Transistor Circuits

Contains research objectives and reports on one research project

Transistor Circuits

Contains research objectives and reports on two research projects

Inégalités hommes/femmes au CNRS

Profession Education, supplément au N° 136 d'avril 2004Mettre en évidence les inégalités de sexe au CNRS et montrer comment elles sont produites dans cet organisme et ses diverses instances est l'objet du présent ouvrage

Cost implications of delays to tuberculosis diagnosis among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Delays seeking care worsen the burden of tuberculosis and cost of care for patients, families and the public health system. This study investigates costs of tuberculosis diagnosis incurred by patients, escorts and the public health system in 10 districts of Ethiopia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>New pulmonary tuberculosis patients ≥ 15 years old were interviewed regarding their health care seeking behaviour at the time of diagnosis. Using a structured questionnaire patients were interviewed about the duration of delay at alternative care providers and the public health system prior to diagnosis. Costs incurred by patients, escorts and the public health system were quantified through patient interview and review of medical records.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Interviews were held with 537 (58%) smear positive patients and 387 (42%) smear negative pulmonary patients. Of these, 413 (45%) were female; 451 (49%) were rural residents; and the median age was 34 years. The mean (median) days elapsed for consultation at alternative care providers and public health facilities prior to tuberculosis diagnosis was 5 days (0 days) and 3 (3 days) respectively. The total median cost incurred from first consultation to diagnosis was $27 per patient (mean =$59). The median costs per patient incurred by patient, escort and the public health system were $16 (mean =$29), $3 (mean =$23) and $3 (mean =$7) respectively. The total cost per patient diagnosed was higher for women, rural residents; those who received government food for work support, patients with smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis and patients who were not screened for TB in at least one district diagnostic centers.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The costs of tuberculosis diagnosis incurred by patients and escorts represent a significant portion of their monthly income. The costs arising from time lost in seeking care comprised a major portion of the total cost of diagnosis, and may worsen the economic position of patients and their families. Getting treatment from alternative sources and low index of suspicion public health providers were key problems contributing to increased cost of tuberculosis diagnosis. Thus, the institution of effective systems of referral, ensuring screening of suspects across the district public health system and the involvement of alternative care providers in district tuberculosis control can reduce delays and the financial burden to patients and escorts.</p

Multi-Level Communication of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells via Tunneling Nanotubes

Background: Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) may offer a very specific and effective way of intercellular communication. Here we investigated TNTs in the human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell line ARPE-19. Morphology of TNTs was examined by immunostaining and scanning electron microscopy. To determine the function of TNTs between cells, we studied the TNT-dependent intercellular communication at different levels including electrical and calcium signalling, small molecular diffusion as well as mitochondrial re-localization. Further, intercellular organelles transfer was assayed by FACS analysis. Methodology and Principal Findings: Microscopy showed that cultured ARPE-19 cells are frequently connected by TNTs, which are not attached to the substratum. The TNTs were straight connections between cells, had a typical diameter of 50 to 300 nm and a length of up to 120 µm. We observed de novo formation of TNTs by diverging from migrating cells after a short time of interaction. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed characteristic features of TNTs. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that TNTs between ARPE-19 cells contain F-actin but no microtubules. Depolymerisation of F-actin, induced by addition of latrunculin-B, led to disappearance of TNTs. Importantly, these TNTs could function as channels for the diffusion of small molecules such as Lucifer Yellow, but not for large molecules like Dextran Red. Further, organelle exchange between cells via TNTs was observed by microscopy. Using Ca2+ imaging we show the intercellular transmission of calcium signals through TNTs. Mechanical stimulation led to membrane depolarisation, which expand through TNT connections between ARPE-19 cells. We further demonstrate that TNTs can mediate electrical coupling between distant cells. Immunolabelling for Cx43 showed that this gap junction protein is interposed at one end of 44% of TNTs between ARPE-19 cells. Conclusions and Significance: Our observations indicate that human RPE cell line ARPE-19 cells communicate by tunneling nanotubes and can support different types of intercellular traffic

Frequent intoxication and alcohol tolerance in adolescence:associations with psychiatric disorders in young adulthood

Abstract Aims: To assess the associations of intoxication frequency and number of drinks needed to become intoxicated in mid‐adolescence with onset of psychiatric disorders in early adulthood. Design, Setting and Participants: Prospective cohort study in Northern Finland, with people from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 who self‐reported adolescent alcohol use: 6548 subjects (69.4% of the original sample). Data on alcohol use were collected using questionnaires at ages 15–16 years. Measurements: Outcomes were any non‐organic psychosis, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, any substance use disorder (SUD) and all the studied psychiatric disorders in early adulthood gathered from nation‐wide health care, pension and insurance registers. Number of drinks needed to become intoxicated was categorized into three classes: (1) no alcohol use or intoxication, and (2) low and (3) high alcohol tolerance (more than seven/nine drinks for females/males) groups. Similarly, intoxication frequency was divided into three classes: (1) never, (2) one to two times and (3) three or more times during the past 30 days. Information regarding gender, family type, other drug use, psychopathology using Youth Self‐Report (YSR) total score and parental psychiatric disorders were used as covariates. Findings: In the multivariable analyses, both low [odds ratio (OR) = 3.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3–6.7, P‐value = 0.009] and high (OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.8–11.1, P‐value = 0.001) alcohol tolerance were associated with increased risk of SUD. More frequent intoxication was associated with increased frequency of SUD (OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 2.0–7.3, P‐value &lt; 0.001) and mood disorder (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–2.3, P‐value = 0.008). The latter was attenuated after adjusting with concurrent psychopathology (YSR) and other drug use. Conclusions: Both higher alcohol tolerance and frequent intoxication in adolescence appear to be associated with increased risk of future substance use disorder