Adaptive classification of mental states for asynchronous brain computer interfaces

ISBN : 978-2-9532965-0-1Brain Computers Interfaces (BCI) are emerging as a new communicational device, aiming to make a direct link between the brain and an external device, bypassing conventional motor outputs, such as peripheral nerves and muscles. A BCI extracts features from a brain signal and classifies them in order to interpret them in terms of the user's volition. For communication to be effective, the computer has to provide feedback to the user allowing him/her to judge how the brain activity is being classified and interpreted. Similarly, the user must produce patterns of brain activity which can easily be learned and recognized by the computer. Here, we describe a method for selecting mental tasks that are best classified by a subject using support vector machines (SVM)

Computing the Worst Case Execution Time of an Avionics Program by Abstract Interpretation

This paper presents how the timing analyser aiT is used for computing the Worst-Case Execution Time (WCET) of two safety-critical avionics programs. The aiT tool has been developed by AbsInt GmbH as a static analyser based on Abstract Interpretatio

Ouabain and chloroquine trigger senolysis of BRAF‐V600E‐induced senescent cells by targeting autophagy

International audienceAbstractThe expression of BRAF‐V600E triggers oncogene‐induced senescence in normal cells and is implicated in the development of several cancers including melanoma. Here, we report that cardioglycosides such as ouabain are potent senolytics in BRAF senescence. Sensitization by ATP1A1 knockdown and protection by supplemental potassium showed that senolysis by ouabain was mediated by the Na,K‐ATPase pump. Both ion transport inhibition and signal transduction result from cardioglycosides binding to Na,K‐ATPase. An inhibitor of the pump that does not trigger signaling was not senolytic despite blocking ion transport, demonstrating that signal transduction is required for senolysis. Ouabain triggered the activation of Src, p38, Akt, and Erk in BRAF‐senescent cells, and signaling inhibitors prevented cell death. The expression of BRAF‐V600E increased ER stress and autophagy in BRAF‐senescent cells and sensitized the cell to senolysis by ouabain. Ouabain inhibited autophagy flux, which was restored by signaling inhibitors. Consequently, we identified autophagy inhibitor chloroquine as a novel senolytic in BRAF senescence based on the mode of action of cardioglycosides. Our work underlies the interest of characterizing the mechanisms of senolytics to discover novel compounds and identifies the endoplasmic reticulum stress‐autophagy tandem as a new vulnerability in BRAF senescence that can be exploited for the development of further senolytic strategies.</jats:p

Sarcoid-like Granulomatosis Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Melanoma

We aimed to review the clinical and biological presentation of granulomatosis associated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with melanoma and to explore its association with classical sarcoidosis as well as with cancer response to ICI. To this end, a retrospective study on 18 melanoma patients with histologically proven ICI-induced granulomatosis over a 12-year period in a single center, as well as on 67 similar cases reported in the literature, was conducted. Results indicate ICI-induced granulomatosis is an early side effect (median time to onset: 2 months). Its clinical presentation, with predominant (90%) thoracic involvement, histopathological appearance and supposed underlying biology (involving the mTOR pathway in immune cells, Th17 polarization and TReg dysfunction) are indistinguishable from those of sarcoidosis. Moreover, it appears to be associated with ICI benefit (>65% objective response rate). Evolution is generally favorable, and symptomatic steroid treatment and/or ICI discontinuation are rarely necessary. ICI-associated granulomatosis is critical to explore for several reasons. Practically, it is essential to differentiate it from cancer progression. Secondly, this “experimental” sarcoidosis brings new elements that may help to address sarcoidosis origin and pathophysiology. Its association with ICI efficacy must be confirmed on a larger scale but could have significant impacts on patient management and biomarker definition

Prevalence and outcome of steroid-resistant/refractory pneumonitis induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors

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Pulmonary hypertension in patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema syndrome

This study aims to describe the haemodynamic and survival characteristics of patients with pulmonary hypertension in the recently individualised syndrome of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. A retrospective multicentre study was conducted in 40 patients (38 males; age 68+/-9 yrs; 39 smokers) with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, and pulmonary hypertension at right heart catheterisation. Dyspnoea was functional class II in 15%, III in 55% and IV in 30%. 6-min walk distance was 244+/-126 m. Forced vital capacity was 86+/-18%, forced expiratory volume in 1 s 78+/-19%, and carbon monoxide diffusion transfer coefficient 28+/-16% of predicted. Room air arterial oxygen tension was 7.5+/-1.6 kPa (56+/-12 mmHg). Mean pulmonary artery pressure was 40+/-9 mmHg, cardiac index 2.5+/-0.7 L x min(-1) x m(-2) and pulmonary vascular resistance 521+/-205 dyn x s x cm(-5). 1-yr survival was 60%. Higher pulmonary vascular resistance, higher heart rate, lower cardiac index and lower carbon monoxide diffusion transfer were associated with shorter survival. Patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema syndrome and pulmonary hypertension confirmed by right heart catheterisation have a dismal prognosis despite moderately altered lung volumes and flows and moderately severe haemodynamic parameters

Incidence, management and outcome of respiratory syncytial virus infection in adult lung transplant recipients: a 9-year retrospective multicentre study

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