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Whole-genome characterisation of TEM-1 and CMY-2 β-lactamase-producing Salmonella Kentucky ST198 in Lebanese broiler chain
No full textInternational audienceObjectives : Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Kentucky has been associated with the worldwide ciprofloxacin-resistant (CIPR) Salmonella Kentucky sequence type 198 (ST198) epidemic clone, mostly recovered from poultry farms and products. The aim of this study was to examine whether this expanding clone exists in the Lebanese broiler chain.Methods : Eight CIPR and extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Salmonella Kentucky isolates previously recovered from Lebanese broilers were genetically characterised by whole-genome sequencing.Results : Seven of the eight isolates belonged to ST198 and were phylogenetically closely related. They all harboured mutations in the chromosomal quinolone resistance genesgyrA and parC with double and single substitutions, respectively. The blaTEM-1B and blaCMY-2 genes were both detected in six isolates. Insertion sequence ISEcp1 was located upstream of blaCMY-2, harboured by IncI1 plasmids in four strains. An IS10 transposition coupled to homologous recombination at transposition sites mediated CMY-2 plasmid integration into the chromosome of one strain. Resistance genes to aminoglycosides [aadA7 and aac(3)-Id], tetracyclines [tet(A)] and sulfonamides (sul1) were detected in five strains, among which four were positive for the presence of Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1) variant SGI1-K. All studied isolates harboured a variety of Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs) as well as common regulatory and virulence genes.Conclusion : Here we report for the first time in Lebanon the detection and dissemination of the emerging highly drug-resistantSalmonella Kentucky ST198. Our findings shed new light on this clone as a potential public-health threat
Externalization Policies and their Impacts on Migrant and Refugee Flows to Europe during the “Crisis.” A preliminary study
No full textIn the past two decades European states have increasingly sought to stem irregularmigration to Europe by cooperating with non-European countries to “externalize” migrationand asylum management beyond European borders and territories. The externalization ofmigration policy amounts to delegating border control in third countries, enablingdeportations of irregular migrants through readmission agreements (RA), while also includingaid and development packages that address the drivers of migration in origin and transitcountries. It is unclear, however, whether or under what conditions such policies have hadtheir intended effects. In this paper, we aim to measure how migrant and refugee flowsrespond to such European externalization of migration and asylum management. Ouranalyses cover the period of the so-called “migrant” or “refugee crisis” of 2015, which offersa unique context in which to study the relationship between migration policies and flows.After introducing a new database on external migration policy instruments, we useFrontex data to describe the patterns in irregular migration flows, focusing on the spatial andcategorical distribution of migrants and refugees from 2009 to 2018. We first introduce auseful distinction between “likely irregular migrants” and “likely refugees”, who both crossborders illegally into Europe. We then explore the extent to which the closure of migrationroutes led to the rerouting of migration flows. We show that such a phenomenon is actuallylimited to few nationalities. We eventually argue that externalization policies, althoughpartially effective at reducing the overall number of irregular border crossings into Europe,directly affect “likely refugees” who remain stranded in transit countries or who renouncefleeing their country of origin.Then, we present key policy trends across European states and third countries inregard with externalization. We first argue that the 2015 crisis reinforced existing dynamicsof diplomatic engagement and cooperation with third countries in matters of migration andasylum and extended their geographical scope. We then examine the impact of policies onirregular flows. Focusing on the impact of readmission agreements, we contend that bilateralagreements are not effective in limiting irregular migration from the signing countries oforigin. However, we also observe that bilateral implemented protocols of EU readmissionagreements (EU RA) are associated with fewer irregular border crossings from the relevantthird countries. We suggest that this effect can be explained by pre-existing political relationsbetween the parties to the EU readmission agreements and the limited number of irregularborder crossers from these nationalities. Overall, our findings call into question theappropriateness of externalization policies as tools for addressing migration issues, inparticular large refugee flows in times of crisis
Dossier « L’économie circulaire : modes de gouvernance et développement territorial » – Nouveaux modèles économiques et construction de la durabilité territoriale. Illustrations à partir d’une analyse de l’action collective
No full textInternational audienceSince the beginning of the 2000s, experiments to develop new business models (circular economy, industrial and territorial ecology, new product-service systems) are emerging around collective practices aiming at new forms of sustainability. These initiatives originate from different private stakeholders or from territories. In spite of their great heterogeneousness, the common feature of these new business models is a hybridization of projects which potentially creates new value through an innovative process of collective action. The new business models are actually seeking to reinvent territorial sustainability patterns. This work aims to analyze the processes and stakes involved from a collective action standpoint. First, it shows the process of creating value around these economic models. Based on an original reading grid it compares three case studies and seeks to identify the levers of collective action. We show that common features are important for the development of these new models: value creation, externalities, territorial sustainability, institutionalization of action and reversibility.Depuis le début des années 2000, des expérimentations dont l’objectif est de développer de nouveaux modèles économiques (économie circulaire, écologie industrielle et territoriale, économie de la fonctionnalité…) s’organisent autour de pratiques collectives engagées autour et vers de nouvelles formes de durabilité. Ces initiatives émanent de partenaires privés ou de territoires. Malgré leur grande hétérogénéité, ces nouveaux modèles économiques ont en commun une hybridation de projets entrepreneuriaux et territoriaux qui portent potentiellement en germe une évolution radicale de la création de richesse à travers un processus innovant d’action collective. Ce travail se propose, à partir d’une grille de lecture de l’action collective, d’en décrypter les processus et d’en analyser les ressorts et les résultats potentiels en termes de ce que nous nommons durabilité territoriale. Nous montrons, à partir de trois cas d’entreprise, les processus et formes d’action collectives ainsi que les limites à la mise en place des modèles à une échelle plus large
A review of potential treatments to date in COVID-19 patients according to the stage of the disease
No full textInternational audienceIntroduction and motivation: Since the end of 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide. With the rapid spread of this virus, an immense burden has fallen upon both healthcare and economic systems. As a consequence, there is an unprecedented urgency for researchers and scientific committees from all over the world to find an effective treatment and vaccine.Review structure: Many potential therapies are currently under investigation, with some, like Hydroxychloroquine, being authorized for emergency use in some countries. The crucial issue is now clearly to find the suitable treatment strategy for patients given comorbidities and the timeline of the illness. Vaccines are also under development and phase 1 clinical trials are rolling. Despite all efforts, no single drug or vaccine has yet been approved. In this review, we aim at presenting the proposed pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 and to provide clinicians with a brief and solid overview of the current potential treatments classified according to their use at the three different currently proposed disease stages. In light of pathogenesis and proposed clinical classification, this review's purpose is to summarize and simplify the most important updates on the management and the potential treatment of this emergent disease
Knowledge and attitude toward waterpipe smoking: scale validation and correlates in the Lebanese adult population
No full textInternational audienceThe World Health Organization declared waterpipe smoking as a growing public health concern. Our study aimed to assess waterpipe smoking knowledge and attitude among current waterpipe smokers in comparison with nonsmokers and to evaluate its association with current and cumulative waterpipe smoking. A cross-sectional study was carried between May and December 2018 using a multistage cluster sample across Lebanon. Nonsmokers or exclusive current waterpipe smokers were eligible to participate. A total of 4046 adult individuals participated in the study, 38.3% (n = 1550) being current waterpipe smokers. Current waterpipe smoking was positively associated with female gender [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.79, 95%CI 1.40-2.28] and having a mother who is a regular smoker (aOR 1.47, 95%CI 1.15-1.88) while it was negatively associated with better knowledge about waterpipe smoking harm (aOR 0.95, 95%CI 0.93-0.97) and positive attitude toward waterpipe smoking ban (aOR 0.98, 95%CI 0.96-0.99). Cumulative waterpipe smoking was negatively associated with female gender (β = - 0.012), higher education level (β = - 0.28), and positive attitude toward WPS ban (β = - 0.06). Waterpipe smoking is largely present among the Lebanese population, with waterpipe smokers showing lower knowledge about harm and more intolerant attitude about banning. Health awareness supported by media campaigns and governmental initiatives should be conducted to educate people and change their perceptions regarding waterpipe smoking
Shrinkage cracking of unsaturated fine soils: New experimental device and measurement techniques
No full textInternational audienceClay fine soils are characterised by an ability to change volume when subjected to suction. Soil cracking due to desiccation is a phenomenon of great importance in the environmental geotechnical engineering domain. Aiming to understand shrinkage mechanism, and conditions that lead to appearance of drying cracks, a new experimental testing coupled device digital image correlation- clay ring test (DIC-CRT) was developed to investigate fine soils shrinkage and cracking. The new feature of this paper is to link both measurement techniques, based on 2D/3D-DIC and an innovative CRT, in order to assess stress and strain in soils during desiccation. Tests were carried out on a kaolinite having a liquid limit of wL = 40%, and prepared as a slurry with w = 1.5 wL of water content. The results highlight the relevance in combining these two techniques, particularly to assess internal stresses developed in the material using CRT and link them to strains leading to cracking measured by DIC method
Essential Oil Chemical Composition of Rosa corymbifera Borkh., Rosa phoenicia Boiss. and Rosa damascena Mill. from Lebanon
No full textInternational audienceEssential oils of three Lebanese Rose species (Rosa corymbifera Borkh., Rosa Phoenicia Boiss. and Rosa damascena Mill.) were investigated, to assess their bioactive components after hydrodistillation, using a Clevenger-type apparatus. A GC/MS analysis of the oil content of Rose species led to the identification of 22, 46 and 30 components in each of R. damascena, R. corymbifera and R. Phoenicia, respectively, representing 83.4 %, 72.9 % and 84.7 % of the total EO of the corresponding Rose species. The EOs chemical profile analysis showed that the main components of R. corymbifera (heptacosane (14.8 %), tricosane (10.6 %), pentacosane (8.6 %), nonacosane (8.6 %) and heneicosane (5.6 %)) and of R. Phoenicia (heptacosane (17.1 %), tricosane (12 .9 %), heneicosane (12.3 %), docosane (12.1 %) and cycloeicosane (7.6 %)) were hydrocarbons. While hydro- carbons were also identified in R. damascena (nonadecane (12.4 %) and heneicosane (8.1 %)), they were not its most abundant constituents. The major component of R. damascena was phenethyl alcohol (28.5 %), a benzenoid compound, also identified in R. phoenicia (5.1 %). Moreover, an oxygenated terpene (beta-citronellol (13.2 %)) was also identified in R. damascena. Since R. damascena is largely cultivated in Lebanon, a comparative study of R. damascena EO was performed on a group of samples collected from different locations (ours and data previously published), to identify the presence of any chemical polymorphism according to the geographical location. GC/ MS analysis together with principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted six different chemotypes for R. damascena EO: citronellol, geraniol, nerol, nonadecane, phenyl ethyl alcohol and heneicosane. This chemical variability suggests the involvement of abiotic and biotic factors that need to be further investigated
Electrochemical studies of steel rebar corrosion in clay: Application to a raw earth concrete
No full textInternational audienceReinforcement feasibility of a new ecological earth concrete was examined. Steel rebar corrosion, when in contact with three different types of clayey soil, was investigated using electrochemical methods, potentiodynamic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Results have shown that the voltammetry method overestimates the corrosion rate while EIS supplies the most reliable results. Corrosion rate decreased and a steady state was reached after four months of contact. The type of clay does not have a significant influence on the corrosion rate of the steel rebar, and the average value of 3 µm/year was considered acceptable for the lifetime of the structure
Mid-Ventricular Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy with Hawk’s Beak Appearance: A Case Report
No full textInternational audienceBACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a myocardial infarction-like clinical entity commonly occurring after a stressful incident, leading to reversible systolic dysfunction. It involves several subtypes, most often associated with a good prognosis; however, a late diagnosis can contribute to a poor cardiovascular outcome.CASE REPORT: We report an unusual case of mid-ventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a 76-year-old woman who presented with recent-onset shortness of breath and compressive chest pain, typically characterized by a hawk’s beak shape on left ventriculogram, highlighting the importance of this helpful descriptive but little-known fluoroscopic sign. The final diagnosis was made using transthoracic echocardiography, contrast-enhanced pulmonary angiography, coronary angiography, and left ventriculography. She was successfully treated by beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, with a good clinical outcome evaluated at 3-month follow-up after hospital discharge.CONCLUSIONS: Ventriculography is an important tool for use in making the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome without obstructive coronary artery disease. The hawk’s beak shape is an early fluoroscopic diagnostic marker characterizing the mid-ventricular subtype of takotsubo
Utility of enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in Kounis syndrome: a case report
No full textInternational audienceBackground: Kounis syndrome is the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome precipitated by an allergic reaction in the presence or absence of underlying coronary artery disease. The syndrome is explained by the effect of released inflammatory mediators on the coronary arteries and platelets.Case summary: We report an uncommon case of Kounis syndrome Type II in a 65-year-old man 24 h after being bitten by a hymenoptera. Clinical context, electrocardiogram, coronary angiography, and enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging modality are presented.Discussion: Awareness and understanding of this syndrome is essential for starting early and appropriate therapy, thereby preventing life-threatening events. Accordingly, we highlight the importance of enhanced cardiac MRI to complete the assessment of this entity