First measurement of neutrino oscillation parameters using neutrinos and antineutrinos by NOvA.

The NOvA experiment has seen a 4.4σ signal of ν[over ¯]_{e} appearance in a 2 GeV ν[over ¯]_{µ} beam at a distance of 810 km. Using 12.33×10^{20} protons on target delivered to the Fermilab NuMI neutrino beamline, the experiment recorded 27 ν[over ¯]_{µ}→ν[over ¯]_{e} candidates with a background of 10.3 and 102 ν[over ¯]_{µ}→ν[over ¯]_{µ} candidates. This new antineutrino data are combined with neutrino data to measure the parameters |Δm_{32}^{2}|=2.48_{-0.06}^{+0.11}×10^{-3} eV^{2}/c^{4} and sin^{2}θ_{23} in the ranges from (0.53-0.60) and (0.45-0.48) in the normal neutrino mass hierarchy. The data exclude most values near δ_{CP}=π/2 for the inverted mass hierarchy by more than 3σ and favor the normal neutrino mass hierarchy by 1.9σ and θ_{23} values in the upper octant by 1.6σ.

Combination of principal component analysis and optical-flow motion compensation for improved cardiac MR thermometry.

The use of magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry for the monitoring of thermal ablation is rapidly expanding. However, this technique remains challenging for the monitoring of the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia by radiofrequency ablation due to the heart displacement with respiration and contraction. Recent studies have addressed this problem by compensating in-plane motion in real-time with optical-flow based tracking technique. However, these algorithms are sensitive to local variation of signal intensity on magnitude images associated with tissue heating. In this study, an optical-flow algorithm was combined with a principal component analysis method to reduce the impact of such effects. The proposed method was integrated to a fully automatic cardiac MR thermometry pipeline, compatible with a future clinical workflow. It was evaluated on nine healthy volunteers under free breathing conditions, on a phantom and in vivo on the left ventricle of a sheep. The results showed that local intensity changes in magnitude images had lower impact on motion estimation with the proposed method. Using this strategy, the temperature mapping accuracy was significantly improved.

A spectroscopic method to estimate the binding potency of amphiphile assemblies.

A fast and convenient spectroscopic methodology to determine the water uptake capacity of amphiphile assemblies studied in multilayer films is presented. This method was developed to provide a reliable but relatively simple tool for estimating the binding potency of such complex systems. The water-binding potency represents a general propensity of higher-order systems to bind or embed relevant ligands, such as various non-lipid effectors in the case of artificial lipid membranes. In this sense, the binding potency might contribute to a specific functional role of certain lipids. The essence of the new method is that the calibration of data measured by infrared (IR) spectroscopy against those directly obtained by Karl-Fischer titration (KFT) enables one to replace the expensive chemical-analytical technique by a more comfortable and efficient IR-spectroscopic protocol. This approach combines the easy handling, versatility, and availability of IR spectroscopy with the high accuracy of KFT. The usefulness of the procedure is demonstrated on an example set of six amphiphiles with a common chain length of 18 carbon atoms. Despite this similarity, the binding potency data differ tremendously in a way which can be correlated with the systematic variations introduced into the amphiphile structure. Going further beyond the methodical aspect, the scientific relevance of the data is comprehensively discussed especially in terms of the structural factors that govern the binding potency of amphiphiles. That is favored mainly by fluidity and disfavored mainly by inter-amphiphile binding networks. For phosphatidylcholine, our data are strongly in favor of a particular hydration model that involves primary water binding to phosphate as well as the formation of water semi-clathrates hosting the trimethylammonium moiety. Interestingly, stearylamine and diolein assemblies did not take up any water at all. This unexpected hydrophobicity is due to the unusual structures formed in these latter cases: rigid ammonium amide with a strong hydrogen-bonding/salt bridge network in stearylamine, and patches of inverted micelles in diolein, as revealed by molecular dynamics simulations.

Site-specific conformational determination in thermal unfolding studies of helical peptides using vibrational circular dichroism with isotopic substitution.

Understanding the detailed mechanism of protein folding requires dynamic, site-specific stereochemical information. The short time response of vibrational spectroscopies allows evaluation of the distribution of populations in rapid equilibrium as the peptide unfolds. Spectral shifts associated with isotopic labels along with local stereochemical sensitivity of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) allow determination of the segment sequence of unfolding. For a series of alanine-rich peptides that form alpha-helices in aqueous solution, we used isotopic labeling and VCD to demonstrate that the alpha-helix noncooperatively unwinds from the ends with increasing temperature. For these blocked peptides, the C-terminal is frayed at 5 degrees C. Ab initio level theoretical simulations of the IR and VCD band shapes are used to analyze the spectra and to confirm the conformation of the labeled components. The VCD signals associated with the labeled residues are amplified by coupling to the nonlabeled parts of the molecule. Thus small labeled segments are detectable and stereochemically defined in moderately large peptides in this report of site-specific peptide VCD conformational analysis.

Vibrational circular dichroism of tetraphenylporphyrin in peptide complexes? A computational study.

The Raman and absorption spectra of tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) were calculated and compared to experiment. The computation was based on the harmonic molecular force field and electric tensors obtained ab initio at the BPW91/6-31G* level. Good agreement was found between experimental and calculated frequencies and intensities. In order to estimate whether induced optical activity in chiral complexes interferes with the signal of peptide vibrations, the vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of TPP were simulated. The magnetic field perturbation theory (MFP) and the gauge-invariant atomic orbitals (GIAO) were used for the simulation. Such spectra were compared to theoretical VCD intensities of a model tripeptide as well to experimental spectra of a complex of the peptide and tetrakis(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TSPP). No significant contribution to VCD signal from the TPP residue was found in experimental spectra. Thus, possible peptide conformational changes occurring during the complexation can be monitored directly in the amide I frequency region.

Simulations of oligopeptide vibrational CD: effects of isotopic labeling.

Simulated ir absorption and vibrational CD (VCD) spectra of four alanine-based octapeptides, each having its main chain constrained to a different secondary structure conformation, were analyzed and compared with experimental results for several different peptides. The octapeptide simulations were based on transfer of property tensors from a series of ab initio calculations for a short L-alanine based segment containing 3 peptide bonds with relative straight phi, psi angles fixed to those appropriate for alpha-helix, 3(10)-helix, ProII-like helix, and beta-sheet-like strand. The tripeptide force field (FF) and atomic polar tensors were obtained with density functional theory techniques at the BPW91/6-31G** level and the atomic axial tensor at the mixed BPW91/6-31G**/HF/6-31G level. Allowing for frequency correction due to the FF limitations, the octapeptide results obtained are qualitatively consistent with experimental observations for ir and VCD spectra of polypeptides and oligopeptides in established conformations. In all cases, the correct VCD sign patterns for the amide I and II bands were predicted, but the intensities did have some variation from the experimental patterns. Predicted VCD changes upon deuteration of either the peptide or side-chains as well as for (13)C isotopic labeling of the amide C=O at specific sites in the peptide chain were computed for analysis of experimental observations. A combination of theoretical modeling with experimental data for labeled compounds leads both to enhanced resolution of component transitions and added conformational applicability of the VCD spectra.

[Factors prognostic of acute kidney insufficiencies following vascular surgery]. / Facteurs pronostiques des insuffisances rénales aiguës après chirurgie vasculaire.

Acute renal failure (ARF) following vascular surgery is still associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. A retrospective study of 33 patients, admitted in ICU for ARF following the surgical treatment of aortic occlusive or aneurysmal diseases, was undertaken to determine the risk factors, clinical settings and prognosis of postoperative renal failure. There were 29 men and 4 women, with a mean age of 63 years and SAPS of 18. The surgical procedure was scheduled in more than 50% of the cases. The mortality rate was extremely high (79%); only 4 out of 33 patients were discharged without sequelae. History and clinical settings had addictive effects for the development of postoperative renal failure. Most patients who had sustained oliguria or who developed septic shock or multiple organ failure were associated with poor prognosis. The conclusion is that the prognosis of acute renal failure after vascular surgery depends more on the occurrence of multiple organ failure than the acute renal failure by itself.

[Synthesis of collagen in culture of endothelial cells of the human umbilical vein. Effects of cyclosporine A]. / Synthèse de collagène par les cellules endothéliales de veine ombilicale humaine en culture. Effets de la ciclosporine A.

Interstitial renal fibrosis and gingival hypertrophy are frequent side-effects of cyclosporin A which have been attributed to a dysfunction of extracellular matrix synthesis. Endothelial cells might participate in the matrix accumulation observed. We studied the effects of increasing concentrations of cyclosporin A on protein synthesis by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Collagen synthesis decreased significantly to 800 ng/ml in both medium and cell layer. The percentage of hydroxylation of its proline residues decreased significantly as from 400 ng/ml. The main proteins, analysed by SDS-PAGE, were thrombospondin, fibronectin and the alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains of type IV collagen. These fractions did not show any change after 24 hours exposure to 200 ng/ml of cyclosporin A. These results demonstrate an inhibitory effect of cyclosporin A on collagen synthesis by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Consequently, matrix accumulation by increased collagen synthesis in cyclosporin A treated patient may not be directly related to the drug effect on endothelial cells.

Aneurysms of the extracranial internal carotid artery due to fibromuscular dysplasia: results of surgical management.

Between January 1977 and December 1990, eight patients underwent surgical correction of aneurysms of the extracranial internal carotid artery due to fibromuscular dysplasia. Mean age of patients was 50 years (range 31 to 70 years). Five patients presented with neurologic hemispheric symptoms. Most aneurysms were saccular and occurred preferentially at the level of C2 or C3. All of these patients underwent operation through conventional cervicotomy. Resection-anastomosis was performed in three cases whereas resection-graft was performed in five. Histopathological examination of the eight specimens was consistent with fibromuscular dysplasia of the media. There was no central nervous system-related mortality and morbidity. Seven patients were alive and free of new neurological manifestations at mean follow-up of 156 months (18 to 180 months). One patient died of myocardial infarction at 96 months. All patients had postoperative duplex scanning or arteriograms. These revealed that carotid restorations were patent in seven whereas one patient had asymptomatic occlusion at 18 months.

[In situ bypasses in limb salvage. Late results and patency factors]. / Pontages in situ dans les sauvetages de membre. Résultats tardifs et facteurs de perméabilité.

One hundred limbs with critical ischemia (stages III and IV) were saved from 1983 to 1987 by in situ venous bypass at the lower femoropopliteal or femorotibial level. The average age of the patients was 66 (40-89) years. The surgical indication involved 51 cases of stage III ischemia and 49 of stage IV. The etiology of the ischemia was occlusive chronic arteritis (n = 67), diabetic arteritis (n = 20), embolic disease (n = 10) and aneurysmal disease (n = 3). The systolic pressure index in the ankle recovered an average value of 0.42 preoperatively. In 48 cases, the distal implantation of the graft was on the lower popliteal artery, and on the arteries of the leg in 52 cases. During the immediate postoperative period, 8 patients died and 13 underwent amputation. At 5 years, the limb salvage rate was 72%. The primary patency at 5 years, calculated with the actuarial method, was 51% and the secondary patency at 5 years was 62%. Among the factors likely to significantly influence patency, only the site of the lower anastomosis and the quality of the III and IV segments of the popliteal artery were selected (p less than 0.05), while the number of patent vessels in the leg and the clinical stage did not influence patency.

Long-term results of thrombectomy for late occlusions of aortofemoral bypass.

Sixty-two first episodes of aortofemoral (eight patients) or aortobifemoral (42 patients) bypass thrombosis were operated upon in 50 patients between 1980 and 1985. There were 47 men and three women whose mean age was 58 years. Retrograde thrombectomy through the distal anastomosis was achieved in all cases by using either a balloon catheter or Vollmar rings. If thrombectomy was impossible, revascularization was ensured by an extraanatomic bypass or complete replacement of the graft. Angioplasty, repeat distal anastomosis or femoropopliteal bypass of the native runoff artery were done in 55 (89%) operations. The cause of thrombosis was elucidated in 45 cases. Suture line stenosis and atheromatous stenosis of the native runoff artery were the two most common causes. Three patients died and two required above-knee amputation in the immediate postoperative period. Contralateral embolism occurred in two patients undergoing retrograde thrombectomy. Mean follow-up was 47 months. Thrombectomy was possible in 51 or 62 prosthetic thromboses (Group I). Thirty-nine of these grafts have remained patent. Twelve instances of repeat thrombosis occurred, requiring either repeat thrombectomy or a new bypass. Primary patency in group I was 97.8%, 81.2%, and 71.3% at one, three, and five years, respectively. Thrombectomy was impossible in 11 graft thromboses (Group II). A new bypass was performed in all 11 cases. Primary patency in Group II was 100%, 75% and 50% at one, three, and five years, respectively. Retrograde thrombectomy combined with treatment of native runoff artery anomalies can restore long-term patency when thrombosis occurs late after aortofemoral bypass and is associated with low mortality and morbidity.

[Popliteal vascular trauma: therapeutic management]. / Les traumatismes vasculaires poplités: attitude thérapeutique.

The functional severity of popliteal artery injury is intimately related to the direct consequences of tissue ischaemia increased by the associated traumatic attrition. The conservation of a functional limb requires: limitation of the duration and repercussions of ischaemia, by the use of a rigorous therapeutic protocol; "functional" surgical or even microsurgical reconstruction whose limits are still confused with the degree of traumatic myolysis and the potential of nervous recovery. Therefore, it seems obvious that the major difficulty lies in the definition of the limits for limb preservation.

Persistent proatlantal artery associated with carotid artery stenosis treatment by percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty.

A 58-year-old man had an asymptomatic tight stenosis of the internal carotid artery associated with a persistent proatlantal artery. This as well as other compositional arterial anomalies of the basilar artery were discovered on arteriograms. The stenosis was successfully treated by percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty. Therapeutic choices are discussed in this setting because of the risk of carotid clamping in the presence of persistent carotid-basilar anastomoses.

[The lower radio-ulnar joint in malunion of the lower end of the radius: therapeutic implications]. / L'articulation radio-cubitale inférieure dans les cals vicieux de l'extrémité inférieure du radius: incidences thérapeutiques.

Malunion of the lower extremity of the radius is frequently accompanied by a lesion of the inferior radio-ulnar joint marked by inversion of the inferior radio-ulnar index. Surgical treatment must always take this parameter into account and should attempt to correct it. The authors' preference in the treatment of malunion consists of Duparc osteotomy, in which the size of the graft is calculated in order to restore the inferior radio-ulnar index. If the correction is insufficient or in the case of moderate malunion, the authors propose the Kapandji-Sauvé operation which allows better preservation of the wrist stability.

Aortoappendicular fistula after aortoiliac prosthetic replacement.

A 48-year-old patient who had had an aortofemoral reconstruction with a Dacron graft nine years earlier presented with intestinal bleeding. At laparotomy the cause was found to be a fistula between a proximal false aneurysm and the vermiform appendix. The patient recovered after removal of the graft and extraanatomic revascularization associated with appendectomy. Four other similar case reports have been found in the literature.

[Value and strategy of paraclinical studies in the diagnosis of aneurysm of the abdominal aorta]. / Valeur et stratégie des examens paracliniques pour le diagnostic des anévrysmes de l'aorte abdominale.

With the development of abdominal echotomography and computed tomography, the abdominal aortic aneurysm is no longer explored by arteriography alone. After a retrospective review of 167 patients with aneurysms, the authors propose a schematic diagnostic procedure in 4 arms: positive diagnosis, extension evaluation, emergency statement and follow-up of the aneurysm. The expenditure with these tools has to be considered because of the large deviations in cost price between them. Arteriography is still selectively used for exploration of renal segment but it can often be replaced by computed tomography which is cheaper, external, simply and repeatedly used.

[The ambitio-impulse different from narcissism]. / De la pulsion d'ambitio distincte du narcissisme.

We should not let our dynamic drive bog down in the ambiguous concept of "libido". A concept which disturbed Freud himself as is clearly demonstrated in his latest works and which has been considerably misused afterwards. In order to achieve this aim we have in the light of psychopathology, of the symbolic nature of dreams and of our own personal experience set to describe three fundamental drives-the real roots of Man unseparable from his constitution-namely 1. ambitio: (which prompts Man to assert himself, to develop and dominate); 2. agressio: (the urge to defend our internal territory or to overcome obstacles according to our will); 3. attractio: (the disposition to be moved or attracted by this or that object). The present paper shall deal with ambitio which is not to be mixed up with conscious ambition. This unconscious drive, axial and archaic which nourishes the evolution of all living matter (even a tree trunk) should not be interspersed with guilt but is indispensable to our emergence from the Cosmos. Ambitio can be subject to hypertrophy by a compensatory process in cases of megalomania and on the contrary it can be atrophied in the case of a failure syndrome or inferiority complex for example. The most delicate stage of the process is that of its taming and of its conscious acceptance. All things which if properly dealt with and if we want to avoid the traps of authoritarianism or of the narcissistic delusion will lead us in the interest of others, to the most realistic modesty.

[The contribution of Jacob Lévy Moreno]. / L'apport de Jacob Lévy Moréno.

meeting of two days organized has happened at the Chartreuse C.H.S., the 24th and the 25th of March 1983, to give homage to J.-L. Moreno , founder of the groupe dynamic and of the psychodrama, insufficiently honoured in France, it looks. Living exchanges have allowed us to draw the mean lines of his technical innovations based of spontaneousity since "the empty chair", "the doble " and "the upsetting of parts", till the sociometric diagram allowing to locate the interactions in the groupe . Then, the different extensions of the therapeutical psychodrama have been developed, practiced since 35 years in Saint- Venant and in Dijon , according to a original method different with nevrosed illmen and with psychotic patients, those one profiting of "intermediate objects", making easier the relationships. The theater, the groupe psychanalyse , or more recently the development of technics makings intervention of somatic and bio- energetical dimension, have settled fruisful extension of the Moreno 's initiative. It is necessary to locate these activities in the universal and humanist context and in the "living will" of the author.