ACT Valve: Active Cooling Thermomanagement Valve

International audienc

Rate limiting amino acids for protein synthesis in AIDS

International audienc

On the detection of nanoparticle cloud migration by a resonant photonic surface signal towards sedimentation velocity measurements

International audienceMigration and sedimentation of solid particles in a liquid are physical phenomena involving accumulation of soft matter or decantation of fragmented matter. A thorough understanding together with relevant measurements are prerequisites regarding many fields, including medicine, galenic pharmacology, food processing, and the cosmetics industry. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of monitoring and detecting the migration of a nanoparticle cloud with a resonant light probe. For this purpose, hybrid silicon/silica/UV210 organic integrated photonic racetrack resonators were patterned by thin film processes to be used as sensors measuring the outcome of the impact of a cloud of nanoparticles, the dynamic migration plus sedimentation phenomenon of the nanoparticle cloud in water. A broadband superluminescent diode has been used for the excitation. Then, the spectral characteristics of the resonant guided modes have been analyzed, considering the observed changes while tracking the free spectral range of the transduced comb spectra as a function of time. The way to operate can be summarized as follows: Solutions based on spherical silica nanoparticles of fixed size are prepared and subjected to rheological measurements to obtain their respective viscosities. Next, a millimeter tank filled with water is conveniently placed on the active surface of the sensing chip, prior to the addition of one of the previously mentioned solutions. The series of spectra are acquired during the whole migration sequence and the transduced optical signal is then directly processed and treated by a specific code operated in real time by way of Lagrange interpolation polynomials. Collected data are then compared to a simple theoretical model describing the sedimentation of a spherical particle in water (Stokes' law). Eventually, the implementation of the device in a characterization platform and the development of a specific protocol allows a global treatment, whose description is followed by discussions on measurements and data. Consequently, after the impact of the drop containing the nanoparticles, the monitoring of a first phase regarding their fast cloud migration into the global study volume (with flow of matter plus vortex) eventually followed by their slow sedimentation, can be detected using such a resonant light probe. The overall duration of the first phase associated with sedimentation velocities is in the order of a few tens of µm/min for particles with submicron diameters (several hundreds of nanometers); a first attempt of comparison of this first phase with the results of the classic Stokes model would give a convergence of the values reaching between 9 and 19% for the sedimentation rates

Water access and attendance for diarrhea in primary health care centers,Gaza strip

International audienceWater access and sanitation has worsened in Gaza strip since the conflict between Israel and Palestine in January 2009. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between attendance for diarrhea to a Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in Gaza strip and several potential risk factors including water access. A matched case control study with prospective data record was performed. Cases were patients attending a PHCC for diarrhea, and controls were patients attending for any other cause with no diarrhea within the previous three months or since birth. We matched 133 cases and 133 controls, for date of inclusion, age, gender. All patients attended PHCC and were included in January/February 2010. A stool analysis for bacteria and parasites was performed for cases. Of the 266 patients, 62% (166) have to buy water from a private provider. In multivariate analysis, four variables were independently predictive of diarrhea: public water access (OR: 0.046; 95% CI: 0.005-0.454; P=0.0083), poultry or rabbits at home, and presence of cooker at home. A bacterial cause was found in 5.5% (7) and Giardia duodenalis in 20% (26). Treatments did not comply with WHO recommendations. Efforts should be made to improve water access and to implement guidelines for a better management of diarrhea in Gaza strip. (C) 2011 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygien

Threonine and methionine are limiting amino acids for protein synthesis in patients with AIDS

3 tables 4 graph.International audienc

Glutaminolysis is a metabolic route essential for survival and growth of prostate cancer cells and a target of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone regulation

Purpose Resistance to androgen-deprivation therapies and progression to so-called castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remain challenges in prostate cancer (PCa) management and treatment. Among other alterations, CRPC has been associated with metabolic reprogramming driven by androgens. Here, we investigated the role of androgens in regulating glutaminolysis in PCa cells and determined the relevance of this metabolic route in controlling the survival and growth of androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and CRPC (DU145 and PC3) cells. Methods PCa cells (LNCaP, DU145 and PC3) and 3-month old rats were treated with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Alternatively, LNCaP cells were exposed to the glutaminase inhibitor BPTES, alone or in combination with the anti-androgen bicalutamide. Biochemical, Western blot and extracellular flux assays were used to evaluate the viability, proliferation, migration and metabolism of PCa cells in response to DHT treatment or glutaminase inhibition. Results We found that DHT up-regulated the expression of the glutamine transporter ASCT2 and glutaminase, both in vitro in LNCaP cells and in vivo in rat prostate cells. BPTES diminished the viability and migration of PCa cells, while increasing caspase-3 activity. CRPC cells were found to be more dependent on glutamine and more sensitive to glutaminase inhibition. BPTES and bicalutamide co-treatment had an additive effect on suppressing LNCaP cell viability. Finally, we found that inhibition of glutaminolysis differentially affected glycolysis and lipid metabolism in both androgen-sensitive and CRPC cells. Conclusion Our data reveal glutaminolysis as a central metabolic route controlling PCa cell fate and highlight the relevance of targeting glutaminase for CRPC treatment.FEDER funds through the POCI - COMPETE 2020 - Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalization in Axis I -Strengthening research, technological development and innovation [007491, 029114]; National Funds by the FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology [UID/Multi/00709/2013]; FCTPortuguese Foundation for Science and TechnologyEuropean Commission [SFRH/BD/111351/2015, SFRH/BD/104671/2014, IF/00614/2014/CP12340006]; FCT Investigator contract from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Portugal [IF/00614/2014]; FCT Research Center gran

Alfred Marshall and Fran\ue7ois Perroux: the neglected liaison

The richness Fran\ue7ois Perroux\u2019s economic theories have allowed the literature to highlight several connections between him and other authors. Among the names mentioned in the literature, one economist is conspicuous by his absence: Alfred Marshall. However, the relations between Marshall and Perroux are manifold and are far from accidental: not only because Perroux was a careful reader of Marshall but also and moreover because they both have an important common ground, which affected their perspectives. The main aim of this paper is to inquire into the aspects that characterise Marshall\u2019s and Perroux\u2019s approaches, stressing their affinities and underlining their common roots