Chronic Hepatitis B Infection and Risk of Atherosclerosis-Related Mortality: A 17-Year Follow-up Study Based on 22,472 Residents in Taiwan

Background: Conflicting results have been reported on the association of chronic hepatitis B infection with risks of atherosclerotic diseases previously. The present study aimed to clarify the association between HBsAg seropositivity and atherosclerosis-related/cardiovascular mortality prospectively in Taiwan, one of the most endemic areas for hepatitis B infection in the world. Methods and results: After excluding subjects with HCV infection, we followed up a total of 22,472 subjects aged 30-65 years , consisting of 18,541 HBsAg seronegatives and 3931 seropositives, for 17 years for mortality. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios of mortality after adjustment for traditional risk factors, glomerular filtration rates and the competing risk of liver mortality. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, taking into account liver mortality as a competing risk, the fully adjusted hazard ratios (95% CIs) of mortality from ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, atherosclerotic disease and all cardiovascular disease were 0.98 (0.82-1. 17, P = 0. 28), 0.86 (0.79-1.05, P = 0.25), 0.84 (0.72-1.06, P = 0.27), and 0.96 (0.82-1.13, P = 0.21) respectively for HBsAg seropositives compared with HBsAg seronegatives. Conclusion: HBsAg seropositivity was not associated with increased mortality risks of atherosclerosis-related/ cardiovascular diseases during 17-year follow-up. HBsAg seropositivity might not be a significant predictor for atherosclerosis- related/ cardiovascular deaths

Conception d'un jumeau numérique unique pour la gestion du cycle de vie d'une infrastructure linéaire

International audienceAvec la numérisation récente de l'industrie de la construction, la gestion d'un projet, de l'idée aux phases d'utilisation, est à présent basée sur le système de modélisation des informations du bâtiment (BIM). Toutefois, alors que l'utilisation du BIM commence à montrer son efficacité lors de la construction de bâtiments, elle ne satisfait pas encore les infrastructures linéaires. Une des exigences est de gérer les données du projet d'infrastructure autour d'un système d'information commun, comme le fait déjà le Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). Des études récentes suggèrent l'utilisation combinée de PLM et de BIM pour les projets de construction d'infrastructures linéaires telles que les routes et les voies ferrées. L'avènement de nouvelles technologies de l'information comme le jumeau numérique, favorise la transformation digitale industrielle. Une gestion efficace du cycle de vie doit désormais prendre en compte toutes les phases du projet, en particulier les opérations d'exploitation et de maintenance, où l'utilisation du modèle 3D n'est plus la maquette numérique, mais le double numérique de l'Infrastructure. Afin de faciliter la transition numérique au cours des projets multiphasés, l'infrastructure linéaire doit être représentée par un et un seul Digital Twin au cours de son cycle de vie. Mots-clés-Jumeau Numérique, BIM, Maquette Numérique, Infrastructure Linéaire, PL

Project management for linear infrastructure: studying PLM and BIM for an efficient set of basic functionalities

International audienceManaging an infrastructure today from the idea to the in-use phases is mainly addressed through BIM (Building Information Modelling) functionalities. As BIM often focuses on the management of building data, it hardly covers the specificities of infrastructures. The problem becomes critical when dealing with linear infrastructures. Such infrastructures are driven by linear installations across multiple constructions in which interactions with specific information, geotechnical or topographic information for example, are required. As PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) has shown its efficiency in the past decade for the management of different expertise through a common information system, we propose to study the functionalities covered by PLM. By comparing them to those covered by BIM, we will be able to identify a basic set of functions that could meet linear infrastructures management requirements

Project management for linear infrastructure: studying PLM and BIM for an efficient set of basic functionalities

International audienceManaging an infrastructure today from the idea to the in-use phases is mainly addressed through BIM (Building Information Modelling) functionalities. As BIM often focuses on the management of building data, it hardly covers the specificities of infrastructures. The problem becomes critical when dealing with linear infrastructures. Such infrastructures are driven by linear installations across multiple constructions in which interactions with specific information, geotechnical or topographic information for example, are required. As PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) has shown its efficiency in the past decade for the management of different expertise through a common information system, we propose to study the functionalities covered by PLM. By comparing them to those covered by BIM, we will be able to identify a basic set of functions that could meet linear infrastructures management requirements

REL@X: SENSORY AND VIRTUAL IMMERSION TO REDUCE THE ANXIETY OF PATIENTS CONSULTING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NICE MEMORY CENTER

International audienceBackground: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NS) such as agitation, physical aggression, shadowing and vocalizations are common in individuals with dementia compromising their quality of life and safety. NS have been associated with more time spent care-giving, high level of distress among caregivers and greater mortality among people with dementia. Although pharmacological interventions are frequently used to manage such symptoms, they can lead to adverse effects or even add to mortality. Some non-pharmacological approaches have been shown to be safe and to reduce NS. In the present investigation we describe a ran-domized clinical trial, using the Tailored Activity Program Outpatient version (TAP-O) in a Brazilian sample, to test the efficacy of an activity program to reduce NS in patients with dementia and their caregivers burden. TAP-O version was adapted from original TAP (home intervention). Methods: Patients with dementia and their caregivers were randomized to intervention (TAP-O method) or control group (psychoeducative method). TAP-O is a method involving eight sessions in an outpatient service conducted by occupational therapists who train caregivers in using meaningful activities at home, as part of their daily care routines. Outcome measures were obtained by Neuropsychiatric Inventory – Clinician Rating Scale (NPI-C) and Zarit Scale to measure NS in patients and caregiver burden, respectively. Results:A total of 21 dyads (individuals with dementia and their caregivers) were included. Most of patients were female (76.2%) with mean age of 78.7 (SD ¼ 5.8), and most of caregivers were family members (71.4%). Eleven patients were randomized to experimental intervention (TAP-O) and ten to control group. Patients from experimental group presented significant decrease in symptoms of hallucination (p¼0.008), anxiety (p¼0.03), and sleep disorder (p¼0.04) compared to the control group. Regarding the caregiver burden, measured by Zarit, it was possible to detect a statistically significant decrease in the experimental group (p¼0.003). Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that TAP-O may be clinically relevant, such as original TAP (home version) for the NS in patients with demen-tia and burden of their caregivers. Background: Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and de-mentia. Results of clinical trials using B-vitamins to reduce the cognitive risks attributed to tHcy have been inconsistent. A high prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia and of cognitive impairment in kidney transplant recipients makes them a convenient population in which to evaluate this question. Methods: We evaluated whether B-vitamin therapy to lower tHcy would prevent cognitive-decline in a cohort of stable kidney transplant recipients. The study was a longitudinal ancillary of the FAVORIT trial-a randomized, placebo controlled trial of high-dose B vitamins to reduce cardio-and cerebrovascular events in clinically stable kidney transplant recipients with elevated tHcy. 584 subjects from 18 sites across North America were assessed annually for up to 5 years (mean 3.3 years) using a standardized neuropsychological test battery. Efficacy was analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis using end-of-trial data. Subgroup analyses included stratification for baseline plasma B-vitamin and tHcy concentrations. Results: At baseline, cognitive impairment was prevalent with 61% of participants falling more than one standard deviation below published norms for at least one cognitive test. Fewer than 1% of participants had insufficient plasma folate < 5 ng/ml or vitamin B12 < 148 pmol/L. However, 44.6% had plasma B6 concentrations < 30 nmol/L. At follow-up, psychomotor speed and memory scores were modestly but significantly better in the B-vitamin supplement group than in controls (p0.05). There was no interaction between baseline tHcy, B-vitamin status and treatment on the cognitive outcomes. Conclusions: High-dose B-vitamin supplementation provided modest benefit for cognitive function in our cohort of kidney transplant recipients with elevated baseline tHcy. Since nearly all participants were folate and vitamin B12 sufficient at baseline, the potential cognitive benefits of folate and B12 supplementation in individuals with poor B-vitamin status remains to be determined. Background: Rel@x project aims at reducing the level of anxiety and to improve positive emotions in patients coming for the first time in consultation at Nice Memory Center. This is supposed to reduce errors due to stress in neuropsychological tests, and also allows to study emotion regulation capabilities of patients with and without cognitive impairment. To these aims, Rel@x project developed a multisensorial relaxing environment including virtual reality, music and odors. Methods: In the present study, we included 50 participants with (N¼25) and without (N¼25) mild cognitive impairment. Patients were immersed in a realistic universe then in a fantasy world on an island, and during thi

Prenatal Immune Challenge in Mice Leads to Partly Sex-Dependent Behavioral, Microglial, and Molecular Abnormalities Associated with Schizophrenia

Epidemiological studies revealed that environmental factors comprising prenatal infection are strongly linked to risk for later development of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Considering strong sex differences in schizophrenia and its increased prevalence in males, we designed a methodological approach to investigate possible sex differences in pathophysiological mechanisms. Prenatal immune challenge was modeled by systemic administration of the viral mimic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) to C57BL/6 mice at embryonic day 9.5. The consequences on behavior, gene expression, and microglia—brain immune cells that are critical for normal development—were characterized in male vs. female offspring at adulthood. The cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, regions where structural and functional alterations were mainly described in schizophrenia patients, were selected for cellular and molecular analyses. Confocal and electron microscopy revealed most pronounced differences in microglial distribution, arborization, cellular stress, and synaptic interactions in the hippocampus of male vs. female offspring exposed to Poly I:C. Sex differences in microglia were also measured under both steady-state and Poly I:C conditions. These microglial alterations were accompanied by behavioral impairment, affecting for instance sensorimotor gating, in males. Consistent with these results, increased expression of genes related to inflammation was measured in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of males challenged with Poly I:C. Overall, these findings suggest that schizophrenia's higher incidence in males might be associated, among other mechanisms, with an increased microglial reactivity to prenatal immune challenges, hence determining disease outcomes into adulthood

Quality and safety of bovine clones and their products

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In situ spine sampling and Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) PCRs proved relevant methods for molecular studies on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

International audienc

Design guidelines for inland waterway dimensions

The Pianc Design guidelines for inalnd waterways contain a generalised approach, based om the review of existing guidelines and the corresponding Concept Design Method, reflecting practice examples in the so called 'Practice approach' and in special cases using field experiments or real-time simulation techniques