Search

Coloration is crucial for ambush mesopredators' survival as they depend on it for camouflage to hunt and avoid predation. Furthermore, coloration is especially important in ectotherms as it is linked to two essential functions for survival: thermoregulation and crypsis. In a context of trade‐offs between thermoregulation and crypsis, the comprehension of how ectotherms employ color to address conflicting demands of thermoregulation and crypsis is limited. This study investigated background matching and thermoregulation in western diamond‐backed rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox). Rattlesnakes were predicted to better match selected microhabitats in terms of color, luminance, and pattern than random microhabitats within their home range, and body temperature was predicted to influence their body coloration with higher temperatures favoring lighter colors. Pictures of 14 radiotracked western diamond‐backed rattlesnakes were taken in situ with a full spectrum camera (UV/VIS) and body temperature was recovered from internal temperature‐datalogging radiotransmitters. Crotalus atrox matched the color, luminance, and pattern of the background better than a randomly selected background, thus enhancing background matching. Additionally, rattlesnake coloration varied independently of temperature indicating that rattlesnakes are behaviorally modifying crypsis regardless of thermoregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the proportion of sperm chromatin linked to remaining histone and assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome. A prospective cohort study was performed on couples undergoing ART process at the Department of Reproduction Medicine (HFME, Bron, France). The histone‐to‐protamine ratio (HPR) was measured using the method described by Wykes & Krawetz (2003) J Biol Chem 278, 29471. The correlations with sperm DFI, blastocyst formation, pregnancy rate, and delivery rate were investigated. A total of 291 ART cycles were included (42 c‐IVF and 249 ICSI procedures): 3870 oocytes were punctured and 2211 embryos were obtained, among which 507 were transferred and 336 frozen. The mean HPR was 18.9%. A significant negative correlation was found between HPR and DFI (r = −0.12, p < 0.05). Regarding the type of ART procedure (c‐IVF or ICSI), the same kind of relationship between HPR and ART parameters was observed. Regardless of the type of ART procedure used, when the HPR was within the range [6%; 26%], the blastocyst formation rate was higher: 87.8% vs. 71.2% (HPR<6%; p < 0.01) and 74.6% (HPR >26%; p < 0.01). The highest delivery rate (DR; 24.5%) was obtained for HPR within the range [6%; 26%]; DR was 21.9% for HPR<6% and 18.3% for HPR>26%; however, the differences were not statistically significant. The procedure described in this study seems to be a reliable evaluation of the HPR. The HPR parameter seems to be correlated to embryonic development up to the blastocyst stage, but its involvement in clinical pregnancy/delivery could not be confirmed. HPR should be further investigated for confirming the relationship with blastocyst formation. After this, the next step will be to investigate the etiologies of HPR alterations for improving the sperm nucleus quality for increasing the chance of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C virus ( HCV) is a human hepatotropic virus, but many hepatoma cell lines are not permissive to this virus. In a previous study, we observed that SNU-182, SNU-398 and SNU-449 hepatoma cell lines were nonpermissive to HCV. To understand the nonpermissivity, we evaluated the ability of each cell line to support the different steps of HCV life cycle (entry, replication and production of infectious particles). Using retroviral pseudoparticles pseudotyped with HCV envelope proteins and recombinant HCV produced in cell culture, we observed that low level or absence of claudin-1 (CLDN1) expression limited the viral entry process in SNU-182 and SNU-398 cells, respectively. Our results also showed that supplementation of the three cell lines with miR-122 partly restored the replication of a JFH1 HCV replicon. Finally, we observed that expression of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) was very low or undetectable in the three cell lines and that its ectopic expression permits the production of infectious viral particles in SNU-182 and SNU-398 cells but not in SNU-449 cells. Nevertheless, the supplementation of SNU-182, SNU-398 and SNU-449 cells with CLDN1, miR-122 and ApoE was not sufficient to render these cells as permissive as HuH-7 cells. Thus, these cell lines could serve as cell culture models for functional studies on the role of CLDN1, miR-122 and ApoE in HCV life cycle but also for the identification of new restriction and/or dependency host factors essential for HCV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early-onset pneumonia (EOP) is frequent after burn trauma, increasing morbidity in the critical resuscitation phase, which may preclude early aggressive management of burn wounds. Currently, however, preemptive treatment is not recommended. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors for EOP that may justify early empirical antibiotic treatment. Data for all burn patients requiring ≥4 h mechanical ventilation (MV) who were admitted between January 2001 and October 2012 were extracted from the hospital's computerized information system. We reviewed EOP episodes (≤7 days) among patients who underwent endotracheal aspiration (ETA) within 5 days after admission. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent factors associated with EOP. Logistic regression was used to identify factors predicting EOP development. During the study period, 396 burn patients were admitted. ETA was performed within 5 days in 204/290 patients receiving ≥4 h MV. One hundred and eight patients developed EOP; 47 cases were caused by Staphylococcus aureus, 37 by Haemophilus influenzae, and 23 by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Among the 33 patients showing S. aureus positivity on ETA samples, 16 (48.5 %) developed S. aureus EOP. Among the 156 S. aureus non-carriers, 16 (10.2 %) developed EOP. Staphylococcus aureus carriage independently predicted EOP ( p < 0.0001). We identified S. aureus carriage as an independent and strong predictor of EOP. As rapid point-of-care testing for S. aureus is readily available, we recommend testing of all patients at admission for burn trauma and the consideration of early preemptive treatment in all positive patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate this new strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Chronic protein malnutrition leads to child mortality in developing countries. Spirulina alga (Spi), being rich in protein and growing easily, is a good candidate as supplementation. We showed that Spi completely prevents bone growth retardation and liver disturbances observed in young rats fed a low protein diet. This supports Spi as a useful source of vegetable protein to fight against protein malnutrition. Introduction: Chronic malnutrition is a main factor of child mortality in developing countries. A low protein diet impairs whole-body growth and leads to fatty liver in growing rats. Spi has great potential as a supplementation as it has a 60 % protein content and all essential amino acids. However, its specific impact on bone growth and the related secretion of hepatokines have not yet been studied. Methods: To address this question, 6-week-old female rats were fed isocaloric diets containing 10 % casein, 5 % casein, or 5 % casein + 5 % protein from Spi during 9 weeks. Changes in tibia geometry, microarchitecture, BMC, BMD, and biomechanical properties were analyzed. Serum IGF-I, FGF21, follistatin, and activin A were assessed as well as their hepatic gene expressions in addition to those of Sirt1, Ghr, and Igf1r. Hepatic fat content was also assessed. Results: A low protein diet altered bone geometry and reduced proximal tibia BMD and trabecular bone volume. In addition, it increased hepatic fat content and led to hepatic GH resistance by decreasing serum IGF-I and increasing serum FGF21 without altering serum activin A and follistatin. Spi prevented low protein diet-induced bone, hepatic, and hormonal changes, and even led to higher biomechanical properties and lower hepatic fat content in association with specific InhbA and Follistatin expression changes vs. the 10 % casein group. Conclusions: Altogether our results demonstrate the preventive impact of Spi on bone growth delay and hepatic GH resistance in conditions of isocaloric dietary protein deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Retrospective studies suggested a benefit of first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment continuation after response evaluation in solid tumors (RECIST) progression in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The aim of this multicenter observational retrospective study was to assess the frequency of this practice and its impact on overall survival (OS). The analysis included advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients treated with first-line TKI who experienced RECIST progression between June 2010 and July 2012. Among the 123 patients included (67 ± 12.7 years, women: 69 %, non smokers: 68 %, PS 0-1: 87 %), 40.6 % continued TKI therapy after RECIST progression. There was no difference between the patients who did and did not continue TKI therapy with respect to progression-free survival (PFS1: 10.5 versus 9.5 months, p = 0.4). Overall survival (OS) showed a non-significant trend in favor of continuing TKI therapy (33.0 vs. 21.2 months, p = 0.054). Progressions were significantly less symptomatic in the TKI continuation group than in the discontinuation group (18 % vs. 37 %, p < 0.01). Univariate analysis showed a higher risk of death among patients with PS >1 (HR 4.33, 95 %CI: 2.21-8.47, p = 0.001), >1 one metastatic site (HR 1.96, 95 %CI: 1.06-3.61, p = 0.02), brain metastasis (HR 1.75, 95 %CI: 1.08-2.84, p = 0.02) at diagnosis, and a trend towards a higher risk of death in cases of TKI discontinuation after progression (HR 1.62, 95 %CI: 0.98-2.67, p = 0.056 ). In multivariate analysis only PS >1 (HR 6.27, 95 %CI: 2.97-13.25, p = 0.00001) and >1 metastatic site (HR 2.54, 95 %CI: 1.24-5.21, p = 0.02) at diagnosis remained significant. This study suggests that under certain circumstances, first-line TKI treatment continuation after RECIST progression is an acceptable option in EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients.Clinical Trial Information: NCT02293733. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC), that is, the cell population giving rise not only to all mature hematopoietic lineages but also the presumed target for leukemic transformation, can transmit (adverse) genetic events, such as are acquired from chemotherapy or ionizing radiation. Data on the repair of DNA double-strand-breaks (DSB) and its accuracy in HSPC are scarce, in part contradictory, and mostly obtained in murine models. We explored the activity, quality and molecular components of DSB repair in human HSPC as compared with mature peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). To consider chemotherapy/radiation-induced compensatory proliferation, we established cycling HSPC cultures. Comparison of pathway-specific repair activities using reporter systems revealed that HSPC were severely compromised in non-homologous end joining and homologous recombination but not microhomology-mediated end joining. We observed a more pronounced radiation-induced accumulation of nuclear 53BP1 in HSPC relative to PBL, despite evidence for comparable DSB formation from cytogenetic analysis and γH2AX signal quantification, supporting differential pathway usage. Functional screening excluded a major influence of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH-kinase (ATM/ATR/DNA-PK)- and p53-signaling as well as chromatin remodeling. We identified diminished NF-κB signaling as the molecular component underlying the observed differences between HSPC and PBL, limiting the expression of DSB repair genes and bearing the risk of an inaccurate repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of the new technique colour Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) by studying the concordance between dobutamine DTI, standard grey scale echocardiography (SE), and rest-reinjection TI-201 tomography (TI) in dysfunctional myocardium.Patients: 23 patients with chronic wall motion abnormalities and proven coronary artery disease (> 70% diameter stenosis of at least one major coronary artery at angiogram).Methods: The contractile reserve and the resting perfusion characteristics of dysfunctional myocardial segments were assessed with low dose dobutamine SE and/or DTI (2.5 up to 20 gamma/kg/min) and TI on a semiquantitative basis. The DTI or SE data were separately compared with TI, on the basis of a 13 segment ventricular model. The resulting score of combined DTI and SE was also compared with TI. Finally the results obtained from DTI were compared with SE.Results: A total of 142 severely hypokinetic or akinetic segments were visualised. The viability study was feasible in 127 (89%) and 121 (85%) segments with DTI and SE, respectively. TI detected viability more frequently than DTI (84 v 61, p < 0.001) and SE (80 v 50, p < 0.001). However, as many viable segments were detected with combined DTI and SE as with TI (78 v 84, NS). The kappa values between TI and SE, DTI or combined SE and DTI were 0.38, 0.45, and 0.57, respectively, and increased to 0.52 and 0.76, respectively, for SE and DTI versus TI when mid-anterior and mid-inferior segments only were considered. The kappa value between SE and DTI was 0.34.Conclusions: DTI is a helpful adjunct to SE, when using low dose dobutamine. This combination revealed as many viable segments as TI and showed a better agreement than DTI or SE alone for the assessment of myocardial viable segments evidenced by TI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaporation of falling diethyl ether droplets is measured by following droplets along their trajectories. Measurements are performed at ambient temperature and pressure by using in-line digital holography. The holograms of droplets are recorded with a single high-speed camera and reconstructed with an 'inverse problems' approach algorithm previously tested (Chareyron et al. New J Phys 14:43039, ). Once evaporation starts, the interfaces of the droplets are surrounded by air/vapor mixtures with refractive index gradients that modify the holograms. The central part of the droplets holograms is unusually bright compared to what is expected and observed for non-evaporating droplets. The reconstruction process is accordingly adapted to measure the droplets diameter along their trajectory. The diethyl ether being volatile, the droplets are found to evaporate in a very short time: of the order of 70 ms for a 50-60 μm diameter at an ambient temperature of 25 °C. After this time, the diethyl ether has fully evaporated and droplets diameter reaches a plateau. The remaining droplets are then only composed of water, originating from the cooling and condensation of the humid air at the droplet surface. This assertion is supported by two pieces of evidence: (i) by estimating the evolution of droplets refractive index from light scattering measurements at rainbow angle and (ii) by comparing the evaporation rate and droplets velocities obtained by digital holography with those calculated with a simple model of evaporation/condensation. The overall results show that the in-line digital holography with 'inverse problems' approach is an accurate technique for studying fast evaporation from a Lagrangian point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Santos Harbor Area (SHA) in Sao Paulo Coastline (Brazil) is the most important marine cargo transfer terminal in the Southern Hemisphere. A long term relative tidal level variability assessment shows a consistent response to relative sea level rise. A wave data base Wave Watch III was compared with a long term wave data-base generated by the ERA40-ECMWF (2003), both local validated. The current bed level of SHA Outer Channel is -15.00 m (Chart Datum or, in abbreviation, CD), maintained by dredging. According to the cargo throughput forecast, in 2025, the Access Channel will have to be deepened to level of -17.00 m. The feasibility of that choice is discussed from a technical, economical and conceptual navigation point of view in that context. A data set found from a scale model of the whole area of Santos Bay, Estuary and nearby beaches, showed the impact of maritime climate changes upon the coastal area. In the previous researches developed by the authors, it was demonstrated that the wave climate, the tides and tidal currents affect harbor and coastal structures maintenance, beaches stability, tidal inlet, sediment transport, saline intrusion and wetlands. Considering the increasing of the sea hazards and the high values of the infrastructures in that coastline, it is necessary to mitigate the risks. Hence, based on the results obtained by the authors, are highlighted guidelines strategies suggested for Access Channels dimensions, wharves free-board, jetties dimensions, dredging rates, rigid and flexible littoral defenses and land protection against flooding (including wetlands). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Preclinical findings suggest that imatinib mesylate (IM) and metronomic cyclophosphamide (MC) combination provides synergistic antiangiogenic activity on both pericytes and endothelial cells.Methods:We have designed a 3+3 dose-escalating phase I trial with a fixed dose of MC (50 mg two times daily) plus IM (400 mg per day; 300 and 400 mg two times daily). Enrolled patients had IM- and sutininib-refractory advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) (n=17), chordoma (n=7) and mucosal melanoma (n=2). Dose-limiting toxicities were monitored for the first 6 weeks. Progression-free survival (PFS) and response assessment are based on RECIST 1.0 guidelines. Pharmacokinetics of IM were measured before and after exposure to MC.Results:No dose-limiting toxicity was observed. Fourteen patients of the expanded cohort received 400 mg two times daily of IM with MC. Apart from a case of possibly related acute leukaemia occurring after 4 years of treatment, we did not see unexpected toxicity. No drug-drug pharmacokinetic interaction was observed. There was no objective response. We have observed long-lasting stable disease in chordoma patients (median PFS=10.2 months; range, 4.2-18+) and short-term stable disease in heavily GIST pretreated patients (median PFS=2.3 months; range, 2.1-6.6).Conclusion:This combination is feasible and may warrant further exploration in refractory GIST or chordoma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complementation is a naturally occurring genetic mechanism that has been studied for a number of plus-strand RNA viruses. Although trans-complementation is well documented for Flaviviridae family viruses, the first such system for hepatitis C virus ( HCV) was only described in 2005. Since then, the development of a number of HCV trans-complementation models has improved our knowledge of HCV protein functions and interactions, genome replication and viral particle assembly. These models have also been used to produce defective viruses and so improvements are necessary for vaccine assays. This review provides an update on HCV trans-complementation systems, the viral mechanisms studied therewith and the production and characterization of trans-encapsidated particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An in-line digital holography technique is tested, the objective being to measure Lagrangian three-dimensional (3D) trajectories and the size evolution of droplets evaporating in high-Reλ strong turbulence. The experiment is performed in homogeneous, nearly isotropic turbulence (50×50×50mm³) created by the meeting of six synthetic jets. The holograms of droplets are recorded with a single high-speed camera at frame rates of 1-3 kHz. While hologram time series are generally processed using a classical approach based on the Fresnel transform, we follow an 'inverse problem' approach leading to improved size and 3D position accuracy and both in-field and out-of-field detection. The reconstruction method is validated with 60μm diameter water droplets released from a piezoelectric injector 'on-demand' and which do not appreciably evaporate in the sample volume. Lagrangian statistics on 1000 reconstructed tracks are presented. Although improved, uncertainty on the depth positions remains higher, as expected in in-line digital holography. An additional filter is used to reduce the effect of this uncertainty when calculating the droplet velocities and accelerations along this direction. The diameters measured along the trajectories remain constant within ±1.6%, thus indicating that accuracy on size is high enough for evaporation studies. The method is then tested with R114 freon droplets at an early stage of evaporation. The striking feature is the presence on each hologram of a thermal wake image, aligned with the relative velocity fluctuations 'seen' by the droplets (visualization of the Lagrangian fluid motion about the droplet). Its orientation compares rather well with that calculated by using a dynamical equation for describing the droplet motion. A decrease of size due to evaporation is measured for the droplet that remains longest in the turbulence domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary. A novel controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) has been developed for Fibroscan® to assess liver steatosis, simultaneously with liver stiffness measurement (LSM). We assessed CAP diagnostic accuracy in a large cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) virus. A total of 615 patients with CHC, who underwent both Fibroscan® and liver biopsy, were analysed. Fibrosis was graded using METAVIR score. Steatosis was categorized by visual assessment as S0: steatosis in <10% of hepatocytes, S1: 11-33%, S2: 34-66% and S3: 67-100%. Performances of CAP and liver stiffness were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and cross-validated using the bootstrap method. The Obuchowski measure was used to assess overall accuracy of CAP and to differentiate between steatosis grades. In multivariate analysis, CAP was related to steatosis ( P < 10−15) independently of fibrosis stage (which was related to LSM). The areas under ROC curves using CAP to detect steatosis were 0.80 (95% CI, 0.75-0.84) for S ≥ S1, 0.86 (0.81-0.92) for S ≥ S2 and 0.88 (0.73-1) S = S3. CAP exhibited a good ability to differentiate steatosis grades (Obuchowski measure = 0.92). Performance of LSM for fibrosis assessment confirmed results from previous studies. CAP is a novel tool to assess the degree of steatosis and both fibrosis and steatosis can be evaluated noninvasively during the same procedure using Fibroscan®, in patients with CHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RATIONALE: Underinflation of the tracheal cuff frequently occurs in critically ill patients and represents a risk factor for microaspiration of contaminated oropharyngeal secretions and gastric contents that plays a major role in the pathogenesis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of continuous control of tracheal cuff pressure (P(cuff)) on microaspiration of gastric contents. METHODS: Prospective randomized controlled trial performed in a single medical intensive care unit. A total of 122 patients expected to receive mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours through a tracheal tube were randomized to receive continuous control of P(cuff) using a pneumatic device (intervention group, n = 61) or routine care of P(cuff) (control group, n = 61). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was microaspiration of gastric contents as defined by the presence of pepsin at a significant level in tracheal secretions collected during the 48 hours after randomization. Secondary outcomes included incidence of VAP, tracheobronchial bacterial concentration, and tracheal ischemic lesions. The pneumatic device was efficient in controlling P(cuff). Pepsin was measured in 1,205 tracheal aspirates. Percentage of patients with abundant microaspiration (18 vs. 46%; P = 0.002; OR [95% confidence interval], 0.25 [0.11-0.59]), bacterial concentration in tracheal aspirates (mean ± SD 1.6 ± 2.4 vs. 3.1 ± 3.7 log(10) cfu/ml, P = 0.014), and VAP rate (9.8 vs. 26.2%; P = 0.032; 0.30 [0.11-0.84]) were significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group. However, no significant difference was found in tracheal ischemia score between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous control of P(cuff) is associated with significantly decreased microaspiration of gastric contents in critically ill patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic recombination is a well-known feature of RNA viruses that plays a significant role in their evolution. Although recombination is well documented for Flaviviridae family viruses, the first natural recombinant strain of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was identified as recently as 2002. Since then, a few other natural inter-genotypic, intra-genotypic and intra-subtype recombinant HCV strains have been described. However, the frequency of recombination may have been underestimated because not all known HCV recombinants are screened for in routine practice. Furthermore, the choice of treatment regimen and its predictive outcome remain problematic as the therapeutic strategy for HCV infection is genotype dependent. HCV recombination also raises many questions concerning its mechanisms and effects on the epidemiological and physiopathological features of the virus. This review provides an update on recombinant HCV strains, the process that gives rise to recombinants and clinical implications of recombination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the antitumour activity and safety of metronomic cyclophosphamide vs megestrol acetate in progressive and advanced cancer patients having exhausted all effective therapies under standard care.Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to receive orally metronomic cyclophosphamide (50 mg b.i.d) or megestrol acetate (160 mg only daily) until intolerance or progression (RECIST 1.0). The primary efficacy end point was a 2-month progression-free rate (PFR(2m)). According to Optimal Simon's design and the following assumptions, namely, P0=5%, P1=20%, alpha=beta=10%, the treatment is considered as effective if atleast 5 out of 44 patients achieved PFR(2m).Results: Between September 2006 and January 2009, 88 patients were enrolled. Two patients experienced grade 3-4 toxicities in each arm (4%). One toxic death occurred in the megestrol acetate arm as a consequence of thrombosis. The metronomic cyclophosphamide arm reached the predefined level of efficacy with a PFR(2m) rate of 9 out of 44 and a PFR(4m) rate of 5 out of 44. The MA arm failed to achieve the level of efficacy with a PFR(2m) of 4 out of 44 and a PFR(4m) of 1 out of 44. The median overall survival was 195 and 144 days in the metronomic cyclophosphamide arm and megestrol acetate arm, respectively.Conclusion: Metronomic cyclophosphamide is well tolerated and provides stable disease in such vulnerable and poor-prognosis cancer patients. This regimen warrants further evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To appraise the tolerance and efficacy of an induction of tolerance protocol to infliximab permitting the re-administration of the drug to patients with Crohn's disease having had infusion reactions requiring suspension of treatment. Methods Fourteen patients were included in the induction of tolerance protocol. Each infusion of infliximab (5 mg/kg) was divided into 11 escalating 15 min increments over a 3-h time period. The induction of tolerance procedure was repeated for subsequent infusions. Results Ten patients (71.4%) received all the three infusions for the induction treatment. Nine (64.3%) had a significant response and six (48.8%) still benefited from infliximab infusions. Seven patients (50%) achieved a complete remission, after a mean of 2.5 (two to three) infusions. Four patients (28.6%) had no response and the protocol was stopped. Three patients (21.4%) experienced mild immediate hypersensitivity reactions, which were controlled, two patients (14.2%) experienced severe immediate hypersensitivity reactions, leading to interruption of the treatment and one patient developed a delayed hypersensitivity reaction. Conclusion Our induction of tolerance protocol allows some patients who have experienced severe or repetitive infusion reactions to infliximab to be safely retreated with the drug in a hospitalized setting, with a clinical response achieved in a majority of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Oncologie (Tech Science Press) is the property of Tech Science Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• The emergence of a regular phyllochron from the dynamic processes of leaf initiation, leaf elongation and whorl construction suggests causal relationships between leaf elongation and leaf emergence. This paper presents a hypothesis as to how the ontogeny of the growth zone of leaves is triggered by emergence events, and implements it in a dynamic model of leaf elongation.• Two different experiments, presenting two contrasted cases of relationships between leaf emergence and kinetics of leaf elongation, were analysed and interpreted with the model in terms of the functioning of the growth zone.• Analysis of elongation kinetics revealed that the hypothesis allows for several contrasted elongation patterns that were observed, and for a regular phyllochron emerging from the variable dynamic of elongation. The model was able to simulate these patterns, and helped to identify the mechanisms underlying the key points of the analysis.• The hypothesis is not demonstrated, but its coherence and robustness are established, which should inform a renewal of the modelling of leaf elongation in architectural models.New Phytologist(2005)doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2005.01371.x© New Phytologist(2005) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to evaluate the possibility to obtain a molecular signature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) comparatively osteoarthritis (OA), and to lay the bases to develop new diagnostic tools and identify new targets. Microarray technology was used for such an analysis. The gene expression profiles of synovial tissues from patients with confirmed RA, and patients with OA were established and compared. A set of 63 genes was selected, based, more specifically, on their overexpression or underexpression in RA samples compared to OA. Results for six of these genes have been verified by quantitative PCR using both samples identical to those used in the microarray experiments and entirely separate samples. Expression profile of the 48 known genes allowed the correct classification of additional RA and OA patients. Furthermore, the distinct expression of three of the selected genes was also studied by quantitative RT-PCR in cultured synovial cells. Detailed analysis of the expression profile of the selected genes provided evidence for dysregulated biological pathways, pointed out to chromosomal location and revealed novel genes potentially involved in RA. It is proposed that such an approach allows valuable diagnosis/prognostics tools in RA to be established and potential targets for combating the disease to be identified.Genes and Immunity (2004) 5, 597-608. doi:10.1038/sj.gene.6364132 Published online 21 October 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CURATA is a multifaceted continuing medical education (CME) intervention, developed with input from 12 healthcare organizations to address the gap between current and recommended osteoarthritis (OA) treatment of general practitioners in Quebec, Canada. Focusing on appropriate prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors (coxibs), the intervention comprised small-group, case-based workshops modelled after the Script Concordance test, and a decision tool reflecting current evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. A self-reported questionnaire measured knowledge of recommended OA treatment on an eight-point scale. Participants (n = 381) showed a mean 10.1% improvement in questionnaire score immediately following the workshop (15.2% improvement relative to mean pre-workshop score). Knowledge was maintained for three months post-workshop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of oral lufenuron, a chitin synthetase inhibitor, combined with topical enilconazole, was evaluated for the management of infection in 100 cats housed in two catteries in France. The cats were treated with weekly rinses with enilconazole (0.2 per cent) for four weeks and, in each cattery, one group (A) was also treated with micronised griseofulvin (25 mg/kg administered orally twice a day for five weeks) and a second group (B) was treated with 60 mg/kg lufenuron administered orally once on day 0 and again after 30 days. All the cats were examined individually for cutaneous lesions and mycological cultures were made when the treatment began and after 15, 30, 60 and 90 days. In the first caftery, the cats' clinical scores after 30 and 60 days were significantly lower in group B than in group A. In both catteries and both treatment groups, the mean number of fungal colonies decreased rapidly during the first 15 days of treatment, remained stable for the following 45 days but increased from day 60 to the end of the experiment on day 90. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A novel approach to the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers via non-covalent linkages has been studied. It relies on the use of thermotropic side group liquid crystal polymer networks. The polysiloxane networks obtained after extraction of the template preserved the mesomorphic organization set up in the presence of the guest molecule. A first batch rebinding analysis was performed: this study revealed that the imprinted polymer has a much greater affinity for the template molecule than has the non-imprinted polymer, and a significant selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the possibility that pulsed antigen-presenting cells (APC) provide a model vector system for site-specific delivery of immunosuppressive proteins during collageninduced arthritis (CIA), an animal model for rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, mice were treated with either B cells or macrophages engineered to secrete IL-4 and loaded (or not) with type II collagen (CII). Systemic injection of an IL-4-producing B cell hybridoma resulted in a reduction of arthritis severity which was further improved when APC were incubated with CII before their transfer. Unmanipulated B cells loaded with CII also exerted a potent suppressive effect. Likely, clinical amelioration was observed in mice given at priming syngeneic bone marrow-derived macrophages producing IL-4 and pulsed with CII in comparison to the other groups. When the same dose of cells was transferred at disease onset, a moderate beneficial effect was observed. Whatever the APC inoculated, the beneficial effect did not rely upon an IL-4-driven shift towards Th2 phenotype. Systemic administration of fluorescent dye labeled macrophages to arthritic mice has shown that some of these cells rapidly migrate to joints. Moreover, IL-4 transfected macrophages retained their potent capacity to present CII peptides to T cells. These findings validate the use of CII peptideloaded engineered APC as therapeutic vector cells in CIA and allow consideration of this strategy for the administration of various anti-inflammatory proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the possibility that pulsed antigen-presenting cells (APC) provide a model vector system for site-specific delivery of immunosuppressive proteins during collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), an animal model for rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, mice were treated with either B cells or macrophages engineered to secrete IL-4 and loaded (or not) with type II collagen (CII). Systemic injection of an IL-4-producing B cell hybridoma resulted in a reduction of arthritis severity which was further improved when APC were incubated with CII before their transfer. Unmanipulated B cells loaded with CII also exerted a potent suppressive effect. Likely, clinical amelioration was observed in mice given at priming syngeneic bone marrow-derived macrophages producing IL-4 and pulsed with CII in comparison to the other groups. When the same dose of cells was transferred at disease onset, a moderate beneficial effect was observed. Whatever the APC inoculated, the beneficial effect did not rely upon an IL-4-driven shift towards Th2 phenotype. Systemic administration of fluorescent dye labeled macrophages to arthritic mice has shown that some of these cells rapidly migrate to joints. Moreover, IL-4 transfected macrophages retained their potent capacity to present CII peptides to T cells. These findings validate the use of CII peptide-loaded engineered APC as therapeutic vector cells in CIA and allow consideration of this strategy for the administration of various anti-inflammatory proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the radiation-induced, premature terminal differentiation and collagen production of fibroblasts after heavy ion irradiation. These endpoints are discussed as an underlying cellular mechanism of fibrosis. Materials and methods: Normal human foreskin fibroblasts (AG1522B) were used to determine clonogenic survival, the premature differentiation and synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, e.g. collagen after irradiation with X-rays, 195 and 11.0 MeV u[sup -1] carbon ions and 9.9 MeV u[sup -1] nickel ions. Additionally, biopsies from the skin of minipigs were taken. Similar experiments were carried out after irradiation with X-rays and 195 MeV u[sup -1] carbon ions. Results and conclusions: RBE for clonogenic survival as well as for fibrosis-related parameters for high-energy carbon ions are slightly above unity. Low-energy carbon ions with a higher LET are more efficient than X-rays, whereas the RBE of nickel ions is below unity. The results obtained for the differentiation pattern and protein production of porcine fibroblasts after irradiation with X-rays and high-energy carbon ions are in agreement with those obtained with human fibroblasts. An accumulation of fibrocytes with a concomitant increase in ECM protein production could be seen after in vitro irradiation. There is no indication of a higher RBE for fibrosis-related parameters compared with other endpoints (survival, chromosomal and DNA damage). The dose- and LET-dependence suggest that premature differentiation is a survival strategy after radiation damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the effects of several illicit drugs on immune capacity of blue mussel Mytilus edulis.

The article examines the immunotoxicity of benzothiazole on Mytilus edulis following in vitro exposure of hemocytes.

Haematocrits were measured as a function of ultrafiltration in a simulated haemodialysis circuit using bovine blood (plasma conductivity 12 mS cm-1) and hypotonic (8.6 mS cm-1) or hypertonic (16 mS cm-1) dialysates as well as in the absence of dialysate. A comparison was made between measurements by light absorption due to haemoglobin, by impedance in the blood line at 5 kHz using Hanai's model of blood conductivity, by conductivity measurements of blood samples at 1.2 kHz using a conductimeter, by centrifugation of blood samples and by calculations using fluid conservation. The validity of Hanai's model was verified to be satisfactory by direct blood and plasma conductivity measurements. In the absence of ionic transfer the impedance device underestimated the haematocrit by 5 to 7%. This underestimation reached 18% in the case of hypertonic dialysate, but this effect can be minimised if the haematocrit necessary for calibration is measured by centrifugation after 15 min of dialysate circulation when ionic balance is achieved. It was found that the optical method monitors haemoglobin concentration rather than red cell volume changes and is not affected by osmotic red cell swelling in the case of hypotonic dialysate. It can be concluded that the light absorption technique is both more accurate and more convenient to use than impedance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Unfallchirurg is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this prospective randomized trial was to compare the efficacy of propranolol and amiodarone in suppressing ventricular arrhythmias during the first 6 months following myocardial infarction (MI). 97 patients were treated with either amiodarone (n=48) or propranolol (n=49) starting on the 9th day following MI. Holter monitoring was carried out on four occasions: on D7, D21, D90 and D180. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of ‘major’ arrhythmias (an average of at least 10 ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) h, multiform or paired VPCs or runs) between the two groups on D7. A significant difference in favour of amiodarone became apparent at D180 (P= 0.04). Patients were also classified according to whether treatment failed or was successful. ‘Success’ was recorded when arrhythmias remained minor or became minor (<10 uniform VPCsh) and ‘failure’ when arrhythmias remained major or became major, or when patients were withdrawn because of side-effects, or lost to follow-up. The difference remained in favour of amiodarone (P=0.03 at D21; P=0.05 at D90; P=0.06 at D180). Evaluation of the percentage reduction in the number of VPCs at D21, D90 or D180 compared with D7 sho >ed superiority of amiodarone at D90 (P<0.01) and D180 (P<0.04). In this study, the overall effect of amiodarone on ventricular arrhythmias following MI was shown to be superior to that of propranolol. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The dopamine D3 receptor gene (DRD3) is a meaningful candidate gene because it unifies the dopamine and the limbic hypotheses for schizophrenia. We tested for an allelic association between schizophrenia and the DRD3 Mscl alleles, hypothesising heterogeneity between childhood/early adolescence-onset schizophrenia (CO-SZ) and adult-onset schizophrenia (A-SZ).Method: The frequencies of the DRD3 alleles were compared between 70 DSM-III-R schizophrenics (35 CO-SZ and 35 A-SZ) and 79 controls.Results: Compared with the controls, the subsample of A-SZ, but not CO-SZ, showed an over-proportion (P = 0.025) of allele 1. The association was not found in the total sample, combining the two subsamples.Conclusions: Consistently with former studies, our data suggest an aetiological heterogeneity between CO-SZ and A-SZ and a possible specificity of the excess of allele 1 to the familial form of schizophrenia and to schizophrenia with a better outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine whether the urinary excretion of Crosslaps and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are useful bone markers in patients with prostate cancer. Patients and methods The study included 112 patients, comprising 25 with benign prostatic hyperplasia and 87 with carcinoma of the prostate, 41 of whom had localized prostate cancer and 46 with bone metastases. In the last group, 16 were stable and 30 were in clinical progression. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the bone markers serum bone ALP and urinary Crosslaps were determined on the same day. Results The rates of excretion of Crosslaps were significantly greater in patients with than in those without bone metastases. Only Crosslaps showed a significant difference between patients with stabilized metastatic disease and those with no bone involvement. Crosslaps had a higher specificity and positive predictive value than had PSA level in patients with bone metastases, and a higher sensitivity than bone ALP. Conclusion These preliminary findings suggest that Crosslaps may be useful as an additional bone marker in patients with prostate cancer and may provide information of the metastatic spread to bone in these patients. Prospective studies with serial measurements of bone markers are currently underway to relate these results to the progression of disease and to evaluate the response to treatment of bone metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A broth microdilution antifungal susceptibility test with a pH indicator (bromocresol purple) in a synthetic medium was evaluated. This method measures cellular activity instead of simply a change in biomass. The variations of pH caused by fungal activity were measured by changes in optical densities at 450 nm. The MICs50 obtained were compared with the MICs found by the classical broth macrodilution procedure. In most cases broth micro- and macrodilution MICs were in agreement for amphotericin B, fluconazole, flucytosine and nystatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Sahel during recent decades, anthropogenic disturbance and periods of drought have caused changes in woody species frequency. The internal water status of six coexisting species was analysed to estimate the importance of water constraints in this process. Predawn and midday xylem pressure potential and stomatal conductance were monitored monthly for two years. The relations between xylem pressure potential and transpiration made it possible to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the soil—plant system. Two types of results were obtained. First, there was considerable diversity in water status of the different species. Minimum predawn xylem pressure potentials (dry season) ranged from – 1.5 MPa to – 5 MPa depending on species, with interseasonal variation from 0.08 MPa to 2 MPa. Response to rainfall was very rapid (a few days) or very slow (several months). The three functioning types defined using these results were compared with the phytogeographical status of the species. Second, more specific phenomena were observed, (a) Some species (Balanites aegyptiaca and Boscia senegalensis) showed an imbalance between the predawn xylem pressure potential and the soil water status during the rainy season; (b) a sharp increase in xylem pressure potential was observed in deciduous species in the middle of the dry season; probably related to bud break; and (c) the water status was always favourable for Combrelum glutinosum. The few remaining individuals seem to benefit from very favourable subsoil water supply conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The influence of oral amiodarone on the anticoagulant effect of the coumarine derivative acenocoumarol has been investigated prospectively in 10 patients with normal renal, hepatic and haematological function and who were not in cardiac failure. The daily dose of acenocoumarol was sufficient to produce a prothrombin activity of 25 to 35%. When the prothrombin time had become stable amiodarone 600 mg/d was administered for 1 week followed by 400 mg/d for the next 3 weeks. A decrease in prothrombin activity from 30.5 to 20.2% was observed, associated with a decrease in vitamin K coagulation factors, after a mean of 4 days following commencement of amiodarone. In 6 patients a prothrombin activity <20% required a 60% reduction in the dose of acenocoumarol after 1 week of amiodarone 600 mg, and a 33% reduction after 3 weeks of amiodarone 400 mg. There was no correlation between the plasma amiodarone and the decrease in prothrombin activity. Inhibition of acenocoumarol metabolism by amiodarone is the most likely explanation of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]