[Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy in interstitial lung diseases]. / Les cryobiopsies pulmonaires transbronchiques dans les pneumopathies infiltrantes diffuses.

In some cases of interstitial lung disease (ILD), clinical and biological findings associated with CT scan pattern during multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) fail to yield a confident diagnosis. In these cases, histology may be necessary. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is a bronchoscopic procedure that has been developed in recent years and currently contributes to diagnostic work-up in patients with ILD. TBLC provides tissue samples for histological analysis with an acceptable risk of complications, consisting mainly in pneumothorax or bleeding. In addition to higher diagnostic yield than conventional forceps biopsies, the procedure shows a better safety profile than surgical biopsies. The indication to perform TBLC is decided during a 1st MDD and during a 2nd MDD, results can provide a diagnostic yield approximating 80%. TBLC appears to be an attractive, minimally invasive technique to be proposed as a first-line procedure in selected patients in experienced centers, while surgical lung biopsy may be considered as a second-line solution.

High-fidelity and large-scale reconfigurable photonic processor for NISQ applications.

Reconfigurable linear optical networks are a key component for the development of optical quantum information processing platforms in the NISQ era and beyond. We report the implementation of such a device based on an innovative design that uses the mode mixing of a multimode fiber in combination with the programmable wavefront shaping of a SLM. The capabilities of the platform are explored in the classical regime. For up to 8 inputs and a record number of 38 outputs, we achieve fidelities in excess of 93%, and losses below 6.5dB. The device was built inside a standard server rack to allow for real world use and shows consistent performance for 2x8 circuits over a period of 10 days without re-calibration.

Total unilateral pulmonary collapse secondary to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: a case series of an unusual cause of complete atelectasis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a bronchopulmonary disease caused by a complex hypersensitivity to Aspergillus and is usually associated with underlying respiratory diseases such as asthma or cystic fibrosis. Mucus plugging can lead to segmental or lobar atelectasis, but complete lung atelectasis has been exceptionally reported in the literature, making it difficult to diagnose. The diagnosis of ABPA may however be suggested in patients without known predisposing respiratory disorder, even in the absence of other relevant radiographic findings. CASE PRESENTATION: We report five cases of total unilateral lung collapse secondary to ABPA in 70-81-year-old women. Two of them had a past history of ABPA, while total unilateral lung collapse was the first sign of the disease in the other three patients, contributing to the initial misdiagnosis. Flexible bronchoscopy was initially performed to remove mucus plugs from the obstructed airways but was inefficient in four cases. Corticosteroid and/or antifungal treatment was needed. CONCLUSION: ABPA can cause total unilateral lung collapse even in patients without known underlying chronic respiratory disease, making the diagnosis difficult. Flexible bronchoscopy should be considered when lung collapse is associated with respiratory distress but corticosteroids are the mainstay treatment for ABPA.

Demonstration of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Steering Using Hybrid Continuous- and Discrete-Variable Entanglement of Light.

Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering is known to be a key resource for one-sided device-independent quantum information protocols. Here we demonstrate steering using hybrid entanglement between continuous- and discrete-variable optical qubits. To this end, we report on suitable steering inequalities and detail the implementation and requirements for this demonstration. Steering is experimentally certified by observing a violation by more than 5 standard deviations. Our results illustrate the potential of optical hybrid entanglement for applications in heterogeneous quantum networks that would interconnect disparate physical platforms and encodings.

Slowing Quantum Decoherence by Squeezing in Phase Space.

Non-Gaussian states, and specifically the paradigmatic cat state, are well known to be very sensitive to losses. When propagating through damping channels, these states quickly lose their nonclassical features and the associated negative oscillations of their Wigner function. However, by squeezing the superposition states, the decoherence process can be qualitatively changed and substantially slowed down. Here, as a first example, we experimentally observe the reduced decoherence of squeezed optical coherent-state superpositions through a lossy channel. To quantify the robustness of states, we introduce a combination of a decaying value and a rate of decay of the Wigner function negativity. This work, which uses squeezing as an ancillary Gaussian resource, opens new possibilities to protect and manipulate quantum superpositions in phase space.

[Comorbidities of COPD]. / Les comorbidités dans la BPCO.

COPD is a slowly progressive chronic respiratory disease causing an irreversible decrease in air flow. The main cause is smoking, which provokes inflammatory phenomena in the respiratory tract. COPD is a serious public health issue, causing high morbidity, mortality and disability. Related comorbidities are linked to ageing, common risk factors and genetic predispositions. A combination of comorbidities increases healthcare costs. For instance, patients with more than two comorbidities represent a quarter of all COPD sufferers but account for half the related health costs. Our review describes different comorbidities and their impact on the COPD prognosis. The comorbidities include: cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, denutrition, obesity, ageing, anemia, sleeping disorders, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, anxiety-depression and lung cancer. The prognosis worsens with one or more comorbidities. Clinicians are faced with the challenge of finding practical and appropriate ways of treating these comorbidities, and there is increasing interest in developing a global, multidisciplinary approach to management. Managing this chronic disease should be based on a holistic, patient-centred approach and smoking cessation remains the key factor in the care of COPD patients.

[COPD and erythropoiesis: interactions and consequences]. / BPCO et érythropoïèse : interactions et conséquences.

Erythropoiesis is modified in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tobacco smoke, hypoxaemia, systemic inflammation, and infectious exacerbations are the main factors involved. Polymorphisms in genes involved in the regulation of erythropoiesis probably explain the individual susceptibility and variability in the response. The roles of comorbidities related to COPD and the impact of treatment on erythropoiesis are important confounding factors. While polycythaemia is often related to tobacco smoke and hypoxaemia, it has become less common due to the improvement of COPD follow-up and especially the initiation of long-term oxygen therapy. The control of the main causes is often sufficient, but in cases of severe polycythaemia an erythrapheresis is indicated. Anaemia has recently been reported as a more common and serious complication. It increases dyspnoea and reduces physical activity and quality of life. Its impact on survival and the requirements for healthcare has recently been confirmed. The main approach to the management of anaemia remains exclusion of any curable causes, reducing exacerbations and systemic inflammation, and controlling the comorbidities. Though erythropoietin has some benefits in the so-called "anaemia of chronic disease", this still remains to be confirmed in patients with COPD.

[Adult asthma exacerbations in questions]. / Les exacerbations de l'asthme de l'adulte en questions.

In this article a French working party critically review the international literature to revise the definition, pathophysiology, treatment and cost of exacerbations of adult asthma. The various guidelines do not always provide a consistent definition of exacerbations of asthma. An exacerbation can be defined as deterioration of clinical and/or functional parameters lasting more than 24 hours, without return to baseline, requiring a change of treatment. No single clinical or functional criterion can be used as an early marker of an exacerbation. Innate and acquired immune mechanisms, modified by contact with infectious, irritant or allergenic agents, participate in the pathogenesis of exacerbations, which are accompanied by bronchial inflammation. In 2010, mortality is related to progression of exacerbations, often occurring before the patient seeks medical attention. The objective of treatment is to control asthma and prevent exacerbations. However, many factors can trigger exacerbations and often cannot be controlled. The efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids has been demonstrated on reduction of the number of exacerbations and the number of asthma-related deaths. This treatment is cost-effective, especially in terms of reduction of exacerbations.