Kinase inhibitors for advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma

The recent availability of molecular targeted therapies leads to a reconsideration of the treatment strategy for patients with distant metastases from medullary thyroid carcinoma. In patients with progressive disease, treatment with kinase inhibitors should be offered

Evidence of diversity and recombination in Arsenophonus symbionts of the Bemisia tabaci species complex

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Maternally inherited bacterial symbionts infecting arthropods have major implications on host ecology and evolution. Among them, the genus <it>Arsenophonus</it> is particularly characterized by a large host spectrum and a wide range of symbiotic relationships (from mutualism to parasitism), making it a good model to study the evolution of host-symbiont associations. However, few data are available on the diversity and distribution of <it>Arsenophonus</it> within host lineages. Here, we propose a survey on <it>Arsenophonus</it> diversity in whitefly species (Hemiptera), in particular the <it>Bemisia tabaci</it> species complex. This polyphagous insect pest is composed of genetic groups that differ in many ecological aspects. They harbor specific bacterial communities, among them several lineages of <it>Arsenophonus</it>, enabling a study of the evolutionary history of these bacteria at a fine host taxonomic level, in association to host geographical range and ecology.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among 152 individuals, our analysis identified 19 allelic profiles and 6 phylogenetic groups, demonstrating this bacterium's high diversity. These groups, based on <it>Arsenophonus</it> phylogeny, correlated with <it>B. tabaci</it> genetic groups with two exceptions reflecting horizontal transfers<it>.</it> None of three genes analyzed provided evidence of intragenic recombination, but intergenic recombination events were detected. A mutation inducing a STOP codon on one gene in a strain infecting one <it>B. tabaci</it> genetic group was also found. Phylogenetic analyses of the three concatenated loci revealed the existence of two clades of <it>Arsenophonus.</it> One, composed of strains found in other Hemiptera, could be the ancestral clade in whiteflies. The other, which regroups strains found in Hymenoptera and Diptera, may have been acquired more recently by whiteflies through lateral transfers.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This analysis of the genus <it>Arsenophonus</it> revealed a diversity within the <it>B. tabaci</it> species complex which resembles that reported on the larger scale of insect taxonomy. We also provide evidence for recombination events within the <it>Arsenophonus</it> genome and horizontal transmission of strains among insect taxa. This work provides further insight into the evolution of the <it>Arsenophonus</it> genome, the infection dynamics of this bacterium and its influence on its insect host's ecology.</p

Investigation of microstructure and texture evolution of a Mg/Al laminated composite elaborated by accumulative roll bonding

International audienceThe microstructure and texture of an Al1050/AZ31/Al1050 laminated composite fabricated by accumulative roll bonding at 400 °C up to 5 cycles are investigated using Electron BackScatter Diffraction, neutron diffraction, microhardness measurements and tensile tests. EBSD analysis has shown that ARB processing led to microstructural refinement with equiaxed grain microstructure in AZ31 layers and to the development of elongated grains parallel to the rolling direction in Al 1050 layers. No new phases formed at the bond interface after the first ARB cycle while Mg17Al12 and Mg2Al3 phases appeared after subsequent cycles. During the ARB processing, a typical strong basal (0002) texture is observed in AZ31 layers along with a weak rolling texture showed in Al 1050 layers with a dominant Rotated Cube {001}〈110〉 component. The microhardness of Al1050/AZ31/Al1050 laminated composite increased with increasing ARB cycles and almost saturated after five ARB cycles. The yield strength and ultimate strength increased gradually between 1 and 3 ARB cycles due to the strain hardening and grain refinement. They decreased with further increasing of the ARB cycles because of crack and failure of the MgxAly intermetallic compounds which developed during 4th and 5th ARB cycles. The deformation behavior of the laminated composite becomes rather similar to the behavior of AZ31 alloy that underwent a dynamic recrystallization during processing

Pilot study of the relationship between psychotic manifestations and living environment

The study of subclinical psychotic manifestations (quantitative schizotypy) represents clinical and public health issues. These manifestations are more common than schizophrenia or depression, but rarely identified while it impacts the quality of life. Screening schizotypy in the general population would make it possible to propose prevention strategies. The objectives of the present research is to better understand the determinants and mechanisms of schizotypy in order to identify population..

L'Isoloir, Citoyenneté & Numérique, Documentation du joueur

National audienceDans ce monde devenu numérique, il faut que chaque citoyenne et citoyen maîtrise, au-delà des usages, les principaux fondements de cette mutation numérique de façon à faire collectivement des choix éclairés sur ces sujets. C'est l'acquisition d'une culture scientifique et technique qui est le levier de cette appropriation. Voilà pourquoi à travers le jeu sérieux de "L'Isoloir " on offre en partage à chacune et chacun les éléments qui permettent de répondre en toute connaissance et en toute conscience à quelques questions fondamentales liées au numérique. C'est ce que ce document rassemble ici pour permettre aux animateur-e-s des activités utilisant L'Isoloir d'avoir une vue globale du matériel proposé

The geological-event reference system, a step towards geological data harmonization

The temporal dimension is an inherent component of geology. In this regard, traditional geological maps can represent a few geological events, yet they hardly account for the entire complex rock history whether sedimentary, crystalline or volcanic. Here, using the RGF research program (French Geological Reference platform) we propose a new methodology based on digital technology and the French historical collection of 1:50 000-scale geological maps. This innovative approach consists of describing, organizing and hierarchizing a series of geological events within a reference framework and linking it to GIS map geometries (polygons, faults, points). In this way, the complete history of geological features can be compiled and stored in digital maps, combining distinct geological events and properties. For a single event, all associated transformations can be represented on maps, facilitating the production of real “palaeo-geological” maps that consider not only traditional sedimentary environments but also possible synchronous weathering, metamorphism, and volcanism. We discuss here an example of French orogenic history. The approach demonstrated here on geological maps can be used with other geological data media (boreholes, seismic reflection profiles, etc.) and thus facilitate a 3D-to-4D scale, with a significant ability to address not only academic community needs, but also themes or issues related to applications required by politics, civil engineering, and society itself, to confront challenges such as natural and anthropic risk reduction and subsurface uses

Impact du stage actif sur l'acquisition des compétences professionnelles de l'étudiant en chirurgie dentaire

CLERMONT FD-BCIU Odontol. (631132226) / SudocCLERMONT FD-BCIU-Santé (631132104) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Mechanical behaviour of directionally solidified alumina/aluminium titanate ceramics

International audienceDirectionally solidified eutectic ceramics of the alumina–titania system have been developed. Compositions from the alumina-rich part of the phase diagram were included in the study. The challenge was to produce materials that combine strength and flaw tolerance. A eutectic with 44 mol% TiO2 and two off-eutectics consisting of 12 and 26 mol% TiO2 were chosen for the study. The specimens exhibited a highly oriented microstructure that was aligned with the growth axis. The material with eutectic composition consisted of Al6Ti2O13/Al2TiO5 lamellae arranged in rods separated by longitudinal cracks. The materials with off-eutectic compositions consisted of alumina dendrites separated by Al6Ti2O13 matrix. Three-point bending tests and fractographic analyses revealed the high strains before failure. The eutectic rods and the alumina dendrites ensured a load-bearing capability. Cracks were arrested by the longitudinal pre-existing cracks in the eutectic composition material and were deflected at the alumina/aluminium titanate interfaces in the off-eutectic samples. This crack–crack interaction and associated change in load transfer conditions produced non-linear load–displacement curves, high failure strains and non-planar fracture surfaces

Fracture behaviour of microcrack-free alumina-aluminium titanate ceramics with second phase nanoparticles at alumina grain boundaries

International audienceAlumina + 10 vol.% aluminium titanate composites were obtained by colloidal filtration and reaction sintering of alumina and titania. The materials were dense with aluminium titanate grains of average sizes 2.2–2.4 μm located mainly at alumina triple points. The reaction sintering schedule promoted the formation of additional nanometric grains, identified as aluminium titanate using STEM–EDX analysis between the alumina grains. This special microstructure led to a change of the toughening mechanism from the typical crack bridging reported for microcrack-free composites fabricated from alumina and aluminium titanate powders to microcracking. The identification of microcracking as the main toughening mechanism was done from the analysis of stable fracture tests of SENVB samples in three points bending and fractographic observations. Monophase alumina materials with similar grain sizes were used as reference. Different fracture toughness parameters were derived from the load–displacement curves: the critical stress intensity factor, KIC, the critical energy release rate, GIC, the J-Integral and the work of fracture, γWOF, and the R curves were also built. The comparison between the linear elastic fracture parameters and the non-linear ones revealed significant toughening and flaw tolerance