Performance Tables 1999-2000 (20/12/00) (PDF 155 KB)

Performance Tables 1999-2000 (20/12/00)

Un jeu d'échos intertextuels. L'évasion de Pierre et la mort du tyran (Actes 12)

La Bible est un immense trésor d'histoires racontées. De la Genèse à l'Apocalypse, chaque récit déploie un monde que le lecteur est invité à habiter. Une discipline récente, la narratologie, s'attache à étudier cet art millénaire du « raconter ». Qu'il soit romancier ou écrivain biblique, tout conteur utilise les mêmes outils : il construit une intrigue, il tisse un réseau de personnages, il induit un système de valeurs, il sollicite l'imaginaire du lecteur et le fait voyager dans l'espace et le temps... Sept biblistes présentent ici des « travaux pratiques » d'analyse narrative appliquée à la Bible. Après avoir été invité par Daniel Marguerat à «Entrer dans le monde du récit », le lecteur goûtera la magie du raconter : qu'ils aient été bergers ou érudits, les conteurs bibliques étaient des artistes !

Involvement of nuclear factor-kappaB in macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene transcription up-regulation induced by interleukin- 1 beta in ectopic endometrial cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the involvement of the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB in the interleukin (IL)-1 beta-mediated macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene activation. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Human reproduction research laboratory. PATIENT(S): Nine women with endometriotic lesions. INTERVENTION(S): Endometriotic lesions were obtained during laparoscopic surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The MIF protein secretion was analyzed by ELISA, MIF mRNA expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), NF-kappaB translocation into the nucleus by electrophoresis mobility shift assay, I kappaB phosphorylation and degradation by Western blot, and human MIF promoter activity by transient cell transfection. RESULT(S): This study showed a significant dose-dependent increase of MIF protein secretion and mRNA expression, the NF-kappaB translocation into the nucleus, I kappaB phosphorylation, I kappaB degradation, and human MIF promoter activity in endometriotic stromal cells in response to IL-1 beta. Curcumin (NF-kappaB inhibitor) significantly inhibited all these IL-1 beta-mediated effects. Analysis of the activity of deletion constructs of the human MIF promoter and a computer search localized two putative regulatory elements corresponding to NF-kappaB binding sites at positions -2538/-2528 bp and -1389/-1380 bp. CONCLUSION(S): This study suggests the involvement of the nuclear transcription factor NF-kappaB in MIF gene activation in ectopic endometrial cells in response to IL-1 beta and identifies a possible pathway of endometriosis-associated inflammation and ectopic cell growth.

When solving 22-7 is much more difficult than 99-12.

We describe the case of a 69-year-old professor of mathematics (GV) who was examined 2 years after left-hemispheric capsular-thalamic haemorrhage. GV showed disproportionate impairment in subtractions requiring borrowing (22 - 7). For large subtraction problems without borrowing (99 - 12) performance was almost flawless. Subtractions with borrowing mostly relied on inadequate attempts to invert subtractions into the corresponding additions (22 - 7 = x as 7 + x = 22). The hypothesis is advanced that difficulty in the inhibitory components of attention tasks (Stroop test, go-no-go task) might be the responsible factor of his calculation impairment. A deficit in subtractions with borrowing might be related to left-hemispheric damage involving thalamo-cortical connections.

Studies on the production and regulation of interleukin, IL-13, IL-4 and interferon-gamma in human Schistosomiasis mansoni

The production and regulation of interleukin (IL) IL-13, IL-4 and interferon-gamma was evaluated in different clinical forms of human schistosomiasis. The mechanisms of immune regulation are apparently different in the various clinical stages of the disease, some of them being antigen specific.

Comprehensive clinical and molecular analysis of 12 families with type 1 recessive cutis laxa.

Autosomal recessive cutis laxa type I (ARCL type I) is characterized by generalized cutis laxa with pulmonary emphysema and/or vascular complications. Rarely, mutations can be identified in FBLN4 or FBLN5. Recently, LTBP4 mutations have been implicated in a similar phenotype. Studying FBLN4, FBLN5, and LTBP4 in 12 families with ARCL type I, we found bi-allelic FBLN5 mutations in two probands, whereas nine probands harbored biallelic mutations in LTBP4. FBLN5 and LTBP4 mutations cause a very similar phenotype associated with severe pulmonary emphysema, in the absence of vascular tortuosity or aneurysms. Gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract involvement seems to be more severe in patients with LTBP4 mutations. Functional studies showed that most premature termination mutations in LTBP4 result in severely reduced mRNA and protein levels. This correlated with increased transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) activity. However, one mutation, c.4127dupC, escaped nonsense-mediated decay. The corresponding mutant protein (p.Arg1377Alafs(*) 27) showed reduced colocalization with fibronectin, leading to an abnormal morphology of microfibrils in fibroblast cultures, while retaining normal TGFβ activity. We conclude that LTBP4 mutations cause disease through both loss of function and gain of function mechanisms.

Factors associated with favorable drinking outcome 12 months after hospitalization in a prospective cohort study of inpatients with unhealthy alcohol use.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use among medical inpatients is high. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the course and outcomes of unhealthy alcohol use, and factors associated with these outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 287 medical inpatients with unhealthy alcohol use. MAIN MEASURES: At baseline and 12 months later, consumption and alcohol-related consequences were assessed. The outcome of interest was a favorable drinking outcome at 12 months (abstinence or drinking "moderate" amounts without consequences). The independent variables evaluated included demographics, physical/sexual abuse, drug use, depressive symptoms, alcohol dependence, commitment to change (Taking Action), spending time with heavy-drinking friends and receipt of alcohol treatment (after hospitalization). Adjusted regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with a favorable outcome. KEY RESULTS: Thirty-three percent had a favorable drinking outcome 1 year later. Not spending time with heavy-drinking friends [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.14, 95% CI: 1.14-4.00] and receipt of alcohol treatment [AOR (95% CI): 2.16(1.20-3.87)] were associated with a favorable outcome. Compared to the first quartile (lowest level) of Taking Action, subjects in the second, third and highest quartiles had higher odds of a favorable outcome [AOR (95% CI): 3.65 (1.47, 9.02), 3.39 (1.38, 8.31) and 6.76 (2.74, 16.67)]. CONCLUSIONS: Although most medical inpatients with unhealthy alcohol use continue drinking at-risk amounts and/or have alcohol-related consequences, one third are abstinent or drink "moderate" amounts without consequences 1 year later. Not spending time with heavy-drinking friends, receipt of alcohol treatment and commitment to change are associated with this favorable outcome. This can inform efforts to address unhealthy alcohol use among patients who often do not seek specialty treatment.

High antigen concentration inhibits T cell proliferation but not interleukin 2 production: examination of limiting dilution microcultures and T cell clones.

The effect of high antigen dose on the activation of cytochrome c peptide-primed lymph node cells was determined in several strains of mice by a limiting dilution analysis. It was found that proliferation of cytochrome c peptide-specific T cells was completely inhibited at high antigen concentration in C57BL/6 but only partially in DBA mice and had no effect in SJL mice. Clones derived from DBA mice showed a differential capacity to be inhibited by high antigen dose. On the other hand, interleukin 2 production by these clones was not impaired regardless of the antigen concentrations used.

Interleukin-8 secretion by fibroblasts induced by low density lipoproteins is p38 MAPK-dependent and leads to cell spreading and wound closure.

We have previously reported (Dobreva, I., Waeber, G., Mooser, V., James, R. W., and Widmann, C. (2003) J. Lipid Res. 44, 2382-2390) that low density lipoproteins (LDLs) induce activation of the p38 MAPK pathway, resulting in fibroblast spreading and lamellipodia formation. Here, we show that LDL-stimulated fibroblast spreading and wound sealing are due to secretion of a soluble factor. Using an antibody-based human protein array, interleukin-8 (IL-8) was identified as the main cytokine whose concentration was increased in supernatants from LDL-stimulated cells. Incubation of supernatants from LDL-treated cells with an anti-IL-8 blocking antibody completely abolished their ability to induce cell spreading and mediate wound closure. In addition, fibroblasts treated with recombinant IL-8 spread to the same extent as cells incubated with LDL or supernatants from LDL-treated cells. The ability of LDL and IL-8 to induce fibroblast spreading was mediated by the IL-8 receptor type II (CXCR-2). Furthermore, LDL-induced IL-8 production and subsequent wound closure required the activation of the p38 MAPK pathway, because both processes were abrogated by a specific p38 inhibitor. Therefore, the capacity of LDLs to induce fibroblast spreading and accelerate wound closure relies on their ability to stimulate IL-8 secretion in a p38 MAPK-dependent manner. Regulation of fibroblast shape and migration by lipoproteins may be relevant to atherosclerosis that is characterized by increased LDL cholesterol levels, IL-8 production, and extensive remodeling of the vessel wall.

Beating cervical cancer: information for girls in Year 9, aged 12-13 (English and eight translations)

This leaflet is distributed to girls in Year 9 and explains about the HPV vaccine which can help protect against cervical cancer.