Highly-sensitive and label-free indium phosphide biosensor for early phytopathogen diagnosis.

The development of highly-sensitive and label-free operating semiconductor-based, biomaterial detecting sensors has important applications in areas such as environmental science, biomedical research and medical diagnostics. In the present study, we developed an Indium Phosphide (InP) semiconductor-based resistive biosensor using the change of its electronic properties upon biomaterial adsorption as sensing element. To detect biomaterial at low concentrations, the procedure of functionalization and covalent biomolecule immobilization was also optimized to guarantee high molecule density and high reproducibility which are prerequisite for reliable results.

Mexiletine differentially restores the trafficking defects caused by two brugada syndrome mutations.

The human cardiac sodium channel Na(v)1.5 encoded by the SCN5A gene plays a critical role in cardiac excitability and the propagation of action potentials. Na(v)1.

Reappraisal of metformin efficacy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background: The UK Prospective Diabetes Study showed that metformin decreases mortality compared to diet alone in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Since then, it has been the first-line treatment in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes. However, metformin-sulphonylurea bitherapy may increase mortality.

Naturally occurring substitutions of conserved residues in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 variants of different clades are involved in PG9 and PG16 resistance to neutralization.

The recently described anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) human mAb PG9 and PG16 are cross-clade broadly neutralizing. Therefore, it can be postulated that the targeted epitope(s) are highly conserved among variants of the entire group M. We analysed the sensitivity to PG9 and PG16 of pseudotyped viruses carrying envelope glycoproteins from the viral quasispecies of three HIV-1 clade CRF01_AE-infected patients.

Viral sequence variation in chronic carriers of hepatitis C virus has a low impact on liver steatosis.

Most clinical studies suggest that the prevalence and severity of liver steatosis are higher in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 than in patients infected with other genotypes. This may reflect the diversity and specific intrinsic properties of genotype 3 virus proteins. We analyzed the possible association of particular residues of the HCV core and NS5A proteins known to dysregulate lipid metabolism with steatosis severity in the livers of patients chronically infected with HCV.

The European Medicines Agency review of cabazitaxel (Jevtana®) for the treatment of hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer: summary of the scientific assessment of the committee for medicinal products for human use.

On March 17, 2011 the European Commission issued a marketing authorization valid throughout the European Union for Jevtana® (Sanofi-Aventis, Paris, France) for the treatment of patients with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer previously treated with a docetaxel-containing regimen. The active substance of Jevtana® is cabazitaxel acetone solvate, an antineoplastic agent that acts by disrupting the microtubular network in cells. The recommended dose of cabazitaxel is 25 mg/m2 administered as a 1-hour i.

Damage in agitated vessels of large visco-elastic particles dispersed in a highly viscous fluid.

Unlabelled: Many food recipes entail several homogenization steps for solid particles in hot or cold viscous liquids, such as pureed fruit and sugar, jam or sauce with mushroom pieces. Unfortunately, these unavoidable processes induce damage to the solid particles. To date, little is known of the extent and nature of the damage caused.

The metabolic basis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: 2011 report of the "metabolic" workgroup of the Fondation Yves Cotrel.

Objective: The purpose of this review is to elucidate the metabolic processes involved in the pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in light of research by the present authors as well as current literature.

Methods: Pathogenetic mechanisms involved in AIS were modeled as (a) a form of neuromuscular scoliosis (in conjunction with an adverse mechanical environment such as bipedality), in which hormonal and other chemical factors act as regulators of skeletal muscle tone and function; (b) as a consequence of an abnormality in growth of the spinal column (in conjunction with an adverse mechanical environment such as bipedality), in which hormones and other chemical factors act as regulators of growth; and (c) as a mechanical failure of one side of the vertebral column due to a defect in trabecular formation or mineralization (in conjunction with an adverse mechanical environment such as bipedality); in which hormonal and other chemical factors act as regulators of bone formation, mineralization and/or resorption.

Results And Conclusion: Current evidence supporting these models individually or in combination is discussed.

Mesoscopic self-collimation and slow light in all-positive index layered photonic crystals.

We demonstrate a mesoscopic self-collimation effect in photonic crystal superlattices consisting of a periodic set of all-positive index 2D photonic crystal and homogeneous layers. We develop an electromagnetic theory showing that diffraction-free beams are observed when the curvature of the optical dispersion relation is properly compensated for. This approach allows us to combine slow-light regime together with self-collimation in photonic crystal superlattices presenting an extremely low filling ratio in air.

Fasting energy homeostasis in mice with adipose deficiency of desnutrin/adipose triglyceride lipase.

Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) catalyzes the first step of lipolysis of cytoplasmic triacylglycerols in white adipose tissue (WAT) and several other organs. We created adipose-specific ATGL-deficient (ATGLAKO) mice. In these mice, in vivo lipolysis, measured as the increase of plasma nonesterified fatty acid and glycerol levels after injection of a β3-adrenergic agonist, was undetectable.

Design and synthesis of novel bone-targeting dual-action pro-drugs for the treatment and reversal of osteoporosis.

There is an important medical need for effective therapies to redress the general bone loss associated with advanced osteoporosis. Prostaglandin E(2) and related EP4 receptor agonists have been shown to stimulate bone regrowth but their use has been limited by systemic side effects. Herein is described the design and synthesis of novel dual-action bone-targeting conjugate pro-drugs where two classes of active agents, a bone growth stimulating prostaglandin E(2) EP4 receptor subtype agonist (5 or 6) and a bone resorption inhibitor bisphosphonate, alendronic acid (1), are coupled using metabolically labile carbamate or 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid based linkers.

Incidence and virulence determinants of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli infections in the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium, in 2008-2010.

The incidence of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) was investigated by PCR in all human stools from Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZB) and in selected stools from six other hospital laboratories in the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium, collected between April 2008 and October 2010. The stools selected to be included in this study were those from patients with hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), patients with a history of bloody diarrhea, patients linked to clusters of diarrhea, children up to the age of 6 years, and stools containing macroscopic blood. Verocytotoxin genes (vtx) were detected significantly more frequently in stools from patients with the selected conditions (2.

Tolerogenic dendritic cells: applications for solid organ transplantation.

Purpose Of Review: We discuss the use of tolerogenic dendritic cells (TolDCs) as a therapeutic tool in solid organ transplantation, with particular emphasis on recent experimental and preclinical data supporting the clinical translation of TolDC therapy.

Recent Findings: TolDC have been successfully used in rodents to promote long-term allograft survival. Although most studies have focused on donor dendritic cells or donor antigen-pulsed dendritic cells, our group investigated a strategy based on the administration of autologous dendritic cells (not pulsed with donor antigens).

Clonal and molecular analysis of the prospective anterior neural boundary in the mouse embryo.

In the mouse embryo the anterior ectoderm undergoes extensive growth and morphogenesis to form the forebrain and cephalic non-neural ectoderm. We traced descendants of single ectoderm cells to study cell fate choice and cell behaviour at late gastrulation. In addition, we provide a comprehensive spatiotemporal atlas of anterior gene expression at stages crucial for anterior ectoderm regionalisation and neural plate formation.

[Public free anonymous HIV testing centers: cost analysis and financing options].

The services of general interest provided by hospitals, such as free HIV clinics, have been funded since 2005 by a lump sum covering all costs. The allocation of the budget was initially determined based on historical and declarative data. However, the French Ministry of Health (MoH) recently outlined new rules for determining the allocation of financial resources and contracting hospitals for each type of services of general interest provided.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of MK-5046, a bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) agonist, in healthy patients.

MK-5046 is an orally active, potent, selective agonist of the orphan G protein-coupled receptor bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) that is under evaluation for treatment of obesity. We report the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of oral doses of MK-5046 (10-160 mg) in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in healthy and obese male volunteers. MK-5046 exposure increased dose proportionally, and MK-5046 was eliminated with an apparent terminal half-life of 1.

Muscle-bone characteristics in children with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Background: A decrease in muscle mass, low motor performance, and normal lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) have been reported in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). However, these data are limited by the fact that PWS children (who have short stature) were compared to age-matched healthy or obese individuals of normal height.

Objective: The goal of the present study was to compare bone and muscle characteristics in PWS children to sex- and age- or height-matched healthy subjects.

Influence of calcium on β-lactoglobulin denaturation kinetics: Implications in unfolding and aggregation mechanisms.

Much research dealing with the processing of milk by-products in heat exchangers has noted the key role of calcium in β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) fouling behavior. Nevertheless, the manner by which Ca affects β-LG denaturation has rarely been quantified using reliable kinetic and thermodynamic data. To this end, the influence of Ca on β-LG denaturation mechanisms in simulated lactoserum concentrates was studied on the laboratory-scale under 100°C by HPLC analysis.

Cheminformatics-driven discovery of selective, nanomolar inhibitors for staphylococcal pyruvate kinase.

We have recently mapped the protein interaction network of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which revealed its scale-free organization with characteristic presence of highly connected hub proteins that are critical for bacterial survival. Here we report the discovery of inhibitors that are highly potent against one such hub target, staphylococcal pyruvate kinase (PK). Importantly, the developed compounds demonstrate complete selectivity for the bacterial enzyme compared to all human orthologues.

Particle counting as a tool to predict filterability in membrane bioreactors activated sludge?

Activated sludge quality is one of the major factors influencing flux decline in membrane bioreactors (MBRS). Sludge filterability is a recognized parameter to characterize the physical properties of activated sludge. Decrease in filterability is linked to a higher number of submicron particles.

p21-Activated kinase 3 (PAK3) protein regulates synaptic transmission through its interaction with the Nck2/Grb4 protein adaptor.

Mutations in the p21-activated kinase 3 gene (pak3) are responsible for nonsyndromic forms of mental retardation. Expression of mutated PAK3 proteins in hippocampal neurons induces abnormal dendritic spine morphology and long term potentiation anomalies, whereas pak3 gene invalidation leads to cognitive impairments. How PAK3 regulates synaptic plasticity is still largely unknown.

Dynamics of change in the practice of female genital cutting in Senegambia: testing predictions of social convention theory.

Recent reviews of intervention efforts aimed at ending female genital cutting (FGC) have concluded that progress to date has been slow, and call for more efficient programs informed by theories on behavior change. Social convention theory, first proposed by Mackie (1996), posits that in the context of extreme resource inequality, FGC emerged as a means of securing a better marriage by signaling fidelity, and subsequently spread to become a prerequisite for marriage for all women. Change is predicted to result from coordinated abandonment in intermarrying groups so as to preserve a marriage market for uncircumcised girls.

The effects of D-penicillamine on a murine model of oxygen-induced retinopathy.

Purpose: To determine the effect of intraperitoneal and intravitreal D-penicillamine (DPA) on retinal neovascularization in a murine model of oxygen-induced retinopathy.

Methods: On postnatal day 7, 16 mice were injected intraperitoneally with 300 mg/kg/day DPA for 3 days followed by 50 mg/kg/day for 7 days. A different group of 7 mice were injected intraperitoneally with 600 mg/kg/day DPA for 3 days followed by 100 mg/kg/day for 7 days.

What perceptions do patients have of decision making (DM)? Toward an integrative patient-centered care model. A qualitative study using focus-group interviews.

Objective: To understand patients' perceptions of decision making and identify relationships among decision-making models.

Methods: This qualitative study was made up of four focus group interviews (elderly persons, users of health support groups, students, and rural inhabitants). Participants were asked to report their perceptions of decision making in three written clinical scenarios (hypertension, breast cancer, prostate cancer).