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Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease (AD), characterised by early diffuse vasculopathy, activation of the immune response and progressive skin and internal organ fibrosis. In severe progressive diffuse SSc (dSSc), autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) improves survival, despite its own risk of complications and transplant related mortality (TRM). We present herein the case of a dSSc patient undergoing aHSCT with low dose cyclophosphamide conditioning and sudden acute myopericarditis and cardiogenic shock, four weeks after a second mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Pfizer) injection. Four days of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support during the aplasia period, allowed to observe full cardiac function recovery and progressive SSc rehabilitation with sustained disease response at 30 months follow-up. This report illustrates, for the first time to our knowledge, that ECMO can be indicated despite aplasia during aHSCT and successfully used as a bridge towards heart function recovery in highly selected and fragile AD patients. We review the factors that may contribute to endothelial and myocardial stunning and acute reversible cardiac failure in SSc and aggravate intrinsic endothelial injury during the aHSCT procedure. These classically include: cyclophosphamide drug toxicity, viral infections and autoimmune activation with disease flair per se. In the COVID-19 pandemic times, acute myocarditis due to recent viral infection or mRNA vaccine per se, must also be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenotypic links are the potential for "carryover" of effects of experience during one life history stage into performance and selection at subsequent stages. They reflect plastic responses to the environment experienced during an early phase on the phenotype of subsequent phases. We are studying these effects by following individuals of the shrimp Palaemon serratus from the embryonic (eggs carried by females) through the larval phase (pelagic) to the juvenile phase (benthic). In experiment 1, we investigated the effects of larval prey concentration (10, 4 and 2 Artemia /mL) and larval incubation temperature (16 and 22 °C) on larval performance (metamorphosis rate, developmental duration and growth) and then on juvenile performance (survival and Specific Growth Rate, SGR, at 18 and 24 °C in 14 days). In experiment 2, we investigated the effects of embryonic incubation temperature (larval biomass and lipid content of newly hatched larvae from embryos incubated at 12 and 18 °C) and larval prey concentration on larval performance and then on juvenile performance. In both experiments, the larvae plastically increased their development time in response to the reduction in temperature and prey concentration, whereas their survival decreased with temperature and prey concentration. The quantity of lipids available at hatching decreased with decreasing embryonic incubation temperature, which reduced the larval performance, particularly with a low concentration of prey. Survival at 14 days post-metamorphosis was significantly reduced when the embryos were incubated at 12 °C compared with those incubated at 18 °C, regardless of the subsequent larval incubation conditions, revealing phenotypic links between overconsumption of embryonic yolk reserves and post-metamorphic fitness. Overall, juveniles had a better SGR at 24 than at 18 °C, and even better when incubated under stressful embryo-larval conditions (temperature and prey concentration). This study highlighted phenotypic links between developmental stages and over developmental periods of several months. • We studied phenotypic links in Palaemon serratus from the embryonic to the juvenile phase. • We had different temperature scenarios consistent with the environment and prey concentration. • Larval development was delayed in response to low temperatures and prey concentrations. • Overconsumption of embryonic reserves in cold water reduced larval and juvenile performance. • The novel phenotypic links revealed here range from the embryonic to the post-metamorphic stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is an invasive diagnostic tool, mainly used during the follow-up of heart transplant patients (HTx). Its others indications have been established and discussed in position statement paper from international cardiac societies. However the use of EMB in real life remains controversial and differs widely from a center to another. We carried out a nationwide survey to describe the current use of EMB in non-heart transplant patients. We used the National Hospital Discharge Database (PMSI) that contains diagnostic codes of all hospitalizations. Medical data is coded from different sources (e.g. laboratory reports, discharge reports) according defined terminologies and coding rules. We included all hospitalizations during which EMB (code CCAM DAHF001 – Endocardium or Myocardium Biopsy, transcutaneous vascular access) was performed from January 1st 2019 to December 31th 2020. We excluded all patients with a main or secondary or associated diagnosis of heart transplant. Main diagnosis as well as secondary and associated diagnoses were collected in order to define the medical indication of EMB. We aggregated EMB indications into 8 groups. Among 9735 EMB, 914 (9%) were carried out for non-transplant patients during the 2 years of analysis. Among the 212 hospitals with interventional cardiology units, only 53 (25%) carried out EMB in non-transplant patients and 86% of these procedures were carried out in transplant centers. Three hospitals carried out 37% of all non-transplant EMB while 23 centers carried out no more than 5 EMB over the 2-year survey. Figure 1 displays main indications of EMB in non-transplant patients. According to the PMSI database, the 3 main indications of EMB were amyloïdosis (29%), non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (28%) and myocarditis (22%). The medical indication could not be specified in 155 (16%) patients. In non-transplant patients, EMB is rarely performed in France, only in a few hospitals and with significant disparity in the annual rate of procedures carried out by each. Most EMB were performed because of amyloidosis or dilated cardiomyopathy and myocarditis. Further data about local constraints as well as clinical impact of EMB for each patient would be useful to understand further the role of EMB in real life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal variations in environmental conditions determine the success of decapod larval development, and females transmit more energy in sub-optimal conditions to maximise the fitness of their offspring. The objective of this study was to focus on the combined effects of temperature (14, 18 and 22 °C) and food quality on the performance of larvae produced by 5 young (0+) and 5 old (I+) Palaemon serratus females. We prepared 3 diets based on Artemia, in decreasing order of total fatty acid content: freshly hatched nauplii (N), unenriched metanauplii (M) and metanauplii enriched with a mixture of microalgae (ME). At hatching, the larvae produced by I+ females had a higher biomass but a similar fatty acid concentration to those produced by 0+ females. Larvae survived better and developed relatively faster as temperature increased, and the longer they waited to metamorphose, the greater their weight at metamorphosis. These performances were diet-dependent, with more survival and more growth in less time with diet N than with the other two. Larvae from I+ females performed better than those from 0+ females, especially under the most stressful conditions. The greater biomass of the larvae of I+ females seems to have enabled them to follow a shorter, and therefore faster, development path than those of 0+ females. The larvae's diet also had an impact on post-metamorphic composition: larvae eating a diet richer in fatty acids produced richer juveniles and those eating a poorer diet produced juveniles with slightly more essential fatty acids. This study supports the high plasticity of caridean shrimp larval development and the importance of maternal effects on the fitness of offspring. • Temperature, prey quality and maternal effects affect the performance of Palaemon serratus larvae. • Older females produced larger larvae which increased their survival under stressful conditions. • The larvae survived better and developed relatively faster as the temperature increased. • The larvae plastically delayed their metamorphosis and reduced their growth in the face of stress. • Larval performance increased with total fatty acid concentration in Artemia , higher in nauplii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a seasonal environment, variation in larval phenotype and developmental plasticity allow crustacean larvae to maximise survival by lengthening or shortening their development. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of temperature, laying season and their interaction on larval developmental pathways (larval instars and larval stages). We monitored the different larval stages and calculated the number of larval instars reached during the development of winter and summer larvae of Palaemon serratus incubated at 12, 16 or 20 °C. We observed a great variability in the larval development (6–13 larval instars and 6 to 11 larval stages). A higher temperature decreases the development time and the number of larval instars. At a given temperature, the development time of winter and summer larvae was not different. Two larval stages were considered supernumerary (zoea 4 and 6), as they were more frequent at low temperatures. At higher temperatures, some larvae started to develop pleopods as early as the third instar, larval stage which had never been described (named here zoea 3′). This phenomenon was more common in winter larvae than in summer larvae. These results provide new insights into the expression of developmental plasticity in decapod larvae. [Display omitted] • Larval development was plastic in terms of instars and stages. • Higher temperature decreased the development time and the number of instars. • The seasonal phenotype had no effect on the development time. • Supernumerary stages were observed at low temperatures. • Early morphogenesis was observed at high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Modelling the ionic diffusivity in non-saturated limestone blended cement paste. • 3D microstructure, pore network and moisture distribution simulated. • Contributions of both capillary pores and C-S-H gel pores considered. • Relative ionic diffusivity is highly dependent on water saturation level. • Relative ionic diffusivity reduces with increasing w/b ratio and limestone content. The accurate prediction of ionic diffusivity in non-saturated limestone blended cement paste is essential for the durability design of blended cementitious materials. This paper presents an integrated framework for simulating the ionic diffusivity in limestone blended cement paste considering its 3D microstructure, water saturation level, and distribution of water and gas phases in the pore network. The 3D microstructure of hydrating blended cement paste with various limestone powder (LP) contents and water-to-binder (w/b) ratios was simulated using the voxel-based CEMHYD3D model, based on which a lattice Boltzmann model with in-house codes was employed to simulate the solid–fluid interaction and ionic diffusivity in cement paste. Results indicate that the relative ionic diffusivity in blended cement paste is strongly dependent on the water saturation level, the evolution of which consists of the sharp drop, slow decrease, slight decrease and depercolation periods. For blended cement paste with 10% LP and w/b ratio of 0.5 at 28 d, the change in decrease rate occurs at the critical water saturation levels of 69%, 34% and 7%, respectively. With the increase of w/b ratio and LP content, the relative ionic diffusivity decreases due to the increasing volume fraction and connectivity of capillary pores. However, the relative ionic diffusivity at degrees of saturation above 70% only undergoes a slight decrease from 0.24 to 0.17 with the increasing LP content from 0% to 20%, which can be ascribed to the low reactivity of LP that cannot much modify the pore structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our paper presents an updated geological map and simplified lithostratigraphy of the West Congo Belt (WCB) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The WCB holds a key position for understanding the construction of Gondwana and constitutes a larger orogenic system along with its Brazilian counterpart (i.e. Araçuaí orogen). Our current contribution focuses on a newly found and mapped early Tonian small-sized (6 × 4 km) plutonic body (so-called "Shinkakasa intrusive complex") located in the westernmost amphibolite facies tectono-metamorphic domain of the West Congo fold-and-thrust belt. The complex is hosted by the Kimeza gneissic basement. Our fieldwork, samples and a new geological map provide a solid and updated geological background for more in-depth future work and proves essential for reinterpreting the broader tectonic framework. Our findings show that the Shinkakasa complex comprises felsic, intermediate and mafic to ultramafic rocks displaying mixing-mingling features and well-preserved igneous textures with only limited Panafrican metamorphic and tectonic overprint. According to previously published zircon U–Pb (SHRIMP) data, the Shinkakasa magmatism lasted from 911 Ma to 869 Ma and the complex was hosted by the 2069 Ma Kimeza gneissic basement. We compare the Shinkakasa complex with other small-sized intrusive complexes of the WCB, emplaced in a similar geological setting, such as the contemporaneous Mayumba bimodal complex of southwestern Gabon. This comparison is extended across the Atlantic Ocean to the recently studied early Tonian Salto da Divisa complex of southeastern Brazil. In the African counterpart we correlate the plutonic complexes to the early Tonian eastward arcuate (sub)volcanic bimodal successions (Seke-Banza Group of the DRC) largely exposed along trend of the orogen over a length of ca. 550 km in the greenschist facies domain of the WCB. Finally, we give an updated account of the early Tonian emplacement ages and lithostratigraphic terminology of the multiple bodies constituting this arcuate structure. Our data show that i) the vast majority of the anorogenic magmatism testifying for the aborted early Tonian continental rifting of the Congo - Sao Francisco palaeocontinent is exposed in the African counterpart, and ii) the extent of the (sub)volcanic successions largely predominates compared to the small-sized intrusive bodies such as the Shinkakasa complex. • 911-869 Ma Shinkakasa intrusive complex, Democratic Republic of Congo; • anorogenic felsic, intermediate and mafic to ultramafic magmatism; • continental rifting of the Rhyacian-Orosirian Congo – São Francisco palaeocontinent; • 2069 Ma Boma gneiss-migmatite basement block; • update of the early Tonian magmatism of African part of Araçuai – West Congo Orogenic System (AWCO). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reflector antennas, operating at high frequencies, require a high surface accuracy: deviations from the target geometry accuracy result in a loss of RF performance (e.g., antenna gain and efficiency). As a result, the aperture may need to be larger, or a more complex backing structure must be engineered to achieve the reflector surface accuracy to deliver the equivalent gain of an efficient solid reflector. This would typically increase the mass, the stowed volume, and the design complexity. The design of larger aperture deployable antennas (e.g., Cassegrain, Offset) for SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) applications can be challenging for missions where platform size and payload mass are limited. Inspired by the Origami based techniques, Oxford Space Systems (OSS) is currently developing an innovative SAR Reflectarray antenna, targeting the X-Band frequency range, with the aim of achieving a relatively large aperture from a small, stowed volume suitable for a small satellite. The Reflectarray antenna architecture has several potential advantages over other antenna designs. It is a cost-competitive technology with excellent stowage efficiency, which can be further improved with origami-based folding mechanisms/kinematics. It requires a simplified deployment mechanism and in contrast to conventional parabolic reflectors, it does not need a separate backing structure. Until now, work on space deployable Reflectarray antennas (e.g., MARCO, OMERA and ISSARA missions from NASA) have focused on multi-degree of freedom structures, i.e., independent self-actuated hinge driven architectures. This paper presents an elegant single degree of freedom, origami-inspired Reflectarray architecture that does not require actuation on all the hinges. Thanks to its Hold-Down Release Mechanism (HDRM) and spring-loaded hinges, the OSS Reflectarray antenna is self-deployable. It maintains the required flatness accuracy achieved through its novel hinge integrated latching system. The OSS Reflectarray antenna has an 8:1 footprint stowage ratio, which enables installation on small satellite platforms (between 50 kg and 100 kg). The reflectarray has been designed to work in the X-band frequency with dual linear polarization for the concept study. However, the architecture can be scaled up or down to suit other frequency bands, making the OSS Reflectarray compatible with many applications and platforms. • Rigid origami folding ensure high deployed/stowed volume ratio. • OSS Origami Reflectarray design ensure high Performances/mass ratio. • OSS Reflectarray simulations results ensure a good correlation with tests. • Target for SAR applications in the design. • Kinematics and RF tests successfully prove the design of such antenna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to implement an immune cell score model in routine clinical practice for resected non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (NCT03299478). Molecular and genomic features associated with immune phenotypes in NSCLC have not been explored in detail. We developed a machine learning (ML)-based model to classify tumors into one of three categories: inflamed, altered, and desert, based on the spatial distribution of CD8+ T cells in two prospective (n = 453; TNM-I trial) and retrospective (n = 481) stage I-IIIA NSCLC surgical cohorts. NanoString assays and targeted gene panel sequencing were used to evaluate the association of gene expression and mutations with immune phenotypes. Among the total of 934 patients, 24.4% of tumors were classified as inflamed, 51.3% as altered, and 24.3% as desert. There were significant associations between ML-derived immune phenotypes and adaptive immunity gene expression signatures. We identified a strong association of the nuclear factor-κB pathway and CD8+ T-cell exclusion through a positive enrichment in the desert phenotype. KEAP1 [odds ratio (OR) 0.27, Q = 0.02] and STK11 (OR 0.39, Q = 0.04) were significantly co-mutated in non-inflamed lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) compared to the inflamed phenotype. In the retrospective cohort, the inflamed phenotype was an independent prognostic factor for prolonged disease-specific survival and time to recurrence (hazard ratio 0.61, P = 0.01 and 0.65, P = 0.02, respectively). ML-based immune phenotyping by spatial distribution of T cells in resected NSCLC is able to identify patients at greater risk of disease recurrence after surgical resection. LUADs with concurrent KEAP1 and STK11 mutations are enriched for altered and desert immune phenotypes. • A novel ML model was devised and validated for in situ immune phenotyping. • The ML-driven immune phenotypes served as an independent prognostic indicator. • LUADs featuring concurrent KEAP1 and STK11 mutations predominantly display altered or desert-like immune phenotypes. • In the desert phenotype, the enrichment of nuclear factor-κB signaling correlates with the exclusion of cytotoxic T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les syndromes hyperéosinophiliques (SHE) et les hyperéosinophilies (HE) sont un groupe hétérogène de maladies, dont les étiologies peuvent être clonales, réactionnelles (secondaires) ou idiopathiques. À ce jour, seules des études rétrospectives de taille et/ou de durée de suivi limitées ont décrit les caractéristiques des patients avec les différentes formes d'HE ou SHE, et principalement dans des centres experts. Nous décrivons ici la mise en place d'une cohorte nationale associant des centres experts du CEREO, et des services de différentes spécialités au sein d'hôpitaux universitaires ou généraux, et les principales caractéristiques des patients inclus. L'étude COHESion est une cohorte nationale prospective multicentrique (n > 50 centres actifs), multidisciplinaire, recrutant depuis le 1er mai 2019 à la fois des adultes et des enfants, déjà suivis dans le centre ou nouvellement diagnostiqués. Les critères d'éligibilité englobaient le spectre complet des HE/SHE, notamment les HE/SHE réactionnels (HE/SHE-R) secondaires à une infection notamment parasitaire, une hypersensibilité médicamenteuse retardée (HSR), une maladie auto-immune ou inflammatoire, un cancer solide ou une hémopathie, mais aussi le variant lymphoïde (HE/SHE-L), les HE/SHE clonaux ou « myéloïdes » (HE/SHE-M), les SHE idiopathiques (SHE-I), les HE asymptomatiques de signification indéterminée (HE-US), les situations de chevauchements entre SHE et la maladie associée aux IgG4, ou la granulomatose éosinophilique avec polyangéite (GEPA) ANCA-négative (selon les critères adaptés de la classification ACR/EULAR 2022 avec au moins un asthme, et une vascularite clinique et/ou histologiquement prouvée). Chez les patients atteints de SHE-I, les profils évolutifs ont été classés ainsi : (i) profil de « poussée unique » lorsqu'une seule poussée est survenue, traitée ou non, sans rechute ultérieure, (ii) profil de poussées récurrentes avec rémissions lorsqu'il y avait au moins une fois un intervalle de 6 mois sans symptômes entre deux poussées, et (iii) profil de « maladie chronique persistante » quand une corticothérapie au long cours était nécessaire pour éviter les rechutes précoces. Toutes les données ont été saisies et analysées de manière centralisée par les chargé(e)s de projets et attaché(e)s de recherche clinique du CEREO. Après 54 mois d'activité, 779 patients ont été inclus dans des hôpitaux généraux (20 %), des hôpitaux universitaires (46 %) ou dans un des centres experts du CEREO (34 %). Au moment de l'analyse, 550 cas étaient disponibles pour une analyse centralisée (âge moyen (±ET) : 56 ± 18 ans, 42 % de patientes). Les diagnostics étaient les suivants : SHE idiopathiques (n = 258, 47 %), HE/SHE-R (n = 87, 16 %), HE-US (n = 80, 15 %), HE/SHE-M (n = 40, 7 %), HE/SHE-L (n = 34, 6 %). Parmi les patients atteints de HE/SHE-R (n = 87), les maladies sous-jacentes ou associées étaient une HSR (23 %), une parasitose (22 %), une hémopathie lymphoïde (18 %), un cancer solide (10 %), une maladie inflammatoire chronique (8 %), une mastocytose systémique (6 %) ou d'autres causes (13 %). Par ailleurs, certains patients remplissaient également les critères de la maladie associée aux IgG4 (n = 13, 2 %) ou de GEPA ANCA-négative (n = 38, 7 %). À la dernière visite, les profils évolutifs des 258 patients atteints de SHE-I étaient les suivants : n = 42 (16 %) poussée unique, n = 73 (28 %) formes récurrentes et n = 119 (46 %) maladies chroniques persistantes. Enfin, 24 (9 %) cas restaient non classés en raison d'un recul insuffisant suite au diagnostic initial. La cohorte COHESion est la première étude prospective multicentrique et multidisciplinaire de dimension nationale, collectant des données sur les patients atteints de HE et SHE. Cette cohorte permettra de décrire en détail les différentes formes de SHE, les atteintes d'organes, leur pronostic, et le bénéfice des nouvelles thérapies ciblées disponibles dans les différents variants de HE et SHE. Cette cohorte confirme déjà que les patients atteints de SHE idiopathiques présentent des profils évolutifs différents, suggérant des mécanismes physiopathologiques distincts, et la nécessité de stratégies thérapeutiques personnalisées. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the first COVID-19 lockdown, from March 12 to May 15, 2020, private dental practices in France and in many other countries remained closed. Dental emergencies were therefore partly redirected to hospital dental departments. The aim of this article is to describe the modalities of remote management of emergencies during this period, by the pediatric dentistry department of Nancy University Hospital (France), via an oral telemedicine protocol. All parents of children in difficulty were invited to contact the department by phone. Initial triage was managed by externs, interns, or dental practitioners following a management protocol specifically adapted to pediatric dentistry for this context. Depending on the situation (type of complaint, geographical location of the patients, possibility of travel, availability of digital equipment, etc.), an oral telemedicine solution was proposed using the Covotem® software (Maincare Society, Canejan, France) via the Pulsy platform (public interest grouping validated by the Grand Est Regional Agency for Health) and possibly using an intraoral photographic protocol suggested by the team. During this period, 176 patients used the pediatric dental department, 40 of whom were managed via oral telemedicine. Of these children, 57% (23/40) required an appointment in the department during the lockdown, 30% (12/40) did not require follow-up, and 13% (5/40) required a post-lockdown appointment. This teledentistry protocol resulted in a diagnosis in most cases (93%). Patient management through oral telemedicine appears to be an effective tool for planning and organizing oral healthcare. It should be more widely considered in dentistry in the current context of pressure in medical emergencies, significant medical needs, and medical desertification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La maladie d'Erdheim-Chester (MEC) est une histiocytose rare non langerhansienne caractérisée par une infiltration tissulaire par des histiocytes spumeux. La maladie est liée à des mutations de proto-oncogènes, tels que BRAF, qui activent la voie des MAP Kinases, alors que d'autres mécanismes à médiation immunitaire contribuent au développement et à la progression de la maladie. Les manifestations cliniques sont très hétérogènes et virtuellement tous les systèmes ou organes peuvent être touchés. Dans notre étude de cohorte, nous avons classé les patients avec MEC en fonction de leur présentation clinique et de leur statut mutationnel en utilisant une approche de regroupement non supervisée basée sur les données. Cette étude est basée sur l'ensemble des données de 356 patients ayant une MEC, contenant les données démographiques, les manifestations cliniques, le statut mutationnel (BRAF et autres gènes d'intérêt) ainsi que le suivi comprenant le(s) traitement(s) et l'évolution de la maladie. Les principales caractéristiques cliniques à « baseline » ainsi que le statut mutationnel ont été inclus comme vingt variables d'entrée dans le modèle de regroupement. La dimensionnalité de l'ensemble de données a été réduite par la méthode des composantes principales, puis une approche de regroupement hiérarchique a été utilisée. Chaque groupe généré a été défini par l'analyse de ses caractéristiques sommaires. L'algorithme de regroupement a produit deux modèles, l'un avec quatre clusters et l'autre avec cinq. Les clusters générés ont été étiquetés avec leurs caractéristiques principales ou ont reçu un nom représentatif. Les groupes nommés « syndrome digestif/hématologique/myélodysplasique » (environ 3 % des sujets), « testicule/ganglions/mutation MAP2K1 » (8 %) et « maladie limitée » (30 %) étaient analogues dans les deux modèles. Les autres patients présentaient un taux élevé de mutation BRAF (environ 90 %) et étaient regroupés en un seul grand groupe appelé « maladie systémique » (59 %) dans le modèle à quatre groupes, alors qu'ils étaient répartis en deux groupes différents – « histiocytose hypothalamique/hypophysaire/histiocytoses Langerhansiennes associées » (25 %) et « cardio-vasculaire/peri-rénale » (34 %) – dans le modèle à cinq groupes. L'analyse en composantes principales a permis de subdiviser cette cohorte internationale de patients atteints de MEC en groupes qui reflètent ce qui a souvent été observé en vie réelle, avec notamment le phénotype multisystémique de la maladie, par opposition au phénotype « limité », et les groupes des MEC associées à d'autres types d'histiocytoses ou à des syndromes myélodysplasiques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La prise en charge des atteintes oculaires sévères au cours de la maladie de Behçet est une problématique d'actualité avec un enjeu fonctionnel majeur en raison du risque de cécité. Nous avons voulu étudier les stratégies thérapeutiques utilisées et rechercher de facteurs associés à la survenue d'une rechute. Cette étude rétrospective multicentrique française a été réalisée à l'aide d'une fiche de recueil standardisée sur 2 ans, en incluant des adultes atteints d'une maladie de Behçet présentant une atteinte oculaire sévère (uvéite postérieure, vascularite rétinienne, atteinte maculaire...). Les caractéristiques générales et oculaires des patients ont été comparées par des tests t de Student, des tests Chi2, des tests de Fischer, selon les cas. Les variables associées au risque de rechute ont été évaluées avec des modèles de risque proportionnel de Cox et ajustées pour les facteurs de confusion potentiels. Un total de 119 patients a été inclus dans cette étude, dont 108 (91 %) avec une uvéite postérieure et 86 (77 %) présentant une vascularite rétinienne. Une atteinte maculaire était retrouvée chez 32 patients (34 %). En association à une corticothérapie systémique et/ou locale, 91 patients (76 %) bénéficiaient d'au moins un traitement immunosuppresseur et/ou immunomodulateur. Un traitement par colchicine est prescrit chez 85 patients (71 %). À l'issue de la 1re ligne thérapeutique, 99/119 patients (87 %) obtenaient une rémission, et 52 d'entre eux (53 %) rechutaient au cours du suivi. Les caractéristiques et la prise en charge thérapeutique selon l'atteinte maculaire ou non, ou la présence d'une vascularite rétinienne ne montraient pas de différence notable et les taux de rémission et rechute étaient semblables. Un traitement initial par colchicine et anti-TNF-alpha tendait à être plus fréquent chez les patients obtenant une rémission. Le risque de rechute après obtention de la rémission était significativement associé à un tabagisme actif (HR ajusté : 1,92 [1,02–3,61]) et était plus faible chez ceux recevant une corticothérapie prolongée (HR ajusté : 0,3 [0,16–0,55]), de la colchicine (HR ajusté : 0,43 [0,22–0,83]) et un anti-TNF-alpha (HR ajusté : 0,5 [0,25–0,99]). Au total, le risque de rechute des atteintes oculaires sévères dans la maladie de Behçet pourrait être diminué par une corticothérapie prolongée, la mise en place systématique d'un traitement par colchicine et un traitement anti-TNF-alpha, ainsi que l'arrêt du tabagisme actif. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Short-lived Ra isotopes highlight the presence of a hydrothermal activity on the SWIR. • The hydrothermal system is located at a distance < 30 km of the investigated stations. • A strong vertical mixing is observed (Kz from 38 up to 149 cm2 s−1) • A large dFe vertical flux from 552 up to1173 nmol m−2 d-1 are estimated. Hydrothermal vents have been shown to be important vectors for various chemical elements into the ocean. However, both the intensity of the chemical fluxes associated with these systems and the fate of the chemical elements along the plume are still largely overlooked. At two stations located above the South West Indian Ridge (SWIR), we investigate the distributions of the Ra quartet (223Ra, 224Ra, 226Ra and 228Ra) and 227Ac that have been used as tracers of hydrothermal activity. While the vertical distributions of 226Ra, 228Ra and 227Ac do not show a clear enrichment at depth, unusual signatures of excess 223Ra and 224Ra near the seafloor are attributed to the presence of a hydrothermal activity. The discrepancy observed between the different isotopes is attributed to different chemical reactivity when seawater circulates within the crust and/or to different regeneration rates within the fluid. A 1D diffusion model applied to the vertical profiles of short-lived Ra isotopes provided an estimation of the vertical eddy diffusivity coefficients (K Z) between 38 cm2 s−1 and 149 cm2 s−1. These high values suggest strong mixing likely favored by the complex bathymetry in the region. By combining these K Z with the vertical gradient of dissolved Fe (dFe), we estimate a vertical flux of dFe that ranges from 139 to 1173 nmol m−2 d-1. These results confirm that low-expansion-rate ridges could be significant sources of dFe to the deep ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malgré des stratégies thérapeutiques plus efficaces dans la vascularite associée aux ANCA (VAA), il persiste une morbidité importante, principalement dû aux infections et aux maladies cardiovasculaires. L'épaisseur intima-média de la carotide (cIMT) est un marqueur d'athérosclérose infra-clinique associée aux facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire et elle est prédictive d'événements cardiovasculaires majeurs (ECVM). Nous avons émis l'hypothèse que les patients atteints de VAA pourraient bénéficier d'un traitement par statine en prévention primaire afin de réduire les marqueurs infra-cliniques de l'athérosclérose et l'incidence des ECVM. Cette étude de supériorité de phase 3, multicentrique, randomisée, contrôlée, en double aveugle, a comparé la rosuvastatine au placebo pour la réduction de la progression des marqueurs infra-cliniques d'athérosclérose. Les patients atteints de VAA en rémission après une première poussée ou une rechute ont été randomisés avec un ratio 1:1 pour recevoir la rosuvastatine 20 mg/jour ou un placebo pendant 24 mois. Le critère d'évaluation principal était le changement moyen de l'épaisseur intima-média (EIM) de la carotide (paroi distale des artères carotides primaires) à 24 mois. Au total, 111 participants ont été randomisés (55 % d'hommes, âge moyen 54,8 (13,3) ans, 63,1 % de GPA, 28,8 % de GEPA et 8,1 % de PAM), 54 dans le bras rosuvastatine et 57 dans le bras placebo. Le critère d'évaluation principal n'a pas été atteint. Le changement moyen de l'EIM au mois 24 n'était pas différent entre les deux groupes (différence −0,002 [−0,034 ; 0,030], p = 0,89). Le taux annuel de changement de l'EIM moyen était de 0,0110 (0,0617) mm/an dans le groupe rosuvastatine et de 0,0189 (0,0556) mm/an dans le groupe placebo (différence −0,0062 [−0,0318 ; 0,0193], p = 0,61). Des résultats similaires étaient observés pour la variation du nombre de plaques d'athérome dans les artères carotides et fémorales et dans l'aorte abdominale (différence 0,01 [−0,39 ; 0,42], p = 0,94). Les taux moyens de cholestérol LDL étaient significativement différents entre les deux groupes à tous les moments évalués (p < 0,001, p < 0,001 et p < 0,001 pour les réductions entre les groupes rosuvastatine et placebo aux mois 6, 12 et 24, respectivement). De même, les taux de CRP ultrasensible étaient significativement différents entre les deux groupes de l'étude au mois 24 (différence −3,16 [−5,58 ; 0,74], p = 0,011 pour les réductions entre les groupes rosuvastatine et placebo). Il n'y a eu qu'un seul ECVM dans le groupe rosuvastatine. La survie sans rechute de la vascularite ne différait pas entre les deux groupes (HR = 1,59, IC95 % = [0,81 ; 3,09], p = 0,18). Onze et dix-sept patients ont interrompu l'intervention dans les groupes rosuvastatine et placebo, respectivement. L'incidence des événements indésirables graves était similaire dans les deux groupes : 27,8 % dans le groupe rosuvastatine et 22,8 % dans le groupe placebo. Chez les patients atteints de vascularite associée aux ANCA, 24 mois de rosuvastatine réduisaient le taux de cholestérol LDL mais pas la progression des marqueurs infra-cliniques d'athérosclérose ou l'incidence des événements cardiovasculaires majeurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'hypertension artérielle pulmonaire (HTAP) est l'une des principales causes de mortalité de la connectivite mixte (CM). Peu de données sont pourtant disponibles dans la littérature. L'objectif de ce travail a été de décrire l'HTAP chez des patients ayant une CM bien caractérisée. Les patients ayant une CM, inclus dans le registre français de l'hypertension pulmonaire (HTP) avec un diagnostic d'HTAP (CM-HTAP), confirmé par cathétérisme cardiaque droit, ont été inclus dans l'étude et comparés à des patients CM sans HTAP issus du registre national, à des patients atteints de lupus systémique avec HTAP (LS-HTAP), et des patients atteints de sclérodermie systémique avec HTAP (ScS-HTAP). Les taux de survie ont été estimés et comparés par des courbes de Kaplan-Meier et les facteurs de risque d'HTAP des patients CM et les facteurs de risque de mortalité des patients CM-HTAP ont été recherchés à l'aide d'analyses multivariées. Trente-six patients atteints de CM-HTAP ont été inclus dans l'étude. La comparaison avec les patients CM sans HTAP et l'analyse multivariée ont révélé que la présence de péricardite, polyarthrite, thrombopénie, pneumopathie interstitielle diffuse (PID), ou d'anticorps anti-Sm étaient des facteurs prédictifs indépendants d'HTAP dans la CM. Les taux de survie estimés à 1, 5 et 10 ans après le diagnostic d'HTAP étaient de 83 %, 67 % et 56 %, respectivement. Comparativement aux patients atteints de ScS-PAH ou de LS-PHA, la présentation et la survie des patients CM-PAH ne différaient pas. L'analyse multivariée a révélé que l'exposition au tabac était un facteur indépendant prédictif de la mortalité dans la CM-PAH. L'HTAP est une complication rare et grave de la CM, associée à une survie à 10 ans de 56 %. Nous avons identifié la PID, la péricardite, la thrombocytopénie et les anticorps anti-Sm comme facteurs de risque d'HTAP dans la CM et l'exposition au tabac comme facteur prédictif de mortalité dans la CM-PAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a petrological and geochronological study of the Proterozoic Mbuji-Mayi sedimentary Supergroup (Sankuru-Mbuji-Mayi-Lomami-Lovoy basin, Democratic Republic of the Congo) and of the overlying subvolcanic doleritic rocks. Dating this Supergroup in Central Africa is crucial to reconstruct the geological history and evolution of the Congo Basin and because it contains a large diversity of organic-walled microfossils including early eukaryotes. For this study, we use the Re–Os dating method on kerogen from shales from the top of the lower Group BI (which contains the microfossils) and Ar–Ar, Sm–Nd and U–Pb methods on the dolerites emplaced near the top of the succession, defining the end of the sedimentation in the basin. The 187Re/187Os dating yield an age of 1041 ± 58 Ma. For the dolerites, 40Ar/39Ar dating provide a similar minimum age from 1006 ± 13 to 1009 ± 32 Ma in the whole basin. 147Sm/143Nd dating confirms a less precise but overlapping age of 926 ± 170 Ma for sample from the Western part of the basin. Some 40Ar/39Ar dating and U–Pb dating provide also inherited Archean ages. The weighted average age for igneous samples from the basin is 1006 ± 12 Ma. This confirms that the upper Group BII was deposited from 1030 to 1040 to 1006 Ma, consistent with previous U–Pb dating on diagenetic minerals and with biostratigraphy. This new dating provides constraints on the late Mesoproterozoic – early Neoproterozoic diversification of early eukaryotes in Central Africa. We also compare the petrology, geochemistry and geochronology of dolerites from different locations of the basin. Our new data evidence a common origin for all the subvolcanic rocks, emplaced in an intraplate setting and intruding the Archean basement, and indirectly date the end of the extensional stage that initiated the development of the Congo Basin. • Dating on different dolerites from the SMLL basin provides a similar age around 1.0 Ga. • This study furnishes informations on the Congo Basin geodynamics. • These new ages provide constraints on the diversification of eukaryotes in Central Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory and cardiovascular systems are among the vital organ systems that should be studied in safety pharmacology core battery test. Non-invasive jacketed external telemetry technology that enables concomitant monitoring of both systems has been available and used widely for non-rodent species. Recently, the DECRO system, a miniaturized technology system in line with the "3Rs" principles, has been developed to provide a similar approach in rats. However, data to evaluate this system in socially-housed rats is lacking. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the tolerability and the material integrity of this novel solution in pair-housed rats in two conditions: i) in a single session of 22 h simulating a stand-alone safety pharmacology study design, and ii) in three repeated sessions of 22 h each, simulating the inclusion of safety pharmacology endpoints in a 1-month toxicology study. In both conditions, the GABA B receptor agonist baclofen was used as a reference compound inducing cardiorespiratory changes. Our results provided evidence that this novel solution was well tolerated, the material was resistant to deterioration and that it allowed the accurate recording, in a non-invasive manner, of cardiorespiratory parameters and activity level in freely moving, pair-housed rats in the above two conditions. In addition, the expected respiratory depressant effects of baclofen were recorded. These results pave the way for considering this novel solution as an enhanced approach for nonclinical safety assessment in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]