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BackgroundRecent studies reported a link between high salt diet (HSD) and clinical exacerbation in mouse models of autoimmune diseases, mainly through the induction of pathogenic Th17 cells and/or HSD-induced dysbiosis. However, the topic remains controversial and not fully understood.PurposeIn this study, we investigated the effects of HSD on the development of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in C57BL/6J mice.Methods and resultsUnexpectedly, our data showed a significant attenuating effect of HSD on disease severity of native EAU, induced by direct immunization with IRBP peptide. That said, HSD had no effect on EAU disease severity induced by adoptive transfer of semi-purified auto-reactive IRBP-specific T lymphocytes. Accordingly, HSD did not affect IRBP-specific systemic afferent immune response as attested by no HSD-linked changes in T lymphocytes proliferation, cytokine production and Treg proportion. Gut microbiota analysis from cecal samples in naïve and EAU mice demonstrated that HSD affected differentially α-diversity between groups, whereas β-diversity was significantly modified in all groups. Unknown Tannerellaceae was the only taxon associated to HSD exposure in all treatment groups. Interestingly, a significantly higher abundance of unknown Gastranaerophilales, with potential anti-inflammatory properties, appeared in HSD-fed native EAU mice, only.DiscussionIn conclusion, our study suggests a possible impact of HSD on gut microbiota composition and consequently on development and clinical severity of EAU. Further studies are required to investigate the potential beneficial role of Gastranaerophilales in EAU.

Le sous-équipement, la destruction rapide du cadre de vie, l’inaccessibilité aux services de base et les vulnérabilités sont les problèmes environnementaux rencontrés dans les quartiers périphériques : Batumona et Talangay à Kinshasa-Est méritent des solutions appropriées, pour espérer aux lendemains durables dans les sites étudiés. Les mauvaises conditions d’approvisionnement en eau, en électricité et à l’assainissement sont à la base de dysfonctionnement existant actuellement dans les sites étudiés risquent de provoquer plus tard leurs isolements. Par ailleurs, cette étude précise que le phénomène de vulnérabilité est très peu connu sur le plan scientifique et trop peu pris en compte par les décideurs et autres acteurs des dynamiques urbaines sur le continent africain en général et en particulier en République Démocratique du Congo (Guigma & ali.,2015, Mpiana Tshitenge, 2015 & Kabuyaya, 2015). Les études réalisées par plusieurs auteurs précisent que posséder une connaissance relative au phénomène des vulnérabilités environnementales exigent de s’intéresser tant aux causes qu’aux conséquences de ce phénomène. Ce phénomène résulte d’une problématique complémentaire qui se rapporte aux effets socio-économiques et environnementaux de la production de l’urbanisation et de la périurbanisation. Il s’agit là de la problématique émergente de l’efficacité urbaine, qui n’est d’autre que la manière dont l’organisation de l’espace urbain produit des effets souhaités sur le triple volet social, économique et environnemental Messin (2018). En rapport avec les résultats de l’étude, l’on peut considérer que dans la perception du concept de vulnérabilité environnementale, les conditions environnementales immédiates des sujets enquêtés ont beaucoup joué dans le contenu formulé sous le concept. Les précarités urbaines et plusieurs manifestations de catastrophes et risques environnementaux auxquels sont confrontés plusieurs enquêtés ont élevé les scores de deux principales assertions, à savoir : difficulté d’accès aux services de base et conditions de vie déplorables ainsi que l’exposition aux catastrophes naturelles. Les autres scores, non négligeables sont accidentels et dépendent de plusieurs contextes familiaux rencontrés par les ménages enquêtés.

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The purpose of this study is, first, to determine the factors that influence the performance of farmers in the Tadla region using a multiple linear regression model. Second, we have tried to measure the global efficiency using "Data Envelopment Analysis" method and identify the main determinants factors that explain the level of efficiency using the Tobit model. The results shows that farm experience, labor factor, physical capital and amount of water used have a positive and significant impact on farmers' performance. Furthermore, the results obtained using the DEA method indicate that the average overall global efficiency level is around 67%, which clearly shows that more than 33% of farmers are not using efficiently production inputs; The Tobit model shows that water sources per farm and membership of an agricultural organization are the main variables that have a positive and significant impact on farmers' efficiency, while farm size has a negative impact on it. These results confirm the outputs of similar research conducted in rainfed and irrigated areas. Finally, this research offers some insight about the importance of considering farmers' behavior (knowledge, risk, etc...) in the process of crop production. These results should be considered in setting technology transfer programs and agricultural policies measures.

The European Association of Urology (EAU) prostate cancer guidelines panel recommends risk groups for biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer to identify men at high risk of progression or metastatic disease. The rapidly growing availability of PSMA-directed PET imaging will impact prostate cancer staging. We determined the rates of local and metastatic disease in BCR and biochemical persistence (BCP) of prostate cancer stratified by EAU BCR risk groups and BCP. Methods: Patients with BCR or BCP were enrolled under the same prospective clinical trial protocol conducted at 3 sites (n = 1,777 [91%]: UCLA, n = 662 [NCT02940262]; University of California San Francisco, n = 508 [NCT03353740]; University of Michigan, n = 607 [NCT03396874]); 183 patients with BCP from the Universities of Essen, Bologna, and Munich were included retrospectively. Patients with BCR had to have sufficient data to determine the EAU risk score. Multivariate, binomial logistic regression models were applied to assess independent predictors of M1 disease. Results: In total, 1,960 patients were included. Post-radical prostatectomy EAU BCR low-risk, EAU BCR high-risk, and BCP groups yielded distant metastatic (M1) detection in 43 of 176 (24%), 342 of 931 (37%), and 154 of 386 (40%) patients. For postradiotherapy EAU BCR low-risk and EAU BCR high-risk groups, the M1 detection rate was 113 of 309 (37%) and 110 of 158 (70%), respectively. BCP, high-risk BCR, and higher levels of serum prostate-specific antigen were significantly associated with PSMA PET M1 disease in multivariate regression analysis. PSMA PET revealed no disease in 25% and locoregional-only disease in 33% of patients with post-radical prostatectomy or postradiotherapy EAU BCR high risk. Conclusion: Our findings support the new EAU classification; EAU BCR high-risk groups have higher rates of metastatic disease on PSMA PET than do the low-risk groups. Discordant subgroups, including metastatic disease in low-risk patients and no disease in high-risk patients, warrant inclusion of PSMA PET stage to refine risk assessment.

Nous verrons d’abord comment l’eau constitue un motif poétique essentiel et récurrent dans la démarche autobiographique poétique de Bertolucci, mais aussi un thème consubstantiel à la définition de limites spatiales, temporelles et sociales dans ses poèmes et son roman en vers. Il s’agira également d’expliquer comment l’eau a pu servir parfois de cadre à des moments d’initiation dans l’œuvre poétique. Enfin, l’article présentera une forme de patrimonialisation des lieux biographiques bertolucciens dans un parc naturel de la province de Parme.

Notre article s’articule autour d’une réflexion sur les conflits d’usage de l’eau, un bien commun particulièrement précieux. L’accent est mis sur le lac de Caussade, bâti en 2019, pour lequel de multiples acteurs, agriculteurs, pouvoirs publics, associations écologistes se sont opposés lors de sa construction. À l’heure du conflit d’usage de l’eau très violent dans les Deux-Sèvres, nous avons voulu mettre en exergue la légalisation française et européenne en matière de lac collinaire et pris le cas du Lac de Caussade, situé dans le Lot-et-Garonne, un lac bâti illégalement par des agriculteurs. Au-delà de ce conflit finalement extrêmement local, ce sont des questionnements sur la place de l’eau en tant que bien commun et des nouveaux conflits d’usage entourant cette denrée de plus en plus rare et précieuse que cet article sous-tend.

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La protection des eaux constituent des nos jours l’un des facteurs qui cristallisent le débat sur la coexistence pacifique entre les sociétés, les peuples et les Etats. C’est donc l’un des enjeux essentiels qui préoccupent notre planète, compte tenu de l’importance que revêt cette donnée pour la survie de l’espèce humaine et compte tenu de sa valeur et de sa raréfaction de plus en plus prononcée par rapport aux besoins réels de l’humanité. Il se fait malheureusement que cette valeur que regorgent les eaux n’est pas prise en compte par le législateur congolais. Il suffit de passer en revue les différentes lois prises par celui-ci pour s’en convaincre. Bien plus, ces différentes lois ne sont pas efficaces et ne répriment pas sévèrement les délinquants pollueurs. Cependant, il va falloir réviser toutes les dispositions ou certaines dispositions pénales relatives à la pollution de l’eau dans ces lois en vue de les rendre plus efficaces.

L’hémodialyse à domicile doit rester une technique parmi tant d’autres pour traiter l’insuffisance rénale terminale. Pour cela tout doit être mis en place pour que les patients puissent avoir le choix, aidés par leur équipe soignante. La gestion de l’accessibilité à un traitement d’eau à domicile reste encore de nos jours difficile malgré les progrès notables lors des dernières décennies. Le développement de l’HDQD sans avoir à installer un traitement d’eau au domicile des patients est un progrès notable qui a donné un élan nécessaire au développement du traitement du patient au domicile. Les défis restent grands malgré tout, notamment pour le développement de la dialyse à sorbants qui devrait revoir le jour avec l’aide des nanotechnologies cela aidera à augmenter le nombre de patients, mais aussi à avoir une attitude éco responsable, en diminuant les quantités d’eau utilisées et les déchets générés par ce type de traitement.

The site of Lalibela is the result of Tertiary volcanic activity which led to the formation of a vast outcrop of basaltic slag from which churches were carved. This reddish rock which is particularly suitable for carving, is extremely interactive with water. It was beneficial for the impressive excavation phases, but is now problematic for conservation purposes. Digging meant either the penetration of water into the massif and its erosion, but also the protection of the monuments from water stagnation. This is a very paradoxical situation in which water plays an alternately positive and negative role. Due to its sacred dimension, any intervention on the rock must be discussed and validated by the community. 3D technologies were used to carry out an assessment of the state of the site, to create a virtual 3D model that can be accessed and consulted remotely by all the specialists faced to the conservation problem; to trace the historical evolution of the site.

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L’article porte sur le pouvoir réglementaire conféré aux commissions locales de l’eau par la loi sur l’eau et les milieux aquatiques de 2006. En enquêtant sur la manière dont les commissions s’en sont saisies, il met en lumière les enjeux, les ressorts et les effets de l’inscription d’un « droit négocié » dans la gouvernance territoriale de l’eau. La négociation continue avec les services de l’État, sur les cibles et le contenu des règles, conduit d’abord à envisager cette gouvernance comme une forme de co-management de la ressource. L’analyse montre ensuite que les animateurs de schémas d?aménagement et de gestion de l?eau (SAGE) déploient une diversité de tactiques pour gérer les relations avec les représentants de l’État et produire par ailleurs un équilibre entre défense des intérêts catégoriels et dynamique de communalisation. Après son adoption enfin, le sort du règlement dépend en particulier de la posture de la police de l’eau et de sa reprise au sein d’une large communauté d’acteurs.

Background: Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic immune disease that involves multiple systems. As the pathogenesis of BD is not clear, and new treatments are needed, we used bioinformatics to identify potential drugs and validated them in mouse models. Methods: Behcet's disease-related target genes and proteins were screened in the PubMed and UVEOGENE databases. The biological functions and pathways of the target genes were analyzed in detail by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by the STRING database, and hub genes were identified by the Cytoscape plug-in CytoHubba. Gene-drug interactions were identified from the DGIdb database. Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) mice were used as an animal model for drug validation. Results: A total of 249 target genes and proteins with significant differences in BD were screened, and the results of functional enrichment analysis suggested that these genes and proteins were more located on the cell membrane, involved in regulating the production of cytokines and affecting the activity of cytokines. They mainly regulated "Cytokine- Cytokine receptor interaction", "Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)" and "IL-17 signaling Pathway". In addition, 10 hub genes were obtained through PPI network construction and CytoHubba analysis, among which the top 3 hub genes were closely related to BD. The DGIdb analysis enriched seven drugs acting together on the top 3 hub genes, four of which were confirmed for the treatment of BD or its complications. There is no evidence in the research to support the results in omeprazole, rabeprazole, and celastrol. However, animal experiments showed that rabeprazole and celastrol reduced anterior chamber inflammation and retinal inflammation in EAU mice. Conclusions: The functional analysis of genes and proteins related to BD, identification of hub genes, and validation of potential drugs provide new insights into the disease mechanism and potential for the treatment of BD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dans cet article, nous nous intéressons à l’impact diégétique et à l’investissement topographique de l’élément aquatique dans l’œuvre romanesque d’Anne Hébert. Notre intérêt principal vise à définir les deux trajectoires antagonistes de cet élément naturel : son rôle en tant qu’adjuvant à la survie des personnages et son impact en tant que force criminelle, lieu d’enfermement et source de tortures. Dans un premier temps, nous verrons de quelle manière l’auteure québécoise passe d’une description de l’eau comme décor ambivalent à une réification répétée des personnages humains, qu’elle n’a de cesse de soumettre à la volonté de la nature. Parallèlement, nous tiendrons compte des stratégies visant à anthropomorphiser l’eau pour, finalement, dévoiler les ressorts de l’articulation de ses deux visages contradictoires (en tant que force amie ou ennemie), volonté active qui tire les ficelles diégétiques de ces dix romans.

BackgroundBehcet’s disease (BD) is a chronic immune disease that involves multiple systems. As the pathogenesis of BD is not clear, and new treatments are needed, we used bioinformatics to identify potential drugs and validated them in mouse models.MethodsBehcet’s disease-related target genes and proteins were screened in the PubMed and UVEOGENE databases. The biological functions and pathways of the target genes were analyzed in detail by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by the STRING database, and hub genes were identified by the Cytoscape plug-in CytoHubba. Gene-drug interactions were identified from the DGIdb database. Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) mice were used as an animal model for drug validation.ResultsA total of 249 target genes and proteins with significant differences in BD were screened, and the results of functional enrichment analysis suggested that these genes and proteins were more located on the cell membrane, involved in regulating the production of cytokines and affecting the activity of cytokines. They mainly regulated “Cytokine- Cytokine receptor interaction”, “Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)” and “IL-17 signaling Pathway”. In addition, 10 hub genes were obtained through PPI network construction and CytoHubba analysis, among which the top 3 hub genes were closely related to BD. The DGIdb analysis enriched seven drugs acting together on the top 3 hub genes, four of which were confirmed for the treatment of BD or its complications. There is no evidence in the research to support the results in omeprazole, rabeprazole, and celastrol. However, animal experiments showed that rabeprazole and celastrol reduced anterior chamber inflammation and retinal inflammation in EAU mice.ConclusionsThe functional analysis of genes and proteins related to BD, identification of hub genes, and validation of potential drugs provide new insights into the disease mechanism and potential for the treatment of BD.

Le Nouveau romancier Michel Butor bouleverse la vision optimiste des quatre éléments de la nature élaborée, entre 1938 et 1961, par son ancien professeur de philosophie à la Sorbonne, Gaston Bachelard. Celui-ci considère l’air, l’eau, le feu et la terre comme détenteurs de qualités et de valeurs morales, à l’instar de la pureté, qui leur permet de contribuer à la transformation, tant matérielle que spirituelle, d’un monde impur en un univers immaculé. Cinq ans avant la parution du sixième et dernier essai théorique de Bachelard, Butor publie son Emploi du temps (1956), roman qui fait vaciller les principes de la vision idéalisée des éléments. Ayant reçu une formation philosophique, le romancier entreprend une polémique littéraire avec le concept de la pureté des éléments, si cher à Bachelard, et fonde l’univers romanesque de son ouvrage sur une antivaleur, l’impureté, jusqu’à ce que la saleté omniprésente devienne le cinquième élément, la quintessentia symbolique du monde.

Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), a model of human uveitis, is an organ-specific, T cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Autoreactive T cells can penetrate the blood-retinal barrier, which is a physical defense composed of tight junction-linked retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. RPE cells serve as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the eye since they express MHC class I and II and Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Although previous studies have shown that supplementation with TLR agonists exacerbates uveitis, little is known about how TLR signaling in the RPE contributes to the development of uveitis. In this study, we isolated the RPE from EAU mice, which were induced by active immunization (aEAU) or adoptive transfer of antigen-specific T cells (tEAU). The expression of TLRs on RPE was determined, and both aEAU and tEAU mice exhibited induced tlr7 expression. The TLR7 agonist R848 was shown to induce aggressive disease progression, along with significantly elevated levels of the uveopathogenic cytokine IL-17. Furthermore, not only IL-17 but also R848 appeared to enhance the inflammatory response and to impair the barrier function of the RPE, indicating that TLR7 signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of EAU by affecting the behaviors of the RPE and consequently allowing the infiltration of autoreactive T cells intraocularly. Finally, local application of shRNA against TLR7 delivered by recombinant AAV effectively inhibited disease severity and reduced IFN-γ and IL-17. Our findings highlight an immunomodulatory role of RPE TLR7 in EAU development and provide a potential therapeutic strategy for autoimmune uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural mineral samples often contain small volumes of trapped fluid material. They carry information about the history of the host mineral and its environment, and for this reason are used by geoscientists. Physicists and physico-chemists have successfully harnessed water inclusions in quartz to bring liquid water to a metastable state, at a pressure well below its equilibrium pressure with vapor. The pressure can reach negative values as large as -140 MPa, which exceeds by far the limits of other techniques, and approaches the theoretical threshold for spontaneous nucleation of a vapor bubble. This has enabled a deeper understanding of nucleation and of the anomalies of water. In turn, the optical techniques developed to study water's properties have recently found a new application in the reconstruction of palaeotemperatures in surface processes. I review here some aspects of fluid inclusions, these fascinating objects at the crossroads between disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The site of Lalibela is the result of Tertiary volcanic activity which led to the formation of a vast outcrop of basaltic slag from which churches were carved. This reddish rock which is particularly suitable for carving, is extremely interactive with water. It was beneficial for the impressive excavation phases, but is now problematic for conservation purposes. Digging meant either the penetration of water into the massif and its erosion, but also the protection of the monuments from water stagnation. This is a very paradoxical situation in which water plays an alternately positive and negative role. Due to its sacred dimension, any intervention on the rock must be discussed and validated by the community. 3D technologies were used to carry out an assessment of the state of the site, to create a virtual 3D model that can be accessed and consulted remotely by all the specialists faced to the conservation problem; to trace the historical evolution of the site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En Tunisie, une gestion efficace de la demande de l’eau est l’un des principaux défis de la SONEDE[1]. Dans ce travail, nous étudions le comportement des ménages tunisiens face à une tarification progressive, en utilisant le modèle des prix perçu de Shin (1985) et les techniques de variables instrumentales (IV) pour traiter les problèmes de simultanéité. Les résultats obtenus montrent que le manque d’informations conduit à une mauvaise perception des prix. En effet, les ménages appartenant aux blocs 2 et 3 répondent à un prix perçu inférieur aux prix réels. Quant aux ménages appartenant aux blocs 4 et 5, ils répondent à un prix perçu supérieur aux prix réels. [1] Société Nationale d’Exploitation et de Distribution des eaux.

Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), a model of human uveitis, is an organ-specific, T cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Autoreactive T cells can penetrate the blood-retinal barrier, which is a physical defense composed of tight junction-linked retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. RPE cells serve as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the eye since they express MHC class I and II and Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Although previous studies have shown that supplementation with TLR agonists exacerbates uveitis, little is known about how TLR signaling in the RPE contributes to the development of uveitis. In this study, we isolated the RPE from EAU mice, which were induced by active immunization (aEAU) or adoptive transfer of antigen-specific T cells (tEAU). The expression of TLRs on RPE was determined, and both aEAU and tEAU mice exhibited induced tlr7 expression. The TLR7 agonist R848 was shown to induce aggressive disease progression, along with significantly elevated levels of the uveopathogenic cytokine IL-17. Furthermore, not only IL-17 but also R848 appeared to enhance the inflammatory response and to impair the barrier function of the RPE, indicating that TLR7 signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of EAU by affecting the behaviors of the RPE and consequently allowing the infiltration of autoreactive T cells intraocularly. Finally, local application of shRNA against TLR7 delivered by recombinant AAV effectively inhibited disease severity and reduced IFN-γ and IL-17. Our findings highlight an immunomodulatory role of RPE TLR7 in EAU development and provide a potential therapeutic strategy for autoimmune uveitis.

L’agriculture urbaine est une activité reconnue pour sa multifonctionnalité. En Afrique, elle peut contribuer à la sécurité alimentaire et à la réduction de la pauvreté. La culture maraîchère est une activité sensible au dynamisme de la population et au niveau d'intensification de l'utilisation des ressources du sol. Cette étude vise à identifier les caractéristiques de la culture maraîchère et la perception de la dégradation des sols et de l'eau résultant de cette activité. Un questionnaire semi-structuré a été administré à cette fin en 2018 dans la zone périurbaine de Boutoute à Ziguinchor. Les résultats ont montré que les producteurs de légumes de ce site (environ 55,4%) manquent de formation tandis que 90,8% n'ont pas bénéficié de formation sur la gestion des pesticides. L'épandage et l'enfouissement des amendements sont les deux moyens les plus populaires de l'application d'engrais. En effet, si la majorité des producteurs interrogés (63,1%) utilisent ces engrais (constitué généralement fumier de poulets et d’engrais moderne) au moment des semis, 30,8% l’appliquent plusieurs mois avant la plantation. En outre, les jeunes parcelles sont plus exploitées (64,6%) comparées aux plus âgées (7,7%) à Boutoute, car elles sont plus sensibles à l'application d'engrais. En conséquence, les forts taux d'engrais sont appliqués aux fermes les plus anciennes. Pour l'eau d'irrigation, elle provient généralement des puits modernes ou traditionnels (« céanes ») souvent pollués. Par contre, la perception des agriculteurs par rapport aux conséquences négatives de l’utilisation de l'engrais est vue faiblement à travers la dégradation de la structure du sol et la modification des propriétés du sol (7,7% chacune) à Boutoute à l’origine d’une diminution progressive de la production agricole.

Background: Recent studies reported a link between high salt diet (HSD) and clinical exacerbation in mouse models of autoimmune diseases, mainly through the induction of pathogenic Th17 cells and/or HSD-induced dysbiosis. However, the topic remains controversial and not fully understood., Purpose: In this study, we investigated the effects of HSD on the development of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in C57BL/6J mice., Methods and Results: Unexpectedly, our data showed a significant attenuating effect of HSD on disease severity of native EAU, induced by direct immunization with IRBP peptide. That said, HSD had no effect on EAU disease severity induced by adoptive transfer of semi-purified auto-reactive IRBP-specific T lymphocytes. Accordingly, HSD did not affect IRBP-specific systemic afferent immune response as attested by no HSD-linked changes in T lymphocytes proliferation, cytokine production and Treg proportion. Gut microbiota analysis from cecal samples in naïve and EAU mice demonstrated that HSD affected differentially α-diversity between groups, whereas β-diversity was significantly modified in all groups. Unknown Tannerellaceae was the only taxon associated to HSD exposure in all treatment groups. Interestingly, a significantly higher abundance of unknown Gastranaerophilales , with potential anti-inflammatory properties, appeared in HSD-fed native EAU mice, only., Discussion: In conclusion, our study suggests a possible impact of HSD on gut microbiota composition and consequently on development and clinical severity of EAU. Further studies are required to investigate the potential beneficial role of Gastranaerophilales in EAU., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Derluyn, Foucart, Verce, Abdo, Vaudoisey, Lipski, Flamand, Everard, Bruyns and Willermain.)

Copyright of VertigO is the property of La Revue Electronique en Sciences de l'Environnement VertigO and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

STAT3 activates transcription of genes that regulate cell growth, differentiation, and survival of mammalian cells. Genetic deletion of Stat3 in T cells has been shown to abrogate Th17 differentiation, suggesting that STAT3 is a potential therapeutic target for Th17-mediated diseases. However, a major impediment to therapeutic targeting of intracellular proteins such as STAT3 is the lack of efficient methods for delivering STAT3 inhibitors into cells. In this study, we developed a novel antibody (SBT-100) comprised of the variable (V) region of a STAT3-specific heavy chain molecule and demonstrate that this 15 kDa STAT3-specific nanobody enters human and mouse cells, and induced suppression of STAT3 activation and lymphocyte proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. To investigate whether SBT-100 would be effective in suppressing inflammation in vivo , we induced experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in C57BL/6J mice by active immunization with peptide from the ocular autoantigen, interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP651-670). Analysis of the retina by fundoscopy, histological examination, or optical coherence tomography showed that treatment of the mice with SBT-100 suppressed uveitis by inhibiting expansion of pathogenic Th17 cells that mediate EAU. Electroretinographic (ERG) recordings of dark and light adapted a- and b-waves showed that SBT-100 treatment rescued mice from developing significant visual impairment observed in untreated EAU mice. Adoptive transfer of activated IRBP-specific T cells from untreated EAU mice induced EAU, while EAU was significantly attenuated in mice that received IRBP-specific T cells from SBT-100 treated mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate efficacy of SBT-100 in mice and suggests its therapeutic potential for human autoimmune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proinflammatory and pathogenic function of Th17 cells in autoimmune diseases have been established but the mechanism by which such cells cause disease remains to be determined. Inflammatory cytokines produced by Th17 cells may either promote or inhibit disease development. The major cytokines produced by the uveitogenic T cells, such as IL-17 and IL-22, are not always pathogenic, and the disease-inducing ability of pathogenic T cells is not immediately correlated to the amount of cytokine they produce. Future studies identifying factors causing increased Th17 responses and determining the types of cells that regulating Th17 autoreactive T cells should facilitate our effort of understanding Th17-mediated disease pathogenesis.

The proinflammatory and pathogenic function of Th17 cells in autoimmune diseases have been established but the mechanism by which such cells cause disease remains to be determined. Inflammatory cytokines produced by Th17 cells may either promote or inhibit disease development. The major cytokines produced by the uveitogenic T cells, such as IL-17 and IL-22, are not always pathogenic, and the disease-inducing ability of pathogenic T cells is not immediately correlated to the amount of cytokine they produce. Future studies identifying factors causing increased Th17 responses and determining the types of cells that regulating Th17 autoreactive T cells should facilitate our effort of understanding Th17-mediated disease pathogenesis.

STAT3 activates transcription of genes that regulate cell growth, differentiation, and survival of mammalian cells. Genetic deletion of Stat3 in T cells has been shown to abrogate Th17 differentiation, suggesting that STAT3 is a potential therapeutic target for Th17-mediated diseases. However, a major impediment to therapeutic targeting of intracellular proteins such as STAT3 is the lack of efficient methods for delivering STAT3 inhibitors into cells. In this study, we developed a novel antibody (SBT-100) comprised of the variable (V) region of a STAT3-specific heavy chain molecule and demonstrate that this 15 kDa STAT3-specific nanobody enters human and mouse cells, and induced suppression of STAT3 activation and lymphocyte proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. To investigate whether SBT-100 would be effective in suppressing inflammation in vivo, we induced experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in C57BL/6J mice by active immunization with peptide from the ocular autoantigen, interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP651-670). Analysis of the retina by fundoscopy, histological examination, or optical coherence tomography showed that treatment of the mice with SBT-100 suppressed uveitis by inhibiting expansion of pathogenic Th17 cells that mediate EAU. Electroretinographic (ERG) recordings of dark and light adapted a- and b-waves showed that SBT-100 treatment rescued mice from developing significant visual impairment observed in untreated EAU mice. Adoptive transfer of activated IRBP-specific T cells from untreated EAU mice induced EAU, while EAU was significantly attenuated in mice that received IRBP-specific T cells from SBT-100 treated mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate efficacy of SBT-100 in mice and suggests its therapeutic potential for human autoimmune diseases.

Ocular inflammation imposes a high medical burden on patients and substantial costs on the health-care systems that mange these often chronic and debilitating diseases. Many clinical phenotypes are recognized and classifying the severity of inflammation in an eye with uveitis is an ongoing challenge. With the widespread application of optical coherence tomography in the clinic has come the impetus for more robust methods to compare disease between different patients and different treatment centers. Models can recapitulate many of the features seen in the clinic, but until recently the quality of imaging available has lagged that applied in humans. In the model experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), we highlight three linked clinical states that produce retinal vulnerability to inflammation, all different from healthy tissue, but distinct from each other. Deploying longitudinal, multimodal imaging approaches can be coupled to analysis in the tissue of changes in architecture, cell content and function. This can enrich our understanding of pathology, increase the sensitivity with which the impacts of therapeutic interventions are assessed and address questions of tissue regeneration and repair. Modern image processing, including the application of artificial intelligence, in the context of such models of disease can lay a foundation for new approaches to monitoring tissue health.

Ocular inflammation imposes a high medical burden on patients and substantial costs on the health-care systems that mange these often chronic and debilitating diseases. Many clinical phenotypes are recognized and classifying the severity of inflammation in an eye with uveitis is an ongoing challenge. With the widespread application of optical coherence tomography in the clinic has come the impetus for more robust methods to compare disease between different patients and different treatment centers. Models can recapitulate many of the features seen in the clinic, but until recently the quality of imaging available has lagged that applied in humans. In the model experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), we highlight three linked clinical states that produce retinal vulnerability to inflammation, all different from healthy tissue, but distinct from each other. Deploying longitudinal, multimodal imaging approaches can be coupled to analysis in the tissue of changes in architecture, cell content and function. This can enrich our understanding of pathology, increase the sensitivity with which the impacts of therapeutic interventions are assessed and address questions of tissue regeneration and repair. Modern image processing, including the application of artificial intelligence, in the context of such models of disease can lay a foundation for new approaches to monitoring tissue health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo estimate the burden of diarrhoeal diseases from exposure to inadequate water, sanitation and hand hygiene in low- and middle-income settings and provide an overview of the impact on other diseases.MethodsFor estimating the impact of water, sanitation and hygiene on diarrhoea, we selected exposure levels with both sufficient global exposure data and a matching exposure-risk relationship. Global exposure data were estimated for the year 2012, and risk estimates were taken from the most recent systematic analyses. We estimated attributable deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) by country, age and sex for inadequate water, sanitation and hand hygiene separately, and as a cluster of risk factors. Uncertainty estimates were computed on the basis of uncertainty surrounding exposure estimates and relative risks.ResultsIn 2012, 502,000 diarrhoea deaths were estimated to be caused by inadequate drinking water and 280,000 deaths by inadequate sanitation. The most likely estimate of disease burden from inadequate hand hygiene amounts to 297,000 deaths. In total, 842,000 diarrhoea deaths are estimated to be caused by this cluster of risk factors, which amounts to 1.5% of the total disease burden and 58% of diarrhoeal diseases. In children under 5 years old, 361,000 deaths could be prevented, representing 5.5% of deaths in that age group.ConclusionsThis estimate confirms the importance of improving water and sanitation in low- and middle-income settings for the prevention of diarrhoeal disease burden. It also underscores the need for better data on exposure and risk reductions that can be achieved with provision of reliable piped water, community sewage with treatment and hand hygiene.

The 2010 global burden of disease (GBD) study represents the latest effort to estimate the global burden of disease and injuries and the associated risk factors. Like previous GBD studies, this latest iteration reflects a continuing evolution in methods, scope and evidence base. Since the first GBD Study in 1990, the burden of diarrhoeal disease and the burden attributable to inadequate water and sanitation have fallen dramatically. While this is consistent with trends in communicable disease and child mortality, the change in attributable risk is also due to new interpretations of the epidemiological evidence from studies of interventions to improve water quality. To provide context for a series of companion papers proposing alternative assumptions and methods concerning the disease burden and risks from inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene, we summarise evolving methods over previous GBD studies. We also describe an alternative approach using population intervention modelling. We conclude by emphasising the important role of GBD studies and the need to ensure that policy on interventions such as water and sanitation be grounded on methods that are transparent, peer-reviewed and widely accepted.

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of inadequate water and sanitation on diarrhoeal disease in low- and middle-income settings.MethodsThe search strategy used Cochrane Library, MEDLINE & PubMed, Global Health, Embase and BIOSIS supplemented by screening of reference lists from previously published systematic reviews, to identify studies reporting on interventions examining the effect of drinking water and sanitation improvements in low- and middle-income settings published between 1970 and May 2013. Studies including randomised controlled trials, quasi-randomised trials with control group, observational studies using matching techniques and observational studies with a control group where the intervention was well defined were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Ottawa-Newcastle scale. Study results were combined using meta-analysis and meta-regression to derive overall and intervention-specific risk estimates.ResultsOf 6819 records identified for drinking water, 61 studies met the inclusion criteria, and of 12,515 records identified for sanitation, 11 studies were included. Overall, improvements in drinking water and sanitation were associated with decreased risks of diarrhoea. Specific improvements, such as the use of water filters, provision of high-quality piped water and sewer connections, were associated with greater reductions in diarrhoea compared with other interventions.ConclusionsThe results show that inadequate water and sanitation are associated with considerable risks of diarrhoeal disease and that there are notable differences in illness reduction according to the type of improved water and sanitation implemented.

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of inadequate water and sanitation on diarrhoeal disease in low- and middle-income settings.MethodsThe search strategy used Cochrane Library, MEDLINE & PubMed, Global Health, Embase and BIOSIS supplemented by screening of reference lists from previously published systematic reviews, to identify studies reporting on interventions examining the effect of drinking water and sanitation improvements in low- and middle-income settings published between 1970 and May 2013. Studies including randomised controlled trials, quasi-randomised trials with control group, observational studies using matching techniques and observational studies with a control group where the intervention was well defined were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Ottawa-Newcastle scale. Study results were combined using meta-analysis and meta-regression to derive overall and intervention-specific risk estimates.ResultsOf 6819 records identified for drinking water, 61 studies met the inclusion criteria, and of 12,515 records identified for sanitation, 11 studies were included. Overall, improvements in drinking water and sanitation were associated with decreased risks of diarrhoea. Specific improvements, such as the use of water filters, provision of high-quality piped water and sewer connections, were associated with greater reductions in diarrhoea compared with other interventions.ConclusionsThe results show that inadequate water and sanitation are associated with considerable risks of diarrhoeal disease and that there are notable differences in illness reduction according to the type of improved water and sanitation implemented.

Le bocage constitue un des éléments essentiels du paysage dans la préservation de la ressource en eau, tant sur le plan qualitatif que quantitatif. Dans cet article, les auteures font le point des connaissances scientifiques sur le fonctionnement et le rôle des haies sur l’eau. Leur analyse concerne surtout l’Ouest de la France, une région à réseau hydrographique dense et nappes affleurant au niveaux des talwegs.

Entre 2014 et 2017, trois Doctoriales ont été l’occasion pour 84 doctorants en sciences humaines et sociales de présenter leur travail de thèse sur un objet commun : l’eau. À l’aide de ce matériau et d’une courte enquête complémentaire réalisée en 2017, cet article vise à analyser ce qu’est aujourd’hui la jeune recherche en sciences humaines et sociales sur l’eau. Principalement inscrites en géographie et en économie, ces thèses regroupent une douzaine de disciplines. Une grande variété d’approches et de méthodes sont observées, avec toutefois des spécificités disciplinaires : approche normative ou constructiviste, références plutôt anglo-saxonnes ou francophones, etc. Des tendances plus générales ont également pu être identifiées, comme une pratique répandue de la pluridisciplinarité et le souhait majoritaire, pour ces jeunes chercheuses et chercheurs, de rester dans le circuit académique après le doctorat.

The profound impact that vision loss has on human activities and quality of life necessitates understanding the etiology of potentially blinding diseases and their clinical management. The unique anatomic features of the eye and its sequestration from peripheral immune system also provides a framework for studying other diseases in immune privileged sites and validating basic immunological principles. Thus, early studies of intraocular inflammatory diseases (uveitis) were at the forefront of research on organ transplantation. These studies laid the groundwork for foundational discoveries on how immune system distinguishes self from non-self and established current concepts of acquired immune tolerance and autoimmunity. Our charge in this review is to examine how advances in molecular cell biology and immunology over the past 3 decades have contributed to the understanding of mechanisms that underlie immunopathogenesis of uveitis. Particular emphasis is on how advances in biotechnology have been leveraged in developing biologics and cell-based immunotherapies for uveitis and other neuroinflammatory diseases.

A20 is a negative regulator of inflammation and immunity and plays a role in several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Here, we demonstrate that A20 overexpression significantly ameliorates severity of EAU by inhibiting the infiltration of Th1 and Th17 cells, and by protecting integrity of the blood retinal barrier. In vitro studies showed that A20 silencing could promote CD4+T cells toward a Th1 and Th17 phenotype. A decreased expression of A20 in CD4+T cells was noticed in active BD patients but not in VKH patients. Furthermore, silencing of A20 in hRPE cells induced the production of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 and downregulated ZO-1 and occludin expression which is mediated by inhibition of MAPK and NF-κB pathways. This study reveals a mechanism by which A20 prevents autoimmune uveitis.

The profound impact that vision loss has on human activities and quality of life necessitates understanding the etiology of potentially blinding diseases and their clinical management. The unique anatomic features of the eye and its sequestration from peripheral immune system also provides a framework for studying other diseases in immune privileged sites and validating basic immunological principles. Thus, early studies of intraocular inflammatory diseases (uveitis) were at the forefront of research on organ transplantation. These studies laid the groundwork for foundational discoveries on how immune system distinguishes self from non-self and established current concepts of acquired immune tolerance and autoimmunity. Our charge in this review is to examine how advances in molecular cell biology and immunology over the past 3 decades have contributed to the understanding of mechanisms that underlie immunopathogenesis of uveitis. Particular emphasis is on how advances in biotechnology have been leveraged in developing biologics and cell-based immunotherapies for uveitis and other neuroinflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A20 is a negative regulator of inflammation and immunity and plays a role in several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Here, we demonstrate that A20 overexpression significantly ameliorates severity of EAU by inhibiting the infiltration of Th1 and Th17 cells, and by protecting integrity of the blood retinal barrier. In vitro studies showed that A20 silencing could promote CD4+T cells toward a Th1 and Th17 phenotype. A decreased expression of A20 in CD4+T cells was noticed in active BD patients but not in VKH patients. Furthermore, silencing of A20 in hRPE cells induced the production of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 and downregulated ZO-1 and occludin expression which is mediated by inhibition of MAPK and NF-κB pathways. This study reveals a mechanism by which A20 prevents autoimmune uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Le Partenariat européen pour l'innovation pour une agriculture productive et durable (PEI-AGRI) est un des instruments de l'Union européenne pour promouvoir l'innovation dans le secteur de l'agriculture en rapprochant plus étroitement la recherche et la pratique de terrain. Pascale Riccoboni, chargée de l'animation nationale du PEI-AGRI au sein du Réseau rural national, fait le bilan de cette initiative et des dynamiques de recherche partenariale qu'elle a créées dans le domaine de l'eau et l'agriculture en France et en Europe.

The Mandara Mountains constitute a particular morphological unit in the west of the Far North region of Cameroon. This uniqueness compared to the border plains is linked to its altitudinal, geological, geomorphological and pedological specificities. Similar to a set of rocky ledges with thin regosolic and lithosolic surface formations that do not exist in places, this sector is very often apprehended as a hostile framework in terms of water conservation, since the populations who live there face a glaring problem. of his poverty in the dry season. As this water problem is based on the climatic characteristics marked by droughts, the morpho-pedological parameters characterized by the dissection of the relief and the porosity of the soils are very often associated with it. Its altitude overlooks all the neighboring plains with an average drop of nearly 500 m. This part characterized by steep slopes, valleys compartmentalizing the entire landscape, the curvilinear topography, the rocky substratum flush with the surface and very porous soils prove to be limits to natural retention (without assistance) in surface water. Paradoxically, thanks to this strong dissection of the relief with important valleys for the base of the healthy massif, little covered by permeable alterites and the presence of basic materials necessary for the construction of dams, this sector could offer possibilities for the development of artificial retention of surface water necessary in this environment marked by a persistent dry season (7 months). In order to achieve the objective which is to show the morphostructural and pedological capacity of the Mandara Mountains to retain surface water in this semi-arid mountainous environment with rocky substratum, the search for secondary and primary data and laboratory analyzes have been carried out. At the end of this work, it emerges that the previously restrictive factors without human intervention have a positive aspect that can turn into an advantage for the construction of surface water retention structures already very present in this part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La chorégraphe Pina Bausch et son Tanztheater Wuppertal mettent en scène l’eau dans de nombreuses pièces. À partir d’une analyse de la réception de la pièce Vollmond en France et en Allemagne, nous examinons comment un tel geste artistique métamorphose l’eau et crée de nouvelles images. Le concept d’« artialisation » développé par Alain Roger aide à comprendre comment la danse peut effectuer cette transformation de l’élément aqueux. Au cours de ce processus apparaît une « ophélisation » du plateau de danse.

L’article propose une lecture du drame contemporain qui appelle et mobilise le motif de l’eau – élément façonnant nos imaginaires et à la fonction structurante dans nos sociétés aussi bien historiquement, économiquement que symboliquement. De la fable écologique à la pièce-paysage, notamment, quelles sont les modalités de présence de l’eau? Que met l’eau à l’épreuve dans le drame et pour le drame? Au carrefour d’une approche poétique, écopoétique et poïétique, cette traversée des écritures engage à une réflexion sur les écritures de la traversée. Comment les drames de l’eau (au sens dramaturgique) sont-ils poreux ou répondent-ils aux drames de l’eau (au sens politique) et particulièrement aux drames de la mer, dès lors qu’ils s’associent à des dramaturgies de l’exil, du départ ou de la migration?