Complete Genome Sequence of a Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 1e Strain from an Outbreak in Nigeria, 2017

Hepatitis E virus genotype 1 (HEV-1) is associated with large epidemics. Notably, HEV subtype 1e (HEV-1e) has caused HEV outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa. We report here the second full-length genome sequence of an HEV-1e strain (NG/17-0503) from a recent outbreak in Nigeria in 2017. It shares 94.2% identity with an HEV-1e strain from Chad.Peer Reviewe

Clusters of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cases, Europe

These case investigations may help identify routes of transmission

European Code against Cancer 4th Edition: Alcohol drinking and cancer.

Alcohol consumption is the third leading risk factor for disease and mortality in Europe. As evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs, a causal relationship is established for consumption of alcoholic beverages and cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and female breast, even at low and moderate alcohol intakes. The higher the amount of alcohol consumed, the higher the risk of developing cancer. In Europe, an estimated 10% (95% CI: 7%-13%) of all cancer cases in men and 3% (95% CI: 1%-5%) of all cancer cases in women are attributable to alcohol consumption. Several biological mechanisms explain the carcinogenicity of alcohol; among them, ethanol and its genotoxic metabolite, acetaldehyde, play a major role. Taking all this evidence into account, a recommendation of the 4th edition of European Code against Cancer is: "If you drink alcohol of any type, limit your intake. Not drinking alcohol is better for cancer prevention.

The circadian clock remains intact, but with dampened hormonal output in heart failure

Background: Circadian (24-h) rhythms are important regulators in physiology and disease, but systemic disease may disrupt circadian rhythmicity. Heart failure (HF) is a systemic disease affecting hormonal regulation. We investigate whether HF affects the rhythmic expression of melatonin and cortisol, main endocrine products of the central clock, and cardiac-specific troponin in patients. We corroborate the functionality of the peripheral clock directly in the organs of translational models, inaccessible in human participants. Methods: We included 46 HF patients (71.7% male, median age of 60 years, NYHA class II (32.6%) or III (67.4%), ischemic cardiomyopathy (43.5%), comorbidities: diabetes 21.7%, atrial fibrillation 30.4%), and 24 matched controls. Blood was collected at seven time-points during a 24-h period (totalling 320 HF and 167 control samples) for melatonin, cortisol, and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) measurements after which circadian rhythms were assessed through cosinor analyses, both on the individual and the group level. Next, we analysed peripheral circadian clock functionality using cosinor analysis in male animal HF models: nocturnal mice and diurnal zebrafish, based on expression of core clock genes in heart, kidneys, and liver, every 4 h during a 24-h period in a light/darkness synchronised environment. Findings: Melatonin and cortisol concentrations followed a physiological 24-h pattern in both patients and controls. For melatonin, acrophase occurred during the night for both groups, with significantly decreased amplitude (median 5.2 vs 8.8, P = 0.0001) and circadian variation ([maximum]/[minimum]) in heart failure patients. For cortisol, mesor showed a significant increase for HF patients (mean 331.9 vs 275.1, P = 0.017) with a difference of 56.8 (95% CI 10.3–103.3) again resulting in a relatively lower variation: median 3.9 vs 6.3 (P = 0.0058). A nocturnal blood pressure dip was absent in 77.8% of HF patients. Clock gene expression profiles (Bmal, Clock, Per, Cry) were similar and with expected phase relations in animal HF models and controls, demonstrating preserved peripheral clock functionality in HF. Furthermore, oscillations in diurnal zebrafish were expectedly in opposite phases to those of nocturnal mice. Concordantly, cTnT concentrations in HF patients revealed significant circadian oscillations. Interpretation: Central clock output is dampened in HF patients while the molecular peripheral clock, as confirmed in animal models, remains intact. This emphasises the importance of taking timing into account in research and therapy for HF, setting the stage for another dimension of diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic approaches. Funding: Hartstichting

Innovation et développement dans les systèmes agricoles et alimentaires

L’innovation est souvent présentée comme l’un des principaux leviers pour promouvoir un développement plus durable et plus inclusif. Dans les domaines de l’agriculture et de l’alimentation, l’innovation est marquée par des spécificités liées à sa relation à la nature, mais aussi à la grande diversité d’acteurs concernés, depuis les agriculteurs jusqu’aux consommateurs, en passant par les services de recherche et de développement. L’innovation émerge des interactions entre ces acteurs, qui mobilisent des ressources et produisent des connaissances dans des dispositifs collaboratifs, afin de générer des changements. Elle recouvre des domaines aussi variés que les pratiques de production, l’organisation des marchés, ou les pratiques alimentaires. L’innovation est reliée aux grands enjeux de développement : innovation agro-écologique, innovation sociale, innovation territoriale, etc. Cet ouvrage porte un regard sur l’innovation dans les systèmes agricoles et alimentaires. Il met un accent particulier sur l’accompagnement de l’innovation, en interrogeant les méthodes et les organisations, et sur l’évaluation de l’innovation au regard de différents critères. Il s’appuie sur des réflexions portées par différentes disciplines scientifiques, sur des travaux de terrain conduits tant en France que dans de nombreux pays du Sud, et enfin sur les expériences acquises en accompagnant des acteurs qui innovent. Il combine des synthèses sur l’innovation et des études de cas emblématiques pour illustrer les propos. L’ouvrage est destiné aux enseignants, professionnels, étudiants et chercheurs

Initial surveillance of 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic in the European Union and European Economic Area, April – September 2009

European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries reported surveillance data on 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) cases to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) through the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) during the early phase of the 2009 pandemic. We describe the main epidemiological findings and their implications in respect to the second wave of the 2009 influenza pandemic. Two reporting systems were in place (aggregate and case-based) from June to September 2009 to monitor the evolution of the pandemic. The notification rate was assessed through aggregate reports. Individual data were analysed retrospectively to describe the population affected. The reporting peak of the first wave of the 2009 pandemic influenza was reached in the first week of August. Transmission was travel-related in the early stage and community transmission within EU/EEA countries was reported from June 2009. Seventy eight per cent of affected individuals were less than 30 years old. The proportions of cases with complications and underlying conditions were 3% and 7%, respectively. The most frequent underlying medical conditions were chronic lung (37%) and cardio-vascular diseases (15%). Complication and hospitalisation were both associated with underlying conditions regardless of age. The information from the first wave of the pandemic produced a basis to determine risk groups and vaccination strategies before the start of the winter wave. Public health recommendations should be guided by early capture of profiles of affected populations through monitoring of infectious diseases

Genotoxicity assessment of two vineyard pesticides in zebrafish

National audienceThis study deals with the use of a chronic exposure scenario of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in laboratory conditions to evaluate the genotoxic potential of diuron and azoxystrobin, two pesticides intensively used in vineyard agriculture. Adult male zebrafish were exposed during three weeks in the semi static mode in four 20 L aquaria. Treatment allowed to each aquarium was: negative control (untreated), positive control (methyl methane sulphonate 1 µM), diuron 4.3 nM and azoxystrobin 1.2 nM. Once per week, genotoxicity was assessed (6 fish/treatment) by the use of two complementary biomarkers: the primary DNA damages evaluated in somatic (liver) and germ (spermatozoa) cells by the alkaline version of the Comet assay and the micronucleus formation assessed in erythrocytes. Very low basal DNA damages were obtained with both biomarkers in negative control during the three consecutive weeks and a significant genotoxic response was obtained in 1 µM MMS exposed fish, both in liver and germ cells with the Comet assay and in erythrocytes with the micronucleus test, respectively starting after one and three weeks. With this chronic exposure scenario, both diuron and azoxystrobine revealed a genotoxic potential at realistic environmental concentrations and a significant response was obtained in all cell types investigated and with both biomarkers used, mainly after 7 or 14 days, thus stressing the interest of long-term exposure scenario. Further studies will be undertaken in order to evaluate whether DNA damage observed in spermatozoa of fish exposed to environmental concentration of pesticides could lead to subsequent reproductive disorders

Regards croisés sur la transition de la médecine pédiatrique à la médecine pour adultes en Belgique

En Belgique, il n’existe pas encore de procédure standardisée d’accompagnement du transfert de la pédiatrie vers la médecine pour adultes des jeunes patients présentant une maladie chronique. Pourtant, le sujet appelle avec prégnance le développement de balises pluridisciplinaires. C’est en croisant les regards d’une pédiatre, de deux psychologues et d’un éthicien que nous proposons quelques éléments clés d’une transition réussie : 1) Préparer la transition de manière précoce ; 2) Promouvoir le savoir, savoir-faire et savoir-être du patient ; 3) Améliorer la continuité des soins et la collaboration entre le patient, sa famille, les équipes soignantes, les associations de patients et de familles ; 4) Accompagner les parents dans cette transition ; 5) Améliorer les compétences des équipes soignantes sur les spécificités de la médecine des adolescents ; 6) Individualiser la transition, respecter le rythme et la singularité de chacun ; 7) Développer une approche interdisciplinaire de cette transition ; 8) Développer une collaboration avec les pouvoirs publics et les experts nationaux et internationaux ; et 9) Développer la recherche dans ce nouveau champ disciplinaire