The goal of this narrative review is to summarise the current knowledge and limitations related to the anti-inflammatory effects of tomato, tomato-derived products and lycopene in the context of metabolic inflammation associated to cardiometabolic diseases. The potential of tomato and tomato-derived product supplementation is supported by animal and in vitro studies. In addition, intervention studies provide arguments in favour of a limitation of metabolic inflammation. This is also the case for observational studies depicting inverse association between plasma lycopene levels and inflammation. Nevertheless, current data of intervention studies are mixed concerning the anti-inflammatory effect of tomato and tomato-derived products and are not in favour of an anti-inflammatory effect of pure lycopene in humans. From epidemiological to mechanistic studies, this review aims to identify limitations of the current knowledge and gaps that remain to be filled to improve our comprehension in contrasted anti-inflammatory effects of tomato, tomato-derived products and pure lycopene.

Immunopathology of Chagas' disease in Balb/c mice infected with 2 Trypanosoma cruzi clones, belonging to the T. cruzi I lineage and presenting different in vitro virulence (P/209 cl1>SO34 cl4) was compared. In the acute phase, evading mechanisms such as parasite-induced lymphocyte polyclonal activation and T cell immunosuppression were higher in mice infected with the clone giving a higher parasitaemia (P/209 cl1). A similar increase of non-specific isotypes was observed in both infections with IgG2a prevalence. Interestingly, CD8+ cell hypercellularity and lymphocyte immunosuppression were observed during the chronic phase (245 days post-infection) in mice infected by the most virulent clone. In the same way, the parasite-specific antibody response was more intense in P/209 cl1-infected mice over the acute phase. During the chronic phase this response remarkably dropped down in SO34 cl4-infected mice exclusively. Finally, P/209 cl1-infected mice presented a more severe inflammation and tissue damage in heart and quadriceps than SO34 cl4-infected mice. This comparative study showed differences between the two clones: a higher virulence in vivo being clearly associated with a greater ability to induce evasion mechanisms and severe tissue damage.

Optical spectroscopy studies of Nd3+-doped scheelite calcium molybdate (CaMoO4) single crystal grown by a floating zone-like technique was performed using Judd-Ofelt analysis, besides luminescence data and lifetime measurements in the visible and near infrared domains. The excited state absorption in cross section units of this material was measured by two different methods for all expected infrared emission. By using calculated intensity parameters $\Omega _{t}$ (t=2, 4, 6), it were determined branching ratios, emission cross-sections, and lifetimes for all related transitions. The observed single excited state absorption calibrated in absorption cross-section units was found too small to disturb the laser efficiency in the 1030–1100 nm spectral range. A comparison of main spectroscopic parameters of this material with those of other Nd3+-doped crystals is presented.

Thirty-one stocks of Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, representative of the genetic variability of the 2 principal lineages, that subdivide T. cruzi, were selected on the basis of previous multilocus enzyme electrophoresis analysis using 21 loci. Analyses were performed with lower numbers of loci to explore the impact of the number of loci on the robustness of the phylogenies obtained, and to identify the loci that have more impact on the phylogeny. Analyses were performed with numerical (UPGMA) and cladistical (Wagner parsimony analysis) methods for all sets of loci. Robustness of the phylogenies obtained was estimated by bootstrap analysis. Low numbers of randomly selected loci (6) were sufficient to demonstrate genetic heterogeneity among the stocks studied. However, they were unable to give reliable phylogenetic information. A higher number of randomly selected loci (15 and more) were required to reach this goal. All loci did not convey equivalent information. The more variable loci detected a greater genetic heterogeneity among the stocks, whereas the least variable loci were better for robust clustering. Finally, analysis was performed with only 5 and 9 loci bearing synapomorphic allozyme characters previously identified among larger samples of stocks. A set of 9 such loci was able to uncover both genetic heterogeneity among the stocks and to build robust phylogenies. It can therefore be recommended as a minimum set of isoenzyme loci that bring maximal information for all studies aiming to explore the phylogenetic diversity of a new set of T. cruzi stocks and for any preliminary genetic typing. Moreover, our results show that bootstrap analysis, like any statistics, is highly dependent upon the information available and that absolute bootstrap figures should be cautiously interpreted.

A multiphase generalization of the Monge–Kantorovich optimaltransportation problem is addressed. Existence of optimal solutions is established.The optimality equations are related to classical Electrodynamics.

The development of reliable InGaAs laser diode pump sources emitting in the 900-980 nm spectral range is stongly influencing the field of lasers based on Yb3+-doped solid state crystals. Ca5(PO4)3F (C-FAP) and S-FAP (Sr5(PO4)3F) were soon recognized to be favourable hosts for Yb3+ lasing in the nanosecond pulse regime. This fact was supported by an evaluation of the spectroscopic properties of several Yb3+-doped crystals useful for laser action. This evaluation is based on two parameters known from spectroscopy, the emission cross-section at the laser wavelength and the minimum pump intensity required to achieve transparency at the laser wavelength.We think there is a need of a new evaluation of Yb3+-doped crystals in order to predict the laser efficiency in a more realistic manner in different kinds of regimes. We present here the main spectroscopic properties of two Yb3+-doped laser crystals which are grown in our Group: (i) KY(WO4)2 double tungstates by the Floating Crystal method and (ii) Y2O3sesquioxides by the Laser Heated Pedestal Growth method. The approach, based on a quasi-three level laser model, leads to compare all known Yb3+-doped crystals in a two-dimensional diagram considering the laser extracted power and the slope efficiency. We shall show that tungstates and sesquioxides belong to the highest laser crystal potential in CW-end pumping configuration.

Excited state absorption of laser (≅ 1.3 µm, corresponding to the $^4{\rm F}_{3/2}\to {}^{4}I_{13/2}$ laser channel) and pump (790-860 nm) radiation have been investigated in Nd doped YAl3(BO3)4 non-linear laser crystal. Laser gain slope efficiency measurements as a function of pump wavelength have been used to estimate the excited state absorption of pump radiation. On the other hand, excited state absorption cross-section in the 1300−1400 nm wavelength range has been measured by using two beam spectroscopy. We have obtained that excited state absorption cross-section for pump radiation is negligible whereas around 1.3 µm it is comparable to the stimulated emission cross-section from 4F3/2 state, so that the net gain cross-section becomes negative for certain wavelengths.

Nd3+-doped KGd(WO4)2 single crystals are investigated as laser mediaand nonlinear Raman shifters. They have been grown by the top nucleated floatingcrystal method. They were Maynly obtained as platelets with two large (010) faces(i.e. perpendicular to the two-fold b'-axis of the monoclinic lattice). Theirspectroscopic properties are given at room and liquid helium temperature:up-conversion fluorescence, absorption from the 4 I 9/2 ground state for an extended Judd-Ofelt parameters analysis, absorption from the 4 F 3/2 excited statenear 1067 nm and Raman spectra have been measured in the direction of the b'-axis intwo orthogonal polarizations.

A large field study has been performed in the Cochabamba region of Bolivia with the aim of comparing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with other diagnostic methods for Chagas' disease. The amplification of Trypanosoma cruzi-specific kinetoplast DNA sequences in blood samples was compared with classical serological methods, specific IgM detection and direct parasite visualization for 268 school children in a single village where Chagas' disease transmission is active. Of 113 children positive by classical serology or buffy coat examination, 106 were detected by PCR (sensitivity: 93·8%). We did not observe any significant difference of PCR sensitivity between initial (IgM and/or buffy coat positive) and indeterminate stage (only IgG positive) patients. Among the remaining 155 children unconfirmed as chagasic (who were either only IgM positive, IgG-, IgM-, and buffy coat-negative) only 1 case was PCR positive. This case may be due to DNA contamination, or to a very recent infection not detected otherwise, or to specific immune depression. These results show that PCR is a very sensitive parasitological test for Chagas' disease in active transmission regions. The future follow-up of the possibly infected patients who were only IgM-positive should clarify the interest of PCR and IgM tests in the detection of starting infections.

(001) MgO single crystals were implanted with 150 keV krypton ions (Kr+) at a fluence of 5.1016 ions.cm-2 . The implanted surface, observed with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) exhibits striking features that can be described as undulations with a wavelength of 0.5 [μm. We correlate these features to the decrease in density and the stresses induced by the implantation damage. As a matter of fact, a model of surface instabilities provides a relationship between the wavelength of the ondulations and internal stresses. Using this model, implantation stresses are calculated to 2.2 GPa. This is in good agreement with the value of 2 GPa obtained with the help of the microindentation technique and the literature data. Some effects of an ionizing post-irradiation on stress and surface roughness are described.

LiNbO3 single crystals were implanted at room temperature with Eu+ ions at 70 keV with fluence ranging from 0.5 to 5 × 1016 ions · cm−2. The damage in the implanted layer has been investigated by Channeling Rutherford Backscattering (RBS-C), and the oxidation states of the cations have been determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Following implantation, a fully amorphized layer of 60 nm is generated, even for the lowest fluence employed. Subsequent annealing in air, in the range 800–1250 K, was applied to restore tentatively the crystallinity and promote the substitutional incorporation of Eu in the crystal. Only a partial recrystallization of the damaged layer was observed. For as-implanted samples, XPS spectra clearly reveal europium in Eu2+ and Eu3+ states, and the Nb5+ ions are driven to lower charge states.

Spectroscopic studies using laser induced fluorescence and numerical modelling of energy transfer and back transfer mechanism are reported in Er:Tm:Ho:YLF, Cr:Tm:Ho:YAG and Cr:Tm:YAG laser crystals at various temperatures (10 K-300 K). Direct energy transfer from Tm3+ excited states to Ho3+5I7 emitting level was observed and analyzed both in YAG and YLF. Further analysis of Cr3+ and Tm3+ time-dependent emission curves indicate a strong correlation of chromium-thulium pairs. Pulsed operation of holmium laser at high temperature will be presented.