BriFiSeg: a deep learning-based method for semantic and instance segmentation of nuclei in brightfield images

Generally, microscopy image analysis in biology relies on the segmentation of individual nuclei, using a dedicated stained image, to identify individual cells. However stained nuclei have drawbacks like the need for sample preparation, and specific equipment on the microscope but most importantly, and as it is in most cases, the nuclear stain is not relevant to the biological questions of interest but is solely used for the segmentation task. In this study, we used non-stained brightfield images for nuclei segmentation with the advantage that they can be acquired on any microscope from both live or fixed samples and do not necessitate specific sample preparation. Nuclei semantic segmentation from brightfield images was obtained, on four distinct cell lines with U-Net-based architectures. We tested systematically deep pre-trained encoders to identify the best performing in combination with the different neural network architectures used. Additionally, two distinct and effective strategies were employed for instance segmentation, followed by thorough instance evaluation. We obtained effective semantic and instance segmentation of nuclei in brightfield images from standard test sets as well as from very diverse biological contexts triggered upon treatment with various small molecule inhibitor. The code used in this study was made public to allow further use by the community

Systematic review : effects of voice problems on the quality of life of teachers

The research utilized systematic review, which involved initial search, abstract screening, full-text screening, critical appraisal and thematic synthesis. Inter-rater reliability was established from abstract screening to thematic synthesis. Fourteen (14) English journals that determined the effects of voice problems on the quality of life of teachers were included in the study. Teachers experienced negative responses in each of the following domains: physical, functional and emotional. The effects identified across the different journals deteriorated the quality of lives of teachers

Influence of S and Te substitutions on the thermoelectric properties of the cluster compound Ag3.8Mo9Se11

International audienceWe report on a detailed study of the influence of S and Te substitutions for Se on the thermoelectric properties of the cluster compound Ag3.8Mo9Se11. Two series of polycrystalline samples Ag3.8Mo9Se11-ySy (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.5) and Ag3.8Mo9Se11-zTez (0 ≤ z ≤ 0.5) were synthesized by a combination of conventional powder metallurgy technique followed by spark plasma sintering. Powder X-ray diffraction and wavelength dispersive spectroscopy indicate that both S and Te successfully substitute for Se and exhibit a low solubility limit of y ≈ z ≈ 0.5. Measurements of the thermoelectric properties between 2 and 800 K show that S and Te substitutions tend to lead to a more pronounced heavily-doped character with respect to Ag3.8Mo9Se11. The very low lattice thermal conductivity of these compounds (κL≈ 0.5 W m−1 K−1) can be attributed to the large thermal displacement parameters of the Ag atoms. Despite the heavily-doped nature of the samples, the charge carriers conduct less heat than expected by the Wiedemann-Franz law resulting in significantly lower Lorenz numbers than predicted by the degenerate limit above 300 K. The combination of favourable electronic properties and low thermal conductivity leads to interesting dimensionless thermoelectric figures of merit ZT of 0.7 near 800 K. © 2017 Elsevier B.V

THU0374 Health Beliefs, Experiences and Educational Needs of Patients with Osteoporosis : A Qualitative Study by the Working Group Solid’os

International audienceBackground Real life experience and health beliefs impact quality of life and adherence to medication. Educational management programs have proved beneficial for patients with osteoporosis (OP).Objectives To understand perceptions and educational needs of patients with different types of osteoporosis. The aim was to target patients perceptive to help the construction of educational programs.Methods Focus group were conducted with a semi directive interview guide developed by the multidisciplinary working group SOLID’OS including rheumatologists, health care professionals, members of a patient association and experts in qualitative research. Interviews involved 18 post-menopausal women with osteoporotic fractures (2 groups), 10 post-menopausal women without osteoporotic fractures (2 groups), 14 men with osteoporosis (2 groups) and 10 patients with corticosteroid (CS) -induced osteoporosis (2 groups). Each group included 4 to 10 patients in 7 different cities. Thematic analysis was performed.Results A wide range of health beliefs about OP was found : OP is considered as a natural consequence of aging or on the contrary leads to dramatic feelings and self-depreciation. Patients regret the delay to diagnosis before fractures occur. Patients are in fear of new fractures and consequently limit their daily life activities. Patients with CS-induced osteoporosis take better care of the causal disease than of OP. Men have negative perceptions, considering that OP principally affects women. Men have difficulties to cope with the loss of their functional abilities.Patients have a rather good knowledge of treatment except for CS treated patients whose knowledge is lower. Some patients are confident in health care providers and medication efficacy whereas others focus on adverse effects and doubt of the benefit of treatments. All patients need support and look for evidence of treatments efficacy. Patients show a great interest for non-pharmacologic management such as calcium intake and physical activity. Errors are frequent about adverse effects of calcium and milk, which for instance is believed to cause arthritis.Patients feel that group follow up by health professionals will enhance their motivation especially for exercises. They show preferences for group education close to their place of residence. Men often go on the Internet for brief information and like booklets.Education should include physical activity, fall prevention and dietetics. The benefit of including partners remains doubtful for almost all patients.Conclusions This qualitative study showed that patients’ perspective differ according to the type of osteoporosis. A personalized assessment of patients’ needs and objectives should then be performed before inclusion in educational programs. Patients have a major interest for non-pharmacological treatments and prefer group education

60 – Evaluation of the practices in Therapeutic Patient Education for peadiatric obesity: EDUDORA project

peer reviewe

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces a pro-inflammatory cytokine response through cGAS-STING and NF-κB

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus that has rapidly spread, causing a global pandemic. In the majority of infected patients, SARS-CoV-2 leads to mild disease; however, in a significant proportion of infections, individuals develop severe symptoms that can lead to long-lasting lung damage or death. These severe cases are often associated with high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and low antiviral responses, which can cause systemic complications. Here, we have evaluated transcriptional and cytokine secretion profiles and detected a distinct upregulation of inflammatory cytokines in infected cell cultures and samples taken from infected patients. Building on these observations, we found a specific activation of NF-κB and a block of IRF3 nuclear translocation in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. This NF-κB response was mediated by cGAS-STING activation and could be attenuated through several STING-targeting drugs. Our results show that SARS-CoV-2 directs a cGAS-STING mediated, NF-κB-driven inflammatory immune response in human epithelial cells that likely contributes to inflammatory responses seen in patients and could be therapeutically targeted to suppress severe disease symptoms

Étude de faisabilité d’un dépistage organisé du cancer broncho-pulmonaire chez des sujets exposés professionnellement à des agents cancérogènes pulmonaires–LUCSO

National audienceDes recommandations de bonne pratique françaises publiées en 2015 préconisaient mettre place une expérimentation sur le dépistage du cancer broncho-pulmonaire (CBP) chez les sujets exposés ou ayant été professionnellement à des agents cancérogènes pulmonaires haut risque CBP par tomodensitométrie (TDM) thoracique basse dose [1]. L’objectif cette étude est d’évaluer l’organisation d’un TDM dose. Étude interventionnelle risques et contraintes minimes prospective dans deux départements: la Gironde Val Marne financée l’INCa, Direction Risques Professionnels CNAM partenariat avec Centres Dépistage Cancers régions. Les critères d’inclusion sont l’association d’une exposition ACP milieu professionnel tabagisme (risque supérieur celui inclus l’essai nord-américain NLST). L’étude se déroule plusieurs étapes: (1) repérage pour poumon partir invitation participer adressée tous âgés 65 74 ans Départementaux cancer

Religion, law and development: Islam and Christianity—Why is it in Occident and not in the Orient that man invented the institutions of freedom?

Religion, Liberty, Development and property rights, O57, K11, D72,