F.A.R.O.G. FORUM, Vol. 4 No. 1

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/1054/thumbnail.jp

Mapping Dreams/Dreaming Maps: Bridging Indigenous and Western Geographical Knowledge

Dreams and dreaming practices are integrated into knowledge-building processes in many Indigenous societies. Therefore, these practices may represent a source of geographical and cartographic information. This article addresses their incorporation into collaborative and cross-cultural research methods, especially in the framework of participatory mapping projects conducted with Indigenous communities or organizations. It is argued that dreams and dreaming practices enable the consideration of Indigenous territorial dimensions, such as the sacred and the spiritual, as well as the presence of non-human actors, that are more difficult to grasp through the social sciences or modern Western mapping methodologies. In addition, this approach invites geographers and cartographers to adopt a culturally de-centered concept of the notions of territory, mapping and participation that goes beyond the positivist premises of Western science and its research methodologies. This text draws from a Mapuche counter-mapping and participatory mapping experience that took place in southern Chile between 2004 and 2006 and in which the author took part as a cartographer

Looking Inside Marine Organisms with Magnetic Resonance and X-ray Imaging

International audienceIn this chapter we describe computer‐based tomographic methods using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X‐ray absorption as well as X‐ray phase‐contrast imaging techniques. The latter are based on refraction and near‐field diffraction of X‐rays and are gaining increased attention due to the increase in sensitivity they offer over conventional, attenuation‐based X‐ray techniques. The increased sensitivity is of particular interest in marine biology imaging, especially for soft tissue visualization and analysis. The basic principles of the imaging techniques are described, starting with an analysis of the image formation process, followed by a review of several tomography methods, such as MRI or X‐ray imaging, and practical guidelines for parameter selection. Finally, two relevant examples of imaging are presented: imaging in marine biology (segmentation and visualization) and small animal (sea horse) imaging. These examples illustrate imaging under different conditions and using different reconstruction options

First-in-Human Study in Healthy Subjects with the Noncytotoxic Monoclonal Antibody OSE-127, a Strict Antagonist of IL-7Rα

International audienceAbstract OSE-127 is a humanized mAb targeting the IL-7Rα-chain (CD127), under development for inflammatory and autoimmune disease treatment. It is a strict antagonist of the IL-7R pathway, is not internalized by target cells, and is noncytotoxic. In this work, a first-in-human, phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center study was carried out to determine the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity of OSE-127 administration. Sixty-three healthy subjects were randomly assigned to nine groups: six single ascending dose groups with i.v. administration (0.002–10 mg/kg), a single s.c. treatment group (1 mg/kg), and two double i.v. injection groups (6 or 10 mg/kg). Subjects were followed during <146 d. OSE-127’s pharmacokinetic half-life after a single dose increased from 4.6 (1 mg/kg) to 11.7 d (10 mg/kg) and, after a second dose, from 12.5 (6 mg/kg) to 16.25 d (10 mg/kg). Receptor occupancy was ≥95% at doses ≥0.02 mg/kg, and this saturation level was maintained >100 d after two i.v. infusions at 10 mg/kg. IL-7 consumption was inhibited by OSE-127 administration, as demonstrated by a decreased IL-7 pathway gene signature in peripheral blood cells and by ex vivo T lymphocyte restimulation experiments. OSE-127 was well tolerated, with no evidence of cytokine-release syndrome and no significant alteration of blood lymphocyte counts or subset populations. Altogether, the observed lack of significant lymphopenia or serious adverse events, concomitant with the dose-dependent inhibition of IL-7 consumption by target cells, highlights that OSE-127 may show clinical activity in IL-7R pathway–involved diseases