Air pollution during the 2003 European heat wave as seen by MOZAIC airliners

This study presents an analysis of both MOZAIC profiles above Frankfurt and Lagrangian dispersion model simulations for the 2003 European heat wave. The comparison of MOZAIC measurements in summer 2003 with the 11-year MOZAIC climatology reflects strong temperature anomalies (exceeding 4°C) throughout the lower troposphere. Higher positive anomalies of temperature and negative anomalies of both wind speed and relative humidity are found for the period defined here as the heat wave (2–14 August 2003), compared to the periods before (16–31 July 2003) and after (16–31 August 2003) the heat wave. In addition, Lagrangian model simulations in backward mode indicate the suppressed long-range transport in the mid- to lower troposphere and the enhanced southern origin of air masses for all tropospheric levels during the heat wave. Ozone and carbon monoxide also present strong anomalies (both ~+40 ppbv) during the heat wave, with a maximum vertical extension reaching 6 km altitude around 11 August 2003. Pollution in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) is enhanced during the day, with ozone mixing ratios two times higher than climatological values. This is due to a combination of factors, such as high temperature and radiation, stagnation of air masses and weak dry deposition, which favour the accumulation of ozone precursors and the build-up of ozone. A negligible role of a stratospheric-origin ozone tracer has been found for the lower troposphere in this study. From 29 July to 15 August 2003 forest fires burnt around 0.3×10<sup>6</sup> ha in Portugal and added to atmospheric pollution in Europe. Layers with enhanced CO and NO<sub>y</sub> mixing ratios, advected from Portugal, were crossed by the MOZAIC aircraft in the free troposphere over Frankfurt. A series of forward and backward Lagrangian model simulations have been performed to investigate the origin of anomalies during the whole heat wave. European anthropogenic emissions present the strongest contribution to the measured CO levels in the lower troposphere (near 30%). This source is followed by Portuguese forest fires which affect the lower troposphere after 6 August 2003 and even the PBL around 10 August 2003. The averaged biomass burning contribution reaches 35% during the affected period. Anthropogenic CO of North American origin only marginally influences CO levels over Europe during that period

Iodine nutrition in ewes : effects of low to high iodine intake on iodine content of biological fluids in pregnant and lactating ewes

International audienc

Interférence du soufre et du molybdène avec le métabolisme du cuivre et du zinc chez l'agneau

International audienc

Five-week intake of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides increases intestinal absorption and status of magnesium in postmenopausal women

Five-week intake of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides increases intestinal absorption and status of magnesium in postmenopausal women. Tahiri M, Tressol JC, Arnaud J, Bornet F, Bouteloup-Demange C, Feillet-Coudray C, Ducros V, Pepin D, Brouns F, Rayssiguier AM, Coudray C. Unite Maladies Metaboliques et Micro-nutriments, Centre de Recherche INRA Clermont-Ferrand/Theix, Saint Genes Champanelle, France. Fermentable carbohydrates have been shown to be nondigestible by human enzymes in the small intestine but are fermented extensively in the large bowel to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which can increase mineral absorption. It has been shown that feeding such carbohydrates including short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (sc-FOSs) increases intestinal magnesium (Mg) absorption in animals, but their beneficial impact on Mg absorption in humans still remains to be established. Therefore, this work aimed to investigate the effect of moderate daily doses of sc-FOSs (10 g/day) on the intestinal absorption and status of Mg in postmenopausal women without hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Eleven healthy postmenopausal women aged 59 +/- 6 years (mean +/- SD) received for 5 weeks sc-FOS or sucrose (placebo) treatments according to a randomized, double-blind, crossover design separated by a washout period of at least 3 weeks. Subjects ingested 87.5 mg of stable isotope 25Mg together with a fecal marker. Subsequently, feces were collected for 5-7 days. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP/MS) was used for 25Mg stable isotope measurements in feces, urine, and blood. Mg levels were assessed also at the beginning and at the end of each treatment in plasma, erythrocytes, and urine. These measurements allowed for the determination of net intestinal Mg absorption and Mg status. The results show that the addition of 10 g sc-FOS to the diet increased Mg absorption by 12.3%, from 30.2 +/- 5.0% (placebo treatment) to 33.9 +/- 7.2% (sc-FOS treatment; mean +/- SD; p < 0.02). This increase in intestinal Mg absorption was accompanied by an increase in plasma 25Mg level and led to a higher urinary 25Mg excretion. This is the first time that such an effect is shown in humans. The overall conclusion of this work is that the ingestion of moderate doses of sc-FOS did improve intestinal Mg absorption and status in postmenopausal women. Because of the important role of Mg in many cellular functions, such Mg absorption improvement may be particularly interesting when the dietary intake of Mg is limite

Allergie aux protéines du lait de vache : guide pratique de la réintroduction des protéines du lait de vache : quand, comment réintroduire

International audienceOnce cow’s milk protein allergy (CMA) has been diagnosed, the question is when and how it should be reintroduced. Current knowledge makes it possible to offer treatments suited to the diversity of clinical presentations. After a summary analysis of recent advances in different forms of CMA, based on current knowledge about cow’s milk immunotherapy, we propose practical approaches for indications and reintroduction methods in both non-IgE-mediated and IgE-mediated CMA. This article reflects a recent literature analysis as well as the experiences of various contributors.Une fois le diagnostic d’allergie aux protéines du lait de vache (APLV) effectué se posent les questions du moment et des modalités de la réintroduction. Les connaissances actuelles permettent de proposer des prises en charge adaptées à la diversité des tableaux cliniques de l’APLV. Après avoir rappelé les acquis récents dans les différentes formes d’APLV, envisagé les connaissances actuelles sur l’immunothérapie au lait de vache, nous proposerons des attitudes pratiques sur les indications et les modalités de réintroduction dans les APLV de forme non IgE médiée et IgE médiée. Cet article reflète l’analyse récente de la littérature et les expériences des différents contributeurs