Création d'un espace documentaire grand public au Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Genève

Ce travail a été réalisé dans le cadre d’un mandat pour le Service d'information documentaire spécialisé (SIDoS) du Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Genève. Celui-ci souhaite créer un nouvel espace documentaire qui soit dédié spécifiquement au grand public et qui propose des documents de vulgarisation sur les sujets du Muséum. Il vise à la réalisation d’un espace de type troisième lieu qui intègre des ressources originales. Le présent document expose en premier lieu le concept de troisième lieu et de son application au monde des bibliothèques. Il définit également le public du futur espace documentaire. Il présente ensuite un état de l’art du SIDoS, ainsi que des institutions similaires, d’après la littérature spécialisée et grâce aux réponses de questionnaires, afin d’établir une tendance des pratiques en bibliothèques de musées d’histoire naturelle. Il liste également les besoins et les attentes des différentes parties prenantes du projet d’espace documentaire, notamment par la synthèse d’entretiens. Enfin, ce travail émet une proposition détaillée d’espace documentaire grand public au Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Genève, intégrant des concepts originaux et répondant aux besoins de chacun, le tout dans un esprit de bibliothèque troisième lieu. La proposition englobe le type de services et de ressources à mettre en place à l’espace documentaire, mais expose également les aspects de mise en espace et d’esthétisme visant à proposer une solution la plus complète possible et pouvant être mise en place rapidement

Oxidative stress pathways involved in cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on cells constitutive of alveolo-capillary barrier in vitro

International audienceThe health risks of nanoparticles remain a serious concern given their prevalence from industrial and domestic use. The primary route of titanium dioxide nanoparticle exposure is inhalation. The extent to which nanoparticles contribute to cellular toxicity is known to associate induction of oxidative stress. To investigate this problem further, the effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles was examined on cell lines representative of alveolo-capillary barrier. The present study showed that all nanoparticle-exposed cell lines displayed ROS generation. Macrophage-like THP-1 and HPMEC-ST1.6R microvascular cells were sensitive to endogenous redox changes and underwent apoptosis, but not alveolar epithelial A549 cells. Genotoxic potential of titanium dioxide nanoparticles was investigated using the activation of γH2AX, activation of DNA repair proteins and cell cycle arrest. In the sensitive cell lines, DNA damage was persistent and activation of DNA repair pathways was observed. Moreover, western blot analysis showed that specific pathways associated with cellular stress response were activated concomitantly with DNA repair or apoptosis. Nanoparticles-induced oxidative stress is finally signal transducer for further physiological effects including genotoxicity and cytotoxicity. Within activated pathways, HSP27 and SAPK/JNK proteins appeared as potential biomarkers of intracellular stress and of sensitivity to endogenous redox changes, respectively, enabling to predict cell behavior

Associations between a mixture of phenols and phthalates and child behaviour in a French mother–child cohort with repeated assessment of exposure

International audienceBackground: Synthetic phenols and phthalates can interfere with biological pathways involved in brain development. Despite the high within-subject temporal variability of urinary concentrations observed for their metabolites, studies investigating effects of phenols and phthalates on child behaviour often relied on a limited number of spot biospecimens to assess exposure. Besides, the majority did not consider mixture effects.Objectives: To study the combined effect of prenatal exposure to synthetic phenols and phthalates on child behaviour using repeated exposure measurements.Methods: We assessed concentrations of 12 phenols, 13 phthalate and 2 non-phthalate plasticizer metabolites in within-subject pools of multiple urine samples (median = 21 samples per individual pool) collected at two distinct time points during pregnancy in 416 mother-child pairs from the French SEPAGES cohort. Child behaviour was evaluated at two years using the Child Behaviour Checklist 1.5-5 (CBCL). Associations between a mixture of biomarkers of exposure and externalizing and internalizing behaviour scores were studied using adjusted Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regressions with a repeated holdout validation (100 repetitions).Results: The positive WQS indexes were associated with both the externalizing and internalizing behaviour scores in the whole population, indicating greater risk of behavioural problems. Stratification for child sex suggested stronger associations in girls than boys. On average, girls externalizing and internalizing scores increased by 3.67 points (95% CI: 1.24, 6.10) and 2.47 points (95 %CI: 0.60, 4.33) respectively, for an increase of one tertile in the WQS index, compared with 1.70 points (95 %CI: -0.42, 3.81) and 1.17 points (95 %CI: -0.50, 2.84) in boys. Main contributors for the associations observed in girls were bisphenol A (weight of 18%), triclosan (17%) and monoethyl phthalate (MEP, 15%) for the externalizing score and MEP (19%), mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP, 19%) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP, 16%) for the internalizing score.Discussion: Our results suggest adverse associations between in utero exposure to a mixture of phenols and phthalates and child behaviour, mainly in girls. Public health consequences may be substantial due to the widespread exposure of the population to these compounds

Relationships between aeroallergen levels and hospital admissions for asthma in the Brussels-Capital Region: a daily time series analysis

BACKGROUND: Outdoor pollen grain and fungal spore concentrations have been associated with severe asthma exacerbations at the population level. The specific impact of each taxon and the concomitant effect of air pollution on these symptoms have, however, still to be better characterized. This study aimed to investigate the short-term associations between ambient concentrations of various aeroallergens and hospitalizations related to asthma in the Brussels-Capital Region (Belgium), an area recording especially high rates of admissions. METHODS: Based on administrative records of asthma hospitalizations and regular monitoring of 11 tree/herbaceous pollen taxa and 2 fungal spore taxa, daily time series analyses covering the 2008-2013 period were performed. Effects up to 6 days after exposure were captured by combining quasi-Poisson regression with distributed lag models, adjusting for seasonal and long-term trends, day of the week, public holidays, mean temperature and relative humidity. Effect modification by age and air pollution (PM, NO2, O3) was tested. RESULTS: A significant increase in asthma hospitalizations was observed for an interquartile range increase in grass (5.9%, 95% CI: 0.0, 12.0), birch (3.2%, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.3) and hornbeam (0.7%, 95% CI: 0.2, 1.3) pollen concentrations. For several taxa including grasses, an age modification effect was notable, the hospitalization risk tending to be higher in individuals younger than 60 years. Air pollutants impacted the relationships too: the risk appeared to be stronger for grass and birch pollen concentrations in case of high PM10 and O3 concentrations respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that airborne grass, birch and hornbeam pollen are associated with severe asthma exacerbations in the Brussels region. These compounds appear to act in synergy with air pollution and to more specifically affect young and intermediate age groups. Most of these life-threatening events could theoretically be prevented with improved disease diagnosis/management and targeted communication actions.status: publishe

Relationships between aeroallergen levels and hospital admissions for asthma in the Brussels-Capital Region: a daily time series analysis

Abstract Background Outdoor pollen grain and fungal spore concentrations have been associated with severe asthma exacerbations at the population level. The specific impact of each taxon and the concomitant effect of air pollution on these symptoms have, however, still to be better characterized. This study aimed to investigate the short-term associations between ambient concentrations of various aeroallergens and hospitalizations related to asthma in the Brussels-Capital Region (Belgium), an area recording especially high rates of admissions. Methods Based on administrative records of asthma hospitalizations and regular monitoring of 11 tree/herbaceous pollen taxa and 2 fungal spore taxa, daily time series analyses covering the 2008–2013 period were performed. Effects up to 6 days after exposure were captured by combining quasi-Poisson regression with distributed lag models, adjusting for seasonal and long-term trends, day of the week, public holidays, mean temperature and relative humidity. Effect modification by age and air pollution (PM, NO2, O3) was tested. Results A significant increase in asthma hospitalizations was observed for an interquartile range increase in grass (5.9%, 95% CI: 0.0, 12.0), birch (3.2%, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.3) and hornbeam (0.7%, 95% CI: 0.2, 1.3) pollen concentrations. For several taxa including grasses, an age modification effect was notable, the hospitalization risk tending to be higher in individuals younger than 60 years. Air pollutants impacted the relationships too: the risk appeared to be stronger for grass and birch pollen concentrations in case of high PM10 and O3 concentrations respectively. Conclusions These findings suggest that airborne grass, birch and hornbeam pollen are associated with severe asthma exacerbations in the Brussels region. These compounds appear to act in synergy with air pollution and to more specifically affect young and intermediate age groups. Most of these life-threatening events could theoretically be prevented with improved disease diagnosis/management and targeted communication actions

Early delivery following chronic and acute ambient temperature exposure: a comprehensive survival approach

International audienceBACKGROUND: Ambient temperature, particularly heat, is increasingly acknowledged as a trigger of preterm delivery, but study designs have been limited and results mixed. We aimed to comprehensively evaluate the association between ambient temperature throughout pregnancy and preterm delivery.METHODS: We estimated daily temperature throughout pregnancy using a cutting-edge spatiotemporal model for 5,347 live singleton births from three prospective cohorts in France, 2002-2018. We performed Cox regression (survival analysis) with forward (weekly from conception) and backward (30 days before delivery) distributed lags to evaluate time-varying associations with preterm birth. We examined weekly mean, daytime, night-time, and variability of temperature, and heatwaves accounting for adaptation to location and season.RESULTS: Preterm birth risk was higher following cold (5th vs 50th percentile of mean temperature) 7-9 weeks after conception [relative risk (RR) 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-1.6 for 2°C vs 11.6°C] and 10-4 days before delivery (1.6 [1.1-2.1] for 1.2°C vs 12.1°C). Night-time heat (95th vs 50th percentile of minimum temperature; 15.7°C vs 7.4°C) increased risk when exposure occurred within five weeks of conception (2.0 [1.05-3.8]) or 20-26 weeks after conception (2.9 [1.2-6.8]). Overall and daytime heat (high mean and maximum temperature) showed consistent effects. We found no clear associations with temperature variability or heatwave indicators, suggesting they may be less relevant for preterm birth. CONCLUSION: In a temperate climate, night-time heat and chronic and acute cold exposures were associated with increased risk of preterm birth. These results suggest nighttime heat as a relevant indicator. In the context of rising temperatures and more frequent weather hazards, these results should inform public health policies to reduce the growing burden of preterm births

De la transmission à la construction des savoirs et des pratiques dans les relations intergénérationnelles de femmes réfugiées au Québec

Parler de familles immigrantes en intervention sociale, c’est souvent parler des problèmes intergénérationnels et des difficultés d’intégration. À partir d’une recherche menée auprès de trios de femmes réfugiées au Québec (des grands-mères, des mères et des filles), ce texte s’intéresse aux processus originaux de circulation des savoirs et de construction de nouvelles pratiques entre ces générations de femmes. Leurs rapports à l’autonomie, mais aussi à la famille, au travail, à la santé ou à la collectivité se transforment et se modulent différemment selon les générations et les événements de leur trajectoire. Ces échanges intergénérationnels sont importants pour l’insertion des divers membres des familles immigrantes et il est nécessaire que les intervenants en aient une compréhension renouvelée.Dealing with immigrant families in social intervention is often times dealing with intergenerational and integration issues. Based on a research conducted with trios of refugee women in Quebec (consisting of grandmothers, mothers and daughters), this text focuses on the original process flow of knowledge and the building of new practices between these generations of women. Their relationship to autonomy and also to family, work, health or community transforms and shapes itself differently according to the generations and the unfolding events. These intergenerational exchanges are important for the integration of various members coming from immigrant families and it is necessary that social workers have a renewed understanding of them

Associations between prenatal air pollution exposure and placental DNA methylation: a French multi-cohort study

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Placental DNA methylation signatures of prenatal air pollution exposure and potential effects on birth outcomes: an analysis of three prospective cohorts

International audienceBackground Pregnancy air pollution exposure (PAPE) has been linked to a wide range of adverse birth and childhood outcomes, but there is a paucity of data on its influence on the placental epigenome, which can regulate the programming of physiological functions and affect child development. This study aimed to investigate the association between prenatal air pollutant exposure concentrations and changes in placental DNA methylation patterns, and to explore the potential windows of susceptibility and sex-specific alterations. Methods This multi-site study used three prospective population-based mother-child cohorts: EDEN, PELAGIE, and SEPAGES, originating from four French geographical regions (Nancy, Poitiers, Brittany, and Grenoble). Pregnant women were included between 2003 and 2006 for EDEN and PELAGIE, and between 2014 and 2017 for SEPAGES. The main eligibility criteria were: being older than 18 years, having a singleton pregnancy, and living and planning to deliver in one of the maternity clinics in one of the study areas. A total of 1539 mother-child pairs were analysed, measuring placental DNA methylation using Illumina BeadChips. We used validated spatiotemporally resolved models to estimate PM 2<middle dot>5 , PM 10 , and NO 2 exposure over each trimester of pregnancy at the maternal residential address. We conducted a pooled adjusted epigenome-wide association study to identify differentially methylated 5'- C-phosphate-G-3' (CpG) sites and regions (assessed using the Infinium HumanMethylationEPIC BeadChip array, n=871), including sex-specific and sex-linked alterations, and independently validated our results (assessed using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array, n=668). Findings We identified four CpGs and 28 regions associated with PAPE in the total population, 469 CpGs and 87 regions in male infants, and 150 CpGs and 66 regions in female infants. We validated 35% of the CpGs available. More than 30% of the identified CpGs were related to one (or more) birth outcome and most significant alterations were enriched for neural development, immunity, and metabolism related genes. The 28 regions identified for both sexes overlapped with imprinted genes (four genes), and were associated with neurodevelopment (nine genes), immune system (seven genes), and metabolism (five genes). Most associations were observed for the third trimester for female infants (134 of 150 CpGs), and throughout pregnancy (281 of 469 CpGs) and the first trimester (237 of 469 CpGs) for male infants. Interpretation These findings highlight the molecular pathways through which PAPE might affect child health in a widespread and sex-specific manner, identifying the genes involved in the major physiological functions of a developing child. Further studies are needed to elucidate whether these epigenetic changes persist and affect health later in life

Prenatal and childhood exposure to ambient air pollution and cognitive function in school-age children: Examining sensitive windows and sex-specific associations

International audienceBACKGROUND: Combined effect of both prenatal and early postnatal exposure to ambient air pollution on child cognition has rarely been investigated and sensitive periods of sensitivity are unknown. This study explores the temporal relationship between pre- and postnatal exposure to PM(10), PM(2.5), NO(2) and child cognitive function. METHODS: Using validated spatiotemporally resolved exposure models, pre- and postnatal daily PM(2.5), PM(10) (satellite based, 1 km resolution) and NO(2) (chemistry-transport model, 4 km resolution) concentrations at the mother’s residence were estimated for 1271 mother-child pairs from the French EDEN and PELAGIE cohorts. Scores representative of children’s General, Verbal and Non-Verbal abilities at 5-6 years were constructed based on subscale scores from the WPPSI-III, WISC-IV or NEPSY-II batteries, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Associations of both prenatal (first 35 gestational weeks) and postnatal (60 months after birth) exposure to air pollutants with child cognition were explored using Distributed Lag Non-linear Models adjusted for confounders. RESULTS: Median exposure from conception until the 60th month of life was 19.3 μg/m(3) for PM(10), 12.4 μg/m(3) for PM(2.5) and 16.9 μg/m(3) for NO(2). Increased maternal exposure to both PM(10) and PM(2.5) between the 5th and the 11th gestational weeks was related to higher General, Verbal and Non-verbal abilities among males. On the contrary, increased maternal exposure to PM(10) between the 22nd and 29th gestational weeks was associated with lower General and Non-verbal abilities among males. Similar trends were observed for PM(2.5). No significant sensitive exposure windows were detected for postnatal exposure, NO(2) or among females. DISCUSSION: These results suggest poorer cognitive development among males at 5-6 years following increased maternal exposure to PM(10) during mid-pregnancy. Apparent protective associations observed for early prenatal exposure to PM(10) and PM(2.5) are unlikely to be causal and might be due to live birth selection bias