Differential Expression of Alpha 4 Integrins on Effector Memory T Helper Cells during Bordetella Infections. Delayed Responses in Bordetella pertussis

Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) is the causative agent of whooping cough, a respiratory disease that is reemerging worldwide. Mechanisms of selective lymphocyte trafficking to the airways are likely to be critical in the immune response to this pathogen. We compared murine infection by B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, and a pertussis toxin-deleted B. pertussis mutant (BpΔPTX) to test the hypothesis that effector memory T-helper cells (emTh) display an altered pattern of trafficking receptor expression in B. pertussis infection due to a defect in imprinting. Increased cell recruitment to the lungs at 5 days post infection (p.i.) with B. parapertussis, and to a lesser extent with BpΔPTX, coincided with an increased frequency of circulating emTh cells expressing the mucosal-associated trafficking receptors α4β7 and α4β1 while a reduced population of these cells was observed in B. pertussis infection. These cells were highly evident in the blood and lungs in B. pertussis infection only at 25 days p.i. when B. parapertussis and BpΔPTX infections were resolved. Although at 5 days p.i., an equally high percentage of lung dendritic cells (DCs) from all infections expressed maturation markers, this expression persisted only in B. pertussis infection at 25 days p.i. Furthermore, at 5 days p.i with B. pertussis, lung DCs migration to draining lymph nodes may be compromised as evidenced by decreased frequency of CCR7+ DCs, inhibited CCR7-mediated in vitro migration, and fewer DCs in lung draining lymph nodes. Lastly, a reduced frequency of allogeneic CD4+ cells expressing α4β1 was detected following co-culture with lung DCs from B. pertussis-infected mice, suggesting a defect in DC imprinting in comparison to the other infection groups. The findings in this study suggest that B. pertussis may interfere with imprinting of lung-associated trafficking receptors on T lymphocytes leading to extended survival in the host and a prolonged course of disease

Use of high pressure for improving the quality and shelf life of frozen fish

The spoilage pattern of carp (Cyprinus carpio) fillets was investigated. The studies were aimed at evaluating the potential use of pressure-shift freezing to reduce quality deterioration during frozen storage. The effects of pressure treatment at low temperature on fish carp fillets were evaluated and conditions were chosen to reduce any adverse effect on the quality of fish fillet. Pressure-shift freezing treatment was applied to carp fillets and biochemical properties were evaluated and correlated with objective measurement of texture, drip loss and the size of ice crystals formed. Changes in these properties were monitored during frozen storage for a period of 75 days.Results indicated that proteolityc changes due to endogenous enzymes in fish muscle play an important role in quality deterioration of carp fillets during ice storage. No changes were observed in Ca2+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase or Mg2+-EGTA-ATPase activity of actomyosin from carp fillets during iced storage (p > 0.05). In contrast, Mg2+-Ca2+-ATPase and Ca2+ sensitivity of actomyosin decreased during ice storage of fish fillets. No changes were found in the SH content of actomyosin throughout the ice storage of carp fillets (p > 0.05). The surface hydrophobicity of actomyosin and auto-degradation products increased during the storage period (p < 0.05).Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to study the effect of high-pressure treatment on some physico-chemical properties (actomyosin extractability, Ca2+-ATPase activity, surface hydrophobicity, TBA value, liquid loss and firmness) of intact fish fillets. Balancing the benefits of low temperature pressurization with the denaturing effects of pressure on fish proteins, it is evident that there is a region in which the responses of the factors (protein extractability, Ca2+-ATPase activity and protein hydrophobicity) to the processing variables (time and pressure) seemed to be adequate to keep protein denaturation to a minimum. This region lies between 140--175 MPa and 16--18 min. However, it was observed that high-pressure treatment induced changes in colour on fish fillets. The L*, a* and b* values increased as pressure and time treatment increased.The application of pressure-shift freezing or air-blast freezing resulted in decrease in myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic protein extractability, and reduced actomyosin Ca2+-ATPase activity during frozen storage. However, actomyosin Ca2+-ATPase activity in pressure-shift frozen samples remained relatively higher than that of air-blast frozen samples. On the other hand, levels of thiobarbituric acid and free fatty acids were relatively lower in samples frozen by PSF. The freezing procedure did not seem to have a significant effect (p > 0.05) on the texture of carp fillets. The ice crystals found in PSF fish samples were mainly intracellular, smaller and more regular shaped than those found in the ABF samples, which were mainly extracellular. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that PSF treatment appeared to be more effective in preventing protein denaturation in post-rigor fish fillets than in the pre-rigor fish fillets

Coronary Vasospasm While Treating Supraventricular Tachycardia: Is Adenosine Really to Blame?

Coronary artery spasm has been reported during adenosine stress testing. Herein, we describe a transient ST-segment elevation following adenosine therapy for supraventricular tachycardia. A 38-year-old male presented to the emergency department with palpitations. Electrocardiogram showed supraventricular tachycardia with short RP interval. Vagal maneuvers were unsuccessful. Adenosine was then administered in two successive injections of 6 and 12 mg dosages, respectively. A subsequent 12-lead electrocardiogram revealed ST-segment elevation in inferior leads with reciprocal changes. Coronary angiography disclosed nonobstructive coronary disease. A postprocedure electrocardiogram exhibited normal sinus rhythm with nonspecific T wave abnormalities. Cardiac biomarkers were elevated with a peak troponin I of 0.32. Echocardiogram depicted bicuspid aortic valve and normal systolic function. Electrophysiological study revealed a concealed left accessory pathway and successful radiofrequency ablation was performed. Given the dynamic changes in the electrocardiogram, we hypothesize that this event was most likely a coronary vasospasm. The mechanism of coronary spasm following adenosine injection remains uncertain. Potential mediators include channels and adenosine-2 receptors

“Block-Type” Coils Fabrication Procedure for the Nb3_3Sn Dipole Magnet FRESCA2

The Nb$_3$Sn FRESCA2 dipole magnet is dedicated to upgrade the CERN cable test facility FRESCA. It is also a technological demonstrator of large-aperture Nb$_3$Sn accelerator magnet. It has an aperture of 100 mm and a target bore magnetic field of 13 T. It is composed of four 1.5-m-long double-pancake “block-type” coils, manufactured following the wind, react and impregnation technique. It is developed by CEA and CERN in the framework of a collaboration agreement, in the continuity of the EuCARD program. Through the fabrication of two full-scale copper prototypes, the different steps of the coil fabrication process (winding, heat treatment, splicing, instrumentation, impregnation, and transport) and the corresponding tooling have been adjusted. The final winding and reaction procedure integrates the possibility to open longitudinal gaps in the winding table and in the central post, in order to accommodate partially the longitudinal contraction of the cable during reaction. This new feature has been experienced through full-scale tests using superconducting cable with a reduced number of turns. This paper reports on the fabrication procedure of these coils. The production phase of the superconducting magnets has started in June 2015

[Une approche de la recherche publique au travers de ses collectifs de recherche : une vue d'ensemble]

Le but principal de ce rapport est d'établir une comparaison internationale de la recherche publique dans les pays de l'Union européenne (et, plus largement, ceux de l'OCDE). Un deuxième volet propose une approche basée sur l'analyse des collectifs de recherche, afin de développer une méthodologie cohérente pour établir des analyses comparées par pays d'un secteur vital à la sécurité et au bien-être publics. Ce rapport est basé sur un travail qui a montré que l'activité de recherche est une préoccupation collective et que, en utilisant une image provocante, les unités de recherche ou les laboratoires sont à la science ce que les entreprises sont à l'économie : l'unité de production de base

[Une approche de la recherche publique au travers de ses collectifs de recherche : une vue d'ensemble]

Le but principal de ce rapport est d'établir une comparaison internationale de la recherche publique dans les pays de l'Union européenne (et, plus largement, ceux de l'OCDE). Un deuxième volet propose une approche basée sur l'analyse des collectifs de recherche, afin de développer une méthodologie cohérente pour établir des analyses comparées par pays d'un secteur vital à la sécurité et au bien-être publics. Ce rapport est basé sur un travail qui a montré que l'activité de recherche est une préoccupation collective et que, en utilisant une image provocante, les unités de recherche ou les laboratoires sont à la science ce que les entreprises sont à l'économie : l'unité de production de base