Université Nantes Angers Le Mans

About: Université Nantes Angers Le Mans is a education organization based out in Nantes, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Geology & Finite element method. The organization has 434 authors who have published 249 publications receiving 7208 citations. The organization is also known as: PRES Universite Nantes Angers Le Mans.

Fibrosis and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α–Dependent Tumors of the Soft Tissue on Loss of Von Hippel-Lindau in Mesenchymal Progenitors

Abstract: The hypoxia-inducible factor (Hif)-1α (Hif-1α) and Hif-2α (Epas1) have a critical role in both normal development and cancer. von Hippel Lindau (Vhl) protein, encoded by a tumor suppressor gene, is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets Hif-1α and Epas1 to the proteasome for degradation. To better understand the role of Vhl in the biology of mesenchymal cells, we analyzed mutant mice lacking Vhl in mesenchymal progenitors that give rise to the soft tissues that form and surround synovial joints. Loss of Vhl in mesenchymal progenitors of the limb bud caused severe fibrosis of the synovial joints and formation of aggressive masses with histologic features of mesenchymal tumors. Hif-1α and its downstream target connective tissue growth factor were necessary for the development of these tumors, which conversely still developed in the absence of Epas1, but at lower frequency. Human tumors of the soft tissue are a very complex and heterogeneous group of neoplasias. Our novel findings in genetically altered mice suggest that activation of the HIF signaling pathway could be an important pathogenetic event in the development and progression of at least a subset of these tumors.

Unpolarized emissivity of thin oil films over anisotropic Gaussian seas in infrared window regions

Abstract: In this paper, we derive the unpolarized infrared (IR) emissivity of thin oil films over anisotropic Gaussian seas from a refined physical surface spectrum model of damping due to oil. Since the electromagnetic wavelength is much smaller than the surface mean curvature radius and than the surface root mean square height, the Kirchhoff-tangent plane approximation, reduced to the geometric optics approximation, can be used. The surface can then be replaced by its local infinite tangent plane at each point of each rough surface. The multiple reflections at each interface are ignored (i.e., for both the upper air/oil interface and the lower oil/sea interface of the contaminated sea). Nevertheless, the multiple reflections between the upper and the lower interfaces of the oil film are taken into account, by assuming a locally flat and planar thin oil film, which forms a local Fabry-Perot interferometer. This means that the Fresnel reflection coefficient of a single interface can be substituted for the equivalent Fresnel reflection coefficient of the air/oil/sea film, calculated by considering an infinite number of reflections inside the layer. Comparisons of the emissivity between a clean sea and a contaminated sea are presented, with respect to emission angle, wind speed, wind direction, oil film thickness, oil type, and wavelength. Thus, oil detection, characterization, and quantization are investigated in the IR window regions.

Perspectives of Accountability in Charities in New Zealand

Abstract: This study identifies three perspectives of accountability in charitable organizations: agency, stewardship, and stakeholder in relation to the availability of financial information. To examine current accountability practices, 75 interviews and informal conversations were undertaken with participants in charities in New Zealand. Many of the interviewees operated under some form of stewardship milieu. They regarded the need to discharge accountability by providing financial information as a low priority. Education may provide a way to resolve this issue by advancing stakeholders’ perspectives of accountability. This could result in reduced support for charities that do not uphold a certain standard of financial information.

Severe hypercalcemia revealing sarcoidosis precipitated by etanercept

Abstract: Resume Introduction Les principaux effets secondaires des biotherapies anti-TNF alpha sont maintenant bien connus, notamment le risque d’infections opportunistes. Certains effets paradoxaux sont plus exceptionnellement decrits, tels que le developpement de reactions granulomateuses de type sarcoidose. Observation Nous rapportons ici l’observation d’une femme de 39 ans suivie pour une polyarthrite rhumatoide severe traitee par etanercept depuis cinq ans, hospitalisee en urgence pour vomissements et douleurs abdominales diffuses revelant une hypercalcemie majeure avec insuffisance renale aigue. Apres correction des troubles metaboliques sous hydratation et biphosphonates, le scanner thoracoabdominopelvien a montre la presence d’un syndrome interstitiel bilateral et d’une volumineuse splenomegalie heterogene. Le diagnostic de sarcoidose a ete confirme par les biopsies bronchiques perendoscopiques. L’evolution a ete favorable apres l’arret de l’etanercept et une corticotherapie a doses decroissantes. Conclusion Le risque de sarcoidose induite doit etre connu chez les patients sous anti-TNF et doit etre evoque en cas d’hypercalcemie majeure et/ou de splenomegalie.