Liquid-Diet with Alcohol Alters Maternal, Fetal and Placental Weights and the Expression of Molecules Involved in Integrin Signaling in the Fetal Cerebral Cortex

Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes wide range of behavioral and structural deficits in children, commonly known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Children with FAS may suffer behavioral deficits in the absence of obvious malformations. In rodents, the exposure to alcohol during gestation changes brain structures and weights of offspring. The mechanism of FAS is not completely understood. In the present study, an established rat (Long-Evans) model of FAS was used. The litter size and the weights of mothers, fetuses and placentas were examined on gestation days 18 or 20. On gestation day 18, the effects of chronic alcohol on the expression levels of integrin receptor subunits, phospholipase-Cγ and N-cadherin were examined in the fetal cerebral cortices. Presence of alcohol in the liquid-diet reduced the consumption and decreased weights of mothers and fetuses but increased the placental weights. Expression levels of β1 and α3 integrin subunits and phospholipase-Cγ2 were significantly altered in the fetal cerebral cortices of mothers on alcohol containing diet. Results show that alcohol consumption during pregnancy even with protein, mineral and vitamin enriched diet may affect maternal and fetal health, and alter integrin receptor signaling pathways in the fetal cerebral cortex disturbing the development of fetal brains

Staurosporine augments EGF-mediated EMT in PMC42-LA cells through actin depolymerisation, focal contact size reduction and Snail1 induction – A model for cross-modulation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A feature of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) relevant to tumour dissemination is the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton/focal contacts, influencing cellular ECM adherence and motility. This is coupled with the transcriptional repression of E-cadherin, often mediated by Snail1, Snail2 and Zeb1/δEF1. These genes, overexpressed in breast carcinomas, are known targets of growth factor-initiated pathways, however it is less clear how alterations in ECM attachment cross-modulate to regulate these pathways. EGF induces EMT in the breast cancer cell line PMC42-LA and the kinase inhibitor staurosporine (ST) induces EMT in embryonic neural epithelial cells, with F-actin de-bundling and disruption of cell-cell adhesion, via inhibition of aPKC.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>PMC42-LA cells were treated for 72 h with 10 ng/ml EGF, 40 nM ST, or both, and assessed for expression of E-cadherin repressor genes (Snail1, Snail2, Zeb1/δEF1) and EMT-related genes by QRT-PCR, multiplex tandem PCR (MT-PCR) and immunofluorescence +/- cycloheximide. Actin and focal contacts (paxillin) were visualized by confocal microscopy. A public database of human breast cancers was assessed for expression of Snail1 and Snail2 in relation to outcome.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>When PMC42-LA were treated with EGF, Snail2 was the principal E-cadherin repressor induced. With ST or ST+EGF this shifted to Snail1, with more extreme EMT and Zeb1/δEF1 induction seen with ST+EGF. ST reduced stress fibres and focal contact size rapidly and independently of gene transcription. Gene expression analysis by MT-PCR indicated that ST repressed many genes which were induced by EGF (EGFR, CAV1, CTGF, CYR61, CD44, S100A4) and induced genes which alter the actin cytoskeleton (NLF1, NLF2, EPHB4). Examination of the public database of breast cancers revealed tumours exhibiting higher Snail1 expression have an increased risk of disease-recurrence. This was not seen for Snail2, and Zeb1/δEF1 showed a reverse correlation with lower expression values being predictive of increased risk.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>ST in combination with EGF directed a greater EMT via actin depolymerisation and focal contact size reduction, resulting in a loosening of cell-ECM attachment along with Snail1-Zeb1/δEF1 induction. This appeared fundamentally different to the EGF-induced EMT, highlighting the multiple pathways which can regulate EMT. Our findings add support for a functional role for Snail1 in invasive breast cancer.</p

Protein adequacy is primarily a matter of protein quantity, not quality : modeling an increase in plant:animal protein ratio in french adults

A downward trend in animal protein (AP) intake has been observed in western countries over the last decade and the effects of such a transition on protein adequacy remain debatable. Using the probability approach and diet modeling with data on 1678 adults from a representative French national dietary survey, we studied the sensitivity of the adequacy of protein and amino acid intakes to changes in animal:plant protein. We simulated the gradual substitution of AP with different mixtures of plant protein (PP), containing various proportions of PP already consumed and legumes, nuts and seeds (LNS). We found that protein and amino acid intakes met dietary requirements in virtually the entire population studied. Up to 50% of PP in diets, protein and amino acid intakes were adequate in all models. From 50%, protein inadequacy was primary due to protein quantity, and from 70%, to protein quality (as lysine inadequacy). The introduction of LNS in the mixture substituting AP led to adequate protein intakes for higher percentages of PP. An increase in PP based on the current pattern of plant protein sources, low in protein:energy, could lead to inadequate protein intake, but the contribution of LNS ensures the safety of a further transition

Une modification du profil protéique est nécessaire pour assurer l’adéquation en protéines et en acides aminés lorsqu’on augmente le rapport protéines végétales/animales : résultats de modélisations sur une population adulte en France.

International audienc

La formation commune saisie par ses destinataires

What are the reactions of students and training teachers to the general training in lUFM's. intended as a necessary stage of a culture shared by all of them ? It is when looking into this question that the authors have noticed some common characteristics and some clashes in the perception of this teaching. Through distinctions concerning principles, the contents of this training and their implementation, some assessments point to an evolution of mentalities, particularly striking in secondary education and leading to a convergence of identity which requires time.Quelles sont les réactions des étudiants et des enseignants-stagiaires à l'égard de la formation commune en IUFM. voulue comme le passage obligé d'une culture partagée par tous ? C'est en s'intéressant à cette question que les auteurs ont relevé caractéristiques communes et ruptures dans la perception de cet enseignement. À travers des distinctions concernant les principes, les contenus de cette formation et leur mise en œuvre, certaines appréciations indiquent une évolution des mentalités, particulièrement frappante dans le second degré, allant vers une convergence identitaire qui demande du temps.Guillot A., Brizemur Ph., Gavelle Émile, Poton Didier, Urbain M.-F., Sarfati Andrée. La formation commune saisie par ses destinataires. In: Recherche & Formation, N°13, 1993. Quelle formation en commun pour les enseignants ? pp. 115-128

Une modification du profil protéique est nécessaire pour assurer l’adéquation en protéines et en acides aminés lorsqu’on augmente le rapport protéines végétales/animales : résultats de modélisations sur une population adulte en France.

International audienc

Protein Adequacy Is Primarily a Matter of Protein Quantity, Not Quality: Modeling an Increase in Plant:Animal Protein Ratio in French Adults

A downward trend in animal protein (AP) intake has been observed in western countries over the last decade and the effects of such a transition on protein adequacy remain debatable. Using the probability approach and diet modeling with data on 1678 adults from a representative French national dietary survey, we studied the sensitivity of the adequacy of protein and amino acid intakes to changes in animal:plant protein. We simulated the gradual substitution of AP with different mixtures of plant protein (PP), containing various proportions of PP already consumed and legumes, nuts and seeds (LNS). We found that protein and amino acid intakes met dietary requirements in virtually the entire population studied. Up to 50% of PP in diets, protein and amino acid intakes were adequate in all models. From 50%, protein inadequacy was primary due to protein quantity, and from 70%, to protein quality (as lysine inadequacy). The introduction of LNS in the mixture substituting AP led to adequate protein intakes for higher percentages of PP. An increase in PP based on the current pattern of plant protein sources, low in protein:energy, could lead to inadequate protein intake, but the contribution of LNS ensures the safety of a further transition

Defects evolution and dopant activation anomalies in ion implanted silicon

International audienceThe interactions between the defects and the implanted dopants are at the origin of the diffusion and activation anomalies that are among the major obstacles to the realisation of ultra-shallow junctions satisfying the ITRS requirements.In this paper, we present some recent results on the evolution of extended defects in technology relevant conditions for the fabrication of p+/n ultra-shallow junctions and elucidate for each of them the role of the defects in the diffusion and activation anomalies exhibited by the implanted dopants. The presented studies range from the formation of large Boron-Interstitial Clusters in high-fluence B+-implanted silicon, to the deactivation/reactivation of preamorphised ultra-shallow junctions and, finally, to the impact of co-implanted F on the thermal stability of preamorphised junctions