Tire and road wear particles in infiltration pond sediments: Occurrence, spatial distribution, size fractionation and correlation with metals.

Stormwater systems, such as infiltration ponds or basins, play a critical role in managing runoff water and reducing particulate pollution loads in downstream environments through decantation. Road runoff carries several pollutants, including trace metals and tire and road wear particles (TRWP). To improve our understanding of infiltration ponds as regards TRWP and their capacity to reduce TRWP loads, we have studied the occurrence, spatial distribution and size distribution of TRWP, as well as their relationship with metals, in considering the input of metals as tire additives, in the sediments of an infiltration pond located along the Nantes urban ring road (Western France), which happens to be a high-traffic roadway site.

BCLA CLEAR presbyopia: Management with scleral techniques, lens softening, pharmaceutical and nutritional therapies.

The aging eye undergoes the same progressive crosslinking which occurs throughout the body, resulting in increased rigidity of ocular connective tissues including the lens and the sclera which impact ocular functions. This offers the potential for a scleral treatment that is based on restoring normal biomechanical movements. Laser Scleral Microporation is a laser therapy that evaporates fractional areas of crosslinked tissues in the sclera, reducing ocular rigidity over critical anatomical zones of the accommodation apparatus, restoring the natural dynamic range of focus of the eye.

Review of clinical outcomes of a cationic emulsion tear substitute in patients with dry eye disease.

First-line options for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) rely on artificial tears (ATs), among which cationic emulsion (CE)-based ATs have been developed in order to mimic the healthy tear film for an improved restoration of the ocular surface homeostasis. In this review, we describe the outcomes reported in several studies, assessing the mode of action, ocular tolerance and clinical performance of a CE-based AT. Pilot studies have revealed that CE-based ATs can increase the volume and stability of the tear film while limiting its evaporation rate.

Single-shot digital optical fluorescence phase conjugation through forward multiple-scattering samples.

Aberrations and multiple scattering in biological tissues critically distort light beams into highly complex speckle patterns. In this regard, digital optical phase conjugation (DOPC) is a promising technique enabling in-depth focusing. However, DOPC becomes challenging when using fluorescent guide stars for four main reasons: the low photon budget available, the large spectral bandwidth of the fluorescent signal, the Stokes shift between the emission and the excitation wavelength, and the absence of reference beam preventing holographic measurement.

Multifocal contact lens success predictability.

Purpose: The current multi-study analysis combined data from three studies to quantify the relationship between the initial reaction to soft multifocal contact lens (MFCL) design types at dispensing and evaluate the predictability of overall vision satisfaction (OVS) and intention to purchase (ITP) after 1 week of wear.

Method: Three prospective studies tested MFCLs over 1-week of wear following the same protocol, using a range of potentially predictive ratings at dispensing, and both OVS and ITP at 1-week as an indicator acceptance level. In each study, two of MyDay® multifocal, clariti® 1 day multifocal, Biofinity® multifocal (worn as a daily disposable lens) or 1 DAY ACUVUE® MOIST MULTIFOCAL were dispensed for 1-week of daily wear.

Ecological responses of squamate reptiles to nocturnal warming.

Nocturnal temperatures are increasing at a pace exceeding diurnal temperatures in most parts of the world. The role of warmer nocturnal temperatures in animal ecology has received scant attention and most studies focus on diurnal or daily descriptors of thermal environments' temporal trends. Yet, available evidence from plant and insect studies suggests that organisms can exhibit contrasting physiological responses to diurnal and nocturnal warming.

What drives the risk of being bitten by a viper? A fine spatial scale study in western France.

Previous studies on viper bites in France have focused on clinical consequences of envenomation, efficacy of antivenom and epidemiology of bites. Herein, we wanted to clarify temporal and spatial patterns in bite incidence using a fine spatial scale (municipality level). We focused on viper bites recorded over the last 10 years in 4 regions of western France.

Aminopeptidase B can bioconvert L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1)-utilizing amide prodrugs in the brain.

A prodrug approach is a powerful method to temporarily change the physicochemical and thus, pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. However, in site-selective targeted prodrug delivery, tissue or cell-specific bioconverting enzyme is needed to be utilized to release the active parent drug at a particular location. Unfortunately, ubiquitously expressed enzymes, such as phosphatases and carboxylesterases are well used in phosphate and ester prodrug applications, but less is known about enzymes selectively expressed, e.

Lockdown support, trust and COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs: Insights from the second national lockdown in France.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictive sanitary measures such as lockdowns have been implemented all around the world. Based on a representative sample of the population collected through an online cross-sectional survey, the goal of the study was to investigate the factors associated with lockdown agreement in France during the second general lockdown of fall 2020. More specifically, we aimed to investigate how trust in the government and COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs influenced lockdown agreement.

3D nanoparticle superlocalization with a thin diffuser.

We report on the use of a thin diffuser placed in the close vicinity of a camera sensor as a simple and effective way to superlocalize plasmonic nanoparticles in 3D. This method is based on holographic reconstruction via quantitative phase and intensity measurements of a light field after its interaction with nanoparticles. We experimentally demonstrate that this thin diffuser can be used as a simple add-on to a standard bright-field microscope to allow the localization of 100 nm gold nanoparticles at video rate with nanometer precision (1.

Exploring the efficiency of primary health care provision in rural and sparsely populated areas: a case study from Mongolia.

Mongolia is facing serious challenges in the health sector and the macro-economic sphere that have important implications for health financing and the completion of universal health coverage. In this context, improving the efficiency of primary health care facilities is a critical issue. We study the efficiency of Soum Health Centres (SHCs) that provide primary care in rural Mongolia.

Effects of mild- and moderate-intensity illumination on short-term axial length and choroidal thickness changes in young adults.

Purpose: Previous studies have shown that time spent outdoors is protective against myopia development in children. In this study, we examined the effects of 500 and 1000 lux of illumination to the eye on axial length (AL) and choroidal thickness (CT) changes in young adults.

Methods: Fifteen participants (mean age, 21.

Coverage and Pricing Recommendations of the French National Health Authority for Innovative Drugs: A Retrospective Analysis From 2014 to 2020.

Objectives: This study provides a retrospective analysis of the recommendations of the French National Health Authority on the reimbursement and pricing of innovative drugs.

Methods: The analysis includes drugs subjected to both economic and clinical evaluations in France from 2014 to 2020. Ordered logistic and quantile regressions are used to estimate the factors associated with the clinical value (SMR), the clinical added value (ASMR), and the incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) of innovative drugs.

Efficiency of district hospitals in Zimbabwe: Assessment, drivers and policy implications.

The Government of Zimbabwe is committed to making progress towards universal health coverage. Unmet health needs are huge and the health system suffers from serious dysfunctions and weaknesses. The situation is further complicated by a weak governance.

Digital contact-tracing in France: uptake by COVID-19 risk factor and by exposure risk.

Background: Few studies have investigated the influence of COVID-19 conspiracy theories on digital contact-tracing adoption and the differentiated uptake of digital contact-tracing by COVID-19 risk factor and by exposure risk.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey conducted in France in November 2020 (N = 1042), we investigate the factors associated with the use of the French 'TousAntiCovid' contact-tracing application. Our independent variables of interest include COVID-19 and 'TousAntiCovid' perceptions, trust in the government, time and risk preferences and the level of adherence to COVID-19 conspiracy theories.

Water deprivation compromises maternal physiology and reproductive success in a cold and wet adapted snake .

Droughts are becoming more intense and frequent with climate change. These extreme weather events can lead to mass mortality and reproduction failure, and therefore cause population declines. Understanding how the reproductive physiology of organisms is affected by water shortages will help clarify whether females can adjust their reproductive strategy to dry conditions or may fail to reproduce and survive.

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination intentions and attitudes in France.

Objectives: The objective of the study is to investigate the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination intentions and attitudes in France.

Study Design: An online cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of the French population between November 20th and 23rd 2020 (N = 1146).

Methods: Factors associated with the intention to get vaccinated and with COVID-19 vaccine attitudes were estimated using ordered logistic and multinomial logistic regressions, respectively.

Improved l-Type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1)-mediated delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs into astrocytes and microglia with reduced prostaglandin production.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can have protective effects in the brain by inhibition of cyclooxygenases (COX). However, the delivery into the brain across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and particularly into the brain parenchymal cells is hindered. Therefore, in the present study, we developed four l-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1)-utilizing prodrugs of flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen, since LAT1 is expressed on both, the BBB endothelial cells as well as parenchymal cells.

Three-dimensional broadband light beam manipulation in forward scattering samples.

Focusing light into highly disordered biological tissue is a major challenge in optical microscopy and biomedical imaging due to scattering. However, correlations in the scattering matrix, known as "memory effects", can be used to improve imaging capabilities. Here we discuss theoretically and numerically the possibility to achieve three-dimensional ultrashort laser focusing and scanning inside forward scattering media, beyond the scattering mean free path, by simultaneously taking advantage of the angular and the chromato-axial memory effects.

Symptom Relief Following a Single Dose of Propylene Glycol-Hydroxypropyl Guar Nanoemulsion in Patients with Dry Eye Disease: A Phase IV, Multicenter Trial.

Purpose: To evaluate symptom relief in patients with dry eye disease (DED) following a single drop of propylene glycol-hydroxypropyl guar (PG-HPG) nanoemulsion (Systane Complete) lubricant eye drops.

Methods: This was a Phase IV, multicenter, open-label, interventional study in adult patients with DED of aqueous-deficient, evaporative, and mixed subtypes. Patients instilled one drop of PG-HPG in each eye at Day 1.

Attitudes and opinions on quarantine and support for a contact-tracing application in France during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Objectives: We aim to identify the factors associated with support and compliance with general quarantine and with the acceptability and potential use of a contact-tracing mobile phone application among French respondents.

Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study between April 16th and May 7th 2020 using online questionnaires.

Methods: The sample was reweighted to be representative of the French population by age and sex, region and education level.

Efficacy and Safety of Phospholipid Nanoemulsion-Based Ocular Lubricant for the Management of Various Subtypes of Dry Eye Disease: A Phase IV, Multicenter Trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of propylene glycol/hydroxypropyl-guar (PG-HPG)-based nanoemulsion (Systane Complete) lubricant eye drops in participants with dry eye disease (DED).

Participants And Methods: In this phase IV, open-label, single-arm, interventional, multicenter study, adult participants with DED - subtyped into aqueous deficient, evaporative, and mixed dry eye - were instructed to instill one drop of PG-HPG in each eye twice a day for 28 days. Endpoints included change from baseline in tear film break-up time (TFBUT) (primary) and ocular discomfort visual analog scale (VAS) score at Day 14 and TFBUT at Day 28 (secondary).