Impact of a marine protected area to fishery profitability and income distribution. Some evidence from the Gulf of Thailand (Mu Ko Chumphon National Park versus Chumphon Province )

International audienceMethodological difficulties, particularly when multifleet-multispecies fisheries are active, explain pro parte a weak research effort on the socio-economic impact of fishery activities after the implementation of a marine protected area. Two components of the socio-economic impact have been prioritized : the fishing unit profitability and the fishery household income distribution by comparing a marine protected area (Mu Ko Chumpon National Park) and an unprotected area (Chumphon Province) in Thailand. One can distinguish three phases : a bibliographical analysis, the carrying out of fishers village monographs and of a sample-based survey of fishery households. The sampling unit was the fishery household forming one or several fishing units defined by a métier (an association of a fleet, a main fishing gear, target species): 126 households forming 225 fishing units have been surveyed. The positive impact of the MPA on fishery profitability is shown by a principal component analysis which indicates that there is a lower proportion of fishing units harvesting inside or in adjacent areas of the MPA (insiders who are benefitting from implicit access rights) which face negative profit than those fishing remote from the MPA but in Chumphon Province (outsiders). This positive impact is confirmed by the performance of Chi-square tests : the insiders have relatively higher profit per fishing day than outsiders and Chi-square tests show a greater homogeneity of profits per fishing day and a lower variability for the insiders. A steady social impact from the MPA on fishery income distribution is revealed by the measure of concentration using an Herfindhal index and Lorenz curves which show the more egalitarian structure of insiders regarding the operating profit and the income per fishery household

Main Targets of Interest for the Development of a Prophylactic or Therapeutic Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most widespread viruses in the world; more than 90% of the planet’s adult population is infected. Symptomatic primary infection by this Herpesviridae corresponds to infectious mononucleosis (IM), which is generally a benign disease. While virus persistence is often asymptomatic, it is responsible for 1.5% of cancers worldwide, mainly B cell lymphomas and carcinomas. EBV may also be associated with autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases. However, no effective treatment or anti-EBV vaccine is currently available. Knowledge of the proteins and mechanisms involved in the different steps of the viral cycle is essential to the development of effective vaccines. The present review describes the main actors in the entry of the virus into B cells and epithelial cells, which are targets of interest in the development of prophylactic vaccines aimed at preventing viral infection. This review also summarizes the first vaccinal approaches tested in humans, all of which are based on the gp350/220 glycoprotein; while they have reduced the risk of IM, they have yet to prevent EBV infection. The main proteins involved in the EBV latency cycle and some of the proteins involved in the lytic cycle have essential roles in the oncogenesis of EBV. For that reason, these proteins are of interest for the development of therapeutic vaccines of which the objective is the stimulation of T cell immunity against EBV-associated cancers. New strategies aimed at broadening the antigenic spectrum, are currently being studied and will contribute to the targeting of the essential steps of the viral cycle, the objective being to prevent or treat the diseases associated with EBV

Increased bioavailability of hesperetin-7-glucoside compared with hesperidin results in more efficient prevention of bone loss in adult ovariectomised rats

Hesperidin (Hp), a citrus flavonoid predominantly found in oranges, shows bone-sparing effects in ovariectomised (OVX) animals. In human subjects, the bioavailability of Hp can be improved by the removal of the rhamnose group to yield hesperetin-7-glucoside (H-7-glc). The aim of the present work was to test whether H-7-glc was more bioavailable and therefore more effective than Hp in the prevention of bone loss in the OVX rat. Adult 6-month-old female Wistar rats were sham operated or OVX, then pair fed for 90d a casein-based diet supplemented or not with freeze-dried orange juice enriched with Hp or H-7-glc at two dose equivalents of the hesperetin aglycone (0·25 and 0·5%). In the rats fed 0·5%, a reduction in OVX-induced bone loss was observed regarding total bone mineral density (BMD):+7·0% in OVX rats treated with Hp (HpOVX) and +6·6% in OVX rats treated with H-7-glc (H-7-glcOVX) v. OVX controls (P<0·05). In the rats fed 0·25% hesperetin equivalents, the H-7-glcOVX group showed a 6·6% improvement in total femoral BMD v. the OVX controls (P<0·05), whereas the Hp diet had no effect at this dose. The BMD of rats fed 0·25% H-7-glc was equal to that of those given 0·5% Hp, but was not further increased at 0·5% H-7-glc. Plasma hesperetin levels and relative urinary excretion were significantly enhanced in the H-7-glc v. Hp groups, and the metabolite profile showed the absence of eriodictyol metabolites and increased levels of hesperetin sulphates. Taken together, improved bioavailability of H-7-glc may explain the more efficient bone protection of this compoun

Prebiotic effects: metabolic and health benefits

The different compartments of the gastrointestinal tract are inhabited by populations of micro-organisms. By far the most important predominant populations are in the colon where a true symbiosis with the host exists that is a key for well-being and health. For such a microbiota, 'normobiosis' characterises a composition of the gut 'ecosystem' in which micro-organisms with potential health benefits predominate in number over potentially harmful ones, in contrast to 'dysbiosis', in which one or a few potentially harmful micro-organisms are dominant, thus creating a disease-prone situation. The present document has been written by a group of both academic and industry experts (in the ILSI Europe Prebiotic Expert Group and Prebiotic Task Force, respectively). It does not aim to propose a new definition of a prebiotic nor to identify which food products are classified as prebiotic but rather to validate and expand the original idea of the prebiotic concept (that can be translated in 'prebiotic effects'), defined as: 'The selective stimulation of growth and/or activity(ies) of one or a limited number of microbial genus(era)/species in the gut microbiota that confer(s) health benefits to the host.' Thanks to the methodological and fundamental research of microbiologists, immense progress has very recently been made in our understanding of the gut microbiota. A large number of human intervention studies have been performed that have demonstrated that dietary consumption of certain food products can result in statistically significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiota in line with the prebiotic concept. Thus the prebiotic effect is now a well-established scientific fact. The more data are accumulating, the more it will be recognised that such changes in the microbiota's composition, especially increase in bifidobacteria, can be regarded as a marker of intestinal health. The review is divided in chapters that cover the major areas of nutrition research where a prebiotic effect has tentatively been investigated for potential health benefits. The prebiotic effect has been shown to associate with modulation of biomarkers and activity(ies) of the immune system. Confirming the studies in adults, it has been demonstrated that, in infant nutrition, the prebiotic effect includes a significant change of gut microbiota composition, especially an increase of faecal concentrations of bifidobacteria. This concomitantly improves stool quality (pH, SCFA, frequency and consistency), reduces the risk of gastroenteritis and infections, improves general well-being and reduces the incidence of allergic symptoms such as atopic eczema. Changes in the gut microbiota composition are classically considered as one of the many factors involved in the pathogenesis of either inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. The use of particular food products with a prebiotic effect has thus been tested in clinical trials with the objective to improve the clinical activity and well-being of patients with such disorders. Promising beneficial effects have been demonstrated in some preliminary studies, including changes in gut microbiota composition (especially increase in bifidobacteria concentration). Often associated with toxic load and/or miscellaneous risk factors, colon cancer is another pathology for which a possible role of gut microbiota composition has been hypothesised. Numerous experimental studies have reported reduction in incidence of tumours and cancers after feeding specific food products with a prebiotic effect. Some of these studies (including one human trial) have also reported that, in such conditions, gut microbiota composition was modified (especially due to increased concentration of bifidobacteria). Dietary intake of particular food products with a prebiotic effect has been shown, especially in adolescents, but also tentatively in postmenopausal women, to increase Ca absorption as well as bone Ca accretion and bone mineral density. Recent data, both from experimental models and from human studies, support the beneficial effects of particular food products with prebiotic properties on energy homaeostasis, satiety regulation and body weight gain. Together, with data in obese animals and patients, these studies support the hypothesis that gut microbiota composition (especially the number of bifidobacteria) may contribute to modulate metabolic processes associated with syndrome X, especially obesity and diabetes type 2. It is plausible, even though not exclusive, that these effects are linked to the microbiota-induced changes and it is feasible to conclude that their mechanisms fit into the prebiotic effect. However, the role of such changes in these health benefits remains to be definitively proven. As a result of the research activity that followed the publication of the prebiotic concept 15 years ago, it has become clear that products that cause a selective modification in the gut microbiota's composition and/or activity(ies) and thus strengthens normobiosis could either induce beneficial physiological effects in the colon and also in extra-intestinal compartments or contribute towards reducing the risk of dysbiosis and associated intestinal and systemic pathologies

Herpes-Virus Infection in Patients with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A Case-Controlled Sero-Epidemiological Study, and In Situ Analysis

BACKGROUND: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease that affects mainly young children, and which features granulomas containing Langerhans-type dendritic cells. The role of several human herpesviruses (HHV) in the pathogenesis of LCH was suggested by numerous reports but remains debated. Epstein-barr virus (EBV, HHV-4), & Cytomegalovirus (CMV, HHV-5) can infect Langerhans cells, and EBV, CMV and HHV-6 have been proposed to be associated with LCH based on the detection of these viruses in clinical samples. METHODOLOGY: We have investigated the prevalence of EBV, CMV and HHV-6 infection, the characters of antibody response and the plasma viral load in a cohort of 83 patients and 236 age-matched controls, and the presence and cellular localization of the viruses in LCH tissue samples from 19 patients. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The results show that prevalence, serological titers, and viral load for EBV, CMV and HHV-6 did not differ between patients and controls. EBV was found by PCR in tumoral sample from 3/19 patients, however, EBV small RNAs EBERs -when positive-, were detected by in situ double staining in bystander B CD20+ CD79a+ lymphocytes and not in CD1a+ LC. HHV-6 genome was detected in the biopsies of 5/19 patients with low copy number and viral Ag could not be detected in biopsies. CMV was not detected by PCR in this series. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Therefore, our findings do not support the hypothesis of a role of EBV, CMV, or HHV-6 in the pathogenesis of LCH, and indicate that the frequent detection of Epstein-barr virus (EBV) in Langerhans cell histiocytosis is accounted for by the infection of bystander B lymphocytes in LCH granuloma. The latter observation can be attributed to the immunosuppressive micro environment found in LCH granuloma

Autoantibodies against type I IFNs in patients with critical influenza pneumonia

In an international cohort of 279 patients with hypoxemic influenza pneumonia, we identified 13 patients (4.6%) with autoantibodies neutralizing IFN-alpha and/or -omega, which were previously reported to underlie 15% cases of life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia and one third of severe adverse reactions to live-attenuated yellow fever vaccine. Autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs) can underlie critical COVID-19 pneumonia and yellow fever vaccine disease. We report here on 13 patients harboring autoantibodies neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 alone (five patients) or with IFN-omega (eight patients) from a cohort of 279 patients (4.7%) aged 6-73 yr with critical influenza pneumonia. Nine and four patients had antibodies neutralizing high and low concentrations, respectively, of IFN-alpha 2, and six and two patients had antibodies neutralizing high and low concentrations, respectively, of IFN-omega. The patients' autoantibodies increased influenza A virus replication in both A549 cells and reconstituted human airway epithelia. The prevalence of these antibodies was significantly higher than that in the general population for patients 70 yr of age (3.1 vs. 4.4%, P = 0.68). The risk of critical influenza was highest in patients with antibodies neutralizing high concentrations of both IFN-alpha 2 and IFN-omega (OR = 11.7, P = 1.3 x 10(-5)), especially those <70 yr old (OR = 139.9, P = 3.1 x 10(-10)). We also identified 10 patients in additional influenza patient cohorts. Autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFNs account for similar to 5% of cases of life-threatening influenza pneumonia in patients <70 yr old

Radiochimiothérapie concomitante dans le traitement des cancers du col utérin, résultats et toxicités (étude à partir de 61 cas pris en charge au centre Paul Papin de 1999 à 2005)

Les cancers du col utérin concernent 3000 nouvelles patientes par an en France. Ils sont liés à l'infection par Human Papilloma Virus. La prise en charge des tumeurs localement évoluées repose depuis 1999 sur une radiochimiothérapie concomitante à base de cisplatine, qui a permis d'augmenter la survie sans récidive et la survie globale. Il existe néanmoins une toxicité non négligeable. Notre étude a inclus 61 patientes prises en charge au Centre Paul Papin entre 1999 et 2005 par radiochimiothérapie concomitante. La population comprenait des stades IB1 à IVA. Toutes les malades ont reçu une radiochimiothérapie concomitante première, suivie d'une curiethérapie utéro-vaginale dans 65.5% des cas et d'une chirurgie dans 45.9% des cas. Seules 50.9% des patientes ont présenté une réponse clinique complète. Le taux de survie sans progression était de 50% à 36 mois et le taux de survie globale de 66.5% à 36 mois. La toxicité aigue était essentiellement cutanéo-muqueuse (grade 3: 18%) et hématologique (grade 3: 8.2%; grade 4: 1.6%). Les toxicités tardives étaient surtout digestives (grade 3: 3.7%) et urinaire (grade 3:1.6%). Les complications muqueuses tardives sont moins sévères mais plus fréquentes (grade 2: 40.7%). Les résultats en terme de survie sont inférieurs à ceux de la littérature mais notre population était petite et très hétérogène. Ils sont donc à prendre avec prudence.ANGERS-BU Médecine-Pharmacie (490072105) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Identification et caractérisation des partenaires cellulaires de zebra, facteur de transcription du virus Epstein-Barr (mise en évidence d un complexe tripartite entre la protéine virale zebra et les protéines cellulaires ubinucléine et 14-3-3epsilon)

Le virus Epstein-Barr (EBV), virus oncogène pouvant être associé à des cancers lymphoïdes et épithéliaux, est prévalent à 95% dans la population mondiale. ZEBRA est un facteur de transcription viral clé dans la réactivation virale et l oncogenèse associée à l EBV. De précédents travaux ont décrit une protéine cellulaire, l Ubinucléine (Ubn), capable d empêcher la fixation de ZEBRA sur ses séquences cibles d ADN. Notre laboratoire a montré que l Ubn possède une double localisation cellulaire, nucléaire et dans les jonctions serrées. Le transport de l Ubn faisant certainement intervenir d autres partenaires cellulaires, notre attention s est portée sur les protéines 14-3-3 connues pour réguler l import/export nucléaire de leurs partenaires. L objectif de mon travail est de mieux comprendre les conditions dans lesquelles l Ubn inhibe ZEBRA. Nous avons étudié l hypothèse que la protéine 14-3-3epsilon, en contrôlant la localisation cellulaire de l Ubn, interviendrait comme régulateur de l interaction entre l Ubn et ZEBRA. Des techniques in vivo et in vitro (immunoprécipitation, pull-down, immunofluorescence) ont mis en évidence un complexe entre ZEBRA, l Ubn et 14-3-3epsilon et ont montré que l Ubn se place en intermédiaire entre ces deux partenaires. De plus, 14-3-3epsilon se fixe sur l Ubn au niveau d un motif consensus comprenant la sérine 352 phosphorylée. D autres expériences ont révélé que l Ubn non phosphorylée est localisée préférentiellement au niveau des jonctions serrées. Nos résultats suggèrent donc que 14-3-3epsilon favoriserait la localisation nucléaire de l Ubn, lui permettant d interagir avec ZEBRA et d empêcher l initiation du cycle lytique de l EBV.Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) has a prevalence of 95% in the worldwide population. It is known for its oncogenicity and its association with lymphoma and epithelial cancer. ZEBRA is a viral transcription factor playing a key role in viral reactivation and EBV-associated oncogenicity. Previous studies described a cellular protein named Ubinuclein (Ubn), capable of preventing ZEBRA s binding on its DNA target sequences. Our laboratory has shown that Ubn can be localized either in the nucleus or in the tight junctions of the cells. It is very likely that the Ubn s travelling involves other cellular proteins and we focused on the 14-3-3 protein family, which is well known to regulate the nucleus import/export of numerous proteins. The purpose of this work is to better understand the conditions in which Ubn inhibits ZEBRA s functions and the viral lytic cycle. We hypothesized that, by controlling Ubn s cellular localization, 14-3-3epsilon could regulate the Ubn-ZEBRA interaction. In vivo and in vitro technics (immunoprecipitation, pull-down, immunofluorescence) allowed us to demonstrate the existence of a ternary complex between ZEBRA, Ubn and 14-3-3epsilon and to show that Ubn plays the role of an intermediate between its two partners. More precisely, 14-3-3epsilon binds to Ubn on a consensus motif containing a phosphorylated serine. The study of Ubn s phosphorylation revealed that non-phosphorylated Ubn is localized preferentially at the tight junctions. Taken together, all these experiments suggest that 14-3-3epsilon could promote the nuclear localization of Ubn, allowing it to interact with ZEBRA and preventing EBV s lytic cycle initiation.GRENOBLE1-BU Médecine pharm. (385162101) / SudocSudocFranceF