Sequence analysis revealed phospholipase A2 (PLA2) motifs in capsid proteins of parvoviruses. Although PLA2 activity is not known to exist in viruses, putative PLA2s from divergent parvoviruses, ...human B19, porcine parvovirus, and insect GmDNV (densovirus from Galleria mellonella), can emulate catalytic properties of secreted PLA2. Mutations of critical amino acids strongly reduce both PLA2 activity and, proportionally, viral infectivity, but cell surface attachment, entry, and endocytosis by PLA2-deficient virions are not affected. PLA2 activity is critical for efficient transfer of the viral genome from late endosomes/lysosomes to the nucleus to initiate replication. These findings offer the prospect of developing PLA2 inhibitors as a new class of antiviral drugs against parvovirus infections and associated diseases.
Interferon beta‐1a (IFNβ‐1a) and beta‐1b (IFNβ‐1b) are immunomodulators used for the treatment of relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The primary objective of this study was to compare the ...biological effects induced by subcutaneous administrations of IFNβ‐1a (Rebif®, 44 μg, three times weekly) and IFNβ‐1b (Betaseron®, 250 μg, given every other day) in healthy male volunteers (n=64). The secondary objectives were to assess the local injection site tolerability and safety of both treatments. IFNβ‐1a and IFNβ‐1b were administered over a 4‐week period and biological response markers were measured (neopterin in serum, β2‐microglobulin in serum, and MxA protein in blood). Pharmacokinetic parameters of the biological markers were calculated and injection site pain and reactions were determined using numerical rating scale (NRS) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Following treatments with IFNβ‐1b and IFNβ‐1a, baseline‐adjusted area under the concentration‐time curve of neopterin (149.2 and 153.0 nmol·day/L, respectively), β2‐microglobulin (12.9 and 16.2 mg·day/L, respectively), and MxA protein (9091 and 9535 ng.day/mL, respectively) were similar. Betaseron® treatment was associated with less pain and reactions at the injection site. These results support the hypothesis that the administration of Betaseron® over 4 weeks resulted in similar pharmacodynamic responses to that of Rebif®, and with an improved safety and tolerability profile.
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P32–P32; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.120
Dans un contexte de gestion intégrée de l'eau par bassin versant, on doit, avant d'implanter tout programme d'assainissement, comparer les solutions de rechange, distinguer les contributions des ...différentes sources de pollution aux problèmes de qualité de l'eau, et définir des objectifs environnementaux de rejet (OER) associés aux activités et aux pressions anthropiques. Dans le cas des sources de pollution d'origine ponctuelle, on détermine un OER et son risque de dépassement en fonction d'un débit d'étiage critique d'une période de retour donnée. Dans le cas de la pollution diffuse d'origine agricole, il n'existe pas de concepts similaires pour définir des OER. L'approche que nous proposons, c'est de simuler, à l'aide de chroniques météorologiques et de divers scénarios de gestion de ces rejets, les concentrations résultantes dans les cours d'eau et de calculer les probabilités de dépassement des critères de qualité de l'eau (CQE). Cette approche permet de caractériser la prise de décision pour la période de contrôle en matière du nombre moyen de jours de dépassement d'un CQE. Ceci représente une quantification plus exacte du risque car ce dernier est interprété en fonction de ce qui est mesuré en rivière, c'est-à-dire les concentrations de polluants. Dans cette étude, on illustre l'application de ce concept à partir d'un cas de figure dans le bassin versant de la rivière Chaudière (Québec, Canada) qui est simulé avec le système de modélisation intégrée GIBSI. Dans le cadre d'une analyse de scénarios de restauration des activités récréatives conduisant à des contacts directs et fréquents avec l'eau, on illustre comment on peut, en réduisant respectivement les pressions agricole et urbaine de 32 et 17%, abaisser globalement les probabilités de dépassement des critères esthétique et bactériologique de 0,32 à 0,19 et de 0,94 à 0, respectivement.
Sequence analysis revealed phospholipase A sub(2) (PLA sub(2)) motifs in capsid proteins of parvoviruses. Although PLA sub(2) activity is not known to exist in viruses, putative PLA sub(2)s from ...divergent parvoviruses, human B19, porcine parvovirus, and insect GmDNV (densovirus from Galleria mellonella), can emulate catalytic properties of secreted PLA sub(2). Mutations of critical amino acids strongly reduce both PLA sub(2) activity and, proportionally, viral infectivity, but cell surface attachment, entry, and endocytosis by PLA sub(2)-deficient virions are not affected. PLA sub(2) activity is critical for efficient transfer of the viral genome from late endosomes/lysosomes to the nucleus to initiate replication. These findings offer the prospect of developing PLA sub(2) inhibitors as a new class of antiviral drugs against parvovirus infections and associated diseases.
In an integrated watershed management context, the implementation of any clean water program requires the evaluation of the contribution of pollutant loads associated with wet (nonpoint or diffuse) ...and dry weather (point) sources to the studied water quality problem. It is also necessary to set environmental load allocations (ELA) or total maximum daily loads (TMDL) for various anthropogenic activities and to link these loads to water pollutant concentrations. The ELA or TMDL is a numerical quantity determining the maximum load of pollutants from point and nonpoint sources as well as background sources, to receiving water bodies that will meet designated water uses (e.g., swimming or fishing) in terms of water quality standards (WQS). The American Congress included a TMDL program in the Clean Water Act of 1972 (US EPA, 1997; 1999). The outcome of the TMDL program corresponds to the drafting of a watershed management plan (NOVOTNY, 1999).
Dans un contexte de gestion intégrée de l'eau par bassin versant, on doit, avant d'implanter tout programme d'assainissement, comparer les solutions de rechange, distinguer les contributions des ...différentes sources de pollution aux problèmes de qualité de l'eau, et définir des objectifs environnementaux de rejet (OER) associés aux activités et aux pressions anthropiques. Dans le cas des sources de pollution d'origine ponctuelle, on détermine un OER et son risque de dépassement en fonction d'un débit d'étiage critique d'une période de retour donnée. Dans le cas de la pollution diffuse d'origine agricole, il n'existe pas de concepts similaires pour définir des OER. L'approche proposée est de simuler, à l'aide de chroniques météorologiques et de divers scénarios de gestion de ces rejets, les concentrations résultantes dans les cours d'eau et de calculer les probabilités de dépassement des critères de qualité de l'eau (CQE). Cette approche permet de caractériser la prise de décision pour la période de contrôle en matière du nombre moyen de jours de dépassement d'un CQE. Ceci représente une quantification plus exacte du risque car ce dernier est interprété en fonction de ce qui est mesuré en rivière, c'est-à-dire les concentrations de polluants. Dans cette étude, on illustre l'application de ce concept à partir d'un cas de figure dans le bassin versant de la rivière Chaudière (Québec, Canada) qui est simulé avec le système de modélisation intégrée GIBSI. Dans le cadre d'une analyse de scénarios de restauration des activités récréatives conduisant à des contacts directs et fréquents avec l'eau, on illustre comment on peut, en réduisant respectivement les pressions agricole et urbaine de 32 et 17 pour cent, abaisser globalement les probabilités de dépassement des critères esthétique et bactériologique de 0,32 à 0,19 et de 0,94 à 0, respectivement
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine Michigan High School ice hockey players’ attitudes regarding the use of mouthguards and to determine the effects of mouthguard type, player position, ...education, and usage time with respect to attitudes. Methods: A questionnaire measuring players’ attitudes toward mouthguards was sent to six member institutions of the Michigan State High School Athletic Association (MSHSAA) located in Southwest Michigan. Out of a total of 128 players listed on the rosters of the MSHSAA, 119 (93%) players returned the surveys, with 117 surveys used in the analyses (91%).Results: Approximately 25.6% of players reported wearing mouthguards 50% of the time or greater during practices and 80.3% wearing mouthguards 50% of the time or greater during games. Seventy-two percent of the subjects had never received educational information regarding mouthguards. A 2x2x3 ANOVA revealed no significant effect between player position, previous mouthguard education, and mouthguard type with respect to mouthguard attitudes. Independent t-tests revealed players wearing mouthguards greater than 50% of the time during practice and games had more positive attitudes toward mouthguards than those who wore mouthguards less than 50% of the time. Conclusion: No one specific factor affecting attitudes of mouthguard use was identified; however, the majority of the players had no previous education on mouthguard usage. Our results show a need for more educational interventional programs by healthcare providers, dentists, and coaches.
Introduction . 'The Glory of God is a living person...a church community fully alive.' A modern paraphrase of Irenaeus' famous dictum or a rediscovery of a profound insight? Can we build a continuity ...with the relevance of modern day paradigms from how Irenaeus saw his world and how we see our world, especially as it relates to being human and experiencing church? Specifically, in Part I , we will focus on aspects of the historical, dialectical and, doctrinal ways of communicating how Irenaeus viewed personal salvation and the church as related to community and faith-lifestyle notions (what has been called the 'tradition' of the church and the 'rule of faith'). We will seek to incorporate recent insights in the sociology of knowledge that have helped reorientate our perspective on a communal ethic in the early period of Christian ecclesiology. In rediscovering his major theological paradigms of Life, Incarnation, and Deification through a 'church faith and community' prism, Part II will seek to draw out four modern aspects of this historical dialectic of Irenaeus' theology that are central to church as 'community' and integrally related to 'faith as lifestyle.' Namely, what could be called his sub-paradigmal themes of: 'Creation and cosmos', 'growth education in divinity', the 'Body of Christ and the flesh of selfhood', and finally, the 'ecumenical freedom of unity as church ecclesia'. We will see how all of this is incorporated in a definition of what I call, the hermeneutical praxis, or orthopraxis theology of Irenaeus and his use of the 'rule of faith (truth)' as generating a communal ecclesiology.
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