Latitudinal trends in O<SUB>3</SUB>, CO, CH<SUB>4</SUB> and SF<SUB>6</SUB> over the Indian Ocean during the INDOEX IFP-1999 ship cruise

Surface measurements of ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) were made over the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean during the INDOEX field experiment in January- March 1999 covering the latitude range from 17&#176;N to 20&#176;S. Observations show decreasing trends in all these trace gases from the Indian coastal region to the open Indian Ocean. Ozone with a lifetime of few days, shortest among the species presented here, shows large variations while SF6, which has relatively longer lifetime, shows smaller variations. Ozone also shows clearly the effect of ITCZ and its movement. These observations show higher ozone near the Indian coastal region in January 1999 than in March 1999 and also compared to the observed ozone during the INDOEX-1998 cruise. This is believed to be due to strong anti-cyclonic conditions in January 1999 bringing more polluted air from the Indian continent. A decrease in the latitudinal gradient in CH4 was observed in 1999 compared to that in 1998 in the same region, indicating slower growth rate in 1998-1999 period

Chemical Composition and Inhibitory Effect of the Essential Oil from Mentha Spicata Irrigated by Wastewater on the Alkaline Corrosion of Aluminum

Mentha Spicata irrigated by wastewater from the city of Settat (Morocco) was tested as corrosion inhibitor of aluminum in 0.1 M Na2CO3 using polarization method and weight loss measurements. The inhibition efficiency of mentha spicata oil was calculated and compared. We note good agreement between these methods. The results obtained showed that the tested inhibitor reduces the kinetic process of corrosion of aluminum.  Its efficiency increases with the concentration and attained 82 % at 1600 ppm. The effect of temperature on the corrosion behaviour of aluminum in 0.1 M Na2CO3 was also studied in the range 283 K and 313 K. The thermodynamic data of activation were determined. The analysis of mentha spicata oil obtained by hydro-distillation using gas chromatography (GC) showed that the major components are carvone 57.11 % and limonene 27.77%

The impact of mosaicism in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD): approaches to PGD for dominant disorders in couples without family history

OBJECTIVES: Mosaicism in certain dominant disorders may result in a 'non-Mendelian' transmission for the causative mutation. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is available for patients with inherited disorders to achieve an unaffected pregnancy. We present our experience for two female patients with different dominantly inherited autosomal disorders; neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and tuberous sclerosis complex type 2 (TSC2). METHODS: PGD protocol development was carried out using single cells from the patients. PGD was carried out on polar bodies and different embryonic cells. RESULTS: Protocol development for NF1 using lymphocytes from the patient suggested mosaicism for the mutation. This was supported further by quantitative fluorescent-PCR performed on genomic DNA. During PGD, polar bodies and blastomeres lacked the mutation that probably was absent or present at very low levels in the patient's germline. Single lymphocyte analysis during protocol development for TSC2 did not indicate mosaicism; however, analysis of single buccal cells and multiple embryo biopsies across two consecutive IVF/PGD cycles confirmed gonosomal mosaicism. CONCLUSIONS: The trend in PGD is for blastocyst biopsy followed by whole genome amplification, eliminating single cell analysis. In the case of certain dominantly inherited disorders, pre-PGD single cell analysis is beneficial to identify potential mosaicism that ensures robust protocols. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

A triangulated perspective for understanding CAM use in Lebanon: a qualitative study.

Background: Existing evidence marked a prevalent use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies in Lebanon that is concomitant with low rates of disclosure to health care providers and limited knowledge among the general public of safety and side effects of CAM use. Objectives: To examine the perspectives of Lebanese CAM users, CAM providers, and health care providers (HCPs) regarding their understanding of CAM and of the Push and Pull factors that drive its use. Methods: A qualitative research study was conducted using in-depth interviews, targeting Lebanese adults (CAM users; 18-65 years) (n=14), CAM providers such as yoga instructors, owners of CAM product outlets, herbalists, and religious figures (n=13); and HCPs including physicians, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists (n=14). The topic guide covered, in addition to the understanding of CAM, the Push and Pull factors driving CAM use. The adults were recruited by convenient sampling, and CAM providers and HCPs using a purposive sampling approach. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and translated into English. Analysis was performed using a qualitative thematic approach. Similarities and differences in the perceptions of the participants with regards to factors that influence CAM use were charted and contrasted, using a triangulated approach. Results: The three study groups exhibited a similar understanding of CAM, referring to non-conventional therapies used to prevent/treat diseases or to enhance wellbeing. CAM users and CAM providers identified "distrust in HCPs", "lack of patient-centered care in CM", and "limitations and side effects of CM" as important Push factors. All study groups highlighted the limited CAM knowledge of HCPs as a main reason for the lack of patient-centered care. All three groups also underscored the affordability and the social and cultural support for CAM as main enablers of its prevalent use. Unlike HCPs who were skeptical about the safety and effectiveness of CAM, CAM users and CAM providers indicated that most of CAM therapies are safe and efficient. Conclusions: The triangulation of perspectives (CAM users, CAM providers, and HCPs) in this study allowed a comprehensive appraisal of CAM use and its drivers. Improving the HCPs' CAM-related knowledge, promoting patient-centered care and fostering an open dialogue between HCPs and CAM providers are among the recommendations of the study. Background: Existing evidence marked a prevalent use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies in Lebanon that is concomitant with low rates of disclosure to health care providers and limited knowledge among the general public of safety and side effects of CAM use. Objectives: To examine the perspectives of Lebanese CAM users, CAM providers, and health care providers (HCPs) regarding their understanding of CAM and of the Push and Pull factors that drive its use. Methods: A qualitative research study was conducted using in-depth interviews, targeting Lebanese adults (CAM users; 18-65 years) (n=14), CAM providers such as yoga instructors, owners of CAM product outlets, herbalists, and religious figures (n=13); and HCPs including physicians, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists (n=14). The topic guide covered, in addition to the understanding of CAM, the Push and Pull factors driving CAM use. The adults were recruited by convenient sampling, and CAM providers and HCPs using a purposive sampling approach. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and translated into English. Analysis was performed using a qualitative thematic approach. Similarities and differences in the perceptions of the participants with regards to factors that influence CAM use were charted and contrasted, using a triangulated approach. Results: The three study groups exhibited a similar understanding of CAM, referring to non-conventional therapies used to prevent/treat diseases or to enhance wellbeing. CAM users and CAM providers identified "distrust in HCPs", "lack of patient-centered care in CM", and "limitations and side effects of CM" as important Push factors. All study groups highlighted the limited CAM knowledge of HCPs as a main reason for the lack of patient-centered care. All three groups also underscored the affordability and the social and cultural support for CAM as main enablers of its prevalent use. Unlike HCPs who were skeptical about the safety and effectiveness of CAM, CAM users and CAM providers indicated that most of CAM therapies are safe and efficient. Conclusions: The triangulation of perspectives (CAM users, CAM providers, and HCPs) in this study allowed a comprehensive appraisal of CAM use and its drivers. Improving the HCPs' CAM-related knowledge, promoting patient-centered care and fostering an open dialogue between HCPs and CAM providers are among the recommendations of the study

New (e,2e) Studies of Atomic and Molecular Targets

We report new coplanar (e,2e) measurements characterised by large energy transfer and close to minimum momentum transfer from the projectile to the target. Ionisation of the two-electron targets He and H2 is investigated under these particular kinematics. The experimental data are compared with the predictions of the most elaborate theoretical models. The obtained good agreement motivated us to extend our research to the case of more complex targets such as Ar. Comparison with the most elaborate models in the case of multi-electron targets is excellent. Destructive and constructive interference effects in the case of H2 are observed and discussed

Next Generation Sequencing Detects Premeiotic Errors in Human Oocytes

Autosomal aneuploidy is the leading cause of embryonic and foetal death in humans. This arises mainly from errors in meiosis I or II of oogenesis. A largely ignored source of error stems from germinal mosaicism, which leads to premeiotic aneuploidy. Molecular cytogenetic studies employing metaphase fluorescence in situ hybridization and comparative genomic hybridisation suggest that premeiotic aneuploidy may affect 10–20% of oocytes overall. Such studies have been criticised on technical grounds. We report here an independent study carried out on unmanipulated oocytes that have been analysed using next generation sequencing (NGS). This study confirms that the incidence of premeiotic aneuploidy in an unselected series of oocytes exceeds 10%. A total of 140 oocytes donated by 42 women gave conclusive results; of these, 124 (88.5%) were euploid. Sixteen out of 140 (11.4%) provided evidence of premeiotic aneuploidy. Of the 140, 112 oocytes were immature (germinal vesicle or metaphase I), of which 10 were aneuploid (8.93%); the remaining 28 were intact metaphase II-first polar body complexes, and six of these were aneuploid (21.4%). Of the 16 aneuploid cells, half contained simple errors (one or two abnormal chromosomes) and half contained complex errors. We conclude that germinal mosaicism leading to premeiotic aneuploidy is a consistent finding affecting at least 10% of unselected oocytes from women undergoing egg collection for a variety of reasons. The importance of premeiotic aneuploidy lies in the fact that, for individual oocytes, it greatly increases the risk of an aneuploid mature oocyte irrespective of maternal age. As such, this may account for some cases of aneuploid conceptions in very young women

Cavernome intramedullaire: a propos d’un cas

Le cavernome intramédullaire, malformation vasculaire rare, représente environ 5 à 12 % des malformations vasculaires spinales et 3 % des malformations vasculaires intra-durales. Il peut être longtemps asymptomatique ou se manifester par une altération brutale ou progressive des fonctions médullaires. Le diagnostic repose sur l’imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) médullaire et l’anatomopathologie. La chirurgie représente l’essentiel de la prise en charge, néanmoins elle n’est pas dénudée de complications. Nous rapportons un cas de cavernome intramédullaire chez une patiente de 24 ans, admise dans un tableau de compression médullaire dorsale lente avec une paraparésie évoluant depuis 2 ans. L’IRM médullaire a objectivé une lésion intramédullaire en regard deT7-T8. La patiente a bénéficié d’une exérèse totale de la tumeur et l’histologie a confirmé le cavernome intramédullaire. L’évolution a été marquée par une aggravation partielle du déficit moteur. A travers cette observation, les auteurs discutent les aspects cliniques, radiologiques ainsi que la prise en charge de cette pathologie rare.Mots clés: Cavernome, intramédullaire, malformation vasculair

The inflammatory biomarker YKL-40 decreases stepwise after exercise stress test

BACKGROUND: Serum YKL-40 is an inflammatory biomarker associated with disease activity and mortality in diseases characterized by inflammation such as coronary artery disease (CAD). Exercise has a positive effect on CAD, possibly mediated by a decreased inflammatory activity. This study aimed to compare serial measurements of serum YKL-40 before and after exercise in patients with stable CAD versus controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with stable CAD verified by coronary angiography (>70% stenosis) and 11 patients with a computer tomography angiography with no stenosis or calcification (calcium score=0) (controls) performed a standard clinical maximal exercise test. Serum YKL-40 was measured before exercise, immediately after exercise, and every hour for 6 h. RESULTS: Cardiovascular risk factors were more prevalent among the CAD patients compared with the controls. CAD patients had higher serum concentration of YKL-40 at baseline compared with controls, median (interquartile range) 94 (52–151) versus 57 (45–79) μg/l. Serum YKL-40 decreased stepwise after exercise, with a median decrease of 16 (13–39) μg/l for the CAD patients and 13 (10–22) μg/l for the controls from baseline to the lowest value. Thereafter, values increased again toward baseline level. Time after exercise was a significant factor for decrease in serum YKL-40 (P<0.0001), but no difference in YKL-40 decrease over time could be demonstrated between the groups (P=0.12). CONCLUSION: Serum YKL-40 is elevated in patients with documented CAD compared with controls, and it decreases stepwise after exercise in both groups, indicating an anti-inflammatory effect of exercise independent of the presence of coronary atherosclerosis