On the Heisenberg invariance and the Elliptic Poisson tensors

We study different algebraic and geometric properties of Heisenberg invariant Poisson polynomial quadratic algebras. We show that these algebras are unimodular. The elliptic Sklyanin-Odesskii-Feigin Poisson algebras $q_{n,k}(\mathcal E)$ are the main important example. We classify all quadratic $H-$invariant Poisson tensors on ${\mathbb C}^n$ with $n\leq 6$ and show that for $n\leq 5$ they coincide with the elliptic Sklyanin-Odesskii-Feigin Poisson algebras or with their certain degenerations.Comment: 14 pages, no figures, minor revision, typos correcte

NAAA-regulated lipid signaling governs the transition from acute to chronic pain

Chronic pain affects 1.5 billion people worldwide but remains woefully undertreated. Understanding the molecular events leading to its emergence is necessary to discover disease-modifying therapies. Here we show that N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) is a critical control point in the progression to pain chronicity, which can be effectively targeted by small-molecule therapeutics that inhibit this enzyme. NAAA catalyzes the deactivating hydrolysis of palmitoylethanolamide, a lipid-derived agonist of the transcriptional regulator of cellular metabolism, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α). Our results show that disabling NAAA in spinal cord during a 72-h time window following peripheral tissue injury halts chronic pain development in male and female mice by triggering a PPAR-α-dependent reprogramming of local core metabolism from aerobic glycolysis, which is transiently enhanced after end-organ damage, to mitochondrial respiration. The results identify NAAA as a crucial control node in the transition to chronic pain and a molecular target for disease-modifying medicines

Nasal Accumulation and Metabolism of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Following Aerosol (‘Vaping’) Administration in an Adolescent Rat Model

Passive aerosol exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in laboratory animals results in faster onset of action and less extensive liver metabolism compared to most other administration routes and might thus provide an ecologically relevant model of human cannabis inhalation. Previous studies have, however, overlooked the possibility that rodents, as obligate nose breathers, may accumulate aerosolized THC in the nasal cavity, from where the drug might directly diffuse to the brain. To test this, we administered THC (ten 5-s puffs of 100 mg/mL of THC) to adolescent (31-day-old) Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes. We used liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry to quantify the drug and its first-pass metabolites – 11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC (11-OH-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-THC (11-COOH-THC) – in nasal mucosa, lungs, plasma, and brain (olfactory bulb and cerebellum) at various time points after exposure. Apparent maximal THC concentration and area under the curve were ∼5 times higher in nasal mucosa than in lungs and 50–80 times higher than in plasma. Concentrations of 11-OH-THC were also greater in nasal mucosa and lungs than other tissues, whereas 11-COOH-THC was consistently undetectable. Experiments with microsomal preparations confirmed local metabolism of THC into 11-OH-THC (not 11-COOH-THC) in nasal mucosa and lungs. Finally, whole-body exposure to THC deposited substantial amounts of THC (∼150 mg/g) on fur but suppressed post-exposure grooming in rats of both sexes. The results indicate that THC absorption and metabolism in nasal mucosa and lungs, but probably not gastrointestinal tract, contribute to the pharmacological effects of aerosolized THC in male and female rats

Genome-Wide Analyses of Nkx2-1 Binding to Transcriptional Target Genes Uncover Novel Regulatory Patterns Conserved in Lung Development and Tumors

The homeodomain transcription factor Nkx2-1 is essential for normal lung development and homeostasis. In lung tumors, it is considered a lineage survival oncogene and prognostic factor depending on its expression levels. The target genes directly bound by Nkx2-1, that could be the primary effectors of its functions in the different cellular contexts where it is expressed, are mostly unknown. In embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) mouse lung, epithelial cells expressing Nkx2-1 are predominantly expanding, and in E19.5 prenatal lungs, Nkx2-1-expressing cells are predominantly differentiating in preparation for birth. To evaluate Nkx2-1 regulated networks in these two cell contexts, we analyzed genome-wide binding of Nkx2-1 to DNA regulatory regions by chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by tiling array analysis, and intersected these data to expression data sets. We further determined expression patterns of Nkx2-1 developmental target genes in human lung tumors and correlated their expression levels to that of endogenous NKX2-1. In these studies we uncovered differential Nkx2-1 regulated networks in early and late lung development, and a direct function of Nkx2-1 in regulation of the cell cycle by controlling the expression of proliferation-related genes. New targets, validated in Nkx2-1 shRNA transduced cell lines, include E2f3, Cyclin B1, Cyclin B2, and c-Met. Expression levels of Nkx2-1 direct target genes identified in mouse development significantly correlate or anti-correlate to the levels of endogenous NKX2-1 in a dosage-dependent manner in multiple human lung tumor expression data sets, supporting alternative roles for Nkx2-1 as a transcriptional activator or repressor, and direct regulator of cell cycle progression in development and tumors

Perceptions and Attitudes about Research Integrity and Misconduct: a Survey among Young Biomedical Researchers in Italy

Research misconduct (RM) is an alarming concern worldwide, and especially in Italy, where there is no formal training of young researchers in responsible research practices. The main aim of this study was to map the perceptions and attitudes about RM in a sample of young researchers attending a one-week intensive course on methodology, ethics and integrity in biomedical research, held at the University of Insubria (Italy). To this end, we administered the Scientific Misconduct Questionnaire (SMQ-R) to all attendees at the beginning of the course. Thereafter, SMQ-R was re-administered at the end, to assess the impact of the course on the responsiveness of study participants, which is intended as the frequency of responses other than \u201cdon\u2019t know\u201d. Results show that respondents rate as high their own understanding about rules and procedures related to scientific misconduct (49.2% of respondents), as well as the effectiveness of their institution\u2019s measures for reducing it (40%). Most of them (44.6%) perceive as low the chances of getting caught for RM. Some respondents believe that cases of misconduct occur in their workplace (20%\u201346.2%) and that the integrity of a research is not solely the responsibility of the principal investigator (73.8%). Among the main factors contributing to research misconduct, the need for publications, unclear definition of what constitutes misconduct and pressure for external funding do stand out. Respondents are concerned about the amount of misconduct and express a pressing need for training on research ethics. Remarkably, the responsiveness of participants tends to increase with course attendance. This finding may be useful to support education programmes devoted to research methodology, ethics and integrity among young researchers

Present status of maize diseases in the humid forest and western highlands of Cameroon

Maize disease surveys were conducted between 1995 and 2004 inthe Republic of Cameroon. A total of 260 farms in 36 villages, ranging from low altitudes with bimodal rainfall distribution to high altitudes with monomodal rainfall, were included in the surveys. ln the humidforest, Bipolaris maydis and Puccinio polysora were the prevalent fungi with a mean incidence of 70% in 1995 and 44% in 2004. Rhizoctonia solani, Stenocarpella mocrospora, and Physodermo maydisoccurred at low incidence levels in all the villages. In the western highlands, Exserohilum turcicum and Cercospora zeae-maydis were the prevalent pathogens, with incidence ranging from 16% to 100% in 1995-1998. In 2004, the mean incidence for the pathogens ranged from 30 to 95%. Phaeosphaeria maydis, the most severe pathogen (incidence=70%) in 1995, has been displaced by Cercospora zeae-maydis (incidence=60%). The incidences of sporisorium reilianum and Puccinia sorghi were about 5% in 1998; in 2004, the incidence of S.reilianum had increase d to 20%. In many of the farms surveyed, most of these diseases occurred in association. There was a positive correlation between incidence of Puccinia polysora and that of Bipolaris maydis in the humid forest. Phaeosphaeria leaf spot vvas negatively correlated with C. zeae-maydis and E. turcicum in the western highlands. Although some diseases were prevalent in specific ecological niches, E. turcicum was found in both highlands and lowlands but with low incidence in the latter areas. Fusarium, Aspergillus species and Diplodia maydis were the most important mycotoxin-producing fungi that caused ear rots in the western highlands in 2004.Des enouetes sur les maladies du mais orrt 6t6 conduites entre 1995et 2004 en rdpublique du Cameroun. Au total 260.champs dans 36villages de zones ir basse altitude et de pluviometrie bimodale i deszones de haute altitude b pluviometrie monomodale sont inclus dansles enouetes. Dans les zones de for6t humides, Bipoloris moydis etPuccinio polysoro 6taient les champignons les plus courants avec Uneincidence moyenne de 70 et 44010 en 1995 et 2004 respectivement.Rhizoctonia solani, Stenocarpello mocrosporo, et Physoderma moydiSont et6 enregistr6s dans tous les villages avec un faible taux d'incidence.Dans les montagnes i l'ouest, Exserohilum turcicum el Cercosporo zeoe-moydrs €taient les pathogdnes les plus courants, avec une incidencevariant de 1 6 a 1 00 o/o en 1 995-1998. En 2004, l'incidence moyenneenregistr6e variait de 30 A 95olo pour les pathogenes. Phoeosphoeriomoydig la pathogdne le plus s6vdre (incidence=700/o) en 1995, a eteremplac6e par Cercosporo zeoe-n1ayd is (lncidence=600/o). L'incidencede sporborium reilianum et de Puccinia sorghi6tait de pris 50/o en 1 998.En 2OO4l'incidence de Sporisorium reilianum 6tait de 2o0lo. La plupartde ces maladies surviennent en association dans plusieurs des champsenqu€t6s. ll y avait une correlation positive des incidences entre Pucciniopolltsoro et Biooloris movdis dans la for6t humide. Phoeosphaerio.tache des feuilles, etait n6gativement corr6l6 i C. zeoe-maydis et E.turcicum dans les montagnes de I'ouest. Bien que certaines maladiesetaient sp6cifiques i leurs niches 6cologiques, E. turcicum a 6t6 trouv6aussi bien dans les montagnes que sur les plateaux, mais avec unefaible incidence sur les plateaux. Les espEces Fusarium, Aspergillus etDiptodia moydis 6taient les champignons les plus importants produisantdes mycotoxines qui provoquent des pourritures de racines dans lesmontagnes de l'ouest en 2004

Open and Configurable Heterogeneous Data Recording Device for Clinical Trials

International audienceThis article presents a heterogeneous, open and configurable data recording device to facilitate the implementation of clinical trials. It includes an embedded system connected via USB to an Android device, and a database in the Cloud. Using an Android application, it is possible to configure each clinical trial according to the needs of the test protocol and the people involved in the study. This device ensures the recording and storage of data from both the various sensors used and the questionnaires. This original device was used during the implementation of the clinical trials for a powered wheelchair "Obstacle Alerting System". This system will be mounted on the wheelchairs of the people participating in the clinical trials and used for 14 days in their real life environment

Study of Water Absorption in Raffia vinifera Fibres from Bandjoun, Cameroon

The study is focused on the water diffusion phenomenon through the Raffia vinifera fibre from the stem. The knowledge on the behavior of those fibres in presence of liquid during the realization of biocomposite, is necessary. The parameters like percentage of water gain at the point of saturation, modelling of the kinetic of water absorption, and the effective diffusion coefficient were the main objectives. Along a stem of raffia, twelve zones of sampling were defined. From Fick’s 2nd law of diffusion, a new model was proposed and evaluated compared to four other models at a constant temperature of 23°C. From the proposed model, the effective diffusion coefficient was deduced. The percentage of water gain was in the range of 303–662%. The proposed model fitted better to the experimental data. The estimated diffusion coefficient was evaluated during the initial phase and at the final phase. In any cross section located along the stem of Raffia vinifera, it was found that the effective diffusion coefficient increases from the periphery to the centre during the initial and final phases