124 research outputs found
Porokeratosis: Two Faces, One Family
Porokeratosis is a disorder of keratinisation whose pathogenesis is yet unclear. It has been postulated that it results from the proliferation of an abnormal clone of keratinocytes, triggered by several factors, such as immunosuppression or prolonged ultraviolet exposure. Various clinical forms are recognized whose common denominator is a keratotic ring surrounding a central zone of atrophy. The histological hallmark is the cornoid lamella, a thin column of hyperproliferative abnormal keratinocytes. We describe two cases of porokeratosis. A 67-year-old woman with an erythematous purplish round plaque surrounded by a keratotic border that had appeared 6 years previously on the left sural region was diagnosed as ‘giant’ porokeratosis. A 49-year-old man presented with small papules coalescent in an erythematous oval plaque on the lateral side of the left foot consistent with linear porokeratosis
Karakteristik Bahan Dasar Diesel Cylinder Liner (Dcl)
Kebutuhan Diesel Cylinder Liner(DCL) di Indonesia 114.512 buah DCL/hari untuk mendukung industry transportasi di Indonesia. Kebutuhan DCL yang tinggi tersebut, saat ini suplainya masih didominasi dari luar negeri. Industry pengecoran besi cor local sudah mencoba produksi DCL, akan tetapi kualitas DCL yang dihasilkan masih jauh dari standar. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui karakteristik komposisi kimia, kekerasan brinell, dan struktur mikro dari 3 jenis DCL yang beredar di industry transpotasi yaitu original merk X, tidak original, dan produk pengecoran local, sehingga dapat diketahui kualitas rendah DCL produksi local dikarenakan kualitas bahan atau factor yang lain. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan bahan dasar yang digunakan DCL produksi local menggunakan jenis besi cor yang sama dengan DCL originalya itu besi cor kelabu. Hasil pengujian kekerasan menunjukkan bahwa DCL produksi local memiliki kekerasan tertinggi yaitu 217,9 HBN, sedangkan DCL original dengan DCL tidak original menunjukkan nilai yang hamper sama yaitu 187,6 HBN dan 185,2 HBN. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan bahwa struktur mikro semua jenis DCL menunjukan struktur pearlite dan grafit (bentuk flake dengan orientasi tak beraturan) mendominasi seluruh permukaan. Katakunci: DCL, komposisikia, kekerasan, struktur mikr
New mitochondrial and nuclear primers for the Mediterranean marine bivalve Pinna nobilis
Pinna nobilis is the largest endemic Mediterranean marine bivalve. During past centuries, various human activities led to the regression of its populations. As a consequence of stringent standards of protection, demographic expansions are currently reported in many sites. We designed a set of four mitochondrial- and two nuclear- specific PCR-primers with the aim to provide molecular tools to gather new insights into the genetic variability of this species. A total of 54 specimens were sampled from 25 Mediterranean localities in order to evaluate the level of polymorphism of these markers in P. nobilis. The most variable molecular markers identified were the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (nad3), and 16S ribosomal DNA (16S). Positive results, in terms of good amplifications and scorable sequences, were also obtained in the co-generic Pinna rudis. The molecular markers identified in this study, and the PCR-protocols provided, represent a useful tool for future researches devoted to infer the genetic variability of P. nobilis populations thus allowing the development of effective conservation measures
Improved control strategy of DFIG-based wind turbines using direct torque and direct power control techniques
This paper presents different control strategies for a variable-speed wind energy conversion system (WECS), based on a doubly fed induction generator. Direct Torque Control (DTC) with Space-Vector Modulation is used on the rotor side converter. This control method is known to reduce the fluctuations of the torque and flux at low speeds in contrast to the classical DTC, where the frequency of switching is uncontrollable. The reference for torque is obtained from the maximum power point tracking technique of the wind turbine. For the grid-side converter, a fuzzy direct power control is proposed for the control of the instantaneous active and reactive power. Simulation results of the WECS are presented to compare the performance of the proposed and classical control approaches.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio
NUEVAS ADICIONES PARA LA FLORA ORQUIDEOLÓGICA DE LA REGIÓN LA LIBERTAD, PERÚ
Se da a conocer 43 nuevas adiciones a la familia Orchidaceae presente en la Flora de la región La Libertad, Perú. El estudio está basado en la revisión de material de herbario (F, HUT, MO), y en la contrastación con las especies documentadas en estudios oficiales de la flora peruana. Los taxones encontrados en la flora orquideológica de esta región, se presentan en cuatro categorías: 05 especies nuevas y endémicas a Perú, 09 especies reconfirmadas para la flora peruana, 04 registros nuevos para Perú, y 25 registros nuevos para la región La Libertad.Palabras Clave: Flora de la región La Libertad, Orchidaceae, adiciones, especies nuevas, endémicas, nuevos registros.ABSTRACTWe present here 43 new additions to the Orchidaceae family existing in the flora of the region La Libertad, Peru. The study is based on a review of herbarium material (F, HUT, MO), and the contrast with the species documented in official studies of the Peruvian flora. Taxa found in the family Orchidaceae flora of this region are presented in four categories: 05 new endemic species to Peru, 09 species for the Peruvian flora were reconfirmed, 04 new records for Peru, and 25 new records for the region La Libertad.Key words: Flora of the region La Libertad, Orchidaceae, additions, new species, endemic species, new records
Molecular analysis of HBV genotypes and subgenotypes in the Central-East region of Tunisia
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Tunisia, country of intermediate endemicity for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, most molecular studies on the virus have been carried out in the North of the country and little is known about other regions. The aim of this study was to determine HBV genotype and subgenotypes in Central-East Tunisia. A total of 217 HBs antigen positive patients were enrolled and determination of genotype was investigated in 130 patients with detectable HBV DNA. HBV genotyping methods were: PCR-RFLP on the pre-S region, a PCR using type-specific primers in the S region (TSP-PCR) and partial sequencing in the pre-S region.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three genotypes (D, B and A) were detected by the PCR-RFLP method and two (D and A) with the TSP-PCR method, the concordance between the two methods was 93%. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 32 strains, retrieved the same genotype (D and A) for samples with concordant results and genotype D for samples with discordant results. The sequences of discordant genotypes had a restriction site in the pre-S gene which led to erroneous result by the PCR-RFLP method. Thus, prevalence of genotype D and A was 96% and 4%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed the predominance of two subgenotypes D1 (55%) and D7 (41%). Only one strain clustered with D3 subgenotype (3%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Predominance of subgenotype D7 appears to occur in northern regions of Africa with transition to subgenotype D1 in the East of the continent. HBV genetic variability may lead to wrong results in rapid genotyping methods and sequence analysis is needed to clarify atypical results.</p
WR279,396, a Third Generation Aminoglycoside Ointment for the Treatment of Leishmania major Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Phase 2, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Study
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is due to a small parasite (Leishmania) that creates disfiguring sores, and affects more than one million persons (mainly children) each year. Treating lesions with a cream—instead of with injections as currently done—would greatly improve the well-being of affected patients. No cream formulation that would be efficient and would not create important skin irritation has been identified yet. Here, we tested a new cream formulation (WR279,396) containing paromomycin and gentamicin, two members of a well-known family of antibacterial antibiotics (aminoglycosides). Injectable paromomycin is efficient in other forms of the disease (visceral leishmaniasis). This was a carefully monitored study (phase 2) involving mainly children in Tunisia and France. The cream was applied twice a day for 20 days. The proportion of patients treated with the paromomycin-containing cream (active formulation) that cured (94%) was higher than that observed (71%) in patients treated with a cream that did not contain the active product (placebo formulation). Local irritation affected less than one-third of the patients and was usually mild. This new cream formulation was safe and effective in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis, thereby providing a new, simple, easily applicable, and inexpensive treatment for this neglected disease
History, epidemiology and regional diversities of urolithiasis
Archeological findings give profound evidence that humans have suffered from kidney and bladder stones for centuries. Bladder stones were more prevalent during older ages, but kidney stones became more prevalent during the past 100 years, at least in the more developed countries. Also, treatment options and conservative measures, as well as ‘surgical’ interventions have also been known for a long time. Our current preventive measures are definitively comparable to those of our predecessors. Stone removal, first lithotomy for bladder stones, followed by transurethral methods, was definitively painful and had severe side effects. Then, as now, the incidence of urolithiasis in a given population was dependent on the geographic area, racial distribution, socio-economic status and dietary habits. Changes in the latter factors during the past decades have affected the incidence and also the site and chemical composition of calculi, with calcium oxalate stones being now the most prevalent. Major differences in frequency of other constituents, particularly uric acid and struvite, reflect eating habits and infection risk factors specific to certain populations. Extensive epidemiological observations have emphasized the importance of nutritional factors in the pathogenesis of urolithiasis, and specific dietary advice is, nowadays, often the most appropriate for prevention and treatment of urolithiasis
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