Paradiplozoon ichthyoxanthon n. sp. (Monogenea: Diplozoidae) from Labeobarbus aeneus (Cyprinidae) in the Vaal River, South Africa.

A new species, Paradiplozoon ichthyoxanthon (Monogenea: Diplozoidae) is described from the gills of Labeobarbus aeneus (Cyprinidae) in the Vaal Dam and Vaal River Barrage in the Vaal River, South Africa. This species is the first in this genus from southern Africa; Paradiplozoon aegtyptense and Paradiplozoon ghanense have been described from northern Africa. The new species differs from all other Paradiplozoon species on the basis of the combination of morphological characteristics, namely disk-like haptor, eggs without filaments, clamp and central hook morphology and size of specimens. The species description is accompanied by a description of the reproductive organs. The internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal gene (ITS2) was studied and the South African individuals formed a distinct clade, supporting the establishment of a new species.

The contribution of personal audio system use and commuting by bus on daily noise dose.

BACKGROUND: For many young people, exposure to music from personal audio system use may represent a significant component of daily noise dose. Moreover, there is increasing concern for the hearing of those who listen at high volumes. The purpose of this study was to determine the noise levels experienced on commuter buses, and to investigate how these impact on the volume-setting behavior of young adult personal audio system users. METHODS: A questionnaire was used to probe transport use, personal audio system-listening behaviors and the extent of understanding about noise-induced hearing loss. The influence of bus noise on volume-setting behavior was determined by measuring, in a lab setting, the sound-level preferences of participants when listening to their favorite song, a generic song, or a podcast in the absence and presence of various levels of bus noise, simulated using output-adjusted recordings made of bus noise. Statistical analysis was conducted using analysis of variance. RESULTS: While the bus noise itself was below 85 dB Leq, as the sound level of the buses increased, so did the percentage of commuters who were found to exceed the equivalent of 8 hours of exposure at 85 dB Leq. IMPLICATIONS: Investment in buses with lower noise levels or the use of noise-canceling or noise-occluding headphones would help to reduce the likelihood of noise-induced hearing loss for bus commuters.

Rationale and design of the multicentric, double-blind, double-placebo, randomized trial APrepitant versus HYdroxyzine in association with cytoreductive treatments for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasia suffering from Persistent Aquagenic Pruritus. Trial acronym: APHYPAP.

BACKGROUND: Aquagenic pruritus (AP), an intense sensation of scratching induced after water contact, is the most troublesome aspect of BCR-ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Mostly described in polycythemia vera (PV, ~ 40%), it is also present in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) (10%). Even if this symptom can decrease or disappear under cytoreductive treatments, 30% of treated MPN patients still persist with a real impact on the quality of life (QoL). Because its pathophysiology is poorly understood, efficient symptomatic treatments of AP are missing. The neuropeptide substance P (SP) plays a crucial role in the induction of pruritus. Several studies showed the efficacy of aprepitant, an antagonist of SP receptor (NK-1R), in the treatment of chronic pruritus but never evaluated in AP. The objectives of APHYPAP are twofold: a clinical aim with the evaluation of the efficacy of two drugs in the treatment of a persistent AP for MPN patients and a biological aim to find clues to elucidate AP pathophysiology. METHODS/DESIGN: A multicentric, double-blind, double-placebo, randomized study will include 80 patients with MPN (PV or ET or PMF) treated since at least 6 months for their hemopathy but suffering from a persistent AP (VAS intensity ≥6/10). Patients will be randomized between aprepitant (80 mg daily) + placebo to match to hydroxyzine OR hydroxyzine (25 mg daily) + placebo to match to aprepitant for 14 days. At D0, baseline information will be collected and drugs dispense. Outcome measures will be assessed at D15, D30, D45, and D60. The primary study endpoint will be the reduction of pruritus intensity below (or equal) at 3/10 on VAS at D15. Secondary outcome measures will include the number of patients with a reduction or cessation of AP at D15 or D60; evaluation of QoL and AP characteristics at D0, D15, D30, D45, and D60 with MPN-SAF and AP questionnaires, respectively; modification of plasmatic concentrations of cytokines and neuropeptides at D0, D15, D30, and D60; and modification of epidermal innervation density and pruriceptor expression at D0 and D15. DISCUSSION: The APHYPAP trial will examine the efficacy of aprepitant vs hydroxyzine (reference treatment for AP) to treat persistent AP in MPN patients. The primary objective is to demonstrate the superiority of aprepitant vs hydroxyzine to treat persistent AP of MPN patients. The treatment received will be considered efficient if the AP intensity will be reduced at 3/10 or below on VAS after 14 days of treatment. The results of this study may provide a new treatment option for this troublesome symptom and also give us more insights in the pathophysiology understanding of AP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: APHYPAP. NCT03808805 , first posted: January 18, 2019; last update posted: June 10, 2021. EudraCT 2018-090426-66.

Relationship among oral health status, bolus formation and food comfortability during consumption of model cheeses in elderly.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of oral impairment on chewing behaviour, food bolus properties and food comfortability during elderly consumption of model cheeses. Seventy-two elderly persons (aged 66 to 88) was recruited and classified into two groups according to dental status (poor vs. satisfactory). They showed a wide range of salivary flow rates whatever their dental status (stimulated: 0.2-3.8 mL min-1, resting: 0.1-0.8 mL min-1). Standardized bites of four model cheeses with an identical composition but different textures (soft, hard, processed and whipped) were tested. The time and number of chewing cycles required to form a bolus were measured. The rheological properties of the bolus were studied, as was saliva moistening. Food comfortability was assessed by means of a questionnaire composed of 5 sections (1-oral comfort, 2-bolus formation, 3-pain, 4-texture and 5-flavour perception). The chewing parameters measured were not modified by the oral health. However, elderly with poor dentition formed harder boluses than elderly with satisfactory dentition. Moreover, for elderly with poor dentition, the quantity of saliva incorporated into the bolus was correlated with the stimulated salivary flow rate, which was not the case for elderly with satisfactory dentition. General oral comfort and its different attributes were poorly associated with the oral health of the elderly. A multifactorial analysis performed on an average cheese showed that food comfortability is independent of changes in the hardness and moistening of the bolus, regardless of dental status. In particular, poor dental status increases the hardness of the bolus without modifying its comfortability.

[Tubercular fibrosing conjunctivitis associated with facial cutaneous tuberculosis]. / Conjonctivite fibrosante tuberculeuse au cours d'une tuberculose cutanée faciale.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous conjunctivitis has been described only rarely during the course of lupus vulgaris. We report a case of hemifacial cutaneous tuberculosis, diagnosed as atypical lupus vulgaris, associated with homolateral fibrosing tuberculous conjunctivitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An 83-year-old woman presented inflammatory conjunctivitis without bullous involvement in the left eye leading to corneal neovascularisation, symblepharons and ptosis. Erythematous and atrophic papules were seen on the left side of the face. Biopsy of the skin and conjunctiva revealed a tuberculoid granulomatous infiltrate. Bacterial culture and PCR were both positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. DISCUSSION: This case illustrates the need to consider tuberculosis when faced with an atypical facial eruption and ocular involvement.

Bolus quality and food comfortability of model cheeses for the elderly as influenced by their texture.

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the texture of dairy products on bolus properties and food comfortability as perceived by elderly persons. Four cheese models identical in terms of their nutritional composition but different by the type of texture (Soft, Hard, Processed and Whipped) were developed to resemble market cheese. Study was performed with a panel of 38 elderly persons without dental impairment but with variable rate of saliva flow. The time of chewing required to form the bolus was measured. The rheological properties of the bolus obtained were studied as well as the quantity of saliva incorporated. Food comfortability was assessed by means of a questionnaire asking about in-mouth comfort, bolus formation, pain, and perceived texture and flavor. Results showed that food comfortability was positively correlated to the ease of forming the bolus which depended on the food texture. Thus, the bolus formed with the Whipped product which required more saliva, was harder than the other three products and so judged the least comfortable. This product was characterized by a dry and sticky texture. On the other hand, the Soft and Processed products led to a softer food bolus that was more easily formed, and thus were judged as more comfortable. Their textures were perceived as soft, fatty and melting. This work highlights the importance of considering food bolus formation and related properties when looking for the link between food product characteristics and the enjoyment of eating in the case of the elderly population.

[Magnitude and strategies of cataract management in the world]. / Magnitude et strategies de prise en charge de la cataracte dans le monde.

Although cataracts cause 47% of global blindness, their epidemiologic impact in different countries is notoriously uneven and the world can be divided into two zones according to economic conditions. In advanced countries where care is good, cataracts account for only 5% of blindness while cataracts still account for 50% of blindness in developing countries. After a brief overview of historical, clinical and therapeutic aspects, this article updates epidemiological data on cataracts in the world. It also provides insight into political, socio-economic, and cultural factors adversely affecting care availability in developing countries thus making cataracts a major public health problem and an obstacle for development. Finally this article offers a few recommendations for reducing the backlog of cataracts in the world and for consolidating advances made over the last two decades thanks to experience gained in various National Blindness Prevention Programs (NBPP).

[The organization and the activity of the Paramyxovirinae genome promoters are shaped by the «rule of six¼]. / Dans le génome des Paramyxovirinae, les promoteurs et leurs activités sont façonnés par la « règle de six ¼.

Paramyxoviruses form a virus family with a genome made of a single stranded RNA of negative polarity, tightly associated with multiple copies of the N protein in a nucleocapsid of helicoidal symmetry. For the Paramyxovirinae sub-family, genome replication depends on the obedience to the "rule of six", which infers that only the genomes whose total number of nucleotides is a multiple of 6 are replicated. This review will focus on the nucleotide sequence definition governing the viral ARN dependent RNA polymerase activity, in the context of the mechanism of application of the rule of six, as well as in the replication versus transcription regulation.

Li4Ti5O12/graphene nanoribbons composite as anodes for lithium ion batteries.

In this paper, we report the synthesis of a Li4Ti5O12/Graphene Nanoribbons (LTO/GNRs) composite using a solid-coating method. Electron microscope images of the LTO/GNRs composite have shown that LTO particles were wrapped around graphene nanoribbons. The introduction of GNRs was observed to have significantly improved the rate performance of LTO/GNTs. The specific capacities determined of the obtained composite at rates of 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 C are 206.5, 200.9, 188, 178.1 and 142.3 mAh·g(-1), respectively. This is significantly higher than those of pure LTO (169.1, 160, 150, 106 and 71.1 mAh·g(-1), respectively) especially at high rate (2 and 5 C). The LTO/GNRs also shows better cycling stability at high rates. Enhanced conductivity of LTO/GNRs contributed from the GNR frameworks accelerated the kinetics of lithium intercalation/deintercalation in LIBs that also leads to excellent rate capacity of LTO/GNRs. This is attributed to its lower charge-transfer resistance (Rct = 23.38 Ω) compared with LTO (108.05 Ω), and higher exchange current density (j = 1.1 × 10(-3) mA cm(-2))-about 20 times than those of the LTO (j = 2.38 × 10(-4) mA cm(-2)).

Pigmentation-associated glycoprotein of human melanomas and melanocytes: definition with a mouse monoclonal antibody.

Pigmented melanoma cells and cultured melanocytes express a differentiation-related glycoprotein designated as pigmentation-associated antigen (PAA) of Mr 70,000-80,000. As described previously, PAA was initially defined by reactivity with antibodies in the serum of a patient with melanoma. Here we describe the production and characterization of a mouse monoclonal antibody to PAA. This antibody (TA99, an IgG2a) was shown by sequential immunoprecipitation experiments to react with the same component as the human antibody. Ab TA99 immunoprecipitated PAA from lysates of cells radiolabeled with [35S]methionine, [3H]glucosamine, [3H]fucose, and [3H]mannose as well as 125I. Using Ab TA99, the distribution of PAA was examined in frozen sections of 19 normal tissues and quantitatively in 68 tissue culture cell lines. In frozen sections, only melanin-containing cells were positive, including epithelial cells in the basal layer of the epidermis, in which pigment originates from melanocytes by transfer of melanosomes, and pigmented cells of the eye. In tissue culture cell lines, only pigmented melanoma cells were positive. PAA is an intracellular antigen, with a distribution very similar to that of melanosomes. This evidence confirms the close association of PAA with melanin production, and suggests that PAA may be a melanosome component. PAA was shown to be different from tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in melanin synthesis, but it was found to be identical to the previously recognized glycoprotein, gp75, characteristic of pigmented melanomas and melanocytes.

Budding efficiency of Sendai virus nucleocapsids: influence of size and ends of the RNA.

The budding efficiency of Sendai virus antigenomes, as well as of defective interfering (DI) nucleocapsids of the deletion and copy-back types, was compared to that of the viral genome during infections of baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. The antigenomes were shown to bud into virus particles as efficiently as the genomes, arguing for the irrelevance of the nucleocapsid-RNA ends in regulating the efficiency of budding. The DI nucleocapsids, however, were restricted in their budding by factors inversely proportional to their size, arguing for an effect of nucleocapsid size in this process. This restriction in budding, however, appeared to be only expressed under conditions of very efficient DI-RNA replication.

Sendai virus M protein is found in two distinct isoforms defined by monoclonal antibodies.

The use of a monoclonal antibody defines a subset of Sendai virus M protein representing about 30% of total. This M protein acquires, during the hour following synthesis, an epitope not present on the bulk of M. This epitope maturation is observed in acutely as well as in persistently infected cells. It takes place in vivo in absence of other viral proteins, but it is not observed when the protein is synthesized in a reticulocyte lysate. Epitope maturation does not appear to result from phosphorylation, acylation or disulfide bond formation. If immunofluorescent staining seems to indicate a preferential association of this subset of M protein with nucleocapsids, this is not confirmed by immunogold staining or by nucleocapsid isolation. Incubation of cytoplasmic extracts or of purified M protein in conditions which do not favor M to M protein association results in a relative increase of M protein carrying the maturing epitope. It is concluded that M protein exists in two distinct isoforms.

Comparison of PCR-heteroduplex characterization by automated DNA sequencing and line probe assay for the detection of rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Progress in understanding the basis of resistance to rifampicin (RifR) has allowed molecular tests for the detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis to be developed. One hundred thirteen strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from patients with multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) were investigated for genotypic analysis of RifR by polymerase chain reaction-heteroduplex formation (PCR-HDF) and characterization of mutations by automated DNA sequencing of the rpoB gene. A subset of isolates (22) representative of different mutations as confirmed by sequence analysis were also evaluated by the Line Probe Assay (LiPA). In 106 of the RifR strains, 24 mutations within an 81-bp region of the rpoB gene affecting 13 amino acids were observed. Most isolates (7/8) harboring Leu533 --> Pro codon mutation required minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of < or = 8 microg/ml. There was geographic variation in the frequency of occurrence of particular rpoB mutations, with the Ser531 --> Leu/Trp codon mutation found in 59/113 of isolates. Although there are certain limitations in the use of both the rapid PCR-HDF diagnostic assay and the LiPA for the detection of rifampicin susceptibility of M. tuberculosis, these provide important and convenient tools for identifying and managing patients with MDR-TB.

Characterisation of the pncA gene in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Gauteng, South Africa.

SETTING: The use of pyrazinamide (PZA) is important for the treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as it is bactericidal to semi-dormant mycobacteria that are not affected by other drugs. The incidence of resistance to PZA and other drugs used in the treatment of M. tuberculosis is increasing in South Africa. OBJECTIVE: To characterise the pncA gene of M. tuberculosis isolates from Gauteng, South Africa, and to develop a rapid diagnostic method. DESIGN: The pncA gene and the putative regulatory gene were characterised by sequence analysis in a total of six PZA susceptible and 15 resistant isolates. The association with classical PZA susceptibility testing and PZase activity was determined. RESULTS: All PZA-resistant isolates were PZase negative as well as resistant to at least one other anti-tuberculosis drugs. Mutations were identified throughout the length of the pncA gene in 10/15 PZA-resistant isolates. Five lacked PZase activity, but the wild type pncA sequence was present. In all six PZase-positive strains, a PZA-susceptible pattern was obtained on BACTEC and the wild type pncA sequence was present. CONCLUSION: Sequencing is an effective means to identify mutations in the pncA gene in M. tuberculosis and therefore resistance to PZA. The fact that some PZA-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates lack mutations in the pncA gene suggests that alternative mechanisms for drug resistance exist. In PZase negative strains with no genetic changes which are resistant to 100 microg/ml and susceptible to 300 microg/ml, 300 microg/ml may be a more reliable breakpoint.

Significance of hypoalbuminemia in pediatric oncology patients--malnutrition or infection?

Nutritional status was evaluated on 210 occasions in 90 pediatric oncology inpatients during a 7-month period; 39 had solid tumors and 51 leukemia. Ages ranged from 3 months to 20 yr. Nutritional parameters were defined as normal, "at risk," or "probably malnourished." Fifty-seven and 29% of assessments revealed at least one parameter "at risk" or "probably malnourished," respectively. Prognosis was negatively related to the number of abnormal nutritional parameters. Serum albumin was most frequently abnormal. However, on most occasions, hypoalbuminemia was associated with weight/height, arm muscle area, and triceps skinfold measurements in the normal range. In order to further identify determinants of serum albumin, we analyzed dietary, chemotherapy, and temperature data in 10 prospectively studied leukemia patients, half of whom received parenteral nutrition. In these patients there was little relationship of serum albumin to chemotherapy or dietary intake. In all of these patients, especially those receiving total parenteral nutrition, low serum albumin was highly associated with fever (p less than 0.0005). We concluded that febrile illness is an important determinant of abnormal serum albumin concentrations. In pediatric cancer patients, abnormal serum albumin may more often reflect the acute metabolic response to fever and infection than depletion of body mass.

[Intracameral lidocaine and phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia. Apropos of 80 operations]. / Lidocaïne intracamérulaire et phacoémulsification sous anesthésie topique. A propos de 80 interventions.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the advantage of intracameral unpreserved lidocaine for patient comfort during phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia. METHODS: In this prospective study, we performed 80 phacoemulsifications under topical anesthesia, with tetracaine 1% drops, 10 minutes before and at the start of surgery: 40 patients received 0.3 cc balanced salt solution (BSS) intracameral injection; 40 patients received 0.3 cc unpreserved lidocaine 1% intracameral injection. The same surgical procedure was performed in both groups: 3.2 mm temporal corneal self-sealing incision, capsulorhexis, foldable polyHEMA IOL implantation into the capsular bag. There was no intravenous sedation. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent (19) in the BSS group and 70% (28) in the lidocaine group felt no pain. 10% (4) in the BSS group reported sharp pain during phacoemulsification. During IOL insertion, no pain was reported by 48% (19) in the BSS group, and 75% (30) in the lidocaine group; 10% (4) in the BSS group felt severe pain (significant difference: p < 0.05). Endothelial cell loss was 6% in the BSS group, and 6.4% in the lidocaine group (non significant difference). CONCLUSION: Intracameral lidocaine is safe and effective in decreasing discomfort among patients undergoing phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia.

[Value of a new non-contact biometer for intraocular crystalline lens power calculation]. / Intérêt d'un nouveau biomètre non-contact pour le calcul de la puissance des lentilles intra-oculaires cristalliniennes.

PURPOSE: One of cataract surgery's current imperatives involves refraction: the power of the lens implant must be calculated as accurately as possible. Here we present a new method of biometric ocular measurement using the partial optical consistency interferometer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This investigation studied the axial length measurement of 100 eyes. Five measurements were taken with a classic echobiometric contact technique using the ultrasonic mode; 5 others were taken with the infrared noncontact technique (IOL Master, Zeiss Humphrey). The latter technique is based on interferometric biometry with optical consistency and measurements were taken with an infrared luminous ray. With extreme rapidity and no contact, the device provides a complete biometry, including axial length, keratometry, and anterior chamber depth. It includes a built-in computer. RESULTS: Comparing the ultrasonic and infrared measurements emphasizes the precision and particularly the high reproducibility of the infrared method. The standard deviations of the samples were significantly lower for the 100 measurements. Its limitations depends on the type of cataract since success was not obtained for certain posterior subcapsular opacities. DISCUSSION: This new method of performing a biometry with a partial consistency interferometer contributes a number of advantages: speed, its noninvasive nature with no contact, the high reproducibility of the exam, as well as precise measurements as shown by the difference in the standard deviations of the two methods. CONCLUSION: Biometry using the optical consistency interferometer seems to be a reliable, reproducible, and precise technique that brings great precision for the calculation of the power of the intraocular implant in cataract surgery.

Multispectral band selection and spatial characterization: Application to mitosis detection in breast cancer histopathology.

Breast cancer is the second most frequent cancer. The reference process for breast cancer prognosis is Nottingham grading system. According to this system, mitosis detection is one of the three important criteria required for grading process and quantifying the locality and prognosis of a tumor. Multispectral imaging, as relatively new to the field of histopathology, has the advantage, over traditional RGB imaging, to capture spectrally resolved information at specific frequencies, across the electromagnetic spectrum. This study aims at evaluating the accuracy of mitosis detection on histopathological multispectral images. The proposed framework includes: selection of spectral bands and focal planes, detection of candidate mitotic regions and computation of morphological and multispectral statistical features. A state-of-the-art of the methods for mitosis classification is also provided. This framework has been evaluated on MITOS multispectral dataset and achieved higher detection rate (67.35%) and F-Measure (63.74%) than the best MITOS contest results (Roux et al., 2013). Our results indicate that the selected multispectral bands have more discriminant information than a single spectral band or all spectral bands for mitotic figures, validating the interest of using multispectral images to improve the quality of the diagnostic in histopathology.

[Palatal fibromucosal graft to correct lower eyelid retraction]. / Greffe de fibromuqueuse palatine pour corriger la rétraction de la paupière inférieure.

INTRODUCTION: Retraction of the lower eyelids has multiple etiologies. Its surgical treatment is a vertical elongation of the tarsus. This can be obtained by using a graft. We describe a sampling and grafting technique using palatal fibromucosa intratarsal graft. TECHNICAL NOTE: The procedure is performed in two steps under general anesthesia. The graft is harvested on the lateral sides of the palatine vault to avoid neurovascular bundles. This area corresponds to the maxillary fibromucosa according to Delaire's classification. The graft is then inserted in the lower eyelid tarsus. DISCUSSION: Many "spacers" are available to extend the posterior lamella vertically; the palatal fibromucosa graft may be used directly and is easy to harvest. It has a similar stiffness to that of the tarsus and there is no need to harvest periosteum. Sparing the periosteum allows for a better healing of the donor site and decreases postoperative pain. The lateral harvesting area, away from the anterior palatine artery, seems more accessible than the median area, especially in ogival palates.