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Botulisme iatrogène « esthétique » : description de 2 cas en Suisse
No full textBotulism is a neuro-paralytic syndrome caused by the production of a neurotoxic protein by Clostridium botulinum. It is a rare but potentially fatal poisoning. Symptoms are due to blockage of neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction. Botulism usually occurs following ingestion, inhalation or contact of the toxin with a wound. More recently, cases of iatrogenic botulism have been described, notably following the injection of toxin for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes. In spring 2023, an outbreak of iatrogenic botulism following intragastric injections was reported in Europe. Here, we provide an overview of botulism, followed by a presentation of the only two Swiss cases reported during the epidemic.Le botulisme est un syndrome neuroparalytique provoqué par une protéine bactérienne neurotoxique, produite par Clostridium botulinum. Il s’agit d’une intoxication rare, mais potentiellement mortelle. Les symptômes sont dus au blocage de la libération de neurotransmetteurs à la jonction neuromusculaire. Le botulisme survient habituellement à la suite de l’ingestion, l’inhalation ou le contact de la toxine avec une plaie. Plus récemment, des cas de botulisme iatrogène ont été décrits, notamment à la suite de l’injection de toxine à des fins thérapeutiques ou esthétiques. Au printemps 2023, une épidémie de botulisme iatrogène secondaire à des injections intragastriques a été rapportée en Europe. Nous présentons ici un rappel sur le botulisme, suivi de la présentation des deux uniques cas suisses recensés durant l’épidémie
La compréhension du jugement selon Paul : une esquisse
No full textWe need to take seriously the fact that the Pauline positions on judgment cannot be correctly understood if the context of each position is ignored. Having set out the methodological framework, the contribution analyses a first type of judgment – the judgment of condemnation which has in 1 Thessalonians the principal function of reaffirming and stabilizing the new religious identity of the community which Paul is addressing. The author then shows the different persuasive functions of a second type of judgment – the judgment of evaluation which Paul uses in several passages in 1 Corinthians to reduce existing tensions within the community and to clarify the level of authority of one or another charismatic figure. Finally, Romans 2 – the invocation of divine judgment as rewarding and punishing everyone according to their acts – has the effect of leveling the ethnic-religious differences between Jews and non-Jews
Gynécologie-obstétrique. Prise en charge et dépistage du diabète gestationnel : ce qui a changé en 2023
No full textDû à l’augmentation du surpoids, de l’obésité et de l’âge maternel chez les femmes enceintes, le diabète gestationnel (DG) est de plus en plus fréquent. De ce fait, afin d’offrir une prise en charge hygiénodiététique précoce, il est recommandé d’effectuer un dépistage ciblé au premier trimestre de la grossesse pour identifier les facteurs de risque. En leur absence, le dépistage du DG doit être réalisé chez toutes les femmes enceintes entre 24 et 28 SA. Au cours de la grossesse, le traitement pharmacologique le plus sécuritaire reste l’insuline et le terme d’accouchement doit tenir compte des facteurs de risque surajoutés, des besoins en insuline, de la cinétique de croissance foetale et de l’équilibre du DG. À plus long terme, le DG doit être considéré comme une alerte métabolique et cardiovasculaire
Injectable biomaterial for in situ platelet production: <i>in vitro</i> support advancements and <i>in vivo</i> vascularization study
No full textPlatelet transfusion is a life-saving procedure to reduce the bleeding risk of patients or in patients with platelet function-related disorders. The majority of platelet transfusion is prescribed to hemato-oncologic patients, especially acute leukaemias and myelodysplastic syndrome patients, who have compromised haematopoiesis.
Platelets are cytoplasmic fragments of mature haematopoietic cells called megakaryocytes. They are a key player in the process of blood clotting and are produced physiologically in the bone marrow from megakaryocyte membrane projections that release the platelets into the bloodstream via specialized sinusoidal vessels.
This PhD project aimed at determining the conditions to provide a supportive niche for megakaryocytes to survive as a highly vascularized subcutaneous injectable implant that could be further developed for in vivo platelet production in these fragile patients, by bridging the expertise in material bioengineering and bone marrow microenvironment of, the Prof. Braschler lab at the University of Geneva and the Prof. Naveiras lab at the University of Lausanne, respectively.
To develop this innovative combined therapy, we used a functionalized carboxymethyl cellulose-based scaffold compatible with haematopoietic progenitor cells adhesion and vascularization during subcutaneous transplantation. However, this approach had not been tested for megakaryopoiesis.
This thesis focused on three objectives: (1) the functional support of megakaryopoiesis and platelet production in vitro, (2) in vivo bare scaffold implantation, and finally (3) the vascularization of a megakaryocyte implant.
To optimize functional support, megakaryocytes were differentiated on different protein supports prior to platelet production. We showed that 3D culture had no impact on platelet production compared to 2D culture and that protein coatings of the extracellular matrix favoured the production of functional platelets. In addition, we have developed a perfusion system that mimics the physiological shear conditions contained in the sinusoids to further characterise the protein coating.
By studying and optimizing the biomaterial injectability and its biointegration in vivo, we were able to characterize the properties of the biomaterial for applications in tissue engineering. The analysis of the transcriptome by single-cell RNA sequencing methods of the cells colonizing the bare scaffold after implantation made it possible to validate its biocompatibility but also to observe its low angiogenic potential.
Finally, vascularization is intended to promote cell egression. To enhance vascularization, we studied the ability of various populations of haematopoietic cells or proteins to induce and regulate vessels in the implant. We loaded the niche with different cell types and transplanted subcutaneously into SCID NOD mice. We then studied the vascular</p
Automatisierte Finanzdienstleistungen: Auswirkungen der DSGVO und der KI-VO
No full textDer Banken- und Finanzsektor hat künstliche Intelligenz (KI) eingeführt, um eine große Brandbreite von Dienstleistungen zu automatisieren. In diesem Artikel wird das Zusammenspiel zwischen den automatisierten Entscheidungen im Einzelfall (AEE) und den Vorschriften der Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) sowie der Verordnung über künstliche Intelligenz (KI-VO) untersucht. Vor dem Hintergrund des jüngsten SCHUFA-Urteils des Gerichtshofs der Europäischen Union, das den Anwendungsbereich des Begriffs „Entscheidung“ erweitert, erläutert dieser Beitrag die Rechtsfolgen für Dienstleister, die sich auf AEE verlassen. Die Diskussion umfasst die Definition von AEE, das grundsätzliche Verbot und seine Ausnahmen gemäß Art. 22 DSGVO und die Verpflichtungen zur Transparenz und menschlichen Aufsicht. Darüber hinaus werden in der Analyse die Überschneidungen und Unterschiede zwischen der DSGVO und der KI-VO hervorgehoben, insbesondere in Bezug auf das „Recht auf Erläuterung“ bei Hochrisiko-KI-Systemen.</p
Sedimentological and geochemical characterization of lacustrine deposits of the Babouri-Figuil basin, northern Cameroon: Implications for source rocks distribution and petroleum exploration
No full textThe West and Central African Rift System (WCARS) refers to the series of Cretaceous rift basins where commercial hydrocarbon accumulations have been discovered. Some of the WCARS frontier basins are currently being investigated to increase our understanding of these basins in light of new commercial discoveries. The present study was performed in the Babouri-Figuil Basin (BFB), which is genetically related to the WCARS and constitutes an area of interest in terms of petroleum prospecting, where the distribution of petroleum source rocks and potential targets for petroleum exploration across the entire basin is poorly understood. For the current study, an integrated facies analysis along with organic and inorganic geochemical techniques were applied to the basin’s Cretaceous deposits with the aim of reconstructing the paleodepositional environment, assessing factors that triggered the input of organic matter, and providing a spatial overview of the organic matter accumulation in the basin based on outcrop samples. An alluvial fan-lacustrine-braided river system is inferred from the facies analysis of the stratigraphic sequence consisting of conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone, limestone, marlstone, and claystone. Bulk analysis of organic matter reveals that black shale and massive claystone are the main prospective petroleum source rocks in the basin. Inorganic geochemical analyses reveal the influence of anoxic conditions, moderate to high primary productivity, and low terrigenous inputs in organic matter enrichment. The formations rich in organic matter are predominantly concentrated in the western and eastern parts of the basin which may represent areas with depressions, characterized by high accommodation space. In terms of the regional context of the WCARS rift basins, typical hydrocarbon exploration in the BFB may target basalconglomerate, sandstone beds situated directly above or/and interbedded with the Lower Cretaceous source rocks, and the Upper Cretaceous sandstone beds. Basement rocks (granite, granodiorite, and gneisses) and oil shale deposits may represent potential unconventional hydrocarbon exploration. The current integrated study provides an insight that should guide future hydrocarbon exploration campaigns in the basin
Artificial phytoplankton assemblages reveal species-specific and interactive responses to silver nanoparticles
No full textSilver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used nanomaterials, and understanding their effects on phytoplankton is essential for assessing ecological risks. While AgNP toxicity has been extensively studied in single species, the role of interspecies interactions on toxicity outcomes remains poorly understood. This study investigates the effects of AgNPs and Ag+ on phytoplankton, focusing on species-specific responses and interspecies interactions within artificial assemblages. Monocultures and assemblages of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Cyclotella meneghiniana, and Synechocystis sp. were exposed to AgNPs (1-3000 µg L-1 ) and Ag+ (0.05-300 µg L-1 ) to assess growth inhibition, photosynthetic efficiency, and pigment fluorescence. Spectral flow cytometry enabled high-resolution, single-cell monitoring of cell abundance and pigment fluorescence in the assemblages. Results revealed species-specific toxicity, with Synechocystis sp. being most affected by AgNPs, while C. meneghiniana showed greater tolerance. Ag+ exposure triggered rapid effects, including reduced photosynthetic efficiency within 2 h, whereas AgNPs caused delayed but persistent toxicity. Experiments with artificial assemblages revealed that interspecies interactions modulated silver toxicity. Co-occurrence of species alleviated AgNP stress, resulting in significantly higher 72h-EC50 for some species and sustained photosynthetic performance in the cohabiting eukaryotes. These findings demonstrated that phytoplankton assemblages' composition strongly influences AgNP toxicity and highlighted spectral flow cytometry as a powerful tool for resolving species-specific responses within complex assemblages. The study emphasized the importance of integrative, assemblage-based approaches in ecotoxicology to more accurately predict ecosystem-level impacts of pollutants
