Clinical cases Zinner syndrome: a case report and literature review

Abstract Introduction and objective: Zinner syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality of the mesonephric duct (Wolffian) consisting of unilateral renal agenesis, seminal vesicle cyst and ipsilateral ejaculatory duct obstruction. Abnormalities involving the contralateral seminal vesicle or ejaculatory duct are extremely rare. We present the therapeutic approach in a patient with renal agensesis and large contralateral seminal vesicle cyst. Patient, Method and Results: A 24 years old patient known with right congenital solitary kidney presents with dysuria, pollakiuria, nocturia, hypospermia, ejaculatory pain and diffuse hypogastric and perineal pain. The imaging exams (abdominal ultrasound, contrast-enhanced computed tomography) reveal a cystic mass of the lower mid-abdomen of 14/11 cm with mass-effect, the absence of the left kidney, grade II right hydronephrosis and right megaureter. Preoperatively, the transonic mass has been interpreted as a seminal vesicle cyst. We performed the robotic-assisted laparoscopic cyst resection by using an approach similar as for radical prostatectomy. The intraoperative assessment revealed a cystic mass with a point of origin in the right seminal vesicle, contralateral to the renal agenesis, with an aspect suggestive for Zinner syndrome. Conclusions: Zinner syndrome is a rare urological condition that must be suspected in the young adult with recurrent irritative-obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms associated with pelvic pain syndrome, pelvic cystic mass, unilateral renal agenesis and significant alteration in sperm parameters. The conservative approach is limited to asymptomatic cases. The robotic-assisted minimally invasive approach facilitates the accurate delineation and isolation of anatomical structures, in a territory where subsequent to pericystic inflammation and changes in surgical plans, the classic surgical approach to adjacent structures proves difficult

Polymicrobial Bacterial Meningitis in a Patient with Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: Case Report and Literature Review

Polymicrobial meningitis is a rare entity in the adult population, especially in the antibiotic era. However, disorders such as chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) or even poor oral hygiene are considered risk factors for the development of such cerebral infection. We report a case of polymicrobial meningitis associated with oto-mastoiditis in a 64-year-old female patient known to have CSOM. The patient presented atypical symptoms for community-acquired meningitis, showing subacute evolution of headache, without fever or neck stiffness. The aerobe microorganisms Streptococcus anginosus and Corynebacterium spp., sensitive to beta-lactamines, and the anaerobe Prevotella spp., resistant to penicillin and metronidazole, were isolated from CSF specimens, while Proteus mirabilis and Enterococcus faecalis were identified from the ear drainage. The diversity of pathogens identified in our case led us to the hypothesis of two different sources of meningitis: otogenic and/or odontogenic. Favorable evolution was obtained after a multi-disciplinary approach, combining surgery and broad-spectrum antibiotics. In addition, we performed a literature review that highlights the low incidence of polymicrobial mixed aerobe–anaerobe meningitis

Chitosan-Based Edible Coatings Containing Essential Oils to Preserve the Shelf Life and Postharvest Quality Parameters of Organic Strawberries and Apples during Cold Storage

Edible coatings and films have been researched for more than three decades due to their ability to be incorporated with different functional ingredients or compounds as an option to maintain the postharvest quality of fruits and vegetables. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three types of chitosan-based (CH) edible coatings obtained from medium and high molecular weight chitosan, containing ascorbic or acetic acid and sea buckthorn or grape seed essential oils on the physical–chemical and microbiological properties of organic strawberries and apple slices during cold storage at 4 °C and 8 °C. Scanning electron microscope images showed both a smooth structure and a fracture and pore structure on strawberry coatings and a dense and smooth structure on the apple slices coatings. Further, the edible coatings managed to reduce the microbial load of yeasts and molds of the coated strawberries during the storage period. Overall, the treatments preserved the ascorbic acid, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity for all the tested samples compared to the control sample, throughout the storage period. In addition, the water activity (aw) of the coated samples presented lower values (0.96–0.98) than the control samples. The obtained results indicate that the developed chitosan-based edible coatings could maintain the postharvest parameters of the tested samples, also leading to their shelf-life prolongation

The Effect of Different Coupling Agents on Nano-ZnO Materials Obtained via the Sol–Gel Process

Hybrid nanomaterials based on zinc oxide were synthesized via the sol–gel method, using different silane coupling agents: (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS), phenyltriethoxysilane (PhTES), octyltriethoxysilane (OTES), and octadecyltriethoxysilane (ODTES). Morphological properties and the silane precursor type effect on the particle size were investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The bonding characteristics of modified ZnO materials were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The final solutions were deposited on metallic substrate (aluminum) in order to realize coatings with various wettability and roughness. The morphological studies, obtained by ESEM and TEM analysis, showed that the sizes of the ZnO nanoparticles are changed as function of silane precursor used in synthesis. The thermal stability of modified ZnO materials showed that the degradation of the alkyl groups takes place in the 300–500 °C range. Water wettability study revealed a contact angle of 142 ± 5° for the surface covered with ZnO material modified with ODTES and showed that the water contact angle increases as the alkyl chain from the silica precursor increases. These modified ZnO materials, therefore, can be easily incorporated in coatings for various applications such as anti-corrosion and anti-icing

Guide de bonnes pratiques: Nutrition rationnele, la surete alimentaire changement de comportement alimentaire

La publication de ce guide était possible dans le cadre du projet de l’AUF, „Réseau régional dans le domaine de la Santé, la Nutrition et la Sécurité Alimentaire (SaIN)” (Code du projet S0446) Publicarea acestui ghid a fost posibilă datorită proiectului Agenţiei Universitare Francofone ECO „Création d’un réseau universitaire régional dans le domaine de la santé, la nutrition et la sécurité alimentaire” (Codul proiectului S0446)Domeniul de aplicare Prezentul ghid recomandă practici generale de alimentaţie corectă, atât pentru persoanele sănătoase, cât şi pentru cele cu devieri ale stării de sănătate şi anumite patologii, care pot fi influenţate de alimentaţie. Prin intermediul ghidului se aduc la cunoştinţa populaţiei aspecte despre siguranţa alimentelor şi contaminanţii alimentelor. Informaţiile vor favoriza schimbarea comportamentului alimentar pentru menţinerea şi îmbunătăţirea stării de sănătate. Informația inclusă în unele capitole este mai specifică, astfel poate fi utilizată de profesioniștii din domeniul nutriţiei, dar şi de către medicii de familie, rezidenţi şi studenţi în procesul de autopregătire şi în comunicarea cu populaţia. În egală măsură propunerile prezente în ghid vor ajuta specialiștii în elaborarea recomandărilor privind alimentația populației. Acest ghid nu înlocuiește documente legislative, indicaţii terapeutice şi nu exclude tratamentul medicamentos. Ghidul este destinat populaţiei vorbitoare de limbă română şi franceză. Domaine d’application Le présent guide recommande des pratiques générales d’alimentation correcte tant pour les personnes saine qu’et pour les personnes avec des perturbations de la santé et certaines pathologies, qui peuvent être influencées par l’alimentation. Ce guide apporte à la connaissance de la population des aspects sur la sureté des aliments et de la contamination des aliments. Par l’intermède de ce guide la population aura informations concernant le changement du comportement alimentaire pour le maintien et amélioration de l’état de la santé. Les informations contenues dans certains chapitres sont plus spécifiques et peuvent donc être utilisées par les professionnels dans le domaine de la nutrition, ainsi que par les médecins de famille, les résidents et les étudiants, dans le processus d’auto-préparation et de communication avec la population. De même, les recommandations contenues dans le guide aideront les spécialistes à élaborer des recommandations concernant l’alimentation de la population. Ce guide ne remplace pas des documents législatifs, des indications thérapeutiques et n’exclue pas le traitement médicamenteux. Le guide est destiné aux personnes parlantes le roumain et le français