Review of tellurite glasses purification issues for mid‐IR optical fiber applications

International audienc

1.7–18 µm mid-infrared supercontinuum generation in a dispersion-engineered step-index chalcogenide fiber

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A chimeric mouse model to study human iPSC-derived neurons: the case of a truncating SHANK3 mutation

International audienceUsing human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), recent studies have shown that the events underlying autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can occur during neonatal development. We previously analyzed the iPSC-derived pyramidal cortical neurons of a subset of patients with ASD carrying de novo heterozygous mutations in postsynaptic SHANK3 protein, in culture. We reported altered spinogenesis of those neurons. The transplantation of human iPSC-derived neuronal precursors into mouse brain represents a novel option for in vivo analysis of mutations affecting the human brain. In this study, we transplanted the neuronal precursor cells (NPC) into the cortex of newborn mice to analyze their integration and maturation at early stages of development and studied axonal projections of transplanted human neurons into adult mouse brain. We then co-transplanted NPC from a control individual and from a patient carrying a de novo heterozygous SHANK3 mutation. We observed a reduction in cell soma size of selective neuronal categories and in axonal projections at 30 days post-transplantation. In contrast to previous in vitro studies, we did not observe any alteration in spinogenesis at this early age. The humanized chimeric mouse models offer the means to analyze ASD-associated mutations further and provide the opportunity to visualize phenotypes in vivo

Towards absorption spectroscopy by means of mid-infrared supercontinuum generation in a step index tellurite fiber

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Work-related asthma and its impact on quality of life and work productivity.

The impact of Work-related asthma (WRA) on quality of life (QoL) and work productivity remains largely neglected/uncertain despite its high prevalence. We aimed to investigate the association of WRA with QoL and work productivity as compared to subjects with asthma unrelated to work and those without asthma and rhinitis. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among workers during their periodic occupational health visit in Belgium. The mini Asthma QoL Questionnaire (mAQLQ), Medical Outcome Study Short Form-8 (SF-8), and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-General Health questionnaires were administered. Survey participants were divided into three groups: 1) WRA (current asthma with ≥2 respiratory symptoms at work, n=89); 2) non-WRA (current asthma without work-related respiratory symptoms, n=119); and 3) the reference group (no asthma and no lower respiratory, nasal, or eye symptoms; n=815). Associations of QoL and work productivity with WRA were evaluated by multivariable regression analyses. WRA and having poor asthma control were significantly associated with lower global mAQLQ scores compared to non-WRA. Asthmatic subjects had significantly lower physical and mental health components of the SF-8 instrument and overall work productivity compared to the reference group, with greater impairment in WRA than non-WRA. Moreover, workers with WRA had higher percentages of doctor visits and income reduction due to respiratory symptoms than non-WRA. Work-related rhinitis and depression were associated with reduced QoL, independent of the effect of WRA. Comprehensive management of WRA should be done to reduce the worsening of QoL and work productivity of those affected

High Risk of Anal and Rectal Cancer in Patients With Anal and/or Perianal Crohn’s Disease

International audienceBackground & AimsLittle is known about the magnitude of the risk of anal and rectal cancer in patients with anal and/or perineal Crohn’s disease. We aimed to assess the risk of anal and rectal cancer in patients with Crohn’s perianal disease followed up in the Cancers Et Surrisque Associé aux Maladies Inflammatoires Intestinales En France (CESAME) cohort.MethodsWe collected data from 19,486 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) enrolled in the observational CESAME study in France, from May 2004 through June 2005; 14.9% of participants had past or current anal and/or perianal Crohn’s disease. Subjects were followed up for a median time of 35 months (interquartile range, 29–40 mo). To identify risk factors for anal cancer in the total CESAME population, we performed a case-control study in which participants were matched for age and sex.ResultsAmong the total IBD population, 8 patients developed anal cancer and 14 patients developed rectal cancer. In the subgroup of 2911 patients with past or current anal and/or perianal Crohn’s lesions at cohort entry, 2 developed anal squamous-cell carcinoma, 3 developed perianal fistula–related adenocarcinoma, and 6 developed rectal cancer. The corresponding incidence rates were 0.26 per 1000 patient-years for anal squamous-cell carcinoma, 0.38 per 1000 patient-years for perianal fistula–related adenocarcinoma, and 0.77 per 1000 patient-years for rectal cancer. Among the 16,575 patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease without anal or perianal lesions, the incidence rate of anal cancer was 0.08 per 1000 patient-years and of rectal cancer was 0.21 per 1000 patient-years. Among factors tested by univariate conditional regression (IBD subtype, disease duration, exposure to immune-suppressive therapy, presence of past or current anal and/or perianal lesions), the presence of past or current anal and/or perianal lesions at cohort entry was the only factor significantly associated with development of anal cancer (odds ratio, 11.2; 95% CI, 1.18-551.51; P = .03).ConclusionsIn an analysis of data from the CESAME cohort in France, patients with anal and/or perianal Crohn’s disease have a high risk of anal cancer, including perianal fistula–related cancer, and a high risk of rectal cancer