A case of disseminated infection caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus

Human infections with Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, a group C streptococcus, are very rare and are generally associated with contact with horses, and consumption of unpasteurized milk products, goat cheese or pork. In most cases S zooepidemicus leads to fulminant infections. The case of a middle-aged woman who had sporadic contact with horses is described in the present report. She developed a bacteremia with severe and extensive complications that included meningitis, mitral endocarditis and blindness due to bilateral endophthalmitis. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of an endophthalmitis due to S zooepidemicus. Because of a penicillin allergy, the patient was treated with ceftriaxone and rifampin over six weeks and survived. The present case report highlights the severe complications associated with S zooepidemicus infection

ZnO/PVA Macroscopic Fibers Bearing Anisotropic Photonic Properties

Composite PVA/ZnO-nanorods fibers, synthesized through co-axial flux extrusion exhibit higher anisotropic photonic properties, both in absorption and emission, as a result of the collective alignment of the ZnO nanorods along the main axis of the PVA fiber. This photonic anisotropy is triggered by a synergistic interaction between the PVA matrix, stretched above Tg, and cooled down under strain. Compared with non-elongated fibers that present an isotropic emission, composite fibers previously submitted to a tensile stress absorb selectively UV emission when the polarized laser beam is parallel to the main axis of the fiber. In addition, their photoluminescence is also anisotropic, with a waveguide behavior along the fiber's main axis

Preclinical comparative assessment of a dedicated pediatric poly‐L‐lactic‐acid‐based bioresorbable scaffold with a low‐profile bare metal stent

Background Polymer‐based bioresorbable scaffolds (PBBS) have been assessed for coronary revascularization with mixed outcomes. Few studies have targeted pediatric‐specific scaffolds. We sought to assess safety, efficacy, and short‐term performance of a dedicated drug‐free PBBS pediatric scaffold compared to a standard low‐profile bare metal stent (BMS) in central and peripheral arteries of weaned piglets. Methods Forty‐two devices (22 Elixir poly‐L‐lactic‐acid‐based pediatric bioresorbable scaffolds [BRS] [6 × 18 mm] and 20 control BMS Cook Formula 418 [6 × 20 mm]) were implanted in the descending aorta and pulmonary arteries (PAs) of 14 female Yucatan piglets. Quantitative measurements were collected on the day of device deployment and 30 and 90 days postimplantation to compare device patency and integrity. Results The BRS has a comparable safety profile to the BMS in the acute setting. Late lumen loss (LLL) and percent diameter stenosis (%DS) were not significantly different between BRS and BMS in the PA at 30 days. LLL and %DS were greater for BRS versus BMS in the aorta at 30 days postimplantation (LLL difference: 0.96 ± 0.26; %DS difference: 16.15 ± 4.51; p < .05). At 90 days, %DS in the aortic BRS was less, and PA BRS LLL was also less than BMS. Histomorphometric data showed greater intimal proliferation and area stenosis in the BRS at all time points and in all vessels. Conclusions A dedicated PBBS pediatric BRS has a favorable safety profile in the acute/subacute setting and demonstrates characteristics that are consistent with adult BRSs

Des hommes et du masculin

Où en est-on des études, réflexions sur les hommes, le masculin, des rapports homme/femme vus du côté et/ou à partir des hommes ? Quels ont été les apports des différents groupes masculinistes, gays, antisexistes qui ont, après l'interpellation féministe, interrogé de manière plus ou moins directe l'identité masculine, l'inégalité des sexes, les relations hommes/femmes ? Qu'en est-il du genre ? Du masculin dans les rapports sociaux de sexe ? Telles furent quelques-unes des questions qui ont été posées aux chercheurs invités à écrire dans un numéro du BIEF (Bulletin d'information des études féminines) consacré aux hommes. Le BIEF est une revue féministe, éditée par le Centre d'études féminines de l'Université de Provence depuis 1975. Convaincu-e-s de la nécessité d'un débat mixte sur les rapports hommes/femmes, c'est-à-dire sur les rapports sociaux de sexe, les responsables de la revue et ceux du groupe Anthropologie des sexes et de la vie domestique du CREA (Centre de recherches et d'études anthropologiques) de l'Université Lumière-Lyon 2 se sont associé-e-s pour publier cet ouvrage. Les articles traduisent la diversité des recherches menées aujourd'hui par les hommes sur les hommes. Sociologues, philosophes, anthropologues et psychologues de France, du Québec et d'Allemagne décrivent des segments particuliers où se structure l'identité masculine : église, armée, pornographie, homosexualité, violence, paternité assistée par médecin ; d'autres s'interrogent sur le genre masculin et les catégories pour penser ce genre

1D Organization of ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles toward advanced photonic and photocatalytic materials

Nowadays Chemist are request to construct more and more complex architectures bearing multifunctionalities enable to respond to external stimuli. The construction of such complex architectures will be addressed through strong interplay in chemical science, as proposed recently with the concept of integrative Chemistry.[1] We synthesized PVA/ZnO-nanorods composite fibers using co-axial flux extrusion.[2] These fibers exhibit higher anisotropic photonic properties, both in absorption and emission, as a result of the collective alignment of the ZnO nanorods along the main axis of the PVA fiber. This photonic anisotropy is triggered by a synergistic interaction between the PVA matrix, stretched above Tg, and cooled down under strain. Compared with non-elongated fibers that present an isotropic emission, composite fibers previously submitted to a tensile stress absorb selectively UV emission when the polarized laser beam is parallel to the main axis of the fiber. In addition, their photolumincescence is also anisotropic, with a waveguide behavior along the main axis of the fiber. Mechanical properties of these composite fibers are also drastically improved, compared with pure PVA fibers: the longitudinal Young modulus of these fibers is increased from 2 to 6 GPa upon ZnO addition, a value similar to those already observed for composite fibers, prepared either with carbon nanotubes, or Vanadium Oxide macroscopic fibers. [1] N. Brun, S. Ungureanu, H. Deleuze and R. Backov. Chem. Soc. Rev., 2011, 40, 771 [2] Kinadjian, N., Achard, M.-F., Julián-López, B., Maugey, M., Poulin, P., Prouzet, E. and Backov, R. (2012). Adv. Funct. Mater.. doi: 10.1002/adfm.20120036

Interactive virtual relighting and remodeling of real scenes

Theme 3 - Interaction homme-machine, images, donnees, connaissances. Projet iMAGISAvailable from INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : 14802 F, issue : a.1999 n.0230 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueSIGLEFRFranc