TEAD and YAP regulate the enhancer network of human embryonic pancreatic progenitors.

The genomic regulatory programmes that underlie human organogenesis are poorly understood. Pancreas development, in particular, has pivotal implications for pancreatic regeneration, cancer and diabetes. We have now characterized the regulatory landscape of embryonic multipotent progenitor cells that give rise to all pancreatic epithelial lineages. Using human embryonic pancreas and embryonic-stem-cell-derived progenitors we identify stage-specific transcripts and associated enhancers, many of which are co-occupied by transcription factors that are essential for pancreas development. We further show that TEAD1, a Hippo signalling effector, is an integral component of the transcription factor combinatorial code of pancreatic progenitor enhancers. TEAD and its coactivator YAP activate key pancreatic signalling mediators and transcription factors, and regulate the expansion of pancreatic progenitors. This work therefore uncovers a central role for TEAD and YAP as signal-responsive regulators of multipotent pancreatic progenitors, and provides a resource for the study of embryonic development of the human pancreas

Functional outcomes in symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients undergoing incisional hernia repair: Replacing one problem with another? A prospective cohort study in 1312 patients

Background: Incisional hernias can be associated with pain or discomfort. Surgical repair especially mesh reinforcement, may likewise induce pain. The primary objective was to assess the incidence of pain after hernia repair in patients with and without pre-operative pain or discomfort. The secondary objectives were to determine the preferred mesh type, mesh location and surgical technique in minimizing postoperative pain or discomfort. Materials and methods: A registry-based prospective cohort study was performed, including patients undergoing incisional hernia repair between September 2011 and May 2019. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 3–6 months were included. The incidence of hernia related pain and discomfort was recorded perioperatively. Results: A total of 1312 patients were included. Pre-operatively, 1091 (83%) patients reported pain or discomfort. After hernia repair, 961 (73%) patients did not report pain or discomfort (mean follow-up = 11.1 months). Of the pre-operative asymptomatic patients (n = 221), 44 (20%, moderate or severe pain: n = 14, 32%) reported pain or discomfort after mean follow-up of 10.5 months. Of those patients initially reporting pain or discomfort (n = 1091), 307 (28%, moderate or severe pain: n = 80, 26%) still reported pain or discomfort after a mean follow-up of 11.3 months postoperatively. Conclusion: In symptomatic incisional hernia patients, hernia related complaints may be resolved in the majority of cases undergoing surgical repair. In asymptomatic incisional hernia patients, pain or discomfort may be induced in a considerable number of patients due to surgical repair and one should be aware if this postoperative complication

Utilisation des rayons X pour la mise au point d'un traitement thermochimique d'un acier à roulement

les sollicitations sans cesse croissantes auxquelles sont soumis les roulements destinés à l'industrie aéronautique ont conduit les fabricants de roulements à développer de nouveaux traitements de surface. La nitruration d'une couche cémentée trempée revenue à haute température sur un acier à durcissement secondaire permet de combiner : stabilité dimensionnelle en conditions de service, dureté superficielle élevée, épaisseur traitée en adéquation avec la profondeur à laquelle l'intensité des contraintes de Hertz est maximale. Ce traitement permet, en outre, d'introduire des contraintes résiduelles de compression stables en service dans toute la couche traitée. La diffraction des rayons X (analyse de phases en incidence normale ou aux petits angles, détermination des contraintes résiduelles) est une aide précieuse à la caractérisation de ces couches ainsi qu'à la mise au point industrielle du traitement.bearings for aeronautical applications are running under increasing loads and speeds. This leads bearings manufacturers to develop new surface treatments. Nitriding of a carburized quenched and high temperature tempered secondary hardening steel allows to combine : high surface hardness, adequate case depth and stable microstructure within temperature and stresses imposed by service conditions. Moreover, residual compressive stresses favourable for fatigue properties are developped in the hardened layer during this treatment. X-ray diffraction (phases identification and quantification, determination of the residual stresses) is very useful in order to characterize the hardened layer and to optimize the industrial process

Parasitic infections in relation to practices and knowledge in a rural village in Northern Thailand with emphasis on fish-borne trematode infection

The present study integrates several aspects of a parasitological survey in a rural community village combining community knowledge of parasites, their potential transmission routes and health risk factors. A rural community located in Northern Thailand was surveyed for intestinal parasites, and an overall prevalence of 45.2% for helminths and 4.8% for protozoan infections was identified. Socio-demographic characteristics, customs and perceptions were compiled using individual questionnaires and interviews for participants surveyed for parasitic screening. The results allowed us to determine the knowledge and perception of local people concerning helminthic infection and transmission. Despite the fact that the participants in this community were aware of parasitic transmission routes, their widespread custom of eating raw fish and meat render the reduction of helminthiasis difficult. A detailed study on the infection of fish-borne parasitic trematodes, the most prevalent helminth, allowed us to determine that the distance from a given household to the river is a determinant of infection intensity. Health education activities organised in the local community resulted in a change in perception of risks associated with parasite transmission

Influence of grinding and shot-peening on the near-surface microstructure of a maraging stainless steel

International audienceThe near-surface properties of maraging steels are key to controlling their mechanical properties. They can be tailored by surface treatments such as shot peening and can also be influenced by prior machining. This study aims at determining the respective roles of grinding and shot peening processes on the near-surface microstructure of Custom 465 maraging stainless steel. A combination of experimental techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atom probe tomography (APT) provides an in-depth characterization of the initial microstructure and its modifications. The results show that grinding results in a very shallow nano-crystalline region less than 1 μm thick, which contains a high fraction of retained austenite and where most Ni 3 Ti precipitates initially present, have been dissolved. Shot peening, on the other hand, results in a moderate localized strain close to the surface, and in a deeper destabilization of the retained austenite initially present, which decreases from ∼5% to ∼2% in the first 100 μm below the surface. It has no visible effect on the precipitate microstructures. The different mechanisms that may cause these modifications are discussed

Parasitic infections in relation to practices and knowledge in a rural village in Northern Thailand with emphasis on fish-borne trematode infection

International audienceThe present study integrates several aspects of a parasitological survey in a rural community village combining community knowledge of parasites, their potential transmission routes and health risk factors. A rural community located in Northern Thailand was surveyed for intestinal parasites, and an overall prevalence of 45.2% for helminths and 4.8% for protozoan infections was identified. Socio-demographic characteristics, customs and perceptions were compiled using individual questionnaires and interviews for participants surveyed for parasitic screening. The results allowed us to determine the knowledge and perception of local people concerning helminthic infection and transmission. Despite the fact that the participants in this community were aware of parasitic transmission routes, their widespread custom of eating raw fish and meat render the reduction of helminthiasis difficult. A detailed study on the infection of fish-borne parasitic trematodes, the most prevalent helminth, allowed us to determine that the distance from a given household to the river is a determinant of infection intensity. Health education activities organised in the local community resulted in a change in perception of risks associated with parasite transmission