Discrimination of deletion to point cytokine mutants based on an array of cross-reactive receptors mimicking protein recognition by heparan sulfate.

Differential sensing of proteins based on cross-reactive arrays and pattern recognition is a promising technique for the detection and identification of proteins. In this study, a rational biomimetic strategy has been used to prepare sensing materials capable of discriminating structurally similar proteins, such as deletion and point mutants of a cytokine, by mimicking the biological properties of heparan sulfate (HS). Using the self-assembly of two disaccharides, lactose and sulfated lactose at various ratios on the surface of a chip, an array of combinatorial cross-reactive receptors has been prepared.

A Versatile Electronic Tongue Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging and Cross-Reactive Sensor Arrays-A Mini-Review.

Nowadays, there is a strong demand for the development of new analytical devices with novel performances to improve the quality of our daily lives. In this context, multisensor systems such as electronic tongues (eTs) have emerged as promising alternatives. Recently, we have developed a new versatile eT system by coupling surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) with cross-reactive sensor arrays.

[Unexpected out-of-hospital deliveries: Management and risk factors].

Objectives: To estimate the frequency of accidental out-of-hospital deliveries (OHDs), to describe the home care and the complications occurred, and to identify risk factors.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective case-control study from 1st January 2012 to 31 December 2012 in Lyon urban area. Cases were identified from the Emergency Medical Aid Service 69 (SAMU 69) registry and control from the birth registry of the maternity corresponding to the case, recruiting two controls per case.

Flexible attosecond beamline for high harmonic spectroscopy and XUV/near-IR pump probe experiments requiring long acquisition times.

We describe the versatile features of the attosecond beamline recently installed at CEA-Saclay on the PLFA kHz laser. It combines a fine and very complete set of diagnostics enabling high harmonic spectroscopy (HHS) through the advanced characterization of the amplitude, phase, and polarization of the harmonic emission. It also allows a variety of photo-ionization experiments using magnetic bottle and COLTRIMS (COLd Target Recoil Ion Momentum Microscopy) electron spectrometers that may be used simultaneously, thanks to a two-foci configuration.

SPR imaging based electronic tongue via landscape images for complex mixture analysis.

Electronic noses/tongues (eN/eT) have emerged as promising alternatives for analysis of complex mixtures in the domain of food and beverage quality control. We have recently developed an electronic tongue by combining surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) with an array of non-specific and cross-reactive receptors prepared by simply mixing two small molecules in varying and controlled proportions and allowing the mixtures to self-assemble on the SPRi prism surface. The obtained eT generated novel and unique 2D continuous evolution profiles (CEPs) and 3D continuous evolution landscapes (CELs) based on which the differentiation of complex mixtures such as red wine, beer and milk were successful.

XPS study of ruthenium tris-bipyridine electrografted from diazonium salt derivative on microcrystalline boron doped diamond.

Boron doped diamond (BDD) functionalization has received an increasing interest during the last few years. Such an infatuation comes from the original properties of BDD, including chemical stability or an electrochemical window, that opens the way for the design of (bio)sensors or smart interfaces. In such a context, diazonium salts appear to be well suited for BDD functionalization as they enable covalent immobilization of functional entities such as enzymes or DNA.

Pulse rate analysis in case of central sleep apnea: a new algorithm for cardiac rate estimation.

This paper first describes the AM-FM demodulation of an arterial pressure signal. Although it is known to be efficient on signals modulated by breathing, we demonstrate that in case of lack of respiratory modulation (real or simulated central sleep apnea), the AM-FM algorithm doesn't perform well in heart rate extraction. We introduce then a new algorithm based on Singular Spectrum Analysis eigenvalues which performs better cardiac frequency estimation in this context.

Single-shot diffractive imaging with a table-top femtosecond soft x-ray laser-harmonics source.

Coherent x-ray diffractive imaging is a powerful method for studies on nonperiodic structures on the nanoscale. Access to femtosecond dynamics in major physical, chemical, and biological processes requires single-shot diffraction data. Up to now, this has been limited to intense coherent pulses from a free electron laser.

Comparison by QCM and photometric enzymatic test of the biotin-avidin recognition on a biotinylated polypyrrole.

By gravimetric measurements using a quartz cristal microbalance (QCM), we have studied the immobilization of biotinylated glucose oxidase enzymes (B-GOx) bound through on an intermediate avidin layer to a biotinylated polypyrrole film. The aim is to assess the amount of B-GOx specifically anchored on the biotinylated polypyrrole/avidin assembly thank to the biotin/avidin interaction between avidin and B-GOx. Indeed the estimated amount from the QCM measurement corresponds to the specific recognition of avidin/B-GOx added to a non-specific recognition (adsorption) of B-GOx.

A simple and efficient algorithm with a coarse to fine approach for arterial beat pulse detection.

This paper presents a simple algorithm for arterial beat pulse detection. It consists in a coarse to fine approach : the first step is performed with a lifting Haar wavelet transform with thresholding and provides search intervals, the second step is to localize the beat pulse in the original signal within these areas. Thanks to online available database, the performance of this algorithm can be compared to others and its ability to detect peaks is sufficient considering its low amount of calculation.

Detection of DNA hybridization by ABEI electrochemiluminescence in DNA-chip compatible assembly.

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of a luminol derivate (ABEI) generated both by a carbon electrode and a polypyrrole-coated carbon electrode was examined. It was found that the polypyrrole film (ppy) did not inhibit the ECL. After that, ABEI anchored on a single stranded DNA target (ODNt) has been used for the ECL detection of the hybridization between a complementary single stranded DNA probe (ODNp) covalently linked to a polypyrrole support and the ODNt.

Electropolymerization as a versatile route for immobilizing biological species onto surfaces. Application to DNA biochips.

Biosensors based on electronic conducting polymers appear particularly well suited to the requirements of modern biological analysis--multi-parametric assays, high information density, and miniaturization. We describe a new methodology for the preparation of addressed DNA matrices. The process includes an electrochemically directed copolymerization of pyrrole and oligonucleotides bearing on their 5' end a pyrrole moiety.

The dynamics of human isometric pointing movements under varying accuracy requirements.

The goal of the present study was to explore the relation between speed-accuracy trade-off phenomena and action kinematics in the case of pointing under isometric conditions. Increasing task difficulty resulted in a linear increase in movement time (as predicted by Fitts' law) and in systematic changes in the spatio-temporal patterning of force production. The observed changes in motion topology were similar to those reported for isotonic tasks and adequately captured by a limit cycle model derived for the latter type of task.

The Timing Effects of Accent Production in Periodic Finger-Tapping Sequences.

When subjects are required to produce short sequences of equally paced finger taps and to accentuate one of the taps, the interval preceding the forceful tap is shortened and the one that immediately follows the accent is lengthened. Assuming that the tapping movements are triggered by an internal clock, one explanation attributes the rnistiming of the taps to central factors: The momentary rate of the clock is accelerated or decelerated as a function of motor preparation to, respectively, increase or decrease the movement force. This hypothesis predicts that the interresponse intervals measured between either tap movement onsets or movement terminations (taps) will show the same timing pattern.

The role of sensory information in the production of periodic finger-tapping sequences.

A subject lacking proprioceptive and tactile sensibility below the neck and a group of control subjects performed sequences of periodic finger taps involving a pattern of accentuation. The required intertap interval was 700 ms. In some situations, the taps were synchronized with the clicks of a metronome.

Ability of different flavonoids to inhibit the procoagulant activity of adherent human monocytes.

Sixty-five natural flavonoids of various chemical classes were screened for their ability to inhibit the procoagulant activity of adherent human monocytes stimulated by endotoxin and interleukin-1 beta in vitro. Eighteen of these compounds inhibited the interleukin-1 beta-induced expression of tissue factor on human monocytes, but the most active compound was a biflavonoid: hinokiflavone.

Adrenergic regulation of glycogenolysis in rat liver after cholestasis. Modulation of the balance between alpha 1 and beta 2 receptors.

The effects of extrahepatic cholestasis upon adrenergic regulation of glycogenolysis and upon the numbers of adrenoceptors in rat liver were studied using isolated hepatocytes and plasma membranes, respectively. A 60% decrease in the number of alpha 1 adrenoceptors (285 vs. 680 fmol/mg protein) and a simultaneous 2.

The hormonal induction of gamma glutamyltransferase in rat liver and in a hepatoma cell line.

Gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) is a membrane-bound enzyme that is involved in glutathione metabolism and aminoacids uptake. GGT activity is stimulated by a number of hormones and pharmacological agents in certain animal tissues. In rat liver, adrenalectomy causes a 2-fold decrease in GGT activity and hydrocortisone treatment of adrenalectomized animals specifically stimulates this enzyme activity.

Glucocorticoid hormones increase the activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase in a highly differentiated hepatoma cell line.

Gamma-Glutamyltransferase activity was detected in the plasma membrane of the highly differentiated hepatoma cell line Fao, (0.93 mU/mg cell protein). Dexamethasone (1 microM) provoked a 2-3-fold increase in the activity of the enzyme in the presence of fetal calf serum.

In vivo modulation of rat hepatic gamma-glutamyltransferase activity by glucocorticoids.

The gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) activity decreased by 50% following adrenalectomy of female rats, in homogenate as well as in a purified plasma membrane preparation from liver. In contrast, such a variation was not found in the kidney. None of 3 other enzyme activities of the plasma membrane, namely 5'-nucleotidase, alkaline phosphatase, and alkaline phosphodiesterase I, was decreased by adrenalectomy.

Levels of asbestos air pollution in some environmental situations.

Asbestos contamination of the outside aid in Paris and suburbs has been monitored in some environmental situations, namely, "typical" urban sites removed from known sources of asbestos emissions, crossroad locations, the vicinity of a freeway, areas with buildings under construction, and areas around asbestos factories. In the same manner, measurements have been performed inside buildings of various types: those sprayed with asbestos-containing materials, those fitted with asbestos products, and control buildings. Air has been sampled by use of 0.