Association studies using random and "candidate" microsatellite loci in two infectious goat diseases

We established a set of 30 microsatellites of Bovidae origin for use in a biodiversity study in Swiss and Creole goats. Additional microsatellites located within or next to "candidate" genes of interest, such as cytokine genes (IL4, INF-gamma) and MHC class II genes (DRB, DYA) were tested in the caprine species in order to detect possible associations with two infectious caprine diseases. Microsatellite analysis was undertaken using automated sequencers (ABI373 & 3100). In the first study, a total of 82 unrelated Creole goats, 37 resistant and 45 susceptible to Heartwater disease (Cowdriosis) were analysed. In this study, the two microsatellite loci DRBP1 (MHCII) and BOBT24 (IL4) were positively associated with disease susceptibility, demonstrating a corrected P-value of 0.002 and 0.005, respectively. In a second investigation, we tested 36 goats, naturally infected with the nematode parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis. These animals were divided into a "low" and "high" excreting group on the basis of two independently recorded fecal egg counts. For this nematode resistance study, we detected a significant association of one of the alleles of the microsatellite locus SPS113 with "low" excretion (resistance). The MHC class II locus DYA (P19), was weakly associated with susceptibility in both diseases (Pc = 0.05). In future experiments, we will extend the sample size in order to verify the described associations

Loss of the thyroid hormone-binding protein Crym renders striatal neurons more vulnerable to mutant huntingtin in Huntington's disease

The mechanisms underlying preferential atrophy of the striatum in Huntington's disease (HD) are unknown. One hypothesis is that a set of gene products preferentially expressed in the striatum could determine the particular vulnerability of this brain region to mutant huntingtin (mHtt). Here, we studied the striatal protein µ-crystallin (Crym). Crym is the NADPH-dependent p38 cytosolic T3-binding protein (p38CTBP), a key regulator of thyroid hormone (TH) T3 (3,5,3′-triiodo-l-thyronine) transportation. It has been also recently identified as the enzyme that reduces the sulfur-containing cyclic ketimines, which are potential neurotransmitters. Here, we confirm the preferential expression of the Crym protein in the rodent and macaque striatum. Crym expression was found to be higher in the macaque caudate than in the putamen. Expression of Crym was reduced in the BACHD and Knock-in 140CAG mouse models of HD before onset of striatal atrophy. We show that overexpression of Crym in striatal medium-size spiny neurons using a lentiviral-based strategy in mice is neuroprotective against the neurotoxicity of an N-terminal fragment of mHtt in vivo. Thus, reduction of Crym expression in HD could render striatal neurons more susceptible to mHtt suggesting that Crym may be a key determinant of the vulnerability of the striatum. In addition our work points to Crym as a potential molecular link between striatal degeneration and the THs deregulation reported in HD patient

Recycling of organic matter in Antarctic sediments: A transect through the polar front in the Southern Ocean (Indian Sector)

International audienc

Explorer les liens entre agriculture et sécurité alimentaire : une enquête auprès des femmes du gouvernorat de Sidi-Bouzid en Tunisie

International audienceThis paper presents and describes the contents of a database built from a survey conducted in central Tunisia in the governorate of Sidi-Bouzid. In this evolving region, the agricultural sector, which occupies a predominant place in economic activity, is characterized by the diversity of its farms, both at the organizational level (family or salaried workforce predominantly female) and technical (presence of irrigation infrastructure, under-cover cultivation). In terms of technical and economic orientations, tree crops and market gardening develop when other more traditional crops persist (olive cultivation, cereal farming). Recent public policies have also encouraged dairy farming. Cradle of the Jasmin revolution in 2010, Sidi-Bouzid faces economic and social difficulties. In this context, agriculture has a key role in ensuring food security for population. The objective of this survey was to identify the links between the structure, functioning and performance of farms and the food security of adult women in the territory. Individual incomes of household members, self-consumption of agricultural products, and women empowerment may also punctuate this impact pathway. Indeed, women's income could increase their autonomy, thus favoring, through the control of their expenditure, their food needs and those of the household to which they belong. The survey is based on three questionnaires. A sample of 575 women, selected from a representative sample of 20 to 49-year-old women from the governorate of Sidi-Bouzid, 575 heads of households and 316 heads of farms responded to the questionnaires. The collection was carried out on a paper questionnaire in face-to-face interview in December 2015. The data were then entered and checked on the EpiData software before being exported and cleaned on the Stata software. data are available in following the link doi: 10.18167/DVN1/LWT7BG.Cet article présente et décrit le contenu d’une base de données construite à partir d’une enquête menée dans le gouvernorat de Sidi-Bouzid, situé dans le centre de la Tunisie. Sur ce territoire en transition, le secteur agricole, qui tient une place prédominante dans l’activité économique, est caractérisé par la diversité de ses exploitations, aussi bien sur le plan organisationnel (main-d’oeuvre familiale ou salariée à dominante féminine) que technique (présence d’infrastructure d’irrigation, de culture sous-abri). Sur le plan des orientations technico-économiques, les cultures arboricoles et maraîchères se développent quand d’autres cultures plus traditionnelles persistent (oléiculture, céréaliculture). Des politiques publiques récentes ont également encouragé l’élevage laitier. Berceau de la révolution du Jasmin en 2010, Sidi-Bouzid fait face à des difficultés économiques et sociales. Dans ce contexte, l’agriculture a un rôle essentiel pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire de la population. L’objectif de cette enquête était d’identifier les liens existants entre la structure, le fonctionnement et les performances des exploitations agricoles, et la sécurité alimentaire des femmes adultes du territoire. Les revenus individuels des membres du ménage, l’autoconsommation de produits agricoles, et l’autonomie des femmes peuvent aussi jalonner ce chemin d’impact. En effet, le développement du salariat peut permettre aux femmes d’accroître leur autonomie, privilégiant ainsi, à travers la maîtrise de leurs dépenses, leurs besoins alimentaires et ceux du ménage auquel elles appartiennent. L’enquête est articulée autour de trois questionnaires. Cinq cent soixante-quinze femmes, sélectionnées aléatoirement à partir d’un échantillon représentatif des femmes de 20 à 49 ans du gouvernorat de Sidi-Bouzid, 575 chefs de ménages et 316 chefs d’exploitations ont répondu aux questionnaires. La collecte a été réalisée sur questionnaire papier, en entretien face-à-face en décembre 2015. Les données ont été ensuite saisies et contrôlées sur le logiciel EpiData, avant d’être nettoyées sur le logiciel Stata. Les données sont disponibles sur le lien doi: 10.18167/DVN1/LWT7BG

The unlikely partnership between LRRK 2 and α‐synuclein in Parkinson's disease

International audienceAbstract Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease, the once archetypical nongenetic neurogenerative disorder, has dramatically increased with the identification of α‐synuclein and LRRK 2 pathogenic mutations. While α‐synuclein protein composes the aggregates that can spread through much of the brain in disease, LRRK 2 encodes a multidomain dual‐enzyme distinct from any other protein linked to neurodegeneration. In this review, we discuss emergent datasets from multiple model systems that suggest these unlikely partners do interact in important ways in disease, both within cells that express both LRRK 2 and α‐synuclein as well as through more indirect pathways that might involve neuroinflammation. Although the link between LRRK 2 and disease can be understood in part through LRRK 2 kinase activity (phosphotransferase activity), α‐synuclein toxicity is multilayered and plausibly interacts with LRRK 2 kinase activity in several ways. We discuss common protein interactors like 14‐3‐3s that may regulate α‐synuclein and LRRK 2 in disease. Finally, we examine cellular pathways and outcomes common to both mutant α‐synuclein expression and LRRK 2 activity and points of intersection. Understanding the interplay between these two unlikely partners in disease may provide new therapeutic avenues for PD

Food insecurity experienced by rural women in Tunisia

Food insecurity experienced by rural women in Tunisia. 7. Africa Nutritional Epidemiology Conferenc

The unlikely partnership between LRRK2 and α-synuclein in Parkinson's disease

International audienceOur understanding of the mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease, the once archetypical nongenetic neurogenerative disorder, has dramatically increased with the identification of α-synuclein and LRRK2 pathogenic mutations. While α-synuclein protein composes the aggregates that can spread through much of the brain in disease, LRRK2 encodes a multi-domain dual-enzyme distinct from any other protein linked to neurodegeneration. In this review, we discuss emergent datasets from multiple model systems that suggests these unlikely partners do interact in important ways in disease, both within cells that express both LRRK2 and α-synuclein as well as through more indirect pathways that might involve neuroinflammation. Although the link between LRRK2 and disease can be understood in part through LRRK2 kinase activity (phospho-transferase activity), α-synuclein toxicity is multi-layered and plausibly interacts with LRRK2 kinase activity in several ways. We discuss common protein interactors like 14-3-3s that may regulate αsynuclein and LRRK2 in disease. Finally, we examine cellular pathways and outcomes common to both mutant α-synuclein expression and LRRK2 activity and points of intersection. Understanding the interplay between these two unlikely partners in disease may provide new therapeutic avenues for PD