Optical properties of cometary particles collected by the COSIMA mass spectrometer on-board <i>Rosetta</i> during the rendezvous phase around comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko

40 000 collected cometary particles have been identified on the 21 targets exposed by the COSIMA experiment on-board Rosetta to the environment of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko from 2014 August to 2016 September. The images of the targets where obtained by the COSIMA microscope (Cosiscope, 13.95 μm pixel−1) with near grazing incidence, which is optimal for the primary objective (detection of collected particles) but very challenging for photometry. However, more than 300 of the collected particles are larger than 100 μm which makes it possible to derive constraints on the optical properties from the distribution of light levels within the particles. Two types of particles collected by COSIMA (compact particles and cluster particles) have been identified in Langevin et al. The best estimate reflectance factors of compact particles range from 10 per cent to 23 per cent. For cluster particles (>90 per cent of large collected particles), the comparison of the signal profiles with illumination from two opposite directions shows that there is scattering within the particles, with a mean free path in the 20–25 μm range, which requires high porosity. The best estimate reflectance factors of cluster particles range from 3 per cent to 22 per cent. This range of reflectance factors overlaps with that obtained from observations of the cometary nucleus at macroscopic scales by OSIRIS and it is consistent with that measured for interplanetary dust particles collected in the stratosphere of the Earth

Differences and similarities in instant countertransference towards patients with suicidal ideation and personality disorders.

Previous findings showed that suicidal patients elicit mostly negative countertransference such as distress, hopelessness, feelings of inadequacy, and apprehension, and that a concurrent personality disorder is associated with more feelings of entrapment and mistreatment, among other adverse reactions. No studies were however conducted on instant countertransference (iCT), i.e., after a single encounter, for example in an emergency setting. We aimed to evaluate the impact of suicidal ideations, self-harm and presence of personality disorders on instant Countertransference (iCT). Caregivers rated their iCT with two validated and standardized questionnaires after a first emergency or outpatient consultation. Suicidal ideation, self-harm and personality disorders were tested as predictors for iCT in a multivariate and multilevel analysis. Thirty caregivers rated their iCT towards 321 patients. Personality disorders and suicidal ideation, but neither recent nor past history of self-harm, predicted iCT. Common iCT included tension, lack of self-confidence and feeling of being tied. iCT specifically associated with suicidal ideation included distress, lack of hope, confusion, and sense that the patient's life had little worth. In contrast, iCT towards patients with personality disorders suggested tension in the therapeutic relationship (low affiliation with patient, anger, disappointment, devaluation). Caregiver's characteristics were not considered in the analysis. Furthermore, while countertransference also includes unconscious phenomena, only conscious iCT was assessed. Patients with suicidal ideation and personality disorders elicit common but also specific negative iCT. Mental health institutions need to devote specific resources (such as clinical supervision and training) to help caregivers manage their iCT

Variation in Wolbachia cidB gene, but not cidA, is associated with cytoplasmic incompatibility mod phenotype diversity in Culex pipiens

Endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria are, to date, considered the most widespread symbionts in arthropods and are the cornerstone of major biological control strategies. Such a high prevalence is based on the ability of Wolbachia to manipulate their hosts' reproduction. One manipulation called cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is based on the death of the embryos generated by crosses between infected males and uninfected females or between individuals infected with incompatible Wolbachia strains. CI can be seen as a modification-rescue system (or mod-resc) in which paternal Wolbachia produce mod factors, inducing embryonic defects, unless the maternal Wolbachia produce compatible resc factors. Transgenic experiments in Drosophila melanogaster and Saccharomyces cerevisiae converged towards a model where the cidB Wolbachia gene is involved in the mod function while cidA is involved in the resc function. However, as cidA expression in Drosophila males was required to observe CI, it has been proposed that cidA could be involved in both resc and mod functions. A recent correlative study in natural Culex pipiens mosquito populations has revealed an association between specific cidA and cidB variations and changes in mod phenotype, also suggesting a role for both these genes in mod diversity. Here, by studying cidA and cidB genomic repertoires of individuals from newly sampled natural C. pipiens populations harbouring wPipIV strains from North Italy, we reinforce the link between cidB variation and mod phenotype variation fostering the involvement of cidB in the mod phenotype diversity. However, no association between any cidA variants or combination of cidA variants and mod phenotype variation was observed. Taken together our results in natural C. pipiens populations do not support the involvement of cidA in mod phenotype variation

Optical properties of cometary particles collected by the COSIMA mass spectrometer on-board Rosetta during the rendezvous phase around comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko

40 000 collected cometary particles have been identified on the 21 targets exposed by the COSIMA experiment on-board Rosetta to the environment of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko from 2014 August to 2016 September. The images of the targets where obtained by the COSIMA microscope (Cosiscope, 13.95 μm pixel−1) with near grazing incidence, which is optimal for the primary objective (detection of collected particles) but very challenging for photometry. However, more than 300 of the collected particles are larger than 100 μm which makes it possible to derive constraints on the optical properties from the distribution of light levels within the particles. Two types of particles collected by COSIMA (compact particles and cluster particles) have been identified in Langevin et al. The best estimate reflectance factors of compact particles range from 10 per cent to 23 per cent. For cluster particles (>90 per cent of large collected particles), the comparison of the signal profiles with illumination from two opposite directions shows that there is scattering within the particles, with a mean free path in the 20–25 μm range, which requires high porosity. The best estimate reflectance factors of cluster particles range from 3 per cent to 22 per cent. This range of reflectance factors overlaps with that obtained from observations of the cometary nucleus at macroscopic scales by OSIRIS and it is consistent with that measured for interplanetary dust particles collected in the stratosphere of the Earth.</p

BMC Cancer

Background: The exhaustive collection of new sarcoma cases and their second histologic review offer a unique opportunity to study their incidence and time trends in France according to the major subtypes. Methods: Data were collected from population-based cancer registries covering 22% of the French population. Crude and world age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) were estimated according to anatomic, histological and genetic groups, age and sex over the 2010–2013 period. Results: Time trends in incidence were calculated by the annual percent change over the 2000–2013 period. During the most recent period (2010–2013), 3942 patients with sarcoma were included. The ASR of soft-tissue and bone sarcomas, and gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GIST) were 2.1, 1.0 and 0.6, respectively. For the four most frequent histological subtypes (unclassified, leiomyosarcoma, GIST and liposarcoma), the ASR ranged from 0.4 to 0.7. ASRs were 1.9 for complex genomic and 1.3 for recurrent translocation sarcomas. The time-trend analysis showed a significant increase of sarcoma incidence rate between 2000 and 2005, which stabilized thereafter. Incidence rates increased for four histological subtypes (GIST, chondrosarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma, solitary fibrous tumors) and decreased for three (leiomyosarcomas, Kaposi sarcoma and fibrosarcoma). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate sarcoma incidence based on a systematic pathological review of these cancers and on the updated sarcoma classifications. Due to the paucity of literature on sarcomas, future studies using data from population-based cancer registries should consider a standardized inclusion criterion presented in our study to better describe and compare data between countries

Increased concentration of two different advanced glycation end-products detected by enzyme immunoassays with new monoclonal antibodies in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Levels of pentosidine (representative of advanced glycation end-products) in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis are increased when compared with sera of other diagnoses or healthy controls. These levels have been reported to correlate with clinical indices of rheumatoid arthritis activity and with laboratory markers of inflammation. The purpose of this study was to find out if these findings pertain to other advanced glycation end-products.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We have developed two immunoassays based on new monoclonal antibodies to advanced glycation end-products. Antibody 103-E3 reacts with an unidentified antigen, formed in the reaction of proteins with ribose, while antibody 8-C1 responds to N^ε-(carboxyethyl)lysine. We have used these monoclonal antibodies to measure levels of advanced glycation end-products in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, and healthy controls. We calculated the correlations between advanced glycation end-product levels in rheumatoid arthritis sera and the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), age, disease duration, CRP, anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor and treatment with corticosteroids, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Levels of both glycation products were significantly higher in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis when compared with sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, or the healthy controls. Neither the level of N^ε-(carboxyethyl)lysine nor the level of the 103-E3 antigen in rheumatoid arthritis sera correlated with the DAS28-scored rheumatoid arthritis activity. The levels of both antigens in rheumatoid arthritis sera did not correlate with age, gender, corticosteroid treatment, or levels of CRP, anti-CCP antibodies, and rheumatoid factor in sera.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We report highly specific increases in the levels of two advanced glycation end-products in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This increase could be explained neither by rheumatoid arthritis activity nor by inflammation. We propose a working hypothesis that presumes the existence of a link between advanced glycation end-product formation and induction of autoimmunity.</p

Toxocariasis: a silent threat with a progressive public health impact

Background: Toxocariasis is a neglected parasitic zoonosis that afflicts millions of the pediatric and adolescent populations worldwide, especially in impoverished communities. This disease is caused by infection with the larvae of Toxocara canis and T. cati, the most ubiquitous intestinal nematode parasite in dogs and cats, respectively. In this article, recent advances in the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and pharmacotherapies that have been used in the treatment of toxocariasis are reviewed. Main text: Over the past two decades, we have come far in our understanding of the biology and epidemiology of toxocariasis. However, lack of laboratory infrastructure in some countries, lack of uniform case definitions and limited surveillance infrastructure are some of the challenges that hindered the estimation of global disease burden. Toxocariasis encompasses four clinical forms: visceral, ocular, covert and neural. Incorrect or misdiagnosis of any of these disabling conditions can result in severe health consequences and considerable medical care spending. Fortunately, multiple diagnostic modalities are available, which if effectively used together with the administration of appropriate pharmacologic therapies, can minimize any unnecessary patient morbidity. Conclusions: Although progress has been made in the management of toxocariasis patients, there remains much work to be done. Implementation of new technologies and better understanding of the pathogenesis of toxocariasis can identify new diagnostic biomarkers, which may help in increasing diagnostic accuracy. Also, further clinical research breakthroughs are needed to develop better ways to effectively control and prevent this serious disease