University of the Littoral Opal Coast

About: University of the Littoral Opal Coast is a education organization based out in Dunkirk, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Dielectric. The organization has 1242 authors who have published 2383 publications receiving 46230 citations. The organization is also known as: ULCO.

Treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head with hBMP-2-gene-modified tissue-engineered bone in goats

Abstract: The efficacy of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-gene-modified bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was evaluated for the repair of experimentally-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in goats. Bilateral early-stage osteonecrosis was induced in adult goats three weeks after ligation of the lateral and medial circumflex arteries and delivery of liquid nitrogen into the femoral head. After core decompression, porous β-TCP loaded with BMP-2 gene- or β-galactosidase (gal)-gene-transduced BMSCs was implanted into the left and right femoral heads, respectively. At 16 weeks after implantation, there was collapse of the femoral head in the untreated group but not in the BMP-2 or β-gal groups. The femoral heads in the BMP-2 group had a normal density and surface, while those in the β-gal group presented with a low density and an irregular surface. Histologically, new bone and fibrous tissue were formed in the macropores of the β-TCP. Sixteen weeks after implantation, lamellar bone had formed in the BMP-2 group, but there were some empty cavities and residual fibrous tissue in the β-gal group. The new bone volume in the BMP-2 group was significantly higher than that in the β-gal group. The maximum compressive strength and Young’s modulus of the repaired tissue in the BMP-2 group were similar to those of normal bone and significantly higher than those in the β-gal group. Our findings indicate that porous β-TCP loaded with BMP-2-gene-transduced BMSCs are capable of repairing early-stage, experimentally-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head and of restoring its mechanical function.

How Do Marine Pelagic Species Respond to Climate Change? Theories and Observations.

Abstract: In this review, we show how climate affects species, communities, and ecosystems, and why many responses from the species to the biome level originate from the interaction between the species’ ecological niche and changes in the environmental regime in both space and time. We describe a theory that allows us to understand and predict how marine species react to climate-induced changes in ecological conditions, how communities form and are reconfigured, and so how biodiversity is arranged and may respond to climate change. Our study shows that the responses of species to climate change are therefore intelligible—that is, they have a strong deterministic component and can be predicted.

Catalytic Removal of Toluene in Air over Co–Mn–Al Nano-oxides Synthesized by Hydrotalcite Route

Abstract: Co–Mn–Al hydrotalcite type solids were synthesized as precursors of catalysts for the total oxidation of toluene in air. For the as-prepared solids, XRD measurements indicate the coexistence of hydrotalcite and MnCO3 phases. When calcination is performed at 500 °C, different mixed oxides are found as a function of Co:Mn molar ratio and preparation method, and very high specific surface areas were obtained for the Co–Mn solids. The comparison of catalytic activities in the presence of calcined hydrotalcites with those in the presence of calcined hydroxides evidences the superiority of the first oxides due to their higher reducibility. Co–Mn–Al nano-oxides synthesized using hydrotalcite type solids as precursors, are very promising candidates for the substitution of noble metal based solids.