Nondispersive X-ray emission analysis for geochemical exploration

Nondispersive X-ray emission technique uses lightweight, and rugged X-ray fluorescence units. The X-ray pulse-height spectra is excited by radioactive isotope sources. The technique is applicable for quantitative and qualitative analyses on complex chemical systems, and satisfies the goals for a lunar geochemical exploration device

A Replisome’s journey through the bacterial chromosome

Genome duplication requires the coordinated activity of a multi-component machine, the replisome. In contrast to the background of metabolic diversity across the bacterial domain, the composition and architecture of the bacterial replisome seems to have suffered few changes during evolution. This immutability underlines the replisome’s efficiency in copying the genome. It also highlights the success of various strategies inherent to the replisome for responding to stress and avoiding problems during critical stages of DNA synthesis. Here we summarise current understanding of bacterial replisome architecture and highlight the known variations in different bacterial taxa. We then look at the mechanisms in place to ensure that the bacterial replisome is assembled appropriately on DNA, kept together during elongation, and disassembled upon termination. We put forward the idea that the architecture of the replisome may be more flexible that previously thought and speculate on elements of the replisome that maintain its stability to ensure a safe journey from origin to terminus

Symmetry group analysis of an ideal plastic flow

In this paper, we study the Lie point symmetry group of a system describing an ideal plastic plane flow in two dimensions in order to find analytical solutions. The infinitesimal generators that span the Lie algebra for this system are obtained. We completely classify the subalgebras of up to codimension two in conjugacy classes under the action of the symmetry group. Based on invariant forms, we use Ansatzes to compute symmetry reductions in such a way that the obtained solutions cover simultaneously many invariant and partially invariant solutions. We calculate solutions of the algebraic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric and elliptic type. Some solutions depending on one or two arbitrary functions of one variable have also been found. In some cases, the shape of a potentially feasible extrusion die corresponding to the solution is deduced. These tools could be used to thin, curve, undulate or shape a ring in an ideal plastic material

The docking protein Gab1 is the primary mediator of EGF-stimulated activation of the PI-3K/Akt cell survival pathway

BACKGROUND: Gab1 is a docking protein that recruits phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase) and other effector proteins in response to the activation of many receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). As the autophosphorylation sites on EGF-receptor (EGFR) do not include canonical PI-3 kinase binding sites, it is thought that EGF stimulation of PI-3 kinase and its downstream effector Akt is mediated by an indirect mechanism. RESULTS: We used fibroblasts isolated from Gab1-/- mouse embryos to explore the mechanism of EGF stimulation of the PI-3 kinase/Akt anti-apoptotic cell signaling pathway. We demonstrate that Gab1 is essential for EGF stimulation of PI-3 kinase and Akt in these cells and that these responses are mediated by complex formation between p85, the regulatory subunit of PI-3 kinase, and three canonical tyrosine phosphorylation sites on Gab1. Furthermore, complex formation between Gab1 and the protein tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 negatively regulates Gab1 mediated PI-3 kinase and Akt activation following EGF-receptor stimulation. We also demonstrate that tyrosine phosphorylation of ErbB3 may lead to recruitment and activation of PI-3 kinase and Akt in Gab1-/- MEFs. CONCLUSIONS: The primary mechanism of EGF-induced stimulation of the PI-3 kinase/Akt anti-apoptotic pathway occurs via the docking protein Gab1. However, in cells expressing ErbB3, EGF and neuroregulin can stimulate PI-3 kinase and Akt activation in a Gab1-dependent or Gab1-independent manner

Multimode solutions of first-order elliptic quasilinear systems obtained from Riemann invariants

Two new approaches to solving first-order quasilinear elliptic systems of PDEs in many dimensions are proposed. The first method is based on an analysis of multimode solutions expressible in terms of Riemann invariants, based on links between two techniques, that of the symmetry reduction method and of the generalized method of characteristics. A variant of the conditional symmetry method for constructing this type of solution is proposed. A specific feature of that approach is an algebraic-geometric point of view, which allows the introduction of specific first-order side conditions consistent with the original system of PDEs, leading to a generalization of the Riemann invariant method for solving elliptic homogeneous systems of PDEs. A further generalization of the Riemann invariants method to the case of inhomogeneous systems, based on the introduction of specific rotation matrices, enables us to weaken the integrability condition. It allows us to establish a connection between the structure of the set of integral elements and the possibility of constructing specific classes of simple mode solutions. These theoretical considerations are illustrated by the examples of an ideal plastic flow in its elliptic region and a system describing a nonlinear interaction of waves and particles. Several new classes of solutions are obtained in explicit form, including the general integral for the latter system of equations

Tuberculose latente chez les réfugiés de l’Estrie

Les réfugiés en provenance de pays à forte incidence de tuberculose (TB) peuvent transmettre l’infection dans leur pays d’accueil. Les services de dépistage et le traitement offerts respectivement à la clinique des réfugiés (CDR) et au centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS) aident à diminuer la morbidité associée à cette maladie et permettent d’éviter de nouveaux cas de TB active dans la communauté. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de : (a) mesurer la prévalence de l’infection tuberculeuse latente (ITL) chez les réfugiés évalués à la CDR (b) décrire les caractéristiques démographiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques de ceux infectés (c) estimer les cas de TB active prévenus. Une étude transversale basée sur une révision des dossiers a été réalisée entre le 1er janvier 2010 et 31 décembre 2014. L’approbation éthique a été obtenue du comité d’éthique de la recherche en santé chez l’humain (CRCHUS) en juin 2016. Un total de 1 884 réfugiés a été évalué pour l’ITL à la CDR pour la période de l’étude dont 52,3 % étaient des femmes et 42,3 % des enfants âgés de 1 et 17 ans. De ceux-ci, 723 réfugiés avaient reçu un diagnostic d’ITL à la CDR. La prévalence globale était de 38,6 % (IC 95 % : 36,4 %–40,8 %). Les facteurs de risque d’évolution vers la TB active étaient répartis comme suit chez les patients avec une ITL : 1 sur 10 pour la co-infection VIH-TB, 5 sur 10 pour le diabète et 2 sur 4 pour l’insuffisance rénale. Parmi les 287 réfugiés qui avaient débuté leur traitement, le taux de complétion était de 62,0 % (IC 95 % : 56,3–64,4). La présence à 2 visites de suivi et plus (RC : 2,4 ; IC 95 % : 1,0–5,6), la réalisation de plus de 4 bilans de contrôle (RC : 10,3 ; IC 95 % : 3,0–35,8) et l’absence d’effets secondaires (RC : 10,8 ; IC 95 % : 3,0–32,9) sont des facteurs associés à la complétion du traitement. Le traitement offert aux 287 patients a permis d’éviter 5,4 cas de TB active. Les conclusions de l’étude démontrent que l’ITL est prévalente chez les réfugiés qui arrivent à Sherbrooke. Le taux de complétion du traitement offert à leur arrivée comme mesure préventive n’atteint pas les cibles attendues. Les résultats de cette étude devraient aider à mieux organiser les services entourant le traitement

Development of Slowly Digestible Starch Derived α-Glucans with 4,6-α-Glucanotransferase and Branching Sucrase Enzymes

Previously, we have identified and characterized 4,6-α-glucanotransferase enzymes of the glycosyl hydrolase (GH) family 70 (GH70) that cleave (α1→4)-linkages in amylose and introduce (α1→6)-linkages in linear chains. The 4,6-α-glucanotransferase of Lactobacillus reuteri 121, for instance, converts amylose into an isomalto/malto-polysaccharide (IMMP) with 90% (α1→6)-linkages. Over the years, also, branching sucrase enzymes belonging to GH70 have been characterized. These enzymes use sucrose as a donor substrate to glucosylate dextran as an acceptor substrate, introducing single -(1→2,6)-α-d-Glcp-(1→6)- (Leuconostoc citreum enzyme) or -(1→3,6)-α-d-Glcp-(1→6)-branches (Leuconostoc citreum, Leuconostoc fallax, Lactobacillus kunkeei enzymes). In this work, we observed that the catalytic domain 2 of the L. kunkeei branching sucrase used not only dextran but also IMMP as the acceptor substrate, introducing -(1→3,6)-α-d-Glcp-(1→6)-branches. The products obtained have been structurally characterized in detail, revealing the addition of single (α1→3)-linked glucose units to IMMP (resulting in a comb-like structure). The in vitro digestibility of the various α-glucans was estimated with the glucose generation rate (GGR) assay that uses rat intestinal acetone powder to simulate the digestive enzymes in the upper intestine. Raw wheat starch is known to be a slowly digestible carbohydrate in mammals and was used as a benchmark control. Compared to raw wheat starch, IMMP and dextran showed reduced digestibility, with partially digestible and indigestible portions. Interestingly, the digestibility of the branching sucrase modified IMMP and dextran products considerably decreased with increasing percentages of (α1→3)-linkages present. The treatment of amylose with 4,6-α-glucanotransferase and branching sucrase/sucrose thus allowed for the synthesis of amylose/starch derived α-glucans with markedly reduced digestibility. These starch derived α-glucans may find applications in the food industry

Synthesis of novel α-glucans with potential health benefits through controlled glucose release in the human gastrointestinal tract

The glycemic carbohydrates we consume are currently viewed in an unfavorable light in both the consumer and medical research worlds. In significant part, these carbohydrates, mainly starch and sucrose, are looked upon negatively due to their rapid and abrupt glucose delivery to the body which causes a high glycemic response. However, dietary carbohydrates which are digested and release glucose in a slow manner are recognized as providing health benefits. Slow digestion of glycemic carbohydrates can be caused by several factors, including food matrix effect which impedes α-amylase access to substrate, or partial inhibition by plant secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds. Differences in digestion rate of these carbohydrates may also be due to their specific structures (e.g. variations in degree of branching and/or glycosidic linkages present). In recent years, much has been learned about the synthesis and digestion kinetics of novel α-glucans (i.e. small oligosaccharides or larger polysaccharides based on glucose units linked in different positions by α-bonds). It is the synthesis and digestion of such structures that is the subject of this review

Review: Towards the agroecological management of ruminants, pigs and poultry through the development of sustainable breeding programmes. II. Breeding strategies

Agroecology uses ecological processes and local resources rather than chemical inputs to develop productive and resilient livestock and crop production systems. In this context, breeding innovations are necessary to obtain animals that are both productive and adapted to a broad range of local contexts and diversity of systems. Breeding strategies to promote agroecological systems are similar for different animal species. However, current practices differ regarding the breeding of ruminants, pigs and poultry. Ruminant breeding is still an open system where farmers continue to choose their own breeds and strategies. Conversely, pig and poultry breeding is more or less the exclusive domain of international breeding companies which supply farmers with hybrid animals. Innovations in breeding strategies must therefore be adapted to the different species. In developed countries, reorienting current breeding programmes seems to be more effective than developing programmes dedicated to agroecological systems that will struggle to be really effective because of the small size of the populations currently concerned by such systems. Particular attention needs to be paid to determining the respective usefulness of cross-breeding v. straight breeding strategies of well-adapted local breeds. While cross-breeding may offer some immediate benefits in terms of improving certain traits that enable the animals to adapt well to local environmental conditions, it may be difficult to sustain these benefits in the longer term and could also induce an important loss of genetic diversity if the initial pure-bred populations are no longer produced. As well as supporting the value of within-breed diversity, we must preserve between-breed diversity in order to maintain numerous options for adaptation to a variety of production environments and contexts. This may involve specific public policies to maintain and characterize local breeds (in terms of both phenotypes and genotypes), which could be used more effectively if they benefited from the scientific and technical resources currently available for more common breeds. Last but not least, public policies need to enable improved information concerning the genetic resources and breeding tools available for the agroecological management of livestock production systems, and facilitate its assimilation by farmers and farm technicians