High sensitivity variable-temperature infrared nanoscopy of conducting oxide interfaces

Probing the local transport properties of two-dimensional electron systems (2DES) confined at buried interfaces requires a non-invasive technique with a high spatial resolution operating in a broad temperature range. In this paper, we investigate the scattering-type scanning near field optical microscopy as a tool for studying the conducting LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface from room temperature down to 6 K. We show that the near-field optical signal, in particular its phase component, is highly sensitive to the transport properties of the electron system present at the interface. Our modelling reveals that such sensitivity originates from the interaction of the AFM tip with coupled plasmon-phonon modes with a small penetration depth. The model allows us to quantitatively correlate changes in the optical signal with the variation of the 2DES transport properties induced by cooling and by electrostatic gating. To probe the spatial resolution of the technique, we image conducting nano-channels written in insulating heterostructures with a voltage-biased tip of an atomic force microscope.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figure

Results from the 2nd Scientific Workshop of the ECCO (I): Impact of mucosal healing on the course of inflammatory bowel disease

AbstractOver the past years, mucosal healing has emerged as a major therapeutic goal in clinical trials in inflammatory bowel diseases. Accumulating evidence indicates that mucosal healing may change the natural course of the disease by decreasing the need for surgery and reducing hospitalization rates in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Mucosal healing may also prevent the development of long-term disease complications, such as bowel damage in Crohn's disease and colorectal cancer in ulcerative colitis. Histologic healing may be the ultimate therapeutic goal in ulcerative colitis, whereas its impact on the course of Crohn's disease is unknown. Complete mucosal healing may be required before considering drug withdrawal. Targeting early Crohn's disease is more effective than approaches aimed at healing mucosa in longstanding disease. Several questions remain to be answered: should mucosal healing be systematically used in clinical practice? Should we optimize therapies to achieve mucosal healing? What is the degree of intestinal healing that is required to change the disease course? Large prospective studies addressing these issues are needed

In Vivo Expression Pattern of MICA and MICB and Its Relevance to Auto-Immunity and Cancer

Non-conventional MHC class I MIC molecules interact not with the TCR, but with NKG2D, a C-type lectin activatory receptor present on most NK, γδ and CD8+ αβ T cells. While this interaction is critical in triggering/calibrating the cytotoxic activity of these cells, the actual extent of its in vivo involvement, in man, in infection, cancer or autoimmunity, needs further assessment. The latter has gained momentum along with the reported expansion of peripheral CD4+CD28−NKG2D+ T cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We first initiated to extend this report to a larger cohort of not only RA patients, but also those affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS). In RA and SS, this initial observation was further tested in target tissues: the joint and the salivary glands, respectively. In conclusion and despite occasional and indiscriminate expansion of the previously incriminated T cell subpopulation, no correlation could be observed between the CD4+CD28−NKG2D+ and auto-immunity. Moreover, in situ, the presence of NKG2D matched that of CD8+, but not that of CD4+ T cells. In parallel, a total body tissue scan of both MICA and MICB transcription clearly shows that despite original presumptions, and with the exception of the central nervous system, both genes are widely transcribed and therefore possibly translated and membrane-bound. Extending this analysis to a number of human tumors did not reveal a coherent pattern of expression vs. normal tissues. Collectively these data question previous assumptions, correlating a tissue-specific expression/induction of MIC in relevance to auto-immune or tumor processes

Lupus érythémateux systémique et grossesse (suivi standardisé de 36 grossesses lupiques)

STRASBOURG-Medecine (674822101) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Impact de l'éducation thérapeutique sur les compétences de sécurité de patients traités par biothérapie intraveineuse pour un rhumatisme inflammatoire en hôpital de jour

Introduction : Les patients traités par biothérapie doivent en connaître les complications. L'acquisition de compétences de sécurité est l'un des objectifs des programmes d'éducation thérapeutique (ETP) dans les rhumatismes inflammatoires chroniques (RIC). Objectifs : Évaluation de l'impact du programme ETP RHIN-RIC sur les compétences de sécurité et d'autosoins de patients sous biothérapie pour un RIC. Méthodes : Appréciation par le questionnaire Biosecure des compétences de 80 patients sous biothérapie intraveineuse pour un RIC en hôpital de jour de Rhumatologie du Groupe Hospitalier de la région Mulhouse-Sud-Alsace. Résultats : Parmi les patients, 10 % jugeaient l'information qui leur avait été prodiguée insuffisante. Le score moyen était de 65,9/100 (écart-Type 19,15). Il variait significativement avec le niveau d'éducation (p = 0,009). Le score moyen était significativement plus élevé chez les patients dont le traitement avait été introduit récemment (p = 0,043). Parmi les patients, 37,5 % avaient intégré le programme d'ETP. Le score Biosecure moyen était significativement plus élevé dans le groupe ETP (71,87/100 contre 62,32/100 ; p = 0,038) et ce également dans le sous-groupe de niveau d'éducation moindre. Il n'y avait pas de différence significative sur le contrôle de la pathologie ou la survenue d'infections. Conclusion : Les programmes d'ETP permettent une meilleure maîtrise des compétences de sécurité, et une meilleure implication du patient dans la gestion de sa pathologie et de son traitement

MICA expression in Rheumatoid Arthritis synovitis and Sjögren syndrome accessory salivary glands.

<p>Immunohistochemical analysis of (A) (B) RA synovitis and an (C) (D) SS accessory salivary gland stained with an anti-MICA monoclonal antibody. MIC expression is clearly of epithelial/fibroblastic nature in both tissues/organs.</p

Flow cytometric analysis of the CD4⁺NKG2D⁺ population.

<p>This example, taken from one of the two SS patients (Mrs XET) harbouring a particularly high ratio of CD4⁺NKG2D⁺ T cells (36.2%) illustrates the methodology used in order to enumerate these cells in all individuals (controls and patients) included in this work during a routine 50 000 events analysis.</p

Characteristics of patients and healthy controls.

*<p>DAS (Disease Activity Score) 28 for RA, SLEDAI (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index) for SLE and mean AVS (AVS: Analogic Visual Scale) of subjective sicca syndrome, asthenia and pain for SS.</p>**<p>Abbreviations: NSAID: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs; SMARD: Symptom Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs; DCART: Disease Controlling Anti-Rheumatic Therapy; ANA: antinuclear antibody (indirect immunofluorescence on Hep2 cells), ENA: extractable nuclear antigens; dsDNA: double-stranded DNA, RF: Rheumatoid Factor, CCP: cyclic citrullinated peptide.</p