An imaging system for standardized quantitative analysis of C. elegans behavior

BACKGROUND: The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is widely used for the genetic analysis of neuronal cell biology, development, and behavior. Because traditional methods for evaluating behavioral phenotypes are qualitative and imprecise, there is a need for tools that allow quantitation and standardization of C. elegans behavioral assays. RESULTS: Here we describe a tracking and imaging system for the automated analysis of C. elegans morphology and behavior. Using this system, it is possible to record the behavior of individual nematodes over long time periods and quantify 144 specific phenotypic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: These tools for phenotypic analysis will provide reliable, comprehensive scoring of a wide range of behavioral abnormalities, and will make it possible to standardize assays such that behavioral data from different labs can readily be compared. In addition, this system will facilitate high-throughput collection of phenotypic data that can ultimately be used to generate a comprehensive database of C. elegans phenotypic information. AVAILABILITY: The hardware configuration and software for the system are available from [email protected]

L’accompagnement-citoyen en soutien à la participation sociale des aînés ayant un traumatisme craniocérébral

Hautement valorisée par les aînés, la participation sociale a des effets bénéfiques sur leur santé biopsychosociale. Tous n’ont pas cependant les mêmes opportunités pour s’investir dans ce type d’activités; particulièrement ceux ayant un traumatisme craniocérébral (TCC) qui sont plus susceptibles d’être limités dans leurs capacités à participer à la vie de la communauté. Les initiatives les plus courantes pour aider ces personnes consistent en une assistance humaine visant àpallierleurs limitations et ne misent pas, en priorité, sur la promotion de leurs compétences. Afin d’optimiser l’aide reçue, un accompagnementcitoyen personnalisé à l’intégration communautaire (APIC) a été développé, implanté et évalué. Cet article documente l’impact de l’APIC sur la participation sociale d’aînés ayant un TCC. Une analyse de contenu thématique a été réalisée sur les données issues d’entrevues semi-dirigées auprès des participants et des journaux de bord des accompagnateurs. Les résultats montrent trois grandes retombées de l’APIC : une meilleure assurance et un plus grand sentiment d’autonomie, un goût retrouvé de s’investir dans des activités de loisirs signifiantes, et une plus grande ouverture vers de nouvelles possibilités de relations.Abstract : Highly valued by seniors, community integration has beneficial effects on their biopsychosocial health. However, not all of them have the same opportunities to engage in social participation activities, particularly those with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who are more likely to be limited in their abilities to participate in the life of the community. The most common initiatives to help these people consist of human assistance to overcome their limitations and which do not focus on skills promotion. In order to optimize the available services and resources, personalized citizen assistance for community integration (APIC) has been developed, implemented, and evaluated. This article documents the impact of APIC on the community integration of seniors with TBI. A thematic content analysis was conducted on data from semi-structured interviews with participants and from attendant logbooks. The results show three major spin-offs from APIC: better insurance and a greater sense of autonomy, a renewed taste for investing in meaningful leisure activities, and greater openness to new relationship opportunities