Resources Annotation, Retrieval and Presentation: a semantic annotation management system

International audienceThis paper addresses the problem of the management of resources metadata. A variety of responses are discussed, and we describe one possible way forward, which uses a semantic annotation management tool. The term 'semantic' describes the ability to create, retrieve, query and navigate knowledgeably about things identified by a Web URI. The support for this semantic tool is RDF, through the integration of Jena, an open-source RDF API provided by HP laboratory. Thanks to RDF capabilities, this tool offers new search features such as hierarchical browsing based on the structure of RDF vocabularies and faceted-browsing using properties lists defined by the end-user. The navigation inside annotations uses intuitive modes such as left/right and backward/forward movements. Presentation is controlled by the user using a subset of the Fresnel language to specify how RDF graphs are presented. This work is ongoing; certain open issues are raised

Th2 cells are essential for modulation of vascular repair by allogeneic endothelial cells

Author Manuscript 2011 April 1.Background: Endothelial cells (ECs) embedded within 3-dimensional matrices (MEEC) control lumenal inflammation and intimal hyperplasia when placed in the vascular adventitia. Matrix embedding alters endothelial immunogenicity in vitro. T-helper (Th) cell-driven host immunity is an impediment of allogeneic grafts. We aimed to identify if modulation of Th balance would affect immune compatibility and endothelial regulation of vascular repair in vivo. Methods: Pigs (n = 4/group) underwent carotid artery balloon injury and were left untreated (Group 1) or received perivascular porcine MEEC implants (Group 2), 12 days of cyclosporine A (CsA; Group 3), or MEEC and CsA (Group 4). Host immune reactivity was analyzed after 28 and 90 days. Results: MEEC treatment induced formation of EC-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 antibodies (41 ± 6 mean fluorescence intensity [MFI]) and differentiation of host splenocytes into Th2, but not Th1, cytokine-producing cells (interleukin [IL]-4, 242 ± 102; IL-10, 273 ± 114 number of spots). Concomitant CsA therapy reduced IgG1 antibody frequency (25 ± 2 MFI; p < 0.02) and Th2-cytokine producing splenocytes upon MEEC treatment (IL-4, 157 ± 19; IL-10, 124 ± 26 number of spots; p < 0.05). MEECs inhibited luminal occlusion 28 and 90 days after balloon injury (12 ± 7%) vs untreated controls (68 ± 14%; p < 0.001) but to a lesser extent with concomitant CsA treatment (34 ± 13%; p < 0.02 vs Group 2). Conclusions: MEECs do not induce a significant Th1-driven immune response but do enhance differentiation of splenocytes into cells producing Th2 cytokine. Reduction in this Th2 response reduces the vasoregulatory effects of allogeneic ECs after injury

Cytotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by different metallic nanoparticles on human kidney cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Some manufactured nanoparticles are metal-based and have a wide variety of applications in electronic, engineering and medicine. Until now, many studies have described the potential toxicity of NPs on pulmonary target, while little attention has been paid to kidney which is considered to be a secondary target organ. The objective of this study, on human renal culture cells, was to assess the toxicity profile of metallic nanoparticles (TiO₂, ZnO and CdS) usable in industrial production. Comparative studies were conducted, to identify whether particle properties impact cytotoxicity by altering the intracellular oxidative status.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nanoparticles were first characterized by size, surface charge, dispersion and solubility. Cytotoxicity of NPs was then evaluated in IP15 (glomerular mesangial) and HK-2 (epithelial proximal) cell lines. ZnO and CdS NPs significantly increased the cell mortality, in a dose-dependent manner. Cytotoxic effects were correlated with the physicochemical properties of NPs tested and the cell type used. Analysis of reactive oxygen species and intracellular levels of reduced and oxidized glutathione revealed that particles induced stress according to their composition, size and solubility. Protein involved in oxidative stress such as NF-κb was activated with ZnO and CdS nanoparticles. Such effects were not observed with TiO₂nanoparticles.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>On glomerular and tubular human renal cells, ZnO and CdS nanoparticles exerted cytotoxic effects that were correlated with metal composition, particle scale and metal solubility. ROS production and oxidative stress induction clearly indicated their nephrotoxic potential.</p

In vitro effects of nanoparticles on renal cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The ability of nanoparticles to cross the lung-blood barrier suggests that they may translocate to blood and to targets distant from their portal of entry. Nevertheless, nanotoxicity in organs has received little attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate nanotoxicity in renal cells using <it>in vitro </it>models. Various carbon black (CB) (FW2–13 nm, Printex60-21 nm and LB101-95 nm) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂-15 and TiO₂-50 nm) nanoparticles were characterized on size by electron microscopy. We evaluated theirs effects on glomerular mesangial (IP15) and epithelial proximal tubular (LLC-PK₁) renal cells, using light microscopy, WST-1 assay, immunofluorescence labeling and DCFH-DA for reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nanoparticles induced a variety of cell responses. On both IP15 and LLC-PK₁cells, the smallest FW2 NP was found to be the most cytotoxic with classic dose-behavior. For the other NPs tested, different cytotoxic profiles were found, with LLC-PK₁cells being more sensitive than IP15 cells. Exposure to FW2 NPs, evidenced in our experiments as the most cytotoxic particle type, significantly enhanced production of ROS in both IP15 and LLC-PK₁cells. Immunofluorescence microscopy using latex beads indicated that depending on their size, the cells internalized particles, which accumulated in the cell cytoplasm. Additionally using transmission electronic microscope micrographs show nanoparticles inside the cells and trapped in vesicles.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present data constitute the first step towards determining <it>in vitro </it>dose effect of manufactured CB and TiO₂NPs in renal cells. Cytotoxicological assays using epithelial tubular and glomerular mesangial cell lines rapidly provide information and demonstrated that NP materials exhibit varying degrees of cytotoxicity. It seems clear that <it>in vitro </it>cellular systems will need to be further developed, standardized and validated (relative to <it>in vivo </it>effects) in order to provide useful screening data about the relative toxicity of nanoparticles.</p

Physicochemical characteristics and bronchial epithelial cell cytotoxicity of Folpan 80 WG® and Myco 500®, two commercial forms of folpet

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pesticides, in particular folpet, have been found in rural and urban air in France in the past few years. Folpet is a contact fungicide and has been widely used for the past 50 years in vineyards in France. Slightly water-soluble and mostly present as particles in the environment, it has been measured at average concentration of 40.1 μg/m³during its spraying, 0.16–1.2 μg/m³in rural air and around 0.01 μg/m³in urban air, potentially exposing both the workers and the general population. However, no study on its penetration by inhalation and on its respiratory toxicity has been published. The objective of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of folpet particles (morphology, granulometry, stability) in its commercial forms under their typical application conditions. Moreover, the cytotoxic effect of these particles and the generation of reactive oxygen species were assessed <it>in vitro </it>on respiratory cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Granulometry of two commercial forms of folpet (Folpan 80WG^®and Myco 500^®) under their typical application conditions showed that the majority of the particles (>75%) had a size under 5 μm, and therefore could be inhaled by humans. These particles were relatively stable over time: more than 75% of folpet remained in the particle suspension after 30 days under the typical application conditions. The inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) on human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o-) was found to be between 2.89 and 5.11 μg/cm²for folpet commercial products after 24 h of exposure. Folpet degradation products and vehicles of Folpan 80 WG^®did not show any cytotoxicity at tested concentrations. At non-cytotoxic and subtoxic concentrations, Folpan 80 WG^®was found to increase DCFH-DA fluorescence.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results show that the particles of commercial forms of folpet are relatively stable over time. Particles could be easily inhaled by humans, could reach the conducting airways and are cytotoxic to respiratory cells in vitro. Folpet particles may mediate its toxicity directly or indirectly through ROS-mediated alterations. These data constitute the first step towards the risk assessment of folpet particles by inhalation for human health. This work confirms the need for further studies on the effect of environmental pesticides on the respiratory system.</p

Development of standard clinical endpoints for use in dengue interventional trials: introduction and methodology

Background: As increasing numbers of dengue vaccines and therapeutics are in clinical development, standardized consensus clinical endpoint definitions are urgently needed to assess the efficacy of different interventions with respect to disease severity. We aimed to convene dengue experts representing various sectors and dengue endemic areas to review the literature and propose clinical endpoint definitions for moderate and severe disease based on the framework provided by the WHO 2009 classification. Methods: The endpoints were first proposed and discussed in a structured expert consultation. After that, the Delphi method was carried out to assess the usefulness, validity and feasibility of the standardized clinical disease endpoints for interventional dengue research. Results: Most respondents (&gt; 80%) agreed there is a need for both standardized clinical endpoints and operationalization of severe endpoints. Most respondents (67%) felt there is utility for moderate severity endpoints, but cited challenges in their development. Hospitalization as a moderate endpoint of disease severity or measure of public health impact was deemed to be useful by only 47% of respondents, but 89% felt it could bring about supplemental information if carefully contextualized according to data collection setting. Over half of the respondents favored alignment of the standard endpoints with the WHO guidelines (58%), but cautioned that the endpoints could have ramifications for public health practice. In terms of data granularity of the endpoints, there was a slight preference for a categorical vs numeric system (e.g. 1–10) (47% vs 34%), and 74% of respondents suggested validating the endpoints using large prospective data sets. Conclusion: The structured consensus-building process was successful taking into account the history of the debate around potential endpoints for severe dengue. There is clear support for the development of standardized endpoints for interventional clinical research and the need for subsequent validation with prospective data sets. Challenges include the complexity of developing moderate disease research endpoints for dengue

Différents modèles animaux et biomarqueurs pour l'étude de la pollution des eaux par les métaux

BORDEAUX2-BU Santé (330632101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Étude in vitro de la toxicité de nanoparticules métalliques (TiO2, ZnO, CdS) sur la cible rénale

De nombreuses incertitudes persistent sur la toxicité potentielle des nanoparticules (NPs) et leur devenir dans l organisme humain. L objectif de ce travail est de mieux comprendre les mécanismes cytotoxiques induits par des NPs métalliques sur une cible secondaire, représentée par le rein. En effet, les NPs sont susceptibles de franchir les barrières cellulaires, d être véhiculées par le sang pour se retrouver filtrées par le rein au niveau des cellules glomérulaires et peut-être, réabsorbées au niveau des cellules tubulaires. Cette étude est réalisée in vitro, avec des NPs métalliques de titane (TiO2 : 12 nm), de zinc (ZnO : 75 nm) et de cadmium (CdS : 8 nm), sur cellules mésangiales (IP15) et cellules épithéliales tubulaires (HK-2). Les résultats démontrent des effets variables selon le type cellulaire étudié, la nature chimique des NPs et leur solubilité. Si les NPs insolubles de TiO2 (CI50>100 g/cm ) ne sont que très peu toxiques, les NPs de CdS et de ZnO le sont bien plus du fait de leur solubilité (CI50100 g/cm ), probably due to their insolubility. Exposure to CdS and ZnO NPs lead to cell death (IC50< 7 g/ cm ). Release of metallic cations Cd2+ and Zn2+ are the main causes of toxicity. ROS production and disruption of oxidative cellular balance (GSH/ GSSG) were correlated to the cytotoxic effects of ZnO and CdS NPs. A molecular approach was used to identify signaling pathways involved in oxidative stress response (nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and Nrf2).Internalization and accumulation of TiO2 and CdS NPs were responsible of oxidative stress induction and cytotoxic effect on long term exposure.BORDEAUX2-Bib. électronique (335229905) / SudocSudocFranceF