NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Caractérisation de l’infection naturelle à Cryptosporidium spp. chez le chien et le chat vus en établissement vétérinaire

Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan parasite from the gastro-intestinal tract with a large range of vertebrate hosts causing cryptosporidiosis, a zoonotic disease which may lead to severe digestive troubles and sometimes death for immunocompromised people. It is a noticeable disease in Canada since 2000. It is thus relevant to study the infection in cats and dogs as they may represent an important zoonotic reservoir for the parasite. A total of 1,202 stool samples from cats (n = 371) and dogs (n = 831) from the province of Quebec were examined during the year 2008 for this research. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was calculated using coprology tests using centrifugation in a zinc sulfate solution. The prevalence in cats (28/371: 7,55 %) and dogs (88/831: 10,59%) corroborates that pets living in the province of Quebec may be a reservoir for Cryptosporidium spp. While we did not find a significant difference in the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. between cats and dogs, cats may represent a larger reservoir as they represent a larger population within the province. We identified age (p = 0,0001) and concomitant infection with Giardia spp.      (p =0,0001) as risk factors for dogs. Among all the variables tested on cats (age, sex, season, concomitant infection with Giardia spp.), none were significantly associated with the presence of the parasite in cats. This may be caused in part by the small number that was analyzed. A follow-up study with two cats showed the excretion of oocysts can last for a minimum of seven months and varies in intensity through time. The molecular diagnostic of species and genotypes of Cryptosporidium spp. isolated from fecal samples should have been done by using the amplification of the gene fragments ARNr 18S and HSP70 nested PCR reactions and the sequencing of PCR products. Although this technique was attempted in this study, no positive result was obtained. It is recommended to work on larger animal populations to increase the statistical power of epidemiological analysis of the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp.

Keyphrases: Cryptosporidium spp., Cat, Dog, Zoonosis, Oocyst, Prevalence, Risk factors
Les représentations chrétiennes et la culture juive dans l'art pictural moderne : le cas de Marc Chagall

Marc Chagall is a Jewish artist who challenged the Mosaic interdiction to represent the deity. He has among others in the modern period made several paintings on the theme of the Crucifixion, a particularly sensitive issue for an artist attached to his Jewish identity and practising an art with a strong autobiographical component. This dissertation examines the conditions which allowed the adoption and the development, by Chagall, of an important Christian subject whose iconography he freely revisited. Among the circumstances that facilitated the cultural hybridization in which Chagall engaged in his Crucifixion, we must point out the new freedom, both at the level of figurative devices and pictorial treatment, brought by modernism in the approach of major traditional genres to which religious painting belongs. On a quite different register, the dissertation examines the exceptional historic circumstances met by Chagall before and during the execution of the Crucifixions. These circumstances have exerted pressure that allowed the tragic experience of the Jews of the XXth century to find expression in images of universal significance.

Keyphrases: Marc Chagall, Crucifixion, Barnett Newman, Modern art, Judaism
Études de type structure fonction du couplage électromécanique et de la coopérativité sous-unitaire chez les canaux potassiques dépendants du voltage

Voltage-gated potassium channels are tetramers and each subunit is formed of six transmembrane segments (S1 to S6). The pore, formed by the S5-S6 segments of each subunit, is surrounded by four modules responsible for sensitivity to the membrane potential, the voltage sensors (VS, S1-S4). During membrane depolarization, the movement of charged residues located in the VS causes a detectable charge movement called the gating current. The activation of the VS led to the opening of the pore, resulting in a conformational change in the C-terminal segment of S6. To elucidate the principles underlying the electromechanical coupling between these two domains, we examined two regions presumed responsible for the coupling among channels of the Shaker K + family: the carboxy-terminal region of S6 and the peptide bond linking the transmembrane segments S4-S5 (S4-5L). Using the cut-open voltage clamp fluorometry (COVCF), we have determined that the RELY inter-subunit interaction, formed by amino acids located on the S4-5L linker and S6 of two neighboring subunits, is involved in the development of the slow component observed during the return of the gating charges (OFF-gating) to their resting state. The introduction of mutations in the RELY region modulates the strength of these molecular interactions and eliminates the asymmetry observed in the wild type gating currents. Moreover, we demonstrate that this inter-subunit coupling is responsible for stabilizing the pore in the open state. We have also identified an intra-subunit interaction between residues I384 located on the S4-5L linker and F484 on the S6 segment of the same subunit. The destabilization of this hydrophobic interaction uncouples completely the movement of voltage sensors from pore opening. Without this interaction, the energy required to activate the VS is diminished due to the absence of mechanical weight applied by the pore. Furthermore, this  uncoupling also eliminates the "mode shift", defined as an amplified shift of the voltage dependence of gating charge (QV) to hyperpolarizing potentials during prolonged depolarization, thus indicating that the mechanical load of the pore influences the entry of the VS into this shifted mode  by modulating the conformation of the VS threw an intrinsic allosteric process.

Keyphrases: Potassium channels, Electromecanical coupling, Mode-Shift, Mode-shift, Courant de gating, Gating currents, Cooperativity, Fluorometry, Voltage clamp
Caractérisation de l’ADNc et de l’ADN génomique codant l’intégrine plaquettaire αIIb‐β3 chez un cheval atteint de Thrombasthénie de Glanzmann

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is  characterized by a defect of platelet aggregation. This autosomal recessive genetic disorder is caused by an abnormality of the platelet receptor for fibrinogen. This receptor is an integrin located on the plasma membrane formed by a complex of αIIb‐β3 subunits. Recently, we identified a horse with clinical and pathological features of GT. Flow cytometry studies revealed a deficiency of the αIIb subunit suggesting the presence of one or several mutations in the gene encoding for the αIIb subunit. The aim of this study was to describe this case of GT at the molecular level by characterizing the cDNAs encoding for the β3 (ITGB3) and αIIb (ITGA2B) subunits. Total RNA was extracted from platelets and converted into cDNA by reverse transcription using a poly‐dT primer. Genomic DNA was extracted from white blood cells. Specific primers for αIIb and β3 sequences were used to amplify by PCR the corresponding cDNA or genomic regions that were further characterized by sequencing and compared by BLAST analysis (GenBank). A point mutation from G to C in exon 2 of ITGA2B was identified, causing a substitution of the expected amino acid arginine 72 (Arg72) by a proline (Pro72). This amino acid change may result in abnormal structural conformations that yield an inactive αIIb subunit. The analysis of genomic DNA showed that this horse was homozygous for the missense mutation. The genomic DNA sequences encoding exon 2 of the dam, grand dam and the sire were heterozygous for this nucleic acid change and were clinically normal. The analysis of ITGB3 was unremarkable.

Keyphrases: Glanzmann thrombasthenia, hémostase, hemostasis, horse, mutation exon 2, exon 2 mutation
Essai d’amélioration du taux de rétention de la tétracycline dans un polymère à empreinte moléculaire formé de co-polymères fonctionnalisés de l’acide lactique

The veterinarian is helping the dairy farmer to keep his flock healthy. When a cow is sick, he may prescribe antibiotics. But in that case, the cow milk treated with antibiotics is discarded, and not sold for consumption. All milk products are analyzed before being pasteurized and processed to ensure that dairy products do not contain residues of antibiotics. If the analyses show that milk contains traces of antibiotics, it is discarded and the producer must bear the loss. On place, the current screening tests for drug residues are expensive and inapplicable.  To resolve this problem at the feet of the cow, the solution proposed in this project is the production of a detection kit based on molecular imprinted polymers. These are polymers whose molecular conformation is complementary to that of antibiotics. This project is about improving the effectiveness of screening tests for residues of tetracyclines by increasing the number of interaction sites between the antibiotic and polyester. Three polymers are used respectively, aromatic, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups.  A previous study in our laboratory had already shown a tetracycline retention percentage of 50% for a composition of 1 / 3 PLAOH-1 / 3 PLACOOH-1 / 3 PLAOBn. After variation in the polymers ratio, the percentage obtained is, 38.93 % for a composition of   1 / 4 PLAOH-1 / 2 PLACOOH-1 / 4 PLAOPh, 44.81 % for a composition of 1 / 4 PLACOOH- 1 / 2 PLAOH- 1 / 4 PLAOPh, 66.34 % for a composition of 1/4 PLAOH- 1/4 PLACOOH- 1/4 PLAOPh and 78.07 % for a composition of 1/6 PLAOH- 1 / 6 PLACOOH- 2 / 3 PLAPh. Our hypothesis was that the increase of the amount of the phenyl group, increases the number of specific interaction sites with the antibiotic, and so increases the percentage of retention of the antibiotic through the MIP. The results confirmed this hypothesis.

Keyphrases: PLA, tetracycline, PLA, molecular imprinted polymer
Parent-youth associations of physical activity and the influence of family and neighbourhood social factors

Objective: To examine the association between parental involvement in their child’s physical activity (PA) and child lifestyle behaviours and weight status.  Methods: Data were from the 1999 Quebec Child and Adolescent Health and Social Survey, comprising representative samples of youth aged 9, 13, and 16 years. Parental involvement in PA with their child was assessed and measured as both, one, or neither parent engaging in PA with their child ≥once/week, based on parent reports. A 7-day PA recall was used to categorize youth as inactive, moderately-active, or highly-active. Screen time was classified as ≤14 and >14 hours of TV and video viewing/week. Overweight status was defined according to Cole’s sex- and age-specific BMI cut-points.  Results: Participants (n=2511) with both parents engaging in PA with them ≥once/week (vs. neither parent) were more likely to be highly-active at ages 13 (OR 3.89, 95% CI: 1.85-8.18) and 16 (OR 3.45, 95% CI: 1.32-9.01), and to report ≤14 hours/week of screen time at age 13 (OR 2.36, 95% CI: 1.30-4.25). No associations were observed for weight status. We examined effect modification in post-hoc analyses; the association between parental involvement and youth PA was present in two-parent households only, while the association between parental involvement and screen time was only present in neighbourhoods perceived to be safe by parents.   Conclusion: Health promotion strategies targeting parental involvement in youth PA may reduce the future burden of chronic disease, given the favorable association of parental involvement with several youth lifestyle behaviours.

Keyphrases: structure familiale, physical activity, screen time, overweight, neighbourhood safety, family structure
Actin cytoskeleton regulates pollen tube growth and tropism

Fertilization in plants depends on the delivery of the sperm cells in the pollen grain through the pollen tube to the ovule. The pollen tube is a highly anisotropic, fast growing cellular protuberance. Because the pollen tube is non autotrophic, it requires a steady supply of carbohydrates and minerals supplied by the pistil to sustain its growth. These elements serve for the synthesis of cell wall material, delivered to the site of cell wall assembly in secretory vesicles that are transported along the actin cytoskeleton and deposited at the growing apex of the tube. The tube has to resist external deformation forces in order to maintain its cylindrical shape and to respond to various directional signals in order to reach its target. My objectives were to identify the role of the cytoskeleton in the anisotropic growth of the pollen tube and to determine how the tube responds to directional cues. The cytoskeleton in the pollen tube consists of microfilaments and microtubules, both forming long filamentous elements. For in vitro growing pollen tubes, carbohydrates and growth minerals have to be added to the growth medium in specific amounts order to sustain pollen tube growth. I optimized the growth conditions of Arabidopsis thaliana and Camellia japonica pollen tubes which, in addition to pollen from Lilium longiflorum, were used as model species for my experiments. I developed a microwave based, fast and efficient fixation and labelling protocol for pollen tubes. I used pharmacological, mechanical, molecular and microscopical tools to study the role of the cytoskeleton in pollen tube growth and tropism. I found that the actin cytoskeleton, and more specifically the subapical actin fringe, plays an important role in the regulation of pollen tube growth and architecture through the controlled delivery of secretory vesicles to the growing apex. I constructed a galvanotropic chamber that can be mounted on an inverted microscope to induce controlled tropic triggers. I found that the actin cytoskeleton is also involved in the ability of the pollen tube to change its direction. This tropic behaviour was shown to be dependent on the concentration of calcium ions in the growth medium and calcium influx through calcium channels. The cytosolic calcium gradient in the pollen tube regulates the activity of various actin binding proteins that are responsible for remodelling the actin cytoskeleton. Among these proteins are two Arabidopsis gametophyte-specific actin depolymerizing factors (ADFs) that I tagged with two intrinsically fluorescent proteins. I found that ADF7 and ADF10 are differentially expressed during microsporogenesis and pollen tube germination and growth and that they likely divide important functions between them.

Keyphrases: Actin, Arabidopsis thaliana, Arabidopsis thaliana, Calcium, Calcium, Camellia japonica, Camellia japonica, Cytoskeleton, Lilium longiflorum, Lilium longiflorum, Pollen, Pollen, Tropism, Pollen tube, ADF, Actin depolymerizing factor
Évaluation de la densité osseuse péri acétabulaire après resurfaçage versus prothèse totale de la hanche métal-métal non cimentée

We undertook a retrospective study to evaluate bone remodeling around two uncemented press-fit acetabular components: (1. Hip resurfacing (HR) and 2. total hip replacement (THR)) at a minimum of 21 months after implantation.  We measured by DEXA (Dual energy X ray absorptiometry) the bone mineral density (BMD) in the supra acetabular area in 60 patients (44 HR, 16 THR). We found no significant difference in the average BMD of the global zone and central zone of the acetabulum between the operated hip and the opposite non-operated hip in both treatment groups. However, the BMD of the medial and lateral cortico-cancellous areas on the side of surgery was significantly higher compared to non-operated side in HR group with the cobalt chrome cup; (p=0,014 and 0,031 respectively) As for THR with a titanium cup, we found no significant difference in BMD at these areas (p=0,130 and 0,733). These data show that with more rigid cups, there seems to be greater load transfer to the periphery of the acetabulum without significant stress shielding.  This is the first study to assess peri-acetabular bone remodeling with HR. We showed that BMD is relatively preserved. Stress transfer to the periphery may be beneficial in maintaining the stability of the primary implant while conserving bone stock for possible revisions of the press-fit cup of the HR.

Keyphrases: Dexa, stress shielding, bone remodelling, Dexa, load strain, modulus of elasticity, preservation of bone stock, finite element models, stress shielding
Évaluation des effets de l'administration de fer intramusculaire sur l'anémie chez les oiseaux de proie

A 10 mg/kg intramuscular (IM) administration of iron dextran is a common empirical treatment recommended in avian medicine for hemorrhage and anemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of this treatment on anemia in birds of prey. Two kinds of specimen were used: the American kestrel (Falco sparverius) where an acute external blood loss anemia was created (with two phlebotomies of 20-40 % of the total blood volume at 6 hours interval) and other various species of wild birds of prey suffering from different types of anemia. All subjects were randomized into a treatment (iron dextran 10 mg/kg IM) or a control (NaCl 0,9 % IM) group. Monitoring was carried out to evaluate the evolution of the anemia, presence of side effects and impact of an iron administration on their iron reserve. No significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups for clinical signs, packed cell volume, the percentage of reticulocytes/polychromatophilic erythrocytes, bone marrow cellularity and iron, plasmatic iron and creatine kinase. Most kestrels had a myositis at the iron injection site. Our results suggest that an IM injection of 10 mg/kg iron dextran has no effect on raptor erythropoiesis after an acute external blood loss anemia, that it has no effect on iron reserve, and that it can cause mild inflammation at the injection site. The polychromatophilic erythrocytes and the reticulocytes ring form count were two equivalent methods.

Keyphrases: Anemia, Iron dextran, Birds of prey, American kestrel, Packed cell volume (PCV), Reticulocytes, Polychromatophilic erythrocytes, Bone marrow, Plasmatic iron
Effet de la source du sélénium sur le statut du sélénium, de la GSH-Px et sur le système immunitaire des bovins de boucherie

Abstract The aims of this study were to determine the effects of selenium (Se) supplementation sources (organic and inorganic) on Se and GSH-Px concentrations of beef cows (n=33) and their calves and on immune parameters of the calves. Two groups of cows were given daily 3 mg of either organic or inorganic Se in mineral supplement starting from 12 weeks before calving until weaning. The third group had no Se added into the diet and their calves were divided into two subgroups either injected or not with 0.087 mg/kg of sodium selenite after birth. Serum Se and whole blood GSH-Px were respectively measured by HPLC-UV and by kinetic-enzymatic technique. Calves immune parameters were evaluated using commercial kits for phagocytosis, respiratory burst and CD4:CD8 ratio and radial immunodiffusion for total IgG concentrations. In cows and calves, Se supplementation increased significantly serum and colostrum Se concentrations (P<.02) with significant higher effect for organic source. However, milk Se concentrations increased significantly only with the organic source (P≤.0007). Se supplementation increased GSH-Px concentrations in cows (P≤.04) and their calves (P≤.0004); organic source induced a higher effect than inorganic one in calves (P≤.0004). Se injection in calves allowed a temporary increase (P<.0001) of serum Se concentrations. No significant differences were noticed throughout the experiment for all of the immune parameters measured (P>.01, not significant after Bonferroni adjustment). Our results showed that Se supplementation improved colostrum, milk and serum Se and GSH-Px concentrations in cows and their calves without effect on the measured immune parameters in calves.  Key words: selenium, beef calves, phagocytosis, respiratory burst, antibodies, CD4:CD8 ratio, GSH-Px.

Keyphrases: GSH-Px, selenium, Beef calves, Phagocytosis, Respiratory burst, Antibodies, CD4:CD8 ratio, GSH-Px
Regard sur le projet migratoire et d’intégration et sur le processus identitaire de jeunes réfugiés au Québec

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory study was to examine refugee youths’ immigration trajectories and their integration and identity work as newcomers to Quebec. Their perceptions were explored in terms of social integration, school integration, the development of peer networks, and their future outlook and aspirations. Employed identity strategies were explored in contexts such as schooling, religion, and community organizations.   Five refugee youth, ranging in age from 15 to 21 years, were solicited for the study. They participated in two in-depth semi-structured interviews, facilitated by the use of personal artefacts and pictures. Results underline the uniqueness of each of the cases, both in terms of reasons for departure and subsequent trajectories and identity work. Despite this diversity, some commonalities could be noted. The immigration trajectories were emotionally charged and difficult for all youth interviewed. They all struggled with their social integration both within and outside of school, as well as in terms of ensuring continued academic success. Yet, they all exhibited the capacity to overcome adversity, despite repeated and on-going challenges, and showed much resilience. In terms of their identity strategies, some developed a hybrid identity, integrating past and current identity work into a coherent whole, while others were still in a stage of exploration or actively involved in working towards a coherent sense of self that could accommodate the complexity of their life experiences. Longitudinal studies are needed to document the development of identity strategies that facilitate refugee youths’ integration while ensuring on-going resilience, academic success and psychological well-being.

Keyphrases: Adolescent refugees, Identity, Immigrant’s trajectories, Social and academic integration
De l'animation des images fixes dans "Me and You and Everyone we Know" : photographie, vidéo, cinéma

This Master’s thesis deals with the animation of still images in Miranda July’s 2005 film, Me and You and Everyone we Know. More specifically, it analyses the artistic practices of Christine Jeperson, a video artist who is the main character of the film. This study focuses on the materials utilized by the artist-protagonist and looks at her particular use of photography: her video works all revolve around amateur photographs, clichés, banal images, that she animates via the remediation of video and "narrativization" ("mise en récit"). These two principles of animation, that give time and motion to the still images she uses, also produce a displacement of value by turning these images into art and, by the same token, open a specific space i.e. the aesthetic experience of the spectator, for it is in his or her imaginary, in the end, that this animation is produced. Thus, in this study, I wish to look at these “details” within the films — the video works of Christine — whilst seeking to show the relations they entertain with other elements of the film, with Miranda July’s body of works, as well as with other moments in art history that relate to this animation apparatus, in order to historicize the practices of Christine / July. This Master’s Thesis wishes to illuminate a specific kind of contemporary visual practice, at the intersection of photography, video and film.

Keyphrases: Miranda July, Miranda July, Animation apparatus, Amateur photography, Video art, Film, Art contemporain, Contemporary art, Temporality, Récit, Narration, Spectatorship, Imaginary