Intracellular mechanism of the action of inhibin on the secretion of follicular stimulating hormone and of luteinizing hormone induced by LH-RH in vitro

The FSH secretion-inhibiting action of inhibin in vitro under basal conditions and also in the presence of LH-RH is suppressed by the addition of MIX, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. In the presence of LH-RH, inhibin reduces significantly the intracellular level of cAMP in isolated pituitary cells. In contrast, the simultaneous addition of MIX and inhibin raises the cAMP level, and this stimulation is comparable to the increase observed when MIX is added alone. These observations suggest that one mode of action of inhibin could be mediated by a reduction in cAMP within the pituitary gonadotropic cell

Synthesis of a Se0/Calcite Composite Using Hydrothermal Carbonation of Ca(OH)2 Coupled to a Complex Selenocystine Fragmentation

International audienceElemental selenium (Se0)/calcite composites were synthesized in a batch system by hydrothermal carbonation of calcium hydroxide under high CO2−Ar pressure (90 bar) and high temperature (90 °C) coupled to a complex selenocystine fragmentation. Under O2-poor conditions, the composite consisted predominantly of spherical, amorphous nanoparticles of elemental red selenium (<500 nm) deposited on the calcite matrix. Conversely, under O2-rich conditions, the composite consisted rod-shaped, well-crystallized microparticles of elemental gray selenium (<25 µm) dispersed in the calcite matrix. The carbonate matrix was constituted by nano- to microrhombohedral crystals (<2 µm) and micrometric agglomerates and/or aggregates (<5 µm). Our results present a new synthesis path to Se0/calcite composites, with spherical or rod-shaped Se0 morphology with high potential for medical (e.g., dietary supplement) or industrial (e.g., pigments) applications. Furthermore, this study may have implications in the field of biomineralization

The radon anomaly of Porcheresse (Ardennes, Belgium). A case study

From a very high radon concentration in a dwelling of the village of Porcheresse, one discusses on of the significance of the numerous radon indoor anomalies detected in the southern part of Belgium

Summary findings from a mixed methods study on identifying and responding to maternal and newborn illness in seven countries: implications for programs

Background: There is a lack of systematic information documenting recognition of potentially life-threatening complications and decisions to seek care, as well as reaching care and the specific steps in that process. In response to this gap in knowledge, a multi-country mixed methods study was conducted to illuminate the dynamics driving Delays 1 and 2 across seven countries for maternal and newborn illness and death. Methods: A common protocol and tools were developed, adapted by each of seven study teams depending on their local context (Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Nepal). Maternal and newborn illness, and maternal and newborn death cases were included. Trained interviewers conducted event narratives to elicit and document a detailed sequence of actions, from onset of symptoms to the resolution of the problem. Event timelines were constructed, and in-depth interviews with key informants in the community were conducted. Transcripts were coded and analyzed for common themes corresponding to the three main domains of recognition, decision-making, and care-seeking. Results: Maternal symptom recognition and decision-making to seek care is faster than for newborns. Perceived cause of the illness (supernatural vs. biological) influences the type of care sought (spiritual/traditional vs. formal sector, skilled). Mothers, fathers, and other relatives tend to be the decision-makers for newborns while husbands and elder females make decisions for maternal cases. Cultural norms such as confinement periods and perceptions of newborn vulnerability result in care being brought in to the home. Perceived and actual poor quality of care was repeatedly experienced by families seeking care. Conclusion: The findings link to three action points: (1) messaging around newborn illness needs to reinforce a sense of urgency and the need for skilled care regardless of perceived cause; (2) targeted awareness building around specific maternal danger signs that are not currently recognized and where quality care is available is needed; and (3) designing appropriate contextualized messages. This research links to and supports a number of current global initiatives such as Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality, the Every Newborn Action Plan, the WHO Quality of Care framework, and the WHO guidelines on simplified management of newborn sepsis at the community level. This type of research is invaluable for designing programs to improve maternal and newborn survival to achieve ambitious global targets

Paleoproductivity of Puyehue Lake (Southern Chile) during the last millenium: climatic significance

Southern Chile is a key site for the understanding of past climatic variations since it is influenced by the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). We investigated high resolution climate changes during the last millennium by a multi-proxy analyse of short cores (60 cm long) collected in Puyehue lake (40°S): magnetic susceptibility, grain-size, mineralogy, density, gamma-density, LOI, biogenic silica content and bulk XRF geochemistry. According to age-depth model (210Pb, 137Cs and varve counting - Boës et al., this session), the cores cover the last 600 yr. The sediment is characterized by volcanic minerals and a high diatom content, due to the important lacustrine silica supply characteristic of volcanic environments. Moreover, the active volcanism of the Chilean Lake District is responsible of a high number of tephra deposits. Our main aim is to quantify biogenic particles fluxes throughout the last millennium by Na2CO3 dissolution and by normative calculation based on bulk XRF analyses. The result shows that volcanic eruptions do not influence the biogenic productivity of the lake. From 1400 to 1880 yr. AD, paleoproductivity shows a global trend from low to high biogenic production. Important paleoproductivity changes are observed over the last 120 yr. Results are compared with historical data and discussed in terms of climate changes and/or anthropic influence

Tuberculous Cutaneous Ulcers Associated with Miliary Tuberculosis in an Elderly Woman

Skin localizations in disseminated tuberculosis may present a clinical resistant evolution. An 81-year-old woman, treated by long-term steroids and methotrexate for rheumatoid polyarthritis, developed a disseminated tuberculosis in chest, bones and skin. While pulmonary symptoms quickly improved under conventional tuberculostatic drugs, skin ulcers showed positive cultures for 5 months and healed after 12 months of treatment

Indoor radon levels in relation to geology in southern Belgium

A statistical study of an indoor radon data set of about 1700 short-term measurements shows a striking relationship between indoor radon concentration and the geological factors, such as stratigraphic unit and rock type