The neurohormonal induction of the release of oocytes and sperm from Pecten maximus

In order to induce in vitro maturation of Pecten maximus oocytes, experiments were carried out using different concentrations of the serotonin and dopamine agonists TFMPP, 8-OHDPAT, quinpirole and bromocriptine. The greatest germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) occurred using TFMPP. Metaphasic blocks were rarely observed. Oocytes treated with TFMPP at 10 super(-3) and 5x10 super(-4) M could be fertilized at low levels. The maximum fertilization rate recorded was 23%. A second series of experiments was conducted to determine the effects of serotonin, dopamine, the agonists cited above and PGE sub(2) on the release of oocytes and sperm from P. maximus. These inducers were injected into both the male and female parts of the gonads and spermiation was systematically tested approximately 20 minutes following injection. No oocyte release was recorded, except after one injection of 8-OHDPAT at 5x10 super(-4) M; the effect of 8-OHDPAT on the release of oocytes was nevertheless insignificant

On the application of the factsage thermochemical software and databases in materials science and pyrometallurgy

ABSTRACT: The discovery of new metallic materials is of prime importance for the development of new technologies in many fields such as electronics, aerial and ground transportation as well as construction. These materials require metals which are obtained from various pyrometallurgical processes. Moreover, these materials need to be synthesized under extreme conditions of temperature where liquid solutions are produced and need to be contained. The design and optimization of all these pyrometallurgical processes is a key factor in this development. We present several examples in which computational thermochemistry is used to simulate complex pyrometallurgical processes including the Hall–Heroult process (Al production), the PTVI process (Ni production), and the steel deoxidation from an overall mass balance and energy balance perspective. We also show how computational thermochemistry can assist in the material selection in these extreme operation conditions to select refractory materials in contact with metallic melts. The FactSage thermochemical software and its specialized databases are used to perform these simulations which are proven here to match available data found in the literature

La réussite scolaire au collégial [au Québec] : une réalité complexe.

Bibliogr.Des balises pour cerner la réussite [points de vue étudiants], La motivation : quand la parole est donnée aux élèves [ce qui suscite la motivation selon des étudiants du collégial présentant des difficultés langagières] / Les plans d'aide à la réussite dans les cégeps : un enseignant s'interroge [lettre ouverte au ministre de l'Education] / L'obligation de résultats en éducation : oui, mais dans le respect de la qualité de la formation / La réussite scolaire au collégial : entre la solution politique et l'acharnement pédagogique / La réussite des études : historique et pistes de recherche [réflexion sur l'importance du contexte social et des habitudes de vie des jeunes] / Bibliographie : pédagogie collégiale et le thème de la réussite scolaire

Rehospitalization, Treatment, and Resource Use After Inpatient Admission for Achalasia in the USA

Introduction: Readmission for achalasia treatment is associated with significant morbidity and cost. Factors predictive of readmission would be useful in identifying patients at risk. Methods: We performed a retrospective study using the Nationwide Readmission Database for the year 2016 and 2017. We collected data on hospital readmissions of 17,848 adults who were hospitalized for achalasia and discharged. The 30-day readmission rate as well as the primary cause, mortality rate, in-hospital adverse events, and total hospitalization charges were examined. A cox multivariate regression model was used to identify independent risk factors for 30-day readmission, including the surgical or endoscopic treatment used during the index admission. Results: From 2016 to 2017, the 30-day readmission rate for index admission with achalasia was 15.2%. Of these 15.2%, 34% were readmitted with persistent symptoms of achalasia or treatment-related complications. Older age, higher comorbidity index, possessing private insurance, and those with either pneumatic balloon dilation or no endoscopic/surgical treatment showed higher odds of readmission on multivariate analysis. Those treated with laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) or peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) showed lower odds of readmission. There was no difference in rates of readmission between those undergoing POEM or LHM, but mortality rate for readmission was significantly higher for the LHM group. The in-hospital mortality rate and length of stay were significantly higher for readmissions (p \u3c 0.01) than the index admissions. Conclusion: Three in 20 patients admitted with achalasia are likely to be readmitted within 30 days of their initial hospitalization, a number which can be higher in untreated patients and in those with multiple comorbidities. Rehospitalizations bear a higher mortality rate than the initial admission and present a burden to the healthcare system. Keywords: 30-Day readmission; Achalasia; Epidemiology; NRD; Outcomes research; POEM versus LHM

Per-oral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of non-achalasia esophageal dysmotility disorders: experience from a single high-volume center

Background: Achalasia is a rare disorder of esophageal motility that induces progressive intolerance to oral intake. Other esophageal dysmotility disorders include esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO), distal esophageal spasm (DES), hypercontractile esophagus (HE), and other minor disorders of peristalsis (MDP) and can present similarly to achalasia despite different pathophysiologies. Prior studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of POEM in the treatment of achalasia, but little is reported regarding POEM\u27s role in treating non-achalasia esophageal dysmotility disorders (NAEDD). This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of POEM in the treatment of NAEDD. Study design: This is a retrospective review of consecutive POEM cases from June 1, 2011, to February 1, 2021. NAEDD were characterized according to the Chicago classification. Primary outcome measure was the resolution of preoperative symptoms. Secondary outcomes include preoperative diagnosis, myotomy length, conversion to laparoscopic or open procedure, operative time, and length of stay (LOS). Technical success was defined as the completion of an 8 cm myotomy including the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and extending 2 cm distal to the EGJ. Clinical success was defined as a postoperative Eckardt score ≤ 3. Results: Of 124 cases of POEM performed during the study period, 17 were performed for NAEDD. Technical success was achieved in all 17 patients (100%). Of the fifteen patients that had documented postoperative Eckardt scores, 13 were ≤ 3, achieving a clinical success rate of 87%. Subgroup analysis (HE/MDP/DES vs. EGJOO) showed no significant differences in the preoperative or postoperative Eckardt scores between groups, and both groups demonstrated a significant decrease in Eckardt scores after POEM. No cases were aborted for technical or clinical reasons, and there were no adverse outcomes. Conclusion: POEM is a safe and efficacious treatment modality for NAEDD. Further work is needed to develop optimal treatment strategies for this complex group of diseases. Keywords: Dysmotility; Esophagus; Myotomy; POEM

Intestinal Akkermansia muciniphila predicts clinical response to PD-1 blockade in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

43siAside from PD-L1 expression, biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are needed. In a previous retrospective analysis, we documented that fecal Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk) was associated with clinical benefit of ICI in patients with NSCLC or kidney cancer. In the current study, we performed shotgun-metagenomics-based microbiome profiling in a large cohort of patients with advanced NSCLC (n = 338) treated with first- or second-line ICIs to prospectively validate the predictive value of fecal Akk. Baseline stool Akk was associated with increased objective response rates and overall survival in multivariate analyses, independent of PD-L1 expression, antibiotics, and performance status. Intestinal Akk was accompanied by a richer commensalism, including Eubacterium hallii and Bifidobacterium adolescentis, and a more inflamed tumor microenvironment in a subset of patients. However, antibiotic use (20% of cases) coincided with a relative dominance of Akk above 4.8% accompanied with the genus Clostridium, both associated with resistance to ICI. Our study shows significant differences in relative abundance of Akk that may represent potential biomarkers to refine patient stratification in future studies.reservedopenDerosa, Lisa; Routy, Bertrand; Thomas, Andrew Maltez; Iebba, Valerio; Zalcman, Gerard; Friard, Sylvie; Mazieres, Julien; Audigier-Valette, Clarisse; Moro-Sibilot, Denis; Goldwasser, François; Silva, Carolina Alves Costa; Terrisse, Safae; Bonvalet, Melodie; Scherpereel, Arnaud; Pegliasco, Hervé; Richard, Corentin; Ghiringhelli, François; Elkrief, Arielle; Desilets, Antoine; Blanc-Durand, Felix; Cumbo, Fabio; Blanco, Aitor; Boidot, Romain; Chevrier, Sandy; Daillère, Romain; Kroemer, Guido; Alla, Laurie; Pons, Nicolas; Le Chatelier, Emmanuelle; Galleron, Nathalie; Roume, Hugo; Dubuisson, Agathe; Bouchard, Nicole; Messaoudene, Meriem; Drubay, Damien; Deutsch, Eric; Barlesi, Fabrice; Planchard, David; Segata, Nicola; Martinez, Stéphanie; Zitvogel, Laurence; Soria, Jean-Charles; Besse, BenjaminDerosa, Lisa; Routy, Bertrand; Thomas, Andrew Maltez; Iebba, Valerio; Zalcman, Gerard; Friard, Sylvie; Mazieres, Julien; Audigier-Valette, Clarisse; Moro-Sibilot, Denis; Goldwasser, François; Silva, Carolina Alves Costa; Terrisse, Safae; Bonvalet, Melodie; Scherpereel, Arnaud; Pegliasco, Hervé; Richard, Corentin; Ghiringhelli, François; Elkrief, Arielle; Desilets, Antoine; Blanc-Durand, Felix; Cumbo, Fabio; Blanco, Aitor; Boidot, Romain; Chevrier, Sandy; Daillère, Romain; Kroemer, Guido; Alla, Laurie; Pons, Nicolas; Le Chatelier, Emmanuelle; Galleron, Nathalie; Roume, Hugo; Dubuisson, Agathe; Bouchard, Nicole; Messaoudene, Meriem; Drubay, Damien; Deutsch, Eric; Barlesi, Fabrice; Planchard, David; Segata, Nicola; Martinez, Stéphanie; Zitvogel, Laurence; Soria, Jean-Charles; Besse, Benjami