Synthesis and Characterization of [Fe(Htrz)\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e(trz)](BF\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e)] Nanocubes

Compounds that exhibit spin-crossover (SCO) type behavior have been extensively investigated due to their ability to act as molecular switches. Depending on the coordinating ligand, in this case 1H-1,2,4-triazole, and the crystallite size of the SCO compound produced, the energy requirement for the spin state transition can vary. Here, SCO [Fe(Htrz)2(trz)](BF4)] nanoparticles were synthesized using modified reverse micelle methods. Reaction conditions and reagent ratios are strictly controlled to produce nanocubes of 40–50 nm in size. Decreases in energy requirements are seen in both thermal and magnetic transitions for the smaller sized crystallites, where, compared to bulk materials, a decrease of as much as 20 °C can be seen in low to high spin state transitions

CAMPAGNE DE MESURE POUR UNE ÉTUDE DE L'EXPOSITION DE LA POPULATION FRANÇAISE AU CHAMP MAGNÉTIQUE 50 HZ

Longtemps considérés comme inoffensifs, les champs magnétiques (CM) alternatifs de fréquence 50 Hz liés à l'électricité en particulier, sont suspectés depuis une trentaine d'années d'être responsables de pathologies, notamment de leucémies chez l'enfant. Les dernières expertises collectives [1] ont conclu que la dernière grande interrogation en ce qui concerne les CM basse fréquence est l'association statistique observée dans plusieurs analyses conjointes entre l'augmentation du risque de leucémie de l'enfant et une exposition aux CM supérieure à 0,4 μT en valeur moyenne sur 24 heures

Relationships between CYP2D6 phenotype, breast cancer and hot flushes in women at high risk of breast cancer receiving prophylactic tamoxifen: results from the IBIS-I trial

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike Licens

Exposition de la population française aux champs magnétiques 50 Hz : résultats partiels

Les champs magnétiques (CM) alternatifs de fréquence 50 Hz, liés à l'électricité en particulier, sont suspectés depuis une trentaine d'années d'être responsables de pathologies, notamment de leucémies chez l'enfant [1]. Les dernières expertises collectives (OMS 2007, SCENHIR 2009) ont conclu que la dernière grande interrogation en ce qui concerne les CM basse fréquence est l'association statistique observée dans plusieurs analyses conjointes entre l'augmentation du risque de leucémie de l'enfant et une exposition aux CM supérieure à 0,4 μT en valeur moyenne sur 24 h [2]. Actuellement, l'exposition de la population française à ces champs n'est connue que de manière très approximative. Une étude effectuée dans le département de la Côte d'Or sur des logements situés à proximité de lignes à haute et très haute tension a permis d'évaluer les expositions à l'intérieur de ces logements [3]. Mais, d'une part il s'agit d'un faible échantillon compte tenu de la diversité du parc de logements en France, d'autre part, il s'agit d'une exposition du logement et non des personnes. En effet, tout un chacun est exposé à de nombreuses sources de champ magnétique du simple fait qu'on ne reste pas chez soi 24 heures sur 24. Les transports, en particulier, représentent des sources d'exposition significatives, mais d'autres lieux de vie peuvent constituer des sources d'exposition, que ce soit le lieu de travail, le terrain de sport, le centre commercial ou l'école. Dans le cas où le CM supérieur 0,4 μT en moyenne représenterait un risque pour la santé, comment estimer la proportion de la population française à risque et identifier les sources favorisant l'exposition ? Pour répondre à cette question, la Direction Générale de la Santé a initié une étude sur l'exposition aux CM 50 Hz d'un échantillon représentatif de la population française. Une des problématiques de cette étude a été de réaliser cet échantillon et de collecter toutes les informations nécessaires. Pour réaliser cette étude, le recrutement des volontaires et les mesures du CM ont été effectués en trois campagnes. Nous présentons les résultats des deux premières campagnes

French population exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields : intermediate results

International audienceFor the last thirty years, the electricity related 50 Hz magnetic fields (MF) have been suspected of being responsible for several pathologies, in particular childhood leukemia [1]. The most recent collective expertise (WHO 2007 and SCENHIR 2009) concluded that the last major interrogation with regard to low frequency MF is the statistical association observed in several joint analyses between the increase of risk of the childhood leukemia and a higher than 0.4 μT exposure to MF on average in a 24-hour period [2]. Currently, the exposure of the French population to these magnetic fields is only approximately known. A study carried out in residences located near high voltage power lines in the "département1 de la Côte d'Or" made it possible to assess the MF background level inside these residences [3]. However, these residences are a limited sample compared to the diversity of the housing developments in France and the study characterized the exposure of the houses and not of the resident people. We are all exposed to many sources of magnetic fields due the fact that we do not remain at home 24 hours a day. Transportation in particular, significantly contributes to the individual exposure. Other places or activities can also constitute sources of exposure such as the workplace, sport activity areas, shopping centers or schools. Should the MF in excess to 0.4 μT on average carry health risk, would the authorities be able to manage it, i.e. estimate the proportion of the French population at risk and identify and mitigate the main sources causing the exposure? To answer this question the Ministry of Health and Solidarities initiated a study on the exposure of a representative sample of the French population to 50 Hz MF. The major issues of this study were to select randomly a representative sample and to collect all of necessary data. Measurements were performed in three campaigns at winter time (October to April). The present paper gives the results of the two first campaigns

Beta-glucan reflects liver injury after preservation and transplantation in dogs.

Graft failure and extrahepatic organ complications, which frequently develop after transplantation, may be related to inflammatory mediators stimulated by endotoxin (ET). The role of endotoxemia after liver transplantation is controversial and may depend upon differences in the ET assay method used in the various contradicting studies. While the standard Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) is reactive for ET and beta-glucan, a novel turbidimetric assay method enables separate determinations of ET and beta-glucan. Beagle dogs undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation were divided into two groups. In Group I (n = 6) the grafts were transplanted immediately and in Group II (n = 6) grafts were preserved for 48 h in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution. Animals received cyclosporine immunosuppression and were followed for 14 days. Daily measurements of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were performed. Samples for ET and beta-glucan measurement were collected serially and processed using the turbidimetric assay method. While no graft failure was seen in Group I, three of six Group II animals died from graft failure within 1 day after transplantation. Preservation and reperfusion injury was much more severe in the Group II grafts than in Group I grafts. While endotoxemia could not be detected, postoperative beta-glucan levels (undetectable pretransplant) were seen in both groups. Beta-glucan levels were much higher in Group II grafts than in Group I grafts, and correlated with the severity of liver damage. In conclusion, this study shows that beta-glucan, instead of ET, appears during the early posttransplant period. We believe that posttransplant elevation of beta-glucan is related to liver damage, especially endothelial damage by preservation and reperfusion

Bcl3 prevents acute inflammatory lung injury in mice by restraining emergency granulopoiesis

Granulocytes are pivotal regulators of tissue injury. However, the transcriptional mechanisms that regulate granulopoiesis under inflammatory conditions are poorly understood. Here we show that the transcriptional coregulator B cell leukemia/lymphoma 3 (Bcl3) limits granulopoiesis under emergency (i.e., inflammatory) conditions, but not homeostatic conditions. Treatment of mouse myeloid progenitors with G-CSF — serum concentrations of which rise under inflammatory conditions — rapidly increased Bcl3 transcript accumulation in a STAT3-dependent manner. Bcl3-deficient myeloid progenitors demonstrated an enhanced capacity to proliferate and differentiate into granulocytes following G-CSF stimulation, whereas the accumulation of Bcl3 protein attenuated granulopoiesis in an NF-κB p50–dependent manner. In a clinically relevant model of transplant-mediated lung ischemia reperfusion injury, expression of Bcl3 in recipients inhibited emergency granulopoiesis and limited acute graft damage. These data demonstrate a critical role for Bcl3 in regulating emergency granulopoiesis and suggest that targeting the differentiation of myeloid progenitors may be a therapeutic strategy for preventing inflammatory lung injury

Admission of advanced lung cancer patients to intensive care unit: A retrospective study of 76 patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Criteria for admitting patients with incurable diseases to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) remain unclear and have ethical implications.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We retrospectively evaluated MICU outcomes and identified risk factors for MICU mortality in consecutive patients with advanced lung cancer admitted to two university-hospital MICUs in France between 1996 and 2006.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 76 included patients, 49 had non-small cell lung cancer (stage IIIB n = 20; stage IV n = 29). In 60 patients, MICU admission was directly related to the lung cancer (complication of cancer management, n = 30; cancer progression, n = 14; and lung-cancer-induced diseases, n = 17). Mechanical ventilation was required during the MICU stay in 57 patients. Thirty-six (47.4%) patients died in the MICU. Three factors were independently associated with MICU mortality: use of vasoactive agents (odds ratio [OR] 6.81 95% confidence interval [95%CI] [1.77-26.26], p = 0.005), mechanical ventilation (OR 6.61 95%CI [1.44-30.5], p = 0.015) and thrombocytopenia (OR 5.13; 95%CI [1.17-22.5], p = 0.030). In contrast, mortality was lower in patients admitted for a complication of cancer management (OR 0.206; 95%CI [0.058-0.738], p = 0.015). Of the 27 patients who returned home, four received specific lung cancer treatment after the MICU stay.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Patients with acute complications of treatment for advanced lung cancer may benefit from MCIU admission. Further studies are necessary to assess outcomes such as quality of life after MICU discharge.</p