A case of atypical neurological symptoms and high cerebro-spinal fluid acetone level due to transdermal exposure to isopropanol

Dear editor, Isopropanol, also named 2-propanol or isopropyl alcohol(IPA), is a colorless, volatile liquid found in numerous household chemicals, such as cleaners and disinfectants, which typically contain a 70% solution of IPA in water. IPA is also extensively used in industry and laboratories as a solvent.

Predictive factors of histological response of colorectal liver metastases after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common in women worldwide. Almost a third of the patients has or will develop liver metastases. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC) has recently become nearly systematic prior to surgery of colorectal livers metastases(CRLMs). The response to NAC is evaluated by radiological imaging according to morphological criteria.More recently, the response to NAC has been evaluated based on histological criteria of the resected specimen. The most often used score is the tumor regression grade(TRG), which considers the necrosis, fibrosis, and number of viable tumor cells.AIM To analyze the predictive factors of the histological response, according to the TRG, on CRLM surgery performed after NAC.METHODSFrom January 2006 to December 2013, 150 patients who had underwent surgery for CRLMs after NAC were included. The patients were separated into two groups based on their histological response, according to Rubbia-Brandt TRG.Based on their TRG, each patient was either assigned to the responder(R) group(TRG 1, 2, and 3) or to the non-responder(NR) group(TRG 4 and 5). All of the histology slides were re-evaluated in a blind manner by the same specialized pathologist. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.RESULTS Seventy-four patients were classified as responders and 76 as non-responders.The postoperative mortality rate was 0.7%, with a complication rate of 38%.Multivariate analysis identified five predictive factors of histological response.Three were predictive of non-response: More than seven NAC sessions, the absence of a radiological response after NAC, and a repeat hepatectomy(P <0.005). Two were predictive of a good response: A rectal origin of the primary tumor and a liver-first strategy(P < 0.005). The overall survival was 57% at 3 yr and 36% at 5 yr. The disease-free survival rates were 14% at 3 yr and 11% at 5 yr.The factors contributing to a poor prognosis for disease-free survival were: No histological response after NAC, largest metastasis > 3 cm, more than three preoperative metastases, R1 resection, and the use of a targeted therapy with NAC(P < 0.005).CONCLUSION A non-radiological response and a number of NAC sessions > 7 are the two most pertinent predictive factors of non-histological response(TRG 4 or 5).

Disrupted regulatory T cell homeostasis in inflammatorybowel diseases

In the gut, where billions of non-self-antigens from the food and the microbiota are present, the immune response must be tightly regulated to ensure both host protection against pathogenic microorganisms and the absence of immune-related pathologies. It has been well documented that regulatory T cells(Tregs) play a pivotal role in this context. Indeed, Tregs are able to prevent excessive inflammation, which can lead to the rupture of intestinal homeostasis observed in inflammatory bowel diseases(IBDs). Both the worldwide incidence and prevalence of such diseases have increased throughout the latter part of the 20^(th) century. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how Tregs suppress the colitogenic immune cells to establish new treatments for patients suffering from IBDs. In this review, we will first summarize the results obtained in animal model studies that highlight the importance of Tregs in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and describe the specific suppressive mechanisms involved. Next, our current knowledge about Tregs contribution to human IBDs will be reviewed, as well as the current therapeutic perspective on using Tregs for clinical IBD treatment and the challenges that remain to be resolved to ensure both the safety and effectiveness of these therapies in targeting this critical immune-regulatory cell population.

Coronary artery aneurysm:A review

Coronary artery aneurysm(CAA)is a clinical entity defined by a focal enlargement of the coronary artery exceeding the 1.5-fold diameter of the adjacent normal segment.Atherosclerosis is the main cause in adults and Kawasaki disease in children.CAA is a silent progressive disorder incidentally detected by coronary angiography,but it may end with fatal complications such as rupture,compression of adjacent cardiopulmonary structures,thrombus formation and distal embolization.The pathophysiological mechanisms are not well understood.Atherosclerosis,proteolytic imbalance and inflammatory reaction are involved in aneurysmal formation.Data from previously published studies are scarce and controversial,thereby the management of CAA is individualized depending on clinical presentation,CAA characteristics,patient profile and physician experience.Multiple therapeutic approaches including medical treatment,covered stent angioplasty,coil insertion and surgery were described.Herein,we provide an up-to-date systematic review on the pathophysiology,complications and management of CAA.

A quadratic linear-parabolic model-based EEG classification to detect epileptic seizures

The two-point central difference is a common algorithm in biological signal processing and is particularly useful in analyzing physiological signals.In this paper,we develop a model-based classification method to detect epileptic seizures that relies on this algorithm to filter electroencephalogram(EEG) signals.The underlying idea was to design an EEG filter that enhances the waveform of epileptic signals.The filtered signal was fitted to a quadratic linear-parabolic model using the curve fitting technique.The model fitting was assessed using four statistical parameters,which were used as classification features with a random forest algorithm to discriminate seizure and non-seizure events.The proposed method was applied to 66 epochs from the Children Hospital Boston database.Results showed that the method achieved fast and accurate detection of epileptic seizures,with a92% sensitivity,96% specificity,and 94.1% accuracy.

氮掺杂碳纳米管负载的Ru和Pd催化剂上异丙醇的转化(英文)

Ru and Pd (2 wt%) loaded on pure and on Ndoped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) were prepared and tested using the isopropyl alcohol decomposition reaction as probe reaction. The presence of nitrogen functionalities (pyridinic, pyrrolic, and quaternary nitrogen) on the nitrogen doped support induced a higher metal dispersion: Pd/NCNT (1.8 nm) < Pd/CNT (4.9 nm), and Ru/NCNT (2.4 nm) < Ru/CNT (3.0 nm). The catalytic activity of the supports was determined first. Isopropyl alcohol conversion produces acetone on CNTs while on NCNTs it led to both dehydration and dehydrogenation products. At 210 °C and in the presence of air, the isopropyl alcohol conversion was higher on the NCNTs (25%) than on the CNTs (11%). The Pd loaded catalysts were more active and more selective than the Ru ones. At 115 °C, the Pd catalysts were 100% selective towards acetone for a conversion of 100%, whereas the Ru catalysts led to dehydration and dehydrogenation products. The nitrogen doping induced the appearance of redox properties when oxygen is present in the reaction mixture.

Telaprevir- and boceprevir-based tritherapies in real practice for F3-F4 pretreated hepatitis C virus patients

AIM:To assess,in a routine practice setting,the sus-tained virologic response(SVR) to telaprevir(TPV) or boceprevir(BOC) in hepatitis C virus(HCV) nullresponders or relapsers with severe liver fibrosis.METHODS:One hundred twenty-five patients were treated prospectively for 48 wk with TPV or BOC + pegylated-interferon(peg-INF) α2a + ribavirin(PR) according to standard treatment schedules without randomization.These patients were treated in routine practice settings in 10 public or private health care centers,and the data were prospectively collected.Only patients with severe liver fibrosis(Metavir scores of F3 or F4 upon liver biopsy or liver stiffness assessed by elastography),genotype 1 HCV and who were null-responders or relapsers to prior PR combination therapy were included in this study.RESULTS:The Metavir fibrosis scores were F3 in 35(28%) and F4 in 90(72%) of the patients.In total,62.9% of the patients were null-responders and 37.1% relapsers to the previous PR therapy.The overall SVR rate at 24 wk post-treatment withdrawal was 59.8%.The SVR was 65.9% in the TPV group and 44.1% in the BOC group.Independent predictive factors of an SVR included a response to previous treatment,relapsers vs null-responders [OR = 3.9;(1.4,10.6),P = 0.0084],a rapid virological response(RVR) [OR 6.9(2.6,18.2),P = 0.001] and liver stiffness lower than 21.3 kPa [OR = 8.2(2.3,29.5),P = 0.001].During treatment,63 patients(50.8%) had at least one severe adverse event(SAE) of grade 3 or 4.A multivariate analysis identified two factors associated with SAEs:female gender [OR = 2.4(1.1,5.6),P = 0.037] and a platelet count below 150 × 103/ mm3 [OR = 5.3(2.3,12.4),P ≤ 0.001].CONCLUSION:More than half of these difficult-to-treat patients achieved an SVR and had SAEs in an actual practice setting.The SVR rate was influenced by the response to previous PR treatment,the RVR and liver stiffness.

Numerical Study of Thermal Performance of a Capillary Evaporator in a Loop Heat Pipe with Liquid-Saturated Wick

Heat transfer of a capillary evaporator in a loop heat pipe was analyzed through 3D numerical simulations to study the effects of the thermal conductivity of the wick, the contact area between the casing and the wick, and the subcooling in the compensation chamber (CC) on the thermal performance of the evaporator. A pore network model with a distribution of pore radii was used to simulate liquid flow in the porous structure of the wick. To obtain high accuracy, fine meshes were used at the boundaries among the casing, the wick, and the grooves. Distributions of temperature, pressure, and mass flow rate were compared for polytetra-fluoroethylene (PTFE) and stainless steel wicks. The thermal conductivity of the wick and the contact area between the casing and the wick significantly impacted thermal performance of the evaporator heat-transfer coefficient and the heat leak to the CC. The 3D analysis provided highly accurate values for the heat leak;in some cases, the heat leaks of PTFE and stainless steel wicks showed little differences. In general, the heat flux is concentrated at the boundaries between the casing, the wick, and the grooves;therefore, thermal performance can be optimized by increasing the length of the boundary.

Analysis of Chaotic Dynamics in a Two-Dimensional Sine Square Map

We study an N-dimensional system based upon a sine map, which is related to the simplified model of an opto-electronic system. The system behavior is analyzed with the tools of nonlinear dynamics （bifurcations in the parameter plane, critical manifolds, basins of attraction, chaotic attractors）. Our study relies on a two-dimensional system （N=2）. It is interesting that this system shows the existence of bounded chaotic orbits, which can be considered for secure transmissions.

Small renal masses in kidney transplantation:Overview of clinical impact and management in donors and recipients

Kidney transplantation is the best replacement treatment for the end-stage renal disease.Currently,the imbalance between the number of patients on a transplant list and the number of organs available constitutes the crucial limitation of this approach.To expand the pool of organs amenable for transplantation,kidneys coming from older patients have been employed;however,the combination of these organs in conjunction with the chronic use of immunosuppressive therapy increases the risk of incidence of graft small renal tumors.This narrative review aims to provide the state of the art on the clinical impact and management of incidentally diagnosed small renal tumors in either donors or recipients.According to the most updated evidence,the use of grafts with a small renal mass,after bench table tumor excision,may be considered a safe option for high-risk patients in hemodialysis.On the other hand,an early small renal mass finding on periodic ultrasound-evaluation in the graft should allow to perform a conservative treatment in order to preserve renal function.Finally,in case of a renal tumor in native kidney,a radical nephrectomy is usually recommended.

A diagnostic protocol designed for determining allergic causes in patients with blood eosinophilia

Background: Blood eosinophilia is a common laboratory abnormality, and its characterization frequently represents a quandary for primary care physicians. Consequently, in France, specialists and particularly hematologists, often must investigate patients who present with blood eosinophilia that often, but not always, occurs because of allergic causes. Both the Departments of Hematology and Parasitology at Toulouse University Hospitals established a collaboration to rule out allergic causes of eosinophilia, particularly helminthiases, prior to initiating more sophisticated investigations.Methods: Since 2004, the authors employed the same protocol to investigate eosinophilic outpatients who attended the clinic of Parasitology at Toulouse University Hospitals, and they reported the performance of this diagnostic procedure that was designed to be rapid(no hospitalization required) and only moderately expensive.Results: A total of 406 patients who presented with blood eosinophilia greater than 0.5(×10~9, giga cells per litter, G/L) had an allergic etiology in 350(86.2%) cases. Among the remaining 56 subjects, 17 did not undergo a follow-up and 39 were referred to another specialized department, mostly Hematology. However, only 21 patients attended then were subsequently investigated. Non-allergic causes of eosinophilia, including 3 cases of the lymphoid variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome and 2 cases of myeloproliferative disorder, were identified in 14 patients, whereas 7 remained diagnosed as having idiopathic eosinophilia.Conclusion: This study underlines the need to investigate patients presenting with even moderate blood eosinophilia. The work-up that was employed appears to be efficient and versatile and may be used by any medical specialist, such as in hematology, infectious disease, or internal medicine departments, who needs to investigate eosinophilic patients and should initially rule out any etiology of allergic eosinophilia.

Comparison Between X-rays Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy Measurements on a Ceramic Envelop Lamp

Burners of metal halide lamps used for illumination are generally made of polycrystalline alumina ceramic （PCA） which is translucent to visible light. We show that the difficulty of selecting a line of sight through the lamp prevents the use of optical emission diagnostic. X-rays photons are mainly absorbed and not scattered by PCA. Absorption by mercury atoms contributing to the discharge allowed us to determine the density of mercury in the lamp. By comparing diagnostic methods, we put in evidence the difficulty of taking into account the scattering of light mathematically.

Chaotic Dynamics in a Sine Square Map： High-Dimensional Case （N ≥ 3）

We study an N-dimensional system based on a sine square map and analyze the system behaviors of cases of dimension N ≥ 3 with the tools of nonlinear dynamics. In the three-dimensional case, bifurcations in the parameter plane, invariant manifolds, critical manifolds and chaotic attractors are studied. Then we extend this study to the cases of higher dimension （N 〉 3） to understand generalized properties of the system. The analysis and experimental results of the system demonstrate the existence of bounded chaotic orbits, which can be considered for secure transmissions.

Determination of Electron Collision Cross Sections Set for Tetramethysilane

A swarm analysis technique based on the solution of the Boltzmann equation is used to derive low energy electron collision cross sections for tetramethylsilane （TMS）. The calculated swarm parameters with this first available cross sections set is consistent with measured values of the swarm parameters. Calculations of transport parameters in mixtures of TMS with argon are also presented.

Paracetamol Sensitive Cellulose-Based Electrochemical Sensors

Electrochemical determination of paracetamol(PCT)was successfully performed using carbon paste electrodes(CPEs)modified with treated coffee husks(CHt)or cellulose powder(Ce).Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize unmodified or modified CPEs prior to their use.The electrochemical oxidation of PCT was investigated using square wave voltammetry(SWV)and cyclic voltammetry(CV).The oxidation current density of PCT was two-fold higher with the CPE-CHt sensor and 30%higher with CPE-Ce in comparison with the unmodified CPE,and this correlated with the higher hydrophilicity of the modified electrodes.Using SWV for the electrochemical analysis of PCT,carbon paste electrode modified with raw coffee husks(CPE-CHr)showed the presence of impurities at+0.27 V/SCE,showing the interest in using pure cellulose for the present analytical application.Furthermore,CPE-Ce presented a higher real area compared to CPE-CHr,which explains the increase in the limit of saturation from 400 mg/L to 950 mg/L.The better saturation limit exhibited by CPE-Ce justifies its choice for electroanalysis of PCT in commercialized tablets.The proposed method was successfully applied in the determination of PCT in commercialized tablets(DolipraneR 500)with a recovery rate close to 100%,and no interference with the excipients contained in the tablets analyzed was observed.This novel sensor opens the way for sustainable development of electroanalytical control of drugs sold individually in developing countries.

Overview of Tide Characteristics in Cameroon Coastal Areas Using Recent Observations

Time series of sea level heights have been collected at different stations along the Cameroon coast. The dataset covers a period ranging from 2007 to 2012. Tide data measured by float type recorders have been digitalized and quality-controlled with tools developed at Laboratoire d’Etudes Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiale (LEGOS). Short gaps in the data have been interpolated while large gaps were not. Tide constituents were retrieved through harmonic analysis using 123 waves having a period ranging from long ones to eighth-diurnal ones. The reconstructed signal is used to assess the quality of both the data and the analysis and the erroneous records were examined and corrected. The effect of the hourly averaging of the raw data on the quality of the analysis is also investigated. The tide constituents having the largest amplitudes are, as expected, the semi-diurnal, diurnal, fourth-diurnal and long term constituents. The major components of semi-diurnal waves are the M2 and S2 tides. The M2 tide height ranges between 0.5 and 0.85 m. The maximum height is found at Cameroon estuary and the minimum at the Kribi station located in the South coast. The S2 constituent varies similarly as the M2 constituent. Its amplitude ranges between 0.18 and 0.52 m. The lowest S2 amplitude occurs also at Kribi station. In the Dibamba estuary the spectrum shows a larger number of significant semi-diurnal and fourth-diurnal waves than other zones. Concerning diurnal waves, the dominant one is the K1 tide and its amplitude is homogeneous along the coast. The influence of the long-term components is the strongest in the Cameroon estuary due to important fluctuations of the rivers run-off.

A Generalized Non-Linear Flow Law Based on Modified Zerilli-Armstrong Model and Its Implementation into Abaqus/Explicit FEM Code

Non-linear numerical modeling, widely used in research and development to understand many complex processes such as forming or machining, does not guarantee the success of a study to be performed. Indeed, the numerical simulation uses finite element codes where the models already integrated are not based on shapes adjustable to any type of study. In this study, a new form of non-linear constitutive flow law based on the Modified Zerilli-Armstrong model, which can answer the above problem, has been developed to apply it to the numerical simulation of two different tests (a quasi-static compression test, the necking of a circular bar). This flow law is based on the modified Zerilli-Armstrong model, which, together with the new modified Johnson-Cook model, has been compared to appreciate the relevance of the proposal. For that, an implementation of this new law via the VUHARD subroutine into the Abaqus/Explicit finite element code was made to model the two tests. The comparison of the results obtained (from identification) by our proposed law with those obtained using the NMJC shows that this new law better approaches the experiments than the other one. This is also shown through the numerical results using the Abaqus software. It can be said that this way of formulating a flow law allows highlighting the great performance of the proposed approach. Although this law has been only used for quasi-static tests, we can say that it can also be used in dynamic tests.

Evaluation of Evolution and Diversity of Maize Open-Pollinated Varieties Cultivated under Contrasted Environmental and Farmers’ Selection Pressures: A Phenotypical Approach

OPVs (open pollinated varieties) of cross pollinated crops are genetically heterogeneous and therefore likely to evolve over generations, under natural and human selection, which gives them a strong potential for organic and low input farming. OPVs of maize were cultivated and selected by different farmers in France and Italy for 2 generations. The third year, they were phenotypically evaluated for evolution, adaptation and level of diversity (estimated with Nei index) across evolution in a combined on farm and on station experimentation. The results showed that the varieties evolved and even adapted over 2 generations only (especially on maturity traits) but conserved their identity (no evolution of ear morphological traits). They all conserved their diversity, which demonstrated the pertinence of farmers’ selection (it is not a bottleneck). These results suggested that the genetically heterogeneous nature of OPVs is an asset for farmers because they can adapt these varieties to specific local conditions and production objectives. Therefore, farmer OPVs should receive more support through social and regulatory recognition, as well as further interest from research.

Effect of Cadmium on <i>Lactuca sativa</i>Grown in Hydroponic Culture Enriched with Phosphate Fertilizer

Cadmium (Cd), one of the most toxic heavy metals added to soil after phosphate fertilizer treatment, was investigated. The effects of this metal on morphological and physiological changes of Lactuca sativa were studied in addition to its partitioning in different parts of the crop. In parallel, Lactuca sativa was allowed to grow under hydroponic conditions with modifications of the Hoagland nutrient solution. This solution was submitted to five Cd concentrations, 0, 0.093, 0.186, 0.279 and 0.372 mg Cd/L and three P concentrations, 0, 299 and 1420 mg P/L. The study showed a positive effect of phosphorus on root elongation, surface area while cadmium inhibited plant growth and sometimes the death of the plants. Cadmium was found to be accumulated in roots while zinc was preferably accumulated in the leaves and stems. The increase of performance of Lactuca sativa under hydroponic condition and Hoagland contaminated solution with cadmium was found to be better than the ones grown in Cd amended soil with or without phosphorus.

米索前列醇在发展中国家引产中的应用:几内亚的一项前瞻性研究

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy, side effects and cost of misoprostol regimens in various obstetrical situations frequently occurring in deve-loping countries. Study design: One hundred and four parturient women with indications for labor induction received different regimens of misoprostol in the range of 50-800 μg according to their gestational age. Misoprostol was administered by the vaginal route, every 6 h without exceeding four doses. Results: All indications for labor induction concerned women with a gestational age of more than 30 weeks, except in the intrauterine death cases. The mean overall duration of labor was 7.8 h (±4.6 h). The mean amount of misoprostol used was 226 μg (±196 μg). The difference in the mean labor duration between the four indications for induction was statistically significant (P < 0.01). It was also significant for the mean total dose of misoprostol used. Total dose of misoprostol and Bishop score were inversely proportional. Two caesarean deliveries and two uterine ruptures were recorded, but no maternal deaths. The mean Apgar score was 8.0 (±1) at 1 min and 9.5 (±0.8) at 5 min. In our series, four fetal deaths occurred. The mean cost of misoprostol for labor induction was around US＄1, with a range of ＄0.05-4. Conclusions: The use of vaginal misoprostol appears to be relevant in developing countries in cases where labor induction is indicated. Nevertheless, the advantages of misoprostol (low cost, facility of storage) are counter-balanced by side-effects (C-section, uterine rupture) which can be harmful for the mother and also for the newborn.