Médecine sciences : M/S
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Médecine sciences : M/S · Feb 2008
Review[Transient receptor potential, TRP channels: a new family of channels broadly expressed].
Transient receptor potential, TRP channels are a new superfamily of functionally versatile non-selective cation channels present from yeast to mammals. On the basis of their structural homology, TRP channels are subdivided in 7 groups : TRPC 1-7 Canonical, TRPV 1-6 Vanilloid, TRPM 1-8 Melastatin, TRPP 1-3 Polycystin, TRPML Mucolipin, TRPA Ankyrin and TRPN (NO mechanotransducer potential C), the latter not expressed in mammals. Their cloning and heterologous expression allowed to demonstrating that these channels are generally weakly voltage-dependent. ⋯ TRP channels are found in a broad range of cell types. TRP channels are essential in allowing animals to sense the outside world and cells to sense their local environment. Following mutations or anomalous behaviour, these channels have a major role in several human diseases.
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"A Silent Pandemic : Industrial Chemicals Are Impairing the Brain Development of Children Worldwide" Fetal and early childhood exposures to industrial chemicals in the environment can damage the developing brain and can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs)--autism, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), and mental retardation. In a new review study, published in The Lancet, Philip Grandjean and Philip Landrigan from the Harvard School of Public Health systematically examined publicly available data on chemical toxicity in order to identify the industrial chemicals that are the most likely to damage the developing brain. ⋯ In North Amercia, the commission for environmental cooperation, and in European Union the DEVNERTOX projects had reached to the same conclusions. We analyse this review and discuss these rather pessimistic conclusions.
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Médecine sciences : M/S · Apr 2007
Review[Preventing papillomavirus infectious and herpes zoster: new vaccines].
Two new vaccines have been recently licensed : a quadrivalent vaccine against Human papillomavirus infections (HPV) 6, 11, 16 and 18, recommended to children from 9 years old and to young adults under the age of 26 years, and a vaccine against herpes zoster for adults from 60 years old onwards. A bivalent vaccine against HPV 16 and 18 will be shortly available. HPV vaccines are composed of the L1 structural proteins of 2 or 4 HPV genotypes, produced by genetic engineering and self-assembled. ⋯ Their use must be associated with the continued detection of cervix cancer by smears and also with the prevention of other sexually transmitted diseases. The herpes zoster vaccine is a living attenuated vaccine produced from the OKA/Merck strain already used in the vaccine against varicella. Its safety is good among persons 50 years old and over and its efficiency on lowering herpes zoster incidence, on the burden of illness and on post-herpetic neuralgia has been demonstrated in persons over 60 years old.