Intracardiac electrophysiology to characterize susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias in murine models.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) and ventricular fibrillation are rare but severe complications of many cardiovascular diseases and represent a major health issue worldwide. Although the primary causes are often acute or chronic coronary diseases, genetic conditions, such as inherited channelopathies or non-ischemic cardiomyopathies are leading causes of SCD among the young. However, relevant experimental models to study the underlying mechanisms of arrhythmias and develop new therapies are still needed.

A complex Gaussian approach to molecular photoionization.

We develop and implement a Gaussian approach to calculate partial cross-sections and asymmetry parameters for molecular photoionization. Optimal sets of complex Gaussian-type orbitals (cGTOs) are first obtained by nonlinear optimization, to best fit sets of Coulomb or distorted continuum wave functions for relevant orbital quantum numbers. This allows us to represent the radial wavefunction for the outgoing electron with accurate cGTO expansions.

Fitting continuum wavefunctions with complex Gaussians: Computation of ionization cross sections.

We implement a full nonlinear optimization method to fit continuum states with complex Gaussians. The application to a set of regular scattering Coulomb functions allows us to validate the numerical feasibility, to explore the range of convergence of the approach, and to demonstrate the relative superiority of complex over real Gaussian expansions. We then consider the photoionization of atomic hydrogen, and ionization by electron impact in the first Born approximation, for which the closed form cross sections serve as a solid benchmark.

Calculating eigenvalues and eigenvectors of parameter-dependent Hamiltonians using an adaptative wave operator method.

We propose a wave operator method to calculate eigenvalues and eigenvectors of large parameter-dependent matrices using an adaptative active subspace. We consider a Hamiltonian that depends on external adjustable or adiabatic parameters, using adaptative projectors that follow the successive eigenspaces when the adjustable parameters are modified. The method can also handle non-Hermitian Hamiltonians.

Autophagy inhibition blunts PDGFRA adipose progenitors' cell-autonomous fibrogenic response to high-fat diet.

Adipose tissue (AT) fibrosis in obesity compromises adipocyte functions and responses to intervention-induced weight loss. It is driven by AT progenitors with dual fibro/adipogenic potential, but pro-fibrogenic pathways activated in obesity remain to be deciphered. To investigate the role of macroautophagy/autophagy in AT fibrogenesis, we used transgenic mice to create conditional deletion of alleles in AT progenitor cells ( cKO) and examined sex-dependent, depot-specific AT remodeling in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice.

Calculating vibrational spectra with sum of product basis functions without storing full-dimensional vectors or matrices.

We propose an iterative method for computing vibrational spectra that significantly reduces the memory cost of calculations. It uses a direct product primitive basis, but does not require storing vectors with as many components as there are product basis functions. Wavefunctions are represented in a basis each of whose functions is a sum of products (SOP) and the factorizable structure of the Hamiltonian is exploited.

Anti-Müllerian hormone recruits BMPR-IA in immature granulosa cells.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the TGF-β superfamily secreted by the gonads of both sexes. This hormone is primarily known for its role in the regression of the Müllerian ducts in male fetuses. In females, AMH is expressed in granulosa cells of developing follicles.

Differential regulation of ovarian anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) by estradiol through α- and β-estrogen receptors.

Background: Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the TGF-β family, which limits follicle maturation. Recently serum AMH has been recognized as a useful diagnostic and prognostic tool in human reproductive endocrinology.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of human ovarian AMH by estradiol and FSH.

Development of a general time-dependent absorbing potential for the constrained adiabatic trajectory method.

The constrained adiabatic trajectory method (CATM) allows us to compute solutions of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation using the Floquet formalism and Fourier decomposition, using matrix manipulation within a non-orthogonal basis set, provided that suitable constraints can be applied to the initial conditions for the Floquet eigenstate. A general form is derived for the inherent absorbing potential, which can reproduce any dispersed boundary conditions. This new artificial potential acting over an additional time interval transforms any wavefunction into a desired state, with an error involving exponentially decreasing factors.

Allothermal steam gasification of biomass in cyclic multi-compartment bubbling fluidized-bed gasifier/combustor - new reactor concept.

A new reactor concept of allothermal cyclic multi-compartment fluidized bed steam biomass gasification is proposed and analyzed numerically. The concept combines space and time delocalization to approach an ideal allothermal gasifier. Thermochemical conversion of biomass in periodic time and space sequences of steam biomass gasification and char/biomass combustion is simulated in which the exothermic combustion compartments provide heat into an array of interspersed endothermic steam gasification compartments.

Anti-Mullerian-hormone-dependent regulation of the brain serine-protease inhibitor neuroserpin.

The balance between tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and one of its inhibitors, neuroserpin, has crucial roles in the central nervous system, including the control of neuronal migration, neuronal plasticity and neuronal death. In the present study, we demonstrate that the activation of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta)-related BMPR-IB (also known as BMPR1B and Alk6)- and Smad5-dependent signalling pathways controls neuroserpin transcription. Accordingly, we demonstrate for the first time that anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), a member of the TGFbeta family, promotes the expression of neuroserpin in cultured neurons but not in astrocytes.

Anti-Mullerian hormone, its receptor, FSH receptor, and androgen receptor genes are overexpressed by granulosa cells from stimulated follicles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Context: In the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in addition to intrinsic thecal dysregulation leading to hyperandrogenism, a granulosa cell (GC) dysregulation may occur. Expression of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), FSH receptor (FSHR) and androgen receptor (AR) are suspected to be altered in PCOS GCs.

Design: The aim of this prospective study was to analyze the expression of these genes at the last stages of follicular maturation in GCs from 17 patients with PCOS and 15 controls undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation during a cycle with in vitro fertilization.

Gas-liquid selective oxidations with oxygen under explosive conditions in a micro-structured reactor.

The gas-liquid oxidation of cyclohexane is performed at high temperature (>200 degrees C) and pressure (up to 25 bar) using pure oxygen in a Pyrex capped silicon etched microreactor which allows convenient screen reaction conditions well above the flammability limit.