Linearization and implementation of venu model in small strain theory for polyamide 6.6

The so-called VENU model is a visco-hyperelastic constitutive model, designed for amorphous rubbery polymers, which is based on an original approach initially developed by N. Billon (J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 125:4390-4401, 2012) and extended by A. Maurel-Pantel et al. (Int. J. Plast. 67:102126, 2015) to three-dimensional thermomechanical framework. In the aforementioned references, the constitutive equations and thermodynamical framework are presented within large deformation theory. However, in fatigue tests of polymeric composites significant temperature gradients are noticed despite the fact that the measured strains are within the small strain theory. In addition, well established techniques and tools of micromechanics for polymeric composites are applicable in small deformation regions. These observations render important the reduction of the VENU model in the case of linear strains. Here, a method is proposed for the reduction of the VENU model to small strain theory. A proper numerical scheme is also provided, based on the so-called return-mapping algorithm. The model capabilities are illustrated by comparing numerical calculations with available experimental data for polyamide 66.project DURAFI

The FunGenES Database: A Genomics Resource for Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation

Embryonic stem (ES) cells have high self-renewal capacity and the potential to differentiate into a large variety of cell types. To investigate gene networks operating in pluripotent ES cells and their derivatives, the “Functional Genomics in Embryonic Stem Cells” consortium (FunGenES) has analyzed the transcriptome of mouse ES cells in eleven diverse settings representing sixty-seven experimental conditions. To better illustrate gene expression profiles in mouse ES cells, we have organized the results in an interactive database with a number of features and tools. Specifically, we have generated clusters of transcripts that behave the same way under the entire spectrum of the sixty-seven experimental conditions; we have assembled genes in groups according to their time of expression during successive days of ES cell differentiation; we have included expression profiles of specific gene classes such as transcription regulatory factors and Expressed Sequence Tags; transcripts have been arranged in “Expression Waves” and juxtaposed to genes with opposite or complementary expression patterns; we have designed search engines to display the expression profile of any transcript during ES cell differentiation; gene expression data have been organized in animated graphs of KEGG signaling and metabolic pathways; and finally, we have incorporated advanced functional annotations for individual genes or gene clusters of interest and links to microarray and genomic resources. The FunGenES database provides a comprehensive resource for studies into the biology of ES cells

Present challenges in the numerical modeling of polymer-forming processes

International audienceThe purpose of the present paper is to present an overview of the main progresses recently made in the numerical modeling of polymer-forming processes and to describe the challenges to overcome in the near future. Examples are presented in different domains, such as die extrusion, injection molding, film processing, reactive extrusion and pipe reinforcement

Besoins médicaux non couverts en France en 2006 : l'effort de recherche doit être poursuivi

Le Leem (Les Entreprises du Médicament) a réalisé un état des lieux des besoins médicaux non ou mal couverts en 2006 en France pour 12 pathologies retenues comme priorités de santé publique dans le cadre de la loi du 9 août 2004. Alliées aux projections épidémiologiques, les analyses ont porté, pour chaque pathologie, sur les différents stades et/ou formes de la maladie, sur les points d'impact des recommandations pour la pratique clinique, notamment en matière de stratégie thérapeutique, sur les thérapeutiques actuellement disponibles et sur les innovations en phase de développement clinique avancé. Avec plus de 100 produits recensés en phase III ou en phase d'enregistrement/commercialisation dans ces pathologies, l'industrie pharmaceutique apporte une contribution quasi exclusive à la mise au point de traitements médicamenteux innovants répondant à des besoins médicaux insatisfaits. Cette étude illustre la nécessité impérieuse d'encourager l'innovation thérapeutique menée par l'industrie pharmaceutique, acteur authentique de santé

Late-Stage Glioma Is Associated with Deleterious Alteration of Gut Bacterial Metabolites in Mice

Brain-gut axis refers to the bidirectional functional connection between the brain and the gut, which sustains vital functions for vertebrates. This connection also underlies the gastrointestinal (GI) comorbidities associated with brain disorders. Using a mouse model of glioma, based on the orthotopic injection of GL261 cell line in syngeneic C57BL6 mice, we show that late-stage glioma is associated with GI functional alteration and with a shift in the level of some bacterial metabolites in the cecum. By performing cecal content transfer experiments, we further show that cancer-associated alteration in cecal metabolites is involved in end-stage disease progression. Antibiotic treatment results in a slight but significant delay in mice death and a shift in the proportion of myeloid cells in the brain tumor environment. This work rationally considers microbiota modulating strategies in the clinical management of patients with late-stage glioma

Low performance of interferon gamma release assay Quantiferon-TB gold coupled or not with Pst1/3/lipoglycan humoral detection to predict Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex disease in a low-burden area

International audienceWhole T cell interferon gamma release assays such as QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QTF-TB) are used to evaluate Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) exposure but fail to discriminate latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) from active disease. In this study conducted in a low-burden area, 1215 patients presenting MTC risk and tested both for QTF-TB and mycobacterial infection (microscopy, culture, and/or PCR) were selected, as well as 1298 controls screened with QTF-TB before medical recruitment. The humoral response (LIODetect®TB-ST) was further evaluated in 199 selected patients. In patients with active disease, MTC positivity (culture and/or PCR with species identification) was associated with QTF-TB positivity (45/56, 80.4 %). Although QTF-TB1/TB2 peptides were not suitable for discriminating against active MTC disease from LTBI, the cut-off value of 4.4 IFN-γ IU/mL produced the best diagnostic performance for MTC detection. Lower levels of QTF-TB were reported among patients with isolated active pulmonary MTC as compared to a lymph-nodal location and a disseminated form. Next, antibodies were detected in 4/55 (7.3 %) active MTC disease cases, while negative in cases of LTBI and indeterminate/negative QTF-TB. In conclusion, the added value to combine cellular (QTF-TB) and humoral (LIODetect®TB-ST) assays to predict an active MTC disease is limited

Late-Stage Glioma Is Associated with Deleterious Alteration of Gut Bacterial Metabolites in Mice

Brain-gut axis refers to the bidirectional functional connection between the brain and the gut, which sustains vital functions for vertebrates. This connection also underlies the gastrointestinal (GI) comorbidities associated with brain disorders. Using a mouse model of glioma, based on the orthotopic injection of GL261 cell line in syngeneic C57BL6 mice, we show that late-stage glioma is associated with GI functional alteration and with a shift in the level of some bacterial metabolites in the cecum. By performing cecal content transfer experiments, we further show that cancer-associated alteration in cecal metabolites is involved in end-stage disease progression. Antibiotic treatment results in a slight but significant delay in mice death and a shift in the proportion of myeloid cells in the brain tumor environment. This work rationally considers microbiota modulating strategies in the clinical management of patients with late-stage glioma

Detection of quantitative trait loci for teat number and female reproductive traits in Meishan x Large White F2 pigs

International audienceA quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of female reproductive data from a three-generation experimental cross between Meishan (MS) and Large White (LW) pig breeds is presented. Six F1 boars and 23 F1 sows, progeny of six LW boars and six MS sows, produced 573 F2 females and 530 F2 males. Six traits, i.e. teat number (TN), age at puberty (AP), ovulation rate (OR), weight at mating (WTM), number of viable embryos (NVE) and embryo survival (ES) at 30 days of gestation were analysed Animals were genotyped for a total of 137 markers covering the entire porcine genome. Analyses were carried out based on interval mapping methods, using a line-cross (LC) regression and a half-full sib (HFS) maximum likelihood test. Genome-wide (GW) highly significant (P < 0.001) QTL were detected for WTM on SSC 7 and for AP on SSC 13. They explained, respectively, 14.5% and 8.9% of the trait phenotypic variance. Other GW significant (P < 0.05) QTL were detected for TN on SSC 3, 7, 8, 16 and 17, for OR on SSC 4 and 5, and for ES on SSC 9. Two additional chromosome-wide significant (P < 0.05) QTL were detected for TN, three for WTM, four for AP, three for OR, three for NVE and two for ES. With the exception of the two above-mentioned loci, the QTL explained from 1.2% to 4.6% of trait phenotypic variance. QTL alleles were in most cases not fixed in the grand-parental populations and Meishan alleles were not systematically associated with higher reproductive performance