Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of mastocytosis according to the age of onset.

Adult's mastocytosis is usually associated with persistent systemic involvement and c-kit 816 mutation, while pediatrics disease is mostly limited to the skin and often resolves spontaneously. We prospectively included 142 adult patients with histologically proven mastocytosis. We compared phenotypic and genotypic features of adults patients whose disease started during childhood (Group 1, n = 28) with those of patients whose disease started at adult's age (Group 2, n = 114).

Gene profiling in human blood leucocytes during recovery from septic shock.

Objective: To assess blood leucocytes gene profiling during recovery phase of septic shock; to test the relation between encoding gene expression and protein level.

Study Design: Gene expression levels were studied at days 0, 1, 7 and 28 (D0, 1, 7 and 28) on a dedicated microarray of 340 genes involved in inflammatory processes.

Settings: 16-bed intensive care unit, Lariboisière University hospital.

Serotonin 5-HT2B receptors are required for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion and 5-HT release in vivo and in vitro.

The "club drug" 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; also known as ecstasy) binds preferentially to and reverses the activity of the serotonin transporter, causing release of serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] stores from nerve terminals. Subsequent activation of postsynaptic 5-HT receptors by released 5-HT has been shown to be critical for the unique psychostimulatory effects of MDMA. In contrast, the effects of direct activation of presynaptic and/or postsynaptic receptors by MDMA have received far less attention, despite the agonist actions of the drug itself at 5-HT(2) receptors, in particular the 5-HT(2B) receptor.

Modulation of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis by serotonin receptor antagonists in mice.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is known to increase proliferation and collagen synthesis by fibroblasts. Two receptor subtypes, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B, have been shown to play the most important roles in the lung. In the present study, the role of serotonin in lung fibrosis was investigated using the bleomycin mouse model.

Maternal serotonin influences cardiac function in adult offspring.

Using the Tph1-invalidated mouse line, in which blood is depleted in serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), we have demonstrated previously that maternal 5-HT is required for normal embryonic development. Here, we address the issue of the influence of the maternal 5-HT concentration on the cardiac function of the offspring as adults. We investigated the cardiac phenotype of Tph1-invalidated mice born to Tph1 heterozygous and null mothers.

On the dynamics of the H+ +D2(v=0,j=0)-->HD+D + reaction: a comparison between theory and experiment.

The H+ +D2(v=0,j=0)-->HD+D + reaction has been theoretically investigated by means of a time independent exact quantum mechanical approach, a quantum wave packet calculation within an adiabatic centrifugal sudden approximation, a statistical quantum model, and a quasiclassical trajectory calculation. Besides reaction probabilities as a function of collision energy at different values of the total angular momentum, J, special emphasis has been made at two specific collision energies, 0.1 and 0.

Sleep apneas are increased in mice lacking monoamine oxidase A.

Study Objectives: Alterations in the serotonin (5-HT) system have been suggested as a mechanism of sleep apnea in humans and rodents. The objective is to evaluate the contribution of 5-HT to this disorder.

Design: We studied sleep and breathing (whole-body plethysmography) in mutant mice that lack monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and have increased concentrations of monoamines, including 5-HT.

Intentional overdose with insulin: prognostic factors and toxicokinetic/toxicodynamic profiles.

Introduction: Prognostic factors in intentional insulin self-poisoning and the significance of plasma insulin levels are unclear. We therefore conducted this study to investigate prognostic factors in insulin poisoning, in relation to the value of plasma insulin concentration.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study, and used logistic regression to explore prognostic factors and modelling to investigate toxicokinetic/toxicodynamic relationships.

The serotonin 5-HT2B receptor controls bone mass via osteoblast recruitment and proliferation.

The monoamine serotonin (5-HT), a well-known neurotransmitter, is also important in peripheral tissues. Several studies have suggested that 5-HT is involved in bone metabolism. Starting from our original observation of increased 5-HT(2B) receptor (5-HT(2B)R) expression during in vitro osteoblast differentiation, we investigated a putative bone phenotype in vivo in 5-HT(2B)R knockout mice.

Effects of passive hyperthermia versus exercise-induced hyperthermia on immune responses: hormonal implications.

Unlabelled: Different stress hormones are released during prolonged exercise and passive hyperthermia. We hypothesized that these different hormonal responses could contribute to the different changes in the immune response during these two challenges.

Methods: Eight subjects completed three trials in a randomized order.

Interactions and dynamics in Li+Li2 ultracold collisions.

A potential energy surface for the lowest quartet electronic state ((4)A(')) of lithium trimer is developed and used to study spin-polarized Li+Li(2) collisions at ultralow kinetic energies. The potential energy surface allows barrierless atom exchange reactions. Elastic and inelastic cross sections are calculated for collisions involving a variety of rovibrational states of Li(2).

Adrenal response in patients with septic shock of abdominal origin: relationship to survival.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of adrenocortical response to corticotropin in septic shock patients operated on exclusively for an intra-abdominal source of infection.

Design And Setting: Prospective, observational, single-center study in a surgical intensive care unit of a university hospital

Patients: 118 consecutive septic shock patients undergoing laparotomy or drainage for intra-abdominal infection.

Measurements And Results: Baseline cortisol (t (0)) and cortisol response to corticotropin test (Delta) were measured during the first 24 h following onset of shock.

Sensing of multimode-fiber strain by a dynamic photorefractive hologram.

We present a strain sensor in which a multimode fiber is used as a sensitive element. High sensitivity to dynamic strains is achieved by means of vectorial wave mixing in a photorefractive CdTe:V crystal. It was found that the largest source of noise in our sensor is related to the instability of the polarization state of speckles emerging from the fiber.

Abnormal melatonin synthesis in autism spectrum disorders.

Melatonin is produced in the dark by the pineal gland and is a key regulator of circadian and seasonal rhythms. A low melatonin level has been reported in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the underlying cause of this deficit was unknown. The ASMT gene, encoding the last enzyme of melatonin synthesis, is located on the pseudo-autosomal region 1 of the sex chromosomes, deleted in several individuals with ASD.

Three-centers models for electron transfer through a bridge. 1. Potential energy surfaces.

Three centers models adapted to the description of electron transfer through a bridge are discussed, with a special emphasis on potential energy surfaces. A short historical review of the available models is given, with a particular interest on the Bersuker-Borshch-Chibotaru model (1989) and the Lambert-Nöll-Schelter model (2002). We propose our own model, inspired from the Bersuker-Borshch-Chibotaru model, but with a more physical discussion of the parameters and coordinates.

Synthesis of molecular motors incorporating para-phenylene-conjugated or bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-insulated electroactive groups.

The insulating role of the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane fragment has been theoretically evaluated by comparing the electronic coupling parameter (V(ab)) in 1,4-bis(ferrocenyl)benzene (1) and 1,4-bis(ferrocenyl)bicyclo[2.

Functions of serotonin in hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling.

In lung vasculature, reversible constriction of smooth muscle cells exists in response to acute decrease in oxygen levels (hypoxia). Progressive and irreversible structural remodeling that reduces blood vessel lumen takes place in response to chronic hypoxia and results in pulmonary hypertension. Several studies have shown a role of serotonin in regulating acute and chronic hypoxic responses.

Gain of affinity point mutation in the serotonin receptor gene 5-HT2Dro accelerates germband extension movements during Drosophila gastrulation.

Serotonin (5-HT) not only works as a neurotransmitter in the nervous system, but also as a morphogenetic factor during early embryogenesis. In Drosophila, a previous report showed that embryos that lack the 5-HT(2Dro) receptor locus, display abnormal gastrulation movements. In this work, we screened for point mutations in the 5-HT(2Dro) receptor gene.

Control of bioamine metabolism by 5-HT2B and alpha 1D autoreceptors through reactive oxygen species and tumor necrosis factor-alpha signaling in neuronal cells.

Homeostasis of the central nervous system relies on the proper integration of cell-signaling pathways recruited by a variety of neuronal and non-neuronal factors, with the aim of tightly controlling neurotransmitter metabolism, storage, and transport. We took advantage of the 1C11 neuroectodermal cell line, endowed with the capacity to selectively differentiate into serotonergic (1C11(5-HT)) or noradrenergic (1C11(NE)) neurons, to identify functional targets of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) and norepinephrine (NE) autoreceptors possibly involved in the control of neuronal functions. We demonstrate that 5-HT(2B) and adreno alpha(1D) receptors are coupled to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through NADPH oxidase activation in 1C11(5-HT) and 1C11(NE) neuronal cells, respectively.

Modified receptor internalization upon coexpression of 5-HT1B receptor and 5-HT2B receptors.

Serotonin 5-HT(2B) receptors are often coexpressed with 5-HT(1B) receptors, and cross-talk between the two receptors has been reported in various cell types. However, many mechanistic details underlying 5-HT(1B) and 5-HT(2B) receptor cross-talk have not been elucidated. We hypothesized that 5-HT(2B) and 5-HT(1B) receptors each affect the others' signaling by modulating the others' trafficking.

Normo or hypobaric hypoxic tests: propositions for the determination of the individual susceptibility to altitude illnesses.

Assessment of individual susceptibility to altitude illnesses and more particularly to acute mountain sickness (AMS) by means of tests performed in normobaric hypoxia (NH) or in hypobaric hypoxia (HH) is still debated. Eighteen subjects were submitted to HH and NH tests (PIO2=120 hPa, 30 min) before an expedition. Maximal and mean acute mountain sickness scores (AMSmax and mean) were determined using the self-report Lake Louise questionnaire scored daily.

Fast adaptive interferometer on dynamic reflection hologram in CdTe:V.

We present an adaptive interferometer based on the reflection dynamic hologram recorded in photorefractive CdTe:V crystal with no external electric field. Linear phase-to-intensity transformation is achieved by vectorial mixing of two waves with different polarization states (linear and elliptical) in the anisotropic diffraction geometry. Comparison of reflection and transmission geometries considering both sensitivity and adaptability is carried out.

Acclimation to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia modifies responses to cold at sea level.

Introduction: Residence at high altitude modifies thremoregulatory responses to cold stress upon return to lower altitude. These changes are difficult to explain since several stresses related to high altitude may interact, including hypoxia, cold, solar radiation, and physical exertion. We hypothesized that adaptation to hypoxia without cold exposure would produce at least part of the observed changes.

Maternal serotonin is crucial for murine embryonic development.

The early appearance of serotonin and its receptors during prenatal development, together with the many effects serotonin exerts during CNS morphogenesis, strongly suggest that serotonin influences the development and maturation of the mammalian brain before it becomes a neuromodulator/neurotransmitter. Sites of early serotonin biosynthesis, however, have not been detected in mouse embryos or extraembryonic structures, suggesting that the main source of serotonin could be of maternal origin. This hypothesis was tested by using knockout mice lacking the tph1 gene, which is responsible for the synthesis of peripheral serotonin.