Tracking bacterial pathogens with genetically-encoded reporters

AbstractDuring the infectious process, bacterial pathogens are subject to changes in environmental conditions such as nutrient availability, immune response challenges, bacterial density and physical contacts with targeted host cells. These conditions occur in the colonized organs, in diverse regions within infected tissues or even at the subcellular level for intracellular pathogens. Integration of environmental cues leads to measurable biological responses in the bacterium required for adaptation. Recent progress in technology enabled the study of bacterial adaptation in situ using genetically encoded reporters that allow single cell analysis or whole body imaging based on fluorescent proteins, alternative fluorescent assays or luciferases. This review presents a historical perspective and technical details on the methods used to develop transcriptional reporters, protein–protein interaction assays and secretion detection assays to study pathogenic bacteria adaptation in situ. Finally, studies published in the last 5years on gram positive and gram negative bacterial adaptation to the host during infection are discussed. However, the methods described here could easily be extended to study complex microbial communities within host tissue and in the environment

Reconnaissance en ligne de croquis de schémas électriques

Cette recherche s'inscrit dans le cadre des nouvelles approches pour le développement de systèmes d'édition graphique. Notre objectif est de permettre à un utilisateur de réaliser des dessins d'ingénierie précis à l'aide d'un outil interactif qui permette la saisie d'informations sous la forme de croquis faits à la main. Ceci implique une approche qui s'appuie majoritairement sur les techniques en reconnaissance de graphiques, mais qui tient aussi compte des recherches récentes dans le domaine des interfaces basées sur le crayon numérique. Nous décrirons dans ce travail la nature du défi posé par la reconnaissance en ligne de croquis de dessins d'ingénierie et, à la lumière des ouvrages réalisés dans des domaines de recherche connexes, nous montrerons comment une technique de reconnaissance hiérarchique basée sur une description structurelle et sur les relations topologiques des formes à reconnaître apporte une solution à notre problématique. Dans le cadre de cette recherche, nous avons développé un système afin de mettre en oeuvre notre méthode de reconnaissance, lequel fut validé auprès d'un groupe d'usagers témoin. Dans ce travail, nous présentons les résultats obtenus lors de ces tests ainsi qu'une discussion sur le sujet. Enfin, nous montrerons comment ce système est à notre avis un bon premier pas dans la direction des outils d'édition graphique intelligents et nous présenterons quelques-unes des avenues de recherche à envisager pour l'approfondissement de la technique. Mots clés: reconnaissance de graphiques et de croquis, ordinateurs à stylo, crayon numérique, formes à tracés multiples, édition interactive, informations contextuelles, reconnaissance en ligne, embellissement, reconnaissance de symboles et de gestes, reconnaissance de schémas et de diagrammes, reconnaissance incrémentale

Les retraites de rédaction structurées auprès des doctorant[e]s : Quelles conditions favorisent une expérience de rédaction légitime, productive et plaisante?

Thesis writing is challenging for many PhD candidates. To support them, structured writing retreats represent a strategy for consideration, although little has been documented on the topic. This article presents results from a mixed-method study (N = 210) combining questionnaires and interviews, aiming to understand the effects of Thesez-vous writing retreats to 1) document benefits of writing retreats, namely encouraging writing, legitimizing writing and ensuring a fulfilling experience, and to 2) identify conditions maximizing these benefits. More broadly, this article conveys the possibility to rethink and reframe thesis writing to create a productive, collective and pleasant experience. Keywords: thesis editing, writing retreats, benefits, flow, scientific productivityLa rédaction de la thèse est problématique pour nombre de doctorant[e]s. Pour les soutenir, la retraite de rédaction structurée semble une stratégie intéressante, mais peu de recherches ont tenté de la décrire. Cet article présente des résultats issus d’une étude mixte (N = 210), combinant questionnaires et entretiens pour mesurer et comprendre les effets des retraites Thèsez-vous en vue 1) d’en recenser les bénéfices, soit favoriser la productivité, légitimer la rédaction et vivre une expérience plaisante, et 2) d’identifier les conditions qui favorisent ces bénéfices. Ultimement, cet article contribue à l’identification de stratégies pour repenser et améliorer l’encadrement de la rédaction de thèse. Mots-clés : rédaction, retraite de rédaction, bénéfices, flow, productivité scientifiqu

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

Background Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI <18·5 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). For schoolaged children and adolescents, we report thinness (BMI <2 SD below the median of the WHO growth reference) and obesity (BMI >2 SD above the median). Findings From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesit

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022 : a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

A list of authors and their affiliations appears online. A supplementary appendix is herewith attached.Background: Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods: We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI 2 SD above the median). Findings: From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation: The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesity.peer-reviewe

Perfectionism and academic achievement in a sample of children from a regular school program context

International audiencePerfectionism is a multidimensional construct conceptualized as an excessive need in meeting high standards, striving for flawlessness and harsh self-criticism. Past studies have shown that positive perfectionism is related to a better school performance whereas negative perfectionism is often associated with social and emotional difficulties such as anxiety, depression and lower self-esteem. The current study investigated the associations between negative perfectionism and the performance in reading, mathematics and IQ performance in children from regular classroom who are applying to an international schooling program. Correlation analyses show that a high score on the negative perfectionism scale is related to a lower performance in mathematics, reading and on three IQ subscale tests. These results are important since negative perfectionism seem to affect negatively the performance in mathematics and in reading and thus may lead to negative long term outcomes such as drop out. These findings highlight the significance of developing the research on perfectionism and the importance of prevention and intervention among children

A computational description of simple mediation analysis

Simple mediation analysis is an increasingly popular statistical analysis in psychology and in other social sciences. However, there is very few detailed account of the computations within the model. Articles are more often focusing on explaining mediation analysis conceptually rather than mathematically. Thus, the purpose of the current paper is to introduce the computational modelling within simple mediation analysis accompanied with examples with R. Firstly, mediation analysis will be described. Then, the method to simulate data in R (with standardized coefficients) will be presented. Finally, the bootstrap method, the Sobel test and the Baron and Kenny test all used to evaluate mediation (i.e., indirect effect) will be developed. The R code to implement the computation presented is offered as well as a script to carry a power analysis and a complete example

Targeting Cognitions, Emotions, and Behaviors in a Complex Case of Tourette Syndrome: Illustration of a Psychophysiological Perspective

Recent research stresses that cognitive and affective processes are implicated in Tourette Syndrome (TS) and might influence treatment. The cognitive-behavioral and psychophysiological (CoPs) approach posits that negative appraisals and maladaptive action-planning elicit negative emotions and behaviors that increase muscular tension and thus the urge to tic in TS. Hence, the CoPs targets cognitive-behavioral and affective processes increasing tension prior to tic onset. This article provides clinically novel information in the implementation and utility of the CoPs approach in a severe case of a young man with TS and a range of comorbidities marked by negative cognitions and emotions as well as planning deficits with a long-term follow-up. He received 14 sessions of CoPs therapy. Tic severity significantly decreased post-treatment with maintenance up to 36-months. The process measure of action-planning improved significantly from pre-treatment to 12-months follow-up. Results support the feasibility and acceptability of the CoPs in treating complex TS cases