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Par W. Vycichl En phonétique on distingue l’accent musical et l’accent d’intensité. Bien que des mots berbères passés dans des langues soudanaises y présentent certains modèles d’accentuation, aucune trace d’accents musicaux à valeur phonologique n’a pu être relevée en berbère. Il s’agit soit de jeux d’analogie, soit de la traduction du rythme d’accentuation comme nous pouvons l’observer lors de l’assimilation d’autres mots étrangers, par exemple d’origines arabe ou anglaise (W. Vycichl, Zur ..

Accent

Par W. Vycichl En phonétique on distingue l’accent musical et l’accent d’intensité. Bien que des mots berbères passés dans des langues soudanaises y présentent certains modèles d’accentuation, aucune trace d’accents musicaux à valeur phonologique n’a pu être relevée en berbère. Il s’agit soit de jeux d’analogie, soit de la traduction du rythme d’accentuation comme nous pouvons l’observer lors de l’assimilation d’autres mots étrangers, par exemple d’origines arabe ou anglaise (W. Vycichl, Zur ..

Serum immunoglobulins and biomarkers of dementia:a population-based study

Background: Inflammation plays a key role in the development of dementia, but its link to early biomarkers, particularly those in plasma or neuroimaging, remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum immunoglobulins and biomarkers of dementia. Methods: Between 1997 and 2009, serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) were measured in dementia-free participants of the population-based Rotterdam Study. A random subset of participants had assessment of biomarkers in plasma (total tau (t-tau), neurofilament light chain (NfL), amyloid-β40 (Aβ-40), amyloid-β42 (Aβ-42), while another subset of participants underwent neuroimaging to quantify brain volume, white matter structural integrity and markers of cerebral small vessel disease. Linear regression models were constructed to determine cross-sectional associations between IgA, IgG, IgM and biomarkers of dementia, with adjustment for potential confounders. Multiple testing correction was applied using the false discovery rate. As a sensitivity analysis, we re-ran the models for participants within the reference range of immunoglobulins, excluding those using immunomodulating drugs, and conducted a stratified analysis by APOE-ε4 carriership and sex. Results: Of 8,768 participants with serum immunoglobulins, 3,455 participants (65.8 years [interquartile range (IQR): 61.5–72.0], 57.2% female) had plasma biomarkers available and 3,139 participants (57.4 years [IQR: 52.7–60.7], 54.4% female) had neuroimaging data. Overall, no associations between serum immunoglobulins and biomarkers of dementia remained significant after correction for multiple testing. However, several suggestive associations were noted: higher serum IgA levels concurred with lower plasma levels of Aβ-42 (standardized adjusted mean difference: -0.015 [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.029−-0.002], p = 2.8 × 10–2), and a lower total brain volume, mainly driven by less gray matter (-0.027 [-0.046−-0.008], p = 6.0 × 10–3) and more white matter hyperintensities (0.047 [0.016 – 0.077], p = 3.0 × 10–3). In sensitivity analyses, higher IgM was linked to lower t-tau, Aβ-40, and Aβ-42, but also a loss of white matter microstructural integrity. Stratified analyses indicate that these associations potentially differ between carriers and non-carriers of the APOE-ε4 allele and men and women. Conclusions: While associations between serum immunoglobulins and early markers of dementia could not be established in this population-based sample, it may be valuable to consider factors such as APOE-ε4 allele carriership and sex in future investigations.</p

Ultrafast x‐ray sources@f|

Time‐resolved spectroscopy (with a 2 psec temporal resolution) of plasmas produced by the interaction between solid targets and a high contrast subpicosecond table top terawatt (T3) laser at 1016 W/cm2, is used to study the basic processes which control the x‐ray pulse duration. Short x‐ray pulses have been obtained by spectral selection or by plasma gradient scalelength control. Time‐dependent calculations of the atomic physics [Phys. Fluids B 4, 2007, 1992] coupled to a Fokker–Planck code [Phys. Rev. Lett. 53, 1461, 1984] indicate that it is essential to take into account the non‐Maxwellian character of the electron distribution for a quantitative analysis of the experimental results.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70417/2/PFBPEI-5-7-2676-1.pd

High-resolution mass spectrometry identifies delayed biomarkers for improved precision in acetaminophen/paracetamol human biomonitoring

Paracetamol/acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) is a top selling analgesic used in more than 600 prescription and non-prescription pharmaceuticals. To study efficiently some of the potential undesirable effects associated with increasing APAP consumption (e.g., developmental disorders, drug-induced liver injury), there is a need to improve current APAP biomonitoring methods that are limited by APAP short half-life. Here, we demonstrate using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) in several human studies that APAP thiomethyl metabolite conjugates (S-methyl-3-thioacetaminophen sulfate and S-methyl-3-thioacetaminophen sulphoxide sulfate) are stable biomarkers with delayed excretion rates compared to conventional APAP metabolites, that could provide a more reliable history of APAP ingestion in epidemiological studies. We also show that these biomarkers could serve as relevant clinical markers to diagnose APAP acute intoxication in overdosed patients, when free APAP have nearly disappeared from blood. Using in vitro liver models (HepaRG cells and primary human hepatocytes), we then confirm that these thiomethyl metabolites are directly linked to the toxic N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) elimination, and produced via an overlooked pathway called the thiomethyl shunt pathway. Further studies will be needed to determine whether the production of the reactive hepatotoxic NAPQI metabolites is currently underestimated in human. Nevertheless, these biomarkers could already serve to improve APAP human biomonitoring, and investigate, for instance, inter-individual variability in NAPQI production to study underlying causes involved in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Overall, our findings demonstrate the potential of exposomics-based HRMS approach to advance towards a better precision for human biomonitoring.</p

Serum microRNA profiles in athyroid patients on and off levothyroxine therapy

BackgroundLevothyroxine replacement treatment in hypothyroidism is unable to restore physiological thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations in serum and tissues completely. Normal serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations reflect only pituitary euthyroidism and, therefore, novel biomarkers representing tissue-specific thyroid state are needed. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding regulatory RNAs, exhibit tissue-specific expression patterns and can be detectable in serum. Previous studies have demonstrated differential expression of (precursors of) miRNAs in tissues under the influence of thyroid hormone.ObjectiveTo study if serum miRNA profiles are changed in different thyroid states.Design and methodsWe studied 13 athyroid patients (6 males) during TSH suppressive therapy and after 4 weeks of thyroid hormone withdrawal. A magnetic bead capture system was used to isolate 384 defined miRNAs from serum. Subsequently, the TaqMan Array Card 3.0 platform was used for profiling after individual target amplification.ResultsMean age of the subjects was 44.0 years (range 20-61 years). Median TSH levels were 88.9 mU/I during levothyroxine withdrawal and 0.006 mU/I during LT4 treatment with a median dosage of 2.1 fag/kg. After normalization to allow inter-sample analysis, a paired analysis did not demonstrate a significant difference in expression of any of the 384 miRNAs analyzed on and off LT4 treatment.ConclusionAlthough we previously showed an up-regulation of pri-miRNAs 133b and 206 in hypothyroid state in skeletal muscle, the present study does not supply evidence that thyroid state also affects serum miRNAs in humans

Modulated scattering technique in the terahertz domain enabled by current actuated vanadium dioxide switches

The modulated scattering technique is based on the use of reconfigurable electromagnetic scatterers, structures able to scatter and modulate an impinging electromagnetic field in function of a control signal. The modulated scattering technique is used in a wide range of frequencies up to millimeter waves for various applications, such as field mapping of circuits or antennas, radio-frequency identification devices and imaging applications. However, its implementation in the terahertz domain remains challenging. Here, we describe the design and experimental demonstration of the modulated scattering technique at terahertz frequencies. We characterize a modulated scatterer consisting in a bowtie antenna loaded with a vanadium dioxide switch, actuated using a continuous current. The modulated scatterer behavior is demonstrated using a time domain terahertz spectroscopy setup and shows significant signal strength well above 0.5 THz, which makes this device a promising candidate for the development of fast and energy-efficient THz communication devices and imaging systems. Moreover, our experiments allowed us to verify the operation of a single micro-meter sized VO2 switch at terahertz frequencies, thanks to the coupling provided by the antenna

Incorporating Baseline Outcome Data in Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis of Non-randomized Studies

Background: In non-randomized studies (NRSs) where a continuous outcome variable (e.g., depressive symptoms) is assessed at baseline and follow-up, it is common to observe imbalance of the baseline values between the treatment/exposure group and control group. This may bias the study and consequently a meta-analysis (MA) estimate. These estimates may differ across statistical methods used to deal with this issue. Analysis of individual participant data (IPD) allows standardization of methods across studies. We aimed to identify methods used in published IPD-MAs of NRSs for continuous outcomes, and to compare different methods to account for baseline values of outcome variables in IPD-MA of NRSs using two empirical examples from the Thyroid Studies Collaboration (TSC). Methods: For the first aim we systematically searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane from inception to February 2021 to identify published IPD-MAs of NRSs that adjusted for baseline outcome measures in the analysis of continuous outcomes. For the second aim, we applied analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), change score, propensity score and the naïve approach (ignores the baseline outcome data) in IPD-MA from NRSs on the association between subclinical hyperthyroidism and depressive symptoms and renal function. We estimated the study and meta-analytic mean difference (MD) and relative standard error (SE). We used both fixed- and random-effects MA. Results: Ten of 18 (56%) of the included studies used the change score method, seven (39%) studies used ANCOVA and one the propensity score (5%). The study estimates were similar across the methods in studies in which groups were balanced at baseline with regard to outcome variables but differed in studies with baseline imbalance. In our empirical examples, ANCOVA and change score showed study results on the same direction, not the propensity score. In our applications, ANCOVA provided more precise estimates, both at study and meta-analytical level, in comparison to other methods. Heterogeneity was higher when change score was used as outcome, moderate for ANCOVA and null with the propensity score. Conclusion: ANCOVA provided the most precise estimates at both study and meta-analytic level and thus seems preferable in the meta-analysis of IPD from non-randomized studies. For the studies that were well-balanced between groups, change score, and ANCOVA performed similarly

Considerations on biologicals for patients with allergic disease in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: An EAACI statement

The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2-induced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic re-shaped doctor-patient interaction and challenged capacities of healthcare systems. It created many issues around the optimal and safest way to treat complex patients with severe allergic disease. A significant number of the patients are on treatment with biologicals, and clinicians face the challenge to provide optimal care during the pandemic. Uncertainty of the potential risks for these patients is related to the fact that the exact sequence of immunological events during SARS-CoV-2 is not known. Severe COVID-19 patients may experience a “cytokine storm” and associated organ damage characterized by an exaggerated release of pro-inflammatory type 1 and type 3 cytokines. These inflammatory responses are potentially counteracted by anti-inflammatory cytokines and type 2 responses. This expert-based EAACI statement aims to provide guidance on the application of biologicals targeting type 2 inflammation in patients with allergic disease. Currently, there is very little evidence for an enhanced risk of patients with allergic diseases to develop severe COVID-19. Studies focusing on severe allergic phenotypes are lacking. At present, noninfected patients on biologicals for the treatment of asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, or chronic spontaneous urticaria should continue their biologicals targeting type 2 inflammation via self-application. In case of an active SARS-CoV-2 infection, biological treatment needs to be stopped until clinical recovery and SARS-CoV-2 negativity is established and treatment with biologicals should be re-initiated. Maintenance of add-on therapy and a constant assessment of disease control, apart from acute management, are demanded

Anatomical, Clinical and Electrical Observations in Piriformis Syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We provided clinical and electrical descriptions of the piriformis syndrome, contributing to better understanding of the pathogenesis and further diagnostic criteria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between 3550 patients complaining of sciatica, we concluded 26 cases of piriformis syndrome, 15 females, 11 males, mean age 35.37 year-old. We operated 9 patients, 2 to 19 years after the onset of symptoms, 5 had piriformis steroids injection. A dorsolumbar MRI were performed in all cases and a pelvic MRI in 7 patients. The electro-diagnostic test was performed in 13 cases, between them the H reflex of the peroneal nerve was tested 7 times.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After a followup 1 to 11 years, for the 17 non operated patients, 3 patients responded to conservative treatment. 6 of the operated had an excellent result, 2 residual minor pain and one failed. 3 new anatomical observations were described with atypical compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>While the H reflex test of the tibial nerve did not give common satisfaction in the literature for diagnosis, the H reflex of the peroneal nerve should be given more importance, because it demonstrated in our study more specific sign, with six clinical criteria it contributed to improve the method of diagnosis. The cause of this particular syndrome does not only depend on the relation sciatic nerve-piriformis muscle, but the environmental conditions should be considered with the series of the anatomical anomalies to explain the real cause of this pain.</p