Effect of Cholecalciferol therapy on serum FGF23 in vitamin D deficient patients: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Fibroblast growth factor-23 plays an important role in regulating systemic phosphate homeostasis, and vitamin D metabolism. However, the effect of Cholecalciferol therapy on FGF23 serum level in patients with vitamin D deficiency has not been studied, yet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a double-blind, randomized clinical trial on 119 vitamin D deficient patients in 2016. Biochemical variables of treatment and placebo groups were analyzed after 12 weeks of 50,000 IU of Cholecalciferol vs. placebo therapy once a week, by SPSS18. RESULTS: After Cholecalciferol therapy, delta of serum PTH in treatment group was less than the controls (P < 0.001). However, delta values of serum 25(OH)D3, 1,25(OH)2D3 and FGF23 in vitamin D treated group were more than the placebo-treated ones (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.04, respectively). Moreover, FGF23 serum level in treatment group was associated with serum calcium (P = 0.005, r = -0.256), and serum 1,25(OH)2D3 (P < 0.001, r = 0.529). CONCLUSIONS: We propose that in these patients 1,25(OH)2D3 has a positive association with serum FGF23, and hypostasized that serum calcium might be a down regulator of serum FGF23.

Study of the correlation between the magnetic and electrical properties of the La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 compound.

In this work, we investigated the relationship between the electrical and magnetic properties of the superparamagnetic (SPM) La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 (S1C0) compound prepared by the sol-gel method. The (S1C0) sample displayed a ferromagnetic metallic (FMM) behavior at low temperatures and a paramagnetic semiconductor (PMSC) behavior at high temperatures. The FMM behavior was described by the Zener Double Exchange (ZDE) polynomial law containing the contributions of the electron-electron (e-e) interactions and the electron-magnon (e-m) scattering. The PMSC behavior was described by the Mott Variable Range Hopping (Mott-VRH) transport model. The semiconductor/metallic transition temperature has been approximated at the blocking temperature. The Thermal Coefficient of Resistivity (TCR), which exhibits a linear variation around ambient temperature, can be used as a calibration curve for thermometry. Thus, our sample can be considered as a good candidate for the detection of infrared radiation used in night vision bolometer technologies.

Reliability of toxicokinetic modelling for PFAS exposure assessment in contaminated water in northern Italy.

Introduction: Long-term contamination of tap water and groundwater by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has been documented in the Veneto region of northern Italy. This study aimed to assess the exposure of individuals residing in the contaminated area and to test several toxicokinetic (TK) models of varying complexities to identify an efficient method for predicting perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) concentrations in human serum using observed data.The ultimate goal is to provide public health officials with guidance on selecting the appropriate TK model for specific contexts, a reliable and rapid tool to support human bio-monitoring (HBM) studies. Methods: Two simpler empirical TK models and a more complex multi-compartment physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model were compared with individual and aggregate data from an HBM study. In addition, the PBPK model was modified by adjusting input parameters and introducing new terms into the equations within the original model code. These modifications aimed to optimize the results compared to the original model, with some versions incorporating adjustments to account for the influence of menstruation in women. All models were evaluated to understand their strengths and weaknesses, providing guidance on the appropriate model to use according to specific scenarios. Results: The results obtained from the tested models were quite similar, with significant improvements observed only in the modified models. Simpler models also provided satisfactory results in scenarios involving low PFOS serum concentrations and recent exposure cessation. In many cases, predictions demonstrated high accuracy, particularly at the aggregate level and for women. Conclusions: These findings suggest that environmental protection agencies and health authorities may benefit from employing the tested models at the aggregate level as an initial step in HBM studies, rather than conducting more invasive and expensive screening campaigns.

Impact of synthesis route on structural, magnetic, magnetocaloric and critical behavior of Nd0.6Sr0.4MnO3 manganite.

Nd0.6Sr0.4MnO3 polycrystalline manganite was synthesized by two different methods: the auto-combustion reaction (NSMO-AC) and the sol-gel method (NSMO-SG). The structural, magnetic, magnetocaloric and critical behavior of the samples were examined. Rietveld refinements of the XRD patterns revealed that both compounds are pure single phase indexed to the orthorhombic system adopting the Pnma space group. The nanometric size estimated using the Williamson-Hall method was confirmed by TEM micrographs. Magnetic measurements as a function of temperature indicated that both samples underwent a second order ferromagnetic (FM)-paramagnetic (PM) phase transition at Curie temperature (T C). The relative cooling power was observed to be around 95.271 J kg-1 for NSMO-AC and 202.054 J kg-1 for NSMO-SG at µ 0 H = 5 T, indicating that these materials are potential candidates for magnetic refrigeration application close to room temperature. The critical behavior was estimated using diverse techniques based on the isothermal magnetization data recorded around the critical temperature T C. The calculated values are fully satisfactory to the requirements of the scaling theory, implying their reliability. The estimated critical exponents matched well with the values anticipated for the mean-field model and the 3D Ising model for NSMO-AC and NSMO-SG, respectively, showing that the magnetic interactions depended on the process of elaboration.

Metabolism and pharmacokinetics of pharmaceuticals in cats (Felix sylvestris catus) and implications for the risk assessment of feed additives and contaminants.

In animal health risk assessment, hazard characterisation of feed additives has been often using the default uncertainty factor (UF) of 100 to translate a no-observed-adverse-effect level in test species (rat, mouse, dog, rabbit) to a 'safe' level of chronic exposure in farm and companion animal species. Historically, both 10-fold factors have been further divided to include chemical-specific data in both dimensions when available. For cats (Felis Sylvestris catus), an extra default UF of 5 is applied due to the species' deficiency in particularly glucuronidation and glycine conjugation. This paper aims to assess the scientific basis and validity of the UF for inter-species differences in kinetics (4.0) and the extra UF applied for cats through a comparison of kinetic parameters between rats and cats for 30 substrates of phase I and phase II metabolism. When the parent compound undergoes glucuronidation the default factor of 4.0 is exceeded, with exceptions for zidovudine and S-carprofen. Compounds that were mainly renally excreted did not exceed the 4.0-fold default. Mixed results were obtained for chemicals which are metabolised by CYP3A in rats. When chemicals were administered intravenously the 4.0-fold default was not exceeded with the exception of clomipramine, lidocaine and alfentanil. The differences seen after oral administration might be due to differences in first-pass metabolism and bioavailability. Further work is needed to further characterise phase I, phase II enzymes and transporters in cats to support the development of databases and in silico models to support hazard characterisation of chemicals particularly for feed additives.

EFSA's OpenFoodTox: An open source toxicological database on chemicals in food and feed and its future developments.

Since its creation in 2002, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has produced risk assessments for over 5000 substances in >2000 Scientific Opinions, Statements and Conclusions through the work of its Scientific Panels, Units and Scientific Committee. OpenFoodTox is an open source toxicological database, available both for download and data visualisation which provides data for all substances evaluated by EFSA including substance characterisation, links to EFSA's outputs, applicable legislations regulations, and a summary of hazard identification and hazard characterisation data for human health, animal health and ecological assessments. The database has been structured using OECD harmonised templates for reporting chemical test summaries (OHTs) to facilitate data sharing with stakeholders with an interest in chemical risk assessment, such as sister agencies, international scientific advisory bodies, and others. This manuscript provides a description of OpenFoodTox including data model, content and tools to download and search the database. Examples of applications of OpenFoodTox in chemical risk assessment are discussed including new quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models, integration into tools (OECD QSAR Toolbox and AMBIT-2.0), assessment of environmental footprints and testing of threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) values for food related compounds. Finally, future developments for OpenFoodTox 2.0 include the integration of new properties, such as physico-chemical properties, exposure data, toxicokinetic information; and the future integration within in silico modelling platforms such as QSAR models and physiologically-based kinetic models. Such structured in vivo, in vitro and in silico hazard data provide different lines of evidence which can be assembled, weighed and integrated using harmonised Weight of Evidence approaches to support the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in chemical risk assessment and the reduction of animal testing.

Magnetocaloric study, critical behavior and spontaneous magnetization estimation in La0.6Ca0.3Sr0.1MnO3 perovskite.

A detailed study of structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the polycrystalline manganite La0.6Ca0.3Sr0.1MnO3 is presented. The Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction pattern reveals that our sample is indexed in the orthorhombic structure with Pbnm space group. Magnetic measurements display a second order paramagnetic (PM)/ferromagnetic (FM) phase transition at Curie temperature T c = 304 K. The magnetic entropy change (ΔS M) is calculated using two different methods: Maxwell relations and Landau theory. An acceptable agreement between both data is noted, indicating the importance of magnetoelastic coupling and electron interaction in magnetocaloric effect (MCE) properties of La0.6Ca0.3Sr0.1MnO3. The maximum magnetic entropy change (-ΔS max M) and the relative cooling power (RCP) are found to be respectively 5.26 J kg-1 K-1 and 262.53 J kg-1 for µ 0 H = 5 T, making of this material a promising candidate for magnetic refrigeration application. The magnetic entropy curves are found to follow the universal law, confirming the existence of a second order PM/FM phase transition at T c which is in excellent agreement with that already deduced from Banerjee criterion. The critical exponents are extracted from the field dependence of the magnetic entropy change. Their values are close to the 3D-Ising class. Scaling laws are obeyed, implying their reliability. The spontaneous magnetization values determined using the magnetic entropy change (ΔS M vs. M 2) are in good agreement with those obtained from the classical extrapolation of Arrott curves (µ 0 H/M vs. M 2). The magnetic entropy change can be effectively used in studying the critical behavior and the spontaneous magnetization in manganites system.

Structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of 0.75La0.6Ca0.4MnO3/0.25La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 nanocomposite manganite.

The present study involves an investigation of structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) properties of 0.75La0.6Ca0.4MnO3/0.25La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 composite material. Crystal structure analysis is performed by using Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction patterns. The studied composite exhibits two structural phases; the rhombohedral and the orthorhombic structures corresponding to the mother compounds; La0.6Ca0.4MnO3 and La0.6Sr0.4MnO3, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy micrographs support our findings. Magnetic measurements as a function of temperature of the composite display two successive second order magnetic phase transitions at 255 and 365 K associated to both mother compounds. Therefore, a broadening of the magnetic entropy change peak is noted. A better relative cooling power (RCP) value of 360 J kg-1 compared to those observed in mother compounds is obtained at µ 0 H = 5 T, making of this material considered as a suitable candidate for magnetic refrigeration applications near room temperature. A consistent agreement between experimental results and numerical calculations based on the rule of mixtures has been shown. The theoretical modeling of the MCE using Landau theory reveals an acceptable concordance with experimental data indicating the importance of magnetoelastic coupling and electron interaction in the MCE properties of manganite systems. The field dependence of the magnetic entropy change is applied to study the critical behavior. Our results go in tandem with the values corresponding to the mean field model. The spontaneous magnetization values determined using the magnetic entropy change (ΔS M vs. M 2) are in good agreement with those found from the classical extrapolation of Arrott curves (µ 0 H/M vs. M 2).

Antibodies to HTLV-I p24 in African and Portuguese populations.

Using a radioimmunoassay to detect HTLV-I protein antibodies of molecular weight 24,000, we screened populations from Algeria (140 subjects), Tunisia (442), Mali (69), Senegal (415), Uganda (135), the Central African Republic (77), the Congo (360), and Madagascar (193). Only four subjects were positive (1 from Senegal, 1 from Uganda, 2 from the Congo). This is a much lower figure than that found by others in Africa by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. In addition, 319 Portuguese blood donors (46 of whom have lived in Angola or Mozambique) were screened using the same radioimmunoassay. All were negative.

Cell surface hydrophobicity of 88 clinical strains of Acinetobacter baumannii.

We studied the surface hydrophobicity of 88 Acinetobacter baumannii strains of clinical origin, using both salt aggregation and adherence to paraxylene tests. Strains were divided into 2 groups: the first included 65 strains isolated from various clinical samples (infected catheters, tracheal and bladder devices); the second included 23 strains isolated from skin obtained from healthy controls. High surface hydrophobicity was observed in 92% of the first group of strains and in only 5% of the second.

Extended HLA haplotypes in multiplex families with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in Tunisian population: HLA serological typing and RFLP analysis.

Haplotypes including HLA A, B, C, DR, and DQ were compared in a study population comprising 18 Tunisian multiplex families with diabetic children. Eighty haplotypes found in IDDM patients were compared with 148 haplotypes present in healthy family members. RFLP analysis showed that two DR subtypes were significantly more common in the diabetic haplotypes (DR4-DQw8: 82 per cent in IDDM members compared to 0 per cent in healthy members, p less than 0.001 and DR-Dw25: 56 per cent in IDDM patients compared to 16.7 per cent in healthy members, p less than 0.001) and these were in most cases found in haplotype combinations with HLA A2 B44 DR4 DRw53 and HLA A 24 B18 DR3 genes, respectively.

Evolution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells towards a filterable stage in seawater.

In sterile nutrient-free seawater, the number of Pseudomonas aeruginosa culturable cells decreased progressively over time and the bacteria developed cells capable of passing through a 0.45 micron pore membrane. This development was more rapid in non-autoclaved, stirred seawater and the recovery of filterable cells varied depending on the membrane type used. Minicells were observed under an electron microscope. They yielded normal cells in bacteriological media with analogous colonies and an unchanged antibiotic resistance profile. Some biochemical characters, such as gelatinase or urease activity, were however modified in the filterable cells.

[The reduction of methicillin resistance in Streptococcus aureus in a hospital environment in Sousse (Tunisia)]. / Diminution de la résistance a la méticilline chez Staphylococcus aureus en milieu hospitalier à Sousse (Tunisie).

The sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus to the principal antibiotics has been studied in a hospital environment during the period of 1989 to 1992. The resistance to methicillin was important in 1989, 1990, and 1991 (respectively 20.5; 24 and 25%). It showed an important decrease in 1992: 5%. The outstanding point over this last period is the appearance of a lower number of multi-resistant strains: M penicillin, aminoglycosides, macrolides. These strains represented 9, 10 and 11.5% in 1989, 1990 and 1991 and only 4% in 1992. This study indicates the need for increased control of the ecology and distribution of resistant strains.

[Bone anomalies in von Recklinghausen disease]. / Anomalies osseuses dans la maladie de Von Recklinghausen.

28 cases of neurofibromatosis are reported. Principals bone anomalies are reviewed. The skeletal manifestations are numerous and varied. These anomalies interest specially cranial vault, spheno-orbital area and vertebral spine. It is imperative to keep in mind skeletal manifestations because neurologic and cutaneous signs can be absent.

[Emphysematous pyelonephritis. Apropos of a case diagnosed by ultrasonography]. / Pyélonéphrite emphysémateuse. A propos d'un cas diagnostiqué par échographie.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a severe infection of the Kidney observed mainly in diabetic patients. The disease is characterized by the production of intra-renal and occasionally perirenal gas. Because of the high mortality associated with this fulminant septic infection, it is imperative to establish a prompt diagnosis and start an appropriate therapy early in the course of the disease. We report a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis diagnosed by sonography: sonographic features consist of multiple high amplitude echoes within the renal parenchyma, renal sinus and perirenal space associated with distal shadows containing low level echoes. We discuss the value of the radiologic imaging methods.

[Mixed connective tissue disease revealed by chronic lymphocytic meningitis in an infant]. / Connectivite mixte révélée par une méningite lymphocytaire chronique chez un nourrisson.

UNLABELLED: Mixed connective tissue disease (MTCD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder individualised by Sharp et al. in 1972. This entity is rare in children. CASE REPORT: We report an exceptional case of MTCD revealed by lymphocytic meningitis in a two-month-and-a-half-old infant. The disease was diagnosed at the age of nine months when clinical symptomatology was completed by common signs of the illness (Raynaud's phenomenon, swollen hands), systemic lupus erythematosus-like symptoms (lymphadenopathy, squamous erythema of the limbs, hepato-splenomegaly, pleuritis and ascites) and polymyositis-like findings (muscle weakness with increased serum levels of myogenic enzymes). Laboratory investigations showed an important inflammatory syndrome and the presence of speckled anti-nuclear and anti-U(1)RNP antibodies. Specific antibodies of the other connective tissue diseases were also positive (anti-DNA, anti-Sm, anti-SSA and SSB, anti-Scl 70 and JO1) pleading for the mixed feature of the illness. The follow-up after corticosteroid treatment was marked by clinical and biological improvement. But after five months, the patient died following a severe infectious complication. CONCLUSION: Chronic lymphocytic meningitis can be part of Sharp's syndrome even in infants. However, the diagnosis relies on the evidence of characteristic clinical and biological abnormalities of MTCD.

[Tuberculous mesenteric lymphadenitis: a case report]. / La lymphadénite mésentérique d'origine tuberculeuse: à propos d'un cas.

The authors report a case of mesenteric tuberculous lymphadenitis which mimic a pancreatic cystadenoma. They emphasize ultrasound and CT scan features which lead to the recognition of tuberculosis and permit a percutaneous fine needle biopsy. Laparotomy seems the most reliable method for a positive diagnosis. The place of different imaging methods is discussed.

[Pyogenic abscess of the psoas]. / Les abcès à pyogènes du psoas.

11 cases (7 primary and 4 secondary) of pyogenic psoas abscesses are reported. In all cases Staphylococcus aureus was isolated on blood culture or pus drained under ultra-sonographic control. US is very useful for diagnosis and the follow up of psoas pyogenic abscesses. Percutaneous aspiration and drainage of psoas abscesses under ultrasonographic control combined to antibiotherapy is an effective therapeutic procedure. Our experience suggests that antibiotherapy alone is an effective therapy of presuppurative pyogenic psoas abscesses and even in collected and non complicated primary psoas abscesses.

[Adrenal tumors in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Apropos of a case]. / Tumeurs surrénaliennes dans le syndrome de Beckwith-Wiedemann. A propos d'un cas.

A case of a neonate with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is presented. Antenatal sonography detected a right adrenal cystic mass confirmed in post-natal which resolved spontaneously within 1 month. The child developed an adrenal adenoma detected by abdominal sonography at six months of surveillance. The authors review the different adrenal lesions possibly associated with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and specially the pseudo-tumorous lesions. The value of abdominal sonography in the neonatal periods and in the surveillance of children with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is emphasized.

[Cavitary tumor lesions of the small intestine. Radio-ultrasonic diagnosis. Apropos of 4 cases]. / Les lésions tumorales cavitaires du grêle. Diagnostic radio-échographique. A propos de 4 observations.

Excavated lesions of small intestine are rare and generally of a malignant nature, the must frequent cause being metastases. In Tunisia these lesions are usually the aneurysmal type of lymphoma. The etiology in a series of four cases of excavated lesion of small intestine was not always lymphomatous. Radiologic and ultrasound semeiology are outlined and etiologies discussed. Scan images are not available since whole-body scanners are not in use in Tunisia.