Nanoindentation: A powerful tool to explore the wide chemical space of high entropy alloys

High entropy alloys (HEA) are multi-component alloys, without any minor or major elements (i.e. : all elements are very concentrated) and they form a unique solid solution. It was proven that, especially for the system Co-Cr-Fe-Mn-Ni, they exist for a very wide range of composition [1]. This opens the opportunity of multi-properties optimization, like cost, density and mechanical resistance. However, to take advantage of this opportunity, accelerated mechanical testing tools are required. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Cigarette smoke and electronic cigarettes differentially activate bronchial epithelial cells

Background: The use of electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) is increasing, but the impact of ECIG-vapor on cellular processes like inflammation or host defense are less understood. The aim of the present study was to compare the acute effects of traditional cigarettes (TCIGs) and ECIG-exposure on host defense, inflammation, and cellular activation of cell lines and primary differentiated human airway epithelial cells (pHBE). Methods: We exposed pHBEs and several cell lines to TCIG-smoke or ECIG-vapor. Epithelial host defense and barrier integrity were determined. The transcriptome of airway epithelial cells was compared by gene expression array analysis. Gene interaction networks were constructed and differential gene expression over all groups analyzed. The expression of several candidate genes was validated by qRT-PCR. Results: Bacterial killing, barrier integrity and the expression of antimicrobial peptides were not affected by ECIG-vapor compared to control samples. In contrast, TCIGs negatively affected host defense and reduced barrier integrity in a significant way. Furthermore ECIG-exposure significantly induced IL-8 secretion from Calu-3 cells but had no effect on NCI-H292 or primary cells. The gene expression based on array analysis distinguished TCIG-exposed cells from ECIG and room air-exposed samples. Conclusion: The transcriptome patterns of host defense and inflammatory genes are significantly distinct between ECIG-exposed and TCIG-treated cells. The overall effects of ECIGs on epithelial cells are less in comparison to TCIG, and ECIG-vapor does not affect host defense. Nevertheless, although acute exposure to ECIG-vapor induces inflammation, and the expression of S100 proteins, long term in vivo data is needed to evaluate the chronic effects of ECIG use

EyeSchool: an educational assistive technology for people with disabilities - Passing from single actors to multiple-actor environment

International audienceSince 2005, public policy in France has strongly been encouraging young people with disabilities inclusion within the regular school system. This has found a direct application through technical innovation, intended to help students being more independent within their learning activities. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to underline the manner in which using assistive information and communication technologies may improve the inclusive education for people with disabilities. The case study we present underlines the complexity of the social world into which the use of a precise assistive tool takes it place

SLC26A9 Gene Is Associated With Lung Function Response to Ivacaftor in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis

Ivacaftor is a drug used to treat cystic fibrosis (CF) patients carrying specific gating CFTR mutations. Interpatient variability in the lung response has been shown to be partly explained by rs7512462 in the Solute Carrier Family 26 Member 9 (SLC26A9) gene. In an independent and larger cohort, we aimed to evaluate whether SLC26A9 variants contribute to the variability of the lung phenotype and if they influence the lung response to ivacaftor. We genotyped the French CF Gene Modifier Study cohort (n = 4,840) to investigate whether SLC26A9 variants were involved in the lung phenotype heterogeneity. Their influence in the response to ivacaftor was tested in the 30 treated patients who met the inclusion criteria: older than 6 years of age, percent-predicted forced expiratory volume measured in 1 s (FEV1pp) in the 3 months before treatment initiation ranging between 40 and 90%. Response to treatment was determined by the change in FEV1pp from baseline, averaged in 15–75 days, and the 1st-year post-treatment. We observed that SLC26A9 variants were not associated with lung function variability in untreated patients and that gain of lung function in patients treated with ivacaftor was similar to clinical trials. We confirmed that rs7512462 was associated with variability in ivacaftor-lung response, with a significant reduction in lung function improvement for patients with the C allele. Other SLC26A9 SNPs also contributed to the ivacaftor-response. Interindividual variability in lung response to ivacaftor is associated with SLC26A9 variants in French CF patients. Pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine will soon be part of CF patient care

Enabling planetary science across light-years. Ariel Definition Study Report

Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was adopted as the fourth medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme to be launched in 2029. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they formed and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets, simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. The payload consists of an off-axis Cassegrain telescope (primary mirror 1100 mm x 730 mm ellipse) and two separate instruments (FGS and AIRS) covering simultaneously 0.5-7.8 micron spectral range. The satellite is best placed into an L2 orbit to maximise the thermal stability and the field of regard. The payload module is passively cooled via a series of V-Groove radiators; the detectors for the AIRS are the only items that require active cooling via an active Ne JT cooler. The Ariel payload is developed by a consortium of more than 50 institutes from 16 ESA countries, which include the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and a NASA contribution

Relatório de estágio em farmácia comunitária

Relatório de estágio realizado no âmbito do Mestrado Integrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas, apresentado à Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Coimbr

Immune Response in Cystic Fibrosis: Interplay between the Host and Microbes

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare genetic disease caused by genetic variants of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) [...

Innate Immune Signaling and Proteolytic Pathways in the Resolution or Exacerbation of SARS-CoV-2 in Covid-19: Key Therapeutic Targets?

International audienceCOVID-19 is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (Cov)-2, an enveloped virus with a positive-polarity, single-stranded RNA genome. The initial outbreak of the pandemic began in December 2019, and it is affecting the human health of the global community. In common with previous pandemics (Influenza H1N1 and SARS-CoV) and the epidemics of Middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV, CoVs target bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells. Virus protein ligands (e.g., haemagglutinin or trimeric spike glycoprotein for Influenza and CoV, respectively) interact with cellular receptors, such as (depending on the virus) either sialic acids, Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), or angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Host proteases, e.g., cathepsins, furin, or members of the type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSP) family, such as Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), are involved in virus entry by proteolytically activating virus ligands. Also involved are Toll Like Receptor (TLR) family members, which upregulate anti-viral and pro-inflammatory mediators [interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 and type I and type III Interferons among others], through the activation of Nuclear Factor (NF)-kB. When these events (virus cellular entry and innate immune responses) are uncontrolled, a deleterious systemic response is sometimes encountered in infected patients, leading to the well-described "cytokine storm" and an ensuing multiple organ failure promoted by a downregulation of dendritic cell, macrophage, and T-cell function. We aim to describe how the lung and systemic host innate immune responses affect survival either positively, through downregulating initial viral load, or negatively, by triggering uncontrolled inflammation. An emphasis will be put on host cellular signaling pathways and proteases involved with a view on tackling these therapeutically

Mammalian model hosts of cryptococcal infection.

International audienceThe rising incidence of serious fungal diseases represents a growing threat to human health. Cryptococcus neoformans, an encapsulated yeast saprophyte with global distribution, has been recognized as an important emerging pathogen. Humans frequently develop asymptomatic or mild infection with C. neoformans, but individuals with impaired host defense systems may develop severe pneumonia and potentially fatal meningoencephalitis. Insight into the biology and virulence of C. neoformans is advancing rapidly and will be propelled even further by the recently completed and published genome sequences for two related strains of C. neoformans serotype D. Several mammalian model hosts including the guinea pig, rabbit, rat, and mouse have been developed for the study of cryptococcosis. The combination of microbial genomics with well-characterized model hosts that are amenable to immunologic and genetic manipulation represents a powerful resource for comprehensive study of cryptococcal disease pathogenesis as well as vaccine and antifungal drug therapy. This review provides an introduction to each mammalian model host and briefly highlights the advantages, limitations, and potential of each system for future research involving cryptococci

Editorial: immune responses of the mucosal epithelium in chronic lung diseases

International audienc