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Uveitis comprises a cluster of intraocular inflammatory disorders characterized by uncontrolled autoimmune responses and excessive oxidative stress leading to vision loss worldwide. In the present study, curcumin (CUR) was conjugated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to form PVP-CUR nanoparticles with significantly elevated solubility and outstanding multiple radical scavenging abilities. In vitro studies revealed that PVP-CUR nanoparticles markedly mitigated oxidative stress and reduced apoptosis in a H 2 O 2 -induced human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) and promoted phenotypic polarization from M1 to M2 in an LPS-induced human microglial cell line (HMC3). Further in vivo studies demonstrated the prominent therapeutic effects of PVP-CUR nanoparticles on experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), which relieved clinical and pathological progression, improved perfusion and tomographic manifestations of retinal vessels, and reduced blood–retinal barrier (BRB) leakage; these effects may be mediated by mitigating oxidative stress and attenuating macrophage/microglia-elicited inflammation. Notably, treatment with PVP-CUR nanoparticles was shown to regulate metabolite alterations in EAU rats, providing novel insights into the underlying mechanisms involved. Additionally, the PVP-CUR nanoparticles showed great biocompatibility in vivo. In summary, our study revealed that PVP-CUR nanoparticles may serve as effective and safe nanodrugs for treating uveitis and other oxidative stress- and inflammation-related diseases. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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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.

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.

Water is an urgent topic of research in cultural and feminist geographies. Geographers study water through interdisciplinary approaches including critical resource geography, political ecology, and feminist theory. An emerging area of research within cultural and feminist geography considers the affective, emotional qualities of water as part of water's social and political ramifications. Methodologically, the emotional qualities of water are commonly explored through data on everyday lived phenomena and respondents´ narratives. Although emotions have been studied by feminist geographers for at least two decades, geographers continue to debate the range of approaches and methodologies for studying emotions and suggest that methodological gaps remain. An underdeveloped area of research on the emotional geographies of water acknowledges the contextual and performative aspects of narrative. We explore the performative aspects of narrative using folklore studies and its methodological usage in emotional geography. We connect emotional geography with folklore studies concepts of context and performance. We do this through a case study of the 2014 Elk River chemical spill in West Virginia to explore personal experience narrative as a methodological tool for analyzing emotions to contribute to methodologies of emotional geography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Wiley-Blackwell 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.)

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.

This (quantitative) survey is a community diagnosis contributing to the project to transform rural women's communities in northern of Côte d'Ivoire, particularly those in the administrative regions of Bagoué; Poro and Tchologo. The sample size calculation was performed using G*Power software (version 3.1);considering a statistical power of 94%, a α threshold of 0.05 and an Effect Size (ET) of 2, the minimum sample size was 329 target population (target women and women of child bearing age 15-49 years).Results on water PACs ; hygiene ; sanitation ; nutrition and vitamin A indicate that knowledge of good practices in drinking or cooking water storage is low (15.5%); The cleaning of kitchen surfaces and kitchen utensils after preparation is good (99.7%). Off-wall defecation practices are still prevalent in the study area (13%). Provisions to avoid contaminating meat and not to consume dirty water are weak in some localities. And if the diet of new borns is sufficiently known (96.12% for breast milk as the first food; 81.4% for the recommendation to feed the child only at the breast until the age of 6 months and 92% for breastfeeding the infant on demand), itis not the same for vitamin A (31.9%).These results are more or less mixed on water PACs; hygiene ; sanitation ; nutrition and vitamin A show the need to increase communication for social and behavioral change in northern of Côte d'Ivoire in view of low knowledge of undernutrition and vitamin A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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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.

Focusing on recent U.S. policy developments toward the Middle East, this commentary examines the potential influence of the Abraham Accords' agreements on politics in the region, the resolution of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and the future of Israel as a democratic and Jewish state. It is based on a review of media coverage of the accords. It begins with a brief history of President Donald Trump's earlier Middle East policies involving Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action" limiting Iran's access to nuclear weapons. I then examine the development of the Abraham Accords under the direction of Jared Kushner. This is followed by an analysis of the potential consequences of the Accords on relations between Israel and the Arab states including Saudi Arabia, on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and on the potential policy implications for the Palestinians. I close with a comment on the future sustainability of Israel as a Jewish and democratic political entity. Related Articles: Friedlander, Melvin A. 1988. "Jimmy Carter's Fascination with the Middle East." Politics & Policy (formerly, Southeastern Political Review) 16(1): 205–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.1988.tb00251.x. Jouini, Nizar, and Manel Ben Akal. 2022. "Political Consensus, Economic Reforms, and Democratic Transitions in the Middle East: Evidence from Voting on Tunisian Reform Bills." Politics & Policy 50(4): 851–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12489. Sarquís, David J. 2012. "Democratization after the Arab Spring: The Case of Egypt's Political Transition." Politics & Policy 40(5): 871–903. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2012.00381.x. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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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.

No Theories for the Liquidity of This Desire is a visual and poetic meditation on desire as an embodied practice of cartography. The short film responds to and reflects (on) Dionne Brand's liquid theories of self-creation and way-finding as a Black being in diaspora. A collection of still frames accompanies the transcription of the original work, which can be accessed in full at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fdymeQxPYs&t=183s. No Theories was shot in Anguilla during February 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Les villes haïtiennes s'accroissent dans l'irrespect des normes urbanistiques globalement depuis les années 1980 et, parallèlement, le climat d'Haïti se réchauffe progressivement et de façon non négligeable en perturbant la régularité de la température, des saisons et du niveau de la mer. Dans le but de mettre en rapport les changements climatiques et la croissance urbaine de Port-au-Prince, tout en mettant l'accent sur leurs impacts sur les ressources en eau, nous avons réalisé des observations de terrain, des entretiens avec des chercheurs (hydrologues), des analyses des documents écrits et iconographiques (cartes, images satellites). En effet, les résultats montrent que l'eau fait face à des problèmes à différents niveaux tant sur le plan quantitatif que sur le plan qualitatif. Le débit de nombreuses sources diminue considérablement et l'eau est contaminée tant au niveau du système d'adduction d'eau potable, des nappes phréatiques, des cours d'eau qu'au niveau de la mer. Outre la pollution des eaux souterraines, marines et de surface qui compromet la santé et la biodiversité marine, la population fait face aussi au risque d'inondation et de houle causant des dégâts de plus en plus importants et inquiétants. Dans cette situation de crise notamment urbaine et climatique qui menace les ressources hydriques sans lesquelles aucune société humaine ne peut exister, les acteurs concernés doivent envisager des stratégies efficacement adaptées à ces problèmes afin d'envisager la croissance de la ville de Port-au-Prince et celles d'Haïti en général face aux changements climatiques, sur une base de développement durable et à travers une approche holistique. Haitian cities have been growing without regard for global urban planning standards since the 1980s. Simultaneously, Haiti's climate is gradually and significantly warming, as measured through disruptions of long-observed patterns of temperature, seasons, and sea levels. Recognizing that climate change and urban growth in Port-au-Prince [End Page 42] both impact water resources as separate but interlinked forces, we carried out field observations, interviews with researchers (specifically hydrologists), and analyses of written documents as well as maps, satellite images, etc. to understand how these phenomena are linked and mutually exacerbating. Effectively, study results indicate a range of problems with water quantity and quality: the flow of numerous crucial water sources has considerably diminished, and water is widely contaminated, from drinking water to groundwater to rivers, watersheds, and the ocean. Besides the pollution of marine, ground, and surface water, which impacts biodiversity, human health, and marine health, the Haitian population also faces increasingly high risks of flooding and the stresses of related damage. This situation of urban and climate crisis threatens the water resources necessary for human existence. In order to find strategies that are effectively adapted to these problems, we propose a holistic approach that considers the growth of the Port-au-Prince and other Haitian cities in connection with climate change, on a basis of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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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.

Agriculture with Touggourt, all the time, was dominated by the mode of exploitation oasien associated the phoeniciculture, which covers a very significant surface and is characterized by a density of palm tree (monopolized by the variety of DégletNour) variable of a palm plantation to other.This area of study is characterized by the availability of its underground hydrous resources.However, the bad management of this water potential had repercussions prejudicial on the environment oasien, particularly phoenicicole.Studies of installations are carried out in the station of the INRAA Sidi Mahdi Touggourt to improve management of the irrigation and the performance of the palm plantation.This research aims at evaluating the potential of degradation and productivity in an experimental medium.It will be focused mainly on the hydro-edaphic environmental pollution and the performance of the date palm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.)

Copyright of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Wiley-Blackwell 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.)

Copyright of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Wiley-Blackwell 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.)

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.

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.

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]

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.

This study deals with a scientific attempt to highlight the teaching programs in libraries and information departments in the UAE and Algeria. To achieve the objectives, the study used the analytical and descriptive approaches It was concluded that the Master's program at the American University is quite inadequate to form a framework that fills the acute and obvious shortage in libraries and archive centers in the UAE. In addition to that, the quality of training in Algeria compared to the UAE in terms of quantity and composition levels is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.)

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]