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Improving the Synthesis of Odd-Chain Fatty Acids in the Oleaginous Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica
No full textInternational audience(1) Background: Odd-chain fatty acids (OCFAs) have garnered attention for their potential health benefits and unique roles in various biochemical pathways. Yarrowia lipolytica, a versatile yeast species, is increasingly studied for its capability to produce OCFAs under controlled genetic and environmental conditions. However, optimizing the synthesis of specific OCFAs, such as cis-9-heptadecenoic acid (C17:1), remains a challenge. (2) Methods: The gene coding for the Δ9 fatty acid desaturase, YlOLE1, and the gene coding the diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2, YlDGA2, were overexpressed in Y. lipolytica. With the engineered strain, the main goal was to fine-tune the production of OCFA-enriched lipids by optimizing the concentrations of sodium propionate and sodium acetate used as precursors for synthesizing odd- and even-chain fatty acids, respectively. (3) Results: In the strain overexpressing only YlDGA2, no significant changes in fatty acid composition or lipid content were observed compared to the control strain. However, in the strain overexpressing both genes, while no significant changes in lipid content were noted, a significant increase was observed in OCFA content. The optimal conditions for maximizing the cell density and the C17:1 content in lipids were found to be 2.23 g/L of sodium propionate and 17.48 g/L of sodium acetate. These conditions resulted in a cell density (optical density at 600 nm) of 19.5 ± 0.46 and a C17:1 content of 45.56% ± 1.29 in the culture medium after 168 h of fermentation. (4) Conclusions: By overexpressing the YlOLE1 gene and optimizing the concentrations of fatty acid precursors, it was possible to increase the content of OCFAs, mainly C17:1, in lipids synthesized by Y. lipolytica
Effect of a Thermomechanical Pretreatment Coupled to Sulfuric Acid or Sodium Hydroxide Catalysis on Physicochemical Properties and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Alfa Fibers (Stipa tenacissima L.)
No full textInternational audienc
Lexical development in monolingual, bilingual and trilingual Lebanese preschool children: the effect of endogenous and exogenous factors
No full textInternational audienceIn preschool monolingual or plurilingual children, significant quantitative variations within their vocabulary have been demonstrated (Fenson et al., 1993; Coté et al., 2022). These variations have been linked to various endogenous (such as gender, cognitive development) and exogenous (such as language status, socioeconomic status, language exposure...) factors in the child, which carry different weight depending on age and whether the language aspect is expressive or receptive. For instance, gender has a more pronounced effect on productive vocabulary size in children under the age of 3 (Kern & Gayraud, 2010). Our study aims to elucidate the receptive and expressive lexical development in two groups of Lebanese children aged between 8 and 16 months (n=184), and 16 and 30 months (n=181). Parents were asked to complete two questionnaires: the PaBiQ-IT (Parental Bilingual Questionnaire-Infants and Toddlers), which provides some information about language exposure, and the IDC-L 8-16 and 16-30, which are Lebanese trilingual adaptations of the respective M-CDI versions (Fenson et al., 1993) developed by Messarra et al. This trilingual questionnaire assesses Lebanese Arabic, French and English with a set of words that are translation equivalents. The scores used for comprehension and production are the total vocabulary score and the conceptual score. With these measures, we examined the influence of gender, socioeconomic status (SES), childcare arrangement, and language status (monolingual, bilingual, and trilingual) on the size of receptive and expressive vocabulary. A difference for gender and for language status was found for the 8-16 group but not for the 16-30 group. Girls and multilingual children had larger vocabularies than their peers. No difference was found for SES. An effect of childcare arrangement was found for production. Lebanese children in daycare have a larger productive vocabulary than their peers not in daycare. However, for the 8-16 group, age may be a confounding factor
Statistics on Ugaritic Inscriptions in the Eshmun project
No full textAfter a first paper published on Phoenician language statistics, the following paper presents the statistics on Ugaritic corpus which has been developed and maintained on the Eshmun platform.The Byblos script is a writing system discovered in Byblos by Maurice Dunand and published in Byblia Grammata 1945 and completed in 1978 for other Byblos discoveries. These inscriptions are written in hieroglyphic symbols script and are called also the Pseudo-hieroglyph inscriptions of Byblos. Although decipherments were proposed by multiple scholars, the Byblos script is considered as undeciphered.The Eshmun project, conducted at the 'École Supérieure des Ingénieurs de Beyrouth,' seeks to develop a software platform for cryptanalyzing the Byblos script.As decrypting an ancient language inscription needs a reference language for comparison and analysis, the Eshmun platform developed a variety of cryptanalysis techniques based on languages statistical properties.After a first paper published on Phoenician language statistics, the following paper presents the statistics on Ugaritic corpus which has been developed and maintained on the Eshmun platform.</div
Dentine Remineralisation Induced by “Bioactive” Materials through Mineral Deposition: An In Vitro Study
No full textInternational audienceThis study aimed to assess the ability of modern resin-based “bioactive” materials (RBMs) to induce dentine remineralisation via mineral deposition and compare the results to those obtained with calcium silicate cements (CSMs). The following materials were employed for restoration of dentine cavities: CSMs: ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Sirona), MTA Angelus (Angelus), Biodentine (Septodont), and TheraCal LC (Bisco); RBMs: ACTIVA BioACTIVE Base/Liner (Pulpdent), ACTIVA Presto (Pulpdent), and Predicta Bioactive Bulk (Parkell). The evaluation of the mineral deposition was performed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) on the material and dentine surfaces, as well as at the dentine–material interface after immersion in simulated body fluid. Additionally, the Ca/P ratios were also calculated in all the tested groups. The specimens were analysed after setting (baseline) and at 24 h, 7, 14, and 28 days. ProRoot MTA, MTA Angelus, Biodentine, and TheraCal LC showed significant surface precipitation, which filled the gap between the material and the dentine. Conversely, the three RBMs showed only a slight ability to induce mineral precipitation, although none of them was able to remineralise the dentine–material interface. In conclusion, in terms of mineral precipitation, modern “bioactive” RBMs are not as effective as CSMs in inducing dentine remineralisation; these latter represent the only option to induce a possible reparative process at the dentin–material interface
Head and pelvis are the key segments recruited by adult spinal deformity patients during daily life activities
No full textInternational audienceFunctional assessment is a key element in evaluating adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients. The multitude of 3D kinematic parameters provided by movement analysis can be confusing for spine surgeons. The aim was to investigate movement patterns of ASD based on key kinematic parameters. 115 primary ASD and 36 controls underwent biplanar radiographs and 3D movement analysis during walking, sit-to-stand and stair ascent to calculate joint and segment kinematics. Principal component analysis was applied to identify the most relevant kinematic parameters that define movement strategies adopted by ASD. Pelvis and head relative to pelvis kinematics were the most relevant parameters. ASD patients adopted four different movement strategies. Class 1: normative head and pelvis kinematics. Class 2: persistent pelvic backward tilt. Class 3: persistent forward shift of the head. Class 4: both pelvic backward tilt and forward shift of the head. Patients in class 3 and 4 presented sagittal malalignment on static radiographs with increased pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch and sagittal vertical axis. Surprisingly, patients in class 3 had normal pelvic kinematics during movement, showing the importance of functional evaluation. In addition to being key segments in maintaining static global posture, head and pelvis were found to define movement patterns
‘Todos somos hijos de la guerra’: una investigación cualitativa sobre la crianza después de la reciente exposición traumática de adolescentes en un entorno de crisis múltiple en Beirut, Líbano
No full textInternational audienceBackground : Strong familial bonds are crucial to building resilience among youth exposed to traumatic events in socially adverse environments. Exploring parental experiences in the aftermath of adolescents’ traumatic exposure in these settings would help tailor early interventions.Objective : We qualitatively explored experiences and perceived needs among parents of teenagers aged 11–16 years who were exposed in the last three months to a potentially traumatic event in Beirut, Lebanon.Method : We purposively sampled 28 parents of 24 adolescents meeting the inclusion criteria. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis was applied combined with a grounded theory approach.Results : The most frequent traumatic event was direct exposure to the violent clashes that happened in Beirut on 14 October 2021. Parents identified that the recent event exacerbated pre-existing mental health difficulties caused by cumulative stress. They were reminded of their own war experiences and tended to reject the ‘sick role’ associated with trauma. A majority of participants viewed resilience as a fixed trait characteristic of the Lebanese and avoided communication with their children about traumatic memories, while a significant minority criticised resilience as a myth that added pressure on them and had more open communication about trauma. Parenting styles oscillated between controlling behaviours, warmth, and avoidance, which impacted the family dynamic. Despite adversity, most parents tried to cope through social connectedness, humour, and living day by day.Conclusions : Our findings hold implications for contextual adaptations of early posttraumatic interventions aimed at strengthening family support, such as addressing parental mental health; increasing awareness among first-line responders on parents’ potential representations of trauma and resilience; addressing the issue of controlling parenting; and including a component in psychoeducation on traumatic stress that validates the impact of daily stressors on mental health while avoiding direct labelling. Further research is needed to validate the impact of these domains.HIGHLIGHTSParents of adolescents recently exposed to trauma in Beirut endure cumulative stress and recall war memories.Some parents see resilience as innate, and others criticise it as a myth.Early interventions should target parental mental health and conceptions on trauma and resilience.Antecedentes : Los fuertes lazos familiares son fundamentales para desarrollar la resiliencia en jóvenes expuestos a eventos traumáticos en entornos socialmente adversos. Explorar las experiencias de los padres después de la exposición traumática de los adolescentes en estos contextos ayudaría a adaptar intervenciones tempranas.Objetivos : Exploramos cualitativamente las experiencias y necesidades percibidas entre padres de adolescentes de 11 a 16 años que fueron expuestos en los últimos tres meses a un evento potencialmente traumático en Beirut, Líbano.Método : Seleccionamos intencionalmente a 28 padres de 24 adolescentes que cumplían con los criterios de inclusión. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas y se aplicó un análisis temático combinado con un enfoque de teoría fundamentada.Resultados : El evento traumático más frecuente fue la exposición directa a los enfrentamientos violentos que ocurrieron en Beirut el 14 de octubre de 2021. Los padres identificaron que este evento reciente exacerbó dificultades preexistentes de salud mental causadas por el estrés acumulativo. Recordaron sus propias experiencias de guerra y tendieron a rechazar el ‘rol de enfermo’ asociado con el trauma. La mayoría de los participantes consideraron la resiliencia como un rasgo fijo característico de los libaneses y evitaron hablar con sus hijos sobre recuerdos traumáticos, mientras que una minoría significativa criticó la resiliencia como un mito que les añadía presión y prefirieron tener una comunicación más abierta sobre el trauma. Los estilos de crianza oscilaron entre comportamientos controladores, calidez y evitación, lo que afectó la dinámica familiar. A pesar de la adversidad, la mayoría de los padres intentaron sobrellevar la situación mediante la conexión social, el humor y el vivir del día a día.Conclusiones : Nuestros hallazgos tienen implicaciones para adaptaciones contextuales de intervenciones tempranas postraumáticas destinadas a fortalecer el apoyo familiar, como abordar la salud mental de los padres; aumentar la conciencia entre los primeros respondedores sobre las posibles representaciones de los padres sobre el trauma y la resiliencia; abordar el tema de la crianza controladora; e incluir un componente de psicoeducación sobre el estrés traumático que valide el impacto de los estresores diarios en la salud mental evitando etiquetas directas. Se necesita más investigación para validar el impacto de estos dominios
Predictors of drug‐resistant epilepsy in childhood epilepsy syndromes: A subgroup analysis from a prospective cohort study
No full textInternational audienceObjective: Previous studies assessing factors associated with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) were constrained by their amalgamation of all epilepsy syndromes in their analyses and the absence of uniform criteria for defining DRE. Our objective was to identify predictors of DRE among the four primary childhood epilepsy syndrome groups within a cohort of children with new onset seizures, using the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) definition of DRE and the recent classification of epilepsies.Methods: This is a prospective study of 676 children with new onset seizures initiated on antiseizure medication. Patients were monitored for the occurrence of DRE according to the ILAE criteria and were categorized into one of four epilepsy groups: self-limited focal epilepsies (SeLFEs), genetic generalized epilepsies (GGEs), developmental epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), and focal epilepsies.Cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of DRE within each epilepsy group.</div
Improving dried mango physicochemical properties using conventional hot-air drying coupled with a novel technology “intensification of vaporization by decompression to the vacuum”
No full textSource Agritrop Cirad (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/612937/)International audienceThe impact of the “Intensification of Vaporization by Decompression to the Vacuum” (IVDV) coupled with conventional hot-air drying on the organoleptic and nutritional properties of mangoes was investigated in this study. The effect of three IVDV treatment parameters (saturated steam pressure, initial water content and processing time) on the volume, texture and color was studied using response surface methodology. The phenolic content and antioxidant activity were explored through chemical analyses. Results revealed that the IVDV decreased the drying time of mango cubes by 50%, increased their volume by four times, and improved their texture compared to hot-air dried samples. The treatment also enhanced the color of mango cubes allowing an orange color contrasted to a brown color for conventionally dried cubes. Phenolic content and antioxidant activities were improved by 9 times and 11 times, respectively, following IVDV treatment compared to simple hot-air drying. The IVDV offers new prospects for processing mango into dried cubes with improved organoleptic properties characterized by a crunchy texture and an appreciated color
Le développement de l'éco-citoyenneté dans le contexte éducatif libanais par l'intégration de l'économie circulaire
No full textJe suis une doctorante en sciences de l'éducation, ma thèse concerne le développement d'un modèle d'intégration de l'économie circulaire dans le contexte éducatif libanais. Ma présentation comprend la problématisation, les concepts théoriques et le cadre méthodologique. Je n'ai pas encore collecté les données et je n'ai pas encore alors des résultats.International audienceJe suis une doctorante en sciences de l'éducation, ma thèse concerne le développement d'un modèle d'intégration de l'économie circulaire dans le contexte éducatif libanais. Ma présentation comprend la problématisation, les concepts théoriques et le cadre méthodologique. Je n'ai pas encore collecté les données et je n'ai pas encore alors des résultats.524107Education ; développement durable ; écocitoyenneté ; éducation au développement durable ; économie circulaire ; modélisation ; design thinking ; complexité.Le développement de l'éco-citoyenneté dans le contexte éducatif libanais par l'intégration de l'économie circulaire4191