This work shows that newly developed primed aluminum current collector for positive electrodes allows to vastly improve the electrochemical performance compared to bare aluminum foil for full cells ...assembled with a C-coated LiFePO4 positive electrode, a graphite negative electrode and a standard carbonate/LiPF6 based electrolyte. Moreover, it is discovered that using a primed collector allows to drastically reduce the carbon additive content in the C-LiFePO4 electrode down to zero, while maintaining a very low impedance and excellent rate capability (80 mAh/g at 5C rate) and cyclability (60% capacity retention after 200 cycles at 2C rate). Comparatively, the same electrode shows no cyclability in the same testing conditions if a bare aluminum foil is used as the collector. Improving the energy density while maintaining good power capability of a Li-ion cell was thus achieved by using an adapted primed current collector. Such performance originates from a significant reduction of the contact resistance at the current collector – electrode interface through the multiplication of electrical contact points and/or the modification of their nature. In complement, this work shows that the carbon coating of the C-LiFePO4 particles is sufficient to ensure a good electrical conductivity within the electrode.
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•Industrial wise solution for improving Li-ion cell energy and power densities.•Contacts multiplication and/or modification of their nature reduce the contact resistance.•C-LiFePO4 electrode with no carbon additive thanks to primed current collector.•Novel understanding of electrode power performance limitation factors.
The Southwest of France raises different species of poultry. These production activities present structural vulnerabilities to severe infectious diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza. ...Indeed, many farms have free-range flocks, multi-age and multi-species productions, while being located near wild bird migratory corridors. These factors may partly explain the H5 virus epidemics that occurred between 2015 and 2021. Their serious economic and technical consequences and psychological impact have generated solidarity, collective learning and operational cohesiveness among all poultry professionals. Consequently, a decision was made to conduct annual simulation exercises for a major health event in order to maintain a high level of vigilance and responsiveness within different poultry sectors. Three exercises took place, in 2017, 2018 and 2019, in semi-real conditions (real dates and compressed time) and according to different scenarios. They took place outside an epidemic context and have in common to focus on the initial phase of the crisis (suspicions, results of preliminary analyzes), which is critical to assess the reactivity of industry personnel in order to mitigate infectious disease spread. The preparation of the simulation exercises was based on a common methodology. They were created by an organizing team and each included up to 60 people (industry personnel, observers and auditors). These simulations highlighted several critical points: poultry professionals have detailed knowledge of the field, but this information can only be effectively obtained and used if there is already a poultry industry decision-making structure in place (with good networking); there is a need (1) for better information sharing within the industry; (2) to develop an assistance structure for producers directly involved in a crisis; and (3) to increase collaboration with State services in peacetime. Finally, several technical issues were raised regarding control zones; blocking poultry movements; production site quarantine; depopulation strategies; self-financing capacity of the poultry industry in the absence of governmental involvement; and enhanced mapping tools with real-time traceability of animal transportation.
The SLX4 tumor suppressor is a scaffold that plays a pivotal role in several aspects of genome protection, including homologous recombination, interstrand DNA crosslink repair and the maintenance of ...common fragile sites and telomeres. Here, we unravel an unexpected direct interaction between SLX4 and the DNA helicase RTEL1, which, until now, were viewed as having independent and antagonistic functions. We identify cancer and Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome-associated mutations in SLX4 and RTEL1, respectively, that abolish SLX4-RTEL1 complex formation. We show that both proteins are recruited to nascent DNA, tightly co-localize with active RNA pol II, and that SLX4, in complex with RTEL1, promotes FANCD2/RNA pol II co-localization. Importantly, disrupting the SLX4-RTEL1 interaction leads to DNA replication defects in unstressed cells, which are rescued by inhibiting transcription. Our data demonstrate that SLX4 and RTEL1 interact to prevent replication-transcription conflicts and provide evidence that this is independent of the nuclease scaffold function of SLX4.
The implementation of pharmaceutical monitoring as defined by the Council of Europe in its Resolution of March 2020 requires defining for each patient, objectives and a treatment plan, to share, ...monitor and update them in a manner coordinated, interprofessional and in partnership with the patient. It recognizes the central place of the pharmacist by encompassing all of its clinical pharmacy activities and emphasizes the need for interprofessional collaboration (Hepler CD, Strand LM. Opportunities and Responsibilities in Pharmaceutical Care. American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy. Mars 1990; 47(3): 533-543). This work first presents the pharmaceutical care plan as a multiprofessional methodology that meets the objectives of pharmaceutical monitoring, then in a second step its evaluation through two regional projects. The pharmaceutical care plan unites, around the patient, all the actors involved in their pharmacotherapy, throughout their care path. It makes it possible to control the iatrogenic drug risk and includes the patient's drug management with regard to curative, preventive and palliative objectives and in a global strategy for the care and promotion of patient health. This methodology is integrated into coordinated exercise strategies and care pathway approaches. Several levers will help support its deployment, such as inter-professional education and digital health tools.
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genes influencing skin ageing and mole count in Europeans but little is known about the relevance of these (or other genes) in non-Europeans.
To ...conduct a GWAS for facial skin ageing and mole count in adults < 40 years old, of mixed European, Native American and African ancestry, recruited in Latin America.
Skin ageing and mole count scores were obtained from facial photographs of >6,000 individuals. After quality control checks, three wrinkling traits and mole count were retained for genetic analyses. DNA samples were genotyped with Illumina's Omni Express chip. Association testing was performed on ~8,703,729 SNPs across the autosomal genome.
Genome-wide significant association was observed at four genome regions: two were associated with wrinkling (in 1p13.3 and 21q21.2), one with mole count (in 1q32.3), and one with both wrinkling and mole count (in 5p13.2). Associated SNPs in 5p13.2 and in 1p13 are intronic within SLC45A2 and VAV3, respectively, while SNPs in 1q32.3 are near the SLC30A1 gene, and those in 21q21.2 occur in a gene desert. Analysis of SNPs in IRF4 and MC1R are consistent with a role of these genes in skin ageing.
We replicate the association of wrinkling with variants in SLC45A2, IRF4 and MC1R reported in Europeans. We identify VAV3 and SLC30A1 as two novel candidate genes impacting on wrinkling and mole count, respectively. We provide the first evidence that SLC45A2 influences mole count, in addition to variants in this gene affecting melanoma risk in Europeans.
Les patients présentant un syndrome néphrotique à Lésions glomérulaires Minimes (SNLGM) développent des œdèmes, de mécanisme complexe, qui pourrait reposer en partie sur une augmentation de la ...perméabilité vasculaire périphérique.
L’objectif de ce travail était d’évaluer la perméabilité des cellules endothéliales (CE) exposées au sérum des patients SNLGM et les mécanismes impliqués. Le sérum des patients SNLGM était prélevé au moment de la biopsie rénale. Les comparaisons étaient réalisées avec du sérum de volontaires sains (VS) appariés. In vitro, les CE (HUVEC) ont été exposées au sérum pour mesurer : l’impédance de la monocouche confluente d’HUVEC ; la transmigration endothéliale des molécules de haut poids moléculaire (FITC) ou du sodium (Na fluorescein) ; la quantité des protéines d’intérêt mesurée par Western Blot. In vivo, la perméabilité vasculaire a été mesurée chez des souris sauvages C57BL/6J par un test au bleu Evans (Miles Assay).
Le sérum SNLGM induit une augmentation de la perméabilité des HUVEC mesurée par impédance (p=0,0276). La perméabilité des HUVEC au sodium (NaF) est augmentée en présence de sérum SNLGM (p=0,0286), mais pas la perméabilité au FITC. La perméabilité paracellulaire, évaluée in vitro par le ratio VE-cadherine phosphorylée/totale, et in vivo par le test au bleu Evans, n’est pas modifiée. Le sérum SNLGM induit une augmentation de perméabilité transcellulaire non dépendante de la Cavéoline 1 (siRNA de Cavéoline 1). L’augmentation de la perméabilité au NaF induite par le sérum SNLGM est inhibée en présence d’Amiloride, un inhibiteur d’ENaC (Fig. 1, p=0,0499).
Le sérum SNLGM induit une augmentation de la perméabilité endothéliale au sodium, participant probablement à la constitution des œdèmes. Cet effet est inhibé par l’Amiloride, un inhibiteur d’ENaC. Cette étude suggère l’existence d’un facteur de perméabilité vasculaire systémique au cours du SNLGM, impliquant une activation endothéliale d’ENaC.
Dans le domaine transfusionnel, les interruptions de tâches (IT) peuvent entraîner des incidents graves et/ou des effets indésirables receveurs. Le but de notre travail est d’évaluer le port d’un ...gilet distinctif comme un des moyens permettant d’éviter ces IT.
Plusieurs services volontaires de 5 établissements de santé de la région Centre-Val de Loire ont participé à ce travail d’octobre à décembre 2017. Un questionnaire a été remis aux infirmière diplômée d'état (IDE) (identifiées par les trois premières lettres du prénom) avant et après la mise en place du gilet (pendant 2 mois) pour toutes les transfusions effectuées dans leurs services respectifs. Nous avons réalisé un appariement des questionnaires par IDE et par service, un test t de Student était réalisé afin d’évaluer l’apport du gilet lors des IT.
Cent-un questionnaires (31 en chirurgie, 70 en médecine) ont été recueillis avant la mise en place du gilet et 91 (27 en chirurgie, 64 en médecine) après sa mise en place. Avant le port du gilet, la part des IDE ayant eu une IT était la même que celle n’en ayant pas eu. Après le port du gilet, 42 % avaient une IT versus 58 % n’en n’avaient pas (p=0,43 ; NS). Soixante-quatre questionnaires ont été appariés (27 exclusions : IDE différentes) en fonction des IT avant et après la pose du gilet. Le port du gilet permet une diminution statistiquement significative des IT (z=2,61, p=0,009).
Le port d’un gilet distinctif lors des transfusions est un moyen statistiquement significatif permettant une diminution des IT. Il constitue probablement une première solution permettant d’augmenter la sécurité de l’acte, à laquelle doivent s’adjoindre d’autres moyens (affiche amovible, gestion du téléphone, affiche et campagne d’information). Il est plus simple d’éliminer les IT que de les gérer.
In the blood transfusion, the interruption of work (IW) can lead to serious incidents and/or adverse effects. The aim of our work is to evaluate the wearing of a distinctive tabard in the IW.
Several voluntary departments from 5 establishments of health in the Center-Val de Loire region have participated in this work from October to December 2017. The survey was given to nurses (identified by the first three letters of the first name) before and after wearing the tabard (for 2 months) for all transfusions realized in their respective department. We matched the survey by nurse and by department. The Student t test was conducted to evaluate the contribution of the tabard during IW.
One hundred and one survey (31 in surgery, 70 in medicine) were collected before wearing and 91 (27 in surgery, 64 in medicine) after wearing the tabard. Before wearing the tabard, the number of nurse having or not IW was the same. After wearing the tabard, 42% had an IW and 58% didn’t had IW (P=0.43; χ2). Sixty-four surveys were matched (27 exclusions : different IDEs) according to IW before and after wearing the tabard. The wearing of the tabard allows a statistically significant decrease IW (z=2.61, P=0.009, student test).
Wearing the tabard during blood transfusions is statistically significant means of reducing IW. It's probably a first solution to increase the security of the act, to which must be added other means (poster, phone management, poster and information campaign). It's easier to eliminate IW than to manage.
Global changes are reshaping the distribution of vector-borne diseases by spreading vectors to previously non-endemic areas. Since 2013, urogenital schistosomiasis has emerged in Corsica and ...threatens European countries. Gastropod vectors release schistosome larvae that can infect humans who come into contact with freshwater bodies. Monitoring schistosomiasis host vectors is a prerequisite to understand and subsequently to control this pathogen transmission. Because malacological surveys are time consuming and require special expertise, the use of a simple molecular method is desirable.
The aim of this study is to develop a ready-to-use protocol using the LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) method to detect environmental DNA of Bulinus truncatus, vector of Schistosoma haematobium. Interestingly, LAMP method possesses all the characteristics required for adaptability to field conditions particularly in low-income countries: speed, simplicity, lyophilized reagents, low cost and robustness against DNA amplification inhibitors. We have tested this new method on Corsican water samples previously analysed by qPCR and ddPCR.
We demonstrate that our diagnostic tool B. truncatus eLAMP (Bt-eLAMP) can detect the eDNA of Bulinus truncatus as effectively as the two other methods. Bt-eLAMP can even detect 1/4 of positive samples not detectable by qPCR. Moreover, the complete Bt-eLAMP protocol (sampling, sample pre-process, amplification and revelation) does not require sophisticated equipment and can be done in 1 ½ h.
LAMP detection of environmental DNA provides large-scale sensitive surveillance of urogenital schistosomiasis possible by identifying potentially threatened areas. More generally, eLAMP method has great potential in vector-borne diseases and ecology.
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