Bayesian estimation of the sensitivity and specificity of coprological and serological diagnostic tests for the detection of Ascaris suum infection on pig farms.

Coprological and serological diagnostic tests were compared to define the status of a pig farm with regard to Ascaris suum. On each of the 100 farms in France visited for the study, 10 blood samples were taken from pigs at the end of fattening (at least 22 weeks old) and 20 to 30 faecal samples were taken, depending on the category of animals present on the farm (10 sows, 10 piglets aged 10 to 12 weeks and 10 pigs at the end of fattening, aged at least 22 weeks). A SERASCA® ELISA test (Laboratory of Parasitology, Ghent University) was performed on each blood sample (cut-off 0.

Fragile X cortex is characterized by decreased parvalbumin-expressing interneurons.

Fragile X syndrome is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene in the X chromosome. Many fragile X syndrome cases present with autism spectrum disorder and fragile X syndrome cases account for up to 5% of all autism spectrum disorder cases. The cellular composition of the fragile X syndrome cortex is not well known.

FXTAS Neuropathology Includes Widespread Reactive Astrogliosis and White Matter Specific Astrocyte Degeneration.

Objective: Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset progressive genetic neurodegenerative disorder that occurs in FMR1 premutation carriers. The temporal, spatial, and cell-type specific patterns of neurodegeneration in the FXTAS brain remain incompletely characterized. Intranuclear inclusion bodies are the neuropathological hallmark of FXTAS, which are largest and occur most frequently in astrocytes, glial cells that maintain brain homeostasis.

Insight and Recommendations for Fragile X-Premutation-Associated Conditions from the Fifth International Conference on Premutation.

The premutation of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 () gene is characterized by an expansion of the CGG trinucleotide repeats (55 to 200 CGGs) in the 5' untranslated region and increased levels of mRNA. Molecular mechanisms leading to fragile X-premutation-associated conditions (FXPAC) include cotranscriptional R-loop formations, mRNA toxicity through both RNA gelation into nuclear foci and sequestration of various CGG-repeat-binding proteins, and the repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN)-initiated translation of potentially toxic proteins. Such molecular mechanisms contribute to subsequent consequences, including mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal death.

Implications of the prevalence of Ascaris sp. in the funerary context of a Late Antique population (5th-7th c.) in Granada (Spain).

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in human remains from Late Antiquity (5th - 7th c.) Granada (Spain).

Materials: The study included pelvic and cranial control samples from 17 skeletons from the archaeological sites of Los Mondragones (n = 13) and Rafael Guillén (n = 4).

Synaptic boutons are smaller in chandelier cell cartridges in autism.

Chandelier (Ch) cells are cortical interneurons with axon terminal structures known as cartridges that synapse on the axon initial segment of excitatory pyramidal neurons. Previous studies indicate that the number of Ch cells is decreased in autism, and that GABA receptors are decreased in the Ch cell synaptic target in the prefrontal cortex. To further identify Ch cell alterations, we examined whether the length of cartridges, and the number, density, and size of Ch cell synaptic boutons, differed in the prefrontal cortex of cases with autism versus control cases.

Distinct patterns of GABAergic interneuron pathology in autism are associated with intellectual impairment and stereotypic behaviors.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in sociability and communication and the presence of repetitive behaviors. How specific pathological alterations of the brain contribute to the clinical profile of autism spectrum disorder remains unknown. We previously found that a specific type of inhibitory interneuron is reduced in number in the autism spectrum disorder prefrontal cortex.

[Foot and mouth disease virus: transmission, pathogenesis, diagnosis and surveillance].

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most contagious viral animal diseases. It is an old disease which still poses a permanent threat of re-emergence for free zones. Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV), a Picornavirus belonging to genus Aphthovirus affects domestic and wild artiodactyls.

DESCRIPTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF THE MAIN INTERNAL PARASITES ON ALTERNATIVE PIG FARMS IN FRANCE.

Alternative pig farms, which do not raise animals in closed buildings with slatted and/or concrete floors, have critical points that need particular attention. Internal parasitism is one, as the farming conditions in such structures are more favorable to the development and survival of parasites. The objectives of this study, carried out on 70 alternative farms in continental France, were to (i) estimate the frequency and level of infestation by the main internal parasites on these farms, and (ii) define their typology according to the level of parasitism.

Quantitative risk assessment of rabies being introduced into mainland France through worldwide noncommercial dog and cat movements.

France has been rabies-free among nonflying mammals since 2001. Despite this status, the rabies virus has been introduced several times through noncommercial pet movements, posing a threat of infection by this 100%-lethal zoonosis among local animal and human populations. To quantify the risk of rabies being introduced through worldwide noncommercial dog and cat movements, we performed a quantitative risk assessment using stochastic scenario tree modeling.

Self-Reported Injury History and Health-Related Quality of Life in Competitive, Collegiate Baton Twirlers.

Objective: Injury epidemiology and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have not been researched in baton twirlers. This cross-sectional study described time-loss injuries sustained by competitive collegiate baton twirlers, identified the relationship between training volume and injuries, and established injury impact on HRQOL.

Methods: An online survey was used to collect activity volume, number and characteristics of time-loss injuries experienced within a 12-month window, and HRQOL via the Short Form-36.

Decreased number and increased activation state of astrocytes in gray and white matter of the prefrontal cortex in autism.

The cerebral cortex presents with alterations in the number of specific cell types in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Astrocytes have many functions in the brain including a role in higher cognitive functions and in inflammatory brain processes. Therefore, an alteration in number, function, and/or activation state of astrocytes, could be present in ASD.

Microsecond Electrical Breakdown in Water: Advances Using Emission Analysis and Cavitation Bubble Theory.

Electrical discharges in water are a subject of major interest because of both the wide range of potential applications and the complexity of the processes. This paper aimed to provide significant insights to better understand processes involved during a microsecond electrical discharge in water, especially during the propagation and the breakdown phases. Two different approaches were considered.

Hispano-American Brain Bank on Neurodevelopmental Disorders: An initiative to promote brain banking, research, education, and outreach in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are conditions that present with brain dysfunction due to alterations in the processes of brain development. They present with neuropsychiatric, cognitive, and motor symptoms. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Fragile X syndrome (FXS) are two of the most common NDDs.

Benefit-Risk Assessment of the French Surveillance Protocol of Apparently Healthy Biting Dogs and Cats for Human Rabies Prevention.

In France, apparently healthy dogs and cats that bite humans must undergo an observation period of 15 days with three veterinary visits to ascertain that they remain healthy, indicating that no zoonotic transmission of rabies virus occurred via salivary presymptomatic excretion. This surveillance protocol is mandatory for all pets that have bitten humans, despite France's rabies-free status in non-flying mammals (i.e.

Image texture, low contrast liver lesion detectability and impact on dose: Deep learning algorithm compared to partial model-based iterative reconstruction.

Objectives: To compare deep learning (True Fidelity, TF) and partial model based Iterative Reconstruction (ASiR-V) algorithm for image texture, low contrast lesion detectability and potential dose reduction.

Methods: Anthropomorphic phantoms (mimicking non-overweight and overweight patient), containing lesions of 6 mm in diameter with 20HU contrast, were scanned at five different dose levels (2,6,10,15,20 mGy) on a CT system, using clinical routine protocols for liver lesion detection. Images were reconstructed using ASiR-V 0% (surrogate for FBP), 60 % and TF at low, medium and high strength.

Neuronal and glial cell number is altered in a cortical layer-specific manner in autism.

The cerebral cortex affected with autism spectrum disorder presents changes in the number of neurons and glia cells, possibly leading to a dysregulation of brain circuits and affecting behavior. However, little is known about cell number alteration in specific layers of the cortex in autism spectrum disorder. We found an increase in the number of neurons and a decrease in the number of astrocytes in specific layers of the prefrontal cortex in postmortem human brains from autism spectrum disorder cases.

Non-autonomous regulation of germline stem cell proliferation by somatic MPK-1/MAPK activity in C. elegans.

Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a major positive regulator of cell proliferation, which is often upregulated in cancer. However, few studies have addressed ERK/MAPK regulation of proliferation within a complete organism. The Caenorhabditis elegans ERK/MAPK ortholog MPK-1 is best known for its control of somatic organogenesis and germline differentiation, but it also stimulates germline stem cell proliferation.

Prospective multicenter study on personalized and optimized MDCT contrast protocols: results on liver enhancement.

Objective: To determine a personalized and optimized contrast injection protocol for a uniform and optimal diagnostic level of liver parenchymal enhancement, in a large patient population enrolled in a multicenter study.

Methods: Six hundred ninety-two patients who underwent a standardized multi-phase liver CT examination were prospectively assigned to one contrast media (CM) protocol group: G1 (100 mL fixed volume, 37 gI); G2 (600 mgI/kg of total body weight (TBW)); G3 (750 mgI/kg of fat-free mass (FFM)), and G4 (600 mgI/kg of FFM). Change in liver parenchyma CT number between unenhanced and contrast-enhanced images was measured by two radiologists, on 3-mm pre-contrast and portal phase axial reconstructions.

Long-term outcomes after bladder-preserving tri-modality therapy for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate trimodal conservative treatment as an alternative to radical surgery for urothelial muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study reported the carcinologic and functional results of patients (pts) presenting a cT2/T3 0M0 operable MIBC and fit for surgery, treated by a conservative strategy. Treatment consisted of a transurethral resection (TURB) followed by concomitant bi-fractionated split-course radiochemotherapy (RCT) with 5FU-Cisplatine.

Incidence and Risk Factors in Concussion Events: A 5-Season Study in the French Top 14 Rugby Union Championship.

Background: Concussions are a source of major concern in rugby, and a limited number of studies have attempted to identify risk factors for these injuries.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of match concussion and associated risk factors, including individual workload, anthropometric variables, playing position, and season phase, in elite rugby union players.

Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence 3.

A framework for multicriteria decision-aid analyses in animal health surveillance applied to periodic screening for French bovine tuberculosis.

In animal health surveillance, decision-makers must allocate limited financial and human resources, choosing appropriate protocols that consider technical, economic and human aspects (i.e. test sensitivity, cost benefits and policy acceptability respectively).