Strong light confinement in rod-connected diamond photonic crystals

We show that it is possible to confine light in a volume of order 10−3 cubic wavelengths using only dielectric material. Low-index (air) cavities are simulated in high-index rod-connected diamond photonic crystals. These cavities show long storage times (Q -factors >106) even at the lowest volumes. Fabrication of such structures could open a new field of photon-level interactions

A review of the systematic biology of fossil and living bony-tongue fishes, Osteoglossomorpha (Actinopterygii: Teleostei)

The bony-tongue fishes, Osteoglossomorpha, have been the focus of a great deal of morphological, systematic, and evolutionary study, due in part to their basal position among extant teleostean fishes. This group includes the mooneyes (Hiodontidae), knifefishes (Notopteridae), the abu (Gymnarchidae), elephantfishes (Mormyridae), arawanas and pirarucu (Osteoglossidae), and the African butterfly fish (Pantodontidae). This morphologically heterogeneous group also has a long and diverse fossil record, including taxa from all continents and both freshwater and marine deposits. The phylogenetic relationships among most extant osteoglossomorph families are widely agreed upon. However, there is still much to discover about the systematic biology of these fishes, particularly with regard to the phylogenetic affinities of several fossil taxa, within Mormyridae, and the position of Pantodon. In this paper we review the state of knowledge for osteoglossomorph fishes. We first provide an overview of the diversity of Osteoglossomorpha, and then discuss studies of the phylogeny of Osteoglossomorpha from both morphological and molecular perspectives, as well as biogeographic analyses of the group. Finally, we offer our perspectives on future needs for research on the systematic biology of Osteoglossomorpha

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii A2-165 has a high capacity to induce IL-10 in human and murine dendritic cells and modulates T cell responses

Acknowledgements This work was financially supported by the EC FP7 Cross-talk project (PITN-GA-2008-215553). The authors thank the Histology Platform from GABI research unit and especially Abdelhak Boukadiri for their technical support in the histology sample preparation and Marlène Héry, Charline Pontlevoy, Jerome Pottier and André Tiffoche (UE0907 IERP, Jouy en Josas) for their help during animal experiments. The authors thank Rafael Muñoz-Tamayo (INRA) for his help in performing the PCA.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The ontogeny of mucosal immune cells in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The ontogeny of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) immune cells was studied in mucosal organs (intestine, gills and skin) using the monoclonal antibodies WCL38 (intraepithelial lymphocytes), WCL15 (monocytes/macrophages) and WCI12 (B cells). In addition, recombination activating gene 1 expression was examined in the intestine with real time quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization to investigate extrathymic generation of lymphocytes. WCL38+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (putative T cells) appeared in the intestine at 3 days post-fertilization (dpf), which is shortly after hatching but before feeding, implying an important function at early age. These lymphoid cells appear in the intestine before the observation of the first thymocytes at 3¿4 dpf, and together with the expression of recombination activating gene 1 in the intestine, suggests that similar to mammals at least part of these cells are generated in the intestine. WCL15+ monocytes/macrophages appeared in the lamina propria of the intestine at 7 dpf, but considerably later in the epithelium, while WCI12+ (B) cells appeared in intestine and gills at 6¿7 weeks. From these results it can be concluded that putative T cells occur much earlier than B cells, and that B cells appear much later in the mucosae than in other internal lymphoid organs (2 wpf)

Tachyarrhythmia in patients with congenital heart disease:inevitable destiny?

Contains fulltext : 171611.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)The prevalence of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) has increased over the last century. As a result, the number of CHD patients presenting with late, postoperative tachyarrhythmias has increased as well. The aim of this review is to discuss the present knowledge on the mechanisms underlying both atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmia in patients with CHD and the advantages and disadvantages of the currently available invasive treatment modalities

The ACRA Anatomy Study (Assessment of Disability After Coronary Procedures Using Radial Access): A Comprehensive Anatomic and Functional Assessment of the Vasculature of the Hand and Relation to Outcome After Transradial Catheterization

BACKGROUND: The palmar arches serve as the most important conduits for digital blood supply, and incompleteness may lead to digital ischemia when the radial artery becomes obstructed after cardiac catheterization. The rate of palmar arch incompleteness and the clinical consequences after transradial access are currently unknown.METHODS AND RESULTS: The vascular anatomy of the hand was documented by angiography in 234 patients undergoing transradial cardiac catheterization. In all patients, a preprocedural modified Allen test and Barbeau test were performed. Upper-extremity function was assessed at baseline and 2-year follow-up by the QuickDASH. Incompleteness of the superficial palmar arch (SPA) was present in 46%, the deep palmar arch was complete in all patients. Modified Allen test and Barbeau test results were associated with incompleteness of the SPA (P=0.001 and P=0.001). The modified Allen test had a 33% sensitivity and 86% specificity for SPA incompleteness with a cutoff value of >10 seconds and a 59% sensitivity and 60% specificity with a cutoff value of >5 seconds. The Barbeau test had a 7% sensitivity and 98% specificity for type D and a 21% sensitivity and 93% specificity for types C and D combined. Upper-extremity dysfunction was not associated with SPA incompleteness (P=0.77).CONCLUSIONS: Although incompleteness of the SPA is common, digital blood supply is always preserved by a complete deep palmar arch. Preprocedural patency tests have thus no added benefit to prevent ischemic complications of the hand. Finally, incompleteness of the SPA is not associated with a loss of upper-extremity function after transradial catheterization

Conduction Heterogeneity: Impact of Underlying Heart Disease and Atrial Fibrillation

Objectives: The goal of this study is to investigate the impact of various underlying heart diseases (UHDs) and prior atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes on conduction heterogeneity. Background: It is unknown whether intra-atrial conduction during sinus rhythm differs between various UHD or is influenced by AF episodes. Methods: Epicardial sinus rhythm mapping of the right atrium, Bachmann's bundle (BB), left atrium and pulmonary vein area was performed in 447 participants (median age: 67 [interquartile range (IQR): 59 to 73] years) with or without AF undergoing cardiac surgery for ischemic heart disease, (ischemic and) valvular heart disease, or congenital heart disease. Conduction times (CTs) were defined as Δ local activation time between 2 adjacent electrodes and used to assess frequency (CTs ≥ 4 ms) and magnitude of conduction disorders (in increments of 10 ms). Results: When comparing the 3 types of UHD, there were no differences in frequencies and magnitude of CTs at all locations (p ≥ 0.017 and p ≥ 0.005, respectively). Prior AF episodes were associated with conduction slowing throughout both atria (14.9% [IQR: 11.8 to 17.0] vs. 12.8% [IQR: 10.9 to 14.6]; p < 0.001). At BB, CTs with magnitudes ≥30 ms were more common in patients with AF (n = 56.2% vs. n = 36.0%; p < 0.004). Conclusions: UHD has no impact on the frequency and severity of conduction disorders. AF episodes are associated with more conduction disorders throughout both atria and with more severe conduction disorders at BB. The next step will be to determine the relevance of these conduction disorders for AF development and maintenance

CeRebrUm and CardIac Protection with ALlopurinol in Neonates with Critical Congenital Heart Disease Requiring Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CRUCIAL):study protocol of a phase III, randomized, quadruple-blinded, placebo-controlled, Dutch multicenter trial

BACKGROUND: Neonates with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are at risk of brain injury that may result in adverse neurodevelopment. To date, no therapy is available to improve long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of CCHD neonates. Allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, prevents the formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, thereby limiting cell damage during reperfusion and reoxygenation to the brain and heart. Animal and neonatal studies suggest that allopurinol reduces hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and is cardioprotective and safe. This trial aims to test the hypothesis that allopurinol administration in CCHD neonates will result in a 20% reduction in moderate to severe ischemic and hemorrhagic brain injury. METHODS: This is a phase III, randomized, quadruple-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Neonates with a prenatal or postnatal CCHD diagnosis requiring cardiac surgery with CPB in the first 4 weeks after birth are eligible to participate. Allopurinol or mannitol-placebo will be administered intravenously in 2 doses early postnatally in neonates diagnosed antenatally and 3 doses perioperatively of 20 mg/kg each in all neonates. The primary outcome is a composite endpoint of moderate/severe ischemic or hemorrhagic brain injury on early postoperative MRI, being too unstable for postoperative MRI, or mortality within 1 month following CPB. A total of 236 patients (n = 188 with prenatal diagnosis) is required to demonstrate a reduction of the primary outcome incidence by 20% in the prenatal group and by 9% in the postnatal group (power 80%; overall type 1 error controlled at 5%, two-sided), including 1 interim analysis at n = 118 (n = 94 with prenatal diagnosis) with the option to stop early for efficacy. Secondary outcomes include preoperative and postoperative brain injury severity, white matter injury volume (MRI), and cardiac function (echocardiography); postnatal and postoperative seizure activity (aEEG) and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (NIRS); neurodevelopment at 3 months (general movements); motor, cognitive, and language development and quality of life at 24 months; and safety and cost-effectiveness of allopurinol. DISCUSSION: This trial will investigate whether allopurinol administered directly after birth and around cardiac surgery reduces moderate/severe ischemic and hemorrhagic brain injury and improves cardiac function and neurodevelopmental outcome in CCHD neonates. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT 2017-004596-31. Registered on November 14, 2017. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04217421. Registered on January 3, 2020 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06098-y