Beneficial Effects of Tacrolimus on Brain-Death-Associated Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Pigs.

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction remains a major problem after heart transplantation and may be associated with brain death (BD) in a donor. A calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus was recently found to have beneficial effects on heart function. Here, we examined whether tacrolimus might prevent BD-induced RV dysfunction and the associated pathobiological changes. After randomized tacrolimus ( = 8; 0.05 mg·kg·day) or placebo ( = 9) pretreatment, pigs were assigned to a BD procedure and hemodynamically investigated 1, 3, 5, and 7 h after the Cushing reflex. After euthanasia, myocardial tissue was sampled for pathobiological evaluation. Seven pigs were used as controls. Calcineurin inhibition prevented increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and RV-arterial decoupling induced by BD. BD was associated with an increased RV pro-apoptotic Bax-to-Bcl2 ratio and RV and LV apoptotic rates, which were prevented by tacrolimus. BD induced increased expression of the pro-inflammatory IL-6-to-IL-10 ratio, their related receptors, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in both the RV and LV. These changes were prevented by tacrolimus. RV and LV neutrophil infiltration induced by BD was partly prevented by tacrolimus. BD was associated with decreased RV expression of the β-1 adrenergic receptor and sarcomere (myosin heavy chain [MYH]7-to-MYH6 ratio) components, while β-3 adrenergic receptor, nitric oxide-synthase 3, and glucose transporter 1 expression increased. These changes were prevented by tacrolimus. Brain death was associated with isolated RV dysfunction. Tacrolimus prevented RV dysfunction induced by BD through the inhibition of apoptosis and inflammation activation

Peintures de Périgueux. Édifice de la rue des Bouquets ou la Damns de Vésone II -Les peintures fragmentaires

The study of the fragmentary paintings permits us to considerably complete our knowledge of painted decoration. Unfortunately, they cannot always be replaced on their original walls. In effect, it is often a question of rubble thrown in the earth which filled in the first state of the residence. An enclosed garden on a black background (hortus conclusus) is typical of the Third Pompeian style, and also a candelabra on a black background over the speckled plinth in Room 39 ; other elements of a trompe-l’œil fluted column with raised stucco may be older. The scenes of munera were reexamined and could belong to the garden wall. They are anterior to the middle of the Second Century A.D. Being on a monumental scale they don’t fit in with their location in a simple private home. The painted inscriptions lead us to believe that they have a commemorative function as an act of evergetism. The careful study of the aquatic fauna painted on the exterior of the central basin of the peristyle came to the conclusion that the animals were more or less faithful representations of Mediterranean marine fauna. The exact function of this rectangular enclosure is disputed : basin for rain water, or hanging garden ? It concerns in any event an exceptional and unique ensemble, of which we have another example in the small basin situated to the north, bordering the street. Finally, the study of the graffiti brings a great deal to the onomastics and particularly to our knowledge of Gens Pompeia in Périgueux. (trad. Ethel Rosenthal)L’étude des peintures fragmentaires complète considérablement notre connaissance des décors, même s’il s’agit souvent de gravats jetés dans le remblai qui a comblé le premier état de la demeure. Parmi les décors orphelins, notons un élément de jardin enclos (hortus conclusus), typique du IIIe style pompéien, d’autres éléments de colonne cannelée en trompe-l’œil et des stucs en relief, peut-être plus anciens. Parmi les décors dont la provenance est connue, le candélabre sur fond noir au-dessus de la plinthe mouchetée en salle 39 rappelle le IIIe style. Les scènes de munera ont été réexaminées et pourraient appartenir au mur du jardin. Elles sont antérieures au milieu du IIe siècle p.C. D’échelle monumentale, elles ne cadrent pas avec une localisation dans une simple maison privée. Les inscriptions peintes donnent à penser qu’elles ont une fonction commémorative d’un acte d’évergétisme. La faune aquatique, peinte à l’extérieur du bassin central du péristyle, fait l’objet d’une étude fine d’identification qui conclut à des représentations assez fidèles de la faune marine méditerranéenne. La fonction exacte de cet enclos rectangulaire est discutée : bassin d’eaux pluviales ou jardin suspendu ? Il s’agit d’un ensemble exceptionnel, dont on a un autre exemple dans le petit bassin situé au nord en bordure de rue. Enfin l’étude des graffiti apporte beaucoup à l’onomastique et enrichit ce que l’on sait déjà sur la gens Pompeia à Périgueux.Barbet Alix, Monier Florence, Bost Jean-Pierre, Sternberg Myriam, Girardy-Caillat Claudine, Dagand Patricia, Maleyre Isabelle, Allag Claudine, Groetembril S., Lefèvre Annie, Lefèvre Jean-François. Peintures de Périgueux. Édifice de la rue des Bouquets ou la Damns de Vésone II -Les peintures fragmentaires. In: Aquitania : une revue inter-régionale d'archéologie, tome 20, 2004. pp. 149-219

Chapter 4. Air quality and climate in the Mediterranean region

Ambient air ranks number one among the natural resources vital to human beings, with an average individual daily need of 12 kg. Due to the specificities of the Mediterranean region (sunny, hot and dry climate; long-range transport converging over the basin), air pollution in reactive compounds over the Mediterranean is often higher than in most European inland regions. Climate change (increase in temperature and drought) and anthropogenic pressure (growing population) should significantly impact the regional air quality. As a result, Mediterranean inhabitants who are already regularly exposed to pollutant loads well above WHO air quality recommendations will be further exposed, resulting in an excess of premature deaths. Exposure monitoring and win-win strategies should be developed in the future both to improve air quality and develop a low carbon economy. The evolution of emissions under climate change is not always clear and much uncertainty remains around present emissions from large urban-industrial centers, although recent progress has been made on emissions of the different regional sources of pollutants. It has been established that the regional climate and water cycle are affected by atmospheric chemistry. By reducing solar radiation at the surface, aerosols reduce the yearly average precipitation in the Mediterranean by 10%, which is a major issue since water is already scarce. Aerosols could further reduce precipitations by reducing the size of cloud droplets or through the formation of cloud droplets and ice crystals. Moreover, recent in situ and model experiments indicate that anthropogenic nitrogen and desert dust phosphorus deposition in nutrient-depleted surface seawater favors phytoplankton development, which stimulates the sink of atmospheric CO2 into marine sediments. But Saharan dust deposition by rain also stimulates bacterial growth, which reemits CO2. The net effect of desert dust deposition at large scales needs to be established.L’air est sans aucun doute la ressource naturelle la plus essentielle à l’homme: chaque jour 12 kg d’air sont nécessaires à sa survie. Du fait des spécificités de la région méditerranéenne (climat ensoleillé, chaud et sec; convergence de masses d’air d’horizons lointains), la pollution de l’air en espèces réactives y est souvent plus forte que dans la plupart de l’Europe continentale. Les changements climatiques (augmentation des sécheresses et de la température) et la pression démographique devraient dégrader encore la qualité de l’air. En conséquence, les habitants de la Méditerranée qui sont déjà régulièrement soumis à des niveaux de pollution bien au-dessus des recommandations de l’OMS devraient se trouver plus exposés encore, ce qui engendrera une surmortalité. Un meilleur suivi de l’exposition des habitants et des solutions « gagnant-gagnant » devraient être mises en place dans le but d’améliorer la qualité de l’air et de s’engager dans une économie décarbonée. Les conséquences des changements climatiques sur les émissions de polluants par les principales sources régionales ne sont pas toujours très claires. Il a été établi que le climat régional et le cycle de l’eau sont altérés par la chimie de l’atmosphère. En réduisant le flux solaire en surface, les aérosols réduisent les précipitations moyennes annuelles de 10 % en moyenne sur le bassin méditerranéen, réduisant un peu plus une ressource déjà rare. Les aérosols pourraient réduire plus encore les précipitations en réduisant la taille des gouttes d’eau dans les nuages ou en agissant sur la formation de cristaux de glaces. Par ailleurs, de récentes expériences indiquent que le dépôt atmosphérique d’azote et le phosphore issu des poussières désertiques à la surface des eaux pauvres en nutriments de la Méditerranée favorise le développement du phytoplancton activant par la même occasion l’absorption de CO2 par l’océan. Cependant, il a aussi été observé que le dépôt de poussières favorise le développement de bactéries qui elles-mêmes rejettent du CO2 du fait de la respiration. L’effet net du dépôt de ces poussières à grande échelle reste à établir

Dissertatio historica de initiis monarchiae Babyloniorum, quam, cum cons. ampliss. Colleg. Philos. in Reg. Acad. Upsal. sub praesidio ... Jacobi Arrhenii ... publico examini modeste subjicit Petrus Hagberg Gestr. In audit. Gustav. maj. ad d. 25. Maji. Anni MDCCV.

International audienceBackground : The incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes (T1D) incidence is rising in many countries, supposedlybecause of changing environmental factors, which are yet largely unknown. The purpose of the study was tounravel environmental markers associated with T1D. Methods : Cases were children with T1D from the French Isis-Diab cohort. Controls were schoolmates or friends ofthe patients. Parents were asked to fill a 845-item questionnaire investigating the child’s environment before diagnosis.The analysis took into account the matching between cases and controls. A second analysis used propensity scoremethods. Results : We found a negative association of several lifestyle variables, gastroenteritis episodes, dental hygiene, hazelnutcocoa spread consumption, wasp and bee stings with T1D, consumption of vegetables from a farm and death of a petby old age. Conclusions : The found statistical association of new environmental markers with T1D calls for replication in othercohorts and investigation of new environmental areas

The Mediterranean region under climate change

This book has been published by Allenvi (French National Alliance for Environmental Research) to coincide with the 22nd Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) in Marrakesh. It is the outcome of work by academic researchers on both sides of the Mediterranean and provides a remarkable scientific review of the mechanisms of climate change and its impacts on the environment, the economy, health and Mediterranean societies. It will also be valuable in developing responses that draw on “scientific evidence” to address the issues of adaptation, resource conservation, solutions and risk prevention. Reflecting the full complexity of the Mediterranean environment, the book is a major scientific contribution to the climate issue, where various scientific considerations converge to break down the boundaries between disciplines

Additional file 1: of Association of environmental markers with childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus revealed by a long questionnaire on early life exposures and lifestyle in a case–control study

The questionnaire used in the current study. (PDF 620 kb

Type 1 Diabetes in People Hospitalized for COVID-19: New Insights From the CORONADO Study

International audienc

The association between macrovascular complications and intensive care admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, and mortality in people with diabetes hospitalized for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)

International audienceAbstract Background It is not clear whether pre-existing macrovascular complications (ischemic heart disease, stroke or peripheral artery disease) are associated with health outcomes in people with diabetes mellitus hospitalized for COVID-19. Methods We conducted cohort studies of adults with pre-existing diabetes hospitalized for COVID-19 infection in the UK, France, and Spain during the early phase of the pandemic (between March 2020—October 2020). Logistic regression models adjusted for demographic factors and other comorbidities were used to determine associations between previous macrovascular disease and relevant clinical outcomes: mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and use of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) during the hospitalization. Output from individual logistic regression models for each cohort was combined in a meta-analysis. Results Complete data were available for 4,106 (60.4%) individuals. Of these, 1,652 (40.2%) had any prior macrovascular disease of whom 28.5% of patients died. Mortality was higher for people with compared to those without previous macrovascular disease (37.7% vs 22.4%). The combined crude odds ratio (OR) for previous macrovascular disease and mortality for all four cohorts was 2.12 (95% CI 1.83–2.45 with an I 2 of 60%, reduced after adjustments for age, sex, type of diabetes, hypertension, microvascular disease, ethnicity, and BMI to adjusted OR 1.53 [95% CI 1.29–1.81]) for the three cohorts. Further analysis revealed that ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease were the main contributors of adverse outcomes. However, proportions of people admitted to ICU (adjOR 0.48 [95% CI 0.31–0.75], I 2 60%) and the use of IMV during hospitalization (adjOR 0.52 [95% CI 0.40–0.68], I 2 37%) were significantly lower for people with previous macrovascular disease. Conclusions This large multinational study of people with diabetes mellitus hospitalized for COVID-19 demonstrates that previous macrovascular disease is associated with higher mortality and lower proportions admitted to ICU and treated with IMV during hospitalization suggesting selective admission criteria. Our findings highlight the importance correctly assess the prognosis and intensive monitoring in this high-risk group of patients and emphasize the need to design specific public health programs aimed to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in this subgroup