Has saturation physics been observed in deuteron-gold collisions at RHIC?

In the framework of the recently proposed saturation picture, we examine in a systematic way whether the nuclear modification factor measured for d-Au collisions at RHIC may be simply explained. The Cronin peak which is obtained at mid-rapidity around $k_{\bot}\simeq 3$ GeV may be reproduced at the proper height only by boosting the saturation momentum by an additional nuclear component as already shown in the literature. In this respect, mid-rapidity RHIC data cannot necessarily be seen as a probe of the saturation picture. The large rapidity ($\eta\simeq 3$) region allows us to test the shape of the unintegrated gluon distribution in the nucleus, investigating various parameterizations inspired by large rapidity solutions (of the BFKL and) of the Balitsky-Kovchegov (BK) equation. A satisfactory description of $R_{CP}$ at RHIC is obtained in the BK picture.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

Acute and late-onset optic atrophy due to a novel OPA1 mutation leading to a mitochondrial coupling defect

PurposeAutosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA, OMIM 165500), an inherited optic neuropathy that leads to retinal ganglion cell degeneration and reduced visual acuity during the early decades of life, is mainly associated with mutations in the OPA1 gene. Here we report a novel ADOA phenotype associated with a new pathogenic OPA1 gene mutation. Methods The patient, a 62-year-old woman, was referred for acute, painless, and severe visual loss in her right eye. Acute visual loss in her left eye occurred a year after initial presentation. MRI confirmed the diagnosis of isolated atrophic bilateral optic neuropathy. We performed DNA sequencing of the entire coding sequence and the exon/intron junctions of the OPA1 gene, and we searched for the mitochondrial DNA mutations responsible for Leber hereditary optic atrophy by sequencing entirely mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activity and mitochondrial morphology were investigated in skin fibroblasts from the patient and controls. Results We identified a novel heterozygous missense mutation (c.2794C>T) in exon 27 of the OPA1 gene, resulting in an amino acid change (p.R932C) in the protein. This mutation, which affects a highly conserved amino acids, has not been previously reported, and was absent in 400 control chromosomes. Mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis did not reveal any mutation associated with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy or any pathogenic mutations. The investigation of skin fibroblasts from the patient revealed a coupling defect of oxidative phosphorylation and a larger proportion of short mitochondria than in controls. Conclusions The presence of an OPA1 mutation indicates that this sporadic, late-onset acute case of optic neuropathy is related to ADOA and to a mitochondrial energetic defect. This suggests that the mutational screening of the OPA1 gene would be justified in atypical cases of optic nerve atrophy with no evident cause

Students’ Willingness to Plant Trees and Pay for Their Maintenance on Campuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo

peer reviewedThere is a growing interest in greening schools, campuses, and workplaces due to the perceived ecosystem services provided by trees. However, students’ willingness to participate in and financially support the greening process is less examined. Using a questionnaire survey based on the contingent valuation method (CVM) and Likert scale, 1278 students from 13 universities were interviewed on their willingness to participate in tree planting and pay for their maintenance to promote green and clean campuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Most of the students interviewed were male (61%) and enrolled as undergraduates (60%). While 65% of the respondents agreed with the idea of planting trees, this agreement was significantly associated with students’ awareness of climate change, the university attended, and the sources of information on the roles of trees in the community. The binary logit results showed that university courses (environment-related) and television broadcasts significantly affected students’ willingness to participate in tree planting. Overall, students (70%) agreed to pay for tree maintenance, and their willingness to pay (WTP) was estimated mainly at less than USD 5 per year. The price to pay was a significant factor in determining students’ willingness to pay for tree maintenance. Findings suggest that students’ willingness to support tree planting and maintenance is a crucial factor for academic authorities and planners to consider in order to successfully implement green infrastructures to improve the campus environment and make educational and work spaces sustainably attractive

Epidémiologie, traitement et survie du cancer du pancréas dans le département du Calvados entre 1978 et 2001

CAEN-BU Médecine pharmacie (141182102) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Pesticide Choice and Use Patterns Among Vegetable Farmers on Idjwi Island, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

The move towards reducing environmental and health risks related to pesticide application in smallholder agriculture requires a more detailed understanding of farmers’ awareness and pesticide use practices. Drawing on field observations and interviews with 90 randomly selected farmers, this study assesses the choice of pesticide, use patterns and the level of awareness of pesticide risks among male and female farmers growing vegetables on Idjwi Island, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The main crops grown are tomatoes, eggplants, and cabbages, which are vulnerable to pest attacks, leading to fruit rot (70%), leaf holes, and spots (17%), resulting in significant economic losses. To protect crops, farmers use various pesticides, including fungicides (e.g., Metalaxyl, Mancozeb) and insecticides (e.g., profenofos, Cypermethrin), based on their availability on local market, perceived effectiveness, and relatively affordable prices. Although the results did not reveal significant differences in pesticide use patterns between male and female farmers, men (41%) make decisions about pesticide purchase and use within households either alone or jointly with their spouses (31%). Regrettably, farmers disregard safety instructions and hygiene practices following pesticide application, leading to concerns about public health and the environmental impact of using these products. While we highlight the factors influencing farmers’ willingness to wear protective equipment, findings also show that 75% of the participants are willing to pay $US 5 for any alternative method to pesticide use. This study emphasizes the need for improving awareness and recommends field farmers’ schools to train farmers on pesticides’ proper usage and management. The results suggest further research on farmers’ exposure to pesticide and the exploration of existing alternative methods based on integrated pest management to advance sustainable agriculture

Pancreatic cancer: Incidence, treatment and survival trends - 1175 cases in Calvados (France) from 1978 to 2002.

International audienceAIM: To assess the trends in incidence, therapeutic modalities and survival of pancreatic cancer between 1978 and 2002 in a well-defined population, as recorded in the Calvados digestive cancer registry database. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients living in Calvados with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were registered. Clinical data and treatment modalities were prospectively recorded. This 25-year database was divided into five 5-year periods. Data were compared using log-rank tests and the Cox model. RESULTS: A total of 1175 cases of pancreatic cancer (617 men, 558 women) were registered. Its incidence increased with an average annual coefficient of +2.8% in men and +5.1% in women. Therapeutic modalities changed over the five time periods: surgical resection increased from 6.8 to 13.4% (median survival 15 months) while radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy also increased from 5.5 to 13.2%. Palliative surgery decreased from 54.6 to 32.0% and favored interventional endoscopic techniques. Postoperative mortality decreased significantly. Survival increased significantly over the five time periods, although the median survival time remained stable (4 months). CONCLUSION: From 1978 to 2002, pancreatic cancer incidence increased in Calvados (France). Therapeutic modalities changed, with endoscopic treatments preferred over palliative surgery. The improvement in survival could be explained by the decrease in postoperative mortality

18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with amyloid light-chain amyloidosis: case-series and literature review.

International audienceOBJECTIVES: To describe FDG-PET/CT in amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. METHODS: We describe a French multicenter study which included patients with AL amyloidosis who had undergone a FDG-PET/CT during follow-up. RESULTS: Ten patients with AL amyloidosis (median age 62 years [59-85]) were analyzed. AL amyloidosis was of λ-type in 7/10 cases (70%) and localized amyloidosis in 4/10 cases (40%). AL amyloidosis was primary in 7/10 (70%) cases and associated with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (n = 2) and plasmocytoma (n = 1) in the remaining cases. Median delay between diagnosis and PET was 1 month [0-51]. PET was positive in seven (70%) patients and showed a median FDG SUV of 6.5 [ 4-15 ]. FDG uptakes with positive PET were localized in seven patients, namely in the nasopharynx (n = 3), bronchopulmonary (n = 2), duodenal, cutaneous, bone, joint and muscular areas (n = 1, each). FDG uptakes on PET were concordant with the known organ impairment in 6/7 cases (86%) and showed unknown nasopharyngeal and mesenteric localization in one case each. PET was negative in the patient with cardiac amyloidosis and two patients with pulmonary amyloidosis. CONCLUSION: High FDG uptake may be present in patients with AL amyloidosis, however prospective studies are needed in order to determine the place of FDG PET in AL amyloidosis

Digestive-tract sarcoidosis: French nationwide case-control study of 25 cases

International audienceDigestive tract sarcoidosis (DTS) is rare and case-series are lacking. In this retrospective case-control study, we aimed to compare the characteristics, outcome, and treatment of patients with DTS, nondigestive tract sarcoidosis (NDTS), and Crohn disease.We included cases of confirmed sarcoidosis, symptomatic digestive tract involvement, and noncaseating granuloma in any digestive tract. Each case was compared with 2 controls with sarcoidoisis without digestive tract involvement and 4 with Crohn disease.We compared 25 cases of DTS to 50 controls with NDTS and 100 controls with Crohn disease. The major digestive clinical features were abdominal pain (56%), weight loss (52%), nausea/vomiting (48%), diarrhea (32%), and digestive bleeding (28%). On endoscopy of DTS, macroscopic lesions were observed in the esophagus (9%), stomach (78%), duodenum (9%), colon, (25%) and rectum (19%). As compared with NDTS, DTS was associated with weight loss (odds ratio [OR] 5.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44-23.3) and the absence of thoracic adenopathy (OR 5.0; 95% CI 1.03-25). As compared with Crohn disease, DTS was associated with Afro-Caribbean origin (OR 27; 95% CI 3.6-204) and the absence of ileum or colon macroscopic lesions (OR 62.5; 95% CI 10.3-500). On the last follow-up, patients with DTS showed no need for surgery (versus 31% for patients with Crohn disease; P = 0.0013), and clinical digestive remission was frequent (76% vs. 35% for patients with Crohn disease; P = 0.0002).The differential diagnosis with Crohn disease could be an issue with DTS. Nevertheless, the 2 diseases often have different clinical presentation and outcom