University of Paris

About: University of Paris is a education organization based out in Paris, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 102426 authors who have published 174180 publications receiving 5041753 citations. The organization is also known as: Sorbonne.

Criteria for the diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration.

Abstract: Current criteria for the clinical diagnosis of pathologically confirmed corticobasal degeneration (CBD) no longer reflect the expanding understanding of this disease and its clinicopathologic correlations. An international consortium of behavioral neurology, neuropsychology, and movement disorders specialists developed new criteria based on consensus and a systematic literature review. Clinical diagnoses (early or late) were identified for 267 nonoverlapping pathologically confirmed CBD cases from published reports and brain banks. Combined with consensus, 4 CBD phenotypes emerged: corticobasal syndrome (CBS), frontal behavioral-spatial syndrome (FBS), nonfluent/agrammatic variant of primary progressive aphasia (naPPA), and progressive supranuclear palsy syndrome (PSPS). Clinical features of CBD cases were extracted from descriptions of 209 brain bank and published patients, providing a comprehensive description of CBD and correcting common misconceptions. Clinical CBD phenotypes and features were combined to create 2 sets of criteria: more specific clinical research criteria for probable CBD and broader criteria for possible CBD that are more inclusive but have a higher chance to detect other tau-based pathologies. Probable CBD criteria require insidious onset and gradual progression for at least 1 year, age at onset ≥50 years, no similar family history or known tau mutations, and a clinical phenotype of probable CBS or either FBS or naPPA with at least 1 CBS feature. The possible CBD category uses similar criteria but has no restrictions on age or family history, allows tau mutations, permits less rigorous phenotype fulfillment, and includes a PSPS phenotype. Future validation and refinement of the proposed criteria are needed.

The genome of the model beetle and pest Tribolium castaneum.

Abstract: Tribolium castaneum is a member of the most species-rich eukaryotic order, a powerful model organism for the study of generalized insect development, and an important pest of stored agricultural products. We describe its genome sequence here. This omnivorous beetle has evolved the ability to interact with a diverse chemical environment, as shown by large expansions in odorant and gustatory receptors, as well as P450 and other detoxification enzymes. Development in Tribolium is more representative of other insects than is Drosophila, a fact reflected in gene content and function. For example, Tribolium has retained more ancestral genes involved in cell-cell communication than Drosophila, some being expressed in the growth zone crucial for axial elongation in short-germ development. Systemic RNA interference in T. castaneum functions differently from that in Caenorhabditis elegans, but nevertheless offers similar power for the elucidation of gene function and identification of targets for selective insect control.

Clinical diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy: The movement disorder society criteria

Abstract: Background: PSP is a neuropathologically defined disease entity. Clinical diagnostic criteria, published in 1996 by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/Society for PSP, have excellent specificity, but their sensitivity is limited for variant PSP syndromes with presentations other than Richardson's syndrome. Objective: We aimed to provide an evidence- and consensus-based revision of the clinical diagnostic criteria for PSP. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane, Medline, and PSYCInfo databases for articles published in English since 1996, using postmortem diagnosis or highly specific clinical criteria as the diagnostic standard. Second, we generated retrospective standardized clinical data from patients with autopsy-confirmed PSP and control diseases. On this basis, diagnostic criteria were drafted, optimized in two modified Delphi evaluations, submitted to structured discussions with consensus procedures during a 2-day meeting, and refined in three further Delphi rounds. Results: Defined clinical, imaging, laboratory, and genetic findings serve as mandatory basic features, mandatory exclusion criteria, or context-dependent exclusion criteria. We identified four functional domains (ocular motor dysfunction, postural instability, akinesia, and cognitive dysfunction) as clinical predictors of PSP. Within each of these domains, we propose three clinical features that contribute different levels of diagnostic certainty. Specific combinations of these features define the diagnostic criteria, stratified by three degrees of diagnostic certainty (probable PSP, possible PSP, and suggestive of PSP). Clinical clues and imaging findings represent supportive features. Conclusions: Here, we present new criteria aimed to optimize early, sensitive, and specific clinical diagnosis of PSP on the basis of currently available evidence.

Diffusive and metabolic limitations to photosynthesis under drought and salinity in C(3) plants.

Abstract: Drought and salinity are two widespread environmental conditions leading to low water availability for plants. Low water availability is considered the main environmental factor limiting photosynthesis and, consequently, plant growth and yield worldwide. There has been a long-standing controversy as to whether drought and salt stresses mainly limit photosynthesis through diffusive resistances or by metabolic impairment. Reviewing in vitro and in vivo measurements, it is concluded that salt and drought stress predominantly affect diffusion of CO(2) in the leaves through a decrease of stomatal and mesophyll conductances, but not the biochemical capacity to assimilate CO(2), at mild to rather severe stress levels. The general failure of metabolism observed at more severe stress suggests the occurrence of secondary oxidative stresses, particularly under high-light conditions. Estimates of photosynthetic limitations based on the photosynthetic response to intercellular CO(2) may lead to artefactual conclusions, even if patchy stomatal closure and the relative increase of cuticular conductance are taken into account, as decreasing mesophyll conductance can cause the CO(2) concentration in chloroplasts of stressed leaves to be considerably lower than the intercellular CO(2) concentration. Measurements based on the photosynthetic response to chloroplast CO(2) often confirm that the photosynthetic capacity is preserved but photosynthesis is limited by diffusive resistances in drought and salt-stressed leaves.

Outcome of cord-blood transplantation from related and unrelated donors

Abstract: Background Cord-blood banks have increased the use of cord-blood transplantation in patients with hematologic disorders. We have established a registry containing information on the outcome of cord-blood transplantation. Methods We sent questionnaires to 45 transplantation centers for information on patients receiving cord-blood transplants from 1988 to 1996. Reports on 143 transplantations, performed at 45 centers, were studied, and the responses were analyzed separately according to whether the donor was related or unrelated to the recipient. Results Among 78 recipients of cord blood from related donors, the Kaplan–Meier estimate of survival at one year was 63 percent. Younger age, lower weight, transplants from HLA-identical donors, and cytomegalovirus-negative serologic results in the recipient were favorable prognostic factors. Graft-versus-host disease of at least grade II occurred at estimated rates of 9 percent in 60 recipients of HLA-matched cord blood and 50 percent in 18 recipients of HLA-misma...