Lista dos gêneros incluídos na super-família Brachylaemoidea

Dans le travail présent, il est fait um groupement des trématodes considérés par les auteurs comme appartenant à la super-famille Brachylaemoidea, groupement constitué par les families suivantes; Brachylaemidae Joyeux & Foley, 1930; Leucochloridiidae Dollfus, 1934; Urorygmidae fam. n.; Leucochloridiomorphidae fam. n.; Hasstilesiidae Hall, 1916; Moreauiidae Yamaguti, 1958; Liolopidae Dollfus, 1934; Urotrematidae Poche, 1925; et Thapariellidae Srivastava, 1955. Les diagnostics des genres et les figures des tòpes sont données.

Entry and market selection of firms: a laboratory study

We study competition in experimental markets in which two incumbents face entry by three other firms. Our treatments vary with respect to three factors: sequential vs. block or simultaneous entry, the cost functions of entrants and the amount of time during which incumbents are protected from entry. Before entry incumbents are able to collude in all cases. When all firms' costs are the same entry always leads consumer surplus and profits to their equilibrium levels. When entrants are more efficient than incumbents, entry leads consumer surplus to equilibrium. However, total profits remain below equilibrium, due to the fact that the inefficient incumbents produce too much and efficient entrants produce too little. Market behavior is satisfactory from the consumers' standpoint, but does not yield adequate signals to other potential entrants. These results are not affected by whether entry is simultaneous or sequential. The length of the incumbency phase does have some subtle effects.

Epidermal growth factor receptor: a re-emerging target in glioblastoma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Amplification and overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene are a hallmark of primary glioblastoma (45%), making it a prime target for therapy. In addition, these amplifications are frequently associated with oncogenic mutations in the extracellular domain. However, efforts at targeting the EGFR tyrosine kinase using small molecule inhibitors or antibodies have shown disappointing efficacy in clinical trials for newly diagnosed or recurrent glioblastoma. Here, we review recent insights into molecular mechanisms relevant for effective targeting of the EGFR pathway. RECENT FINDINGS: Molecular workup of glioblastoma tissue of patients under treatment with small molecule inhibitors has established drug concentrations in the tumor tissue, and has shed light on the effectiveness of target inhibition and respective effects on pathway signaling. Further, functional analyses of interaction of small molecule inhibitors with distinct properties to bind to the active or inactive form of EGFR have provided new insights that will impact the choice of drugs. Finally, vaccination approaches targeting the EGFRvIII mutant featuring a tumor-specific antigen have shown promising results that warrant larger controlled clinical trials. SUMMARY: A combination of preclinical and clinical studies at the molecular level has provided new insights that will allow refining strategies for targeting the EGFR pathway in glioblastoma.

Chimiothérapie intra-artérielle super-sélective dans l'artère ophtalmique en cas de rétinoblastome avancé chez l'enfant.

Objectifs: Etude prospective sur l'efficacité de la chimio-perfusion super-sélective avec Melphalan dans l'artère ophtalmique en tant qu'agent tumoricide chez l'enfantatteint de rétinoblastome avancé, pour éviter l'énucléation chirurgicale et/ou la radiothérapie externe. Matériels et méthodes: 19 enfants (âge moyen 25 mois) atteints de rétinoblastome de groupe D ont reçu 1 à 3 séances d'administration intra-artérielle de Melphalan (0,35 mg/kg) dans l'artère ophtalmique sous anesthésie générale. Au total 48 procédures ont été réalisées. Chaque séance était associée à une injection intra-vitréenne deMelphalan, ainsi qu'à une thermothérapie et/ou une cryothérapie. Résultats: Le traitement a été effectué avec succès chez 17/19 enfants avec une régression importante du volume tumoral. L'énucléation ainsi que la radiothérapie externeont pu être évitées dans 15/17 enfants, sur un suivi moyen d'une année. Aucune complication systémique ou thromboembolique n'a été observée. Lescomplications locales ont comporté 2 décollements de la rétine, 5 oedèmes conjonctivaux et palpébraux, 1 cas de pigmentation cutanée locale, 1 vasospasmetransitoire de l'artère carotide interne et 2 cas d'artériopathie occlusive choroïdienne sectorielle . Conclusion: L'administration intra-artérielle de Melphalan s'avère être très efficace dans les cas avancés de rétinoblastome chez l'enfant, aussi bien comme techniquecurative que pour éviter l'énucléation et/ou la radiothérapie externe.

Differential effect of long versus short wavelength light exposure on pupillary re-dilation in patients with outer retinal disease.

BACKGROUND: In patients with outer retinal degeneration, a differential pupil response to long wavelength (red) versus short wavelength (blue) light stimulation has been previously observed. The goal of this study was to quantify differences in the pupillary re-dilation following exposure to red versus blue light in patients with outer retinal disease and compare them with patients with optic neuropathy and with healthy subjects. DESIGN: Prospective comparative cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three patients with outer retinal disease, 13 patients with optic neuropathy and 14 normal subjects. METHODS: Subjects were tested using continuous red and blue light stimulation at three intensities (1, 10 and 100 cd/m2) for 13 s per intensity. Pupillary re-dilation dynamics following the brightest intensity was analysed and compared between the three groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The parameters of pupil re-dilation used in this study were: time to recover 90% of baseline size; mean pupil size at early and late phases of re-dilation; and differential re-dilation time for blue versus red light. RESULTS: Patients with outer retinal disease showed a pupil that tended to stay smaller after light termination and thus had a longer time to recovery. The differential re-dilation time was significantly greater in patients with outer retinal disease (median = 28.0 s, P < 0.0001) compared with controls and patients with optic neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: A differential response of pupil re-dilation following red versus blue light stimulation is present in patients with outer retinal disease but is not found in normal eyes or among patients with visual loss from optic neuropathy.

Prise en charge des troubles oculomoteurs après effraction iatrogène de l'orbite au cours d'interventions sinusiennes endoscopiques [Management of motility disorders secondary to iatrogenic orbital fracture during endoscopic sinus surgery.]

PURPOSE: Orbital wall fracture may occur during endoscopic sinus surgery, resulting in oculomotor disorders. We report the management of four cases presenting with this surgical complication. METHODS: A non-comparative observational retrospective study was carried out on four patients presenting with diplopia after endoscopic ethmoidal sinus surgery. All patients underwent full ophthalmologic and orthoptic examination as well as orbital imaging. RESULTS: All four patients presented with diplopia secondary to a medial rectus lesion confirmed by orbital imaging. A large horizontal deviation as well as limitation of adduction was present in all cases. Surgical management consisted of conventional recession-resection procedures in three cases and muscle transposition in one patient. A useful field of binocular single vision was restored in two of the four patients. CONCLUSION: Orbital injury may occur during endoscopic sinus surgery and cause diplopia, usually secondary to medial rectus involvement due to the proximity of this muscle to the lamina papyracea of the ethmoid bone. Surgical management is based on orbital imaging, duration of the lesion, evaluation of anterior segment vasculature, results of forced duction testing and intraoperative findings. In most cases, treatment is aimed at the symptoms rather than the cause, and the functional prognosis remains guarded.

onductivitat tèrmica i índex de refracció no lineal dels compostos KRE(WO4)2 (RE=Gd,Y, Yb and Lu)

Projecte de recerca elaborat a partir d’una estada al Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy entre setembre i desembre 2007. Els materials monocristal•lins tungstats dobles de potassi i terra rara, KRE(WO4)2, a partir d'ara KREW, són en l'actualitat un material competitiu com a material actiu per sistemes de làser d'estat sòlid. Aquests materials monoclínics són fàcils de dopar amb altres densitats de ions lantànid, Ln3+, i a més presenten unes seccions eficaces d'absorció i d'emissió, molt elevades. Dins d’aquesta família, destaca el KLuW; degut als seus millors resultats com a material làser. Durant aquesta estada d’un mes al laboratori Max Born de Berlin, s’han realitzat les mesures de conductivitat tèrmica d’aquest material, per tal de obtenir el seu tensor de segon ordre de conductivitat tèrmica. El bombeig òptic dels materials làser d’estat sòlid genera calor com a resultat de la termalització en els multiplets, de les relaxacions no-radiatives i de les absorcions residuals (defectes, impureses). Per tant, el coneixement de les propietats tèrmiques de qualsevol material actiu és essencial pel disseny de la cavitat làser i l’avaluació de la funció làser, especialment en règims d’altes potències(...)

The effects of entry in thin markets

We consider entry of additional firms into the market for a single commodity in which both sellers and buyers are permitted to interact strategically. We show that the market is quasi-competitive, in that the inclusion of an additional seller lowers the price and increases the volume of trade, as expected. However, whilst buyers benefit from this change under reasonable conditions on preferences, we cannot conclude that sellers are always made worse off in the face of more intense competition, contrary to the conventional wisdom. We characterize the conditions under which entry by new sellers may raise the equilibrium profit of existing sellers, which will depend in an intuitive way on the elasticity of a strategic analog of demand and the market share of existing sellers, and encompass completely standard economic environments.

Chronic beryllium disease as a re-emerging occupational disorder possibly misdiagnosed as sarcoidosis : a Swiss study project

Background: Beryllium (Be) is increasingly used worldwide for numerous industrial applications. Occupational exposure to Be may lead to Be sensitization (BeS), a CD4-mediated immune response. BeS may progress to chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a granulomatous lung disorder closely resembling sarcoidosis. The recognition of CBD requires detection of Be exposure at occupational history, and detection of BeS on blood or BAL lymphocytes. Since methods for CBD detection are not routinely available in Switzerland, we hypothesized that CBD cases are not recognized but misdiagnosis as sarcoidosis. Objective: To present an ongoing Swiss study screening patients with sarcoidosis in search of Be exposure, BeS, and CBD. Methods: Both a prospective and a retrospective cohort are being studied. In the prospective cohort, the main steps include: 1) recruitment of 100 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary sarcoidosis at 2 centers (Lausanne, Bern). 2) screening for possible occupational Be exposure by self-administered patient questionnaire. 3) standardized detailed occupational interview and clinical visit by occupational health specialist. If step 3 is positive, then 4) blood and BAL sampling for detection of BeS by specifically developed Elispot assay and CFSE flow cytometry, with subsequent comparison to the classical Be lymphocyte proliferation test. If step 4 is positive, then 5) review of medical records and diagnostic revision from sarcoidosis to CBD. 6) appropriate measures for exposure cessation and case reporting to SUVA as occupational disease. The retrospective cohort will include 400 patients with previously diagnosed pulmonary sarcoidosis, either treated or untreated, recruited through the SIOLD Registries. Steps 2 to 5 will be peformed as above, except for a) end of study after step 2 if screening questionnaire does not reveal Be exposure, and b) step 4 done on blood sample only (BAL not needed). Current status: Self-administered screening questionnaire and tools for standardized occupational interview have been developed. BeS testing has been implemented and undergoes validation. Inclusions in the prospective phase have started at both study sites. The retrospective phase is in preparation. Conclusion: The current study status allows to conclude to technical feasibility of the project. The prospective phase if this study is funded by the SUVA. The SIOLD Registries are supported by the Swiss Pulmonary League.

Bargaining one-dimensional policies and the efficiency of super majority rules

We consider negotiations selecting one-dimensional policies. Individuals have single-peaked preferences, and they are impatient. Decisions arise from a bargaining game with random proposers and (super) majority approval, ranging from the simple majority up to unanimity. The existence and uniqueness of stationary subgame perfect equilibrium is established, and its explicit characterization provided. We supply an explicit formula to determine the unique alternative that prevails, as impatience vanishes, for each majority. As an application, we examine the efficiency of majority rules. For symmetric distributions of peaks unanimity is the unanimously preferred majority rule. For asymmetric populations rules maximizing social surplus are characterized.

Assessing excess profits from different entry regulations

Entry regulations affecting professional services such as pharmacies are common practice in many European countries. We assess the impact of entry regulations on profits estimating a structural model of entry using the information provided by a policy experiment. We use the case of different regional policies governing the opening of new pharmacies in Spain to show that structural models of entry ought to be estimated with data from policy experiments to pin down how entry regulations change payoffs functions of the incumbents. Contrary to the public interest rationales, regulations are not boosting only small town pharmacies payoffs nor increasing all pharmacies payoffs alike. The gains from regulations are very unevenly distributed,suggesting that private interests are shaping the current mix of entry and markup regulations.

Saving and Re-building Lives: an Analysis of the Determinants of Disaster Relief

We analyse both theoretically and empirically, the factors that influence the amount of humanitarian aid which countries receive when they are struck by natural disasters. Our investigation particularly distinguishes between immediate disaster relief which helps the survival of victims and long term humanitarian aid given towards reconstruction and rehabilitation. The theoretical model is able to make predictions as well as explain some of the peculiarities in the empirical results. The empirical analysis, making use of some useful data sources, show that both short and long term humanitarian aid increase with number of people killed, financial loss and level of corruption, while GDP per capita has no effect. Number of people affected had no effect on short term aid, but significantly increased long term aid. Both types of aid increased if the natural disaster was an earthquake, tsunami or drought. In addition, short term aid increases in response to a flood while long term aid increases in response to storms.