French vertical-flow constructed wetland design: adaptations for tropical climates

The French Outermost Regions are under tropical climate yet still have to comply with both French and EU regulations. French vertical-flow constructed wetland systems appear well adapted to the technical specifics of these regions but their adaptation to tropical climate requires new design guidelines to be defined (area needed, number of filters, type of plants, material to be used, etc.). A study was started in 2008, with backing from the national water authorities, to implement full-scale experimental sites and assess the impacts of local context on design and performances. This paper reports the monitoring results on three vertical-flow constructed wetlands fed directly with raw wastewater (known as the 'French system') in Mayotte and French Guiana. The plants, now in operation for between 1 and 6 years, range from 160 to 480 population equivalent (p.e.). Monitoring consisted of 28 daily composite flow samples in different seasons (dry season, rainy season) at the inlet and outlet of each filter. Performances are benchmarked against French mainland area standards from Irstea's database. Results show that performances are improved by warmer temperature for chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and satisfy national quality objectives with a single stage of filters. Treatment plant footprint can thus be reduced as only two parallel filters are needed. Indeed, warm temperatures allow faster mineralization of the sludge deposit, making it possible to operate at similar rest and feeding period durations. Systems operated using one twin-filter stage can achieve over 90% COD, SS and TKN removal for a total surface of 0.8 m²/p.e.

Unique B cell differentiation profile in tolerant kidney transplant patients

Operationally tolerant patients (TOL) display a higher number of blood B cells and transcriptional B cell signature. As they rarely develop an allo-immune response, they could display an abnormal B cell differentiation. We used an in vitro culture system to explore T-dependent differentiation of B cells into plasma cells. B cell phenotype, apoptosis, proliferation, cytokine, immunoglobulin production and markers of differentiation were followed in blood of these patients. Tolerant recipients show a higher frequency of CD20(+) CD24(hi) CD38(hi) transitional and CD20(+) CD38(lo) CD24(lo) naïve B cells compared to patients with stable graft function, correlating with a decreased frequency of CD20(-) CD38(+) CD138(+) differentiated plasma cells, suggestive of abnormal B cell differentiation. B cells from TOL proliferate normally but produce more IL-10. In addition, B cells from tolerant recipients exhibit a defective expression of factors of the end step of differentiation into plasma cells and show a higher propensity for cell death apoptosis compared to patients with stable graft function. This in vitro profile is consistent with down-regulation of B cell differentiation genes and anti-apoptotic B cell genes in these patients in vivo. These data suggest that a balance between B cells producing IL-10 and a deficiency in plasma cells may encourage an environment favorable to the tolerance maintenance.

Cyclodextrin modulation of T lymphocyte signal transduction with aging

There is an alteration of the immune response in aging that leads to the increased incidence of infections, cancers and autoimmune disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there exists changes in signal transduction under the IL-2 receptor stimulation and the role of plasma membrane cholesterol in the activation of T cells with aging. We report age-related changes in the JAK-STAT signalling pathway that results in decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5. We present evidence for the importance of cholesterol content in regulating signalling pathways in T cells and in modulating their proliferation by using the plasma membrane cholesterol-depleting agent methyl-beta-cyclodexrin (MBCD). MBCD treatment (0.5 mM) induced a significant decrease in the cholesterol content of T cells of elderly subjects whereas it was increased in T cells of young subjects. MBCD induced changes in the phosphorylation of p56(lck), especially in T cells of elderly subjects. The proliferation of MBCD-treated T cells decreased in lymphocytes of young subjects but did not change in T cells of elderly subjects. These results suggest a role for plasma membrane cholesterol in the regulation of the TcR signalling pathways with differential effects related to aging. However, the data suggest that modulation of the plasma membrane cholesterol content alone may not be enough to restore signal transduction changes with aging.

Age-related impairment of p56lck and ZAP-70 activities in human T lymphocytes activated through the TcR/CD3 complex

Cellular immune responses decrease with aging. Lymphocytes of aged individuals do not perform as well as cells from young subjects in a number of in vitro assays including cell proliferation, cytokine production, and protection against apoptosis. Here, we have tested the hypothesis that a decrease in T cell responses in tymphocytes from elderly subjects could parallel a decrease in the activity of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) associated with signal transduction in T lymphocytes. We report that anti-CD3-triggered T lymphocyte proliferation was significantly decreased in T lymphocytes from elderly subjects, but the decrease was not due to an alteration of the percentage or mean fluorescence intensities of CD3, CD4, and CD45. Of significance, the activities of p56lck and ZAP-70 in vitro were significantly decreased in T lymphocytes from elderly subjects compared to young individuals. However, the level of expression of the two kinases did not change with aging. The activity of p59fyn did not show changes with aging, suggesting that p59fyn did not compensate for the decreased activity of p56lck. We also found that the extent of tyrosine phosphorylation of the adaptor protein p95vav was similar in activated T lymphocytes from elderly and young subjects. Our results suggest that the altered cellular immune responses observed in T lymphocytes with aging may be the result, at least in part, of an alteration in early events associated with signal transduction through the TcR/CD3 complex that translates into decreased activities of p56lck and ZAP-70. Impairment in the activities of these twokey components of T cell signaling may contribute to reduced immune functions associated with aging.

Changes in apoptosis of human polymorphonuclear granulocytes with aging

Many alterations with aging occur at the cellular and organic levels in the immune system ultimately leading to a decrease in the immune response. Our aim in the present work was to study apoptosis of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) with aging under various stimulations since apoptosis might play an important role in several pathologies encountered with aging. The PMN of healthy young (20-25 years) and elderly (65-85 years) subjects were examined after 24 h of sterile culture with and without stimulation. The stimulating agents included: phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl phenylalanine (FMLP), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), reduced glutathione (GSH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interleukin 2 (IL-2). Apoptosis was assessed by traditional staining of the plates, by flow cytometric staining and DNA gel electrophoresis. It was found that without stimulation the susceptibility of PMN to apoptosis was slightly increased with aging. Under various stimulations, such as PMA. H2O2, apoptosis was almost 100%, while the treatment by FMLP, oxLDL and GSH did not change its extent in PMN obtained either from young or elderly subjects. Marked age-related changes were observed in the extent of apoptosis under stimulation with GM-CSF, IL-2 and LPS. These agents were able to significantly prevent apoptosis in PMN of young subjects, while only the GM-CSF was able to slightly modulate it in neutrophils of elderly subjects. From these results, we suggest that changes in apoptosis of PMN with aging could play a role in the increased incidence of certain immune system related pathologies of aging, such as cancer, infections and autoimmune disorders.

Increased susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to oxidation by gamma-radiolysis with age

The susceptibility to oxidation of freshly isolated LDL from healthy normolipidemic individuals in three age groups was estimated by exposure of LDL to ionizing radiation followed by analyses of vitamin E, TBARS, conjugated dienes, and fluorescent products. The results clearly showed that LDL from elderly subjects was the most susceptible to oxidative damage in vitro. In particular, the greater susceptibility of LDL from elderly subjects in comparison to that from young subjects may be attributed to the much lower (4-fold) concentration of LDL vitamin E in the elderly subjects. The present study reinforces the notion that the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation increases with age.

Cellular distribution of protein kinase C isozymes in CD3-mediated stimulation of human T lymphocytes with aging

Protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in a variety of cellular responses, such as the expression and secretion of IL-2, the regulation of cytotoxic killing and cell proliferation. It is known that these immune functions are altered with aging. Here, we show that anti-CD3-triggered T cell proliferation is significantly decreased with aging and that H7, an inhibitor of PKC, impairs the anti-CD3-induced T cell proliferation in a differential manner, lymphocytes of healthy young subjects being more sensitive to the PKC inhibitor than those of elderly subjects. We examined (Western blot) the presence and the cellular distribution of PKC isozymes in T lymphocytes of healthy young and elderly subjects in the resting state and after anti-CD3 mAb stimulation using antibodies directed against PKC alpha, beta, delta, epsilon and zeta isoforms in the cytosol and the plasma membrane fractions. These five PKC isotypes were present in human T cells of young and elderly subjects. However, their distribution between the cytosolic and membrane fractions varied according to the isozymes and the age of the subjects. In resting lymphocytes of young subjects, all the PKC isozymes were found in the cytosolic fraction, except PKC-zeta. In resting lymphocytes of elderly subjects PKC-zeta and -epsilon were almost equally distributed between the cytosolic and the membrane fractions, whereas PKC-alpha and -zeta were mainly found in the membrane fraction and PKC-beta was almost exclusively located in the cytosolic fraction. The translocation of PKC-alpha, -beta, -delta and -epsilon could be observed under anti-CD3 mAb stimulation in lymphocytes of young subjects, while in the case of elderly subjects only the PKC beta isoform was translocated. Our results suggest tha the decreased availability of cytosolic PKC may contribute to the diminished PKC-dependent responses to CD3-triggered stimulation of human T lymphocytes with aging.

[A lot in common]

Since 1978, the Faculty of Nursing at Sherbrooke University has been offering courses that stress the interdisciplinary approach and the notion of teamwork. In the early 1980s, students were given the opportunity to participate in a pilot program, working as an interdisciplinary team and choosing their own clients. Three different disciplines took part: nursing, psychology and social science. In 1989 and again in 1990, nearly 200 medical students and more than 50 nurses were involved in a joint interdisciplinary project. The article recaps these experiences and describes the two programs recently put in place by the Faculty of Medicine, to benefit future nurses and doctors. The process is well under way towards planning a complete course of 45 hours, with six hours of joint experience already factored in. The teaching methods used in both programs are explained, the two-year program is evaluated, and conclusions and recommendations put forth.

Imbalance between jejunum and ileum in the response of brush border hydrolases to oral feeding after intravenous alimentation in rats

The effect of oral refeeding after total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on brush border hydrolases was measured in the proximal jejunum and ileum of adult rats. The animals received intravenously for 4 days a mixture of Intralipid 10% and Vamine-Glucose. At the end of TPN, oral feeding was reinstituted and the rats were fed with an isocaloric standard diet (60% carbohydrate, 17% protein, 3% lipid). Sucrase, isomaltase, lactase, and aminopeptidase N activities were measured at the end of TPN and at 1, 3, and 5 days after TPN. Sham-operated rats nourished orally with the standard diet were used as controls. In both intestinal segments, lactase activity showed no significant changes at the end of TPN or during oral realimentation. Isomaltase, and especially sucrase activities, exhibited an important drop at the end of TPN. After TPN, a complete restoration of isomaltase and sucrase activities was obtained in the jejunum only. During oral refeeding a 40% deficit in sucrase activity persisted in the ileum throughout the experimental period, whereas normal isomaltase activity was restored in this segment. Aminopeptidase N activity was lowered by TPN and recovered normal values within a few hours after oral realimentation. Thus, reinstitution of oral feeding after TPN should take into account that the intestine is capable of digesting normal amounts of dietary protein but has a reduced tolerance for carbohydrates.

Location of an essential carboxyl group along the heavy chain of cardiac and skeletal myosin subfragments 1

Cardiac and skeletal myosin subfragments 1 cleaved into three fragments were modified by 1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinoethyl)carbodiimide metho-p-toluene-sulfonate in the presence of the nucleophile nitrotyrosine ethyl ester. The effects observed (first-order kinetics of ATPase inactivation, incorporation of 1 mol of nitrotyrosine/mol of subfragment 1) were similar to those previously observed for the nondigested subfragments 1 [Lacombe, G., Van Thiem, N., & Swynghedauw, B. (1981) Biochemistry 20, 3648-3653; Körner, M., Van Thiem, N., Lacombe, G., & Swynghedauw, B. (1982) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 105, 1198-1207]. For both native and digested subfragments 1, which were inactivated to the extent of about 70%, the location of the label nitrotyrosine was performed by immunological blotting with 125I-labeled anti-nitrotyrosine immunoglobulins. It was found that the modified residue was essentially located on the heavy chain for the native subfragments 1 and on the 50K peptide for the digested subfragments 1.

Modification of myosin subfragment 1 by carbodiimide in the presence of a nucleophile. Effect on adenosinetriphosphatase activities

The modification of myosin subfragment 1 by N-cyclohexyl-N'-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]carbodiimide methyl p-toluenesulfonate in the presence of the nucleophile nitrotyrosine ethyl ester was investigated. For elimination of interference of the thiol groups, the two most reactive thiols were protected by cyanylation with 2-nitro-5-(thiocyanato)benzoic acid. The ATPase activity of the cyanylated myosin subfragment 1 was not lost, but had changed. At pH 5.9, carbodiimide in the presence of the nucleophile rapidly inactivated the cyanylated enzyme. The inactivation followed first-order kinetics. The K+(EDTA)--, Ca2+--, and Mg2+--ATPase activities decreased at the same rate. Inactivation and incorporation of nucleophile occurred simultaneously. A full loss of activity resulted from the incorporation of 1 mol of nitrotyrosine per mol of myosin subfragment 1. Pyrophosphate, ITP, ADP, and ATP protected against inactivation, and the efficiency of the protection was parallel to the ligand binding strength. These results suggested that one carboxyl group was essential for the active conformation of myosin.

Experimental systolic and diastolic overloading in rats: total proteins turnover rate. Enzymatic and structural properties of myosin

The fractional turnover rate of the total cardiac proteins has been measured by using the continuous infusion technique with 3H lysine. It augments by a factor of 3 in systolic as well as in diastolic overloading, but in the former the peak was reached within the first week after operation and in the later the peak was not reached until the 14th day. The myosin structure and enzymatic properties have been studied in several huge hypertrophic hearts (around 100% hypertrophy). In this condition the burst size of myosin is normal, as well as its K+ ATPase, but there is a sharp decline in the Ca2+ ATPase activity. Moreover, antibodies against native or defolded heavy meromyosin exhibit, a vertical shift in microcomplement fixation when made to react with molecules extracted from hypertrophied hearts. The normal isozymic pattern of rat heart myosin, as shown in non dissociating electrophoresis, was reversed.

Myosin isoenzyme redistribution in chronic heart overload

Since the first observation by Spann et al., it has become clear that in cardiac hypertrophy induced by a mechanical overloading, the velocity of shortening of the cardiac muscle (Vmax) is reduced (see ref. 2 for review). Most authors agree that this mechanical alteration is accompanied by a decrease in the Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity of myosin (see ref. 3 for review). The molecular basis of such changes was unknown because the structural modifications of the myosin molecule were ill-defined. Nevertheless, it has recently been shown that, like skeletal muscle myosin, cardiac myosin is composed of several polymorphic forms, comparable to isoenzymes. In the skeletal muscle, new functional requirements can induce changes in both contractile activity and type of myosin isoenzyme synthesised. We now report that an increase in cardiac work produced by mechanical overloading in rats induces the preferential synthesis of a cardiac myosin isoenzyme characterised by specific immunological and electrophoretic properties and exhibiting a lower ATPase activity. This adaptive change could account for the reduced shortening speed of this hypertrophied cardiac muscle.

Early phosphate burst of heart myosins- Phylogenic variations

The phosphate burst of cardiac myosins from different animal species was studied by a rapid quench-flow technique. The rate constant of the phosphate burst varied from one species to another. Moreover it was lower for cardiac myosins than for skeletal myosin. The phosphate burst rate correlated with the ATPase in the steady state and with the muscle-shortening speed. By contrast, the amplitude of the phosphate burst did not vary significantly. Its value was 0.8--0.9 per myosin site for each of the myosins studied. Deviations from this stoichiometry were related to the mode of preparation of the myosin and to denaturation by a high pH.

Comparative study of two ATP : L-arginine phosphotransferases of molecular weight 84 000

Solen ensisensis muscle arginine kinase (ATP : L-arginine phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.3.3) was isolated in an homogeneous state. Its molecular weight was found to be about 80 000. The properties of this enzyme were compared with those of arginine kinase from Sipunculus nudus, an enzyme which also has a molecular weight of about 80 000. Both enzymes have several reactive thiol groups (8 thiol groups in the Solen kinase and 12 in the Sipunculus enzyme were titrateable with 5,5'-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic) acid and histidine residues (both enzymes have 6 reactive histidine residues). These kinases were, therefore, highly susceptible to oxidation. Both enzymes show the same pH optimum and absolute specificity towards the guanidine substrate, L-arginine. The reaction kinetics of both enzymes are of the sequential type. In the presence of alpha-aminoacids of Mg2+-ADP, similar spectral effects were obtained. The enzymes differ in their enzymic activities and in their rate of recovery following urea denaturation. The most important difference that appeared to be a special feature of the Sipunculus enzyme is that the spectrum of the Mg2+-ADP-enzyme complex is strongly intensified by L-arginine.