Inverse opal ceria–zirconia: architectural engineering for heterogeneous catalysis

The application of inverse opal structured materials is extended to the ceria–zirconia (Ce_(0.5)Zr_(0.5)O_2) system and the significance of material architecture on heterogeneous catalysis, specifically, chemical oxidation, is examined

MAIT cells altered phenotype and cytotoxicity in lupus patients are linked to renal disease severity and outcome

IntroductionSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which circulating immune complexes can cause different types of glomerulonephritis, according to immune deposits and to the type of glomerular cell injury. Proliferative lesions represent the most severe form of lupus nephritis (LN) and often lead to kidney failure and death. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a subset of innate-like T cells that recognize microbial-derived ligands from the riboflavin synthesis pathway. Although abundant in peripheral blood, MAIT cells are enriched in mucosal and inflamed tissues. While previous studies have reported concordant results concerning lower MAIT cell frequencies in the blood of SLE patients, no information is known about MAIT cell function and LN severity and outcome.MethodsIn the current study, we analyzed the baseline phenotype and function of peripheral blood MAIT cells by flow cytometry in 26 patients with LN and in a control group of 16 healthy individuals.ResultsWe observe that MAIT cell frequencies are markedly reduced in blood of LN patients. MAIT cells from patients have an altered phenotype in terms of migration, proliferation and differentiation markers, notably in most severe forms of LN. Frequencies of PMA/ionomycin stimulated MAIT cells secreting effector molecules, such as proinflammatory IL-17 and cytotoxic protein granzyme B, are higher in LN patients. Patients undergoing a complete renal remission after immunosuppressive therapy had higher MAIT cell frequency, lower expression of proliferation marker Ki-67 and granzyme B (GzB) at inclusion. Remarkably, GzB production defines a predictive model for complete remission.DiscussionWe report here that blood MAIT cells display proinflammatory and cytotoxic function in severe lupus nephritis which may play a pathogenesis role, but without association with systemic lupus activity. Finally, low cytotoxic profile of MAIT cells may represent a promising prognostic factor of lupus nephritis remission one year after induction therapy

Microglia activation in a model of retinal degeneration and TUDCA neuroprotective effects

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa is a heterogeneous group of inherited neurodegenerative retinal disorders characterized by a progressive peripheral vision loss and night vision difficulties, subsequently leading to central vision impairment. Chronic microglia activation is associated with various neurodegenerative diseases including retinitis pigmentosa. The objective of this study was to quantify microglia activation in the retina of P23H rats, an animal model of retinitis pigmentosa, and to evaluate the therapeutic effects of TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid), which has been described as a neuroprotective compound. Methods: For this study, homozygous P23H line 3 and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were injected weekly with TUDCA (500 mg/kg, ip) or vehicle (saline) from 20 days to 4 months old. Vertical retinal sections and whole-mount retinas were immunostained for specific markers of microglial cells (anti-CD11b, anti-Iba1 and anti-MHC-II). Microglial cell morphology was analyzed and the number of retinal microglial was quantified. Results: Microglial cells in the SD rat retinas were arranged in regular mosaics homogenously distributed within the plexiform and ganglion cell layers. In the P23H rat retina, microglial cells increased in number in all layers compared with control SD rat retinas, preserving the regular mosaic distribution. In addition, a large number of amoeboid CD11b-positive cells were observed in the P23H rat retina, even in the subretinal space. Retinas of TUDCA-treated P23H animals exhibited lower microglial cell number in all layers and absence of microglial cells in the subretinal space. Conclusions: These results report novel TUDCA anti-inflammatory actions, with potential therapeutic implications for neurodegenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa.This research was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness-FEDER (BFU2012-36845), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (RETICS RD12/0034/0010), Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles (ONCE), FUNDALUCE, Asociación Retina Asturias and Fundación Jesús de Gangoiti

Experimental demonstration of a synthetic aperture compression scheme for multi-Petawatt high-energy lasers

International audienceWe present the experimental demonstration of a subaperture compression scheme achieved in the PETAL (PETawatt Aquitaine Laser) facility. We evidence that by dividing the beam into small subapertures fitting the available grating size, the sub-beam can be individually compressed below 1 ps, synchronized below 50 fs and then coherently added thanks to a segmented mirror. " Split-aperture laser pulse compressor design tolerant to alignment and line-density differences

Reversible Alteration of Morphology in an Invertebrate Erythrocyte: Properties of the Natural Inducer and the Cellular Response

Volume: 197Start Page: 395End Page: 40

Evaluation de la bande MIR de SPOT 4 pour le suivi agro-environnemental de la zone cotonnière Ouest du Burkina Faso : rapport final

La région Ouest du Burkina Faso dispose encore des terres cultivables. Elle constitue un important pôle d'attraction des populations originaires des zones Nord et Centre du pays où la pression démographique est forte. Il en résulte des problèmes de saturation de l'espace et de dégradation du milieu et de la fertilité du sol. Pour les responsables du développement, l'organisation d'un système permanent d'observation et d'information agro-environnemental devient urgente. Un projet est initié afin d'évaluer les apports pratiques et théoriques du canal MIR de SPOT 4 pour la cartographie des grandes formations végétales et du domaine cultivé ainsi que pour l'amélioration des statistiques agricoles en zone soudanienne (appui à la statistique cotonnière et gestion des ressources naturelles). L'analyse de la bande MIR permet une meilleure observation des zones où l'humidité est plus importante, aussi bien sur des sols cultivés que sur des sols non cultivés. Une autre amélioration concerne la partition numérique entre sols cultivés et non cultivés. En effet, le canal MIR permet de différencier les sols cultivés avec végétation verte clairsemée et les sols non cultivés avec une couverture végétale jaunissante. Cette distinction relative aux pixels de végétation peut s'observer visuellement dans certaines situations mais reste toutefois très subtile. Par contre, il n'y aucune amélioration dans la distinction entre céréales sèches ou sénescentes et sols non cultivés recouverts de végétation herbacée sèch

Lettres de Madame de Maintenon : tome cinquieme, contentant les lettres à M. le Duc de Noailles [et] quelques-unes pa diverses personnes.

BN-OPALE Plus, 07/11/2017, indica como lugar de impresión Genève y como impresores C. et A. Philibert.Sign.: [ ]\p2\s, A-L\p12\s, M\p11\s.Portada y cabeceras xilográficas.Capital inicial ornada

Ulva armoricana (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) from the coasts of Brittany (France). II. Nuclear rDNA ITS sequence analysis

International audienc