Calvin et le calvinisme. Cinq siècles d influences sur l église et la société

Que reste-t-il de Calvin et du calvinisme aujourd’hui ? Treize spécialistes du Réformateur s’intéressent dans cet essai à l’influence de cette figure centrale dans toutes sortes de domaines: sur la tolérance religieuse, le capitalisme, la démocratie moderne et l’éthique, dans les mentalités et les pays où sa pensée s’est traduite (Suisse, Etats-Unis, Europe), sur la foi chrétienne, la manière d’appréhender la Bible ou de définir le lien du religieux et du politique. L’actualité de Calvin reste éminemment prégnante dans le monde aujourd’hui, même si le bilan du calvinisme présente les ombres et les lumières du contraste, ce que les meilleurs connaisseurs actuels de sa pensée s’attachent ici à démontrer.�Une photographie stimulante de Calvin, né il y a 500 ans.

PCSK9 inhibitors: emerging treatment to lower cholesterol?

The achievement rate of recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets of < 1.8 mmol/l for secondary prevention in very high risk patients is difficult. Observational studies reported that loss of function mutation of the PCS9 was associated with LDL-C decrease level and reduction of cardiovascular events. Monoclonal antibodies to PCSK9 (REGN727 and AMG 145, PSCK9 inhibitors) have been tested in clinical studies of phase I and II and showed LDL-C level reduction of 60-70% compared to placebo. This approach appears safe and well-tolerated. The PCSK9 inhibitors are now tested in large phase III clinical studies to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of this new promising approach.

[Smoking and digestive tract: a complex relationship. Part 2: Intestinal microblota and cigarette smoking]

The digestive tract is colonized from birth by a bacterial population called the microbiota which influences the development of the immune system. Modifications in its composition are associated with problems such as obesity or inflammatory bowel diseases. Antibiotics are known to influence the intestinal microbiota but other environmental factors such as cigarette smoking also seem to have an impact on its composition. This influence might partly explain weight gain which is observed after smoking cessation. Indeed there is a modification of the gut microbiota which becomes similar to that of obese people with a microbiotical profile which is more efficient to extract calories from ingested food. These new findings open new fields of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches through the regulation of the microbiota.