weeds, and fungal diseases. Indoor dust can act as a chemical repository revealing occurrence of pesticides in the indoor environment at the time of sampling and the (recent) past. This in turn provides information on the exposure of humans to pesticides in their homes. In the present study, part of the Horizon 2020 funded SPRINT project, the presence of 198 pesticide residues was assessed in 128 indoor dust samples from both conventional and organic farmworker households across Europe, and in Argentina. Mixtures of pesticide residues were found in all dust samples (25-121, min-max; 75, median). Concentrations varied in a wide range (<0.01 ng/g-206 μg/g), with glyphosate and its degradation product AMPA, permethrin, cypermethrin and piperonyl butoxide found in highest levels. Regarding the type of pesticides, insecticides showed significantly higher levels than herbicides and fungicides. Indoor dust samples related to organic farms showed a significantly lower number of residues, total and individual concentrations than those related to conventional farms. Some pesticides found in indoor dust were no longer approved ones (29 %), with acute/chronic hazards to human health (32 %) and with environmental toxicity (21 %)

Pesticide residues with hazard classifications relevant to non-target species including humans are omnipresent in the environment and farmer residences

Intensive and widespread use of pesticides raises serious environmental and human health concerns. The presence and levels of 209 pesticide residues (active substances and transformation products) in 625 environmental samples (201 soil, 193 crop, 20 outdoor air, 115 indoor dust, 58 surface water, and 38 sediment samples) have been studied. The samples were collected during the 2021 growing season, across 10 study sites, covering the main European crops, and conventional and organic farming systems. We profiled the pesticide residues found in the different matrices using existing hazard classifications towards non-target organisms and humans. Combining monitoring data and hazard information, we developed an indicator for the prioritization of pesticides, which can support policy decisions and sustainable pesticide use transitions. Eighty-six percent of the samples had at least one residue above the respective limit of detection. One hundred residues were found in soil, 112 in water, 99 in sediments, 78 in crops, 76 in outdoor air, and 197 in indoor dust. The number, levels, and profile of residues varied between farming systems. Our results show that non-approved compounds still represent a significant part of environmental cocktails and should be accounted for in monitoring programs and risk assessments. The hazard profiles analysis confirms the dominance of compounds of low-moderate hazard and underscores the high hazard of some approved compounds and recurring “no data available” situations. Overall, our results support the idea that risk should be assessed in a mixture context, taking environmentally relevant mixtures into consideration. We have uncovered uncertainties and data gaps that should be addressed, as well as the policy implications at the EU approval status level. Our newly introduced indicator can help identify research priority areas, and act as a reference for targeted scenarios set forth in the Farm to Fork pesticide reduction goals

A prospective study of cumulative job stress in relation to mental health

BACKGROUND: This study tests associations between psychosocial stress at work measured by the effort-reward imbalance model in a dynamic perspective, and multiple indicators of poor mental health, in a prospective design. METHODS: 1986 male and female employees from four Belgian enterprises were followed-up over one year within the framework of the Somstress study. Based on two consecutive measurements, an index of cumulative job stress was constructed and its associations with five indicators of mental health were studied, excluding caseness at entry (for depression, anxiety, somatisation, chronic fatigue and psychotropic drug consumption respectively). Taking into account the longitudinal design, four categories of job stress are defined: 1) employees free from stress at both measures, 2) job stress present at first measure but not at the second one, 3) recent onset of job stress as evidenced by second measure 4) workers exposed to stress at both measures. Multivariate logistic regression with appropriate adjustments was applied. RESULTS: In bivariate analysis, a clear graded association of cumulative job stress with all five mental health indicators is observed, both in men and women. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, recent onset of stress is strongly associated with poor mental health among men (odds ratios ranging from 1.8 to 4.6), while cumulative stress shows strongest effects on mental health in women (odds ratios ranging from 1.4 to 7.1). CONCLUSION: Cumulative experience and recent onset of job stress in terms of high effort spent and low reward received is associated with elevated risk of all five indicators of poor mental health at follow-up in a large cohort of employees

Genetic landscape of a large cohort of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency : New genes and pathways and implications for personalized medicine

Background Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), a public health problem, affects 1-3.7% of women under 40 yield-ing infertility and a shorter lifespan. Most causes are unknown. Recently, genetic causes were identified, mostly in single families. We studied an unprecedented large cohort of POI to unravel its molecular pathophysiology.Methods 375 patients with 70 families were studied using targeted (88 genes) or whole exome sequencing with pathogenic/likely-pathogenic variant selection. Mitomycin-induced chromosome breakages were studied in patients' lymphocytes if necessary. Findings A high-yield of 29.3% supports a clinical genetic diagnosis of POI. In addition, we found strong evidence of pathogenicity for nine genes not previously related to a Mendelian phenotype or POI: ELAVL2, NLRP11, CENPE, SPATA33, CCDC150, CCDC185, including DNA repair genes: C17orf53(HROB), HELQ, SWI5 yielding high chromo-somal fragility. We confirmed the causal role of BRCA2, FANCM, BNC1, ERCC6, MSH4, BMPR1A, BMPR1B, BMPR2, ESR2, CAV1, SPIDR, RCBTB1 and ATG7 previously reported in isolated patients/families. In 8.5% of cases, POI is the only symptom of a multi-organ genetic disease. New pathways were identified: NF-kB, post-translational regulation, and mitophagy (mitochondrial autophagy), providing future therapeutic targets. Three new genes have been shown to affect the age of natural menopause supporting a genetic link.Interpretation We have developed high-performance genetic diagnostic of POI, dissecting the molecular pathogene-sis of POI and enabling personalized medicine to i) prevent/cure comorbidities for tumour/cancer susceptibility genes that could affect life-expectancy (37.4% of cases), or for genetically-revealed syndromic POI (8.5% of cases), ii) predict residual ovarian reserve (60.5% of cases). Genetic diagnosis could help to identify patients who may benefit from the promising in vitro activation-IVA technique in the near future, greatly improving its success in treating infertility.Funding Universite? Paris Saclay, Agence Nationale de Biome?decine.Copyright (c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)Peer reviewe