New calcium carbonate-based cements for bone reconstruction

The feasibility of calcium carbonate-based cements involving the re-crystallization of metastable calcium carbonate varieties has been demonstrated. Two cement compositions were obtained by mixing either calcium carbonate phases (cement A) or a calcium carbonate and a calcium phosphate phase (cement B) with an aqueous media. These cements set and hardened after 30 minutes and 90 minutes respectively. The final composition of cement A was calcite and aragonite whereas cement B lead to a carbonated apatite analogous to bone mineral. Despite poor mechanical properties the presence of a high carbonate content in the final phase might be of interest to increase the cement resorption rate and to favour its replacement by bone tissue. First assays of implantation performed on fresh anatomical pieces (fresh cadavers) at 37°C revealed important advantages of such cement compositions: easiness of use, rapid setting, good adhesion to bone, very good homogeneity and stability of the cement

Coordination to a di-tert-butylphosphidoboratabenzene ligand with electronically unsaturated group 10 transition metals

A new boratabenzene-phosphine ligand, di-tert-butylphosphidoboratabenzene, [DTBB]−, has successfully been synthesized by reduction of the corresponding di-tert-butylchlorophosphidoborabenzene compound (2). The species was structurally characterized with both K+ (3) and 18-crown-6·K+ (4) as counterions. Reactions of two equivalents of di-tert-butylphosphidoboratabenzene with NiBr2(PPh3)2, PtCl2, and PtCl2(COD) were undertaken and were successful in yielding three new organometallic boratabenzene species, (μ-κ-η6-C5H5BP(tBu)2)2Ni2 (5), (η3-(C,B,P)-C5H5BP(tBu)2)2Pt (6), and (η3-(C,B,P)-C5H5BP(tBu)2)(κ-C8H12(P(tBu)2BC5H5)Pt (7), respectively. The di-tert-butylphosphidoboratabenzene species displays a remarkable tendency to coordinate to transition metal species in two distinct modes closely associated with other reported boratabenzene and allyl-like interactions. Also of interest is the ability for di-tert-butylphosphidoboratabenzene to be able to coordinate within monomeric as well as dimeric transition metal compounds. The synthesis and characterization will be discussed in detail along with DFT calculations in order to validate these research findings

Diversité et Immunogénicité des protéines salivaires de Culicidae

Eviter la piqûre de moustiques vecteurs en utilisant des mesures antivectorielles reste le meilleur moyen de se protéger des maladies vectorielles. La salive de moustique peut induire une réponse anticorps (Acs) spécifique chez l hôte qui pourrait être utilisé pour définir l'efficacité de ces mesures de protection antivectorielle. L objectif de notre projet était d évaluer la possibilité d utiliser cette réponse Acs anti-salive de moustiques pour mesurer l exposition à des espèces spécifiques de moustiques ainsi que d identifier des marqueurs d exposition. Nous nous sommes tout d abord assurés de l absence de différences intraspécifiques entre différentes colonies de moustiques, une condition indispensable pour pouvoir observer des différences au niveau de l espèce. Par ailleurs, nous avons mis au point un protocole pour préserver les échantillons salivaires dans des conditions de terrains non optimales. A partir de ces expérimentations préliminaires, nous avons évalué la diversité du répertoire protéique salivaire de quatre espèces d Anopheles par des différentes approches, et montré une spécificité de genre et d espèce aussi bien au niveau protéique qu antigénique. Enfin, nous avons montré une évolution spatio-temporelle de l intensité de la réponse Acs anti-salive ainsi que sa spécificité de genre et d espèce, chez des individus exposés à différents niveaux à Ae. caspius. Ces résultats souligne la possibilité de caractériser des antigènes salivaires spécifiques de genre et d espèces qui peuvent avoir un intérêt pour mesurer le contact hôte/vecteur au niveau individuel, le risque de transmission de maladies vectorielles ou l efficacité des mesures antivectorielles.The primary mean to protect individuals from arthropod-borne diseases is the prevention of bites from infected arthropods which could be achieved by vector control strategies. Mosquito saliva could induce a specific antibody response in exposed individuals that could be used to assess the effectiveness of anti-vector measures. The aim of this study is to assess the possibility to use anti-mosquito saliva antibody responses in order to evaluate the exposure to specific species of vectors and to identify salivary protein candidates that can be used as immunological markers of exposure. We first verify the lack of intraspecific differences among several mosquito colonies which is essential to further observe potential differences at the species level. Moreover, a convenient storage method was developed to preserve salivary samples in non optimal condition on the field. Based on these preliminary results, we evaluated the salivary gland protein repertory diversity among four Anopheles species using complementary approaches and we shown a genus and species specificity at the protein and antigen level. At least, a spatio-temporal evolution of anti-saliva antibody responses was shown according to the Aedes caspius density using sera of differentially exposed individuals. The specificity of this response was also reported at the genus and species level. All together, these results suggest the feasibility to characterize genus and species specific salivary antigens which could be used as immunological markers of exposure to evaluate host/vector contacts, the risk of vector-borne disease transmission or the effectiveness of anti-vector strategies.AIX-MARSEILLE2-Bib.electronique (130559901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Implication of haematophagous arthropod salivary proteins in host-vector interactions

The saliva of haematophagous arthropods contains an array of anti-haemostatic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory molecules that contribute to the success of the blood meal. The saliva of haematophagous arthropods is also involved in the transmission and the establishment of pathogens in the host and in allergic responses. This survey provides a comprehensive overview of the pharmacological activity and immunogenic properties of the main salivary proteins characterised in various haematophagous arthropod species. The potential biological and epidemiological applications of these immunogenic salivary molecules will be discussed with an emphasis on their use as biomarkers of exposure to haematophagous arthropod bites or vaccine candidates that are liable to improve host protection against vector-borne diseases

On the interaction of acetone with electrophilic metallocavitands having extended cavities

We report the synthesis and characterization of tantalum–boronate trimetallic clusters of general formula {[Cp*Ta]3(μ2-RB(O)2)3(μ2-OH)(μ2-O)2(μ3-OH)} (R= 4-(C6H5)(C6H4) (Ta3-4Ph), 4-(C6H5O)(C6H4) (Ta3-4OPh), 4-(C7H7O)(C6H4) (Ta3-4OBn), 4-(C8H5)(C6H4) (Ta3-4PhEt), and 4-(C12H7)(C6H4) (Ta3-4Napht)). All complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The trimetallic species feature a large Lewis acid type cavity allowing for substrate binding in both the solid and the liquid state using a unique electrostatic interaction and a hydrogen bond. ΔH° and ΔS° values for association of acetone with the complexes vary between −2.0 and −4.1 kcal·mol–1 and −3 and 2 cal·mol–1·K–1, respectively, showing weaker binding than smaller cavitands of the same type. The barrier for acetone exchange at equilibrium is similar for all complexes, and ΔH‡ values vary between 8.2 and 11.4 kcal·mol–1

Plasmodium falciparum proteome changes in response to doxycycline treatment

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The emergence of <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>resistance to most anti-malarial compounds has highlighted the urgency to develop new drugs and to clarify the mechanisms of anti-malarial drugs currently used. Among them, doxycycline is used alone for malaria chemoprophylaxis or in combination with quinine or artemisinin derivatives for malaria treatment. The molecular mechanisms of doxycycline action in <it>P. falciparum </it>have not yet been clearly defined, particularly at the protein level.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A proteomic approach was used to analyse protein expression changes in the schizont stage of the malarial parasite <it>P. falciparum </it>following doxycycline treatment. A comparison of protein expression between treated and untreated protein samples was performed using two complementary proteomic approaches: two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and isobaric tagging reagents for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After doxycycline treatment, 32 and 40 <it>P. falciparum </it>proteins were found to have significantly deregulated expression levels by 2D-DIGE and iTRAQ methods, respectively. Although some of these proteins have been already described as being deregulated by other drug treatments, numerous changes in protein levels seem to be specific to doxycycline treatment, which could perturb apicoplast metabolism. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to confirm this hypothesis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study, a specific response to doxycycline treatment was distinguished and seems to involve mitochondrion and apicoplast organelles. These data provide a starting point for the elucidation of drug targets and the discovery of mechanisms of resistance to anti-malarial compounds.</p

Specific antibody responses against membrane proteins of erythrocytes infected by Plasmodium falciparum of individuals briefly exposed to malaria

International audienceBACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum infections could lead to severe malaria, principally in non-immune individuals as children and travellers from countries exempted of malaria. Severe malaria is often associated with the sequestration of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes in deep micro-vascular beds via interactions between host endothelial receptors and parasite ligands expressed on the surface of the infected erythrocyte. Although, serological responses from individuals living in endemic areas against proteins expressed at surface of the infected erythrocyte have been largely studied, seldom data are available about the specific targets of antibody response from travellers. METHODS: In order to characterize antigens recognized by traveller sera, a comparison of IgG immune response against membrane protein extracts from uninfected and P. falciparum-infected red blood cells (iRBC), using immunoblots, was performed between non exposed individuals (n = 31) and briefly exposed individuals (BEI) (n = 38) to malaria transmission. RESULTS: Immune profile analysis indicated that eight protein bands from iRBC were significantly detected more frequently in the BEI group. Some of these antigenic proteins were identified by an original immuno-proteomic approach. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these data may be useful to characterize the singular serological immune response against a primary malaria infection in individuals briefly exposed to transmission

β(1,3)-Glucanosyl-Transferase Activity Is Essential for Cell Wall Integrity and Viability of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

13 páginas, 7 figuras, 2 tablas.[Background]: The formation of the cell wall in Schizosaccharomyces pombe requires the coordinated activity of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and modification of b-glucans. The b(1,3)-glucan synthase complex synthesizes linear b(1,3)- glucans, which remain unorganized until they are cross-linked to other b(1,3)-glucans and other cell wall components. Transferases of the GH72 family play important roles in cell wall assembly and its rearrangement in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus fumigatus. Four genes encoding b(1,3)-glucanosyl-transferases -gas1+, gas2+, gas4+ and gas5+- are present in S. pombe, although their function has not been analyzed. [Methodology/Principal Findings]: Here, we report the characterization of the catalytic activity of gas1p, gas2p and gas5p together with studies directed to understand their function during vegetative growth. From the functional point of view, gas1p is essential for cell integrity and viability during vegetative growth, since gas1D mutants can only grow in osmotically supported media, while gas2p and gas5p play a minor role in cell wall construction. From the biochemical point of view, all of them display b(1,3)-glucanosyl-transferase activity, although they differ in their specificity for substrate length, cleavage point and product size. In light of all the above, together with the differences in expression profiles during the life cycle, the S. pombe GH72 proteins may accomplish complementary, non-overlapping functions in fission yeast. [Conclusions/Significance]: We conclude that b(1,3)-glucanosyl-transferase activity is essential for viability in fission yeast, being required to maintain cell integrity during vegetative growth.This research was supported by grants from the Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia (BFU2004-00778) and Junta de Castilla y Leon (GR231) to C.R.V-A and from the European Community (LSHB-CT-2004-511952) to C.R.V-A. and J.P.L. M.M-R. held a fellowship from the Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia.Peer reviewe

A new Python3 module for TELEMAC-MASCARET dedicated to post-treatment: Postel

Hydrodynamic

Definition of the anti-inflammatory oligosaccharides derived from the galactosaminogalactan (GAG) from Aspergillus fumigatus

Galactosaminogalactan (GAG) is an insoluble aminosugar polymer produced by Aspergillus fumigatus and has anti-inflammatory properties. Here, the minimum glycosidic sequences required for the induction of IL-1Ra by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was investigated. Using chemical degradation of native GAG to isolate soluble oligomers, we have found that the de-N-acetylation of galactosamine residues and the size of oligomer are critical for the in vitro immune response. A minimal oligomer size of 20 galactosamine residues is required for the anti-inflammatory response but the presence of galactose residues is not necessary. In a Dextran sulfate induced colitis mouse model, a fraction of de-N-acetylated oligomers of 13 < dp < 20 rescue inflammatory damage like the native GAG polymer in an IL-1Ra dependent pathway. Our results demonstrate the therapeutic suitability of water-soluble GAG oligosaccharides in IL-1 mediated hyper-inflammatory diseases and suggest that α-1,4-galactosamine oligomers chemically synthesized could represent new anti-inflammatory glycodrugs.Aviesan project Aspergillus, the French Government's Investissement d'Avenir program, Laboratoire d'Excellence Integrative Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases (Grant No ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID), la Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (DEQ20150331722 LATGE Equipe FRM 2015). RS thanks Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) contract IF/00021/201