Exclusive involvement of H-2D(b) or H-2K(d) product in the interaction between T-killer lymphocytes and syngeneic H-2(b) or H-2(d) viral lymphomas

It was demonstrated previously that the cytolysis of murine viral lymphoma cells by anti-murine sarcoma virus (MSV) syngeneic T-killer lymphocytes was restricted by some products of the H-2 complex. The respective role of the products of different regions of the H-2 complex were studied with six H-2(b) and three H-2(d) lymphomas induced by five different type C viruses. They were tested in a classical chromium release test against anti-MSV T-killer cells obtained from different inbred strains of mice, including several H-2 recombinants. Tumors o£ the H-2(b) haplotype were lysed only when effectors and target cells have in common the D(b) region. On the contrary an identity limited to the K end of the H-2 complex is necessary and sufficient in the H-2(d) haplotype. An in vitro restimulation of the spleen cells with concanavalin A strongly increased the activity of in vivo-primed T lymphocytes but did not provide any response for in vivo-primed but nonresponder cells. Preincubation of the tumor cells with anti-H-2 sera abolished the lysis by syngeneic anti-MSV effector lymphocytes. The same results were obtained by preincubating the H-2(b) targets with anti-H-2D(b), or the H-2(d) target with anti-H-2K(d). Preincubation with anti-H-2K(b) or anti- H-2D(d) were ineffective. These results show that the T-killer/target cells interaction in the MSV system involved some products of the H-2 complex which might be different with the various H-2 haplotypes and could possibly vary according to the antigenic specificity. A specific association of a viral product with a normal cellular structure, directed by the H-2 region during the viral budding could explain the observed results

Single-cell quantification of IL-2 response by effector and regulatory T cells reveals critical plasticity in immune response

The sensitivity of T cells to interleukin-2 (IL-2) can vary by three orders of magnitude and is determined by the surface densities of the IL-2 receptor α subunits.Regulatory T cells inflict a double hit on effector T cells by lowering the bulk IL-2 concentration as well as the sensitivity of effector T cells to this crucial cytokine.This double hit deprives weakly activated effector T cells of pSTAT5 survival signals while having only minimal effects on strongly activated effector cells that express increased levels of the IL-2 receptor.Short-term signaling differences lead to a differential functional in terms of proliferation and cell division: regulatory T cell specifically suppress weakly activated effector T cells even at large numbers; small numbers of strongly activated effector T cells overcome the suppression

The subjective experience of young women with non-metastatic breast cancer: the Young Women with Breast Cancer Inventory

International audienceBackground: The subjective experience of young women with breast cancer has some particular features linked to the impact of the disease and its treatment on their age-related issues (e.g. desire for a child, couple relationship, career management). Despite these specific concerns, no questionnaire currently targets the young breast cancer patient's quality of life, subjective experience or common problems when facing cancer. This study presents the psychometric validation of an inventory that aimed to measure the impact of breast cancer on the quality of life of young women (<45 years of age) with non-metastatic disease. Methods: 546 women aged <45 years when diagnosed with a non-metastatic breast cancer were recruited in 27 French cancer research and treatment centers. They answered a self-reported questionnaire created from verbatim collected by non-directive interviews carried out with 69 patients in a first qualitative study. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses were conducted in order to obtain the final structure of the scale. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability and concurrent validity with quality of life questionnaires currently used (QLQ-C30 and the QLQ-BR23 module) were then assessed. Results: The YW-BCI36 contains 36 items and highlights 8 factors: 1) feeling of couple cohesion, 2) negative affectivity and apprehension about the future, 3) management of child(ren) and of everyday life, 4) sharing with close relatives, 5) body image and sexuality, 6) financial difficulties, 7) deterioration of relationships with close relatives, and 8) career management. Psychometric analyses indicated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.76 to 0.91) and temporal reliability (Bravais-Pearson correlations ranging from 0.66 to 0.85). As expected, there were quite strong correlations between the YW-BCI36 and the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 scores (r ranging from 0.20 to -0.66), indicating adequate concurrent validity. Conclusions: The YW-BCI36 was confirmed as a valid scale for evaluating the subjective experience of breast cancer in young women. This instrument could help to identify the problems of these women more precisely, in order to respond to them better by an optimal care management. This scale may improve the medical, psychological and social care of breast cancer patients

Transferring the quantum state of electrons across a Fermi sea with Coulomb interaction

The Coulomb interaction generally limits the quantum propagation of electrons. However, it can also provide a mechanism to transfer their quantum state over larger distances. Here, we demonstrate such a form of teleportation, across a metallic island within which the electrons are trapped much longer than their quantum lifetime. This effect originates from the low temperature freezing of the island's charge $Q$ which, in the presence of a single connected electronic channel, enforces a one-to-one correspondence between incoming and outgoing electrons. Such high-fidelity quantum state imprinting is established between well-separated injection and emission locations, through two-path interferences in the integer quantum Hall regime. The added electron quantum phase of $2\pi Q/e$ can allow for strong and decoherence-free entanglement of propagating electrons, and notably of flying qubits

Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring efficacy of perindopril/indapamide first-line combination in hypertensive patients: the REASON study

Background: Circadian blood pressure (BP) measurements provide more information on hypertensive complications than office BP measurements. The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of the first-line combination of perindopril 2 mg plus indapamide 0.625 mg versus atenolol 50 mg on BP parameters and variability over 24 h in patients with hypertension. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, controlled, 12-month study comparing perindopril/indapamide and atenolol was performed in 201 patients (age 55.0 years) with uncomplicated sustained essential hypertension. Ambulatory BP measurements (ABPM) were done every 15 min over 24 h. Results: After 1 year of treatment, the decrease in systolic BP was significantly greater for perindopril/indapamide than for atenolol during the entire 24-h period (-13.8 ν −9.2 mm Hg), the daytime and the nighttime periods (P < .01). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) variations were comparable for the two groups (−7.2 ν −8.3 mm Hg, NS). Pulse pressure (PP) reduction was also significantly greater for perindopril/indapamide than for atenolol (for the whole 24 h, −6.6 ν −0.9 mm Hg, P < .001). The through to peak (T/P) BP ratio and the smoothness index were comparable in the two groups for DBP. For systolic blood pressure (SBP), higher values of the T/P ratio (0.80 ν 0.59) and the smoothness index (1.45 ν 0.98; P < .02) were achieved for the perindopril/indapamide combination than for atenolol. Conclusions: The perindopril/indapamide first-line combination decreased SBP and PP more effectively than atenolol. Moreover, the BP control effect was smooth and consistent throughout the 24-h dosing interval and BP reduction variability was lower than the one induced by atenolo

Derivation of a Protein Risk Score for Cardiovascular Disease Among a Multiracial and Multiethnic HIV+ Cohort

Background Cardiovascular disease risk prediction models underestimate CVD risk in people living with HIV (PLWH). Our goal is to derive a risk score based on protein biomarkers that could be used to predict CVD in PLWH. Methods and Results In a matched case-control study, we analyzed normalized protein expression data for participants enrolled in 1 of 4 trials conducted by INSIGHT (International Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Trials). We used dimension reduction, variable selection and resampling methods, and multivariable conditional logistic regression models to determine candidate protein biomarkers and to generate a protein score for predicting CVD in PLWH. We internally validated our findings using bootstrap. A protein score that was derived from 8 proteins (including HGF [hepatocyte growth factor] and interleukin-6) was found to be associated with an increased risk of CVD after adjustment for CVD and HIV factors (odds ratio: 2.17 [95% CI: 1.58-2.99]). The protein score improved CVD prediction when compared with predicting CVD risk using the individual proteins that comprised the protein score. Individuals with a protein score above the median score were 3.10 (95% CI, 1.83-5.41) times more likely to develop CVD than those with a protein score below the median score. Conclusions A panel of blood biomarkers may help identify PLWH at a high risk for developing CVD. If validated, such a score could be used in conjunction with established factors to identify CVD at-risk individuals who might benefit from aggressive risk reduction, ultimately shedding light on CVD pathogenesis in PLWH

Regression of left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients treated with perindopril/indapamide as a first-line combination: The REASON echocardiography study

Background: Increase in left ventricular mass (LVM) may be linked to morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients. Arterial stiffness, systolic blood pressure (BP), and pulse pressure (PP) seem to be the main determinants of LVM. The perindopril/indapamide combination normalizes systolic BP, PP, and arterial function to a greater extent than atenolol. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of perindopril (2 mg)/indapamide (0.625 mg) first-line combination with atenolol (50 mg) on LVM reduction in hypertensive patients. Methods: Two hundred fourteen patients with essential hypertension participating in the PREterax in Regression of Arterial Stiffness in a ContrOlled Double-BliNd (REASON), randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study, underwent M-mode two-dimensional-guided echocardiography. Results: Perindopril/indapamide and atenolol were both effective at brachial BP reduction during the 12-month period. The systolic BP reduction was significantly greater with perindopril/indapamide than with atenolol (−21.2 v −15.3 mm Hg), whereas the reduction in diastolic BP was similar between treatment groups (−12.1 v −11.3 mm Hg). Reduction in LVM was higher with perindopril/indapamide than with atenolol. The between-group difference was significant for LVM (−13.6 v −4.3 g, P = .027), LVM/body surface area (LVMI1, P = .032), and LVM/body height2.7 (LVMI2, P = .013). The 124 patients with LV hypertrophy at baseline showed greatest LVM regression (LVM: −22.5 v −8.9 g, P = .009; LVMI1, P = .031; LVMI2, P = .028). The reduction in LVM adjusted for brachial systolic BP and heart rate was still significantly greater with perindopril/indapamide than with atenolol. Conclusions: Treatment, based on a first-line perindopril/indapamide combination in hypertensive patients, was more effective than atenolol on regression of echocardiographic indices of LVM and LV hypertroph

The self-regulation skills instrument in transplantation (SSIt):Development and measurement properties of a self-report self-management instrument

Objective: To develop a self-management instrument for organ transplant recipients that incorporates self-regulations skills and to determine its measurement properties. Methods: The instrument includes concepts from social cognitive models: problem awareness, attitude, self-efficacy, motivation, social support, goal setting, goal pursuit, skills and goal affect. The measurement properties were evaluated based on the COSMIN guidelines. Face and content validity were determined through patient assessment, Three-Step Test-Interview and expert assessment using the Content Validity Index. Structural validity and reliability were tested using exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was tested by comparing subscales with the Health Education Impact Questionnaire (heiQ). Results: After face and content validity assessment 47 items were entered into the exploratory factor analysis. The analysis showed two meaningful factors, with internal consistency of 0.90 and 0.89. Spearman correlations between the subscales and heiQ were moderate (0.55; 0.46). The final version consists of 21 items, divided into two scales: ‘Setbacks’ and ‘Successes’. Conclusions: The Self-regulation skills instrument in transplantation (SSIt) is a valid and reliable instrument to asses necessary skills for self-management after transplantation and may be useful for other patients as well. Practice implications: Insight into self-regulation competencies can help healthcare professionals to tailor self-management support.</p