Journals
2025 EN
Marchenko Nataliia · Jung Sebastian · Pham Adeline
+7 more
Abstract In this study, water‐soluble colloidal platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) have been stabilized with novel thiolated cyclodextrins (CD‐SH) and their catalytic performance has been investigated. We varied the size of the CD cycle (α‐CD/β‐CD), the degree of thiolation (one or two thiol groups per CD), and the CD/Pt molar ratio (0.5; 0.2; 0.1; 0.05) to find the best performing water‐soluble, air‐stable hydrogenation catalyst. An organometallic approach for the Pt NP synthesis resulted in the formation of small well‐dispersed NPs of 1–2 nm in size, as shown by TEM. XPS analysis confirmed the formation of a Pt−S interaction, rationalizing the strong NP stabilization by a small quantity of CD‐SH, while preserving the NP catalytic properties. Only 0.1 equivalent of CD‐SH was enough to obtain a promising hydrogenation activity with preserved stability of the colloidal dispersion. Performing catalysis in biphasic conditions allowed simple separation of the products and reuse of the catalyst five times without deactivation.
Journals
2025 EN
Rollando Paulin · Lesur Emilie · Urban Dominique
+3 more
The asymmetric reduction of β‐ketoesters using the Noyori catalyst is a highly effective synthetic methodology, offering excellent stereocontrol for the preparation of enantiopure β‐hydroxyesters from prochiral substrates in high yields. This reaction has been used in the total synthesis of mycolic acids, which are α‐alkyl, β‐hydroxy fatty acids forming the main part of the mycobacterial cell outer membrane. Recently, the metabolism of mycobacteria has been explored using the chemical reporter strategy with bioorthogonal analogs or precursors of mycolic acids. Introducing a bioorthogonal alkyne into these compounds is a challenging task and particularly valuable for subsequent probe attachment via click chemistry. This work presents approaches for the synthesis of several alkyne‐containing mycolic acids featuring the native structure of natural mycolic acids. The chemoselectivity of the enantioselective reduction of several β‐ketoesters using the Noyori catalyst in the presence of a protected terminal alkyne group is investigated. Conditions have been optimized to ensure that the alkyne remains intact during the reduction process. This study provides valuable tools for further mycomembrane studies using the CuAAC reaction and the optimized conditions extends the possibilities in the synthesis of β‐ketoesters with an alkyne function.
Journals
2025 EN
Angelini Chloé · Bar Claire · Baudier Marie Pierre
+15 more
Abstract Background Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X‐linked lysosomal disorder caused by alpha‐galactosidase deficiency consecutive to a pathogenic variant in the GLA gene. Age at onset is highly variable, with a wide clinical spectrum including frequent renal, cardiac, skin and nervous system manifestations. Since pain can be an indicator of underlying FD, we wanted to estimate the prevalence of FD in a population of chronic pain patients. Methods Two studies, DOUFAB and DOUFABIS, were carried out in expert centers for chronic pain to assess the prevalence of FD by measuring alpha galactosidase A activity in men and analysing the GLA gene in women. Results Analysis of 893 patients, essentially adults, led to the diagnosis of FD in one female patient, now treated with enzyme replacement therapy. Conclusions The prevalence of FD is estimated about 1/1000 in our population of men and women suffering from various chronic pain. This is nearly the prevalence of FD observed in other previously screened high‐risk populations with renal failure. Significance Although a systematic search for FD does not seem relevant in the context of unexplained chronic pain in adults, a positive family history of FD or the presence of additional FD related organ features must lead to consider this rare disease diagnosis. Therefore, pain specialists need to be aware of main features of FD, including pain characteristics.
Journals
2025 EN
Louis MarcHenri · Legrain Valéry · Aron Vladimir
+7 more
ABSTRACT Background Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating condition characterised by significant heterogeneity. Early diagnosis is critical, but limited data exists on the condition's early stages. This study aimed to characterise (very) early CRPS patients and explore potential subgroups to enhance understanding of its mechanisms. Methods A total of 113 early CRPS patients were recruited, with 89 undergoing physical assessments. Data included demographic information, work‐related factors, CRPS history and clinical features, body perception disturbances, quantitative sensory testing (QST), and a visuospatial attention task. Results QST identified deficits in detecting thermal and mechanical stimuli, alongside increased sensitivity to thermal and blunt pressure painful stimuli. Participants reported body perception disturbances similar to those of persistent CRPS. Visuospatial biases were observed in two subgroups of patients. Latent class analysis (LCA) of 85 participants, based on five clinical parameters, identified four profiles: Mild , Moderate , Body Representation Disturbance (BRD), and Pressure Allodynia CRPS. The Mild and Moderate profiles were associated with higher‐intensity trauma, with the latter showing worse outcomes. BRD and Pressure Allodynia CRPS followed mild trauma but exhibited the poorest outcomes. BRD CRPS displayed significant body perception disturbances, while Pressure Allodynia CRPS presented the highest sensitivity to pressure and psychosocial risk of chronification. Neither condition duration nor skin temperature effectively distinguished subgroups. Conclusions These findings emphasise the heterogeneity within (very) early CRPS patients and support the absence of a minimum required duration prior to the CRPS diagnosis. Central/systemic mechanisms may play critical roles in severe cases. Significance This study identifies distinct (very) early CRPS profiles, suggesting different pathophysiological mechanisms and challenging traditional classifications. It paves the way for improved diagnosis and tailored treatments.
Journals
2025 EN
Deindl Philipp · Luister Alexandra · Vettorazzi Eik
+5 more
ABSTRACT Background Assessing pain in neonates is crucial for their management but is inherently subjective. This study investigated the effects of visual attention, gaze patterns, and empathic responses of neonatal healthcare professionals on their assessments of neonatal pain. Methods Conducted at the Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, we employed eye‐tracking to monitor staff's responses to videos depicting neonates experiencing non‐noxious thermal, brief noxious, and prolonged noxious stimuli. Videos were presented in two formats: full body view, providing contextual information, and face‐only view, lacking contextual details. Pain assessments were measured using a Faces Pain Rating Scale (FPRS), exploring the impacts of contextual cues, professional experience, and job roles. Results The study found brief and prolonged noxious stimuli eliciting significantly higher FPRS scores compared to non‐painful stimuli, with the full body view resulting in higher pain ratings than the face‐only view. The mouth region attracted focused attention. Nurses generally reported higher pain scores and exhibited larger pupil diameters compared to physicians, suggesting a stronger empathic response. Conclusion This research highlights the essential role of visual cues and empathic responses in neonatal pain assessment, demonstrating how professional roles and stimulus presentation format impact evaluations, and underlining the need for standardised protocols to improve neonatal pain management accuracy. Significance The study emphasises the importance of visual cues and empathy in neonatal pain assessment, highlighting the roles of healthcare professionals and stimulus presentation formats. It addresses challenges in understanding neonatal pain, advocating for standardised protocols. Using eye‐tracking technology, the research explores how professionals' visual attention and empathy affect pain evaluations, suggesting more objective assessment methods.
Journals
2025 EN
Dominique Emily · Renault Christophe
Single entity electrochemistry (SEE) finds exciting application in analytical chemistry. Multiple methodologies have been tailored to measure conventional quantities such as concentration and size for a large variety of particles. Intense effort is also dedicated to investigation of chemical dynamics in electro‐catalysis. This mini‐review will focus its attention to the analysis of motion of particles at the interface and near the interface. The velocity of particles and types of motion (lateral, transversal, and rotational) will be discussed for a wide range of particles including solid metal and polystyrene particles as well as soft liquid droplets and gas bubbles. A new perspective on motion in SEE will be given by discussing the motion of phase boundaries within solid particles as well as soft liquid droplets and gas bubbles.
Journals
2025 EN
Chiang ChiaChu · Kotamraju B. P. · Durand Dominique M.
Abstract Objective Seizure‐induced bradycardia and asystole have been documented by video‐EEG monitoring periods in patients with epilepsy. This cardiac dysfunction during or after seizures may contribute to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Abnormal neurocardiac function during seizures could potentially be caused by seizures propagating to the brainstem, passing through the parasympathetic nerve and disrupting cardiac control networks. Methods We simultaneously recorded activity from the brain and vagus nerve as well as heart rate and respiration in adult Sprague–Dawley rats under urethane anesthesia. Neural activity in the brain was recorded using carbon nanotube yarn (CNTY) electrodes implanted in the hippocampal CA3 region, the motor cortex (M1), and the nucleus ambiguus in the brainstem. Additionally, two CNTY electrodes were implanted in the vagus nerve to monitor its activity. ECG electrodes and an accelerometer were also implanted to record heart rate and respiration. Seizures were induced by injecting 4‐AP into the hippocampal CA3 region. Following the injection, all signals were recorded and stored for analysis to study the interactions among these regions during seizures. Results Local 4‐AP injection successfully induced intermittent seizures in the hippocampus and cortex, with some seizures propagating into the nucleus ambiguus. When seizures invaded the nucleus ambiguus, the heart rate dropped following the onset of the seizures and returned to baseline during the seizures. The heart rate variability also increased significantly during the seizures. Furthermore, vagus nerve activity increased significantly by 0.21 ± 0.08 μV following the seizures propagating to the brainstem. Significance Our findings indicate increased activity in the nucleus ambiguus during seizures can induce bradycardia through the vagus nerve. These changes in cardiac function via the autonomic nervous system could contribute to the instability of the autonomic control system during seizures and potentially explain one of the possible mechanisms underlying sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Plain Language Summary This study investigates how seizures affect heart function and may contribute to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). We studied the brain, vagus nerve, and heart rate in anesthetized rats. Seizures were triggered in the hippocampus, and recordings showed that when seizures spread to the nucleus ambiguus in the brainstem region, the heart rate dropped and became more irregular. The vagus nerve, which helps regulate heart function, also became more active. These findings suggest that seizures can disrupt heart control by affecting the autonomic nervous system, which may help explain one of the possible mechanisms of how SUDEP occurs.
Journals
2025 EN
Zukowski Lauren H. · Zhou Jiaxin · Chawla Snigdha
+2 more
Abstract Objective Patients with epilepsy contend with memory impairment associated with the prevalence of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs). IEDs can propagate without synaptic transmission in both in vivo and in vitro rodent hippocampi. We focused our investigation on the effects of these non‐synaptically propagating IEDs on synaptic plasticity. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that such IEDs generate long‐term depression. Methods IEDs were induced in mouse longitudinal hippocampal slices (i.e., cut along the septotemporal axis of the hippocampus) using 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP). Changes in amplitudes and slopes of the population excitatory evoked postsynaptic potentials (pEPSPs) were measured from the CA1 apical dendrite following stimulation at the Schaffer collaterals. Direct current stimulation (DCS) was applied to study the interaction between applied electric fields and IED‐induced synaptic plasticity. Results Following long‐term potentiation, 4‐AP‐induced IEDs were observed to propagate along the slice and in the slice generated significant depression as evidenced by a significant decrease in pEPSP slope. Analysis revealed an inverse relationship between IED frequency and synaptic depression magnitude, with lower‐frequency IEDs producing more pronounced synaptic downregulation. In addition, anodal DCS effectively canceled the LTD‐like effect induced by 4‐AP IEDs, restoring synaptic strength. In contrast, cathodal DCS failed to modify or reverse the 4‐AP‐induced synaptic depression. Significance This study provides insights into how non‐synaptic IEDs contribute to synaptic plasticity alterations, offering a potential mechanism for memory impairment in epilepsy. The results highlight the therapeutic potential of anodal DCS for mitigating IED‐related cognitive deficits. Plain Language Summary People with epilepsy often have memory problems, which may be linked to abnormal brain activity called interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs). In this study, we found that these discharges can weaken connections between brain cells, possibly explaining some memory issues. We also found that applying a gentle electrical current to the brain (called anodal direct current stimulation) could prevent this weakening. These results suggest a possible new approach to reduce memory problems in epilepsy.
Journals
2025 EN
Gazing Wolf Joseph · Simmons Ellen · Blanchard Paulette
+18 more
There is a movement across settler–colonial institutions of education and research to engage with Indigenous Peoples and Knowledges. Many settler and Indigenous governments are pursuing pathways to move forward together to address global problems such as climate change. However, given the pervasive history of exploitation and displacement of Indigenous communities, this development has caused some concern among Indigenous leaders and scholars. At the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) in Montreal, Canada, the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Section of the ESA hosted a 2‐day workshop. This gathering of 21 Indigenous environmental scientists included scholars from across the career and professional spectrum. By consensus, workshop participants identified three emergent themes—Engage, Heal, and Reconcile—that provide a pathway toward reconciliation between Indigenous and settler–colonial ways of knowing. This path allows for an ever‐greater sharing of institutional resources and power toward a co‐equal interfacing of Indigenous Knowledges and settler science.
Journals
2025 EN
Rahman Munna Tahir Abdel · Yagi Sakina · Zengin Gökhan
+5 more
ABSTRACT The nutraceutical potential of seed oils and cakes of Adansonia digitata , Grewia tenax , and Thespesia garckeana was evaluated by determining their chemical profile and examining their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties. Oils of G. tenax and T. garckeana were rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The cake methanolic extract of T. garckeana revealed the highest antiradical (44.67 mg trolox equivalent (TE)/g extract) and metal chelating (26.38 mg EDTA equivalent/g extract) properties, while the oil of G. tenax displayed the highest Cu ++ (180.62 mg TE/g extract) and Fe (82.07 mg TE/g extract) reducing capacity. Pelargonidin and rutin were the dominant antioxidant compounds. The oil of A. digitata displayed the highest anti‐acetylcholinesterase (2.44 mg galantamine equivalent (GALAE)/g extract) and butyrylcholinesterase (2.10 mg GALAE/g extract) activity, while its cake exhibited the best α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity (1.46 acarbose equivalent (ACAE)/g extract). The cake of T. garckeana exerted the highest α‐amylase inhibitory effect (0.71 mmol ACAE/g extract). The highest anti‐tyrosinase activity (10.88 mg kojic acid equivalent/g extract) was recorded from the cake of G. tenax . These results indicated that these seeds could be a rich source of antioxidants that target diseases associated with oxidative stress, like diabetes and certain neurological disorders.