Bolometer operating at the threshold for circuit quantum electrodynamics.

Radiation sensors based on the heating effect of absorbed radiation are typically simple to operate and flexible in terms of input frequency, so they are widely used in gas detection1, security2, terahertz imaging3, astrophysical observations4 and medical applications5. Several important applications are currently emerging from quantum technology and especially from electrical circuits that behave quantum mechanically, that is, circuit quantum electrodynamics6. This field has given rise to single-photon microwave detectors7-9 and a quantum computer that is superior to classical supercomputers for certain tasks10. Thermal sensors hold potential for enhancing such devices because they do not add quantum noise and they are smaller, simpler and consume about six orders of magnitude less power than the frequently used travelling-wave parametric amplifiers11. However, despite great progress in the speed12 and noise levels13 of thermal sensors, no bolometer has previously met the threshold for circuit quantum electrodynamics, which lies at a time constant of a few hundred nanoseconds and a simultaneous energy resolution of the order of 10h gigahertz (where h is the Planck constant). Here we experimentally demonstrate a bolometer that operates at this threshold, with a noise-equivalent power of 30 zeptowatts per square-root hertz, comparable to the lowest value reported so far13, at a thermal time constant two orders of magnitude shorter, at 500 nanoseconds. Both of these values are measured directly on the same device, giving an accurate estimation of 30h gigahertz for the calorimetric energy resolution. These improvements stem from the use of a graphene monolayer with extremely low specific heat14 as the active material. The minimum observed time constant of 200 nanoseconds is well below the dephasing times of roughly 100 microseconds reported for superconducting qubits15 and matches the timescales of currently used readout schemes16,17, thus enabling circuit quantum electrodynamics applications for bolometers.

Metal ion release after hip resurfacing arthroplasty and knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study of one hundred ninety-five cases.

PURPOSE: Hip arthroplasty with metal-on-metal bearings like hip resurfacing results in the release of metallic ions. In parallel, like every metallic implant, knee arthroplasty implants undergo passive corrosion. We analyzed blood levels of cobalt and chromium ions in patients who have a hip resurfacing arthroplasty and compared them to patients who have undergone knee arthroplasty at a minimum follow-up of one year. The hypothesis was that there is no difference in the ion release between hip resurfacing and knee arthroplasty. METHODS: Sixty-three patients who underwent knee arthroplasty were compared to a cohort of 132 patients who underwent hip resurfacing. The blood levels of cobalt and chromium ions were determined preoperatively and at six and 12 months postoperatively and then compared between groups. We analyzed the relationship between ion release and the change in clinical outcome scores (Harris Hip score, Oxford Hip score, Merle D'Aubigné Postel score, Oxford Knee score, International Knee Society score), the BMI, sex, physical activity, implant size and inclination of the acetabular implant (hip resurfacing patients only). Mixed linear models were used to assess the changes in ion blood levels over time. RESULTS: The cobalt blood levels were higher in the first 6 months in the resurfacing group (0.87 ug/L vs 0.67 ug/L; p = 0.011), while it was higher in the knee arthroplasty group at 12 months (1.20 ug/L vs 1.41 ug/L; p = 0.0008). There were no significant differences in chromium levels during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The increase in metal ion release after knee arthroplasty is as high as after hip resurfacing at the one year follow-up. The monitoring of this parameter probably should not be recommended in case of good clinicals outcomes.

IL-27 shapes the immune properties of human astrocytes and their impact on encountered human T lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-27 (IL-27) can trigger both pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. This cytokine is elevated in the central nervous system (CNS) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, but how it influences neuroinflammatory processes remains unclear. As astrocytes express the receptor for IL-27, we sought to determine how these glial cells respond to this cytokine and whether such exposure alters their interactions with infiltrating activated T lymphocytes. To determine whether inflammation shapes the impact of IL-27, we compared the effects of this cytokine in non-inflamed and inflamed conditions induced by an IL-1ß exposure. MAIN BODY: Transcriptomic analysis of IL-27-exposed human astrocytes showed an upregulation of multiple immune genes. Human astrocytes increased the secretion of chemokines (CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11) and the surface expression of proteins (PD-L1, HLA-E, and ICAM-1) following IL-27 exposure. To assess whether exposure of astrocytes to IL-27 influences the profile of activated T lymphocytes infiltrating the CNS, we used an astrocyte/T lymphocyte co-culture model. Activated human CD4+ or CD8+ T lymphocytes were co-cultured with astrocytes that have been either untreated or pre-exposed to IL­27 or IL-1ß. After 24 h, we analyzed T lymphocytes by flow cytometry for transcription factors and immune molecules. The contact with IL-27-exposed astrocytes increased the percentages of T-bet, Eomes, CD95, IL-18Rα, ICAM-1, and PD-L1 expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and reduced the proportion of CXCR3-positive CD8+ T lymphocytes. Human CD8+ T lymphocytes co-cultured with human IL-27-treated astrocytes exhibited higher motility than when in contact with untreated astrocytes. These results suggested a preponderance of kinapse-like over synapse-like interactions between CD8+ T lymphocytes and IL-27-treated astrocytes. Finally, CD8+ T lymphocytes from MS patients showed higher motility in contact with IL-27-exposed astrocytes compared to healthy donors' cells. CONCLUSION: Our results establish that IL-27 alters the immune functions of human astrocytes and shapes the profile and motility of encountered T lymphocytes, especially CD8+ T lymphocytes from MS patients.

Hip survival after plain core decompression alone versus bone morphogenetic protein and/or bone marrow reinjection with core decompression for avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head: a retrospective case control study in ninety two patients.

INTRODUCTION: Injecting bone marrow or bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP) during core decompression for avascular osteonecrosis (AVN) may improve survival. We hypothesized that adding a complementary technique (injection of BMP and/or non-concentrated bone marrow) to core decompression would reduce the number of patients requiring a subsequent total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 92 cases from 2003 to 2018 with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up and an average follow-up of 64 months (24-204). Twenty-four patients had a core decompression (CD) (26.1% (24/92)), 25 had a CD associated with reinjection of bone marrow and BMP (rhBMP7) (27.2% (25/92)), and 43 patients had a CD with bone marrow reinjection (46.7% (43/92)). RESULTS: Hip survival after CD was 66.3% (61/92) at two years and 59.8% (55/92) at 10 years. CD with bone marrow and BMP reinjection had a better hip survival at ten years (HR: 0.492 (CI95%: 0.254-0.952) p = 0.035). A volume of necrosis greater than 30% (HR = 12.97 (CI95 [3.88-43.3] (p < 0.001))) and a Kerboul angle greater than 60° (HR: 12.5 (CI95 [2.84-54.6] (p < 0.001))) were risk factors for a subsequent THA. CONCLUSIONS: CD is an interesting non-invasive technique to preserve the native hip after AVN of the femoral head. Reinjection of bone marrow and/or BMP improved CD hip survival.

Mitigating the photocurrent persistence of single ZnO nanowires for low noise photodetection applications.

In this work, we investigate the optoelectronic properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires, which are good candidates for applications based on integrated optics. Single ZnO nanowire photodetectors were fabricated with ohmic contacts. By taking current transient measurements in different atmospheres (oxygen, air, vacuum and argon), and at various temperatures, we point out the importance of surface effects on the electrical behaviour. Results confirm that oxygen chemisorption is responsible for the existence of a high photoconductive gain in these devices, and for the first time a two step process in the photocurrent rise transient is reported. A maximum gain of G = 7.8 × 107 is achieved. However, under certain conditions, the persistence of the photocurrent can last up to several hours and as such may prevent the device from operating at useful rates. From a knowledge of the photocurrent response mechanisms, we establish a method to restore the photodetector to its initial state, with very low dark current, by applying an appropriate gate voltage sequence. This advances the state of the art for these detectors towards commercial applications.

Faba bean (Vicia faba) inclusion in dairy cow diets: Effect on nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, nitrogen utilization, methane production, and milk performance.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of replacing on isonitrogenous and isoenergetic basis soybean meal (SBM) and corn grain with ground or rolled faba bean (FB; Vicia faba major var. Baie-Saint-Paul) in dairy cow diets (17% of diet dry matter) on nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, N utilization, methane production, and milk performance. For this purpose, 9 lactating cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design (35-d period) and fed (ad libitum) a total mixed ration (forage:concentrate ratio = 59:41 on a dry matter basis). In the concentrate portion, SBM and corn grain (control diet) were completely and partially replaced, respectively, with either ground or rolled FB. Ruminal degradability (in sacco) of crude protein was higher for ground FB (79.4%) compared with SBM (53.3%) and rolled FB (53.2%). Including FB in the diet did not affect dry matter intake, milk production, and milk composition. Experimental treatment had no effect on total volatile fatty acid concentration, acetate-to-propionate ratio, and protozoa numbers. Compared with cows fed the control diet, ruminal NH3 concentration increased and tended to increase for cows fed ground FB and rolled FB, respectively; however, we found no difference in ruminal NH3 concentration between the 2 processed FB. Apparent total-tract digestibility of crude protein was similar between cows fed the control diet and cows fed rolled FB and tended to increase for cows fed ground FB compared with cows fed the control diet. Feeding rolled FB decreased CP digestibility compared with feeding ground FB. Urinary and manure (feces + urine) N excretion (g/d or as a proportion of N intake) were not affected by the inclusion of FB in the diet. Enteric CH4 production was similar among the experimental diets. Results from this study show that including FB (17% of dietary dry matter) at the expense of SBM and corn grain in the diet had no effect on milk production, N excretion, and enteric CH4 production of dairy cows.

In vivo efficacy of human recombinant factor IX produced by the human hepatoma cell line HuH-7.

INTRODUCTION: Post-translational modifications of the CHO-cell-derived-recombinant human factor IX (FIX) currently used for the treatment of hemophilia B (HB) are different from plasma derived FIX. Our previous studies described a rFIX (HIX) having better profile of post-translational modifications than rFIX produced by CHO cells. The aim of the study consisted to verify the improved post-translational modifications effect of HIX on in vivo recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HIX has been produced in a bioreactor and then purified from supernatants. In vitro activation and activity were evaluated measured by thrombin generation tests (TGT) and compared to commercial molecules, Benefix(®) , Mononine(®) . The three molecules were then administrated (i.v.) to FIX-knockout mice and two minutes after injection, blood samples were collected and subjected to human FIX-specific-ELISA and TGT. RESULTS: The clotting function of HIX, activation courses of HIX by FXIa and FVIIa-TF complex appear normal as did activation of Benefix(®) , Mononine(®) and TG constants of each FIX were equivalent. After injection to HB mice, circulating HIX did not present any significant difference in term of antigen value with Benefix(®) . Intriguingly, TGT were clearly exhibiting a better velocity for HIX than Benefix(®) and Mononine(®) . These data suggested that HIX may improve in vivo coagulant efficacy in comparison with the two commercial FIX injected at the same dose. CONCLUSION: The study shows that HuH-7-derived-rFIX has better in vivo haemostatic activity in hemophilia B mice compared to the reference rFIX molecule despite similar in vivo recovery rates, suggesting that HuH-7 cells could represent an effective cellular system for production of rFIX.

Canadian Expert Panel Recommendations for MRI Use in MS Diagnosis and Monitoring.

BACKGROUND: A definitive diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), as distinct from a clinically isolated syndrome, requires one of two conditions: a second clinical attack or particular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings as defined by the McDonald criteria. MRI is also important after a diagnosis is made as a means of monitoring subclinical disease activity. While a standardized protocol for diagnostic and follow-up MRI has been developed by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres, acceptance and implementation in Canada have been suboptimal. METHODS: To improve diagnosis, monitoring, and management of a clinically isolated syndrome and MS, a Canadian expert panel created consensus recommendations about the appropriate application of the 2010 McDonald criteria in routine practice, strategies to improve adherence to the standardized Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres MRI protocol, and methods for ensuring effective communication among health care practitioners, in particular referring physicians, neurologists, and radiologists. RESULTS: This article presents eight consensus statements developed by the expert panel, along with the rationale underlying the recommendations and commentaries on how to prioritize resource use within the Canadian healthcare system. CONCLUSIONS: The expert panel calls on neurologists and radiologists in Canada to incorporate the McDonald criteria, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres MRI protocol, and other guidance given in this consensus presentation into their practices. By improving communication and general awareness of best practices for MRI use in MS diagnosis and monitoring, we can improve patient care across Canada by providing timely diagnosis, informed management decisions, and better continuity of care.

First Report of Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae Causing Sugarcane Red Stripe in Gabon.

During a disease inspection at the sugarcane estate SUCAF near Franceville, Gabon, in March 2011, 1- to 3-mm wide and several dm long dark red stripes were observed on sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) leaves of many plants of cultivar R570. These plants were 5.5 months old in the first ratoon crop. Additionally, spindle leaves of several stalks were rotted and could be easily pulled out of the top of the stalk. Longitudinal sections of diseased stalks showed reddish-brown discoloration of the upper stem and the rotted spindle had an unpleasant odor. Circular, convex, smooth, yellow-cream pigmented bacterial colonies with 2 to 3 mm diameter were isolated after 3 days at 28°C from young leaf lesions on YPGA (yeast extract 7 g/L, peptone 7 g/L, glucose 7 g/L, agar 15 g/L, pH 6.8 to 7.0). The 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of two representative colonies was PCR amplified, and the nucleotide sequences were shown to be 99% identical to the 16S-23S ITS sequence from the genome of Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae strain ATCC 19860 (GenBank: CP002521.1). One of these A. avenae subsp. avenae isolates from Gabon was inoculated into greenhouse grown plants of sugarcane cultivar R570. Plants were inoculated by injection into the sheath of spindle leaves above the meristem with the bacterial strain (12 plants) or with a water control (six plants). In this method, the bacteria (108 CFU/ml) were injected using a syringe through the leaf sheath until filling the leaf whorl. Three weeks post-inoculation, one to several cm long red-brown stripes were observed on leaves of 11 of 12 inoculated plants. Seven weeks post-inoculation, all plants exhibited symptoms, from red, brown, or black stripes to leaf necrosis, rotting, and death of the spindle leaves (six plants). All six control plants were symptomless. In a second experiment, 6 of 12 plants showed symptoms 3 weeks post inoculation, and the pathogen was successfully re-isolated from all six symptomatic plants with YPGA medium. The 16S-23S ITS of three single colonies obtained each from different symptomatic plants were PCR amplified and the nucleotide sequences were again found 99% identical to the 16S-23S ITS sequence from the genome of A. avenae subsp. avenae ATCC 19860. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. avenae subsp. avenae, the causal agent of sugarcane red stripe (also reported as top rot), in Gabon. It is also the first description of the occurrence of the top rot form of the disease in R570, a cultivar that is grown in several locations of Africa, the Mascarene Islands, and the French West Indies. A large-scale survey needs to be undertaken to determine the distribution of red stripe in Gabon, a disease for which several outbreaks have been reported recently worldwide (1,2). References: (1) M. P. Grisham and R. M. Johnson. Phytopathology 101:564, 2011. (2) S. Zia-ul-Hussnain et al. Afr. J. Biotechnol. 10:7191, 2011.

Modeling subsurface contaminant transport from a former open-pit uranium mine in fractured granites (La Ribière, France): Reducing uncertainties with geophysics.

The long-term management of tailings from former uranium (U) mines requires an in-depth understanding of the hydrogeological processes and water flow paths. In France, most of the legacy U mines are located in fractured crystalline (plutonic) rocks, where the intrinsic subsurface heterogeneity adds to the uncertainties about the former extraction and milling activities and the state of the mine when production was ceased. U ores were mainly processed by sulfuric acid leaching, leading to high-sulfate-content mill tailings now contained in several tailing storage facilities (TSFs). The La Ribière site, located in western central France, is a former open-pit and underground U mine, closed in 1992 and used to store mill tailings. This site is being used as a test case to establish a workflow in order to explain and predict water flow and subsurface contaminant transport. A conceptual model of water flow and sulfate transport, at the scale of the La Ribière watershed, is first developed based on available information and hydrogeochemical monitoring. Recent geophysical investigations allows refining this model. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) proves to be efficient at localizing the extent of the highly conductive sulfate plume inherited from the U-mill tailings, but also at imaging the weathering profile. Magnetic Resonance Sounding (MRS), despite the limited signal intensity due to the low porosity in crystalline rocks, gives some insight into the porosity values, the depth of the fractured layer and the location of the low-porosity ore-processing muds. Based on this conceptual model, a 3D flow and non-reactive transport model with the METIS code is developed and calibrated. This model allows predicting the evolution of the sulfate plume, but will also be used in future investigations, to build reactive transport models with simplified hydrogeology for U and other reactive contaminants.

A new prognostic clinicopathological classification of pituitary adenomas: a multicentric case-control study of 410 patients with 8 years post-operative follow-up.

Pituitary adenomas are currently classified by histological, immunocytochemical and numerous ultrastructural characteristics lacking unequivocal prognostic correlations. We investigated the prognostic value of a new clinicopathological classification with grades based on invasion and proliferation. This retrospective multicentric case-control study comprised 410 patients who had surgery for a pituitary tumour with long-term follow-up. Using pituitary magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of cavernous or sphenoid sinus invasion, immunocytochemistry, markers of the cell cycle (Ki-67, mitoses) and p53, tumours were classified according to size (micro, macro and giant), type (PRL, GH, FSH/LH, ACTH and TSH) and grade (grade 1a: non-invasive, 1b: non-invasive and proliferative, 2a: invasive, 2b: invasive and proliferative, and 3: metastatic). The association between patient status at 8-year follow-up and age, sex, and classification was evaluated by two multivariate analyses assessing disease- or recurrence/progression-free status. At 8 years after surgery, 195 patients were disease-free (controls) and 215 patients were not (cases). In 125 of the cases the tumours had recurred or progressed. Analyses of disease-free and recurrence/progression-free status revealed the significant prognostic value (p < 0.001; p < 0.05) of age, tumour type, and grade across all tumour types and for each tumour type. Invasive and proliferative tumours (grade 2b) had a poor prognosis with an increased probability of tumour persistence or progression of 25- or 12-fold, respectively, as compared to non-invasive tumours (grade 1a). This new, easy to use clinicopathological classification of pituitary endocrine tumours has demonstrated its prognostic worth by strongly predicting the probability of post-operative complete remission or tumour progression and so could help clinicians choose the best post-operative therapy.

Structured illumination fluorescence microscopy with distorted excitations using a filtered blind-SIM algorithm.

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is a powerful technique for obtaining super-resolved fluorescence maps of samples, but it is very sensitive to aberrations or misalignments affecting the excitation patterns. Here, we present a reconstruction algorithm that is able to process SIM data even if the illuminations are strongly distorted. The approach is an extension of the recent blind-SIM technique, which reconstructs simultaneously the sample and the excitation patterns without a priori information on the latter. Our algorithm was checked on synthetic and experimental data using distorted and nondistorted illuminations. The reconstructions were similar to that obtained by up-to-date SIM methods when the illuminations were periodic and remained artifact-free when the illuminations were strongly distorted.

First Report of Sugarcane Leaf Scald in Gabon Caused by a Highly Virulent and Aggressive Strain of Xanthomonas albilineans.

During a disease inspection at the sugarcane estate SUCAF near Franceville, Gabon, in March 2011, 0.5 to 1 cm wide chlorotic stripes covered with many small red streaks were observed on sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) leaves of a single plant of cultivar R581. After removal of the leaves covering the base of the stalks, abnormal development of basal side shoots was also observed. Transversal sections of a diseased stalk showed reddening of the vessels near the nodes. Circular, convex, smooth, shiny, translucent, non-mucoid, honey-yellow pigmented bacterial colonies were isolated from stalk pieces and side shoots on XAS selective agar medium (1). The nucleotide sequence of the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of a representative colony was shown to be 100% identical to the 16S-23S ITS sequence from the genome of Xanthomonas albilineans strain GPE PC73 (GenBank: FP565176.1). This strain from Gabon was named GAB266. Sugarcane stalks of greenhouse grown cultivar CP68-1026 were inoculated with X. albilineans strains XaFL07-1 from Florida, GPE PC73 from Guadeloupe, and GAB266. Five stalks were inoculated by the modified decapitation method (3) with each strain or with a water control. One month post-inoculation (MPI), white pencil lines and severe necrosis were observed on leaves inoculated with strains XaFL07-1 and GPE PC73, and no disease symptoms appeared on non-inoculated leaves that developed 2 to 3 MPI. These results are in agreement with those generally obtained after inoculation of susceptible sugarcane cultivars with X. albilineans strains from various geographical locations under greenhouse conditions (Rott, unpublished results). In contrast, 1 MPI, only discrete white to red pencil lines were observed along with necrosis on leaves inoculated with strain GAB266, and by 2 to 3 MPI, all five inoculated plants were wilted. The pathogen was successfully reisolated by the stalk blot inoculation technique (3) with XAS medium, from all five inoculated stalks and from 98 of 114 internodes. In a second greenhouse experiment, the same three strains of X. albilineans were inoculated as described above into five sugarcane cultivars differing in resistance to leaf scald in Guadeloupe (2) (CP68-1026, highly susceptible; B69566, susceptible; R570, tolerant; B8008, resistant; Co6415, highly resistant). The same symptoms as those described above were again observed on inoculated leaves of the five sugarcane cultivars 1 MPI. Strains XaFL07-1 and GPE PC73 produced occasionally a single pencil line on non-inoculated leaves 2 to 3 MPI, but only strain GAB266 caused leaf scalding and/or plant death 2 to 3 MPI: cultivar CP68-1026 (5 of 5 plants), B69566 (5 of 5 plants), R570 (4 of 5 plants), B8008 (5 of 5 plants), and only non-inoculated leaves of cultivar Co6415 remained symptomless (5 plants). Strain GAB266 from Gabon appeared, therefore, more virulent and aggressive than the two strains of X. albilineans from Florida and Guadeloupe. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf scald of sugarcane in Gabon and the first description of an unusual highly virulent and aggressive strain of X. albilineans. A large-scale survey needs to be undertaken to determine the distribution of leaf scald disease and this new pathotype/race of X. albilineans in Gabon and other geographical locations. References: (1) M. J. Davis et al. Plant Dis. 78:78, 1994. (2) P. Rott et al. Phytopathology 87:1202, 1997 (3) P. Rott et al. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 24:594, 2011.

Cryogenic sensor enabling broad-band and traceable power measurements.

Recently, great progress has been made in the field of ultrasensitive microwave detectors, reaching even the threshold for utilization in circuit quantum electrodynamics. However, cryogenic sensors lack the compatibility with broad-band metrologically traceable power absorption measurements at ultralow powers, which restricts their range of applications. Here, we demonstrate such measurements using an ultralow-noise nanobolometer, which we extend by an additional direct-current (dc) heater input. The tracing of the absorbed power relies on comparing the response of the bolometer between radio frequency and dc-heating powers traced to the Josephson voltage and quantum Hall resistance. To illustrate this technique, we demonstrate two different methods of dc-substitution to calibrate the power that is delivered to the base temperature stage of a dilution refrigerator using our in situ power sensor. As an example, we demonstrate the ability to accurately measure the attenuation of a coaxial input line between the frequencies of 50 MHz and 7 GHz with an uncertainty down to 0.1 dB at a typical input power of -114 dBm.

Specific alterations in NKG2D+ T lymphocytes in relapsing-remitting and progressive multiple sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: T lymphocytes exhibit numerous alterations in relapsing-remitting (RRMS), secondary progressive (SPMS), and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). The NKG2D pathway has been involved in MS pathology. NKG2D is a co-activating receptor on subsets of CD4+ and most CD8+ T lymphocytes. The ligands of NKG2D are expressed at low levels in normal tissues but are elevated in MS postmortem brain tissues compared with controls. Whether the NKG2D pathway shows specific changes in different forms of MS remains unclear. METHODS: We performed unsupervised and supervised flow cytometry analysis to characterize peripheral blood T lymphocytes from RRMS, SPMS, and PPMS patients and healthy controls (HC). We used an in vitro microscopy approach to assess the role of NKG2D in the interactions between human CD8+T lymphocytes and human astrocytes. RESULTS: Specific CD8+, CD4+, and CD4-CD8- T cell populations exhibited altered frequency in MS patients' subgroups. The proportion of NKG2D+ T lymphocytes declined with age in PPMS patients but not in RRMS and HC. This reduced percentage of NKG2D+ cells was due to lower abundance of γδ and αß CD4-CD8- T lymphocytes in PPMS patients. NKG2D+ T lymphocytes were significantly less abundant in RRMS than in HC; this was caused by a decreased frequency of CD4-CD8- and CD8+ T lymphocytes and was not linked to age. Blocking NKG2D increased the motility of CD8+ T lymphocytes co-cultured with astrocytes expressing NKG2D ligand. Moreover, preventing NKG2D from interacting with its ligands increased the proportion of CD8+ T lymphocytes exhibiting a kinapse-like behavior characterized by short-term interaction while reducing those displaying a long-lasting synapse-like behavior. These results support that NKG2D participates in the establishment of long-term interactions between activated CD8+ T lymphocytes and astrocytes. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate specific alterations in NKG2D+ T lymphocytes in MS patients' subgroups and suggest that NKG2D contributes to the interactions between human CD8+ T lymphocytes and human astrocytes.

Far-field optical control of a movable subdiffraction light grid.

We demonstrate experimentally a subdiffraction light pattern, with a period down to 150 nm, at the surface of an optimized silicon nanostructured thin film. We show, using near-field and far-field characterization, that this subdiffraction pattern can be translated and rotated just by changing the illumination angle. The movable high frequency light pattern paves the way for subdiffraction resolution surface imaging microscopy without scanning near-field probes.

Discretization of electronic states in large InAsP/InP multilevel quantum dots probed by scanning tunneling spectroscopy.

The topography and the electronic structure of InAsP/InP quantum dots are probed by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The study of the local density of states in such large quantum dots confirms the discrete nature of the electronic levels whose wave functions are measured by differential conductivity mapping. Because of their large dimensions, the energy separation between the discrete electronic levels is low, allowing for quantization in both the lateral and growth directions as well as the observation of the harmonicity of the dot lateral potential.

Cortical morphology predicts placebo response in multiple sclerosis.

Despite significant insights into the neural mechanisms of acute placebo responses, less is known about longer-term placebo responses, such as those seen in clinical trials, or their interactions with brain disease. We examined brain correlates of placebo responses in a randomized trial of a then controversial and now disproved endovascular treatment for multiple sclerosis. Patients received either balloon or sham extracranial venoplasty and were followed for 48 weeks. Venoplasty had no therapeutic effect, but a subset of both venoplasty- and sham-treated patients reported a transient improvement in health-related quality of life, suggesting a placebo response. Placebo responders did not differ from non-responders in total MRI T2 lesion load, count or location, nor were there differences in normalized brain volume, regional grey or white matter volume or cortical thickness (CT). However, responders had higher lesion activity. Graph theoretical analysis of CT covariance showed that non-responders had a more small-world-like CT architecture. In non-responders, lesion load was inversely associated with CT in somatosensory, motor and association areas, precuneus, and insula, primarily in the right hemisphere. In responders, lesion load was unrelated to CT. The neuropathological process in MS may produce in some a cortical configuration less capable of generating sustained placebo responses.

First Report of Orange Rust of Sugarcane Caused by Puccinia kuehnii in Ivory Coast and Cameroon.

Orange rust of sugarcane caused by Puccinia kuehnii was detected in Florida in 2007 (1). It was hypothesized that the pathogen originated from Africa because brown rust of sugarcane (synonym common rust) was introduced to the Western Hemisphere from Africa (3). Requests for rust-infected sugarcane samples were made to several western and central African countries to investigate if orange rust of sugarcane was present but as yet undetected. Orange rust had not previously been reported from western or central Africa. At Zuénoula, Ivory Coast in July 2009, symptoms of sugarcane rust were observed on cvs. SP 71-6180 and Co 997 and appeared distinct to those of brown rust of sugarcane. A year later (May 2010), rust-infected specimens of SP 71-6180 and Co 997 from the same location and also from Borotou in Ivory Coast were sent to the USDA-ARS Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory in Beltsville, MD for identification. Also in May 2010, sugarcane rust was observed at Mbandjock and Nkoteng in Cameroon on cvs. D 88172, FR 87482, and RB 72-454 and on breeding clones RCmr 08/319 and RCmr 08/1121. All specimens had orange uredinial lesions that ranged from 0.6 to 6.5 mm × 200 to 300 µm and were ellipsoidal to elongate. Urediniospores were consistent with P. kuehnii E.J. Butler observed on specimens from Florida (1). DNA isolated from all samples was successfully amplified with P. kuehnii specific primers targeting ITS1 of rDNA (2). The nuclear large subunit region of rDNA of the rust specimens from Ivory Coast (BPI 881015-881017, GenBank Accession No. HQ666888) and Cameroon (BPI 881010-881014, GenBank Accession Nos. HQ666889-HQ666891) were sequenced. DNA sequences for all were identical to sequences of P. kuehnii and distinct from known sequences of P. melanocephala available in GenBank. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed report of orange rust of sugarcane in western and central Africa. There is evidence that brown rust of sugarcane was introduced to the Western Hemisphere from this region of Africa (3) making it also the likely source of introduction of orange rust. Further experimentation is required to confirm this hypothesis. References: (1) J. C. Comstock et al. Plant Dis. 92:175, 2008. (2) N. C. Glynn et al. Plant Pathol. 59:703. 2010. (3) H. L. Purdy et al. Plant Dis. 69:689, 1985.

[Asthma and scuba diving: Creation and evaluation of a website (For doctors, asthmatics and diving instructors)]. / Asthme et plongée sous-marine : création et évaluation d'un site internet (à destination des médecins, plongeurs asthmatiques et moniteurs de plongée).

INTRODUCTION: Scuba diving has long been strictly contraindicated for asthmatics; this contraindication has been questioned in recent years. Our objective was to provide a website, evaluated by its users, for doctors, diving instructors and asthmatics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Creation of the site Asthme-Plongee.com based on a peer-reviewed literature review, then distribution of a questionnaire in summer 2018 to diving clubs, general practitioner groups, pulmonologists and FFESSM federal offices, and via social networks. RESULTS: Our sample consisted of 413 assessors, including 264 health professionals (63.9%), 74 asthmatics (17.9%) and 92 diving instructors (22.3%), spread over the entire territory of France. The structure of the website, the clarity of the information written and its relevance were generally appreciated by the entire population with a median score of 8/10. The site was found useful: 72.9% of respondents thought they would visit it later. CONCLUSION: Faced with a growing number of amateur divers, it seems essential to raise awareness of current recommendations and good diving practices.