Quantum processing of images by continuous wave optical parametric amplification

We have experimentally shown that a degenerate optical parametric oscillator pumped by a cw laser, inserted in a cavity having degenerate transverse modes such as a hemiconfocal or confocal cavity, and operating below the oscillation threshold in the regime of phase sensitive amplification, is able to process input images of various shapes in the quantum regime. More precisely, when deamplified, the image is amplitude squeezed; when amplified, its two polarization components are intensity correlated at the quantum level. In addition, the amplification process of the images is shown to take place in the noiseless regime.

At identical isowork rates, ageing influences cardiorespiratory adaptations in COPD out-patients

PURPOSE

To determine the extent to which younger COPD patients improve their cardiorespiratory function during exercise in comparison with older COPD patients, as a result of exercise training.

METHODS

Thirty-nine COPD patients underwent an exercise program. They were divided into two groups: a younger group (57.2+/-1.0 years, n=18 patients) and an older group (68.8+/-0.6 years, n=21 patients). Forced expiratory volume in 1s was lower than 55% of the predicted value for all patients.

RESULTS

After training, VO2 symptom-limited significantly improved by 10.3% and 8.4% for the younger and older COPD patients, respectively (P<0.05). Peak power significantly improved by 25.2% and 17.8% in the younger and older groups, respectively (P<0.05) with a greater improvement for the younger group (P<0.05). At submaximal exercise, ventilation and heart rate significantly decreased after training in the younger COPD patients (P<0.05) with no significant modification in the older COPD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that all patients with COPD benefit from exercise rehabilitation at maximal exercise workload, however, according to their age, submaximal cardiorespiratory adaptations were greater in younger patients.

Optimal Exercise Intensity in Trained Elderly Men and Women

The purpose of our investigation was to suggest a new approach to determine exercise intensities in master elderly athletes. Sixteen trained elderly men (63.0 +/- 2.9 years) and 8 trained elderly women (62.3 +/- 5.5 years), performed an exhaustive exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate reserve (HRr) were determined at the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2). There was no significant difference between genders in RPE and HRr, whatever the exercise intensity. RPE scores corresponded to 12.4 +/- 0.9 in men and 12.7 +/- 1.3 in women at VT1. At VT2, RPE was 15.2 +/- 0.8 and 15.3 +/- 1.1 in men and women, respectively. HR at VT1 corresponded to 59.3 +/- 7.0% in men and 59.5 +/- 5.1% in women, whereas at VT2, HR was measured at 80.5 +/- 6.4% and 79.5 +/- 5.9% HRr, in men and women, respectively. Because it is not practical to measure VT1 and VT2 in routine clinical practice, the present study indicated that, in trained older men and women, the RPE value of 12 - 13 and/or 60 % HRr might be used to detect the exercise intensity at VT1. An RPE score of 15 and/or 80 % HRr would appear to be good indexes in the prescription of exercise intensity at VT2.

Difference in breathing strategies during exercise between trained elderly men and women

This study compared the ventilatory responses and exercise tidal flow-volume (Vt) loops during exercise in order to analyze the influence of gender on breathing strategy in a fit aging population. Sixteen trained elderly men (63.0+/-2.9 years) and eight peer women (62.3 +/- 5.5 years) performed an incremental test on a cycle ergometer. At 90% maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), the women presented a significantly higher expiratory flow limitation (EFL) than the men (38 +/- 10 vs 17 +/- 8% of Vt, respectively) (P<0.01) and a lower value of expiratory reserve volume relative to forced vital capacity (FVC) compared with the men (16.8 +/- 5.3% vs 23.0 +/- 5.2%, respectively) (P<0.05). Inspiratory reserve volume relative to FVC was significantly higher in women than men at 50% (P<0.05), 70% (P<0.01) and 90%VO2max (25.2 +/- 5.4% vs 12.2 +/- 4.2%, respectively, at 90%VO2max) (P<0.01). Mechanical ventilatory constraints occurred in trained elderly men and women. However, different breathing strategies were observed relative to gender. A significantly higher EFL was measured in women, whereas men rather presented a dynamic hyperinflation. This specific breathing strategy measured in trained elderly women would induce lower ventilatory efficiency than in peer men.

Tools for multimode quantum information: modulation, detection, and spatial quantum correlations

We present the key elements required for continuous variable parallel quantum information protocols based on spatial multimode quantum correlations. We describe techniques for encoding, combining and detecting spatial quantum information with high efficiency in the individual transverse modes. Until now, the missing feature for the implementation of such protocols was the generation of squeezing in higher order transverse Hermite-Gauss modes. We experimentally demonstrate squeezing in selective modes by fine-tuning the phase matching condition of the nonlinear chi(2) material and the cavity resonance condition of an optical parametric amplifier. Combined, these results open the way to practical multimode optical quantum information systems.

Immunotherapy with an Aluminum Hydroxide-Adsorbed Juniperus ashei Foreign Pollen Extract in Seasonal Indigenous Cypress Pollen Rhinoconjunctivitis

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of standardized Juniperus ashei extract was assessed in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to European cypress pollens.

METHODS

Forty adults with European cypress-allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were randomized to receive immunotherapy or a matched placebo. Specific immunotherapy was performed with a standardized, aluminum hydroxide-adsorbed J. ashei extract with a potency of 100 IR (arbitrary index of reactivity) containing 54 microg of Jun a 1/ml (Alustal, Stallergenes, France). Subcutaneous injections started in October 2000. The maintenance dose was 0.30 ml of the 100-IR concentration per month. Rhinitis and conjunctivitis symptoms were rated according to a 4-point score.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients from the treated group and 15 patients from the placebo group completed year 2001; 14 in each group completed year 2002. A statistically significant improvement (41%, p < 0.02) in the conjunctivitis symptom score was observed in actively treated patients compared to the placebo group at the peak of the 2001 pollen season. Improvement in rhinitis (17%) was not significant. This significant improvement was greater at the peak of the 2002 pollen season (63%, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study therefore indirectly validates the concept of treatment by major allergen because J. ashei is absent from the region in which this study was conducted.

NF-kappaB inhibition sensitizes to starvation-induced cell death in high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia

CD34(+) bone marrow blasts from high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients as well as MDS patient-derived cell lines (P39 and MOLM13) constitutively activate the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway and undergo apoptosis when NF-kappaB is inhibited. Here, we show that the combination of conventional chemotherapeutic agents (daunorubicin, mitoxantrone, 5-azacytidine or camptothecin) with the NF-kappaB inhibitor BAY11-7082 did not yield a synergistic cytotoxicity. In contrast, BAY11-7082 (which targets the NF-kappaB-activating I-kappaB kinase (IKK) complex) or knockdown of essential components of the NF-kappaB system (such as the IKK1 and IKK2 subunits of the IKK complex and the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB), by small interfering RNAs sensitized MDS cell lines to starvation-induced apoptosis. The combination of BAY11-7082 and nutrient depletion synergistically killed the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line U937 as well as primary CD34(+) bone marrow blasts from AML and high-risk MDS patients. The synergistic killing by BAY11-7082, combined with nutrient depletion, led to cell death accompanied by all hallmarks of apoptosis, including an early loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, the release of cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria, activation of caspase-3, phosphatidylserine exposure on the plasma membrane surface and nuclear chromatin condensation. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of numerous autophagic vacuoles in the cytoplasm before cells underwent nuclear apoptosis. Nonetheless, cell death was neither inhibited by the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk nor by knockdown of AIF or of essential components of the autophagy pathway (ATG5, ATG6/Beclin-1, ATG10, ATG12). In contrast, external supply of glucose, insulin or insulin-like growth factor-I could retard the cell death induced by BAY11-7082 combined with starvation. These results suggest that in MDS cells, NF-kappaB inhibition can precipitate a bioenergetic crisis that leads to an autophagic stress response followed by apoptotic cell death.

Inhibition of NEMO, the regulatory subunit of the IKK complex, induces apoptosis in high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia

In high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), blasts constitutively activate the antiapoptotic transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Here, we show that this NF-kappaB activation relies on the constitutive activation of the IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex, which is formed by the IKKalpha, IKKbeta and IKKgamma/NF-kappaB essential modulator (NEMO) subunits. A cell-permeable peptide that mimics the leucine zipper subdomain of IKKgamma, thus preventing its oligomerization, inhibited the constitutive NF-kappaB activation and induced apoptotic cell death in a panel of human MDS and AML cell lines (P39, MOLM13, THP1 and MV4-11). Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of the p65 NF-kappaB subunit or the three IKK subunits including IKKgamma/NEMO also induced apoptotic cell death in P39 cells. Cell death induced by the IKKgamma/NEMO-antagonistic peptide involved the caspase-independent loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential as well as signs of outer mitochondrial membrane permeabilization with the consequent release of cytochrome c, apoptosis-inducing factor and endonuclease G. Primary bone marrow CD34(+) cells from high-risk MDS and AML patients also succumbed to the IKKgamma/NEMO-antagonistic peptide, but not to a mutated control peptide. Altogether, these data indicate that malignant cells in high-risk MDS and AML cells critically depend on IKKgamma/NEMO to survive. Moreover, our data delineate a novel procedure for their therapeutic removal, through inhibition of IKKgamma/NEMO oligomerization.

Direct production of tripartite pump-signal-idler entanglement in the above-threshold optical parametric oscillator

We calculate the quantum correlations existing among the three output fields (pump, signal, and idler) of a triply resonant nondegenerate optical parametric oscillator operating above threshold. By applying the standard criteria [P. van Loock and A. Furusawa, Phys. Rev. A 67, 052315 (2003)], we show that strong tripartite continuous-variable entanglement is present in this well-known and simple system. Furthermore, since the entanglement is generated directly from a nonlinear process, the three entangled fields can have very different frequencies, opening the way for multicolored quantum information networks.

Breathing strategy in master athletes and untrained elderly subjects according to the incremental protocol

To analyze the influence of step-duration protocol (1 vs. 3 min) on breathing strategy according to the physical fitness of healthy elderly subjects, this study compared the ventilatory responses and exercise tidal flow-volume loops (ETFVL) at the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1and VT2). Nineteen master athletes (mean age (± SD), 63.1 ± 3.2 y; [Formula: see text]O2 max, 41.5 mL·(min·kg)-1) and 8 untrained elderly subjects (age, 65.5 ± 2.3 y; [Formula: see text]O2 max, 25.8 mL·(min·kg)-1) performed 2 exhaustive exercise tests on a cycle ergometer. In untrained subjects, at VT1and VT2, no significant difference was measured in ventilatory responses and ETFVL between protocols. Master athletes, at VT2, presented a significantly higher [Formula: see text]CO2(P < 0.01), ventilation ([Formula: see text]E; P < 0.01), breathing frequency (fb; P < 0.05), tidal volume relative to inspiratory capatcity (Vt/IC) (P < 0.01),Vtrelative to forced vital capacity (Vt/FVC; P < 0.05), and lower inspiratory reserve volume relative to FVC (IRV/FVC; P < 0.01) during the 1 min protocol than during the 3 min protocol. Master athletes, at maximal exercise, expressed significantly higher [Formula: see text]CO2(P < 0.01) and dyspnea (P < 0.05) with the shorter protocol. We concluded that, in untrained subjects, neither incremental exercise test had an impact on respiratory responses during exercise. Nevertheless, in master athletes, breathing strategy seems to be protocol dependent. The short test induced higher mechanical ventilatory constraints and dyspneic feeling than the long protocol, which could be explained by a higher [Formula: see text]E itself linked to a greater [Formula: see text]CO2and a higher blood lactate concentration.Key words: exercise flow-volume loops, master athletes, submaximal exercise, mechanical ventilatory constraints.

Targeting NF-κB in hematologic malignancies

The transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) can intervene in oncogenesis by virtue of its capacity to regulate the expression of a plethora of genes that modulate apoptosis, and cell survival as well as proliferation, inflammation, tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. Different reports demonstrate the intrinsic activation of NF-kappaB in lymphoid and myeloid malignancies, including preneoplastic conditions such as myelodysplastic syndromes, underscoring its implication in malignant transformation. Targeting intrinsic NF-kappaB activation, as well as its upstream and downstream regulators, may hence constitute an additional approach to the oncologist's armamentarium. Several small inhibitors of the NF-kappaB-activatory kinase IkappaB kinase, of the proteasome, or of the DNA binding of NF-kappaB subunits are under intensive investigation. Currently used cytotoxic agents can induce NF-kappaB activation as an unwarranted side effect, which confers apoptosis suppression and hence resistance to these drugs. Thus, NF-kappaB inhibitory molecules may be clinically useful, either as single therapeutic agents or in combination with classical chemotherapeutic agents, for the treatment of hematological malignancies.

Evidence of ventilatory constraints in healthy exercising prepubescent children

We assessed expiratory airflow limitation (exp FL) in 18 healthy prepubescent children (6 girls and 12 boys, 10.1 +/- 0.3 years old), and examined how it might modulate regulation of tidal volume (V(T)) during exercise. The children performed a maximal incremental exercise on a cycle ergometer, preceded and followed by pulmonary function tests. Throughout exercise, breathing flow-volume loops were plotted into the maximal flow-volume loop (MFVL) measured at rest. End-expiratory and end-inspiratory lung volumes were estimated by measuring expiratory reserve volume relative to forced vital capacity (ERV/FVC), and inspiratory reserve volume relative to forced vital capacity (IRV/FVC), respectively. The exp FL, expressed as a percentage of V(T), was defined as the part of the tidal breath meeting the boundary of the MFVL. Ten children (FL) presented an exp FL at peak exercise (range, 16-78% of V(T)), and the remaining 8 constituted a non-flow-limited group (NFL). At peak exercise, FL presented a higher IRV/FVC and lower ERV/FVC (P < 0.01) than NFL children, demonstrating two different exercise breathing patterns. These results suggest that the NFL regulated V(T) at high lung volume, avoiding exp FL, while the FL breathed at low lung volume, leading to exp FL. At peak exercise, FL presented lower values of minute ventilation (P<0.05) and oxygen uptake (P<0.05) than NFL. Nevertheless, oxygen arterial saturation and dyspnea were similar in the two groups. In conclusion, ventilatory constraints may occur in healthy prepubescent children and result in relative dynamic hyperinflation or expiratory flow limitation.

Exercise flow-volume loops in prepubescent aerobically trained children

We studied mechanical ventilatory constraints in 13 aerobically trained (Tr) and 11 untrained (UT) prepubescent children by plotting the exercise flow-volume (F-V) loops within the maximal F-V loop (MFVL) measured at rest. The MFVL allowed to determine forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximal expiratory flows. Expiratory and inspiratory reserve volumes relative to FVC (ERV/FVC and IRV/FVC, respectively) were measured during a progressive exercise test until exhaustion. Breathing reserve (BR) and expiratory flow limitation (expFL), expressed in percentage of tidal volume (Vt) and defined as the part of the tidal breath meeting the boundary of the MFVL, were measured. Higher FVC and maximal expiratory flows were found in Tr than UT ( P < 0.05) at rest. Our results have shown that during exercise, excepting one subject, all Tr regulated their Vt within FVC similarly during exercise, by breathing at low lung volume at the beginning of exercise followed breathing at high lung volume at strenuous exercise. In UT, ERV/FVC and IRV/FVC were regulated during exercise in many ways. The proportion of children who presented an expFL was nearly the same in both groups (∼70% with a range of 14 to 65% of Vt), and no significant difference was found during exercise concerning expFL. However, higher ventilation (V̇e), ERV/FVC, and dyspnea associated with lower BR, IRV/FVC, and SaO2 were reported at peak power in Tr than UT ( P < 0.05). These results suggest that, because of their higher V̇e level, trained children presented higher ventilatory constraints than untrained. These may influence negatively the SaO2 level and dyspnea during strenuous exercise.

Recrudescence of imported falciparum malaria after quinine therapy: potential drug interaction with phenytoin

Quinine remains a reliable treatment for falciparum malaria in most parts of the world. We report recrudescence of imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria following quinine treatment in the context of concurrent phenytoin use. Supported by a subtherapeutic quinine level, we hypothesise that a drug interaction with phenytoin may compromise the efficacy of quinine in the treatment of malaria.

Incremental Exercise Tests in Master Athletes and Untrained Older Adults

This study aimed to analyze the impact of step-duration protocols, 1-min vs. 3-min, on cardiorespiratory responses to exercise, whatever the aerobic-fitness level of sedentary (65.5 ± 2.3 years,n= 8) or highly fit (63.1 ± 3.2 years,n= 19) participants. Heart rate and VO2at the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1, VT2) and maximal exercise were not significantly different between the two protocols. In master athletes, the 3-min protocol elicited significantly lower ventilation at VT2and maximal exercise (p< .01). In the latter, breathlessness was also lower at maximal exercise (p< .05) than in sedentary participants. In trained or sedentary older adults, VT1, VT2, and VO2maxwere not influenced by stage duration. According to the lower breathlessness and ventilation, however, the 3-min step protocol could be more appropriate in master athletes. In untrained participants, because the cardiorespiratory responses were similar with the two incremental exercise tests, either of them could be used.

High-intensity intermittent running training improves pulmonary function and alters exercise breathing pattern in children

We investigated the effects of short duration running training on resting and exercise lung function in healthy prepubescent children. One trained group (TrG) (n = 9; three girls and six boys; age = 9.7 +/- 0.9 year) participated in 8 weeks of high-intensity intermittent running training and was compared to a control group (ContG) (n = 9; four girls and five boys; age = 10.3 +/- 0.7 year). Before and after the 8-week period, the children performed pulmonary function tests and an incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer. After the 8-week period, no change was found in pulmonary function in ContG. Conversely, an increase in forced vital capacity (FVC) (+7 +/- 4% ; P = 0.026), forced expiratory volume in one second (+11 +/- 6% ; P = 0.025), peak expiratory flows (+17 +/- 4% ; P = 0.005), maximal expiratory flows at 50% (+16 +/- 10% ; P = 0.019) and 75% (+15 +/- 8% ; P = 0.006) of FVC were reported in TrG. At peak exercise, TrG displayed higher values of peak oxygen consumption (+15 +/- 4% ; P < 0.001), minute ventilation (+16 +/- 5% ; P = 0.033) and tidal volume (+15 +/- 5% ; P = 0.019) after training. At sub-maximal exercise, ventilatory response to exercise DeltaV(E)/DeltaV(CO(2)) was lower (P = 0.017) in TrG after training, associated with reduced end-tidal partial oxygen pressure (P < 0.05) and higher end-tidal partial carbon dioxide pressure (P = 0.026). Lower deadspace volume relative to tidal volume was found at each stage of exercise in TrG after training (P < 0.05). Eight weeks of high-intensity intermittent running training enhanced resting pulmonary function and led to deeper exercise ventilation reflecting a better effectiveness in prepubescent children.

Ventilatory threshold characterizations during incremental rowing and cycling exercises in older subjects

In order to individualize the intensity of an aerobic training program on different ergometers in healthy elderly subjects using a single test of muscular exercise, we analysed cardiorespiratory responses in 8 men (65.7 +/- 4.5 yrs) and 10 women (63.3 +/- 4.8 yrs). The heart rate corresponding to the ventilatory threshold was defined as individualised exercise intensity. All subjects carried out two incremental exercise tests on the cycle and rowing ergometers. For men, the results on the cycle ergometer and rowing ergometer demonstrated that, at ventilatory threshold, heart rates were not significantly different (114.6 +/- 13.7 and 115.6 +/- 14.2 beats x min (-1), respectively), but ventilation was significantly higher in rowing (p < 0.05). At ventilatory threshold, heart rates for women were not significantly different between the cycle ergometer and rowing ergometer (121.3 +/- 12.4 and 125.1 +/- 15.2 beats x min (-1 ), respectively), but ventilation was significantly higher in rowing (p< 0.01). At maximal exercise, maximal tidal volume for men (p < 0.01) and women (p < 0.05) was significantly higher in rowing. In spite of alterations of breathing patterns on the rowing ergometer, it is possible to design an individualized training program for healthy elderly subjects based on a single muscle evaluation exercise in order to diversify and optimize the cardiorespiratory benefits following an aerobic training program.

[Effects of training on static and dynamic balance in elderly subjects who have had a fall or not]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of a physical training program on static and dynamic balance during single and dual task conditions in elderly subjects who have had a fall or not.

PATIENTS

Two groups, comprising a total of 33 elderly subjects, were trained: 16 who had a fall were 69.2 +/- 5.0 years old and 17 who had not had a fall were 67.3 +/- 3.8 years.

METHODS

All subjects underwent an unipedal test with eyes open and eyes closed, followed by gait assessment during single and dual motor task conditions, before and after a physical training program.

RESULTS

All subjects showed a significant decrease, by six times for subjects who had fallen and four times by those who had not, in the number of touch-downs in the unipedal test with eyes open (P < 0.05), and by 2.5 and 2 times, respectively, with eyes closed (P < 0.05) after the training program. All subjects showed a significant increase in speed (P < 0.05), cadence (P < 0.05) and stride length (P < 0.05) and a significant decrease in the single support time (P < 0.05) and stride time (P < 0.05) in gait assessment during single and dual task conditions after the training program. During the training program, no subjects fell.

CONCLUSION

The physical training program improved static balance and quality of gait in elderly subjects who had had a fall and those who had not, which could contribute to minimizing and/or retarding the effects of aging and maintaining physical independence.

[Ragweed pollinosis in the Gard and the Vaucluse: myth or reality? For the Associated Group of Independent Allergologues and Hospital Staff of Nimes]

Thirteen allergists reviewed 18 patients living and working in Vaucluse and Gard who suffered from ragweed from August 15 to October 15 2004. This preliminary study showed how difficult it is to realise a clinical data collection about pollinosis. It is entirely necessary to work together to build the protocol, with a clear and valid definition of inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Evidence of exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia in prepubescent trained children

Exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia (EIAH) is a recognized phenomenon in highly trained adults. Like adult athletes, prepubescent trained children may develop high-level metabolic demand but with a limited lung capacity in comparison with adults. The purpose of this investigation was to search for evidence of EIAH in prepubescent trained children. Twenty-four prepubescent (age: 10.3 +/- 0.2 y) trained children (10.0 +/- 0.7 h of weekly physical activity) performed pulmonary function tests and a graded maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer. EIAH was defined as a drop of at least 4% from resting level arterial oxygen saturation (Sao(2)) measured by pulse oximetry. EIAH was observed in seven children. Forced vital capacity (FVC), ventilatory response to exercise (Delta(E)/Deltaco(2)), and breathing reserve at maximal exercise were significantly lower, whereas tidal volume relative to FVC was higher in hypoxemic children than in nonhypoxemic children; weekly physical activity and maximal oxygen uptake were similar. Moreover, positive relationships were found between Sao(2) at maximal exercise and breathing reserve (r = 0.56; p < 0.05) or volume relative to FVC (r = 0.70; p < 0.01). EIAH may occur in prepubescent trained children with a relatively low maximal oxygen uptake (42 mL. min(-1). kg(-1)); however, the mechanisms remain unclear and need to be investigated more accurately.

Evidence of Exercise-Induced O2Arterial Desaturation in Non-Elite Sportsmen and Sportswomen Following High-Intensity Interval-Training

The aim of this study was to investigate the development of exercise-induced hypoxemia (EIH defined as an exercise decrease > 4 % in oxygen arterial saturation, i. e. SaO (2) measured with a portable pulse oximeter) in twelve sportsmen and ten sportswomen (18.5 +/- 0.5 years) who were non-elite and not initially engaged in endurance sport or training. They followed a high-intensity interval-training program to improve V.O (2)max for eight weeks. The training running speeds were set at approximately 140 % V.O (2)max running speed up to 100 % 20-m maximal running speed. Pre- and post-training pulmonary gas exchanges and SaO (2) were measured during an incremental running field-test. After the training period, men and women increased their V.O (2)max (p < 0.001) by 10.0 % and 7.8 %, respectively. Nine subjects (seven men and two women) developed EIH. This phenomenon appeared even in sportsmen with low V.O (2)max from 45 ml x min (-1) x kg (-1) and seemed to be associated with inadequate hyperventilation induced by training: because only this hypoxemic group showed 1) a decrease in maximal ventilatory equivalent in O (2) (V.E/V.O (2), p < 0.01) although maximal ventilation increased (p < 0.01) with training, i. e. in EIH-subjects the ventilatory response increased less than the metabolic demand after the training program; 2) a significant relationship between SaO (2) at maximal workload and the matched V.E/V.O (2) (p < 0.05, r = 0.67) which strengthened a relative hypoventilation implication in EIH. In conclusion, in this field investigation the significant decrease in the minimum SaO (2) inducing the development of EIH after high-intensity interval-training indicates that changes in training conditions could be accompanied in approximately 40 % non-endurance sportive subjects by alterations in the degree of arterial oxyhemoglobin desaturation developing during exercise.

Conditional preparation of a quantum state in the continuous variable regime: generation of a sub-Poissonian state from twin beams

We report the first experimental demonstration of conditional preparation of a nonclassical state of light in the continuous variable regime. Starting from a nondegenerate optical parametric oscillator which generates above threshold quantum intensity correlated signal and idler "twin beams," we keep the recorded values of the signal intensity only when the idler intensity falls inside a band narrower than its standard deviation. By this very simple technique, we generate a sub-Poissonian state 4.4 dB (64%) below shot noise from twin beams exhibiting 7.5 dB (82%) of noise reduction in the intensity difference.

Effects of physical training on the physical capacity of frail, demented patients with a history of falling: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

to develop a physical training programme to improve balance in dependent, demented, people with a history of falling, and so decrease falls and increase autonomy.

METHODS

the study was undertaken on 20 demented elderly people with a history of falling with an average age of 81.4+/-4.7 years and an average mini mental state score of 16.3+/-6.5. They had all passed 'get up and go', 'chair sit and reach', walking speed and static balance tests. They were assigned to a control group or a training group; the latter were trained with two sessions a week for 16 weeks.

RESULTS

walking, mobility, flexibility and static balance were significantly improved in the training group (P<0.05), but not in the controls. The trained subjects did not suffer a relapse, while the controls did during the training period.

CONCLUSION

the balance of frail, demented, elderly patients with a history of falling can be improved by training.

Effects of high intensity intermittent training on peak VO(2) in prepubertal children

This study was designed to examine peak VO(2) responses of prepubescent children following a 7-week aerobic training. Twenty-three boys and thirty girls (9.7 +/- 0.8 years) were divided into a high intensity experimental group (HIEG: 20 girls and 13 boys) and a control group (CG: 10 girls and 10 boys). A graded 20-m shuttle run with measurement of gas exchange values was performed prior to and after the 7-week training program. The test consisted of a 3-min run at 7 km x h(-1) to determine energy cost of running, immediately followed by a 20-meter shuttle run test. HIEG had two 30 min-sessions of short intermittent aerobic training per week at velocities ranging from 100 up to 130 % of the maximal aerobic speed. For HIEG, absolute peak VO(2)(9.1 %) and relative to body mass peak VO(2)(8.2 %) increased significantly (p < 0.001); it was unchanged in the CG. Similarly, maximal shuttle run improved significantly in HIEG (5.1 %, p < 0.001). In contrast, there was no significant change for CG. For both groups energy cost of running remained unchanged. These findings show that prepubescent children could significantly increase their peak VO(2) and maximal shuttle velocity with high intensity short intermittent aerobic exercises.

Improvement of cognitive function by mental and/or individualized aerobic training in healthy elderly subjects

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic and mental training on cognitive function and to determine if the association of the two techniques shows better results. Thirty-two healthy elderly subjects (60 - 76 years) were assigned to one of four groups: aerobic training, mental training, combined aerobic and mental training and a control group. All subjects took two cognitive tests and an incremental exercise test before and after the training period. The intensity of exercise was individualized at the heart rate corresponding to the ventilatory threshold of each subject. After two months, the control group showed no alteration in physiological and cognitive variables. After the training period, the results showed a significant improvement in VO(2)max (F = 4.45, DF = 1, p < 0.05) of 12 % and 11 % in aerobic training and combined aerobic and mental training groups, respectively. Logical memory (F = 4.31, DF = 1, p < 0.05), as well as paired associates learning scores (F = 5.47, DF = 1, p < 0.05) and memory quotient (F = 6.52, DF = 1, p < 0.01) were significantly improved in the three trained groups. The mean difference in memory quotient between pre and post training was significantly higher in the combined aerobic and mental training group compared to aerobic training or mental training groups (F = 11.60, DF = 3, p < 0.001). We conclude that the specific aerobic training and mental training used in this study could induce the same degree of improvement in cognitive function and that combined training seemed to lead to greater effects than either technique alone.

Surpassing the standard quantum limit for optical imaging using nonclassical multimode light

Using continuous wave superposition of spatial modes, we demonstrate experimentally displacement measurement of a light beam below the standard quantum limit. Multimode squeezed light is obtained by mixing a vacuum squeezed beam and a coherent beam that are spatially orthogonal. Although the resultant beam is not squeezed, it is shown to have strong internal spatial correlations. We show that the position of such a light beam can be measured using a split detector with an increased precision compared to a classical beam. This method can be used to improve the sensitivity of small displacement measurements.

[The allergic pregnant woman]

Drugs administrated to pregnant women must be carefully monitored. Prevention of dietary sensitization in foetus via the mother is still discussed. However, it must not induce any dietary deficiency to both the mother and the foetus. Environmental prevention is also controversial. Asthmatic pregnant women must be treated because under- or non treatment is more dangerous for both the woman and the foetus compared to eventual drug side effect. Asthma must be treated with inhaled glucocorticosteroid in order to be stabilized because giving birth is the only moment which can not be interrupted. Antihistamine-H1 which can be used during pregnancy are dexchlorpheniramine for the first and second third and cetirizine during the last third of the pregnancy.

[Cupressaceae hay fever]

Cypress allergy or rather Cupressaceae allergy is an extraordinary observation subject and study model. Annual R.N.S.A. meeting is a good opportunity to share the analysts and sentinel doctors' point of view on this subject. For the medicine sentinel of the Nîmes's pollen site, the development of these Cupressaceae sensitivities is becoming a true public health priority. This feeling is shared by the southern sector responsible of the French network. It is absolutely necessary to develop actions.

Quantum limits on optical resolution

We discuss the ultimate limit imposed by quantum fluctuations of light for resolution of fine details in optical images. For this purpose, we extend in the quantum domain the classical analysis of the object reconstruction, or superresolution, in terms of prolate spheroidal function basis. We derive the expression for ultimate resolution limit in the reconstructed object using an illumination of the full object plane by a multimode squeezed vacuum. We show that the gain in resolution using multimode squeezed light is maximum when the Shannon number of the imaging system is close to unity.

Quantum limits in the measurement of very small displacements in optical images

We consider the problem of the measurement of very small displacements in the transverse plane of an optical image with a split photodetector. We show that the standard quantum limit for such a measurement, which is equal to the diffraction limit divided by the square root of the number of photons used in the measurement, cannot be overcome by use of ordinary single-mode squeezed light. We give the form of possible multimode nonclassical states of light, enabling us to enhance by orders of magnitude the resolution of such a measurement beyond the standard quantum limit.