FIB plan view lift-out sample preparation for TEM characterization of periodic nanostructures obtained by spinodal decomposition in Co1.7Fe1.3O4 thin films

There is a miscibility gap in the CoFe₂O₄–Co₃O₄ phase diagram in which the oxides can be subjected to a spinodal transformation.

[Molecular and genetic aspects of triple negative breast cancer and therapeutic implications]

Triple negative breast cancers are defined by the lack of expression of estrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors. They represent an heterogeneous population with poor prognosis. The treatment of these tumors is a challenge because there is no known specific target. A huge number of studies try to better characterise these tumors at the molecular level with the aim to identify new therapeutic targets. The finding of new specific biomarkers like intracellular and extracellular microRNAs is also an important field of research. This article reviews some recent data in this field and the research on different pathways for the development of new therapies.

Importance of post-transcriptional regulation of chemokine genes by oxidative stress

The transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), is activated by various stimuli including cytokines, radiation, viruses and oxidative stress. Here we show that, although induction with H(2)O(2) gives rise to NF-kappa B nuclear translocation in both lymphocyte (CEM) and monocyte (U937) cells, it leads only to the production of mRNA species encoding interleukin-8 (IL-8) and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha in U937 cells. Under similar conditions these mRNA species are not observed in CEM cells. With the use of a transient transfection assay of U937 cells transfected with reporter constructs of the IL-8 promoter and subsequently treated with H(2)O(2), we show that (1) IL-8-promoter-driven transcription is stimulated in both U937 and CEM cells and (2) the NF-kappa B site is crucial for activation because its deletion abolishes activation by H(2)O(2). The production of IL-8 mRNA in U937 cells is inhibited by the NF-kappa B inhibitors clasto-lactacystin-beta-lactone and E-64D (l-3-trans-ethoxycarbonyloxirane-2-carbonyl-L-leucine-3-methyl amide) but requires protein synthesis de novo. Moreover, inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase also decreases the IL-8 mRNA up-regulation mediated by H(2)O(2). Taken together, these results show the importance of post-transcriptional events controlled by a p38-dependent pathway in the production of IL-8 mRNA in U937. The much lower activation of p38 in CEM cells in response to H(2)O(2) could explain the lack of stabilization of IL-8 mRNA in these cells.

Analgesic efficacy and safety of nefopam vs. propacetamol following hepatic resection

In order to compare the morphine-sparing effect, analgesic efficacy and tolerance of nefopam and propacetamol given at their highest recommended doses, 120 patients undergoing elective hepatic resection were randomly assigned to receive postoperative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with morphine alone, or in combination with nefopam (20 mg.4 h-1) or propacetamol (2 g.6 h-1). Compared with the control group (43 [7-92] mg), median [range] cumulative morphine consumption for 24 h after the study started was halved in the nefopam group (21 [3-78] mg, p <0.001) and 20% lower in the propacetamol group (35 [6-84] mg, p = 0.15). Analgesia was superior in the nefopam group despite the lower morphine consumption. Adverse effects were comparable in the three groups, except for significantly more nausea in the control group (39% vs. 17 and 26% in the nefopam and propacetamol groups, respectively) and more sweating in the nefopam group (17% vs. 0 and 3% in the control and propacetamol groups, respectively). Overall patient satisfaction was better (p < 0.001) in patients given nefopam (97%) than those receiving morphine alone (82%) or propacetamol (74%).

Impairment of the mitochondrial electron chain transport prevents NF-kappa B activation by hydrogen peroxide

A large body of work has been devoted to mechanisms leading to the activation of the transcription factor NF-kappa B in various cell types. Several studies have indicated that NF-kappa B activation by numerous stimuli depends on the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this report, we first demonstrated that inhibition of the electron transport chain by either rotenone or antimycine A gave rise to dose-dependent inhibition of NF-kappa B translocation induced by 150 microM of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Conversely, the impairment of the mitochondrial respiratory chain did not affect T lymphocyte treatment by TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha) or pre-B lymphocyte treatment with LPS (lipopolysaccharide). We also showed that oligomycine which inhibits ATP synthase and FCCP, which uncouples respiration also led to dose-dependent inhibition of NF-kappa B activation by H2O2. All these inhibitors were also shown to inhibit mitochondrial respiration in lymphocytes assessed by oxygen consumption. Although only a transient drop in ATP concentration was observed when lymphocytes were treated by H2O2, this effect was remarkably reinforced in the presence of oligomycine demonstrating the crucial role of ATP in the signal transduction pathway induced by H2O2.

[Pyeloduodenal fistula. Apropos of a new case]

A pyelo duodenal fistula is rarely observed although anatomical relations between the high urinary tract and digestive tractus are closed. The authors report here a new observation of pyelo-duodenal fistula and make correlations with the 73 observations published in mondial literature. Spontaneous fistulas from urinary etiology are the most frequent. This urinary pathology is revealed by general and digestive signs. Duodenal fistula could usually be stiched up. Renal destruction require nephrectomy.