Variations des taux des protéines sériques lors des infestations helminthiques chez les mammifères

On peut dire que le dosage des protéines sériques totales est difficilement interprétable. En revanche le dosage fractionné des divers éléments protéiques par électrophorèse par exemple, pourra être utile pour expliquer la pathogénie de certaines maladies parasitaires. En particulier, les signes d'œdème observés chez les animaux malades, dus à la diminution du taux d'albumine donc de la pression oncotique

Evaluation of MU-MIMO Digital Beamforming Algorithms in B5G/6G LEO Satellite Systems

Satellite Communication (SatCom) systems will be a key component of 5G and 6G networks to achieve the goal of providing unlimited and ubiquitous communications and deploying smart and sustainable networks. To meet the ever-increasing demand for higher throughput in 5G and beyond, aggressive frequency reuse schemes (i.e., full frequency reuse), combined with digital beamforming techniques to cope with the massive co-channel interference, are recognized as a key solution. Aimed at (i) eliminating the joint optimization problem among the beamforming vectors of all users, (ii) splitting it into distinct ones, and (iii) finding a closed-form solution, we propose a beamforming algorithm based on maximizing the users' Signal-to-Leakage-and-Noise Ratio (SLNR) served by a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite. We investigate and assess the performance of several beamforming algorithms, including both those based on Channel State Information (CSI) at the transmitter, i.e., Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) and Zero-Forcing (ZF), and those only requiring the users' locations, i.e., Switchable Multi-Beam (MB). Through a detailed numerical analysis, we provide a thorough comparison of the performance in terms of per-user achievable spectral efficiency of the aforementioned beamforming schemes, and we show that the proposed SLNR beamforming technique is able to outperform both MMSE and ZF schemes in the presented SatCom scenario

Evaluation of multi-user multiple-input multiple-output digital beamforming algorithms in B5G/6G low Earth orbit satellite systems

Satellite communication systems will be a key component of 5G and 6G networks to achieve the goal of providing unlimited and ubiquitous communications and deploying smart and sustainable networks. To meet the ever-increasing demand for higher throughput in 5G and beyond, aggressive frequency reuse schemes (i.e., full frequency reuse), combined with digital beamforming techniques to cope with the massive co-channel interference, are recognized as a key solution. Aimed at (i) eliminating the joint optimization problem among the beamforming vectors of all users, (ii) splitting it into distinct ones, and (iii) finding a closed-form solution, we propose a beamforming algorithm based on maximizing the users' signal-to-leakage-and-noise ratio served by a low Earth orbit satellite. We investigate and assess the performance of several beamforming algorithms, including both those based on channel state information at the transmitter, that is, minimum mean square error and zero forcing, and those only requiring the users' locations, that is, switchable multi-beam. Through a detailed numerical analysis, we provide a thorough comparison of the performance in terms of per-user achievable spectral efficiency of the aforementioned beamforming schemes, and we show that the proposed signal to-leakage-plus-noise ratio beamforming technique is able to outperform both minimum mean square error and multi-beam schemes in the presented satellite communication scenario

Herzchirurgie bei Zeugen Jehovas

Die Herzchirurgie bei Zeugen Jehovas stellt aufgrund der Ablehnung von Bluttransfusion eine medizinische und ethische Herausforderung dar. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte 42 Patienten der Glaubensrichtung Zeugen Jehovas die sich einer Herzoperation mit Einsatz der Herzlungenmaschine unterzogen, im Hinblick auf Komplikationsraten, Sterblichkeit und Möglichkeiten der Alternativverfahren zur Anhebung der Hämoglobinkonzentration. Hier wurden perioperativ Erythropoetin und Eisenpräparate verabreicht. Der Verlauf des Hämoglobins war gekennzeichnet von einer ausgeprägten Hämodilution am Ende der Herzlungenmaschine und einem signifikanten Anstieg am 1. postoperativen Tag. Hier zeigte sich der Schwellenwert von 7.5 g/dl als richtungweisend. Die Intensiv- und Krankenhausdauer sowie das Auftreten eines Durchgangssyndroms und die Respiration korrelierten signifikant mit dem Hämoglobinwert. Durch die Jurisprudenz werden rechtliche Aspekte und Konflikte der ärztlichen Behandlung klar geregelt

Management of encrusted ureteral stents

Objectives: To present our experience in managing encrusted ureteral stents and to review the literature on the subject.Methods: A total of 22 patients with encrusted ureteral stent were treated in our department. Encrustation of the stent and associated stone burden were evaluated using plain radiography, sometimes supplemented by intravenous urography or ultrasonography. The treatment method was determined by the site of encrustation, the size of the stone burden and the availability of endourologic equipment.Results: Stents were inserted for stone disease in 17 patients, for congenital abnormality in 3 and for ureteric obstruction by malignancy in 2. Stents were left in place for a mean of 10.8 months (range 5–34 months). The site of encrustation was in the bladder in 15 (68.2%), ureter in 13 (59%) and kidney in 8 patients (36.4%); more than one site was involved in 11 (50%) cases. For upper coil encrustations, retrograde ureterorenoscopy was performed in 9 cases, percutaneous nephrolithotomy in 4 and open pyelolithotomy in 2. For lower coil encrustation, fragmentation by grasper and/or transurethral cystolithotripsy was attempted in 11 cases, and suprapubic cystolithotomy was required for failure in 7 cases. Sixteen patients (72.7%) were rendered stone-free and 5 (22.7%) had clinically insignificant residual stones (3mm or less).Conclusions: Encrustation is one of the most difficult complications of ureteral stents and its management is a complex clinical scenario for the treating surgeon. The combination of several surgical techniques is often necessary but the best treatment remains the prevention of this problem by providing patient education

Zenker's Diverticulum: Can Protocolised Measurements with Barium SWALLOW Predict Severity and Treatment Outcomes? The "Zen-Rad" Study

Although barium swallow imaging is established in the investigation of Zenker's diverticulum (ZD), no agreed measurement protocol exists. We developed a protocol for measuring ZD dimensions and aimed to correlate measurements with symptoms and post-operative outcomes. This prospective study included patients with confirmed ZD who underwent flexible endoscopic septal division (FESD) between 2014 and 2018. ZD was confirmed on barium radiology with measurements reviewed by two consultant radiologists. Symptom severity pre- and post-FESD was measured using the Dysphagia, Regurgitation, Complications (DRC) scale. Regression analyses were conducted to identify dimensions associated with therapeutic success, defined as remission (DRC score ≤ 1) 6 months after index FESD. In total, 67 patients (mean age 74.3) were included. Interobserver reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients-ICCs) was greatest for pouch width (0.981) and pouch depth (0.934), but not oesophageal depth (0.018). Male gender (60.9%) was associated with larger pouch height (P = 0.008) and width (P = 0.004). A positive correlation was identified between baseline DRC score and pouch depth (ρ 0.326, P = 0.011), particularly the regurgitation subset score (ρ 0.330, P = 0.020). The index pouch depth was associated with FESD procedure time (rho 0.358, P = 0.041). Therapeutic success was achieved in 64.2% and was associated with shorter pouch height (median 14.5 mm vs. 19.0 mm, P = 0.030), pouch width (median 19.9 mm vs. 28.8 mm, P = 0.34) and cricopharyngeal length (median 20.2 mm vs. 26.3 mm, P = 0.036). ZD dimensions may be feasible and were evaluated using Barium radiology. Specific parameters appear to correlate with severity and post-FESD outcomes, which aid with pre-procedural planning

Developing institutional capacity for reproductive health in humanitarian settings: A descriptive study

© 2015 Tran et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Introduction. Institutions play a central role in advancing the field of reproductive health in humanitarian settings (RHHS), yet little is known about organizational capacity to deliver RHHS and how this has developed over the past decade. This study aimed to document the current institutional experiences and capacities related to RHHS. Materials and Methods. Descriptive study using an online questionnaire tool. Results. Respondents represented 82 institutions from 48 countries, of which two-thirds originated from low-and middle-income countries. RHHS work was found not to be restricted to humanitarian agencies (25%), but was also embraced by development organizations (25%) and institutions with dual humanitarian and development mandates (50%). Agencies reported working with refugees (81%), internally-displaced (87%) and stateless persons (20%), in camp-based settings (78%), and in urban (83%) and rural settings (78%). Sixtyeight percent of represented institutions indicated having an RHHS-related policy, 79% an accountability mechanism including humanitarian work, and 90% formal partnerships with other institutions. Seventy-three percent reported routinely appointing RH focal points to ensure coordination of RHHS implementation. There was reported progress in RHHSrelated disaster risk reduction (DRR), emergency management and coordination, delivery of the Minimum Initial Services Package (MISP) for RH, comprehensive RH services in post-crisis/recovery situations, gender mainstreaming, and community-based programming. Other reported institutional areas of work included capacity development, program delivery, advocacy/policy work, followed by research and donor activities. Except for abortion-related services, respondents cited improved efforts in advocacy, capacity development and technical support in their institutions for RHHS to address clinical services, including maternal and newborn health, sexual violence prevention and response, HIV prevention, management of sexually-transmitted infections, adolescent RH, and family planning. Approximately half of participants reported that their institutions had experienced an increase in dedicated budget and staff for RHHS, a fifth no change, and 1 in 10 a decrease. The Interagency RH Kits were reportedly the most commonly used supplies to support RHHS implementation. Conclusion. The results suggest overall growth in institutional capacity in RHHS over the past decade, indicating that the field has matured and expanded from crisis response to include RHHS into DRR and other elements of the emergency management cycle. It is critical to consolidate the progress to date, address gaps, and sustain momentum