FDG-PET hyperactivity pattern in anti-NMDAr encephalitis.

FDG-PET can show anteroposterior glucose metabolism gradient in anti-NMDAr encephalitis, but there are also suggestions that basal ganglia are involved. We examined FDG-PET scans in 5 consecutive episodes of serologically proven anti-NMDAr encephalitis, compared with healthy controls. We confirmed the anteroposterior metabolic gradient and found a significant FDG uptake increase in the caudate nuclei in episodes of varying intensity and delay from the onset of the symptoms. FDG-PET can be useful in the work-up of suspected anti-NMDAr encephalitis disclosing a characteristic cortical and sub-cortical metabolism pattern

Dialectical behavior therapy skills training affects defense mechanisms in borderline personality disorder: An integrative approach of mechanisms in psychotherapy.

Objective: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by immature defense mechanisms. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an effective treatment for BPD. However, understanding the underlying mechanisms of change is still limited. Using a transtheoretical framework, we investigated the effect of DBT skills training on defense mechanisms. Method: In this randomized controlled trial, 16 of 31 BPD outpatients received DBT skills training adjunctive to individual treatment as usual (TAU), while the remaining 15 received only individual TAU. Pre-post changes of defense mechanisms, assessed with the Defense Mechanism Rating Scale, were compared between treatment conditions using ANCOVAs. Partial correlations and linear regressions were conducted to explore associations between defenses and symptom outcome. Results: Overall defense function improved significantly more in the skills training condition (F(1, 28) = 4.57, p = .041). Borderline defenses decreased throughout skills training, but not throughout TAU only (F(1, 28) = 5.09, p = .032). In the skills training condition, an increase in narcissistic defenses was associated with higher symptom scores at discharge (β = 0.58, p = .02). Conclusions: Although DBT does not explicitly target defense mechanisms, skills training may have favorable effects on defense function in BPD. Our findings contribute to an integrative understanding of mechanisms of change in BPD psychotherapy

"Kultur" als Form symbolischer Gewalt: Grenzziehungsprozesse im Kontext von Migration am Beispiel der Schweiz

Die Schweiz gilt international als Modell eines gelungenen Multikulturalismus, dann nämlich wenn es das Zusammenleben der vier Sprachgruppen (Romands, DeutschschweizerInnen, TessinerInnen, RäteromanInnen) betrifft. Ein sprachlicher wie auch religiöser Pluralismus ist und war stets ein Grundbaustein des Selbstverständnisses der „Willensnation“ Schweiz. Geht es aber um MigrantInnen präsentiert sich die Geschichte anders, denn in diesem Falle erscheinen religiöse und ethnisch-kulturelle Pluralität vorwiegend als problematisch. MigrantInnen gehören entsprechend den öffentlichen und politischen Diskursen nicht zum multikulturellen Staat, vielmehr sind Prozesse kollektiver Grenzziehungen und damit Schließungsmechanismen zu beobachten, in denen Ethnizität, Religion und Kultur zu den wichtigsten Differenzierungsmerkmale werden, wie Gemeinsamkeiten gegen innen (SchweizerInnen) und Barrieren gegen außen (Ausländer, Migranten, Muslims, etc.) hergestellt werden. Ich argumentiere in diesem Kapitel, dass sich dieser „Kulturdiskurs“ im letzten Jahrzehnt verstärkt hat und gleichzeitig semantischen Verschiebungen unterworfen war. Mittels der Grenzziehungsperspektive wird historisch nachvollzogen, wie Zuwanderung und Integration in politischen Debatten und Gesetz zunehmend kulturalisiert und ethnisiert wurden. Ein Fallbeispiel aus der Forschung dient mir anschließend der Veranschaulichung dieser theoretischen Perspektive und dieses „neuen“ Essentialismus

Membrane-Bound TNF Induces Protective Immune Responses to M. bovis BCG Infection: Regulation of memTNF and TNF Receptors Comparing Two memTNF Molecules

Several activities of the transmembrane form of TNF (memTNF) in immune responses to intracellular bacterial infection have been shown to be different from those exerted by soluble TNF. Evidence is based largely on studies in transgenic mice expressing memTNF, but precise cellular mechanisms are not well defined and the importance of TNF receptor regulation is unknown. In addition, memTNF activities are defined for a particular modification of the extracellular domain of TNF but a direct comparison of different mutant memTNF molecules has not been done in vivo

Relationships between heavy metals distribution and organic matter cycling in mangrove sediments (Conception Bay, New Caledonia)

Mangroves of New Caledonia act as a buffer between a lagoon of more than 20,000 km(2) and the Island, which suffers intense processes of erosion resulting from urbanization and natural resources exploitation. This preliminary study aims at determining how heavy metals are distributed in mangrove sediments and pore-waters in relationship with their organic content. To reach our goal, a series of 50-cm deep cores were collected in the mangrove of Conception Bay. The various coring sites are representative of live forests (Avicennia marina. Rhizophora stylosa), dead forest, and intertidal unvegetated area. The ranges of concentrations in sediments were the following (mu mol g(-1)): Cu (0.08 to 0.51), Co (0.01 to 0.38), Ni (0.03 to 3.55), Cr (0.36 to 3.11), Zn (0.68 to 2.36), Mn (1.13 to 5.0) and Fe (22.64 to 721.69). Heavy metals distribution within sediments and pore-water appear to result from diagenetic processes linked to OM decomposition. Beneath the dead Avicennia forest and in the unvegetated sediments, the higher the organic content, the higher the metal concentration in the solid phase. Beneath living mangrove stands, despite a higher organic content, as well as higher sulphur content, heavy metals concentrations were not higher than those measured in the other sampling sites. Beneath these forests, redox conditions were mainly controlled by the length of waterlogging and the activity of root system. We suggest that, because of the specificity of the Avicennia root system and its position in the intertidal zone, heavy metals are more bioavailable and potentially more mobile than beneath Rhizophora stand

Mangrove sediment carbon stocks along an elevation gradient : influence of the late Holocene marine regression (New Caledonia)

International audienceAmong blue carbon ecosystems, mangroves are very efficient in storing carbon in their sediments over decadal to millennial time scales. However, this ability varies with numerous parameters, including climate and sea-level variations. In New Caledonia, mangrove ecosystems develop in semi-arid conditions with a typical zonation: Rhizophora spp. colonize the seaward side of the intertidal area, while Avicennia marina develops at higher elevations, just below the salt-flat. Within this context, we determined both the quantity (organic carbon content and carbon stocks) and the characteristics (carbon over nitrogen ratios (C/N), stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, radiocarbon age) of the organic matter stored beneath each mangrove stands. Carbon stocks were determined down to different limits with depth: approximate extension of the root systems, one-meter depth, and the hard substrate. Within the extension of the root systems, the sediment carbon stock was lower than 100 MgC ha−1 regardless of the mangrove species. This low value resulted directly from the dry climate that limits mangrove productivity. At depth beneath every zone, a buried layer enriched in mangrove-derived organic matter, with C/N values around 40 and δ13C values around −26‰ was observed. This layer likely resulted from a sea-level high stand during the late Holocene that allowed a long period of stability of the mangrove, slowly accumulating organic matter within the sediment. In this buried layer, the carbon stock was higher than in the upper sediment and reached up to 665, 255 and 300 MgC ha−1 in the salt-flat zone, the A. marina stand and the R. spp. stand, respectively. The highest stock, determined beneath the salt-flat, was suggested to be related to a period of sea-level stability that lasted ~3000 years, whereas beneath the other zones, which are at lower elevations, mangrove colonization was more recent and the sea-level was continuously decreasing till recently. Sea-level variations, and, specifically current sea-level rise, may strongly influence mangrove development due to their migration along the tidal elevation gradient to maintain the biotic conditions needed for their development

Myopathie axiale vacuolaire avec rigidité : une nouvelle entité reliée aux gammapathies monoclonales

International audienc

Myopathie axiale vacuolaire avec rigidité : une nouvelle entité reliée aux gammapathies monoclonales

International audienc