Paul Sabatier University

About: Paul Sabatier University is a education organization based out in Toulouse, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adipose tissue. The organization has 15431 authors who have published 23386 publications receiving 858364 citations.

Marine plastic litter: the unanalyzed nano-fraction

Abstract: In this work, we present for the first time undeniable evidence of nano-plastic occurrence due to solar light degradation of marine micro-plastics under controlled and environmentally representative conditions. As observed during our recent expedition (Expedition 7th Continent), plastic pollution will be one of the most challenging ecological threats for the next generation. Up to now, all studies have focused on the environmental and the economic impact of millimeter scale plastics. These plastics can be visualized, collected and studied. We are not aware of any studies reporting the possibilities of nano-plastics in marine water. Here, we developed for the first time a new solar reactor equipped with a nanoparticle detector to investigate the possibility of the formation of nano-plastics from millimeter scale plastics. With this system, correlated with electronic microscopy observations, we identified for the first time the presence of plastics at the nanoscale in water due to UV degradation. Based on our observations, large fractal nano-plastic particles (i.e., >100 nm) are produced by UV light after the initial formation of the smallest nano-plastic particles (i.e., <100 nm). These new results show the potential hazards of plastic waste at the nanoscale, which had not been taken into account previously.

Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes) and acne vulgaris: a brief look at the latest updates.

Abstract: While the commensal bacterium Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is involved in the maintenance of a healthy skin, it can also act as an opportunistic pathogen in acne vulgaris. The latest findings on P. acnes shed light on the critical role of a tight equilibrium between members of its phylotypes and within the skin microbiota in the development of this skin disease. Indeed, contrary to what was previously thought, proliferation of P. acnes is not the trigger of acne as patients with acne do not harbour more P. acnes in follicles than normal individuals. Instead, the loss of the skin microbial diversity together with the activation of the innate immunity might lead to this chronic inflammatory condition. This review provides results of the most recent biochemical and genomic investigations that led to the new taxonomic classification of P. acnes renamed Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), and to the better characterisation of its phylogenetic cluster groups. Moreover, the latest data on the role of C. acnes and its different phylotypes in acne are presented, providing an overview of the factors that could participate in the virulence and in the antimicrobial resistance of acne-associated strains. Overall, this emerging key information offers new perspectives in the treatment of acne, with future innovative strategies focusing on C. acnes biofilms and/or on its acne-associated phylotypes.

Aluminium, iron, zinc and copper influence the in vitro formation of amyloid fibrils of Abeta42 in a manner which may have consequences for metal chelation therapy in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Metals are found associated with beta-pleated sheets of Abeta42 in vivo and may be involved in their formation. Metal chelation has been proposed as a therapy for Alzheimer's disease on the basis that it may safely dissolve precipitated Abeta peptides. We have followed fibrillisation of Abeta42 in the presence of an additional metal ion (Al(III), Fe(III), Zn(II), Cu(II)) over a period of 32 weeks and we have investigated the dissolution of these aged peptide aggregates in the presence of both desferrioxamine (DFO) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Abeta42 either alone or in the presence of Al(III) or Fe(III) formed beta-pleated sheets of plaque-like amyloids which were dissolved upon incubation with either chelator. Zn(II) inhibited whilst Cu(II) prevented the formation of beta-pleated sheets of Abeta42and neither of these influences were affected by incubation of the aged peptide aggregates with either DFO or EDTA. Freshly prepared solutions of Abeta42 either alone or in the presence of added Al(III) or Fe(III) did not form beta-pleated amyloid in the presence of DFO when incubated for up to 8 weeks. EDTA did not prevent beta-pleated amyloid formation in the same treatments and promoted beta-pleated amyloid formation in the presence of either Zn(II) or Cu(II). The presence of significant concentrations of Al(III) and Fe(III) as contaminants of 'Abeta42 only' preparations suggested that both of these metals were involved in either triggering the formation or stabilising the structure of beta-pleated amyloid. If the formation of such amyloid is critical to the aetiology of AD then the chelation of Al(III) and Fe(III) may prove to be a protective mechanism whilst the chelation of Cu(II) and Zn(II) without also chelating Al(III) and Fe(III) might actually exacerbate the condition.

Eyes first! Eye processing develops before face processing in children.

Abstract: Faces and eyes are critical social stimuli which adults process with ease, but how this expertise develops is not yet understood. Neural changes associated with face and eye processing were investigated developmentally using ERPs (N170), in 128 subjects (4-15 year olds and adults). Stimuli included upright faces to assess configural processing, eyes and inverted faces to assess feature-based processing. N170 was present in the youngest children with similar patterns of face sensitivity seen in adults. Development of N170 to upright faces continued until adulthood, suggesting slow maturation of configural processing. In contrast, N170 was shorter latency and much larger to eyes than faces in children and was mature by 11 years, suggesting the early presence of an eye detector, with a rapid maturational course.