Recycling of Nutrients from Dairy Wastewater by Extremophilic Microalgae with High Ammonia Tolerance.

This study explored the possibility of incorporating extremophilic algal cultivation into dairy wastewater treatment by characterizing a unique algal strain. Results showed that extremophilic microalgae Chlorella vulgaris CA1 newly isolated from dairy wastewater tolerated a high level of ammonia nitrogen (2.7 g/L), which was over 20 times the ammonia nitrogen that regular Chlorella sp. could tolerate. The isolate was mixotrophically cultured in dairy effluent treated by anaerobic digestion (AD) for recycling nutrients and polishing the wastewater. The highest biomass content of 13.3 g/L and protein content of 43.4% were achieved in the culture in AD effluent. Up to 96% of the total nitrogen and 79% of the total phosphorus were removed from the dairy AD effluent. The ability of the algae to tolerate a high level of ammonia nitrogen suggests the potential for direct nutrient recycling from dairy wastewater while producing algal biomass and high value bioproducts.

Development of Simple QSPR Models for the Prediction of the Heat of Decomposition of Organic Peroxides.

Quantitative structure-property relationships represent alternative method to experiments to access the estimation of physico-chemical properties of chemicals for screening purpose at R&D level but also to gather missing data in regulatory context. In particular, such predictions were encouraged by the REACH regulation for the collection of data, provided that they are developed respecting the rigorous principles of validation proposed by OECD. In this context, a series of organic peroxides, unstable chemicals which can easily decompose and may lead to explosion, were investigated to develop simple QSPR models that can be used in a regulatory framework. Only constitutional and topological descriptors were employed to achieve QSPR models predicting the heat of decomposition, which could be used without any time consuming preliminary structure calculations at quantum chemical level. To validate the models, the original experimental dataset was divided into a training and a validation set according to two methods of partitioning, one based on the property value and the other based on the structure of the molecules by the mean of PCA. Four QSPR models were developed upon the type of descriptors and the methods of partitioning. The 2 models issuing from the PCA based method were highlighted as they presented good predictive power and they are easier to apply than our previous quantum chemical based model, since they do not need any preliminary calculations.

[Anastomosis of ectopic trifid ureter into the prostatic urethra with ureteropelvic reflux]. / Abouchement dans l'urètre prostatique d'un uretère ectopique trifide avec reflux urétéro-rénal.

Trifid ureter is a rare malformation with less than one hundred cases reported in the literature. However, like ectopic ureter, it is often asymptomatic and its real incidence is uncertain. The authors report a unique case of ectopic ureter draining into the prostatic urethra associated with trifid ureter, discovered during adulthood in a context of symptomatic ureteropelvic reflux. Laparoscopic assessment and treatment of this malformation are discussed, together with the hypotheses concerning its embryogenesis, based on a review of the literature.

Persistent Memory in Single Node Delay-Coupled Reservoir Computing.

Delays are ubiquitous in biological systems, ranging from genetic regulatory networks and synaptic conductances, to predator/pray population interactions. The evidence is mounting, not only to the presence of delays as physical constraints in signal propagation speed, but also to their functional role in providing dynamical diversity to the systems that comprise them. The latter observation in biological systems inspired the recent development of a computational architecture that harnesses this dynamical diversity, by delay-coupling a single nonlinear element to itself. This architecture is a particular realization of Reservoir Computing, where stimuli are injected into the system in time rather than in space as is the case with classical recurrent neural network realizations. This architecture also exhibits an internal memory which fades in time, an important prerequisite to the functioning of any reservoir computing device. However, fading memory is also a limitation to any computation that requires persistent storage. In order to overcome this limitation, the current work introduces an extended version to the single node Delay-Coupled Reservoir, that is based on trained linear feedback. We show by numerical simulations that adding task-specific linear feedback to the single node Delay-Coupled Reservoir extends the class of solvable tasks to those that require nonfading memory. We demonstrate, through several case studies, the ability of the extended system to carry out complex nonlinear computations that depend on past information, whereas the computational power of the system with fading memory alone quickly deteriorates. Our findings provide the theoretical basis for future physical realizations of a biologically-inspired ultrafast computing device with extended functionality.

Health. Care. Anywhere. Today.

What if clinical quality medical equipment were available to every consumer in a form factor that was inexpensive, accurate, and easy to use? What if this equipment provided information that previously was un-measurable or very difficult to measure? What if the physiological state of individuals, at resolutions measured in thousandths of a second instead of in visits per year, could be measured easily, making it possible to ascertain caloric intake and expenditure, patterns of sleep, contextual activities such as working-out and driving, even parameters of mental state and health. What aspect of healthcare would not change? We present a system that is available today that enables this vision. This award-winning multi-channel wearable physiological monitor has enabled the collection of more than 90 million minutes of data in natural settings from thousands of subjects engaged in diverse activities. Data modeling efforts are resulting in applications that present meaningful and actionable information in real-time to users and their designated collaborators (physicians, family members, counselors, coaches, etc.) We describe the SenseWear system, its design, and a summary of validation studies, current commercial applications, and ongoing research. This discussion will show how the convergence of design for wearability, advances in machine learning, and improvements in wireless technology will manifest the future of health care as personal, ubiquitous, and collaborative.

[Triazolam 0.25 mg versus loprazolam 1 mg in the treatment of common insomnia treated in general practice. Double-blind cross-over randomized trial]. / Triazolam 0.25 mg versus loprazolam 1 mg dans le traitement des insomnies communes traitées en médecine praticienne de ville. Essai croisé randomisé en double aveugle.

In a double-blind cross over randomized study for the first two nights efficacy and safety of triazolam 0.25 mg and loprazolam 1 mg have been compared in 67 out-patients complaining of common insomnia and treated by general practitioners. After the second night patients had to choose one of the two treatments and were continuing a 3-week treatment period with the preferred one. In case of no preference they received one of the 2 drugs according to a new randomization. Cross over administration of the two drugs for the first two nights shows that with triazolam global help to get in sleep is greater (p = 0.016) and sleep latency is shorter (p = 0.07) than with loprazolam, and number of night awakenings is decreased (p = 0.02) compared to loprazolam. Patients felt more rested under triazolam (p = 0.015) than loprazolam. Triazolam (N = 31) is more frequently preferred than loprazolam (N = 19) p = 0.09. Preferred treatment continued to be effective during the following three weeks and quality of sleep improved drastically for all items compared to baseline data (p = 0.01). Both treatments are well tolerated (4 drop-outs for side-effects: 2 under each treatment). The one-week tapering period allows progressive withdrawal with rare reappearance of minimum sleep disorders (5 cases: 2 under triazolam, 3 under loprazolam).

[Cervical dilatation by use of a vaginal suppository of meteneprost before voluntary interruption of the pregnancy in the first trimester]. / Dilatation cervicale par ovule vaginal de Méténéprost avant les IVG du premier trimestre.

Instrumental dilatation of the cervix prior to first trimester absorption may be difficult and source of complications. Pharmacological dilatation is proposed in a prospective random study using vaginal suppository containing 10 mg of 9-deoxo, 16-16 dimethyl, 9 methylene PGE2 (Meteneprost). Mean cervical dilatation, 3 hours after treatment, was significantly higher in the treated group (8.1 vs 6 mm) and additional dilatation was facilitated by cervical softening. Side effects occurred in most of the treated patients (uterine pain) but on a minor scale. This procedure may be considered as effective, safe and easy.

[Bilateral renal metanephric adenoma]. / Adénome métanéphrique bilatéral du rein.

The authors report a case of bilateral renal metanephric adenoma in a 51-year-old patient, discovered during assessment of hypertension associated with microscopic haematuria. The left tumour was 60 mm in diameter and protruded into the renal pelvis. The right tumour was 11 mm in diameter and was situated in the external cortex. Treatment consisted of radical left nephrectomy due to the size of the tumour associated with right lumpectomy. Histological examination of the two tumours revealed a benign metanephric adenoma. In the light of this case and a review of the literature, the authors discuss the clinical features, complementary examinations and histological features of this rare renal tumour as well as the treatment modalities.

Prediction of the thermal decomposition of organic peroxides by validated QSPR models.

Organic peroxides are unstable chemicals which can easily decompose and may lead to explosion. Such a process can be characterized by physico-chemical parameters such as heat and temperature of decomposition, whose determination is crucial to manage related hazards. These thermal stability properties are also required within many regulatory frameworks related to chemicals in order to assess their hazardous properties. In this work, new quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPR) models were developed to predict accurately the thermal stability of organic peroxides from their molecular structure respecting the OECD guidelines for regulatory acceptability of QSPRs. Based on the acquisition of 38 reference experimental data using DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) apparatus in homogenous experimental conditions, multi-linear models were derived for the prediction of the decomposition heat and the onset temperature using different types of molecular descriptors. Models were tested by internal and external validation tests and their applicability domains were defined and analyzed. Being rigorously validated, they presented the best performances in terms of fitting, robustness and predictive power and the descriptors used in these models were linked to the peroxide bond whose breaking represents the main decomposition mechanism of organic peroxides.

Accuracy of a Novel Noninvasive Multisensor Technology to Estimate Glucose in Diabetic Subjects During Dynamic Conditions.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether an approach of multisensor technology with integrated data analysis in an armband system (SenseWear® Pro Armband, SWA) can provide estimates of plasma glucose concentration in diabetes. In all, 41 subjects with diabetes participated. On day 1 subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and on day 2 a 60-minute treadmill test (TT). SWA plasma glucose estimates were compared against reference peripheral venous glucose concentrations. A continuous glucose monitoring device (CGM) was also placed on each subject to serve as a reference for clinical comparison. Pearson coefficient, Clarke error grid (CEG), and mean absolute relative difference (MARD) analyses were used to compare the performance of plasma glucose estimation. There were significant correlations between plasma glucose concentrations estimated by the SWA and the reference plasma glucose concentration during the OGTT (r = .65, P < .05) and the TT (r = .91, P < .05). CEG analysis revealed that during the OGTT, 93% of plasma glucose concentration readings were in the clinically acceptable zone A+B for the SWA and 95% for the CGM. During the TT, the SWA had 96% of readings in zone A+B, compared to 97% for the CGM. During OGTTs, MARDs for the SWA and CGM were 26% and 18%, respectively. During TTs, MARDs were 16% and 12%, respectively. Plasma glucose concentration estimation by the SWA's noninvasive multisensor approach appears to be feasible and its performance in estimating glucose approaches that of a CGM. The success of this pilot study suggests that multisensor technology holds promising potential for the development of a wearable, noninvasive, painless glucose monitor.

Are you bleeding? Validation of a machine-learning algorithm for determination of blood volume status: application to remote triage.

Due to limited remote triage monitoring capabilities, combat medics cannot currently distinguish bleeding soldiers from those engaged in combat unless they have physical access to them. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that low-level physiological signals can be used to develop a machine-learning algorithm for tracking changes in central blood volume that will subsequently distinguish central hypovolemia from physical activity. Twenty-four subjects underwent central hypovolemia via lower body negative pressure (LBNP), and a supine-cycle exercise protocol. Exercise workloads were determined by matching heart rate responses from each LBNP level. Heart rate and stroke volume (SV) were measured via Finometer. ECG, heat flux, skin temperature, galvanic skin response, and two-axis acceleration were obtained from an armband (SenseWear Pro2) and used to develop a machine-learning algorithm to predict changes in SV as an index of central blood volume under both conditions. The algorithm SV was retrospectively compared against Finometer SV. A model was developed to determine whether unknown data points could be correctly classified into these two conditions using leave-one-out cross-validation. Algorithm vs. Finometer SV values were strongly correlated for LBNP in individual subjects (mean r = 0.92; range 0.75-0.98), but only moderately correlated for exercise (mean r = 0.50; range -0.23-0.87). From the first level of LBNP/exercise, the machine-learning algorithm was able to distinguish between LBNP and exercise with high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity (all ≥90%). In conclusion, a machine-learning algorithm developed from low-level physiological signals could reliably distinguish central hypovolemia from exercise, indicating that this device could provide battlefield remote triage capabilities.

Influência da órtese estática de punho na atividade muscular e amplitude de movimento de ombro e cotovelo durante uma tarefa funcional: estudo biomecânico / Influencia de la ortesis estática de puño en la actividad muscular y la amplitud de movimiento de hombro y codo durante una tarea funcional: el estudio biomecánico / Influence of static wrist orthosis on muscle activity and shoulder and elbow range of motion during a functional task: a biomechanical study

RESUMO As órteses são recursos terapêuticos indicados para proteger, corrigir deformidades ou auxiliar em certas funções; porém, seu uso pode acarretar compensações proximais no ombro. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a influência da órtese estática dorsal do punho, em 30° de extensão na biomecânica do ombro e cotovelo, em 25 voluntários assintomáticos durante uma tarefa funcional. Os dados da amplitude de movimento e ativação muscular foram adquiridos de forma sincronizada e simultânea durante parte do teste funcional Elui, que simula alimentação, dividida em alcance, deslocamento e liberação, de uma jarra, nas condições sem e com órtese. Para possibilitar a comparação entre os diferentes sujeitos e músculos, os dados foram analisados pela integral do sinal EMG de cada músculo e, para análise cinemática, foram construídos sistemas de coordenadas de marcadores pré-definidos. Os sinais captados foram filtrados e processados por um software personalizado, e utilizou-se o teste t para amostras pareadas - software SPSS, p<0,05. Notou-se um aumento significativo da ativação dos músculos deltoide anterior e peitoral maior na fase de alcance, e trapézio superior, deltoide anterior e posterior na fase de liberação com a órtese. A cinemática mostrou aumento significativo na amplitude de movimento na abdução do ombro, flexão do cotovelo e pronação do antebraço na fase de deslocamento, e dos movimentos extensão do ombro e flexão do cotovelo na fase de liberação. Nossos achados sugerem que o uso da órtese estática do punho durante a execução de uma tarefa pode acarretar compensações, com predomínio da ativação dos músculos mais proximais do membro superior.

RESUMEN Las ortesis son recursos terapéuticos indicados para proteger, corregir deformidades o auxiliar en ciertas funciones; sin embargo, su uso puede acarrear compensaciones proximales en el hombro. El objetivo de este estudio, entonces, es evaluar la influencia de la ortesis estática dorsal del puño, en 30° de extensión en la biomecánica del hombro y codo, en 25 voluntarios asintomáticos durante una tarea funcional. Los datos de la amplitud de movimiento y de la activación muscular han sido adquiridos de manera sincronizada y simultánea durante parte de la prueba funcional Elui, que simula la alimentación, dividida en alcance, desplazamiento y liberación, de un jarrón, en las condiciones sin y con ortesis. Para posibilitar la comparación entre los distintos individuos y músculos, los datos han sido analizados por la integral de la señal EMG de cada músculo y, para el análisis cinemático, han sido construidos sistemas de coordinadas de marcadores predefinidos. Las señales captadas han sido filtradas y procesadas por un software personalizado, y se ha utilizado la prueba t para muestras pareadas - software SPS®, p<0,05. Se ha visto un incremento significativo de la activación de los músculos deltoide anterior y pectoral más grande en la etapa de alcance, y trapecio superior, deltoide anterior y posterior en la etapa de liberación con la ortosis. La cinemática ha mostrado incremento significativo en la amplitud de movimiento en la abducción del hombro, flexión del codo y pronación del antebrazo en la etapa de desplazamiento, y de los movimientos extensión del hombro y flexión del codo en la etapa de liberación. En nuestros hallazgos se sugieren que el uso de la ortosis estática del puño durante la ejecución de una tarea puede acarrear compensaciones, con predominio de la activación de los músculos más proximales del miembro superior.

ABSTRACT Orthoses are therapeutic resources that are appropriate to protect and remedy deformities or to help in the performance of certain functions; however, its use may lead to proximal compensations in the shoulder. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the influence of dorsal static 30° extension orthoses on the shoulder and elbow biomechanics in 25 asymptomatic individuals during a functional task. The range of motion and muscle activation was collected by simultaneous and synchronized analysis during the Elui functional test related to feeding, under the conditions with and without the orthosis. In order to allow a comparison of the different subjects and muscles, the data were analyzed by EMG signal of each muscle and, for kinematic analysis, pre-defined marker coordinate systems were constructed. The captured signals were filtered and processed by custom software, and the t-test for paired samples, SPSS® software, p<0.05, was used. We found significant increase in activation of the anterior deltoid and pectoralis major muscle in the reach phase and upper trapezius, anterior and posterior deltoid in the release phase with the orthosis. The kinematic analysis showed a significant increase in the range of motion of shoulder abduction movements, elbow flexion and pronation in the displacement phase and shoulder extension and elbow flexion movements in the release phase. Our findings suggest that the use of static wrist orthosis while performing a task can lead to compensations, with predominant activation of more proximal muscles of the upper limb.

Physical inactivity in patients with COPD, a controlled multi-center pilot-study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) has been reported to be reduced in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies in moderate COPD are currently scarce. The aim of the present study was to investigate physical activity in daily life in patients with COPD (n=70) and controls (n=30). METHODS: A multi-center controlled study was conducted. PA was assessed using a multisensor armband device (SenseWear, BodyMedia, Pittsburgh, PA) and is reported as the average number of steps per day, and the time spent in mild and moderate physical activity. RESULTS: Patients suffered from mild (n=9), moderate (n=28), severe (n=23) and very severe (n=10) COPD. The time spent in activities with mild (80 + or - 69 min vs 160 + or - 89 min, p<0.0001) and moderate intensity (24 + or - 29 min vs 65 + or - 70 min; p<0.0036) was reduced in patients compared to controls. The number of steps reached 87 + or - 34%, 71 + or - 32%, 49 + or - 34% and 29 + or - 20% of control values in GOLD-stages I to IV respectively. The time spent in activities at moderate intensity was 53 + or - 47%, 41 + or - 45%, 31 + or - 47% and 22 + or - 34% of the values obtained in controls respectively with increasing GOLD-stage. These differences reached statistical significance as of GOLD stage II (p<0.05). No differences were observed among centers. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity is reduced early in the disease progression (as of GOLD-stage II). Reductions in physical activities at moderate intensity seem to precede the reduction in the amount of physical activities at lower intensity.

Perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com queimadura em membros superiores atendidos em uma Unidade de Queimados terciária / Epidemiological profile of patients with burning in upper limbs treated at a tertiary Burns Unit

Objetivo: Determinar o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes acometidos por queimaduras nos membros superiores, atendidos no setor de Fisioterapia de um hospital de referência regional do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no atendimento terciário de saúde. Método: Realizada análise dos dados, durante o período de um ano, do setor de Fisioterapia da Unidade de Queimados do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo. Foram analisados: idade, sexo, procedência, acometimento de membros superiores, agente causal, utilização de substâncias químicas e local do acidente. Resultados: Foram avaliados 94 casos, destes, 76 apresentavam acometimento de pelo menos um dos membros superiores (80,8%). A idade média foi de 35,3 anos, sendo a faixa etária de 18 a 30 anos e o sexo masculino (68,4%) os mais acometidos. A principal causa de queimadura foi a associação de fogo com algum tipo de líquido inflamável, como álcool e gasolina. 39,5% dos pacientes eram provenientes de Ribeirão Preto/SP, sendo 67,1% dos casos acidentes domiciliares, e 5 casos de tentativa de autoextermínio, destes, três deles referentes a pacientes usuários de drogas ilícitas. Em 40,7% dos casos, os pacientes eram usuários de pelo menos uma substância química, como álcool, tabaco ou drogas. Conclusão: Na amostra analisada, o perfil dos pacientes com queimaduras em membros superiores foi composto principalmente por homens adultos jovens, envolvidos em acidentes domésticos, com líquido inflamável e em grande parte associados ao uso de substâncias químicas.

Objective: To determine the epidemiological profile of the patients affected by upper limbs burns, treated in the Physicaltherapy division of a regional referral hospital of the unified health system (SUS) in tertiary health care. Methods: A survey was conducted of data on patients affected by burns in upper limbs, during the period of one year, in Physiotherapy division of the Burn Unit of the Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, origin, involvement of upper limbs, causative agent, use of chemicals and the accident site. Results: In the studied period 94 cases were evaluated in total, of these, 76 presented involvement of at least one of the upper limbs (80.8%). The average age of these patients was 35.3 years, being the most affected males (68.4%). The main cause of burns was the association of fire with some sort of flammable liquid, such as alcohol and gasoline. The age group most affected was between 18-30 years. 39.5% of the patients were from Ribeirao Preto, with 67.1% of household accidents, and 5 cases of attempted auto-extermination, being 3 of them illicit drug users patients. In 40.7% of cases, the patient was user of at least one chemical substance, such as alcohol, tobacco or drugs. Conclusion: The profile of patients with burns in upper limbs, in this specific sample, was composed mainly of young adult men, involved in domestic accidents, with flammable liquid and largely associated with the use of chemicals.

Recent advances in free-living physical activity monitoring: a review.

It has become clear recently that the epidemic of type 2 diabetes sweeping the globe is associated with decreased levels of physical activity and an increase in obesity. Incorporating appropriate and sufficient physical activity into one's life is an essential component of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and overall health, especially for those with type II diabetes mellitus. Regular physical activity can have a positive impact by lowering blood glucose, helping the body to be more efficient at using insulin. There are other substantial benefits for patients with diabetes, including prevention of cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obesity. Several complications of utilizing a self-care treatment methodology involving exercise include (1) patients may not know how much activity that they engage in and (2) health-care providers do not have objective measurements of how much activity their patients perform. However, several technological advances have brought a variety of activity monitoring devices to the market that can address these concerns. Ranging from simple pedometers to multisensor devices, the different technologies offer varying levels of accuracy, comfort, and reliability. The key notion is that by providing feedback to the patient, motivation can be increased and targets can be set and aimed toward. Although these devices are not specific to the treatment of diabetes, the importance of physical activity in treating the disease makes an understanding of these devices important. This article reviews these physical activity monitors and describes the advantages and disadvantages of each.

[Artificial induction of labor at term for medical reasons. Comparison of 2 technics for labor induction, oxytocin + early artificial rupture of the membranes versus prostaglandin E2 vaginal gel. Open randomized controlled study]. / Déclenchement artificiel du travail à terme pour raisons médicales. Comparaison de deux techniques d'induction du travail, ocytocine + rupture artificielle des membranes précoce versus prostine E2 gel vaginal. Etude ouverte contrôlée randomisée.

Labor induction for medical reasons is a situation rather well-controlled by the combination: "oxytocin-amniotomy" when the cervix is favorably open. However, new induction techniques are currently under study, especially vaginal administration of PGE2 which presents the advantage of being simple to administer and better accepted by the patients. This study compared the classical technique, oxytocin perfusion and early artificial rupture of the membranes, with the vaginal administration of PGE2 gel (first dose: 1 mg, second dose 1 or 2 mg, six hours later). The success rate of both techniques is comparable, approximately 70 p. cent. Also, the times between amniotomy and delivery are identical, approximately 5 hours. On the contrary, the lapses of time between the onset of the induction and the delivery, vary significantly, being always longer in the PGE2 group. However, the dose of vaginal PGE2 gel as well as the time of artificial membrane rupture could be modified in order to decrease the delay of the effect.