92 research outputs found
Coating carbon nanotubes with a polystyrene-based polymer protects against pulmonary toxicity
BACKGROUND: carbon nanotubes (CNT) can have adverse effects on health. Therefore, minimizing the risk associated with CNT exposure is of crucial importance. The aim of this work was to evaluate if coating multi-walled CNT (MWCNT) with polymers could modify their toxicity, thus representing a useful strategy to decrease adverse health effects of CNT. We used industrially-produced MWCNT uncoated (NT1) or coated (50/50 wt%) with acid-based (NT2) or polystyrene-based (NT3) polymer, and exposed murine macrophages (RAW 264.7 cell line) or Balb/c mice by intratracheal administration. Biological experiments were performed both in vitro and in vivo, examining time- and dose-dependent effects of CNT, in terms of cytotoxicity, expression of genes and proteins related to oxidative stress, inflammation and tissue remodeling, cell and lung tissue morphology (optical and transmission electron microscopy), and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid content analysis.RESULTS: extensive physico-chemical characterization of MWCNT was performed, and showed, although similar dimensions for the 3 MWCNT, a much smaller specific surface area for NT2 and NT3 as compared to NT1 (54.1, 34 and 227.54 m(2)/g respectively), along with different surface characteristics. MWCNT-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation were increased by acid-based and decreased by polystyrene-based polymer coating both in vitro in murine macrophages and in vivo in lung of mice monitored for 6 months.CONCLUSIONS: these results demonstrate that coating CNT with polymers, without affecting their intrinsic structure, may constitute a useful strategy for decreasing CNT toxicity, and may hold promise for improving occupational safety and that of general the user
A genome scan for milk production traits in dairy goats reveals two new mutations in <i>Dgat1</i> reducing milk fat content
The quantity of milk and milk fat and proteins are particularly important traits in dairy livestock.
However, little is known about the regions of the genome that influence these traits in goats. We
conducted a genome wide association study in French goats and identified 109 regions associated
with dairy traits. For a major region on chromosome 14 closely associated with fat content, the
Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) gene turned out to be a functional and positional candidate
gene. The caprine reference sequence of this gene was completed and 29 polymorphisms were found in
the gene sequence, including two novel exonic mutations: R251L and R396W, leading to substitutions
in the protein sequence. The R251L mutation was found in the Saanen breed at a frequency of 3.5% and
the R396W mutation both in the Saanen and Alpine breeds at a frequencies of 13% and 7% respectively.
The R396W mutation explained 46% of the genetic variance of the trait, and the R251L mutation 6%.
Both mutations were associated with a notable decrease in milk fat content. Their causality was then
demonstrated by a functional test. These results provide new knowledge on the genetic basis of milk
synthesis and will help improve the management of the French dairy goat breeding program
Autistic Disorder in Patients with Williams-Beuren Syndrome: A Reconsideration of the Williams-Beuren Syndrome Phenotype
Abstract Background: Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS), a rare developmental disorder caused by deletion of contiguous genes at 7q11.23, has been characterized by strengths in socialization (overfriendliness) and communication (excessive talkativeness). WBS has been often considered as the polar opposite behavioral phenotype to autism. Our objective was to better understand the range of phenotypic expression in WBS and the relationship between WBS and autistic disorder
Author Correction:A genome scan for milk production traits in dairy goats reveals two new mutations in Dgat1 reducing milk fat content (Scientific Reports DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02052-0)
A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the pape
Detection of delirium by nurses among long-term care residents with dementia
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Delirium is a prevalent problem in long-term care (LTC) facilities where advanced age and cognitive impairment represent two important risk factors for this condition. Delirium is associated with numerous negative outcomes including increased morbidity and mortality. Despite its clinical importance, delirium often goes unrecognized by nurses. Although rates of nurse-detected delirium have been studied among hospitalized older patients, this issue has been largely neglected among demented older residents in LTC settings. The goals of this study were to determine detection rates of delirium and delirium symptoms by nurses among elderly residents with dementia and to identify factors associated with undetected cases of delirium.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this prospective study (N = 156), nurse ratings of delirium were compared to researcher ratings of delirium. This procedure was repeated for 6 delirium symptoms. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were computed. Logistic regressions were conducted to identify factors associated with delirium that is undetected by nurses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Despite a high prevalence of delirium in this cohort (71.5%), nurses were able to detect the delirium in only a minority of cases (13%). Of the 134 residents not identified by nurses as having delirium, only 29.9% of them were correctly classified. Detection rates for the 6 delirium symptoms varied between 39.1% and 58.1%, indicating an overall under-recognition of symptoms of delirium. Only the age of the residents (â„ 85 yrs) was associated with undetected delirium (OR: 4.1; 90% CI: [1.5â11.0]).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Detection of delirium is a major issue for nurses that clearly needs to be addressed. Strategies to improve recognition of delirium could result in a reduction of adverse outcomes for this very vulnerable population.</p
Autistic Disorder in Patients with Williams-Beuren Syndrome: A Reconsideration of the Williams-Beuren Syndrome Phenotype
International audienceBackground: Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS), a rare developmental disorder caused by deletion of contiguous genes at 7q11.23, has been characterized by strengths in socialization (overfriendliness) and communication (excessive talkativeness). WBS has been often considered as the polar opposite behavioral phenotype to autism. Our objective was to better understand the range of phenotypic expression in WBS and the relationship between WBS and autistic disorder. Methodology: The study was conducted on 9 French individuals aged from 4 to 37 years old with autistic disorder associated with WBS. Behavioral assessments were performed using Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scales. Molecular characterization of the WBS critical region was performed by FISH. Findings: FISH analysis indicated that all 9 patients displayed the common WBS deletion. All 9 patients met ADI-R and ADOS diagnostic criteria for autism, displaying stereotypies and severe impairments in social interaction and communication (including the absence of expressive language). Additionally, patients showed improvement in social communication over time. Conclusions: The results indicate that comorbid autism and WBS is more frequent than expected and suggest that the common WBS deletion can result in a continuum of social communication impairment, ranging from excessive talkativeness and overfriendliness to absence of verbal language and poor social relationships. Appreciation of the possible co-occurrence of WBS and autism challenges the common view that WBS represents the opposite behavioral phenotype of autism, and might lead to improved recognition of WBS in individuals diagnosed with autism
Institut dâĂ©tudes de lâIslam et des sociĂ©tĂ©s du monde musulman â IISMM
Philippe Bourmaud, ATER Ă lâUniversitĂ© Lyon-III/Jean-Moulin Culture et politique palestiniennes : vers des approches post-identitaires Lâaxe principal du sĂ©minaire 2009-2010 Ă©tait nominaliste : plutĂŽt que de postuler une identitĂ© culturelle palestinienne, avec toute la charge de sens que charrie la notion dâidentitĂ©, il sâagissait dâinterroger ce que nous avons convenu dâappeler le « label palestinien » : soit lâestampille nationale assignĂ©e Ă une variĂ©tĂ© de pratiques, productions et symboles..
Mises en scĂšne du martyre de Husayn
Les cĂ©rĂ©monies de âAchoura, qui commĂ©morent chaque annĂ©e le martyre de lâimam al-Husayn Ă Kerbela, donnent lieu Ă une sĂ©rie de rituels dâorigines et dâĂ©poques diffĂ©rentes. Certains sont anciens et partagĂ©s dans lâensemble des mondes chiites, dâautres sont plus rĂ©cents ou relĂšvent de traditions et de coutumes locales. Leur Ă©volution tĂ©moigne dâune adaptabilitĂ© et dâune capacitĂ© Ă intĂ©grer de nouveaux dispositifs culturels, renouvelant Ă chaque fois leur potentiel symbolique et dramaturgique. A..
Le documentaire libanais contemporain Ă travers lâĂ©tude de trois films sur lâidentitĂ©, la nation et la transmission
Cet article sâintĂ©resse au marchĂ© du cinĂ©ma documentaire libanais par le biais dâune analyse des modes de production de trois films rĂ©alisĂ©s entre 2009 et 2010. Il montre que la production documentaire au Liban bĂ©nĂ©ficie dâun renouveau qui repose sur la convergence de deux facteurs : la multiplication des sources de financement arabes et lâĂ©mergence dâune nouvelle gĂ©nĂ©ration de cinĂ©astes qui, aprĂšs celle de lâimmĂ©diate aprĂšs-guerre, se concentre sur le fonctionnement de la sociĂ©tĂ© plutĂŽt que sur la mĂ©moire du conflit
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