Spirituality of Depression

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Radiation-induced lung damage promotes breast cancer lung-metastasis through CXCR4 signaling

Radiotherapy is a mainstay in the postoperative treatment of breast cancer as it reduces the risks of local recurrence and mortality after both conservative surgery and mastectomy. Despite recent efforts to decrease irradiation volumes through accelerated partial irradiation techniques, late cardiac and pulmonary toxicity still occurs after breast irradiation. The importance of this pulmonary injury towards lung metastasis is unclear. Preirradiation of lung epithelial cells induces DNA damage, p53 activation and a secretome enriched in the chemokines SDF-1/CXCL12 and MIF. Irradiated lung epithelial cells stimulate adhesion, spreading, growth, and (transendothelial) migration of human MDA-MB-231 and murine 4T1 breast cancer cells. These metastasis-associated cellular activities were largely mimicked by recombinant CXCL12 and MIF. Moreover, an allosteric inhibitor of the CXCR4 receptor prevented the metastasis-associated cellular activities stimulated by the secretome of irradiated lung epithelial cells. Furthermore, partial (10%) irradiation of the right lung significantly stimulated breast cancer lung-specific metastasis in the syngeneic, orthotopic 4T1 breast cancer model. Our results warrant further investigation of the potential pro-metastatic effects of radiation and indicate the need to develop efficient drugs that will be successful in combination with radiotherapy to prevent therapy-induced spread of cancer cells

Exploring conformational energy landscape of glassy disaccharides by CPMAS 13C NMR and DFT/GIAO simulations. I. Methodological aspects

The aim of this article is to assess the ability of chemical shift surfaces to provide structural information on conformational distributions of disaccharides in glassy solid state. The validity of the general method leading to a simulation of inhomogeneous 13C chemical shift distributions is discussed in detail. In particular, a proper consideration of extrema and saddle points of the chemical shift map correctly accounts for the observed discontinuities in the experimental CPMAS spectra. Provided that these basic requirements are met, DFT/GIAO chemical shift maps calculated on relaxed conformations lead to a very satisfactory description of the experimental lineshapes. On solid-state trehalose as a model of amorphous disaccharide, this simulation approach defines unambiguously the most populated sugar conformation in the glass, and can help in discriminating the validity of different models of intramolecular energy landscape. Application to other molecular systems with broad conformational populations is foreseen to produce a larger dependence of the calculated chemical shift distribution on the conformational map

Exploring conformational energy landscape of glassy disaccharides by CPMAS 13C NMR and DFT/GIAO simulations. II. Enhanced molecular flexibility in amorphous trehalose

This paper deals with the comparative use of the chemical shift surfaces to simulate experimental 13C CPMAS data on amorphous solid state disaccharides, paying particular attention to -1-1 linkage of trehalose, to -1,4 linkage between pyranose rings (lactose) and to linkage implying a furanose ring (sucrose). The combination of molecular mechanics with DFT/GIAO ab-initio methods provides reliable structural information on the conformational distribution in the glass. The results are interpreted in terms of an enhanced flexibility that trehalose experiences in amorphous solid state compared to the other sugars. An attempt to relate this property to the balance between intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonding network in the glass is presented

Diversity of the Insect Visitors on Calluna vulgaris (Ericaceae) in Southern France Heathlands

As part of an ongoing research project on the pollination networks in European heathlands, the objective of this study was to assess the insect visitor guild on Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull (Ericaceae). We focused the study on a region renowned for its largely well-preserved heathlands, the Cévennes National Park, Southern France. In 2013, flower visitors were observed over 3 d per site, in four heathland sites at mont Lozère. Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) were the main visitors (62–88% of total visitors). Besides honeybees, a high diversity of visitors was detected with 57 different species identified (42 Diptera and 15 Hymenoptera). Hoverflies (Syrphidae, Diptera) visitors were abundant and diverse, especially individuals belonging to the genera Eristalis and Episyrphus. The reported diversity of visitors was probably due to the preservation of large heathland areas at mont Lozère and to the generalist pollination system of C. vulgaris

Vulnérabilités liées à l'eau dans les Andes vénézuéliennes : influences des relations sociétés/hydrosystèmes dans le cas de Santa-Cruz-de-Mora

International audienceDes mutations agricoles sont survenues au cours des dernières décennies dans les Andes vénézuéliennes. Cette région autrefois grande productrice de café a vu sa production baisser au profit du maraîchage irrigué et du pastoralisme. Nous avons mené 2 démarches parallèles : la caractérisation des changements d'occupation du sol afin de mettre en perspective le discours des habitants ; et l'analyse des représentations sociales des risques liés à l'eau, restitués plus largement dans les représentations des hydrosystèmes

Mutarotational Kinetics and Glass Transition of Lactose

We report for the first time real time in situ and quantitative measurements of the mutarotation reaction of lactose in the solid state. The experiments have been performed by 13C NMR. We show that mutarotation is initiated on heating the amorphous state, and reaches chemical equilibrium close above the glass transition temperature Tg. We do not observe this transformation when starting from stable crystalline states. The final ratio of and anomers is 1:1, which suggests that the energy profile of the mutarotation reaction pathway in the solid state is actually different from the mechanism proposed for aqueous solution. This chemical equipartition is reached before the crystallization into the corresponding 1:1 molecular compound. These new data clearly illustrate the interrelation between the chemical molecular properties, the physical state of the material, and the relaxational dynamics of the glass

Amélioration transfrontalière de la prévention et de la gestion des risques du sous-sol engendrés par les terrains sous-cavés : Compte-rendu du colloque 'Gestion transfrontalière du risque cavités' (Lille, 14/11/2019)

En raison d'une géologie et d'une histoire industrielle communes, la Wallonie et les Hauts-de-France comportent de nombreuses cavités souterraines d'origine naturelle et anthropique sur leur territoire. Grâce à une approche transfrontalière, le projet Interreg RISSC vise à mieux prévenir et gérer les risques du sous-sol engendrés par ces terrains sous-cavés. Le 14 novembre 2019, les partenaires du projet ont présenté leurs avancées à mi-parcours. Le projet RISSC s'organise en 3 modules techniques qui concernent (1) la caractérisation des objets et des menaces présents en Wallonie et dans les Hauts-de-France, (2) le développement de solutions locales adaptées pour réduire le risque et (3) la mise en place d'un soutien technique à destination des acteurs locaux et de la population. Pour atteindre ces objectifs, les différents opérateurs (ISSeP, Association des Communes Minières de France, CEREMA, Ineris, Université de Mons, Université de Lille, villes de Lille et de Mons, Service Public de Wallonie (SPW Mobilité et Infrastructures et SPW Agriculture, Ressources Naturelles et Environnement)) bénéficient d'une enveloppe de près de 1.5 millions d'euros. Le colloque « Gestion transfrontalière du risque cavités » s'est surtout concentré sur les deux premiers axes du projet. Une des premières actions réalisées a consisté à inventorier les cavités souterraines présentes en Wallonie et dans les Hauts-de-France. Le contexte transfrontalier montre de nombreuses similitudes (exploitations souterraines de craie, de sable, exploitations profondes de charbon) mais aussi des spécificités plus locales. Dans chaque région, des bases de données sont constituées pour dresser ces inventaires ; elles sont en constante évolution pour mieux répondre aux besoins des acteurs du risque du sous-sol et des populations. Les cavités souterraines sont des objets évolutifs. Pour bien les caractériser et pour prévenir les risques associés, différentes techniques de surveillance peuvent être mises en oeuvre. Lors du colloque, les travaux d'inspection visuelle réalisés par le Service Commun des Carrières Souterraines de la Ville de Lille ont été présentés. Cette approche peut être complétée par l'instrumentation des cavités avec différents capteurs. L'exemple de la carrière Gide-Krebs (Hellemmes, France), instrumentée par l'Ineris et connectée à la plate-forme e-Cenaris, a été développé. Dans le cas des carrières souterraines, différents mécanismes peuvent induire des dégradations. Ils trouvent leur origine non seulement dans les caractéristiques du massif rocheux mais aussi dans des facteurs bio-physico-chimiques, les techniques d'exploitation employées, l'histoire du site et toute une série de facteurs extérieurs. Ces mécanismes de dégradation ont été expliqués et illustrés par plusieurs exemples. Le cas particulier des carrières souterraines de la Malogne, site test sur le versant wallon, a été développé. L'approche combine un travail sur le terrain et en laboratoire : recensement des désordres, caractérisation mécanique du massif rocheux, essais mécaniques en laboratoire et modélisation numérique du comportement de l'ouvrage. Enfin, un dernier volet abordé lors du colloque concerne l'influence minière sur les ouvrages souterrains proches de la surface, également à travers l'exemple de la Malogne.Amélioration transfrontalière de la Prévention et de la Gestion des Risques du Sous-Sol engendrés par les terrains sous-Cavés - Région wallonn

Prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance in treated patients with viral load >50 copies/mL in 2009: a French nationwide study

Background Surveillance of HIV-1 drug resistance in treated patients with plasma viral load (VL) >50 copies/mL. Methods The protease and reverse transcriptase (RT) genes were systematically sequenced in samples from 756 patients with VL >50 copies/mL in 2009. The genotyping results were interpreted for each antiretroviral drug (ARV) by using the ANRS algorithm v21. Weighted analyses were used to derive representative estimates of percentages of patients. Prevalence rates were compared with those obtained in 2004 among patients with VL >1000 copies/mL. Results Sequences were obtained for 506 patients. Sequencing was successful in 45%, 80% and 96% of samples with VL of 51-500, 501-1000 and >1000 copies/mL, respectively. Resistance or possible resistance to at least one ARV was observed in 59% of samples. Overall, 0.9% of samples contained viruses resistant to all drugs belonging to at least three drug classes. All resistance prevalence rates were significantly lower in 2009 than in 2004. Conclusion In France, where 86% of patients were receiving combination antiretroviral therapy in 2009, only 15.0% of patients had a VL >50 copies/mL, suggesting that only 8.9% of treated patients could potentially transmit resistant viruses. Only 0.08% of patients harboured viruses fully resistant to at least three antiretroviral drug classes. Further studies are needed to determine whether resistance continues to decline over tim

Leveraging artificial intelligence and data science techniques in harmonizing, sharing, accessing and analyzing SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 data in Rwanda (LAISDAR Project):study design and rationale

Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda, a vast amount of SARS-COV-2/COVID-19-related data have been collected including COVID-19 testing and hospital routine care data. Unfortunately, those data are fragmented in silos with different data structures or formats and cannot be used to improve understanding of the disease, monitor its progress, and generate evidence to guide prevention measures. The objective of this project is to leverage the artificial intelligence (AI) and data science techniques in harmonizing datasets to support Rwandan government needs in monitoring and predicting the COVID-19 burden, including the hospital admissions and overall infection rates.Methods: The project will gather the existing data including hospital electronic health records (EHRs), the COVID-19 testing data and will link with longitudinal data from community surveys. The open-source tools from Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) will be used to harmonize hospital EHRs through the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM). The project will also leverage other OHDSI tools for data analytics and network integration, as well as R Studio and Python. The network will include up to 15 health facilities in Rwanda, whose EHR data will be harmonized to OMOP CDM.Expected results: This study will yield a technical infrastructure where the 15 participating hospitals and health centres will have EHR data in OMOP CDM format on a local Mac Mini (“data node”), together with a set of OHDSI open-source tools. A central server, or portal, will contain a data catalogue of participating sites, as well as the OHDSI tools that are used to define and manage distributed studies. The central server will also integrate the information from the national Covid-19 registry, as well as the results of the community surveys. The ultimate project outcome is the dynamic prediction modelling for COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda.Discussion: The project is the first on the African continent leveraging AI and implementation of an OMOP CDM based federated data network for data harmonization. Such infrastructure is scalable for other pandemics monitoring, outcomes predictions, and tailored response planning