Paramagnetic relaxation enhancements in acetate and its fluorine derivatives interacting with Gd3+: complex formation, structure, and transmetallation.

The relative spatial distribution and motion with respect to Gd(3+) of the (1)H and (19)F nuclei in the acetate ion and its fluorine derivatives are studied in D(2)O solutions through the paramagnetic relaxation rate enhancements (PREs) of these nuclei. We derive general theoretical expressions of the longitudinal PRE in terms of the analytical concentrations of metal and ligands, formation constants of the complexes, metal-nucleus distances, and coordination lifetimes of the ligands. The observed formation constants of the 1 metal: 1 ligand complexes markedly decrease with increasing number of fluorine atoms, the electronegativity of which reduces the negative partial charge of the coordinating COO(-) group.

Epidemics Modelings: Some New Challenges.

Epidemics modeling has been particularly growing in the past years. In epidemics studies, mathematical modeling is used in particular to reach a better understanding of some neglected diseases (dengue, malaria, …) and of new emerging ones (SARS, influenza A,….) of big agglomerates.

Huntington's disease.

Huntington's disease (HD) is one of the most frequently found neurodegenerative disorders. Its main clinical manifestations are chorea, cognitive impairment and psychiatric disorders. It is an autosomal-dominant disorder with almost complete penetrance.

Clinical and molecular characterization of a large family with an interstitial 15q11q13 duplication.

The clinical significance of an interstitial duplication of chromosome 15q11q13 is still not well documented. This abnormality has been associated with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and varying degrees of mental retardation. The clinical variability appears to be influenced by the parental origin of the duplication.

Screening of SLC26A4, FOXI1 and KCNJ10 genes in unilateral hearing impairment with ipsilateral enlarged vestibular aqueduct.

Objective: To investigate the implication of SLC26A4, FOXI and KCNJ10 genes in unilateral hearing impairment associated with ipsilateral inner ear malformation (Enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct and/or Mondini dysplasia).

Methods: We have gathered 25 patients presenting unilateral hearing impairment and ipsilateral enlarged vestibular aqueduct. For each of the patients, we have analyzed SLC26A4, FOXI1 and KCNJ10 genes sequences.

Developmental and benign movement disorders in childhood.

Developmental and benign movement disorders are a group of movement disorders with onset in the neonatal period, infancy, or childhood. They are characterized by the absence of associated neurological manifestations and by their favorable outcome, although developmental abnormalities can be occasionally observed. Knowledge of the clinical, neurophysiological, and pathogenetic aspects of these disorders is poor.

Outer-sphere investigation of MRI relaxation contrast agents. Example of a cyclodecapeptide gadolinium complex with second-sphere water.

We show how the purely outer-sphere (OS) relaxivity of a probe solute due to a Gd(3+) complex can help characterize the outer (O), inner (I), and second (2) sphere (S) contributions to the water proton relaxivity. Because of the difficulties of accurate theoretical predictions, we propose an experimental determination of the OS dipolar time correlation function (OS-DTCF) of the relative position of Gd(3+) with respect to any of the equivalent protons of the purely OS probe p-dioxane, which moves around the complex without binding to it. The method is illustrated by the GdPA complex with PA = c(AspArgGluProGlyGluTrpAspProGly).

Microdeletion at chromosome 4q21 defines a new emerging syndrome with marked growth restriction, mental retardation and absent or severely delayed speech.

BACKGROUND Genome-wide screening of large patient cohorts with mental retardation using microarray-based comparative genomic hybridisation (array-CGH) has recently led to identification several novel microdeletion and microduplication syndromes. METHODS Owing to the national array-CGH network funded by the French Ministry of Health, shared information about patients with rare disease helped to define critical intervals and evaluate their gene content, and finally determine the phenotypic consequences of genomic array findings. RESULTS In this study, nine unrelated patients with overlapping de novo interstitial microdeletions involving 4q21 are reported.

Safety and efficacy of rituximab in systemic lupus erythematosus: results from 136 patients from the French AutoImmunity and Rituximab registry.

Objective: A number of open-label studies have suggested the potential benefit of rituximab (RTX) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, in 2 recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of RTX, the primary end points were not met. We undertook this study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RTX in off-trial patients with SLE seen in regular clinical practice.

[Mantle cell lymphoma].

Mantle cell lymphoma comprises 3 to 10% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Cyclin D1 expression due to t(11 ;14) (q13 ;32) is considered as a hallmark of this lymphoma and plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of lymphoma transformation. Median age at diagnosis ranges from 60 to 70 years, and diagnosis is often made at an advanced stage with widespread lymphadenopathy and extranodular (particularly bone marrow and gastrointestinal) infiltration.

The effects of the proximity of an object on human stance.

The present study tested the possibility that center of pressure (COP) behaviour is changed because of the proximity of an object (visible or not) from the body. Main effects of distance were expected for COP sway and main effects of location were expected for COP position when the object stands within a security margin (four centimetres; near distance) and within a personal space rather than without it (fifteen percent within and without arm extension; middle and far distances, respectively). This would be so to protect the body against an object entering into an intimate environment.

Absolute optical extinction measurements of single nano-objects by spatial modulation spectroscopy using a white lamp.

This article describes a high sensitivity spectrophotometer designed to detect the overall extinction of light by a single nanoparticle (NP) in the 10(-4)-10(-5) relative range, using a transmission measurement configuration. We focus here on the simple and low cost scheme where a white lamp is used as a light source, permitting easy and broadband extinction measurements (300-900 nm). Using a microscope, in a confocal geometry, an increased sensitivity is reached thanks to a modulation of the NP position under the light spot combined with lock-in detection.

Temperature-sensitive auditory neuropathy associated with an otoferlin mutation: Deafening fever!

Transient deafness associated with an increase in core body temperature is a rare and puzzling disorder. Temperature-dependent deafness has been previously observed in patients suffering from auditory neuropathy. Auditory neuropathy is a clinical entity of sensorineural deafness characterized by absent auditory brainstem response and normal otoacoustic emissions.

A retrospective study by oligonucleotide array-CGH analysis in 50 fetuses with multiple malformations.

Objective: To retrospectively define the frequency and the nature of submicroscopic chromosomal imbalances among fetuses with multiple congenital anomalies (MCA).

Methods: We used oligonucleotide arrays to perform comparative genomic hybridization after termination of pregnancy in 50 polymalformated fetuses with a normal karyotype. These fetuses presented with at least three significant malformations (42 cases) or a severe brain anomaly (eight cases).

Ultrasonography in chondrocalcinosis.

Ultrasonography can visualize calcific deposits within soft tissues. The appearance and location of the deposits distinguishes articular chondrocalcinosis from other crystal deposition diseases. The most common findings are hyperechoic dots or lines running parallel to the joint surface, hyperechoic images within fibrous cartilage (menisci and triangular fibrocartilage complex), and deposits within tendons (Achilles tendon).

Neuropilin-1 targeting photosensitization-induced early stages of thrombosis via tissue factor release.

Purpose: This article characterizes the vascular effects following vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy with a photosensitizer which actively targets endothelial cells.

Methods: This strategy was considered by coupling a chlorin to a heptapeptide targeting neuropilin-1 in human malignant glioma-bearing nude mice. A laser Doppler microvascular perfusion monitor was used to monitor microvascular blood perfusion in tumor tissue.

Deterministic and stochastic postural processes: effects of task, environment, and age.

Upright standing is always environmentally embedded and typically co-occurs with another (suprapostural) activity. In the present study, the authors investigate how these facts affect postural dynamics in an experiment in which younger (M age = 20.23 years, SD = 2.

Hydrophobic chromophore cargo in micellar structures: a different strategy to sensitize lanthanide cations.

We propose a new approach for the versatile sensitization of luminescent lanthanide cations. A hydrophobic chromophore is incorporated into a micellar assembly formed by the amphiphilic lanthanide chelate. The sensitizer to lanthanide energy transfer occurs between the two moieties without covalent linkage.

Smart MR imaging agents relevant to potential neurologic applications.

Molecular imaging is aimed at the noninvasive visualization of the expression and function of bioactive molecules that often represent specific molecular signatures in disease processes. Any molecular imaging procedure requires an imaging probe that is specific to a given molecular event, which puts an important emphasis on chemistry development. In MR imaging, the past years have witnessed significant advances in the design of molecular agents, though most of these efforts have not yet progressed to in vivo studies.

[Current treatment of follicular lymphoma].

After diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma is the most frequent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It remains incurable, except for localized diseases. Advanced disease has to be treated only in the presence of clinical and/or biology aggressiveness.

Pathotype and antibiotic resistance gene distributions of Escherichia coli isolates from broiler chickens raised on antimicrobial-supplemented diets.

The impact of feed supplementation with bambermycin, monensin, narasin, virginiamycin, chlortetracycline, penicillin, salinomycin, and bacitracin on the distribution of Escherichia coli pathotypes in broiler chickens was investigated using an E. coli virulence DNA microarray. Among 256 E.

Biofouling growth in cold estuarine waters and evaluation of some chitosan and copper anti-fouling paints.

Ecological concerns about antifouling paints containing non-green tin and copper compounds have highlighted the need for environmentally friendly alternatives. We report here a field test conducted in estuarine waters over two months designed to evaluate the efficiency of a number of active natural and man-made chemical ingredients added into a silicon-polyurethane marine paint. Early steps of biofouling in cold seawater of the St.

[Monoclonal antibodies in hematology in 2009].

Directed against the CD20 antigen on B lymphocytes, rituximab (MabThera) is now incorporated in the first line therapy of symptomatic follicular as well as diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and offers superior response and survival rates. 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin) combines the specificity of rituximab for the CD20 antigen and the therapeutic effect of beta irradiation. Given in monotherapy, it constitutes an interesting alternative therapy for follicular lymphomas in second relapse.

A gadolinium-binding cyclodecapeptide with a large high-field relaxivity involving second-sphere water.

A new cyclodecapeptide incorporating two prolylglycine sequences as beta-turn inducers and bearing four side chains with acidic carboxyl groups for cation complexation has been prepared. Structural analysis in water by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and CD shows that this template adopts a conformation suitable for the complexation of lanthanide ions Ln(3+), with its carboxyl groups oriented on the same face of the peptide scaffold. Luminescence titrations show that mononuclear Ln-PA complexes are formed with apparent stability constants of log beta(110) approximately 6.

Optimal neuroprotection by erythropoietin requires elevated expression of its receptor in neurons.

Erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) binding mediates neuroprotection by endogenous Epo or by exogenous recombinant human (rh)Epo. The level of EpoR gene expression may determine tissue responsiveness to Epo. Thus, harnessing the neuroprotective power of Epo requires an understanding of the Epo-EpoR system and its regulation.