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Although the alliance is a consistent predictor of treatment outcomes in psychosocial interventions, few studies have examined this association among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In particular, youth-therapist alliance has never been examined in social skills interventions (SSIs), a common modality for this population. In this study, thirty-four youth with ASD (Mage = 12.41; 79% male) participated in a community-delivered, group-based SSI in a summer camp format led by eight Head Therapists (Mage = 32.12; 50% male). Early alliance and change in alliance over the course of the treatment were assessed via self- and observer-reported measures. Both self- and observer-rated alliance were associated with positive treatment outcomes as reported by parents (decreased problem behaviors) and other peers in the group (reciprocated friendship and social preference). These results provide the first evidence of the role of the alliance in an SSI for youth with ASD and add to the growing body of literature that demonstrates the importance of assessing and addressing the alliance in treatment for this population.

Background and objectives Pain is a subjective experience which is assessed verbally. However, the quality of verbal expression is often questioned and/or altered for subjects with a psychiatric disorder, thus complicating access to care and pain relief with a deny of their pain. Our aim was to search for obvious behavioral signs of pain feeling in subjects with schizophrenia (SC) or major depression (MD). Methods Sixteen MD, 17 SC, and16 disease-free participants were video-recorded during an experimental session comprised of an interview (baseline), pain test, and post-test period. Several non-verbal behavioral indicators were analyzed during the session and compared between the disease and control groups. Results Some behavioral indicators were more frequent during the pain tests than during the other periods, independently from the group. Conclusion Hetero-evaluation scales for conventional pain rating should be completed by the observation of these discreet behavioral indicators of pain during painful situations. Their observation during medical examination of painful points will ensure the feeling of pain, and avoid a deny of the pain feeling for psychiatric patients.

Introduction Apprecier la realite histo-architecturale in vivo des noyaux gris centraux notamment des thalami est un veritable challenge en imagerie. La definition precise de cette anatomie est cependant un prerequis necessaire pour mesurer avec precision des alterations structurales parenchymateuses ou realiser le ciblage stereotaxique en neurochirurgie [1] . Materiel et methodes Des images tridimensionnelles MP2RAGE (Magnetization Prepared with two Rapid Acquisition Gradient Echoes sequence) [2] ont ete acquises en 0,6 mm isotropique a 7 T chez 60 volontaires sains. Une methode de normalisation « group-wize » [3] a permis de creer un template T1 haute resolution (0,5 mm3) a partir de 30 des 60 sujets ( Fig. 1 ). Deux neuroradiologues (R1 et R2) ont realise une segmentation de 24 regions de substance gris profonde et de douze noyaux thalamiques dans chaque hemisphere, selon l’atlas de Morel [4] . Un atlas moyenne (7TAMIbrainDGN) a partir des deux segmentations a ete valide par un troisieme neuroradiologue ( Fig. 2 ). Les structures correspondantes ont egalement ete extraites a partir de deux autres atlas numeriques (e-Morel et CIT168). Les valeurs quantitatives moyennes absolues des temps de relaxation T1 ont ete ensuite extraites apres correction du B1+. Un score de Dice a ete calcule pour mesurer la concordance inter-observateur et la variabilite inter-atlas. Resultats Les scores de Dice entre les deux neuroradiologues, entre le R1 et 7TAMIbrainDGN et entre R2 et 7TAMIbrainDGN etaient respectivement de 0,74 ± 0,13, 0,87 ± 0,07, 0,86 ± 0,08. Les Dice entre 7TAMIbrainDGN et l’atlas e-Morel etaient de 0,53 ± 0,16 et de 0,80 ± 0,07 entre 7TAMIbrainDGN et CIT168. Les temps de relaxation T1 variaient de 1322 ms a 2003 ms. Conclusion Cette etude a permis de creer un atlas des noyaux gris centraux et des thalamis a 7 T et de valider un processus de segmentation automatise avec extraction des temps de relaxation T1.

International audience; Rugby players are subject to multiple impacts to their head and neck that could have adverse neurological effects and put them at increased risk of neurodegeneration.Previous studies demonstrated altered default mode network and diffusion metrics on brain, as well as more foraminal stenosis, disc protrusion and neck pain among players of contact sports as compared to healthy controls. However, the long-term effects of practice and repetitive impacts on brain and cervical spinal cord (cSC) of the rugby players have never been systematically investigated.In this study, 15 retired professional and amateur rugby players (R) and 15 age-matched healthy controls (HC) (all males; mean age R: 46.8 ± 7.6; and HC: 48.6 ± 9.5) were recruited both to investigate cord impairments and further characterize brain structure damage. Medical questionnaires including modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scale (mJOA) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were filled by all participants. A 3 T multi-parametric MR protocol including conventional qualitative techniques such as T1-, T2-, and T2*-weighted sequences, as well as state-of-the art quantitative techniques including MP2RAGE T1 mapping and 3D ihMTRAGE, was used on both brain and cSC. Normalized brain WM and GM volumes, spine Overall Stenosis Score, cord cross-sectional area and regional T1 and ihMT metrics were derived from these acquisitions.Rugby players showed significantly higher NDI scores, as well as a faster decline of normalized brain GM volume with age as compared to HC. Moreover, higher T1 values on cSC suggestive of structural degeneration, together with higher T1 and lower ihMTsat on brain WM suggestive of demyelination, were observed in retired rugby players as compared to age-matched controls, which may suggest cumulative effects of long-term impacts on the tissues. Metrics also suggest early aging and different aging processes on brain tissue in the players.These preliminary observations provide new insights in the domain, which should now be further investigated on larger cohorts and multicentric longitudinal studies, and further correlated to the likelihood of neurodegenerative diseases and risk factors.

International audience; This paper presents a study of High Power Electromagnetics (HPEM) stress effects on a GaAs (Gallium Arsenide) low-noise amplifier (LNA). This work aims to evaluate such electrical stress effect from circuit to component scale in relation to more general Intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI) studies. Conducted susceptibility measurements were made on a specifically designed device under test (DUT). Those experiments yielded interesting results concerning exposition of the DUT to destructive values of interference power, as well as its response to non-destructive but significant powers. The destruction process has been analyzed using time-domain and frequency-domain measurements.

We present a novel unsupervised machine learning method for quantitative representation of scanning electron micrographs and its applications and performance for nuclear forensic analysis of uranium ore concentrates. The method uses a vector quantizing variational autoencoder followed by a histogram operation to encode a micrograph into a single dimensional representation, called the feature vector. The method requires no extant labeling of the data and can be applied over large datasets of micrographs with minimal human interaction. The representations generated are broadly descriptive of each micrograph and the microstructure of the material imaged. In the case of uranium ore concentrate analysis, the representations were amenable to processing reagent and ore concentrate species classification with accuracy of 81.8 % , which is competitive with state-of-the-art supervised networks [1]. The representations were also able to classify previously processing routes not included in the training set, were able to classify imaging parameters such as magnification (to 76.0 % accuracy), were able to classify fine grained process parameters such as calcining temperature (to 74.4 % accuracy), and their informatic properties indicate that they are generally descriptive of the image represented. This method can be applied across microstructure analysis fields to perform quantitative analysis without the need for labor intensive and possibly biased human analysis.

The inclusive J / ψ transverse momentum spectra and nuclear modification factors are reported at mid-rapidity ( | y | 1.0 ) in Au + Au collisions at s N N = 39, 62.4 and 200 GeV taken by the STAR experiment. A suppression of J / ψ production, with respect to the production in p + p scaled by the number of binary nucleon–nucleon collisions, is observed in central Au + Au collisions at these three energies. No significant energy dependence of nuclear modification factors is found within uncertainties. The measured nuclear modification factors can be described by model calculations that take into account both suppression of direct J / ψ production due to the color screening effect and J / ψ regeneration from recombination of uncorrelated charm–anticharm quark pairs.

We report the direct virtual photon invariant yields in the transverse momentum ranges 1 p T 3 GeV / c and 5 p T 10 GeV / c at mid-rapidity derived from the dielectron invariant mass continuum region 0.10 M e e 0.28 GeV / c 2 for 0–80% minimum-bias Au+Au collisions at s N N = 200 GeV . A clear excess in the invariant yield compared to the nuclear overlap function T A A scaled p + p reference is observed in the p T range 1 p T 3 GeV / c . For p T > 6 GeV / c the production follows T A A scaling. Model calculations with contributions from thermal radiation and initial hard parton scattering are consistent within uncertainties with the direct virtual photon invariant yield.

Contexte Le brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) est une neurotrophine, qui joue un role important dans les mecanismes de l’episode depressif (ED). Ses taux sont tres diminues chez les sujets en ED et retablis apres traitement antidepresseur (AD) et amelioration clinique [1] , [2] . Son precurseur, le pro-BDNF, a un effet oppose, pro-apoptotique, et les variations de ses taux peripheriques ne sont pas connues. Par ailleurs, les exosomes, microvesicules circulantes, impliques dans la communication intercellulaire et l’inflammation, constituent une source de biomarqueurs encore mal connue, probablement determinante dans les pathologies neurologiques et psychiatriques [3] . La repartition serum/exosomes de ces deux molecules et leur evolution lors des traitements AD n’est pas connue. Elle peut etre importante pour la modulation de leurs effets et leur usage comme biomarqueurs. Objectifs Decrire l’evolution des taux de BDNF et pro-BDNF dans le serum et les exosomes de sujets en ED au cours du traitement AD en comparaison avec des controles, et leur association avec l’intensite depressive. Materiels et methodes Trente-six sujets en ED et quarante controles ont ete suivis a 3 et 7 semaines apres le debut de leur traitement AD (j0) pour la passation de questionnaires (echelle de depression de Hamilton), et l’obtention de serum. Les dosages de BDNF et pro-BDNF ont ete realises dans le serum et les exosomes par ELISA. Resultats Les taux de BDNF chez les sujets en ED sont significativement plus bas que chez les controles dans le serum et dans les exosomes. Ceux de pro-BDNF sont au contraire plus eleves. A 7 semaines de traitement AD, les taux de BDNF et de pro-BDNF se normalisent et ne different plus de ceux des controles : ils varient exactement en sens inverse. Aucun lien des taux avec l’amelioration clinique et l’intensite depressive n’a ete retrouve. Cette etude se poursuit pour disposer de plus de sujets et affiner les analyses en fonction de l’amelioration clinique. Conclusion Les taux de BDNF et pro-BDNF evoluent dans le sens d’une activation de la neuroplasticite et d’une inhibition de l’apoptose lors du traitement antidepresseur. Ces observations vont dans le sens de l’hypothese neurotrophique de l’ED et imposent d’etudier plus avant la signification des variations exosomales, potentiels marqueurs et cibles therapeutiques. Elles presentent une vision nouvelle concernant les biopsies liquides dans l’ED en suggerant leur interet majeur.

Azimuthal correlations of charged hadrons with direct-photon ( γ d i r ) and neutral-pion ( π 0 ) trigger particles are analyzed in central Au+Au and minimum-bias p + p collisions at s N N = 200 GeV in the STAR experiment. The charged-hadron per-trigger yields at mid-rapidity from central Au+Au collisions are compared with p + p collisions to quantify the suppression in Au+Au collisions. The suppression of the away-side associated-particle yields per γ d i r trigger is independent of the transverse momentum of the trigger particle ( p T trig ), whereas the suppression is smaller at low transverse momentum of the associated charged hadrons ( p T assoc ). Within uncertainty, similar levels of suppression are observed for γ d i r and π 0 triggers as a function of z T ( ≡ p T assoc / p T trig ). The results are compared with energy-loss-inspired theoretical model predictions. Our studies support previous conclusions that the lost energy reappears predominantly at low transverse momentum, regardless of the trigger energy.

The STAR Collaboration presents for the first time two-dimensional di-hadron correlations with identified leading hadrons in 200 GeV central Au+Au and minimum-bias d+Au collisions to explore hadronization mechanisms in the quark gluon plasma. The enhancement of the jet-like yield for leading pions in Au + Au data with respect to the d + Au reference and the absence of such an enhancement for leading non-pions (protons and kaons) are discussed within the context of a quark recombination scenario. The correlated yield at large angles, specifically in the ridge region, is found to be significantly higher for leading non-pions than pions. The consistencies of the constituent quark scaling, azimuthal harmonic model and a mini-jet modification model description of the data are tested, providing further constraints on hadronization. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Introduction et but de l’etude Ces dernieres annees, de plus en plus de recherches ont etudie les troubles du comportement alimentaire (TCA) chez les sportifs. Selon plusieurs etudes les sportifs de haut niveau (SHN) seraient plus vulnerables aux TCA. Le depistage des TCA peut se faire a l’aide du questionnaire SCOFF-Fde facon simple et rapide.L’objectif de l’etude etait i) de depister les TCA chez les SHN en Nouvelle-Aquitaine a l’aide du SCOFF-F par rapport a une population temoin, ii) de rechercher les facteurs associes a un SCOFF-F positif. Materiel et methodes Une etude prospectivea ete menee pendant 6 semaines avec un auto-questionnaire sur internet. Il a ete administre de facon anonyme aux 458 SHN de plus de 18 ans de Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Les donnees socio-demographiques, les informations sur la pratique sportive et l’Indice de Masse Corporelle (IMC) et SCOFF-F (positif si 2 reponses positives sur 5)etaient recueillies. Le risque d’addiction au sport etait evalue par l’Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI, positif si plus de 24 points sur 30). Les resultats etaient compares a ceux d’une population temoin en population generale de 964 etudiants et actifs de Haute-Vienne. L’analyse statistique comprenait les tests t de Student, du Chi2 et la regression lineaire. Resultats et analyse statistique Cent vingt-sept SHN ont participe a notre etude (taux de reponse 27,7 %).Un sport de balle etait pratique dans 48,4 %des cas. L’âge moyen des SHN etait de 25,0 ± 6,9 ans, inferieur a la population temoin (p Conclusion Contrairement aux donnees de la litterature, nous avons depiste moins de TCA a l’aide du SCOFF-F chez les SHN par rapport a des temoinsen population generale. Ceci pourraits’expliquer par la surrepresentation des sports de balles, consideres comme peu pourvoyeurs de TCA, mais aussi par une plus grande proportion d’hommes. Par ailleurs ces resultats encouragent a un depistage attentif desTCA chez les SHN, qui de pluspeuvent presenter un risque d’addiction au sport.

T 1 D , the relaxation time of dipolar order, is sensitive to slow motional processes. Thus T 1 D is a probe for membrane dynamics and organization that could be used to characterize myelin, the lipid-rich membrane of axonal fibers. A mono-component T 1 D model associated with a modified ihMT sequence was previously proposed for in vivo evaluation of T 1 D with MRI. However, experiments have suggested that myelinated tissues exhibit multiple T 1 D components probably due to a heterogeneous molecular mobility. A bi-component T 1 D model is proposed and implemented. ihMT images of ex-vivo, fixed rat spinal cord were acquired with multiple frequency alternation rate. Fits to data yielded two T 1 D s of about 500 μ s and 10 ms. The proposed model seems to further explore the complexity of myelin organization compared to the previously reported mono-component T 1 D model.

Les pseudarthroses du scaphoide dont le defaut de prise en charge conduit ineluctablement vers un collapsus arthrosique rapide du carpe sont de prise en charge complexes aux enjeux importants chez le patient jeune et actif. Bien que les greffons osseux vascularises aient donne de bons resultats face au greffon iliaque leur utilisation reste debattue. L’objectif de notre etude etait d’analyser les resultats de notre serie de greffons vascularises selon la technique de Zaidemberg et de la comparer aux donnees de la litterature. Nous avons realise une revue de tous les patients ayant beneficie dans notre centre entre 2015 et 2018 d’une cure de pseudarthrose de scaphoide par greffon osseux radial vascularise par l’artere supra retinaculaire intercompartimentale 1,2. Les patients beneficiaient d’un suivi radio-clinique regulier. La confirmation formelle de consolidation lors du dernier controle radiologique etait un scanner osseux pour tous les patients. Huit patients ont pu etre revu. L’âge moyen etait de 26 ans. Il s’agissait d’une reprise de greffon iliaque (2 cas), d’un echec d’osteosynthese (1 cas), d’une condensation du pole proximal (5 cas). La consolidation a ete obtenue pour 100 % des patients avec un delai moyen de 6 mois. Le Mayo Wrist score etait globalement satisfaisant avec un resultat moyen de 73 % (60–75 %). Deux patients presentant une SNAC 1 en preoperatoire ont developpe une arthrose evolutive dans l’annee qui a suivi la chirurgie. Nous ne realisons pas de bilan IRM systematique afin d’evaluer la necrose du pole proximal. Les pseudarthroses anciennes du pole proximal necessitent a notre sens l’apport de greffons osseux vascularises. Avec 5,9 mois en moyenne, la duree de consolidation etait globalement plus longue chez nos patients ce qui n’enleve pas a notre sens le benefice de l’obtention d’une consolidation d’une pseudarthrose difficile chez tous nos patients. La progression arthrosique chez 2 de nos patients nous incite a ne plus utiliser le greffon de Zaidemberg au-dela du stade 2A de Alnot. L’utilisation du greffon vascularise de Zaidemberg est a notre sens une alternative fiable des traitements des pseudarthroses de scaphoide. Il est particulierement indique en cas de pseudarthrose du pole proximal ou de reprise chirurgicale. La presence d’une arthropathie stylo-scaphoidienne evolutive type SNAC est, pour nous, une contre-indication stricte.

La symptomatologie psychomotrice est associee au tableau clinique de la depression [1] . Ainsi, le ralentissement psychomoteur en est un des criteres de diagnostic. Il se decline cliniquement aux niveaux moteur, psychique et du langage [2] . Pourtant, les prises en charge en psychomotricite ne sont pas developpees, meme si elles s’interessent aux comportements moteurs en lien avec la vie psychique, affective et relationnelle du sujet, affectees dans la depression. Le ralentissement psychomoteur est souvent evalue par les medecins a partir d’observations peu specifiques, sans evaluation specifique de l’engagement corporel dans l’action (le mouvement), que l’evaluation psychomotrice integre. Celle-ci repose sur l’analyse de dimensions telles que l’activite neuro-motrice, perceptivo-motrice, sensorielle, la dimension cognitive et tonico-emotionnelle du sujet ; et s’appuie sur une connaissance referentielle du developpement normal. Elle necessite des investigations specifiques, pour apprehender les aspects qualitatifs et quantitatifs des perceptions, des representations et des actions du sujet. Ces aspects ne sont pas abordes dans les evaluations cliniques des troubles depressifs caracterises (TDC), et il n’existe pas d’evaluation psychomotrice specifique et systematique en psychiatrie adulte [3] . Nous avons donc debute une etude pilote pour realiser un examen psychomoteur de personnes presentant un TDC, en evaluant le tonus musculaire, la motricite globale, les praxies, le schema corporel et l’image du corps, le profil sensoriel et les perceptions a partir des outils specifiques au psychomotricien, dans un groupe de sujets TDC et un groupe controle. Cette approche novatrice devrait reveler que plusieurs des fonctions psychomotrices evaluees sont alterees chez les personnes avec TDC. Cette caracterisation clinique des particularites psychomotrices rendra compte de l’interet du bilan psychomoteur en psychiatrie, et permettra d’utiliser les techniques de prises en charge en psychomotricite pour ameliorer les fonctions alterees des patients, au meme titre que d’autres therapeutiques d’approche corporelle.

Dihadron angular correlations in d + Au collisions at root S-NN = 200 GeV are reported as a function of the measured zero-degree calorimeter neutral energy and the forward charged hadron multiplicity in the Au-beam direction. A finite correlated yield is observed at large relative pseudorapidity (Delta eta) on the near side (i.e. relative azimuth Delta phi similar to 0). This correlated yield as a function of Delta eta appears to scale with the dominant, primarily jet-related, away-side (Delta phi similar to pi) yield. The Fourier coefficients of the Delta phi correlation, V-n = , have a strong Delta eta dependence. In addition, it is found that V-1 is approximately inversely proportional to the mid-rapidity event multiplicity, while V-2 is independent of it with similar magnitude in the forward (d-going) and backward (Au-going) directions. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

A data-driven method was applied to Au+Au collisions at root S-NN = 200 GeV made with the STAR detector at RHIC to isolate pseudorapidity distance Delta eta-dependent and Delta eta-independent correlations by using two- and four-particle azimuthal cumulant measurements. We identified a Delta eta-independent component of the correlation, which is dominated by anisotropic flow and flow fluctuations. It was also found to be independent of. within the measured range of pseudorapidity vertical bar eta vertical bar 0.7. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

We report measurements of Υ meson production in p + p, d + Au, and Au+Au collisions using the STAR detector at RHIC. We compare the Υ yield to the measured cross section in p + p collisions in order to quantify any modifications of the yield in cold nuclear matter using d + Au data and in hot nuclear matter using Au+Au data separated into three centrality classes. Our p + p measurement is based on three times the statistics of our previous result. We obtain a nuclear modification factor for Upsilon (1S + 2S + 3S) in the rapidity range |y| < 1 in d + Au collisions of RdAu = 0.79 ± 0.24(stat.) ± 0.03(syst.) ± 0.10(p + p syst.). A comparison with models including shadowing and initial state parton energy loss indicates the presence of additional cold-nuclear matter suppression. Similarly, in the top 10% most-central Au + Au collisions, we measure a nuclear modification factor of R AA = 0.49 ±0.1(stat.) ±0.02(syst.) ±0.06(p + p syst.), which is a larger suppression factor than that seen in cold nuclear matter. Our results are consistent with complete suppression of excited-state Upsilon mesons in Au + Au collisions. Themore » additional suppression in Au + Au is consistent with the level expected in model calculations that include the presence of a hot, deconfined Quark–Gluon Plasma. However, understanding the suppression seen in d + Au is still needed before any definitive statements about the nature of the suppression in Au + Au can be made.« less

Dihadron correlations are analyzed in sNN=200 GeV d+Au collisions classified by forward charged particle multiplicity and zero-degree neutral energy in the Au-beam direction. It is found that the jetlike correlated yield increases with the event multiplicity. After taking into account this dependence, the non-jet contribution on the away side is minimal, leaving little room for a back-to-back ridge in these collisions.

The purpose of this work is to test the hypothesis that kinetics of double strand breaks (DSB) repair is governed by complexity of DSB. To test the hypothesis we used our recent published mechanistic mathematical model of DSB repair for DSB induced by selected protons, deuterons, and helium ions of different energies representing radiations of different qualities. In light of recent advances in experimental and computational techniques, the most appropriate method to study cellular responses in radiation therapy, and exposures to low doses of ionizing radiations is using mechanistic approaches. To this end, we proposed a ‘bottom–up’ approach to study cellular response that starts with the DNA damage. Monte Carlo track structure method was employed to simulate initial damage induced in the genomic DNA by direct and indirect effects. Among the different types of DNA damage, DSB are known to be induced in simple and complex forms. The DSB repair model in G1 and early S phases of the cell cycle was employed to calculate the repair kinetics. The model considers the repair of simple and complex DSB, and the DSB produced in the heterochromatin. The inverse sampling method was used to calculate the repair kinetics for each individual DSB. The overall repair kinetics for 500 DSB induced by single tracks of the radiation under test were compared with experimental results. The results show that the model is capable of predicting the repair kinetics for the DSB induced by radiations of different qualities within an accepted range of uncertainty.

We report on a polarization measurement of inclusive J/psi mesons in the di-electron decay channel at mid-rapidity at 2 < p(T) < 6 GeV/c in p + p collisions at root s = 200 GeV. Data were taken with the STAR detector at RHIC. The J/psi polarization measurement should help to distinguish between different models of the J/psi production mechanism since they predict different p(T) dependences of the J/psi polarization. In this analysis, J/psi is studied in the helicity frame. The polarization parameter lambda(theta) measured at RHIC becomes smaller towards high p(T), indicating more longitudinal J/psi polarization as p(T) increases. The result is compared with predictions of presently available models. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Psychiatric co-morbidities in epilepsy are of great concern. The current study investigated the relative contribution of structural and functional connectivity (FC) between medial temporal (MT) and prefrontal regions in predicting levels of depressive symptoms in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Twenty-one patients with TLE [11 left TLE (LTLE); 10 right TLE (RTLE)] and 20 controls participated. Diffusion tensor imaging was performed to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA) of the uncinate fasciculus (UF), and mean diffusivity (MD) of the amygdala (AM) and hippocampus (HC). Functional MRI was performed to obtain FC strengths between the AM and HC and prefrontal regions of interest including anterior prefrontal (APF), orbitofrontal, and inferior frontal regions. Participants self-reported depression symptoms on the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Greater depressive symptoms were associated with stronger FC of ipsilateral HC-APF, lower FA of the bilateral UF, and higher MD of the ipsilateral HC in LTLE, and with lower FA of the contralateral UF in RTLE. Regression analyses indicated that FC of the ipsilateral HC-APF was the strongest contributor to depression in LTLE, explaining 68.7 % of the variance in depression scores. Both functional and microstructural measures of frontolimbic dysfunction were associated with depressive symptoms. These connectivity variables may be moderating which patients present with depression symptoms. In particular, FC MRI may provide a more sensitive measure of depression-related dysfunction, at least in patients with LTLE. Employing sensitive measures of frontolimbic network dysfunction in TLE may help provide new insight into mood disorders in epilepsy that could eventually guide treatment planning.

Facial expression is central to human experience. Its efficiency and valid measurement are challenges that automated facial image analysis seeks to address. Most publically available databases are limited to 2D static images or video of posed facial behavior. Because posed and un-posed (aka “spontaneous”) facial expressions differ along several dimensions including complexity and timing, well-annotated video of un-posed facial behavior is needed. Moreover, because the face is a three-dimensional deformable object, 2D video may be insufficient, and therefore 3D video archives are required. We present a newly developed 3D video database of spontaneous facial expressions in a diverse group of young adults. Well-validated emotion inductions were used to elicit expressions of emotion and paralinguistic communication. Frame-level ground-truth for facial actions was obtained using the Facial Action Coding System. Facial features were tracked in both 2D and 3D domains. To the best of our knowledge, this new database is the first of its kind for the public. The work promotes the exploration of 3D spatiotemporal features in subtle facial expression, better understanding of the relation between pose and motion dynamics in facial action units, and deeper understanding of naturally occurring facial action.

We report measurements of Upsilon meson production in p + p, d + Au, and Au + Au collisions using the STAR detector at RHIC. We compare the Upsilon yield to the measured cross section in p + p collisions in order to quantify any modifications of the yield in cold nuclear matter using d + Au data and in hot nuclear matter using Au + Au data separated into three centrality classes. Our p + p measurement is based on three times the statistics of our previous result. We obtain a nuclear modification factor for Upsilon (1S + 2S + 3S) in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar < 1 in d + Au collisions of R-dAu = 0.79 +/- 0.24(stat.) +/- 0.03(syst.) +/- 0.10(p + p syst.). A comparison with models including shadowing and initial state parton energy loss indicates the presence of additional cold-nuclear matter suppression. Similarly, in the top 10% most-central Au + Au collisions, we measure a nuclear modification factor of R-AA = 0.49 +/- 0.1(stat.) +/- 0.02(syst.) +/- 0.06(p + p syst.), which is a larger suppression factor than that seen in cold nuclear matter. Our results are consistent with complete suppression of excited-state Upsilon mesons in Au + Au collisions. The additional suppression in Au + Au is consistent with the level expected in model calculations that include the presence of a hot, deconfined Quark-Gluon Plasma. However, understanding the suppression seen in d + Au is still needed before any definitive statements about the nature of the suppression in Au + Au can be made. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Resume Les complications respiratoires de la transfusion sanguine ont plusieurs etiologies possibles. Le diagnostic de Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload (TACO) est souvent le premier evoque, celui de Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI), mieux defini depuis la conference de Toronto de 2004, l’est plus rarement. Son incidence selon les donnees epidemiologiques francaises est faible. Des reactions febriles non hemolytiques, des allergies, des infections et des embolies pulmonaires sont egalement rapportees. L’objectif de notre travail a ete de determiner l’importance epidemiologique des differentes complications de type respiratoire d’une transfusion sanguine. Ce travail a ete mene de facon retrospective sur les accidents transfusionnels survenus dans 6 centres de sante de la region Champagne-Ardenne, declares a l’hemovigilance entre 2000 et 2009 et comportant une symptomatologie respiratoire. L’analyse des dossiers a ete realisee par un college d’experts. Sur les 83 dossiers de complications respiratoires retrouves (316 864 produits sanguins administres), 26 etaient des TACO, 12 des TRALI (seulement 6 cas etaient identifies par l’enquete initiale d’hemovigilance), 18 des reactions febriles non hemolytiques, 16 des cas d’allergie, 5 des infections bacteriennes transmises par la transfusion et 2 des embolies pulmonaires. Les 6 nouveaux TRALI diagnostiques etaient prealablement etiquetes TACO pour 2 d’entre eux, allergie et infection pour 2 autres cas et le diagnostic considere comme inconnu pour les 2 derniers. Notre etude a retrouve une incidence des cas de TRALI 2 fois plus importante que celle declaree auparavant. L’interpretation des donnees par un comite multidisciplinaire modifie 20 % des diagnostics. Cette etude montre des imperfections de notre systeme de notification des accidents de la transfusion sanguine quand un observateur medical unique analyse les dossiers.

Summary Gender quotas, decentralization of irrigation management, and reliance on MGNREGA for labor provision challenge the traditional patriarchal canal management system by institutionalizing women as formal decision-makers and members of the irrigation labor force in northern India. Based on a survey of 592 women in rural Himachal Pradesh, this paper quantitatively analyses how these policies affect women’s engagement in formal political processes. Results indicate that factors from the private and individual domains influence female participation in formal political processes. Most importantly, India’s gender inclusive policies provide women with the opportunity to legitimately engage in formal political processes governing resource management.

Depression is a common comorbidity in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) that is thought to have a neurobiological basis. This study investigated the functional connectivity (FC) of medial temporal networks in depression symptomatology of TLE and the relative contribution of structural versus FC measures. Volumetric MRI and functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) were performed on nineteen patients with TLE and 20 controls. The hippocampi and amygdalae were selected as seeds, and five prefrontal and five cingulate regions of interest (ROIs) were selected as targets. Low-frequency blood-oxygen-level-dependent signals were isolated from fcMRI data, and ROIs with synchronous signal fluctuations with the seeds were identified. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II. The patients with TLE showed greater ipsilateral hippocampal atrophy (HA) and reduced FC between the ipsilateral hippocampus and the ventral posterior cingulate cortex (vPCC). Neither HA nor hippocampal-vPCC FC asymmetry was a robust contributor to depressive symptoms. Rather, hippocampal-anterior prefrontal FC was a stronger contributor to depressive symptoms in left TLE (LTLE). Conversely, right amygdala FC was correlated with depressive symptoms in both patient groups, with a positive and negative correlation in LTLE and right TLE (RTLE), respectively. Frontolimbic network dysfunction is a strong contributor to levels of depressive symptoms in TLE and a better contributor than HA in LTLE. In addition, the right amygdala may play a role in depression symptomatology regardless of the side of the epileptogenic focus. These findings may inform the treatment of depressive symptoms in TLE and inspire future research to help guide surgical planning.

Activation measurements can be used for neutron spectrum determination in irradiation facilities. It is very important that self-shielding is taken correctly into account. Activation measurements of monitor materials were performed at the CEA EOLE facility. Self-shielding factors for the monitor materials were calculated at the Commissariat a l’Energie Atomique with the TRIPOLI 4.6 code using a detailed whole-core model, and at the Jožef Stefan Institute with the MCNP code using a simplified model. The results were compared to assess the relative merits and the achievable accuracy of the calculations. In the end, the results were used to determine the neutron spectrum of the studied location in the EOLE irradiation facility.

The autonomic phenotype of congestive cardiac failure is characterised by high sympathetic drive and impaired vagal tone, which are independent predictors of mortality. We hypothesize that impaired bradycardia to peripheral vagal stimulation following high-level sympathetic drive is due to sympatho-vagal crosstalk by the adrenergic co-transmitters galanin and neuropeptide-Y (NPY). Moreover we hypothesize that galanin acts similarly to NPY by reducing vagal acetylcholine release via a receptor mediated, protein kinase-dependent pathway. Prolonged right stellate ganglion stimulation (10 Hz, 2 min, in the presence of 10 μM metoprolol) in an isolated guinea pig atrial preparation with dual autonomic innervation leads to a significant (p, Highlights ► Galanin is found in guinea pig stellate neurons and GalR1 on cardiac vagal neurons. ► Stellate galanin expression increases following 3 days of cell culture. ► High level sympathetic stimulation releases galanin which reduces vagal bradycardia. ► Galanin reduces acetylcholine release and bradycardia via a GalR1 dependent pathway. ► Galanin signals via protein kinase C rather than protein kinase A dependent pathways.

Introduction Les formes graves de gale –profuses et hyperkeratosiques– sont plus rares que la gale commune mais beaucoup plus contagieuses, posant parfois un probleme de sante publique lors d’epidemies en institutions. Les donnees de la litterature sont pauvres et viennent pour la plupart de populations specifiques. L’objectif de l’etude etait d’analyser retrospectivement les cas de gales graves en Ile-de-France. Materiel et methodes Etude multicentrique regionale retrospective realisee apres sollicitation des services de dermatologie et de maladies infectieuses et tropicales (SMIT) d’Ile-de-France sur leurs cas de gales graves diagnostiquees entre 2009 et 2014. L’identification des cas a ete faite sur le codage PMSI puis seuls les cas de gales graves ont ete inclus dans l’etude. Les criteres de selection etaient une clinique compatible, associee a une confirmation paraclinique (parasitologie, dermoscopie ou histologie). Les cas sans confirmation paraclinique etaient discutes entre les investigateurs pour inclusion. Les renseignements sur l’epidemiologie, le diagnostic, les facteurs favorisants, le traitement et l’evolution ont ete recueillis. Resultats Parmi les 38 centres sollicites, 22 ont accepte de participer a l’etude et 15 avaient hospitalise. Quatre-vingt-trois patients repondant aux criteres de selection : 72 (87 %) en dermatologie et 11 (13 %) en SMIT ; 55 (66 %) etaient de sexe masculin, d’âge median 64 ans (0,3–97), 20 (24 %) vivaient en institution et 5 (6 %) etaient SDF ; 53 (63 %) avaient une gale hyperkeratosique et 30 (37 %) une gale profuse. Une confirmation paraclinique a ete realisee dans 84 % des cas. Le delai entre le debut des symptomes et le diagnostic etait de 3 mois (1–6). Une erreur initiale de diagnostic etait documentee dans 42 % des cas (eczema le plus souvent). La plupart des patients avaient des comorbidites. Le benzoate de benzyle/sulfiram etait le topique le plus prescrit, le plus souvent associe a l’ivermectine (2 prises, separees de 7 jours). La duree d’hospitalisation etait de 15,3 ± 9,6 jours. Les complications etaient surtout septiques et 2 patients (2,4 %) sont decedes. Discussion Ces gales graves ont ete plus souvent observees chez des patients âges, vivant en collectivites, defavorises, immunodeprimes (acquis ou induits par des traitements, y compris dermocorticoides) ou ayant des comorbidites. Il n’y avait pas de standardisation du diagnostic, ni du traitement. La morbi-mortalite etait superieure a la gale commune. La principale limite de l’etude etait sur les modalites de recueil des cas, excluant les patients non hospitalises. Conclusion Il n’existe pas de consensus pour le diagnostic ou la prise en charge des gales graves. La mise en place de recommandations specifiques, de revues systematiques (Cochrane) ou d’essais randomises (« GALE CRUSTED », PHRC 2015) est indispensable.

Observations Anaphylactoid reactions were suspected in three dogs following the intravenous administration of the contrast agent gadobenate dimeglumine 0.05 mmol kg−1 (Multihance®). Case 1: A 14 kg 6–year–old atopic female dog was anaesthetized for brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All monitored parameters remained stable during the procedure. Fifteen minutes following MR completion; facial, peri–orbital and sublingual oedema were noted. Resolution of the oedema was rapid and uneventful following treatment of clinical signs over 2 hours. Case 2: A 16 kg 10–month–old male dog was anaesthetized for brain and neck MRI. Ten minutes after MR contrast intravenous (IV) injection; heart rate (HR) increased (85–120 beats minute−1), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) decreased (from 70 to 43 mmHg) and P e ′CO2 decreased (from 4.66 to 3.19 kPa). Labial, periorbital and lingual oedema were noted. Clinical signs responded to fluid bolus administration. The dog vomited in recovery but oedema resolved within one hour. Case 3: A 34 kg 2–year–old atopic male dog was anaesthetized for head MRI. Within 5 minutes of MR contrast IV injection; the dog suffered severe cardiovascular collapse. MRI procedure was aborted and administration of anaesthetics discontinued. Aggressive IV fluid resuscitation and IV epinephrine administration were necessary to re–establish cardiovascular stability. Some periorbital and labial oedema were noted. The dog vomited once and had soft faeces but made a complete recovery. Conclusions The administration of contrast medium may result in mild to severe anaphylactoid reactions.

To evaluate the sedative effects of intravenous (IV) medetomidine (1 microg kg(-1)) and butorphanol (0.1 mg kg(-1)) alone and in combination in dogs.Prospective, blinded, randomized clinical trial.Sixty healthy (American Society of Anesthesiologists I) dogs, aged 6.2 +/- 3.2 years and body mass 26 +/- 12.5 kg.Dogs were assigned to four groups: Group S (sodium chloride 0.9% IV), Group B (butorphanol IV), Group M (medetomidine IV) and Group MB (medetomidine and butorphanol IV). The same clinician assessed sedation before and 12 minutes after administration using a numerical scoring system in which 19 represented maximum sedation. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, pulse quality, capillary refill time and rectal temperature were recorded after each sedation score assessment. Sedation scores, sedation score difference (score after minus score before administration) and patient variables were compared using one-way anova for normally distributed variables and Kruskal-Wallis test for variables with skewed distributions and/or unequal variances. Where significance was found, further evaluation used Bonferroni multiple comparisons for pair-wise testing.Breed, sex, neuter status, age and body mass did not differ between groups. Sedation scores before substance administration were similar between groups (p = 0.2). Sedation scores after sedation were significantly higher in Group MB (mean 9.5 +/- SD 5.5) than in group S (2.5 +/- 1.8) (p0.001), group M (3.1 +/- 2.5) (p0.001) and group B (3.7 +/- 2.0) (p = 0.003). Sedation score difference was significantly higher in Group MB [7 (0-13)] than in Group S [0 (-1 to 4)] (p0.001) and Group M [0 (0-6)] (p0.001). HR decreased significantly in Groups M and MB compared with Group S (p0.05).Low-dose medetomidine 1 microg kg(-1) IV combined with butorphanol 0.1 mg kg(-1) IV produced more sedation than medetomidine or butorphanol alone. HR was significantly decreased in both medetomidine groups.

SummaryPoor penetration of drugs into tumors is a major obstacle in tumor treatment. We describe a strategy for peptide-mediated delivery of compounds deep into the tumor parenchyma that uses a tumor-homing peptide, iRGD (CRGDK/RGPD/EC). Intravenously injected compounds coupled to iRGD bound to tumor vessels and spread into the extravascular tumor parenchyma, whereas conventional RGD peptides only delivered the cargo to the blood vessels. iRGD homes to tumors through a three-step process: the RGD motif mediates binding to αv integrins on tumor endothelium and a proteolytic cleavage then exposes a binding motif for neuropilin-1, which mediates penetration into tissue and cells. Conjugation to iRGD significantly improved the sensitivity of tumor-imaging agents and enhanced the activity of an antitumor drug.

Resume Objectif Le but de l’etude a ete de comparer la bandelette de polyester enduite de silicone utilisee dans le LIFT ® (Cousin) par rapport a la bandelette de polypropylene utilisee dans le Tension-free Vaginal Tape (TVT ® , Gynecare), en termes de resultats et de complications a court et moyen terme. Materiels et methodes Il s’agit d’une etude retrospective portant sur 140 patientes entre 2000 et 2002 (71 LIFT ® et 69 TVT ® ) operees pour incontinence urinaire d’effort parfois associee a une chirurgie vaginale (prolapsus ou hysterectomie). Les complications per- et postoperatoires ont ete recherchees. Les patientes ont ete contactees afin d’evaluer les resultats a distance de l’intervention. Resultats L’âge moyen des patientes etait de 58,8 ± 11,3 ans dans le groupe LIFT ® et 57,2 ± 7,5 ans dans le groupe TVT ® . Plus de complications peroperatoires globales sont survenues dans le groupe TVT ® (six plaies vesicales et trois hemorragies ayant necessite un simple mechage versus deux dans le groupe LIFT ® , p ® et de 32,2 ± 11,3 mois pour le TVT ® . Parmi les patientes, 80 % etaient gueries dans le LIFT ® et 75,8 % dans le groupe TVT ® . Il n’existait pas de difference significative concernant le taux d’urgences mictionnelles de novo (18,3 versus 17,7 %) et de dysurie (10 versus 16 %). En revanche, quatre patientes (6,7 %) du groupe LIFT ® ont presente des troubles de cicatrisation avec parfois exposition de prothese ayant conduit dans tous les cas a une exerese partielle de bandelette. Nous n’avons releve aucun cas d’infection dans le groupe TVT ® . Conclusion Le LIFT ® semble tout aussi efficace que le TVT ® et possede un taux d’urgences mictionnelles de novo et de dysurie comparable au TVT ® et aux donnees de la litterature. Cependant, le taux de 6,7 % de troubles de la cicatrisation et de rejet de bandelette nous incite a ne plus utiliser ce type de bandelette polyester au regard de la faible incidence de ce type de complication avec le polypropylene.

VNTRs are able to discriminate among closely related isolates of recently emerged clonal pathogens, including Yersinia pestis the etiologic agent of plague, because of their great diversity. Diversity is driven largely by mutation but little is known about VNTR mutation rates, factors affecting mutation rates, or the mutational mechanisms. The molecular epidemiological utility of VNTRs will be greatly enhanced when this foundational knowledge is available. Here, we measure mutation rates for 43 VNTR loci in Y. pestis using an in vitro generated population encompassing approximately 96,000 generations. We estimate the combined 43-locus rate and individual rates for 14 loci. A comparison of Y. pestis and Escherichia coli O157:H7 VNTR mutation rates and products revealed a similar relationship between diversity and mutation rate in these two species. Likewise, the relationship between repeat copy number and mutation rate is nearly identical between these species, suggesting a generalized relationship that may be applicable to other species. The single- versus multiple-repeat mutation ratios and the insertion versus deletion mutation ratios were also similar, providing support for a general model for the mutations associated with VNTRs. Finally, we use two small sets of Y. pestis isolates to show how this general model and our estimated mutation rates can be used to compare alternate phylogenies, and to evaluate the significance of genotype matches, near-matches, and mismatches found in empirical comparisons with a reference database.

Since a few years ago, the tendency has been towards increasing the number of in-vehicle Driver Assistance Systems (DAS). These systems can be more or less useful for the driving but before being integrated in a wide range of vehicles, the compatibility with the driving task must be discussed. A previous study, using on-line subjective workload assessment has shown the limits of such an approach. This paper describes a second experiment whose goal is the design of a workload indicator based on objective and subjective measures by the study of the driving performance when the driver becomes overloaded.

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence by implantation of a silicone-coated polyester tape (Lift ® ). Materials and methods This retrospective study included 72 female patients having had a suburethral silicone-coated polyester tape inserted as treatment for stress urinary incontinence, combined or not with pelvic surgery. We recorded the patient's characteristics, the surgical procedure, the short and long-term results and complications. Results Seventy-two patients were operated, 60 of whom were fully evaluated. The average follow-up was 17 months. On 48 patients (80%) the treatment was successful, 3 (5%) were improved, and 9 (15%) were regarded as a failure. Dysuria occurred in six (10%) patients, five were de novo, and one was persistent. Ten patients (16.6%) presented de novo urge incontinence. The main complication was a higher rate of severe infections, accompanied by defective healing (4, i.e. 6.7%). Conclusion The procedure using a silicone-coated polyester tape seems to be efficient, but insufficiently secure. This higher rejection rate leads us to prefer other synthetic materials proved to be better tolerated.

Resume Introduction Il est souvent difficile d’identifier l’infiltration tumorale dans les neuropathies survenant au cours des lymphomes malins non Hodgkiniens. Methodes Nous avons recense d’octobre 1977 a octobre 2001 tous les cas de neuropathies avec infiltration ou compression lymphomateuse demontree pour etablir des correlations anatomo-cliniques. Resultats Dix cas ont ete identifies dont 7 ou les symptomes neurologiques etaient revelateurs : 5 neuropathies focales (3 paralysies des nerfs crâniens, 2 radiculopathies brachiales) et 5 neuropathies diffuses (3 polyradiculoneuropathies, 1 polyneuropathie, 1 mononeuropathie multiple). Le mecanisme lesionnel etait une meningoradiculite lymphomateuse dans 5 cas, une atteinte des nerfs crâniens ou des racines dans leur trajet extranevraxial dans 3 cas et une infiltration du nerf peripherique distal dans 2 cas. Quatre survies prolongees apres traitement ont ete observees. Conclusions Le pronostic depend davantage du controle de l’hemopathie que de son grade ou de la localisation tumorale.

Resume Objectifs Evaluer l’utilisation des examens microbiologiques, en particulier des serologies, dans le diagnostic etiologique des infections pulmonaires au sein d’un service de maladies infectieuses. Methodes Une enquete retrospective evaluant les pratiques de prescription d’examens microbiologiques dans les infections pulmonaires a ete realisee du 1/05/2000 au 31/10/2001. Tous les patients hospitalises durant cette periode dans le service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales de l’hopital Saint-Antoine (Paris) pour la prise en charge d’une infection pulmonaire ont ete inclus. La pertinence d’utilisation des examens suivants comme moyen diagnostique a ete evaluee : examen cytobacteriologique des crachats, prelevements realises sous fibroscopie, hemocultures, serologies et recherche d’antigenes urinaires. Les facteurs ayant influence la prescription de ces examens ont ete recherches. Resultats L’enquete a concerne 179 patients : 7 ayant une bronchite aigue, 25 une exacerbation de bronchite chronique et 147 une pneumonie communautaire. Un diagnostic microbiologique a pu etre obtenu pour 34 patients (17,4 %), essentiellement par prelevements respiratoires. Les serologies ont ete prescrites dans 61 cas avec une deuxieme serologie pour 23 % d’entre eux (14/61). Le principal facteur predictif de prescription d’une serologie bacterienne est l’existence d’une opacite interstitielle a la radiographie pulmonaire. De meme, la prescription de la recherche de l’antigene urinaire de legionelle est associee a la presence de cette image radiologique et d’une hyponatremie. Elle n’a cependant ete realisee que dans 37 % des pneumonies avec signes cliniques de gravite (25/67) et a ete suivie de la prescription d’une bi-antibiotherapie dans 70 % des cas (40/57). Conclusion L’evaluation des methodes de diagnostic microbiologique des infections pulmonaires montre un mauvais usage des serologies et une trop faible prescription de l’antigenurie legionelle recommandee en cas de signes cliniques de gravite.

Resume Depuis le debut de l'epidemie de sida, des progres remarquables ont ete accomplis dans le traitement de l'infection retrovirale elle-meme, mais aussi dans la prophylaxie et le traitement des infections opportunistes associees au sida. La duree et la qualite de vie des patients infectes par le VIH se sont constamment ameliorees, d'abord grâce aux progres realises dans la prophylaxie, le diagnostic et le traitement de ces maladies. Puis a partir de 1996, l'utilisation des multitherapies antiretrovirales contenant des antiproteases a permis d'en reduire considerablement l'incidence grâce a la restauration des defenses immunitaires sous traitement. Le maintien dans le temps de la reponse virologique et immunitaire, ainsi que la diversite des molecules antiretrovirales permettant d'anticiper les phenomenes de resistance du VIH au traitement, ont ainsi entraine une redefinition des regles d'introduction, de maintien et d'arret des prophylaxies des maladies opportunistes. Bien maitriser l'utilisation de ces prophylaxies permet de reduire les risques d'interaction et de toxicite medicamenteuses, de diminuer les couts de prise en charge et au final, de faciliter l'observance et la qualite de vie des patients.

Resume Depuis le debut de l'epidemie de sida, des progres remarquables ont ete accomplis dans le traitement de l'infection retrovirale elle-meme, mais aussi dans la prophylaxie et le traitement des infections opportunistes associees au sida. La duree et la qualite de vie des patients infectes par le VIH se sont constamment ameliorees, d'abord grâce aux progres realises dans la prophylaxie, le diagnostic et le traitement de ces maladies. Puis a partir de 1996, l'utilisation des multitherapies antiretrovirales contenant des antiproteases a permis d'en reduire considerablement l'incidence grâce a la restauration des defenses immunitaires sous traitement. Le maintien dans le temps de la reponse virologique et immunitaire, ainsi que la diversite des molecules antiretrovirales permettant d'anticiper les phenomenes de resistance du VIH au traitement, ont ainsi entraine une redefinition des regles d'introduction, de maintien et d'arret des prophylaxies des maladies opportunistes. Bien maitriser l'utilisation de ces prophylaxies permet de reduire les risques d'interaction et de toxicite medicamenteuses, de diminuer les couts de prise en charge et au final, de faciliter l'observance et la qualite de vie des patients.

Postganglionic parasympathetic neurons in guinea-pig cardiac ganglia exhibit choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunoreactivity, and a large fraction (60%) of the ChAT-positive cardiac neurons co-express somatostatin-immunoreactivity. This co-expression remained when the cardiac ganglia explants were maintained in culture for 72 h (40% somatostatin-immunoreactive). The guinea-pig cardiac ganglia neurons express the high affinity pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP)-selective PAC1 receptor, and treatment of the ganglia explants with 20 nM PACAP27 for 72 h to evaluate PACAP regulation of somatostatin expression revealed a dramatic 85% decrease in the number of somatostatin-IR neurons (6% somatostatin-IR neurons) compared with untreated control explant preparations. The decrease in percentage of somatostatin-IR neurons by PACAP27 was time- and concentration-dependent, and selective for PACAP27; PACAP38 and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide were less effective. PACAP6-38, a PACAP antagonist, eliminated the PACAP27-induced change in somatostatin positive neurons. The PACAP-mediated decrease in somatostatin-IR neurons was eliminated in calcium-deficient solutions and by the addition of nifedipine, indicating a requirement for calcium influx through L-type calcium channels. The addition of either the calmodulin inhibitor N-(4-aminobutyl)-1-naphthalenesulfonamide or the MEK inhibitor PD98059, also eliminated the PACAP27-induced decrease in somatostatin-IR cells. The PACAP27-mediated effect on somatostatin expression was not affected by inhibitors of protein kinase A or phospholipase C, but was reduced by the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22356, suggesting cAMP involvement. Semiquantitative and quantitative reverse transcription PCR prosomatostatin transcript measurements showed that cardiac ganglia prosomatostatin mRNA levels were not diminished by chronic PACAP27 exposure despite the dramatic decrement in somatostatin-expressing neurons. Neuronal peptide-IR content represents a balance between production and secretion. These results suggested that one of the primary effects of PACAP exposure may be enhanced levels of neuropeptide release that exceeded production levels, resulting in somatostatin depletion and a decrement in the number of identifiable somatostatin-expressing cardiac neurons.

Well-type HPGe detectors are well suited for the analysis of small amounts of environmental samples, as they can combine both low background and high detection efficiency. A low-background well-type detector is installed in the Modane underground Laboratory. In the well geometry, coincidence-summing effects are high and make construction of the full energy peak efficiency curve difficult with the usual calibration standard, especially in the high energy range. Using the GEANT code, taking into account a detailed description of the detector and the source, efficiency curves have been modelled for several filling heights of the vial. With a special routine, taking into account the decay schemes of the radionuclides, corrections have been computed for coincidence-summing effects that occur when measuring samples containing 238 U, 232 Th or 134 Cs. The results are found to be in good agreement with experimental data. It is shown that triple coincidences effect on counting losses accounts for 7–15% of pair coincidences effect in the case of the 604 and 796 keV lines of 134 Cs.

DNA ligase IV functions in DNA nonhomologous end-joining and V(D)J recombination. Four patients with features including immunodeficiency and developmental and growth delay were found to have mutations in the gene encoding DNA ligase IV (LIG4). Their clinical phenotype closely resembles the DNA damage response disorder, Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS). Some of the mutations identified in the patients directly disrupt the ligase domain while others impair the interaction between DNA ligase IV and Xrcc-4. Cell lines from the patients show pronounced radiosensitivity. Unlike NBS cell lines, they show normal cell cycle checkpoint responses but impaired DNA double-strand break rejoining. An unexpected V(D)J recombination phenotype is observed involving a small decrease in rejoining frequency coupled with elevated imprecision at signal junctions.