On Auxiliary Fields in BF Theories

We discuss the structure of auxiliary fields for non-Abelian BF theories in arbitrary dimensions. By modifying the classical BRST operator, we build the on-shell invariant complete quantum action. Therefore, we introduce the auxiliary fields which close the BRST algebra and lead to the invariant extension of the classical action.Comment: 7 pages, minor changes, typos in equations corrected and acknowledgements adde

The presence of valine at residue 129 in human prion protein accelerates amyloid formation

The polymorphism at residue 129 of the human PRNP gene modulates disease susceptibility and the clinicopathological phenotypes in human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The molecular mechanisms by which the effect of this polymorphism are mediated remain unclear. It has been shown that the folding, dynamics and stability of the physiological, alpha-helix-rich form of recombinant PrP are not affected by codon 129 polymorphism. Consistent with this, we have recently shown that the kinetics of amyloid formation do not differ between protein containing methionine at codon 129 and valine at codon 129 when the reaction is initiated from the a-monomeric PrPC-like state. In contrast, we have shown that the misfolding pathway leading to the formation of beta-sheet-rich, soluble oligomer waS favoured by the presence of methionine, compared with valine, at position 129. In the present work, we examine the effect of this polymorphism on the kinetics of an alternative misfolding pathway, that of amyloid formation using partially folded PrP allelomorphs. We show that the valine 129 allelomorph forms amyloids with a considerably shorter lag phase than the methionine 129 allelomorph both under spontaneous conditions and when seeded with pre-formed amyloid fibres. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that the effect of the codon 129 polymorphism depends on the specific misfolding pathway and on the initial conformation of the protein. The inverse propensities of the two allelomorphs to misfold in vitro through the alternative oligomeric and amyloidogenic pathways could explain some aspects of prion diseases linked to this polymorphism such as age at onset and disease incubation time. (c) 2005 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension in pregnancy: about a rare case

In this work, study report the case of a 23-year-old primigravidae, in whom an idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), formerly called pseudotumor cerebri, was diagnosed in the first trimester with visual field impairment, the management of which was similar to cases of benign intracranial hypertension in the general population. The parturient put under medical treatment with ophthalmological and obstetrical follow-up until 39 weeks of amenorrhea where she was cesarized for rescue of the visual prognosis. The objective of this work is to elucidate this pathology, caused by a defect of reabsorption of the CSF by the arachnoid plexus. The diagnosis is retained after elimination by radio-biological exploration of an infectious, tumor or traumatic etiology. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension has no impact on the evolution of pregnancy. In addition, the choice of delivery route is dependent on the patient's visual prognosis being brought into play

Dacryocystorhinostomie par voie endoscopique endonasale

Introduction : La dacryocystorhinostomie (DCR) endoscopique endonasale est une chirurgie mini invasive du sac lacrymal. Le but de notre travail est d’analyser et d'évaluer prospectivement nos patients opérés pour DCR endoscopique endonasale utilisant une sonde de trans-illumination, durant 2010.Patients et méthode : étude prospective de 20 DCR endoscopique (18 patients) utilisant la sonde de transillumination. Ce travail consiste en une analyse des données épidémiologiques, des indications opératoires, des données cliniques et radiologiques, des constatations per opératoires et des résultats fonctionnels et anatomiques postopératoires.Résultats : Cette étude a concerné 16 femmes (88,9%) et 2 hommes. L'âge médian est de 34 ans. Les indications chirurgicales sont réparties entre échec de DCR par voie externe (6 cas), pathologie rhino-sinusienne associée (13 cas), dacryocèle (1 cas). Notre taux de succès est de 85,7% (12 cas/14) dans les DCR de première intention. Il est de 83,3%(5cas/6) dans les reprises des voies externes. A 6 mois du post opératoire l’orifice de la stomie est identifiable dans 14 cas soit 70%. Aucune complication majeure n’est colligée.Discussion et conclusion : La DCR endoscopique endonasale est une technique physiologique et esthétique. Elle reste tout aussi efficace et fiable que la voie externe avec un taux de succès pratiquement  comparable (85% à 90%). Le succès d'une DCR par voie endoscopique endonasale est conditionné par une collaboration multidisciplinaire étroite(ORL/Ophtalmologistes/Radiologues), par une maitrise des impératifs techniques et enfin, par des soins postopératoires de qualité.Mots clés : dacryocystorhinostomie endoscopique, traitement

Leiomyoblastome gastrique: à propos de trois cas

Le leiomyoblastome gastrique est une tumeur musculaire rare qui touche essentiellement l'adulte. Son développement est souvent exogastrique.Le diagnostic positif repose sur l'histologie et le traitement est basé sur la chirurgie. Nous rapportons trois cas de leiomyoblastome gastrique colligés dans le service de chirurgie générale au 5ème Hôpital Militaire. L'âge  moyen des patients est de 47 ans; le motif de consultation était représenté par une hémorragie digestive et l'imagerie médicale a posé le diagnostic de masse tumorale dans tous les cas. Le traitement chirurgicalconsistait en une gastrectomie partielle et le compte rendu   anatomopathologique a confirmé le leiomyoblastome gastrique dans les trois cas. Le siège de la tumeur a été posé par la fibroscopie oeso  gastroduodénale, le traitement était chirurgical et les suites post  opératoires étaient simples avec un contrôle par des fibroscopies  répétitives sans aucun signe de récidive. Le leiomyoblastome gastrique est une tumeur rare. L'écho endoscopie joue un rôle primordial dans le  diagnostic positif ainsi que dans l'évaluation de l'extension pariétale de ces tumeurs. Le traitement est essentiellement chirurgical

Modélisation 3D des façades de bâtiments des anciennes Médina

Le LIDAR (Light Detecting and Ranging) terrestre statique est un outil de levé présentant actuellement une source de données 3D indispensable dans l’évaluation et la surveillance des bâtiments patrimoniaux. A travers des processus automatiques de modélisation 3D, la manipulation de cette source de données dans des outils de communication devient plus souple. Le processus de modélisation 3D impose des sous missions indispensables dont la segmentation. Une grande partie des approches de segmentation se focalisent sur l’emploi des composantes géométriques en exploitant la représentation mathématique d’une surface plane ou courbée. En raison de la complexité de l’architecture des façades, une segmentation utilisant uniquement l’aspect géométrique reste insuffisante. Ainsi, une nouvelle approche de segmentation est développée équilibrant les résultats de l’extraction des surfaces homogènes. Ceci, en se basant sur l’ensemble des composantes d’un nuage de points coloriés à savoir les composantes géométriques, les valeurs RGB et les intensités laser des détails constituant les façades des bâtiments des anciennes Médina. Le processus s’initialise par l’extraction des segments plans à l’aide de l’algorithme RANSAC. Le résultat fera l’objet d’une deuxième segmentation radiométrique basée sur l’introduction du critère de similarité couleur dans l’algorithme de croissance de région. Enfin une fusion de classes sera effectuée en fonction de la similarité de l’intensité laser.    The static terrestrial LIDAR is a tool of surveying which present a vital source of 3D data in the heritage buildings evaluation and monitoring. Through automated  3D modeling process, manipulating this data source in communication tools becomes more flexible. The 3D modeling process imposes on essential tasks including segmentation. Much of segmentation approaches focus on the use of geometric components by exploiting the mathematical representation of a plane or curved area. Due to the complexity of the facades architecture, segmentation using only the geometrical aspect is insufficient. Thus, a new segmentation approach is developed balancing the results of extracting homogeneous areas based on all colored point cloud components namely geometric data, the RGB values and intensities of facades details especially in old Medina building. The process consists of the planar segments extracting using the RANSAC algorithm. The result will be subject to radiometric segmentation through the introduction of color similarity criterion in the region growing algorithm and finally a fusion of classes based on the intensity’s similarity

Examining artifacts generated by setting Facebook Messenger as a default SMS application on Android: implication for personal data privacy

The use of mobile devices and social media applications in organized crime is increasingly increasing. Facebook Messenger is the most popular social media applications used globally. Unprecedented time is spent by many interacting globally with known and unknown individuals using Facebook. During their interaction, personal information is uploaded. Thus, crafting a myriad of privacy trepidation to users. While there are researches performed on the forensic artifacts’ extraction from Facebook, no research is conducted on setting Facebook Messenger applications as a default messaging application on Android. Two Android mobile devices were used for data generation and Facebook Messenger account was created. Disc imaging and data partition were examined and accessed to identify changes in the orca database of the application package using DB browser. The data were then generated using unique words which were used for conducting key searches. The research discovered that mqtt_log_event0.txt of the Com.Facebook.orca/Cache directory stores chat when messenger is set as a default messaging app. The research finding shows that chats are recorded under messages tab together with SMS of data/data/com.facebook.orca/databases/smstakeover_db and data/data/com.facebook.orca/databases/threads_db. This indicates that only smstakeover_db stores SMS messaging information when using messenger application. It is observed that once the user deletes a sent SMS message, the phone number and the deleted time stamp remained in the data/data/com.facebook.orca/databases/smstakeover_db database in the address_table are recoverable. The results suggest that anonymization of data is essential if Facebook chats are to be shared for further research into social media conten

Symmetries and observables in topological gravity

After a brief review of topological gravity, we present a superspace approach to this theory. This formulation allows us to recover in a natural manner various known results and to gain some insight into the precise relationship between different approaches to topological gravity. Though the main focus of our work is on the vielbein formalism, we also discuss the metric approach and its relationship with the former formalism.Comment: 34 pages; a few explanations added in subsection 2.2.1, published version of pape

Immunohistochemical expression of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and p53 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Moroccan experience

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant epithelial tumor intimately associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). NPC is a characteristic tumor displaying epidemiological, genetic and regional distribution properties that makes it unique by its natural behavior. OBJECTIVES: To assess the expression pattern of LMP1 and p53 proteins in the different histological types of NPC in a sample of the Moroccan population and to define any association between the expression of those proteins with the sex, the age and the histological types of NPC. METHODS: Archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded NPC biopsies were evaluated in 23 Moroccan patients for the presence of LMP1 and p53 using immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: No LMP1 expression was observed whereas 8 of 23 cases (34. 7%) had detectable p53 protein in the nuclei of tumor cells. After statistical analysis according to the Fisher's exact probability test, no significant association between p53 expression and histological type, age and sex distributions was demonstrated (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that p53 overexpression is present in a subset of Moroccan NPC patients. Our results are consistent with those reported by other studies concerning the same NPC endemic risk area and provide original data concerning Morocco

LE KYSTE HYDATIQUE DU SEIN : A PROPOS D’UN CAS DE DECOUVERTE PEROPERATOIRE

IntroductionThe hydatid cyst of the breast is exceptional. However, because of the hydatidosis is an ubiquitous disease, the breast may be also achieved such as the other organs.Case reportPatient of 28 years old, confers for a tumefaction of the right breast. The clinical exam finds an enormous mass. The imaging evokes a cystic disease. We realized a cystectomy altogether. The opening of the cyst allows to the stemming of a liquid crystal clear with proligerous membrane.Histopathological examination confirms that it’s a hydatid cyst.The assessment of the extension doesn’t find any other localisations.Two years later, there’s neither recurrence nor other localisations. That’s indicates the primitive nature of this breast’s hydatid cyst.ConclusionAlthough it’s an exceptional localisation, the hydatid cyst of the breast must be suggested each time it’s a cyst especially in the hydatid endemic countries.IntroductionLa localisation mammaire du kyste hydatique reste exceptionnelle. Cependant, et vu que l’hydatidose est une maladie ubiquitaire, le sein peut être atteint comme tous les autres organes.Observation cliniquePatiente de 28 ans, consulte pour une tuméfaction du sein droit. L’examen clinique trouve une énorme masse occupant presque la totalité du sein droit. L’imagerie est en faveur d’une image kystique. On réalise une kystectomie en bloc. L’ouverture du kyste permet l’issue d’une liquide eau de roche avec une membrane proligère. L’histologie du prélévement confirme l’étiologie hydatique du kyste. Le bilan d’extension de la maladie ne trouve pas d’autres localisations. Après deux ans d’évolution, il n’ya pas de récidive ni d’autres localisations qui apparaissent ce qui indique le caractère primitif de ce kyste hydatique mammaire.ConclusionBien qu’elle soit une localisation exceptionnelle, l’hydatidose mammaire doit être évoquée devant une image kystique en particulier dans un pays d’endémie