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Abstract Background East and South East Asian subjects as well as Amerindians and Hispanic subjects are predominantly affected by Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. In Europe, only few studies have described the clinical features and treatment of this disease, especially in France. Methods This retrospective case series was based on data collected from patients with a VKH disease diagnosed from January 2000 to March 2017, provided by three French Tertiary Centers. Results Forty-one patients (16 men and 25 women) were diagnosed: average age at diagnosis was 38.7 years. Patients were mainly from Maghreb (58%), but ethnic origins were multiple. Pleiocytosis was observed in 19 cases (63%) and 17 out of 41 patients showed audio vestibular signs (41%), and 11 showed skin signs (27%). Thirty-four were treated with corticosteroids (83%), 11 with an immunosuppressant treatment (27%) and 5 with biological therapy drugs (13%). Relapse was observed in 41% patients, even though final average visual acuity had improved. We did not find any significant clinical difference in the population from Maghreb compared to other populations, but for age and sex trends, since there was a majority of younger women. Conclusion We report here the second largest French cohort reported to date to our knowledge. The multiethnicity in our study suggests that VKH disease should be evoked whatever patients’ ethnicity.

Mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene are responsible for Rett syndrome (RTT), a severe neurological disorder. MECP2 is a transcriptional modulator that finely regulates the expression of many genes, specifically in the central nervous system. Several studies have functionally linked the loss of MECP2 in astrocytes to the appearance and progression of the RTT phenotype in a non-cell autonomous manner and mechanisms are still unknown. Here, we used primary astroglial cells from Mecp2-deficient (KO) pups to identify deregulated secreted proteins. Using a differential quantitative proteomic analysis, twenty-nine proteins have been identified and four were confirmed by Western blotting with new samples as significantly deregulated. To further verify the functional relevance of these proteins in RTT, we tested their effects on the dendritic morphology of primary cortical neurons from Mecp2 KO mice that are known to display shorter dendritic processes. Using Sholl analysis, we found that incubation with Lcn2 or Lgals3 for 48 h was able to significantly increase the dendritic arborization of Mecp2 KO neurons. To our knowledge, this study, through secretomic analysis, is the first to identify astroglial secreted proteins involved in the neuronal RTT phenotype in vitro, which could open new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of Rett syndrome.

Silver nanowires (AgNW) are attractive materials that are anticipated to be incorporated into numerous consumer products such as textiles, touchscreen display, and medical devices that could be in direct contact with skin. There are very few studies on the cellular toxicity of AgNW and no studies that have specifically evaluated the potential toxicity from dermal exposure. To address this question, we investigated the dermal toxicity after acute exposure of polymer-coated AgNW with two sizes using two models, human primary keratinocytes and human reconstructed epidermis. In keratinocytes, AgNW are rapidly and massively internalized inside cells leading to dose-dependent cytotoxicity that was not due to Ag⁺ release. Analysing our data with different dose metrics, we propose that the number of NW is the most appropriate dose-metric for studies of AgNW toxicity. In reconstructed epidermis, the results of a standard in vitro skin irritation assay classified AgNW as non-irritant to skin and we found no evidence of penetration into the deeper layer of the epidermis. The findings show that healthy and intact epidermis provides an effective barrier for AgNW, although the study does not address potential transport through follicles or injured skin. The combined cell and tissue model approach used here is likely to provide an important methodology for assessing the risks for skin exposure to AgNW from consumer products.

The question of teaching a standard written algorithm for the four arithmetical operations in the first years of elementary school is increasingly raised as a consequence of the possibility of using calculators, tablets, and computers. This article first presents arguments both against and for maintaining this teaching in the first school years. Then, it presents an analysis of the procedure--whether it implies the standard algorithm or not--used by second grade students to solve a subtraction verbal problem. The 4720 students involved in the research were divided in a control group (n = 2101) and an experimental group (n = 2619) in which the standard written algorithm (SWA) was taught, or not taught, respectively. The effectiveness of algorithm use was analyzed not only in terms of accuracy of the answers, but also for its influence on the choice of the correct arithmetical operation and for its choice by the students as a function of their ability. The SWA was strongly associated with the use of the false arithmetical operation (effect size [phi] = 0.79)--addition instead of subtraction--but was chosen by students of all levels of ability. The latter result suggests that the SWA is well suited for the most advanced students but far less for the others who use it mechanically and without reflection.

Pacific students in New Zealand (NZ) quickly learn that they are not very smart. The statistics tell them this. They also come to believe that they do not try very hard. The talk of equal opportunities tells them this, especially when it is coupled with negative statistics. This is not surprising. Education in NZ has been embedded in notions of egalitarianism and merit throughout its history, and this has been accepted in a "common sense" way. Many New Zealanders still believe that an individual's ability to be successful is based on their merits, generally viewed as a combination of factors including innate abilities, working hard, having the right attitude, and having high moral character and integrity. New Zealanders not only tend to think that is the way the system should work, but most actually accept uncritically that this is how it does work. This paper discusses the historical understandings of merit and equality of educational opportunity in NZ and how these understandings have informed historical education policies for Maori and Pacific students in NZ.

Copyright of EURE is the property of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile 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.)

Maize tortilla is the best-recognized food product of Mexican gastronomy. Artisanal maize tortillas (AMT) are prepared with native maize varieties and a traditional process. The aims of this study were to identify sensory attributes, texture, and color in AMT that allow them to be differentiated from commercial tortillas, and to determine the chemical and mineral composition of both types of tortillas. Six landraces related to four Mexican maize races were used. Two commercial tortillas were included as references (tortillería and supermarket). Tortillas were subjected to sensory analysis by the modified Flash technique, texture and color were measured objectively and chemical and mineral analysis of all tortillas were evaluated. Lime taste and lime smell attributes were relevant to differentiate AMT from commercial tortillas; aftertaste and fracturability attributes were highly associated to supermarket tortillas. The fracturability attribute of tortillas is consider undesirable for taco preparation. Five of the six AMT were characterized by the presence of a layer, a characteristic that is associated with traditional tortilla made by Mexican consumer. Regarding chemical composition, supermarket tortillas exhibited the highest dietary fiber content (17.09%), but showed 30% more Na than AMT, with the exception of tortillas from Purepecha native variety. Besides, supermarket tortilla had 48.9% less Ca than AMT. The sensory attributes relevant to differentiate native maize tortillas from the commercial maize tortilla references were appearance, smell, and taste, while textural and color attributes played a lesser role.

Les examens biologiques d'allergie contribuent de façon importante au diagnostic et au suivi des maladies allergiques. L'augmentation de la prévalence de ces maladies dans la population française durant les dernières décennies et le recours de plus en plus fréquent au diagnostic biologique nécessite l'optimisation de l'utilisation de cet outil. Son utilisation rationnelle selon les données actualisées de la science et une démarche privilégiant le rapport coût/bénéfice sont à même de garantir l'efficience diagnostique. Consciente de cet enjeu, la Société française d'allergologie (SFA) a mis en place un groupe de travail multidisciplinaire pour l'actualisation des recommandations de biologie de l'allergie, les précédentes recommandations élaborées en 2005 par la Haute autorité de santé (HAS) étant devenues en partie obsolètes en raison de l'évolution des techniques et concepts. La méthodologie utilisée est celle des recommandations pour la pratique clinique (RPC) élaborée par la HAS, même si le texte n'a pas été labellisé par celle institution. Le groupe de travail a rédigé 73 recommandations gradées et un préambule comportant 6 questions d'ordre général. Bien que non exhaustives, ces 79 questions répondent aux préoccupations les plus courantes des prescripteurs qu'ils soient allergologues ou non pour la prise en charge des patients allergiques ou ayant une suspicion d'allergie, tout en tenant compte du contexte réglementaire français. Ce texte court résume ces 79 questions sans revenir sur le rationnel ni la discussion. Allergy laboratory tests make an important contribution to the diagnosis and monitoring of allergic diseases. The increase in the prevalence of these diseases in the French population in recent decades and the increasingly frequent use of biological diagnostics requires the optimization of the use of this tool. Its rational use according to updated scientific data and an approach favoring the cost/benefit ratio can guarantee diagnostic efficiency. Aware of this issue, the French Society of Allergology (SFA) has set up a multidisciplinary task force to update allergy biology recommendations, the previous recommendations drawn up in 2005 by the High Authority for Health (HAS) having become partly obsolete due to the evolution of techniques and concepts. The methodology used is that of the recommendations for clinical practice (RPC) developed by the HAS, even if the text has not been labeled by that institution. The working group drafted 73 graded recommendations and a preamble with 6 general questions. Although not exhaustive, these 79 questions answer the most common concerns of prescribers whether they are allergists or not for the management of patients with allergies or with suspected allergies, while taking into account the French regulatory context. This short text sums up these 79 questions without going back to the rational or the discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les examens biologiques d'allergie contribuent de façon importante au diagnostic et au suivi des allergies respiratoires. L'augmentation de la prévalence de ces maladies dans la population française durant les dernières décennies et le recours de plus en plus fréquent au diagnostic biologique nécessite l'optimisation de l'utilisation de cet outil. Son utilisation rationnelle selon les données actualisées de la science et une démarche privilégiant le rapport coût/bénéfice sont à même de garantir l'efficience diagnostique. Consciente de cet enjeu, la Société française d'allergologie (SFA) a mis en place un groupe de travail multidisciplinaire pour l'actualisation des recommandations de biologie de l'allergie, les précédentes recommandations élaborées en 2005 par la Haute Autorité de santé (HAS) étant devenues en partie obsolètes en raison de l'évolution des techniques et concepts. La méthodologie utilisée est celle des recommandations pour la pratique clinique (RPC) élaborée par la HAS, même si le texte n'a pas été labellisé par celle institution. Le groupe de travail a rédigé 11 recommandations gradées sur l'allergie respiratoire. Bien que non exhaustives, ces 11 questions répondent aux préoccupations les plus courantes des prescripteurs qu'ils soient allergologues ou non pour la prise en charge des patients ayant une suspicion d'allergie respiratoire, tout en tenant compte du contexte réglementaire français. Allergy laboratory tests provide an important contribution to the diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory allergies. The increase in the prevalence of these diseases in the French population during the last decades and the increasingly frequent use of biological diagnosis requires the optimization of the use of this tool. Its rational use according to updated scientific data and an approach favoring the cost/benefit ratio can guarantee diagnostic efficiency. Aware of this issue, the French Society of Allergology (SFA) has set up a multidisciplinary task force to update allergy biology recommendations, the previous recommendations drawn up in 2005 by the High Authority for Health (HAS) having become partly obsolete due to the evolution of techniques and concepts. The methodology used is that of the recommendations for clinical practice (RPC) developed by the HAS, even if the text has not been labeled by that institution. The working group drafted 11 graded recommendations for the management of respiratory allergy. Although not exhaustive, these 11 questions respond to the most common concerns of prescribers whether or not they are allergists for the management of patients with allergies or with a suspected respiratory allergy, while taking into account the French regulatory context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les examens biologiques d'allergie contribuent de façon importante au diagnostic et au suivi des maladies allergiques. L'augmentation de la prévalence de ces maladies dans la population française durant les dernières décennies et le recours de plus en plus fréquent au diagnostic biologique nécessite l'optimisation de l'utilisation de cet outil. Son utilisation rationnelle selon les données actualisées de la science et une démarche privilégiant le rapport coût/bénéfice sont à même de garantir l'efficience diagnostique. Consciente de cet enjeu, la Société française d'allergologie (SFA) a mis en place un groupe de travail multidisciplinaire pour l'actualisation des recommandations de biologie de l'allergie, les précédentes recommandations élaborées en 2005 par la Haute Autorité de santé (HAS) étant devenues en partie obsolètes en raison de l'évolution des techniques et concepts. La méthodologie utilisée est celle des recommandations pour la pratique clinique (RPC) élaborée par la HAS, même si le texte n'a pas été labellisé par celle institution. Le groupe de travail a rédigé 73 recommandations gradées et un préambule comportant 6 questions d'ordre général. Bien que non exhaustives, ces 79 questions répondent aux préoccupations les plus courantes des prescripteurs qu'ils soient allergologues ou non pour la prise en charge des patients allergiques ou ayant une suspicion d'allergie, tout en tenant compte du contexte réglementaire français. Allergy laboratory tests make an important contribution to the diagnosis and monitoring of allergic diseases. The increase in the prevalence of these diseases in the French population in recent decades and the increasingly frequent use of biological diagnostics requires the optimisation of the use of this tool. Its rational use according to updated scientific data and an approach favoring the cost/benefit ratio can guarantee diagnostic efficiency. Aware of this issue, the French society of allergology (SFA) has set up a multidisciplinary task force to update allergy biology recommendations, the previous recommendations drawn up in 2005 by the High authority for health (HAS) having become partly obsolete due to the evolution of techniques and concepts. The methodology used is that of the recommendations for clinical practice (RPC) developed by the HAS, even if the text has not been labelled by that institution. The working group drafted 73 graded recommendations and a preamble with 6 general questions. Although not exhaustive, these 79 questions answer the most common concerns of prescribers whether they are allergists or not for the management of patients with allergies or with suspected allergies, while taking into account the French regulatory context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les examens biologiques d'allergie contribuent de façon importante au diagnostic et au suivi des allergies alimentaires. L'augmentation de la prévalence des allergies alimentaires dans la population française durant les dernières décennies et le recours de plus en plus fréquent au diagnostic biologique nécessite l'optimisation de l'utilisation de cet outil. Son utilisation rationnelle selon les données actualisées de la science et une démarche privilégiant le rapport coût/bénéfice sont à même de garantir l'efficience diagnostique. Le mésusage de la biologie de l'allergie et/ou son interprétation erronée risque d'aboutir à des attitudes thérapeutiques inadaptées voire dangereuses. Consciente de cet enjeu, la Société française d'allergologie (SFA) a mis en place un groupe de travail multidisciplinaire pour l'actualisation des recommandations de biologie de l'allergie, les précédentes recommandations élaborées en 2005 par la Haute autorité de santé (HAS) étant devenues en partie obsolètes en raison de l'évolution des techniques et concepts. La méthodologie utilisée est celle des recommandations pour la pratique clinique (RPC) élaborée par la HAS, même si le texte n'a pas été labellisé par celle institution. Le groupe de travail a rédigé 28 recommandations gradées sur l'allergie alimentaire. Bien que non exhaustives, ces 28 questions répondent aux préoccupations les plus courantes des prescripteurs qu'ils soient allergologues ou non pour la prise en charge des allergies alimentaires avérées ou suspectées, tout en tenant compte du contexte réglementaire français. Allergy laboratory tests provide an important contribution to the diagnosis and monitoring of food allergies. The increase in the prevalence of food allergies in the French population during the last decades and the increasingly frequent use of biological diagnosis requires the optimization of the use of this tool. Its rational use according to updated scientific data and an approach favoring the cost/benefit ratio can guarantee diagnostic efficiency. The misuse of allergy biology and/or its misinterpretation may lead to inappropriate or even dangerous therapeutic attitudes. Aware of this issue, the French Society of Allergology (SFA) has set up a multidisciplinary task force to update allergy biology recommendations, the previous recommendations drawn up in 2005 by the High Authority for Health (HAS) having become partly obsolete due to the evolution of techniques and concepts. The methodology used is that of the recommendations for clinical practice (RPC) developed by the HAS, even if the text has not been labeled by that institution. The working group drafted 28 graded recommendations for the management of food allergy. Although not exhaustive, these 28 questions respond to the most common concerns of prescribers whether or not they are allergists for the care of known or suspected food allergies, while taking into account the French regulatory context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les examens biologiques d'allergie contribuent de façon significative au diagnostic et au suivi des allergies aux piqûres et morsures d'arthropodes. Les dosages d'IgE spécifiques apportent la preuve d'un mécanisme allergique IgE-dépendant. L'utilisation rationnelle des outils biologiques disponibles selon les données actualisées de la science est à même de garantir l'efficience diagnostique. Le mésusage de la biologie de l'allergie et/ou leur interprétation erronée risque d'aboutir à des attitudes thérapeutiques inadaptées. Consciente de cet enjeu, la Société française d'allergologie (SFA) a mis en place un groupe de travail multidisciplinaire pour l'actualisation des recommandations de biologie de l'allergie, les précédentes recommandations élaborées en 2005 par la Haute autorité de santé (HAS) étant devenues en partie obsolètes en raison de l'évolution des techniques et concepts. La méthodologie utilisée est celle des recommandations pour la pratique clinique (RPC) élaborée par la HAS, même si le texte n'a pas été labellisé par celle institution. Le groupe de travail a rédigé 8 recommandations gradées sur l'allergie aux piqûres et morsures d'arthropodes et 5 recommandations gradées sur d'autres pathologies immuno-allergiques ou frontière. Bien que non exhaustives, ces 13 questions répondent aux préoccupations les plus courantes des prescripteurs qu'ils soient allergologues ou non, tout en tenant compte du contexte réglementaire français. Allergy laboratory tests provide a significant contribution to the diagnosis and monitoring of allergies to arthropods sting or bite. Specific IgE assays provide evidence of an IgE-dependent allergic mechanism. The rational use of the biological tools available according to updated scientific data can guarantee diagnostic efficiency. The misuse of the biology of allergy and/or their misinterpretation may lead to inappropriate therapeutic attitudes. Aware of this issue, the French Society of Allergology (SFA) has set up a multidisciplinary task force to update allergy biology recommendations, the previous recommendations drawn up in 2005 by the French High Authority for Health (HAS) having become partly obsolete due to the evolution of techniques and concepts. The methodology used is that of the recommendations for clinical practice (RPC) developed by the HAS, even if the text has not been labeled by that institution. The working group drafted 8 graded recommendations for the management of allergy to arthropods sting or bite, and 5 graded recommendations on other immuno-allergic or frontier diseases. Although not exhaustive, these 13 questions respond to the most common concerns of prescribers whether or not they are allergists, while taking into account the French regulatory context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrairement aux allergies respiratoires, alimentaires et aux venins d'hyménoptères qui concernent des allergènes protéiques, la prise en charge des allergies aux médicaments nécessite rarement le recours aux examens biologiques pour obtenir la preuve d'un mécanisme allergique IgE-dépendant. Un nombre très restreint de dosages d'IgE spécifiques de médicaments est disponible car la grande majorité des médicaments sont des haptènes. L'utilisation rationnelle des outils biologiques disponibles selon les données actualisées de la science est à même de garantir l'efficience diagnostique. Le mésusage de la biologie de l'allergie et/ou leur interprétation erronée risque d'aboutir à des attitudes thérapeutiques inadaptées voire dangereuses. Consciente de cet enjeu, la Société française d'allergologie (SFA) a mis en place un groupe de travail multidisciplinaire pour l'actualisation des recommandations de biologie de l'allergie, les précédentes recommandations élaborées en 2005 par la Haute autorité de santé (HAS) étant devenues en partie obsolètes en raison de l'évolution des techniques et concepts. La méthodologie utilisée est celle des recommandations pour la pratique clinique (RPC) élaborée par la HAS, même si le texte n'a pas été labellisé par celle institution. Le groupe de travail a rédigé 11 recommandations gradées sur l'allergie aux médicaments. Bien que non exhaustives, ces 11 questions répondent aux préoccupations les plus courantes des prescripteurs qu'ils soient allergologues ou non pour la prise en charge des patients ayant une suspicion d'allergie aux médicaments, tout en tenant compte du contexte réglementaire français. Unlike respiratory allergies, food allergies and hymenopteran venoms which involve protein allergens, the management of drug allergies rarely requires the use of laboratory tests to obtain evidence of an IgE-dependent allergic mechanism. A very small number of drug specific IgE assays are available because drugs are mostly haptens. The rational use of the biological tools available according to updated scientific data can guarantee diagnostic efficiency. The misuse of the biology of allergy and/or their misinterpretation may lead to inappropriate or even dangerous therapeutic attitudes. Aware of this issue, the French Society of Allergology (SFA) has set up a multidisciplinary task force to update allergy biology recommendations, the previous recommendations drawn up in 2005 by the High Authority for Health (HAS) having become partly obsolete due to the evolution of techniques and concepts. The methodology used is that of the recommendations for clinical practice (RPC) developed by the HAS, even if the text has not been labeled by that institution. The working group drafted 11 graded recommendations for the management of drug allergy. Although not exhaustive, these 11 questions respond to the most common concerns of prescribers whether or not they are allergists for the management of patients with suspected drug allergy, while taking into account the French regulatory context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue Francaise d'Allergologie is the property of Elsevier B.V. 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.)

L'évolution des connaissances, des techniques et la mise à disposition en routine d'un nombre important d'allergènes moléculaires, ainsi que les évolutions réglementaires qui ont fait disparaître certains extraits allergéniques pour prick tests, ont eu des répercussions sur le diagnostic biologique de l'allergie. La ociété française d'allergologie a constitué un groupe de travail, dont l'objectif était d'actualiser les recommandations de biologie de l'allergie initialement élaborées par la HAS 2 2 Haute Autorité de santé. en 2005. La méthodologie utilisée pour la rédaction est celle de la « Recommandation de bonne pratique », selon la méthode « Recommandation pour la pratique clinique » de la HAS. Elle a permis d'élaborer 73 recommandations gradées selon le niveau de preuves, destinées à tous les prescripteurs, dont les principales sont décrites ici. The evolution of knowledge, techniques and the routine availability of a large number of molecular allergens, as well as regulatory developments which have eliminated certain allergenic extracts for prick tests, have had repercussions on the biological diagnosis of allergy. The French Allergology Society has set up a working group whose objective was to update the allergy biology recommendations initially developed by HAS2 in 2005. The methodology used for the drafting is that of the "Good recommendation practice", according to the HAS method "Recommendation for clinical practice". It produced 73 recommendations graded according to the level of evidence, intended for all prescribers, the main ones of which are described here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay is taken from my PhD dissertation and discusses how I was able to make sense of the theory tā-vā theoretically and apply it as an analytical tool in "reading" the stories of the Pacific students in my study, in particular of two Pacific students in my study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of the vertical movements of the soil in the Po River plane of the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy) was updated through an interferometric analysis referred to the 2011–2016 time-span. This activity is a continuation of previous studies on the state of knowledge of vertical soil movements in the same area, analyzed firstly by levelling and GNSS and more recently by SAR interferometry for the periods 1992–2000, 2002–2006, 2006–2011, on behalf of the Emilia-Romagna Region. The survey area analysed was approximately 13 300 km2, which corresponds to the territory of the regional plain. The interferometric dataset was calibrated through the use of velocity time series of several permanent GNSS stations. Among the 36 stations analysed, 22 were included in the study area: 16 were used for the calibration and 6 as check points). The velocities required for the calibration of the SAR analysis were calculated in the period following the important seismic events that struck the territory of the Emilia Romagna Region in May 2012. The interferometric analysis was carried out by TRE ALTAMIRA using the SqueeSAR™ technology. In particular, in order to update the interferometric dataset to 2016, it was necessary to perform a joint processing of the available RADARSAT-1 data and of the data acquired by the RADARSAT-2 satellite using a specific operating mode of the SqueeSAR™ algorithm known as stitching; this approach allowed the joint processing of images acquired in the same geometry by these two satellites. The study of the time series of the GNSS permanent stations used to provide the velocity datum to the interferometric analysis, is described, and the results of the SqueeSAR™ interferometric processing are reported. Statistical analyses on the spatial distribution and the type of scatterers have been performed during the screening and validation procedures of the dataset, and for the identification and removal of the outliers. Finally, the resulting map is described in order to analyse the measured soil movements with respect to the results obtained in past analyses, and the possible geological and human-induced causes, which could have produced them.

Multiple processes contributing to natural land subsidence in a shallow coastal aquifer near Ravenna (Italy) were identified by analysing the relationships among different data set time series (water table level, rainfall, land reclamation drainage, sea level, etc.) and establishing the correlations with vertical ground motion observed at a high-resolution settlement gauge. Our study highlights the presence of three deformation components related to different processes controlling land subsidence: elastic, delayed-elastic, and irreversible (plastic) components. The elastic and delayed-elastic components are closely related to water table fluctuations that change the effective stress in two portions of the coastal aquifer at a daily (in the sandy unconfined portion) and seasonal time scales (in the layered clay-rich semi-confined prodelta portion), respectively. The irreversible component represents the trend in the land subsidence time series and is due to primary consolidation (pore pressure dissipation) of the fine-grained prodelta levels above where the settlement gauge is located. The amplitudes of the elastic component can be up to 0.2–0.3 mm whereas the amplitude of the delayed-elastic component reaches 0.89 mm. The primary consolidation rate of deformation is 0.9 mm yr−1 and constrains the likely age of prodelta sediments deposition to 1300–2800 years before present. The delayed-elastic subsidence rate has similar magnitude to that due to primary consolidation and is connected to poroelastic effects in the prodelta sequence following seasonal variations in water table. Our findings are important for planning land subsidence management and monitoring strategies especially where the surface aquifer structure is heterogeneous due to different depositional settings. The natural land subsidence rate in the Holocene sediments of the shallow coastal aquifer of Ravenna (North eastern Italy) that we measured in this study accounts for 10 %–20 % of the total current land subsidence rate observed in this portion of Ravenna coastal area (10–20 mm yr−1).

The article examines the U.S. Constitutions Fourth Amendment cases out of the Southern District involving vehicle searches at the border, and vehicle stops at internal checkpoints. It discusses how the Fourth Amendment protects the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Copyright of Revue Francaise d'Allergologie is the property of Elsevier B.V. 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.)

Abstract Background Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) may result in longer duration of in-hospital stay and even mortality. Both thoracic surgery and intraoperative mechanical ventilation settings add considerably to the risk of PPC. It is unclear if one-lung ventilation (OLV) for thoracic surgery with a strategy of intraoperative high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and recruitment maneuvers (RM) reduces PPC, compared to low PEEP without RM. Methods PROTHOR is an international, multicenter, randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, two-arm trial initiated by investigators of the PROtective VEntilation NETwork. In total, 2378 patients will be randomly assigned to one of two different intraoperative mechanical ventilation strategies. Investigators screen patients aged 18 years or older, scheduled for open thoracic or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery under general anesthesia requiring OLV, with a maximal body mass index of 35 kg/m2, and a planned duration of surgery of more than 60 min. Further, the expected duration of OLV shall be longer than two-lung ventilation, and lung separation is planned with a double lumen tube. Patients will be randomly assigned to PEEP of 10 cmH2O with lung RM, or PEEP of 5 cmH2O without RM. During two-lung ventilation tidal volume is set at 7 mL/kg predicted body weight and, during OLV, it will be decreased to 5 mL/kg. The occurrence of PPC will be recorded as a collapsed composite of single adverse pulmonary events and represents the primary endpoint. Discussion PROTHOR is the first randomized controlled trial in patients undergoing thoracic surgery with OLV that is adequately powered to compare the effects of intraoperative high PEEP with RM versus low PEEP without RM on PPC. The results of the PROTHOR trial will support anesthesiologists in their decision to set intraoperative PEEP during protective ventilation for OLV in thoracic surgery. Trial registration The trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02963025) on 15 November 2016.

The article focuses on the court cases related to Fourth Amendment at the U.S. District Court of Southern District of California which include United States v. Flores-Montano on vehicle searches at the border and Almeida-Sanchez v. United States on the vehicle stops at internal checkpoints.

The article focuses on a study which discusses the significance of developing an economic model for a hypothetical Herd Management Area (HMA) to control fertility in wild horses. It informs about the increasing costs of the Wild Horse and Burro Management program of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with removal of animals from public lands in the U.S. It also mentions that the modeling includes stochastic optimization, stochastic simulation and conventional optimization.

For the first time, the incidence of cervical cancer was estimated in French Guiana, an overseas French Territory of South America. A certified cancer registry collected exhaustive data on cervical cancer between 2003 and 2005. The age-standardized rate of invasive cervical cancer was 30.3 per 100,000 women. Women from rural areas had lesions with a significantly greater extension than women from urban areas. Compared to South American figures, the standardized incidence of cervical cancer seemed relatively high when viewed in comparison with the gross domestic product per capita. The curative orientation of the health system should move from opportunistic screening for cervical cancer to organized screening, with an emphasis on the rural parts of French Guiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: PrPC contains several octapeptide repeats sequences toward the N-terminus which have binding affinity for divalent metals such as copper, zinc, nickel and manganese. However, the link between PrPC expression and zinc metabolism remains elusive. Here we studied the relationship between PrPC and zinc ions intracellular homeostasis using a cell line expressing a doxycycline-inducible PrPC gene. No significant difference in 65Zn2+ uptake was observed in cells expressing PrPC when compared with control cells. However, PrPC-expressing cells were more resistant to zinc-induced toxicity, suggesting an adaptative mechanism induced by PrPC. Using zinquin-ethyl-ester, a specific fluorophore for vesicular free zinc, we observed a significant re-localization of intracellular exchangeable zinc in vesicles after PrPC expression. Finally, we demonstrated that PrPC expression induces metallothionein (MT) expression, a zinc-upregulated zinc-binding protein. Taken together, these results suggest that PrPC modifies the intracellular localization of zinc rather than the cellular content and induces MT upregulation. These findings are of major importance since zinc deregulation is implicated in several neurodegenerative disorders. It is postulated that in prion diseases the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc may deregulate zinc homeostasis mediated by metallothionein. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Background Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) increase the morbidity and mortality of surgery in obese patients. High levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) with lung recruitment maneuvers may improve intraoperative respiratory function, but they can also compromise hemodynamics, and the effects on PPCs are uncertain. We hypothesized that intraoperative mechanical ventilation using high PEEP with periodic recruitment maneuvers, as compared with low PEEP without recruitment maneuvers, prevents PPCs in obese patients. Methods/design The PRotective Ventilation with Higher versus Lower PEEP during General Anesthesia for Surgery in OBESE Patients (PROBESE) study is a multicenter, two-arm, international randomized controlled trial. In total, 2013 obese patients with body mass index ≥35 kg/m2 scheduled for at least 2 h of surgery under general anesthesia and at intermediate to high risk for PPCs will be included. Patients are ventilated intraoperatively with a low tidal volume of 7 ml/kg (predicted body weight) and randomly assigned to PEEP of 12 cmH2O with lung recruitment maneuvers (high PEEP) or PEEP of 4 cmH2O without recruitment maneuvers (low PEEP). The occurrence of PPCs will be recorded as collapsed composite of single adverse pulmonary events and represents the primary endpoint. Discussion To our knowledge, the PROBESE trial is the first multicenter, international randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of two different levels of intraoperative PEEP during protective low tidal volume ventilation on PPCs in obese patients. The results of the PROBESE trial will support anesthesiologists in their decision to choose a certain PEEP level during general anesthesia for surgery in obese patients in an attempt to prevent PPCs. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02148692. Registered on 23 May 2014; last updated 7 June 2016.

Bullae formation on a cystic background is still not described thoroughly. This clinical case aims to improve this situation and describes the combination of multiple cysts with vascular malformation, giant bullae (2/3 of the left hemithorax and 1/2 of the right hemithorax) with suppuration in a 50-year-old smoker. Before surgery, treatment for chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) was administered without a positive outcome. Bullectomy was subsequently conducted and histopathological data revealed vascular malformation causing microinfarctions in pulmonary parenchyma, cystic degeneration and tuberculosis. Although it became possible to establish a final diagnosis due to histology, the need for surgical treatment was clear from clinical and x-ray evidence.Such instances as the one presented in this case report should assist with improving our knowledge about bullae in combination with cysts in the lungs because they provide additional context in a clinical setting.

The aim of this study was the assessment of the physicochemical stability of d-α-tocopherol formulated in medium chain triglyceride nanoemulsions, stabilized with Tween®80 and Lipoid®S75 as surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively. d-α-tocopherol was selected as active ingredient because of its well-recognized interesting anti-oxidant properties (such as radical scavenger) for food and pharmaceutical industries. A series of nanoemulsions of mean droplet size below 90 nm (polydispersity index

Paracetamol (PAR), phenylephrine hydrochloride (PHE) and chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) are commonly used in clinical practice as antipyretic and analgesic drugs to ameliorate pain and fever in cold and flu conditions. The present work describes the use of thermal analysis for the characterization of the physicochemical compatibility between drugs and excipients during the development of solid dosage forms. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were used to study the thermal stability of the drug and of the physical mixture (drug/excipients) in solid binary mixtures (1:1). DSC thermograms demonstrated reproducible melting event of the prepared physical mixture. Starch, mannitol, lactose and magnesium stearate influence thermal parameters. Information recorded from the derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) and TGA curves demonstrated the decomposition of drugs in well-defined thermal events, translating the suitability of these techniques for the characterization of the drug/excipients interactions.

Studies on release systems produced from natural polymers such as chitosan (CS) have intensified in the pharmaceutical area. Polymeric membranes for the topical administration of drugs are being developed for the controlled release of drugs. Thus, the present study aimed to develop mucoadhesive polymer membranes for topical administration of the anesthetic, lidocaine hydrochloride (LID), for topical use. The methodology was done by a casting method using CS, propylene glycol (PPG) as the plasticizer in the concentrations of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8% and lidocaine hydrochloride (LID). The membranes were characterized by mechanical properties, swelling index, thermal analysis and cell viability in vitro. Results showed membranes containing PPG containing the plasticizing agent was greater flexibility, better swelling profile and higher thermal resistance. In the cell viability assay with HaCat and 3T3 cells, it was possible to observe that all samples showed viability higher than 60 %. Thus, according to the results obtained in this study, it was possible to conclude that this pharmaceutical form is promising for the therapeutic use in topical administration aiming at the anesthetic action.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible antioxidant and anticancer activities of the essential oil from the leaves of Croton argyrophyllus Kunth (EOCA). In order to evaluate the antioxidant effect, two tests were performed: 1) in vitro lipid peroxidation activity, at the concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 µg/mL, with a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) values of 4.26 ± 0.15, 2.92 ± 0.16 and 1.61 ± 0.27 nmol EqMDA/mL, respectively; 2) activity against DPPH, at concentrations between 50 and 150 µg/mL, with IC50 187.61 µg/mL. For the evaluation of a possible anticancer activity of EOCA, the in vitro cytotoxic activity was first determined on cultured tumor cells, showing IC50 values of 14.81 µg/mL, 21.86 µg/mL and 32.79 µg/mL against SF-295, OVCAR-8, and MDA/MB-435, respectively. For tumor cell lines HCT-8 and HL-60, the IC50 values were > 50 µg/mL for both cells. Besides those, hemolytic assay, evaluation of in vivo tumor growth and systemic toxicological evaluation were performed, but no significant statistical change was observed. In conclusion, the EOCA has antioxidant activity and anticancer activity in vitro against cancer cell lines tested without in vivo antitumor activity.

After publication of the original article [1], the authors have notified us that two of the collaborator first and last names have been inverted in the “PROTHOR Investigators” table.

The secretome is a set of proteins secreted by a cell at a given time and under certain conditions. The secretome, easily accessible from plasma and analyzable by a proteomic approach, represents a good opportunity to identify biomarkers in septic shock. This pathology corresponds to a systemic inflammatory response syndrome related to an infection and associated with cardiocirculatory failure leading to organ dysfunction with a mortality rate of 40%. The identification of diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers is crucial to improve patient outcome. Study the secretome of a rat model of endotoxemic shock to identify relevant deregulated proteins (DEP). Endotoxemic shock was induced by lipopolysaccharides injection (LPS, S. enterica typhi, 0.5 mg/kg, iv) and compared to controls (Ringer lactate, iv). Under isoflurane anesthesia, carotid cannulation allowed evaluation of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate and blood sampling (T0, and T50 or T90 min on EDTA and protease inhibitor). Plasma was analyzed with tandem MS based on a label free quantification. Gene ontology (GO) analyses defined several groups of biological process (BP) in which the DEP were involved. Ninety minutes after shock induction, the LPS group present a reduction in MAP (−45%, P < 0.05) and increased lactate levels (+27%, P < 0.05). Proteomic analyses revealed 6 and 22 DEP, such as Ribonuclease 4, in the LPS group respectively at T50 and T90. At T50 and T90 Go-BP show common alterations in response to oxidative stress, tissue remodeling and coagulation. This study proposes an approach to identify DEP in septic shock. DEP need to be tested in cellular models in order to understand their role in the physiopathology of shock and to improve understanding of adaptations of the secretome during sepsis. The link between our results and patient prognosis will need to be studied for clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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