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Recent literature shows how residual renal function (RKF), defined as the urinary clearance of urea and creatinine, is associated with a lower mortality risk in HD patients. The use of non-nephrotoxic contrast media during radiological procedure, may be useful for preservation of RKF in patients with chronic kidney disease not yet in haemodialysis. We describe the case of a 51-year-old male suffering from chronic kidney disease from 2018, due to a right nephrectomy for an adenocarcinoma, who was considered for an endovascular arteriovenous fistula (endoAVF) creation (WavelinQ endoAVF System, Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, US), using Carbon Dioxide as contrast media instead of conventional iodinated ones, with optimal results. CO2 DSA permits to well recognize the patency of target vein, its connection to the perforator vein and finally the endoAVF creation without requiring supplemental iodate contrast medium. We propose, CO2 automated digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as a safer technique that could be substitutive of the standard iodinated ones, in the creation of endo AVF.

Water scarcity in many regions of the world and global demographic growth make the desalination of seawater and/or brackish an effective solution to meet the growing demand for fresh water. Nowadays, reverse osmosis has the largest share of the global installed desalination capacity. The impelling need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has been pushing the search for sustainable technologies to produce the electricity needed to power reverse osmosis plants. Among solar technologies, little attention has been paid to the possibility of powering reverse osmosis with electricity from the dish-Stirling solar concentrator. To fill this knowledge gap, this paper assesses the energy-saving potential of a reverse osmosis plant coupled with a cogenerative dish-Stirling concentrator on a small island in the Mediterranean Sea. A model of the integrated systems was developed based on data measured on a real dish-Stirling concentrator. Moreover, the variation of the energy consumption of the reverse osmosis plant with the temperature of the feedwater solution was also accounted for. Hourly simulations showed that almost 36% of the annual water demand could be covered by driving the plant using electricity from the concentrator, and the solar fraction of the electricity consumed by the reverse osmosis plant accounted for 48%. Finally, economic and environmental analyses revealed that the levelized cost of water of €1.08 per cubic meter of fresh water, consistent with the literature, and the system could avoid emitting 34.16 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year.

Ghrelin may influence several alcohol‐related behaviors in animals and humans by modulating central and/or peripheral biological pathways. The aim of this exploratory analysis was to investigate associations between ghrelin administration and the human circulating metabolome during alcohol exposure in nontreatment seeking, heavy drinking individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). We used serum samples from a randomized, crossover, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled human laboratory study with intravenous (IV) ghrelin or placebo infusion in two experiments. During each session, participants received a loading dose (3 µg/kg) followed by continuous infusion (16.9 ng/kg/min) of acyl ghrelin or placebo. The first experiment included an IV alcohol self‐administration (IV‐ASA) session and the second experiment included an IV alcohol clamp (IV‐AC) session, both with the counterbalanced infusion of ghrelin or placebo. Serum metabolite profiles were analyzed from repeated blood samples collected during each session. In both experiments, ghrelin infusion was associated with an altered serum metabolite profile, including significantly increased levels of cortisol (IV‐ASA q‐value = 0.0003 and IV‐AC q< 0.0001), corticosterone (IV‐ASA q= 0.0202 and IV‐AC q< 0.0001), and glycochenodeoxycholic acid (IV‐ASA q= 0.0375 and IV‐AC q= 0.0013). In the IV‐ASA experiment, ghrelin infusion increased levels of cortisone (q= 0.0352) and fatty acids 18:1 (q= 0.0406) and 18:3 (q= 0.0320). Moreover, in the IV‐AC experiment, ghrelin infusion significantly increased levels of glycocholic acid (q< 0.0001) and phenylalanine (q= 0.0458). IV ghrelin infusion, combined with IV alcohol administration, was associated with increases in the circulating metabolite levels of corticosteroids and glycine‐conjugated bile acids, among other changes. Further research is needed to understand the role that metabolomic changes play in the complex interaction between ghrelin and alcohol. Metabolite profiles were analyzed from repeated blood samples collected during a randomized, crossover, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study with intravenous (IV) ghrelin or placebo infusion in alcohol‐dependent heavy drinking individuals. IV ghrelin infusion, combined with IV alcohol, increased levels of corticosteroids and glycine‐conjugated bile acids. Future studies are needed to understand the link between these changes and the effects of ghrelin manipulations on alcohol‐related outcomes.

One of the challenges in early‐stage clinical research aimed at developing novel treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is that the enrolled participants are heavy drinkers, but do not seek treatment for AUD. To compare nontreatment seekers with alcohol dependence (AD) from 4 human laboratory studies conducted at Brown University (N= 240; 65.4% male) to treatment seekers with AD from the multisite COMBINE study (N= 1,383; 69.1% male) across sociodemographic and alcohol‐related clinical variables and to evaluate whether the variables that significantly differentiate the 2 samples predict the 3 main COMBINE clinical outcomes: time to relapse, percent days abstinent (PDA), and good clinical outcome. Sample characteristics were assessed by parametric and nonparametric testing. Three regression models measured the association between the differing variables and the 3 main COMBINE clinical outcomes. The nontreatment seekers, compared to the treatment seekers, were more ethnically diverse, less educated, single, and working part‐time or unemployed (p’s < 0.05); they met fewer DSM‐IV AD criteria and had significantly lower scores on alcohol‐related scales (p’s < 0.05); they were less likely to have a father with alcohol problems (p< 0.0001) and had a significantly earlier age of onset and longer duration of AD (p’s < 0.05); they also had significantly more total drinks, drinks per drinking day, heavy drinking days (HDD), and lower PDA in the 30 days prior to baseline (p’s < 0.0001 to <0.05). Having more HDD in the 30 days prior to baseline predicted all of the 3 COMBINE clinical outcomes. All the other characteristics mentioned above that differed significantly between the 2 groups predicted at least 1 of the 3 COMBINE clinical outcomes, except for level of education, age of onset, and duration of AD. The observed differences between groups should be considered in efforts across participant recruitment at different stages of the development of new treatments for AUD. This study compared characteristics of treatment and non‐treatment seeking individuals with alcohol use disorder before entering in pharmacological studies. Results showed there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of sociodemographic and clinical measures. These characteristics predicted clinical outcomes studied in the treatment seekers trial. Findings support the theory that there are differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics that may affect one’s motivation to seek treatment and should be evaluated in the early phases of clinical research.

Purpose: To present a selected series of extensively occlusive thrombosis of arteriovenous graft treated with the Penumbra’s Indigo System.Materials and Methods: Ten patients with acute (within 72 h) extensively occlusive thrombosis of arteriovenous graft (mean extension = 30.1 (range = 15–45) cm) were treated at our institution with the Indigo System. Of the 10 cases, thrombosis was extended to venous outflow in 7 cases and to both arterial inflow and venous outflow in 3 cases.Results: Both anatomic and clinical success were achieved in 8 of the 10 procedures (80.0%). In the 2 cases of technical failure, the patients underwent surgical thrombectomy with the finding of arteriovenous graft exhaustion, which was then replaced. The 6-month primary patency, primary-assisted patency, and secondary patency rates were 37.5% (3/8), 50.0% (4/8), and 62.5% (5/8). We reported 2 complications (one minor and one major adverse event).Conclusion: Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy aspiration with Indigo System is a relatively safe and effective procedure and can be used even in extensively thrombosed arteriovenous graft.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder of unknown etiology. Extrapulmonary sarcoidosis can involve any organ, but isolated spleen involvement is rare. Diagnosis can be challenging as other etiologies may have similar presentations. A 58-year-old African American female presented with life threatening epistaxis, anemia, refractory thrombocytopenia, and massive splenomegaly. Lymphoproliferative, infectious, and autoimmune etiologies were eliminated with laboratory testing and bone marrow biopsy. The patient had multiple splenic artery aneurysms precluding an open diagnostic splenectomy. Partial splenic artery embolization was performed, which normalized the platelet count and resolved the spontaneous bleeding. This allowed diagnostic splenectomy and splenic artery repair to be safely performed. Surgical pathology demonstrated extensive non-caseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis. We present this case to demonstrate the omnipotent nature of sarcoidosis and a complex multi-disciplinary approach for successful diagnosis and treatment.

Workplace violence and aggression are receiving increasing attention, especially when perpetrated in at-risk services such as psychiatric and emergency departments. Many healthcare providers have been victims of verbal aggressions (VAs) and physical aggressions (PAs), as well as injuries (INs), at the hands of patients. We conducted a 1-year retrospective questionnaire-based survey to assess workplace violence and aggression experienced by staff working at the Psychiatric Service of the Health District of Bolzano-Bozen (Italy). We performed parametric statistics. Logistic regression estimated the size of the association between PA occurrence and staff characteristics. Our psychiatric service's employees were frequent victims (91.5%) of 1 or more aggression/injury in the previous year. VAs and INs showed comparable frequencies among the three sites of our service, that is, the inpatient (INP), the outpatient (OUTP), and the rehabilitation (REHAB) units, differently from PAs, which were more common at INP (p< 0.001). The logistic regression model showed that female sex, working at INP, and a shorter psychiatry work experience predicted PAs occurrence. Most of the staff felt they could benefit from aggression management. Findings show that VAs, PAs, and INs are common among our psychiatric service's employees and point to the need to provide staff training on de-escalation.

ABSTRACTLow voltage activated (ICa-LVA) calcium currents including Cav1.3 and T-type calcium current (ICa-T) have not been reported in adult human left ventricular myocytes (HLVMs). We tried to examine their existence and possible correlation with etiology and patient characteristics in a big number of human LVMs isolated from explanted terminally failing (F) hearts, failing hearts with left ventricular assist device (F-LVAD) and nonfailing (NF) human hearts. LVA (ICa-LVA) was determined by subtracting L-type Ca2+current (ICa-L) recorded with the holding potential of −50 mV from total Ca2+current recorded with the holding potential of −90 mV or −70 mV. ICa- LVAwas further tested with its sensitivity to 100 µM CdCl2and tetrodotoxin. Three HLVMs (3 of 137 FHLVMs) from 2 (N = 30 hearts) failing human hearts, of which one was idiopathic and the other was due to primary pulmonary hypertension, were found with ICa-LVA. ICa-LVAin one FHLVM was not sensitive to 100 µM CdCl2while ICa-LVAin another two FHLVMs was not sensitive to tetrodotoxin. It peaked at the voltage of −40~-20 mV and had a time-dependent decay faster than ICa-Lbut slower than sodium current (INa). ICa-LVAwas not found in any HLVMs from NF (75 HLVMs from 17 hearts) or F-LVAD hearts (82 HLVMs from 18 hearts) but a statistically significant correlation could not be established. In conclusion, ICa-LVAwas detected in some HLVMs of a small portion of human hearts that happened to be nonischemic failing hearts.

Thymine cation radicals were generated in the gas phase by collision-induced intramolecular electron transfer in [Cu(2,2′:6,2″-terpyridine)(thymine)]2+•complexes and characterized by ion–molecule reactions, UV–vis photodissociation action spectroscopy, and ab initio and density functional theory calculations. The experimental results indicated the formation of a tautomer mixture consisting chiefly (77%) of noncanonical tautomers with a C-7-H2group. The canonical 2,4-dioxo-N-1,N-3-H isomer was formed as a minor component at ca. 23%. Ab initio CCSD(T) calculations indicated that the canonical [thymine]+•ion was not the lowest-energy isomer. This contrasts with neutral thymine, for which the canonical isomer is the lowest-energy structure. Exothermic unimolecular isomerization by a methyl hydrogen migration in the canonical [thymine]+•ion required a low energy barrier, forming a C-7-H2,O-4-H isomer. Noncanonical thymine tautomers with a C-7-H2group were also identified by calculations as low-energy isomers of 2′-deoxythymidine phosphate cation radicals. The relative energies of thymidine ion isomers were sensitive to the computational method used and were affected by solvation. The noncanonical [thymine]+•ions have extremely low adiabatic recombination energies (REadiab< 5.9 eV), making them potential ionization hole traps in ionized nucleic acids.

Background: We evaluated the safety and technical and clinical outcomes of angioplasty with a drug-coated balloon for the management of venous stenosis in arteriovenous grafts and arteriovenous fistulas in patients undergoing haemodialysis.Methods: Data were obtained from an ongoing prospective, non-randomised registry conducted at three Italian centres. Patients were treated with a drug-coated balloon according to standard procedures in each participating centre. Evaluation was by colour Doppler imaging every 3 months. The primary end-point was primary assisted patency. The secondary end-point was the rate of assisted patency of the vascular access.Results: A total of 311 angioplasty procedures in 200 patients, (60.4% male), were analysed. The procedural success rate was 100%. A total of 192 treatments of restenosis were necessary in 81 patients during average 21 ± 8 months follow-up. Kaplan–Meier estimates indicated that 88.0%, 64.2% and 40.6% of treated lesions were free from restenosis at 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Including multiple angioplasty, circuit patency rates were 99.2%, 92.5% and 84.8% at 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Primary patency rates were highest in shunts treated de novo with drug-coated balloons. Risk of restenosis was associated with circuit age (p = 0.017), history of treatment with conventional angioplasty (p < 0.001) and the kind of balloon used during pre-dilation (p = 0.001).Conclusion: The results suggest that favourable long-term patency rates can be achieved with the drug-coated balloon in a varied population of patients with failing haemodialysis arteriovenous shunts treated under conditions of actual care.

Purpose:To report the results of endovascular treatment of iliac and complex aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) in a multicenter Italian registry. Materials and Methods:A retrospective, multicenter, observational cohort study analyzed 713 patients (mean age 68±10 years; 539 men) with isolated iliac and complex aortoiliac lesions treated with primary stenting between January 2015 and December 2017. Indications for treatment were claudication in 406 (57%) patients and critical limb ischemia in 307 (43%). According to the TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC) classification, the lesions were categorized as type A (104, 15%), type B (171, 24%), type C (170, 24%), and type D (268, 37%). Early (<30 days) endpoints included mortality, thrombosis, and major complications. Late major outcomes were primary and secondary patency and freedom from reintervention as estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis; estimates are given with the 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Associations between baseline variables and primary patency were sought with multivariate analysis; the results are presented as the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI. Results:Technical success was achieved in 708 (99%) lesions; in-hospital mortality was 0.6% (n=4). The median follow-up was 11 months (range 0–42). The estimated primary patency rate was 96% (95% CI 94% to 97%) at 1 year and 94% (95% CI 91% to 96%) at 2 years. The estimated secondary patency was 99% (95% CI 97% to 99%) at 1 year and 98% (95% CI 95% to 99%) at 2 years. The estimated freedom from reintervention was 98% (95% CI 96% to 99%) at 1 year and 97% (95% CI 94% to 98.5%) at 2 years. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the application of a covered stent was associated with an increased need for reintervention (HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.74, p=0.005). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with decreased primary patency (HR 3.7, 95% CI 1.25 to 10.8, p=0.018). Conclusion:Endovascular intervention with primary stent placement for aortoiliac occlusive disease achieved satisfactory 2-year patency regardless of the complexity of the lesion. Almost all TASC lesions should be considered for primary endovascular intervention if suitable.

This brief review deals with the various issues that contributed to the creation of the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual condition of hoarding disorder (HD) and attempts at reviewing its pharmacotherapy. It appears that after the newly founded diagnosis appeared in the literature as an autonomous entity, distinct from obsessive-compulsive disorder, drug trials are not being conducted and the disorder is left in the hands of psychotherapists, who on their part, report fair results in some core dimensions of HD. The few trials on HD specifically regard the serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine, and, possibly due to the suggestion of a common biological background of HD with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, the psychostimulant methylphenidate and the noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor atomoxetine. For all these drugs, positive results have been reported, but the evidence level of these studies is low, due to small samples and non-blind designs. Regretfully, there are currently no future studies aiming at seriously testing drugs in HD.

A systematic review of the literature regarding drug packaging methods in body packing and materials used is presented, with the aim (a) to summarize data regarding the packaging methods adopted by drug trafficking organizations, (b) to support forensic pathologists and police forces to classify and describe drug packages, (c) to propose a new classification for drug packaging techniques, and (d) to better clarify the impact of packaging methods on radiological detectability.Packaging methods have been described in 2981 cases, permitting us to summarize the different materials used and to propose a new classification for packaging method based on the materials used. Information concerning the affiliation of body packers and pushers with major (or not) drug trafficking organizations and techniques used to reduce the radiological detectability of the concealed drugs have also been collected.Besides the packaging methods described over the years, our study suggests a standardized approach for the description of drug packages based on the use of different materials and packaging procedures, which provide a possible insight to the type of drug trafficking organization involved.

Purpose:To analyze the results of isolated left subclavian artery (LSA) revascularization during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) using carotid-subclavian bypass (CSbp) or chimney grafts (CGs). Methods:A retrospective multicenter, observational study identified 73 patients (mean age 68±13 years, range 22–87; 56 men) with acute or chronic thoracic aortic lesions who underwent TEVAR with isolated LSA revascularization using either CSbp (n=42) or CGs (n=31) from January 2010 and February 2017. Primary endpoints were TEVAR-related mortality, postoperative stroke, freedom from type Ia endoleak, and LSA patency. Results:Primary technical success was achieved in all cases. Early TEVAR-related mortality was 4.2% (CSbp 2% vs CG 6%, p=0.571). Two (3%) patients had major ischemic strokes (one in each group). Mean follow-up was 24±21 months (range 1–72; median 15). Estimated freedom from TEVAR-related mortality was 93%±3% (95% CI 84.3% to 97.0%) at 12 and 36 months, with no significant difference between CSbp and CG (p=0.258). Aortic reintervention did not differ between the groups (CSbp 5% vs CG 6%, p=0.356); nor did freedom from type Ia endoleak (CSbp 98% vs CG 87%, p=0.134). Gutter-related endoleaks occurred in 4 (13%) CG patients, but none of the patients experienced sac enlargement or the need for reintervention and none died. Primary patency of the LSA was 100% for the entire group during the observation period. Conclusion:In our experience, LSA revascularization proved most satisfactory and equally effective with both the CSbp and CG techniques, without discernible differences at midterm follow-up.

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and short-term effectiveness of a high-power (150 W) microwave ablation (MWA) device for tumor ablation in the lung, liver, and kidney.Methods Between December 2021 and June 2022, patients underwent high-power MWA for liver, lung, and kidney tumors. A retrospective observational study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The MWA system utilized a 150-W, 2.45-GHz microwave generator (Emprint™ HP Ablation System, Medtronic). The study assessed technical success, safety, and effectiveness, considering pre- and post-treatment diameter and volume, lesion location, biopsy and/or cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) usage, MWA ablation time, MWA power, and dose-area product (DAP).Results From December 2021 to June 2022, 16 patients were enrolled for high-power MWA. Treated lesions included hepatocellular carcinoma (10), liver metastasis from colon cancer (1), liver metastasis from pancreatic cancer (1), squamous cell lung carcinoma (2), renal cell carcinoma (1), and renal oncocytoma (1). Technical success rate was 100%. One grade 1 complication (6.25%) was reported according to CIRSE classification. Overall effectiveness was 92.8%. Pre- and post-treatment mean diameters for liver lesions were 19.9 mm and 37.5 mm, respectively; for kidney lesions, 34 mm and 35 mm; for lung lesions, 29.5 mm and 31.5 mm. Pre- and post-treatment mean volumes for liver lesions were 3.4 ml and 24 ml, respectively; for kidney lesions, 8.2 ml and 20.5 ml; for lung lesions, 10.2 ml and 32.7 ml. The mean ablation time was 48 minutes for liver, 42.5 minutes for lung, and 42.5 minutes for renal ablation. The mean DAP for all procedures was 40.83 Gcm2.Conclusion This preliminary study demonstrates the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of the new 150 W MWA device. Additionally, it shows reduced ablation times for large lesions.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women. In the past two decades, new technologies and BC screening have led to the diagnosis of smaller and earlier-stage BC (ESBC). Therefore, percutaneous minimally invasive techniques (PMIT) were adopted to treat patients unfit for surgery, women who refuse it, or elderly patients with comorbidities that could make surgery a difficult and life-threatening treatment. The target of PMIT is small-size ESBC with the scope of obtaining similar efficacy as surgery. Minimally invasive treatments are convenient alternatives with promising effectiveness, lower morbidity, less cost, less scarring and pain, and more satisfying cosmetic results. Ablative techniques used in BC are cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, high-intensity focused ultrasound (US), and laser ablation. The aim of our study is to discuss the current status of percutaneous management of BC, evaluate the clinical outcomes of PMIT in BC, and analyze future perspectives regarding ablation therapy in BC.

Introduction:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of positron emission computed tomography-cone beam computed tomography (PET/CT-CBCT) fusion guided percutaneous biopsy, targeted to the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and minimum standardized uptake value (SUVmin) of large lung lesions. Materials and Methods:Inside a larger cohort of PET/CT-CBCT guided percutaneous lung biopsies, 10 patients with large pulmonary lesions (diameter > 30 mm) were selected retrospectively. These patients have been subjected to double biopsy sampling respectively in the SUVmax area and in the SUVmin area of the lesion. Technical success has been calculated. For each sample, the percentage of neoplastic, inflammatory, and fibrotic cells was reported. Furthermore, the possibility of performing immunohistochemical or molecular biology investigations to specifically define the biomolecular tumor profile was analyzed. Results:Nine lesions were found to be malignant, one benign (inflammation). Technical success was 100% (10/10) in the SUVmax samples and 70% (7/10) in the SUVmin samples (P-value: .21). In the first group, higher percentages of neoplastic cells were found at pathologic evaluation, while in the second group areas of inflammation and fibrosis were more represented. The biomolecular profile was obtained in 100% of cases (9/9) of the first group, while in the second group only in 33.3% of cases (2/6), with a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P-value: .011). Conclusion:A correlation between the standardized uptake value value and the technical success of the biopsy sample has been identified. PET/CT-CBCT guidance allows to target the biopsy in the areas of the tumor which are richer in neoplastic cells, thus obtaining more useful information for the planning of patient-tailored cancer treatments.

To analyze clinical outcomes and perform a macro-costing evaluation of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for aorto-iliac aneurysms.

Context. CoRoT is a space telescope dedicated to stellar seismology and the search for extrasolar planets. The mission is led by the CNES in association with French laboratories and has a large international participation. The European Space Agency (ESA), Austria, Belgium, and Germany contribute to the payload, and Spain and Brazil contribute to the ground segment. Development of the spacecraft, which is based on a PROTEUS low earth orbit (LEO) recurrent platform, commenced in October 2000, and the satellite was launched on December 27, 2006.

Dans le cas d'un réservoir hétérogène avec une forte proportion de faciès non (ou peu) perméables (faciès non-réservoir), le risque pour qu'un puits soit foré complètement dans les faciès non-réservoir peut être considérable. Le risque (ou la probabilité) du puits sec est défini comme une fonction (non linéaire) des paramètres du mode stochastique de réservoir (proportionns de faciès et leurs longueurs de corrélation) et des paramètres du puits (intervalle de production et orientation). Nous disposons d'une formule analytique de la probabilité du puits sec pour une classe de modèles stochastiques de réservoir ayant la propriété semi-markovienne (e. g. le modèle booléen à objets élémentaires convexes). Dans cet article, nous proposons une généralisation de cette formule à d'autres modèles stochastiques de réservoir couramment utilisés en pratique. L'approche proposée est validée sur deux modèles de réservoir générés respectivement par les deux méthodes géostatistiques les plus utilisées, à savoir la méthode de simulation séquentielle d'indicatrices et la méthode de simulation gaussienne tronquée. La construction de ces modèles de réservoir est inspirée d'un champ réel. Dans les deux cas, l'approximation obtenue de la probabilité du puits sec est satisfaisante. Contrairement à un plan d'expériences conventionnel basé sur une approximation polynomiale, l'approche proposée confère une signification géologique aux paramètres qui influencent la probabilité du puits sec. La méthode proposée peut être utilisée pour optimiser l'orientation et la complétion (intervalle de production) d'un nouveau puits. En particulier, elle peut être utilisée pour évaluer l'efficacité d'un puits horizontal par rapport à un puits vertical ou incliné. Lors d'une évaluation de la performance d'un nouveau puits, il convient d'évaluer d'abord le risque de puits sec et ensuite d'évaluer sa performance, sachant qu'il rencontre des faciès réservoir.

Aerosol optical properties have been measured on the island of Lampedusa (35.5°N, 12.6°E) with seven-band multifilter rotating shadowband radiometers (MFRSRs) and a CE 318 Cimel sunphotometer (part of the AERONET network) since 1999. Four different MFRSRs have operated since 1999. The Cimel sunphotometer has been operational for a short period in 2000 and in 2003–2006 and 2010–present. Simultaneous determinations of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) from the two instruments were compared over a period of almost 4 years at several wavelengths between 415 and 870 nm. This is the first long-term comparison at a site strongly influenced by desert dust and marine aerosols and characterized by frequent cases of elevated AOD. The datasets show a good agreement, with MFRSR underestimating the Cimel AOD in cases with low Ångström exponent; the underestimate decreases for increasing wavelength and increases with AOD. This underestimate is attributed to the effect of aerosol forward scattering on the relatively wide field of view of the MFRSR. An empirical correction of the MFRSR data was implemented. After correction, the mean bias (MB) between MFRSR and Cimel simultaneous AOD determinations is always smaller than 0.004, and the root mean square difference is ≤0.031 at all wavelengths. The MB between MFRSR and Cimel monthly averages (for months with at least 20 days with AOD determinations) is 0.0052. Thus, by combining the MFRSR and Cimel observations, an integrated long-term series is obtained, covering the period 1999–present, with almost continuous measurements since early 2002. The long-term data show a small (nonstatistically significant) decreasing trend over the period 2002–2013, in agreement with independent observations in the Mediterranean. The integrated Lampedusa dataset will be used for aerosol climatological studies and for verification of satellite observations and model analyses.

Caffeine use is increasing worldwide. The underlying motivations are mainly concentration and memory enhancement and physical performance improvement. Coffee and caffeine-containing products affect the cardiovascular system, with their positive inotropic and chronotropic effects, and the central nervous system, with their locomotor activity stimulation and anxiogenic-like effects. Thus, it is of interest to examine whether these effects could be detrimental for health. Furthermore, caffeine abuse and dependence are becoming more and more common and can lead to caffeine intoxication, which puts individuals at risk for premature and unnatural death. The present review summarizes the main findings concerning caffeine’s mechanisms of action (focusing on adenosine antagonism, intracellular calcium mobilization, and phosphodiesterases inhibition), use, abuse, dependence, intoxication, and lethal effects. It also suggests that the concepts of toxic and lethal doses are relative, since doses below the toxic and/or lethal range may play a causal role in intoxication or death. This could be due to caffeine’s interaction with other substances or to the individuals&apos preexisting metabolism alterations or diseases.be due to caffeine’s interaction with other substances or to individuals’ pre-existing diseases or metabolism alterations.

The use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) by professional and recreational athletes is increasing worldwide. The underlying motivations are mainly performance enhancement and body image improvement. AAS abuse and dependence, which are specifically classified and coded by the DSM-5, are not uncommon. AAS-using athletes are frequently present with psychiatric symptoms and disorders, mainly somatoform and eating, but also mood, and schizophrenia-related disorders. Some psychiatric disorders are typical of athletes, like muscle dysmorphia. This raises the issue of whether AAS use causes these disorders in athletes, by determining neuroadaptive changes in the reward neural circuit or by exacerbating stress vulnerability, or rather these are athletes with premorbid abnormal personalities or a history of psychiatric disorders who are attracted to AAS use, prompted by the desire to improve their appearance and control their weights. This may predispose to eating disorders, but AASs also show mood destabilizing effects, with longterm use inducing depression and short-term hypomania; withdrawal/discontinuation may be accompanied by depression. The effects of AASs on anxiety behavior are unclear and studies are inconsistent. AASs are also linked to psychotic behavior. The psychological characteristics that could prompt athletes to use AASs have not been elucidated.

Objective The objective of this article is to assess the prevalence of somatic symptoms and of gastrointestinal (GI) syndromes in abused “non-patient” women and the association with the time of perpetration, type, and severity of abuse.Methods Sixty-seven women, 18–58 years, receiving shelter in anti-violence associations were invited to fill out an anonymous questionnaire with a medical and an abuse section. The severity of abuse was expressed as the 0–6 Abuse Severity Measure (ASM). The association between abuse characteristics and the number of symptoms, and GI syndromes was assessed by Poisson regression model.Results Most women suffered from childhood and adulthood sexual and physical abuse. They reported a mean of 5.1 GI symptoms (range 0–13; median 5; IQR 6) and of 1.3 extra-GI symptoms (range 0–6; median 1; IQR 2); 30% of women matched the Rome II Criteria for one, 36% for two, and 4.4% for three or more syndromes, respectively. Women with an ASM of 5–6, having suffered from both sexual and physical abuse, reported significantly (p= 0.02) more GI symptoms, but not extra-GI ones (p= 0.07), and met criteria for more GI syndromes than women with an ASM ≤4 and those reporting only one type of abuse. No association was found between the time of perpetration of the abuse and the number of GI and extra-GI symptoms.Conclusions Symptoms in abused “non-patient” women mainly concern the abdomen and the GI tract. A history of severe, combined physical and sexual abuse is associated with a higher number of GI symptoms.

The objective of this article is to assess the prevalence of somatic symptoms and of gastrointestinal (GI) syndromes in abused “non-patient” women and the association with the time of perpetration, type, and severity of abuse. Sixty-seven women, 18–58 years, receiving shelter in anti-violence associations were invited to fill out an anonymous questionnaire with a medical and an abuse section. The severity of abuse was expressed as the 0–6 Abuse Severity Measure (ASM). The association between abuse characteristics and the number of symptoms, and GI syndromes was assessed by Poisson regression model. Most women suffered from childhood and adulthood sexual and physical abuse. They reported a mean of 5.1 GI symptoms (range 0–13; median 5; IQR 6) and of 1.3 extra-GI symptoms (range 0–6; median 1; IQR 2); 30% of women matched the Rome II Criteria for one, 36% for two, and 4.4% for three or more syndromes, respectively. Women with an ASM of 5–6, having suffered from both sexual and physical abuse, reported significantly (p?=?0.02) more GI symptoms, but not extra-GI ones (p?=?0.07), and met criteria for more GI syndromes than women with an ASM =4 and those reporting only one type of abuse. No association was found between the time of perpetration of the abuse and the number of GI and extra-GI symptoms. Symptoms in abused “non-patient” women mainly concern the abdomen and the GI tract. A history of severe, combined physical and sexual abuse is associated with a higher number of GI symptoms.