Diosgenin, a plant steroid, induces apoptosis in human rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes with cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression

In the present study, we have shown for the first time that a plant steroid, diosgenin, causes an inhibition of the growth of fibroblast-like synoviocytes from human rheumatoid arthritis, with apoptosis induction associated with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) up-regulation. Celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, provoked a large decrease in diosgenin-induced apoptosis even in the presence of exogenous prostaglandin E(2), whereas interleukin-1β, a COX-2 inducer, strongly increased diosgenin-induced apoptosis of these synoviocytes. These findings suggest that the proapoptotic effect of diosgenin is associated with overexpression of COX-2 correlated with overproduction of endogenous prostaglandin E(2). We also observed a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase-3 activation, and DNA fragmentation after diosgenin treatment

Map Style Formalization: Rendering Techniques Extension for Cartography

International audienceCartographic design requires controllable methods and tools to produce maps that are adapted to users' needs and preferences. The formalized rules and constraints for cartographic representation come mainly from the conceptual framework of graphic semiology. Most current Geographical Information Systems (GIS) rely on the Styled Layer Descriptor and Semiology Encoding (SLD/SE) specifications which provide an XML schema describing the styling rules to be applied on geographic data to draw a map. Although this formalism is relevant for most usages in cartography, it fails to describe complex cartographic and artistic styles. In order to overcome these limitations, we propose an extension of the existing SLD/SE specifications to manage extended map stylizations, by the means of controllable expressive methods. Inspired by artistic and cartographic sources (Cassini maps, mountain maps, artistic movements, etc.), we propose to integrate into our system three main expressive methods: linear stylization, patch-based region filling and vector texture generation. We demonstrate how our pipeline allows to personalize map rendering with expressive methods in several examples

Social stigma and executive compensation

We document that executives working at firms perceived negatively in light of social norms, such as tobacco, gambling and alcohol, earn a significant compensation premium. The premium compensates for personal costs executives bear due to their employer’s negative public perception and include: (i) a reduced likelihood these CEOs will serve as directors on other firms’ boards, which associates with lower executives’ social status, and (ii) impaired job mobility as employers shun stigmatized executives. The compensation premium is not explained by higher managerial skill required in firms we investigate, higher employment contract risk, political capital, litigation risk, or differences in corporate governance quality, and robust to endogeneity concerns. Our results highlight the significant impact job-related social stigma has on executive compensation

EuReCa ONE—27 Nations, ONE Europe, ONE Registry A prospective one month analysis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes in 27 countries in Europe

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of the EuReCa ONE study was to determine the incidence, process, and outcome for out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) throughout Europe.MethodsThis was an international, prospective, multi-centre one-month study. Patients who suffered an OHCA during October 2014 who were attended and/or treated by an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) were eligible for inclusion in the study. Data were extracted from national, regional or local registries.ResultsData on 10,682 confirmed OHCAs from 248 regions in 27 countries, covering an estimated population of 174 million. In 7146 (66%) cases, CPR was started by a bystander or by the EMS. The incidence of CPR attempts ranged from 19.0 to 104.0 per 100,000 population per year. 1735 had ROSC on arrival at hospital (25.2%), Overall, 662/6414 (10.3%) in all cases with CPR attempted survived for at least 30 days or to hospital discharge.ConclusionThe results of EuReCa ONE highlight that OHCA is still a major public health problem accounting for a substantial number of deaths in Europe.EuReCa ONE very clearly demonstrates marked differences in the processes for data collection and reported outcomes following OHCA all over Europe. Using these data and analyses, different countries, regions, systems, and concepts can benchmark themselves and may learn from each other to further improve survival following one of our major health care events

Value of ultrasonography as a marker of early response to abatacept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and an inadequate response to methotrexate: results from the APPRAISE study

Objectives: To study the responsiveness of a combined power Doppler and greyscale ultrasound (PDUS) score for assessing synovitis in biologic-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) starting abatacept plus methotrexate (MTX). Methods: In this open-label, multicentre, single-arm study, patients with RA (MTX inadequate responders) received intravenous abatacept (∼10 mg/kg) plus MTX for 24 weeks. A composite PDUS synovitis score, developed by the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology–European League Against Rheumatism (OMERACT–EULAR)-Ultrasound Task Force, was used to evaluate individual joints. The maximal score of each joint was added into a Global OMERACT–EULAR Synovitis Score (GLOESS) for bilateral metacarpophalangeal joints (MCPs) 2–5 (primary objective). The value of GLOESS containing other joint sets was explored, along with clinical efficacy. Results: Eighty-nine patients completed the 24-week treatment period. The earliest PDUS sign of improvement in synovitis was at week 1 (mean change in GLOESS (MCPs 2–5): −0.7 (95% CIs −1.2 to −0.1)), with continuous improvement to week 24. Early improvement was observed in the component scores (power Doppler signal at week 1, synovial hyperplasia at week 2, joint effusion at week 4). Comparable changes were observed for 22 paired joints and minimal joint subsets. Mean Disease Activity Score 28 (C reactive protein) was significantly reduced from weeks 1 to 24, reaching clinical meaningful improvement (change ≥1.2) at week 8. Conclusions: In this first international prospective study, the composite PDUS score is responsive to abatacept. GLOESS demonstrated the rapid onset of action of abatacept, regardless of the number of joints examined. Ultrasound is an objective tool to monitor patients with RA under treatment. Trial registration number: NCT00767325

Synthèse d'ondes électriques picosecondes de puissance par commutation optoélectronique; application aux radars à bande spectrale ultralarge.

Thèse d'Université Limoge

Variable spectrum high power electrical pulse generator and facility and equipment operating such generator

IPC8 Class: AH03K300FI USPC Class: 307106The present disclosure relates to a high-voltage pulse generator including a "frozen-wave" generation system for generating high-voltage pulses and a trigger system for triggering the pulses, the generation system including a first and a second photoconductor element, wherein the triggering system includes means for generating a laser light beam and means for splitting the laser beam into two laser beam fractions, each laser beam fraction being directed onto a photoconductor element of the generation system, the splitting means being capable of controlling the distribution of the respective powers of the two laser beam fractions as a function of the orientation of the polarization of the laser beam. The present disclosure also relates to a facility comprising multiple high-voltage pulse generators and electrooptic pump-probe equipment operating such a high-voltage pulse generator

Synthèse d ondes électriques picosecondes de puissance par commutation optoélectronique (application aux radars à bande spectrale ultralarge)

Le but de cette thèse a été la réalisation d un démonstrateur de radar ultralarge bande multi-sources. Ce radar repose sur la réalisation de générateurs optoélectroniques délivrant des impulsions électriques de forte puissance à spectre ultralarge et parfaitement synchronisables. Cela a été rendu possible par le transfert d une technologie issue du CEA vers notre laboratoire. Les travaux réalisés ont conduit vers une architecture permettant d obtenir des impulsions avec des performances accrues (<300ps pour 11kV crête). Ils ont permis de dégager un modèle comportemental hyperfréquence des générateurs et leurs réactions aux paramètres des commandes optiques et électriques. Une technique innovante de diminution de la durée des impulsions optiques issues d une source laser nanoseconde a également été développée. La démonstration du concept multi-sources permettant la validation du concept d agilité en terme de basculement du front d onde fait de ce système un outil unique et innovant.This thesis was dedicated to the realisation of ultra wide band antenna array radar. This detection system is based on the use of optoelectronic generators. These generators must be able to deliver high power electrical synchronised pulses with an ultra wide band spectrum. This work was based on transfer of Atomic Energy Commission's technology to our laboratory. Temporal and power improvements were the main results ofthis research (<300ps duration for 11kV of peak voltage). AlI these studies led to the development of a propagation behaviour model ofgenerators and a better understanding ofoptical and electrical command's implications on generated signaIs. The coherent combination of the output power emitted by a one dimension antenna array was demonstrated. Moreover, a new optical picosecond source based on pulse chapping process was demonstrated and patented.LIMOGES-BU Sciences (870852109) / SudocSudocFranceF