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Event-, time- and activity-based prospective memory in children with higher autistic traits
No full textBackground: School-age children rely on prospective memory (PM) to complete various tasks in the future. Previous research suggests children with autism spectrum disorders exhibit PM impairment, but whether PM impairment extends to children with higher autistic traits remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to compare PM performance in children with higher and lower autistic traits and to examine potentially differential associations to executive functions.
Method: Forty pairs of children with higher and lower autistic traits between age 6- to 12-years old completed event-, time-, and activity-based PM tasks, and two executive function tasks (i.e., inhibition and working memory). We also collected parents-rated PM abilities using the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire for Children.
Results: The two groups showed similar performance in both executive function tasks, the 3 PM tasks and parents-reported PM in daily life. In children with lower autistic traits, performance of the time-based PM task was correlated with working memory whereas it was correlated with inhibition function in children with higher autistic traits. Moreover, children with higher autistic traits exhibited a continuous reduction of time monitoring behavior across trials, leading to worse performance in the last PM trial compared with children with lower autistic traits.
Conclusion: Children with higher autistic traits showed intact executive functioning and similar PM performance as children with lower autistic traits, but they relied on different types of executive functions to complete time-based PM tasks. Moreover, children with higher autistic traits showed reduced time monitoring behavior and unstable PM performance across time.</p
Effets somatiques méconnus des antidépresseurs sérotoninergiques
No full textLe mécanisme d’action des antidépresseurs inhibiteurs sélectifs de la recapture de la sérotonine (ISRS) n’est toujours pas formellement établi. Il est essentiel de prendre en compte leurs effets secondaires positifs et négatifs pour leur prescription. Dans cet article, nous décrivons plusieurs de ces effets dans le contexte de pathologies et situations cliniques courantes. Nous abordons leur effet cardioprotecteur ainsi que leur rôle dans la récupération fonctionnelle des patients à la suite des accidents vasculaires cérébraux. Nous rappelons la majoration du risque hémorragique lors de la prescription d’ISRS en concomitance de traitements antiagrégants et anticoagulants. La prescription d’ISRS augmente également le risque fracturaire et la fréquence d’une hyponatrémie. Dans le contexte de la bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive, les effets d’un ISRS sont plus difficiles à établir.The mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) is still not properly established. It is essential to consider their positive and negative side effects before prescribing. In this article, we describe several of these side effects in the context of common pathologies and clinical situations. We discuss their cardioprotective effect and their role in the functional recovery of patients following stroke. We recall the increase in the risk of bleeding when prescribing SSRI concomitantly with antiaggregating and anticoagulant treatments. Prescribing SSRI also increases the risk of fracture and the frequency of hyponatremia. In the context of COPD, the effects of SSRI are more difficult to establish
Prophylaxie de l’infection à <i>Pneumocystis jirovecii </i>chez les patients non VIH : Évaluation du risque et des modalités
No full textPneumocystis jirovecii (PJ), an opportunistic fungus, can have major consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality. These infections occur mainly in immunocompromised patients and are known for their pulmonary tropism (Pneumocystis pneumonia, PCP). While prevention modalities have been studied in HIV-infected populations, evidence is scarce in non-HIV patients. The decision to prescribe prophylaxis for PJ requires assessment of the clinical context, as well as existing risk factors that may predispose an individual to develop PCP. Few indicators exist that are sufficiently sensitive and specific to predict the occurrence of PCP. The decision to use prophylaxis must be made on a case-by-case basis.Pneumocystis jirovecii (PJ) est un champignon causant des infections opportunistes avec des conséquences majeures en termes de morbidité et mortalité. Ces infections surviennent chez les patients immunodéprimés et sont connues pour leur tropisme pulmonaire (pneumonie à Pneumocystis, PCP). Si les modalités de prévention ont été étudiées dans les populations infectées par le VIH, le niveau de preuves des données disponibles chez les patients non VIH est faible. L’indication à un traitement prophylactique nécessite une évaluation du contexte clinique, ainsi que des facteurs de risque pouvant mener à une PCP. Les éléments disponibles ne sont pas suffisamment sensibles et spécifiques pour prédire la survenue d’une PCP. La décision d’instaurer une prophylaxie doit être discutée au cas par cas
Shaping the Spectrum of Unitary, Causal, and Local Quantum Field Theories
No full textWe offer an exploration of the spectrum of Effective Field Theories (EFT) which admit a unitary, causal, and local UV completion, through the use of Positivity bounds. We review some of the most important ideas of EFTs and Positivity. We explore positivity bounds for the EFT of a single weakly coupled massive vector field. When the mass is taken to zero, some of our bounds asymptote to the bounds obtained in the context of photons and massless scalars. We show that massive gravity violates positivity unless the cutoff is within 1 order of magnitude of the graviton's mass. We lastly study bounds in the context of effective field theories with massless particles. Focusing on massless particles coupled to gravity, we address the treatment of forward-limit divergences from loop discontinuities. While loop effects remain small, ensuring consistency in our approach leads to a significant impact on bounds, even at tree level
Molecular and Neuronal Mechanisms Underlying Circadian Control of Metabolism and Behavior In Drosophila
No full textCircadian rhythms are inherent, ~24-hour cycles that orchestrate numerous physiological and behavioral processes in organisms ranging from cyanobacteria to humans. Disruption of these rhythms is strongly associated with metabolic imbalances and sleep disorders, underscoring their importance for overall health. In Drosophila melanogaster, the molecular clock is located in a small subset of neurons, yet it exerts widespread control over both peripheral tissues and diverse neural circuits. In the first part of this work, we investigate how the circadian clock impacts larval fat body metabolism. We find that wild-type fat body tissues exhibit clear ~24-hour cycles in gene expression and lipid homeostasis. Remarkably, in per0 (clock-deficient) mutants, we observe 12-hour ultradian oscillations in lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species, revealing a compensatory mechanism that partially maintains metabolic homeostasis when canonical 24-hour rhythms are absent. Next, we examine how circadian signals regulate sleep and neuronal excitability in the adult mushroom body (MB), a key center for learning, memory, and state-dependent behaviors. Our results show that clock neurons drive daily oscillations of Pka-C1 and Nf1 expression in MB neurons, leading to cAMP/PKA and Ca²⁺ rhythms that peak during the daytime and promote wakefulness. These rhythms are further modulated by dopaminergic pathways connecting the pacemaker neurons to specific MB subdomains, illustrating how circadian outputs shape neural network function and behavior. Together, these studies underscore the broad influence of the circadian clock on processes as distinct as metabolism and sleep. The discovery of alternative ultradian mechanisms in metabolically active tissues and the tight regulation of MB excitability by clock genes highlight how circadian rhythms safeguard organismal health and behavioral performance. Given the evolutionary conservation of clock components and circuitry, insights from Drosophila provide valuable perspectives on the regulation of physiological processes and behaviors and the consequences of their perturbation. </p
Analyse critique de réformes choisies en droit de la famille du point de vue de l'égalité et de l'interdiction de la discrimination : autorité parentale et entretien de l'enfant
No full textLa présente thèse de doctorat examine avec minutie les différentes dispositions topiques applicables en Suisse en matière d’égalité et de non-discrimination, à savoir sous l’angle de la Constitution fédérale suisse du 18 avril 1999 (Cst.), mais également à l’aune de la Convention de sauvegarde des droits de l'homme et des libertés fondamentales du 4 novembre 1950 (CEDH) ou encore de la Convention sur l’élimination de toutes les formes de discriminations à l’égard des femmes du 18 décembre 1979 (CEDEF). Sur cette base, une grille d’analyse a été élaborée puis appliquée aux principales modifications opérées par la réforme de l’autorité parentale conjointe du 21 juin 2013, entrée en vigueur le 1er juillet 2014, et celle de l’entretien de l’enfant du 20 mars 2015, entrée en vigueur le 1er janvier 2017.
Ledit travail tend ainsi à mettre en exergue d’éventuelles discriminations présentes dans la législation de droit de la famille, que celles-ci soient directes, indirectes ou structurelles, fondant potentiellement des cas de discrimination multiple, voire intersectionnelle, en examinant tour à tour l’exercice de l’autorité parentale, le pouvoir décisionnel parental, le droit de déterminer le lieu de résidence de l’enfant, le droit transitoire, le principe de l’intangibilité du minimum vital LP, la priorité de l’obligation d’entretien de l’enfant, la prise en charge de l’enfant ou encore la garde alternée.
Des propositions de lege ferenda ont également été formulées en vue de pallier les différentes problématiques soulevées.</p
Vaccine immunity in patients with 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome
No full textBackground: Patients with microdeletion 22q11.2 syndrome (MDS) exhibit immunological defects, characterized by abnormalities in the development of the thymus, which plays a crucial role in T-cell maturation and immune response. As a result, these patients may have impaired adaptive immunity, with decreased responses to vaccination.
Methods: This was a prospective observational study. Vaccine serology (tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b for children <5 years, measles, varicella, hepatitis A and B, and SARS-CoV-2) and immune parameters were assessed in MDS patients aged between 1 and 25 years followed in Geneva between February 2022 and April 2023.
Results: 41 MDS patients were included. The median age was 13 years old. Most of them reported recurrent otitis and bronchitis up to 10 years, and a mild COVID-19 disease in the past. Immunological work-up indicated normal immunoglobulin levels and lymphocyte counts for the majority. Most patients were well vaccinated for tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b and measles, but only half were fully vaccinated for hepatitis B, and SARS-CoV-2 and only a quarter for hepatitis A. 70% of the patients had received 3 doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in infancy but only a minority an additional dose. While most of them were seroprotected against tetanus, diphtheria, and Hib, a substantial number lacked seroprotection against varicella, measles, hepatitis B, and pneumococcus.
Conclusion: This study suggests that regular assessment of antibody levels for measles, hepatitis B, varicella, and pneumococcus, regardless of vaccination status should be encouraged in MDS patients, with reimmunization according to vaccine serology, to enhance vaccine immunity.</p
Incontinence fécale du sujet âgé : causes et stratégies de prise en charge
No full textFaecal incontinence (FI) in the elderly is a common but underdiagnosed condition. It leads to social stigma and impacts patients' quality of life. The aetiology of FI is multifactorial. Assessment, diagnosis and management involve a comprehensive evaluation. Treatment encompasses a multimodal approach, ranging from lifestyle modifications, the use of certain drugs, a physiotherapeutic approach to surgical interventions in selected cases. The important role of health professionals in education, support, and personalised interventions is emphasised.L’incontinence fécale (IF) du sujet âgé est une pathologie courante mais sous-diagnostiquée. Elle entraîne une stigmatisation sociale et impacte la qualité de vie. L’étiologie de l’IF est multifactorielle. Son diagnostic, son évaluation et sa prise en charge nécessitent une approche interdisciplinaire. Le traitement comporte à la fois des modifications du mode de vie, le recours à des médicaments, une rééducation, mais aussi parfois une prise en charge chirurgicale. L’importance des professionnels de la santé dans l’éducation, le soutien et les interventions personnalisées est soulignée
