Search

To provide evidence regarding the significance of painful symptoms among women suffering from infertility. An observational retrospective cross-sectional study. University hospital-based research center. Infertile patients aged between 18 and 42 years surgically explored for benign gynecological conditions between 01-2004 and 12-2020. For each patient, a standardized questionnaire was completed during a face-to-face interview conducted by the surgeon in the month preceding the surgery. Preoperative assessment the pain symptoms was recorded. Pain intensity was assessed with a 10cm visual analog scale (VAS). The pain was considered to be severe when the VAS score was ≥ 7. Surgery was performed in 839 infertile women. 451 women had severe pelvic pain. Infertile patients with severe pain significantly more often had endometriosis (67.4% versus 30.7% respectively; p <.001) than infertile women without severe pelvic pain, and especially deep infiltrating lesions (43.2% versus 8.5% respectively; p <.001). Moreover, these women more often had intestinal endometriosis lesions (28.4% vs 1.8%; p <.001). After multivariable regression analysis, the presence of endometriosis, irrespective of the phenotype (superficial lesions (OR1.84 [1.19–2.86] and/or ovarian endometrioma OR 2.79 [1.70–4.59] and/or deep infiltrating endometriosis OR 4.49 [2.69–7.51]), and the presence of at least one intestine endometriosis lesion (OR6.49 [2.69–7.51] were significantly associated with severe pelvic pain. Severe pelvic pain is significantly associated with endometriosis and especially deep infiltrating lesions in a population of infertile women. These results demonstrate the importance of thorough questioning regarding pelvic pain symptoms during the initial management of infertile patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Primary prevention is complex and needs the consent of a patient without disease. • Primary prevention requires adoption of new behaviours or taking medications. • Reduction of LDL-C is an excellent target for reducing risk of a cardiovascular event. • The patient must be convinced that LDL-C is a key marker of cardiovascular risk. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol has been established as a powerful cardiovascular risk factor; its reduction provides a clinical benefit in primary cardiovascular prevention, irrespective of the characteristics of the patients treated. It is useful to tailor low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets according to the magnitude of cardiovascular risk (low, high or very high) in order to reduce the cardiovascular risk as fully as possible. In order to provide a uniform approach, it is necessary to propose recommendations for good practice, defining strategies for reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. It is also necessary to know their merits, to analyse their practical limits and to propose adaptations, taking into account limitations and national specifics. This position paper aims to analyse the contribution and limits, as well as the adaptation to French practice, of 2019 and 2021 European Society of Cardiology recommendations for the management of lipid variables and cardiovascular prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ignition of an atmospheric pressure laminar premixed methane/air mixture by Nanosecond Repetitively Pulsed (NRP) discharges in a pin-pin configuration is studied using fully coupled plasma-combustion numerical simulations. These simulations are performed using the AVIP code specifically developed for low temperature plasma modeling and coupled to the combustion code AVBP. A reduced chemical scheme for plasma-assisted combustion previously derived and validated is used to investigate the effect of the frequency of NRP discharges and the benefits of their chemical enhancement. It is observed that the induced shock wave produced by strong discharges is of major importance for ignition and can lead to quenching of the ignition kernels through strong induced recirculation of gases. Increasing the frequency of the discharges reduces this effect by depositing less energy at each discharge and accumulating energy more homogeneously between the electrodes, leading to a faster and more stable ignition. The minimum energy necessary to ignite decreases with increasing frequency and at the highest studied frequency (100 kHz) ignition has been achieved with 30% less energy than with a single-pulse discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The BraTS dataset is not divided into Low and High grade gliomas according to the WHO. • We propose a new radiological groundtruth for the BraTS dataset. • Prediction scores give insights about an automatic classifier's behaviour. • The prediction scores histogram can be used as a data exploration tool. • Crossed prediction scores allow comparison of two classifiers and individual tracking. Glioma grading using maching learning on magnetic resonance data is a growing topic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the classification of glioma discriminates between low grade gliomas (LGG), grades I, II; and high grade gliomas (HGG), grades III, IV, leading to major issues in oncology for therapeutic management of patients. A well-known dataset for machine-based grade prediction is the MICCAI Brain Tumor Segmentation (BraTS) dataset. However this dataset is not divided into WHO-defined LGG and HGG, since it combines grades I, II and III as "lower grades gliomas", while its HGG category only presents grade IV glioblastoma multiform. In this paper we want to train a binary grade classifier and investigate the consistency of the original BraTS labels with radiologic criteria using machine-aided predictions. Using WHO-based radiomic features, we trained a SVM classifier on the BraTS dataset, and used the prediction score histogram to investigate the behaviour of our classifier on the lower grade population. We also asked 5 expert radiologists to annotate BraTS images between low (as opposed to lower) grade and high grade glioma classes, resulting in a new groundtruth. Our first training reached 84.1% accuracy. The prediction score histogram allows us to identify the radiologically high grade patients among the original lower grade population of the BraTS dataset. Training another SVM on our new radiologically WHO-aligned groundtruth shows robust performances despite important class imbalance, reaching 82.4% accuracy. Our results highlight the coherence of radiologic criteria for low grade versus high grade classification under WHO terms. We also show how the histogram of prediction scores and crossed prediction scores can be used as tools for data exploration and performance evaluation. Therefore, we propose to use our radiological groundtruth for future development on binary glioma grading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of allopathic and complementary medicine use for preventing the infection with SARS-CoV-2 in Mexico. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire among general adult population (n = 16,724) of the 32 Mexican states from March to November 2020. The factors associated with the use, self-medication practice, and adverse reactions due the consumption of allopathic and complementary medicine to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus were assessed using a structured questionnaire. The suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of drugs or complementary medicine were reported. The prevalence (42.9%) of allopathic and/or complementary medicine use for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection was mainly associated with unemployment [OR:2.026 (1.722–2.283)]. Acetaminophen (n = 2272) and vitamin C (n = 3252) were the main allopathic and complementary medicine products used to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection, respectively. The prevalence of self-medication and adverse reactions was 35.3% and 4.8%, respectively. Self-medication [OR:1.930 (1.633–2.282)] and adverse reactions [OR:2.603 (2.015–3.363)] were mainly associated with individuals of low socioeconomic status. Hydroxychloroquine (21.2%) and chloroquine (15.2%) showed the highest prevalence of adverse reactions, which were mainly related to gastrointestinal disorders. The use of medications and complementary medicine to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection is prevalent (almost one-half of the respondents) among Mexican population, and it is mainly associated with unemployment. Self-medication and the adverse reactions derived from self-medication are also prevalent and seem to be influenced by low socioeconomic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Areas affected by forest fires are increasing worldwide, making salvage logging (i.e., harvesting fire-affected trees) an increasingly used practice to reduce the economic impacts of fire on forestry. However, salvage logging can have strong ecological impacts, notably on post-fire forest regeneration and biodiversity. Burn severity (i.e., the degree to which fires impact the vegetation and soil) is also a central element that interacts with pre-fire forest characteristics and salvages logging to control post-fire forest dynamics and biodiversity. In an ecosystem-based forest management context, spatial patterns of burn severity should thus be considered when planning salvage logging operations. This study presents a simple and innovative method to generate burn severity maps with Landsat and Sentinel-2 multispectral imageries to support salvage logging operations rapidly after a fire event. We assembled a unique dataset involving 330 plots from 10 burns (from 2010 to 2020) in which burn severity has been estimated on the field using the composite burn index (CBI) approach in eastern North America. CBI values were modelled as a univariate function of changes in spectral indices using the first cloud-free post-fire satellite images taken after the burns. Our results demonstrate that using free satellite images with straightforward methods can produce reliable and ecologically meaningful burn severity maps within the few weeks following a fire event. The method was then applied to a case study with salvage logging that illustrates how our burn severity maps could be a useful tool for guiding post-fire forestry operations in an ecosystem-based management context. We combined burn severity maps with pre-fire forest composition and age maps to assess immediate post-fire forest. We discuss how such an approach helps to guide salvage planning and maintain residual forests that are representative of the initial post-fire spatial variability in burn severity and pre-fire vegetation. We conclude that rapid mapping of burn severity after a forest fire event may offer many other applications for identifying and managing recently burned forests. • Interactions between salvage logging and burn severity control post-fire dynamics. • Unsalvaged residual forests should represent the variability in burn severity. • Free satellite imagery can rapidly produce burn severity maps after a fire event. • Such maps are powerful tool for guiding post-fire salvage logging operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in children is determined using anthropometry. However, bio-electrical impedance (BI) analysis could improve the estimation of altered body composition linked to edema and/or loss of lean body mass in children with SAM. We aimed to assess: 1) the changes in BI parameters during clinical stabilization and 2) whether BI parameters add prognostic value for clinical outcome beyond the use of anthropometry. This prospective observational study enrolled children, aged 6–60 months, that were admitted at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, for complicated SAM (i.e., having either severe wasting or edematous SAM with a complicating illness). Height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and BI were measured on admission and after clinical stabilization. BI measures were derived from height-adjusted indices of resistance (R/H), reactance (Xc/H), and phase angle (PA) and considered to reflect body fluids and soft tissue in BI vector analysis (BIVA). We studied 183 children with SAM (55% edematous; age 23.0 ± 12.0 months; 54% male) and 42 community participants (age 20.1 ± 12.3 months; male 62%). Compared to community participants, the BIVA of children with edematous SAM were short with low PA and positioned low on the hydration axis which reflects severe fluid retention. In contrast, children with severe wasting had elongated vectors with a PA that was higher than children with edematous SAM but lower than community participants. Their BIVA position fell within the top right quadrant linked to leanness and dehydration. BIVA from severely wasted and edematous SAM patients differed between groups and from community children both at admission and after stabilization (p < 0.001). Vector position shifted during treatment only in children with edematous SAM (p < 0.001) and showed a upward translation suggestive of fluid loss. While PA was lower in children with SAM, PA did not contribute more than anthropometry alone towards explaining mortality, length of stay, or time-to-discharge or time-to-mortality. The variability and heterogeneity in BI measures was high and their overall added predictive value for prognosis of individual children was low. BIVA did not add prognostic value over using anthropometry alone to predict clinical outcome. Several implementation challenges need to be optimized. Thus, in low-resource settings, the routine use of BI in the management of pediatric malnutrition is questionable without improved implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplementing maternal diet with citrulline or arginine during gestation was shown to enhance fetal growth in a model of IUGR induced by maternal dietary protein restriction in the rat. The aims of this study were to determine in the same model whether maternal supplementation with citrulline or arginine would increase 1) citrulline and arginine concentration in fetal circulation; 2) the expression of placental amino acid transporters, and 3) the fetal availability of essential amino acids. Pregnant rats (n = 8 per group) were fed either an isocaloric control (20% protein, NP) or a low protein (LP, 4% protein) diet, either alone or supplemented with 2 g/kg/d of l -citrulline (LP + CIT) or isonitrogenous Arginine (LP + ARG) in drinking water throughout gestation. Fetuses were extracted by C-section on the 21st day of gestation. The gene expression of system A (Slc38a1, Slc38a2, and Slc38a4) and L (Slc7a2, Slc7a5, Slc7a8) amino acid transporters was measured in placenta and amino acid concentrations determined in maternal and fetal plasma. Maternal LP diet decreased fetal (4.01 ± 0.03 vs. 5.45 ± 0.07 g, p < 0.0001) and placental weight (0.617 ± 0.01 vs. 0.392 ± 0.04 g, p < 0.001), by 26 and 36% respectively, compared with NP diet. Supplementation with either CIT or ARG increased fetal birth weight by ≈ 5 or 11%, respectively (4.21 ± 0.05 and 4.48 ± 0.05 g vs. 4.01 ± 0.03 g, p < 0.05). CIT supplementation produced a 5- and 2-fold increase in fetal plasma citrulline and arginine, respectively, whereas ARG supplementation only increased fetal arginine concentration. LP diet led to lower placental SNAT 4 mRNA, and higher LAT2 and SNAT1 expression, compared with NP. SNAT4, 4hFC, LAT2 mRNA were up-regulated in LP + CIT and LP + ARG group compared with the un-supplemented LP group. Higher level of LAT1 mRNA was also observed in the LP + CIT group than in the LP group (p < 0.01). SNAT2 expression was unchanged in response to CIT or ARG supplementation. Fetal amino acid concentrations were decreased by LP diet, and were not restored by CIT or ARG supplementation. The current findings confirm supplementation with citrulline or arginine enhances fetal growth in a rat model of IUGR. They further suggest that: 1) citrulline and arginine administered orally to the pregnant mother may reach fetal circulation; 2) citrulline effectively raises fetal arginine availability; and 3) although it failed to increase the concentrations of essential amino acids in fetal plasma, citrulline or arginine supplementation upregulates the gene expression of several placental amino acid transporters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post combustion CO 2 capture using amine-based solvents is currently a very attractive technology for the treatment of flue gases produced in existing power plants. One of the main drawbacks of the process is a degradation of the solvent resulting in the formation of degradation products. Those degradation products, which are potentially detrimental to humans and environment can be emitted in the treated flue gas. The aim of this study was to develop a Thermodesorption–Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification in gaseous phase of a wide variety of products. A selection of five MEA degradation products is presented in this work: pyrazine, nitrosodimethylamine, 2-methylpyrazine, dimethylformamide and pyrrole. This method was validated using the accuracy profile concept with acceptance limits of 30%. The method involved active sampling on solid sorbents followed by thermal desorption and GC–MS analysis. The calibration was realized with an Adsorbent Tube Injector System at a temperature of 140 °C during 3 min. This method was applied to samples from an IFPEN CO 2 capture pilot plant: the concentration in the absorber gas effluent of each targeted compound was lower than 300 μg/m 3 for nitrosodimethylamine and pyrazine, and lower than 30 μg/m 3 for pyrrole, dimethylformamide and 2-methylpyrazine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protective potential of pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) mesocarp extract (PME) on a cell model mimicking diabetes-like oxidative stress exposed to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) was investigated. The polyphenolic antioxidant rich PME afforded protection to erythrocytes from AAPH radical-induced lysis and significantly reduced (P < 0.001) ROS production in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by preventing AGEs-modulated decrease in intrinsic antioxidant enzymatic activities and by reducing NOX1 expression. PME significantly inhibited protein carbonyl and AOPP levels following their increase in the presence of AGEs and H 2 O 2 (P < 0.05) . It exerted an anti-inflammatory effect on preadipocytes by suppressing IL-6 secretion. PME down-regulated the over-expression of pro-inflammatory mediators NFκB , iNOS and IL-6 post-AGEs treatment and concomitantly down-regulated the expression of AGEs receptor CD36 in the presence of AGEs. PME decreases oxidative stress and inflammation at adipose tissue level with the propensity to mitigate obesity-related disorders such as insulin resistance and type II diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to investigate the fungal community composition in the gut of Staphylinidae from boreal forest in order to better understand the diversity and the complexity of fungus-insect relationships. DNA gut content analyses of nine abundant rove beetle species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) living in the boreal balsam fir forest ecosystem (Montmorency Forest, Quebec, Canada) were performed to identify the fungal taxa present either as endosymbiotic taxa or as a source of nutrition. A total of 42 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were recorded from the analysis of 441 fungal ITS rDNA sequences recovered from gut extracts. The OTU richness per species ranged between four in Tachinus quebecensis and 16 in Atheta ventricosa . The fungal mycobiota in posterior gut extracts was dominated by Saccharomycetales (12 OTUs), followed by Sordariomycetes (nine OTUs). No significant difference was observed between the OTU richness recorded within each of the three subfamilies of rove beetles investigated. The core mycobiome of the posterior gut extracts was dominated by three OTUs related to yeasts, with ITS sequences having pairwise similarities equal to or greater than 99% with Candida mesenterica , Debaryomyces spp. and Ophiostoma pluriannulatum . These results provide some evidence of the consumer-resource relationships of these beetles. Predominance of yeast and fungal spores in the posterior gut of rove beetles suggests that they may play an important role in their dietary requirements and as endosymbionts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess whether pancreatic function is impaired in children with severe acute malnutrition, is different between edematous vs nonedematous malnutrition, and improves by nutritional rehabilitation.Study Design: We followed 89 children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Stool and blood samples were taken on admission and 3 days after initial stabilization to determine exocrine pancreatic function via fecal elastase-1 (FE-1) and serum trypsinogen and amylase levels.Results: A total of 33 children (37.1%) had nonedematous severe acute malnutrition, whereas 56 (62.9%) had edematous severe acute malnutrition. On admission, 92% of patients showed evidence of pancreatic insufficiency as measured by FE-1 <200 μg/g of stool. Patients with edematous severe acute malnutrition were more likely to have low FE-1 (98% vs 82.8%, P = .026). FE-1 levels remained low in these individuals throughout the assessment period. Serum trypsinogen was elevated (>57 ng/mL) in 28% and amylase in 21% (>110 U/L) of children, suggesting pancreatic inflammation.Conclusion: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is prevalent in children with severe acute malnutrition and especially in children with edematous severe acute malnutrition. In addition, biochemical signs suggestive of pancreatitis are common in children with severe acute malnutrition. These results have implications for standard rehabilitation treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition who may benefit from pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.Trial Registration: ISRCTN.com: 13916953. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to examine the effects of foreign direct investments (FDI) on food security for 55 developing countries in a panel framework over the period 1995–2009. There are various measures of food security that can be used. Our first contribution is to build a composite indicator that synthesizes the food indicators used by the Food and Agriculture Organization to measure the food availability and food utilization. Second, our empirical study is based on a model composed of a food security equation and an agricultural production equation. Our results show that sectoral FDI have different effects on food security. FDI in the agriculture sector improves food security and FDI in the secondary and tertiary sector increases the food insecurity. We found a significant FDI׳s spillover through the agricultural production to food security. While the effect is positive with FDI in secondary sector, it is negative for FDI in the tertiary sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective solar absorber material is one of the major components in the Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies. Its optical properties determine the efficiency of the energy conversion from the concentrated sun irradiation to the heat recovered by the heat transfer fluid. Development of the CSP requires costs reduction for this technology. To achieve this goal, one way is the increase of the work temperature up to 400 – 500 °C or more. For economic reasons, the bankable of CSP technology requires a lifetime over 25 years for components and so for solar absorbers. The development of solar receiver, able to operate under air, instead of vacuum conditions, is a challenge to reduce the costs. Along the 25 years of a CSP plant lifetime, solar absorber material is daily exposed to high levels of stresses: high solar flux, high thermal gradient. As the oxidation is one of the main factors involved in degradation processes air stability of the absorber coating under high temperatures should be studied as it could be a critical point in the solar field maintainability in case of accidental vacuum loss. In this article we present a durability study of selective solar absorber from Archimede Solar Energy (ASE) exposed in air at high temperature (up to 500 °C). The results show a good stability of this materials up to 450 °C during 3000h without change of solar absorptance and emittance. An analysis of the degradation process at higher temperature is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives Fasting dyslipidemia is commonly observed in insulin resistant states and mechanistically linked to hepatic overproduction of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Recently, the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been implicated in ameliorating dyslipidemia associated with insulin resistance and reducing hepatic lipid stores. Given that hepatic VLDL production is a key determinant of circulating lipid levels, we investigated the role of both peripheral and central GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonism in regulation of VLDL production. Methods The fructose-fed Syrian golden hamster was employed as a model of diet-induced insulin resistance and VLDL overproduction. Hamsters were treated with the GLP-1R agonist exendin-4 by intraperitoneal (ip) injection for peripheral studies or by intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration into the 3rd ventricle for central studies. Peripheral studies were repeated in vagotomised hamsters. Results Short term (7–10 day) peripheral exendin-4 enhanced satiety and also prevented fructose-induced fasting dyslipidemia and hyperinsulinemia. These changes were accompanied by decreased fasting plasma glucose levels, reduced hepatic lipid content and decreased levels of VLDL-TG and -apoB100 in plasma. The observed changes in fasting dyslipidemia could be partially explained by reduced respiratory exchange ratio (RER) thereby indicating a switch in energy utilization from carbohydrate to lipid. Additionally, exendin-4 reduced mRNA markers associated with hepatic de novo lipogenesis and inflammation. Despite these observations, GLP-1R activity could not be detected in primary hamster hepatocytes, thus leading to the investigation of a potential brain–liver axis functioning to regulate lipid metabolism. Short term (4 day) central administration of exendin-4 decreased body weight and food consumption and further prevented fructose-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Additionally, the peripheral lipid-lowering effects of exendin-4 were negated in vagotomised hamsters implicating the involvement of parasympathetic signaling. Conclusion Exendin-4 prevents fructose-induced dyslipidemia and hepatic VLDL overproduction in insulin resistance through an indirect mechanism involving altered energy utilization, decreased hepatic lipid synthesis and also requires an intact parasympathetic signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of two anti-doping measures by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) directly affects athletes lives: obligatory whereabouts reporting with the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS), and recorded applications for Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). French-speaking elite athletes ( N = 69) from France, Belgium and Switzerland responded to a web-based questionnaire about their perceptions and experiences under these two measures. The results showed a strong ambivalence towards the whereabouts system. Though 94% considered it necessary, and accepted it as part of an athlete's duties, 34% considered that it infringed too much on their private life, 54% felt that it reduced the pleasure of being an athlete, 74% felt to be under surveillance, 54% found it too time-consuming, 57% encountered technical hurdles, and 58% perceived its application between different countries and sports as unequal and unfair. Many athletes did not like the testing procedures and more than half felt that it causes anxiety. Trust in the system's capacity to detect doping in athletes was partial (83% of athletes under the whereabouts system trusted it, and 60% of athletes not under the system trusted it). Concerning the management of TUEs, 49% of athletes had low trust in their management by authorities, 47% suspected abuse by fellow athletes and 46% had refrained from medically justified treatment. Our findings suggest considerable dissatisfaction with the whereabouts system and TUE among French-speaking athletes. We conclude that there is a need to improve on the above aspects in order to increase athletes’ satisfaction and adherence to WADA's anti-doping policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Deciding whether a given pattern is over- or under-represented according to a given background model is a key question in computational biology. Such a decision is usually made by computing some p-values reflecting the “exceptionality” of a pattern in a given sequence or set of sequences. In the simplest cases (short and simple patterns, simple background model, small number of sequences), an exact p-value can be computed with a tractable complexity. The realistic cases are in general too complicated to get such an exact p-value. Approximations are thus proposed (Gaussian, Poisson, Large deviation approximations). These approximations are applicable under some conditions: Gaussian approximations are valid in the central domain while Poisson and Large deviation approximations are valid for rare events. In the present paper, we prove a large deviation approximation to the double strands counting problem that refers to a counting of a given pattern in a set of sequences that arise from both strands of the genome. In that case, dependencies between a sequence and its reverse complement cannot be neglected. They are captured here for a Bernoulli model from general combinatorial properties of the pattern. A large deviation result is also provided for a set of small sequences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: To examine the usefulness of selected physiological and perceptual measures to monitor fitness, fatigue and running performance during a pre-season, 2-week training camp in eighteen professional Australian Rules Football players (21.9±2.0 years). Design: Observational. Methods: Training load, perceived ratings of wellness (e.g. fatigue, sleep quality) and salivary cortisol were collected daily. Submaximal exercise heart rate (HRex) and a vagal-related heart rate variability index (LnSD1) were also collected at the start of each training session. Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 2 test (Yo-YoIR2, assessed pre-, mid- and post-camp, temperate conditions) and high-speed running distance during standardized drills (HSR, >14.4kmh−1, 4 times throughout, outdoor) were used as performance measures. Results: There were significant (P <0.001 for all) day-to-day variations in training load (coefficient of variation, CV: 66%), wellness measures (6–18%), HRex (3.3%), LnSD1 (19.0%), but not cortisol (20.0%, P =0.60). While the overall wellness (+0.06, 90% CL (−0.14; 0.02)AUday−1) did not change substantially throughout the camp, HRex decreased (−0.51 (−0.58; −0.45)%day−1), and cortisol (+0.31 (0.06; 0.57)nmolL−1 day−1), LnSD1 (+0.1 (0.04; 0.06)msday−1), Yo-YoIR2 performance (+23.7 (20.8; 26.6)mday−1, P <0.001), and HSR (+4.1 (1.5; 6.6)mday−1, P <0.001) increased. Day-to-day ΔHRex (r =0.80, 90% CL (0.75; 0.85)), ΔLnSD1 (0.51 (r =0.40; 0.62)) and all wellness measures (0.28 (−0.39; −0.17)< r <0.25 (0.14; 0.36)) were related to Δtraining load. There was however no clear relationship between Δcortisol and Δtraining load. ΔYo-YoIR2 was correlated with ΔHRex (r =0.88 (0.84; 0.92)), ΔLnSD1 (r =0.78 (0.67; 0.89)), Δwellness (r =0.58 (0.41; 0.75), but not Δcortisol. ΔHSR was correlated with ΔHRex (r =−0.27 (−0.48; −0.06)) and Δwellness (r =0.65 (0.49; 0.81)), but neither with ΔLnSD1 nor Δcortisol. Conclusions: Training load, HRex and wellness measures are the best simple measures for monitoring training responses to an intensified training camp; cortisol post-exercise and LnSD1 did not show practical efficacy here. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The major objective of this study was to investigate the effects of several days of intense exercise on growth hormone (hGH) testing using the World Anti-Doping Agencies hGH isoform differential immunoassays. Additionally the effects of circadian variation and exercise type on the isoform ratios were also investigated. Study design: 15 male athletes performed a simulated nine day cycling stage race. Blood samples were collected twice daily over a period of 15days (stage race+three days before and after). hGH isoforms were analysed by the official WADA immunoassays (CMZ Assay GmbH). Results: All measured isoform ratios were far below the WADA decision limits for an adverse analytical finding. Changes in the isoform ratios could not be clearly connected to circadian variation, exercise duration or intensity. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that the hGH isoform ratios are not significantly affected by exercise or circadian variation. We demonstrated that heavy, long term exercise does not interfere with the decision limits for an adverse analytical finding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aims: We compared histological patterns after lumpectomy for non-palpable breast cancers preoperatively localized by radioguided occult lesion localization plus sentinel node localization (SNOLL) versus wire-guided localization. Methods: To ensure a homogeneously treated cohort and rigorous comparisons, only patients with invasive cancer and measurable opacity by imaging were included. Exclusion criteria were one or more parameters that could interfere with localization and/or the surgical procedure. Forty-three SNOLL were compared with 86 WGL plus sentinel node (SN) localization. Cancer localization effectiveness was based on careful assessment of histological data from only the first resected glandular specimen, as any additional resection specimens were guided by intraoperative histological examination. Results: Reexcisions to ensure free tissue margins were performed during the same procedure in 13.9% of SNOLL versus 31.3% of WGL; p = 0.02. Significantly more women in SNOLL (53.4%) also had free nearest margins of >9 mm after the first procedure compared with WGL (33.7%); p = 0.03. The median centricity ratio after the first procedure was better in SNOLL (2.8, range 1.3–14) than WGL (5, range 1–50); p = 0.008. The median number of SN detected by lymphoscintigraphy was the same in SNOLL and WGL (1, range 0–9, vs. 1, range 0–8). Intraoperative SN detection by blue dye and/or gamma probe was successful for 97.6% of SNOLL versus 93% of WGL. Conclusion: In this study, SNOLL was effective and safe, and this procedure significantly improved the rate of negative margins in the first specimen and the rate of reexcision for positive margins compared with WGL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Factor and suffix oracles have been introduced in Allauzen et al. (1999) in order to provide an economic and efficient solution for storing all the factors and suffixes respectively of a given text. Whereas good estimations exist for the size of the factor/suffix oracle in the worst case, no average-case analysis has been done until now. In this paper, we give an estimation of the average size for the factor/suffix oracle of an n-length text when the alphabet size is 2 and under a Bernoulli distribution model with parameter 1/2. To reach this goal, a new oracle is defined, which shares many of the properties of a factor/suffix oracle but is easier to study and provides an upper bound of the average size we are interested in. Our study introduces tools that could be further used in other average-case analysis on factor/suffix oracles, for instance when the alphabet size is arbitrary. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Testing to determine blood lactate thresholds for prescription of rowing training is usually conducted separately from performance testing (i.e. 2000m time trial). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the testing required to determine blood lactate thresholds and performance in elite rowers could be reduced by undertaking a single test combining incremental exercise with a 2000m time trial. Ten elite rowers (age 20.9±2.1 years, mean±S.D.) performed, on separate occasions and in random order, an incremental seven-step rowing test (INCR), a 2000m time trial (2k), or a combined test involving the performance of six incremental submaximal workloads followed by 15min of recovery and then a 2000m time trial (2-in-1). Physiological and performance parameters (blood lactate thresholds, accumulated oxygen deficit, heart rate, work parameters) determined during 2-in-1 were not significantly different from those determined during INCR or 2k, except for peak oxygen uptake which was higher during 2-in-1 compared with INCR (4.23±0.22 versus 4.14±0.20lmin−1, p =0.02), and peak rating of perceived exertion which was lower during 2-in-1 compared with INCR (19.4±0.2 versus 19.9±0.1, p =0.02). We conclude that physiological and performance parameters that have traditionally been assessed during separate incremental exercise and 2000m time trial testing in elite rowers can be validly determined during a single combined exercise test. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We sought to evaluate wear and kinematics in well-established implants of posterior stabilized (PS) and cruciate retaining (CR) designs. Ninety-one knees implanted for at least five years were examined. The implants were Genesis II PS (Smith & Nephew, Memphis, TN), Sigma PS (DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, IN), or Sigma CR. Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) images were acquired at multiple flexion angles and the 3D positions of the implant components were determined using model-based RSA software. The location of the center of the contact area between the femoral and polyethylene components was used to obtain contact kinematics, and the magnitude of the virtual intersection between the components indicated linear wear. All three groups had paradoxical anterior motion on both condyles, experienced similar net external rotation, and exhibited instances of internal rotation during flexion. The maximum observed wear rate was significantly greater for the Sigma PS than the Genesis II PS on the medial condyle (mean difference = 0.032 mm/year, p = 0.044), but not the lateral condyle, while there was no difference between the Sigma PS and Sigma CR for either condyle. Knees with lateral condylar separation had greater maximum wear rates on the medial condyle (mean difference = 0.033 mm/year, p = 0.001), while those with medial condylar separation had greater maximum wear rates on the lateral condyle (mean difference = 0.044 mm/year, p = 0.014). At long term follow-up in patients with well-functioning implants, there were differences in kinematics and wear resistance between implants. These results suggest that implant design affects long-term kinematics and wear in well-functioning implants and that condylar separation should be avoided to minimize wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue Francophone des Laboratoires is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To determine the actual incidence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion syndrome in multiple respiratory chain deficiency. Study design: We carried out a real-time polymerase chain reaction quantification of mtDNA in liver or muscle tissue of 100 children with unexplained multiple oxidative phosphorylation enzyme deficiency. Results: A reduction of mtDNA copy number to <35% of control values was found in liver and/or muscle in half of the children (50/100). Most of these patients (32/50; 64%) presented with severe neonatal onset liver involvement; 7 (14%) had Alpers syndrome, and 11 (22%) exhibited various forms of neurologic involvement. Deoxyguanosine kinase or polymerase γ (POLG) mutations could be identified in 11 of 32 patients with liver involvement, and POLG mutations were consistently found in all 7 patients with Alpers syndrome. Homozygous thymidine kinase 2 and MPV17 gene mutations were found in 2 patients. Conclusions: Our findings show that mtDNA depletion is a prevalent cause of multiple respiratory chain deficiency in infancy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Titanium is widely used in dental implantology and orthopaedics due to its excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. However, it has been reported that Ti is sensitive to F−, H2O2 and lactic acid. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the corrosion resistance of CP-Ti disks after 9 days immersion in different test solutions, based on artificial saliva containing F− (0.5% and 2.5%), H2O2 (0.1% and 10%) and/or lactic acid. Because activated macrophages and bacteria can also release locally some of these oxidative compounds, we investigated the role of these cells when plated onto titanium disks. The surface roughness (R a) was highly increased when titanium disks were immersed in artificial saliva containing F−, H2O2 and lactic acid. After 21 days of cell culture, R a was significantly increased on disks incubated with activated-J774.2 cells or Streptococcus mitis. AFM appeared to be more sensitive than SEM in evaluating the corrosion of the titanium. Chemical species, either environmental or those released by macrophages and bacteria, can provoke a marked attack of the titanium surface. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & Aims: Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) deficiency causes severe hyperhomocysteinemia, which confers diverse clinical manifestations, notably liver disease. To investigate this aspect of hyperhomocysteinemia, we performed a thorough investigation of liver pathology in CBS-deficient mice, a murine model of severe hyperhomocysteinemia. Methods: The degree of liver injury and inflammation was assessed by histologic examination, by measurements of products of lipid peroxidation, and by formation of carbonyl groups on protein as a measure for the occurrence of protein oxidation. Analysis of profibrogenic, proinflammatory factors and cell apoptosis was performed by Western blots, real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, caspase-3 activity, DNA laddering, and TUNEL assay. Results: Histologic evaluation of liver specimens of 8- to 32-week-old CBS-deficient mice showed that CBS-deficient mice develop inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatic steatosis, concomitant with an enhanced expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, α-smooth muscle actin, pro(α)1 collagen type I, transforming growth factor-β1, and proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, even if the proapoptotic protein Bax was dominantly expressed and Bcl-2 was down-regulated, caspase-3 was not activated, DNA laddering was not detected, and number of positive TUNEL cells was not increased in liver of CBS-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice. Conclusions: The results show that hyperhomocysteinemia in liver of CBS-deficient mice promotes oxidative stress, which may cause mitochondrial damage in association with activation of hepatic stellate cells, leading to liver injury. The absence of caspase-3 activation, DNA fragmentation, and TUNEL-positive cells shows that protective signals may counteract apoptotic signals in liver of CBS-deficient mice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Regeneration patterns of two dominant tree species were studied at a large area mapped longleaf pine forest. • Pine saplings were more likely to occur with oak trees or in gaps than with pine trees. • Oak saplings were more likely to occur near oak trees. • Woody species richness was associated with areas of oak dominance rather than pine dominance. Longleaf pine once dominated much of the forested area of the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States and is a focal forest type for restoration efforts. In these forests, two species dominate the canopy which may influence tree regeneration. Ultimately, the outcomes of habitat filtering, competition, and disturbance manifest in spatial patterns of tree regeneration, including in longleaf pine ecosystems. Understanding regeneration and establishment patterns can aid in restoration efforts. We ask how the dominant species in an established longleaf pine forest are spatially arranged to provide insight into the mechanisms that may be driving tree establishment in longleaf pine forests. We found that longleaf pine saplings were more likely to be found near the other dominant tree species in this forest, turkey oak trees, than in gaps or near to longleaf pine trees. Similarly, turkey oak saplings clustered around turkey oak trees but were dispersed in relation to longleaf pine trees. These findings point towards the interplay between canopy tree composition, leaf litter, and fire behavior as driving mechanisms in the successful establishment of both pines and oaks in this forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment used in the food industry as well as in supplements for age-related macular degeneration. There is potential for microalgae to be used for zeaxanthin production, however there is relatively little work examining this issue, particularly with respect to scale-up. Here two species of cyanobacteria (Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 and Synechocystis sp. PCC6803) were examined, along with a Rhodophyte (Rhodosorus sp.). At a light intensity of 80 μmol photons m−2 s−1 specific zeaxanthin contents were 2.30 ± 0.84, 1.61 ± 0.68 and 2.16 ± 0.63 mg g−1 for Synechococcus sp. PCC7002, Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 and Rhodosorus sp., respectively. Of the species examined the Synechococcus PCC7002 had the highest specific growth rate (0.74 ± 0.09 day−1). This species was used to further optimize the process, increasing the nutrient concentration in the medium and using an incremental light addition strategy led to an approximately 13-fold increase in the cell density, giving a final dry cell weight of 4.25 ± 1.42 g L−1. Results from this work are among the highest in the literature for zeaxanthin productivity (0.7 ± 0.5 mg L−1 day−1) and the approach used can be readily scaled-up. Additionally, the approach used in this work to achieve high cell densities of PCC7002 could be potentially applied to the production of other compounds (e.g. phycobilins or compounds produced using metabolic engineering). • Production of zeaxanthin examined using cyanobacteria and a Rhodophyte • Specific zeaxanthin concentrations between 1.6 and 3.3 mg g−1 • One gram of biomass meets the daily intake for zeaxanthin. • Optimized conditions give zeaxanthin productivity of 0.7 mg L−1 day−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While pulmonary embolism (PE) appears to be a major issue in Covid-19, data remain sparse. We aimed to describe the risk factors and baseline characteristics of patients with PE in a large cohort of Covid-19 patients. In a retrospective multicentric observational study, we included consecutive hospitalised patients for Covid-19. Patients without computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA)-proven PE diagnosis, those who were directly admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), and those still hospitalised without PE experience were excluded. Among 1240 patients (58.1% men, mean age 64 ± 17 years), 103 (8.3%) patients had PE confirmed by CTPA. The ICU transfer requirement and mechanical ventilation requirement were significantly higher in the PE group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). In an univariable analysis, traditional venous thromboembolic risk factors were not associated with PE (P > 0.05), while patients under therapeutic-dose anticoagulation before hospitalisation or prophylaxis-dose anticoagulation introduced during hospitalisation had lower PE occurrence (OR 0.40, 95%CI(0.14-0.91); P = 0.04 and OR 0.11, 95%CI(0.06-0.18); P < 0.001, respectively). In a multivariable analysis, the following variables (also statistically significant in univariable analysis) were associated with PE: male gender (OR 1.03, 95%CI(1.003-1.069); P = 0.04), anticoagulation with prophylaxis-dose (OR 0.83, 95%CI(0.79-0.85), P < 0.001) or therapeutic-dose (OR 0.87, 95%CI(0.82-0.92), P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (OR 1.03, 95%CI(1.01-1.04), P = 0.001) and time from symptom onset to hospitalisation (OR 1.02, 95%CI(1.006-1.038), P = 0.002) (Table 1). Pulmonary embolism risk factors in Covid-19 context do not include traditional thromboembolic risk factors but rather independent clinical and biological findings at admission, including a major contribution to inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Therapies is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To assess the benefits of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) in children with complicated severe acute malnutrition.Study Design: We conducted a randomized, controlled trial in 90 children aged 6-60 months with complicated severe acute malnutrition at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Malawi. All children received standard care; the intervention group also received PERT for 28 days.Results: Children treated with PERT for 28 days did not gain more weight than controls (13.7 ± 9.0% in controls vs 15.3 ± 11.3% in PERT; P = .56). Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was present in 83.1% of patients on admission and fecal elastase-1 levels increased during hospitalization mostly seen in children with nonedematous severe acute malnutrition (P <.01). Although the study was not powered to detect differences in mortality, mortality was significantly lower in the intervention group treated with pancreatic enzymes (18.6% vs 37.8%; P < .05). Children who died had low fecal fatty acid split ratios at admission. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was not improved by PERT, but children receiving PERT were more likely to be discharged with every passing day (P = .02) compared with controls.Conclusions: PERT does not improve weight gain in severely malnourished children but does increase the rate of hospital discharge. Mortality was lower in patients on PERT, a finding that needs to be investigated in a larger cohort with stratification for edematous and nonedematous malnutrition. Mortality in severe acute malnutrition is associated with markers of poor digestive function.Trial Registration: ISRCTN.com: 57423639. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assisted reproductive technology is one of the therapeutic options offered for managing endometriosis-associated infertility. Yet, published data on assisted reproductive technology outcome in women affected by endometriosis are conflicting and the determinant factors for pregnancy chances unclear.Objective: We sought to evaluate assisted reproductive technology outcomes in a series of 359 endometriosis patients, to identify prognostic factors and determine if there is an impact of the endometriosis phenotype.Study Design: This was a retrospective observational cohort study, including 359 consecutive endometriosis patients undergoing in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, from June 2005 through February 2013 at a university hospital. Endometriotic lesions were classified into 3 phenotypes-superficial peritoneal endometriosis, endometrioma, or deep infiltrating endometriosis-based on imaging criteria (transvaginal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging); histological proof confirmed the diagnosis in women with a history of surgery for endometriosis. Main outcome measures were clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates per cycle and per embryo transfer. Prognostic factors of assisted reproductive technology outcome were identified by comparing women who became pregnant and those who did not, using univariate and adjusted multiple logistic regression models.Results: In all, 359 endometriosis patients underwent 720 assisted reproductive technology cycles. In all, 158 (44%) patients became pregnant, and 114 (31.8%) had a live birth. The clinical pregnancy rate and the live birth rate per embryo transfer were 36.4% and 22.8%, respectively. The endometriosis phenotype (superficial endometriosis, endometrioma, or deep infiltrating endometriosis) had no impact on assisted reproductive technology outcomes. After multivariate analysis, history of surgery for endometriosis (odds ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence ratio, 0.06-0.38) or past surgery for endometrioma (odds ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence ratio, 0.18-0.84) were independent factors associated with lower pregnancy rates. Anti-müllerian hormone levels <2 ng/mL (odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence ratio, 0.28-0.91) and antral follicle count <10 (odds ratio, 0.27; 95% confidence ratio, 0.14-0.53) were also associated with negative assisted reproductive technology outcomes.Conclusion: The endometriosis phenotype seems to have no impact on assisted reproductive technology results. An altered ovarian reserve and a previous surgery for endometriosis and/or endometrioma are associated with decreased pregnancy rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]