Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD WB Saunders
Résumé : International audience
OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that, in Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus (HIV/HCV) co-infected patients who did not respond to peg-interferon and ribavirin, a maintenance therapy with peg-interferon could induce fibrosis regression. METHODS: This was a randomized study with two parallel groups. HIV/HCV co-infected patients received peg-interferon α-2a at 180 μg/week or remained on observation for 96 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who experienced a decrease of at least one point in their Metavir fibrosis score between initial and final liver biopsies. Secondary endpoints included plasma fibrosis markers at week 96, occurrence of HCV-related complications, and survival. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were randomized (peg-interferon: 25; control: 27) including 18 with cirrhosis. The median (interquartile range) age was 44 (40-46) years, and 69% were male. A total of 64% had ALT levels >1.5 normal values, and the CD4 cell count was 391 (296-537) cells/mm(3); 67% of patients had HIV RNA <200 copies/mL at entry. The main endpoint was assessed in 41 patients. Response rates were 3/20 (15%) and 4/21 (19%) in the peg-interferon and control groups, respectively (p = 0.99). There was no significant difference between peg-interferon and control groups on plasma fibrosis markers at the final visit. Severe liver-related complications were observed in 2 and 5 patients in peg-interferon and control groups, respectively. Three deaths were observed, all in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: A maintenance therapy with peg-interferon α-2a over 96 weeks in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, who were non-responders to HCV treatment, did not change liver fibrosis. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00122616.
ISSN: 0163-4453

hal-00875067
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00875067
DOI : 10.1016/j.jinf.2013.05.007
PUBMED : 23800784

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Landes Bioscience
Résumé : International audience
In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
Autophagy

hal-00735751
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00735751
PUBMED : 22966490

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : Evidence has accumulated that climate variability influences the state and functioning of marine ecosystems. At the same time increasing pressure from exploitation and other human activities has been shown to impact exploited and non-exploited species and potentially modify ecosystem structure. There has been a tendency among marine scientists to pose the question as a dichotomy, i.e., whether (1) "natural" climate variability or (2) fishery exploitation bears the primary responsibility for population declines in fish populations and the associated ecosystem changes. However, effects of both climate and exploitation are probably substantially involved in most cases. More importantly, climate and exploitation interact in their effects, such that climate may cause failure in a fishery management scheme but that fishery exploitation may also disrupt the ability of a resource population to withstand, or adjust to, climate changes. Here, we review how exploitation, by altering the structure of populations and ecosystems, can modify their ability to respond to climate. The demographic effects of fishing (removal of large-old individuals) can have substantial consequences on the capacity of populations to buffer climate variability through various pathways (direct demographic effects, effects on migration, parental effects). In a similar way, selection of population sub-units within metapopulations may also lead to a reduction in the capacity of populations to withstand climate variability and change. At the ecosystem level, reduced complexity by elimination of species, such as might occur by fishing, may be destabilizing and could lead to reduced resilience to perturbations. Differential exploitation of marine resources could also promote increased turnover rates in marine ecosystems, which would exacerbate the effects of environmental changes. Overall (and despite the specificities of local situations) reduction in marine diversity at the individual, population and ecosystem levels will likely lead to a reduction in the resilience and an increase in the response of populations and ecosystems to future climate variability and change. Future management schemes will have to consider the structure and functioning of populations and ecosystems in a wider sense in order to maximise the ability of marine fauna to adapt to future climates. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Journal of Marine Systems (0924-7963) (Elsevier), 2010-02 , Vol. 79 , N. 3-4 , P. 403-417

Droits : 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2010/publication-7384.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.jmarsys.2008.12.018
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/7384/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD John Libbey Eurotext
Résumé : International audience
Environmental health risk assessment is commonly used in France for risk management purposes. The Methodology section of the "Société française de santé environnement" (French Society for Environmental Health) seeks to improve the utility and implementation of risk assessment in France. An initial operational objective is to make a list of short-, intermediate- and long-term improvements. This inventory is based in part on the experience and expertise of society members in this area and in part on their analysis of "Science and Decisions: Advancing Risk Assessment" (National Research Council 2009). In this paper, the Society recommends modifications in the indications for and use of risk assessments, during each of the four stages of the process: hazard identification and dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, risk characterization, and results interpretation. Some may be implemented now, while others need consensus building or research because of gaps in knowledge. Environmental health risk assessment must be understood as a decision tool for risk management in situations of uncertainly. Thus, appropriate linkage is required between decision making and assessment, and between the methods and the expected results.
L'évaluation des risques sanitaires est fréquemment utilisée en France dans les processus de décision en santé environnementale. La section " Méthodologie d'évaluation des risques sanitaires " de la Société française de santé environnement (SFSE) s'est donnée pour objectif de proposer des éléments de réflexion et des outils méthodologiques en vue d'améliorer l'utilité et les pratiques de l'évaluation des risques sanitaires. Un premier objectif opérationnel est l'inventaire des améliorations possibles à court, moyen et long termes à apporter à la démarche et à son utilisation. Ce travail s'est fondé, d'une part, sur la pratique et l'expertise des membres de la section, et, d'autre part, sur une lecture critique du rapport " Science and Decisions : Advancing Risk Assessment " publié en 2009 par le National Research Council et portant également sur les évolutions de la démarche. Dans cet article, la section restitue les conclusions de cet inventaire critique et propose un certain nombre d'améliorations en termes d'indications et d'utilisations de l'évaluation des risques sanitaires pour chacune des quatre étapes : identification des dangers et relation dose-réponse ; évaluation de l'exposition ; caractérisation des risques ; et interprétation des résultats. Certaines recommandations peuvent être mises en oeuvre immédiatement ; d'autres, en préalable à leur mise en oeuvre, nécessitent un consensus ou encore de la recherche car les connaissances manquent. En conclusion, la section insiste sur le fait que l'évaluation des risques sanitaires doit être comprise comme une aide à la décision en situation d'incertitude ; l'articulation entre le contexte décisionnel et l'évaluation, sa méthodologie et les résultats attendus est donc primordiale.
ISSN: 1635-0421

ineris-00963325
https://hal-ineris.archives-ouvertes.fr/ineris-00963325
DOI : 10.1684/ers.2011.0435
INERIS : EN-2012-016

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Springer Verlag
Résumé : The area of forest plantations is increasing worldwide helping to meet timber demand and protect natural forests. However, with global change, monospecific plantations are increasingly vulnerable to abiotic and biotic disturbances. As an adaption measure we need to move to plantations that are more diverse in genotypes, species, and structure, with a design underpinned by science. TreeDivNet, a global network of tree diversity experiments, responds to this need by assessing the advantages and disadvantages of mixed species plantations. The network currently consists of 18 experiments, distributed over 36 sites and five ecoregions. With plantations 1-15 years old, TreeDivNet can already provide relevant data for forest policy and management. In this paper, we highlight some early results on the carbon sequestration and pest resistance potential of more diverse plantations. Finally, suggestions are made for new, innovative experiments in understudied regions to complement the existing network.
ISSN: 0044-7447

hal-01204232
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01204232
DOI : 10.1007/s13280-015-0685-1
PRODINRA : 324368
PUBMED : 26264716

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD John Libbey Eurotext
Résumé : International audience
Chemical risk assessment is a tool used in decision-making processes concerning situations of scientific uncertainty. Approaches to risk assessment in occupational and environmental health share the same objective of risk prevention. Nevertheless, the methods for both differ depending on whether the goal is to enforce regulations or conduct expert assessments and studies. These differences are stronger in occupational health, for which regulations require risk assessments at the work station, to classify and prioritize exposure situations to implement occupational risk prevention strategies. Risk assessment thus has somewhat different meanings in occupational and environmental health. This article attempts to clarify the different terms used in the different contexts and to describe the similarities and differences of the two approaches.
ISSN: 1635-0421

hal-00936256
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00936256
DOI : 10.1684/ers.2013.0646

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD John Libbey Eurotext
Résumé : International audience
French toxicological reference values (VTR) and French occupational exposure limit values (VLEP) are indicators that are widely used in risk assessment for, respectively, human and occupational health. Neither value can replace the other. However, the information obtained for one can be very useful for the other. We propose to clarify the fundamental differences and similarities between these two values. To achieve this, we review first their history and then the methods used to derive them; we conclude by proposing some improvements to harmonize them. A case study of formaldehyde illustrates our analysis.
ISSN: 1635-0421

hal-00936267
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00936267
DOI : 10.1684/ers.2013.0647

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Oxford University Press
Résumé : International audience
The BioMart Community Portal (www.biomart.org) is a community-driven effort to provide a unified interface to biomedical databases that are distributed worldwide. The portal provides access to numerous database projects supported by 30 scientific organizations. It includes over 800 different biological datasets spanning genomics, proteomics, model organisms, cancer data, ontology information and more. All resources available through the portal are independently administered and funded by their host organizations. The BioMart data federation technology provides a unified interface to all the available data. The latest version of the portal comes with many new databases that have been created by our ever-growing community. It also comes with better support and extensibility for data analysis and visualization tools. A new addition to our toolbox, the enrichment analysis tool is now accessible through graphical and web service interface. The BioMart community portal averages over one million requests per day. Building on this level of service and the wealth of information that has become available, the BioMart Community Portal has introduced a new, more scalable and cheaper alternative to the large data stores maintained by specialized organizations.
ISSN: 0305-1048

hal-01146849
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01146849
DOI : 10.1093/nar/gkv350
PUBMED : 25897122