38 research outputs found
Deciphering the genetic control of innate and adaptive immune responses in pig: a combined genetic and genomic study
Improving animal robustness and resistance to pathogens by adding health criteria in selection schemes is one of the challenging objectives of the next decade. In order to better understand the genetic control of immunity in French Large White pigs, we have launched a program combining genetic and genomic studies not focussing on any particular pathogen. Animals recorded for production traits were scored for a wide range of immunity parameters three weeks after vaccination against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: i) total white blood cells and lymphocyte counts and proportions of various leucocyte subsets including cells harbouring IgM, γΎTCR, CD4/CD8, CD16/CD2 and CD16/CD172a/MHCII, ii) innate immune response parameters (phagocytosis and in vitro production of IL1B, IL6, IL8, TNF, IL12 and IFNαafter blood stimulation), iii) adaptive immune response parameters (lymphocyte proliferation, in vitro production of IL2, IL4, IL10 and IFNÎł after blood stimulation, total IgG, IgA, IgM and specific IgG levels) and iv) two acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein and haploglobin). Across traits, heritability estimates reached 0.4 on average (se=0.1) and 42 of the 54 measured parameters showed moderate to high heritabilities (â„0.2), confirming that many parameters are under genetic control and could be included in selection protocols. Functional analyses revealed that the blood transcriptome is informative for part of the immunity traits and should provide relevant phenotypic information to better characterize some immunity traits
Understanding the growth mechanism of BaZrS chalcogenide perovskite thin films from sulfurized oxide precursors
Barium zirconium sulfide (BaZrS) is an earth-abundant and environmentally
friendly chalcogenide perovskite with promising properties for various energy
conversion applications. Recently, sulfurization of oxide precursors has been
suggested as a viable solution for effective synthesis, especially from the
perspective of circumventing the difficulty of handling alkali earth metals. In
this work, we explore in detail the synthesis of BaZrS from Ba-Zr-O oxide
precursor films sulfurized at temperatures ranging from 700 C to 1000
C. We propose a formation mechanism of BaZrS based on a two-step
reaction involving an intermediate amorphization step of the BaZrO3 crystalline
phase. We show how the diffusion of sulfur (S) species in the film is the
rate-limiting step of this reaction. The processing temperature plays a key
role in determining the total fraction of conversion from oxide to sulfide
phase at a constant flow rate of the sulfur-containing H2S gas used as a
reactant. Finally, we observe the formation of stoichiometric BaZrS
(1:1:3), even under Zr-rich precursor conditions, with the formation of ZrO
as a secondary phase. This marks BaZrS quite unique among the other types
of chalcogenides, such as chalcopyrites and kesterites, which can instead
accommodate quite a large range of non-stoichiometric compositions. This work
opens up a pathway for further optimization of the BaZrS synthesis process,
straightening the route towards future applications of this material.Comment: Equal contributio
PPARÎł Controls Dectin-1 Expression Required for Host Antifungal Defense against Candida albicans
We recently showed that IL-13 or peroxisome proliferator activated receptor Îł (PPARÎł) ligands attenuate Candida albicans colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, using a macrophage-specific Dectin-1 deficient mice model, we demonstrate that Dectin-1 is essential to control fungal gastrointestinal infection by PPARÎł ligands. We also show that the phagocytosis of yeast and the release of reactive oxygen intermediates in response to Candida albicans challenge are impaired in macrophages from Dectin-1 deficient mice treated with PPARÎł ligands or IL-13. Although the Mannose Receptor is not sufficient to trigger antifungal functions during the alternative activation of macrophages, our data establish the involvement of the Mannose Receptor in the initial recognition of non-opsonized Candida albicans by macrophages. We also demonstrate for the first time that the modulation of Dectin-1 expression by IL-13 involves the PPARÎł signaling pathway. These findings are consistent with a crucial role for PPARÎł in the alternative activation of macrophages by Th2 cytokines. Altogether these data suggest that PPARÎł ligands may be of therapeutic value in esophageal and gastrointestinal candidiasis in patients severely immunocompromised or with metabolic diseases in whom the prevalence of candidiasis is considerable
Enabling planetary science across light-years. Ariel Definition Study Report
Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was adopted as the fourth medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme to be launched in 2029. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they formed and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets, simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. The payload consists of an off-axis Cassegrain telescope (primary mirror 1100 mm x 730 mm ellipse) and two separate instruments (FGS and AIRS) covering simultaneously 0.5-7.8 micron spectral range. The satellite is best placed into an L2 orbit to maximise the thermal stability and the field of regard. The payload module is passively cooled via a series of V-Groove radiators; the detectors for the AIRS are the only items that require active cooling via an active Ne JT cooler. The Ariel payload is developed by a consortium of more than 50 institutes from 16 ESA countries, which include the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and a NASA contribution
COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study
Background:
The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms.
Methods:
International, prospective observational study of 60â109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms.
Results:
âTypicalâ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (â€â18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (â„â70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each Pâ<â0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country.
Interpretation:
This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men
Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19
IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19.
Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 nonâcritically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022).
INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (nâ=â257), ARB (nâ=â248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; nâ=â10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; nâ=â264) for up to 10 days.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ supportâfree days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes.
RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ supportâfree days among critically ill patients was 10 (â1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (nâ=â231), 8 (â1 to 17) in the ARB group (nâ=â217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (nâ=â231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ supportâfree days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570
EvaluatiĂłn de la distribuciĂłn de la materia orgĂĄnica del horizonte superficial del suelo mediante el uso de imĂĄgenes satelitales (AplicaciĂłn de metodologĂa SIG)
Le contexte environnemental et la mutation agricole soumettent les sols à une importante érosion, qui se traduit notamment par un transfert de la matiÚre organique (MO) vers les réseaux de drainage. le SIG et la télédétection sont particuliÚrement bien adaptés pour les études de comportement de systÚmes naturels, sols et végétation. Ce travail analyse, avec des données de télédétection multitemporelles - multirésolution et un SIG, l' évolution de la productivité végétale, la distributionde la MO des sols, le bilan hydrologique et le ruissellement superficiel. Une série temporelle d'images NDVI de l'instrument VEGETATION (SPOT4) est utilisée pour évaluer son potentiel pour déterminer le comportement des unités pédo-végétales et le bilan hydrologique. Des images Landdat sont utilisées pour l'évaluation de la distribution spatiale de la MO dans les sols nus. les premiers résultats montrent la pertinence de l'approche utilisée pour l'étude et le suivi des unités pédo-végétales, le bilan hydrologique et la distribution spatiale de la MO dans un paysage hétérogÚne et complexe.TOULOUSE-ENSAT-Documentation (315552324) / SudocSudocFranceF
Scoring of the immune response capacity of selected French Large White pigs and PBMC transcriptome studies
National audienc
IMMOPIG - Etude de la réponse immunitaire des porcs français de race Large White et analyse conjointe du transcriptome des leucocytes du sang périphérique (2007-2009)
National audienc