D-lactate increases pulmonary apoptosis by restricting phosphorylation of bad and eNOS in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock

Resuscitation with racemic lactated Ringer's solution (containing equal amounts of D and L isomers of lactate) has been shown to induce pulmonary apoptosis. Substitution of DL-isomer lactate with ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyrate, BHB), sodium pyruvate, or L-isomer of lactate decrease this injury without changing the energy status of the tissues or the expression of apoptotic genes. These modified solutions however alter the function of apoptotic proteins through an unknown mechanism. We postulated that DL-LR induces apoptosis by restricting the phosphorylation of key apoptotic proteins. Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 30, 5/group) were subjected to a three stage, volume-controlled hemorrhage and randomized to the following groups. 1) No hemorrhage (Sham); 2) Hemorrhage and no resuscitation (NR); 3) Resuscitation with 3x shed blood volume of racemic LR (DL-LR); 4) Resuscitation with 3x shed blood volume of LR containing only the L-isomer of lactate (L-LR); 5) Resuscitation with 3s shed blood volume of pyruvate Ringer's (PR); 6) Resuscitation with 3s shed blood volume of ketone Ringer's (KR). The modified Ringer's solutions were identical to racemic LR except for equimolar substitution of DL-lactate for L-lactate, pyruvate and BHB respectively. Lung tissue was obtained 2 hours later and subjected to Western Blotting. The levels of Akt, Bad, and eNOS (total and phosphorylated) proteins were measured. Finally, the expression of gene coding for protein 14-3-3 was measured using RT-PCR. Resuscitation with DL-LR caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the total Bad and a decrease in phosphorylated Bad protein expression in the lung. It also caused an increase in the phosphorylated Akt levels and a decrease in gene coding for protein 14-3-3. These changes were consistent with signaling imbalances that favor apoptosis. Modified LR solutions, on the other hand, did not cause these alterations. Phosphorylation pattern of eNOS supported the involvement of PI3K/Akt pathway in this process. Racemic lactate plays a role in the induction of pulmonary apoptosis by restricting phosphorylation of Bad and eNOS proteins

The preclinical data forum network : A new ECNP initiative to improve data quality and robustness for (preclinical) neuroscience

Current limitations impeding on data reproducibility are often poor statistical design, underpowered studies, lack of robust data, lack of methodological detail, biased reporting and lack of open data sharing, coupled with wrong research incentives. To improve data reproducibility, robustness and quality for brain disease research, a Preclinical Data Forum Network was formed under the umbrella of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP). The goal of this network, members of which met for the first time in October 2014, is to establish a forum to collaborate in precompetitive space, to exchange and develop best practices, and to bring together the members from academia, pharmaceutical industry, publishers, journal editors, funding organizations, public/private partnerships and non-profit advocacy organizations. To address the most pertinent issues identified by the Network, it was decided to establish a data sharing platform that allows open exchange of information in the area of preclinical neuroscience and to develop an educational scientific program. It is also planned to reach out to other organizations to align initiatives to enhance efficiency, and to initiate activities to improve the clinical relevance of preclinical data. Those Network activities should contribute to scientific rigor and lead to robust and relevant translational data. Here we provide a synopsis of the proceedings from the inaugural meeting

Sciences humaines et sociales en Russie à l’Âge d’argent

L’ensemble des textes qui suivent a eu pour point de départ un colloque intitulé : « L’Europe en Russie. Quelques figures d’un transfert culturel, de la bibliothèque de Pierre le Grand aux sciences humaines de l’Âge d’argent ». En choisissant pour ce colloque – tenu en 2008 à l’ENS Paris – deux périodes et domaines très distincts, à savoir l’histoire de la bibliothèque de Pierre le Grand, d’une part, et les sciences humaines et sociales à « l’Âge d’argent », d’autre part, les coordinateurs ont voulu mettre délibérément en lumière deux moments particulièrement forts dans l’histoire des transferts de savoirs entre la Russie et l’Europe occidentale, deux moments de grande accélération des transferts, le premier par le fait du Prince, le second dans les élites universitaires et académiques