Alpha-Synuclein Post-translational Modifications: Implications for Pathogenesis of Lewy Body Disorders

\ua9 Copyright \ua9 2021 Manzanza, Sedlackova and Kalaria. Lewy Body Disorders (LBDs) lie within the spectrum of age-related neurodegenerative diseases now frequently categorized as the synucleinopathies. LBDs are considered to be among the second most common form of neurodegenerative dementias after Alzheimer\u27s disease. They are progressive conditions with variable clinical symptoms embodied within specific cognitive and behavioral disorders. There are currently no effective treatments for LBDs. LBDs are histopathologically characterized by the presence of abnormal neuronal inclusions commonly known as Lewy Bodies (LBs) and extracellular Lewy Neurites (LNs). The inclusions predominantly comprise aggregates of alpha-synuclein (aSyn). It has been proposed that post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as aSyn phosphorylation, ubiquitination SUMOylation, Nitration, o-GlcNacylation, and Truncation play important roles in the formation of toxic forms of the protein, which consequently facilitates the formation of these inclusions. This review focuses on the role of different PTMs in aSyn in the pathogenesis of LBDs. We highlight how these PTMs interact with aSyn to promote misfolding and aggregation and interplay with cell membranes leading to the potential functional and pathogenic consequences detected so far, and their involvement in the development of LBDs

Awareness, attitudes and prevention of malaria in the cities of Douala and Yaoundé (Cameroon)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is little information on the social perception of malaria and the use of prevention methods in Cameroon. This study was designed to assess knowledge, attitude and management of malaria in households living in the cities of Douala and Yaoundé.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Over 82% of people interviewed associated malaria transmission to mosquito bites. Methods used for malaria prevention were: environmental sanitation 1645 (76.1%), use of bed nets 1491 (69%), insecticide spray/coils 265 (12.3%) and netting of doors or windows 42 (1.9%). Bed net ownership was significantly high in Yaoundé (73.8%) (P < 0.0001), whereas the use of insecticide spray or coils was significantly important in Douala (16.3%) (P < 0.0001). Some of the problems experienced by families using ITN were the difficulty in finding chemicals for the retreatment of nets 702 (47%), insufficient financial means to buy new bed nets to replace old ones 366 (24.5%) or, to provide bed nets to everybody in the household 289 (19.4%) and the sensation of feeling excessive heat when sleeping under a bed net 74 (5%). The amount spent monthly by a household for vector control and malaria treatment was estimated at 2377 fcfa (3.6 euros) and 4562 fcfa (6.95 euros) respectively. These amounts were not significantly different between households of Douala and Yaoundé. Concerning management of malaria cases, 18.6% of people declare going to the hospital when suffering from malaria. The majority of people (81.4%) do self medication - they either buy drugs from the pharmacists, street sellers or they use plants to cure malaria.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study revealed a high awareness of populations on malaria and ITNs. However some attitudes hindering the use of ITN or related to the management of clinical cases need further attention.</p

Women's experience of being HIV positive : the stigma related to HIV and disclosure of their status

This project is part of a larger study of the Serithi project in which semi-structured interviews were conducted with three hundred and seventeen HIV positive women from disadvantaged locations of Tshwane. In this study, the focus is on women’s experiences of an HIV positive diagnosis and the stigma associated with HIV and their level of disclosure. An analysis was made to whom they disclose, why they choose to disclose and the reaction of the people disclosed to, as well as reasons some people decided not to disclose. Theoretically, the Social Psychology approach was used to provide a theoretical framework as it attempts to understand the relationship between individuals, groups, and behaviour, invariably understanding the relationship between HIV related stigma experienced and the levels of disclosure of the women. As the aim of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of HIV related stigma and disclosure encountered by South African HIV positive women, a combination of qualitative and quantitative measures was used. It was established from the research results that upon diagnosis, most women experience negative emotions and thoughts including shock, fear of death, sadness, anger, self-blame and denial. These reactions, however, over time seem to fluctuate and positive reactions such as acceptance of the HIV positive diagnosis and positive thinking come to the fore. Of the three hundred and seventeen respondents used in this study, only one hundred and ninety three women (61%) disclosed their HIV status to at least one person, being either partners (44%), family members (16%), parents (12%), friends (11%), in-laws (1,5%), and or people at work of which less than one percent of the women disclosed to, while 124 (39%) of the women did not disclose to anyone with the exception of the research assistants involved in this study. The issue of disclosure was analysed, and the most people disclosed to were partners, family members and parents. The women stated that it was easy for them to disclose to these people because they knew that they would not be judged and ridiculed. Instead, they felt assured that they would receive unconditional acceptance and support upon disclosure. Reasons for not disclosing included the fear of discrimination, rejection and blame, lack of trust and a supportive relationship. HIV related stigma was assessed through three different types of stigma, namely; 1) Experienced personal stigma (expectations of stigmatised individuals of how others will react to their condition), 2) Perceived community stigma (how the respondents think most people in the community feel and react towards HIV) and 3) Enacted stigma (the actual experiences of discriminatory acts due to their HIV positive status). From these assessments, it was established that respondents perceive community stigma to be the most prevalent and more negative than felt or personal stigma and enacted stigma, which was the least negative. Correlations between the various measures of stigma and disclosure showed that the women’s decision to disclose their HIV status is not only related to their stigma scores. Levels of personal stigma only played a role in disclosure to family members and friends and not in disclosure to partners. Perceived community stigma, which was high, did not have an impact on the level of disclosure. Therefore, the decision to disclose one’s HIV status is not totally influenced or dependent on HIV related stigma because other variables such as the quality of relationships also play a role. This raises the opportunity for further research as to what other aspects may have an impact on the issue of disclosure of one’s HIV positive status.Dissertation (MA (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007.Psychologyunrestricte

La métaphore de la bête comme lecture sociocritique dans Germinal d’Émile Zola

Résumé : Classé parmi les prestigieux noms de la manifestation littéraire au XIXe siècle, E. Zola est sans doute l’une des grandes figures littéraires d’expression française des Temps Modernes. Ce dernier s’avère encore plus intéressant par l’objectif qu’il se fixe quand il s’agit d’écrire. En effet, Zola se montre déterminé à prendre le parti des opprimés et du bas peuple, tout en se voulant témoin actif de son époque. Il entreprend, à la lumière du Naturalisme, de donner une dimension scientifique à la littérature. C’est ainsi qu’il allie observation et expérimentation pour aboutir à ses fins. Son roman Germinal en est la parfaite illustration. Il dénonce à travers la métaphore de la bête, les pratiques et les formes d’aliénation en milieu industriel au cours de la Seconde moitié du XIXe siècle. Il faut le faire observer, la métaphore de la bête n’est pas physiquement concevable. Il faudrait plutôt lui prêter une interprétation stylistique. Elle est la présentation d’une situation de la condition des hommes, une peinture de l’oppression physique et psychologique des individus, par une force dont l’action est en même temps invisible et apparente. Pour plus de précision, lire la bête dans l’œuvre de Zola, c’est finalement saisir à partir d’une allégorie le lien dominant et dominé dans un rapport de production. L’animal, symbolisé par la mine, vient dire toute l’agressivité, l’oppression, l’exploitation des ouvriers par ceux qui détiennent les capitaux

David Bihanic, Design en regards : recueil de textes, d’entretiens et témoignages

La pédagogie dans le domaine artistique cherche le lien entre les méthodes d’apprentissage classiques et modernes. Dans cette perspective, David Bihanic collecte des écrits, témoignages et entretiens issus de son observation, de son expérience et de sa pratique de l’enseignement du design. Comment ce recueil de textes sur les critiques d’enseignement aide-t-il à comprendre les approches didactiques du design ? Les témoignages des acteurs de la pédagogie et les entretiens livrent-ils des répon..

Raphaël Pirenne, 1 + 1 = 3 : Alberto Giacometti, dialectique et fétichisme

Si 1 + 1 = 3 ! Dans quel monde sommes-nous (imaginaire ou réel) ? Dans Les Fourmis, en 1991, Bernard Werber posait déjà la question de l’équation 1 + 1 = 3. En 1993, dans Le mystère des dieux, il désavoue lui-même cet argument. Une telle contradiction met en doute le fait que 1 + 1 soit égal à 3. Pourtant, en 2018, Raphaël Pirenne revient sur cette équation à travers une analyse historiographique de textes d’après-guerre (1946) et de l’ouvrage d’Alberto Giacometti autour de la dialectique et ..

Richard Volante, Georges Guitton, Traces

Traces est le fruit d’un itinéraire photographique et d’un parcours poétique. Lors des rencontres photographiques annuelles de ViaSilva, réunissant amateurs et professionnels de la prise de vue, Richard Volante et Georges Guitton choisissent de décrire les mutations de la ville au moyen d’une promenade photographique. Des indices décrivant l’habitat sont répertoriés et photographiés. Quelles sont les spécificités de ces traces recherchées par la photographie et la poésie ? Qu’apporte la poési..

Benjamin Delmotte, L’architecture au subjonctif : une phénoménologie de l’espace et de son aménagement

La définition et la qualification de l’espace sont plurielles. L’espace s’avère à la fois utile et inutile, esthétique et inesthétique. Chacun peut ainsi qualifier l’espace selon son goût, sa sensation et sa perception. Cette qualification est étroitement articulée au vécu de l’humanité. Pourtant, des phénomènes naturels et artificiels entraînent inéluctablement un manque d’espace dans l’urbanisation contemporaine. En quoi l’architecture contemporaine peut-elle construire ou déconstruire l’es..

Integrated Management Approach to Citrus Fungal Diseases by Optimizing Cocoa-Based Agroforests Structural Characteristics

The health and productivity of citrus are generally jeopardized by a host of diseases, for which the environmental conditions of the cropping system are critical drivers. Several studies conducted on various diseases of perennial crops have shown the involvement of the structural futures of the cocoa-based agroforestry system (CBAFS) in the spread of pathogens and the epidemics development. This chapter highlights the effect of the CBAFS’s structural characteristics on the intensity of three citrus diseases in the humid forest zones of Cameroon. The involvement of CBAFS structural characteristics in diseases regulation is demonstrated. In particular, the spatial structure of citrus in agroforests shows an effect on the spread of diseases. Moreover, distribution of citrus in the CBAFS, with minimum spacing of 12 m between citrus trees, limits the damage caused by Pseudocercospora leaf and fruit spot disease (PLFSD) and citrus diseases caused by Phytophthora (CDP). Dense shading helps to minimize the intensity of diseases such as CDP and PLFSD and Citrus scab disease. This work may make it possible to contribute to the development of an integrated management tool for citrus diseases in an associated crop context