Plane wave coupling to an aerial electrical cable. Assessment of extreme interference levels with the controlled stratification method

International audienceThis paper aims at performing a risk analysis of an electromagnetic interference scenario depending on uncertain parameters. More precisely, the estimation of extreme interference levels is researched using a rigorous modeling of Maxwell's equations. In this context, the classical Monte Carlo simulation is not suitable since very expensive simulations have to be performed. Thus, this paper proposes to apply the so-called controlled stratification method, which was recently proposed in the electromagnetic compatibility context [1], [2], in order to estimate extreme interference events in a realistic coupling problem considering uncertain parameters

Low Sodium Diet in Essential Hypertension: Effect on Blood Cell Ions and Hemodynamic Parameters

peer reviewedThe influence of salt restriction for 3 months on blood pressure, peripheral vascular resistance (observed by occlusive plethysmography), erythrocyte sodium, platelet calcium, and pH, was studied in eight untreated essential hypertensive patients. A low salt diet decreases blood pressure, vascular resistances, erythrocyte sodium, and platelet calcium, but not platelet pH. A strong positive correlation was noted between baseline platelet calcium and vascular resistances (r=0.95, P < .01). But during the salt restriction period, a negative correlation has been observed between the changes in these parameters, which casts doubt on the use of the platelet as a mode of the smooth muscle cell

Influence of microporosity and macroporosity on the mechanical properties of biphasic calcium phosphate bioceramics: Modelling and experiment

Macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) bioceramics, for bone substitution applications, have been synthesized, cold isostatically pressed and pressureless sintered, using naphthalene particles as a porogen to produce macropores. The resulting materials are mixtures of P-tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite with various microporosities and macroporosities. Mechanical properties (Young's modulus, compressive strength and fracture toughness) were measured on specimens over the widest attainable ranges of porosities, and compared to previously proposed analytical models and hypotheses. These models describe the evolution of the mechanical properties as functions of macroporosity and microporosity separately, the strength model considering macropores as critical flaws in the ceramic. Results show that the presence of macropores strongly influences the critical flaw size, but the latter appears to increase with macroporosity. This phenomenon can be explained by the presence of clusters of macropores, acting as critical flaws, becoming larger as macroporosity increases. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Short-term preoperative drainage is associated with improved postoperative outcomes compared to that of long-term biliary drainage in pancreatic surgery

Purpose!#!The treatment of choice for patients presenting with obstructive cholestasis due to periampullary carcinoma is oncologic resection without preoperative biliary drainage (PBD). However, resection without PBD becomes virtually impossible in patients with obstructive cholangitis or severely impaired liver cell function. The appropriate duration of drainage by PBD has not yet been defined for these patients.!##!Methods!#!A retrospective analysis was conducted on 170 patients scheduled for pancreatic resection following biliary drainage between January 2012 and June 2018 at the University Hospital Dresden in Germany. All patients were deemed eligible for inclusion, regardless of the underlying disease entity. The primary endpoint analysis was defined as the overall morbidity (according to the Clavien-Dindo classification). Secondary endpoints were the in-hospital mortality and malignancy adjusted overall and recurrence-free survival rates.!##!Results!#!A total of 170 patients were included, of which 45 (26.5%) and 125 (73.5%) were assigned to the short-term (&amp;lt; 4 weeks) and long-term (≥ 4 weeks) preoperative drainage groups, respectively. Surgical complications (Clavien-Dindo classification &amp;gt; 2) occurred in 80 (47.1%) patients, with significantly fewer complications observed in the short-term drainage group (31.1% vs. 52%; p = 0.02). We found that long-term preoperative drainage (unadjusted OR, 3.386; 95% CI, 1.507-7.606; p &amp;lt; 0.01) and periampullary carcinoma (unadjusted OR, 5.519; 95% CI, 1.722-17.685; p-value &amp;lt; 0.01) were independent risk factors for postoperative morbidity, based on the results of a multivariate regression model. The adjusted overall and recurrence-free survival did not differ between the groups (p = 0.12).!##!Conclusion!#!PBD in patients scheduled for pancreatic surgery is associated with substantial perioperative morbidity. Our results indicate that patients who have undergone PBD should be operated on within 4 weeks after drainage

LDLR-mediated targeting and productive uptake of siRNA-peptide ligand conjugates in vitro and in vivo

siRNAs have become one of the most promising therapeutic agents because of their specificity and their potential to modulate the expression of gene-related diseases. Any gene of interest can be potentially up or down-regulated, making RNA-based technology the healthcare breakthrough of our era. However, the functional and specific delivery of siRNAs into tissues of interest and into the cytosol of target cells remains highly challenging, mainly due to the lack of efficient and selective delivery systems. Among the variety of carriers for siRNA delivery, peptides have become essential candidates because of their high selectivity, stability and conjugation versatility. Here, we describe the development of molecules encompassing siRNAs against SOD1 , conjugated to peptides that target the LDLR, and their biological evaluation both in vitro and in vivo . Abstract Figure GRAPHICAL ABSTRAC

LDLR-mediated targeting and productive uptake of siRNA-peptide ligand conjugates in vitro and in vivo

siRNAs have become one of the most promising therapeutic agents because of their specificity and their potential to modulate the expression of gene-related diseases. Any gene of interest can be potentially up or down-regulated, making RNA-based technology the healthcare breakthrough of our era. However, the functional and specific delivery of siRNAs into tissues of interest and into the cytosol of target cells remains highly challenging, mainly due to the lack of efficient and selective delivery systems. Among the variety of carriers for siRNA delivery, peptides have become essential candidates because of their high selectivity, stability and conjugation versatility. Here, we describe the development of molecules encompassing siRNAs against SOD1 , conjugated to peptides that target the LDLR, and their biological evaluation both in vitro and in vivo . Abstract Figure GRAPHICAL ABSTRAC