Relation between teaching practices and teaching materials: analysis of an experience using IT resources by preservice elementary school teachers

Este artigo apresenta uma análise de práticas docentes de futuros professores do ensino primário em relação à utilização de recursos de Tecnologias da informação e da comunicação (TIC) no âmbito de uma atividade de ensino-aprendizagem em contexto de formação prática (estágio). Ele relata os resultados de uma análise lexicométrica de entrevistas telefônicas realizadas com 17 estudantes do 3o e 4o anos do Bacharelado em educação pré-escolar e ensino primário de quatro universidades francófonas do Québec. Apesar do reconhecimento por parte dos futuros professores das contribuições das TIC no processo de desenvolvimento das aprendizagens dos alunos e das competências profissionais dos professores, os resultados sugerem uma utilização ainda marginal, envolvendo principalmente softwares de tratamento de texto e Internet, limitada a poucas disciplinas escolares.Este artículo presenta un análisis de prácticas docentes de futuros profesores de la enseñanza primaria respecto a la utilización de recursos de Tecnologías de la información y de la comunicación (TIC) en el ámbito de una actividad de enseñanza-aprendizaje en contexto de formación práctica (práctica profesional). En el texto se describen los resultados de un análisis lexicométrico de entrevistas telefónicas realizadas con 17 estudiantes de 3er y 4o años de Bachillerato en educación preescolar y enseñanza primaria de cuatro universidades francófonas de Quebec. A pesar del reconocimiento, por parte de los futuros docentes, sobre las contribuciones de las TIC en el proceso de desarrollo de los aprendizajes de los alumnos y de las competencias profesionales que estos futuros docentes poseen, los resultados sugieren una utilización marginal, implicando principalmente softwares de tratamiento de texto e Internet, utilización que es igualmente limitada a unas pocas disciplinas escolares.This article presents the analysis of the practices of preservice elementary school teachers regarding the use of Information and Communication Technologies resources during a teaching/learning activity in a practice teaching context. It reports on the results of a lexicometric analysis of the transcribed verbatims of telephone interviews of seventeen 3rd and 4th year student teachers in four Quebec francophone universities. Despite the fact that the preservice teachers recognize that ICT contribute to teaching as well as to the development of the student’s learning and of their professional teaching competencies, the results suggest only a marginal usage of the ICT resources mostly limited to word processing and the internet and only with small number of school subjects

Myeloperoxidase Promoter Polymorphism −463G Is Associated With More Severe Clinical Expression of Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Disease

The severity of cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary disease is not directly related to CFTR genotype but depends upon several parameters, including neutrophil-dominated inflammation. Identification of agents modulating inflammation constitutes a relevant goal. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is involved in both microbicidal and proinflammatory neutrophil activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the −463GA MPO promoter polymorphism is linked to clinical severity of CF-associated pulmonary inflammation. This polymorphism significantly affects the level of MPO gene expression in leukocytes and the G allele is more expressing than the A allele. We show that MPO genotype significantly influences the severity of pulmonary disease in early stages, prior to the development of chronic lung infections, with GG genotype being associated with more severe CF disease. Our findings indicate that the level of MPO gene expression influences the CF pathogenesis, presumably reflecting cellular damage by MPO-generated oxidants or other activity of MPO in airway inflammation

Deletion of the myeloid endothelin-B receptor confers long-term protection from angiotensin II-mediated renal, retinal & vascular injury

International audienceThe endothelin system may be an important player in hypertensive end-organ injury as endothelin-1 increases blood pressure and is pro-inflammatory. The immune system is emerging as an important regulator of blood pressure and we have shown that the early hypertensive response to angiotensin-II infusion was amplified in mice deficient of myeloid endothelin-B (ETB) receptors (LysM-CreEdnrblox/lox). Hypothesizing that these mice would display enhanced organ injury, we gave angiotensin-II to LysM-CreEdnrblox/lox and littermate controls (Ednrblox/lox) for six weeks. Unexpectedly, LysM-CreEdnrblox/lox mice were significantly protected from organ injury, with less proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis and inflammation of the kidney compared to controls. In the eye, LysM-CreEdnrblox/lox mice had fewer retinal hemorrhages, less microglial activation and less vessel rarefaction. Cardiac remodeling and dysfunction were similar in both groups at week six but LysM-CreEdnrblox/lox mice had better endothelial function. Although blood pressure was initially higher in LysM-CreEdnrblox/lox mice, this was not sustained. A natriuretic switch at about two weeks, due to enhanced ETB signaling in the kidney, induced a hypertensive reversal. By week six, blood pressure was lower in LysM-CreEdnrblox/lox mice than in controls. At six weeks, macrophages from LysM-CreEdnrblox/lox mice were more anti-inflammatory and had greater phagocytic ability compared to the macrophages of Ednrblox/lox mice. Thus, myeloid cell ETB receptor signaling drives this injury both through amplifying hypertension and by inflammatory polarization of macrophages

Mycobacterium abscessus and Children with Cystic Fibrosis

We prospectively studied 298 patients with cystic fibrosis (mean age 11.3 years; range 2 months to 32 years; sex ratio, 0.47) for nontuberculous mycobacteria in respiratory samples from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 1999. Mycobacterium abscessus was by far the most prevalent nontuberculous mycobacterium: 15 patients (6 male, 9 female; mean age 11.9 years; range 2.5–22 years) had at least one positive sample for this microorganism (versus 6 patients positive for M. avium complex), including 10 with >3 positive samples (versus 3 patients for M. avium complex). The M. abscessus isolates from 14 patients were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis: each of the 14 patients harbored a unique strain, ruling out a common environmental reservoir or person-to-person transmission. Water samples collected in the cystic fibrosis center were negative for M. abscessus. This major mycobacterial pathogen in children and teenagers with cystic fibrosis does not appear to be acquired nosocomially

GWAS in the SIGNAL/PHARE clinical cohort restricts the association between the FGFR2 locus and estrogen receptor status to HER2-negative breast cancer patients

International audienceGenetic polymorphisms are associated with breast cancer risk. Clinical and epidemiological observations suggest that clinical characteristics of breast cancer, such as estrogen receptor or HER2 status, are also influenced by hereditary factors. To identify genetic variants associated with pathological characteristics of breast cancer patients, a Genome Wide Association Study was performed in a cohort of 9365 women from the French nationwide SIGNAL/PHARE studies (NCT00381901/RECF1098). Strong association between the FGFR2 locus and ER status of breast cancer patients was observed (ER-positive n=6211, ER-negative n=2516; rs3135718 OR=1.34 p=5.46x10-12). This association was limited to patients with HER2-negative tumors (ER-positive n=4267, ER-negative n=1185; rs3135724 OR=1.85 p=1.16x10-11). The FGFR2 locus is known to be associated with breast cancer risk. This study provides sound evidence for an association between variants in the FGFR2 locus and ER status among breast cancer patients, particularly among patients with HER2-negative disease. This refinement of the association between FGFR2 variants and ER-status to HER2-negative disease provides novel insight to potential biological and clinical influence of genetic polymorphisms on breast tumors

A novel role for myeloid endothelin-B receptors in hypertension

International audienceAIMS:Hypertension is common. Recent data suggest that macrophages (Mφ) contribute to, and protect from, hypertension. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the most potent endogenous vasoconstrictor with additional pro-inflammatory properties. We investigated the role of the ET system in experimental and clinical hypertension by modifying Mφ number and phenotype.METHODS AND RESULTS:In vitro, Mφ ET receptor function was explored using pharmacological, gene silencing, and knockout approaches. Using the CD11b-DTR mouse and novel mice with myeloid cell-specific endothelin-B (ETB) receptor deficiency (LysMETB-/-), we explored the effects of modifying Mφ number and phenotype on the hypertensive effects of ET-1, angiotensin II (ANG II), a model that is ET-1 dependent, and salt. In patients with small vessel vasculitis, the impacts of Mφ depleting and non-depleting therapies on blood pressure (BP) and endothelial function were examined. Mouse and human Mφ expressed both endothelin-A and ETB receptors and displayed chemokinesis to ET-1. However, stimulation of Mφ with exogenous ET-1 did not polarize Mφ phenotype. Interestingly, both mouse and human Mφ cleared ET-1 through ETB receptor mediated, and dynamin-dependent, endocytosis. Mφ depletion resulted in an augmented chronic hypertensive response to both ET-1 and salt. LysMETB-/- mice displayed an exaggerated hypertensive response to both ET-1 and ANG II. Finally, in patients who received Mφ depleting immunotherapy BP was higher and endothelial function worse than in those receiving non-depleting therapies.CONCLUSION:Mφ and ET-1 may play an important role in BP control and potentially have a critical role as a therapeutic target in hypertension

A novel role for myeloid endothelin-B receptors in hypertension

International audienceAIMS:Hypertension is common. Recent data suggest that macrophages (Mφ) contribute to, and protect from, hypertension. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the most potent endogenous vasoconstrictor with additional pro-inflammatory properties. We investigated the role of the ET system in experimental and clinical hypertension by modifying Mφ number and phenotype.METHODS AND RESULTS:In vitro, Mφ ET receptor function was explored using pharmacological, gene silencing, and knockout approaches. Using the CD11b-DTR mouse and novel mice with myeloid cell-specific endothelin-B (ETB) receptor deficiency (LysMETB-/-), we explored the effects of modifying Mφ number and phenotype on the hypertensive effects of ET-1, angiotensin II (ANG II), a model that is ET-1 dependent, and salt. In patients with small vessel vasculitis, the impacts of Mφ depleting and non-depleting therapies on blood pressure (BP) and endothelial function were examined. Mouse and human Mφ expressed both endothelin-A and ETB receptors and displayed chemokinesis to ET-1. However, stimulation of Mφ with exogenous ET-1 did not polarize Mφ phenotype. Interestingly, both mouse and human Mφ cleared ET-1 through ETB receptor mediated, and dynamin-dependent, endocytosis. Mφ depletion resulted in an augmented chronic hypertensive response to both ET-1 and salt. LysMETB-/- mice displayed an exaggerated hypertensive response to both ET-1 and ANG II. Finally, in patients who received Mφ depleting immunotherapy BP was higher and endothelial function worse than in those receiving non-depleting therapies.CONCLUSION:Mφ and ET-1 may play an important role in BP control and potentially have a critical role as a therapeutic target in hypertension

Preventive and curative effect of melatonin on mammary carcinogenesis induced by dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in the female Sprague–Dawley rat

INTRODUCTION: It has been well documented that the pineal hormone, melatonin, which plays a major role in the control of reproduction in mammals, also plays a role in the incidence and growth of breast and mammary cancer. The curative effect of melatonin on the growth of dimethylbenz [a]anthracene-induced (DMBA-induced) mammary adenocarcinoma (ADK) has been previously well documented in the female Sprague–Dawley rat. However, the preventive effect of melatonin in limiting the frequency of cancer initiation has not been well documented. METHODS: The aim of this study was to compare the potency of melatonin to limit the frequency of mammary cancer initiation with its potency to inhibit tumor progression once initiation, at 55 days of age, was achieved. The present study compared the effect of preventive treatment with melatonin (10 mg/kg daily) administered for only 15 days before the administration of DMBA with the effect of long-term (6-month) curative treatment with the same dose of melatonin starting the day after DMBA administration. The rats were followed up for a year after the administration of the DMBA. RESULTS: The results clearly showed almost identical preventive and curative effects of melatonin on the growth of DMBA-induced mammary ADK. Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain the inhibitory effects of melatonin. However, the mechanisms responsible for its strong preventive effect are still a matter of debate. At least, it can be envisaged that the artificial amplification of the intensity of the circadian rhythm of melatonin could markedly reduce the DNA damage provoked by DMBA and therefore the frequency of cancer initiation. CONCLUSION: In view of the present results, obtained in the female Sprague–Dawley rat, it can be envisaged that the long-term inhibition of mammary ADK promotion by a brief, preventive treatment with melatonin could also reduce the risk of breast cancer induced in women by unidentified environmental factors

Autophagy protein 5 controls flow-dependent endothelial functions

Dysregulated autophagy is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, where impaired flow-mediated endothelial cell responses promote cardiovascular risk. The mechanism by which the autophagy machinery regulates endothelial functions is complex. We applied multi-omics approaches and in vitro and in vivo functional assays to decipher the diverse roles of autophagy in endothelial cells. We demonstrate that autophagy regulates VEGF-dependent VEGFR signaling and VEGFR-mediated and flow-mediated eNOS activation. Endothelial ATG5 deficiency in vivo results in selective loss of flow-induced vasodilation in mesenteric arteries and kidneys and increased cerebral and renal vascular resistance in vivo. We found a crucial pathophysiological role for autophagy in endothelial cells in flow-mediated outward arterial remodeling, prevention of neointima formation following wire injury, and recovery after myocardial infarction. Together, these findings unravel a fundamental role of autophagy in endothelial function, linking cell proteostasis to mechanosensing