NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Lymphatic vessel function in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is driven by the accumulation of cholesterol in the arterial wall, which triggers an inappropriate immune response in which macrophages play an important role. It has now been shown that the lymphatic vessels play an important role in reverse cholesterol transport (Martel et al. JCI 2013). The overall objective of my Master internship was to better characterize lymphatic dysfunction associated with atherosclerosis, studying closely the physiological and temporal origin of this pathological feature. Our approach was to study, from the initiation of atherosclerosis to the progression of the atherosclerotic lesion, the physiology of the two main components that form the lymphatic vessels: the lymphatic capillaries and collectors. Using a mouse model that closely resembles human atherosclerosis (Ldlr-/-; hApoB100+/+) we have demonstrated that lymphatic dysfunction is present before the onset of atherosclerosis, and that this dysfunction is primarily associated with a defect in the collecting vessels, thereby limiting the lymph transport from peripheral tissues to the blood. In addition, we have clearly demonstrated, for the first time to our knowledge, the presence of the LDL receptor on lymphatic endothelial cells. Our subsequent work shows that this reduction in lymph flow could be due to the absence of the LDL receptor, and that lymphatic transport can be restored by systemic injections of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) –C. These results suggest that the functional characterization of the pumping capacity of the collecting vessels would be a prerequisite for the understanding of the interactions between the function of the lymphatic system and the progression of atherosclerosis. Altogether, our work unveils new potential therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Keyphrases: Inflammation, Atherosclerosis, Lymphatic vessels, Lymphatic endothelial cells, Lymphatic smooth muscle cells, Lipoproteins, Cellular transport, Inflammation
The nuclear pore complex and its transporters : from virus-host interactors to subverting the innate antiviral immunity

Viruses interact with cellular factors in order to successfully replicate and propagate in host cells. Germain et al. (2014) performed a proteomics analysis to elucidate viral-host interactors of hepatitis C virus (HCV). They found that the majority of host factors did not have an effect on viral replication, suggesting that these host proteins may be beneficial to the virus by affecting other cellular processes such as evading the innate antiviral immunity. To test that hypothesis, 132 virus-host interactors were selected and silenced by RNAi for their effect on inteferon-beta (IFNB1) production as a readout of the innate antiviral response. 53 were found to modulate the response with enrichment in the gene ontology (GO) terms related to nucleocytoplasmic transport and the nuclear pore complex. An interesting point is that the genes associated with these terms (CSE1L, KPNB1, RAN, TNPO1, and XPO1) were previously elucidated as HCV NS3/4A interactors by Germain et al. (2014), as well as positive regulators of the innate antiviral response. Although it is surprising that a cytoplasmic-replicating virus like HCV would interact with proteins associated with the nucleus, we proposed that viruses interact with these proteins for their benefit to interfere with the innate immune response. The innate antiviral response requires the nuclear translocation of IRF3 and NF-κB p65 for the production of type I interferons. As it is unclear which transporters or nucleoporins are involved, 60 genes associated with the nuclear pore complex and nucleocytoplasmic transport were studied for their effect on the nuclear translocation of IRF3 and NF-κB p65 via a microscopy-based RNAi screen during a 10-hour viral infection time course. Overall, the study revealed that many of these proteins are involved in the trafficking of these transcription factors during a viral infection, and can affect the production of IFNB1 at different levels of the innate antiviral response. The study also suggests that the effect of these transport factors on the immune response may be an evasion mechanism for viruses such as HCV.

Keyphrases: Hepatitis C virus, virus-host interactors, innate antiviral immunity, nuclear pore complex, nucleocytoplasmic transport, RNAi screen, nuclear translocation, IRF3, p65, microscopy, time course, kinetic
Sexage et phylogénie, à partir des gènes CHD (-Z et -W) et COX-1, des oiseaux de proie du Québec et de perroquets d’attrait vétérinaire

Knowing the sex of a bird is important for many disciplines, notably for veterinary, ecological and evolutionary studies, not to mention for bird breeders who need to form pairs for reproduction. For many species of birds, juveniles and adults do not display a sexual dimorphism. The use of DNA, derived from a sample of blood, muscle, feathers or feces, is a rapid method to determine a bird’s sex. However, this method must be validated for each species, and ideally, standardised. The first objective of this work was to develop a method of sexing birds by sequencing portions of their CHD gene, for birds of prey and parrots seen in veterinary clinics in Quebec. A second objective was to identify the species being sexed, first of all using the mitochondrial gene COX-1, and second of all using the CHD-Z and CHD-W sequences used for sexing. The third objective of these studies was to evaluate the sequences obtained (CHD-Z, CHD-W and COX-1) for performing phylogenetic studies. DNA was extracted from 27 species of parrots, 34 species of birds of prey, from one species of crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and from the chicken (Gallus gallus). A PCR amplification was performed for partial exons 23 and 24 of the CHD gene. Sequencing this amplicon resulted in simple CHD-Z sequences for a male and overlapping CHD-Z and CHD-W sequences for a female, allowing sexing of the bird. In order to obtain distinct CHD-W sequences, a sub-cloning was performed for females of each species. In this fashion, partial sequences of the CHD gene, both -Z and –W, were generated for the species studied. A phylogenetic study was performed using COX-1, CHD-Z and CHD-W sequences and the site “Clustal-Omega”. The method of sexing birds by sequencing was found to be standard and efficient. The COX-1 gene permitted a better resolution of closely related species, while the CHD-Z gene was the most useful for estimating deep phylogenetic relationships.

Keyphrases: CHD-Z, CHD-W, COX-1, Birds, Sexing, Avian
L'oxygénothérapie hyperbare dans le traitement de la paralysie cérébrale : arnaque ou traitement approprié?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) consist of subjecting a patient to elevated atmospheric pressure while the patient breathes 100% oxygen. This approach is considered the accepted treatment of choice for a number of medical conditions with success. In certain other conditions, the efficacy is still yet to demonstrated. In the case of cerebral palsy, the utilization of HBO has raised a number of controversial issues in the studies conducted. It has yet to convince the members of the scientific community at large. This unfortunately has been interpreted as negative despite the positive reproducible evidence. Until now, the Canadian government has had reservations concerning the efficacy of this treatment for cerebral palsy. Elsewhere, in the United States and in Quebec there is a certain interest. Specific events in the eyes of some, lead us to believe that the reticence to recognize Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an effective treatment of cerebral palsy is more based on politics and economics rather than on the science that is available to support its use.

Keyphrases: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Cerebral palsy, Treatment
Research Ethics and Commercial Drug Development: When Integrity Threatens Profitability

This case, based on personal experiences and on those found in the literature, highlights the delicate tension faced by drug development companies having to balance research integrity and their profitability.

Keyphrases: business ethics, clinical trials, corporate decision-making, drug development, profitability, research ethics, venture capital
Continuité et discontinuité dans les trajectoires de soins de personnes ayant une problématique complexe de santé : Perceptions d’ergothérapeutes – une étude exploratoire

Since the creation of a health system financed by public funds and managed by the Ministry of Health, the Quebec health network has undergone numerous changes. For example, changes were made in early 2000 in order to improve the accessibility and continuity of healthcare available to Quebecers. Despite the concern of the Ministry to improve continuity of care, problems persist for people with complex health problems. Indeed, individuals struggling with comorbidity – e.g., with both physical and mental health problems – are more likely to experience discontinuities in their health care trajectories (i.e., discontinuity in their access to care), constituting an inadequate response to their needs. To understand the experiences of occupational therapists that serve such clients, an exploratory study was conducted. The purpose of this research was to explore perceptions of occupational therapists about continuity and discontinuity in the care trajectories of these clients. Occupational therapists identified the reasons which, in their opinion, explained the discontinuities in the trajectory of care individuals with complex health problems, and some of the negative consequences of these discontinuities; they also noted ways to improve the continuity of care for these clients. Taking into account the perceptions of occupational therapists is important in order to improve care for people with complex health problems.

Keyphrases: ergothérapie, phénoménologie, continuity of care, discontinuities, care trajectories, complex health problems, comorbidity, occupational therapy, holism, phenomenology
Le rôle des états prothrombotiques dans l’AVC du jeune adulte

Background: Despite extensive workup, more than 30% of ischemic strokes in young adults remain idiopathic. The role of some prothrombotic factors (PF) in arterial thrombosis remains unclear in previous studies. This may be due to small sample sizes, heterogeneous characteristics of populations studied, or analyzing individual PF with low prevalence. Methods: We conducted a case-control study using a retrospective cohort (2002-2011). From a hospital database, we identified patients with ischemic stroke at age ≤50 years. We excluded patients with incomplete baseline investigation or antiphospholipid syndrome, and those without prothrombotic testing. We compared the prevalence of each PF, as well  as the presence of ≥2 PF (primary analysis) between cases with idiopathic stroke and controls with defined stroke etiology, before and after adjusting for non-prothrombotic risk factors. By subgroup analysis, we compared the presence of ≥1 PF between cases with versus without patent foramen ovale (PFO), between cases or controls with PFO with versus without migraine,  as well as between women (cases versus controls), including oral contraceptives among PF. Results: 502 young ischemic stroke patients were identified. We excluded 108 patients. We analyzed 184 cases and 210 controls (Mean age : 39.2 y-o, 51% male). Prevalence of individual PF did not differ between cases and controls : protein S (0.6%), protein C (3.4%), antithrombin (1.2%) deficiencies, mutant prothrombin (2.5%), factor V Leiden (4.6%), and total anticardiolipin (titers 15-40 units GPL or MPL; 3,3%).  There was no association between the presence of ≥2 PF and idiopathic stroke, before (p=0,48) and after adjusting for non-prothrombotic risk factors (p= 0,74). No differences were observed between subgroups for the presence of ≥1 PF. Conclusion: There is no association between prothrombotic risk factors (analyzed individually or as a group) and idiopathic ischemic stroke in the young, even in those with a PFO or with migraine.

Keyphrases: Foramen ovale permeable, Protein C, Protein S, Antithrombin, Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin, Anticardiolipin, Stroke, Young, Migraine, Patent foramen ovale
L’intégration des jeunes immigrants : une analyse des politiques à la jeunesse orientées vers la population immigrante au Québec

This thesis focuses on the integration of young immigrants in Quebec, as it analyses their inclusion within public policies framework of the province, namely the integration of immigrants and Quebec’s youth policies. In short, our aim is to see how public policies in Quebec address the integration of young immigrant. A brief literature review enables us to observe lots of issues faced by young immigrants in the province, especially at school and on the labour market. The policies presented in this paper describe the different challenges young immigrants who are born of immigrant parents are facing in the province. They propose integration means for young people of immigrant origins.   In this work which is in nature both exploratory and qualitative, we use naturally a qualitative approach. It facilitates the study of policy documents mentioned above relatively to our research question. The literature review is the primary tool upon which the dimensions of integration of immigrants in Quebec; such as French, educational values and employment, are analyzed as specific issues raised by the policy documents. Our findings enable us to observe several results regarding the young people targeted in this study.  The main findings of the study show that these policies focus on French as essential factor of integration. Consequently, the government invests heavily in teaching this language to young immigrants. Other findings show that a vast majority of young newcomers to Quebec in recent years are familiar with French; as they are selected on this basis. However, this majority is not integrated in the labour market. The policies suggest that all interventions towards the youth should focus on creating favorable employment conditions for their integration, while downplaying their migration trajectory as well as their experience from their origin country. These are nevertheless considered necessary for integration.

Keyphrases: Jeune immigrant, Immigrant youth, Youth, political integration
Existe-t-il une seule normativité de la croyance? : analyse de la thèse de l'incommensurabilité aux vues de l'instrumentalisme de la croyance

This thesis is part of a larger group of philosophical inquiries usually placed under the label of "Ethics of Belief". Specifically, my aim is to examine the possibility of all things considered judgments concerning beliefs for which there is a conflict between reasons of distinct kinds (epistemic reasons and pragmatic reasons). This inquiry will mostly concern epistemic instrumentalism, the position holding that one's beliefs are instrumental to one's own objectives and thus, that the rationality of beliefs must be an instrumental rationality. It appears that this position has been the aim of a few criticism in the recent years and my goal is to evaluate the strength of such criticism. If epistemic instrumentalism ends up being a viable thesis, we can expect that there may not be any incommensurability between reasons for belief of different kinds.

Keyphrases: Philosophy, Epistemology, Normativity, Belief, Reasons to believe, Epistemic instrumentalism, Incommensurability of reasons to believe, Ethics of belief
Les vidéos de gay bashing : des agresseurs à YouTube

This research will study the rise of gay bashing videos since 2013. We define gay bashing videos as videos documenting verbal or physical attacks against individuals perceived by the abusers as being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual or queer. We will however concentrate our study on videos showing attacks against men. These videos can be recorded by the abusers themselves or by witnesses. This rise in gay bashing videos will be situated within a comeback or anti-LGBT feelings and laws in some of the countries where the videos come from and also within anthropological and socio-historical theories about the sources and motivations behind homophobic violence. The corpus will consist of three videos coming from Russia ((«Putin’s Crackdown on LGBT Teens in Russia»), Lybia («Gay torture and violent in Lybia») and the United States («Attack at gay pride event in Detroit») The analysis of the videos will be made in three steps: 1. The analysis of the form and content of the videos. 2. The analysis of their circulation and the different users circulating them online. 3. The analysis of their reception with a particular attention given to the users’ comments on YouTube. We will show how gay bashing videos are creating a rupture with a certain vision of YouTube and other social medias as liberating and sites of self-expression (especially for LGBT people) and how they transform them as sites of humiliations that are tripled by the recording of the event and its circulation on the web. We will then see how the circulation of those videos by different groups and users transforms them according to different political agendas and ideologies, to finally question ourselves, by following the Humiliation Triangle from Donald Klein, on the ambivalent role of the witness (physical or virtual) whose presence is necessary for a humiliation to take place. Finally we will focus on videos of gay bashing testimonies made by the victims themselves who narrate their trauma in front of the camera thus reviving the logic of avowal that we can find in coming out videos. This research will also be an opportunity to develop new methodological and theoretical tools for the study of new medias.

Keyphrases: gay bashing, homophobie, humiliation, YouTube, homophobia, new media, queer theory
La confrérie des Dames de la Sainte-Famille de la paroisse Notre-Dame de Montréal (1724-1760) : un lieu élitaire au féminin ?

When it was about of New France's elitism, historians have tended to erase the women from their writings; this concept has long been associated with the male world. The decision to exclude the feminine gent is not surprising when we know that the definitions attached to the elitism, primarily come from the profession as well as the places of people in the institutions or in the structures of power. At that time, most of women haven't held a decisional function; they were maintained, ''thanks'' to patriarchy in the domestic sphere. Despite these findings, the memory is still interested in the relevance of a feminine elite definition. So, we try to show that women in New France also had elite gathering places. To achieve this, we study the journey of the main Officers of the Holy Family Ladies’s brotherhood (Montreal) between 1724 and 1760. In order to know their socio-economic status, this memory is used to know some characteristic elements: the socio-professional status of their fathers and husbands, the amounts of dowries and préciputs in their marriage contracts, the age at first marriage, the births and the infant mortality. These varied indicators show that actually the majority of these ladies came from an elitist environment. To consolidate this conclusion, the memory analyzes the behavior of these women in connection with the distinct characteristic of elites : the networking. Networking is particularly interested in the practice of godmothering ; who are the Officers' sponsors, who are the godmother of their children and from whom are they the godmothers. This last part of memory come to confirm the elitist dimension of Officers of the Holy Family.

Keyphrases: Religion, History, Women, New France, Elite, Brotherhood, Montreal, Godmothering, Networking, Nobility
Les Violettes rouges suivi de L'échec du système des genres dans La Maladie de la mort de Marguerite Duras

The creative writing project titled Les Violettes rouges depicts a young woman seeking vengeance in the nineteenth-century American West. It is a novel that replays and transgresses the codes of the western genre, as its vengeful cowboy protagonist is actually a woman named Lou. Freer than the archetypal western heroes, Lou takes what she desires in what is said to be “masculine” and “feminine”. Through her physique she embodies a powerful and sensual vector of violence. Lou’s acts of rebellion shake the white man’s hierarchical and unjust systems. Through theories of various feminist thinkers and questions of sexual and gender identity, the essay titled L'échec du système des genres dans La Maladie de la mort de Marguerite Duras explores the impossible encounter between the male and femal protagonists in Duras’s novel. The failure of the system both dual and double separating man and woman is expressed through a series of veils and veilings, of blindspots, through a fugitive feminine and, ultimately, through a power reversal. Here, the double and hierarchical definition of gender is questioned since it renders any meeting between the novel’s male and female characters, as well as between the “masculine” and the “feminine”, sterile.

Keyphrases: Violence, Marguerite Duras, Novel, Feminine western, Gender differences, Gender studies
Expériences sensibles et suprasensibles, à travers Le bain de Diane de Pierre Klossowski

The present thesis seeks to address, in a reading of the text Le bain de Diane by Pierre Klossowski, the specific modalities through which literature aims to understand the complex ties between concepts of 'immanence' and 'transcendence'. To do so, I begin by introducing the concepts necessary for such an undertaking ⎯ reading authors such as Plato, Apuleius, Pierre Hadot, Gilles Deleuze and Michel Foucault, all of whom have contributed to the concept of the 'demon' as described in Klossowski’s work ⎯ and by introducing the concept of 'simulacrum', a key concept in Klossowsi’s writing. By tracing the creation and representation of these concepts in various texts and then identifying them in Le bain de Diane, I attempt to demonstrate the importance of literary figuration in our complex relationship with concepts of the 'sensitive' and the 'suprasensitive'.

Keyphrases: Immanence, Figuration, Klossowski, Diane, Transcendence, Apuleius