Tomography of irregular rough particles using the error-reduction algorithm with multi-views interferometric particle imaging.

This work reports the 3D reconstruction of a particle from a set of three simulated interferometric images of this particle (from three perpendicular angles of view). The reconstruction of each view from its corresponding interferometric pattern uses the error-reduction (ER) algorithm. The 3D reconstruction enables an estimation of the volume of the particle. The method is tested on a dendrite-like particle. An experimental demonstration of the technique is done using a digital micromirror device (DMD) that generates the interferometric images of "programmable" rough particles.

Interferometric particle imaging of ice particles using a multi-view optical system.

Interferometric particle imaging enables particle size estimation in a wide range [from 10 µm to a few millimeters] depending on the optical system design. With a multi-view optical system, it is possible to extract more information about the 3D morphology of the particle. In this study, multi-view interferometric out-of-focus imaging of ice particles is performed in a backward-scattering configuration. It is used to estimate ice particle volume and thus to reduce uncertainty concerning particle size estimation. It is further used to better analyze the presence of nearby particles whose images overlap.

Burden of fungal infections in Algeria.

We report for the first time in Algeria and provide burden estimates. We searched for existing data and estimated the incidence and prevalence of fungal diseases based on the population at risk and available epidemiological data. Demographic data were derived from the National Office of Statistics (Office National des Statistiques: ONS), World Health Organization (WHO), The Joint Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and national published reports. When no data existed, risk populations were used to estimate frequencies of fungal infections, using previously described methodology. Algeria has 40.4 million inhabitants, and probably at least 568,900 (1.41%) of Algerians have a serious fungal infection each year. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (485,000) and fungal asthma (72,000) are probably the commonest problems, as there are over 1 million adult asthmatics. Candidaemia is estimated in 2,020 people, invasive aspergillosis in 2,865 people, and intra-abdominal candidiasis in 303 people; these are the most common life-threatening problems. AIDS is uncommon, but cancer is not (45,000 new cases of cancer including 1,500 in children), nor is COPD (an estimated 317,762 patients, of whom 20.3% are admitted to hospital each year). A focus on improving the diagnosis and epidemiological data related to fungal infection is necessary in Algeria.

3D-shape recognition and size measurement of irregular rough particles using multi-views interferometric out-of-focus imaging.

We realize simplified-tomography experiments on irregular rough particles using interferometric out-of-focus imaging. Using two angles of view, we determine the global 3D-shape, the dimensions, and the 3D-orientation of irregular rough particles whose morphologies belong to families such as sticks, plates, and crosses.

[Congenital cervical salivary fistula: a case report]. / Fistules salivaires cervicales congénitales: à propos d'un cas.

Cyst and fistulas of the gills grooves and thyro-glossal tracts are well documented. On the contrary, congenital neck salivary fistulas are uncommon.

Campylobacter fetus Meningitis: A diagnosis to suggest in immunocompromised patients.

Campylobacter fetus causes in humans mostly gastroenteritis. Systemic infection occurs almost exclusively in immunocompromised patients with chronic debilitating diseases. We report the case of a Campylobacter fetus meningitis in a woman aged 48 years with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. Cerebrospinal fluid culture was positive for Campylobacter fetus. The evolution was favorable using imipenem and ciprofloxacin.

[Variation of cognitive functions and glycemia during physical exercise in Ramadan fasting]. / Variation des fonctions cognitives et de la glycémie lors de l'exercice physique durant le jeûne du mois de Ramadan.

INTRODUCTION: During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from dawn to sunset. Several studies have shown that Ramadan fasting affects biochemical parameters, sleep/wake cycle, behaviour and food habits. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting (RF) and physical exercise on cognitive functions, blood glucose. METHODS: Eleven healthy male volunteers aged 20.45+/-1.65 years were assessed before RF (B.RF), during the 1st week (wk), 3rd wk and 1 wk B.RF, in blood sugar, work memory (WM), visual perception (VP), before exercise (B. Ex) and after exercise (A. Ex) exercise of 1000 m. RESULTS: Compared to control days (B.RF), there were no significant changes in body mass index. Physical performance declined significantly during 1st wk (p<0.001), 3th wk (p<0.013) and before (p<0.046) of RF. At the level of the glycemia, the results show a significant effect of Ramadan by increasing gradually during Ramadan but nevertheless, the values remain lower of 100mg/dl. No significant change was observed between B. Ex and A. Ex value in WM during RF. However, the WM A. Ex value increase significantly during and after RF (respectively 1st wk (p<0.013), 3rd wk (p<0.005) and before (p<0.003). The VP was significantly affected by fasting effect (F=16.84, p<0.001) and exercise effect (F=14.01, p<0.0001), and was progressively increased 15.56% in the 1st wk, 25.69%, the 3rd wk during RF, and 27.07% A.RF, but no significant change was found in errors performances of VP during and after RF. CONCLUSION: These results showed that the intermittent fasting imply differently effects on cognitive functions and physiological.

Diagnostic Reference Levels for Paediatric Head Computed Tomography in Morocco: A Nationwide Survey.

The purpose of this study was to establish the diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for paediatric head computed tomography (CT) in Morocco and to assess the effective doses received during head CT examinations. The data of 1007 patients were collected retrospectively from Moroccan university children's hospitals. The sample was classified per age group:<1, 1-5, 5-10 and 10-15 years. The proposed DRLs were defined as 75th percentile of the distributions, which were in terms of CT dose index of 26.98, 28.88, 34.00 and 38.20 mGy and dose length product of 461.64, 540.06, 627.20 and 705.98 mGy.cm, respectively. The effective doses estimated were 3.6, 2.9, 2 and 1.79 mSv, respectively. The DRLs reported in Morocco were compared with those of other countries, which were based on the same age grouping method, including Thailand, Switzerland, Japan and the international DRLs. Our initiative via the determination of the first Moroccan diagnostic reference levels for paediatric head CT must be a starting point to spread this investigation towards other examinations and imaging modalities.

3D-reconstructions for the estimation of ice particle's volume using a two-views interferometric out-of-focus imaging set-up.

The characterization of ice crystals has important applications in airborne research and civil aviation. Interferometric out-of-focus imaging is a promising technique. We investigate in this study the impact of the 3D shape reconstruction of the particles from a pair of interferometric images on the estimation of the ice particle's volume. An interferometric image gives indeed the 2D autocorrelation of the particle's shape. As different shapes can exhibit a similar 2D autocorrelation, particles of different shapes can have similar interferometric images. In this study, the volume of ice particles is estimated from a pair of interferometric images (with two perpendicular angles of view). The relative error in the particle's volume estimation is shown to be around ΔV V≈30% depending on the choice of the initial 3D particle's shape. It appears that the choice of the shape of the particle for both angles of view has a lower impact on the estimation of the particle's volume than the other sources of errors due to image acquisitions themselves.

Reconstruction of exenteration socket with Integra® dermal substitute and skin graft.

The authors report their experience with the use of Integra® dermal substitute, in combination with a thin skin graft, following an orbital exenteration. The clinical case described relates to a 42-year-old gentleman with an ulcerative retractile lesion of the right lower eyelid. Histopathological examination diagnosed a moderately differentiated epidermoid carcinoma infiltrating the orbit. Total exenteration was necessary as well as secondary radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Rehabilitation of the exenterated socket was performed by inserting an Integra® patch, followed by an additional thin skin graft one month later. The authors review the various available techniques for exenterations, their indications and the various possible secondary rehabilitations. Despite being less utilized, the dermal substitute technique, which is relatively new, seems to offer quicker and easier rehabilitation compared to traditional techniques. A comparative study would be necessary to define superiority among the different techniques of exenteration, with respect to the speed of rehabilitation and resistance to radiation therapy.

[The burden of fungal infections in Algeria]. / Estimation des infections fongiques en Algérie.

In Algeria, superficial mycoses are very commonly diagnosed. Deep fungal infections are less often observed. Few data from Algeria are found in the literature. We report for the first time the main causes of these diseases in our country and provide burden estimates. We searched for existing data and estimated the incidence and prevalence of fungal diseases based on the population at risk and available epidemiological data. Demographic data were derived from the Service (Office) of the Statistics (ONES), World Health Organization (WHO), The Joint Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and national published reports. When no data existed, risk populations were used to estimate frequencies of fungal infections, using previously described methodology. Algeria has 40.4 million inhabitants and probably at least 568,900 (1.41 %) of Algerians have a serious fungal infection each year. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (485,000) and fungal asthma (72,000) are probably the commonest problems as there are over 1 million adult asthmatics. Candidaemia is estimated in 2020, invasive aspergillosis in 2865, intra-abdominal candidiasis in 303 people and are the most common life-threatening problems. AIDS is uncommon, but cancer is not (45,000 new cases of cancer among including 1500 in children) and nor is COPD (an estimated 317,762 patients of whom 20.3 % are admitted to hospital each year). A focus on improving the diagnosis and epidemiological data related to fungal infection is necessary in Algeria.

Outcome of Frontline Treatment with "Generic" Imatinib In Adult Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Algerian Population: A Multicenter Study.

INTRODUCTION: In a developing country like Algeria, such expensive therapy is not available. Alternative approaches are needed to help these adult. In Algeria 'imatib' (CIPLA-India) was introduced in 2006; but no study has been published yet in the North Africa region regarding response and outcome of this copy in CML patients. The goal of this multicenter study is to characterize newly adult CML in the western region of Algeria and to assess the effectiveness and safety of imatib (IM, copy) as frontline therapy for patients with CML. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in 7 hematology centers in the western Algeria. Patients, who were diagnosed to be suffering from CML between January 1st, 2007 and December 31st, 2014 were selected for data analysis. All patients received a copy preparation, consisting of the alpha crystal form of imatinib, (IM, copy) at an oral dose of 400 mg daily and monitored for tolerance and side effects while on therapy. RESULTS: Between January 2007 and December 2014, 355 patients with CML were treated with imatib (Copy). The median follow- up of the study was 46 months (range: 13-107 months). Complete hematological response (CHR) was seen in 83% of patients within 3 months. According to the Sokal score, 72% patients with low, 78% with intermediate and 69% with high risk disease achieved a CHR in 3 months (p=0.26) and according to the EUTOS score, 81% of patients with low and 70% with high risk disease achieved a CHR in 3 months (p=0.08). The major molecular response (MMR) at six months (M6), M9, M12, M18 and M24 was 21%, 38%, 35%, 51% and 67% respectively and 34% of patients achieved a complete molecular response (CMR). The projected 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 83%. Side effects of imatib (copy) in this study were similar to those reported previously for the entire imatinib mesylate treatment study and only 8% of patients were intolerant to imatib (copy) and treated with a second generation of BCR-ABL inhibitor. CONCLUSION: This study reflects real world experience treating patients with CML in a developing country and thus sheds light on differences in this population compared to Western countries. In conclusion, imatib (copy) is effective and safe in treating patients with CML in chronic phase and proves to have a durable outcome. To our knowledge this is the first study reporting the response to imatib (copy) in an Algerian population.

Instrumentation for ice crystal characterization in laboratory using interferometric out-of-focus imaging.

Airborne characterization of ice crystals has important applications. The extreme difficulty of realizing in situ tests requires the development of a complete instrumentation in the laboratory. Such an installation should enable design, development, test, and calibration of instruments in conditions as close as possible to real ones. We present a set of numerical and experimental tools that have been developed to realize ice crystal sensors based on interferometric particle imaging. The set of tools covers the development of complementary simulators for crystal growth and interferometric particle imaging predictions, experimental generation of "programmable" ice crystals, and instrumentation of a freezing column where different techniques as in-focus imaging, out-of-focus imaging, and digital in-line holography can be combined simultaneously for test and calibration.

Concentrations of estrone, estradiol, and estrone sulfate and evaluation of sulfatase and aromatase activities in pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer patients.

This report concerns the evaluation of various estrogens, estrone (El), estradiol (E2), and estrone sulfate (E1S), as well as E1S-sulfatase and aromatase activities in pre- and postmenopausal women with breast cancer. The levels (in picomoles per g; mean +/- SEM) of the various estrogens in the breast tissue from premenopausal patients (n = 11) are: El, 1.4 +/- 0.5; E2, 1.2 +/- 0.6; and E1S, 1.2 +/- 0.3. In postmenopausal patients (n = 23), the values are, respectively, 1.0 +/- 0.4, 1.4 +/- 0.7, and 3.3 +/- 1.9. These concentrations of estrogens in the tumors of postmenopausal patients are significantly higher than those found in plasma. The activity of E1S-sulfatase in both pre- and postmenopausal patients was 50-200 times higher than that of aromatase. E1S-sulfatase and aromatase activities are significantly higher in post-menopausal than in cycling patients. It is concluded that despite the low levels of circulating estrogens in postmenopausal patients, the tissue concentrations of these steroids are several-fold higher than those in plasma, suggesting tumor accumulation of these estrogens. The physiopathology and clinical significance of these high levels of the various estrogens (E1, E2, and E1S) as well as sulfatase and aromatase activities in postmenopausal patients with breast cancer is yet to be explored.

Estrone sulfate-sulfatase and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities: a hypothesis for their role in the evolution of human breast cancer from hormone-dependence to hormone-independence.

The evaluation of estrogens (estrone, estradiol, and their sulfates) in the breast tissue of post-menopausal patients with breast cancer indicates high levels, particularly of estrone sulfate (E1S) which is 15-25 times higher than in the plasma. Breast cancer tissue contains the enzymes necessary for local synthesis of estradiol and it was demonstrated that, despite the presence of the sulfatase and its messenger in hormone-dependent and hormone-independent breast cancer cells, this enzyme operates particularly in hormone-dependent cells. Different progestins: Nomegestrol acetate, Promegestone, progesterone, as well as Danazol, can block the conversion of E1S to E2 very strongly in hormone-dependent breast cancer cells. The last step in the formation of estradiol is the conversion of E1 to this estrogen by the action of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. This activity is preferentially in the reductive direction (formation of E2) in hormone-dependent cells, but oxidative (E2-->E1) in hormone-independent cells. Using intact hormone-dependent cells it was observed that Nomegestrol acetate can block the conversion of E1 to E2. It is concluded, firstly, that in addition to ER mutants other factors are involved in the transformation of hormone-dependent breast cancer to hormone-independent, this concerns the enzymatic activity in the formation of E2; it is suggested that stimulatory or repressive factor(s) involved in the enzyme activity are implicated as the cancer evolves to hormone-independence; secondly, different drugs can block the conversion of E1S to E2. Clinical trials of these "anti-enzyme" substances in breast cancer patients could be the next step to investigate new therapeutic possibilities for this disease.

Alkamides from Artemisia dracunculus.

From the aerial parts of Artemisia dracunculus, one known alkamide, pellitorine, two new alkamides neopellitorine A and neopellitorine B, and one known coumarin herniarine were isolated. Structures were elucidated by means of UV, IR, MS, 1H and 13C NMR. These compounds showed insecticidal activity against Sitophilus oryzae and Rhyzopertha dominica at 200 microg/ml concentrations.

Okadaic acid and its interaction with sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium ions: complex formation and transport across a liquid membrane.

Okadaic acid, a macrocyclic polyether compound, was shown to mediate the transfer of Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions from aqueous solution to an organic phase, with a preference for Na+ ions. A kinetic study of the transport of these ions across a liquid membrane showed that the Na+ ion was more rapidly transported than the other ions and that the Na+ ion flux was dependent on the okadaic acid concentration.

[Hereditary degenerative spinocerebellar diseases in Tunisia with manometric studies in bladder disorders (author's transl)]. / Les hérédodégénérescences spino-cérébelleuses en Tunisie, avec étude cystomanométrique des troubles sphinctériens. 204 cas de maladies de Friedreich, de Pierre marie et de Strumpell-Lorrain.

During a survey conducted in Tunisia in 1978, 204 cases of hereditary degenerative spinocerebellar diseases were discovered among members of 117 families. The cases included 109 patients with Friedreich's ataxia, 28 with Piere Marie's heredo-ataxia, 20 with Strumpell-Lorrain's disease, and 47 with intermediary forms. The latter group included incomplete forms of Friedreich's and Pierre Marie's diseases. The onset or progression of the disease was linked to a febrile episode in 25 p. cent of the cases. Emphasis is placed on the presence of bladder sphincter disorders in approximately one third of the patients with Friedreich's or Pierre Marie's diseases. Manometric studies in 17 cases demonstrated the presence of normal bladders in 4 cases, hypertonicity of the bladder in 5 patients, and hypesthesic retention-type bladders in 5 other cases. In 3 patients the disorder was difficult to classify. These results show that sphincter disorders should not constitute a criterium for exclusion of the diagnosis of spinocerebellar degeneration.

Flexibility and applicability of ß-expectation tolerance interval approach to assess the fitness of purpose of pharmaceutical analytical methods.

An innovative versatile strategy using Total Error has been proposed to decide about the method's validity that controls the risk of accepting an unsuitable assay together with the ability to predict the reliability of future results. This strategy is based on the simultaneous combination of systematic (bias) and random (imprecision) error of analytical methods. Using validation standards, both types of error are combined through the use of a prediction interval or ß-expectation tolerance interval. Finally, an accuracy profile is built by connecting, on one hand all the upper tolerance limits, and on the other hand all the lower tolerance limits. This profile combined with pre-specified acceptance limits allows the evaluation of the validity of any quantitative analytical method and thus their fitness for their intended purpose. In this work, the approach of accuracy profile was evaluated on several types of analytical methods encountered in the pharmaceutical industrial field and also covering different pharmaceutical matrices. The four studied examples depicted the flexibility and applicability of this approach for different matrices ranging from tablets to syrups, different techniques such as liquid chromatography, or UV spectrophotometry, and for different categories of assays commonly encountered in the pharmaceutical industry i.e. content assays, dissolution assays, and quantitative impurity assays. The accuracy profile approach assesses the fitness of purpose of these methods for their future routine application. It also allows the selection of the most suitable calibration curve, the adequate evaluation of a potential matrix effect and propose efficient solution and the correct definition of the limits of quantification of the studied analytical procedures.

Usefulness of capability indices in the framework of analytical methods validation.

Analytical methods capability evaluation can be a useful methodology to assess the fitness of purpose of these methods for their future routine application. However, care on how to compute the capability indices have to be made. Indeed, the commonly used formulas to compute capability indices such as Cpk, will highly overestimate the true capability of the methods. Especially during methods validation or transfer, there are only few experiments performed and, using in these situations the commonly applied capability indices to declare a method as valid or as transferable to a receiving laboratory will conduct to inadequate decisions. In this work, an improved capability index, namely Cpk-tol and the corresponding estimator of proportion of non-conforming results (π(Cpk-tol)) have been proposed. Through Monte-Carlo simulations, they have been shown to greatly increase the estimation of analytical methods capability in particular in low sample size situations as encountered during methods validation or transfer. Additionally, the usefulness of this capability index has been illustrated through several case studies covering applications commonly encountered in the pharmaceutical industry. Finally a methodology to determine the optimal sample size required to validate analytical methods is also given using the proposed capability metric.