L'accès au médicament dans la banlieue de Dakar

Le projet Pikine est basé sur le principe des Soins de Santé Primaires et comprend une triple participation de la population : à la gestion, par l'intermédiaire des Comités de Santé; à l'élaboration et au suivi des stratégies de développement à un niveau départemental; enfin, participation financière grâce au paiement par le malade de la consultation à un prix modique. Théoriquement, cette participation financière doit assurer l'approvisionnement en médicaments du Projet et permettre de distribuer le traitement au patient. Ce travail vise à mesurer la réalité de cet accès aux soins. (Résumé d'auteur

The Arabidopsis NPR1 Disease Resistance Protein Is a Novel Cofactor That Confers Redox Regulation of DNA Binding Activity to the Basic Domain/Leucine Zipper Transcription Factor TGA1

The Arabidopsis NPR1 protein is essential for regulating salicylic acid–dependent gene expression during systemic acquired resistance. NPR1 interacts differentially with members of the TGA class of basic domain/Leu zipper transcription factors and regulates their DNA binding activity. Here, we report that although TGA1 does not interact with NPR1 in yeast two-hybrid assays, treatment with salicylic acid induces the interaction between these proteins in Arabidopsis leaves. This phenomenon is correlated with a reduction of TGA1 Cys residues. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis of TGA1 Cys-260 and Cys-266 enables the interaction with NPR1 in yeast and Arabidopsis. Together, these results indicate that TGA1 relies on the oxidation state of Cys residues to mediate the interaction with NPR1. An intramolecular disulfide bridge in TGA1 precludes interaction with NPR1, and NPR1 can only stimulate the DNA binding activity of the reduced form of TGA1. Unlike its animal and yeast counterparts, the DNA binding activity of TGA1 is not redox regulated; however, this property is conferred by interaction with the NPR1 cofactor

At-risk serum cholesterol profile at both ends of the nutrition spectrum in West African adults? The Benin study

Low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), using as cut-offs 1.03 mmol/L in men and 1.29 mmol/L in women, was observed in more than 25% apparently healthy adults (n = 541) in a cross-sectional study on nutrition transition and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) in Benin, West Africa. Both overweight/obesity (35.3%) and underweight (11.3%) were present, displaying the double burden of malnutrition. We examined in more depth the association of low HDL-C with nutrition and with other CMRF. Metabolic syndrome components were assessed, plus the ratio of total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C and serum homocysteine. Insulin resistance was based on Homeostasis Model Assessment. We also measured BMI and body composition by bio-impedance. Dietary quality was appraised with two non-consecutive 24 h recalls. Low HDL-C was associated with much higher TC/HDL-C and more abdominal obesity in men and women and with more insulin resistance in women. The rate of low HDL-C was highest (41.9%) among the overweight/obese subjects (BMI ≥ 25), but it also reached 31.1% among the underweight (BMI < 18.5), compared with 17.3% among normal-weight subjects (p < 0.001). Lower dietary micronutrient adequacy, in particular, in vitamins A, B3, B12, zinc and calcium, was associated with low HDL-C when controlling for several confounders. This suggests that at-risk lipoprotein cholesterol may be associated with either underweight or overweight/obesity and with poor micronutrient intake

Use of farm grown cereal/protein mixes by lactating dairy cows in a winter diet

We compared the use of three farm grown cereal/protein mixes (oat/fava bean, barley/lupin, triticale/pea), that were used to complement lactating dairy cow diets based on hay consisting of alfalfa/orchard grass and perennial grassland. The trial took place in 2007 at the INRA experimental station of Mirecourt, where an organic mixed-crop dairy system is being prototyped. The experiment was carried out in a Latin square with three groups of eight cows (50% Holstein, 50% Montbéliarde). The cows were fed 4 kg/cow/day of one of the three cereal/protein mixes, 8 kg DM/cow/day of alfalfa/orchardgrass hay, and permanent grassland hay ad libitum. The three diets were indicative of the animals’ needs. Diets had no significant effect on milk production (20.3 kg/cow/d) and milk fat content (41.3 g/kg). However, dairy cows fed with the oat/fababean mix had a significantly lower protein content in their milk. This is the result of: (i) a nitrogen surplus in relation to energy, and (ii) a lower starch content compared to the two other diets. Therefore, in organic mixed-crop dairy systems with forages that are rich in nitrogen, the choice to cultivate mixtures of cereal/pulses and the composition of these mixtures must be primarily based on their agronomic interest and not on their zootechnical one since they are not essential to a balanced animal diet

Microbiology and atmospheric processes: Biological, physical and chemical characterization of aerosol particles

The interest in bioaerosols has traditionally been linked to health hazards for humans, animals and plants. However, several components of bioaerosols exhibit physical properties of great significance for cloud processes, such as ice nucleation and cloud condensation. To gain a better understanding of their influence on climate, it is therefore important to determine the composition, concentration, seasonal fluctuation, regional diversity and evolution of bioaerosols. In this paper, we will review briefly the existing techniques for detection, quantification, physical and chemical analysis of biological particles, attempting to bridge physical, chemical and biological methods for analysis of biological particles and integrate them with aerosol sampling techniques. We will also explore some emerging spectroscopy techniques for bulk and single-particle analysis that have potential for in-situ physical and chemical analysis. Lastly, we will outline open questions and further desired capabilities (e. g., in-situ, sensitive, both broad and selective, on-line, time-resolved, rapid, versatile, cost-effective techniques) required prior to comprehensive understanding of chemical and physical characterization of bioaerosols

Visceral Adiposity Index: A reliable indicator of visceral fat function associated with cardiometabolic risk

Objective: To individuate a novel sex-specific index, based on Waist Circumference (WC), Body Mass Index (BMI), Triglycerides (TG) and HDL cholesterol (HDL), indirectly expressing visceral fat function. Research design and Methods: Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) was first modelled on 315 non-obese healthy subjects. Using two multiple logistic regression models, VAI was retrospectively validated in 1,498 primary care patients in comparison to classical cardio and cerebrovascular risk factors. Results: All components of metabolic syndrome increased significantly across VAI quintiles. VAI was independently associated with both cardiovascular (OR:2.45; 95%CI: 1.52-3.95; p&lt;0.001) and cerebrovascular events (OR:1.63; 95%CI: 1.06-2.50; p=0.025). VAI also showed significant inverse correlation with insulin sensitivity during euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp in a subgroup of patients (R(s)= -0.721; p&lt;0.001). By contrast, no correlations were found for WC and BMI. Conclusions: Our study suggests VAI is a valuable indicator of "visceral adipose function" and insulin sensitivity, and its increase is strongly associated with cardiometabolic risk

Utility of the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype in the cardiometabolic risk assessment of youth stratified by body mass index

Background: It is unclear whether the Hypertriglyceridemic Waist Phenotype can be used to identify those at most risk of cardiometabolic disorders. Objectives: The utility of the Hypertriglyceridemic Waist Phenotype (HTWP) as a useful predictor of cardiometabolic risk in youth stratified by body mass index (BMI) was assessed. Methods: Three hundred and eighty seven children (12-17.5 years) were used within this cross-sectional study. Participants were classified as normal weight or overweight/obese according to the IOTF criteria. The HTWP phenotype was defined as having a waist circumference ≥ 90th percentile for age and gender with concomitant triglyceride concentrations ≥ 1.24 mmol/L. Cardiometabolic risk profiles were compared using MANCOVA. Results: Normal weight participants with the HTWP had significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein 2.6 ± 0.4 vs. 1.6 ± 0.3 mg/L (P < 0.05) and cardiometabolic risk scores (1.3 ± 0.3 vs. -0.7 ± 0.2 and 2.1 ± 0.4 vs. -0.5 ± 0.2; both P < 0.05) compared to those of a normal weight without the HTWP. Overweight/obese participants with the HTWP had significantly higher C-reactive protein levels (3.5 ± 0.6 vs. 2.6 ± 0.5; P < 0.05) as well as both cardiometabolic risk scores (1.6 ± 0.6 vs. 0.9 ± 0.2 and 2.2 ± 0.6 vs. 0.8 ± 0.2; both P < 0.001) when compared to overweight/obese participants without the HTWP. Conclusions: The HTWP may serve as a simple and clinically useful approach to identify youth at increased cardiometabolic risk

Hypertriglyceridemic waist identifies HIV+ men and women at increased cardiometabolic risk

Screening for increased waist circumference and hypertriglyceridemia (the hypertriglyceridemic-waist phenotype) is an inexpensive approach to identify patients at risk of coronary artery disease in apparently healthy individuals who may be at increased risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease because of an excess of intra-abdominal (visceral) fat. We examined the ralationship between the hypertriglyceridemic-waist and selected cardiometabolic risk factors in HIV individuals

Relativistically rotating dust

Dust configurations play an important role in astrophysics and are the simplest models for rotating bodies. The physical properties of the general--relativistic global solution for the rigidly rotating disk of dust, which has been found recently as the solution of a boundary value problem, are discussed.Comment: 18 pages, 11 figure

Human in vitro reporter model of neuronal development and early differentiation processes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>During developmental and adult neurogenesis, doublecortin is an early neuronal marker expressed when neural stem cells assume a neuronal cell fate. To understand mechanisms involved in early processes of neuronal fate decision, we investigated cell lines for their capacity to induce expression of doublecortin upon neuronal differentiation and develop <it>in vitro </it>reporter models using doublecortin promoter sequences.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among various cell lines investigated, the human teratocarcinoma cell line NTERA-2 was found to fulfill our criteria. Following induction of differentiation using retinoic acid treatment, we observed a 16-fold increase in doublecortin mRNA expression, as well as strong induction of doublecortin polypeptide expression. The acquisition of a neuronal precursor phenotype was also substantiated by the establishment of a multipolar neuronal morphology and expression of additional neuronal markers, such as Map2, βIII-tubulin and neuron-specific enolase. Moreover, stable transfection in NTERA-2 cells of reporter constructs encoding fluorescent or luminescent genes under the control of the doublecortin promoter allowed us to directly detect induction of neuronal differentiation in cell culture, such as following retinoic acid treatment or mouse Ngn2 transient overexpression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Induction of doublecortin expression in differentiating NTERA-2 cells suggests that these cells accurately recapitulate some of the very early events of neuronal determination. Hence, the use of reporter genes under the control of the doublecortin promoter in NTERA-2 cells will help us to investigate factors involved early in the course of neuronal differentiation processes. Moreover the ease to detect the induction of a neuronal program in this model will permit to perform high throughput screening for compounds acting on the early neuronal differentiation mechanisms.</p