Perceiving Mass in Mixed Reality through Pseudo-Haptic Rendering of Newton's Third Law

In mixed reality, real objects can be used to interact with virtual objects. However, unlike in the real world, real objects do not encounter any opposite reaction force when pushing against virtual objects. The lack of reaction force during manipulation prevents users from perceiving the mass of virtual objects. Although this could be addressed by equipping real objects with force-feedback devices, such a solution remains complex and impractical.In this work, we present a technique to produce an illusion of mass without any active force-feedback mechanism. This is achieved by simulating the effects of this reaction force in a purely visual way. A first study demonstrates that our technique indeed allows users to differentiate light virtual objects from heavy virtual objects. In addition, it shows that the illusion is immediately effective, with no prior training. In a second study, we measure the lowest mass difference (JND) that can be perceived with this technique. The effectiveness and ease of implementation of our solution provides an opportunity to enhance mixed reality interaction at no additional cost

Computational identification of transcriptionally co-regulated genes, validation with the four ANT isoform genes.

International audienceABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The analysis of gene promoters is essential to understand the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation required under the effects of physiological processes, nutritional intake or pathologies. In higher eukaryotes, transcriptional regulation implies the recruitment of a set of regulatory proteins that bind on combinations of nucleotide motifs. We developed a computational analysis of promoter nucleotide sequences, to identify co-regulated genes by combining several programs that allowed us to build regulatory models and perform a crossed analysis on several databases. This strategy was tested on a set of four human genes encoding isoforms 1 to 4 of the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier ANT. Each isoform has a specific tissue expression profile linked to its role in cellular bioenergetics. RESULTS: From their promoter sequence and from the phylogenetic evolution of these ANT genes in mammals, we constructed combinations of specific regulatory elements. These models were screened using the full human genome and databases of promoter sequences from human and several other mammalian species. For each of transcriptionally regulated ANT1, 2 and 4 genes, a set of co-regulated genes was identified and their over-expression was verified in microarray databases. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the identified genes encode proteins with a cellular function and specificity in agreement with those of the corresponding ANT isoform. Our in silico study shows that the tissue specific gene expression is mainly driven by promoter regulatory sequences located up to about a thousand base pairs upstream the transcription start site. Moreover, this computational strategy on the study of regulatory pathways should provide, along with transcriptomics and metabolomics, data to construct cellular metabolic networks

Contingent microARN des exosomes, diagnostic et physiopathologie des gliomes

Les tumeurs gliales du cerveau et en particulier les glioblastomes sont des tumeurs de très mauvais pronostic. Les paramètres qui contrôlent des phénotypes comme l'agressivité, la migration, ou la chimio-résistance de ces tumeurs sont mal connus. Dans ce contexte tumoral, il est envisagé que les microARN (ARN non-codants d'une vingtaine de bases) soient des acteurs essentiels des phénomènes de modification phénotypique parce qu'ils sont capables d'orchestrer l'expression de nombreux gènes. Nous avons montré que les microARN sont des marqueurs tissulaires précieux pour le diagnostic permettant de différencier les deux types principaux de gliomes à partir de prélèvements tumoraux. Nous avons aussi observé que plusieurs microARN sont, en outre, sécrétés par les cellules gliales saines ou cancéreuses au sein de microvésicules appelées exosomes. Le contenu en ARN de ces exosomes a été caractérisé par analyse moléculaire transcriptomique (ARN messagers et microARN) par techniques d'hybridation sur puces à ADN Affymetrix. Les profils ARN exosomaux sains et cancéreux sont distincts, mais ils ne reflètent pas intégralement le profil ARN des cellules dont ils sont issus. Des conditions de stress hypoxique ou l'utilisation de composés pharmacologiques (GW4869 et 5-aza-2'-désoxycitidine) n'affectent pas la quantité d'exosomes produite par la lignée de glioblastome (U87) en culture. Les profils ARN sont cependant modifiés, et le contenu des exosomes produits semble donc être un mécanisme actif et régulé. Enfin, des exosomes cancéreux incubés avec des cellules saines ont très peu d'effet sur le phénotype de celles-ci. Les microARN tissulaires et exosomaux seraient donc des acteurs importants de la physiopathologie du gliome et de sa progression, dont les rôles restent encore à préciser.Brain glial tumors, and particularly glioblastomas, are tumors with a very bad prognosis. Nowadays, parameters that control aggressiveness, migration or chemo-resistance are poorly known. In this tumor context microRNAs (20 base-long non-coding RNAs) are thought to be essential actors of phenotypic-modification phenomenons as they are able to control the expression of numerous genes. We showed that microRNAs are precious diagnosis tissular markers helping in differentiating two principal tumor types from tissular samples. We also observed that several microRNAs are secreted by glial cells in microvesicles called exosomes. The exosomes RNA content was characterized by molecular transcriptomic analysis (messenger RNAs and microRNAs) using Affymetrix hybridization techniques. The healthy and cancerous exosomal RNA profiles are distinct but do not reflect the RNA profile of the cells they are derived from. Oxygen stress conditions, or use of chemical drugs (GW4869 or 5-Aza-2'-deoxycitidine), do not affect the quantity of exosomes produced by the culture cell line of glioblastoma U87. Nevertheless, the RNA profiles are modified and contents of exosomes produced seem to be controled by an active and regulated mechanism. Finally, cancerous exosomes incubated with healthy cells have a very restrain effect on their phenotypes. Thus tissular and exosomal microRNAs might be important actors of the glioma physiopathology and progression, which roles remain to be defined in detail.SAVOIE-SCD - Bib.électronique (730659901) / SudocGRENOBLE1/INP-Bib.électronique (384210012) / SudocGRENOBLE2/3-Bib.électronique (384219901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Additional Clues for a Protective Role ofVitamin D in Neurodegenerative Diseases: 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Triggers an Anti-Inflammatory Response in BrainPericytes

International audienceEpidemiological and experimental studies suggest that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D) plays a neuroprotectiverole in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. Most of the experimental data regarding the genes regulatedby this hormone in brain cells have been obtained with neuron and glial cells. Pericytes play a critical role in brain function thatencompasses their classical function in blood-brain barrier control and maintenance. However, the gene response of brain pericyteto 1,25D remains to be investigated. Analyses of the transcriptomic response of human brain pericytes to 1,25D demonstrate thathuman brain pericytes in culture respond to 1,25D by regulating genes involved in the control of neuroinflammation. In addition,ericytes respond to the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor and Interferon by inducing the expression of theCYP27B1 gene which is involved in 1,25D synthesis. Taken together, these results suggest that neuroinflammation could triggerthe synthesis of 1,25D by brain pericytes, which in turn respond to the hormone by a global anti-inflammatory response. Thesefindings identify brain pericytes as a novel 1,25D-responsive cell type and provide additional evidence for the potential value ofvitamin D in the prevention or therapy of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative/neuropsychiatric diseases associatedwith an inflammatory component

Immuno-purification of a dimeric subcomplex of the respiratory NAHD-CoQ reductase of Rhodobacter capsulatus equivalent to the FP fraction of the mitochondrial complex I

AbstractThe Rhodobacter capsulatus genes encoding the NUOE and NUOF subunits, equivalent to the 24 kDa and 51 kDa subunits of the mammalian mitochondrial complex I, have been sequenced. According to the nucleotide sequence, the NUOE subunit is 389 amino acids long and has a molecular mass of 41.3 kDa. In comparison to the mitochondrial equivalent subunit, NUOE is extended at the C terminus by more than 150 amino acids. The NUOF subunit is 431 amino acids long and has a molecular mass of 47.1 kDa. A subcomplex containing both the NUOE and NUOF subunits was extracted by detergent treatment of R. capsulatus membranes and immuno-purified. This subcomplex is homologous to the mitochondrial FP fragment. Mass spectrometry after trypsin treatment of the NUOE subunit validates the atypical primary structure deduced from the sequence of the gene

Comparative proteomic profiles of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus lentulus strains by surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) was applied to analyze the protein profiles in both somatic and metabolic extracts of <it>Aspergillus </it>species. The study was carried out on some <it>Aspergillus </it>species within the <it>Fumigati </it>section (<it>Aspergillus fumigatus </it>wild-types and natural abnormally pigmented mutants, and <it>Aspergillus lentulus</it>). The aim was to validate whether mass spectrometry protein profiles can be used as specific signatures to discriminate different <it>Aspergillus </it>species or even mutants within the same species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The growth conditions and the SELDI-TOF parameters were determined to generate characteristic protein profiles of somatic and metabolic extracts of <it>Aspergillus fumigatus </it>strains using five different ProteinChips^®, eight growth conditions combining two temperatures, two media and two oxygenation conditions. Nine strains were investigated: three wild-types and four natural abnormally pigmented mutant strains of <it>A. fumigatus </it>and two strains of <it>A. lentulus</it>. A total of 242 fungal extracts were prepared. The spectra obtained are protein signatures linked to the physiological states of fungal strains depending on culture conditions. The best resolutions were obtained using the chromatographic surfaces CM10, NP20 and H50 with fractions of fungi grown on modified Sabouraud medium at 37°C in static condition. Under these conditions, the SELDI-TOF analysis allowed <it>A. fumigatus </it>and <it>A. lentulus </it>strains to be grouped into distinct clusters.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>SELDI-TOF analysis distinguishes <it>A. fumigatus </it>from <it>A. lentulus </it>strains and moreover, permits separate clusters of natural abnormally pigmented <it>A. fumigatus </it>strains to be obtained. In addition, this methodology allowed us to point out fungal components specifically produced by a wild-type strain or natural mutants. It offers attractive potential for further studies of the <it>Aspergillus </it>biology or pathogenesis.</p

Translation of the ecological trap concept to glioma therapy: the cancer cell trap concept: The cancer cell trap concept.

International audienceViewing tumors as ecosystems offers the opportunity to consider how ecological concepts can be translated to novel therapeutic perspectives. The ecological trap concept emerged approximately half a century ago when it was observed that animals can prefer an environment of low quality for survival over other available environments of higher quality. The presence of such a trap can drive a local population to extinction. The cancer cell trap concept is the translation of the ecological trap into glioma therapy. It exploits and diverts the invasive potential of glioma cells by guiding their migration towards specific locations where a local therapy can be delivered efficiently. This illustrates how an ecological concept can change therapeutic obstacles into therapeutic tools

The transcriptomic response of mixed neuron-glial cell cultures to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin d3 includes genes limiting the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

International audienceSeasonal or chronic vitamin D deficiency and/or insufficiency is highly prevalent in the human population. Receptors for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the hormonal metabolite of vitamin D, are found throughout the brain. To provide further information on the role of this hormone on brain function, we analyzed the transcriptomic profiles of mixed neuron-glial cell cultures in response to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment increases the mRNA levels of 27 genes by at least 1.9 fold. Among them, 17 genes were related to neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, or brain morphogenesis. Notably, 10 of these genes encode proteins potentially limiting the progression of Alzheimer's disease. These data provide support for a role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in brain disease prevention. The possible consequences of circannual or chronic vitamin D insufficiencies on a tissue with a low regenerative potential such as the brain should be considered

Analysis of Locally Coupled 3D Manipulation Mappings Based on Mobile Device Motion

We examine a class of techniques for 3D object manipulation on mobile devices, in which the device's physical motion is applied to 3D objects displayed on the device itself. This "local coupling" between input and display creates specific challenges compared to manipulation techniques designed for monitor-based or immersive virtual environments. Our work focuses specifically on the mapping between device motion and object motion. We review existing manipulation techniques and introduce a formal description of the main mappings under a common notation. Based on this notation, we analyze these mappings and their properties in order to answer crucial usability questions. We first investigate how the 3D objects should move on the screen, since the screen also moves with the mobile device during manipulation. We then investigate the effects of a limited range of manipulation and present a number of solutions to overcome this constraint. This work provides a theoretical framework to better understand the properties of locally-coupled 3D manipulation mappings based on mobile device motion

Increased Phosphorylation of Vimentin in Noninfiltrative Meningiomas

International audienceBACKGROUND: Tissue invasion or tissue infiltration are clinical behaviors of a poor-prognosis subset of meningiomas. We carried out proteomic analyses of tissue extracts to discover new markers to accurately distinguish between infiltrative and noninfiltrative meningiomas. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Protein lysates of 64 different tissue samples (including two brain-invasive and 32 infiltrative tumors) were submitted to SELDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis. Mass profiles were used to build up both unsupervised and supervised hierarchical clustering. One marker was found at high levels in noninvasive and noninfiltrative tumors and appeared to be a discriminative marker for clustering infiltrative and/or invasive meningiomas versus noninvasive meningiomas in two distinct subsets. Sensitivity and specificity were 86.7% and 100%, respectively. This marker was purified and identified as a multiphosphorylated form of vimentin, a cytoskeletal protein expressed in meningiomas. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Specific forms of vimentin can be surrogate molecular indicators of the invasive/infiltrative phenotype in tumors