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We report a consanguineous family with a homozygous and heterozygous membrane metallo-endopeptidase (MME) mutation (c.467delC) and two clinical conditions: fetomaternal alloimmune membranous glomerulopathy (FMG) and hereditary motor and sensory axonal neuropathy. The penetrance of both phenotypes was variable. Some individuals experienced unusually fast neurological degradation. Pain and vasomotor signs were frequent complaints, possibly due to a loss of the neutral endopeptidase (NEP, the MME gene product) function and its subsequent inability to degrade substance P and vasomotor peptides. Electrophysiological and nerve biopsy findings were consistent with predominantly axonal neuropathy. This specific clinical phenotype was attributed to a c.467delC MME gene mutation. Diagnosis of such a mutation is important but can be challenging, due to allele dropout. Heterozygous subjects who had already reached the expected age of disease onset had peripheral neuropathy, but also suffered from additional diseases. Neurologists should advise women of childbearing age with MME mutations to seek pre-pregnancy genetic advice and nephrologists should search for neuropathy in patients with FMG.

The pre-equilibrium reaction mechanism is considered in the context of the exciton model. A modification to the one-particle one-hole state density is studied which can be interpreted as a collective enhancement. The magnitude of the collective enhancement is set by simulating the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) pulsed-spheres neutron-leakage spectra. The impact of the collective enhancement is explored in the context of the highly deformed actinide, 239-Pu. A consequence of this enhancement is the removal of fictitious levels in the Distorted-Wave Born Approximation often used in modern nuclear reaction codes., Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures. Comments welcome!

We review recent progress and motivate the need for further developments in nuclear optical potentials that are widely used in the theoretical analysis of nucleon elastic scattering and reaction cross sections. In regions of the nuclear chart away from stability, which represent a frontier in nuclear science over the coming decade and which will be probed at new rare-isotope beam facilities worldwide, there is a targeted need to quantify and reduce theoretical reaction model uncertainties, especially with respect to nuclear optical potentials. We first describe the primary physics motivations for an improved description of nuclear reactions involving short-lived isotopes, focusing on its benefits for fundamental science discoveries and applications to medicine, energy, and security. We then outline the various methods in use today to build optical potentials starting from phenomenological, microscopic, and ab initio methods, highlighting in particular the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. We then discuss publicly-available tools and resources facilitating the propagation of recent progresses in the field to practitioners. Finally, we provide a set of open challenges and recommendations for the field to advance the fundamental science goals of nuclear reaction studies in the rare-isotope beam era., Comment: This paper is the outcome of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams Theory Alliance (FRIB - TA) topical program "Optical Potentials in Nuclear Physics" held in March 2022 at FRIB. Its content is non-exhaustive, was chosen by the participants and reflects their efforts related to optical potentials

Neutron-induced reaction cross sections of unstable nuclei are essential for understanding the synthesis of heavy elements in stars and for applications in nuclear technology. However, their measurement is very complicated due to the radioactivity of the targets involved. We propose to circumvent this problem by using the surrogate reaction method in inverse kinematics, where the nucleus formed in the neutron- induced reaction of interest is produced by a reaction involving a radioactive heavy-ion beam and a stable, light target nucleus. The probabilities as a function of the compound-nucleus excitation energy for γ-ray emission, neutron emission and fission, which can be measured with the surrogate reaction, are particularly useful to constrain model parameters and to obtain more accurate predictions of the neutron-induced reaction cross sections of interest. Yet, the full development of the surrogate method is hampered by numerous long- standing target issues, which can be solved by combining surrogate reactions with the unique and largely unexplored possibilities at heavy-ion storage rings. In this contribution, we describe the developments we are carrying out to measure for the first time simultaneously γ-ray emission, neutron emission and fission probabilities at the storage rings of the GSI/FAIR facility. In particular, we will present the first results of the proof of principle experiment, which we performed in June 2022 at the Experimental Storage Ring (ESR) of GSI/FAIR.

A better knowledge of $(n,xn)$ reaction cross sections is important for both reaction modeling and energy applications. This article focuses on inelastic scattering of neutrons off $^{238}\mathrm{U}$ for which improvements are needed to better constrain evaluations and solve inconsistencies in nuclear power reactor calculations. A new precise measurement of $(n,xn\ensuremath{\gamma})$ reaction cross sections on $^{238}\mathrm{U}$ has been performed at the GELINA (Geel Electron LINear Accelerator) neutron facility operated by EC-JRC-Geel (Belgium) with the GRAPhEME (GeRmanium array for Actinides PrEcise MEasurements) setup. The prompt $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectroscopy method coupled to time-of-flight measurements is used to extract $(n,xn\ensuremath{\gamma})$ cross section values which can be further combined to infer the total neutron inelastic scattering cross section. Cross section data for 18 $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ transitions (five never measured before) are presented and compared to the data in the literature. Emphasis is especially given to the uncertainty determination to produce partial cross section data as accurate as possible. Due to intrinsic limitations of the experimental method, the use of additional nuclear structure information coupled with theoretical modeling is required to determine the total $(n,{n}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ cross section over the whole neutron energy range. We have investigated modeling aspects of the $^{238}\mathrm{U}(n,{n}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\gamma})$ cross sections related to the description of compound nucleus and preequilibirum mechanisms as well as the discrete part of nuclear structure. Through comparison between experimental and calculated $(n,{n}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\gamma})$ cross sections, we pinpoint inaccuracies in the description of specific reaction mechanisms and challenge recently implemented models. This helps improving the whole modeling of the $(n,{n}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ reaction.

International audience; Jacques Raynal provided two powerful tools to the nuclear reaction community interested in scattering processes, namely the ECISxx and DWBAxx computer codes (xx standing for the version year), which are renowned for both their numerical efficiency and the numerous applications they cover. The purpose of this work is twofold. First, it extends the possibilities of calculation of microscopic optical and transition potentials compared to what is proposed in the DWBA code. Then, following previous work by Arellano [Phys Rev C 76:014616, 2007], we develop a method to deal with coupled-channel calculations with non-local ingredients. Both codes DWBA and ECIS, and numerous past discussions with their author, offered guidance to elaborate and to validate new results focusing on neutron scattering off spin-0 target. Special attention has been paid to match the numerical precision of J. Raynal’s tools. This was made possible by using a specific quadrature method for numerical integrations of functions with discontinuous derivatives.

International audience; The study of nucleon-nucleus elastic scattering for spherical targets amounts to solving Schrödinger equation with a given optical potential. This potential can be obtained microscopically by taking as a starting point the interaction between two nucleons. It can also be obtained in a phenomenological way by postulating the geometry of potential and fitting parameters to reproduce experimental data. Microscopic approaches show in general terms that optical potentials are nonlocal, energy-dependent, complex and dispersive. The nonlocality of the potential leads to an integro-differential equation for the wavefunction. We present here a new version of SIDES (Schrödinger Integro-Differential Equation Solver), a code developed with the participation of Jacques Raynal, extended for nonlocal potentials with first-derivative terms.

NASA is currently evaluating architectures to support human missions to Mars. A multitude of concepts are being traded and associated sensitivities are being analyzed. Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) propellant supply is a key consideration. Mass constraints for the Mars descent system and in-space transportation present significant architectural challenges that may preclude landing a fully fueled MAV for crew use. In such a case, to ensure the ability of the crewed mission to meet its objectives, propellant should be supplied to the MAV prior to the arrival of the crewed mission from Earth. A concept to robotically transfer liquid oxygen from a separate storage tanker across the surface to the MAV is proposed. This concept makes use of an unpressurized rover and is optimized to maximize the amount of propellant conveyed per trip.

We present the discovery of a low-redshift damped Ly$\alpha$ (DLA) system in the spectrum of background starburst galaxy SDSS J111323.88+293039.3 ($z=0.17514$). The DLA is at an impact parameter of $\rm \rho=36~kpc$ from the star forming galaxy, SDSS J111324.08+293051.2 ($z=0.17077$). We measure an HI column density of $N($HI$)\rm =3.47\times10^{20}~cm^{-2}$ along with multiple low-ionization species such as NI, NII, SiII, CII, and SiIII. We also make an estimate of the covering fraction to be 0.883, giving us a limiting size of the DLA to be $A_{DLA}\rm \geq3.3~kpc^2$. Assuming a uniform column density over the entire DLA system, we estimate its mass to be $M_{DLA}\geq5.3\times 10^6~M_\odot$. The extended illuminator and the low redshift of this DLA give us the unique opportunity to characterize its nature and the connection to its host galaxy. We measure a velocity offset of +131 km s$^{-1}$ from the systemic velocity of the host for the DLA. This velocity is $-84$ km s$^{-1}$ from the projected rotation velocity of the host galaxy as measured using a newly constructed rotation curve. Based on the size of the host galaxy, the HI column density, and the gas kinematics, we believe this DLA is tracing the warm neutral gas in the HI disk of the foreground galaxy. Our detection adds to a small set of low-redshift DLAs that have confirmed host galaxies, and is the first to be found using an extended background source., Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

Reliable neutron-induced reaction cross sections of unstable nuclei are essential for nuclear astrophysics and applications but their direct measurement is often impossible. The surrogate-reaction method is one of the most promising alternatives to access these cross sections. In this work, we successfully applied the surrogate-reaction method to infer for the first time both the neutron-induced fission and radiative-capture cross sections of 239Pu in a consistent manner from a single measurement. This was achieved by combining simultaneously-measured fission and gamma-emission probabilities for the 240Pu(4He,4He') surrogate reaction with a calculation of the angular-momentum and parity distributions populated in this reaction. While other experiments measure the probabilities for some selected gamma-ray transitions, we measure the gamma-emission probability. This enlarges the applicability of the surrogate-reaction method., Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures

Double differential neutron spectra (energy, angle) originating from a thick nat Cu target bombarded by a 12 MeV/nucleon 36 S 16 + beam were measured by the activation method and the Time-of-flight technique at the Grand Accelerateur National d’Ions Lourds (GANIL). A neutron spectrum unfolding algorithm combining the SAND-II iterative method and Monte-Carlo techniques was developed for the analysis of the activation results that cover a wide range of neutron energies. It was implemented into a graphical user interface program, called GanUnfold. The experimental neutron spectra are compared to Monte-Carlo simulations performed using the PHITS and FLUKA codes.

Whole Building life cycle assessment (LCA) calculations are increasingly done using building information modeling (BIM) data exports, but some challenges need to be overcome. BIM models lack data for a whole building LCA analysis. To counter this lack of detailed information, manual inputs are often required when using a static BIM model and cannot easily consider recalculations over the duration of the project. This paper presents a method to automatically perform LCA calculations early, at the first level of a BIM model's development (i.e. the LOD100 level), and to allow for easier updates of the calculation throughout the evolution of the BIM model. To achieve this goal, a novel data layer and format is proposed. This data layer fills the information gap between extracted BIM data and existing LCA data provided by common LCA databases such as ecoinvent.

Introduction anaemia around cardiac surgery (CS) is an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes but transfusion is also associated with morbidity and mortality. However, evidences are still scarce to recommend a transfusion trigger, as in many studies, haemoglobin values in both restrictive and liberal groups were often higher than the planned thresholds. Objective to assess which nadir haemoglobin threshold is linked to morbidity and mortality within the 4 first days after cardiac surgery. Methods retrospective observational study from data collected between May 2013 and January 2018 in the cardiac surgery ICU (CS ICU) of Grenoble Alps University Hospital. 3 groups were compared based on the lowest haemoglobin measurements within the 4 first days after surgery: group 1 under 80g/L, group 2 between 80 and 95 g/L, group 3 no values under 95g/L. Main outcome measured: a composite index including 30-day all-cause mortality, and morbidity: myocardial infarction, low cardiac output syndrome, and renal failure. Results Files from 2220 patients how underwent CS were analysed, 263 in group 1, 575 in group 2 and 1382 in group 3. The demographic analysis showed that patients in group 1 had the worst preoperative renal function and, higher Euroscore 2 (3.9 (sd 3.8) vs group 2, 2.7 (sd 2.9) vs group 3, 1.9 (sd 1.8) p Discussion This large retrospective observational study comparing the impact of different haemoglobin nadir within 4 days after cardiac surgery on morbidity and mortality showed a worsening in outcomes for haemoglobin values under 80g/L.

The impact of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) on the management of chronic cough (CC) is still inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to assess whether FENO is a good tool to predict the response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in patients with CC.Patients, referred for investigation of CC, had a FENO measurement determined as part of their first-line assessment. A methacholine test was performed as part of a second-line assessement. Patients were assigned to two groups according to their FENO values: a high FENO level group (Ⱕ25 ppb) and a normal FENO level group (25 ppb).One hundred patients were included in the study. High FENO levels were found in 25 patients (25%). The proportion of patients who responded to ICS was significantly greater in the high FENO group compared to the normal FENO level group (86.4% vs 46.3%, P0.05). FENO is a good tool to predict ICS response in patients with high FENO levels but a response to ICS cannot be ruled out in patients with normal FENO levels. In patients with normal FENO values, a methacholine test could be an interesting tool for a second-line assessment. Among the 13 patients with a positive methacholine test result, 11 responded to ICS whilst 2 did not. Of the patients with a negative methacholine test result, 3 responded to ICS whilst 13 did not.FENO may be a more reliable predictor of ICS response when used as part of a multi-step assessment procedure.

Drainage of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) may be managed by different techniques and with different types of drain. It is mainly performed in the pneumology department or in the emergency department. The aim of the study was to evaluate the factors that influence the success of PSP drainage. This retrospective, monocentric study performed in University Hospital of Toulouse, included patients with a first episode of PSP requiring drainage. The primary outcome was the rate of success according to the techniques of drainage. Data on the size of the drain (14F or14F), the drainage technique (small bore catheter or chest tube drainage) and the drainage department (pneumology or emergency) were collected. One hundred and twenty-four patients had a drainage between 2014 and 2016: the late recurrence free success rate was 59% (n=73). Compared with emergency, drainage in pneumology increased the success rate threefold regardless of the drainage technique (P=0.0001) The success rate was similar whatever the technique used (Seldinger or classic technique) (P=0.31). Success and complications rates were similar whether the drain was large (14F) or small (14F) (respectively P=0.99 and P=0.58). In our study, the drainage of PSP in the pneumology department, with a small caliber inserted by the Seldinger technique, was associated with a significantly higher success rate.

Intrathoracic textiloma is a rare complication possibly leading to misdiagnosis. It could present as haemoptysis, lung abscess, pseudo-tumour or a chronic cough.A 65-year-old patient with a history of multiple cardiac problems and needing long-term anticoagulation, complained since 2007 of recurrent haemoptysis of increasing abundance, the etiological investigation of which was negative. A thoracic CT-scan revealed a lesion in the lingula in contact with the pericardial plates of an implanted automatic defibrillator dating from 1989. In 2016, after two failures of arterial embolization, a diagnostic and therapeutic surgical exploration was undertaken on this patient who was a high operative risk. A segmental resection revealed an intra-pulmonary textiloma on pathological examination.The diagnosis of intrathoracic textiloma remains rare and its late presentation is non specific. Radiological imaging with a CT-scan and/or MRI could lead to the diagnosis. Surgery remains the reference treatment for the diagnosis and cure of intrathoracic textiloma with pathological examination, essential for confirmation. A means of prevention has to be developed because swab count is not totally reliable.

International audience; Double differential (angular and energy) neutron distributions were measured using an activation foil technique. Reactions were induced by impinging two low-energy heavy-ion beams accelerated with the GANIL CSS1 cyclotron: (36S (12 MeV/u) and 208Pb (6.25 MeV/u)) onto thick natCu targets. Results have been compared to Monte-Carlo calculations from two codes (PHITS and FLUKA) for the purpose of benchmarking radiation protection and shielding requirements. This comparison suggests a disagreement between calculations and experiment, particularly for high-energy neutrons.

International audience; The purpose of this study is to improve the modeling of nucleon direct inelastic scattering to the continuum using a microscopic and parameter-free approach. For the first time, direct elastic scattering, inelastic scattering to discrete excitations and to the continuum are described within a microscopic approach without adjustable parameters. Proton scattering off$^{90}$Zr and$^{208}$Pb are the reactions used as test case examples of the calculations. The model uses the Melbourne g-matrix and the Random Phase Approximation description of nuclear states, implemented with the Gogny D1S interaction. The relevant optical and transition potentials in a finite nucleus are calculated within a local density approximation. As we use the nuclear matter approach we limit our study to incident energies above 40 MeV. We first checked that this model provides an accurate account of measured cross sections for elastic scattering and inelastic scattering to discrete states. It is then applied to the direct inelastic scattering to the continuum considering all one-phonon excitations predicted within the RPA approach. This accounts for a part of the direct pre-equilibrium emission, often labeled as the one-step direct process in quantum-based approaches. Our approach provides a very accurate description of angular distributions where the one-step process dominates. The impact of collective excitations is shown to be non negligible for energy transfer to the target up to 20 MeV, decreasing as the incident energy increases. For incident energies above 80 MeV, our modeling provides a good account of direct proton emission for an energy transfer to the target up to 30 MeV. However, the proton emission we predict underestimates the measured cross sections for incident energies below 80 MeV. We compare our prediction to those of the phenomenological exciton model to help interpret this result. Directions that may improve our modeling are discussed.

Postdonation information is the knowledge of information about the donor or his donation, occurring after it, which challenges quality or safety of the blood products stemming from this or other donations. Classical hemovigilance sub-processes concerning donors or recipients adverse events do not cover this topic. France is just about to make it official as a fourth sub-process. Less formal management of postdonation information is already set up for more than ten years. French data of the year 2013 are presented, including the regional notification level and the national reporting one. A significant level of heterogeneity is observed as for other hemovigilance sub-processes. It is mainly due to subjective rather than objective differences in risk appreciation. A real consensual work is expected about it in the future.

Background/Introduction Anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) is recommended after bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement, because of the anticipated risk of postoperative thromboembolism. The optimal management of antithrombotic therapy at long-term remains uncertain. Purpose Define long-term risk of thromboembolic and bleeding complications after bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement. Methods From 1984 to 2016, 560 patients underwent mitral valve replacement using the same model of bioprosthesis. Baseline clinical, perioperative and follow-up data were recorded prospectively. We estimated the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED risk scores. Incidence of postoperative thromboembolic and bleeding events were compared between various antithrombotic therapies. Results Mean age was 69 ± 11 years. The mean follow-up period was 7.3 ± 5.4 years for a total of 4034 valve-years. Follow-up was 98.9% complete. Operative mortality was 3.8%. Patients with AF at discharge were similar to those without AF in age, sex. Antithrombotic strategies at discharge included aspirin in 49%, VKA in 31%, non-VKA oral anticoagulant in 4%, low molecular weight heparin in 4%, none in 12% of patients. At 20 years, the overall actuarial survival rate was 16.9 ± 3.9%. Actuarial freedom from complication at 15 and 20 years was 91.5 ± 2.4% and 83.9 ± 7.6% for thromboembolism, and 91.6 ± 1.7% and 80.2% ± 10.8% for bleeding event. Age and postoperative atrial fibrillation were associated to higher thromboembolic risk (P Conclusions After bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement, patients with postoperative AF are at high risk of thromboembolism as well as bleeding. Our findings suggest a potential role for non-VKA oral anticoagulants and warrants further randomized study to define the optimal antithrombotic strategy in patients undergoing bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement.

Cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia are very frequent. Deficits associated with cognitive impairment may impact both neurocognition and social cognition, including facial emotion recognition. These deficits significantly impair functional recovery, and also the social and vocational rehabilitation of people with schizophrenia. Previous studies in this area clearly demonstrated the interest of cognitive remediation to improve neurocognitive and social cognitive functioning in schizophrenia. They also established clear links between facial emotion recognition skills and attentional processes. The present study compares the GAIA s-face program (GAIA arm), which focuses on facial emotion recognition processes, with the RECOS program (RECOS arm), a neurocognitive remediation therapy focusing on selective attention. Forty people with schizophrenia were randomly distributed between each study arm and assessed pre- (T1) and post- (T2) therapy. The single blind assessment focused on facial emotion recognition (the main criteria), symptoms, social and subjective functioning, and neurocognitive and social cognitive performance. Both programs were conducted by nurses after a three day training session. The study showed a significant improvement in facial emotion recognition performance in both groups, with a significantly larger effect in the GAIA arm. Symptoms and social functioning also improved in the GAIA arm, and certain neurocognitive and social cognitive processes improved in both study arms. Further studies are recommended, with larger population samples and a follow up assessing the long term preservation of these improvements.

The variational multiparticle-multihole configuration mixing approach (MPMH) to nuclei has been proposed about a decade ago. While the first applications followed rapidly, the implementation of the full formalism of this method has only been recently completed and applied in [C. Robin, N. Pillet, D. Pe\~na Arteaga and J.-F. Berger, Phys. Rev. C 93, 024302 (2016)] to $^{12}$C as a test-case. The main objective of the present paper is to carry on the study that was initiated in that reference, in order to put the MPMH method to more stringent tests. To that aim we perform a systematic study of even-even sd-shell nuclei. The wave function of these nuclei is taken as a configuration mixing built on orbitals of the sd-shell, and both the mixing coefficients of the nuclear state and the single-particle wave functions are determined consistently from the same variational principle. The calculations are done using the D1S Gogny force. Various ground-state properties are analyzed. In particular, the correlation content and composition of the wave function as well as the single-particle orbitals and energies are examined. Binding energies and charge radii are also calculated and compared to experiment. The description of the first excited state is also examined and the corresponding transition densities are used as input for the calculation of inelastic electron and proton scattering. Special attention is paid to the effect of the optimization of the single-particle states consistently with the correlations of the system. Globally, the results are satisfying and encouraging. In particular, charge radii and excitation energies are nicely reproduced. However, the chosen valence-space truncation scheme precludes achieving maximum collectivity in the studied nuclei. Further refinement of the method and a better-suited interaction are necessary to remedy this situation., Comment: 22 pages, 16 figures, accepted in Phys. Rev. C

A study of direct neutron induced reactions off spherical nuclei is given in terms of a folding model. Matter densities stemming from the Random Phase Approxi- mation (RPA), implemented with the Gogny D1S force are used to provide the relevant coupling potentials. The impact of rearrangement corrections on cross sections is studied for direct inelastic nucleon scattering off 16 O and 208 Pb. The rearrangement correction to calculated cross sections is shown to strongly depend on the incident energy and on the excitation multipolarity.

Fully consistent axially-symmetric-deformed Quasi-particle Random Phase Approximation (QRPA) calculations have been performed with the D1S Gogny force. Impact of the deformation in giant multipole resonances is discussed. QRPA and 5 Dimensional Collective Hamiltonian results are compared for low lying 2+ states in N = 16 isotones and Ni isotopes. Multipole resonances are also obtained for the heavy nucleus 238 U .

In this study, the influence of the probiotics, Pediococcus acidilactici (PA) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii (SCB), on intestinal immune traits and resistance to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection was evaluated in pigs. Two weeks before farrowing, 30 sows and their future litters were allocated to the following treatments: 1) control group without antibiotic or probiotic treatment (CTRL), 2) control with antibiotic (tiamulin) added to weanling feed (ABT), or litters treated with 3) PA, 4) SCB, or 5) PA+SCB from 24 h after birth. During lactation, PA, SCB, or PA+SCB were given to piglets 3 times a week by gavage. After weaning at 21 d of age, probiotics or ABT were added to the diet. Four pigs per litter were chosen to evaluate performance and blood concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B(12). Three of these were orally challenged with an ETEC strain on d 49 to 51 and killed on d 52. Three piglets from the rest of the litter were slaughtered on d 18 and 3 others on d 24. Blood, ileum, and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) samples were taken to characterize leukocyte populations, determine IgA concentrations in ileal flushes, and evaluate bacterial translocation in MLN. No treatment effect on postweaning performance and on blood concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B(12) was observed. In the ileum, the percentage of CD4(-)CD8(+low) T cells was greater (P = 0.05) in 18-d-old nursed piglets treated with PA than in those of the CTRL and PA+SCB groups. In the MLN, the percentage of CD8(+) T cells was not affected by any of the treatments at d 18 and 24 but decreased (P = 0.006) after weaning. In the blood, CD8(+) T cells were not affected by treatments or weaning. After the ETEC challenge (d 52), bacterial translocation to MLN was reduced (P = 0.05) in pigs treated with PA, SCB, PA+SCB, or ABT compared with CTRL. No treatment effect was observed on blood leukocyte populations after ETEC challenge, although a time effect (d 42 vs. 52) indicated that blood CD4(+) and gammadelta-T lymphocytes were increased (P < 0.05) on d 52 compared with d 42, whereas CD4(-)CD8(+low) T lymphocytes and monocytes were markedly reduced (P < 0.01). Finally, the IgA concentration in ileal flushes collected on d 42 and 52 was greater in SCB and CTRL piglets than in ABT and PA piglets. In conclusion, probiotics may have the potential to modulate establishment of lymphocyte populations and IgA secretion in the gut and to reduce bacterial translocation to MLN after ETEC infection.

A fully microscopic calculation of inelastic proton scattering off {sup 208}Pb is presented, and compared to experimental scattering data for incident proton energies between 65 and 201 MeV. By constructing the nucleon-nucleus interaction through the folding of nuclear structure information with a reliable nucleon-nucleon effective interaction that has no adjusted parameter, a consistent framework is built, for probing the influence of different descriptions of nuclear structure on nucleon inelastic scattering predictions. The absence of phenomenological normalization in this framework guarantees a unique and unambiguous interpretation of our calculations in terms of quality of the underlying nuclear structure description: a feature that had been reserved, until recently, to the electron probe. This tool is used to investigate the effect of long range correlations embedded in excited states, on calculated inelastic observables, demonstrating the sensitivity of nucleon scattering predictions to details of the nuclear structure.

Background and objectiveMajor gynaecological abdominal surgery is associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain, hyperalgesia and the need for multimodal analgesia to reduce high morphine consumption. A low-dose ketamine regimen appears to prevent postoperative hyperalgesia. We examined the potential beneficial effect of ketamine on postoperative pain management and cognitive function.MethodsNinety patients were included in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to test the efficacy and adverse effects of ketamine (as an intraoperative bolus of 0.15 mg kg−1, followed postoperatively by ketamine 0.5 mg per morphine 1 mg in a patient-controlled analgesia device). All patients received additionally ketoprofen. The main end-point was morphine consumption over the first 24 h. Secondary efficacy and safety end-points were morphine consumption during the titration period and during the patient-controlled analgesia period (48 h), the number of morphine-related adverse effects and the results of psychometric tests.ResultsKetamine, in combination with morphine and ketoprofen, did not improve postoperative pain scales and did not reduce morphine consumption and the incidence of morphine-related adverse effects. Ketamine did not modify mood, cognitive and memory functioning.ConclusionAdding a low dose of ketamine to an efficacious multimodal analgesic regimen did not improve analgesia after gynaecological surgery. Although this combination appears to be safe, the lack of benefit suggests that a low dose of ketamine should not be used for routine care.

In the present study, we studied the potential regulation by rat myometrial alpha1-adrenergic receptors (alpha1-AR) of the newly identified Gh alpha protein/phospholipase C delta 1 (PLC delta 1) signaling pathway and compared myometrial inositol phosphates (InsP) production and activity of the uterine circular muscle in response to alpha1-AR activation between mid-pregnancy and term. For this, we quantified the level of rat myometrial alpha1-AR coupling to Gh alpha protein by photoaffinity-labeling, the cytosolic amount of PLC delta 1 enzyme by immunoblotting, and the expression level of alpha1-AR subtypes by RT-PCR. The results showed an increased level of alpha1-AR/Gh alpha protein coupling and the amount of PLC delta 1 at term (+147 and +65% respectively, versus mid-pregnancy). This was correlated with an up-regulation of alpha 1d-AR subtype (+70% versus mid-pregnancy). Incubation of myometrial strips with phenylephrine (Phe), a global alpha1-agonist, increased InsP production in a dose-dependent manner at both mid-pregnancy and term, but with an enhanced potency (tenfold decrease in EC(50) value) at term. Phe also dose-dependently induced contraction of the circular muscle at both mid-pregnancy and term. However, unlike InsP response, no amelioration of potency was observed at term. Similar results were obtained with the endogenous agonist norepinephrine. Our results show, for the first time, that rat myometrial alpha 1d-AR/Gh alpha/PLC delta 1 signaling pathway is up-regulated at term. This is associated with an increased potency of alpha1-AR to elicit InsP production but not uterine contraction at this period. It is thus hypothesized that alpha1-AR, through activation of Gh alpha/PLC delta 1 system, are not primarily involved in the initiation of labor but may rather regulate responses such as myometrial cell proliferation or hypertrophy.

This paper focuses on the ethics of constructing and using a specific evidence-based decision aid that aims to contribute to clinical shared decision-making processes. Results of this integrated empirical ethics study demonstrate how both the production and presentation of scientific information in an evidence-based decision-support contain implicit presuppositions and values, which pre-structure the moral environment of the shared decision-making process. As a consequence, the evidencebased decision support did not only support the decision-making process; it also transformed it in a morally significant way. This phenomenon undermines the assumption within much of the literature on patient autonomy and shared decision-making implying that information disclosure is a conditional requirement before patient autonomy and shared decision-making even starts. The central point of this paper is that decision aids and evidence-based medicine are not value-free and that patient autonomy and shared decision-making are already influenced during the production and presentation of scientific information, Consequences for both the development of decision-aids and the practice of shared decision-making are discussed.

Soil microorganisms exhibit a high degree of spatial variation, even in homogenously managed agroecosystems. The spatial pattern of microbial biomass and activity may be related to soil properties like hydrology, texture, organic matter and pH. This study took place in a 0.4-ha field with research plots under wheat and maize production. Soil microbial biomass, respiration and extractable nutrient levels were not generally affected by fertilizer treatments (inorganic NP fertilizer, poultry manure), relative to the unfertilized plots. This was probably due to soil heterogeneity; for instance, soil pH (1:2, soil:water) ranged from 5.8 to 7.2 across the field. Exploratory path analysis revealed that soil pH, dissolved organic carbon and total organic carbon concentrations were directly related to the spatial pattern in soil microbial biomass and respiration. This work demonstrates that path analysis could be used to identify independent soil variables and describe relationships between soil properties and microbial indicators in spatially heterogeneous agroecosystems. Key words: Field variability, microbial biomass, mineral fertilizer, organic amendment, soil respiration, spatial dependence

International audience; The first accelerated exotic beam of the SPIRAL (Production System of Radioactive Ion and Acceleration On-Line) facility at GANIL at Caen has been delivered for experiments in September 2001. After working for almost 5 years, 32 experiments were performed in the facility using exotic isotopes of helium, oxygen, neon, argon and krypton. The intensities of the radioactive beams increased since the first beam was delivered. Nominal intensity values are achieved for most of noble gas beams. Developments of new beams as well as the increasing of present intensities for a number of isotopes are being undertaken. In particular, in this contribution it is presented the first results obtained for the production of light alkali beams. Other developments are also envisaged in the close future.

Since 2001, the SPIRAL I Facility (Systeme de Production d’Ions Radioactifs en Ligne, version I) located at GANIL in Caen (France) has delivered radioactive ion beams mainly of “light” gaseous elements, from He to Kr. In March 2004, a beam of some pps of 31Ar (15 ms) was produced. Very soon, a new target-and-ion-source system (TISS) will be tested for the production of radioactive multi-charged ions of alkaline elements. For making radioactive ion beams of heavier elements, the SPIRAL II project is under study. The proposed technique is to produce heavy fragments by fission of uranium induced by neutrons, themselves produced by a 200 kW deuteron beam hitting a carbon converter. The technical studies should be completed by the end of 2004. After a short presentation of results from the operation of SPIRAL I, the design of the SPIRAL II target and ion-source system is presented.

The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of inhibiting prolactin (PRL) synthesis for three consecutive 20-d periods during the second half of gestation, on the immune status of gilts and their foetuses. Crossbred gilts were randomly assigned as controls (n = 12) or received 10 mg of bromocriptine orally three times daily from days 50 to 69 (BR50, n = 12), days 70 to 89 (BR70, n = 12), or days 90 to 109 (BR90, n = 12) of gestation. All gilts were injected subcutaneously with ovalbumin (OVA) on days 53 and 72 of gestation. Blood samples were collected on days 50, 60, 70, 90 and 109 of gestation to evaluate the antibody response. Cellular immunity, as measured by lymphocyte proliferative response and production of interferon-γ, was characterized on controls and BR50 gilts until the end of gestation. Six foetuses from five litters per treatment were selected and their thymus and spleen were excised and weighed. Splenocytes and thymocytes were assayed to characterize lymphocyte sub-populations and to evaluate splenocyte responses to mitogenic stimulation. Average spleen weight in foetuses from BR90 gilts was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of foetuses from control or BR70 gilts. In all gilts treated with bromocriptine,percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte populations in foetus spleens were numerically reduced compared with those obtained in foetus from control gilts but the differences were not significant. In BR50 gilts, inhibition of PRL synthesis did not affect the proliferative response of lymphocytes to mitogenic stimulations compared with control group, but tended (P = 0.13) to increase the production of interferon-γ. A time effect showed that production of interferon-γ by leukocytes was reduced (P < 0.02) on days 80 and 100 compared with days 50 and 70, regardless of bromocriptine treatment. The antibody response of gilts to OVA was not affected by bromocriptine treatments. In conclusion, inhibition of PRL synthesis by bromocriptine did not significantly affect immune response of pregnant gilts. In foetuses, although the differences between treatments were not significant, data suggest that the foetal development of immune tissues seems to be impaired by bromocriptine treatment. Key words: Bromocriptine, prolactin, immunity, pregnancy, sow

Objective This study aimed to report on a toddler who presented with progressively worsening abdominal pain and obstructive uropathy 1 week after ureteral valve reimplantation. Acute renal failure resulted in critical hyperkalemia. Methods Chart review of presentation, physical examination, laboratory tests, and treatment. Results Initial potassium level was 10 mEq/L; ventricular tachycardia was observed and treated. Conclusions More commonly, hyperkalemia results from overuse/overdose of supplementation or in patients with known renal failure. Although less common, obstructive uropathy should be considered in any patient with recent instrumentation of the urinary tract and coincident complications can be significant.