Religieuses missionnaires issues du diocèse du Mans de la veille de la Révolution à la Seconde Guerre mondiale

Environ 150 religieuses originaires du diocèse du Mans sont parties en mission sur un siècle et demi entre les années 1780 et les années 1930. Une vingtaine de congrégations sont représentées. Si les congrégations régionales arrivent en tête, ce n’est pas seulement à cause de leur proximité géographique, c’est aussi parce que parmi elles les Soeurs de Saint- Paul de Chartres, sont au départ la seule congrégation missionnaire féminine. La diversification enregistrée ensuite au niveau du diocèse étudié confirme sur le plan local, la prise en compte croissante de la dimension missionnaire au cours du XIXe siècle. Cette conscience missionnaire s’aiguise aux contacts des oeuvres missionnaires, de la presse religieuse, des témoignages directs apportés par les missionnaires eux-mêmes dans leur diocèse d’origine. Les destinations varient également, du monde américain au continent africain puis à l’Indochine et à la Chine, répondant à une demande qui vient soit des milieux politiques et militaires, soit des milieux ecclésiastiques et qui débouche le plus souvent sur la mise en place d’oeuvres sociales (hôpitaux, hospices, orphelinats) et culturelles (enseignement, formation professionnelle).Between the years 1780 and 1930, i.e. during about one and a half century, 150 sisters originating from the diocese of Le Mans left for missionary countries. About 20 different congregations were represented. If among them, the most important were the locally established, this is not only due to their geographical vicinity, but also to the fact that the Sisters of St Paul de Chartres were at the beginning the only congregation of female missionaries. The diversification later recorded in the diocese under study confirms locally the global trend of the missionary spirit which prevailed during the 19th century. This missionary behaviour increases due to the achievements of the missionaries, the religious press, and direct testimonies brought back by the missionaries themselves in their home diocese. The destination countries vary from the american world to the african continent, and later to Indochina or China, according to queries coming from either political or military circles as well as ecclesiastical ones. This presence leads generally to the set up of social or cultural institutions (hospitals, hospices, orphanages, schools)

Production of γ-decalactone by Yarrowia lipolytica : insights into experimental conditions and operating mode optimization

BACKGROUND γ-Decalactone production from ricinoleic acid biotransformation derived from the triglycerides in castor oil by Yarrowia lipolytica, has been widely described in literature in studies concerning lipidic metabolism that leads to lactones production, interactions of cells with the lipid substrate, toxicity of produced metabolites, selection of over-producing mutants and selection of environmental conditions. RESULTS In order to improve technological aspects of γ-decalactone production, oxygen transfer rate (OTR), cell density and oil concentration effects were investigated, in batch and step-wise fed-batch cultures of Yarrowia lipolytica W29. The best γ-decalactone concentration of 5.4 ± 0.5 g L-1 was obtained for batch cultures with 60 g L-1 of cells and substrate concentration. CONCLUSION The direct influence of aeration and agitation rates, thus of OTR, on production of γ-decalactone has been demonstrated. γ-Decalactone productivity of 215 ± 19 mg L-1 h-1 was obtained with 60 g L-1 of cells and castor oil concentration in batch and step-wise fed-batch cultures of Yarrowia lipolytica. The results obtained suggest that these two strategies are good alternatives for industrial production processes.The authors thank the Project 'BioInd - Biotechnology and Bioengineering for improved Industrial and Agro-Food processes, REF. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028' co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON. 2 - O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER and Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) (SFRH/BD/63701/2009 PhD grant to Adelaide Braga) for the financial support provided and FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013

Toxicologie du déoxinivalénol chez le porc : effets sur la réponse immunitaire, la flore intestinale et la sensibilité aux pathogènes

Le déoxynivalénol (DON) est une mycotoxine issue du métabolisme secondaire de moisissures, et se retrouve fréquemment comme contaminant naturel de nombreuses denrées d’origine végétale. Les objectifs de nos travaux ont été d’évaluer les propriétés toxiques du DON chez le porc en croissance, sain ou porteur d’agent pathogène, car cette espèce est connue pour sa sensibilité envers la toxine. Nous avons dans un premier temps étudié in vitro les effets du DON sur la réponse immunitaire non spécifique des animaux. Dans un deuxième temps, l’impact de l’ingestion d’un aliment naturellement contaminé sur les performances et la flore intestinale des porcs a été étudié. Enfin, le modèle de portage asymptomatique de salmonelles a été choisi pour caractériser l’effet de l’intoxication sur l’excrétion de ce pathogène. En fonction de la dose de DON utilisée (0,5 - 5μM), la pré-exposition des macrophages à la toxine a entraîné une inhibition de leur activation par l’IFN-γ à travers une diminution de l’expression de leurs récepteurs transmembranaires CD14, CD54, CD119 et HLA-DP/DQ/DR, impliqués dans les fonctions de coopération et de signalisation des macrophages. En revanche, le DON n’a pas eu d’effet particulier sur des macrophages préalablement activés par l’IFN-γ. L’exposition au DON n’a pas altéré la capacité de phagocytose des neutrophiles. Cependant, le DON (10 - 50 μM) réduit les propriétés de migration de ces cellules, et diminue la production d’IL-8 par les neutrophiles stimulés par du lipopolysaccharide. Nos résultats suggèrent que la diminution de la production d’IL-8 serait due à une inhibition de l’expression de la sous-unité p65 des facteurs de transcription-kB (NF-kB). Dans les études in vivo, nous avons observé une diminution transitoire de la croissance de tous les porcs après une semaine d’ingestion d’un aliment contaminé par le DON (2,7 mg DON/kg d’aliment). Des modifications de profils de flore bactérienne intestinale ont également été mises en évidence par CE-SSCP (Capillary Electrophoresis Single-Stranded Conformation Polymorphism) après 28 jours d’intoxication chronique. Comme attendu, aucun signe clinique ou physiologique important n’a été observé suite à l’inoculation des porcs avec 106 UFC de Salmonella Typhimurium, hormis une augmentation immédiate de la concentration sérique des immunoglobulines A. Une légère accélération de la séroconversion des animaux infectés par Salmonella Typhymurium et exposés au DON a été observée, ainsi qu’une perturbation passagère de la population de coliformes thermotolérants des fécès, deux jours après l’infection. Aucun autre effet synergique de l’intoxication et de l’infection n’a été observé sur la persistance et l’excrétion de la bactérie par les porcs infectés. En conclusion, nos résultats montrent qu’in vitro, le DON diminue les fonctions des cellules phagocytaires (neutrophiles et macrophages) et qu’in vivo, aux doses de DON et de salmonelles administrés, cette mycotoxine altère la flore intestinale des porcs, mais ne semble pas être un facteur aggravant du portage asymptomatique de salmonelles. ABSTRACT : Deoxynivalenol (DON), is a mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium species. It is a secondary metabolite and can contaminate all the stages of the food chain. DON is commonly detected in cereal grains and pigs remain the most sensitive animal specie. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxicological properties of DON in grower pigs using pathogen-free pigs. In the first place, in vitro studies were performed to evaluate DON effects on the no-specific immune response. In the second place, the impact of the ingestion of naturally DON contaminated food on the performance and pig’s microbiota was explored. Finally, a Salmonella asymptomatic model was used to characterize the effect of DON on pathogen excretion. Depending on the DON dose used (0.5 -5 µM) the preliminary exposition of macrophages with increased concentration of DON inhibited their IFN-y activation, through a decrease in the clusters of differentiation CD14, CD54, CD119, and HLA-DP/DQ/DR, which are implicated in cellular cooperation and signalization of macrophages. However, no DON effect was observed on the preliminary IFN-y activated macrophages. High DON dose (10 - 50 µM) did not affect polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) phagocytosis but reduced significantly the migration capacity and the IL-8 production of LPS-induced PMNs. Results therefore suggested that IL-8 decrease is due to the inhibition of the p65-NFKB subunit expression. In the in vivo study, consumption of DON-contaminated feed (2.8 mg DON/kg of feed) reduced the animal weight gain during the first week of experiment. Changes in the intestinal microflora were observed by Capillary Electrophoresis Single-Stranded Conformation Polymorphism (CE-SSCP) in DON exposed animals, suggesting an impact of this toxin on the dynamics on the intestinal bacterial communities. In pigs inoculated with Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, DON did not increase the asymptomatic pathogenicity of the bacteria when these animals were fed with the contaminated diet. Only a slight increase of the seroconversion was seen, but no synergistic effects on colonization or excretion of the bacteria was observed during the experiment. It was concluded that low doses of DON have a negative impact on different phagocytics cells functions and could modify the gastrointestinal associated microflora. In contrast, this toxin did not seem to increase an asymptomatic infection of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium in pig

Oil-in-water emulsions characterization by laser granulometry and impact on γ-decalactone production in Yarrowia lipolytica

Oil-in-water emulsions composed of methyl ricinoleate (MR) or castor oil (CO) as the organic phase, stabilized by Tween 80, are in the basis of the biotechnological production of gama-decalactone. Y. lipolytica was used due to its ability to grow on hydrophobic substrates and to carry out that biotransformation. The characterization of oil droplets size distribution by laser granulometry was performed under different oil concentrations. The impact of the presence of cells on droplets size was also analyzed, as well as the relevance of washing cells. Furthermore, the granulometric characterization of the emulsions was related with gama-decalactone production for non-washed cells, the smaller droplets disappeared, using both oils, which increased gama-decalactone concentration. This suggests that the access of cells to the substrate occurs by their adhesion around larger oil droplets.The authors acknowledge Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT) for the financial support provided (SFRH/BD/28039/2006) and CRUP (Cooperation project F-41/06)

Enseignements tirés de récits de vocations au xixe siècle

Cette étude est la reprise d’un travail sur le clergé du Maine au xixe siècle laissé inachevé par Pierre Foucault décédé en septembre 2006. Il s’agit d’une comparaison entre la présentation de la vocation faite par les évêques et le clergé, et les enseignements tirés d’un peu plus de 170 récits de vocation, sur l’âge auquel se manifeste la vocation, le rôle du clergé et des familles dans son éclosion, sa découverte et sa réalisation. Les récits (qui rejoignent la présentation faite par les évêques) mettent l’accent sur le rôle du clergé, non seulement dans le discernement de la vocation mais aussi dans sa réalisation, par le soutien intellectuel et financier qu’il apporte.This paper results from a work upon the priets in the Maine province during nineteenth century. It was executed by Pierre Foucault who died in 2006. The stydy compares the bishops’ and priests’ writings upon sacerdotal vocation with the teachings of more than 170 accounts of priests (the age of the beginning of the vocation, the influence of priests and families…). The accounts confirm the bishops’ approach and point out the pristhood’s leading part not only in the perception of the vocation but also in its achievement, thanks to intellectual and financial help

Oxygen influence on the ß-oxidative metabolism of methyl ricinoleate for lactones production by the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica is able to carry out the peroxisomal β-oxidative catabolism of methyl ricinoleate, a process leading notably to the production of γ-decalactone, a high-value aroma compound. In fact, this metabolic pathway gives rise to different C10 lactones and their accumulations report the efficiency of the peroxisomal β-oxidation enzymes. γ-Decalactone or 3-hydroxydecan-4-olide accumulate when acyl- CoA oxidase or 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, respectively, control the flux within the pathway. We investigated the accumulation of C10 lactones in various aeration conditions. An important accumulation of 3-hydroxydecan-4-olide was observed when increasing the aeration up to a certain point, above it its concentration was lowered, which indicates a stimulation of the activity of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. Cultures under high-pressure were performed in order to increase the oxygen in the medium by an alternative mean. Y. lipolytica growth in glucose medium was accelerated at 0.5 MPa of total air pressure. A decrease in γ-decalactone production was observed with the increase in pressure. Curiously, applying a pressure of 0.5 MPa during growth and then during biotransformation resulted in high decenolides concentrations.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)

Effect of hyperosmotic shock on phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene expression and gluconeogenic activity in the crab muscle

AbstractChasmagnathus granulata phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) cDNA from jaw muscle was cloned and sequenced, showing a specific domain to bind phosphoenolpyruvate in addition to the kinase-1 and kinase-2 motifs to bind guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and Mg2+, respectively, specific for all PEPCKs. In the kinase-1 motifs the GK was changed to RK. The first 19 amino acids of the putative enzyme contain hydrophobic amino acids and hydroxylated residues specific to a mitochondrial type signal. The PEPCK is expressed in hepatopancreas, muscles, nervous system, heart, and gills. Hyperosmotic stress for 24 h increased the PEPCK mRNA level, gluconeogenic and PEPCK activities in muscle

Genetic engineering of the β-oxidation pathway in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to increase the production of aroma compounds

peer reviewedThe yeast Yarrowia lipolytica possesses five acyl-CoA oxidases (Aox1p to 5), the enzyme catalysing the first reaction of β-oxidation. The understanding of the specific role of each acyl-CoA oxidase is important to construct a yeast strain growing at a good rate and able to produce without degrading the aroma compound γ-decalactone. In this study we observed that Aox4p exhibits a slight activity on a broad spectrum of substrates and that it is involved in lactone degradation. We constructed a strain lacking this activity. Its growth was only slightly altered and it produced 10 times more lactone than the wild type in 48h. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Impact of the surface properties of lactic bacteria on the stability of emulsions

Bacteria have physicochemical surface properties which depend on the chemical composition of the cell surface. These characters proceed from several type of physicochemical interactions and are involved in attachment processes of microorganisms to surfaces. Thus they are of interest in several areas, as biomedicine, formation of biofilms and adhesion to apolar surfaces. Moreover, food matrix are complex heterogeneous media, which structure settles on interaction forces between molecules (van der Waals, electrostatic or structural forces…). When bacteria are present in a matrix, it is probable that their surface interacts with the other constituents. So far, few studies have mentioned this subject. In order to understand the involvement of cells surface properties in a food matrix, the effect of surface properties of lactic bacteria on the stability of model emulsions were studied. The results showed that the choice of a bacterium according to its surface properties may have a strong impact on the stability and on the behavior of an emulsion

Biotechnological production of γ-decalactone, a peach like aroma, by Yarrowia lipolytica

The request for new flavourings increases every year. Consumer perception that everything natural is better is causing an increase demand for natural aroma additives. Biotechnology has become a way to get natural products. γ-Decalactone is a peach-like aroma widely used in dairy products, beverages and others food industries. In more recent years, more and more studies and industrial processes were endorsed to cost-effect this compound production. One of the best-known methods to produce -decalactone is from ricinoleic acid catalyzed by Yarrowia lipolytica, a generally regarded as safe status yeast. As yet, several factors affecting -decalactone production remain to be fully understood and optimized. In this review, we focus on the aromatic compound -decalactone and its production by Y. lipolytica. The metabolic pathway of lactone production and degradation are addressed. Critical analysis of novel strategies of bioprocess engineering, metabolic and genetic engineering and other strategies for the enhancement of the aroma productivity are presented.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684)