Applications of Micro-Raman Spectroscopy in Cultural Heritage – Examples from the Laboratory for Conservation Research of the Collections Centre of the Swiss National Museums

The paper reports on three applications of micro-Raman spectroscopy which were carried out in the Laboratory for Conservation Research of the Collections Centre of the Swiss National Museums. The first application addresses archaeological questions about three early mediaeval fibulae which were decorated with gemstones. The determination of different corrosion products on pigeon cameras by micro-Raman spectroscopy is described in the second part of this article. The last case study discusses an example from the field of preventive conservation where changes on metal coupons from the so-called Oddy test were analysed

Applicability and precautions of use of liver injury biomarker FibroTest. A reappraisal at 7 years of age

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>FibroTest (FT) is a validated biomarker of fibrosis. To assess the applicability rate and to reduce the risk of false positives/negatives (RFPN), security algorithms were developed. The aims were to estimate the prevalence of RFPN and of proven failures, and to identify factors associated with their occurrences.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Four populations were studied: 954 blood donors (P1), 7,494 healthy volunteers (P2), 345,695 consecutive worldwide sera (P3), including 24,872 sera analyzed in a tertiary care centre (GHPS) (P4). Analytical procedures of laboratories with RFPN > 5% and charts of P4 patients in with RFPN were reviewed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of RFPN was 0.52% (5/954; 95%CI 0.17-1.22) in P1, 0.51% (38/7494; 0.36-0.70) in P2, and 0.97% (3349/345695; 0.94-1.00) in P3. Three a priori high-risk populations were confirmed: 1.97% in P4, 1.77% in HIV centre and 2.61% in Sub-Saharan origin subjects. RFPN was mostly associated with low haptoglobin (0.46%), and high apolipoproteinA1 (0.21%). A traceability study of a P3 laboratory with RFPFN > 5% permitted to correct analytical procedures.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The mean applicability rate of Fibrotest was 99.03%. Independent factors associated with the high risk of false positives/negatives were HIV center, subSaharan origin, and a tertiary care reference centre, although the applicability rate remained above 97%.</p

Développement d’une application numérique de gestion des résultats d’épreuves d’évaluation visant à faciliter la délibération des jurys d’examen

Contexte et problématique : L’organisation de l’évaluation des connaissances dans le cadre de modules induit une grande complexité lors des délibérations des jurys d’examen. Pour permettre aux membres des jurys d’avoir une vision claire des résultats de chacun des étudiants et de prendre une décision dans les meilleures conditions, il est nécessaire d’assurer un vidéo-affichage des résultats de l’étudiant et aussi pouvoir réaliser des simulations en cas de réévaluation d’un ou plusieurs scores. Objectif : Décrire la mise au point d’un logiciel destiné à gérer les jurys d’examen de la faculté d’odontologie de Marseille, en réalisant une interface avec le progiciel APOGEE. Résultats et discussion : Nous avons opté pour une programmation événementielle « orientée-objet » tout à fait indiquée pour traiter ce type de problème. Ces logiciels fonctionnent depuis 6 ans avec un taux d’erreur strictement nul et ont permis, entre autre, de mettre en évidence et de corriger les bugs présent sur le programme APOGEE dans lequel sont introduits tous les scores et résultats des différents étudiants de notre université

Anterior esthetic rehabilitation on teeth and dental implants optimized with Procera technology: A case report

With the latest developments of the Procera system, all-ceramic crowns have become an attractive solution to provide functional and esthetic rehabilitation on teeth and dental implants. The Procera AllCeram crown and Procera Abutment embrace the concept of computer-assisted design and computer-assisted machining (CAD/CAM) and can be used together for optimal esthetic result. The purpose of this case report was to illustrate the advantages of these new components for complex anterior rehabilitation. Three natural teeth and a Procera Abutment were restored using four Procera AllCeram crowns. Treatment planning and esthetic benefits are discussed. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE. For complex anterior rehabilitations, the Procera system fulfills both functional and esthetic objectives, providing a new way in the field of esthetic and restorative dentistry. Nevertheless, planning and preparation stages are decisive for successful treatment.SCOPUS: ar.jFLWINinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Total structure and inhibition of tumor cell proliferation of Laxa phycins

International audienc

Towards establishing the national referential on exposure factors in France

International audienceBACKGROUND AND AIM: Availability of up-to-date methods, models, and exposure data is critical to realistically estimate human exposure to environmental contaminants. Exposure factors (EF) are human characteristics and behaviors that are needed for reliable exposure and, thus, risk assessments (RA). These factors determine exposure time, frequency, and intensity. They are usually considered as effect modifiers in epidemiological studies. While the US-EPA Exposure Factors Handbook is under updating, there is no European equivalent that meets RA needs. Therefore, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) launched a working group to define the reference values of specific EFs for the French population. METHODS: We defined priority EFs based on an inventory of needs identified by ANSES. For each EF, we defined the method, including a systematic review, quality assessment of studies, individual data retrieval, and specific modeling approaches, including descriptive statistics and generalized additive models for location, scale and shape, to derive population distributions for reference values by sex, age, and region. We also conducted uncertainty analyses. RESULTS: We prioritized three EFs: body mass, time-activity-location patterns, and inhalation rate (IR). For body mass, we pooled individual data from nine large studies to yield age-related distribution per sex, region, and socio-professional categories. For time-activity-location patterns, we estimated the practising individuals fraction and duration of all activities/locations, and frequency of some, as reported in the French Time Use Survey (2009-2010) (FTUS), per age-group (from 11 years), sex and region. For IR, we applied an energy-based approach. We determined energy expenditure per activity (professional and personal) from the FTUS using metabolic equivalent tasks and derived 24-hour IR and per physical activity level (sedentary, light, moderate, vigorous) by age-group, sex, and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The output will allow more precise RA, facilitate the implementation of probabilistic RA approaches and improve comparability of RA results at the international level

Towards establishing the national referential on exposure factors in France

International audienceBACKGROUND AND AIM: Availability of up-to-date methods, models, and exposure data is critical to realistically estimate human exposure to environmental contaminants. Exposure factors (EF) are human characteristics and behaviors that are needed for reliable exposure and, thus, risk assessments (RA). These factors determine exposure time, frequency, and intensity. They are usually considered as effect modifiers in epidemiological studies. While the US-EPA Exposure Factors Handbook is under updating, there is no European equivalent that meets RA needs. Therefore, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) launched a working group to define the reference values of specific EFs for the French population. METHODS: We defined priority EFs based on an inventory of needs identified by ANSES. For each EF, we defined the method, including a systematic review, quality assessment of studies, individual data retrieval, and specific modeling approaches, including descriptive statistics and generalized additive models for location, scale and shape, to derive population distributions for reference values by sex, age, and region. We also conducted uncertainty analyses. RESULTS: We prioritized three EFs: body mass, time-activity-location patterns, and inhalation rate (IR). For body mass, we pooled individual data from nine large studies to yield age-related distribution per sex, region, and socio-professional categories. For time-activity-location patterns, we estimated the practising individuals fraction and duration of all activities/locations, and frequency of some, as reported in the French Time Use Survey (2009-2010) (FTUS), per age-group (from 11 years), sex and region. For IR, we applied an energy-based approach. We determined energy expenditure per activity (professional and personal) from the FTUS using metabolic equivalent tasks and derived 24-hour IR and per physical activity level (sedentary, light, moderate, vigorous) by age-group, sex, and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The output will allow more precise RA, facilitate the implementation of probabilistic RA approaches and improve comparability of RA results at the international level

Towards establishing the national referential on exposure factors in France

International audienceBACKGROUND AND AIM: Availability of up-to-date methods, models, and exposure data is critical to realistically estimate human exposure to environmental contaminants. Exposure factors (EF) are human characteristics and behaviors that are needed for reliable exposure and, thus, risk assessments (RA). These factors determine exposure time, frequency, and intensity. They are usually considered as effect modifiers in epidemiological studies. While the US-EPA Exposure Factors Handbook is under updating, there is no European equivalent that meets RA needs. Therefore, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) launched a working group to define the reference values of specific EFs for the French population. METHODS: We defined priority EFs based on an inventory of needs identified by ANSES. For each EF, we defined the method, including a systematic review, quality assessment of studies, individual data retrieval, and specific modeling approaches, including descriptive statistics and generalized additive models for location, scale and shape, to derive population distributions for reference values by sex, age, and region. We also conducted uncertainty analyses. RESULTS: We prioritized three EFs: body mass, time-activity-location patterns, and inhalation rate (IR). For body mass, we pooled individual data from nine large studies to yield age-related distribution per sex, region, and socio-professional categories. For time-activity-location patterns, we estimated the practising individuals fraction and duration of all activities/locations, and frequency of some, as reported in the French Time Use Survey (2009-2010) (FTUS), per age-group (from 11 years), sex and region. For IR, we applied an energy-based approach. We determined energy expenditure per activity (professional and personal) from the FTUS using metabolic equivalent tasks and derived 24-hour IR and per physical activity level (sedentary, light, moderate, vigorous) by age-group, sex, and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The output will allow more precise RA, facilitate the implementation of probabilistic RA approaches and improve comparability of RA results at the international level

Towards establishing the national referential on exposure factors in France

International audienceBACKGROUND AND AIM: Availability of up-to-date methods, models, and exposure data is critical to realistically estimate human exposure to environmental contaminants. Exposure factors (EF) are human characteristics and behaviors that are needed for reliable exposure and, thus, risk assessments (RA). These factors determine exposure time, frequency, and intensity. They are usually considered as effect modifiers in epidemiological studies. While the US-EPA Exposure Factors Handbook is under updating, there is no European equivalent that meets RA needs. Therefore, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) launched a working group to define the reference values of specific EFs for the French population. METHODS: We defined priority EFs based on an inventory of needs identified by ANSES. For each EF, we defined the method, including a systematic review, quality assessment of studies, individual data retrieval, and specific modeling approaches, including descriptive statistics and generalized additive models for location, scale and shape, to derive population distributions for reference values by sex, age, and region. We also conducted uncertainty analyses. RESULTS: We prioritized three EFs: body mass, time-activity-location patterns, and inhalation rate (IR). For body mass, we pooled individual data from nine large studies to yield age-related distribution per sex, region, and socio-professional categories. For time-activity-location patterns, we estimated the practising individuals fraction and duration of all activities/locations, and frequency of some, as reported in the French Time Use Survey (2009-2010) (FTUS), per age-group (from 11 years), sex and region. For IR, we applied an energy-based approach. We determined energy expenditure per activity (professional and personal) from the FTUS using metabolic equivalent tasks and derived 24-hour IR and per physical activity level (sedentary, light, moderate, vigorous) by age-group, sex, and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The output will allow more precise RA, facilitate the implementation of probabilistic RA approaches and improve comparability of RA results at the international level

Comparison of Elastography, Serum Marker Scores, and Histology for the Assessment of Liver Fibrosis in Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-Infected Patients in Burkina Faso

Liver fibrosis (LF) must be assessed before talking treatment decisions in hepatitis B. In Burkina Faso, liver biopsy (LB) remains the “gold standard” method for this purpose. Access to treatment might be simpler if reliable alternative techniques for LF evaluation were available. The hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients who underwent LB was invited to have liver stiffness measurement (Fibroscan) and serum marker assays. Fifty-nine patients were enrolled. The performance of each technique for distinguishing F0F1 from F2F3F4 was compared. The area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves was 0.61, 0.71, 0.79, 0.82, and 0.87 for the aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), Fib-4, Fibrotest, Fibrometre, and Fibroscan. Elastometric thresholds were identified for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis. Combined use of Fibroscan and a serum marker could avoid 80% of biopsies. This study shows that the results of alternative methods concord with those of histology in HBV-infected patients in Burkina Faso. These alternative techniques could help physicians to identify patients requiring treatment