Deleterious Actions Of Vegf On The Blood Retinal Barrier And Photoreceptor Survival In The Light-damage Model

Purpose: The retinal balance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors is critical for angiogenesis control, but is also involved in cell survival. We previously reported upregulation of VEGF and photoreceptor (PR) cell death in the Light-damage (LD) model. Preliminary results showed that anti-VEGF can rescue PR from cell death. Thus, we investigated the role of VEGF on the retina and we herein described the effect of anti-VEGF antibody delivered by lentiviral gene transfer in this model.Methods: To characterize the action of VEGF during the LD, we exposed Balb/c mice subretinally injected with LV-anti-VEGF, or not, to 5'000 lux for 1h. We next evaluated the retinal function, PR survival and protein expression (VEGF, VEGFR1/2, Src, PEDF, p38MAPK, Akt, Peripherin, SWL-opsin) after LD. We analyzed Blood retinal barrier (BRB) integrity on flat-mounted RPE and cryosections stained with β-catenin, ZO-1, N-cadherin and albumin.Results: Results indicate that the VEGF pathway is modulated after LD. LD leads to extravascular albumin leakage and BRB breakdown: β-catenin, ZO-1 and N-cadherin translocate to the cytoplasm of RPE cells showing loss of cell cohesion. This phenomenon is in adequacy with the VEGF time-course expression. Assessment of the retinal function reveals that PR rescue correlates with the level of LV-anti-VEGF expression. Rhodopsin content was higher in the LV-anti-VEGF group than in controls and measures of the ONL thickness indicate that LV-anti-VEGF preserves by 82% the outer nuclear layer from degeneration. Outer segments (OS) appeared well organized with an appropriate length in the LV-anti-VEGF group compared to controls, and the expression of SWL-opsin is maintained in the OS without being mislocalized as in the LV-GFP group. Finally, LV-anti-VEGF treatment prevents BRB breakdown and maintained RPE cell integrity.Conclusions: This study involves VEGF in LD and highlights the prime importance of the BRB integrity for PR survival. Taken together, these results show that anti-VEGF is neuroprotective in this model and maintains functional PR layer in LD-treated mice.

Coordination between zinc and phosphate homeostasis involves the transcription factor PHR1, the phosphate exporter PHO1, and its homologue PHO1;H3 in Arabidopsis.

Interactions between zinc (Zn) and phosphate (Pi) nutrition in plants have long been recognized, but little information is available on their molecular bases and biological significance. This work aimed at examining the effects of Zn deficiency on Pi accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana and uncovering genes involved in the Zn-Pi synergy. Wild-type plants as well as mutants affected in Pi signalling and transport genes, namely the transcription factor PHR1, the E2-conjugase PHO2, and the Pi exporter PHO1, were examined. Zn deficiency caused an increase in shoot Pi content in the wild type as well as in the pho2 mutant, but not in the phr1 or pho1 mutants. This indicated that PHR1 and PHO1 participate in the coregulation of Zn and Pi homeostasis. Zn deprivation had a very limited effect on transcript levels of Pi-starvation-responsive genes such as AT4, IPS1, and microRNA399, or on of members of the high-affinity Pi transporter family PHT1. Interestingly, one of the PHO1 homologues, PHO1;H3, was upregulated in response to Zn deficiency. The expression pattern of PHO1 and PHO1;H3 were similar, both being expressed in cells of the root vascular cylinder and both localized to the Golgi when expressed transiently in tobacco cells. When grown in Zn-free medium, pho1;h3 mutant plants displayed higher Pi contents in the shoots than wild-type plants. This was, however, not observed in a pho1 pho1;h3 double mutant, suggesting that PHO1;H3 restricts root-to-shoot Pi transfer requiring PHO1 function for Pi homeostasis in response to Zn deficiency.

Environmental changes in the aftermath of Neoproterozoic glaciations: a biogeochemical study of sediments from SW-Gondwana

Abstract The late Neoproterozoic or Ediacaran period, (635 to -543 Ma) is a primordial time in the Earth history corresponding to the beginning of animal life and the most extreme ice ages on Earth. In this dissertation, palaeoenvironmental conditions were reconstructed for Ediacaran, post-Gaskiers shelf deposits in SW- Gondwana and their changes were evaluated according to the diversity of organisms. The present study addresses the question of interactions between biodiversity and environmental change by using the elemental and isotopic geochemistry of sedimentary rocks and associated organic matter, as well as the distribution of hydrocarbon biomarkers. The studied sedimentary sequences are from a large basin extended from the Paraguay belt to the Rio de la Plata craton, including the Corumbâ Group in SW-Brazil (Paraguay belt), the Arroyo del Soldado Group in Uruguay and the Sierras Bayas Group in Argentina (both in the Rio de la Plata craton). Several geochemical signatures of the sediments from Corumbâ and Sierras Bayas groups provides evidence for an euxinic setting in the Ediacaran Ocean: 1) The occurrence of syngenetic pyrite in the Corumbâ Group together with hydrocarbon biomarkers of an anoxic microbial consortium including traces of gammacerane, a distribution of hopanes with maxima at C29 as well as a low pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratio; 2) the occurrence of 34S enrichments within sulfides of the Sierras Bayas Group exceeding the sulfur isotopic composition of coeval carbonate-associated sulfate. In the Arroyo del Soldado Group, an event of reducing conditions was revealed by higher concentrations of redox-sensitive trace elements and negative 513Ccar shifts in all sections. This event is extended to the whole unit in the deepest section and is restricted to tempestites in the two other shallow sections. The persistent negative. ôl3Ccar values recorded at the basinal setting implies strong isotopic gradient between shallow and deep water environments and therefore, a locus of deposition below the redox chemocline. In all studied sections, the excursions, the strong enrichment of authigenic trace-elements, the occurrence of longer chain «-alkanes, gammacerane and low Pr/Ph and Ph/>;-C]a ratios, combined with the previous sedimentological and paleontological observations indicate that the chemistry of the ocean was strongly controlled by the oxygen availability; waters being moderately oxic at the surface and anoxic at depth for much of the Neoproterozoic. This water column stratification was favourable to the storage of large amounts of nutrients in the deep ocean. During upwelling periods, the export of these nutrient-rich waters may have triggered an important bioproductivity in surface waters. Drops in Al3Cc,,.](Cr and positive ôl3Ccllr excursions highlight the increase in primary productivity. Preservation of organic carbon was ensured by reducing conditions at the bottom. The Al3ccar.kcr excursions could also reflect changes in the composition of the primary biomass. New geochemical evidence from SW-Gondwana sections supports a stratified Ediacaran ocean, outside restricted or hypersaline environments, in the aftermath of glaciations. The association of ocean stratification and the appearance of metazoans support the model that the evolution of eukaryotic life was related to the increase of oxygen levels in surface environments due to an efficient recycling of nutrients in the anoxic deep ocean. Résumé Le Néoprotérozoïque terminal, ou Édiacarien (635 à -543 Ma), est un période de première importance dans l'histoire de la Terre, car elle correspond a l'apparition des métazoaires pendant un intervalle de glaciations extrêmes. Le présent mémoire se propose de reconstituer les conditions paléoenvironnementales des dépôts de plateforme mis en place durant l'Édiacarien, au sud-ouest du Gondwana. Les interactions entre changements environnementaux et biodiversité sont évaluées en s'appuyant d'une part sur la composition élémentaire et isotopique des roches sédimentaires et de leur matière organique, et d'autre part sur la distribution moléculaire de biomarqueurs hydrocarbonés. Les séquences sédimentaires étudiées proviennent d'un grand bassin qui s'étend de la chaîne du Paraguay jusqu'au craton du Rio de la Plata. La séquence du Groupe Corumbâ au Sud Ouest du Brésil se situe dans la chaîne du Paraguay, tandis que le Groupe Arroyo del Soldado en Uruguay et le Groupe Sierras Bayas en Argentine sont situés sur le craton du Rio de la Plata. L'étude géochimique des sédiments des groupes Corumbâ et Sierras Bayas révèle de façon claire des conditions euxiniques dans l'océan édiacarien. On trouve ainsi, dans le Groupe Corumbâ, les biomarqueurs d'un cortège microbien anoxique et sulfurique comprenant des bactéries sulfato-réductrices, et dans les sulfures du Groupe Sierras Bayas, des enrichissements en Î4S excédant les rapports isotopiques du soufre dans le sulfate cogénétique associé aux carbonates. Dans la séquence de l'Arroyo del Soldado, un événement réducteur est mis en évidence par des teneurs plus élevées en éléments traces sensibles aux conditions redox et par des excursions négatives du 613Ccardans toutes les coupes. Cet événement affecte la totalité de la section la plus profonde et n'apparaît que dans les tempestites dans les sections les moins profondes. La persistance de valeurs négatives du ô13Ccarau large implique un gradient isotopique prononcé entre les environnements superficiels et profonds, et donc, ta présence d'une chémocline redox. Les excursions du. ôBCcar, l'enrichissement authigène en éléments traces, la présence de gammacérane et de rt-alcanes à longue chaîne, ainsi que de faibles rapports Pr/Ph et Ph/«-Cl8, viennent s'ajouter aux observations préliminaires sur la sédimentologie et la paléontologie pour indiquer que la chimie de l'océan était fortement contrôlée par la disponibilité d'oxygène, les eaux étant modérément oxiques à la surface et anoxiques en profondeur pendant la plus grande partie du Néoprotérozoïque. La stratification de la colonne d'eau était favorable au stockage de grandes quantités de nutriments dans l'océan profond. Dans les zones d'upwelling, la migration d'eaux profondes riches en nutriment vers la surface a pu provoquer une bioproductivité prononcée dans les eaux de surface. La conservation du carbone organique était assurée par les conditions anoxiques prévalant au fond. Les excursions du A13Ccar.kt.r pourraient aussi refléter des changements dans la biomasse primaire. Le présent travail apporte donc de nouvelles preuves qu'un océan stratifié s'est maintenu à la suite des glaciations néoprotérozoïques dans le Sud Ouest du Gondwana. L'association d'un océan stratifié et de l'apparition de la vie animale est en accord avec le modèle stipulant que l'évolution de la vie est associée à une meilleure oxygénation des environnements de surface. Résumé pour le grand public La période Ediacarienne (635 à -543 Ma) à la fin du Précambrien est l'une de plus énigmatiques dans l'histoire de la Terre, car elle est caractérisée par la diversification de la vie multicellulaire (eucaryote) pendant un intervalle de glaciations extrêmes. Dans ce travail de thèse, nous cherchons à déceler l'existence éventuelle d'un lien entre ces changements environnementaux et l'évolution de la vie eucaryote à travers une étude biogéochimique. La biogéochimie est l'étude des activités biologiques dans la géosphère, telles que celles intervenant dans les cycles des éléments chimiques (y compris les isotopes stables) et celles de production de composés carbonés caractérisant certains groups d'organismes ou taxons. La recherche des signatures paléoenvironnementales dans les roches précambriennes a été fortement facilitée par l'utilisation des biomarqueurs ou fossiles moléculaires. Ces composés, provenant des lipides biologiques (molécules avec des fonctions spécifiques dans les organismes), peuvent être reliés à des taxons spécifiques ou à des voies métaboliques. La transformation d'un biolipide en fossile moléculaire intervient lorsque des restes organiques déposés dans un substrat subissent un enfouissement et une augmentation de la pression (diagenèse). Ce processus mène à la formation de kérogène, un grand agrégat chimique de matière organique insoluble dans des solvants organiques, et de bitume ou fraction soluble (extractible) de la matière organique. L'analyse intégrée du kérogène et du bitume fournit des indications précieuses pour les reconstitutions paléoenvironnementales. Des conditions paléoenvironnementales ont ainsi été déterminées pour une plateforme marine Ediacarienne située dans la partie sud-américaine du bloc occidental du paléocontinent Gondwana. Les séquences sédimentaires étudiées appartiennent au même bassin qui s'étend de la ceinture du Paraguay (Groupe Corumbâ, Brésil) au craton du Rio de la Plata (Groupes Arroyo del Soldado, Uruguay et Sierras Bayas, Argentina). Nous nous sommes intéressés aux isotopes stables de carbonates et de la matière organique associée (kérogène et bitume), aux éléments majeurs et traces, ainsi qu'aux biomarqueurs caractérisant ces roches. Les résultats de cette dissertation suggèrent qu'au cours de l'Édiacarien, suite aux glaciations néoprotérozoïques dans le bloc occidental du Gondwana, l'océan était stratifié en zones spécifiques d'eaux riches en sulfures et dépourvues d'oxygène (euxiniques). L'association d'un océan stratifié et de l'apparition de la vie animale est en accord avec le modèle stipulant que l'évolution de la vie est associée à une meilleure oxygénation des environnements de surface. Les excursions isotopiques (tendance à des valeurs positives ou négatives) en constante fluctuation pour le carbone et très positives pour le soufre des sulfures, l'enrichissement en éléments trace et la présence de certains composés (e.g. gammacerane; Pr/Ph et Ph/«-Ci8 en basse proportion) conjugués aux observations sédimentologiques et paléontologiques des différents profils étudiés indiquent que la chimie de l'océan était fortement contrôlée par la disponibilité d'oxygène, avec des eaux modérément oxygénées en surface et euxiniques en profondeur pour la plupart du Néoprotérozoïque.

Promotion of learning skills in the study of economics. pilot project in the subject area of

This communication is part of a larger teaching innovation project financed by the University ofBarcelona, whose objective is to develop and evaluate transversal competences of the UB, learningability and responsibility. The competence is divided into several sub-competencies being the ability toanalyze and synthesis the most intensely worked in the first year. The work presented here part fromthe results obtained in phase 1 and 2 previously implemented in other subjects (Mathematics andHistory) in the first year of the degree of Business Administration Degree. In these subjects’ previousexperiences there were deficiencies in the acquisition of learning skills by the students. The work inthe subject of Mathematics facilitated that students become aware of the deficit. The work on thesubject of History insisted on developing readings schemes and with the practical exercises wassought to go deeply in the development of this competence.The third phase presented here is developed in the framework of the second year degree, in the WorldEconomy subject. The objective of this phase is the development and evaluation of the same crosscompetence of the previous phases, from a practice that includes both, quantitative analysis andcritical reflection. Specifically the practice focuses on the study of the dynamic relationship betweeneconomic growth and the dynamics in the distribution of wealth. The activity design as well as theselection of materials to make it, has been directed to address gaps in the ability to analyze andsynthesize detected in the subjects of the first year in the previous phases of the project.The realization of the practical case is considered adequate methodology to improve the acquisition ofcompetence of the students, then it is also proposed how to evaluate the acquisition of suchcompetence. The practice is evaluated based on a rubric developed in the framework of the projectobjectives. Thus at the end of phase 3 we can analyze the process that have followed the students,detect where they have had major difficulties and identify those aspects of teaching that can help toimprove the acquisition of skills by the students. The interest of this phase resides in the possibility tovalue whether tracing of learning through competences, organized in a collaborative way, is a goodtool to develop the acquisition of these skills and facilitate their evaluation.

Children's Mental Health and Well-Being Work-group Final Report, December 15, 2015

The children's mental health and well-being work group was formed in response to legislative direction to facilitate a study and make recommendations regarding children's mental health and the systems that assist children and families in Iowa.

Immunopathogenesis of Asthma and Atopic Diseases – The specific Role of a selected Panel of Genes in human T helper Cell Differentiation

T helper cell (Th) functions are crucial for proper immune defence against various intra- and extracellular pathogens. According to the specific immune responses, Th cells can be classified into subtypes, Th1 and Th2 cells being the most frequently characterized classes. Th1 and Th2 cells interact with other immune cells by regulating their functions with specific cytokine production. IFN, IL-2 and TNF- are the cytokines predominantly produced by Th1 cells whereas Th2 cells produce Th2-type cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. Upon TCR activation and in the presence of polarizing cytokines, Th cells differentiate into effector subtypes from a common precursor cell. IFN and IL-12 are the predominant Th1 polarizing cytokines whereas IL-4 directs Th2 polarization. The cytokines mediate their effects through specific receptor signalling. The differentiation process is complex, involving various signalling molecules and routes, as well as functions of the specific transcription factors. The functions of the Th1/Th2 cells are tightly regulated; however, knowledge on human Th cell differentiation is, as yet, fairly poor. The susceptibility for many immune-mediated disorders often originates from disturbed Th cell responses. Thus, research is needed for defining the molecular mechanisms involved in the differentiation and balanced functions of the Th cells. Importantly, the new information obtained will be crucial for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of immune-mediated disorders, such as asthma or autoimmune diseases. In the first subproject of this thesis, the role of genetic polymorphisms in the human STAT6, GATA3 and STAT4 genes were investigated for asthma or atopy susceptibility in Finnish asthma families by association analysis. These genes code for key transcription factors regulating Th cell differentiation. The study resulted in the identification of a GATA3 haplotype that associated with asthma and related traits (high serum IgE level). In the second subproject, an optimized method for human primary T cell transfection and enrichment was established. The method can be utilized for functional studies for the selected genes of interest. The method was also utilized in the third subproject, which aimed at the identification of novel genes involved in early human Th cell polarization (0-48h) using genome-wide oligonucleotide arrays. As a result, numerous genes and ESTs with known or unknown functions were identified in the study. Using an shRNA knockdown approach, a panel of novel IL-4/STAT6 regulated genes were identified in the functional studies of the genes. Moreover, one of the genes, NDFIP2, with a previously uncharacterized role in the human Th differentiation, was observed to promote IFN production of the differentiated Th1 cells. Taken together, the results obtained have revealed potential new relevant candidate genes serving as a basis for further studies characterizing the detailed networks involved in the human Th cell differentiation as well as in the genetic susceptibility of Th-mediated immune disorders.

Sediment budget monitoring of debris-flow and bedload transport in the Manival Torrent, SE France

Steep mountain catchments typically experience large sediment pulses from hillslopes which are stored in headwater channels and remobilized by debris-flows or bedload transport. Event-based sediment budget monitoring in the active Manival debris-flow torrent in the French Alps during a two-year period gave insights into the catchment-scale sediment routing during moderate rainfall intensities which occur several times each year. The monitoring was based on intensive topographic resurveys of low- and high-order channels using different techniques (cross-section surveys with total station and high-resolution channel surveys with terrestrial and airborne laser scanning). Data on sediment output volumes from the main channel were obtained by a sediment trap. Two debris-flows were observed, as well as several bedload transport flow events. Sediment budget analysis of the two debris-flows revealed that most of the debris-flow volumes were supplied by channel scouring (more than 92%). Bedload transport during autumn contributed to the sediment recharge of high-order channels by the deposition of large gravel wedges. This process is recognized as being fundamental for debris-flow occurrence during the subsequent spring and summer. A time shift of scour-and-fill sequences was observed between low- and high-order channels, revealing the discontinuous sediment transfer in the catchment during common flow events. A conceptual model of sediment routing for different event magnitude is proposed.

'Herbal' but potentially hazardous: an analysis of the constituents and smoke emissions of tobacco-free waterpipe products and the air quality in the cafes where they are served

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the composition and smoke emissions of 'herbal' shisha products and the air quality of establishments where they are smoked. METHODS: Three studies of 'herbal' shisha were conducted: (1) samples of 'herbal' shisha products were chemically analysed; (2) 'herbal' and tobacco shisha were burned in a waterpipe smoking machine and main and sidestream smoke analysed by standard methods and (3) the air quality of six waterpipe cafes was assessed by measurement of CO, particulate and nicotine vapour content. RESULTS: We found considerable variation in heavy metal content between the three products sampled, one being particularly high in lead, chromium, nickel and arsenic. A similar pattern emerged for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Smoke emission analyses indicated that toxic byproducts produced by the combustion of 'herbal' shisha were equivalent or greater than those produced by tobacco shisha. The results of our air quality assessment demonstrated that mean PM2.5 levels and CO content were significantly higher in waterpipe establishments compared to a casino where cigarette smoking was permitted. Nicotine vapour was detected in one of the waterpipe cafes. CONCLUSIONS: 'Herbal' shisha products tested contained toxic trace metals and PAHs levels equivalent to, or in excess of, that found in cigarettes. Their mainstream and sidestream smoke emissions contained carcinogens equivalent to, or in excess of, those of tobacco products. The content of the air in the waterpipe cafes tested was potentially hazardous. These data, in aggregate, suggest that smoking 'herbal' shisha may well be dangerous to health.

The existence of FGFR1-5-HT1A receptor heterocomplexes in midbrain 5-HT neurons of the rat: relevance for neuroplasticity

The ascending midbrain 5-HT neurons to the forebrain may be dysregulated in depression and have a reduced trophic support. With in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) and supported by coimmunoprecipitation and colocation of the FGFR1 and 5-HT1A immunoreactivities in the midbrain raphe cells, evidence for the existence of FGFR1-5-HT1A receptor heterocomplexes in the dorsal and median raphe nuclei of the Sprague Dawley rat as well as in the rat medullary raphe RN33B cells has been obtained. Especially after combined FGF-2 and 8-OH-DPAT treatment, a marked and significant increase in PLA clusters was found in the RN33B cells. Similar results were reached with the FRET technique in HEK293T cells, where TM-V of the 5HT1A receptor was found to be part of the receptor interface. The combined treatment with FGF-2 and the 5-HT1A agonist also synergistically increased FGFR1 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the raphe midline area of the midbrain and the RN33B cells as well as their differentiation, as seen from development of the increased number and length of extensions per cell and their increased 5-HT immunoreactivity. These signaling and differentiation events were dependent on the receptor interface since they were blocked by incubation with TM-V but not by TM-II. Together, the results indicate that the 5-HT1A autoreceptors by being part of a FGFR1-5-HT1A receptor heterocomplex in the midbrain raphe 5-HT nerve cells appear to have a trophic role in the central 5-HT neuron systems in addition to playing a key role in reducing the firing of these neurons

The Bacterium Frischella perrara Causes Scab Formation in the Gut of its Honeybee Host.

UNLABELLED: Honeybees harbor well-defined bacterial communities in their guts. The major members of these communities appear to benefit the host, but little is known about how they interact with the host and specifically how they interface with the host immune system. In the pylorus, a short region between the midgut and hindgut, honeybees frequently exhibit scab-like structures on the epithelial gut surface. These structures are reminiscent of a melanization response of the insect immune system. Despite the wide distribution of this phenotype in honeybee populations, its cause has remained elusive. Here, we show that the presence of a common member of the bee gut microbiota, the gammaproteobacterium Frischella perrara, correlates with the appearance of the scab phenotype. Bacterial colonization precedes scab formation, and F. perrara specifically localizes to the melanized regions of the host epithelium. Under controlled laboratory conditions, we demonstrate that exposure of microbiota-free bees to F. perrara but not to other bacteria results in scab formation. This shows that F. perrara can become established in a spatially restricted niche in the gut and triggers a morphological change of the epithelial surface, potentially due to a host immune response. As an intermittent colonizer, this bacterium holds promise for addressing questions of community invasion in a simple yet relevant model system. Moreover, our results show that gut symbionts of bees engage in differential host interactions that are likely to affect gut homeostasis. Future studies should focus on how these different gut bacteria impact honeybee health. IMPORTANCE: As pollinators, honeybees are key species for agricultural and natural ecosystems. Their guts harbor simple communities composed of characteristic bacterial species. Because of these features, bees are ideal systems for studying fundamental aspects of gut microbiota-host interactions. However, little is known about how these bacteria interact with their host. Here, we show that a common member of the bee gut microbiota causes the formation of a scab-like structure on the gut epithelium of its host. This phenotype was first described in 1946, but since then it has not been much further characterized, despite being found in bee populations worldwide. The scab phenotype is reminiscent of melanization, a conserved innate immune response of insects. Our results show that high abundance of one member of the bee gut microbiota triggers this specific phenotype, suggesting that the gut microbiota composition can affect the immune status of this key pollinator species.

Late mesozoic to neogene radiolarian biostratigraphy and palaeoceanography in the Caribbean and East pacific region

^Raduolarians constitute a good tool for contributing to the biostratigraphy of accreted terranes and in deep-sea sediment sequences. The use of radiolarians is also proven to be valuable as a palaeoceanographic indicator. The present study evaluates radiolarians in three different geological settings, in order to better constrain the age of the sites and to try to understand their palaeoenvironmental situation at different periods, particularly in the Caribbean-Central America area. On the Jarabacoa Block, in Central Dominican Republic, a hundred meters of siliceous mudstones (Pedro Brand section in the Tireo Group) was dated as Turonian- Coniancian in age using radiolarians. A 40Ar-39Ar whole rock age of 75.1±1.1 Ma (Campanian), obtained in a basalt dyke crosscutting the radiolarian bearing rocks, a consistent minimum age for the pelagic-hemipelagic Pedro Brand section. The Jarabacoa Block is considered as the most complete outcrop section of Pacific ocean crust overlain by a first Aptian-Albian phase of Caribbean Large Igneous Province-type activity (CLIP), followed by the development of a Cenomanian-Santonian intraoceanic arc, which is in turn overlain by a late Campanian-Maastrichtian CLIP-phase. The Tireo Group records an episode of pelagic to hemi-pelagic and intermediate to acidic arc-derived sedimentation, previous to the youngest magmatic phase of the CLIP. Thus, the section of Pedro Brand has been interpreted in this study as being part of the intraoceanic arc. In northern Venezuela, a greenish radiolarite section from Siquisique Ophiolite (basalts, gabbros and some associated cherts) in Guaparo Creek has been studied. In previous studies, the Ophiolite unit (Petacas Creek section) has been dated as Bajocian-Bathonian, based on ammonites present in interpillow sediments from basalt blocks. New dating of the present study concluded in an Aptian?-Albian-Cenomanian age for the Guaparo creek section (middle Cretaceous), based on radiolarian assemblage associated to basalts-gabbros rocks of the unit. Previous plagioclase 40Ar-39Ar ages from the Siquisuique Ophiolite may be slightly younger (94-90 Ma.) and may, therefore, represent younger dykes that intruded onto a well-developed sheeted dyke complex of the Siquisique. The geochemistry of these rocks and the palaeotectonic reconstruction of the Caribbean area during this period suggest that these rocks were derived from a mid-ocean ridge with an influence of deep mantle plume. The Siquisique Ophiolite most probably represents a fragment of the proto-Caribbean basin. The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 344 drilled a transect across the convergent margin off Costa Rica. Two sites of this expedition were chosen for radiolarian biostratigraphy and palaeoceanographic studies. Both sites (U1381C and U1414A) are located in the incoming Cocos plate, in the eastern Equatorial Pacific. The succession of U1381C yields a Middle Miocene to Pleistocene age, and presents an important hiatus of approximately 10 Ma. The core of U1414A exposes a continuous sequence that deposited during Late Miocene to Pleistocene (radiolarian zones RN6-RN16). The ages were assigned based on radiolarians and correlated with nannofossil zonation and tephra 40Ar-39Ar datation. With those results, and considering the northward movement of the Cocos plate motion (about 7 cm/year), deduction is made that the sites U1381C and U1414A were initially deposited during the Miocene, several hundreds of kilometres from the current location, slightly south of the Equator. This suggests that the faunas of these sites have been subjected to different currents, first influenced by the cold tongue of the South Equatorial Current and followed by the warm Equatorial Countercurrent. At last, coastal upwelling influenced faunas of the Pleistocene. -- Les radiolaires sont considérés comme un outil utile à la biostratigraphie des terrains accrétés et des sédiments profonds. Leur utilité est aussi prouvée comme étant remarquable au niveau des reconstructions paléocéanographiques. La présente étude évalue l'importance et la présence des radiolaires de trois localités géologiquement différentes d'Amérique Centrale-Caraïbes, dans le but d'améliorer les model d'âges et de mieux comprendre la situation paléoenvironnementale à travers le temps. Dans le Bloque de Jarabacoa, au centre de la République Dominicaine, une section de cent mètres (section de Pedro Brand, Groupe de Tireo) a été datée comme faisant partie du Turonien-Santonien, en utilisant les radiolaires. Une datation 40Ar-39Ar sur roche totale de 75±1.1 Ma (Campanien) a été obtenu pour vin dyke traversant les sédiments riches en radiolaires, en cohérence avec l'âge minimum accordé à la section de Pedro Brand. Aux Caraïbes, le Bloque de Jarabacoa est considéré comme l'affleurement le plus complet présentant une succession de croûte océanique d'origine Pacifique recouverte d'une première phase d'activité volcanique de type CLIP (Caribbean Large Igneous Province) d'âge Aptien- Albien, de dépôts d'arc volcanique intra-océanique d'âge Cénomanien-Santonien, puis d'une seconde phase de type CLIP d'âge Campanien-Maastrichtien. Le Groupe de Tireo enregistre un épisode de dépôt pélagiques-hémipélagiques et d'arc volcanique, antérieur à la plus jeune phase de type CLIP. Cette étude place donc la formation de la section de Pedro Brand au moment du développement de l'arc intra-océanique. A Guaparo Creek (nord du Vénézuela), une section de radiolarite verdâtre faisant partie des ophiolites de Siquisique (basaltes, gabbros, cherts) a été étudiée. Dans des études précédentes, sur la localité de Petacas Creek, l'unité ophiolitique a été daté d'âge Bajocien- Bathonien (Jurassique) sur la base d'ammonites trouvées dans des sédiments intercalés entre des laves en coussins. Les nouvelles datations de notre étude, basées sur des assemblages à radiolaires de l'unité à basaltes-gabbros, donnent un âge Aptien?-Albien-Cénomanien (Crétacé moyen). Les âges de l'Ophiolite de Siquisique, précédement calculés par la méthode sur plagioclases, pourraient être légèrement plus jeune (94-90 Ma) et donc représenter des intrusions plus récentes de dykes dans le complexe filonien déjà bien dévelopé. La géochimie de ces roches magmatiques, ainsi que les reconstructions paléotectoniques de la zone Caraïbes durant cette période, suggèrent que ces formations sont dérivées d'une ride médio-océanique associée à l'influence d'un panache mantellique. L'ophiolite de Siquisique représente très probablement un fragment du bassin de proto¬Caraïbe. L'expédition 344 du programme IODP (Integrated Ocean Drilling Program) a eu lieu dans l'optique de forer et dresser une coupe de la marge convergente au large du Costa Rica. Deux sites de cette expédition ont été choisis pour les besoins des études de biostratigraphie et de reconstruction paléocéanographique. Ces deux sites (U1381C et U1414A) sont situés sur la plaque subductante de Cocos, dans la zone Pacifique est-équatoriale. La carotte U1381C expose une séquence s'étalant du Miocène moyen au Pléistocène, et présente un important hiatus d'environ 10 Ma. La carotte U1414A expose une séquence continue s'étalant du Miocène tardif au Pléistocène (zone à radiolaires RN6-RN16). Les âges ont été assignés sur la base des radiolaires et corrélés avec les zones à nanofossiles et les datations 40Ar-39Ar sur téphras. Avec ces résultats, et en considérant le mouvement nord de la plaque de Cocos (environ 7 cm/an), déduction est faite que les deux sites étaient initialement situés, au cours du Miocène, à plusieurs centaines de kilomètres de leur location actuelle, au sud de l'équateur. Cela suggère que les faunes de ces sites ont été sujettes à différents courants; premièrement influencées par la langue froide du SEC (South Equatorial Current), puis par les eaux chaudes du ECC (Equatorial Countercurrent). Pour terminer, les remontées d'eau côtières ont influencées les faunes Pléistocène.

FDI from European Union to Western Balkan Countires: is the economic development being intensified in the region?

La inversió estrangera directa és important a causa dels seus avantatges per al país d'acollida, per exemple augmentarà la competitivitat i s’intensifica el desenvolupament. Els avantatges són significatives als països dels Balcans occidentals que s'enfronten a les dificultats de la competència i el creixement més baix de la UE-27. El treball analitza el tipus dominant de la IED de la UE-27 a la regió dels Balcans Occidentals a escala nacional i sectorial per formar les implicacions sobre el futur creixement de la competitivitat i la intensitat del desenvolupament econòmic. Es troba que la IED horitzontal domina als Balcans occidentals, per tant, el creixement de la competitivitat i el desenvolupament econòmic es va intensificar a la regió.

Grande fréquence des prescriptions médicamenteuses à visée cardiovasculaire potentiellement inappropriées dans la population âgée [Potentially inappropriate prescribing cardiovascular medications in the aged population: prospective study in a district hospital centre (France)].

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population. We evaluated the adequacy of prescribing (miss and under used) with respect to STOPP-START criteria. METHODS: A sample of 100 patients hospitalized in cardiovascular specialty divisions (medicine or surgery) or in the different sectors making up the geriatric network (day-care hospital, short or rehabilitation ward, nursing home) has been considered. Drug prescriptions at the admission time were analysed. RESULTS: Eight hundred and seventy-four prescriptions were analysed. In 65% of patients, from 5 to 10 medications were prescribed and in 28% over 10. Fifty-four percent of patients had, at least, one potentially inappropriate prescription (PIP) by STOPP. Among them, 48% of PIP prescriptions contained 1, 41% 2 and 11% 3 or more. The omission of one medication according to START criteria concerned 57% of the sample. Among them, 46% had one omission, 44% 2 to 3 and 10% 4 omissions or over. The cardiovascular system is the one most concerned by the PIP. Whether 28.1% of the PIP by STOPP criteria concerned cardiovascular drugs, the omission of prescription, according to START criteria, was 41.8%. There was no significant difference between the different settings studied. There was no effect of age or sex on the impact of PIP (P>0.20) or being polymédiqué (P=0.44). According to the criteria STOPP-A, the prescription of antiplatelet (indication and dose) was highlighted. Prescribing omission also concerned antiplatelet agents but also statins in patients with atherosclerosis as well as antiplatelet and anticoagulant in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) after myocardial infarction or with chronic heart failure. CONCLUSION: Potentially inappropriate prescribing medications were very common in elderly patients with cardiovascular conditions. They concerned as much as underusing of important drugs with potential benefits and prescribing commission of treatment that did not fit with patients' comorbidities and/or characteristics.