NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
La Russie souterraine : l'émergence de l'iconographie révolutionnaire russe (1855-1917)

This dissertation studies the production and consumption of images by Russian revolutionaries prior to 1917. The author argues that Russian revolutionary iconography emanates from a long-term process in which revolutionaries appropriated and subverted the images, means of production and visual strategies already available in their surrounding cultural context. This cultural borrowing is analyzed as an attempt of the revolutionaries to give an ideological coherence to an emerging but still disorganized political movement. The author shows how portraits and visual stereotypes have been fundamental in the construction of the revolutionary identity and consciousness, on one hand, and how a certain revolutionary imagination have been crystallized in the contemporary visual culture, on the other hand.

Keyphrases: Images, Portrait, Caricature, Illustration, Visual Culture, Revolutionary Iconography, Visual Propaganda, Russia, Images, Imaginary, Portrai, Photography, Caricature, Illustration
Figurer la société mourante : culture esthétique et idéologique de la presse
anarchiste illustrée en France, 1880-1914

This dissertation is concerned with an analysis of artistic creations and photographic documents displayed in French anarchist periodicals as efficient techniques of spreading social and political ideas and news. Such a production is contextualized in relation to the contemporary press with which anarchist periodicals engaged in a number of polemical discussions on art conceptions and on political issues, throughout the Third Republic.

Keyphrases: France, Art, Press, Anarchism, Third Republic, France, Visual Culture, Art, Ideology, Social Discourse
Vulgaire! Pervers! Dégradant! : le film d'exploitation et le cinéma québécois

There has been a noticeable lack of research, in the historiography of Quebec cinema, concerning the popular cinema of the early seventies (1968-1975). Historians and researchers have given little importance to this period in the history of Quebec cinema, since many of the movies of the early seventies belong to a kind of popular cinema which focused on sexuality. This wave of "films de fesses" -- as they were pejoratively dubbed -- hasn't received any serious academic attention, and we propose to revisit it to get a clearer understanding of its birth and of its features.  In this essay, we suggest to approach it from the angle of exploitation cinema -- a form of popular cinema which is widely misunderstood and controversial. To this end, we will need to define the boundaries delimiting this cinema because its study has also suffered from a lack of academic seriousness and enthusiasm. In the first chapter, we will paint a general picture of the cinematic norm provided by hollywood cinema, in order to delinate, in the second chapter, exploitation cinema which, according to us, strives to oppose mainstream cinema. Afterwards, we will clarify the socio-historical and cinematic context which lead to the creation of a new form of exploitation cinema in Quebec, and we will list the titles of the movies that belong to this filmic corpus. The fourth and fifth chapters will present analyses of different films which, according to us, reuse certain elements of exploitation cinema, partially or totally, in order to induce cultural resistance against the dominant form of American cinema.

Keyphrases: Hollywood, Grindhouse, Violence, Quebec cinema
Étude transversale sur l’asepsie des articles transférés entre la clinique et le laboratoire dentaire et de l’instrumentation de laboratoire

Infection control practices have been mainly concentrated in the dental operatory whereas the articles transferred between the dental clinic and the dental laboratory as well as laboratory instruments have received less attention.  This study attempts to document the practices of dental care professional implicated in the fabrication of dental prosthesis as to the asepsis of these items as well as their perceptions towards it.   In June 2008 an auto-administrated and anonymous questionnaire was sent to a random sample of dentists, denturologists and dental laboratory directors licensed to practice in the province of Quebec (Canada).   From the 1,100 questionnaires sent, 376 were returned filled-in.  Almost two thirds of responders (72.1%) claim to disinfect or sterilize laboratory instruments and 74.9% to disinfect transferred articles, with percentages varying according to the group of articles (impressions, prosthesis, etc.).  However, only 9.1% regularly identify disinfected work.  More than half of the responders (51.4%) think it is difficult to apply a form of asepsis on transferred articles and 62.4% believe there is a lack of information towards it.   This study is the first to have been addressed simultaneously to the three groups of professionals and the first to question them on their perceptions.  It demonstrated that the application of asepsis measures to transferred articles and laboratory instruments by dental care professionals is not always complying with existing recommendations.  There is a need to reinforce their application, especially of asepsis measures on transferred articles.

Keyphrases: questionnaire, observance, asepsis, impressions, prosthesis, laboratory instruments, questionnaire, compliance
Influence d’un rince-bouche fluoré sur la corrosion galvanique entre un fil NiTi ou un fil CuNiTi et différents boîtiers orthodontiques : incidence sur les propriétés mécaniques des fils

Aim: it has been reported that the use of fluoride prophylactic agents can cause galvanic corrosion of the titanium based alloys used in orthodontics. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a fluoride mouthrinse on the mechanical properties of nickel-titanium (NiTi) and copper–nickel-titanium (CuNiTi) orthodontic archwires that have been coupled with different types of orthodontic brackets (Smartclip, Clarity, and Sprint brackets). Materials and Methods: 90 segments of NiTi and 90 segments of CuNiTi archwires were tested. Every segment was coupled with 2 brackets of each brand. The wire–bracket assembly obtained was incubated, at 37°C for three hours either in a solution of a commercially available mouthwash (Fluorinse™ 0,05% NaF), or in a solution of artificial saliva (control). Following the incubation, the wires were separated from the brackets, rinsed, mounted on a stainless steel support and placed in a waterbath of artificial saliva at 37°C. A 3-point bending test was made to calculate the loading and unloading elastic modulus and yield strength of the wires.  Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc comparisons were made using Bonferronni’s correction to identify the statistically significant differences (α = 0,05). Results: The use of a fluoridated mouthrinse reduced the loading and unloading elastic modulus and yield strength of the NiTi wires. This reduction, however, varies with the type of bracket that was coupled with the wire. The mechanical properties of the CuNiTi wires were not modified by the use of the fluoride  rinse or by the type of bracket to which they were coupled. Conclusions : The use of a fluoride mouthrinse alters the mechanical properties of NiTi wires only. This effect varies with the type of bracket that was in contact with the wire. However our results do not allow us to conclude that the alteration of the mechanical properties of the wires would necessarily imply a prolongation of the orthodontic treatment time. Key words: Fluoride, nickel-titanium archwires, galvanic corrosion, mechanical properties,orthodontic brackets.

Keyphrases: Fluor, Fluoride, Nickel-titanium archwires, Galvanic corrosion, Mechanical properties, Orthodontic brackets
The accuracy and reliability of plaster vs digital study models : a comparison of three different impression materials

Introduction:  The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different impression materials on the accuracy and reliability of digital models.  Methods: Models from 25 patients selected at random from the files of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Montreal were used in this study. One alginate (Kromopan 100 alginate, Italy), 1 alginate alternative (Alginot, Kerr Dentistry, Orange, CA), and 1 PVS (Aquasil, Dentsply Caulk, Milford, DE) impression was taken of both arches of each patient and sent to Orthobyte (Othobyte Digital Technology inc., Calgary, AB) for fabrication of a plaster model and scanning for production of a digital model. The Bolton 6 and 12 analyses and their constituent measurements, overbite, overjet, and arch length were used for the comparison.  Results:  The repeatability of measurements using both the plaster and digital methods was good to excellent, with the plaster measurements tending to be more reliable.  There were statistically significant differences in the Bolton 12 and mandibular arch length and spacing measurements for all impression materials, with the plaster models tending to give a smaller measurement for the Bolton 12 and a higher measurement for the mandibular arch length and spacing. Although statistically significant differences in some measurements were found for the reliability and validity of digital models, none was clinically significant. Conclusions:  The accuracy and reliability of the software for comprehensive cast analysis is clinically acceptable and reproducible when compared with traditional plaster study model analysis.

Keyphrases: Digital models, Impression materials, Orthodontics
A randomized controlled trial evaluating the quality of life and the sense of coherence in seniors wearing complete conventional dentures or mandibular two-implant overdentures

 The superiority and stability of the effect of mandibular two-implant retained overdentures (IODs) over conventional dentures (CDs) in relation to the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) remain to be clarified. Furthermore, the influence of psychological factors, such as the sense of coherence (SOC), on the perception of treatment outcomes is still unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of the effect of IODs and CDs on the OHRQoL and assess the stability of the treatment over time taking into account the level of SOC.  METHODOLOGY: Edentulous participants (n = 172, mean age 71, SD = 4.5) wearing CDs or IODs were followed up for two years. The OHRQoL was assessed at baseline and both follow-ups using the « Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-20) » questionnaire. The SOC was only assessed at both follow-ups using « The Orientation to Life (SOC-13) » questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate between and within treatment differences (descriptive, bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses).  RESULTS: A significant pre-/post-treatment improvement in the OHRQoL for both treatment groups was found (Wilks’s Lambda = 0.473, F (1,151) = 157.31, p < 0.0001). The magnitude of the effect in the IOD group was 1.5 times larger than that in the CD group. These outcomes were stable over the two-year study period and the SOC did not influence any of these results.  CONCLUSION: IODs provide better long-term OHRQoL than CDs regardless of SOC level. The results are clinically meaningful and confirm the superiority of IODs over CDs.

Keyphrases: Clinical trial, Quality of life, Oral health, Sense of coherence, Complete denture, Dental implant
Characterization of the mammalian homologs of the Drosophila Melanogaster Endocytic protein lethal (2) giant discs 1

Endocytosis plays a role in the activation of the Notch receptor. Mutations in the Drosophila gene lethal giant discs (lgd), causes cellular overgrowth by perturbing Notch endocytosis. This Drosophila phenotype is rescued by the murine orthologs mlgd1 and 2, indicating conserved function. However, recent publications suggest that the human orthologs (hlgd1/2) are nuclear. This study demonstrates that the dlgd(08) mutant in Drosophila causes accumulation of Notch in vesicles and the overproliferation of neuroblasts. This suggests Notch is activated from within endosomes in neuroblasts. Immunohistochemistry of Hela cells indicates that hlgd1 is associated with early endosome while, hlgd2 with later endosome and lysosome, and not with the nucleus. Finally, down regulation of murine mlgd1 and mlgd2 by shRNA caused an accelerated differentiation of hematopoietic stem cell into the T lymphopoiesis lineage and blocked the DN3 to CD4+CD8+ transition, suggesting that Notch is overactivated in these cells.

Keyphrases: Endocytosis, Notch, Lethal giant discs (lgd), neuroblats, lymphopoiesis
Régulation de la fonction plaquettaire par un aptamère dirigé contre le domaine A1 du facteur Von-Willebrand

Anti-platelet therapy in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients reduces recurrent athero-thrombosis, but at the cost of increased risk of bleeding. Because von Willebrand factor (vWF) functions predominantly in a high-shear environment, the vWF-specific aptamer, ARC1779 that blocks the binding of vWF A1-domain to platelet glycoprotein Ib, may deliver a site-specific anti-thrombotic effect while minimizing bleeding risk. We investigated the efficiency of ARC1779 on platelet activation, adhesion, and aggregation in CAD patients on double anti-platelet therapy. Blood from 27 patients taking aspirin and clopidogrel and 5 normal volunteers was labeled with 111In-autologous platelets and perfused over denuded porcine arteries at high shear rate for 15 minutes. Blood was treated with either 25, 83 and 250 nM ARC1779; 100nM abciximab or placebo, 5 min before (upstream therapy) or 10 min after (downstream therapy) beginning the perfusion. Under upstream, but not downstream therapy, platelet adhesion was significantly reduced by ARC1779 at 83 and 250 nM and by abciximab vs. placebo (4.8, 3.8 and 2.9 vs. 7.3 platelets x 106/cm2, p <0.05). In contrast to abciximab, ARC1779 did not significantly affect platelet aggregation in response to thrombin receptor activating peptide-1, arachidonic acid and adenosine diphosphate. In addition, ARC1779 was without any effect on P-selectin expression and platelet-leukocyte binding. In conclusion, ARC1779 has comparable anti-thrombotic efficacy to abciximab among CAD patients receiving aspirin and clopidogrel, but with lesser systemic effects on platelet activation and aggregation. These important proof-of-concept data form the framework for randomized clinical investigations of this novel anti-platelet therapy among CAD patients.

Keyphrases: Thrombose, Von-Willebrand factor, Platelets, Thrombosis, Anti-platelet, Aggregation
Economic evaluation of prevention of mother – to – child – transmission of HIV/AIDS interventions in developing countries : a systematic review

Local governments worldwide and international organizations have placed a high priority in the Prevention of Mother – To – Child – Transmission (pMTCT) of HIV. However, though there have been reports of tremendous progress in achieving these goals in industrialised nations, the situation in developing countries is still deplorable. In developing countries, there is a significant gap between the global and local policy commitments to reduce Mother – To – Child – Transmission (MTCT) of HIV and the access to pMTCT interventions. This can be attributed to the dire economic situation within developing countries. Healthcare interventions therefore need to be strategically prioritized in order to make maximum efficient use of these scarce resources. An effective tool to assist decision makers in identifying which strategies represent value for money is economic evaluation of these interventions. The objective of this study is systematically pool all the existing economic evaluation studies that have been carried out in developing countries on the pMTCT of HIV/AIDS, in order to present the best fit, affordable, yet effective intervention (s). Our review retained 15 articles that met the inclusion criteria. We designed an extraction form which we used to collect relevant data, after which we subjected the articles to a rigorous quality checklist. Our results exposed a number of flaws in methodological quality of the selected studies. We also recorded widespread heterogeneity in the assumptions used to estimate base case cost and effectiveness parameters, in the methodology applied, as well as in the range of valued used in sensitivity analyses. Some interventions involving short course zidovudine or nevirapine therapy were found to be cost effective, and recorded acceptable cost-utility values. The results of economic evaluations analyzed in this review varied based on the following factors: HIV prevalence, country income classification, available infrastructure, staff costs, and ultimately costs of the interventions, especially drug prices.

Keyphrases: Systematic review, Cost-effectiveness, Cost-utility, Cost-utility, HIV /AIDS, Developing countries
Développement de lignées de poissons zébrés transgéniques pour l'étude du rôle de la protéine F dans la pathogenèse de l'hépatite C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver steatosis, fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV F protein is expressed from an alternative reading frame within the Core sequence. F protein was discovered after many of the pathogenic determinants of HCV had been associated with the effects of Core. Hence, we propose that a part of the functions attributed to Core result from the activity of the F protein. We produced and selected 19, 21 and 36 transgenic zebrafish (Danio rerio) to give rise to 3 independent lines expressing different versions of the F protein. Of these founders, 9, 11 and 11 were raised to maturity and will be bred to generate stable transgenic lines. Characterizing the phenotype of these transgenic fish will help determine the precise role of the F protein in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C.

Keyphrases: ARFP, Hepatitis C virus (HCV), F protein, ARFP, zebrafish, transgenesis
Étude de l’implication de la force du signal transmis par le récepteur des cellules T dans le développement et la survie des lymphocytes T mémoires

Following antigen (Ag) encounter presented at surface of antigen presenting cell (APC), naïve T lymphocytes, which express a T cell receptor (TCR) specific for Ag, undergo massive proliferation and differentiate into effector T cells (1). After elimination of the pathogen, most effector T cells die, while the remaining differenciates into memory T cells (LTm) which are responsible for long-term protection of the organism. The mechanism that promotes the differentiation of effectors T cells into memory T cells is still largely unknown. To understand how Tm cells are generated from effectors, we hypothesized that the density of antigen on the APC could have an impact on the selection of CD8+ T cell responders differentiating into memory. Very interestingly, our results show that immunization of mice with dendritic cells (DCs) expressing high levels of peptide-MHC complexes on their surface allow a strong development of LTm. In contrast, the development of memory T cells was strongly reduced (10-20X) when mice were immunized with DCs expressing two-fold less level of peptide-MHC complexes. In agreement with the results described above, the amount of Ag does not have any influence on T cell expansion and acquisition of effector functions, but critically affects memory T cell generation. Our data suggest that the numbers of TCR engaged in MHC/peptide recognition are important for the formation of memory T cells. To do that, we evaluated by time-lapse videomicroscopy the time of interaction between LTn and DCs. Effectively, we observed a significant reduction in the percentage of cells making prolonged interaction with DCs when the level of Ag is decreased. Moreover, we observed a modification in the expression of key transcription factors involved in the differentiation of Tm cells, such as Eomes, Bcl6 and Blimp-1. Further analysis reveals that the Ag density influences the expression of Neuron-derived orphan nuclear receptor 1 (Nor1). Nor-1 is involved in the conversion of Bcl-2 into a pro-apoptotic molecule and contributes to effector death by apoptosis during contraction phase. Our model proposes that density of Ag controls the generation of LTm. A better understanding of the role of TCR signals in the generation of LTm will help to develop better vaccination strategies. Second time, we have evaluated the role of TCR signals in Tm cell homeostasis. To do that, we have used a tetracycline-inducible expression system of the TCR in mice. This system allows us to abolish TCR expression on Tm cells. Interestingly, we show that the ablation of TCR expression did not influence the survival and functionnality of Ag-specific CD8+ LTm cells. Furthermore, our results show that a subset of CD4 Tm cells can survive in the absence of TCR expression in nonlymphopenic hosts while another subset requires the TCR expression to survive.

Keyphrases: Lymphocyte T, Mémoire immunologique, T lymphocyte, T cell receptor, Immunological memory, Density of antigen
Étude moléculaire de la fonction du gène Bmi1 dans le processus de sénescence du système nerveux

The studies presented in this thesis establish that the Polycomb Group (PcG) gene Bmi1 is required for the self-renewal of immature retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and for postnatal retinal development. Work performed in mouse embryos reveals that Bmi1 is highly enriched in a RPC subpopulation expressing the cell surface antigen SSEA-1 and different stem cell markers. Furthermore, at all developmental stages analysed, Bmi1 deficiency resulted in reduced proliferation and self-renewal of  immature RPCs. To better understand the molecular cascade leading to this phenotype, we inactivated p53 in Bmi1-deficient colonies. p53 inactivation partially restored RPCs self-renewal potential. Moreover, the proliferation and the postnatal maintenance of an immature RPC population located in the ciliary body was also impaired in absence of Bmi1. Thus, Bmi1 distinguishes immature RPCs from the main RPC population and is required for normal retinal development. We have also shown that the oncogene Bmi1 is required in neurons to prevent apoptosis and the induction of a premature aging-like program characterized by reduced antioxidant defenses. We observed in Bmi1-deficient neurons an increased p53 and ROS levels, and a hypersensitivity to neurotoxic agents. We demonstrated that Bmi1 regulate antioxidant defenses in neurons by suppressing p53 pro-oxidant activity. In Bmi1-/- neurons, p53 induces antioxidant genes repression, resulting in increased ROS levels. These findings reveal for the first time the major role of Bmi1 on neuronal survival and aging.

Keyphrases: p53, Ros, Polycomb gene Bmi1, RPCs, Proliferation, self-renewal, post-mitotic neurons, antioxidant defenses, p53, Ros
Étude des déterminants démographiques de l’hypotrophie fœtale au Québec

This study describes the association between demographic variables such as the mother’s age, the child’s gender and birth order, and the socio-economic status – that can now be assessed by the Pampalon Index – with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in the province of Quebec. The analyses are based on a sample of 127,216 singletons and term births that occurred in the province of Quebec between July 1st, 2000 and June 30th, 2002. Logistics regressions on the risk of having suffered from IUGR were produced for the entire province of Quebec and for the health region of Montreal.  In the province of Quebec and in the health region of Montreal, the results reveal that the risk of IUGR is higher for first-born infants, and for infants whose mother was under 25 years of age or aged 35 years and older. Moreover, the risk of IUGR increases with poverty. Since the Pampalon Index is calculated for each dissemination area, public health interventions can now target the most vulnerable women and reduce the number of IUGR cases or even infant mortality.

Keyphrases: Intrauterine growth restriction, Low birth weight, Pampalon index, Socio-economic status, Health region of Montreal, Infant mortality, Logistic regression, province of Quebec