A non‑lethal method to assess element content in the endangered Pinna nobilis

The fan shell Pinna nobilis is the largest bivalve endemic to the Mediterranean and is actually a strongly endangered species. Due to the biological, ecological, and historical relevance of this species, the research of a non-lethal method to relate the element content in organism’s tissues and environment can provide information potentially useful to evaluate environmental pollution and organism physiological status. In this study, a screening on element concentration in the animal growing environment (seawater and sediments) and in four soft tissues (hepatopancreas, gills, mantle, and muscle), and two acellular tissues (calcite shell layer, and byssus) was performed. The comparison among these results was used to assess whether the no-lethal acellular tissue element concentration can be used to reveal the element presence in the environment and soft tissues. Elements, such as B, Ag, As, Mn, Mo, Pb, or Se, showed a possible relationship between their presence in the byssus and soft tissues. In the byssus Cr, Sb, Sn, and V have shown to be mostly related to the environment, more than the soft tissues, and might be used to draw a historical record of the exposure of the organism. The element concentration in the calcite shell layer did not relate with environmental element concentrations. Essential elements, like Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn, were present in calcite shell layer and byssus and are likely related to their biological activity in the organism. The research also gave an overview on the presence of pollution and on the preferential intake route of the element. In summary, this study, performed on a limited number of specimens of this protected species, indicated that element concentration in the byssus can be applied as non-lethal method to monitor this endangered species and its interaction with the elements in the growing environment

Benzo[b]tiophen-3-ol derivatives as effective inhibitors of human monoamine oxidase: design, synthesis, and biological activity

A series of benzo[b]thiophen-3-ols were synthesised and investigated as potential human monoamine oxidase (hMAO) inhibitors in vitro as well as ex vivo in rat cortex synaptosomes by means of evaluation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid/dopamine (DOPAC/DA) ratio and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Most of these compounds possessed high selectivity for the MAO-B isoform and a discrete antioxidant and chelating potential. Molecular docking studies of all the compounds underscored potential binding site interactions suitable for MAO inhibition activity, and suggested structural requirements to further improve the activity of this scaffold by chemical modification of the aryl substituents. Starting from this heterocyclic nucleus, novel lead compounds for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease could be developed

« Construire des situations de projet. De l’utilité publique des ateliers de projet urbain »

Actes du séminaire GAIA ”Villes, territoires et paysages”, l’Isle d’Abeau, 26 et 27 mars 2015International audienc

« Construire des situations de projet. De l’utilité publique des ateliers de projet urbain »

Actes du séminaire GAIA ”Villes, territoires et paysages”, l’Isle d’Abeau, 26 et 27 mars 2015International audienc

La ville sans parcelles. Une vision transversale de l’urbanisme de l’entre-deux-guerres

International audienc

La ville sans parcelles. Une vision transversale de l’urbanisme de l’entre-deux-guerres

International audienc

Espace intermédiaire. Formation de cette notion chez les architectes

La définition des frontières entre public et privé se construit et oscille, selon les périodes, en fonction des pressions dominantes, des intérêts publics et/ou privés. Elle est historiquement située. Il s’agit de comprendre comment ces pressions ont mené des concepteurs, et en particulier des architectes, à considérer les espaces situés entre le domaine public de la « rue » et le domaine privé du logement (cours, escaliers, paliers, couloirs). Dans l’histoire du logement social, à quel momen..

Responsiveness and Minimal Important Changes of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index in Subjects Undergoing Rehabilitation Following Hip Fracture

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the responsiveness and minimal important changes (MICs) for the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and its subscales in subjects with hip fractures. DESIGN: At the beginning and end of a 2-month rehabilitation program, 106 patients completed the WOMAC. After the program, the global perceived effect (GPE) was analyzed to produce a dichotomous outcome (improved vs. stable). Responsiveness for the WOMAC and its subscales were calculated by distribution (effect size; standardized response mean) and anchor-based methods (receiver operating characteristic curves; correlations between change scores of the WOMAC and its subscales and GPE). Receiver operating characteristic curves were also used in order to compute the best cutoff levels between improved and stable subjects (MICs). RESULTS: The effect size ranged from 0.64 to 11.10 and the standardized response mean from 0.79 to 2.65. The receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed an MIC value (area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity) for the WOMAC of 29 (0.817, 92, 78); values of 35 (0.820, 77, 76) 44 (0.625, 25, 95), and 24 (0.707, 100, 76) were found for pain, stiffness, and physical function subscales, respectively. Correlations between change scores of the WOMAC and its subscales and GPE were low (0.240, for stiffness subscale) to moderate (0.438–0.570 for the other subscales and the WOMAC). CONCLUSIONS: The WOMAC and its subscales (all but stiffness) were sensitive in detecting clinical changes in subjects with hip fracture undergoing rehabilitation. We recommend taking the MICs provided into account when assessing patients’ improvement or planning studies in this clinical context

How balance task-specific training contributes to improving physical function in older subjects undergoing rehabilitation following hip fracture: a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the efficacy of a rehabilitation programme including balance task-specific training in improving physical function, pain, activities of daily living (ADL), balance and quality of life in subjects after a hip fracture

Trunk rotation alters postural sway but not gait in female children and early adolescents: Results from a school-based screening for scoliosis

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of trunk rotation (TR) on postural sway and spatial-temporal parameters of gait in children and early adolescents screened at school for the presence of scoliosis. Methods Two hundred and fifty-five individuals aged 9-14 (141 boys, 114 girls) underwent trunk rotation (TR) assessment by means of angle of trunk rotation (ATR) measurements performed with Bunnell’s scoliometer. Participants with ATR ≥ 5° formed the TR group whose data were compared with those of a control group (CON) composed of individuals with ATR < 5° matched for age and anthropometric features. Postural sway was calculated on the basis of center of pressure (COP) time series acquired using a pressure plate. Spatial-temporal parameters of gait were derived from trunk accelerations collected by a single inertial sensor located in the low-back region. Results Sway area, sway path, COP velocities in medio-lateral (ML) and antero-posterior (AP) directions and COP displacements in ML direction were found significantly higher in girls with TR, while no differences between the TR and CON groups were detected in boys. Both boys and girls with TR exhibited gait patterns similar to those of their CON schoolmates. Conclusions These findings suggest that even mild levels of TR may influence balance of female children and early adolescents screened for scoliosis, and thus early interventions including selective and task-oriented exercises appear advisable. In contrast, TR does not appear to influence gait, but further investigations are required to clarify whether different ATR cut-offs may reveal alterations of spatial-temporal parameters