In two minds: executive functioning versus theory of mind in behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia

Background: The relationship of executive function (EF) and theory of mind (ToM) deficits in neurodegeneration is still debated. There is contradicting evidence as to whether these cognitive processes are overlapping or distinct, which has clear clinical relevance for the evaluation of their associated clinical symptoms. Aim: To investigate the relationship of EF and ToM deficits via a data-driven approach in a large sample of patients with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). Methods: Data of 46 patients with bvFTD were employed in a hierarchical cluster analysis to determine the similarity of variance between different EF measures (verbal abstraction, verbal initiation, motor programming, sensitivity to interference, inhibitory control, visual abstraction, flexibility, working memory/attention) and ToM (faux pas). Results: Overall results showed that EF measures were clustered separately from the ToM measure. A post hoc analysis revealed a more complex picture where selected ToM subcomponents (empathy; intention) showed a relationship to specific EF measures (verbal abstraction; working memory/attention), whereas the remaining EF and ToM subcomponents were separate. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings suggest that EF and ToM are distinct components; however, ToM empathy and intention subcomponents might share some functions with specific EF processes. This has important implications for guiding diagnostic assessment of these deficits in clinical conditions

L’histoire et les Penny Journals : réécriture du passé et construction identitaire

George Petrie (1790-1866) espérait fédérer la population irlandaise autour d’une histoire nationale non-sectaire sur le plan religieux. Cet article montre comment ce projet a dépassé le cercle restreint des historiens pour se diffuser sur le plan national. Le Dublin Penny Journal était en effet destiné à toutes les classes de la société et tentait de populariser tous les aspects de l’histoire et du folklore irlandais auprès du grand public.George Petrie’s project was to reconcile all the communities of Ireland by presenting them a non-sectarian national history. This paper aims at showing how this project left the limited circle of historians and antiquarians to be circulated on a national basis. The Dublin Penny Journal was written for all the social classes of the Irish society and tried to popularize all aspects of history and folklore

Les relations entre producteurs et distributeurs, une analyse économique et économétrique de mécanismes inflationnistes sur les prix de détail

Le secteur de la distribution française est l'un des plus réglementés d'Europe. La dernière réforme dite loi Dutreil II, qui succède à la loi Galland de 1996 a pris effet au 1er janvier 2006. L'un de ses principaux articles impose la réintégration d'une partie des marges arrière (la part excédant 20% du prix unitaire facturé) dans le seuil de revente à perte. Cette mesure destinée à évoluer vers une intégration totale des marges arrière empêche donc désormais les producteurs de fixer un prix plancher uniforme à leurs distributeurs. L'objet de cette réforme est de ramener à un niveau plus faible l'inflation des prix des produits vendus en grande surface, notamment les produits de grandes marques. Les recherches présentées permettent de mieux cerner les mécanismes qui facilitent la hausse ou au contraire, la baisse des prix de détail dans la grande distribution. Les rapports de force entre fournisseurs et distributeurs et les réglementations jouent un rôle crucial dans la compréhension de ces mécanismes. Les analyses développées associent apports théoriques et économétriques.

Invariant NKT Cells Suppress CD8+ T-Cell–Mediated Allergic Contact Dermatitis Independently of Regulatory CD4+ T Cells

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells expressing a CD1d-restricted invariant αβTCR have key regulatory roles in autoimmunity, pathogen immunity, and tumor surveillance, but their function in the control of allergic skin diseases remains poorly documented. Using a model of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) to the hapten DNFB, we show here that iNKT cell deficiency results in enhanced skin inflammation due to augmented hapten-specific IFN-γ-producing CD8+ effectors in skin draining lymph nodes (dLNs) and their massive recruitment into the allergen-exposed skin. Adoptive transfer and antibody depletion experiments as well as in vitro studies revealed that iNKT cells (1) reduce the severity of CHS, even in presensitized mice, (2) require hapten presentation by CD1d+ dendritic cells (DCs) to dampen skin inflammation, and (3) produce IL-4 and IL-13 after CD1d-dependent in vitro stimulation by hapten-loaded DCs only in the presence of IFN-γ released from activated CD8+ effector T cells. In corollary, mice double deficient in IL-4 and IL-13 exhibit an exacerbated CHS. Finally, iNKT-suppressive function is independent of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). These data highlight that, besides Foxp3+ Tregs, iNKT cells are potent downregulators of CD8+ T cell–mediated CHS, and underscore that both cell types are important for the regulation of allergic skin inflammation

Plan comparison of volumetric-modulated arc therapy (RapidArc) and conventional intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in anal canal cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To compare volumetric-modulated arc therapy (RapidArc) plans with conventional intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans in anal canal cancers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ten patients with anal canal carcinoma previously treated with IMRT in our institution were selected for this study. For each patient, three plans were generated with the planning CT scan: one using a fixed beam IMRT, and two plans using the RapidArc technique: a single (RA1) and a double (RA2) modulated arc therapy. The treatment plan was designed to deliver in one process with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) a dose of 59.4 Gy to the planning target volume (PTV2) based on the gross disease in a 1.8 Gy-daily fraction, 5 days a week. At the same time, the subclinical disease (PTV1) was planned to receive 49.5 Gy in a 1.5 Gy-daily fraction. Plans were normalized to 99% of the PTV2 that received 95% of the prescribed dose. Planning objectives were 95% of the PTV1 will receive 95% of the prescribed dose and no more than 2% of the PTV will receive more than 107%. Dose-volume histograms (DVH) for the target volume and the organs at risk (bowel tract, bladder, iliac crests, femoral heads, genitalia/perineum, and healthy tissue) were compared for these different techniques. Monitor units (MU) and delivery treatment time were also reported.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All plans achieved fulfilled objectives. Both IMRT and RA2 resulted in superior coverage of PTV than RA1 that was slightly inferior for conformity and homogeneity (p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conformity index (CI_95%) for the PTV2 was 1.15 ± 0.15 (RA2), 1.28 ± 0.22 (IMRT), and 1.79 ± 0.5 (RA1). Homogeneity (D_5%- D_95%) for PTV2 was 3.21 ± 1.16 Gy (RA2), 2.98 ± 0.7 Gy (IMRT), and 4.3 ± 1.3 Gy (RA1). RapidArc showed to be superior to IMRT in terms of organ at risk sparing. For bowel tract, the mean dose was reduced of 4 Gy by RA2 compared to IMRT. Similar trends were observed for bladder, femoral heads, and genitalia. The DVH of iliac crests and healthy tissue resulted in comparable sparing for the low doses (V10 and V20). Compared to IMRT, mean MUs for each fraction was significantly reduced with RapidArc (p = 0.0002) and the treatment time was reduced by a 6-fold extent.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>For patients suffering from anal canal cancer, RapidArc with 2 arcs was able to deliver equivalent treatment plan to IMRT in terms of PTV coverage. It provided a better organ at risk sparing and significant reductions of MU and treatment time per fraction.</p

IMRT for locally advanced anal cancer: clinical experience of the Montpellier Cancer Center

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Purpose</p> <p>To assess outcomes of patients with carcinoma of the anal canal (CAC) treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).</p> <p>Method and materials</p> <p>From August 2007 to January 2011, seventy-two patients suffering from CAC were treated with IMRT. Concurrent chemotherapy was added in case of locally advanced tumors. Radiation course consisted in delivering an initial plan to the PTV1 defined as the primary tumor and the risk area including pelvic and inguinal nodes. Forty-five Gy in daily 1.8 Gy-daily fractions were delivered five days a week. A second plan of 14.4-20 Gy to the primary tumor (PTV2) was administered in 1.8-2 Gy-daily fractions, 5 days a week. We present here the results of dosimetry, toxicities, and clinical outcome of the first 39 patients with a median follow-up of 24 months.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty-one women and eight men were included in the present analysis. Tumors were classified as stages I, II, III and IV in 2, 7, 27 and 2 patients, respectively. Median age was 59 years (range, 38-85). Radiotherapy alone (RT) or combined with chemotherapy (RCT) were delivered in 6 (15%) and 33 (85%) patients, respectively.</p> <p>Six patients (15%) required a treatment break ≥ 3 days, and median time for treatment break was 8 days (range, 3-14 days). Acute grade 3 gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities were seen in 10 and 5% of patients, respectively. Grade 4 toxicity was only hematologic and occurred in 12% patients receiving RCT. With a median follow-up of 24 months, no patient experienced any late grade 4 toxicity. The 2-year overall survival rate was 89%, the 2-year local relapse free survival was 77% and the 2-year colostomy-free survival rate was 85%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>IMRT is well tolerated with acceptable treatment interruption allowing dose escalation.</p