142 research outputs found
Identification of potential prognostic biomarkers for node-negative breast tumours by proteomic analysis: a multicentric 2004 national PHRC study
We used a 2D-electrophoresis (2-DE) proteomic approach to identify novel biomarkers in node-negative breast cancers. This retrospective study focused on a population of patients with ductal pN0M0 tumours. A subset of patients who developed metastases and in whose tumours were found high levels of uPA and PAI-1 (metastatic relapse, MR: n=20) were compared to another subset in whom no metastatic relapse occurred and whose tumours were found to have low levels of uPA and PAI-1 (no relapse, NR: n=21). We used a 2-DE coupled with MS approach to screen cytosol fractions using two pH-gradient scales, a broad scale (3.0-11.0) and a narrower scale focussing in on a protein rich region (5.0-8.0). This study was conducted on 41 cytosol specimens analyzed in duplicate on two platforms. The differential analysis of more than 2,000 spots in 2-DE gels, obtained on the two platforms, allowed the identification of 13 proteins which were confirmed by western blotting. Two proteins, GPDA and FABP4 were down-regulated in the MR subset whereas all the others were up-regulated. An in silico analysis revealed that GMPS (GUAA), GAPDH (G3P), CFL1 (COF1) and FTL (FRIL), the most informative genes, displayed a proliferation profile (high expression in basal-like, HER2+ and luminal B molecular subtypes). Inversely, similar to FABP4, GPD1 [GPDA] displayed a high expression in luminal A subtype, a profile characteristic of tumour suppressor genes. Despite the small size of our cohort, the 2-DE analysis gave interesting results which were confirmed by the in silico analysis showing that some of the corresponding genes had a strong prognostic impact in breast cancer, mostly because of their link with proliferation: GMPS, GAPDH, FTL and GPD1. A validation phase on a larger cohort is now needed before these biomarkers could be considered for use in clinical practice
Surface induced disorder in body-centered cubic alloys
We present Monte Carlo simulations of surface induced disordering in a model
of a binary alloy on a bcc lattice which undergoes a first order bulk
transition from the ordered DO3 phase to the disordered A2 phase. The data are
analyzed in terms of an effective interface Hamiltonian for a system with
several order parameters in the framework of the linear renormalization
approach due to Brezin, Halperin and Leibler. We show that the model provides a
good description of the system in the vicinity of the interface. In particular,
we recover the logarithmic divergence of the thickness of the disordered layer
as the bulk transition is approached, we calculate the critical behavior of the
maxima of the layer susceptibilities, and demonstrate that it is in reasonable
agreement with the simulation data. Directly at the (110) surface, the theory
predicts that all order parameters vanish continuously at the surface with a
nonuniversal, but common critical exponent. However, we find different
exponents for the order parameter of the DO3 phase and the order parameter of
the B2 phase. Using the effective interface model, we derive the finite size
scaling function for the surface order parameter and show that the theory
accounts well for the finite size behavior of the DO3 ordering but not for that
of B2 ordering. The situation is even more complicated in the neighborhood of
the (100) surface, due to the presence of an ordering field which couples to
the B2 order.Comment: To appear in Physical Review
Parent satisfaction with the Loire Infant Follow-up Team (LIFT) premature and at-risk infant network in the Pays-de-la-Loire area (France)
BACKGROUND: The Loire Infant Follow-up Team (LIFT) is a network for caring for premature infants whose gestational age is 34 WA or less and at-risk neonates in the Pays-de-la-Loire area in France. The network aims to screen for clinical anomalies early and to propose adapted care. Trained physicians follow the included children in a standardized manner at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months and 2 years, with a specific examination by psychologists at 2 years. The aim of the study was to assess the satisfaction of the parents of the children followed.METHODS: To evaluate parent satisfaction, a questionnaire from the Consumer Satisfaction Survey (CSS) in its French version was sent to parents whose infants were 2 years old, stratifying on the presence of an anomaly. The questioner had 39 items, with 8 specific items on the network and 31 from the CSS. The questionnaire was mailed twice in September 2006. RESULTS: Out of 300 questionnaires mailed, 269 were returned (rate 89.7 %). The questionnaire was assessed using principal component analysis with 2 dimensions for the 30 items common to all children, one of which covered empathy with physicians and the other with the consulting psychologists at 2 years. The validity was good (Cronbach coefficient, 0.91). The answers to overall questions such as "We are satisfied with the care in the network" scored 16.1±0.7/20, with 90 % "totally agree" or "moderately agree" responses. The "The care is perfect" scored 14.6±0.7/20 with 78 % agreeing with the statement. The total score for 30 general questions was 14.6±3.1 (median, 14.9). The total score was lower for infants with anomalies: 13.7±3.3 versus 14.9±2.9 (P<0.01). The answers with a low score (<10) were given by 22 parents (8.2 %). There was no significant relation between the total score or the satisfaction score and neonatal events. CONCLUSION: A postal survey is helpful to know the views of parents on the follow-up of their infants. This good level of satisfaction seems to stem from the parents feeling they belong to the network, the quality of the relationships with personnel, and the doctors\u27 empathy, as well as the number of contacts between parents and the network coordinator
Electronic structure and optical properties of ZnS/CdS nanoheterostructures
The electronic and optical properties of spherical nanoheterostructures are
studied within the semi-empirical tight-binding model including
the spin-orbit interaction. We use a symmetry-based approach previously applied
to CdSe and CdTe quantum dots. The complete one-particle spectrum is obtained
by using group-theoretical methods. The excitonic eigenstates are then deduced
in the configuration-interaction approach by fully taking into account the
Coulomb direct and exchange interactions. Here we focus on ZnS/CdS, ZnS/CdS/ZnS
and CdS/ZnS nanocrystals with particular emphasis on recently reported
experimental data. The degree of carrier localization in the CdS well layer is
analyzed as a function of its thickness. We compute the excitonic fine
structure, i.e., the relative intensities of low-energy optical transitions.
The calculated values of the absorption gap show a good agreement with the
experimental ones. Enhanced resonant photoluminescence Stokes shifts are
predicted.Comment: 6 pages, 4 Figures, revtex
Growth Kinetics and Distribution of Trace Elements in Precious Corals
The concentration and spatial distribution of major (Ca, Mg) and trace elements (Na, Sr, S, Li, Ba, Pb, and U) in different Corallium skeletons (C. rubrum, C. japonicum, C. elatius, C. konojoi) have been studied by electron microprobe (EMP) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). EMP data show positive Na-Mg and negative Na-S and Mg-S correlations in all skeletons. LA-ICPMS data display additional Sr-Mg, Li-Mg, and U-Mg positive correlations. Medullar zones in the skeletons, corresponding to fast growing zones, are systematically richer in Mg, Na, Sr, Li, and U and poorer in S than the surrounding slow growing zones. These spatial distributions are mostly interpreted in terms of growth kinetics combined with steric effects influencing the incorporation of impurities in biogenic calcites. This interpretation is in agreement with available experimental data on kinetic effects on the incorporation of elements in calcite. At a different scale, annual growth rings in annular slow growing zones show oscillations in Mg, Na, Sr, and S. These chemical oscillations probably result from growth rate variations: fast growth would produce rings enriched in Mg, Sr, and Na, while slow growth would produce rings enriched in Ca, S and organic matter. From previous studies in C. rubrum, the Mg-rich rings would develop during the spring to fall period while the S-rich rings would form immediately after (late fall and winter). Analytical traverses performed in annular zones of different Corallium skeletons indicate that Mg, Na, Sr, Li, and U decrease from core to rim. This observation indicates that radial growth rate decreases as the colony gets older. Contrary to Mg, Na, Sr, Li, S, and U, barium and lead concentrations are identical in medullar and annular zones and appear independent of growth kinetics. Thus, concentrations in Corallium skeletons could provide indications on Ba and Pb contents in the oceans. Barium and lead concentrations are higher in Mediterranean than in Pacific precious corals, these two elements can be used to discriminate C. rubrum from C. japonicum, and contribute enforcing regulations on the trade of precious corals
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