Physicochemical Properties and Bioreactivity of Sub-10 μm Geogenic Particles: Comparison of Volcanic Ash and Desert Dust.

Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter of <10 μm (PM) is a well-established health hazard. There is increasing evidence that geogenic (Earth-derived) particles can induce adverse biological effects upon inhalation, though there is high variability in particle bioreactivity that is associated with particle source and physicochemical properties. In this study, we investigated physicochemical properties and biological reactivity of volcanic ash from the April 2021 eruption of La Soufrière volcano, St.

Intestinal Ultrasonography as an Alternative to Fecal Calprotectin to Monitor Patients with Crohn's Disease: Experience from a Novice Sonographer.

Background: While fecal calprotectin (Fcal) is now recommended, the positioning of intestinal ultrasonography (IUS) is still unknown to monitor patients with CD.

Aims: To assess the agreement between IUS performed by a novice sonographer and Fcal to detect active CD and to compare these two monitoring tools to determine the need for therapeutic escalation.

Methods: In this cross-sectional prospective study, we consecutively included CD patients ≥ 18 years-old with concomitant IUS and Fcal testing within 7 days.

Effects of sevoflurane on lung alveolar epithelial wound healing and survival in a sterile in vitro model of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious lung condition that often leads to hospitalization in intensive care units and a high mortality rate. Sevoflurane is a volatile anesthetic with growing interest for sedation in ventilated patients with ARDS. It has been shown to have potential lung-protective effects, such as reduced inflammation and lung edema, or improved arterial oxygenation.

Dysregulation of the Amniotic PPARγ Pathway by Phthalates: Modulation of the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of PPARγ in Human Fetal Membranes.

Phthalates are reprotoxic pollutants that are omnipresent in the environment. Detectable in amniotic fluid, these compounds (with the most concentrated being mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP)) are in direct contact with fetal membranes (FMs). They can lead to the premature rupture of FMs by deregulating cellular and molecular pathways, such as, for example, the nuclear transcription factor peroxysome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) pathway.

Cigarette Smoke Condensate Exposure Induces Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-Products (RAGE)-Dependent Sterile Inflammation in Amniotic Epithelial Cells.

Maternal smoking is a risk factor of preterm prelabor rupture of the fetal membranes (pPROM), which is responsible for 30% of preterm births worldwide. Cigarettes induce oxidative stress and inflammation, mechanisms both implicated in fetal membranes (FM) weakening. We hypothesized that the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and its ligands can result in cigarette-dependent inflammation.

[Remethylation disorders: about two cases].

In order to propose a course of action to be taken in the face of any hyperhomocysteinemia, we have reported for the first time in a French journal the recommendations made within the framework of the European E-HOD project for the diagnosis and treatment of remethylation disorders. The remethylation route ensures homocysteine-methionine conversion. It is linked to the folate cycle and the intracellular metabolism of cobalamins.

[Recommendations for aminoacids chromatography analysis].

Biochemical diagnosis of hereditary metabolic diseases requires the detection and simultaneous identification of a large number of compounds, hence the interest in metabolic profiles. Amino acid chromatography allows the identification and quantification of more than forty compounds. As part of the accreditation process for medical biology examinations according to standard NF EN ISO 15189, the group from SFEIM recommends an approach to accredit amino acid chromatography.

[Recommendations for urinary organic acids analysis].

Biochemical diagnosis of hereditary metabolic diseases requires the detection and simultaneous identification of a large number of compounds, hence the interest in metabolic profiles. Organic acid chromatography allows the identification of several hundred compounds and the quantification of the main molecules of interest. As part of the accreditation process for medical biology examinations according to standard NF EN ISO 15189, the group from the French society for inborn errors of metabolism (SFEIM) recommends an approach to accredit organic acid chromatography.

[Recommendations for acylcarnitine profile analysis].

Biochemical diagnosis of hereditary metabolic diseases requires the detection and simultaneous identification of a large number of compounds, hence the interest in metabolic profiles. Acylcarnitine profile allows the identification and quantification of more than thirty compounds. As part of the accreditation process for medical biology examinations according to standard NF EN ISO 15189, the group from SFEIM recommends an approach to accredit acylcarnitine profile.

Human Amnion Epithelial Cells (AECs) Respond to the FSL-1 Lipopeptide by Engaging the NLRP7 Inflammasome.

Inflammation is the leading mechanism involved in both physiological and pathological rupture of fetal membranes. Our aim was to obtain a better characterization of the inflammasome-dependent inflammation processes in these tissues, with a particular focus on the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor, pyrin domain containing protein 7 (NLRP7) inflammasome. The presence of NLRP7 inflammasome actors [NLRP7, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD domain (ASC), and caspase-1] was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in human amnion and choriodecidua at the three trimesters and at term.

Methyl-donor supplementation prevents intestinal colonization by Adherent-Invasive E. coli in a mouse model of Crohn's disease.

Deficiencies in methyl-donor molecules (folate, B12 vitamin), DNA methylation alteration and high prevalence of Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) are frequently observed in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. AIEC bacteria adhere to the enterocytes through abnormally expressed carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) glycoprotein on host cells. This work aims at studying the relationship between methyl-donor molecules and AIEC-induced intestinal inflammatory response.

Occurrence of a RAGE-Mediated Inflammatory Response in Human Fetal Membranes.

Context: Sterile inflammation has been shown to play a key role in the rupture of the fetal membranes (FMs). Moreover, an early and exacerbated runaway inflammation can evolve into a preterm premature rupture of membranes and lead to potential preterm birth. In this context, we investigated the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), an axis implied in physiological sterile inflammation, in conjunction with two major ligands: AGEs and High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1).

Variation of faecal calprotectin level within the first three months after bowel resection is predictive of endoscopic postoperative recurrence in Crohn's disease.

Background: Early prediction of postoperative recurrence (POR) remains a major concern in Crohn's disease (CD).

Aims: To assess serial faecal calprotectin (Fcal) monitoring within the first three months to predict CD endoscopic POR.

Methods: In a multicenter randomized controlled trial, CD patients received azathioprine 2.

Inherited Metabolic Diseases and Cardiac Pathology in Adults: Diagnosis and Prevalence in a CardioMetabo Study.

Many inherited metabolic diseases (IMD) have cardiac manifestations. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of IMD in adult patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and cardiac rhythm abnormalities that require cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). The study included a review of the medical files of patients aged 18 to 65 years who were followed in our cardiology department during the period 2010-2017.

Macrophages Inability to Mediate Adherent-Invasive Replication is Linked to Autophagy in Crohn's Disease Patients.

The macrophages from Crohn's Disease (CD) patients are defective to control the replication of CD-associated adherent-invasive (AIEC). We aimed to identify the host factors associated with AIEC replication focusing on polymorphisms related to autophagy. Peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), obtained from 95 CD patient, 30 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 15 healthy subjects, were genotyped for several CD-associated polymorphisms.

Combined evaluation of biomarkers as predictor of maintained remission in Crohn's disease.

Background: The individual performances and the complementarity of Crohn's disease (CD) activity index (CDAI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and faecal calprotectin (Fcal) to monitor patients with CD remain poorly investigated in the era of "tight control" and "treat to target" strategies.

Aim: To assess CDAI, CRP and Fcal variation, alone or combined, after 12 wk (W12) of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy to predict corticosteroids-free remission (CFREM = CDAI < 150, CRP < 2.9 mg/L and Fcal < 250 μg/g with no therapeutic intensification and no surgery) at W52.

Vitamin A status in healthy women eating traditionally prepared spirulina (Dihé) in the Chad Lake area.

Background: Chad Lake is a central place in a region with a high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency. Spirulina, a natural source of β-carotene, is traditionally produced and eaten as "Dihé" around Chad Lake. β-carotene spirulina has been found to have a high conversion factor to retinol.

Fecal Matrix Metalloprotease-9 and Lipocalin-2 as Biomarkers in Detecting Endoscopic Activity in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Background: Fecal biomarkers are emerging tools in the assessment of mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Goals: We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of fecal matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) and fecal lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) compared with calprotectin in detecting endoscopic activity in IBD STUDY:: Overall, 86 IBD adults underwent colonoscopy consecutively and prospectively, with Crohn's disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS) in Crohn's disease (CD) patients or Mayo endoscopic subscore calculation for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, and stool collection. Fecal calprotectin was measured using quantitative immunochromatographic testing.

Immune status is more affected by age than by carotenoid depletion-repletion in healthy human subjects.

Prospective studies have indicated an age-related impairment of the immune response. Carotenoids have been hypothesised to enhance immune cell function. The aim of the present study was to describe the age-related effects and the impact of in vivo dietary carotenoid depletion and repletion on specific and non-specific immunity.

Neutrophils are immune cells preferentially targeted by retinoic acid in elderly subjects.

Background: The immune system gradually deteriorates with age and nutritional status is a major factor in immunosenescence. Of the many nutritional factors implicated in age-related immune dysfunction, vitamin A may be a good candidate, since vitamin A concentrations classically decrease during aging whereas it may possess important immunomodulatory properties via its active metabolites, the retinoic acids. This prompted us to investigate the immune response induced by retinoids in adults and elderly healthy subjects.

Differential effects of lycopene consumed in tomato paste and lycopene in the form of a purified extract on target genes of cancer prostatic cells.

Background: Prospective studies indicate that tomato consumers are protected against prostate cancer. Lycopene has been hypothesized to be responsible for tomato health benefits.

Objective: Our aim was to differentiate the effects of tomato matrix from those of lycopene by using lycopene-rich red tomatoes, lycopene-free yellow tomatoes, and purified lycopene.

Continuous infusion of methylprednisolone via paediatric parenteral nutrition: a pharmacokinetic animal study.

Background & Aims: The aim of our study consisted to measure the pharmacokinetic parameters of methylprednisolone administered in a continuous infusion of a paediatric parenteral nutrition mixture for 24h in the rabbit.

Methods: Fourteen rabbits were split into two groups and assigned a different administration vehicle (all-in-one or two-in-one nutrition mixture). We used USC PACK* pharmacokinetics software to compare the influence of the composition of the paediatric parenteral nutritional solutions on the values of the pharmacokinetic parameters of methylprednisolone.

In vivo and in vitro evidences that carotenoids could modulate the neutrophil respiratory burst during dietary manipulation.

Background: The primary role of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) is to destroy pathogenic microorganisms after phagocytosis by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and toxic molecules. However, PMNs produce sufficient amounts of ROS during an oxidative burst to be autotoxic and detrimental to their own functions and to possibly cause DNA damage, protein and lipid oxidation and cell membrane destructuration.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate in vivo the role of the antioxidant capacities of carotenoids in modulating ROS content in PMNs during oxidative burst.

Pre- and postoperative aminoacidemia in breast cancer: a study vs. matched healthy subjects.

Various alterations of aminoacidemia have been described during breast cancer. The aim of this study was first to establish the specific modifications of plasma-free amino acid concentrations by a comparative study of 19 patients with mammary tumors and 18 healthy volunteers, and, second, to determine the evolution of aminoacidemia after surgical tumor removal. Aminoacidemia was determined the day before (D0), and then five days, one month (M1), and six months after surgical removal of the tumor, and a single determination was performed in control subjects.