Mesenchymal stromal cells and the innate immune response

AbstractMesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been exploited for their immunomodulatory properties in the treatment of a number of immune-based disorders, including Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) and type 1 diabetes. The mechanisms for inducing therapeutic effect still remain largely unknown however, with research focused on understanding how MSCs interact with individual immune cell subsets. Within this review we address what is known about the interactions of MSCs with cells of the innate immune system, how they respond to their microenvironment and how this relates to therapeutic effects we see both within in vivo animal models and in clinical trials

Kolmogorov-Smirnov method for the determination of signal time-shifts

A new method for the determination of electric signal time-shifts is introduced. As the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, it is based on the comparison of the cumulative distribution functions of the reference signal with the test signal. This method is very fast and thus well suited for on-line applications. It is robust to noise and its performances in terms of precision are excellent for time-shifts ranging from a fraction to several sample durations. PACS. 29.40.Gx (Tracking and position-sensitive detectors), 29.30.Kv (X- and -ray spectroscopy), 07.50.Qx (Signal processing electronics)Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Fast analytical methods for the correction of signal random time-shifts and application to segmented HPGe detectors

Detection systems rely more and more on on-line or off-line comparison of detected signals with basis signals in order to determine the characteristics of the impinging particles. Unfortunately, these comparisons are very sensitive to the random time shifts that may alter the signal delivered by the detectors. We present two fast algebraic methods to determine the value of the time shift and to enhance the reliability of the comparison to the basis signals.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figure

La conduite avec facultés affaiblies : les contrevenants et les services offerts dans les établissements de détention du Québec

Rapport de stage présenté à la Faculté des études supérieures en vue de l’obtention du grade de Maître ès science (M. Sc.) en criminologie Option stage en analyse criminologiqueCette étude vise à améliorer les connaissances sur les contrevenants de l’alcool au volant et sur les programmes qui leur sont offerts au sein des Services correctionnels du Québec. Un portrait des personnes incarcérées pour conduite avec facultés affaiblies a été établi. Trois profils se distinguent: ceux pour qui il s'agit de la première sentence et dont l'infraction semble être une erreur de parcours, ceux qui ont obtenu une peine de détention discontinue qui ont quelques antécédents mais passent très peu de temps en détention et enfin, ceux qui cumulent les infractions et obtiennent une peine de détention continue. Outre les groupes de soutien présents dans tous les établissements de détention, on retrouve quelques programmes intervenant plus spécifiquement sur les problématiques de consommation. Aussi, deux programmes se distinguent par leur spécificité et leur encadrement, soit le département spécialisé en toxicomanie à l'établissement de détention de Québec et le secteur Faculté-Vie, anciennement à l'établissement Maison Tanguay. Suite à l'analyse de ces informations, des recommandations sont effectuées en rapport avec un partenariat bonifié, une intervention brève, une action en amont de l'incarcération et un programme déjà bien établi et pouvant facilement être adapté pour correspondre aux besoins des personnes condamnées pour conduite avec facultés affaiblies.This study aims to improve knowledge on inmates condemned for driving while impaired and on programs offered to them in the prisons of province of Quebec. A portrait of these offenders has been established. Three profiles are distinguished : those for whom it is the first sentence and for which the offense appears to be a wrong course, those who received a sentence of discontinuous detention, who have few antecedents and who spend small amount of time in detention and finally, those with cumulative offenses who are sentenced to continuous incarceration. In addition to support groups present in all detention facilities, there are a few programs dealing more specifically with issues related to consumption. Also, two programs stand out in their specificity and their supervision, the Département spécialisé en toxicomanie in the Établissement de détention de Québec and the Faculté-Vie sector, formerly in the Établissement de détention Maison Tanguay. Following the analysis of these informations, recommendations are made on enhanced partnership, brief intervention, action upstream of incarceration and on an already well established program that can easily be adapted to meet the needs of persons convicted of driving while impaired

L'innovation technologique face au changement climatique : quelle est la position de la France ?

Cet article propose une analyse statistique du positionnement et de la performance de la France en matière de technologies de lutte contre le réchauffement climatique. La méthodologie s'appuie sur une base de données décrivant l'ensemble des dépôts de brevets entre 1980 et 2008 dans 17 classes technologiques couvrant un large spectre de technologies liées au climat. Avec 5,2% des inventions brevetées en moyenne en 2008 dans les technologies étudiées, la France est en moyenne au 5ème rang mondial dans un classement dominé par les Etats-Unis, le Japon, la Corée du Sud et l'Allemagne. 20% des dépôts de brevet en France proviennent du secteur public, contre 10% dans les autres pays industrialisés. Plus de la moitié des inventions "climat" françaises sont protégés dans des pays étrangers, soit 1,5 fois plus que la moyenne mondiale. L'analyse par domaine technologique met en évidence un positionnement faible de la France dans les énergies renouvelables, dans lesquelles l'innovation est pourtant la plus dynamique au niveau mondial. En revanche, son positionnement est fort dans des secteurs comme le nucléaire (même si elle n'arrive qu'au troisième rang derrière le Japon et les Etats-Unis), la capture et séquestration du carbone (CSC), l'isolation, le ciment, le chauffage, l'hydraulique et les véhicules électriques et hybrides, où elle tire parti de la présence et du potentiel innovant des grandes firmes françaises d'envergure internationale (Air Liquide, Alstom, Areva, Electricité de France, Lafarge, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault, Saint-Gobain, Schlumberger) et des organismes publics de recherche scientifique (CNRS, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Institut Français du Pétrole)

Second-generation antihistamines: a study of poisoning in children

The toxicity of second-generation antihistamines after an overdose by a child is still unknown. The objective of this study is to use data from Poisons Centres in France to describe the toxicity profile of second-generation antihistamines for children and to compare the severity of poisoning observed from these with a first-generation antihistamine. This was a retrospective, multi-centre and observational study focusing on human cases of single-substance exposure to a second-generation antihistamine and to mequitazine, reported between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2016 in Poisons Centres in France. From a total of 9403 children included, 5980 were exposed to a second-generation antihistamine and 3423 were exposed to mequitazine. The severity of exposure to second-generation antihistamines in children is low: among the children followed until a known outcome, 9% of children were symptomatic and in 97% of cases, the symptoms shown were of a minor-level severity (primarily drowsiness or restlessness). Depending on the substance, children who ingested doses 16 to 69 times the maximum recommended therapeutic dose remained asymptomatic. No deaths or severe symptoms were observed. No cases of lengthening of the QT interval or arrhythmias were identified. Mequitazine led to more symptoms than other substances (14.8% symptomatic children vs. 7.5%, Odd ratio (OR): 2.3 (2.0-2.6), p < 0.0001), more symptoms of moderate intensity (1.4 vs. 0.2%, OR: 8.3 (4.1-18.5), p < 0.0001) and more hospitalisation (19.1 vs. 8.7%, OR: 2.5, 95% CI: (2.2-2.8), p < 0.0001). The severity of poisoning from second-generation antihistamines appears to be low among children and considerably lower than poisoning caused by mequitazine

Low Energy States of 3181Ga50^{81}_{31} Ga_{50} : Elements on the Doubly-Magic Nature of 78^{78}Ni

Excited levels were attributed to $^{81}_{31}$Ga$_{50}$ for the first time which were fed in the $\beta$-decay of its mother nucleus $^{81}$Zn produced in the fission of $^{nat}$U using the ISOL technique. We show that the structure of this nucleus is consistent with that of the less exotic proton-deficient N=50 isotones within the assumption of strong proton Z=28 and neutron N=50 effective shell effects.Comment: 4 pages, REVTeX 4, 5 figures (eps format

Immunomodulation by Mesenchymal Stem Cells : A Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Type 1 Diabetes

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent stromal cells that have the potential to give rise to cells of diverse lineages. Interestingly, MSCs can be found in virtually all postnatal tissues. The main criteria currently used to characterize and identify these cells are the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation into tissues of mesodermal origin, combined with a lack in expression of certain hematopoietic molecules. Because of their developmental plasticity, the notion of MSC-based therapeutic intervention has become an emerging strategy for the replacement of injured tissues. MSCs have also been noted to possess the ability to impart profound immunomodulatory effects in vivo. Indeed, some of the initial observations regarding MSC protection from tissue injury once thought mediated by tissue regeneration may, in reality, result from immunomodulation. Whereas the exact mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory functions of MSC remain largely unknown, these cells have been exploited in a variety of clinical trials aimed at reducing the burden of immune-mediated disease. This article focuses on recent advances that have broadened our understanding of the immunomodulatory properties of MSC and provides insight as to their potential for clinical use as a cell-based therapy for immune-mediated disorders and, in particular, type 1 diabetes