Sloughing esophagitis: a spectacular histologic and endoscopic disease without a uniform clinical correlation

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134454/1/nyas13112.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134454/2/nyas13112_am.pd

Le remplissage sédimentaire du bassin de Timgad et aquifères potentiels (atlas saharien Algérien oriental)

Le bassin de Timgad, orienté suivant une direction sub-latitudinale, appartient à l’Atlas Saharien nordoriental. Il est bordé au nord par Dj. Bou Arif-Dj. Fedjoudj-Dj. Tarf et au sud par les Monts des Aurès. Il comprend un substratum mésozoïque correspondant à une série marine gréso-carbonatée, surmonté en discordance par des formations du Néogène. Ces derniers sont représentés essentiellement par des sédiments détritiques où dominent les dépôts silicoclastiques. La puissance de toute la série dépasse les 1000 mètres. Le contact, entre les deux séries lithostratigraphiques, mésozoïque et néogènes, est souligné par une discordance majeure marquée tantôt par des conglomérats polygéniques, tantôt par des niveaux calcaires souvent gréseux. Le Plio-Quaternaire, représenté surtout par des sédiments détritiques grossiers, surmonte en discordance les séries antérieures. Du point de vue structurale, le bassin est affecté par une tectonique polyphasée qui l’a compartimenté en blocs dont les accidents transverses NW-SE et NE-SW sont nettement exprimés. La phase compressive, située à la limite pliocène-quaternaire, serait à l’origine du modelé du relief actuel. L’étude géophysique, consistant en l’exploitation des profils sismiques et des coupes géo électriques, a permis de mettre en évidence d’une part la géométrie profonde des différents accidents dans le bassin et les aquifères potentiels d’autre part. Une formation relativement résistante, correspond à un intervalle gréseux du Miocène, revêt un intérêt particulier sur le plan hydrogéologique.Mots-clés : bassin de Timgad, sédimentation, tectonique, géophysique, aquifères, Atlas saharien.The sedimentary fill of the basin of Timgad and potential aquifers (atlas Algerian Sahara east)The Basin of Timgad is located in the north-eastern Saharan Atlas. It is limited on the north by Dj Bouarif, Dj.Fedjoudj, Dj.Tarf and on the south by the Aures Mountains. It consists of a Mesozoic substratum corresponding to a series marine sandstone-carbonate, surmounted in discordance by Neogene formations. These formations are represented essentially by detritic sediments dominated by siliciclastics. The Neogene serie exceeds 1000 meters. The contact between the two lithostratigraphic series: Mesozoic and Neogene is characterized by a major discordance marked sometimes by polygenic conglomerates and other times by calcareous levels often gritty. The Plio-Quaternary is especially represented by gross detritic sediments, and overcoming in discordance on the previous series. The basin is affected by a polyphase tectonic that partitioned it into blocks. These accidents are oriented NW-SE and NE-SW. The compressive phase, situated at the end of Pliocene-Quaternary is the cause of modeling the actual relief. The geophysical by using seismic and geoelectric sections, helped us to have information about the geometry of the various accident and potential aquifers.Keywords : basin of Timgad, sedimentation, tectonics and geophysics, aquifers, Sahara

Ontological Levels in Histological Imaging

Paper presented at the 9th edition of the Formal Ontology in Information Systems conference, FOIS 2016, July 6–9, 2016, Annecy, FranceThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from IOS Press via the DOI in this record.In this paper we present an ontological perspective on ongoing work in histological and histopathological imaging involving the quantitative and algorithmic analysis of digitised images of cells and tissues. We present the derivation of consistent histological models from initially captured images of prepared tissue samples as a progression through a number of ontological levels, each populated by its distinctive classes of entities related in systematic ways to entities at other levels. We see this work as contributing to ongoing efforts to provide a consistent and widely accepted suite of ontological resources such as those currently constituting the OBO Foundry, and where possible we draw links between our work and existing ontologies within that suite.This research is supported by EPSRC through funding under grant EP/M023869/1 “Novel context-based segmentation algorithms for intelligent microscopy”

Teaching periodontal pocket charting to dental students: a comparison of computer assisted learning and traditional tutorials

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a computer assisted learning (CAL) programme with that of traditional small group tutorials in teaching theoretical and practical aspects of periodontal pocket charting. METHOD: Sixty-one third year undergraduate dental students were randomized to either receive a tutorial or to work through the CAL programme. Students using the CAL programme completed questionnaires relating to previous computer experience and the ease of use of the programme. All students were assessed immediately after the intervention by means of a confidence log, a practical exercise and a further confidence log. They were assessed again three weeks later by means of a confidence log and a multiple-choice written test. RESULTS: There were very few significant differences between groups for any of the assessments used. However, subjective comments indicated that students occasionally felt disadvantaged if they had not received a tutorial. CONCLUSION: CAL and traditional teaching methods are equally effective in teaching periodontal pocket charting to undergraduate dental students

Resilience as a communal concept: Understanding adolescent resilience in the context of the Syrian refugee crisis in Bar Elias, Lebanon

Background: The conflict in Syria has led to the displacement of 1.5 million refugees into the neighboring country of Lebanon, with a majority that have yet to return to their homeland. Syrian adolescents in the town of Bar Elias in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon have lived and grown in the face of resource-limited environments, restricted movement, and a longing for return. Resilience is manifested in the adaptation to such circumstances through close supportive relationships, social engagement, employment, and religion. There is a communal aspect to resilience that is important to the adolescent refugee experience and to the efforts supporting these communities. / Methods: Fifteen one-to-one interviews and two focus groups, with a total of eighteen Syrian adolescents, were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis informed by grounded theory principles. Participants were recruited through partnering non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the area, and ethical approval was granted through UCL and the American University in Beirut (AUB). / Results: Syrian adolescents highlighted supportive relationships, communal activities and spaces, memories of home, employment, and shared environments as integral elements to their personal adaptation. Methods of resilience involved social cohesion and establishing stability for one's family and close community. Adaptation to the present is intertwined with facing the consequences of displacement in this new context and maintaining aspirations for a bright future. Engaging with the environments they share and help create is an important facet of resilience and occurs through group gatherings , hobbies, and online communication. Additionally, inner strength can be derived from religious activities and empowers individual processing. / Conclusion: This study illuminates the elements and mechanisms embodied in these adolescents’ communities and relationships that allow for adaptation to life in Bar Elias. These factors strengthen their approach to overcome social barriers and practice resilience. These communal aspects of the adolescents’ lives also connect to their memories of home, current environment, and future aspirations

Antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties and zinc content of five south Portugal herbs

Context: Crataegus monogyna L. (Rosaceae) (CM), Equisetum telmateia L. (Equisataceae) (ET), Geranium purpureum Vil. (Geraniaceae) (GP), Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. (Lamiaceae) (MS), and Lavandula stoechas L. spp. luisieri (Lamiaceae) (LS) are all medicinal. Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant, antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities of plant extracts and quantify individual phenolics and zinc. Material and methods: Aerial part extracts were prepared with water (W), ethanol (E) and an 80% mixture (80EW). Antioxidant activity was measured with TAA, FRAP and RP methods. Phenolics were quantified with a HPLC. Zinc was quantified using voltammetry. Antibacterial activity (after 48 h) was tested using Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Listeria monocytogenes. Antiproliferative activity (after 24 h) was tested using HEP G2 cells and fibroblasts. Results: Solvents influenced results; the best were E and 80EW. GP had the highest antioxidant activity (TAA and FRAP of 536.90mg AAE/g dw and 783.48mg TE/g dw, respectively). CM had the highest zinc concentration (37.21 mg/kg) and phenolic variety, with neochlorogenic acid as the most abundant (92.91 mg/100 g dw). LS was rich in rosmarinic acid (301.71 mg/100 g dw). GP and LS inhibited the most microorganisms: B. cereus, E. coli and S. aureus. GP also inhibited E. faecalis. CM had the lowest MIC: 5830 mu g/mL. The antibacterial activity is explained by the phenolics present. LS and CM showed the most significant anti-proliferative activity, which is explained by their zinc content. Conclusion: The most promising plants for further studies are CM, LS and GP.FCT, Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia of Portugal [SFRH/BSA/139/2014

Transition from pediatric to adult renal services: a consensus statement by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA)

The transfer of young patients from pediatric to adult renal care takes place after a transition process which involves both sides. It is important that it is individualized for each young person, focusing on self-management skills as well as assessing support structures. The consensus statement has been developed by the panel of adult and pediatric nephrologists and endorsed by the councils of both ISN and IPNA. It is hoped that the statement will provide a basis for the development of locally appropriate recommendations for clinical practice

Identification of pre-leukaemic haematopoietic stem cells in acute leukaemia.

In acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), the cell of origin, nature and biological consequences of initiating lesions, and order of subsequent mutations remain poorly understood, as AML is typically diagnosed without observation of a pre-leukaemic phase. Here, highly purified haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), progenitor and mature cell fractions from the blood of AML patients were found to contain recurrent DNMT3A mutations (DNMT3A(mut)) at high allele frequency, but without coincident NPM1 mutations (NPM1c) present in AML blasts. DNMT3A(mut)-bearing HSCs showed a multilineage repopulation advantage over non-mutated HSCs in xenografts, establishing their identity as pre-leukaemic HSCs. Pre-leukaemic HSCs were found in remission samples, indicating that they survive chemotherapy. Therefore DNMT3A(mut) arises early in AML evolution, probably in HSCs, leading to a clonally expanded pool of pre-leukaemic HSCs from which AML evolves. Our findings provide a paradigm for the detection and treatment of pre-leukaemic clones before the acquisition of additional genetic lesions engenders greater therapeutic resistance

Challenges of providing healthcare worker education and training in protracted conflict: a focus on non-government controlled areas in north west Syria

Without healthcare workers (HCWs), health and humanitarian provision in Syria cannot be sustained either now or in the post-conflict phase. The protracted conflict has led to the exodus of more than 70% of the healthcare workforce. Those remaining work in dangerous conditions with insufficient resources and a healthcare system that has been decimated by protracted conflict. For many HCWs, particularly those in non-government-controlled areas (NGCAs) of Syria, undergraduate education and postgraduate training has been interrupted with few opportunities to continue. In this manuscript, we explore initiatives present in north west Syria at both undergraduate and postgraduate level for physician and non-physician HCWs. Conclusion: Challenges to HCW education in north west Syria can be broadly divided into 1. Organisational (local healthcare leadership and governance, coordination and collaboration between stakeholders, competition between stakeholders and insufficient funding.) 2. Programmatic (lack of accreditation or recognition of qualifications, insufficient physical space for teaching, exodus of faculty affecting teaching and training, prioritisation of physicians over non-physicians, informally trained healthcare workers.) 3. Healthcare system related (politicisation of healthcare system, changing healthcare needs of the population, ongoing attacks on healthcare.) Locally implementable strategies including dedicated funding are key to supporting retention of HCWs and return during post-conflict reconstruction