NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Analyse de l’activité neuronale dans le ganglion stellaire en relation avec la fonction cardiaque

Four micro-electrodes were inserted in the left stellate ganglion (SG) of in vivo canine preparations to evaluate the firing of neuronal somata located in this peripheral ganglion during stable cardiovascular state and following local and systemic injection of nicotine. During control periods, minor changes were observed in systolic arterial pressure, the heart rhythm and the atrioventricular conduction time. The activity generated by SG neurons remained relatively constant within each dog, but the firing rate was variable among the preparations. Systemic nicotine administration altered the physiological variables and increased the neuronal activity. Although different patterns of physiological changes were observed among the preparations, it remained invariant upon successive injections in each animal. The behaviour of the neuronal response was similar but varies in amplitude and duration both within and between the dogs. Local injections of nicotine in an artery close to the SG induced a brief and huge burst of neuronal firing, but did not influence the physiological response. The recording technique thus permit to follow the behaviour of multiple intrathoracic neuronal populations located in the SG. The relation between the SG firing and the physiological changes is stable in each dog, but differed between the animals. It suggests that the weight of the different feedback loops involved in the cardiovascular regulation might be a characteristic feature of each animal and/or the position of the electrodes in the SG is critical, since different neuronal populations are present and could react differently.

Keyphrases: Autonomic cardiac nervous system, stellate ganglion, neurons
Le rôle des figures dans le cadrage d’une gestion de crise : l’analyse interactionnelle du centre des opérations d’urgence

Crises are omnipresent in the organizational world. To face these situations, organizations rely on their crisis management teams, mainly made up of members from different fields and with different types of expertise, to better manage these situations. How do members of crisis management teams succeed or fail to succeed in understanding each other and in collectively framing the crisis situation, when each and everyone’s background differs? From an interactional perspective, the current study proposes to respond to this question by analyzing a selection of audiovisual excerpts taken from three crisis management exercises conducted in the province of Ontario. Five relevant excerpts were chosen for the interactional analysis, which helped describe the role certain figures play in the framing of crisis management. Figures refer to what count in a situation, in other words, the representatives’ preoccupations, interests and expectations. These figures are placed in the foreground of the individuals’ framing and are thereafter either animated or not by members of the community control group. Only when these different preoccupations are articulated, taken into account and negotiated can the framing of the crisis situation evolve collectively.

Keyphrases: Figures, Exercices de simulation, Crisis management, Framing, Figures, Community control group, Emergency operations centre, Simulation exercises
Entre vulnérabilisation et revictimisation : les victimes de traite d'êtres humains face aux politiques nord-américaines

In North America, the fight against human trafficking is of the utmost complexity. In order to tackle the numerous aspects surrounding this phenomenon, States must develop strategies using a holistic, interdisciplinary and long term approach. North American trafficking prevention strategies comprise many deficiencies which cause certain groups of individuals to be more vulnerable. While the measures already in place fail to target the root causes of the phenomenon, many reforms essential to the diminution of those persons ' vulnerability, namely the alleviation of restrictive migration policies, have yet to take place. Similarly, deficiencies existing in protection strategies increase the risks of revictimisation of human trafficking victims. On the one hand, state authorities fail to adequately identify all the victims. On the other hand, some victims, although identified as such, remain without protection, either because it is granted on a conditional basis or because support mechanisms remain insufficient.

Keyphrases: Canada, Trafficking in persons, North America, Prevention of trafficking, Protection of victims, Migration policies, Identification of victims, Canada, United States of America, Mexico
Mécanisme d’action du PBI-1402 impliqué dans l’expansion des progéniteurs érythroïdes humains et murins

One of the most important complications of intensive radiotherapy or chemotherapy is cytopenia, which can persist for significant amount of time even after stem cell transplantation. PBI-1402, a small lipid, was previously shown to be associated with decreased neutrophil apoptosis caused by cytotoxic agents. Our work has shown that day primary human hematopoietic cell in vitro culture in the presence of PBI-1402 resulted in an increased number of erythroid progenitors (p<0,05). Dose-response experiments evaluating sensitivity to erythropoietin (Epo) of cells exposed to PBI-1402 indicated that PBI-1402 did not have a sensitizing effect and that both treated and control cells respond similarly to Epo. In addition, PBI-1402, used in combination with stem cell factor (SCF) and Epo, enhanced and prolonged ERK1/2 phosphorylation (p<0.05), a signalling pathway important for erythroid progenitor cell proliferation. This effect was associated with a decrease of the phosphatase MKP-1 activation in PBI-1402 exposed cells. This translated into and increased proliferation of erythroid progenitors as well as a reduced duration and level of anemia in an in vivo murine transplantation model. Lethally irradiated mice that received syngeneic stem cell transplantation were treated orally with PBI-1402 for 14 days. These mice demonstrated a significant reduction in post-transplantation anemia in a dose dependent manner compared to control (vehicle)(p<0.05). Moreover, PBI-1402-treated mice harboured significantly higher numbers of BFU-E and CFU-E in bone marrow compared to control (p<0.05). These results demonstrate that PBI-1402 treatment significantly reduced transplantation-induced anemia with concomitant acceleration in erythroid recovery.

Keyphrases: BFU-E, CFU-E, Epo, ERK1/2, PBI-1402, SCF, MKP-1, Anemia, Erythroid progenitors, Erythroid reconstitution
Étude de la régulation de la nitrogénase chez Rhodobacter capsulatus dans la noirceur

The atmosphere of the Earth is very rich in nitrogen (N2). However, diatomic nitrogen is very stable and therefore unusable by the majority of life forms even though it is  necessary for the synthesis of a variety of organic compounds. Only diazotrophic  procaryotes are capable of using N2 as nitrogen source. Their nitrogen fixation allows the production of aminated compounds from atmospheric nitrogen (78 %). However, this process is very complex and requires the biosynthesis of about twenty proteins and the consumption of a lot of energy (16 molecules of ATP per molecule of N2 fixed), thus necessitating its tight regulation.   The purple non-sulfur photosynthetic bacteria are known for their ability to carry out nitrogen fixation. Studies conducted in the light,  the preferred mode of growth of these bacteria (anaerobic photosynthetic), have shown that nitrogenase (the enzyme responsible for dinitrogen fixation) is subject to regulation at three levels: transcriptional regulation of  NifA (activator protein for the transcription of nif genes), posttranslational regulation of the  activity of NifA to activate  nif gene transcription, and posttranslational regulation of nitrogenase activity when cells are subjected to an ammonium shock.  The control system already described involves essentially a membrane protein, AmtB and both PII proteins, GlnK and GlnB. It has long been known that nitrogenase is regulated when light is suddenly removed from a culture, but until now it is unclear whether these systems are also  involved in the regulation of nitrogen fixation in dark. Thus, one outstanding question is what are the proteins involved in the inactivation of nitrogenase when a light-grown culture is placed in the dark? An analysis of several mutant strains; amtB-, glnK-, glnB-, and amtY- under different conditions of nitrogen deficiency was used to address this question. Using  measurements of nitrogenase activity and Fe protein modification by Western blotting, we  were able to show that darkness causes a "switch-off” of nitrogenase due to ADP- ribosylation of Fe protein.  Thus, the system that has already been described as involved in the response to a lack of ammonia, is also required for a response to a lack of light or energy (AmtB, GlnK, GlnB, DraG, and DraT, and AmtY). However,  Rhodobacter capsulatus is also able to fix nitrogen and grow micro-aerobically in the dark as well as photosynthetically under anaerobic conditions, but so far  its regulation in the dark has been little studied. The study of nitrogen fixation in the dark allowed us to show that the Rnf membrane complex is not required for growth of R. capsulatus in such conditions. In order to develop a way to study its regulation during this growth mode, we have attempted to identify the operating conditions (O2,  [NH4+]), allowing  R. capsulatus to fix nitrogen micro-aerobically. The optimization of this  conditions has shown that the optimal concentration of oxygen required is 10% mixed with nitrogen.

Keyphrases: Nitrogen metabolism, Nitrogenase, Dark, Microaerobic
Impact de l’évolution du statut nutritionnel durant l’attente d’une transplantation pulmonaire sur la mortalité postopératoire

This study aims to assess the impact of nutritional status and its evolution while awaiting a lung transplant on the post-operative mortality and morbidity.  We reviewed 209 consecutive cases of lung transplantation at the Centre Hospitalier de l’Universite de Montreal between 2000 and 2007 and looked at the mortality and rate of complications post-operatively according to BMI, intake of protein and energy, biochemical parameters and weight changes during the waiting period.  The risk of death increased with increasing BMI strata with a relative risk of death during the hospital stay of 3,31 (IC95% 1,19-9,26) for BMI 25-29.9 and 8,83 (IC95% 2,98-26,18) for BMI ≥ 30 with a worse postoperative outcome in terms of surgical complications (p=0,003), length of stay in intensive care unit (p=0,031) and length of hospital stay (p<0,001) for patients with BMI ≥ 30 compared with patients of normal weight.  Patients in whom the BMI evolved inadequately during the waiting period experienced a prolonged hospital stay (p=0,015).  Patients whose intake was suboptimal in the pre-transplant period have also a prolonged hospital stay (p=0,002) and more infectious (p=0,038), digestives (p=0,003) and surgicals (p=0,029) complications but no detectable impact on the mortality.    Our results suggest that obesity and overweight as well as inadequate changes of BMI during the waiting period and suboptimal protein-energy intakes negatively affect the outcome of lung transplantation.

Keyphrases: Complications, Body mass index, Complications, Dietary intakes, Duration of hospital stay, Lung transplantation, Mortality, Nutritional status, Obesity, Weight change
Innate immunity genes as determinants of resistance/susceptibility to human disease : studies in leukemia patients

Investigating genetic determinants that play a role in conferring susceptibility/resistance to the development of acute B cell leukemia (B-ALL) in children is highly desirable. We hypothesized that activating Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) genes, which are implicated in NK cell activation, may represent one of these determinants. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a case-control study in French-Canadian children in which we used genomic DNA from 100 B-ALL patients and 245 healthy controls. The presence or absence of each KIR gene was detected by PCR using sequence-specific primers. We found that the frequencies of these genes are significantly reduced in B-ALL cases when compared with their healthy counterparts. Furthermore, we found that these genes had an additive effect in reducing risk for developing the cancer. The results may be useful in early identification of children at risk for developing this cancer. Moreover, KIR-based therapies may prove to be useful in treating this cancer.

Keyphrases: leukemia, Gene KIR, KIR gene, Cellules NK, NK cells, Immunite Innee, inate immunity
Paul et la révélation de Dieu en 2Co 12,1-10 : 
éclairage scripturaire sur les phénomènes de révélations au Cameroun

The catholic theology professes Jesus Christ as Mediator per excellence between God and his people. He is the Revelation of revelations that could never be surpassed, but along the centuries, there were many private revelations a few of which were confirmed by the Church and others not. The cases of mystical or private experience of God that are never taken into consideration by the authorities bring many troubles and divisions in the community of the catholic faithful. This situation is also common in some of the communities in Cameroon. This work is a biblical survey on Paul’s experience of God (in 2Cor 12,1-10) for the purpose of enlightening the phenomenon of private revelation. Although Paul is boasting for the excellence of his revelations and defends himself as one of the most important apostles of Christ, he doesn’t forget the need of the confirmation by those who have been chosen before him (Ga 1-2). The testimony of Paul could be a framework to look over and enable us to testify all the cases of visions or revelations that someone claims to have received directly from God. The whole Church could also update her judgement on some cases of mystical life that appear among Christians. To preserve and keep on fulfilling the will of her Founder, the Church has not only to be careful, but to be opened at such phenomenon as Peter and the others apostles did towards Paul. The beneficiaries of private revelations or visions have to humble themselves and face all the adversities in the spirit of Paul, who takes these as signs of God’s power revealed in his weaknesses.

Keyphrases: Paul, Cameroun, Apocalyptic, Revelation, Paul, God's experience, Paul-Second Epistle to the corinthians, New Testament, Cameroon, Private revelations
Représentations des religions traditionnelles africaines :
analyse comparative de réseaux régionaux et disciplinaires africains et occidentaux

This thesis provides a critical analysis of several different representations of African Traditional Religions (ATR) as found within a number of regional and disciplinary networks in Western and African countries.  First, numerous means of representation (geographical maps and graphics) from different western scientific media were used to examine different ways in which ATR are represented. This analysis reveals that the categorization systems employed in these media to represent ATR do not reflect the variety, vitality, complexity and significance of ATR; and, on a more general level, reveals a lack of equity in the representations of different world religions. A conceptual analysis puts into question a number of categories (e.g. “ethnic religion”) used to define ATR as well as the notion of world religion.  Second, the research strategies that were used to identify African research networks are presented. Several different Western tools and documentary resources (Database, encyclopedic articles, etc) were evaluated on their usage and citations of African research on ATR. This analysis, which was drawn from a qualitative discourse analysis approach, highlights the limited importance that is given to African researchers. In contrast, our evaluation of RTA-related education and research in Nigerian universities reveals an enormous amount of RTA-related research as well as a diversity of communication channels.  On a more general level, this thesis demonstrates the extent to which knowledge is localized and linked to the cultural, disciplinary, and ideological presuppositions of researchers, and, from the analysis of African documents, opens to the larger question of the difficulty to represent the unity and specificities of ATR.

Keyphrases: African Traditional Religions, World religion, Representation, Tools for documentary research, Localization of knowledge, Africism, Africism, University's internationalization
Determination of viral load and integration status of HPV 16 in normal and LSIL exfoliated cervical cells

Integration of human papillomavirus (HPV) has, until recently, been a frequent but late event in cervical carcinogenesis.  The temporal view has, however, been challenged lately as integrated forms of HPV have been detected even in normal and preneoplastic lesions.    Our objective was to describe HPV 16 load and physical state in a series of 220 normal and low grade cervical samples.  We used quantitative real-time PCR, Taqman method, targeting E6, E2 and B-globin to calculate the HPV 16 load and the E6/E2 ratio in each sample.  An E6/E2 ratio of 1.2 was used as a surrogate marker of integration.  The site of integration was determined by restriction site PCR.  Results show that the average viral load was 57.5±324.6 copies of DNA per cell, while E6/E2 ratio identified 9 samples with integrants.  These integrants underwent amplification by restriction site PCR, followed by sequencing and nucleotide blast to identify the human-viral junctions.  In conclusion, although it was possible to identify viral-host junctions with the integration positive control, that is, the SiHa cell line, the exfoliated cells of normal and low grade cervical lesions were negative for integration site by RS-PCR.  HPV-16 is seldom integrated in specimens from young patients.

Keyphrases: LSIL, RS-PCR, HPV16, Human Papilloma Virus, Viral integration, Viral load, Real-time PCR, PCR sequencing
Modulation des réactions alloimmunitaires par les cytokines maîtresses IFN-γ et TGF-β

The injection of immuno-competent cells into a histo-incompatible host can result in the development of Graft-versus-Host disease (GVHD). GVHD is the most significant barrier to a more widespread use of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT), a potent treatment for several diseases. A better understanding of the pathophysiological underpinnings of GVHD would facilitate the design of rational approaches to treat and prevent this complication of AHCT.  Gamma-interferon (IFN-γ) and Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) are master cytokines of immunity and have a role in the function and homeostasis of transplanted cells. Using a murine model, we show that IFN-γ curtails lympho-hamatopoitic reconstitution in a dose-dependent fashion by increasing apoptosis and by limiting donor cell proliferation.  TGF-β is an immunosuppressive cytokine that controls immune cells through multiple signaling pathways. The relative contribution of these pathways in AHCT is unknown. We specifically studied the role of one of these pathways by transplanting SMAD3 deficient cells (SMAD3-KO) in histo-incompatible hosts. SMAD3 is a key mediator of the so-called canonical TGF-β signaling pathway. Although SMAD3-KO donor mice are healthy, the injection of SMAD3-KO cells leads to severe GVHD in the hosts, characterized by intestinal involvement associated with Th1 skewing and massive granulocyte infiltration. These findings hint at a crucial role for SMAD3 in CD4 T-cell and myeloid cell biology. We then focalized on the role of SMAD3 in CD4 T cells knowing that SMAD3 is active in tolerant, resting CD4 T cells. We found that SMAD3 was rapidly inactivated upon T cell activation, suggesting that SMAD3 inactivation was functionally important to break the state of tolerance. Our cDNA microarray experiments show that indeed, SMAD3 regulates the transcript levels of multiple genes known to be involved in T cell tolerance and in biological processes plausibly related to immune tolerance.

Keyphrases: GVHD, Th1, gamma-interferon, TGF-beta, GVHD, immune tolerance, Th1, granulocyte
Les migrations contemporaines en Amérique latine : le cas de l’Argentine

This dissertation’s objective is to enable a better understanding of the fluxes of migration and relevant policies primarily at an international level and then at a specific regional level, towards Argentina. For the past 40 years, Argentina has possessed social and economic characteristics that have acted as pull factors for thousands of Latino-American immigrants. These migratory fluxes from bordering countries are included in a migratory system defined by constant intraregional migrations. Moreover, the recent increase in visibility of immigrants from bordering countries in Argentina is a direct consequence of the hardening of immigration laws of traditional destination countries such as those of Western Europe, the United States of America, Canada and Australia to name a few. Immigration reform in these countries, specifically the tightening of laws concerning international migration, has consequently created new destination countries for international migrants including Spain, Italy and Greece. In response to these unplanned migrations, many of these countries have passed international migration laws mimicked on those that where passed in traditional destination countries. These new destination countries, who, prior to the 1970s, were exclusively producers of emigrants, have progressively become receiving countries. Today, they have adopted a restrictive approach, representative of a world trend that has created new challenges in sovereignty and social cohesion for numerous countries including, specifically, Argentina. The current and continuing process of globalization has generated a global migratory crisis considering the fact that immigrants’ possibilities of migration are being hugely and progressively limited by a dramatic increase in policies in destination countries limiting or restricting migration. As a result, regional migration fluxes are becoming increasingly interesting objects of study since they are a result and proof of the reduction in possible destinations for potential immigrants. It is for this reason that we have studied the flux of migrants from bordering countries towards Argentina as a means of understanding the causes of these fluxes and there consequences on contemporary Argentinean society. Our research has enabled us to conclude that, first, regional migrations towards Argentina and relevant policies are intrinsically related to the economic situation of the region, and second, Argentina’s adoption of restrictive measures controlling these migrations can be better understood when considering the collective Argentinean mind-set concerning the ethnic composition of the country.

Keyphrases: Argentine, Discrimination, Immigration, Argentina, Regional migrants, South-South migrations, Migration policies