Vascular smooth muscle contractility assays for inflammatory and immunological mediators

The blood vessels are one of the important target tissues for the mediators of inflammation and allergy; further cytokines affect them in a number of ways. We review the use of the isolated blood vessel mounted in organ baths as an important source of pharmacological information. While its use in the bioassay of vasoactive substances tends to be replaced with modern analytical techniques, contractility assays are effective to evaluate novel synthetic drugs, generating robust potency and selectivity data about agonists, partial agonists and competitive or insurmountable antagonists. For instance, the human umbilical vein has been used extensively to characterize ligands of the bradykinin B2 receptors. Isolated vascular segments are live tissues that are intensely reactive, notably with the regulated expression of gene products relevant for inflammation (e.g., the kinin B1 receptor and inducible nitric oxide synthase). Further, isolated vessels can be adapted as assays of unconventional proteins (cytokines such as interleukin-1, proteases of physiopathological importance, complement-derived anaphylatoxins and recombinant hemoglobin) and to the gene knockout technology. The well known cross-talks between different cell types, e.g., endothelium-muscle and nerve terminal-muscle, can be extended (smooth muscle cell interaction with resident or infiltrating leukocytes and tumor cells). Drug metabolism and distribution problems can be modeled in a useful manner using the organ bath technology, which, for all these reasons, opens a window on an intermediate level of complexity relative to cellular and molecular pharmacology on one hand, and in vivo studies on the other

Hydrologie et production agricole dans le nord-ouest de l’Amazonie

En « Amazonie des rivières », la période de basses eaux permet la mise en culture de vastes zones exondées et fertiles sur les berges des rivières et dans les plaines d’inondation. La variabilité des extrêmes hydrologiques et celle de la structure du cycle de décrue, facteurs réputés importants pour la qualité des récoltes sont explorés à la station fluviométrique de Tamshiyacu sur le fleuve Amazonas. Le riz, culture rentable dans cette région, est notre référence. Les résultats ne présentent pas les liens supposés entre résultats agricoles et durée de la saison de basses eaux ou vitesse de remontée des eaux. Néanmoins, ils montrent la baisse des étiages, l’allongement de la durée de décrue en relation avec un retard de la montée des eaux et une accélération de la remontée des eaux pendant la période 1985-2015.In the northwestern Amazon basin, the low water period favors flood recession farming on large emerging fertile surfaces on the river banks and in the inundations plains. The variability of hydrological extremes and of the structure of the flood recession cycle are analyzed in the fluviometric Tamshiyacu station on the Amazonas River, as they are considered as important for the crop quality. Rice cropping which is a profitable activity in this region is neither related to the duration of low-waters, nor to the speed of the rising water. But this work show that since 1985, low water levels have decreased while the duration of the low water period has increased. Moreover, there has been an acceleration of the speed of the water rising.En el noroeste de la cuenca amazónica, el periodo de estiaje de los ríos favorece el cultivo en vastas zonas fértiles que emergentes en los bancos de arena y las planicies de inundación. La variabilidad de los extremos hidrológicos y de la estructura del ciclo de recesión de las aguas son factores importantes para la calidad y cantidad de la cosecha. Estos factores hidrológicos son analizados en la estación hidrométrica de Tamshiyacu en el Río Amazonas (Perú). Como referencia se emplea el cultivo de arroz, que es rentable en esta región. Los resultados presentados no muestran relación entre la producción agrícola y la duración del periodo de aguas bajas o la velocidad de incremento de las aguas. No obstante, este estudio muestra que durante el periodo 1985-2015 el nivel de las aguas bajas ha disminuido, mientras que la duración del periodo de estiaje se ha incrementado. Además se documenta una aceleración en la velocidad en el incremento de las aguas entre el periodo de aguas bajas y aguas altas.Na « Amazônia dos grandes rios » o período de aguas baixas permite cultivos em vastas zonas férteis de várzeas ao longo dos rios e planicies de inundação. A variabilidade dos extremos hidrológicos e a da estrutura dos ciclos de descidas são fatores importantes para a qualidade e quantidade de colheita. Exploramos esta relação na estação hidrológica de Tamshiyacu no rio Amazonas, Peru. O arroz, cultura rentável nesta região, é referência. Os resultados apresentados mostram pouca relação entre a duração das águas baixas ou a velocidade da subida. Mas este estudo mostra que desde 1985-2015 o nível das águas baixas tem diminuido enquanto que a duração do mesmo período tem aumentado. Além do que tem havido uma aceleração da velocidade de subida das aguas

Long-term effects of high intensity resistance and endurance exercise on plasma leptin and ghrelin in overweight individuals:the RESOLVE Study

International audienceThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of high-intensity resistance and endurance exercise on body composition and plasma leptin and ghrelin concentrations in overweight individuals. One hundred participants were randomly assigned to 3 exercise interventions: high-resistance–low-aerobic exercise (Re), low-resistance–high-aerobic exercise (rE), low-resistance–low-aerobic exercise (re). Interventions began with 3 weeks of residential supervision (phase 1) after which participants had to manage the physical activity programs individually (phase 2). Body composition and plasma variables were measured at baseline and after phase 1 as well as after 3, 6, and 12 months. Significant decreases in body weight and fat were observed after phase 1 (p < 0.001) and continued at a lower rate for up to 3 months and then remained stable for the rest of the protocol. Once a body weight plateau was reached, body fat loss after the Re and rE conditions exceeded the fat loss observed in the re condition by 1.5–2 kg (p < 0.05). Leptin was significantly decreased after day 21 and month 3 (p < 0.001) and remained stable for the rest of the study. Ghrelin was significantly increased after day 21 and month 3 (p < 0.001) and returned to a level comparable to baseline between month 6 and 12 when body weight and fat had reached a plateau. In conclusion, this study reinforces the idea that an increase in exercise intensity may accentuate body fat loss before the occurrence of a body weight plateau. Resistance to further fat loss was accompanied by a decrease in plasma leptin and an increase in plasma ghrelin

Les parcours éducatifs de l’élève en formation initiale des enseignants et conseillers principaux d’éducation. Etude d’un dispositif de formation autour du projet pédagogique.

International audienceLes parcours éducatifs de l'élève en formation initiale des enseignants et conseillers principaux d'éducation. Étude d'un dispositif de formation autour du projet pédagogique. D'un parcours à l'autre Bref historique Le mot parcours est la francisation du latin percursus, participe passé de percurrere, correspondant à l'action de parcourir (Rey, Tomi, Hordé & Tanet, 2012). D'un point de vue chronologique, il comprend tout d'abord une dimension féodale, permettant à un vassal de passer d'une seigneurie à l'autre sans crainte d'être asservi (Littré, 1879). Il correspond ensuit

Development and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the short Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-26)

IF2017 : 1.15 (Q3)International audienceThe purpose of the present study was to develop and evaluate a measure of defense mechanisms that is useable in sports research: the short Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-26). A total of 296 competitive athletes completed the DSQ-26 and other self-report questionnaires both before and after a sport competition. Results of Principal Component Analyses (PCA) on the pre-competitive data showed evidence for a 2-factor model that included adaptive (e.g., humor, anticipation, self-assertion, altruism, self-observation) and maladaptive defenses (e.g., help rejecting complaining, splitting other, projection, dissociation, intellectualization, devaluation/self, fantasy, devaluation of other). Confirmatory factor analyses conducted on both the pre- and intra-competitive data showed an acceptable fit of the data for the 2-factor, 13-defense model of DSQ-26, supporting the factorial structure identified within the PCAs. Correlations between DSQ-26 subscales, coping, affective states, perceived stress and control scores provided evidence for criterion-related validity of the DSQ-26 scores. Overall, this study provides support for the reliability and validity of the short DSQ-26 scores with recommendations for the use and development of this measure of defense mechanisms in stressful situations

Variabilité hydrologique et vulnérabilité des populations du Lago Janauaca (Amazonas, Brésil)

International audienc

Variabilité hydrologique et vulnérabilité des populations du Lago Janauaca (Amazonas, Brésil) Variabilidade hidrológica e vulnerabilidade das populações do Lago Janauaca (Amazonas, Brasil)Hydrological variability and human vulnerability in Lago Janauaca (Amazonas, Brazil)

Étroitement liées à la pulsation saisonnière des crues de l’Amazone, les activités des petits paysans et pêcheurs des várzeas sont particulièrement sensibles aux manifestations plus extrêmes de la variabilité hydrologique. Ce travail propose d’appréhender la vulnérabilité de ces communautés riveraines aux crues et étiages extrêmes autour du Lago Janauaca, près de Manaus, dans un contexte climatique d’intensification du cycle hydrologique. Dans un premier temps nous proposons de caractériser la variabilité hydrologique du Rio Solimões et son impact spatial sur le Lago. Si l’extension du phénomène est frappante, les dynamiques anthropiques sur les rives du lac sont elles aussi importantes. Celles-ci s’expliquent plus par l’ouverture de pistes entre le lac et la BR319, que par l’expansion des cultures traditionnelles qui restent modérée. Enfin, une série d’entretiens menés auprès des riverains dévoile une relation complexe entre les différentes activités des populations et les extrêmes hydrologiques. Les sécheresses y apparaissent comme les perturbations majeures, non seulement à cause de leurs impacts sur les cultures, mais surtout en raison des difficultés qu’elles entraînent pour les mobilités locale et régionale.<br>Intimamente relacionado com o pulso de inundação sazonal do rio Amazonas, as atividades dos agricultores e pescadores das várzeas são particularmente sensíveis aos eventos mais extremos da variabilidade hidrológica. Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a vulnerabilidade das comunidades ribeirinhas às cheias e às estiagens extremas ao redor do Lago Janauaca, próximo de Manaus, em um contexto de intensificação do ciclo hidrológico. Inicialmente, propomos uma caracterização da variabilidade hidrológica do Rio Solimões e do seu impacto espacial sobre o lago. As dinâmicas antrópicas às margens do lago são importantes também. Elas são mais decorrentes pela abertura de estradas entre o lago e a BR319, do que pela expansão moderada das culturas tradicionais. Finalmente, entrevistas com os moradores revelam uma relação complexa entre as atividades das populações e os extremos hidrológicos. Secas aparecem como o tipo de perturbação mais importante, não só devido ao seu impacto sobre as culturas, mas principalmente pelas dificuldades que elas implicam para as mobilidades local e regional.<br>Closely related to the seasonal flood pulse of the Amazon River, the activities of várzeas farmers and fishermen are particularly sensitive to the critical events of hydrological variability. This paper analyzes the vulnerability of riverine communities to extreme high and low waters around the Lago Janauaca near Manaus, in a context of intensification of the hydrological cycle. We shall first try to characterize the hydrological variability of Rio Solimões and its spatial impact on the Lago. Important though is the extension of the natural phenomenon, human dynamics on the banks of the lake must be also taken into consideration. Such dynamics are due to the opening of dirt roads linking the lake to the BR319, rather than to the moderate expansion of traditional crops. Finally, interviews with inhabitants reveal a complex relationship between the various activities and hydrological extremes. Droughts appear to be the major disturbances, not only because of their impact on crops, but mostly because of the difficulties they imply for local and regional mobilities

Desarrollo y Evaluación de las propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de Estilo de Defensa corto (DSQ-26) en el Deporte

El propósito del presente estudio fue desarrollar y evaluar una medida de mecanismos de defensa que es utilizable en la investigación de los deportes: el corto estilo Cuestionario de Defensa (DSQ-26). Un total de 296 deportistas de competición han completado los cuestionarios DSQ-26 y otra de autoinforme, tanto antes como después de una competición deportiva. Resultados de Componentes Principales análisis (PCA) de los datos pre-competitivos mostraron evidencia para un modelo de 2-factor que incluye de adaptación (por ejemplo, humor, anticipación, autoafirmación, el altruismo, la observación de sí) y las defensas de mala adaptación (por ejemplo, ayudar a rechazar quejarse, la división de otra, la proyección, la disociación, la intelectualización, la devaluación / auto, la fantasía, la devaluación de la otra). Los análisis factorial confirmatorio llevó a cabo tanto en los datos intra-competitivos pre y mostraron un ajuste aceptable de los datos para el 2-factor de, modelo 13-defensa de DSQ-26, que soporta la estructura factorial identificado dentro de la PCA. Las correlaciones entre DSQ-26 subescalas, la superación, estados afectivos, estrés percibido y las puntuaciones de control proporcionado evidencia de validez de criterio de las puntuaciones DSQ-26. En general, este estudio proporciona apoyo a la fiabilidad y validez de los cortos DSQ-26 las puntuaciones con las recomendaciones para el uso y desarrollo de esta medida de mecanismos de defensa en situaciones de estré