Diagnostic accuracy of multiorgan point-of-care ultrasound compared with pulmonary computed tomographic angiogram in critically ill patients with suspected pulmonary embolism

Background: Critically ill patients have a higher incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) than non-critically ill patients, yet no diagnostic algorithm has been validated in this population, leading to the overuse of pulmonary artery computed tomographic angiogram (CTA). This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) combined with laboratory data versus CTA in predicting PE in critically ill patients. Methods: A prospective diagnostic accuracy study. Critically ill patients with suspected acute PE undergoing CTA were prospectively enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were collected from electronic medical records. Blood samples were collected, and the Wells and revised Geneva scores were calculated. Standardized multiorgan POCUS and CTA were performed. The discriminatory power of multiorgan POCUS combined with biochemical markers was tested using ROC curves, and multivariate analysis was performed. Results: A total of 88 patients were included, and 37 (42%) had PE. Multivariate analysis showed a relative risk (RR) of PE of 2.79 (95% CI, 1.61-4.84) for the presence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, of 2.54 (95% CI, 0.89-7.20) for D-dimer levels >1000 ng/mL, and of 1.69 (95% CI, 1.12-2.63) for the absence of an alternative diagnosis to PE on lung POCUS or chest radiograph. The combination with the highest diagnostic accuracy for PE included the following variables: 1- POCUS transthoracic echocardiography with evidence of RV dysfunction; 2- lung POCUS or chest radiograph without an alternative diagnosis to PE; and 3- plasma D-dimer levels >1000 ng/mL. Combining these three findings resulted in an area under the curve of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.77-0.94), with 50% sensitivity and 96% specificity. Conclusions: Multiorgan POCUS combined with laboratory data has acceptable diagnostic accuracy for PE compared with CTA. The combined use of these methods might reduce CTA overuse in critically ill patients

D.C. Josephson transport by quartets and other Andreev resonances in superconducting bijunctions

7 pagesInternational audienceBijunctions are three-terminal Josephson junctions where three superconductors are connected by a single weak link made of a metallic region or of quantum dots. Biasing two of the superconductors with commensurate voltages yields Andreev resonances that produce d.c. Josephson currents made of correlated Cooper pairs. For instance with applied voltages (0, V, -V ), quartets formed by two entangled Cooper pairs are emitted by one reservoir towards the two others. Theory involving non-equilibrium Green's functions reveal the microsopic mechanism at play, e.g multiple coherent Andreev reflections that provide an energy-conserving and fully coherent channel. Recent experiments on dffusive Aluminum-Copper bijunctions show transport anomalies that are interpreted in terms of quartet resonances

Does high-velocity resistance exercise elicit greater physical function benefits than traditional resistance exercise in older adults? A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 79 trials

Background A systematic review and network meta-analysis was undertaken to examine the effectiveness of different modes of resistance exercise velocity in fast walking speed, timed-up and go, 5-times sit-to-stand, 30-second sit-to-stand, and 6-minute walking tests in older adults. Methods CINAHL, Embase, LILACS, PubMed, Scielo, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched up to February 2022. Eligible randomized trials examined the effects of supervised high-velocity or traditional resistance exercise in older adults (ie, ≥ 60 years). The primary outcome for this review was physical function measured by fast walking speed, timed-up and go, 5-times sit-to-stand, 30-second sit-to-stand, and 6-minute walking tests, while maximal muscle power and muscle strength were secondary. A random-effects network meta-analysis was undertaken to examine the effects of different resistance exercise interventions. Results Eighty articles describing 79 trials (n = 3 575) were included. High-velocity resistance exercise was the most effective for improving fast walking speed (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.00 to 0.87), timed-up and go (SMD −0.76, 95% CI: −1.05 to −0.47), and 5-times sit-to-stand (SMD −0.74, 95% CI: −1.20 to −0.27), while traditional resistance exercise was the most effective for 30-second sit-to-stand (SMD 1.01, 95% CI: 0.68 to 1.34) and 6-minute walking (SMD 0.68, 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.03). Conclusion Our study provides evidence that resistance exercise velocity effects are specific in older adults, as evidenced by physical function test dependence. We suggest that prescriptions based on the velocity of contraction should be individualized to address the specific functional needs of participants

Biological assets disclosure and ownership concentration in Brazilian agribusiness firms

O presente artigo analisou a relação entre as práticas de divulgação de ativos biológicos e a concentração acionária nas empresas do agronegócio brasileiro. Foram analisadas as demonstrações contábeis de 27 empresas de capital aberto, para o período de 2011 a 2015. As evidências indicam que o nível de divulgação de ativos biológicos é ainda modesto nestas empresas, e que a concentração acionária típica do setor não afeta o nível de divulgação desses ativos. Os resultados confirmam estudos anteriores em relação aos efeitos do porte e da representatividade dos ativos biológicos na atividade das empresas.We investigated the relationship between biological assets disclosure and ownership concentration in Brazilian agribusiness industry. We analyzed 27 financial reports by Brazilian agribusiness public companies, for the period 2011 to 2015. The evidences indicate that the level of biological assets disclosure is still modest and ownership concentration typical in agribusiness industry does not affect decisions regarding biological assets disclosure. The results corroborate with previous evidences, demonstrating that company size and biological assets representativeness influence companies’ activity

Bryophyte gas-exchange dynamics along varying hydration status reveal a significant carbonyl sulphide (COS) sink in the dark and COS source in the light

Carbonyl sulphide (COS) is a potential tracer of gross primary productivity (GPP), assuming a unidirectional COS flux into the vegetation that scales with GPP. However, carbonic anhydrase (CA), the enzyme that hydrolyses COS, is expected to be light independent, and thus plants without stomata should continue to take up COS in the dark. We measured net CO2 (A(C) ) and COS (A(S) ) uptake rates from two astomatous bryophytes at different relative water contents (RWCs), COS concentrations, temperatures and light intensities. We found large A(S) in the dark, indicating that CA activity continues without photosynthesis. More surprisingly, we found a nonzero COS compensation point in light and dark conditions, indicating a temperature-driven COS source with a Q10 (fractional change for a 10°C temperature increase) of 3.7. This resulted in greater A(S) in the dark than in the light at similar RWC. The processes underlying such COS emissions remain unknown. Our results suggest that ecosystems dominated by bryophytes might be strong atmospheric sinks of COS at night and weaker sinks or even sources of COS during daytime. Biotic COS production in bryophytes could result from symbiotic fungal and bacterial partners that could also be found on vascular plants.Funding was provided by the European Research Council (ERC) early career starting grant SOLCA (grant no. 338264) and the French Agence National de la Recherche (ANR) project ORCA. T.E.G. was funded by the IdEx post-doctoral programme of the Université de Bordeaux and by a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Intra-European fellowship (grant no. 653223). J.R. was funded by NERC grant NE/M00113X/1

Anne-Marie Lamarrigue. Bernard Gui (1261-1331): un historien et sa méthode

Rech Régis. Anne-Marie Lamarrigue. Bernard Gui (1261-1331): un historien et sa méthode. In: Bibliothèque de l'école des chartes. 2002, tome 160, livraison 1. pp. 318-321

La diffusion de la Chronique universelle de Géraud de Frachet

Rech (Régis), The diffusion of Gérard de Frachet’s Chronique Universelle. Written between 1248 and 1268 by Gérard de Frachet (1205-1271), the Chronique Universelle, used by seven contemporary or subsequent chroniclers, is known today through twenty-five medieval manuscripts. Nineteen of these twenty-five manuscripts were copied during the second half of the thirteenth century and the first third of the fourteenth century, five of them were copied during the fifteenth century. The Chronique Universelle was the work of a Southerner, but was mainly read in the Northern part of the kingdom : in the pays d’oc regions, only Limousin and Auvergne appear to know it. The work of a Dominican, the official historian of his order, it was mainly circulated among and appreciated by the Cistercians. However, in providing the strong framework of Bernard Gui’s Chronique Universelle, Gérard’ s work - a compilation that was then compiled itself - became more successful, not only among the Dominicans, but also in the Southern regions.Rech (Régis), La diffusion de la Chronique universelle de Géraud de Frachet. Rédigée entre 1248 et 1268, la Chronique universelle de Géraud de Frachet (1205-1271) utilisée par sept chroniqueurs contemporains ou postérieurs, est aujourd’hui connue par vingt-cinq manuscrits médiévaux. Sur ces vingt-cinq manuscrits, dix-neuf ont été copiés dans la seconde moitié du XIIIe siècle et dans le premier tiers du XIVe siècle, cinq au XVe siècle. Œuvre d’un méridional, elle fut pour l’essentiel lue dans le nord du royaume : dans les pays d’oc, seul le Limousin et l’Auvergne semblent la connaître. Œuvre d’un Dominicain, historien officiel de son ordre, elle fut surtout diffusée et appréciée par les Cisterciens. Cependant, en fournissant la trame solide de la Chronique universelle de Bernard Gui, l’oeuvre de Géraud, compilation à son tour compilée, connaîtra un succès plus ample, aussi bien chez les Dominicains que dans les provinces du Midi.Rech Régis. La diffusion de la Chronique universelle de Géraud de Frachet. In: Eglise et culture. Toulouse : Éditions Privat, 2000. pp. 391-422. (Cahiers de Fanjeaux, 35

Charles d’Anjou et le Limousin : la conquête du royaume de Naples chez Hélie Autenc et Géraud de Frachet

Zwei in Limoges in den Jahren 1260-1270 abgefaßte Chroniken berichten über die Eroberung von Neapel durch Charles d'Anjou : Die annalistischen Notizen des Priors von Saint-Martial, Hélie Autenc, sind von beschranktem Horizont ; sie führen Klage über die Besteuerung des Klerus zur Finanzierung des italienischen Kreuzzuges, berichten von der Prozession zur Feier des Sieges von Benevent und verraten eine ehrliche Bewunderung für den kapetingischen Fürsten. Ganz anders die Chronique universelle von Géraud de Frachet, bei der die Abfassung einer Kopie (ms. Paris, Bibl. nat. de Fr., lat. 5005A) in Süditalien vermuten läßt, daß Charles d'Anjou ein Exemplar des Textes übersandt wurde. Géraud verschmilzt das Thema des Reditus ad stirpem Karoli mit einer bisher unbekannten — hier edierten — Version der Prophezeiung der Tiburtinischen Sibylle, um Charles so zu einem Königssproß zu stilisieren, dem es anstünde, das Erbe von Konstantin anzutreten und Orient und Okzident wiederzuvereinigen. Trotz verschiedenen Differenzen bezeugen beide Chroniken die Bindung bestimmter Teile des limousinischen Klerus an die kapetingische Dynastie zu einem Zeitpunkt, als Limoges gerade wieder an den König von England gefallen war.The conquest of the Kingdom of Naples by Charles d'Anjou is echoed in two chronicles composed at Limoges in the 1260s. The annalistic notes of the prior of the abbey of Saint-Martial, Hélie Autenc, are somewhat narrow in scope : they contain complaints about the tax imposed on ecclesiastics in order to finance the crusade in Italy, as well as the description of a procession held in celebration of the victory at Benevento, and also show sincere admiration for the Capetian prince. The World Chronicle of Geraud Frachet belongs to a completely different kind, especially as one of the manuscripts, Bibl. nat. de Fr., lat. 5005A, was transcribed in southern Italy, suggesting that a copy had been sent to Charles d'Anjou. Combining the theme known as Reditus ad stirpem Karoli with a hitherto unknown version of the prophesies of the Tiburtine Sybil (edited as an appendix to this paper), Geraud portrays the prince as a Carolingian capable of restoring the heritage of Constantine by reuniting East and West. Despite their differences, both works bear witness to the Capetian loyalty of part of the clergy of Limoges, shortly after the town had been retroceded to the king of England.Deux chroniques rédigées à Limoges aux années 1260 se font l'écho de la conquête du royaume de Naples par Charles d'Anjou. Les notes annalistiques du prieur de l'abbaye Saint-Martial, Hélie Autenc, sont d'un horizon limité ; les récriminations contre la taxation des ecclésiastiques pour le financement de la croisade italienne et la description d'une procession organisée pour célébrer la victoire de Bénévent s'assortissent d'une réelle admiration pour le prince capétien. Le propos de la Chronique universelle de Géraud de Frachet est tout autre, d'autant que l'un des témoins, le manuscrit Bibl. nat. de Fr., lat. 5005A, copié en Italie du sud, laisse supposer l'envoi d'un exemplaire à Charles d'Anjou. Mêlant le thème du Reditus ad stirpem Karoli et une version inconnue, ici éditée, des prophéties de la Sibylle Tiburtine, Géraud fait du prince un Carolingien apte à relever l'héritage de Constantin, en réunifiant Orient et Occident. Malgré leurs différences, les deux œuvres témoignent de l'attachement d'une partie du clergé limougeaud à la dynastie capétienne, peu après la rétrocession de leur ville au roi d'Angleterre.Rech Régis. Charles d’Anjou et le Limousin : la conquête du royaume de Naples chez Hélie Autenc et Géraud de Frachet. In: Bibliothèque de l'école des chartes. 2000, tome 158, livraison 2. pp. 443-473