Découvrir Le Phénix, librairie chinoise spécialisée

Depuis son ouverture en 1964, la librairie Le Phénix, dans le 3e arrondissement à Paris, est animée par des passionnés. D\u27abord, Régis Bergeron, premier propriétaire et spécialiste de cinéma chinois, ensuite Philippe Meyer, gérant actuel, 50 ans, qui a ouvert le fonds à l\u27ensemble de la culture chinoise, puis les employés, chacun investi d\u27un savoir-faire indispensable. Découverte d\u27un monde généreux

Succès à Mauriac dans le Cantal

Ouverte en 2002, la médiathèque de Mauriac (au nord-ouest du Cantal, près de la Dordogne), devenue médiathèque intercommunale du Pays-de-Mauriac en janvier 2003, a vu le nombre de lecteurs quadrupler et celui des prêts tripler. 450 m2, un emplacement idéal en centre-ville, et l\u27énergie de sa responsable, Monique Lafarge, qui oeuvre depuis vingt ans pour le développement de la culture en milieu rural, sont les raisons de ce succès

Quantitative aspects of the spatial distribution and morphological characteristics of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.; Teleostei, Serranidae) trunk lateral line neuromasts.

The results presented herein report quantitative data relative to the distribution and morphological characteristics of both types of neuromasts encountered on the trunk lateral line of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.). These data were obtained from scanning electron micrographs. They indicate that, as expected, each modified scale of the sea bass possessed a single canal neuromast with long axis oriented parallel to the fish's long axis. In contrast to several fish species, two thirds of superficial neuromasts observed herein were oriented perpendicular to the fish's long axis. However, whatever the main orientation of superficial neuromasts, two thirds of their hair bundles were oriented parallel to the long axis of the animal with approximately half of them in the direction of the head. Similar ratios were observed for canal neuromasts whatever the area of the maculae: central or peripheral. For both types of neuromasts it was not possible to clearly distinguish a paired organization of hair bundles with opposing polarities. Superficial neuromasts on each trunk canal scale were located on either the dorsal or ventral side of the canal and appeared to be distributed along the trunk lateral line with a higher probability to be encountered closer to the operculum. The frequency of presence and the average number of superficial neuromasts per scale increased with fish size. We observed a size gradient for canal neuromasts between the operculum and caudal peduncle. This gradation was correlated with a reduction of the width of the central area of the canal segment. Canal neuromasts were always localized in the larger portions of the canal segments. Taken together, these results point out some specific features associated with the sea bass trunk lateral line. With the previous report, they establish the first full description of the trunk lateral line of sea bass and will be useful for upcoming experiments regarding the function of the two types of neuromasts

Impact of chronic cadmium exposure at environmental dose on escape behaviour in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.; Teleostei, Moronidae).

peer reviewedThe effect of chronic exposure to a low concentration (0.5 microg l(-1)) of cadmium ions was investigated on escape behaviour of sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, using video analysis. Observations were also performed on the microanatomy of lateral system neuromasts. When fish were exposed for 4h per day over 8 days to the cadmium ions, most of both types of neuromasts observed remained intact. However, some of them presented damaged sensory maculae. Whereas before cadmium exposure, fish responded positively to nearly all the lateral system stimulations, after exposure they decreased by about 10% their positive responses to stimulations. From the 15th day after the beginning of cadmium exposure, neuromasts presented progressively less damage, cadmium accumulation in gills and scales decreased significantly and fish escape behaviour had recovered. This study presents a new concept in ecotoxicology: using behavioural change to reveal the effects of pollution levels, scarcely detectable by currently used techniques (physiological responses)

Impact of acute cadmium exposure on the trunk lateral line neuromasts and consequences on the "C-start" response behaviour of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.; Teleostei, Moronidae).

Behavioural responses of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax were investigated after exposure to cadmium ions in laboratory-controlled conditions. The aim of this study was to discover whether environmental exposure to cadmium ions inactivates fish lateral line system neuromasts, and to determine the behavioural consequences of such a sensory blockage. For this, fish escape behaviour in response to an artificial water jet was recorded using a 25-frames s(-1) analog video camera before and after cadmium exposure. Experimental set up was tested with fish whose lateral line system was artificially inactivated by antibiotics (gentamicin and streptomycin). Histological analyses with scanning electron microscopy showed antibiotic treatment destroyed lateral line system neuromasts. In addition, these fish did not respond to stimulations provoked by the water jet after antibiotic treatment. Fish escape behaviour was then recorded before and after cadmium exposure at two different concentrations. When fish were exposed to the first concentration of cadmium tested (0.5 microg l(-1), which represents the maximal cadmium concentration encountered in contaminated estuaries), no alteration in neuromast tissue was observed. In addition, before cadmium exposure, fish responded positively in 98.41 +/- 4.95% of lateral line system stimulations (escape behaviour in response to the water jet). After cadmium exposure, no behavioural modification could be detected: the fish responded positively in 95.16 +/- 9.79% of stimulations (chi(2) = 2.464, p = 0.116). In contrast, the high cadmium concentration used (5 microg l(-1), which represents 10 times the concentration occurring in highly polluted estuarine areas) involved severe neuromast tissue damage. Just after such cadmium exposure, fish showed only 41.67 +/- 35.36% of positive responses to their lateral line system stimulations, while they responded positively in 95.93 +/- 9.10% of stimulations under control conditions (chi(2) = 24.562, p < 0.0001). Their lateral line system neuromasts seemed to regenerate about 1 month after cadmium exposure. Associated with this regeneration, from the 21st day after cadmium exposure, their escape behaviour had recovered and was not significantly different from that recorded under control conditions (86.74 +/- 20.82%, chi(2) = 2.876, p = 0.090). This study shows that although 5 microg l(-1) cadmium is able to damage lateral line system neuromasts and causes fish behavioural alterations, fish exposed to 0.5 microg l(-1) cadmium displayed neither tissue neuromast nor behavioural modification.Peer reviewe

Intronic small nucleolar RNAs regulate host gene splicing through base pairing with their adjacent intronic sequences

Background Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are abundant noncoding RNAs best known for their involvement in ribosomal RNA maturation. In mammals, most expressed snoRNAs are embedded in introns of longer genes and produced through transcription and splicing of their host. Intronic snoRNAs were long viewed as inert passengers with little effect on host expression. However, a recent study reported a snoRNA influencing the splicing and ultimate output of its host gene. Overall, the general contribution of intronic snoRNAs to host expression remains unclear. Results Computational analysis of large-scale human RNA-RNA interaction datasets indicates that 30% of detected snoRNAs interact with their host transcripts. Many snoRNA-host duplexes are located near alternatively spliced exons and display high sequence conservation suggesting a possible role in splicing regulation. The study of the model SNORD2-EIF4A2 duplex indicates that the snoRNA interaction with the host intronic sequence conceals the branch point leading to decreased inclusion of the adjacent alternative exon. Extended SNORD2 sequence containing the interacting intronic region accumulates in sequencing datasets in a cell-type-specific manner. Antisense oligonucleotides and mutations that disrupt the formation of the snoRNA-intron structure promote the splicing of the alternative exon, shifting the EIF4A2 transcript ratio away from nonsense-mediated decay. Conclusions Many snoRNAs form RNA duplexes near alternative exons of their host transcripts, placing them in optimal positions to control host output as shown for the SNORD2-EIF4A2 model system. Overall, our study supports a more widespread role for intronic snoRNAs in the regulation of their host transcript maturation

Catalytic ozonation with γ-Al2O3 to enhance the degradation of refractory organics in water

Nowadays, heterogeneous catalytic ozonation appears as a promising way to treat industrial wastewaters containing refractory pollutants, which resist to biological treatments. Several oxides and minerals have been used and their behavior is subject to controversy with particularly the role of Lewis acid sites and/or basic sites and the effect of salts. In this study, millimetric mesoporous γ-Al2O3 particles suitable for industrial processes were used for enhancing the ozonation efficiency of petrochemical effluents without pH adjustment. A phenol (2,4-dimethylphenol (2,4-DMP)) was first chosen as petrochemical refractory molecule to evaluate the influence of alumina in ozonation. Single ozonation and ozonation in presence of γ-Al2O3 led to the disappearance of 2,4-DMP in 25 min and a decrease in pH from 4.5 to 2.5. No adsorption of 2,4-DMP occurred on γ-Al2O3. Adding γ-Al2O3 in the process resulted in an increase of the 2,4–DMP oxidation level. Indeed, the total organic carbon (TOC) removal was 14% for a single ozonation and 46% for ozonation with γ-Al2O3. Similarly, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal increases from 35 to 75%, respectively. Various oxidized by-products were produced during the degradation of 2,4-DMP, but after 5 h ozonation 90% of organic by-products were acetic acid > formic acid ≫ oxalic acid. Some of the carboxylic acids were adsorbed on γ-Al2O3. The use of radical scavengers (tert-butanol) highlighted the involvement of hydroxyl radicals during catalytic ozonation with γ-Al2O3 in contrary to single ozonation, which mainly involved direct ozone reaction. γ-Al2O3 is an amphoteric solid with Lewis acid AlOH(H+) sites and basicAl-OH sites. After ozonation the amount of basic sites decreased due to carboxylates adsorption, while the Lewis acid sites remained constant as evidenced by FTIR. Several ozonation runs with γ-Al2O3 reported a progressive decrease of its catalytic activity due to the cumulative sorption of carboxylates on the basic sites. After 80 h of ozonation, a calcination at 550 °C allowed to recover allAl-OH basic sites and the initial activity of γ-Al2O3. A synthetic petrochemical effluent containing various petrochemicals (phenol, acetic acid, naphtenic acid, pyrene, naphtalene) was then treated with γ-Al2O3 with and without NaCl. Sodium ions prevented carboxylates adsorption on γ-Al2O3 leading to a higher efficiency of γ-Al2O3 in presence of NaCl and allowed to decrease the toxicity of the petrochemical effluent

A collaborative model to implement flexible, accessible and efficient oncogenetic services for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer : the C-MOnGene study

Medical genetic services are facing an unprecedented demand for counseling and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) in a context of limited resources. To help resolve this issue, a collaborative oncogenetic model was recently developed and implemented at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval; Quebec; Canada. Here, we present the protocol of the C-MOnGene (Collaborative Model in OncoGenetics) study, funded to examine the context in which the model was implemented and document the lessons that can be learned to optimize the delivery of oncogenetic services. Within three years of implementation, the model allowed researchers to double the annual number of patients seen in genetic counseling. The average number of days between genetic counseling and disclosure of test results significantly decreased. Group counseling sessions improved participants' understanding of breast cancer risk and increased knowledge of breast cancer and genetics and a large majority of them reported to be overwhelmingly satisfied with the process. These quality and performance indicators suggest this oncogenetic model offers a flexible, patient-centered and efficient genetic counseling and testing for HBOC. By identifying the critical facilitating factors and barriers, our study will provide an evidence base for organizations interested in transitioning to an oncogenetic model integrated into oncology care; including teams that are not specialized but are trained in genetics

Résumé de thèse - Le système latéral du bar, Dicentrarchus labrax, et les conséquences d'un dysfonctionnement sur son comportement: action potentielle des ions métalliques

Le système latéral est un organe sensoriel présent chez les poissons et utilisé pour l'identification et la localisation d'obstacles, la détection des objets en mouvement (proies, prédateurs, nage en banc, parade sexuelle) et la rhéotaxie. L'intégrité morphologique et fonctionnelle de ce système sensoriel apparaît donc comme un élément indispensable à la présence et à la survie d'un poisson dans un écosystème. Or, de part sa localisation à l'interface entre l'animal et le milieu, et par le fait qu'il fonctionne via des flux d'ions, cet organe sensoriel pourrait être la cible d'une pollution d'origine naturelle ou anthropique. Le but de cette étude était d'examiner l'impact d'une pollution métallique du milieu (et en particulier de l'ion cadmium) sur l'état tissulaire et fonctionnel du système latéral du bar, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), puis d'observer les conséquences comportementales induites sur des groupes d'individus évoluant dans des conditions contrôlées de laboratoire. Une étude préliminaire des caractéristiques morphologiques et de la distribution spatiale des neuromastes composant le système latéral du bar a révélé la présence de deux types de neuromastes (superficiels et canaux) répartis sur la tête, le tronc et la queue. Le gradient décroissant de capacité sensorielle, mis en évidence de l'extrémité rostrale à l'extrémité caudale de la ligne latérale troncale du bar, est très original et pourrait jouer un rôle dans le fonctionnement du système latéral. L'axe de sensibilité majeure des deux types de neuromastes du système latéral troncal s’aligne selon l'axe longitudinal du poisson, ce qui lui confère une sensibilité accrue aux stimuli appliqués le long de son corps. L'inactivation artificielle du système latéral du poisson entraîne une réduction de son exploration verticale de l'habitat. Par contre, aucun effet sur sa prise alimentaire nocturne n’est constaté lorsque cette prise est constituée de proies inertes ; un système de compensation sensorielle orienté sur le système olfactif se mettant en place très rapidement. Les conséquences comportementales d'une exposition aiguë du bar à l'ion métallique cadmium ont ensuite été examinées. Le cadmium à forte concentration dans l'eau de mer (5 µg.l-1) a un effet inhibiteur sur la réponse de fuite des poissons face à un danger. Cet effet comportemental s'accompagne de la destruction des deux types de neuromastes composant le système latéral. Après 21 jours, on constate une régénération des tissus des neuromastes, ainsi qu'une restauration du comportement de fuite des poissons. Par contre, lors de l'exposition aiguë au cadmium à la concentration rencontrée en milieu naturel contaminé (0,5 µg.l-1), le comportement de fuite du poisson n'est pas modifié et les tissus des neuromastes demeurent intacts. Cependant, les stimuli appliqués lors de cette étude pour simuler un danger étant relativement forts, on peut se demander si après une exposition aiguë au cadmium à 0,5 µg.l-1, le bar serait toujours capable de détecter le mouvement ténu d'une proie vivante mobile. Ce travail mériterait d'être poursuivi par des études visant à déterminer la concentration seuil de cadmium responsable de dommages tissulaires au niveau des neuromastes et celle causant des désordres comportementaux. Il serait également intéressant d'examiner l'effet synergique des ions métalliques présents dans le milieu naturel (cadmium, cobalt, cuivre, mercure, nickel, plomb, zinc, etc.…) sur le système latéral et le comportement du bar