Encapsulation of flavonoid in multiple emulsion using spinning disc reactor technology

Rutin (quercetin-3-rutinoside) and anthocyanin flavonoids have numerous biological activities which are beneficial to human health such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In order to aid delivery of their health benefits, an attempt has been made to encapsulate rutin and Hibiscus anthocyanins in multiple emulsions using a spinning disc reactor (SDR) as a novel processing aid. The encapsulation of flavonoids may prolong their shelf-life and increase their bioavailability for absorption by the body (Munin & Edwards-Lévy, 2011). The advantage of using SDR technology in the second stage of emulsification is that it does not break the droplets of the primary emulsion. The time-dependent stability of the multiple emulsions was investigated using particle size, microscopy, visual assessment and stability index measurements. At 2 wt. % emulsifier, Brij 78 was found to be capable of producing uniform droplets of the final W/O/W emulsion in the size range of 13-15 µm. The results show that the SDR technology can be used as an alternative process for making stable W/O/W multiple emulsions with a fairly narrow droplet size distribution. Rutin and anthocyanins were successfully encapsulated within the internal aqueous phase of W/O/W multiple emulsions, giving an encapsulation efficiency of >80%. In the presence of flavonoids, a reduction in the average particle size has also been observed, possibly due to its surface active properties. Confocal laser microscopy confirmed the successful formation of SDR-processed multiple emulsions

Cosmic ray oriented performance studies for the JEM-EUSO first level trigger

JEM-EUSO is a space mission designed to investigate Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays and Neutrinos (E > 5 ⋅ 1019 eV) from the International Space Station (ISS). Looking down from above its wide angle telescope is able to observe their air showers and collect such data from a very wide area. Highly specific trigger algorithms are needed to drastically reduce the data load in the presence of both atmospheric and human activity related background light, yet retain the rare cosmic ray events recorded in the telescope. We report the performance in offline testing of the first level trigger algorithm on data from JEM-EUSO prototypes and laboratory measurements observing different light sources: data taken during a high altitude balloon flight over Canada, laser pulses observed from the ground traversing the real atmosphere, and model landscapes reproducing realistic aspect ratios and light conditions as would be seen from the ISS itself. The first level trigger logic successfully kept the trigger rate within the permissible bounds when challenged with artificially produced as well as naturally encountered night sky background fluctuations and while retaining events with general air-shower characteristics

The place of anorectal manometry in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of intractable constipation

Objectif: La recherche d'un dysfonctionnement anorectal dans la prise en charge d'une constipation rebelle est impérative. En effet. différentes thérapeutiques peuvent être proposées selon qu'il s'agit d'une constipation terminale, mixte ou de progression isolée. Le but de notre étude était d'évaluer les limites de la clinique par rapport à la manométrie anorectale (MAR) dans la reconnaissance du caractère terminal de la constipation. Matériels et méthodes : Après avoir éliminer toute pathologie organique, 104 patients consécutifs, présentant une constipation chronique fonctionnelle selon les critères de Rome II et résistante au traitement usuel, ont été inclus dans notre étude. Tous avaient bénéficié d'une MAR. Résultats : (Voir tableau 1) Sur les 59 patients ayant une constipation terminale clinique, 43 patients (41 %) avaient une anomalie manométrique. Les 16 autres, étaient convertis alors en constipation de progression isolée. Quant aux 45 patients sans signes cliniques en faveur d'une constipation terminale. 25 patients (24%) avaient un dysfonctionnement de l'appareil anorectal à la MAR. Conclusion : La clinique est un moyen subjectif pour préjuger du caractère terminal d'une constipation chronique avec une sensibilité et une spécificité faible respectivement 63,2 % (VPN 65 %) et 55 % (VPP 72,8 %). La MAR paraît donc plus performante dans la reconnaissance d'une constipation terminale et permet une orientation thérapeutique plus adaptée fondée sur des paramètres objectifs et surtout quantifiables