NANOTECHNOLOGY : BENEFITS AND THREATS

Nanotechnology : Benefits and Threats

For almost 20 years that nanotechnology prominently in public discourse.
These companies represent a very interesting alternative for humans. They could enable many advances, particularly in the medical field. They embody an idea of progress but we must still point out that nanotechnology is between promises and threats.

To explore this issue:

• A new tool to repair the human brain: the nanotubes
• "A substance that is known to cope with shocks
• The effects of nanotechnology on the environment
• "New prostheses through nanotechnology
• "Nanotechnology at the heart of public debate

1. A new tool to repair the human brain: the nanotubes
Carbon nanotubes could be used to repair brain material.

The study shows that carbon nanotubes are in contact with neuronal cell membranes to create shortcuts that generate neural excitation. This observation raises the hope of using nanotubes to repair certain lesions affecting the nervous system.


2. A substance that is known to cope with shocks
Helmets fighting British troops will soon be equipped. This is a revolutionary gel that hardens instantly on impact, absorbing the transition a lot of energy.

Richard Palmer, head of the laboratory that developed D3O substance, explains: "The freezing works at a molecular level. When they are moved at low speeds, the molecules slide against each other but in case of severe impact, the shaking violently, they cling and "lock", turning the gel into a solid material and absorbing large amounts of energy. " In case of bullet impact, the soldiers are thus effectively protected the head.


3. The effects of nanotechnology on the environment
Researchers studied the impact of nanoparticles used in the field of nanotechnology on the environment.

The goal is to understand and predict the possible effects of nanotechnology on the environment. These new technologies could thus be developed accordingly, in anticipation of possible adverse effects. Among the issues addressed, the study found nanoparticles of aging or degradation of nanomaterials.

4. New dentures through nanotechnology
A process using recent findings conducted in the field of nanotechnology has been used to produce new metal surfaces.

It provides medical implant-quality helping to facilitate healing and acceptance of metallic prostheses in the human body. The results of this study, the surfaces can stimulate cells directly, which eliminates the need to avoid certain drugs and, at the same time, side effects. This innovative approach could ultimately lead to the development of smart materials that not only would be accepted easily by the human body but, again, respond actively to the surrounding biological environment.


5. Heart of public debate
The Minister for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Spatial Planning has set conditions for the development and regulation of nanotechnology in the center of public debate.

This debate is part of the bill on the implementation of the Grenelle Environment. Indeed, nanotechnology issues are very important, particularly in the areas of competitiveness and innovation. However, their effects on the environment raise many questions. The Committee will report to the government after the discussion period to help the state's decisions regarding nanotechnology.

A SIMPLE GENETIC MECHANISM MAY BE BEHIND THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES

A Simple Genetic Mechanism May Be Behind The Origin Of Species

France - How to create reproductive barriers that isolate species from each other? A study conducted by the team of Olivier Loudet, INRA Versailles in collaboration with the University of Nottingham, revealed one aspect of their introduction into the genome during evolution.

Specializing in the genetic model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the researchers first found that the offspring of cross between two natural strains of the plant-Columbia (Col) and Cape Verde Island (CVI) - not entirely obeyed classical laws of heredity: some individuals resulting from specific genetic combination of the two parental genomes were missing.

They discovered that this phenomenon resulted from an incompatibility between two chromosomal regions, carried on chromosome 1 and chromosome Col. 5 of CVI, which never found together in the homozygous state in the genome of plants from their intersection .

A genetic study further allowed them to attribute this inconsistency to a single gene, one of histidinol phosphate aminotransferase (HPA): it is carried by chromosome 1 in strain CVI and is present in two copies on chromosomes 1 and 5, in strain Col.

Inactivation during the evolution of the copy of this HPA on chromosome 1 of Col has meant that, in Arabidopsis, the functional gene is carried by a different chromosome in CVI and neck. But the HPA gene encodes an enzyme essential for the synthesis of histidine, an essential amino acid: the descendants of these two strains that inherit both the HPA inactive gene carried by chromosome 1 of Col chromosome 5 and CVI can not grow, private HPA functional gene.

Evidence that the absence of this gene is the cause of the inconsistency observed chromosome, researchers found that these embryos developed normally if the plants that bore them were sprayed with a solution containing histidine.

"The fact that the progeny of certain crosses is not always fertile is known in almost all families of plants, says Olivier Loudet. But here, for the first time we've pinpointed a simple mechanism that this explains in a species. "

Duplication and fragmentation of essential genes in the genome, followed by inactivation of some copies of these genes during evolution could gradually reduce the possibilities of cross fertilization between different strains and eventually lead to their separation distinct species. This quick and simple mechanism could partly explain the genetic origin of species. These results are published in the journal Science on January 30, 2009.

THE 3 MANDATORY ULTRASOUND

The 3 mandatory ultrasound
During pregnancy, there are three mandatory ultrasound and reimbursed by social security. It takes place at the defined time of pregnancy and all have a special need.

The first ultrasound
It is generally done between the 12th and 14th week of gestation. It's role is mainly because dating can give an approximate date of early pregnancy and therefore a subsequent date of term delivery. It was also at this time that the ultrasound can determine the location of pregnancy (left or right ovary) and especially the number of embryos.

During this ultrasound, a first screening of malformations may be statevisit. It was also at that moment that comes into account the first criterion depistgae of trisomy 21, since the ultrasound will make the measurement of nuchal clarity.

For parents, this first scan is usually a first time very moving because they see for the first time their baby. The ultrasound also generally hear the baby's heart. So for parents the first contact with their baby.

The second ultrasound
We can call this morphological ultrasound sonography. It is usually performed between the 20th and 22nd week of gestation. It lasts long enough for the ultrasound will conduct an audit of all limbs and organs to detect morphological malformation. He will therefore monitor fetal growth by measuring the limbs (femur, head circumference ...).

The ultrasound is generally the most impressive for parents because the baby is clearly visible: there are his hands, his feet, he was sometimes seen sucking her thumb. This was also the ultrasound where you can ask to know the sex of the child ... of course if it is well positioned!

The third ultrasound
Performed between the 30th and 32nd week of gestation, it is mainly there to see the evolution of the child. The ultrasound will then conduct further testing abnormalities, examine fetal growth. It will also consider the well-being with an estimated fetal weight, size, quantity of amniotic fluid ... It will also consider the position of the placenta and the baby's position (head down or head). This ultrasound is typically experienced differently by parents because many think the fact that the next time they see their child, it will be to keep their arms. It remains a wonderful time for many parents who can discover the uterine life of their child (sometimes it yawning or sucking his chip, he sometimes has the hiccups, which is clearly visible on the image).

DETECTION OF RISK OF PRETERM BIRTH

Detection of risk of preterm birth
United Kingdom - A team of researchers at King's College and University College London have discovered that progesterone levels present in saliva to determine the risk of preterm delivery.

Women who give birth prematurely, before 34 weeks of pregnancy were found to have progesterone levels lower in their saliva.

The scientists analyzed samples of saliva in ninety-two pregnant women who are at risk for preterm delivery.

These samples were collected each week from 24 weeks of pregnancy until 34 weeks or until delivery.

Depending on their date of birth (before 34 weeks, between 34 and 37 weeks, and after 37 weeks or at term), the researchers found that those women had progesterone levels in saliva rather different.

More delivery approach of the term and the rate is high. The progesterone is known for its anti-inflammatory capacity and low levels of this hormone may make the body vulnerable to bacteria, known cause of premature delivery.

As this low rate can be detected from the sixth month of pregnancy, a simple test and non-invasive to the fetus could be developed and thus identify preterm delivery

Sources: MaxiSciences

NUTRITION DURING PREGNANCY INFLUENCE THE FUTURE HEALTH OF THE CHILD

Nutrition during pregnancy influence the future health of the child
The mother's diet during pregnancy can affect the health of the baby, even years later. To understand this "nutritional programming", and can potentially enable the early prevention of certain metabolic diseases, several teams of researchers working on what they call the "fetal origins of adult disease".

A link between maternal nutrition during pregnancy and child health
A study of survivors of the famine that struck the Netherlands in 1944-1945 was particularly shown that when pregnant women had suffered famine, their children were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

The subjects of the cohort affected by famine Holland are still followed today and interesting results still be obtained. Researchers have recently shown by example that subjects exposed to malnutrition before birth, ie during the first 16 weeks of gestation, prefer to eat fatty foods, which could increase their risk of high cholesterol if these foods are high in saturated fats and trans fats. These people also tend to be less physically active.

It is clear from this research that changes in nutrition at certain stages of pregnancy may give very different results for child health. Currently, two projects funded by the European Union, the EDEN study (Study of the determinants of pre-and postnatal development and child health) and the EARNEST project (Project on early nutritional programming) bend detail on these issues.

What aspects of development and health programming nutritional influence it?
Several aspects of health and well-being of infants appear to be influenced by the nutritional status of the mother's weight before pregnancy and weight gain during pregnancy. These phenomena affect the baby's size at birth and the risk of prematurity. We know, for example, according to several studies, a low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

A study conducted in the project EARNEST reveals a balanced diet during pregnancy, including good sources of omega-3 (fish oil such as salmon, herring and mackerel), can protect some degree of chronic diseases like asthma and possibly have a beneficial effect on the immune system.

Other studies have shown that high intakes of omega-3 during pregnancy favor the growth of the baby before birth and reduce the risk of prematurity. However, these studies did not take into account the body mass index (BMI) of the mother.

Health in adulthood could be determined to some extent by nutrition during infancy. Breastfeeding is best for the baby for a number of psychological and physiological reasons. Studies have shown that breastfed infants were less likely to become obese in adulthood and that 5 to 7 months of breastfeeding seemed to produce the most favorable results. This observation supports the recommendations of the World Health recommends that exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life.

Further information:
EARNEST website: http://www.metabolic-programming.org//
EDEN publications: http://www.ifr69.idf.inserm.fr/page.asp?page=2248

SOURCES:
Barker DJ. (1997) Fetal nutrition and cardiovascular disease in later life. Br Med Bull 53:96-108

Lussana F, Painter RC, Ocke MC, Buller HR, Bossuyt PM, Roseboom TJ. (2008) Prenatal exposure to the Dutch Famine is associated with a preference for fatty foods and a more atherogenic lipid profile. Am J Clin Nutr 88:1648-1652

Drouillet P et al. (2008) Maternal fatty acid intake and fetal growth: evidence for an association in overweight women. The 'EDEN mother-child' cohort (study of pre-and early postnatal determinants of the child's development and health). Br J Nutr 101:583-591

Olsen SF, Salvig JD, Mortensen LM, Rytter D, Secher NJ, Henriksen TB. (2008) Fish oil intake compared with olive oil intake in late pregnancy and asthma in the offspring: 16 y of registry-based follow-up from a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 88:167-175

O'Tierney PF, Barker DJ, Osmond C, KAJANTIE E, Eriksson JG. (2009) Duration of breast-feeding and adiposity in adult life. J Nutr 139 (2): 422S-5S

WHO (2001) The optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding - a systematic review. Available at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2001/WHO_NHD_01.08.pdf

ALL UNIVERSAL DONOR BLOOD

All universal donor blood
A discovery by an international research team can convert any blood group O, group "universal donor" blood can be transfused to patients of any blood type. It also group whose reserves are less important.

Two molecules, called "enzymes glycosidases" were identified in bacteria by the team at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) directed by Henrik Clausen. These enzymes can convert groups A, B and AB to group O.

The ABO system
Blood groups are defined by the ABO system, ie the presence on the surface of red blood cell antigen "A", "B" or "AB" (These antigens are structures based sugar, galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine). The O does none of these antigens. That absence of antigen, which allows blood type O to be transfused to anyone. The transfusion of incompatible blood can have severe consequences or even death.

The enzymes cleave these discoveries antigens A and B. Trials are now needed to see if such blood is safe and functional.

2500 bacteria and fungi screened
The Danish team has screened more than 2,500 bacteria and fungi (mushrooms) to finally get their hands on bacteria Bacteroides fragilis and Elizabethkingia meningosepticum that produce enzymes glycosidases capable of achieving cleavage of antigens A and B.

The ZYMEQUEST company based in the Boston area (USA) worked with the Danish team and is responsible for conducting tests cliniqes to ensure that the blood product and is safe and functional.

Sources:
BBC Health