The impact of methoxypropylamino cyclohexenylidene ethoxyethylcyanoacetate (MCE) UVA1 filter on pigmentary and ageing signs: An outdoor prospective 8-week randomized, intra-individual comparative study in two populations of different genetic background

BACKGROUND

Of all ultraviolet (UV) radiations reaching the earth, UVA1 rays have a higher potential of penetrating and producing clinically harmful consequences. While UV radiations up to 370 nm are well-blocked by current sunscreens, a photoprotection gap remains for the UVA1 wavelengths between 370 and 400 nm.

OBJECTIVE

This study was to assess under outdoor summer conditions the impact on pigmentation and skin ageing signs of a protection against UVA1 using methoxypropylamino cyclohexenylidene ethoxyethylcyanoacetate (MCE) filter added to a reference SPF50 sunscreen, in comparison with the same sunscreen without the MCE filter.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective randomized comparative intra-individual study was conducted in 113 women in Brazil and China. Subjects had their face and two forearms exposed twice-daily to a 1-h outdoor sunlight exposure over 8 weeks. Before exposure, the SPF50 sunscreen containing 3% MCE was applied on one half-face and one forearm and the same reference product without MCE on the other half-face and forearm. Primary study endpoint was skin colour changes (chromametry). Other endpoints included expert panel grading of pigmentation and facial skin ageing, and naïve panel assessment of facial skin radiance and homogeneity.

RESULTS

After 8 weeks, the skin was darker on both forearms but the increase in sun-induced pigmentation was smaller with the SPF50/MCE sunscreen. Expert panel evaluations showed no change in severity scores for pigmentation and a decreased severity scores for facial skin ageing in areas protected with the SPF50/MCE product: severity scores in areas protected with the SPF50 alone were either increased (pigmentation) or unchanged (skin ageing). Naïve panel evaluations of skin radiance and homogeneity showed statistically significant superiority of the SPF50/MCE product.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study demonstrates that a protection with the SPF50/MCE sunscreen significantly reduces pigmentation and ageing signs compared to the same SPF50 sunscreen.

Effects of FW2 Nanoparticles Toxicity in a New In Vitro Pulmonary Vascular Cells Model Mimicking Endothelial Dysfunction

Several epidemiological studies have revealed the involvement of nanoparticles (NPs) in respiratory and cardiovascular mortality. In this work, the focus will be on the effect of manufactured carbon black NPs for risk assessment of consumers and workers, as human exposure is likely to increase. Since the pulmonary circulation could be one of the primary targets of inhaled NPs, patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension (PH) could be a population at risk. To compare the toxic effect of carbon black NPs in the pulmonary circulation under physiologic and pathological conditions, we developed a new in vitro model mimicking the endothelial dysfunction and vascular dynamics observed in vascular pathology such as PH. Human pulmonary artery endothelial cells were cultured under physiological conditions (static and normoxia 21% O₂) or under pathological conditions (20% cycle stretch and hypoxia 1% O₂). Then, cells were treated for 4 or 6 h with carbon black FW2 NPs from 5 to 10 µg/cm². Different endpoints were studied: (i) NPs internalization by transmission electronic microscopy; (ii) oxidative stress by CM-H₂DCFDA probe and electron paramagnetic resonance; (iii) NO (nitrites and nitrates) production by Griess reaction; (iv) inflammation by ELISA assay; and (v) calcium signaling by confocal microscopy. The present study characterizes the in vitro model mimicking endothelial dysfunction in PH and indicates that, under such pathological conditions, oxidative stress and inflammation are increased along with calcium signaling alterations, as compared to the physiological conditions. Human exposure to carbon black NPs could produce greater deleterious effects in vulnerable patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

Early complications and causes of revision after rotating-hinge TKA

INTRODUCTION

The use of rotating-hinge total knee arthroplasties (TKA), despite several developments in prosthetic design, remains controversial. Results as well as indications of these devices are still discussed in primary intention and for young patients. The aim was to analyze early complications and survival rate of rotating-hinge TKA in primary intention and for revisions.

METHODS

A retrospective study included all the patients operated for primary or revision TKA procedure using a rotating-hinge TKA between 2015 and 2018. Clinical and radiological data were collected before surgery and then at a minimum follow-up of 1 year. The primary endpoint was the aseptic revision-free survival rate. Secondary endpoints were the overall survival rate, IKS scores, range of motion and patellar complications.

RESULTS

Forty patients were included at an average follow-up of 18 months. Primary implantation was performed for 12 patients (30%), and revision for 28 cases (70%). At a mean follow-up of 18 months, only one implant was removed for a septic cause. The cumulative survival rate at 24 months was 95%. At final review, eight knees (20%) had been revised, five (12.5%) due to infection, two (5%) because of extensor mechanism failure, two (5%) for global stiffness. The objective and subjective IKS were significantly higher postoperatively in both primary and revision groups (p < 0.0001). Patellar height was significantly smaller after revision (p = 0.04), while ROM significantly improved in this group (p = 0.02). At final endpoint, one implant was removed for a septic cause.

CONCLUSION

This rotating-hinge TKA provides satisfying clinical and functional outcomes in primary intentions and in revision cases. There was no implant-associated complication. The complication rate remains high for revision surgery cases, mostly due to previous joint infections and poor soft tissue quality causing extensor mechanism failure. A longer-term study should be conducted to confirm this trend.

Ultralow-temperature device dedicated to soft X-ray magnetic circular dichroism experiments

A new ultralow-temperature setup dedicated to soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) experiments is described. Two experiments, performed on the DEIMOS beamline (SOLEIL synchrotron), demonstrate the outstanding performance of this new platform in terms of the lowest achievable temperature under X-ray irradiation (T = 220 mK), the precision in controlling the temperature during measurements as well as the speed of the cooling-down and warming-up procedures. Moreover, owing to the new design of the setup, the eddy-current power is strongly reduced, allowing fast scanning of the magnetic field in XMCD experiments; these performances lead to a powerful device for X-ray spectroscopies on synchrotron-radiation beamlines facilities.

Designing health information technology tools for behavioral health clinicians integrated within a primary care team

Background

Electronic health records (EHRs) are a key tool for primary care practice. However, the EHR functionality is not keeping pace with the evolving informational and decision-support needs of behavioural health clinicians (BHCs) working on integrated teams.

Objective

Describe the workflows and tasks of integrated BHCs working with adult patients identify their health information technology (health IT) needs and develop EHR tools to address them.

Method

A mixed-methods, comparative case study of six community health centres (CHCs) in Oregon, each with at least one BHC integrated into their primary care team. We observed clinical work and conducted interviews to understand workflows and clinical tasks, aiming to identify how effectively current EHRs supported integrated care delivery, including transitions, documentation, information sharing and decision-making. We analysed these data and employed a user-centred design process to develop EHR tools addressing the identified needs.

Results

BHCs used the primary care EHR for documentation and communication with other team members, but the EHR lacked the functionality to fully support integrated care. Needs include the ability to: (1) automate and track paper-based screening; (2) document behavioural health history; (3) access patient social and medical history relevant to behavioural health issues and (4) rapidly document and track progress on goals. To meet these needs, we engaged users and developed a set of EHR tools called the Behavioural Health e-Suite (BH e-Suite).

Conclusion

US-based integrated primary care teams, and particularly BHCs working with adult populations, have unique information needs, workflows and tasks. These needs can be met and supported by the EHR with a moderate level of modification.

Evaluation of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) Tool for Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care

BACKGROUND

Integrating behavioral health into primary care can improve care quality; however, most electronic health records are not designed to meet the needs of integrated teams. We worked with practices and behavioral health (BH) clinicians to design a suite of electronic health record tools to address these needs ("BH e-Suite"). The purpose of this article is to examine whether implementation of the BH e-Suite changes process of care, intermediate clinical outcomes, and patient experiences, and whether its use is acceptable to practice members and BH clinicians.

METHODS

We conducted a convergent mixed-methods proof-of-concept study, implementing the BH e-Suite across 6 Oregon federally qualified community health centers ("intervention clinics"). We matched intervention clinics to 6 control clinics, based on location and patient panel characteristics, to assess whether process of care (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 screening) and intermediate outcomes (PHQ-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scores) changed postimplementation. Prepost patient surveys were used to assess changes in patient experience. To elucidate factors influencing implementation, we merged quantitative findings with structured observations, surveys, and interviews with practice members.

RESULTS

Implementation improved process of care (PHQ-9 screening). During the course of the study, change in intermediate outcomes was not observed. Degree of BH e-Suite implementation varied: 2 clinics fully implemented, 2 partially implemented, and 2 practices did not implement at all. Initial practice conditions (eg, low resistance to change, higher capacity), process characteristics (eg, thoughtful planning), and individual characteristics (eg, high self-efficacy) were related to degree of implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

Health information technology tools designed for behavioral health integration must fit the needs of clinics for the successful uptake and improvement in patient experiences. Research is needed to further assess the effectiveness of this tool in improving patient outcomes and to optimize broader dissemination of this tool among primary care clinics integrating behavioral health.

Involvement of oxidative stress and calcium signaling in airborne particulate matter - induced damages in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells

Recent studies have revealed that particulate matter (PM) exert deleterious effects on vascular function. Pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAEC), which are involved in the vasomotricity regulation, can be a direct target of inhaled particles. Modifications in calcium homeostasis and oxidative stress are critical events involved in the physiopathology of vascular diseases. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of PM_2.5 on oxidative stress and calcium signaling in HPAEC. Different endpoints were studied, (i) intrinsic and intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the H₂DCF-DA probe, (ii) intrinsic, intracellular and mitochondrial production of superoxide anion (O₂^-) by electronic paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and MitoSOX probe, (iii) reactive nitrosative species (RNS) production by Griess reaction, and (vi) calcium signaling by the Fluo-4 probe. In acellular conditions, PM_2.5 leads to an intrinsic free radical production (ROS, O₂^-) and a 4h-exposure to PM_2.5 (5-15μg/cm²), induced, in HPAEC, an increase of RNS, of global ROS and of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial O₂^- levels. The basal intracellular calcium ion level [Ca²⁺]i was also increased after 4h-exposure to PM_2.5 and a pre-treatment with superoxide dismutase and catalase significantly reduced this response. This study provides evidence that the alteration of intracellular calcium homeostasis induced by PM_2.5 is closely correlated to an increase of oxidative stress.

Versatile variable temperature insert at the DEIMOS beamline for in situ electrical transport measurements

The design and the first experiments are described of a versatile cryogenic insert used for its electrical transport capabilities. The insert is designed for the cryomagnet installed on the DEIMOS beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron dedicated to magnetic characterizations through X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements. This development was spurred by the multifunctional properties of novel materials such as multiferroics, in which, for example, the magnetic and electrical orders are intertwined and may be probed using XAS. The insert thus enables XAS to in situ probe this interplay. The implementation of redundant wiring and careful shielding also enables studies on operating electronic devices. Measurements on magnetic tunnel junctions illustrate the potential of the equipment toward XAS studies of in operando electronic devices.

Patch-Based Nonlinear Image Registration for Gigapixel Whole Slide Images

OBJECTIVE

Image registration of whole slide histology images allows the fusion of fine-grained information-like different immunohistochemical stains-from neighboring tissue slides. Traditionally, pathologists fuse this information by looking subsequently at one slide at a time. If the slides are digitized and accurately aligned at cell level, automatic analysis can be used to ease the pathologist's work. However, the size of those images exceeds the memory capacity of regular computers.

METHODS

We address the challenge to combine a global motion model that takes the physical cutting process of the tissue into account with image data that is not simultaneously globally available. Typical approaches either reduce the amount of data to be processed or partition the data into smaller chunks to be processed separately. Our novel method first registers the complete images on a low resolution with a nonlinear deformation model and later refines this result on patches by using a second nonlinear registration on each patch. Finally, the deformations computed on all patches are combined by interpolation to form one globally smooth nonlinear deformation. The NGF distance measure is used to handle multistain images.

RESULTS

The method is applied to ten whole slide image pairs of human lung cancer data. The alignment of 85 corresponding structures is measured by comparing manual segmentations from neighboring slides. Their offset improves significantly, by at least 15%, compared to the low-resolution nonlinear registration.

CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE

The proposed method significantly improves the accuracy of multistain registration which allows us to compare different antibodies at cell level.

[Underdiagnosed asthma in third-grade children]

Undiagnosed asthma has been poorly studied before adolescence since it can go unnoticed by parents and doctors. Moreover, it is unusual to look for undiagnosed asthma by directly questioning children on the presence of current respiratory symptoms. Epidemiologic studies show that more adolescents quote symptoms suggestive of asthma than the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma, but respiratory symptoms compatible with asthma remain undetected by parents of younger children more frequently than doctors diagnose asthma in their children. We attempted to evaluate the relevance of a questionnaire used since 2011 by school doctors in Paris to detect asthma. In this questionnaire, the family history of atopy and asthma were completed by the parents when they met the school doctor (last year of preschool) and questions on current respiratory symptoms were answered by third-grade children seen alone by the school doctor. One hundred and thirty-one children out of 1135 children questioned had a positive questionnaire for suspected asthma. In three-quarters of the cases, questionnaires were positive based on the children's answers on their respiratory symptoms (without a positive answer on personal or family history being necessary). The outcome of 41 children screened by the questionnaire was known. Twenty (49%) children had received a final diagnosis of asthma, of whom 12 were put on asthma controllers. Among these 20 children, two children underwent lung function testing and two others underwent tests for allergy. In eight children, tests had been requested by the child's GP, but no final diagnosis was reported by the parents. None of the 13 children in whom asthma was ruled out had any test performed. It was concluded that it is possible to detect undiagnosed asthma in children as young as 8 years by directly asking them about their respiratory symptoms. The knowledge of personal and family history can improve screening for asthma in these children. A more thorough evaluation of all children with a positive questionnaire is necessary to better understand the properties of the questionnaire. Finally, the best way to implement this screening program remains to be established (school health, GPs).

Is the native ACL insertion site "completely restored" using an individualized approach to single-bundle ACL-R?

PURPOSE

The goal of individualized anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) is to reproduce each patient's native insertion site as closely as possible. The amount of the native insertion site that is recreated by the tunnel aperture area is currently unknown, as are the implications of the degree of coverage. As such, the goals of this study are to determine whether individualized anatomic ACL-R techniques can maximally fill the native insertion site and to attempt to establish a crude measure to evaluate the percentage of reconstructed area as a first step towards elucidating the implications of complete footprint restoration.

METHODS

This is a prospective pilot study of 45 patients who underwent primary single-bundle anatomic ACL-R from May 2011 to April 2012. Length and width of the native insertion site were measured intraoperatively. Using published guidelines, reconstruction technique and graft choice were determined to maximize the percentage of reconstructed area. Native femoral and tibial insertion site area and femoral tunnel aperture area were calculated using the formula for area of an ellipse. On the tibial side, tunnel aperture area was calculated with respect to drill diameter and drill guide angle. Percentage of reconstructed area was calculated by dividing total tunnel aperture area by the native insertion site area.

RESULTS

The mean areas for the native femoral and tibial insertion sites were 83 ± 20 and 125 ± 20 mm(2), respectively. The mean tunnel aperture area for the femoral side was 65 ± 17, and 86 ± 17 mm(2) for the tibial tunnel aperture area. On average, percentage of reconstructed area was 79 ± 13 % for the femoral side, and 70 ± 12 % for the tibial side.

CONCLUSION

Anatomic ACL-R does not restore the native insertion site in its entirety. Percentage of reconstructed area serves as a rudimentary tool for evaluating the degree of native insertion site coverage using current individualized anatomic techniques and provides a starting point from which to evaluate the clinical significance of complete footprint restoration.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Mono-allergic and poly-allergic rhinitis patients have comparable numbers of mucosal Foxp3+CD4+ T lymphocytes

BACKGROUND

We previously found that allergic rhinitis patients with an isolated pollen sensitization responded more strongly to a nasal provocation with grass pollen (GP) than patients who had an additional house dust mite (HDM) sensitization. To elucidate this phenomenon, we investigated the dynamics of Foxp3+CD4+ T lymphocytes in allergic rhinitis patients with distinct allergen sensitizations.

METHODS

Three groups of allergic rhinitis patients with skin prick test confirmed allergic sensitizations were investigated and compared to 14 healthy controls: 14 subjects with an isolated grass pollen sensitization (Mono-GP); 9 subjects with isolated housedust mite sensitization (Mono-HDM); 29 subjects with grass pollen and house dust mite sensitization (poly-sensitized). Subjects in the Mono-GP group were challenged with grass pollen extract, subjects in the Mono-HDM group were challenged with house dust mite extract, subjects in the poly-sensitized group and the healthy controls were randomly challenged with either grass pollen or house dust mite. Nasal biopsies were taken before and after nasal provocation. We compared the distribution of FoxP3+CD4+ cells in nasal biopsies before and after nasal provocation using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the number of FoxP3+CD4+ cells between healthy and the three allergic groups at baseline.Nasal provocation did result in an increase in eosinophils in the three allergic groups, but did not result in a change in the number of FoxP3+CD4+ cells in any of the groups or induced differences between any of the groups.

CONCLUSION

Clinical differences in the response between mono-GP and multiple-sensitized allergic individuals are not related to differences in the number of regulatory T cells in the nasal mucosa.

The concept of individualized anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction

PURPOSE

To describe the concept of individualized anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

METHODS

The PubMed/Medline database was searched using keywords pertaining to ACL reconstruction. Relevant articles were reviewed in order to summarize important concepts of individualized surgery in ACL reconstruction. Surgical experiences with case examples are also highlighted.

RESULTS

Individualized ACL surgery allows for the customization of surgery to each individual patient. Accounting for graft selection and other characteristics such as anatomy, lifestyle and activity preferences may provide the patient with the best potential for a successful outcome. The surgeon should be comfortable with a variety of graft harvests and surgical techniques when practicing individualized surgery.

CONCLUSION

Individualized anatomic ACL reconstruction is founded on the objective evaluation of functional anatomy and individual characteristics, thereby restoring the ACL as closely as possible to the native anatomy and function. The adoption and subsequent use of individualized surgery may facilitate improved clinical as well as objective outcomes, particularly in the long term.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V.

DEIMOS: a beamline dedicated to dichroism measurements in the 350-2500 eV energy range

The DEIMOS (Dichroism Experimental Installation for Magneto-Optical Spectroscopy) beamline was part of the second phase of the beamline development at French Synchrotron SOLEIL (Source Optimisée de Lumière à Energie Intermédiaire du LURE) and opened to users in March 2011. It delivers polarized soft x-rays to perform x-ray absorption spectroscopy, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, and x-ray linear dichroism in the energy range 350-2500 eV. The beamline has been optimized for stability and reproducibility in terms of photon flux and photon energy. The main end-station consists in a cryo-magnet with 2 split coils providing a 7 T magnetic field along the beam or 2 T perpendicular to the beam with a controllable temperature on the sample from 370 K down to 1.5 K.

Parkinson disease: associated disorders in the Norwegian population based incident ParkWest study

Parkinson's disease (PD) may be associated with a number of different diseases due to common risk factors or overlapping symptomatology. We have asked for possible associated disorders in a Norwegian population of incident PD patients and controls, the Norwegian ParkWest study. The patients were diagnosed according to the Gelb criteria. 212 incident PD patients and 175 age and gender matched controls were included. PD patients and controls were asked for information on earlier medical history and family history. PD patients had a higher frequency of self-reported symptoms of depression (p = 0.003) and anxiety disorders (p = 0.004) before baseline. They tended to have a higher frequency of diabetes (p = 0.09) and had a higher frequency of prior stroke or TIA (p = 0.004).

Identification of factors influencing shark catch and mortality in the Marshall Islands tuna longline fishery and management implications

Recent average annual catches of sharks by tuna longline vessels fishing in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) are estimated to be between 1583 and 2274 t. Although 22 shark species have been recorded by the observer programme for this fishery, 80% of the annual catch comprises only five species: blue shark Prionace glauca, silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis, bigeye thresher shark Alopias superciliosus, pelagic thresher shark Alopias pelagicus and oceanic whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus. Wire leaders (i.e. branch lines or traces) were also used by nearly all observed vessels. Generalized additive model (GAM)-based analyses of catch rates indicated that P. glauca and A. superciliosus are caught in higher numbers when vessels fish in relatively cooler waters, at night, close to the full moon, when the 27° C thermocline is close to the surface and during El Niño conditions. In contrast, C. falciformis, A. pelagicus and C. longimanus are caught in higher numbers when shark lines are used (all three species) or hooks are set at a shallow depth (A. pelagicus and C. longimanus and, also, P. glauca). These findings are generally consistent with current knowledge of these species' habitat preferences, movement and distribution. The results of these analyses were combined with information pertaining to shark condition and fate upon capture to compare the likely effectiveness of a range of potential measures for reducing shark mortality in the longline fishery. Of the options considered, the most effective would be to combine measures that reduce the catch rate (e.g. restrictions on the use of wire leaders, shark baits and shark lines) with measures that increase survival rates after post-capture release (e.g. finning bans).

Oral administration of immunoglobulin G-enhanced colostrum alleviates insulin resistance and liver injury and is associated with alterations in natural killer T cells

Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome are chronic inflammatory conditions that lead to hepatic injury and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Bovine colostrum has therapeutic effects in a variety of chronic infections. However its effectiveness in NASH was never studied. Natural killer T (NKT) cells have been shown to be associated with some of the pathological and metabolic abnormalities accompanying NASH in leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice. In the present study, we used hyperimmune bovine colostrum to treat hepatic injury and insulin resistance and we also assessed the effects on NKT cells. We used ob/ob mice that were fed for 6 weeks with either 0·1 mg bovine colostrum prepared from non-immunized cows, 0·1 mg hyperimmune colostrum raised against a bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extract or 0·001, 0·1 or 1 mg of immunoglobulin (Ig)G purified from hyperimmune colostrum (IgG-LPS). NKT cells were phenotyped by flow cytometry, and hepatic injury and insulin resistance were assessed by measuring fasting glucose levels, glucose tolerance tests and liver enzymes. Fat accumulation was measured in the liver and plasma. Oral administration of hyperimmune colostrums decreased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum levels and serum triglycerides compared to controls. Glucose intolerance was also improved by the hyperimmune colostrum preparations. These results were accompanied by a decrease in serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels following oral treatment with 0·1 or 1 mg of IgG-LPS. The beneficial effects of hyperimmune colostrums were associated with an increase in the number of splenic NKT cells. These data suggest that oral administration of hyperimmune colostrum preparations can alleviate chronic inflammation, liver injury and insulin resistance associated with NASH.

The vascular endothelium masks the persistent inhibition of rat thoracic arterial tone induced by S-nitrosoglutathione

AIM

In endothelium-denuded arteries, the nitric oxide (NO) donor S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) induced a persistent hypo-reactivity to vasoconstrictors, and low-molecular weight thiols such as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) produced a relaxant effect. These effects were attributed to the formation of vascular NO stores. In arteries with a functional endothelium, such long-lasting effects on arterial tone have not been well characterised. In this study, we proposed to examine the possibility of storing exogenous NO when the vascular endothelium is still able to produce its own NO.

METHODS

For this purpose, changes in isometric tension of isolated arteries were assessed in organ chambers, and nitrosothiol formation was characterised by confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

In rat aortic rings with endothelium pre-exposed to GSNO, the contractile response to norepinephrine (NE) was not attenuated in comparison with control rings, but NAC induced a relaxant effect. However, an attenuation of the response to NE was observed in GSNO-exposed, intact aortic rings after inhibition of NO synthase by N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-AME) or in GSNO-denuded rings. The relaxing effects of NAC were due to the mobilisation of NO from nitrosothiols after nitrosylation of protein SH residues. Moreover, the hypo-reactivity to NE and the relaxant effect of NAC were abolished by 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase, and partially by the K+-sensitive channel inhibitor tetra-ethyl-ammonium (TEA).

CONCLUSION

These data show that endothelium-derived NO masked the persistent effect of GSNO in rat thoracic aorta. However, the ability of GSNO to form releasable NO stores without altering the vascular tone can be particularly useful in preventing endothelial dysfunction in which NO formation decreases.

Interference Effects In X-Ray Specular Reflectivity from Thin Films

A strong resonance effect in the specular reflectivity of a C layer deposited on a Ni surface has been measured. The e.m. field intensity distribution has been monitored by measuring the fluorescence intensity of an ultra-thin Ti layer placed in the C film. The reflected intensity and the fluorescence yield of Ti and Ar (this last trapped in the film because of the deposition by sputtering) have been measured in different samples with a different location of the Ti layer. The results show that with this method a nondestructive, accurate determination of the Ti position can be achieved with a relative accuracy of 10−2

Workplace bullying and psychotropic drug use: the mediating role of physical and mental health status

OBJECTIVES

The association between workplace bullying and psychotropic drug use is not well established. This study was aimed at exploring the association between workplace bullying, and its characteristics, and psychotropic drug use and studying the mediating role of physical and mental health.

METHODS

The study population consisted of a random sample of 3132 men and 4562 women of the working population in the south-east of France. Workplace bullying, evaluated using the validated instrument elaborated by Leymann, and psychotropic drug use, as well as covariates, were measured using a self-administered questionnaire. Covariates included age, marital status, presence of children, education, occupation, working hours, night work, physico-chemical exposures at work, self-reported health, and depressive symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression analysis and was carried out separately for men and women.

RESULTS

Workplace bullying was strongly associated with psychotropic drug use. Past exposure to bullying increased the risk for this use. The more frequent and the longer the exposure to bullying, the stronger the association with psychotropic drug use. Observing bullying on someone else at the workplace was associated with psychotropic drug use. Adjustment for covariates did not modify the results. Additional adjustment for self-reported health and depressive symptoms reduced the magnitude of the associations, especially for men.

CONCLUSIONS

The association between bullying and psychotropic drug use was found to be significant and strong and was partially mediated by physical and mental health.

Insulin resistance and increased lipolysis in bone marrow derived adipocytes stimulated with agonists of Toll-like receptors

Our objectives were to identify Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in human bone marrow derived adipocytes, to test specific TLR agonists for their ability to induce a proinflammatory response, and to investigate possible metabolic effects after TLR activation, in particular, those associated with insulin resistance and lipolysis. Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from human bone marrow and differentiated into adipocytes. Total RNA before or after stimulation with agonists specific for TLR was extracted for analysis of expression of TLRs proinflammatory signals and molecules involved in glucose metabolism (IRS-1 and GLUT4). Furthermore, cytokine protein expression was measured from cell lysates. Finally, insulin induced glucose uptake and lipolysis were measured. Human bone marrow-derived adipocytes express TLR1-10. They react to stimulation with specific ligands with expression of inflammatory markers (IL-1beta, IL-6, TNFalpha, IL-8, MCP-1) at the RNA and protein levels. IRS-1 and GLUT4 expression was downregulated after stimulation with the TLR4 and TLR3 specific ligands LPS and poly (I:C), respectively. Insulin-induced glucose uptake was decreased and lipolysis increased. We conclude that adipocytes express TLR 1-10 and react to agonists specific for TLR 1-6. As a consequence proinflammatory cytokine are induced, in particular, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1. Since stimulation is followed by decreased insulin-induced glucose uptake and increased lipolysis we conclude that TLRs may be important linking molecules in the generation of insulin resistance in fat tissue.

Workplace bullying and sleep disturbances: findings from a large scale cross-sectional survey in the French working population

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between workplace bullying, the characteristics of workplace bullying, and sleep disturbances in a large sample of employees of the French working population.

DESIGN

Workplace bullying, evaluated using the validated instrument developed by Leymann, and sleep disturbances, as well as covariates, were measured using a self-administered questionnaire. Covariates included age, marital status, presence of children, education, occupation, working hours, night work, physical and chemical exposures at work, self-reported health, and depressive symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression analysis and was carried out separately for men and women.

SETTING

General working population.

PARTICIPANTS

The study population consisted of a random sample of 3132 men and 4562 women of the working population in the southeast of France.

RESULTS

Workplace bullying was strongly associated with sleep disturbances. Past exposure to bullying also increased the risk for this outcome. The more frequent the exposure to bullying, the higher the risk of experiencing sleep disturbances. Observing someone else being bullied in the workplace was also associated with the outcome. Adjustment for covariates did not modify the results. Additional adjustment for self-reported health and depressive symptoms diminished the magnitude of the associations that remained significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of workplace bullying (around 10%) was found to be high in this study as well was the impact of this major job-related stressor on sleep disturbances. Although no conclusion about causality could be drawn from this cross-sectional study, the findings suggest that the contribution of workplace bullying to the burden of sleep disturbances may be substantial.

Nasal endothelial interleukin-10 expression is negatively correlated with nasal symptoms after allergen provocation

BACKGROUND

Despite major efforts, factors that predict or correspond to the level of allergic symptoms remain elusive. Given our previous observations of mucosal interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression by local tissue cells and its described role as immune modulator, we hypothesized that, in allergic rhinitis, nasal mucosal IL-10 expression could influence the severity of symptoms.

METHODS

In this study, we investigated endothelial IL-10 expression in nasal mucosa of healthy- and house dust mite allergic patients, both before and after provocation, and under nasal steroid therapy. Nasal turbinate biopsies were taken from healthy individuals as well as from house dust mite allergic patients, both before and after provocation. Allergic patients received fluticasone proprionate aqueous nasal spray or control treatment. In the allergic patients, endothelial IL-10 scores based on immunohistochemical stainings were correlated with allergic symptoms, measured by visual analog scores.

RESULTS

At baseline, variable levels of endothelial IL-10 were detected in nasal biopsies. After nasal provocation, but not at baseline, endothelial IL-10 expression corresponded very closely to the allergic symptoms after allergen provocation. Low symptom scores were correlated with high endothelial IL-10 scores. This correlation disappeared after fluticason propionate treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a large variation in the level of endothelial IL-10 expression both in healthy individuals and in house dust mite allergic patients. Endothelial IL-10 expression may affect local immune reactions resulting in reduced levels of allergic symptoms.