Microglia contribute to the propagation of Aß into unaffected brain tissue.

Microglia appear activated in the vicinity of amyloid beta (Aß) plaques, but whether microglia contribute to Aß propagation into unaffected brain regions remains unknown. Using transplantation of wild-type (WT) neurons, we show that Aß enters WT grafts, and that this is accompanied by microglia infiltration. Manipulation of microglia function reduced Aß deposition within grafts. Furthermore, in vivo imaging identified microglia as carriers of Aß pathology in previously unaffected tissue. Our data thus argue for a hitherto unexplored mechanism of Aß propagation.

[Impact of obesity on PSA in prostate cancer screening]. / Impact de l'obésité sur le PSA lors du dépistage du cancer de la prostate.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is associated with changes of serum levels of androgens and oestrogens which could modulate prostate metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between the PSA level and the degree of obesity in a candidate population for prostate cancer screening in order to determine whether the PSA level needs to be adapted before performing biopsy. MATERIAL: During a screening campaign in a French district, serum PSA results and body mass index (BMI) were available for 541 men. These men were divided into 4 groups of corpulence: Normal (BMI < 25), Overweight (25 < or = BMI < 30), Stage I obesity (30 < or = BMI < 35), Stage II + III obesity (BMI > or = 35). The PSA levels of these various groups were compared, and a correlation between BMI and PSA was investigated. RESULTS: The mean PSA in each group was inversely proportional to BMI, with mean PSA levels of 3.7, 2.9, 2.6 and 1.5 for Normal, Overweight, Obesity I and Obesity II + III groups, respectively. A significant difference was observed between these groups (p = 0.03) and an inverse correlation was also observed between BMI and PSA (r = 0.1, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: In a population submitted to prostate cancer screening, PSA is lower as BMI increases. An adaptation of the PSA screening cutoff value according to BMI should be investigated.

Return of experience on the initial audit of Cofrac and projects for the release of results of emergency biological tests.

Legislation and ISO 15189 international standard provide that the clinical laboratories shall organize the communication of the biological assay results, especially with the establishment of a list of critical assays, whose results shall be reported during doctor's on call period but also through restricting result transmission to biologically validated results. Actually continuous validation and immediate procession of the medical records belonging to patients in emergency situation are not always possible, because of the biologist's workload and the other activities he is responsible for. Based on the modified version of SH REF 04, we intend to export on the servers the results of critical assays during both the day time and doctor's on call period, as they are validated by the authorized technician, under the responsibility of the biologist in charge of validation. With this project, it will be possible at the same time to respond to the clinical requirements, and, for the biologist, to perform all his functions that are important to ensure the smooth running and the development of the laboratory.