[Long COVID : which neuropsychological intervention ? The example applied at the Leenaards Memory Centre]. / Covid Long : quelle prise en charge neuropsychologique ? La filière proposée au Centre Leenaards de la Mémoire.

A "Long COVID" care management was created at the Leenaards Memory Centre (Lausanne University Hospital) to meet the high demand for neuropsychological examinations in the patients which have persistent symptoms for several months. A multidisciplinary evaluation specifically addressing aspects of fatigue and sleep as well as cognition has been developed to receive these patients. Depending on the severity of their symptoms, they are then oriented towards a holistic group treatment, integrating cognitive remediation including psycho-education, restorative and compensatory methods to cope with their cognitive difficulties, and tools to manage the various symptoms of COVID-long (fatigue, insomnia, stress, depression and reduced quality of life).

Une filière « Covid long ¼ a vu le jour au Centre Leenaards de la mémoire du CHUV pour répondre à une importante demande d'examens neuropsychologiques chez des patients aux symptômes persistant depuis plusieurs mois. Les patients bénéficient d'une évaluation multidisciplinaire qui inclut les aspects de la fatigue et du sommeil ainsi que la cognition. Ils sont ensuite orientés, selon la sévérité de leurs symptômes, vers une prise en charge groupale holistique qui intègre de la remédiation cognitive incluant de la psychoéducation, des méthodes restauratives et compensatoires pour faire face à leurs difficultés cognitives et des outils permettant de gérer les différents symptômes caractéristiques d'un Covid long (fatigue, insomnie, stress, dépression et diminution de la qualité de vie).

Evaluation of the fertilizer potential of Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus grown in agricultural drainage water from maize fields.

Producing microalgae with agricultural drainage water (ADW) allows recycling water and nutrients, with the production of a biofertilizer, avoiding receiving waters' contamination. Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus were cultivated using ADW and standard media supplementation and presented higher productivities, relatively to the control industrial growth medium (using freshwater). Selected strains were grown outdoors in pilot flat panel photobioreactors, reaching 2.20 g L-1 for S. obliquus and 1.15 g L-1 for C. vulgaris, and degrading herbicides in the ADW to non-quantifiable concentrations. The potential of the C. vulgaris and S. obliquus suspensions to replace 50% of nitrogen (N) mineral fertilization of lettuce (0.5 g pot-1) was evaluated through a pot trial, also using a 2-times (1.0 g pot-1) and 5-times (2.5 g pot-1) higher dose, applied 31 days before lettuce transplanting. Even the lower dose of N, applied via C. vulgaris or S. obliquus suspensions, was able to provide significantly higher lettuce fresh matter yield, relatively to the mineral fertilized control. Soil enzymatic activities were improved, with significantly higher dehydrogenase, ß-glucosidase, and acid phosphatase activities for the 2.5 g pot-1 dose, more marked for S. obliquus, which was also able to increase soil organic matter content. Both the non-fertilized control and microalgae fertilized pots led to similar soil electrical conductivities, 3-fold lower than in the N-mineral fertilized pots, evidencing the capacity of microalgae fertilizers to avoid soil secondary salinization. Results suggest benefits from using ADW from maize cultivation to produce C. vulgaris or S. obliquus suspensions, that can be further used as liquid organic slow-release fertilizer.

Physicochemical properties of iodine and selenium biofortified Sparus aurata and Cyprinus carpio during frozen storage.

Fish biofortification with natural ingredients like iodine-rich macroalgae and selenized-yeast is an excellent strategy to enhance the nutritional quality of farmed fish. This study aimed to assess the effect of frozen storage during 12-months on physicochemical quality of biofortified seabream (Sparus aurata) and carp (Cyprinus carpio). Frozen storage reduced iodine content in biofortified seabream fillets (17%), as well as selenium content in biofortified carp fillets (24%). Yet, biofortified fillets still presented enhanced iodine and selenium contents at the end of the storage period. Increased lipid oxidation (3.45 mg MDA kg-1 for seabream and 2.41 mg MDA kg-1 for carp) and decreased water holding capacity (23-29% for seabream and 14-23% for carp) was observed during storage, whereas major changes in colour and texture occurred after 45 days (seabream) and 225 days (carp) of storage. In general, biofortified fish fillets maintained their nutritional value and quality after 360 days of frozen storage.

Effects of steaming on health-valuable nutrients from fortified farmed fish: Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) as case studies.

Fish fortification with iodine-rich macroalgae (Laminaria digitata) and Selenium-rich yeast is expected to promote nutritional added value of this crucial food item, contributing to a healthy and balanced diet for consumers. However, it is not known if steaming can affect these nutrient levels in fortified fish. The present study evaluates the effect of steaming on nutrients contents in fortified farmed gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fortified seabream presented enhanced I, Se and Fe contents, whereas fortified carp presented enhanced I, Se and Zn contents. Steaming resulted in increased I and Se contents in fortified seabream, and increased Fe and Zn levels in fortified carp, with higher elements true retention values (TRVs >90%). The consumption of 150 g of steamed fortified seabream contributes to a significant daily intake (DI) of I (up to 12%) and Se (up to >100%). On the other hand, steamed fortified carp contributes to 19-23% of I DI and 30%-71% of Se DI. These results demonstrate that steaming is a healthy cooking method, maintaining the enhanced nutritional quality of fortified fish. Moreover, the present fortification strategy is a promising solution to develop high-quality farmed fish products to overcome nutritional deficiencies.

Enriched feeds with iodine and selenium from natural and sustainable sources to modulate farmed gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fillets elemental nutritional value.

Developing tailor-made fortified farmed fish is a promising solution to overcome nutritional deficiencies and increase consumer confidence in these products. This study evaluated the supplementation of three fortified diets with I-rich seaweed and selenised-yeast on essential and toxic elements levels in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fortified diets resulted in increased I, Se and Fe in fish muscle. Biofortified seabream and carp revealed lower Cu and Br. The reduction of fishmeal and fish oil in fortified diets resulted in lower Hg and Cd in seabream muscle. Contrarily, fortified diets increased As and Hg in carp fillets. The consumption of 150 g of fortified seabream enabled a significantly higher contribution to the daily recommended intake (DRI) of I (10%) and Se (76%) than non-fortified fish, whereas fortified carp fulfilled 23% of I DRI and 91% of Se DRI. Moreover, the exposure to Pb decreased with the consumption of biofortified seabream (23-82% BMDL01) and carp (26-92% BMDL01). These results support the strategy of developing eco-innovative biofortified farmed fish using sustainable, natural, safe and high-quality ingredients in feeds, to enable consumers to overcome nutritional deficiencies without significantly increased feed costs.

Alzheimer's disease phospholipase C-gamma-2 (PLCG2) protective variant is a functional hypermorph.

BACKGROUND: Recent Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have identified novel rare coding variants in immune genes associated with late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Amongst these, a polymorphism in phospholipase C-gamma 2 (PLCG2) P522R has been reported to be protective against LOAD. PLC enzymes are key elements in signal transmission networks and are potentially druggable targets. PLCG2 is highly expressed in the hematopoietic system. Hypermorphic mutations in PLCG2 in humans have been reported to cause autoinflammation and immune disorders, suggesting a key role for this enzyme in the regulation of immune cell function. METHODS: We assessed PLCG2 distribution in human and mouse brain tissue via immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. We transfected heterologous cell systems (COS7 and HEK293T cells) to determine the effect of the P522R AD-associated variant on enzymatic function using various orthogonal assays, including a radioactive assay, IP-One ELISA, and calcium assays. RESULTS: PLCG2 expression is restricted primarily to microglia and granule cells of the dentate gyrus. Plcg2 mRNA is maintained in plaque-associated microglia in the cerebral tissue of an AD mouse model. Functional analysis of the p.P522R variant demonstrated a small hypermorphic effect of the mutation on enzyme function. CONCLUSIONS: The PLCG2 P522R variant is protective against AD. We show that PLCG2 is expressed in brain microglia, and the p.P522R polymorphism weakly increases enzyme function. These data suggest that activation of PLCγ2 and not inhibition could be therapeutically beneficial in AD. PLCγ2 is therefore a potential target for modulating microglia function in AD, and a small molecule drug that weakly activates PLCγ2 may be one potential therapeutic approach.

First study on oyster-shell-based phosphorous removal in saltwater - A proxy to effluent bioremediation of marine aquaculture.

The efficiency of oyster-shell waste for the removal of phosphorous (P) in saltwater was herein evaluated. For that, different factors were tested, being attained >56% and >98% P removal by natural oyster shell (NOS)-fraction <0.125mm and COS (calcined oyster shell)-fraction 0.5mm, respectively. Adsorption was the main mechanism suggested for NOS, whilst a co-mechanism of precipitation occurred with COS. NOS adsorption was consistent with Langmuir model and followed both the Elovich and Intraparticle Difusion kinetic models. COS followed only Pseudo-Second Order and, mainly, the Elovich model. Overall, optimal conditions for P removal from saltwater were established for NOS and COS, which will unquestionably allow to comply with regulated P levels for the discharge of wastewater from saltwater RAS.

Potential management of resistant microbial infections with a novel non-antibiotic: the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac sodium.

Diclofenac sodium (Dc), an anti-inflammatory agent, has remarkable inhibitory action both against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant clinical isolates of various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of Dc to protect mice from a virulent Salmonella infection. Dc injected at 1.5 microg/g and 3.0 microg/g mouse body weight significantly protected animals from the lethality of Salmonella infection. As was the case for the in vitro interaction, Dc in combination with streptomycin was even more effective. The non-antibiotic drug Dc has potential for the management of problematic antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

Antibacterial activity of ergosterol peroxide against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: dependence upon system and medium employed.

Ergosterol peroxide, cycloart-23-en-3beta,25-diol, vanillin and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde have been isolated and characterized from a crude methanol extract of Euphorbia lagascae. Previous studies have shown contradictory results about the antibacterial activity of ergosterol peroxide against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In order to clarify this question, the activity of this compound was tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv ATCC 27294 strain using two different systems: BACTEC 460TB (Bactec 460) and BACTEC MGIT 960 system (Bactec 960). The results obtained show that significant activity was demonstrable only with the Bactec 460 system. The lack of activity noted with the Bactec 960 system appears to be due to the much faster growth rate of the organism in the medium of this system as opposed to that of the Bactec 460 system. Ergosterol peroxide is also shown by the current study to be devoid of any activity against an antibiotic sensitive ATCC strain of Staphylococcus aureus.

The in vitro activity of phenothiazines against Mycobacterium avium: potential of thioridazine for therapy of the co-infected AIDS patient.

Patients presenting with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are predisposed to co-infection with Mycobacterium avium. The management of such patients is problematic due to underlying immuno-incompetence and the high resistance of M. avium to most non-toxic compounds. Therefore, the need for effective agents is obvious. Because phenothiazines, especially the relatively mild thioridazine, have significant activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, we investigated the in vitro activity of chlorpromazine, thioridazine, promazine, promethazine and desipramine against a reference and clinical strains of M. avium. The results obtained show that whereas all of the phenothiazines employed in this study had an minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against the strains studied that ranged from ca. 10 to > 50 mg/L, as was previously shown for M. tuberculosis, thioridazine was the most active of the group against M. avium.

Inhibition of the Carpobrotus edulis methanol extract on the growth of phagocytosed multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The Carpobrotus edulis methanol extract, inactive against the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or the multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, does inhibit the growth of these two bacteria once they are phagocytosed by monocyte derived human macrophages.