Modeling and Thermodynamic Study of Water Vapor Desorption Isotherms of Orange Peel and Leaves using Statistical Physics Treatment

The shelf life and safety of food products is related to the water content, in particular to the water activity (aw). This is important to predict the physical, chemical and biological processes that take place during food storage. Analytical expression for modeling water desorption isotherms of food is developed using the grand canonical ensemble in statistical physics. The model is further applied to fit and interpret the desorption isotherms of water vapor on the orange peel and leaves at three different temperatures. In the developed model we introduce essentially six parameters such as the number of adsorbed water molecules per site, the number of adsorbed layers, the energy of desorption and receptor sites density. We interpret the results of fitting then we apply the model to calculate thermodynamic functions which govern the desorption mechanism such as internal energy and entropy

Cell Interaction and Mechanobiological Modeling of Bone Remodeling Process

According to the structural and metabolic demands of the body, proportionate and accurate bone quantities are resorbed and formed, establishing what is known as bone remodeling process. This physiological process requires a highly coordinated regulation through a complex interconnected network involving several cells from diverse origins, in addition to various hormones, cytokines, growth factors and signaling pathways. One of the main factors initiating the remodeling process is the mechanotransduction mechanism, through which osteocytes translate the mechanical stimuli subjected to the bone into biochemical signals, generating thereby the activation of osteoclasts and osteoblasts that govern bone resorption and formation. This mechanically-induced behavior of bone tissue has been the target of computational modeling and numerical simulations, to address biomechanical questions and provide information that is not amenable to direct measurements. In this context, the current chapter aims to review the coupling and mechanotransduction mechanisms spearheading the remodeling process, in addition to the main mathematical models developed over recent years and their use in bone numerical simulations based on the finite element method

Un anévrysme sacciforme de l’aorte abdominale révélant une maladie de Behçet: quand faut-il opérer?

L'atteinte vasculaire est fréquente au cours de la maladie de Behçet. Elle est essentiellement représentée par les thromboses veineuses alors que l'atteinte artérielle est plus rare. Elle peut être isolée ou multifocale et peut toucher tous les territoires avec prédilection pour l’aorte abdominale, les artères pulmonaires et les artères des membres inférieurs. L'atteinte anévrysmale de l'aorte abdominale est trompeuse se manifestant par une symptomatologie atypique responsable d'un retard diagnostique favorisant la rupture. Dans notre cas, des douleurs abdominales paroxystiques ont incité le patient à consulter rapidement. L’enquête étiologique a conclue à un angio Behcet. Rarement, l’anévrysme de l’aorte abdominale est révélé par une complication telle que la rupture dans le rétro péritoine ou le tube digestif. Les indications chirurgicales des anévrysmes de l’aorte sont discutées ici. Un traitement immunosuppresseur au long cours s’impose en post opératoire pour limiter le risque de récidive

The Effects of Eccentric and Plyometric Training Programs and Their Combination on Stability and the Functional Performance in the Post-ACL-Surgical Rehabilitation Period of Elite Female Athletes

BackgroundThe standard method to treat physically active patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is ligament reconstruction surgery. The rehabilitation training program is very important to improve functional performance in recreational athletes following ACL reconstruction.ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to compare the effects of three different training programs, eccentric training (ECC), plyometric training (PLYO), or combined eccentric and plyometric training (COMB), on dynamic balance (Y-BAL), the Lysholm Knee Scale (LKS), the return to sport index (RSI), and the leg symmetry index (LSI) for the single leg hop test for distance in elite female athletes after ACL surgery.Materials and MethodsFourteen weeks after rehabilitation from surgery, 40 elite female athletes (20.3 ± 3.2 years), who had undergone an ACL reconstruction, participated in a short-term (6 weeks; two times a week) training study. All participants received the same rehabilitation protocol prior to the training study. Athletes were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, ECC (n = 10), PLYO (n = 10), and COMB (n = 10), and to a control group (CON: n = 10). Testing was conducted before and after the 6-week training programs and included the Y-BAL, LKS, and RSI. LSI was assessed after the 6-week training programs only.ResultsAdherence rate was 100% across all groups and no training or test-related injuries were reported. No significant between-group baseline differences (pre-6-week training) were observed for any of the parameters. Significant group-by-time interactions were found for Y-BAL (p < 0.001, ES = 1.73), LKS (p < 0.001, ES = 0.76), and RSI (p < 0.001, ES = 1.39). Contrast analysis demonstrated that COMB yielded significantly greater improvements in Y-BAL, LKS, and RSI (all p < 0.001), in addition to significantly better performances in LSI (all p < 0.001), than CON, PLYO, and ECC, respectively.ConclusionIn conclusion, combined (eccentric/plyometric) training seems to represent the most effective training method as it exerts positive effects on both stability and functional performance in the post-ACL-surgical rehabilitation period of elite female athletes

Healed Lesions of Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused By Leishmania major Do Not Shelter Persistent Residual Parasites

In human cutaneous leishmaniasis (HCL) caused by Leishmania (L.) major, the cutaneous lesions heal spontaneously and induce a Th1-type immunity that confers solid protection against reinfection. The same holds true for the experimental leishmaniasis induced by L. major in C57BL/6 mice where residual parasites persist after spontaneous clinical cure and induce sustainable memory immune responses and resistance to reinfection. Whether residual parasites also persist in scars of cured HCL caused by L. major is still unknown. Cutaneous scars from 53 volunteers with healed HCL caused by L. major were biopsied and the tissue sample homogenates were analyzed for residual parasites by four methods: i) microscope detection of amastigotes, ii) parasite culture by inoculation on biphasic medium, iii) inoculation of tissue exctracts to the footpad of BALB/c mice, an inbred strain highly susceptible to L. major, and iv) amplification of parasite kDNA by a highly sensitive real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Our results show that the scars of healed lesions of HCL caused by L. major do not contain detectable residual parasites, suggesting that this form likely induces a sterile cure at least within the scars. This feature contrasts with other Leishmania species causing chronic, diffuse, or recidivating forms of leishmaniasis where parasites do persist in healed lesions. The possibility that alternative mechanisms to parasite persistence are needed to boost and maintain long-term immunity to L. major, should be taken into consideration in vaccine development against L. major infection

COVID-19–induced acute kidney injury in critically ill patients: epidemiology, risk factors, and outcome

Background The kidney represents a potential target for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Clinical data about acute kidney injury (AKI) during SARS-CoV-2 infection are lacking. We aimed to investigate the proportion, risk factors, and prognosis of AKI in critical patients affected with SARS-CoV-2. Methods A case/control study was conducted in two intensive care units of a tertiary teaching hospital. Results Among 109 patients, 75 were male (69%) with median age at 64 years and 48 (44%) developed AKI within 4 days (interquartile range [IQR], 1–9). Of them, 11 (23%), 9 (19%), and 28 (58%) were classified as stage 1, 2, and 3, respectively. AKI patients were older and presented more sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and rhabdomyolysis; higher initial urea and creatinine; more marked inflammatory syndrome and hematological disorders; and required more mechanical ventilation and vasopressors. An elevated D-dimers level (odds ratio [OR], 12.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9–85) was an independent factor of AKI. Sepsis was near to significance (OR, 5.22; 95% CI, 0.94–28; P=0.058). AKI was independently related to mortality (OR, 6.8; 95% CI, 1.49–105) and significantly reduced the survival (14.7 days; IQR, 12-17 vs. 19.9 days; IQR, 17-22.7; P=0.011) in AKI and no AKI group respectively. Hypoxemia with the ratio of the arterial partial pressure of oxygen and the inspiratory concentration of oxygen <70, and vasopressors were identified as mortality factors. Conclusions AKI occurred in almost half the studied patients and significantly worsened their prognosis. A high D-dimers level and sepsis contributed significantly to its development

Neurological Characteristics of Allgrove Syndrome: A Case Series

Purpose Allgrove syndrome, also known as “triple A” syndrome, is characterized by adrenal insufficiency, achalasia, and alacrimia. When neurological signs are also present, the condition is referred to as “4 A” syndrome. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of three patients with 4 A syndrome confirmed genetically. A complete neurological exam was carried out by an experimented neurologist. Results Herein, we describe the neurological characteristics often associated with this condition, through the clinical and electrophysiological analysis of three patients. All patients exhibited a mutation in AAAS, the gene coding for ALADIN. While these individuals presented with the classic features of triple-A syndrome, neurological symptoms were not prominent. Conclusion The neurological manifestations of Allgrove syndrome have historically been overlooked and inadequately explored. Due to the condition’s rarity and substantial phenotypic heterogeneity, only recently have a variety of symptoms been recognized and described

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely