Recurrent neural networks that learn multi-step visual routines with reinforcement learning.

Many cognitive problems can be decomposed into series of subproblems that are solved sequentially by the brain. When subproblems are solved, relevant intermediate results need to be stored by neurons and propagated to the next subproblem, until the overarching goal has been completed. We will here consider visual tasks, which can be decomposed into sequences of elemental visual operations.

Is HealthPathways viewed as a useful and trustworthy source of information by health professionals?

Objective HealthPathways is a web-based platform designed for use during a consultation to offer health professionals locally agreed information to support clinical and referral decision making. This study aimed to investigate whether access to specific HealthPathways pages in the North Coast New South Wales (NSW) region increased during specific critical events. High pageviews is used as a proxy for platform usefulness, and/or trust as a source of up-to-date information.

Burden of Clostridium (Clostridioides) difficile infection during inpatient stays in the USA between 2012 and 2016.

Background: The healthcare burden of Clostridium (Clostridioides) difficile infection (CDI) is high but not fully characterized.

Aim: To assess hospitalization costs, length of hospital stay (LOS) and in-hospital mortality attributable to CDI in the USA by analysing nationwide hospital discharge records over the 2012-2016 period.

Methods: A retrospective, observational study based on the Truven Health MarketScan Hospital Drug Database was conducted, in which 46,097 inpatient stays with a diagnosis of CDI were analysed.

Model driven optimization of antiangiogenics + cytotoxics combination: application to breast cancer mice treated with bevacizumab + paclitaxel doublet leads to reduced tumor growth and fewer metastasis.

Bevacizumab is the first-in-class antiangiogenic drug and is almost always administrated in combination with cytotoxics. Reports have shown that bevacizumab could induce a transient phase of vascular normalization, thus ensuring a better drug delivery when cytotoxics administration is adjuvant. However, determining the best sequence remains challenging.

In Vivo Bioluminescence Tomography for Monitoring Breast Tumor Growth and Metastatic Spreading: Comparative Study and Mathematical Modeling.

This study aimed at evaluating the reliability and precision of Diffuse Luminescent Imaging Tomography (DLIT) for monitoring primary tumor and metastatic spreading in breast cancer mice, and to develop a biomathematical model to describe the collected data. Using orthotopic mammary fat pad model of breast cancer (MDAMB231-Luc) in mice, we monitored tumor and metastatic spreading by three-dimensional (3D) bioluminescence and cross-validated it with standard bioluminescence imaging, caliper measurement and necropsy examination. DLIT imaging proved to be reproducible and reliable throughout time.

Combenefit: an interactive platform for the analysis and visualization of drug combinations.

Motivation: Many drug combinations are routinely assessed to identify synergistic interactions in the attempt to develop novel treatment strategies. Appropriate software is required to analyze the results of these studies.

Results: We present Combenefit, new free software tool that enables the visualization, analysis and quantification of drug combination effects in terms of synergy and/or antagonism.

Mathematical modeling of tumor growth and metastatic spreading: validation in tumor-bearing mice.

Defining tumor stage at diagnosis is a pivotal point for clinical decisions about patient treatment strategies. In this respect, early detection of occult metastasis invisible to current imaging methods would have a major impact on best care and long-term survival. Mathematical models that describe metastatic spreading might estimate the risk of metastasis when no clinical evidence is available.

Biodistribution, tumor uptake and efficacy of 5-FU-loaded liposomes: why size matters.

Purpose: We have investigated the impact of particle size on the biodistribution, tumor uptake and antiproliferative efficacy of 5-FU-loaded liposomes.

Methods: Three different batches of pegylated liposomes varying in size (i.e.

In vitro 3D angiogenesis assay in egg white matrix: comparison to Matrigel, compatibility to various species, and suitability for drug testing.

In vitro angiogenesis assays are commonly used to assess pro- or anti-angiogenic drug properties. Extracellular matrix (ECM) substitutes such as Matrigel and collagen gel became very popular in in vitro 3D angiogenesis assays as they enable tubule formation by endothelial cells from culture or aortic rings. However, these assays are usually used with a single cell type, lacking the complex cellular interactions occurring during angiogenesis.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of lipofufol, a new triple stealth liposomal formulation of modulated 5-fu: impact on efficacy and toxicity.

Purpose: Drug resistance and severe toxicities are limitations when handling 5-FU. We have developed a triple liposomal formulation of 5-FU combined to 2'-deoxyinosine and folinic acid to improve its efficacy-toxicity balance.

Methods: Stealth liposomes were obtained using the thin-film method.

Fingolimod inhibits PDGF-B-induced migration of vascular smooth muscle cell by down-regulating the S1PR1/S1PR3 pathway.

Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) pathways play a key role in mural cell recruitment during tumor growth and angiogenesis. Fingolimod, a S1P analogue, has been shown to exert antitumor and antiangiogenic properties. However, molecular targets and modes of action of fingolimod remain unclear.

Fingolimod potentiates the effects of sunitinib malate in a rat breast cancer model.

Most of the antiangiogenic strategies used in oncology principally target endothelial cells through the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. Multiple kinase inhibitors can secondarily reduce mural cell stabilization of the vessels by blocking platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) activity. However, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), which is also implicated in mural cell recruitment, has yet to be targeted in clinical practice.

How can grafted breast cancer models be optimized?

Breast cancer is the most frequent spontaneous malignancy diagnosed in women and is characterized by a broad histological diversity. Progression of the disease has a metastasizing trend and can be resistant to hormonal and chemotherapy. Animal models have provided some understanding of these features and have allowed new treatments to be proposed.

Amine-guanidine switch: a promising approach to improve DNA binding and antiproliferative activities.

A series of polyaromatic guanidino derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for growth inhibitory properties in several human carcinoma cell lines. The properties of these guanidino compounds were compared to those of their corresponding synthetic amino precursors. The size of the polyaromatic ring system as well as the length of the tether attached to the ring had a direct impact on the observed antiproliferative profiles, compound 14 having the broadest spectrum of activity.

[Scalded skin syndrome in children associated with S. aureus of non phage group II. Report of a case contracted in West Africa (Togo)].

The authors report the case of a 19 m. old girl developing a Lyell syndrome associated with a S. aureus belonging to phage group I-III.

[Tinea capitis: 73 cases observed in Bordeaux (author's transl)].

73 cases of tinea capitis were observed in the "Hôpital des Enfants" in Bordeaux during these last five year. 71 children under 14 years of age and only 2 adults have seen. The dermatophytic spectrum transformation noticed in other parts of Western Europe is also encountered in Bordeaux.

[Extensive scabies in a baby (author's transl)].

The authors are reporting a new case of widespread scabies in a baby. They take this opportunity to emphasize on the atypical erythematous and excoriated papular rash which sometimes may be vesicular and hyper-keratotic. This widespread eruption may mimic generalised dermatitis, pustular psoriasis and even histiocytosis X.