Various Approaches for Predicting Land Cover in Mountain Areas

Using former maps, geographers intend to study the evolution of the land cover in order to have a prospective approach on the future landscape; predictions of the future land cover, by the use of older maps and environmental variables, are usually done through the GIS (Geographic Information System). We propose here to confront this classical geographical approach with statistical approaches: a linear parametric model (polychotomous regression modeling) and a nonparametric one (multilayer perceptron). These methodologies have been tested on two real areas on which the land cover is known at various dates; this allows us to emphasize the benefit of these two statistical approaches compared to GIS and to discuss the way GIS could be improved by the use of statistical models.Comment: 14 pages; Classifications: Information Theory; Probability Theory & Applications; Statistical Computing; Statistical Theory & Method

Tisotumab vedotin in previously treated recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer

Purpose: Tissue factor (TF) is a potential target in cervical cancer as it is frequently highly expressed and associated with poor prognosis. Tisotumab vedotin, a first-in-class investigational antibody-drug conjugate targeting TF, has demonstrated encouraging activity in solid tumors. Here we report data from the cervical cancer cohort of innovaTV 201 phase 1/2 study (NCT02001623). Experimental Design: Patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer received tisotumab vedotin 2.0 mg/kg every 3 weeks until progressive disease, unacceptable toxicity, or consent withdrawal. The primary objective was safety and tolerability. Secondary objectives included antitumor activity. Results: Of the 55 patients, 51% had received ≥2 prior lines of treatment in the recurrent or metastatic setting; 67% had prior bevacizumab+doublet chemotherapy. 51% of patients had squamous cell carcinoma. The most common grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were anemia (11%), fatigue (9%), and vomiting (7%). No grade 5 treatment-related AEs occurred. Investigator-assessed confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 24% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13%−37%). Median duration of response (DOR) was 4.2 months (range: 1.0+−9.7); four patients responded for >8 months. The 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 29% (95% CI: 17%−43%). Independent review outcomes were comparable, with confirmed ORR of 22% (95% CI: 12%−35%), median DOR of 6.0 months (range: 1.0+−9.7), and 6-month PFS rate of 40% (95% CI: 24%−55%). TF expression was confirmed in most patients; no significant association with response was observed. Conclusions: Tisotumab vedotin demonstrated a manageable safety profile and encouraging antitumor activity in patients with previously treated recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer

Olfactory Stem Cells, a New Cellular Model for Studying Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Familial Dysautonomia

International audienceBackground: Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a hereditary neuropathy caused by mutations in the IKBKAP gene, the most common of which results in variable tissue-specific mRNA splicing with skipping of exon 20. Defective splicing is especially severe in nervous tissue, leading to incomplete development and progressive degeneration of sensory and autonomic neurons. The specificity of neuron loss in FD is poorly understood due to the lack of an appropriate model system. To better understand and modelize the molecular mechanisms of IKBKAP mRNA splicing, we collected human olfactory ecto-mesenchymal stem cells (hOE-MSC) from FD patients. hOE-MSCs have a pluripotent ability to differentiate into various cell lineages, including neurons and glial cells.Methodology/Principal Findings: We confirmed IKBKAP mRNA alternative splicing in FD hOE-MSCs and identified 2 novel spliced isoforms also present in control cells. We observed a significant lower expression of both IKBKAP transcript and IKAP/hELP1 protein in FD cells resulting from the degradation of the transcript isoform skipping exon 20. We localized IKAP/hELP1 in different cell compartments, including the nucleus, which supports multiple roles for that protein. We also investigated cellular pathways altered in FD, at the genome-wide level, and confirmed that cell migration and cytoskeleton reorganization were among the processes altered in FD. Indeed, FD hOE-MSCs exhibit impaired migration compared to control cells. Moreover, we showed that kinetin improved exon 20 inclusion and restores a normal level of IKAP/hELP1 in FD hOE-MSCs. Furthermore, we were able to modify the IKBKAP splicing ratio in FD hOE-MSCs, increasing or reducing the WT (exon 20 inclusion):MU (exon 20 skipping) ratio respectively, either by producing free-floating spheres, or by inducing cells into neural differentiation.Conclusions/Significance: hOE-MSCs isolated from FD patients represent a new approach for modeling FD to better understand genetic expression and possible therapeutic approaches. This model could also be applied to other neurological genetic diseases

Cancer du sein et Herceptin.

HER2 is a member of tyrosine kinase growth factor receptor family. When activated, it induces an intracellular phosphorylation cascade leading to an increased protein transcription and cellular growth. HER2 is overexpressed or amplified in 20 to 30% of invasive breast cancer where it plays an important role in the natural history of the disease. It is considered a poor prognostic factor and may also play a role as a predictive factor for response to therapy (potential resistance to hormonotherapy or CMF, sensitivity to anthracycline-based therapy). On the other hand, a monoclonal antibody, targetting specifically HER2, Herceptin (trastuzumab) has been developed and has shown a survival benefit in metastatic breast cancer strongly overexpressing HER2. Herceptin is actually "incorporated" in therapeutic algorithms for metastatic breast cancer and is evaluated in adjuvant settings. For all those reasons, the tumor HER2 status should probably be "routinely" tested in order to optimize the management of breast cancer patients. Nevertheless, some points remain to be elucidated, including the optimal methods of detection of HER2 (immunohistochemistry, Fish). One of the priorities for future research is to standardize HER2 testing, in order to reduce false-positive results and false-negative results and to better identify patients who are most likely going to benefit from Herceptin.English AbstractJournal ArticleReviewinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Practical guide to chemotherapy and hormonal therapy administration for physicians and nurses

Chemotherapy and endocrine therapy have been the milestones of cancer treatment for the past 3 decades. Various combinations are used, and ways of administering the drugs and the number of potentially active new drugs are continually increasing, adding to the complexity of the treatments.SCOPUS: ch.binfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Dissection spontanée de l'artère carotide interne :à propos d'un cas.

Dissections of the extracranial internal carotid artery are probably underestimated in the general population. They are often unrecognized and asymptomatic as shown in this case report and are only the cause of 1 to 4% of cerebral ischaemic accidents. However, they are responsible for 5 to 20% of such accidents in adults younger than 30 years of age. The nontraumatic nature of the carotid artery dissection in our case has been suggested by the medical history although minor trauma could have been missed. A skin biopsy has enabled us to eliminate elastopathies such as Marfan's or Ehlers-Danlos' syndrome. The diagnosis of dissection has been suggested by a Doppler colour echography ;it was confirmed by the arteriography which revealed a long dissection looking like "string sign" at the level of the internal carotid artery just over the carotid bulb. As far as the evolution is concerned, a medical treatment made it quickly favourable.Case ReportsEnglish AbstractJournal ArticleReviewSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Modélisations prospectives de l’occupation du sol. Le cas d’une montagne méditerranéenne

The authors apply three methods of prospective modelling to high resolution georeferenced land cover data in a Mediterranean mountain area: GIS approach, generalized linear model and neural networks. Land cover prediction to the latest known date is used to validate the models. In the frame of spatial-temporal dynamics in open systems, results are encouraging and comparable. Correct prediction scores average around 73 %. The results analysis focuses on geographic location, land cover categories and parametric distance to reality of the residuals. Comparing the three models shows the high degree of convergence and a relative similitude of the results obtained by the two statistical approaches compared to the GIS supervised model. Further steps are the application of the models to other test areas and the identification of respective advantages to develop an integrated model

Modélisation prospective de l’occupation du sol. Le cas d’une montagne méditerrannéenne.

International audienceLes auteurs mettent en œuvre trois méthodes de modélisation prospective appliquées à des données géoréférencées haute résolution portant sur l’occupation du sol en milieu montagnard méditerranéen : approche SIG, modèle linéaire généralisé et réseaux neuronaux. Une validation des modèles est entreprise par la prédiction de l’occupation du sol à la dernière date connue. Les résultats obtenus sont, dans le contexte de la dynamique spatio-temporelle de systèmes ouverts encourageants et comparables. Les scores de prédiction correcte se situent autour de 73 %. L’analyse des résultats porte notamment sur la localisation géographique, les types d’occupation du sol concernés et les écarts à la réalité des résidus. Un croisement des trois modèles souligne le degré élevé de convergence et une relative similitude des résultats issus desdeux approches statistiques comparée au modèle SIG supervisé. Des travaux en cours concernent la mise en œuvre des modèles sur d’autres sites et le repérage des points forts respectifs afin de développer un modèle intégré

: Prospective modelling of land cover in mediterranean moutain areas

19 pagesNational audienceThe authors apply three methods of prospective modelling to high resolution georeferenced land cover data in a Mediterranean mountain area: GIS approach, non linear parametric model and neuronal network. Land cover prediction to the latest known date is used to validate the models. In the frame of spatial-temporal dynamics in open systems results are encouraging and comparable. Correct prediction scores are about 73 %. The results analysis focuses on geographic location, land cover categories and parametric distance to reality of the residues. Crossing the three models show the high degree of convergence and a relative similitude of the results obtained by the two statistic approaches compared to the GIS supervised model. Steps under work are the application of the models to other test areas and the identification of respective advantages to develop an integrated model.Les auteurs mettent en œuvre trois méthodes de modélisation prospective appliquées à des données géoréférencées haute résolution portant sur l'occupation du sol en milieu montagnard méditerranéen : approche SIG, modèle paramétrique non linéaire et réseaux neuronaux. Une validation des modèles est entreprise par la prédiction de l'occupation du sol à la dernière date connue. Les résultats obtenus sont, dans le contexte de la dynamique spatio-temporelle de systèmes ouverts encourageants et comparables. Les scores de prédiction correcte se situent autour de 73 %. L'analyse des résultats porte notamment sur la localisation géographique, les types d'occupation du sol concernés et les écarts à la réalité des résidus. Un croisement des trois modèles souligne le degré élevé de convergence et une relative similitude des résultats issus des deux approches statistiques comparée au modèle SIG supervisé. Des travaux en cours concernent la mise en œuvre des modèles sur d'autres sites et le repérage des points forts respectifs afin de développer un modèle intégré