Manufacturing of conductive structural composites through spraying of CNTs/epoxy dispersions on dry carbon fiber plies

In this work, multiscale Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymers have been manufactured by inserting carbon nanotubes in the matrix of the composite material to improve and homogenize the through-thickness electrical conductivity. A first part of this work introduces a spraying technique and manufacturing process followed to produce the CNT-doped multiscale CFRP. A quality assessment of the produced material is also presented. A second part investigates the electrical conductivity, as well as a few mechanical properties of the newly manufactured material, to be able to conclude on the viability and potential of this technique. This paper presents the further development of an earlier study presenting the thermal, rheological and electrical behavior of the CNT doped epoxy matrix (Fogel et al., 2015)

From Oxford to Hawaii Ecophysiological Barriers Limit Human Progression in Ten Sport Monuments

In order to understand the determinants and trends of human performance evolution, we analyzed ten outdoor events among the oldest and most popular in sports history. Best performances of the Oxford-Cambridge boat race (since 1836), the channel crossing in swimming (1875), the hour cycling record (1893), the Elfstedentocht speed skating race (1909), the cross country ski Vasaloppet (1922), the speed ski record (1930), the Streif down-hill in Kitzbühel (1947), the eastward and westward sailing transatlantic records (1960) and the triathlon Hawaii ironman (1978) all follow a similar evolutive pattern, best described through a piecewise exponential decaying model (r2 = 0.95±0.07). The oldest events present highest progression curvature during their early phase. Performance asymptotic limits predicted from the model may be achieved in fourty years (2049±32 y). Prolonged progression may be anticipated in disciplines which further rely on technology such as sailing and cycling. Human progression in outdoor sports tends to asymptotic limits depending on physiological and environmental parameters and may temporarily benefit from further technological progresses

Evaluation globale standardisée systématique des rhumatismes inflammatoires chroniques: intérêts et limites

Introduction: National and international recommendations call for an annual standardized systematic holistic review in the management of chronic inflammatory rheumatism (CIR). This includes an assessment of disease activity and severity, as well as patient education on the disease, knowledge of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, adherence to treatment and screening for comorbidities. Our study aims to recall the definition of a holistic review (HR), to present the evidence of their effectiveness and to give an overview of HR practices in France. Methods: A literature review was conducted in the Pubmed database to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or meta-analyses reporting the efficacy of a multidisciplinary intervention in ICR or other chronic diseases. Two online surveys were sent to all rheumatology departments in France and to a sample of independent rheumatologists, with 34 and 19 questions respectively. These questionnaires were used to determine the profile of the responding center/rheumatologist, the existence of an HR and the obstacles or facilitators to its implementation. Results: Literature search yielded 872 articles, 24 of which were finally included: 16 RCTs and 8 meta-analyses. Only 3 articles concerned ICRs, including one meta-analysis of 10 RCTs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Of these 3 studies, 2 RCTs in systemic lupus and systemic sclerosis showed a favorable impact of a multidisciplinary approach on SLEDAI and grip strength and mouth opening respectively, while the meta-analysis in RA showed no benefit on disability or disease activity.The questionnaire was answered by 72 centers and 186 rheumatologists. A third of the centers had already implemented a HR during an day hospitalization. 70 % of centers estimated that they managed more than 10 patients per month, devoting an average of 35 minutes of rheumatologist time and 90 minutes of cumulative time for all other healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in the program. Most of the HCPs involved were nurses (92 %), dieticians (56 %) and physiotherapists (56 %). The main obstacles to setting up a HR were the lack of paramedical resources, lack of economic value and lack of support from treating rheumatologists, while patient motivation was seen as a facilitating factor. Conclusion: Although HR is recommended, there is little evidence of its effectiveness in ICR. Only 36 % of responding centers have implemented such a program. This survey helps to identify the obstacles and facilitators, and to find solutions for extending this practice

Primary brain calcification: an international study reporting novel variants and associated phenotypes.

Primary familial brain calcification (PFBC) is a rare cerebral microvascular calcifying disorder with a wide spectrum of motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is typically inherited as an autosomal-dominant trait with four causative genes identified so far: SLC20A2, PDGFRB, PDGFB, and XPR1. Our study aimed at screening the coding regions of these genes in a series of 177 unrelated probands that fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for primary brain calcification regardless of their family history. Sequence variants were classified as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, or of uncertain significance (VUS), based on the ACMG-AMP recommendations. We identified 45 probands (25.4%) carrying either pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (n = 34, 19.2%) or VUS (n = 11, 6.2%). SLC20A2 provided the highest contribution (16.9%), followed by XPR1 and PDGFB (3.4% each), and PDGFRB (1.7%). A total of 81.5% of carriers were symptomatic and the most recurrent symptoms were parkinsonism, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric disturbances (52.3%, 40.9%, and 38.6% of symptomatic individuals, respectively), with a wide range of age at onset (from childhood to 81 years). While the pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants identified in this study can be used for genetic counseling, the VUS will require additional evidence, such as recurrence in unrelated patients, in order to be classified as pathogenic

Study of epigenetic regulation and involvement of rare variants associated with severe forms of the disease.

La spondyloarthrite est une maladiefréquente, caractérisée par une atteinte des sacroiliaques.Nos connaissances actuelles n’expliquentque 25% de la part transmissible d’une génération àl’autre de la maladie suggérant que de nombreuxfacteurs sont encore méconnus. L’objectif de cetravail était d’étudier ces facteurs inconnus en sefocalisant sur le rôle des variants génétiques rares etsur la dérégulation des miRs.Nous avons montré qu’il existait une dérégulationglobale de l’expression de ces miRs et que letraitement de la maladie était capable de modifierleur expression parallèlement au contrôle de l’activitéde la maladie..Ces miRs pourraient donc constituer des ciblesthérapeutiques d’intérêtNous avons identifié des mutations d’un gèneassociées à la survenue d’une forme sévère de lamaladie. Nous avons créé un modèle de sourisportant la mutation et montré que la sourisdéveloppait certaines caractéristiques de lamaladie notamment une altération des sacroiliaquescomme on le voit chez l’Homme. Ce gènepourrait être une cible thérapeutique importantepour empêcher la survenue de formes sévères dela maladie.Spondyloarthritis is a common diseasecharacterized by sacroiliac involvement. Our currentknowledge explains only 25% of the generationaltransmission of the disease, suggesting that manyfactors are still unknown. The objective of this work isto study these unknown factors by focusing on thestudy of a rare genetic variant and the deregulationof miRs.We have shown that there is a global deregulation ofthe expression of these miRs and that the treatmentof the disease is able to modify their expression inorder to better control the disease activity.By acting directly on these miRs, the disease couldthus be better controlled.We have identified mutations in a gene associatedwith the occurrence of a severe form of the disease.We created a mouse model carrying the mutationand showed that the mouse develops certaincharacteristics of the disease, including analteration of the sacroiliac joint as seen in humans.This gene could be an important therapeutic targetto prevent the occurrence of severe forms of thedisease

Thermal, rheological and electrical analysis of MWCNTs/epoxy matrices

International audienceIn this study, the cure kinetics, rheological and electrical behaviors of the MWCNTs/epoxy nanocomposites produced using a three-roll mill are studied. After defining the domain of linear response, the influence of temperature and MWCNTs on the shear viscosity has been investigated. The shear-thinning effect caused by adding CNTs to the epoxy matrix is more pronounced at increased temperature and MWCNT weight content. Furthermore, a mechanical manifestation of the percolation phenomenon may have been observed. At last the electrical conductivity was investigated to characterize the percolation behavior and determine the best CNT content/electrical properties ratio

Effects of anti-TNF on MiR expression in monocytes and CD4(+) T-Lymphocytes in spondyloarthritis

International audienceBackground/Purpose: TNFα inhibitors are an effective treatment for many inflammatory diseases. However, their mechanism of action is more complicated than just blocking the targeted cytokine. MicroRNAs are important post-translational regulators of gene expression and their expression has been found deregulated in rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis. The general goal of this work is to investigate changes in miR expression in monocytes and CD4+ T-lymphocytes from patients with axial spondyloarthritis during anti-TNF treatment. Methods: Sixty-eight patients with axial spondyloarthritis were enrolled in the study. Among these patients, 63 fulfilled the 2009 ASAS classification criteria (imaging arm) with sacro-iliitis on X-rays (n= 47) or objective signs of inflammation on MRI (n=16) and 72% were HLA-B27 positive. All patients were naïve for biologic treatments at baseline and had an active disease (mean BASDAI score of 49 +/- 19 and mean ASDAS score of 3+/-1) requiring the initiation of a TNFα inhibitor (Etanercept 41, Adalimumab 17, Golimumab 10). Mean CRP at baseline was 12.5 +/-18. At 3 months, the BASDAI response rate was 59%. Blood sample were collected at baseline (M0) and 3 months (M3) after the initiation of the treatment. Monocytes and CD4+ T-lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and 372 miR were investigated by qPCR. A paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to explore differential expression of miRs between M0 and M3. Results: Pair-wise comparison of miR level before and 3 months after anti-TNF treatment identified 35 differentially expressed (DE) miRs in circulating CD4+ T lymphocytes and 53 DE miRs in monocytes (false discovery rate < 5%). Eighteen miRs were commonly deregulated in both cell types, among which 12 were upregulated and 6 were downregulated after treatment. Strikingly, we found DE miRs before and after treatment in patients with good response to TNF inhibitors while there was little or no DE miRs in non-responders according to BASDAI response criteria. Differentially expressed miRs were not correlated to the CRP levels or to the variation of the CRP between 0 and 3 months. Also, in patients with negative CRP at baseline, we found DE miRs (nominal p-value < 5%) suggesting that the modulation of miRs was not only reflecting a better inflammation control. Conclusion: This work demonstrates that TNF inhibitors might at least partially act by modulating miR expression, especially in patients who respond well to treatment