Sensory neuron-derived TAFA4 promotes macrophage tissue repair functions.

Inflammation is a defence response to tissue damage that requires tight regulation in order to prevent impaired healing. Tissue-resident macrophages have a key role in tissue repair1, but the precise molecular mechanisms that regulate the balance between inflammatory and pro-repair macrophage responses during healing remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrate a major role for sensory neurons in promoting the tissue-repair function of macrophages. In a sunburn-like model of skin damage in mice, the conditional ablation of sensory neurons expressing the Gαi-interacting protein (GINIP) results in defective tissue regeneration and in dermal fibrosis. Elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed a crucial role for the neuropeptide TAFA4, which is produced in the skin by C-low threshold mechanoreceptors-a subset of GINIP+ neurons. TAFA4 modulates the inflammatory profile of macrophages directly in vitro. In vivo studies in Tafa4-deficient mice revealed that TAFA4 promotes the production of IL-10 by dermal macrophages after UV-induced skin damage. This TAFA4-IL-10 axis also ensures the survival and maintenance of IL-10+TIM4+ dermal macrophages, reducing skin inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration. These results reveal a neuroimmune regulatory pathway driven by the neuropeptide TAFA4 that promotes the anti-inflammatory functions of macrophages and prevents fibrosis after tissue damage, and could lead to new therapeutic perspectives for inflammatory diseases.

Cefiderocol susceptibility of Achromobacter spp.: study of an accurately identified collection of 230 strains.

BACKGROUND: Achromobacter spp. are opportunistic pathogens, mostly infecting immunocompromised patients and patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and considered as difficult-to-treat pathogens due to both intrinsic resistance and the possibility of acquired antimicrobial resistance. Species identification remains challenging leading to imprecise descriptions of resistance in each taxon. Cefiderocol is a broad-spectrum siderophore cephalosporin increasingly used in the management of Achromobacter infections for which susceptibility data remain scarce. We aimed to describe the susceptibility to cefiderocol of a collection of Achromobacter strains encompassing different species and isolation sources from CF or non-CF (NCF) patients. METHODS: We studied 230 Achromobacter strains (67 from CF, 163 from NCF patients) identified by nrdA gene-based analysis, with available susceptibility data for piperacillin-tazobactam, meropenem and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cefiderocol were determined using the broth microdilution reference method according to EUCAST guidelines. RESULTS: Strains belonged to 15 species. A. xylosoxidans represented the main species (71.3%). MICs ranged from ≤ 0.015 to 16 mg/L with MIC50/90 of ≤ 0.015/0.5 mg/L overall and 0.125/2 mg/L against 27 (11.7%) meropenem-non-susceptible strains. Cefiderocol MICs were not related to CF/NCF origin or species although A. xylosoxidans MICs were statistically lower than those of other species considered as a whole. Considering the EUCAST non-species related breakpoint (2 mg/L), 228 strains (99.1%) were susceptible to cefiderocol. The two cefiderocol-resistant strains (A. xylosoxidans from CF patients) represented 3.7% of meropenem-non-susceptible strains and 12.5% of MDR strains. CONCLUSIONS: Cefiderocol exhibited excellent in vitro activity against a large collection of accurately identified Achromobacter strains, irrespective of species and origin.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on functional urology procedures in France: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on functional urology procedures in France. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted within 11 secondary and tertiary referral centers in France. Patients aged > 18 years who were diagnosed with a functional urology disease before the national lockdown (March 17th, 2020) and who required a surgery were included. Study period went from March 17th to September 30th 2020. The included interventions were listed according to the guidelines for functional urology enacted by the French Association of Urology and delay of reoperation was compared to the guidelines' delay. The primary outcome was the number of procedures left unscheduled at the end of the study period. Descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS: From March 17th 2020 to September 3 rd 2020, 1246 patients with a previous diagnosis of a functional urological disease requiring a surgery were included. The mean follow-up was 140.4 days (± 53.4). Overall, 316 interventions (25.4%) were maintained whereas 74 (5.9%) were canceled, 848 (68.1%) postponed and 8 patients (0.6%) died. At the end of the follow-up, 184 patients (21.7%) were still not rescheduled. If the intervention was postponed, the mean delay between the initial and final date was 85.7 days (± 64.4). CONCLUSION: Overall, more than two thirds of interventions had to be postponed and the mean delay between the initial and final date was about three months.

Grade group 1 prostate cancer on biopsy: are we still missing aggressive disease in the era of image-directed therapy?

PURPOSE: Recently, Eggener et al. reignited a debate consisting to redefine Gleason Grade Group (GGG) 1 prostate cancer (PCa) as a precancerous lesion to reduce overdiagnosis and overtreatment. However, historical cohorts showed that some GGG1-labeled disease at biopsy may be underestimated by the standard PCa diagnostic workup. The aim was to assess whether the risk of adverse features at radical prostatectomy (RP) in selected GGG1 patients still exists in the era of pre-biopsy mpMRI and image-guided biopsies. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our data from a European RP dataset to assess in contemporary patients with GGG1 at mpMRI-targeted biopsy the rate of adverse features at final pathology, defined as ≥ pT3a and/or pN+ and/or GGG ≥ 3. RESULTS: A total of 419 patients with cT1-T2 cN0 GGG1-PCa were included. At final pathology, 143 (34.1%) patients had adverse features. In multivariate analysis, only unfavorable intermediate-risk/high-risk disease (defined on PSA or stage) was predictive of adverse features (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.11-5.39, p = 0.02). A significant difference was observed in the 3-year biochemical recurrence-free survival between patients with and without adverse features (93.4 vs 87.8%, p = 0.026). In sensitivity analysis restricted low- and favorable intermediate-risk PCa, 122/383 patients (31.8%) had adverse features and no preoperative factors were statistically associated with this risk. CONCLUSION: In this European study, we showed that there is still a risk of underestimating GGG1 disease at biopsy despite the routine use of image-guided biopsies. Future studies are warranted to improve the detection of aggressive disease in GGG1-labeled patients by incorporating the latest tools such as genomic testing or radiomics.

Toward the Use of Pupillary Responses for Pilot Selection.

OBJECTIVE: For selection practitioners, it seems important to assess the level of mental resources invested in order to perform a demanding task. In this study, we investigated the potential of pupil size measurement to discriminate the most proficient pilot students from the less proficient. BACKGROUND: Cognitive workload is known to influence learning outcome. More specifically, cognitive difficulties observed during pilot training are often related to a lack of efficient mental workload management. METHOD: Twenty pilot students performed a laboratory multitasking scenario, composed of several stages with increasing workload, while their pupil size was recorded. Two levels of pilot students were compared according to the outcome after 2 years of training: high success and medium success. RESULTS: Our findings suggested that task-evoked pupil size measurements could be a promising predictor of flight training difficulties during the 2-year training. Indeed, high-level pilot students showed greater pupil size changes from low-load to high-load stages of the multitasking scenario than medium-level pilot students. Moreover, average pupil diameters at the low-load stage were smallest for the high-level pilot students. CONCLUSION: Following the neural efficiency hypothesis framework, the most proficient pilot students supposedly used their mental resources more efficiently than the least proficient while performing the multitasking scenario. APPLICATION: These findings might introduce a new way of managing selection processes complemented with ocular measurements. More specifically, pupil size measurement could enable identification of applicants with greater chances of success during pilot training.

Biofilm Formation by Staphylococcus aureus in the Specific Context of Cystic Fibrosis.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen whose characteristics support its success in various clinical settings including Cystic Fibrosis (CF). In CF, S. aureus is indeed the most commonly identified opportunistic pathogen in children and the overall population. S. aureus colonization/infection, either by methicillin-susceptible or methicillin-resistant strains, will become chronic in about one third of CF patients. The persistence of S. aureus in CF patients' lungs, despite various eradication strategies, is favored by several traits in both host and pathogen. Among the latter, living in biofilm is a highly protective way to survive despite deleterious environmental conditions, and is a common characteristic shared by the main pathogens identified in CF. This is why CF has earned the status of a biofilm-associated disease for several years now. Biofilm formation by S. aureus, and the molecular mechanisms governing and regulating it, have been extensively studied but have received less attention in the specific context of CF lungs. Here, we review the current knowledge on S. aureus biofilm in this very context, i.e., the importance, study methods, molecular data published on mono- and multi-species biofilm and anti-biofilm strategies. This focus on studies including clinical isolates from CF patients shows that they are still under-represented in the literature compared with studies based on reference strains, and underlines the need for such studies. Indeed, CF clinical strains display specific characteristics that may not be extrapolated from results obtained on laboratory strains.

The use of thermostable bacterial hemicellulases improves the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to valuable molecules.

The hydrolysis of xylans, one of the main classes of carbohydrates that constitute lignocellulosic biomass, requires the synergistic action of several enzymes. The development of efficient enzymatic strategies for hydrolysis remains a challenge in the pursuit of viable biorefineries, particularly with respect to the valorisation of pentoses. The approach developed in this work is based on obtaining and characterising hemicellulasic cocktails from Thermobacillus xylanilyticus after culturing this bacterium on the hemicellulose-rich substrates wheat bran and wheat straw, which differ in their chemistries. The two obtained cocktails (WSC and WBC, for cocktails obtained from wheat straw and wheat bran, respectively) were resistant to a broad range of temperature and pH conditions. At 60 °C, both cocktails efficiently liberated pentoses and phenolic acids from wheat bran (liberating more than 60, 30 and 40 % of the total xylose, arabinose and ferulic acid in wheat bran, respectively). They acted to a lesser extent on the more recalcitrant wheat straw, with hydrolytic yields of more than 30 % of the total arabinose and xylose content and 22 % of the ferulic acid content. Hydrolysis is associated with a high rate of sugar monomerisation. When associated with cellulases, high quantities of glucose were also obtained. On wheat bran, total glucose yields were improved by 70 % compared to the action of cellulases alone. This improvement was obtained by cellulase complementation either with WSC or with WBC. On wheat straw, similar levels of total glucose were obtained for cellulases alone or complemented with WSC or WBC. Interestingly, the complementation of cellulases with WSC or WBC induced an increase in the monomeric glucose yield of more than 20 % compared to cellulases alone.

Preovulatory follicle diameter, growth rate and time of ovulation during induced oestrus using a CIDR® in trypanotolerant female Bos taurus N'Dama cattle.

The aim of this study was to assess the dose (300 to 600 IU) effects of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) on the preovulatory follicle diameter, growth rate and time of ovulation characterized by echography. The eCG was injected at the end (D0) of the 7-day treatment with a controlled internal device release (CIDR®) and a PGF2α being injected 2 days before the removal of the CIDR® (d-2). The 120 N'Dama female were distributed into five experimental groups. The control group (n = 26) was treated with physiological saline at the removal of the CIDR®, while the animals in the four treated groups received, respectively, 300 IU (n = 25), 400 IU (n = 24), 500 IU (n = 22) and 600 IU (n = 23) of eCG. The diameter of the preovulatory follicle was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the animals treated with 300 IU (10.1 ± 1.4 mm) than in untreated animals (9.3 ± 1.2 mm). Follicle growth rate was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in treated animals (1.0 ± 0.4 mm/day) than in the control group (0.9 ± 0.4 mm/day). The average interval between the time of eCG injection and ovulation was similar in the non-treated (83.7 ± 14.4 h) and treated animals (79.7 ± 11.9). Treated animals showed a significant increase in the percentage of ovulation (94.7 % compared to 73.1 %) (P < 0.01). Use of eCG contributed towards synchronising the time of ovulation between 72 to 96 h, which would facilitate the use of systematic insemination.

Sirtuin 1 promotes Th2 responses and airway allergy by repressing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ activity in dendritic cells.

Sirtuins are a unique class of NAD(+)-dependent deacetylases that regulate diverse biological functions such as aging, metabolism, and stress resistance. Recently, it has been shown that sirtuins may have anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting proinflammatory transcription factors such as NF-κB. In contrast, we report in this study that pharmacological inhibition of sirtuins dampens adaptive Th2 responses and subsequent allergic inflammation by interfering with lung dendritic cell (DC) function in a mouse model of airway allergy. Using genetic engineering, we demonstrate that sirtuin 1 represses the activity of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in DCs, thereby favoring their maturation toward a pro-Th2 phenotype. This study reveals a previously unappreciated function of sirtuin 1 in the regulation of DC function and Th2 responses, thus shedding new light on our current knowledge on the regulation of inflammatory processes by sirtuins.

Social contact, own-group recognition bias and visual attention to faces.

The own-group recognition bias (OGRB) has been consistently linked to social contact in theoretical accounts. Indeed, social contact is assumed by most authors to underlie the perceptual expertise of out-groups' faces. However, little is known empirically about how it might impact face-processing strategies. We tested the proposition that social interaction would improve the face recognition performance of another group by modulating visual strategies for different face areas. In Experiment 1, we studied visual processes using an eye tracker during a person's first live encounter with a particular member of their own group (European) or an outgroup (African) to explore how increasing familiarity during a first interaction influences face-processing strategies. In Experiments 2 and 3, we explored the effect of simulated intergroup contact on face recognition accuracy, while simultaneously studying the impact of contact on visual attention strategies that occur during recognition (Experiment 2) and encoding (Experiment 3). The results showed a strong OGRB and a difference in visual processes based on the ethnic group of the targets. Although a single interaction is not sufficient to reduce the OGRB, familiarization during a live interaction (Experiment 1) and virtual social contact (Experiment 2) had an impact on the visual strategies employed.

Innovative protocol of an exploratory study evaluating the acceptability of a humanoid robot at home of deaf children with cochlear implants.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a research methodology for the assessment of the acceptability of a humanoid robot at home for children with cochlear implants (CI). The quality of audiology rehabilitation for cochlear implanted child administrated at the hospital with pluri-weekly sessions is a major prognostic factor in the outcome on communications abilities, but represents also a constraint for families related to the access to care that are more difficult. Further, home training with tools would balance the equitable distribution of care in the territory and promote the child's progress. The humanoid robot should allow an ecological approach to this complementary training. Before developing this approach, it is necessary to study the acceptability of the humanoid robot at home, both by cochlear implanted child and their families. Ten families were chosen to have a humanoid robot at home, to explore their acceptability of the humanoid robot Pepper. The study lasts for 1 month per participants (i.e. cochlear implemented children and parent). Participants were invited to use the robot at home as much as they want. The humanoid robot Pepper was able to communicate and proposed activities not related to rehabilitation. Once a week during the study, data were collected from participants (questionnaires and robot's logs) and the smooth running of the study was checked. Questionnaires are used to evaluate the acceptability of the robot by children and parents. User data from the robot's logs are used to quantify the time and the actual use of the robot over the period of the study. Results of the experimentation will be reported, once all 10 participants have completed their passation. The robot is anticipated to be used and accepted by children with cochlear implants and their families. Clinical trial registration: Clinical Trials ID: NCT04832373; https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

Influence of Emotions on Elementary-School Children's Implicit Learning during a Serial Reaction Time Task.

As pedagogues and childhood professionals, teachers must be aware of both implicit and explicit learning processes. They must also bear in mind that learners' performances may be influenced by the many emotions triggered by different situations at school (e.g., fear of failing, happiness upon succeeding, anger at leaving work unfinished). The objective of the present study was thus to analyze the efficiency of implicit learning among 8- to 11-year-old children and the impact of emotions on this type of learning. In order to analyze implicit learning, 65 elementary-school children performed a serial reaction time task in a laboratory context. Emotions were induced by asking the children to read six short emotional sentences and listen to classical music. Results showed a significant impact of the task condition (semi-random or fixed sequence) on reaction times. Moreover, the induction of happiness resulted in slightly longer reaction times compared with neutral induction. These results need to be deepened to better understand the interactions between emotions and implicit learning in children.

Serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis: evaluation of the commercial test recomLine Toxoplasma IgG immunoblot (Mikrogen) based on recombinant antigens.

BACKGROUND: IgG detection to determine immune status to Toxoplasma gondii infection and seroconversion mainly relies on ELISA techniques and, if necessary, on a confirmatory test, Western blot. This study evaluated the performance of the recomLine Toxoplasma IgG immunoblot (IB-recomLine) (Mikrogen) as a confirmatory test on a large number of sera. A total of 171 sera were selected (113 patients) and had previously been analyzed by two ELISA tests, ARCHITECT (Abbott) and VIDAS (bioMérieux) ± LDBIO-Toxo II IgG Western blot (WB-LDBIO) (LDBio). The sera were classified into three groups: group 1 included 50 sera without difficulty in interpreting the IgG results (patients with documented past infection or uninfected); group 2 included 47 sera with difficulty in interpreting the ELISA results; and group 3 included 74 sequential sera from 25 pregnant women with seroconversion. RESULTS: In group 1, overall IgG agreements were 94% and 90% with ARCHITECT and VIDAS, respectively. In group 2, low agreement was observed between IB-recomLine and WB-LDBIO, with eight false-positive and 13 false-negative results. In group 3, 4/13 seroconversions were detected earlier with IB-recomLine compared to other tests. CONCLUSIONS: IB-recomLine allowed for earlier diagnosis of toxoplasmic seroconversion compared to both ELISA tests and WB-LDBIO but led to insufficient performance to confirm the immune status when ELISA results were discordant or equivocal.

Title: Diagnostic sérologique de la toxoplasmose : évaluation du test commercial recomLine Toxoplasma IgG immunoblot (Mikrogen) basé sur des antigènes recombinants. Abstract: Contexte : La détection des IgG pour déterminer le statut immunitaire vis-à-vis de l'infection à Toxoplasma gondii et de la séroconversion repose principalement sur les techniques ELISA et, si nécessaire, sur un test de confirmation, le Western blot. Cette étude a évalué les performances de l'immunoblot recomLine Toxoplasma IgG (IB-recomLine) (Mikrogen) en tant que test de confirmation sur un grand nombre de sérums. Un total de 171 sérums ont été sélectionnés (113 patients) et ont été préalablement analysés par deux tests ELISA, ARCHITECT (Abbott) et VIDAS (bioMérieux) ± LDBIO-Toxo II IgG Western blot (WB-LDBIO) (LDBio). Les sérums ont été classés en trois groupes : le groupe 1 comprenait 50 sérums sans difficulté d'interprétation des résultats IgG (patients avec antécédents d'infection documentée ou non infectés); le groupe 2 comprenait 47 sérums avec des difficultés d'interprétation des résultats ELISA; le groupe 3 comprenait 74 sérums séquentiels de 25 femmes enceintes séroconverties. Résultats : Dans le groupe 1, les concordances globales des IgG étaient respectivement de 94 % et 90 % avec ARCHITECT et VIDAS. Dans le groupe 2, une faible concordance a été observée entre IB-recomLine et WB-LDBIO, avec huit faux positifs et 13 faux négatifs. Dans le groupe 3, 4/13 séroconversions ont été détectées plus tôt avec IB-recomLine par rapport aux autres tests. Conclusions : IB-recomLine a permis un diagnostic plus précoce de la séroconversion toxoplasmique par rapport aux tests ELISA et WB-LDBIO, mais a conduit à des performances insuffisantes pour confirmer le statut immunitaire lorsque les résultats ELISA étaient discordants ou équivoques.

Main Targets of Interest for the Development of a Prophylactic or Therapeutic Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most widespread viruses in the world; more than 90% of the planet's adult population is infected. Symptomatic primary infection by this Herpesviridae corresponds to infectious mononucleosis (IM), which is generally a benign disease. While virus persistence is often asymptomatic, it is responsible for 1.5% of cancers worldwide, mainly B cell lymphomas and carcinomas. EBV may also be associated with autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases. However, no effective treatment or anti-EBV vaccine is currently available. Knowledge of the proteins and mechanisms involved in the different steps of the viral cycle is essential to the development of effective vaccines. The present review describes the main actors in the entry of the virus into B cells and epithelial cells, which are targets of interest in the development of prophylactic vaccines aimed at preventing viral infection. This review also summarizes the first vaccinal approaches tested in humans, all of which are based on the gp350/220 glycoprotein; while they have reduced the risk of IM, they have yet to prevent EBV infection. The main proteins involved in the EBV latency cycle and some of the proteins involved in the lytic cycle have essential roles in the oncogenesis of EBV. For that reason, these proteins are of interest for the development of therapeutic vaccines of which the objective is the stimulation of T cell immunity against EBV-associated cancers. New strategies aimed at broadening the antigenic spectrum, are currently being studied and will contribute to the targeting of the essential steps of the viral cycle, the objective being to prevent or treat the diseases associated with EBV.

Autologous dermis graft versus conchal cartilage graft for managing lower eyelid retraction: A comparative study.

PURPOSE: Lower eyelid management is challenging. The conchal cartilage is often considered a spacer of choice for treating lower eyelid retraction. However, dermis graft has also recently been shown to be a viable spacer. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of dermis graft to that of conchal cartilage graft in this indication. METHODS: A retrospective comparative study was conducted in patients who underwent lower eyelid lengthening with autologous dermis graft (group 1) or autologous conchal cartilage graft (group 2). The main outcome measure was the reduction in inferior scleral show (ISS) assessed by three independent masked surgeons. Secondary outcome measures was the assessment of lagophthalmos and corneal keratitis. Complications were also recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-five eyelids of 23 patients were included: 11 and 14 eyelids, respectively in group 1 (dermis graft) and group 2 (conchal cartilage graft). Patient mean follow-up was 12.3 (±12.5) and 7.1 (±7.7) months, respectively. No statistical differences in postoperative ISS reduction, lagophthalmos and exposure keratitis was observed (p = 0.540, p = 0.946, p = 0.934, respectively). Three patients experienced a grade I Clavien-Dindo complication in group 1 and one patient experienced a grade II complication in group 2 (p = 0.540). CONCLUSION: Autologous dermis grafts and conchal cartilage grafts provide favorable outcomes without major complications.

An Unusual Case of Perineural Infiltration and Orbital Invasion of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated with Actinic Keratosis.

Actinic keratosis is considered a precancerous lesion, constituting a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) formation. Perineural invasion has been observed in patients with cutaneous carcinoma due to local subcutaneous tissue destruction and primarily involves the trigeminal nerve due to rich innervation provided by the supraorbital nerve in addition to the facial nerve. An unusual case of perineural infiltration and orbital invasion of squamous cell carcinoma associated with actinic keratosis is presented. A 70-year-old Caucasian woman presented with complete left eye ophthalmoplegia, total left upper-eyelid ptosis, and facial pain with paresthesia. Computed tomography revealed a process of the soft tissues in the left cheek infiltrating the infraorbital canal, pterygopalatine fossa, inferior orbital fissure, and left cavernous sinus with periosteal adherence. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed pathological extension via the left infraorbital canal with a considerable area of necrosis. Treatment of facial actinic keratosis may not prevent malignant transformation and can delay diagnosis and treatment of SCC. A deep biopsy appears to be essential for a correct diagnosis. Perineural spread of cutaneous SCC may be characterized by insidious progression in the cranial trigeminal nerve, abnormal ocular motility, diplopia, or external ophthalmoplegia.

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Lacrimal Gland: High Dose Adjuvant Proton Therapy to Improve Patients Outcomes.

Introduction: Lacrymal cystic adenoid carcinoma is a rare disease for which optimal treatment is still debated. In fact, despite aggressive treatment such as eye sparing surgery or orbital exenteration, following by adjuvant radiotherapy, local recurrence and distant metastatic disease are common. This study aims to describe outcomes of eye surgery associated with high dose exclusive adjuvant proton beam irradiation. Materials and Methods: This is a monocentric institutional retrospective study. We retrospectively reviewed records of patients treated in our institution since 2008 with high dose adjuvant proton irradiation for a lacrymal cystic adenoid carcinoma up to a maximum of 75.6Gy(RBE). Other histologies or patients treated with a mix of photon-proton were excluded. A total of 15 patients were finally included. Results: Fifteen patients (80% women, 100% Performance status 0-1) with locally advanced disease (33% T3-T4, 47% R1-R2) were included. After a median follow-up of 67.4 months [13.4-122] the 3 years Overall Survival, local Progression free survival, and progression free survival rates were 78, 70, and 58%, respectively. Six patients exhibited a local recurrence. All patients with conservative surgery maintained their base-line visual acuity and visual field at last follow up. Four patients developed brain radionecrosis. Conclusion: This is the largest series of patients with ACC treated with high dose adjuvant proton therapy. Proton therapy is a safe and efficient treatment and should be considered as an adjuvant irradiation modality to privilege, for patients with lacrimal ACC after conservative or radical eyeball surgery. Dose delivered to temporal lobe should be limited to avoid brain radionecrosis.

Rift Valley fever, Mayotte, 2007-2008.

After the 2006-2007 epidemic wave of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in East Africa and its circulation in the Comoros, laboratory case-finding of RVF was conducted in Mayotte from September 2007 through May 2008. Ten recent human RVF cases were detected, which confirms the indigenous transmission of RFV virus in Mayotte.

Dysthyroid optic neuropathy: atypical initial presentation and persistent visual loss.

PURPOSE: Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy (DON) can lead to irreversible visual loss. We report risk features correlated with poor visual recovery despite an intensive treatment in a series of patients with DON. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a non-comparative interventional series. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2007, 300 consecutive patients with Graves' orbitopathy were seen at the Rothschild Foundation (Paris). Medical records of all consecutive patients who developed a DON were reviewed. Demographic, clinical features and visual function were collected at the time of the first onset, one month follow-up after medical and sometime surgical treatment and at the last examination. Statistical analysis (reflected as p values) gathered the significant observations into detrimental visual recovery prognostic factors for DON. RESULTS: Fifty-six eyes of 29 patients developed a DON. Sixteen eyes (28%) did not improve vision despite usual treatment (intravenous steroids and surgical decompression when necessary). An inferior altitudinal visual field defect (AVF, p=0.0004) and/or a lack of response to intravenous steroids boluses (p= 0.011) were related to a poor recovery. CONCLUSION: DON prognosis is highly variable. Our results suggest that a non-inflammatory element, probably vascular could be involved in atypical DONs. An earlier recognition could prompt to rapid surgical treatment for these patients.

Training Participants to Focus on Critical Facial Features Does Not Decrease Own-Group Bias.

The own-group recognition bias (OGB) might be explained by the usage of different face processing strategies for own and other-group faces. Although featural processing appears in general to impair face recognition ability when compared to configural processing (itself perhaps a function of acquired expertise), recent research has suggested that the OGB can be reduced by directing featural processing to group-discriminating features. The present study assessed a perceptual training task intended to replicate Hills and Lewis' (2006) findings: we trained White participants to focus more on discriminating parts of Black faces, in particular the bottom halves of the faces, expecting a reduction of the OGB as a consequence. Thirty participants completed the training task, and visual patterns of attention were recorded with an eye-tracking device. Results showed that even though participants modified their visual exploration according to task instructions, spending significantly more time on the lower halves of faces after training, the OGB unexpectedly increased rather than decreased. The difference seems to be a function of an increased false alarm rate, with participants reducing response criterion for other-group - but not own-group - faces after training.