Ambiance Bioclimatique et Performance des Paysans dans le District de Mouyondzi (République du Congo)

Climate warming is a phenomenon that is constantly in the news, both in the scientific community and among decision-makers, due to its consequences. The main objective of this study is to analyse the adverse effects of global warming on the bioclimatic environment and on the performance of farmers in Mouyondzi District. It was conducted using bioclimatic index (THI) calculation methods on tri-annual mean temperature and relative humidity data from two sub-periods (1950-1969 and 2001-2011). The main results showed a change in the pattern of mean temperatures during the different sub-periods analysed. Low temperatures are observed from June to August or even September from 0h to 6h. High temperatures are now recorded from 9am to 6pm instead of 12pm to 3pm during the months of January to May and October to December. Faced with this thermal discomfort, which has led to numerous harms, farmers have put in place numerous unsatisfactory adaptation strategies, failing to change their activities

Contrasting crystal packing arrangements in triiodide salts of radical cations of chiral bis(pyrrolo[3,4-d])tetrathiafulvalenes

Crystal structures of six 1 : 1 triiodide salts of a series of enantiopure bis(pyrrolo[3,4-d])TTF derivatives, the first structures of radical cation salts reported for this bis(pyrrolo) donor system, show three different arrangements of triiodide ions, organised either in head-to-tail pairs, in infinite lines, or in a castellated arrangement. The complex crystal structures, obtained by electrocrystallisation, are influenced by the presence of solvent, for example changing an ABCABC packing arrangement to ABAB with inclusion of THF, as well as by the size of the chiral side chain

Platelet-rich plasma, platelet-rich fibrin, and enamel matrix derivative for oral mucosal wound healing

Different approaches to enhance healing of hard or soft tissues include the use of cytokines and growth factors to modify cellular behaviour. Numerous growth factors are found in autologous blood concentrates – platelet rich plasma (PRP) and platelet rich fibrin (PRF). Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) may improve tissue healing via amelogenins. Bilayered collagen matrix (CM) is used for soft tissue augmentation. The aim of the present study was to assess potential benefits of PRP, PRF and EMD in combination with bilayered collagen matrix or CM alone in treatment of oral mucosal defects in rabbits. Twenty-seven New Zealand white rabbits were included in this randomized controlled trial. Artificial oral mucosal defects were treated with one of these five approaches: PRP+CM, PRF+CM, EMD+CM, CM alone, or left untreated as a negative control (CO). The animals were euthanized 1 day, 7 days, or 28 days after surgery and necropsies were harvested. Histological and molecular biological analyses were performed. All defects were healed by day 28. No differences between PRP+CM, PRF+CM, CM alone and CO groups were recorded at any time point. Slower angiogenesis and a higher presence of inflammatory infiltrate were observed in the EMD+CM group 28 days after surgery. Molecular biological analyses did not reveal any statistically significant changes. In conclusion, no improvement in mucosal healing of wounds covered with a collagen membrane and PRP, PRF, or EMD was observed, compared with CM alone or untreated controls.Different approaches to enhance healing of hard or soft tissues include the use of cytokines and growth factors to modify cellular behaviour. Numerous growth factors are found in autologous blood concentrates – platelet rich plasma (PRP) and platelet rich fibrin (PRF). Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) may improve tissue healing via amelogenins. Bilayered collagen matrix (CM) is used for soft tissue augmentation. The aim of the present study was to assess potential benefits of PRP, PRF and EMD in combination with bilayered collagen matrix or CM alone in treatment of oral mucosal defects in rabbits. Twenty-seven New Zealand white rabbits were included in this randomized controlled trial. Artificial oral mucosal defects were treated with one of these five approaches: PRP+CM, PRF+CM, EMD+CM, CM alone, or left untreated as a negative control (CO). The animals were euthanized 1 day, 7 days, or 28 days after surgery and necropsies were harvested. Histological and molecular biological analyses were performed. All defects were healed by day 28. No differences between PRP+CM, PRF+CM, CM alone and CO groups were recorded at any time point. Slower angiogenesis and a higher presence of inflammatory infiltrate were observed in the EMD+CM group 28 days after surgery. Molecular biological analyses did not reveal any statistically significant changes. In conclusion, no improvement in mucosal healing of wounds covered with a collagen membrane and PRP, PRF, or EMD was observed, compared with CM alone or untreated controls

Conformance testing from UML specifications. Experience Report

International audienceUMLAUT is a framework for building tools dedicated to the manipulation of models described using the Unified Modeling Language (UML). TGV is a tool for the generation of conformance test suites for protocols. Both tools are connected so that it is possible to specify an application in UML and derive automatically some test cases. In this article, the integration of those tools in an industrial process is evaluated through a case study. This case study, proposed by Gemplus, is a Java Card applet: a classical electronic purse

Granulation tissue enriched by aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids in healing experimental periodontal lesion

Aims. Granulation tissue (GT) and specialized proresolving mediators such as lipoxins and resolvins are key elements in the successful resolution of periodontitis. Aspirin triggered lipoxins and resolvins are even more powerful than their natural analogues. Their biosynthesis can be accelerated by omega3 fatty acids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of GT enriched by aspirin and omega‑3 fatty acids during the surgical treatment of periodontitis in an experimental animal model (rabbit). Methods. In each of 24 rabbits, two experimental periodontal defects were created. In total, 47 defects were treated with open flap debridement and one of three procedures: (1) GT extracted and soaked with aspirin and omega‑3 fatty acids (ASA+OMEGA3 group); (2) GT soaked with saline (PLACEBO group); or (3) GT left untreated (CONTROL group). Then, the GT was replaced in situ. Primary evaluated criteria were the probing pocket depth (PPD) and the clinical at‑ tachment level (CAL). Necropsies were harvested 2, 6, and 12 weeks after surgery. The samples were used for histological and molecular biological assessment. Results. A trend of greater PPD and CAL in the ASA+OMEGA3 group was observed at 6 weeks. However, there was no significant difference between them. During the observation period, tissue levels of FGF‑7, IL1β and TIMP1 showed a statistically significant decrease (P<0.05). For the other variables, the ASA+OMEGA3 group was comparable with the PLACEBO and CONTROL groups. Conclusion. This experiment did not demonstrate the superiority of the proposed approach. However, the enriched granulation tissue did not impair healing outcomes

Redox Signaling is Essential for Insulin Secretion

In this review, we place redox signaling in pancreatic β-cells to the context with signaling pathways leading to insulin secretion, acting for example upon the action of incretins (GLP-1, GIP) and the metabotropic receptor GPR40. Besides a brief description of ion channel participation in depolarization/repolarization of the plasma membrane, we emphasize a prominent role of the elevated glucose level in pancreatic β-cells during glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). We focus on our recent findings, which revealed that for GSIS, not only elevated ATP synthesis is required, but also fundamental redox signaling originating from the NADPH oxidase 4- (NOX4-) mediated H2O2 production. We hypothesized that the closing of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) is only possible when both ATP plus H2O2 are elevated in INS-1E cells. KATP alone or with synergic channels provides an element of logical sum, integrating both metabolic plus redox homeostasis. This is also valid for other secretagogues, such as branched chain ketoacids (BCKAs); and partly for fatty acids (FAs). Branched chain aminoacids, leucine, valine and isoleucine, after being converted to BCKAs are metabolized by a series of reactions resembling β-oxidation of FAs. This increases superoxide formation in mitochondria, including its portion elevated due to the function of electron transfer flavoprotein ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETF:QOR). After superoxide conversion to H2O2 the oxidation of BCKAs provides the mitochondrial redox signaling extending up to the plasma membrane to induce its depolarization together with the elevated ATP. In contrast, experimental FA-stimulated insulin secretion in the presence of non-stimulating glucose concentrations is predominantly mediated by GPR40, for which intramitochondrial redox signaling activates phospholipase iPLA2γ, cleaving free FAs from mitochondrial membranes, which diffuse to the plasma membrane and largely amplify the GPR40 response. These events are concomitant to the insulin release due to the metabolic component. Hypothetically, redox signaling may proceed by simple H2O2 diffusion or via an SH-relay enabled by peroxiredoxins to target proteins. However, these aspects have yet to be elucidated

The 4p1000 initiative : opportunities, limitations and challenges for implementing soil organic carbon sequestration as a sustainable development strategy

Authors would like to acknowledge the executive secretariat of the 4p1000 initiative, Charlotte Verger and Claire Weill for their valuable contributions during the preparation of this manuscript. The input of PS contributes to the UK NERC-funded Soils-R-GGREAT project (NE/P019455/1).Peer reviewedPostprin