La mise en place des politiques publiques au Jardin botanique de Nantes

Expert reconnu grâce à ses expérimentations menées sur le vivant, promoteur auprès du public des inventaires participatifs de la flore et des référents de la biodiversité, le Jardin botanique de Nantes s’associe également aux différents événements culturels et intègre le dispositif global de mise en tourisme de la ville et de sa région, montrant ainsi qu’il s’inscrit pleinement au cœur du développement des politiques territoriales locales

Epidemiology and natural history of central venous access device use and infusion pump function in the NO16966 trial

Background: Central venous access devices in fluoropyrimidine therapy are associated with complications; however, reliable data are lacking regarding their natural history, associated complications and infusion pump performance in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.<p></p> Methods: We assessed device placement, use during treatment, associated clinical outcomes and infusion pump perfomance in the NO16966 trial.<p></p> Results: Device replacement was more common with FOLFOX-4 (5-fluorouracil (5-FU)+oxaliplatin) than XELOX (capecitabine+oxaliplatin) (14.1% vs 5.1%). Baseline device-associated events and post-baseline removal-/placement-related events occurred more frequently with FOLFOX-4 than XELOX (11.5% vs 2.4% and 8.5% vs 2.1%). Pump malfunctions, primarily infusion accelerations in 16% of patients, occurred within 1.6–4.3% of cycles. Fluoropyrimidine-associated grade 3/4 toxicity was increased in FOLFOX-4-treated patients experiencing a malfunction compared with those who did not (97 out of 155 vs 452 out of 825 patients), predominantly with increased grade 3/4 neutropenia (53.5% vs 39.8%). Febrile neutropenia rates were comparable between patient cohorts±malfunction. Efficacy outcomes were similar in patient cohorts±malfunction.<p></p> Conclusions: Central venous access device removal or replacement was common and more frequent in patients receiving FOLFOX-4. Pump malfunctions were also common and were associated with increased rates of grade 3/4 haematological adverse events. Oral fluoropyrimidine-based regimens may be preferable to infusional 5-FU based on these findings

Sarracenia carnivorous plants cannot serve as efficient biological control of the invasive hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax in Europe

Vespa velutina nigrithorax, an invasive species, a direct result of increased trade and climate change, is spreading rapidly in Europe and endangering entomofauna in general and more alarmingly honeybee (Apis mellifera) populations, and therefore their pollination services. All traps used now, to try to control this species, seem to be not efficient enough and non-selective. However, in the current context of massive disappearance of insects in general, it is urgent to find means of protection for the entomofauna. While no selective trapping is still occurring, we performed a pilot study to test a carnivorous plant as a potential biocontrol tool to trap V. velutina. In our study, we analyzed the hornet-capturing ability of two Sarracenia hybrids (S. juthatip soper and S. evendine) on a 2-years period (2015 and 2016). Our results show that these plants trapped more dipterans than other taxa, and they do not attract many hornets. In such condition, both Sarracenia hybrids cannot therefore be used in a mass trapping system, because they are not selective, and too few hornets are trapped. To maximize captures of V. velutina while minimizing captures of non-target species, other systems need to be thus developed, as traps using hornet pheromone-based baiting

Les barèmes (et autres outils techniques d'aide à la décision) dans le fonctionnement de la justice

On savait qu’à côté des barèmes légaux étaient assez largement diffusés dans les juridictions des outils d’aide à la décision, construits par les acteurs et actrices du droit, dans de multiples domaines d’activité. Cette recherche le confirme et présente un large éventail de barèmes disponibles, sans pour autant prétendre à l’exhaustivité, après avoir réalisé une sorte de radiographie des juridictions du fond, tous contentieux confondus. L’étude a permis de recenser 122 outils à partir de 55 entretiens semi-directifs conduits auprès de juges et membres du parquet relevant de trois juridictions de premier degré de chaque type (soit 30 juridictions visitées), enrichie de deux établissements pénitentiaires et d’une exploration systématique de l’intranet justice.C’est à partir de cet ensemble que nous proposons une définition de ces objets qui place au second plan leur dimension fonctionnelle (gain de temps, prévisibilité, harmonisation) pour en retenir une définition plus théorique. Que ces outils suggèrent un montant (indemnisation, pension, peine…) ou l’orientation d’un dossier, ils permettent tous de préciser les critères de décision fixés par le droit applicable, proposant une interprétation de la règle de droit et resserrant ainsi le maillage normatif. Cette dimension politique essentielle s’apprécie moins dans l’activité individuelle des juges, maîtres de leurs décisions, que dans la possibilité de construire des politiques publiques qui s’appuient sur ces régularités recherchées : ces outils admettent par construction l’existence de situations suffisamment similaires pour être traitées de façon comparable. A partir de cette définition, il devient secondaire de déterminer si un outil d’aide à la décision doit se fonder sur des données chiffrées ou produire un résultat chiffré pour être qualifié de « barème » : cette construction peut passer par des données chiffrées ou pas. On retient plus généralement le vocable de barème dans le premier cas, de référentiel ou de lignes directrices dans le second.La capacité de ces outils à harmoniser les solutions retenues justifie largement leur utilisation aux yeux des professionnel.le.s, qui restent pour autant soucieux de conserver leur liberté et rappellent le caractère nécessairement facultatif de ces outils. Cette préoccupation explique sans doute que ces outils restent largement invisibles, confinés aux pratiques professionnelles et très rarement objets de références explicites dans les décisions de justice. Non seulement ils proposent une réduction de l’espace des possibles et apparaissent comme susceptibles de restreindre le principe de la liberté d’appréciation souveraine – d’où l’attachement à leur caractère facultatif – mais aussi ils démontrent, a contrario, l’espace de décision des magistrat.e.s, par ailleurs nié par une tradition civiliste qui voit dans le juge un instrument d’application transparent de la loi générale et abstraite ; ils manifestent une préoccupation pour l’égalité de traitement des justiciables, par opposition à un autre idéal de justice donnant la préférence à une succession de décisions individuelles incomparables ; enfin, bien que cela n’apparaisse pas comme un argument prépondérant des magistrat.e.s, les barèmes sont malgré tout associés à une préoccupation relative à la rapidité de traitement des demandes, qui s’oppose à une conception artisanale de la justice.Pourtant, compte tenu de l’ampleur du phénomène comme de l’accumulation d’outils hétéroclites, de facture incertaine, déployés au niveau local ou sur un territoire plus large et des incertitudes constatées dans l’accès à ces outils, peut-on ou doit-on laisser les magistrat.e.s continuer à en faire, seuls, leur affaire

A scoping review on how field epidemiology training programs are addressing regional and global health priorities

IntroductionRecent global health events underscore the critical need to strengthen public health capacity worldwide, with epidemiologists playing a key role in disease management at the population level. The international community has recognized the importance of enhancing the public health workforce, including epidemiology capacity. This scoping review explores how Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) trainees and graduates have been engaged by their respective health ministries to address public health threats.MethodsA literature search was conducted in electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Google) using specific keywords such as “Epidemiologist,” “Field Epidemiologist,” and “Health workforce.” The search focused on English-language articles published between January 2012 and December 2021. Relevant articles were analyzed descriptively, and data on FETP engagement, impact within health ministries, and career paths were extracted.ResultsThe search yielded 30 studies from various regions globally. FETP graduates and trainees were actively engaged in national health priorities, including COVID-19 responses such as surveillance, rapid response teams, and case investigations. FETPs have significantly contributed by developing surveillance systems, investigating outbreaks, and responding to natural disasters. Many FETP graduates have assumed leadership roles in Ministries of Health, NGOs, and international organizations.ConclusionFETP graduates are integral to priority public health programs and have significantly strengthened public health systems worldwide. Their contributions highlight the importance of investing in the public health workforce, including field epidemiology training, to effectively detect and respond to emerging outbreaks. Further research is needed to assess the long-term impact of FETP graduates on public health

The Unistellar Exoplanet Campaign: Citizen Science Results and Inherent Education Opportunities

This paper presents early results from and prospects for exoplanet science using a citizen science private/public partnership observer network managed by the SETI Institute in collaboration with Unistellar. The network launched in 2020 January and includes 163 citizen scientist observers across 21 countries. These observers can access a citizen science mentoring service developed by the SETI Institute and are also equipped with Unistellar Enhanced Vision Telescopes. Unistellar technology and the campaign's associated photometric reduction pipeline enable each telescope to readily obtain and communicate light curves to observers with signal-to-noise ratio suitable for publication in research journals. Citizen astronomers of the Unistellar Exoplanet (UE) Campaign routinely measure transit depths of ≳1% and contribute their results to the exoplanet research community. The match of the detection system, targets, and scientific and educational goals is robust. Results to date include 281 transit detections out of 651 processed observations. In addition to this campaign's capability to contribute to the professional field of exoplanet research, UE endeavors to drive improved science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education outcomes by engaging students and teachers as participants in science investigations, that is, learning science by doing science

Outbreak of Serogroup W135 Meningococcal Disease after the Hajj Pilgrimage, Europe, 2000

The 2000 Hajj (March 15–18) was followed by an outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis W135 2a: P1.2,5 in Europe. From March 18 to July 31, 2000, some 90 cases of meningococcal infection were reported from nine countries, mostly the United Kingdom (UK) and France; 14 cases were fatal. Although most early cases were in pilgrims, the outbreak spread to their contacts and then to those with no known pilgrim contact. In France and the UK, the outbreak case-fatality rate was compared with the rate reported from national surveillance. The risk of dying during this outbreak was higher in France and the UK, although the difference was not statistically significant. Prophylaxis for all pilgrims and their household contacts was offered in France; in the UK and other European countries, prophylaxis was recommended only for close contacts. No difference in transmission rates following intervention was detected between France and the UK

Identification of a Protein with Antioxidant Activity that is Important for the Protection against Beer Ageing

This study was carried out with fresh Australian lager beer which was sampled directly off the production line, the same samples aged for 12 weeks at 30 °C, and the vintage beer which was kept at 20 °C for 5 years. Characteristic Australian lager flavour was maintained in the fresh and vintage beers but was lost in the aged beer. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and free thiol group labelling analyses of beer proteins found that this flavour stability correlated with the presence of an unknown 10 kilodaltons (kDa) protein with a higher level of free thiols. The protein was purified by size-exclusion chromatography, then peptide sequencing and database matching identified it as the barley lipid transfer protein (LTP1). Further characterisation using diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and a Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based antioxidant screening assay demonstrated that the LTP1 protein was active in DPPH reduction and antioxidant activity. The absence of free thiol in the aged beer indicates that the thiol functional groups within the LTP1 protein were saturated and suggests that it is important in the flavour stability of beer by maintaining reduction capacity during the ageing process

Environmental Exposure and Leptospirosis, Peru

Human infection by leptospires has highly variable clinical manifestations, which range from subclinical infection to fulminant disease. We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional seroepidemiologic study in Peru to determine potential relationships of environmental context to human exposure to Leptospira and disease associated with seroconversion. Three areas were studied: a flooded, urban slum in the Peruvian Amazon city of Iquitos; rural, peri-Iquitos villages; and a desert shantytown near Lima. Seroprevalence in Belen was 28% (182/650); in rural areas, 17% (52/316); and in a desert shantytown, 0.7% (1/150). Leptospira-infected peridomestic rats were found in all locales. In Belen, 20 (12.4%) of 161 patients seroconverted between dry and wet seasons (an incidence rate of 288/1,000). Seroconversion was associated with history of febrile illness; severe leptospirosis was not seen. Human exposure to Leptospira in the Iquitos region is high, likely related both to the ubiquity of leptospires in the environment and human behavior conducive to transmission from infected zoonotic sources