Accueil et apport des activités d'éveil aux langues en milieu autochtone québécois

Ce mémoire présente une étude exploratoire sur l'apport des activités d'éveil aux langues et l'accueil réservé par le milieu autochtone à ces activités. Cette étude a été réalisée auprès de trois classes d'élèves de fin de cycle du primaire en provenance de trois communautés autochtones en milieu québécois: montagnaise (ou innue), attikamek et inuite. Nous nous sommes intéressée à certains éléments ou certaines composantes qui peuvent définir des attitudes qu'ont développées les élèves de ces milieux autochtones à la suite de la réalisation de ces activités pédagogiques qui visent l'atteinte de différents objectifs: motivation à apprendre des langues, valorisation de la langue minoritaire (en ce qui nous concerne, la langue ancestrale autochtone), ouverture à la diversité culturelle, amélioration des compétences métalinguistiques et autres. Les résultats de notre étude révèlent que les enfants ont beaucoup apprécié ces activités qui, de plus, ont favorisé un intérêt certain, sinon un « éveil » ou une curiosité envers les langues en général et d'autres que celles qui leur sont habituellement connues. Les jeunes autochtones ont eu l'occasion de valoriser un peu plus, verbalement et par écrit, leur langue ancestrale et ils ont fait preuve d'un grand intérêt face à la diversité culturelle au Québec et ailleurs dans le monde. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : Éveil aux langues, Langues autochtones, Apprentissage des langues secondes, Préservation des langues ancestrales

Multicenter assessment of quantitative sensory testing (QST) for the detection of neuropathic-like pain responses using the topical capsaicin model

Background: The use of quantitative sensory testing (QST) in multicenter studies has been quite limited, due in part to lack of standardized procedures among centers. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the application of the capsaicin pain model as a surrogate experimental human model of neuropathic pain in different centers and verify the variation in reports of QST measures across centers. Methods: A multicenter study conducted by the Quebec Pain Research Network in six laboratories allowed the evaluation of nine QST parameters in 60 healthy subjects treated with topical capsaicin to model unilateral pain and allodynia. The same measurements (without capsaicin) were taken in 20 patients with chronic neuropathic pain recruited from an independent pain clinic. Results: Results revealed that six parameters detected a significant difference between the capsaicin-treated and the control skin areas: (1) cold detection threshold (CDT) and (2) cold pain threshold (CPT) are lower on the capsaicin-treated side, indicating a decreased in cold sensitivity; (3) heat pain threshold (HPT) was lower on the capsaicin-treated side in healthy subjects, suggesting an increased heat pain sensitivity; (4) dynamic mechanical allodynia (DMA); (5) mechanical pain after two stimulations (MPS2); and (6) mechanical pain summation after ten stimulations (MPS10), are increased on the capsaicin-treated side, suggesting an increased in mechanical pain (P < 0.002). CDT, CPT and HPT showed comparable effects across all six centers, with CPT and HPT demonstrating the best sensitivity. Data from the patients showed significant difference between affected and unaffected body side but only with CDT. Conclusion: These results provide further support for the application of QST in multicenter studies examining normal and pathological pain responses

The Ventral Striatum is Implicated in the Analgesic Effect of Mood Changes

BACKGROUND: The ventral striatum, particularly the nucleus accumbens, is commonly associated with the processing of reward and positive stimuli, positive affect as well as antinociceptive processes

Effect of isoflurane on the auditory steady-state response and on consciousness in human volunteers.

BACKGROUND: The auditory steady state response (ASSR) is a sustained electrical response of the brain to auditory stimuli delivered at fast rates (30-50 responses/s). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 0.26-0.50% isoflurane on the ASSR and on consciousness, defined as responsiveness to verbal commands. METHODS: Ten volunteers (21-31 yr) participated. Isoflurane was administered at three stable, end-tidal concentrations: 0.26%, 0.38%, and 0.50%. The ASSR in response to 18,000 stimuli (500-Hz tonebursts, 10 ms, 82-dB, the right ear, 35-45 bursts/s) was recorded from the vertex with reference to the right mastoid. Recordings were made during baseline, at each isoflurane concentration, and during recovery. RESULTS: The mean (SD) ASSR amplitudes were 0.32 (0.23) microV during baseline, 0.24 (0.17) microV during 0.26% isoflurane, 0.09 (0.05) microV during 0.38% isoflurane, 0.04 (0.03) microV during 0.50% isoflurane, and 0.29 (0.33) microV during recovery. The amplitude during baseline and recovery was larger than during 0.38% and 0.50% isoflurane (P < 0.001). The amplitude at 0.26% was larger than at the other concentrations (P < 0.025). The logarithm of the ASSR amplitude was related linearly to the concentration of isoflurane (r = 0.85; P < 0.0001). The prediction probability (Pk) for loss of consciousness was 0.95 for both ASSR and measured isoflurane concentration. An ASSR amplitude < 0.07 microV was always associated with unconsciousness. CONCLUSIONS: The ASSR is attenuated in a concentration-dependent manner by isoflurane. Suppression of consciousness and maximal attenuation of ASSR occur in the same isoflurane concentration range. Profound attenuation of ASSR appears to reflect unconsciousness, defined as unresponsiveness to verbal commands