Search

Sol–gel-based carbon xerogels possess very promising properties for pollution abatement, using processes that associate adsorption and on-site electrochemical oxidation. However, combining a high exterior surface area (for efficient diffusion) and a monolithic shape (necessary for electrochemical processes) poses challenges. In this work, the shape of monolithic carbon xerogels was contrived by the use of 3D-printed molds. Several parameters were optimized: the choice of mold design, the choice of plastic, the 3D printer parameters, the solvent, and the process of dissolving the plastic. A design combining fine sticks and plates made of ABS was printed; a sol–gel carbon xerogel monolith was synthesized in it, and the mold was removed by using a combination of acetone and pyrolysis. Dissolving the plastic could be carried out by placing the material on a metallic net and leaving the dissolved ABS to settle. The resulting carbon material exhibits a high exterior surface area and good strength, leading to potential uses in the aforementioned process. The research shows that 3D printing is an efficient method of parameter optimization in pre-industrialization research, thanks to its flexibility, low cost, and ease of use.

Resume Objectif Evaluer l’evolution des pratiques dans la prise en charge chirurgicale des prolapsus des organes pelviens au sein d’une equipe traditionnellement « vaginaliste » au cours de la periode 2010–2015, marquee par les recommandations francaises et americaines et l’abandon de la commercialisation des protheses vaginales pionnieres. Methodes Etude retrospective incluant toute patiente operee pour un prolapsus symptomatique concernant au moins les etages anterieurs et/ou moyens au cours des annees civiles 2010 et 2015, independamment du stade de l’affection et du type de reparation employe. Ont ete consideres aussi bien les primo-traitements que les recidives. Resultats Au total 338 patientes ont ete incluses : 187 en 2010 et 151 en 2015. La prise en charge des prolapsus non recidives s’est accompagnee d’une evolution significative des pratiques marquee par l’essor de la promontofixation laparoscopique (11,1 % en 2010 versus 34,4 % en 2015, p = 0,001), au detriment de la chirurgie vaginale autologue (67,6 % en 2010 versus 39 % en 2015, p = 0,001). Le nombre de protheses positionnees par voie vaginale est reste stable (28,7 % en 2010 versus 31,8 % en 2015, p = 0,155) avec toutefois une modification des indications au profit des stades 3 et 4. Aucune difference n’a ete objectivee concernant le traitement du prolapsus recidive. La voie vaginale demeurait l’abord privilegie dans cette indication. Conclusion La periode 2010–2015 a ete marquee par une diversification de l’offre de soins, au travers de l’integration de la promontofixation dans les algorithmes de prise en charge. Cette pluri-potence nous semble primordiale. En effet, la preference de la patiente doit conserver une place preponderante dans le choix de la technique, par dela les ecoles et les phenomenes de mode.

Resume Objectifs Evaluer la faisabilite et l’impact sur les symptomes et la qualite de vie de la double promontofixation cœlioscopique chez des patientes presentant un prolapsus exteriorise (stade > 3). Methodes Toute patiente incluse dans cette etude prospective presentait un prolapsus de stade POP-Q > 3 traite par double promontofixation cœlioscopique. Les symptomes pelviens et la qualite de vie etaient evalues grâce aux questionnaires valides PFDI-20 et PFIQ-7 en preoperatoire, puis a 1, 4 et 18 mois de la chirurgie. Resultats Entre septembre 2012 et janvier 2014, 63 femmes ont ete incluses. Une hysterectomie sub-totale a ete pratiquee chez 36 % des patientes; 34 % ont beneficie de la pose concomitante d’une bandelette sous-uretrale. Une seule complication peroperatoire a ete relevee (plaie vesicale). Les taux postoperatoires d’incontinence urinaire d’effort de novo et de dyspareunies de novo persistantes a 18 mois etaient respectivement de 10 % et 3 %. Un seul cas de recidive a ete retrouve a 18 mois. Les scores PFDI-20 et PFIQ-7 diminuaient significativement et durablement des le premier mois suivant l’intervention, passant respectivement de 98,8 en preoperatoire a 33,9 a 18 mois ( p p Conclusion Nos resultats confirment la faisabilite et la bonne efficacite anatomique de la promontofixation cœlioscopique dans le traitement du prolapsus exteriorise. Nous rapportons egalement une amelioration franche, rapide et durable de la symptomatologie et de la qualite de vie dans cette categorie de patientes.

To determine whether the 2011 FDA alert and French Guidelines have impacted the routine surgical practice in the management of pelvic organ prolapse in a "vaginalist" team over the period 2010-2015.Retrospective study involving all patients undergoing surgical management of anterior and/or apical symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse during the civil years 2010 and 2015. Both naive and relapsed prolapses were eligible.Overall, 338 patients were included: 187 in 2010 and 151 in 2015. Among patients with naive prolapse, we observed a significant increase in the number of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexies (11.1% in 2010 versus 34.4% in 2015, P=0.001) and a significant decline in the use of native tissue repair (67.6% in 2010 versus 39% in 2015, P=0.001). While the number of transvaginal meshes did not decline over the study period, their indications displayed a significant evolution towards a restricted use to advanced stages. We did not observe any difference regarding the treatment of recurred pelvic organ prolapse. Vaginal route remained the preferred approach in this indication.In our "vaginalist" team, routine practice has significantly evolved over the period 2010-2015, resulting in a diversification of the healthcare offer. This paradigm shift towards pluripotency is mandatory, since patients' preference should also drive the choice of both surgical route and technique.

To assess feasibility and postoperative outcomes associated with laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in patients presenting with exteriorized pelvic organ prolapse (stage3).Prospective study involving patients undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for advanced stage pelvic organ prolapse. Symptoms and quality of life were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 4 and 18 months after surgery using validated questionnaires (PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7).Sixty-three patients were included between September 2012 and January 2014. Sub-total hysterectomy and sub-urethral sling were performed at the time of surgery in 36% and 34% of patients, respectively. We observed 1 per-operative complication (bladder wound). De novo stress urinary incontinence and de novo dyspareunia persisting at 18 months occurred in 10% and 3% of cases, respectively. Recurrence rate was 1.6% at 18 months. The follow-up also revealed a significant and prolonged improvement in PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 scores: from 98.8 at baseline to 33.9 at 18 months (P0.01) and from 89.6 to 26.5 (P0.001), respectively.Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy seems feasible and safe in patients suffering from exteriorized pelvic organ prolapse, leading to high anatomic success rate. It is also associated with a prolonged improvement in quality of life and a positive impact on symptoms related to prolapse.

A numerical implementation of the nonperturbative renormalization group is used to compute the two-particle bound state mass of ${\ensuremath{\phi}}^{4}$ quantum field theory in three dimensions to good accuracy, in agreement with the results from other approaches.

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical and experimental data concerning the serious neurologic adverse events, and more particularly seizures, which could be related to the administration of recent antibiotics, with special reference to cephalosporins, monobactams, carbapenems, and fluoroquinolones. DATA SOURCES: We have searched in the MEDLINE database over the years 1966-1998 the pertinent publications dealing with antibiotics related neurotoxicity. We used the thesaurus function and the following key words: antibiotics, neurotoxicity, seizures. Additional references were found in the articles sorted by the MEDLINE search. DATA SYNTHESIS: Neurotoxic manifestations following antibiotics administration are infrequently encountered under usual conditions. Experimental studies are helpful to demonstrate that these compounds might interact with a major component of the neurotransmission, the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor complex. Structure-toxicity relationships can be described. For the clinician, the recognition of some predisposing factors related either to the patient (age, previous central nervous system disorder ...) or to the drug metabolism (reduced renal clearance, drug interactions ...) may help to minimise the risk of adverse neurologic manifestations. Several factors have to be taken into account before assessing causality: delay from administration, evolution, origin of the adverse event (risk factors, other drugs, non pharmacological origin), possibility of rechallenge, confirmation by biological testing or in vitro experiments....

We observe using low-energy electron microscopy the self-assembly of monolayer-thick stripes of Au on W(110) near the transition temperature between stripes and the nonpatterned (homogeneous) phase. We demonstrate that the amplitude of this Au-stripe phase decreases with increasing temperature and vanishes at the order-disorder transition (ODT). The wavelength varies much more slowly with temperature and coverage than theories of stress-domain patterns with sharp boundaries would predict, and maintains a finite value of about 100 nm at the ODT. We argue that such nanometer-scale stripes should often appear near the ODT.

Introduction La prevalence du DG a considerablement augmente avec une prise en charge soit en debut de grossesse soit au 2e trimestre. L’objectif a ete de determiner les caracteristiques maternelles et les issues de grossesse associees a un diagnostic precoce. Materiels et methodes Etude chez les DG avec facteurs de risque au CHRU de Lille entre fevrier 2011 et juillet 2013. Le diagnostic et la prise en charge ont ete effectues selon les recommandations. Quatre groupes ont ete determines en fonction du terme de diagnostic soit 1077 DG : 28 SA. Resultats 28,3 % diagnostiquees avant 15 SA, 10,7 % entre 15 et 23, 45,5 % entre 24 et 28 et 15,5 % apres 28 SA. Le depistage est realise avant 15 SA par une glycemie dans 99 % des cas, entre 15 et 23 SA par une glycemie dans 64,6 % des cas et une HGPO dans 35,4 %. Les patientes diagnostiquees precocement ont un IMC plus eleve (p Conclusion Les DG diagnostiquees precocement sont les plus a risque. Leur taux de macrosomie pourrait etre reduit par une prise en charge specifique ainsi que par la necessite d’une reduction ponderale en preconceptionnel. La prise en charge permet de reduire la macrosomie chez les DG diagnostiquees entre 24 et 28 SA. Declaration d’interet Les auteurs declarent ne pas avoir d’interet direct ou indirect (financier ou en nature) avec un organisme prive, industriel ou commercial en relation avec le sujet presente.

Sentinel node (SN) identification in vulvar carcinoma would avoid groin dissection and its complications in early stages, but we first have to validate the method, as an unrecognised node metastasis is detrimental to survival.Since June 2002, 38 patients with T1 or T2 lesions underwent SN identification by radioactive tracer injection and scintigraphy with, on the following day, per operative use of a handheld probe +/- patent blue dye. In case of a midline lesion, a bilateral inguinal dissection was performed whatever the result of SN identification. SN free from disease were ultrastaged with immunohistochemistry.1 or more SN were identified in 36 out of 38 patients. 64 groins were analysed, 15 with node metastases. In 9 out of these 15 cases the SN was metastatic, in 5 it had not been identified, and in 1 it was a false negative. In these last 6 cases, there were massively metastatic nodes in the groin. In 19 out of the 26 midline lesions the surgeon identified only unilateral SN. The side without SN contained metastatic nodes in 5 cases.Failure in SN identification is sometimes related to a massively invaded node. This should be taken into account especially in the management of midline tumors where a seemingly unilateral drainage at scintigraphy warrants nevertheless a surgical assessment of the mute groin.

Typically, transients such as load rejection generate only a few high vibration cycles in Francis runners. However, in the cases presented in this study, a sustained vibration around a natural frequency was observed on three (3) homologous Francis runners of different sizes during such events. The first two (2) runners were equipped with strain gauges on the blades and displacement sensors positioned circumferentially in the bottom ring and head cover around the runner labyrinth seals. The third runner was monitored only with displacement sensors on non-rotating components. The data from the first two (2) runners provided a better understanding of the parameters influencing the appearance of the high amplitude vibrations and allowed the implementation of a test plan to circumvent the phenomenon during commissioning of the third runner. Based on the measured data, the distributor's closing parameters were optimized to eliminate the vibration observed during load rejection on most of the operating range and reduce it significantly at full load.

Cryosurgery is a well-established therapeutic modality for basal cell carcinoma. We report herein an important series of basal cell carcinoma treated by cryosurgery, with a five year cure rate evaluation.Retrospective study with 395 basal cell carcinomas (over 358 patients - sex ratio H/F: 0.85) treated by cryosurgery between 1981 and 1992. For each patient the data were: age, sex, size of the lesion, location, clinical sub-type, tissue-temperature monitoring, recurrence date and esthetic outcome.The lesions were located on the face (93 p. 100) and back (7 p. 100). Mean size was 17 mm. Clinical sub-types were known for 178 lesions; 11 p. 100 of BCC were morpheaform. Tissue-temperature monitoring was performed for 55 p. 100 of cases. 111 tumors were observed for more than 5 years. The 5-year actuarial failure rate was 9 p. 100. The 5-year cure rate was not significantly altered by sex, size of lesions, location and clinical sub-type. No frequent recurrences were observed when tissue-temperature monitoring had not been performed. Complications were rare and esthetic outcome was good.The 5-year actuarial recurrence rate with cryosurgery is similar to conventional surgery. It is not essential to control tissue-temperature for preventing recurrences. Cryosurgery is a reliable treatment and outcome depends on surgeon experience. Quickness and low cost of this procedure argue for choosing cryosurgery when treating elderly patients.

Gynaecological laparoscopy is associated with a patient morbidity rate. Half of the complications occur during the installation stage.

We have developed a photodensitometry method to evaluate the intensity of cutaneous erythema objectively. The method measures the optical density of photographic slides of cutaneous erythema. It combines techniques used commonly but separately by investigators: diffuse transmittance spectroscopy (which is a variant of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy) and photography. We have used this method to study photosensitivity in 22 volunteers who received increasing doses of ultraviolet radiation to the back. Our work confirms the usefulness of an important parameter in photobiology: the regression slope of the curve representing the erythema index, a function of the logarithm of the dose applied.

Nanoparticles can be used as an attractive carrier for the controlled delivery of drugs by the oral route. This nanoparticular delivery system can protect an active ingredient from enzymatic degradations and enhance its absorption from the intestinal mucosa. We studied the development of a gastroresistant dosage form for the oral administration of nanoparticles. Fast disintegrating pellets were used for the administration of nanoparticles and for their transit to the site of absorption. A gastroresistant film was applied onto the pellets to protect the nanoparticles and/ or the active substance from the acid gastric environment. The integrity of the nanoparticle size was assessed after two critical manufacturing steps: the extrusion/spheronisation process and the coating process. The determination of the nanoparticles size distribution was performed by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS). The comparison of the PCS results between the original nanoparticles and the nanoparticles incorporated in the pellets shows a very low aggregation. Moreover the coating process was not a critical step since it was not responsible for an additional agglomeration of the nanoparticles. In conclusion, our manufacturing process allows the redispersion of the nanoparticles with a little change of the size distribution. In a next study we well try to quantify the release of the nanoparticles from the pellets.

Two kinds of whirl have been identified on propeller-type generating units. In both kinds, the shaft whirl follows the same direction as the rotation of the machine and the source of the instability seems to be the interaction between the fluid and the structure. The first kind of whirl was observed at 0.33 Hz at plant #3 of Hydro-Quebec’s Beauharnois powerhouse and, also, at 0.25 Hz at LG-1 and Carillon. It occurred below the peak efficiency operating range. The vibration at 0.33 Hz (0.21 times the rotation speed) affects not only the power output but also the vibration at the guide bearing and the pressure in the penstocks. The second kind of whirl was observed at around 5.14 Hz (3.6 times the rotation speed) at LG-1 and occurred at no load or low load. Measurements at the bearings combined with those of the runner displacements reveal that the shaft undergoes like the second bending mode. Proximity and pressure measurements taken where the blade passes on the discharge ring of the runner at LG-1 shows that the whirl at 5.14 Hz is due to a runner instability.

Medicinal photoprotection is indicated in photosensitive skin diseases and photodermatoses. Vitamin PP and para-aminobenzoic acid can be tried in benign estival polymorphous light eruptions. Carotinoids are efficient in erythropoietic protoporphyria and useful in idiopathic polymorphous light eruptions and in remanent photosensitization. Immunodepressants may be used against remanent photosensitization.

Vitamin A acid has been used for 20 years in the local treatment of acne. In 1986, Kligman published a description of the efficacy of this molecule against skin ageing. In 1987, we began a study which is still in progress. It is intended to confirm the beneficial effects already observed in photosenescence and to demonstrate them by non-invasive methods and by standardized photographs. This study was randomized and carried out under double blind. Each patient acted as her own control. The concentration administered was 0.025 per cent for 6 months and then 0.05 per cent. The patient was followed up every month for 6 months and then every 4 months. The results demonstrated a reduction in the number and depth of the wrinkles and a regression of the pigmented spots. Safety was excellent and all the patients were highly satisfied with the treatment.

We have studied the responses of growth hormone, prolactin and thyrotrophin to vasoactive intestinal peptide and thyrotrophin-releasing hormone added either together or separately under various in vivo (free-moving, intact animals or rats bearing hypothalamic lesions) or in vitro (perifused anterior pituitary fragments) conditions. Thyrotrophin-releasing hormone or vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulated prolactin release in all cases and the individual effects of both peptides were additive when administered together. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, but not thyrotrophin-releasing hormone, induced a growth hormone response in intact rats. In contrast, both peptides stimulated growth hormone release in lesioned rats as well as in perifused anterior pituitary fragments. In that case, the effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide on growth hormone release was not additive with that of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone, either in vivo or in vitro. Thyrotrophin release was slightly stimulated by vasoactive intestinal peptide, whereas it responded markedly to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone. The effect of thyrotrophin releasing-hormone was not further affected by simultaneous vasoactive intestinal peptide administration. These data suggest that additivity of the effect of second messengers generated as a response to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone and vasoactive intestinal peptide are specific of the target cell type.

Osmotic stresses from 0 to −8 bars were applied to 15 mm long intact roots of maize seedlings. The endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) levels were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in the 10 mm long root using a stable isotope dilution technique. After a 30-min incubation in 1 mM 3,3-dimethylglutaric acid (3,3-DGA) buffer at pH 6.0 (0 bar), the ABA level in the tissues was 25% of the initial level, while a 10-fold higher amount of ABA was found in the medium. When using sorbitol solutions, the ABA levels, both in the root tips and medium. became higher starting from a threshold concentration of the osmoticum corresponding to −3 bars.

The possible interaction of VIP and GRF with CRF on ACTH release was examined by using superfused rat anterior pituitary fragments. ACTH was measured in effluent medium samples by RIA. Increasing concentrations of VIP and GRF (10 −8 to 10 −6 M) had no effect on spontaneous ACTH secretion but potentiated CRF (10 −10 M) induced ACTH release in a dose dependent manner. The high concentrations of VIP or GRF required to produce the effect suggest that both the peptides could interfere with a common unidentified binding site on corticotrophs or stimulate a second messenger by a paracrine action.

Zinc is a common element in the human environment and constitutes an important trace element intervening in many biological processes. Toxicity of zinc is low; zinc deficiency represents, however, a hazard for human health. Zinc is not mutagenic and has little, if any, clastogenic properties. Zinc can induce tumours but only following local application, and does not represent a carcinogenic risk to man. It is still uncertain whether zinc can cause malignant transformation but zinc is needed for cellular proliferation of existing tumours and tumour growth is retarded by zinc deficiency. Zinc is not teratogenic; it can, in fact, avert teratogenicity of other agents. Conversely, zinc deficiency may be harmful to the developing organism.

Venous contention with elastic bandages is widely used in the treatment of Venous Insufficiency. We have attempted to number the clinical improvement by measuring TcPO2. Our study includes 16 cases; divided as follows: 6 healthy subjects (reference), 5 patients with severe varicose veins of the lower extremities, without ulcer, and 5 patients with varicose veins with ulcer of the leg. Measurements were carried out before and after 10 hours of venous contention. For each patient we have used a light bandage (x) with stretching to 30 and 50% of its length, and a heavy bandage (x) with stretching of 20 and 40%. Our results show, after contention, a decreased TcPO2 in the reference group, but an improvement of this TcPO2 in patients with varicose veins, with or without ulcer. This improvement is more marked with the use of light bandages.