Reconstitution of the T-cell compartment after bone marrow transplantation: restoration of the repertoire by thymic emigrants

We have studied the reconstitution of the T-cell compartment after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in five patients who received a graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisting of methotrexate, cyclosporin, and 10 daily injections (day -4 to day +5) of Campath-1G. This treatment eliminated virtually all T cells (7 +/- 8 T cells/microL at day 14) which facilitated the analysis of the thymus-dependent and independent pathways of T-cell regeneration. During the first 6 months, the peripheral T-cell pool was repopulated exclusively through expansion of residual T cells with all CD4(+) T cells expressing the CD45RO-memory marker. In two patients, the expansion was extensive and within 2 months, the total number of T cells (CD8>CD4) exceeded 1,000/microL. In the other three patients, T cells remained low (87 +/- 64 T cells/microL at 6 months) and remained below normal values during the 2 years of the study. In all patients, the first CD4(+)CD45RA+RO- T cells appeared after 6 months and accumulated thereafter. In the youngest patient (age 13), the increase was relatively fast and naive CD4(+) T cells reached normal levels (600 T cells/microL) 1 year later. In the four adult patients (age 25 +/- 5), the levels reached at that time-point were significantly lower (71 +/- 50 T cells/microL). In all patients, the T-cell repertoire that had been very limited, diversified with the advent of the CD4(+)CD45RA+RO- T cells. Cell sorting experiments showed that this could be attributed to the complexity of the T-cell repertoire of the CD4(+)CD45RA+RO- T cells that was comparable to that of a normal individual and that, therefore, it is likely that these cells are thymic emigrants. We conclude that after BMT, the thymus is essential for the restoration of the T-cell repertoire. Because the thymic activity is restored with a lag time of approximately 6 months, this might explain why, in particular in recipients of a T-cell-depleted graft, immune recovery is delayed.     

Le r?le du surplombement dans l'estimation perceptive des longueurs de deux horizontales a extrémités decalées.

Asked a total of 84 children and adults in 4 age groups (means = 5.11, 7.8, 9.8, 11.5, and 24.4 yrs) to match, by the method of adjustment, the lengths of 2 horizontal lines staggered so as to form 2 sides of a parallelogram under 2 main conditions (variable over the standard or standard over the variable) and a control condition (variable and standard in prolongation). Results show that the variable was generally overestimated, this overestimation did not differ significantly from 1 condition to another, and this overestimation decreased significantly with age. Results suggest that this systematic error would not be attributed to the top positioning but rather to the movement of the variable, which would be a source of overestimation by drawing the relative frequency of S's perceptive centrations. The decrement of the error with age could be explained by the development of perceptual activity, allowing a more balanced centration on the standard and the variable. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

(CH3) 4NHgBrI2—A new polar organic-inorganic double halide

(CH₃)₄NHgBrI₂ exhibits at room temperature a polar columnar structure based on edge-sharing anion tetrahedra with a double anion occupancy. Its orthorhombic space group is Pb2_lm. An unusual multiple phase transition sequence revealed by differential scanning calorimetry, dilatometry and permittivity vs. temperature measurements leads to a non-polar high temperature phase with a trigonal mercury coordination and the monoclinic space group P2_l/n.     

Scanning electrochemical microscopy. Hydrodynamics generated by the motion of a scanning tip and its consequences on the tip current

The motion of a SECM tip above a substrate generates a flow of the surrounding fluid. Finite element calculations show that this flow is a simple linear-shear flow (Couette flow) for small tip-substrate separations and deviates from Couette's law at larger ones. The effect of fluid flow on the tip current response was determined numerically. Different mass-transfer regimes are observed depending on the insulating or conducting nature of the substrate, the tip speed (or fluid velocity), and the tip-substrate separation. Those observations are tested experimentally, and good agreement is obtained between numerical and experimental results.     

Relations entre la notion et la perception de la vitesse relative chez l'enfant.

Administered 2 tasks bearing on the perception and concept of relative velocity to 7-, 9-, 11-, and 13-yr-old children (24 at each age level). The perceptual task presented an illusion created by the movement of a target on a moving background, while the conceptual task was a modified version of Piaget's technique. In each task the 2 movements involved were either in the same (MS) or in the opposite direction. It was found that the illusion appeared earlier than the corresponding concept under the MS condition. The possibility of a retroactive effect of the concept on the percept is suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reliability aspects of gate oxide under ESD pulse stress

Power law time-to-breakdown voltage acceleration is investigated down to ultra-thin oxides (1.1 nm) in the ESD regime in inversion and accumulation. Breakdown modes, oxide degradation and device drifts under ESD-like stress are discussed as function of the oxide thickness. The consequent impacts on the ESD design window are presented.     

Old world and new world wine concepts of terroir and wine: perspectives of three renowned non-French wine makers

The concept of ‘terroir’ has roots steeped in French history of wine and evocative stories of the land. Today terroir is important as a quality marker in brand management for upmarket wines. French wines have benefited from their historical connotation with terroir but other wine growing countries have also adopted the term to mean characteristics in wine attributable to place of origin. However there is no universally accepted definition of terroir except to say it refers to a particular place. This paper addresses this ambiguity by seeking the practice-based views of three experienced non-French winemakers. This reveals a social dimension to terroir that in various degrees supports and extends both the technical/scientific progress and brand value for premium wines in both Old and New World regions. This article contributes to the growing body of research that seeks to understand the practicality of terroir as a marketing and brand value indicator.     

Domestic refrigeration practices with emphasis on hygiene: analysis of a survey and consumer recommendations

A Web-enabled survey was conducted to improve knowledge of home refrigeration practices of French consumers (n = 809), with an emphasis on hygiene, and this information was used to establish recommendations. The survey targeted a convenience sample of working people. Analysis of the survey responses revealed that efforts should be directed toward improvement of microbiological control measures. Only 37% of respondents made sure the temperature in their refrigerator was 4 degrees C or below. Only 37% of respondents reported that they systematically wrapped food. Sponges, known to be frequently highly contaminated, were used by 89% of the respondents to clean their refrigerator, which indicates the need to recommend disinfection of sponges before they are used for cleaning. Twenty-seven percent of respondents used sodium hypochlorite (bleach), but it was applied without previous cleaning (21% of the users) or in the commercial concentrated form (7% of the users). The permanent presence of water condensation on the shelves was noted by 2% of respondents, suggesting imperfect closure of the door, with a consequence of higher energy consumption and water available for microbial circulation and growth. Thus, an important recommendation is to check the door gaskets and to ensure the tight closure of the door. Seventy percent of the respondents declared that they never put warm or hot food in the refrigerator. However, many people, when orally questioned, acknowledged that they leave dishes at ambient temperature overnight before putting them in the refrigerator. It therefore is essential to recommend that perishable food not be left for more than 2 h at ambient temperature.     

Robocast zirconia-toughened alumina scaffolds: Processing,structural characterisation and interaction with human primary osteoblasts

Zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) is the gold-standard ceramic in hip arthroplasty, but still lacks direct osseointegration and a metal shell, often coated with a bioactive layer, is currently required. The latter could potentially be replaced by a thinner, architectured ZTA layer, thereby allowing for larger acetabular components, with larger range of motion and lower dislocation risk. Robocasting may be an adequate technique to fabricate the architectured layer. Therefore, as a first step, this study aimed to produce ZTA scaffolds (3D-ZTA) by robocasting and assess their in vitro response. Shape retention was achieved by using a stable, well-dispersed, high solid loading ink injected in acid pH waterbath. 3D-ZTA exhibit regularly spaced microporous, rough struts and fully interconnected macroporosity. Human primary osteoblasts were homogenously distributed inside 3D-ZTA and showed increased osteogenic marker expression compared to 2D-ZTA control. Further work will focus on optimizing scaffold design to improve cell retention and extracellular matrix maturation.