An across-species comparison of the sensitivity of different organisms to Pb-based perovskites used in solar cells

Organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising candidates as photovoltaic cells. Recently, they have attracted significant attention due to certified power conversion efficiencies exceeding 23%, low–cost engineering, and superior electrical/optical characteristics. These PSCs extensively utilize a perovskite–structured composite with a hybrid of Pb-based nanomaterials. Operation of them may cause the release of Pb-based nanoparticles. However, limited information is available regarding the potential toxicity of Pb-based PSCs on various organisms. This study conducted a battery of in vitro and in vivo toxicity bioassays for three quintessential Pb-based PSCs (CH3NH3PbI3, NHCHNH3PbBr3, and CH3NH3PbBr3) using progressively more complex forms of life. For all species tested, the three different perovskites had comparable toxicities. The viability of Caco–2/TC7 cells was lower than that of A549 cells in response to Pb-based PSC exposure. Concentration–dependent toxicity was observed for the bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri, for soil bacterial communities, and for the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Neither of the tested Pb-based PSCs particles had apparent toxicity to Pseudomonas putida. Among all tested organisms, V. fischeri showed the highest sensitivity with EC50 values (30 min of exposure) ranging from 1.45 to 2.91 mg L-1. Therefore, this study recommends that V. fischeri should be preferably utilized to assess.PSC toxicity due to its increased sensitivity, low costs, and relatively high throughput in a 96–well format, compared with the other tested organisms. These results highlight that the developed assay can easily predict the toxic potency of PSCs. Consequently, this approach has the potential to promote the implementation of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) principle in toxicology and decrease the dependence on animal testing when determining the safety of novel PSCs.Environmental Biolog

Cytogenetic analysis of HER1/EGFR, HER2, HER3 and HER4 in 278 breast cancer patients

INTRODUCTION: The HER (human EGFR related) family of receptor tyrosine kinases (HER1/EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)/c-erbB1, HER2/c-erbB2, HER3/c-erbB3 and HER4/c-erbB4) shares a high degree of structural and functional homology. It constitutes a complex network, coupling various extracellular ligands to intracellular signal transduction pathways resulting in receptor interaction and cross-activation. The most famous family member is HER2, which is a target in Herceptin therapy in metastatic status and also in adjuvant therapy of breast cancer in the event of dysregulation as a result of gene amplification and resulting protein overexpression. The HER2-related HER receptors have been shown to interact directly with HER2 receptors and thereby mutually affect their activity and subsequent malignant growth potential. However, the clinical outcome with regard to total HER receptor state remains largely unknown. METHODS: We investigated HER1-HER4, at both the DNA and the protein level, using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probes targeted to all four receptor loci and also immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays derived from 278 breast cancer patients. RESULTS: We retrospectively found HER3 gene amplification with a univariate negative impact on disease-free survival (hazard ratio 2.35, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 5.11, p = 0.031), whereas HER4 amplification showed a positive trend in overall and disease-free survival. Protein expression revealed no additional information. CONCLUSION: Overall, the simultaneous quantification of HER3 and HER4 receptor genes by means of FISH might enable the rendering of a more precise stratification of breast cancer patients by providing additional prognostic information. The continuation of explorative and prospective studies on all HER receptors will be required for an evaluation of their potential use for specific therapeutic targeting with respect to individualised therapy

Pneumologie. Traitement du syndrome d'apnées obstructives du sommeil par pression positive continue (PPC)

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is accepted as first line therapy for Sleep Obstructive Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome. Over the past few years, several new devices have been made available, aiming to improve patient comfort and compliance. In 25 years, major changes in technology have occurred, and CPAP has evolved from fixed pressure devices to auto-adjusting bi-level positive airway pressure. The algorithms and software of the newly commercialized devices are sometimes difficult to apprehend. In spite of impressive changes in technology, an obvious benefit in terms of compliance or comfort is yet to be demonstrated, and independent validations of these new devices are necessary

Electrochemical preparation and physicochemical study of polymers obtained from carbazole and N-((methoxycarbonyl)methyl)carbazole

International audienceThe polymerization of carbazole (Cz) and N-((methoxycarbonyl)methyl)carbazole (CzE) was carried out by electrochemical oxidation in acetonitrile solution. Different feed ratios of monomers were used to deposit polymer thin films with different compositions and study the influence of the ratio of monomers on the electrochemical, morphological, mechanical and adhesive properties of the polymer films. The electrochemical oxidation led to the deposition of a polymer film whatever the feed ratio but the thickness of the film increased with the portion of unmodified carbazole. On the contrary, the composition of the monomer mixture had a low influence on the AFM adhesion forces between the AFM tip and the polymer film. Depending on the feed monomer ratio, the morphology was either globular or columnar (when the portion of CzE was comprised between 10% and 70%). The stiffness of the polymer films was also found to be strongly dependent on the feed ratio since it varied from 2 to 115 GPa depending on the monomer ratio. The polymer films prepared from the ratios 90:10 and 70:30 in Cz:CzE monomer solutions were found to be the most interesting ones since they led to thick and conducting polymer films with a good adhesion and a low stiffness. Moreover, these coatings were uniform and exhibited an original columnar structure

Impact of a Dedicated Noninvasive Ventilation Team on Intubation and Mortality Rates in Severe COPD Exacerbations.

BACKGROUND: Compared with usual care, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) lowers the risk of intubation and death for subjects with respiratory failure secondary to COPD exacerbations, but whether administration of NIV by a specialized, dedicated team improves its efficiency remains uncertain. Our aim was to test whether a dedicated team of respiratory therapists applying all acute NIV treatments would reduce the risk of intubation or death for subjects with COPD admitted for respiratory failure. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study comparing subjects with COPD admitted to the ICU before (2001-2003) and after (2010-2012) the creation of a dedicated NIV team in a regional acute care hospital. The primary outcome was the risk of intubation or death. The secondary outcomes were the individual components of the primary outcome and ICU/hospital stay. RESULTS: A total of 126 subjects were included: 53 in the first cohort and 73 in the second. There was no significant difference in the demographic characteristics and severity of respiratory failure. Fifteen subjects (28.3%) died or had to undergo tracheal intubation in the first cohort, and only 10 subjects (13.7%) in the second cohort (odds ratio 0.40, 95% CI 0.16-0.99, P = .04). In-hospital mortality (15.1% vs 4.1%, P = .03) and median stay (ICU: 3.1 vs 1.9 d, P = .04; hospital: 11.5 vs 9.6 d, P = .04) were significantly lower in the second cohort, and a trend for a lower intubation risk was observed (20.8% vs 11% P = .13). CONCLUSIONS: The delivery of NIV by a dedicated team was associated with a lower risk of death or intubation in subjects with respiratory failure secondary to COPD exacerbations. Therefore, the implementation of a team administering all NIV treatments on a 24-h basis should be considered in institutions admitting subjects with COPD exacerbations

La couverture vaccinale contre la grippe saisonnière du personnel soignant en gériatrie : mise au point

International audienceBackground. - Flu vaccinations for healthcare professionals seems to be one of the most effective preventive actions in the face of a disease that carries a high risk of a potentially serious nosocomial epidemic in a geriatric environment. The aim of this study was to take stock of the flu vaccination status among caregivers in the geriatric units and to understand the reasons for their reluctance to be vaccinated, in order to put forward proposals to improve vaccination coverage.Method. - A literature search of articles published since 2000 in the area of geriatrics, infectious diseases or pneumology was mainly conducted on PubMed using the keywords "caregivers'', "elderly'', "flu'', "influenza'', "nosocomial'' and "vaccination''. After reading all abstracts in English or French and ruling out irrelevant articles, only 64 relevant articles have been listed in bibliography section.Results. - Despite official recommendations, the literature reveals insufficient vaccination coverage of healthcare personnel at both the national and international level. Vaccination coverage seems to be lower among younger female non-medical staff. The factors that determine the likelihood of vaccination are the wish to protect one's self, one's family and patients/residents, as well as the experience of earlier bouts of flu. Factors that oppose vaccination are complex and related to the fear of side effects, the use of other preventive measures, the feeling that vaccination is ineffective, poor understanding of the disease and the vaccine, forgetfulness and problems of organization. Campaigns to promote vaccination that target healthcare professionals must be multidimensional and very incentive. The pedagogical message must be centered on the benefits to the individual and adjusted to socio-professional categories. Mobile strategies in the different departments to encourage staff are a pragmatic solution to this challenge. The referring doctor has an essential role to play, as does the occupational doctor in association with the hospital hygiene services.Conclusion. - Flu vaccinations must be included in the education and training of caregivers.Position du problèmeLa vaccination antigrippale des professionnels de santé semble représenter l’une des actions préventives des plus efficaces face à une pathologie à haut risque d’épidémie nosocomiale et potentiellement grave en milieu gériatrique. Ce travail avait pour objectif de faire une mise au point sur le statut vaccinal antigrippal chez le personnel soignant en gériatrie et les raisons expliquant leur réticence vis-à-vis de cette vaccination, afin d’émettre des propositions d’amélioration de la couverture vaccinale.MéthodeUne recherche bibliographique des articles publiés depuis 2000 dans le domaine de la gériatrie, des maladies infectieuses ou de la pneumologie a été réalisée, essentiellement sur PubMed. Les principaux mots-clés utilisés pour la recherche étaient « caregivers », « elderly », « flu », « influenza », « nosocomial » et « vaccination ». Tous les résumés en anglais ou en français, issus de cette première sélection, ont été lus par les auteurs afin d’écarter les articles hors sujet. Au final, 64 articles ont été cités dans la bibliographie de cette mise au point.RésultatsMalgré les recommandations officielles, la littérature révèle une couverture vaccinale de ce personnel insuffisante à l’échelle nationale et internationale. La couverture vaccinale apparaît plus faible chez le personnel féminin, plus jeune et non médical. Les déterminants pour la vaccination sont le désir de se protéger soi-même, de protéger sa famille et les patients/résidents, ainsi que le vécu grippal antérieur. Les facteurs d’opposition à la vaccination sont complexes, liés à la peur des effets secondaires, au recours à d’autres moyens préventifs, au sentiment d’inefficacité vaccinale, à la mauvaise connaissance de la maladie et du vaccin et aux problèmes organisationnels. Les campagnes de promotion vaccinale, destinées à responsabiliser le professionnel de santé, doivent être multidimensionnelles et fortement incitatives. Le message pédagogique doit être centré sur le bénéfice individuel et adapté selon les catégories socio-professionnelles. Les stratégies incitatives mobiles au sein des services sont déjà une déclinaison pragmatique de ce défi. Le médecin traitant est un pivot incontournable, ainsi que le médecin du travail en lien avec les services d’hygiène hospitalière.ConclusionLa vaccination antigrippale doit s’inscrire dans l’éducation et la formation du personnel soignant

Sleep-disordered breathing and daytime postural stability.

Postural stability depends on the coordination of the central nervous system with visual sense, proprioceptive and vestibular information. Sleep deprivation has been shown to affect this function. The objective of our study was to assess the effects of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) on postural stability. 158 subjects referred for suspected SDB had an overnight sleep study and were placed on a posturographic platform in late afternoon. This platform allows measuring the centre of pressure (CoP) oscillations and to calculate: total displacement of CoP in X and Y axes, mean speed of CoP displacement and the length as function of surface (LFS) ratio (length of CoP displacement/surface of CoP trajectory). 98 men and 60 women were included. Mean age±SD was 45.4±5.5 years old, body mass index (BMI) 27.5±5.6 kg/m(2) and apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) 13.6±16.1/h. AHI was <5/h in 64 (41%) subjects, 5-15/h in 43 (27%), 15-30/h in 30 (19%) and >30/h in 21 (13%). In patients with an AHI >5/h versus AHI <5/h, we observed an important increase in LFS (+21%, p<0.001), in XY length (+23%, p<0.001) and in mean speed (+23%, p<0.001). After controlling for age, BMI and sleepiness (Epworth) in multivariate regression models, there was a positive association between all nocturnal breathing parameters (specifically: mean SpO2, AHI, oxygen desaturation index 3% and % time with SpO2 <90%) and the main stability outcomes (all p<0.05). SDB severity, especially the mean nocturnal SpO2 level, is associated with impaired daytime postural stability