Leaf Eh and pH: A Novel Indicator of Plant Stress. Spatial, Temporal and Genotypic Variability in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A wealth of knowledge has been published in the last decade on redox regulations in plants. However, these works remained largely at cellular and organelle levels. Simple indicators of oxidative stress at the plant level are still missing. We developed a method for direct measurement of leaf Eh and pH, which revealed spatial, temporal, and genotypic variations in rice. Eh (redox potential) and Eh@pH7 (redox potential corrected to pH 7) of the last fully expanded leaf decreased after sunrise. Leaf Eh was high in the youngest leaf and in the oldest leaves, and minimum for the last fully expanded leaf. Leaf pH decreased from youngest to oldest leaves. The same gradients in Eh-pH were measured for various varieties, hydric conditions, and cropping seasons. Rice varieties differed in Eh, pH, and/or Eh@pH7. Leaf Eh increases and leaf pH decreases with plant age. These patterns and dynamics in leaf Eh-pH are in accordance with the pattern and dynamics of disease infections. Leaf Eh-pH can bring new insight on redox processes at plant level and is proposed as a novel indicator of plant stress/health. It could be used by agronomists, breeders, and pathologists to accelerate the development of crop cultivation methods leading to agroecological crop protection

Piégeage des Mouches des Fruits (Diptera : Tephritidae) À Base D’extraits de Ocimum Basilicum L. (Lamiaceae) : Cas de Bactrocera Dorsalis, Principal Ravageur de Mangues en Côte d’Ivoire

Les cultures fruitières, en particulier la mangue en Côte d’Ivoire, sont sous la menace des mouches des fruits. Les dégâts se sont accrus avec l’invasion de Bactrocera dorsalis. En outre, la baisse des pertes en vergers de manguiers exige l’utilisation du méthyl eugénol pour sa détection et le suivi du monitoring de sa population. Malheureusement, les attractifs sexuels spécifiques de mouchessont inaccessibles aux producteurs de la Côte d’Ivoire. L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer l’efficacité de Ocimum basilicum dans de la capture de B. dorsalis. Ces trois formulations du basilic (feuilles fraîches malaxées, poudre de basilic et macérât du basilic) et le méthyl eugénol sont utilisées en piégeage dans les vergers de manguiers à Korhogo. Les pièges ont été relevés chaque semaine et chaque jour respectivement pour le Méthyl eugénol et les formulations du basilic. Les formulations ont permis de capturer une importante population de B. dorsalis (99,41 %) avec une prévalence (FTD) moyenne journalière de 10,141 individus/jour/piège et d’autres espèces de mouches de fruits. La poudre de basilic montre une rémanence plus longue (28,67 ± 18,17 jours) tandis que le macérât de basilic montre une capture hebdomadaire plus élevée (513,4 ± 72,34 individus). Les captures moyennes les plus élevées ont été observées avec le Macérât de basilic (4419 ± 1090 individus) et le Méthyl eugénol (4899,67 ± 1511,74 individus). Le macérât de feuilles fraîches de basilic et la poudre de feuilles sèches de basilic peuvent être recommandées auprès des producteurs de mangues dans la lutte contre B. dorsalis. Fruit crops, especially mangoes in Côte d'Ivoire are threatened by the fruit flies. The damage has increased with the invasion of Bactrocera dorsalis. In addition, the decline in mango orchard losses requires the use of methyl eugenol for the detection and monitoring of Bactrocera population. Unfortunately, the sex-specific attractants of flies are inaccessible to producers in Côte d'Ivoire. The aims of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Ocimum basilicum in the capture of B. dorsalis. Three basil formulations (fresh mixed leaves, basil powder and basil macerate) and methyl eugenol are used for trapping in mango orchards in Korhogo. The captured insects were collected weekly and daily for methyl eugenol and basil formulations respectively. The formulations captured a large population of B. dorsalis (99.41%) with an average daily prevalence (FTD) of 10,141 individuals / day / trap and other fruit fly species. Basil powder has the longest persistence (28.67 ± 18.17 days) and basil macerate has the highest weekly catch (513.4 ± 72.34 individuals). The highest average catches were observed with basil macerate (4419 ± 1090 individuals) and methyl eugenol (4899.67 ± 1511.74 individuals). Fresh basil leaf macerate and dry basil leaf powder may be recommended to mango growers in the control of B. dorsalis

Evaluation de la Qualite de Vie des Enfants et Adolescents Inclus dans Un Programme de Prise en Charge Tridimensionnelle de l’Exces Ponderal a Abidjan (Côte d’Ivore)

           Contexte et objectif : L’obésité affecte la qualité de vie des sujets concernés, et de façon particulière les plus jeunes qui font l’objet de moquerie. Ainsi, un programme de coaching tripartite : un aspect nutritionnel, un volet promotion de la pratique d’activité physique, et un volet accompagnement psychologique. La présente étude a donc été initiée avec pour objectif de mesurer l’impact de ce programme de coaching mis en place sur la qualité de vie des enfants et adolescents obèses qui en étaient les bénéficiaires. Méthode : Il s’est agi d’une étude de cohorte à deux mesures avant et après la mise en place du coaching. Celle-ci s’est déroulée avec un échantillon de 136 enfants et adolescents de 6 à 17 ans, soit sur une période de 18 mois, au Service de Nutrition de l’Institut National de Santé Publique d’Abidjan. La qualité de vie a été évaluée à l’aide du questionnaire PedsQL (the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) dans sa version 4 adapté pour les besoins de l’étude. Il était composé de la dimension physique et la santé psychosociale. Résultats : Les enquêtés étaient des deux sexes avec une prédominance féminine (58,8%) et étaient tous scolarisés. A la fin du programme de coaching en santé on note une amélioration de la dimension physique qui devient acceptable chez 71,8% des enfants et adolescents et une meilleure évolution de la dimension psychosociale et la qualité de vie d’acceptable à bonne.  Un lien significatif (p < 0,05) a été plus observé entre la santé psychosociale, le poids moyen et l’indice de masse corporelle des adolescents de 12 à 19 ans à l’issu de ce programme que chez les enfants.  Conclusion : Cette étude situe sur l’intérêt du programme de coaching en santé dans l’amélioration de la qualité de vie des personnes lors de la prise en charge de l’obésité infantile.   Context and objective : Obesity affects the quality of life of the subjects concerned, and in particular the youngest who are made fun of. Thus, a tripartite coaching program: a nutritional aspect, a component promoting the practice of physical activity, and a psychological support component. The present study was therefore initiated with the aim of measuring the impact of this coaching program set up on the quality of life of obese children and adolescents who were the beneficiaries. Method : This was a two-measure cohort study before and after the implementation of coaching. This took place with a sample of 136 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17, over a period of 18 months, at the Nutrition Service of the National Institute of Public Health in Abidjan. Quality of life was assessed using the PedsQL questionnaire (the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) in its version 4 adapted for the needs of the study. It was composed of the physical dimension and the psychosocial health. Results: The respondents were of both sexes with a female predominance (58.8%) and were all educated. At the end of the health coaching program, there is an improvement in the physical dimension which becomes acceptable in 71.8% of children and adolescents and a better evolution of the psychosocial dimension and the quality of life from acceptable to good. A significant link (p < 0.05) was observed between psychosocial health, average weight and body mass index in adolescents aged 12 to 19 at the end of this program than in children. Conclusion : This study situates the interest of the health coaching program in improving the quality of life of people during the management of childhood obesity

Evaluation de la Qualite de Vie des Enfants et Adolescents Inclus dans un Programme de Prise en Charge Tridimensionnelle de l’Exces Ponderal a Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

Contexte et objectif : L’obésité affecte la qualité de vie des sujets concernés, et de façon particulière les plus jeunes qui font l’objet de moquerie. Ainsi, un programme de coaching tripartite : un aspect nutritionnel, un volet promotion de la pratique d’activité physique, et un volet accompagnement psychologique. La présente étude a donc été initiée avec pour objectif de mesurer l’impact de ce programme de coaching mis en place sur la qualité de vie des enfants et adolescents obèses qui en étaient les bénéficiaires. Matériel et méthodes : Il s’est agi d’une étude de cohorte à deux mesures avant et après la mise en place du coaching. Celle-ci s’est déroulée avec un échantillon de 136 enfants et adolescents de 6 à 17 ans, soit sur une période de 18 mois, au Service de Nutrition de l’Institut National de Santé Publique d’Abidjan. La qualité de vie a été évaluée à l’aide du questionnaire PedsQL (the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) dans sa version 4 adapté pour les besoins de l’étude. Il était composé de la dimension physique et la santé psychosociale. Résultats : Les enquêtés étaient des deux sexes avec une prédominance féminine (58,8%) et étaient tous scolarisés. A la fin du programme de coaching en santé on note une amélioration de la dimension physique qui devient acceptable chez 71,8% des enfants et adolescents et une meilleure évolution de la dimension psychosociale et la qualité de vie d’acceptable à bonne. Un lien significatif (p < 0,05) a été plus observé entre la santé psychosociale, le poids moyen et l’indice de masse corporelle des adolescents de 12 à 19 ans à l’issu de ce programme que chez les enfants. Conclusion : Cette étude situe sur l’intérêt du programme de coaching en santé dans l’amélioration de la qualité de vie des personnes lors de la prise en charge de l’obésité infantile. En effet, elle confirme que la prise en charge psychologique est un élément important dans la prise en charge de la malnutrition. Context and objective: Obesity affects the quality of life of the subjects concerned, and in particular the youngest who are made fun of. Thus, a tripartite coaching program: a nutritional aspect, a component promoting the practice of physical activity, and a psychological support component. The present study was therefore initiated with the aim of measuring the impact of this coaching program set up on the quality of life of obese children and adolescents who were the beneficiaries. Material and methods: This were a two-measure cohort study before and after the implementation of coaching. This took place with a sample of 136 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17, over a period of 18 months, at the Nutrition Service of the National Institute of Public Health in Abidjan. Quality of life was assessed using the PedsQL questionnaire (the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) in its version 4 adapted for the needs of the study. It was composed of the physical dimension and the psychosocial health. Results: The respondents were of both sexes with a female predominance (58.8%) and were all educated. At the end of the health coaching program, there is an improvement in the physical dimension which becomes acceptable in 71.8% of children and adolescents and a better evolution of the psychosocial dimension and the quality of life from acceptable to good. A significant link (p < 0.05) was observed between psychosocial health, average weight and body mass index in adolescents aged 12 to 19 at the end of this program than in children. Conclusion: This study situates the interest of the health coaching program in improving the quality of life of people during the management of childhood obesity. Indeed, it confirms that psychological care is an important element in the management of malnutrition

The effect of a preoperative subconjuntival injection of dexamethasone on blood–retinal barrier breakdown following scleral buckling retinal detachment surgery: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled double blind clinical trial

textabstractBackground: Blood-retinal barrier breakdown secondary to retinal detachment and retinal detachment repair is a factor in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). We wished to investigate whether an estimated 700 to 1000 ng/ml subretinal dexamethasone concentration at the time of surgery would decrease the blood-retinal barrier breakdown postoperatively. Methods: Prospective, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial. In 34 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment scheduled for conventional scleral buckling retinal detachment surgery, a subconjunctival injection of 0.5 ml dexamethasone diphosphate (10 mg) or 0.5 ml placebo was given 5-6 hours before surgery. Differences in laser flare photometry (KOWA) measurements taken 1, 3 and 6 weeks after randomisation between dexamethasone and placebo were analysed using mixed model ANOVA, while correcting for the preoperative flare measurement. Results: Six patients did not complete the study, one because of recurrent detachment within 1 week, and five because they missed their postoperative laser flare visits. The use of dexamethasone resulted in a statistically significant decrease in laser flare measurements at the 1-week postoperative visit. Conclusion: The use of a preoperative subconjunctival injection of dexamethasone decreased 1-week postoperative blood-retina barrier breakdown in patients undergoing conventional scleral buckling retinal detachment surgery. This steroid priming could be useful as a part of a peri-operative regime that would aim at decreasing the incidence of PVR

Growth Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9) Suppresses Follistatin and Follistatin-Like 3 Production in Human Granulosa-Lutein Cells

We have demonstrated that growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) enhances activin A-induced inhibin β(B)-subunit mRNA levels in human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells by regulating receptors and key intracellular components of the activin signaling pathway. However, we could not exclude its effects on follistatin (FST) and follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3), well recognized extracellular inhibitors of activin A.hGL cells from women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment were cultured with and without siRNA transfection of FST, FSTL3 or GDF9 and then treated with GDF9, activin A, FST, FSTL3 or combinations. FST, FSTL3 and inhibin β(B)-subunit mRNA, and FST, FSTL3 and inhibin B protein levels were assessed with real-time RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Data were log transformed before ANOVA followed by Tukey's test.GDF9 suppressed basal FST and FSTL3 mRNA and protein levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner and inhibited activin A-induced FST and FSTL3 mRNA and protein expression, effects attenuated by BMPR2 extracellular domain (BMPR2 ECD), a GDF9 antagonist. After GDF9 siRNA transfection, basal and activin A-induced FST and FSTL3 mRNA and protein levels increased, but changes were reversed by adding GDF9. Reduced endogenous FST or FSTL3 expression with corresponding siRNA transfection augmented activin A-induced inhibin β(B)-subunit mRNA levels as well as inhibin B levels (P values all <0.05). Furthermore, the enhancing effects of GDF9 in activin A-induced inhibin β(B)-subunit mRNA and inhibin B production were attenuated by adding FST.GDF9 decreases basal and activin A-induced FST and FSTL3 expression, and this explains, in part, its enhancing effects on activin A-induced inhibin β(B)-subunit mRNA expression and inhibin B production in hGL cells