Effects of physical, non-immersive virtual, and immersive virtual store environments on consumers’ perceptions and purchase behavior

The application of virtual reality in human activities has been rapidly growing during the last decade. Shopping for food is an important part of people’s daily lives. As overnight delivery services of fresh produce, such as Amazon Fresh, are in their development stage, more studies on virtual stores for perishable products are needed, as the quality of fruits and vegetables (FaVs) cannot be easily assessed by consumers when virtual stores are used. This research examines the impact of a physical store, a non-immersive virtual store, and an immersive virtual store environment on consumers’ perceptions and purchase behavior toward FaVs. Experimental betweensubjects design (i.e., three groups), combined with a questionnaire survey (after-only design), was used to address the study objectives. The research found that consumers’ perceptions of FaVs in both non-immersive and immersive virtual stores (VS) are similar to those in a physical store. By contrast, consumers buy more FaVs in both non-immersive and immersive VS compared to a physical store. The findings also indicate that consumers tend to rely more on extrinsic cues (i.e., FaVs’ prices) in the immersive VS when evaluating FaVs on offer and less on intrinsic cues (e.g., FaVs’ appearance) they use in the physical store. The results have important implications for practitioners and researchers with regard to the usefulness of virtual reality for better understanding of consumer behavior

Genome wide analysis of gene dosage in 24,092 individuals estimates that 10,000 genes modulate cognitive ability

International audienceGenomic copy number variants (CNVs) are routinely identified and reported back to patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, but their quantitative effects on essential traits such as cognitive ability are poorly documented. We have recently shown that the effect size of deletions on cognitive ability can be statistically predicted using measures of intolerance to haploinsufficiency. However, the effect sizes of duplications remain unknown. It is also unknown if the effect of multigenic CNVs are driven by a few genes intolerant to haploinsufficiency or distributed across tolerant genes as well. Here, we identified all CNVs > 50 kilobases in 24,092 individuals from unselected and autism cohorts with assessments of general intelligence. Statistical models used measures of intolerance to haploinsufficiency of genes included in CNVs to predict their effect size on intelligence. Intolerant genes decrease general intelligence by 0.8 and 2.6 points of intelligence quotient when duplicated or deleted, respectively. Effect sizes showed no heterogeneity across cohorts. Validation analyses demonstrated that models could predict CNV effect sizes with 78% accuracy. Data on the inheritance of 27,766 CNVs showed that deletions and duplications with the same effect size on intelligence occur de novo at the same frequency. We estimated that around 10,000 intolerant and tolerant genes negatively affect intelligence when deleted, and less than 2% have large effect sizes. Genes encompassed in CNVs were not enriched in any GOterms but gene regulation and brain expression were GOterms overrepresented in the intolerant subgroup. Such pervasive effects on cognition may be related to emergent properties of the genome not restricted to a limited number of biological pathways

Effect of Hydrocortisone on Mortality and Organ Support in Patients With Severe COVID-19: The REMAP-CAP COVID-19 Corticosteroid Domain Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Evidence regarding corticosteroid use for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. Objective: To determine whether hydrocortisone improves outcome for patients with severe COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: An ongoing adaptive platform trial testing multiple interventions within multiple therapeutic domains, for example, antiviral agents, corticosteroids, or immunoglobulin. Between March 9 and June 17, 2020, 614 adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled and randomized within at least 1 domain following admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory or cardiovascular organ support at 121 sites in 8 countries. Of these, 403 were randomized to open-label interventions within the corticosteroid domain. The domain was halted after results from another trial were released. Follow-up ended August 12, 2020. Interventions: The corticosteroid domain randomized participants to a fixed 7-day course of intravenous hydrocortisone (50 mg or 100 mg every 6 hours) (n = 143), a shock-dependent course (50 mg every 6 hours when shock was clinically evident) (n = 152), or no hydrocortisone (n = 108). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was organ support-free days (days alive and free of ICU-based respiratory or cardiovascular support) within 21 days, where patients who died were assigned -1 day. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model that included all patients enrolled with severe COVID-19, adjusting for age, sex, site, region, time, assignment to interventions within other domains, and domain and intervention eligibility. Superiority was defined as the posterior probability of an odds ratio greater than 1 (threshold for trial conclusion of superiority >99%). Results: After excluding 19 participants who withdrew consent, there were 384 patients (mean age, 60 years; 29% female) randomized to the fixed-dose (n = 137), shock-dependent (n = 146), and no (n = 101) hydrocortisone groups; 379 (99%) completed the study and were included in the analysis. The mean age for the 3 groups ranged between 59.5 and 60.4 years; most patients were male (range, 70.6%-71.5%); mean body mass index ranged between 29.7 and 30.9; and patients receiving mechanical ventilation ranged between 50.0% and 63.5%. For the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively, the median organ support-free days were 0 (IQR, -1 to 15), 0 (IQR, -1 to 13), and 0 (-1 to 11) days (composed of 30%, 26%, and 33% mortality rates and 11.5, 9.5, and 6 median organ support-free days among survivors). The median adjusted odds ratio and bayesian probability of superiority were 1.43 (95% credible interval, 0.91-2.27) and 93% for fixed-dose hydrocortisone, respectively, and were 1.22 (95% credible interval, 0.76-1.94) and 80% for shock-dependent hydrocortisone compared with no hydrocortisone. Serious adverse events were reported in 4 (3%), 5 (3%), and 1 (1%) patients in the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with severe COVID-19, treatment with a 7-day fixed-dose course of hydrocortisone or shock-dependent dosing of hydrocortisone, compared with no hydrocortisone, resulted in 93% and 80% probabilities of superiority with regard to the odds of improvement in organ support-free days within 21 days. However, the trial was stopped early and no treatment strategy met prespecified criteria for statistical superiority, precluding definitive conclusions. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02735707

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

Analyse de l'éducation des parents d'enfants atteints de bronchiolite au CHU de Clermont-Ferrand

La bronchiolite est une infection respiratoire virale saisonnière touchant les nourrissons de moins de 2 ans. Son traitement est symptomatique et repose uniquement, en l'absence de critères de gravité, sur la mise en place de règles hygiéno-diététiques. Celles-ci sont applicables par les parents à domicile après une éducation réalisée par les professionnels de santé lors de la consultation. Ces informations sont dispensées dans les services de pédiatrie du CHU de Clermont-Ferrand lors du séjour d'un enfant atteint de bronchiolite. Le but de cette étude était donc d'évaluer l'éducation des parents d'enfants atteints de bronchiolite et admis aux urgences pédiatriques du CHU de Clermont-Ferrand. Il s'agissait d'une étude prospective réalisée auprès des parents de 111 nourrissons admis pour bronchiolite aux urgences pédiatriques du CHU de Clermont-Ferrand entre le 1e janvier et le 15 avril 2011. Les données étaient recueillies prospectivement via un questionnaire téléphonique proposé aux parents d'enfants inclus dans l'étude, qui étaient contactés par un seul interlocuteur, interne en médecine générale, entre le 3ème et le 7ème jour suivant la consultation aux urgences pédiatriques ou la sortie d'hospitalisation. Le questionnaire s'appuyait sur la conférence de consensus de l'ANAES de septembre 2000 et évaluait la connaissance des règles hygiéno-diététiques, du traitement médicamenteux et des critères de reconsultation. Une analyse par sous-groupes était ensuite réalisée. L'éducation des parents concernant le traitement médicamenteux était satisfaisant avec un score moyen de 83/100. Il était moins bon concernant les règles hygiéno-diététiques et les critères de reconsultation avec des scores moyens respectifs de 62/100 et 61/100. L'éducation global des parents n'était pas significativement améliorée en cas d'hospitalisation du nourrisson, d'antécédent de bronchiolite chez le même enfant ou dans la fratrie, de tabagisme parental ou en fonction de leur appartenance à une profession médicale ou paramédicale. La remise d'une documentation améliorait significativement l'éducation des parents concernant la connaissance du traitement médicamenteux (p=0.02) et des règles hygiéno-diététiques (p=0.02). Un niveau d'étude des parents supérieur au baccalauréat améliorait significativement leur éducation concernant le traitement médicamenteux (p=0.01) et les critères de reconsultation (p=0.004). Il parait essentiel de renforcer l'éducation des parents d'enfants atteints de bronchiolite, tant sur les règles hygiéno-diététiques que sur les critères de reconsultation. Dans ce but, la remise d'une documentation claire, simple, accessible et ludique semble être un moyen intéressant car améliorant significativement l'éducation des parents dans cette étude. Cette documentation pourrait, de plus, être facilement diffusable auprès des praticiens libéraux.CLERMONT FD-BCIU-Santé (631132104) / SudocSudocFranceF

Identification of (Tb,Eu) 9.43 (SiO 4 ) 6 O 2−δ Oxy-Apatite Structures as Nanometric Inclusions in Annealed (Eu,Tb)-Doped ZnO/Si Junctions: Combined Electron Diffraction and Chemical Contrast Imaging Studies

International audience(Tb,Eu)-doped ZnO-annealed films at 1100 °C showed intense photoluminescense (PL) emission from Eu and Tb ions. The high-temperature annealing led to a chemical segregation and a secondary Zn-free phase formation that is suspected to be responsible for the high PL intensity. Large faceted inclusions of rare-earth (RE) silicates of a size of few hundred nanometers were observed. Owing to various advanced electron microscopy techniques, a detailed microstructural study of these nanometric inclusions combining atomic Z contrast imaging (STEM) and precession electron diffraction tomography (PEDT) data was carried out and resulted in the determination of a hexagonal P63/m-type (Tb,Eu)9.43(SiO4)6O2−δ structure related to an oxy-apatite structure. Chemical analyses from spectroscopic data (energy-dispersive X-ray mapping and electron energy loss spectroscopy) at the atomic scale showed that both RE elements sitting on two independent (4f) and (6h) atomic sites have three-fold oxidation states, while refinements of their occupancy sites from PEDT data have evidenced preferential deficiency for the first one. The deduced RE–O distances and their corresponding bond valences are listed and discussed with the efficient energy transfer from Tb3+ toward Eu3+

Localisation, expression and function of the Eimeria tenella microneme protein EtMIC3

International audienc

A survey on the management of new onset atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients with septic shock

International audienc

Eimeria tenella microneme protein EtMIC3: identification, localisation and role in host cell infection

International audienceThe gene coding for Eimeria tenella protein EtMIC3 was cloned by screening a sporozoite cDNA library with two independent monoclonal antibodies raised against the oocyst stage. The deduced sequence of EtMIC3 is 988 amino acids long. The protein presents seven repeats in tandem, with four highly conserved internal repeats and three more divergent external repeats. Each repeat is characterised by a tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site, WRCY, and a reminiscent motif of the thrombospondin1 (TSP1)-type I domain, CXXXCG. The protein EtMIC3 is localised at the apex of free parasite stages. It is not detected in the early intracellular parasite stage but is synthesised in mature schizonts. Secretion of the protein is induced when sporozoites are incubated in complete medium at 41 ◦C. Strangely enough, the two independent mAb that allow cloning of EtMIC3 interfere with parasitic growth in different ways. One is able to inhibit parasite invasion whereas the other inhibits development. Expression and localisation of the protein EtMIC3 are consistent with a protein involved in the invasion process as is expected for a microneme protein