66 research outputs found
Functional and clinical studies reveal pathophysiological complexity of CLCN4-related neurodevelopmental condition
Missense and truncating variants in the X-chromosome-linked CLCN4 gene, resulting in reduced or complete loss-of-function (LOF) of the encoded chloride/proton exchanger ClC-4, were recently demonstrated to cause a neurocognitive phenotype in both males and females. Through international clinical matchmaking and interrogation of public variant databases we assembled a database of 90 rare CLCN4 missense variants in 90 families: 41 unique and 18 recurrent variants in 49 families. For 43 families, including 22 males and 33 females, we collated detailed clinical and segregation data. To confirm causality of variants and to obtain insight into disease mechanisms, we investigated the effect on electrophysiological properties of 59 of the variants in Xenopus oocytes using extended voltage and pH ranges. Detailed analyses revealed new pathophysiological mechanisms: 25% (15/59) of variants demonstrated LOF, characterized by a âshiftâ of the voltage-dependent activation to more positive voltages, and nine variants resulted in a toxic gain-of-function, associated with a disrupted gate allowing inward transport at negative voltages. Functional results were not always in line with in silico pathogenicity scores, highlighting the complexity of pathogenicity assessment for accurate genetic counselling. The complex neurocognitive and psychiatric manifestations of this condition, and hitherto under-recognized impacts on growth, gastrointestinal function, and motor control are discussed. Including published cases, we summarize features in 122 individuals from 67 families with CLCN4-related neurodevelopmental condition and suggest future research directions with the aim of improving the integrated care for individuals with this diagnosis
The Necrotic Signal Induced by Mycophenolic Acid Overcomes Apoptosis-Resistance in Tumor Cells
The amount of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), a pivotal enzyme for the biosynthesis of the guanosine tri-phosphate (GTP), is frequently increased in tumor cells. The anti-viral agent ribavirin and the immunosuppressant mycophenolic acid (MPA) are potent inhibitors of IMPDH. We recently showed that IMPDH inhibition led to a necrotic signal requiring the activation of Cdc42.Herein, we strengthened the essential role played by this small GTPase in the necrotic signal by silencing Cdc42 and by the ectopic expression of a constitutive active mutant of Cdc42. Since resistance to apoptosis is an essential step for the tumorigenesis process, we next examined the effect of the MPAâmediated necrotic signal on different tumor cells demonstrating various mechanisms of resistance to apoptosis (Bcl2-, HSP70-, Lyn-, BCR-ABLâoverexpressing cells). All tested cells remained sensitive to MPAâmediated necrotic signal. Furthermore, inhibition of IMPDH activity in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia cells was significantly more efficient at eliminating malignant cells than apoptotic inducers.These findings indicate that necrosis and apoptosis are split signals that share few if any common hub of signaling. In addition, the necrotic signaling pathway induced by depletion of the cellular amount of GTP/GDP would be of great interest to eliminate apoptotic-resistant tumor cells
Importance of the difference in surface pressures of the cell membrane in doxorubicin resistant cells that do not express Pgp and ABCG2
P-glycoprotein (Pgp) represents the archetypal mechanism of drug resistance. But Pgp alone cannot expel drugs. A small but growing body of works has demonstrated that the membrane biophysical properties are central to Pgp-mediated drug resistance. For example, a change in the membrane surface pressure is expected to support drugâPgp interaction. An interesting aspect from these models is that under specific conditions, the membrane is predicted to take over Pgp concerning the mechanism of drug resistance especially when the surface pressure is high enough, at which point drugs remain physically blocked at the membrane level. However it remains to be determined experimentally whether the membrane itself could, on its own, affect drug entry into cells that have been selected by a low concentration of drug and that do not express transporters. We demonstrate here that in the case of the drug doxorubicin, alteration of the surface pressure of membrane leaflets drive drug resistance
In Situ Investigation of the Evolution of Lattice Strain and Stresses in Austenite and Martensite During Quenching and Tempering of Steel
Early Prediction of Blood Loss and Postpartum Hemorrhage after Vaginal Delivery by Ultrasound Measurement of Intrauterine Content.
The ability of ultrasound to predict postpartum hemorrhage remains poorly described. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ultrasound measurement of intrauterine content can predict blood loss and postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery. We used a preliminary prospective monocentric study of 201 women who delivered vaginally after 34 wk of gestation. Measurements were performed 30-45 min after normal vaginal delivery according to strict ultrasonographic criteria. Analysis of the relationship between ultrasound measurements and hemoglobin loss showed a strong linear correlation (RÂČâŻ=âŻ0.59 and RÂČâŻ=âŻ0.4 for isthmic and fundal measurements). The maximal value between the fundal and isthmic measurements seems to provide the best accuracy to predict loss of hemoglobin higher than 3 g/dL (area under the curve [AUC] of the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], [0.76-0.97]) and post-partum hemorrhage (AUC, 0.99; 95%CI, [0.984-0.99]). In case of intrauterine content >2 cm (135/201), the risks of loss of hemoglobin higher than 3 g/dL (5/135 vs. 0/66) and post-partum hemorrhage (11/135 vs. 0/66) were increased, all the more if the intrauterine content was >4 cm (4/16 and 11/16, respectively). Considering the maximal measurement, the most optimal cut-off value for clinical practice could be 2.4 cm (sensibility 100%, specificity 57%) and 4.1 cm (sensibility 100%, specificity 97%) for loss of hemoglobin higher than 3 g/dL and post-partum hemorrhage, respectively
EPR: Comparative approach of the French and Finnish instructions and optimization of radiation-protection at the design phase [abstract]
Un systÚme numérique de cryptographie basé sur les propriétés des signaux chaotiques discrets
- Nous présentons ici un cryptosystÚme numérique. Les algorithmes de cryptage proposés reposent sur l'utilisation des propriétés de suites chaotiques qui sont générées par des récurrences non inversibles de dimension 2. L'implémentation de ces algorithmes a été réalisée sur DSP. Cette réalisation effective du systÚme nous a permis tout d'abord une premiÚre validation expérimentale, via la détermination de temps de calcul prohibitifs pour les attaques à force brute. Elle nous a aussi permis de mettre en évidence le problÚme de la représentation du chaos sur des machines discrÚtes, et de dégager certaines caractéristiques nécessaires aux récurrences utilisées afin de pouvoir continuer plus avant l'analyse de leur utilisation en cryptographie
Post-modified FAU zeolites as efficient catalysts for the synthesis of coumarins
Herein, the effect of various treatments subjected to FAU zeolites to introduce mesoporosity has been examined on their efficiency as catalyst in the cyclisation of O-aryl 3-arylpropynoic acid ester to its corresponding coumarin. The addition of bio-sourced lignin residues in the alkaline desilication treatment induced the generation of supplementary mesoporosity, thus offering an optimal micro- and mesopores combination with respect to targeted activity and selectivity. The so-called bio-sourced secondary template (BSST) concept in the design of zeolite-based catalysts could be assessed. The use of renewable wood feedstocks can therefore be a valuable strategy for the zeolite post-modification, thus for the design of porous zeolite catalysts. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.1
Pharmacological, neurochemical, and behavioral profile of JB-788, a new 5-HT1A agonist
International audienceA novel pyridine derivative, 8-4-[(6-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-[1,4]dioxino[2,3-b]pyridine-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-butyl -8-aza-spiro[4.5]decane-7,9-dione hydrochloride, termed JB-788, was designed to selectively target 5-HT(1A) receptors. In the present study, the pharmacological profile of JB-788 was characterized in vitro using radioligands binding tests and in vivo using neurochemical and behavioural experiments. JB-788 bound tightly to human 5-HT(1A) receptor expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells with a K(i) value of 0.8 nM. Its binding affinity is in the same range as that observed for the (+/-)8-OH-DPAT, a reference 5HT(1A) agonist compound. Notably, JB-788 only bound weakly to 5-HT(1B) or 5-HT(2A) receptors and moreover the drug displayed only weak or indetectable binding to muscarinic, alpha(2), beta(1) and beta(2) adrenergic receptors, or dopaminergic D(1) receptors. JB-788 was found to display substantial binding affinity for dopaminergic D(2) receptors and, to a lesser extend to alpha(1) adrenoreceptors. JB-788 dose-dependently decreased forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation in HEK cells expressing human 5-HT(1A), thus acting as a potent 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist (E(max.) 75%, EC(50) 3.5 nM). JB-788 did not exhibit any D(2) receptor agonism but progressively inhibited the effects of quinpirole, a D(2) receptor agonist, in the cAMP accumulation test with a K(i) value of 250 nM. JB-788 induced a weak change in cAMP levels in mouse brain but, like some antipsychotics, transiently increased glycogen contents in various brain regions. Behavioral effects were investigated in mice using the elevated plus-maze. JB-788 was found to increase the time duration spent by animals in anxiogenic situations. Locomotor hyperactivity induced by methamphetamine in mouse, a model of antipsychotic activity, was dose-dependently inhibited by JB-788. Altogether, these results suggest that JB-788 displays pharmacological properties, which could be of interest in the area of anxiolytic and antipsychotic drugs
La radioprotection sur EPR : prĂ©sentation comparĂ©e des instructions françaises et finlandaises et des dĂ©marches dâoptimisation Ă la conception
Ă lâoccasion de lâĂ©valuation du rapport prĂ©liminaire de sĂ»retĂ© du rĂ©acteur EPR de
Flamanville 3 (France), lâIRSN a souhaitĂ© dresser un bilan de lâhistorique de lâEPR,
depuis les annĂ©es 1990 jusquâĂ lâautorisation de construction dâun rĂ©acteur EPR en
Finlande puis en France ainsi que des instructions menées sur les aspects liés à la prise
en compte de la radioprotection des travailleurs. Ce bilan présente les objectifs de dose
retenus par les exploitants Ă la conception, la dĂ©marche globale dâoptimisation mise en
Ćuvre ainsi quâune comparaison des dĂ©marches dâanalyse française et finlandaise. En
France, par exemple, EDF a rĂ©alisĂ© des Ă©tudes approfondies dâoptimisation sur les
activités à fort enjeu « radioprotection » (calorifuge, logistique de chantier,
robinetterie, ouverture/fermeture de la cuve, générateur de vapeur, évacuation du
combustible et conditionnement des déchets). Cette démarche repose (en France) sur un
processus itĂ©ratif dâoptimisation. Une comparaison des objectifs de dose collective des
EPR français et finlandais par rapport aux doses reçues sur dâautres rĂ©acteurs Ă eau sous
pression (Konvoi allemands, tranches du parc français, ...) est également présentée. Cette
synthĂšse, Ă©laborĂ©e par lâIRSN en collaboration avec EDF et lâautoritĂ© de sĂ»retĂ© nuclĂ©aire
finlandaise STUK, reflĂšte plus de 15 ans dâĂ©tudes et de partenariat en matiĂšre de
radioprotection, dans le cadre du projet EPR
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