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Conjoined twins occur in an estimated one in every 200,000 live births. The etiology remains largely speculative, with genetic and environmental factors being considered. The thoraco-omphalopagus type accounts for approximately 40% of cases, making it a focal point for clinical and radiological research. Radiological imaging plays a pivotal role in delineating anatomical details, offering insights into the feasibility of surgical interventions and informing parental counselling regarding prognosis and management options. We present a case of thoracoomphalogus conjoined twins diagnosed during the third trimester of pregnancy in a 19-year-old woman. The detailed radiological assessment using ultra-sound and MRI provided crucial information on organ sharing and vascular anatomy, which is critical for management strategies. This case underscores the critical role of prenatal imaging in detecting complex congenital anomalies, facilitating informed decision-making by healthcare providers and families.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology plays a crucial role in various Internet of Things (IoT) applications, necessitating the integration of RFID systems into dense networks. However, the presence of numerous readers leads to collisions, degrading communication between readers and tags and compromising system performance. To tackle this challenge, researchers have proposed Medium Access Control (MAC) layer protocols employing different channel access methods. In this paper, we present a novel solution, the Distributed Time Slot Anti-Collision protocol (DTS-AC), which employs a new TDMA notification system to address Reader-to-Reader Interference (RRI), while incorporating FDMA-based frequency resource management to resolve Reader-to-Tag Interference (RTI) collision issues. Simulation results demonstrate that DTS-AC significantly improves performance in dense RFID networks by enhancing read rates, with scalability benefits based on the number of readers, channels, and Time Slots (TSs). Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of DTS-AC facilitates efficient deployment in RFID networks, emphasizing considerations of time delay and data sensitivity.

Abstract The global scientific community is deeply concerned about the deterioration of water quality resulting from the release of industrial effluents. This issue is of utmost importance as it serves to safeguard the environment and combat water pollution. The objective of this work is to elaborate a biomaterial of vegetable origin, based on the twigs of Aleppo pine, and to use it as an abundant and less expensive material for the treatment of wastewater. For this reason, the twigs were treated physically to get the powder called biomaterial FPA (Aleppo pine fiber), which was characterized by physicochemical, and spectroscopic analyses namely scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The crystallinity index of FPA was evaluated by the peak height method. The findings indicate that the FPA powder has an acidic nature, exhibiting a porous structure that promotes the adsorption and binding of molecules. Additionally, it has a zero charge point of 5.8 and a specific surface area of 384 m2.g−1. It is primarily composed of hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amine functional groups, along with mineral compounds and organic compounds, including cellulose and other mineral elements such as Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, P, Al, K, Ni, and Mo. Combining these characteristics, FPA biomaterial has considerable potential for use as an effective adsorbent biomaterial for various wastewater pollutants. Its abundance and relatively low cost make it an attractive solution to the growing challenges of water pollution worldwide. Graphical Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of physico-chemical factors on soil organic matter by comparing two types of soil improver: one produced from olive mill waste cake residues (CRPM) and the other from manure (CF). This was achieved using Full Factorial Design, the main objective of which is to measure precisely the impact of each factor on a given response, to analyze the interactions between the various factors and to identify the optimum conditions for achieving a specific objective or improving the performance of a process. Methods: Four independent factors were studied: pH, electrical conductivity, humidity and carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio. Using design, based on their significance, coefficient of determination, analysis of variance and Pareto charts, the interactions between these variables were assessed to identify those with the most positive impact on soil fertility. Results: The results show that, for CRPM compost, the most positive interaction is between pH and ratio C/N. For manure, the interaction between pH and moisture has the greatest beneficial effect. These findings underline the importance of controlling all three factors − pH, moisture and ratio C/N to optimize soil fertility. Conclusions: The analysis confirmed the reliability of the models used, with p-values below 0.05 and coefficients of determination (R2 and adjusted R2) close to 1, indicating the robustness of the models. Pareto diagrams were used to precisely identify the most relevant interactions for improving soil amendment management.

Abstract Background Vitamin C (ascorbate) is a water-soluble antioxidant and an important cofactor for various biosynthetic and regulatory enzymes. Mice can synthesize vitamin C thanks to the key enzyme gulonolactone oxidase (Gulo) unlike humans. In the current investigation, we used Gulo −/− mice, which cannot synthesize their own ascorbate to determine the impact of this vitamin on both the transcriptomics and proteomics profiles in the whole liver. The study included Gulo −/− mouse groups treated with either sub-optimal or optimal ascorbate concentrations in drinking water. Liver tissues of females and males were collected at the age of four months and divided for transcriptomics and proteomics analysis. Immunoblotting, quantitative RT-PCR, and polysome profiling experiments were also conducted to complement our combined omics studies. Results Principal component analyses revealed distinctive differences in the mRNA and protein profiles as a function of sex between all the mouse cohorts. Despite such sexual dimorphism, Spearman analyses of transcriptomics data from females and males revealed correlations of hepatic ascorbate levels with transcripts encoding a wide array of biological processes involved in glucose and lipid metabolisms as well as in the acute-phase immune response. Moreover, integration of the proteomics data showed that ascorbate modulates the abundance of various enzymes involved in lipid, xenobiotic, organic acid, acetyl-CoA, and steroid metabolism mainly at the transcriptional level, especially in females. However, several proteins of the mitochondrial complex III significantly correlated with ascorbate concentrations in both males and females unlike their corresponding transcripts. Finally, poly(ribo)some profiling did not reveal significant enrichment difference for these mitochondrial complex III mRNAs between Gulo −/− mice treated with sub-optimal and optimal ascorbate levels. Conclusions Thus, the abundance of several subunits of the mitochondrial complex III are regulated by ascorbate at the post-transcriptional levels. Our extensive omics analyses provide a novel resource of altered gene expression patterns at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels under ascorbate deficiency.

Introduction: The decision to fast or not is quite complex. Personal, medical and religious matters may influence it for individuals with diabetes. However, a diagnosis of diabetes does not constitute an automatic exemption from Ramadan fasting. We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the non-fasting cohort and explore the potential reasons during Ramadan through the global Ramadan surveys of 2020 and 2022. Method: The Diabetes and Ramadan (DaR) Global Study is an observational retrospective survey conducted between 2020 and 2022, which included adult patients (18 and older) who fasted and those who opted not to fast. The survey captured demographic data and patient characteristics (co-morbidities, duration and type of diabetes, diabetes-related complications and medications, development of acute complications during Ramadan, hospitalisations and ER visits) for both groups. Results: Of 12,059 patients, 1822 (14.5 %) did not fast during Ramadan; that population leaned towards females (54.6 %). They had an average age of 60.58 years (SD=12.12) with a statistically significant difference from the fasting population, averaging 54.29±11.45 (p = 0.000). Also of note was the more significant average duration of diabetes in the non-fasting cohort (12.54 years vs 9.44). There are notable regional differences in rates of fasting that ranged between 6.3 % and up to 51.2 % of patients opting not fast in certain regions (Chart 1). The risk factors that showed apparent differences of high statistical significance (p ≤ 0.001) included: long duration of diabetes of over ten years, age above 60+ years, HbA1c value over 9 %, use of insulin therapy, and being affected by one or more vascular complications (these include CKD, CVD, and diabetic foot problems). Conclusions: Many factors and comorbidities might influence patients’ decisions when planning Ramadan fasting. The non-fasting population's demographic and clinical profiles reveal distinctive features, emphasising a need for tailored risk assessments. Furthermore, regional disparities in the decision to fast underscore the multifaceted nature of this decision-making process. The new IDF-DAR risk assessment tool can help to stratify patients’ risk during Ramadan fasting and bridge the gap among different populations and cultures.

The city of Taza, situated in Morocco, boasts a significant ecological heritage. However, a concerning practice of discharging untreated wastewater into the nearby Oueds has raised apprehensions about potential threats to public well-being. This research endeavors to discern the locations most adversely affected by pollution and subsequently assess their environmental condition. By conducting an extensive year-long analysis encompassing physicochemical and bacteriological aspects, we gathered a comprehensive dataset for appraising the surface water quality, utilizing the SEQ-WATER system as the evaluation framework. Four distinct sites emerged as particularly impacted: upstream of Oueds Jaouna and Taza, downstream of Oued Larbâa and adjacent to the "Julien" public dump, and at the confluence of Oueds Rhouireg and Dfali. Employing the GIS-SEQ integration, we meticulously gauged the physicochemical and bacteriological attributes of these sites. Our assessment unveiled readings that surpassed the established Moroccan benchmarks for surface water quality. Notably, the water exhibited pronounced turbidity and elevated levels of suspended particles, including nitrites and sulfates. Additionally, a notable organic load and microbial contamination involving fecal coliforms (E. coli) and intestinal enterococci were observed. These findings underscore the critical necessity for the implementation of efficient wastewater treatment measures within Taza, which would substantially safeguard both the populace and the surrounding ecosystem. It is imperative to conduct further in-depth investigations to validate these outcomes and devise comprehensive strategies aimed at mitigating the potential hazards linked with the compromised state of surface water.

Purpose: This work was aimed to exploit the technique of design of experiments to evaluate the olive mill waste cake residue obtained after oil extraction while searching for an adequate composition of the initial substrate mixtures (RPM, DMOV, FV and EB for humidification), in addition to validate it experimentally. Method: To this end, a mixture design using an efficient experiment methodology was constructed, with the aim of optimizing three responses of interest: pH, humidity, and organic matter of the 25 formulations. Results: The optimal composition was comprised of organic and green household waste (56.7%), olive mill waste cake residues (21.7%) and poultry droppings (21.7%). These analyses were followed by the evolution of some physio-chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, organic matter, C/N ratio and polyphenols until they are stabilized. In addition, using spectroscopic analysis, maturation and phytotoxicity tests were carried out on the germinating cress. Conclusion: The results of this research indicated the achievement of an ideal composition of an adequate mixture that had the characteristics of an organic amendment, non-phytotoxic and in conformity with the NFU-44-051 that led to mature compost. Article Highlights Valorization of olive mill waste cake residue was achieved after oil extraction by co-composting. The experimental design method was used to optimize the composition of compost. The elaborated compost was considered as non-phytotoxic organic amendment.

Translation is one of the main gene expression steps targeted by cellular stress, commonly referred to as translational stress, which includes treatment with anticancer drugs. While translational stress blocks the translation initiation of bulk mRNAs, it nonetheless activates the translation of specific mRNAs known as short upstream open reading frames (uORFs)-mRNAs. Among these, the ATF4 mRNA encodes a transcription factor that reprograms gene expression in cells responding to various stresses. Although the stress-induced translation of the ATF4 mRNA relies on the presence of uORFs (upstream to the main ATF4 ORF), the mechanisms mediating this effect, particularly during chemoresistance, remain elusive. Here, we report that ALKBH5 (AlkB Homolog 5) and FTO (FTO: Fat mass and obesity-associated protein), the two RNA demethylating enzymes, promote the translation of ATF4 mRNA in a transformed liver cell line (Hep3B) treated with the chemotherapeutic drug sorafenib. Using the in vitro luciferase reporter translational assay, we found that depletion of both enzymes reduced the translation of the reporter ATF4 mRNA upon drug treatment. Consistently, depletion of either protein abrogates the loading of the ATF3 mRNA into translating ribosomes as assessed by polyribosome assays coupled to RT-qPCR. Collectively, these results indicate that the ALKBH5 and FTO-mediated translation of the ATF4 mRNA is regulated at its initiation step. Using in vitro methylation assays, we found that ALKBH5 is required for the inhibition of the methylation of a reporter ATF4 mRNA at a conserved adenosine (A235) site located at its uORF2, suggesting that ALKBH5-mediated translation of ATF4 mRNA involves demethylation of its A235. Preventing methylation of A235 by introducing an A/G mutation into an ATF4 mRNA reporter renders its translation insensitive to ALKBH5 depletion, supporting the role of ALKBH5 demethylation activity in translation. Finally, targeting either ALKBH5 or FTO sensitizes Hep3B to sorafenib-induced cell death, contributing to their resistance. In summary, our data show that ALKBH5 and FTO are novel factors that promote resistance to sorafenib treatment, in part by mediating the translation of ATF4 mRNA.

Accurate estimation of the state of charge (SoC) of lithium-ion batteries is crucial for battery management systems, particularly in electric vehicle (EV) applications where real-time monitoring ensures safe and robust operation. This study introduces three advanced algorithms to estimate the SoC: deep neural network (DNN), gated recurrent unit (GRU), and long short-term memory (LSTM). The DNN, GRU, and LSTM models are trained and validated using laboratory data from a lithium-ion 18650 battery and simulation data from Matlab/Simulink for a LiCoO2 battery cell. These models are designed to account for varying temperatures during charge/discharge cycles and the effects of battery aging due to cycling. This paper is the first to estimate the SoC by a deep neural network using a variable current profile that provides the SoC curve during both the charge and discharge phases. The DNN model is implemented in Matlab/Simulink, featuring customizable activation functions, multiple hidden layers, and a variable number of neurons per layer, thus providing flexibility and robustness in the SoC estimation. This approach uniquely integrates temperature and aging effects into the input features, setting it apart from existing methodologies that typically focus only on voltage, current, and temperature. The performance of the DNN model is benchmarked against the GRU and LSTM models, demonstrating superior accuracy with a maximum error of less than 2.5%. This study highlights the effectiveness of the DNN algorithm in providing a reliable SoC estimation under diverse operating conditions, showcasing its potential for enhancing battery management in EV applications.

Transition to circular economy requires the production of sustainable and eco-designed materials that help to reduce environmental impacts of metallic components. The development of sensing layers providing luminescent tracking functionalities is a potential method for extending the service life of metallic parts. In this study, incorporation of luminescent Ce3+ doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Ce) within a stainless steel 316L (SS316L) matrix has been achieved for the first time by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). Embedding of phosphor particles was successfully carried out on a selected area of the 3D printed sample. Despite harsh processing conditions of L-PBF, luminescent emission was detected by optical spectroscopy. Microstructure and chemical composition of the incorporation zone were investigated in order to better understand optical properties. The precipitated particles exhibit new optical features, arising from the modification of the luminescent host lattice and the intricate interactions with the metal matrix.

Abstract Cerium-doped lutetium-yttrium oxyorthosilicate (Ce:LYSO) is a well-known single crystal scintillator used in medical imaging and security scanners. Recent development of high power UV LED, matching its absorption band, questions the possibility to use Ce:LYSO in a new way: as LED-pumped solid-state light source. Since Ce:LYSO is available in large size crystals, we investigate its potential as a luminescent concentrator. This paper reports an extensive study of the performance in close relation to the spectroscopic properties of this crystal. It gives the reasons why the Ce:LYSO crystal tested in this study is less efficient than Ce:YAG for luminescent concentration: limited quantum efficiency and high losses coming from self-absorption and from excited-state absorption are playing key roles. However, we demonstrate that a Ce:LYSO luminescent concentrator is an innovative source for solid-state lighting. Pumped by a peak power of 3400 W in quasi-continuous wave regime (40 µs, 10 Hz), a rectangular (1 × 22 × 105 mm3) Ce:LYSO crystal delivers a broadband spectrum (60 nm FWHM) centered at 430 nm. At full output aperture (20 × 1 mm2), it emits a peak power of 116 W. On a squared output surface (1 × 1 mm2) it emits 16 W corresponding to a brightness of 509 W cm–2 sr–1. This combination of spectrum power and brightness is higher than blue LEDs and opens perspectives for Ce:LYSO in the field of illumination namely for imaging.

The olive mill waste water, effluents from the trituration of olives, are treated in most Mediterranean countries by natural evaporation. However, this method of treatment is a source of air and soil pollution by the generation of a solid waste, called olive mill waste cake. This work focused on the extraction of vegetable oil from this by-product for the production of biodiesel by transesterification. The extraction took place with a Soxhlet extractor, using hexane as solvent. The vegetable oil and biodiesel were characterized by measuring the physicochemical parameters that identify them according to AFNOR standards. The extraction results show that the oil yield is 21.28%. The oil obtained is characterized by density, water and ash content, acidity, saponification, peroxide and ester indices in accordance with NF EN ISO 3838 2004, NF V 03-921 2010, ISO 21656 2021, NF EN 14104 2021, NF EN ISO 365 2020, ISO 3960 2017 and NM ISO 7660 2016 respectively. The yield of the oil esterification reaction is 86.41% 403.64106 MJ/tons of olive mill waste cake. The biodiesel produced is comparable to petroleum diesel according to EN 14214, 2013. The yield of the oil esterification reaction is 86.41% or about 185 Kg of biodiesel/ton of olive mill waste cake, and in terms of energy 2783.7 MJ or 2 GW/t. The biodiesel produced is comparable to petroleum diesel according to EN 14214,2013.

Evaporating basins are common storage for industrial effluent in most renewable power plants. Various types of research on the environmental consequences and issues of this experience have suggested this method of disposal to prevent industrial effluents withdrawal into the ocean, and dams and prevent water contamination.Nevertheless, this approach may have significant worldwide environmental implications. Focusing on dedicated research methods for a power plant in the south of Morocco that employed evaporating basins for storing its effluent, we evaluated the development of the effluent's Physico-chemical characteristics over a timeframe of one year.The evaporation basins undergo thorough assessment to evaluate the effects of industrial effluents, leading to the observation of a significant increase in the physicochemical characteristics of the discharged effluents, mainly EC, BOD5, Na, and Cl2. This rise in water contamination can be attributed to the aforementioned factors. Statistical analysis, specifically correlation and regression, was employed to examine the coefficients of the primary physicochemical properties. The objective was to determine the effluent characteristics that exhibited strong associations and close relationships.The primary goal of this study is to highlight the drawbacks associated with storing wastewater in evaporation ponds, a common practice among many industrial companies. It is crucial to consider that these ponds attract a diverse range of bird and animal species, and any contamination of the water can pose significant environmental and ecological risks in the event of an accidental leakage or spill, potentially harming wildlife. To mitigate these potential issues, it is recommended to explore alternatives such as industrial effluent reuse and recycling, which can help minimize the environmental and ecological impacts.

The needles of the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) (PA) are very abundant in the forest of the National Park of Tazekka (Taza-Morocco) and are unexploitable. Moreover, they constitute a potential danger because they facilitate the outbreak of wildfires. To solve this problem, we have considered turning these needles into a biomaterial that could be used as raw material for different uses, such as wastewater treatment. The biomaterial of the Aleppo pine is obtained from its needles which are harvested in spring, dried, cut, crushed, and sieved. The powder obtained is analyzed before and after the extraction of essential oil. The physicochemical and spectroscopic analyses show that this biomaterial is porous, hygroscopic, slightly acidic, moderately moist, and not very conducive. Its average density in the anhydrous state is 0.6. It is rich in carbon (79.91%) and oxygen (18.91%) in the form of aromatic compounds and ketone imprints; thus, relating the presence of cellulose, pectin, lignin, and hemicellulose. Its composition in mineral elements (Na, Mg, Ca, K, Cl, S) is deficient. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the oils extracted from the needle powder relates that it is a complex mixture of bioactive compounds such as mono-terpenoid α and β-pinene hydrocarbons. These results show that our biomaterial can be used as an adsorbent in wastewater treatment and the extracted essential oils can be used in the pharmacological, agro-food field.

Abstract Background The COVID‐19 pandemic led to a widely documented disruption in cancer care pathway. Since a resurgence of the pandemic was expected after the first lockdown in France, the global impact on the cancer care pathway over the year 2020 was investigated. Aims This study aimed to describe the changes in the oncology care pathway for cancer screening, diagnosis, assessment, diagnosis annoucement procedure and treatment over a one‐year period. Materials & Methods The ONCOCARE‐COV study was a comprehensive, retrospective, descriptive, and cross‐sectional study comparing the years 2019 and 2020. All key indicators along the cancer care pathway assessing the oncological activity over four periods were described. This study was set in a high‐volume, public, single tertiary care center divided in two complementary sites (Reims University Hospital and Godinot Cancer Institute, Reims, France) which was located in a high COVID‐19 incidence area during both peaks of the outbreak. Results A total of 26,566 patient's files were active during the year 2020. Breast screening (−19.5%), announcement dedicated consultations (−9.2%), Intravenous and Hyperthermic Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPECs) (−25%), and oncogeriatric evaluations (−14.8%) were heavily disrupted in regard to 2020 activity. We identified a clear second outbreak wave impact on medical announcement procedures (October, −14.4%), radiotherapy sessions (October, −16%), number of new health record discussed in multidisciplinary tumor board meeting (November, −14.6%) and HIPECs (November, −100%). Moreover, 2020 cancer care activity stagnated compared to 2019. Discussion The oncological care pathway was heavily disrupted during the first and second peaks of the COVID‐19 outbreak. Between lockdowns, we observed a remarkable but non‐compensatory recovery as well as a lesser impact from the pandemic resurgence. However, in absence of an increase in activity, a backlog persisted. Conclusion Public health efforts are needed to deal with the consequences of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the oncology care pathway.

Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare tumor characterized by bland histological features and aggressive clinical course, it is a distinctive variant of fibrosarcoma with high metastasizing potential and sometimes a long interval between tumor presentation and metastasis, the most common anatomic locations of occurrence are the lower extremities, thorax, inguinal area, and upper limbs, Here, we present the case of a 29-year-old patient with a deceptively benign-appearing mass arising in the mediastinum that had been discovered on computed tomography, a biopsy under cervicotomy was performed and histopathological examination revealed low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. In conclusion, LGFMS can arise in the mediastinum, and physicians should consider this entity as a differential diagnosis in the presence of such mass.

As they facilitate the cleavage of single and double stranded DNA to relax supercoils, unwind catenanes, and condense chromosomes in eukaryotic cells, Topoisomerase plays crucial roles in cellular reproduction and DNA organization. Because the unrepaired single and double stranded DNA breaks these complexes generate might result in apoptosis and cell death, they are cytotoxic agents.In this study, 28 compounds derived from phosphorus-substituted quinoline are subjected to a quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) using partial least squares, principal component regression, and multiple linear regression. The Gaussian 09 software and the Molecular Operating Environment program were used to calculate molecular descriptors. The anti-proliferative activity was correlated with a variety of electronic and structural characteristics of the molecules, such as EHOMO (energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital) and ELUMO (energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital), which provided evidence for the modeling. The B3LYP/6-31G (d, p) level of theory's Density Functional Theory (DFT) approach was used to compute these electronic properties, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to test for collinearity between the descriptors. In fact, three alternative prediction models were created using various 2D and 3D descriptor counts, and they were each assessed using the statistical metrics of coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean squared error (RMSE). A MLR model had the best predictive performance of all the constructed models, as indicated by R2 and RMSE of 0.865 and 0.316, respectively.Three proteins (6G77, 2NS2, and 5K47) for lung, ovarian, and kidney malignancies showed strong binding affinities via hydrophobic interactions and H-bonds with the pertinent chemicals by crystal structure modeling. Compounds C11, C19 and C26, respectively, showed the highest binding energy for ovarian, kidney and lung cancer. The outcomes of the molecular dynamic MD simulation diagram were produced to support the molecular docking findings from earlier research, which demonstrated that inhibitors were stable in the active sites of the selected proteins for 10 ns. This raises the possibility that these chemicals could serve as a valuable model for the development and synthesis of more effective anticancer prospects.

A deficiency of FMRP, a canonical RNA-binding protein, causes the development of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), which is characterised by multiple phenotypes, including neurodevelopmental disorders, intellectual disability, and autism. Due to the alternative splicing of the encoding FMR1 gene, multiple FMRP isoforms are produced consisting of full-length predominantly cytoplasmic (i.e., iso1) isoforms involved in translation and truncated nuclear (i.e., iso6) isoforms with orphan functions. However, we recently implicated nuclear FMRP isoforms in DNA damage response, showing that they negatively regulate the accumulation of anaphase DNA genomic instability bridges. This finding provided evidence that the cytoplasmic and nuclear functions of FMRP are uncoupled played by respective cytoplasmic and nuclear isoforms, potentially involving specific interactions. While interaction partners of cytoplasmic FMRP have been reported, the identity of nuclear FMRP isoform partners remains to be established. Using affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry, we mapped the nuclear interactome of the FMRP isoform iso6 in U2OS. In doing so, we found FMRP nuclear interaction partners to be involved in RNA processing, pre-mRNA splicing, ribosome biogenesis, DNA replication and damage response, chromatin remodeling and chromosome segregation. By comparing interactions between nuclear iso6 and cytoplasmic iso1, we report a set of partners that bind specifically to the nuclear isoforms, mainly proteins involved in DNA-associated processes and proteasomal proteins, which is consistent with our finding that proteasome targets the nuclear FMRP iso6. The specific interactions with the nuclear isoform 6 are regulated by replication stress, while those with the cytoplasmic isoform 1 are largely insensitive to such stress, further supporting a specific role of nuclear isoforms in DNA damage response induced by replicative stress, potentially regulated by the proteasome.

In this theoretical study, the electronic, structural, and optical properties of copper-doped zinc oxide (CZO) were investigated using the full-potential linearized enhanced plane wave method (FP-LAPW) based on the density functional theory (DFT). The Tran–Blaha modified Becke–Johnson exchange potential approximation (TB-mBJ) was employed to enhance the accuracy of the electronic structure description. The introduction of copper atoms as donors in the ZnO resulted in a reduction in the material’s band gap from 2.82 eV to 2.72 eV, indicating enhanced conductivity. This reduction was attributed to the Co-3d intra-band transitions, primarily in the spin-down configuration, leading to increased optical absorption in the visible range. The Fermi level of the pure ZnO shifted towards the conduction band, indicating metal-like characteristics in the CZO. Additionally, the CZO nanowires displayed a significant blue shift in their optical properties, suggesting a change in the energy band structure. These findings not only contribute to a deeper understanding of the CZO’s fundamental properties but also open avenues for its potential applications in optoelectronic and photonic devices, where tailored electronic and optical characteristics are crucial. This study underscores the significance of computational techniques in predicting and understanding the behavior of doped semiconductors, offering valuable insights for the design and development of novel materials for advanced electronic applications.

The Merija copper deposit is located in the Marginal Folds of the Moroccan Eastern High Atlas. It is a stratiform deposit hosted in sandstone-conglomerate formations of the Infra-Cenomanian, consisting of copper carbonate and sulphide mineralization (malachite, azurite, traces of chalcopyrite, chalcocite, and covellite). This mineralization exhibits different forms: dissemination in the sandstone-conglomerate host rocks and fillings of centimetric veins, sometimes with calcite. Moreover, microscopic examination shows that the mineralization is disseminated in the carbonate matrix, filling of the inter-granular spaces of the sandstone-conglomeratic material. The mineralogical association is composed of: a primary paragenesis with chalcopyrite ، a secondary cementation paragenesis with chalcocite and covellite and a secondary oxidation paragenesis with malachite. This latter is the most dominant mineral presenting a micro-fibrous texture surrounding the sulphides of the primary and secondary paragenesis, composed of chalcopyrite, chalcocite and covelite. It is associated with a quartz-calcite gangue. The copper mineralization at Merija is heterogeneously distributed within the surrounding sandstone-conglomerate formation due to the diversity of paleocurrents carrying the leached copper. The rich paleocurrents trends S, SW, and SE, whereas the poor ones present an N and NW directions. These paleocurrents are derived from a fluvio-deltaic channel system that controlled sedimentary deposition in the area during the Infra-Cenomanian. This sedimentary type mineralization is probably related to a process of alteration and deposition of detrital materials loaded with copper minerals and derived from a protore copper-bearing. This alteration process gave rise to the malachite and azurite mineralization resulting from the replacement phenomenon of chalcopyrite, chalcocite and covellite.

Abstract Background Synovial fluid (SF) is commonly used for diagnostic and research purposes, as it is believed to reflect the local inflammatory environment. Owing to its complex composition and especially the presence of hyaluronic acid, SF is usually viscous and non-homogeneous. In this study, we investigated the importance of homogenization of the total SF sample before subsequent analysis. Methods SF was obtained from the knee of 29 arthritis patients (26 rheumatoid arthritis, 2 osteoarthritis, and 1 juvenile idiopathic arthritis patient) as part of standard clinical care. Synovial fluid was either treated with hyaluronidase as a whole or after aliquoting to determine whether the concentration of soluble mediators is evenly distributed in the viscous synovial fluid. Cytokine and IgG levels were measured by ELISA or Luminex and a total of seven fatty acid and oxylipin levels were determined using LC-MS/MS in all aliquots. For cell analysis, synovial fluid was first centrifuged and the pellet was separated from the fluid. The fluid was subsequently treated with hyaluronidase and centrifuged to isolate remaining cells. Cell numbers and phenotype were determined using flow cytometry. Results In all patients, there was less variation in IgG, 17-HDHA, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels when homogenization was performed before aliquoting the SF sample. There was no difference in variation for cytokines, 15-HETE, and fatty acids arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Between 0.8 and 70% of immune cells (median 5%) remained in suspension and were missing in subsequent analyses when the cells were isolated from untreated SF. This percentage was higher for T and B cells: 7–85% (median 22%) and 7–88% (median 23 %), respectively. Conclusions Homogenization of the entire SF sample leads to less variability in IgG and oxylipin levels and prevents erroneous conclusions based on incomplete isolation of synovial fluid cells.

Recognizing and assessing environmental risk are key components of every industry management strategy. Projects need to make sure that a detailed environmental risk management strategy is applied by methodically recognizing and addressing threats from internal and external influences to comply with regulatory standards for environmental preservation and safeguarding. This study's goal is to use a novel technique to assess the impact of environmental risks related to the use of evaporation ponds as final basins for industrial effluents. It employs qualitative and statistical methodologies to identify areas where engineering and managerial safeguards' structure, functioning, and lines of defense have flaws that might result in an ecologically hazardous occurrence. Additionally, it will offer a risk evaluation based on the gravity of the impact and the likelihood that the environmental occurrence would happen by using evaporation ponds to store industrial effluents. While the environmental threat would be entirely removed, it must be capable of reducing it to ALARP. The environmental risk assessment matrix will serve as a key factor in determining whether the environmental risk level linked with an evaporation pond is acceptable, as determined by the likelihood and impacts. The result of this research allows industrial units to recognize and control potential environmental risks associated with effluents by practically implementing a new environmental risk matrix based on several environmental and ecological effects with probability factors. • This study aims to assist industrial operators, especially power plants, manage environmental risk by combining ALARP concepts with other factors to evaluate risk acceptance and tolerance levels. • The Physico-chemical characteristics of effluent collected in the evaporation pond reveal that evaporation has a deleterious impact on such industrial effluent, as evidenced by a large increase in various effluent properties, some of which exceed the limit values. • A risk evaluation found that effluent collected in the evaporation pond has a detrimental negative impact on industrial effluents. This was evidenced by a significant rise in associated activities. This could increase the expense of operating and managing evaporation ponds, which could harm the ecosystem.

Purpose In Morocco, the olive industry has made remarkable progress thanks to the "Green Morocco Plan" adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2018, the total production was around 2,000,000 tons of olives, with a growth of 11.93% compared to the previous years. However, each year this activity generates millions of tons of liquid and solid pollutants "olive mill wastewater (OMW)" and "pomace", discharged directly into water streams without prior treatment, which creates serious ecological problems.Method This study focuses on the use of raw and diluted OMW for the fertilization of sorghum. The OMW were characterized, diluted (½ and ¼), and applied at a rate of 5 L /week /m2. Sorghum growth was monitored by studying physiological performance (transpiration, stomatal conductance, the intensity of photosynthesis, and the performance of photosystem II).Results The raw OMW is acidic, salty, highly loaded with organic (COD / BOD5 = 7.1> 3), and inorganic matter and polyphenol content of 9 g/L. All the parameters for monitoring the growth of sorghum are lower for plants irrigated by raw OMW, which are symptoms of water stress. Using the T-test, the plants irrigated by half-diluted OMW have yielded the same results as those of the control.Conclusion Despite the fact that the half dilution of OMW has proved promising results, we suggest that it should be pretreated before its use in sorghum irrigation to reduce its organic loads and acidity.

BackgroundWe evaluated the prevalence of vascular complications and associated risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) initiating second-line glucose-lowering therapy from the Middle East and Africa (MEA) cohort of the 3-year prospective DISCOVER study involving 15,992 patients in 38 countries.MethodsBaseline cross-sectional data collected from healthcare settings were used to assess micro and macrovascular complications prevalence as crude and age- and sex-standardised. The multi‐variable analysis assessed factors associated with these complications.ResultsOf 3,525 enrolled patients (mean age: 54.3 ± 10.8 years), >40% had hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. Metformin monotherapy was the first-line therapy in 56.5%, followed by metformin+sulphonylurea (20.3%). Crude and standardised prevalence of microvascular complications were 17.7% and 16.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.77‐16.98) and macrovascular complications were 10.7% and 8.7% (95% CI, 8.59–8.76). Factors significantly (p

In arid environments, specifically in Africa, inadequate water sources have resulted in poor-quality water use in business and agricultural industries. This can also negatively impact the ecosystem, along with the industry’s water management. In solar power generation facilities, evaporating basins are usually used to release and store industrial contaminated wastewater. An examination of the environmental implications and concerns of this experience suggests such a form of wastewater discharge to reduce industrial effluents’ direct release into the environment. Unfortunately, this strategy could have far-reaching global environmental consequences and issues. In this research, we examined the evolution of the effluent’s physicochemical characteristics over a long period using a methodological approach for a power station located in Morocco; the findings of this practical study show a significant increase in the physicochemical characteristics of the wastewater released in the evaporating basins, which might be interpreted by an increase in water pollution. The primary objective of this study is to examine wastewater recycling and the generation of treated water in a solar still, utilizing renewable energy to minimize the environmental and ecological problems associated with wastewater discharged into evaporating basins.

Cholinergic antagonists interfere with synaptic transmission in the central nervous system and are involved in pathological processes in patients with neurocognitive disorders (NCD), such as behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In this commentary, we will briefly review the current knowledge on the impact of cholinergic burden on BPSD in persons with NCD, including the main pathophysiological mechanisms. Given the lack of clear consensus regarding symptomatic management of BPSD, special attention must be paid to this preventable, iatrogenic condition in patients with NCD, and de-prescription of cholinergic antagonists should be considered in patients with BPSD.

Background: The accidental aspiration of foreign bodies (FBs) is a rare occurrence in adults. However, inhalation of scarf pin is a phenomenon more and more common in the context of Muslim nations. The aim of our study was to describe the characteristics of this particular FB and illustrate the circumstances and consequences of inhalation. Methods: This retrospective study involved patients with a history of scarf pin aspiration admitted to the Thoracic Surgery Department of Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Oujda, Morocco, over a period of 10 years. Their main presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome were analyzed. Results: The average age of the 30 cases was 18 years (13–43). No antecedent was found in all cases. The penetration syndrome was found in all cases, with a transient moment of suffocation in 19 cases (63.33%), a dry cough in 15 cases (50%), minimal hemoptysis in 4 cases (13.33%), and purulent sputum in 3 cases (10%). The clinical examination was normal in all cases. The chest X-ray showed the FB in the form of linear right sided opacity in 14 cases (46.66%), left sided in 8 cases (26.66%), and in the trachea in 8 cases (26.66). Rigid bronchoscopy visualized the scarf pin at the level of the right basal pyramid in 5 cases (16.66%) and on the left side in 2 cases (6.66%), at the level of the main right and intermediate trunk in 7 cases (23.33%), at the level of the left main bronchus in 4 cases (13.33%) and in the trachea in 5 cases (16.66%). The pin was extracted by rigid bronchoscopy in 23 cases (76.66%) and was expelled spontaneously in 5 cases (16.66%). Thoracotomy was required in 2 cases (6.66%). Medical treatment, including antibiotic therapy and short-course oral corticosteroids, was administered in all cases. Conclusion: Scarf pin inhalation is common in women who wear the Islamic headscarf. Bronchoscopy is an important tool to manage these FBs, but the best prevention treatment is careful handling of these potentially sharp objects away from the mouth.

This systematic review aims to investigate the possibilities of ultrasound imaging in the field of periodontal tissues exploration to visualize periodontal anatomical structures and to assess reliability in clinical evaluation using the PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search through the MEDLINE database was realized to identify studies that have explored ultrasonography in the field of periodontal imaging published from 2000 to March 2022. The search resulted in 245 records; after exclusions, a total of 15 papers were included in the present review. Various publications have shown the possibility of using intraoral ultrasound for a precise exploration of intraoral tissues and to perform measurements of periodontal structures. Studies argue that ultrasounds open the prospect of a complete paradigm shift on the diagnosis and follow-up of periodontal disease. However, there is currently no clinical device dedicated to periodontal ultrasound. This field is still under-studied, and studies are needed to explore the large field of applications from periodontal assessment to treatment reassessment, including surgery. Researchers should focus their efforts to develop special intraoral ultrasound device and explore the possibilities of clinical periodontal applications.

In the FIGHTDIGO study, digestive cancer patients with dynapenia experienced more chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicities. FIGHTDIGOTOX aimed to evaluate the relationship between pre-therapeutic handgrip strength (HGS) and chemotherapy-induced dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) or all-grade toxicity in digestive cancer patients. HGS measurement was performed with a Jamar dynamometer. Dynapenia was defined according to EWGSOP2 criteria (p = 0.007). Low HGS according to our exploratory threshold was associated with more all-grade asthenia (p = 0.014), anemia (p = 0.006), and asthenia with DLT (p = 0.029). Pre-therapeutic dynapenia was not a predictive factor for overall DLT and neurotoxicity in digestive cancer patients but could be a predictive factor of chemotherapy-induced anemia and asthenia. There is a need to better define the threshold of dynapenia in cancer patients.

To obtain 1 kg of dry saffron, 167,000 flowers are pruned and nothing is done with them. For that, and in the objective to valorize these bio residues, the proximate composition, minerals, proteins, soluble sugar and lipid, of saffron flowers and their parts were determined. The results showed that stamens were the flower parts with the highest contents of ash (13.45%), proteins (5.97%), soluble sugars (0.06%) but a low content of lipids (0.03%). Whole flowers-have had high ash content (11.21%), proteins (4.3%) and total carbohydrates (62%), and were low in lipid (0.03%) as the stamens. Compared to the stamens or whole flowers petals had a less content of ash (7.30%), but were rich in proteins (6.35%). The flower parts with the highest Na and K contents were the styles and stamens compared to the other flower parts. The content of crude fiber obtained is shown in descending order in this sense, stamen, petals, wholes flowers and styles. The high Ca content were in the styles. Total phenol content ranges from 25.24 to 65.34 gallic acid equivalent/g of powder crude extract and total flavonoids ranges from 12.17 to 60.64 mg of CE/g of dry plant for flower parts crocus sativus. The high Fe content was in the whole flowers. These results could contribute to the development of new products from flowers of saffron then a better management and exploitation of the Saffron bio-residues obtained in Taliouine region. Keywords: Flavonoids, Flower parts, Polyphenols, Proximate composition, Saffron

A new luminescent composite film resulting from the dispersion of luminescent organic dyes in a single-layered hydroxide (SLH)-type inorganic matrix has been developed. Two fluorescent organic dyes emitting visible light upon blue LED excitation were investigated in this study: dicyanomethylene (DCM) and pyranine (HPTS). These dyes exhibit broad emission bands that cover a large part of the visible spectrum. The concept developed in our work consisted in keeping SLH in its wet form to ensure a good dispersion of the fluorescent dyes prior to immobilizing the hybrid materials in a silicone polymer to achieve luminescent composite films. We demonstrate that these coatings stacked upon each other and placed above a blue LED lead to white-light emission with suitable photometric parameters for applications in lighting or display devices: colour temperature of 5409 K and colour rendering index (CRI) of 81.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is considered as one of the most widely used wireless identification technologies in the Internet of Things. Many application areas require a dense RFID network for efficient deployment and coverage, which causes interference between RFID tags and readers, and reduces the performance of the RFID system. Therefore, communication resource management is required to avoid such problems. In this paper, we propose an anti-collision protocol based on feed-forward Artificial Neural Network methodology for distributed learning between RFID readers to predict collisions and ensure efficient resource allocation (DMLAR) by considering the mobility of tags and readers. The evaluation of our anti-collision protocol is performed for different mobility scenarios in healthcare where the collected data are critical and must respect the terms of throughput, delay, overload, integrity and energy. The dataset created and distributed by the readers allows an efficient learning process and, therefore, a high collision detection to increase throughput and minimize data loss. In the application phase, the readers do not need to exchange control packets with each other to control the resource allocation, which avoids network overload and communication delay. Simulation results show the robustness and effectiveness of the anti-collision protocol by the number of readers and resources used. The model used allows a large number of readers to use the most suitable frequency and time resources for simultaneous and successful tag interrogation.

Once loaded onto Argonaute proteins, microRNAs form a silencing complex called miRISC that targets mostly the 3'UTR of mRNAs to silence their translation. How microRNAs are transported to and from their target mRNA remains poorly characterized. While some reports linked intracellular trafficking to microRNA activity, it is still unclear how these pathways coordinate for proper microRNA-mediated gene silencing and turnover. Through a forward genetic screen using Caenorhabditis elegans, we identified the RabGAP tbc-11 as an important factor for the microRNA pathway. We show that TBC-11 acts mainly through the small GTPase RAB-6 and that its regulation is required for microRNA function. The absence of functional TBC-11 increases the pool of microRNA-unloaded Argonaute ALG-1 that is likely associated to endomembranes. Furthermore, in this condition, this pool of Argonaute accumulates in a perinuclear region and forms a high molecular weight complex. Altogether, our data suggest that the alteration of TBC-11 generates a fraction of ALG-1 that cannot bind to target mRNAs, leading to defective gene repression. Our results establish the importance of intracellular trafficking for microRNA function and demonstrate the involvement of a small GTPase and its GAP in proper Argonaute localization in vivo.

As one of the most promising topics in complex control processes, data-driven techniques have been widely used in numerous industrial sectors and have developed over the past two decades. In addition, the fractional-order controller has become more attractive in applied studies. In this article, a fractional integral control is implemented for a rotary flexible joint system. Moreover, an adjusted virtual reference feedback tuning (VRFT) technique is used to tune the fractional-order integrator. In this method, fractional integral control is designed based on state feedback control. Then, VRFT is adjusted and applied to the fractional integral controller. The effectiveness of the proposed adjusted VRFT method is discussed and presented through simulation and experimental results. The tracking performance of the rotary arm and the minimization of the vibration tip is evaluated based on the proposed method. In this article, the comparison of our proposed VRFT fractional scheme is made with the classical state feedback as well as a recently developed state feedback-based fractional order integral (SF-FOI) controller. The current investigations determine the performance improvement of our proposed scheme of comparable structure to the recent SF-FOI, with the introduction of the VRFT to the SF-FOI scheme.

Various studies have been made to improve the efficiency of the solar still. These studies had devoted to the combination of solar collectors with solar still. This article proposes the use of all forms of solar thermal or photovoltaic energy. In addition, photovoltaic electric storage systems convert them to thermal energy that increases the temperature of a greenhouse solar still. We investigated the possibility of improving the productivity of a greenhouse still and prolong solar distillation overnight. The proposed system is the incorporation of thermal energy produced by a parabolic-cylindrical concentrator, a greenhouse still, and photovoltaic solar energy by panels. The production at 14 pm reaches 110 L/m2 thanks to the various thermal sources made up of the hybrid still. It has better productivity than other distillers. The distillation is extended in the evening thanks to a storage system using electric batteries. The production at 18 pm to 18 L/m2 is reduced at 24 pm to 5 L/m2 in the dark. The accumulated temperature decreases the negative influence of the physical parameters on the production which exceeds 100 L/m2 per day. In the evening, the production is reached 16 L/m2 at 22 pm, which is an advantage compared to other distillers.

Purpose. To evaluate the vessel density (VD) of the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) “en face” images of eyes with chiasmal compression caused by brain tumors before and after decompressive surgery compared with healthy controls. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 patients with chiasmal compression confirmed by neuroimaging. Sixteen healthy participants were also included. All patients with chiasmal compression underwent a neuro-ophthalmological examination one week before and 6 months after brain surgery, including static automated perimetry as well as measurement of the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and the ganglion cell complex (GCC) with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Based on this neuro-ophthalmological examination, the presence of an optic neuropathy (ON) was evaluated. Peripapillary VD was obtained in four sectors on a 6 × 6 mm SS-OCTA image using the Cirrus Plex Elite 9000. Results. Baseline average VD was significantly lower in patients with chiasmal compression and ON than in controls (median: 55.62; interquartile range (IQR): 2.96 vs. 58.53; IQR: 2.02; p=0.003). This decrease was also found in the temporal, superior, and nasal sectors. Average postoperative VD was decreased in patients with chiasmal compression compared with average preoperative VD (median: 56.16; IQR: 4.07 vs. 57.48; IQR: 3.83; p=0.004). Preoperative VD was significantly correlated with RNFL, GCC thickness, and visual field defects. Conclusions. The VD of the RPC network was decreased in chiasmal compressive ON, and it was further decreased at 6 months after decompressive surgery.

The Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum, a major cultured shellfish species, is threatened by infection with the microparasite Perkinsus olseni, whose prevalence increases with high water temperatures. Under the current trend of climate change, the already severe effects of this parasitic infection might rapidly increase the frequency of mass mortality events. Treating infectious diseases in bivalves is notoriously problematic, therefore selective breeding for resistance represents a key strategy for mitigating the negative impact of pathogens. A crucial step in initiating selective breeding is the estimation of genetic parameters for traits of interest, which relies on the ability to record parentage and accurate phenotypes in a large number of individuals. Here, to estimate the heritability of resistance against P. olseni, a field experiment mirroring conditions in industrial clam production was set up, a genomic tool was developed for parentage assignment, and parasite load was determined through quantitative PCR. A mixed-family cohort of potentially 1,479 clam families was produced in a hatchery by mass spawning of 53 dams and 57 sires. The progenies were seeded in a commercial clam production area in the Venice lagoon, Italy, where high prevalence of P. olseni had previously been reported. Growth and parasite load were monitored every month and, after 1 year, more than 1,000 individuals were collected for DNA samples and phenotype recording. A pooled sequencing approach was carried out using DNA samples from the hatchery broodstock and from a Venice lagoon clam population, providing candidate markers used to develop a 245-SNP panel. Parentage assignment for 246 F1 individuals showed sire and dam representation were high (75 and 85%, respectively), indicating a very limited risk of inbreeding. Moderate heritability (0.23 ± 0.11–0.35 ± 0.13) was estimated for growth traits (shell length, shell weight, total weight), while parasite load showed high heritability, estimated at 0.51 ± 0.20. No significant genetic correlations were found between growth-associated traits and parasite load. Overall, the preliminary results provided by this study show high potential for selecting clams resistant to parasite load. Breeding for resistance may help limit the negative effects of climate change on clam production, as the prevalence of the parasite is predicted to increase under a future scenario of higher temperatures. Finally, the limited genetic correlation between resistance and growth suggests that breeding programs could incorporate dual selection without negative interactions.

Le genou flottant est une pathologie traumatique grave qui compromet le devenir fonctionnel du membre inférieur. Il en résulte une articulation du genou libre entre les deux foyers de fractures au niveau du même membre inférieur. L´objectif de notre travail est d´étudier les aspects lésionnels des genoux flottants, analyser les résultats thérapeutiques et ainsi évaluer le devenir post-opératoire et le pronostic de ces malades. Pour cela, nous avons mené une étude rétrospective incluant tous les patients opérés pour genou flottant au service de traumato-orthopédie B4 du CHU Hassan II de Fès durant la période allant de janvier 2010 à décembre 2018. Les données ont été analysées en se basant sur une fiche d´exploitation ; l´étude statistique a été réalisée sur Microsoft Excel 2016. L´âge moyen de nos patients était de 27 ans avec prédominance masculine de 91%. La série comportait 70,5% de genoux flottants stade I de Fraser, 13% type IIa, 11,7% type IIb et 4,8% type IIc, 70,84% de fractures ouvertes. Le genou flottant était dans le cadre d´un polytraumatisme grave dans 25% des cas avec score ISS moyen était de 22. L´enclouage centromédullaire était la méthode la plus adoptée pour le fémur (72,22%, 52cas) et le tibia (66,66%, 48 cas). Les résultats fonctionnels selon les critères de Karlstrom étaient excellents dans 55,55% des cas, bons dans 25% des cas et 19,45% de résultats acceptables et mauvais.

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers are used to diagnose Alzheimer disease (AD), especially in atypical clinical presentations. No consensus currently exists regarding cut-off values. This study aimed, firstly, to define optimal cut-off values for CSF biomarkers, and secondly, to investigate the most relevant diagnostic strategy for AD based on CSF biomarker combinations.Methods: A total of 380 patients were prospectively included: 140 with AD, 240 with various neurological diagnoses (non-AD). CSF biomarkers were measured using ELISA. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using random forest and logistic regression approaches.Results: Univariate receiver operating curve curves analysis of T-Tau, P-Tau181, Aβ42, Aβ40 concentrations, and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio levels showed AD cut-off values of ≥355, ≥57, ≤706, ≥10,854, and ≤0.059 ng/L, respectively. Multivariate analysis using random forest and logistic regression found that the algorithm based on P-Tau181, Aβ42 concentrations and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio yielded the best discrimination between AD and non-AD populations. The cross-validation technique of the final model showed a mean accuracy of 0.85 and a mean AUC of 0.89.Conclusion: This study confirms that the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio was more useful than the Aβ40 concentration in discriminating AD from non-AD populations in daily practice. These results indicate that the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio should be assessed in all cases, independently of Aβ42 concentrations.

Stress granules (SG) are cytoplasmic RNA granules that form during various types of stress known to inhibit general translation, including oxidative stress, hypoxia, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER), ionizing radiations or viral infection. Induction of these SG promotes cell survival in part through sequestration of proapoptotic molecules, resulting in the inactivation of cell death pathways. SG also form in cancer cells, but studies investigating their formation upon treatment with chemotherapeutics are very limited. Here we identified Lapatinib (Tykerb / Tyverb®), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for the treatment of breast cancers as a new inducer of SG in breast cancer cells. Lapatinib-induced SG formation correlates with the inhibition of general translation initiation which involves the phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2α through the kinase PERK. Disrupting PERK-SG formation by PERK depletion experiments sensitizes resistant breast cancer cells to Lapatinib. This study further supports the assumption that treatment with anticancer drugs activates the SG pathway, which may constitute an intrinsic stress response used by cancer cells to resist treatment.

Elastin is a long‐lived extracellular matrix protein responsible for the structural integrity and function of tissues. Breast cancer elastosis is a complex phenomenon resulting in both the deposition of elastotic masses and the local production of elastin fragments. In invasive human breast cancers, an increase in elastosis is correlated with severity of the disease and age of the patient. Elastin‐derived peptides (EDPs) are a hallmark of aging and are matrikines – matrix fragments having the ability to regulate cell physiology. They are known to promote processes linked to tumor progression, but their effects on breast cancer cells remain unexplored. Our data show that EDPs enhance the invasiveness of MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells through the engagement of matrix metalloproteases 14 and 2. We therefore suggest that elastosis and/or an aged stroma could promote breast cancer cell invasiveness.

Abstract Background Evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is necessary to ensure optimal management. Several scales for assessing HRQoL of patients with AD exist, in particular the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL-AD), which includes an evaluation by the caregiver of the patient’s HRQoL. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with patient, caregiver and overall HRQoL as assessed by the QoL-AD. Methods Cross-sectional multicenter study in subjects aged 65 years and older, with mild to moderate AD. HRQoL scores from the QoL-AD were recorded (3 scores, corresponding to patient, caregiver and overall), as well as sociodemographic variables for the patient and the caregiver, and data from the geriatric cognitive assessment (cognitive, psycho-behavioral, functional evaluations). Caregiver burden was evaluated using the Zarit caregiver burden scale. Factors associated with each QoL-AD score were identified by multivariate linear regression using t-tests and β estimations. Study was registered in Clinical Trial.gov (NCT02814773). Results In total, 123 patients with AD were included. For the patient QoL-AD evaluation, depression was significantly associated with lower HRQoL (β = − 2.56 ± 1.28, p = 0.04), while polypharmacy (β = − 1.80 ± 0.99, p = 0.07) and anxiety (β = − 1.70 ± 1.01, p = 0.09) tended to be associated with lower HRQoL scores. In terms of caregiver evaluations, depression (β = − 3.46 ± 1.09, p = 0.002), polypharmacy (β = − 1.91 ± 0.92, p = 0.04) and the presence of caregiver burden (β = − 3.50 ± 0.91, p = 0.0002) were associated with lower HRQoL. For the overall evaluation, depression (β = − 3.26 ± 1.02, p = 0.002) and polypharmacy (β = − 1.85 ± 0.81, p = 0.03) were significantly related to lower HRQoL. Conclusions Depression and polypharmacy were two factors influencing HRQoL in patients with AD, both by patient self-report and on the caregiver report. Thus, despite the discrepancies between HRQoL as assessed by patients with AD and HRQoL as assessed by their caregiver, the caregiver’s assessment may be used to guide patient management when the patient can no longer complete QoL evaluations. Moreover, the association between caregiver burden and the caregiver’s QoL-AD score underlines the need to take caregivers into consideration in the overall management of the AD patient.

Adsorptive removal of aldrin insecticide from aqueous solutions by Treated Patellidae Shells (TPS) was investigated in a batch method under laboratory conditions. The effects of contact time, initial aldrin concentration, pH, ionic strength and temperature were studied. The kinetic analysis indicated that the pseudo-second-order model had the best fit to describe experimental data. Biosorption isotherms were also investigated using Freundlich, Temkin and Langmuir isotherm models. The experimental data fitted very well with Freundlich isotherm model. The maximum biosorption capacity was found to be 111.63 mg/g after 50 min of contact time, using 30 mg/L of pesticide and 25 mg of biosorbent. Thermodynamic data showed that the aldrin biosorption onto TPS was exothermic, spontaneous and highly favorable. The regeneration efficiency of spent TPS was studied using ethanol as a solvent. The TPS biosorbent showed good reusability characteristics and can be used as a highly effective, eco-friendly and low-cost adsorbent and an interesting alternative for removing pesticides from aqueous solutions.

This systematic review aims to identify probiotics and prebiotics for modulating oral bacterial species associated with mental disorders. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guideline, we search the electronic MEDLINE database published till January 2021 to identify the studies on probiotics and/or prebiotics for preventing and treating major oral dysbiosis that provokes mental disorders. The outcome of the search produces 374 records. After excluding non-relevant studies, 38 papers were included in the present review. While many studies suggest the potential effects of the oral microbiota on the biochemical signalling events between the oral microbiota and central nervous system, our review highlights the limited development concerning the use of prebiotics and/or probiotics in modulating oral dysbiosis potentially involved in the development of mental disorders. However, the collected studies confirm prebiotics and/or probiotics interest for a global or targeted modulation of the oral microbiome in preventing or treating mental disorders. These outcomes also offer exciting prospects for improving the oral health of people with mental disorders in the future.

Due to the emergence of the Internet of Things, the need for effective identification and traceability has increased. Radio-frequency identification (RFID), a simple and cheap approach for gathering information, has therefore drawn the attention of research communities. However, this system suffers from problems caused by high density, such as collisions and duplication. Thus, the deployment of RFID is more effective in a dense environment where it may improve overage and delays. A wide range of solutions have been proposed; however, the majority of these are based on the application context. In this paper, we propose a general MAC layer protocol FTSMAC (Frequency Time Scheme MAC) in which the spectrum frequency is efficiently used by dividing the signal into different time slots via a messaging mechanism used by RFID readers. This limits the collisions in high-density RFID deployment that affect the performance of the system. Thus, our solution allows the communication system to converge to a stable state within a convenient time.

Background: Approximately 164,000 deaths yearly are due to shigellosis, primarily in developing countries. Thus, a safe and affordable Shigella vaccine is an important public health priority. The GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH) developed a candidate Shigella sonnei vaccine (1790GAHB) using the Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA) technology. The paper reports results of 1790GAHB Phase 1 studies in healthy European adults. Methods: To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity profiles of 1790GAHB, we performed two parallel, phase 1, observer-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose escalation studies in France (“study 1”) and the United Kingdom (“study 2”) between February 2014 and April 2015 (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02017899 and NCT02034500, respectively) in 18–45 years old subjects (50 in study 1, 52 in study 2). Increasing doses of Alhydrogel adsorbed 1790, expressed by both O Antigen (OAg) and protein quantity, or placebo were given either by intramuscular route (0.059/1, 0.29/5, 1.5/25, 2.9/50, 5.9/100 μg of OAg/μg of protein; study 1) or by intradermal (ID), intranasal (IN) or intramuscular (IM) route of immunization (0.0059/0.1, 0.059/1, 0.59/10 μg ID, 0.29/5, 1.2/20, 4.8/80 μg IN and 0.29/5 μg IM, respectively; study 2). In absence of serologic correlates of protection for Shigella sonnei, vaccine induced immunogenicity was compared to anti-LPS antibody in a population naturally exposed to S. sonnei. Findings: Vaccines were well tolerated in both studies and no death or vaccine related serious adverse events were reported. In study 1, doses ≥1.5/25 μg elicited serum IgG median antibody greater than median level in convalescent subjects after the first dose. No vaccine group in study 2 achieved median antibody greater than the median convalescent antibody. Interpretation: Intramuscularly administered Shigella sonnei GMMA vaccine is well tolerated, up to and including 5.9/100 μg and induces antibody to the OAg of at least the same magnitude of those observed following natural exposure to the pathogen. Vaccine administered by ID or IN, although well tolerated, is poorly immunogenic at the doses delivered. The data support the use of the GMMA technology for the development of intramuscular multivalent Shigella vaccines.

Introduction: Pyolaryngocele is a very rare and serious complication of laryngocele. It can present as deep neck space infection and mislead the diagnosis. Our aim is to bring this unusual entity to the attention of surgeons and describe its clinical features. Case Report: We report a case of a 45-year-old male patient with a five-week history of neck swelling, dysphonia, dyspnea and odynophagia. An urgent CT scan showed a mixed pyolaryngocele. The management consisted of a high dose antibiotic and an excision of the residual laryngocele via an external approach. Conclusion: A pyolaryngocele is an unusual complication of laryngocele, which becomes secondarily infected, causing many symptoms. Removing the laryngocele is still the best treatment option to prevent this complication and recurrence.

Abstract Background Longitudinal studies of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are rare. Clinically, DLB is usually considered to worsen into Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of our study was to compare the rate of the cognitive decline in DLB, AD, and the association of the two diseases (AD + DLB). Methods Using the Regional Network for Diagnostic Aid and Management of Patients with Cognitive Impairment database, which includes all the patients seen at all memory clinics (medical consultation and day hospitals) in four French regions, and beta regression, we compared the longitudinal the Mini-Mental State Examination scores of 1159 patients with AD (n = 1000), DLB (n = 131) and AD + DLB (association of the two) (n = 28) during follow-up of at least 4 years. Results The mean follow-up of the patients was 5.88 years. Using beta regression without propensity scores, the comparison of the decline of patients with AD and patients with DLB did not show a significant difference, but the decline of patients with AD + DLB was worse than that of either patients with DLB (P = 0.006) or patients with AD (P