Aluminum chloride and sodium metabisulfite have shown high efficacy at low doses in controlling postharvest pathogens on potato tubers. Direct effects of these two salts included the loss of cell ...membrane integrity in exposed pathogens. In this work, four fungal potato pathogens were studied in order to elucidate the role of membrane lipids and lipid peroxidation in the relative sensitivity of microorganisms exposed to these salts. Inhibition of mycelial growth in these fungi varied considerably and revealed sensitivity groups within the tested fungi. Analysis of fatty acids in these fungi demonstrated that sensitivity was related to high intrinsic fatty acid unsaturation. When exposed to the antifungal salts, sensitive fungi demonstrated a loss of fatty acid unsaturation, which was accompanied by an elevation in malondialdehyde content (a biochemical marker of lipid peroxidation). Our data suggest that aluminum chloride and sodium metabisulfite could induce lipid peroxidation in sensitive fungi, which may promote the ensuing loss of integrity in the plasma membrane. This direct effect on fungal membranes may contribute, at least in part, to the observed antimicrobial effects of these two salts.
Acupuncture-like TENS (AL-TENS) has been shown to produce prolonged pain relief, but no study has yet investigated its duration on a population suffering from chronic low back pain (CLPB).
Our ...objective was to quantify the duration and magnitude of analgesia induced by a 15- or 30-minute application of AL-TENS.
We recruited a sample of 11 participants presenting with CLBP and conducted a randomized, crossover study, where participants were given AL-TENS for 15 and 30 minutes on two separate occasions. The pain intensity of their CLBP was assessed with a visual analogue scale before, during, and after AL-TENS applications. Magnitude and duration of analgesia were determined for each subject and for both AL-TENS application times.
The AL-TENS applications induced a clinically and statistically significant (p = 0.003) analgesia in all participants. Median duration of analgesia was 9 hours and 10 hours 30 minutes following the 15- and 30-minute AL-TENS applications, respectively; this 1.5-hour difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.55). Furthermore, we observed no significant difference in the magnitude of analgesia between both applications of AL-TENS (p > 0.56), suggesting that the duration of application of AL-TENS does not influence the magnitude of analgesia.
Our results suggest that clinicians could use a 15-minute AL-TENS application to provide significant analgesia in patients presenting with low back pain since if provides a comparable analgesia versus a 30-minute application.
Previous studies have linked telepresence to the strength of the therapeutic relationship experienced during telepsychotherapy. This finding comes as a surprise for many people who have been involved ...in a teleconference meeting, where telepresence is often considered weak. The aim of this study is to (re)evaluate the impact of emotional engagement on telepresence. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two conditions: (a) emotionally charged verbal exchange first (followed by a more neutral verbal exchange), or (b) emotionally neutral verbal exchange first (followed by an emotionally charged verbal exchange). A distraction task was performed between the two verbal exchanges in videoconference. Results showed that verbal exchanges involving stronger emotions increase telepresence. These results may explain why telepresence is so high in telepsychotherapy.
Fungi belonging to the recently classified genus Pseudozyma possess some unique properties such as biocontrol activity, production of rare antimicrobial glycolipids and production of recombinant ...proteins. In this work, we report the first cloning of a promoter endogenous to the multi-faceted yeast-like Pseudozyma flocculosa, that of the actin gene. The promoter region lacked typical TATA or CAAT box but displayed three putative GC box and two CT-rich regions. As in other related basidiomycetes, only one copy of the actin gene was present in the genome of P. flocculosa. The activity of the actin promoter was compared to that of the HSP70 promoter from Ustilago maydis in two Pseudozyma species. In P. flocculosa, the actin promoter allowed the expression of a very high amount of GFP protein (27.8 mg g-¹ total protein) compared to those obtained with the HSP70 promoter in liquid culture. By contrast, the levels of GFP expression obtained in liquid culture were similar with the actin or the HSP70 promoter in Pseudozyma antarctica. A similar pattern of GFP expression was observed in solid culture. The cloning of this new promoter offers a unique genetic tool to further exploit and study the unusual properties of fungi from the Pseudozyma genus.
Can we establish a relationship between obesity and student retention? Several studies confirm that the adoption of certain lifestyles such as physical activity and healthy eating are closely linked ...to student success. Healthier children perform better in school and in life, and conversely, those who do better in school are also healthier. As part of a larger research project, a correlational survey was conducted in winter 2013 among 248 young people aged 14–19 in the Outaouais region (Quebec, Canada) on the impact of government policies and other measures to adopt healthy lifestyles. We especially analyzed the links between obesity prevention and parental involvement on the school performance and academic achievement of these young people. Our survey was used to measure attitude, perception and behavior variables, using a Likert scale. Our results suggest that, despite efforts by public programs, parents and teachers, one-third of the teenagers do not have access to awareness campaigns on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Almost one-fifth of the teenagers are not sufficiently supported by their parents in the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Furthermore, this research shows strong correlations between parental involvement and both student retention and acquisition of healthy habits in their children.
Pediculosis is the most frequent and contagious ectoparasitic infestation in human, particularly in children from 3 to 8 years of age. Epidemics are observed from time to time, in schools or in ...adults in prisons. Even though benign, these infections remain unpleasant and can have an important psyco-social impact. Since a few years, caregivers have to face increasing problems while treating lice: appearance of insecticide resistances, lindane's withdrawal from the market and the marketing of new products which are not always well evaluated. This article offers first recalls about pediculoses and then a sum up of the different available treatments with an evidence based management strategy.
Scabies is a parasitic infection known all over the world and particularly in a low socioeconomic context and in institutions. The transmission is mainly direct from skin-to-skin. An increase of ...cases has been observed in Geneva since October 2011. To confirm the diagnosis, a precise clinical and microbiological examination is required and highly recommended before starting a treatment. Scabies management includes treatment of the patient and his close contacts with antiparasitic drugs as well as thorough cleaning of clothes and bed linen. When available, oral ivermectine is the treatment of choice, topical permethrine is prescribed when ivermectine cannot be used or in association with it in severe presentations. In Switzerland, ivermectine is not readily available, it is expensive and not reimbursed by insurances.
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