An Experimental Study Of An Electroaerodynamic Actuator

The electroaerodynamic actuator or plasma actuator uses the characteristics of the non-thermal surface plasmas. These plasmas are created in atmospheric pressure by a DC electrical corona discharge at the surface of a dielectric material. The two electrodes are two conductive parallel wires. The applied voltage is of several kilovolts. The corona discharge creates a tangential electric wind that can modify the boundary layer flow properties. In this paper, we present the results found for two geometric configurations: the flat plate and the cylinder. In order to study the discharge specificity, we have found the current- voltage characteristics for different inter-electrode gaps, different dielectric materials and for different values of air relative humidity. Moreover, we present the curves of linear current density- electric field. All these measurements are carried out when the discharge is stable without any spark. We show some photos that illustrate the steady discharge types. At last, we quantify the aerodynamic aspect of the discharge by giving the ionic wind velocity profile of the discharge at the surface of the dielectric obstacle

A prospective, randomised comparison of continuous paravertebral block and continuous intercostal nerve block for post-thoracotomy pain

Background: This study aimed to compare paravertebral block and continuous intercostal nerve block after thoracotomy.Methods: Forty-six adult patients undergoing elective posterolateral thoracotomy were randomised to receive either a continuous intercostal nerve blockade or a paravertebral block. Opioid consumption and postoperative pain were assessed for 48 hours .Pulmonary function was assessed by forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) recorded at 4 hours intervals.Results: With respect to the objective visual assessment (VAS), both techniques were effective for post thoracotomy pain. The average VAS score at rest was 29±10mm for paravertebral block and 31.5±11mm for continuous intercostal nerve block. The average VAS score on coughing was 36±14mm for the first one and 4 ±14mm for the second group. Pain at rest was similar in both groups. Pain scores on coughing were lower in paravertebral block group at 42 and 48 hours. Post-thoracotomy function was better preserved with paravertebral block. No difference was found among the two groups for side effects related to technique, major morbidity or duration of hospitalisation.Conclusion: We found that continuous intercostal nerve block and paravertebral block were effective and safe methods for post-thoracotomy pain.

Role of genetic polymorphisms in tumour angiogenesis

Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in the development, growth and spread of solid tumours. Pro- and anti-angiogenic factors are abnormally expressed in tumours, influencing tumour angiogenesis, growth and progression. Polymorphisms in genes encoding angiogenic factors or their receptors may alter protein expression and/or activity. This article reviews the literature to determine the possible role of angiogenesis-related polymorphisms in cancer. Further research studies in this potentially crucial area of tumour biology are proposed

TNFRSF1B +676 T>G polymorphism predicts survival of non-Small cell lung cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The dysregulation of gene expression in the TNF-TNFR superfamily has been involved in various human cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Furthermore, functional polymorphisms in <it>TNF-α </it>and <it>TNFRSF1B </it>genes that alter gene expression are likely to be associated with risk and clinical outcomes of cancers. However, few reported studies have investigated the association between potentially functional SNPs in both <it>TNF-α </it>and <it>TNFRSF1B </it>and prognosis of NSCLC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We genotyped five potentially functional polymorphisms of <it>TNF-α </it>and <it>TNFRSF1B </it>genes [<it>TNF-α </it>-308 G>A (rs1800629) and -1031 T>C (rs1799964); <it>TNFRSF1B </it>+676 T>G (rs1061622), -1709A>T(rs652625) and +1663A>G (rs1061624)] in 225 NSCLC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate associations between these variants and NSCLC overall survival (OS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that the <it>TNFRSF1B </it>+676 GG genotype was associated with a significantly better OS of NSCLC (GG <it>vs. </it>TT: adjusted HR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.15-0.94; GG <it>vs. </it>GT/TT: adjusted HR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.14-0.88). Further stepwise multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the <it>TNFRSF1B </it>+676 GG was an independent prognosis predictor in this NSCLC cohort (GG <it>vs. </it>GT/TT: HR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.14-0.85), in the presence of node status (N_2-3<it>vs. </it>N_0-1: HR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.09-2.35) and tumor stage (T_3-4<it>vs. </it>T_0-2: HR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.08-2.03).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although the exact biological function for this SNP remains to be explored, our findings suggest a possible role of <it>TNFRSF1B </it>+676 T>G (rs1061622) in the prognosis of NSCLC. Further large and functional studies are needed to confirm our findings.</p

Inflammatory mediators in breast cancer: Coordinated expression of TNFα & IL-1β with CCL2 & CCL5 and effects on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The inflammatory chemokines CCL2 (MCP-1) & CCL5 (RANTES) and the inflammatory cytokines TNFα & IL-1β were shown to contribute to breast cancer development and metastasis. In this study, we wished to determine whether there are associations between these factors along stages of breast cancer progression, and to identify the possible implications of these factors to disease course.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The expression of CCL2, CCL5, TNFα and IL-1β was determined by immunohistochemistry in patients diagnosed with: (1) Benign breast disorders (=healthy individuals); (2) Ductal Carcinoma <it>In Situ </it>(DCIS); (3) Invasive Ducal Carcinoma without relapse (IDC-no-relapse); (4) IDC-with-relapse. Based on the results obtained, breast tumor cells were stimulated by the inflammatory cytokines, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was determined by flow cytometry, confocal analyses and adhesion, migration and invasion experiments.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CCL2, CCL5, TNFα and IL-1β were expressed at very low incidence in normal breast epithelial cells, but their incidence was significantly elevated in tumor cells of the three groups of cancer patients. Significant associations were found between CCL2 & CCL5 and TNFα & IL-1β in the tumor cells in DCIS and IDC-no-relapse patients. In the IDC-with-relapse group, the expression of CCL2 & CCL5 was accompanied by further elevated incidence of TNFα & IL-1β expression. These results suggest progression-related roles for TNFα and IL-1β in breast cancer, as indeed indicated by the following: (1) Tumors of the IDC-with-relapse group had significantly higher persistence of TNFα and IL-1β compared to tumors of DCIS or IDC-no-relapse; (2) Continuous stimulation of the tumor cells by TNFα (and to some extent IL-1β) has led to EMT in the tumor cells; (3) Combined analyses with relevant clinical parameters suggested that IL-1β acts jointly with other pro-malignancy factors to promote disease relapse.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings suggest that the coordinated expression of CCL2 & CCL5 and TNFα & IL-1β may be important for disease course, and that TNFα & IL-1β may promote disease relapse. Further <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo </it>studies are needed for determination of the joint powers of the four factors in breast cancer, as well as analyses of their combined targeting in breast cancer.</p

Hereditary breast cancer in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) populations: identification of novel, recurrent and founder BRCA1 mutations in the Tunisian population

Germ-line mutations in BRCA1 breast cancer susceptibility gene account for a large proportion of hereditary breast cancer families and show considerable ethnic and geographical variations. The contribution of BRCA1 mutations to hereditary breast cancer has not yet been thoroughly investigated in Middle Eastern and North African populations. In this study, 16 Tunisian high-risk breast cancer families were screened for germline mutations in the entire BRCA1 coding region and exon–intron boundaries using direct sequencing. Six families were found to carry BRCA1 mutations with a prevalence of 37.5%. Four different deleterious mutations were detected. Three truncating mutations were previously described: c.798_799delTT (916 delTT), c.3331_3334delCAAG (3450 delCAAG), c.5266dupC (5382 insC) and one splice site mutation which seems to be specific to the Tunisian population: c.212 + 2insG (IVS5 + 2insG). We also identified 15 variants of unknown clinical significance. The c.798_799delTT mutation occurred at an 18% frequency and was shared by three apparently unrelated families. Analyzing five microsatellite markers in and flanking the BRCA1 locus showed a common haplotype associated with this mutation. This suggests that the c.798_799delTT mutation is a Tunisian founder mutation. Our findings indicate that the Tunisian population has a spectrum of prevalent BRCA1 mutations, some of which appear as recurrent and founding mutations

Towards a Better Understanding of Genetic Operators for Ordering Optimization: Application to the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem

International audienceGenetic Algorithms (GA) have long been used for ordering optimization problems with some considerable efforts to improve their exploration and exploitation abilities. A great number of GA implementations have been proposed varying from GAs applying simple or advanced variation operators to hybrid GAs combined with different heuristics. In this work, we propose a short review of genetic operators for ordering optimization with a classification according to the information used in the reproduction step. Crossover operators could be position ("blind") operators or heuristic operators. Mutation operators could be applied randomly or using local optimization. After studying the contribution of each class on solving two benchmark instances of the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP), we explain how to combine the variation operators to allow simultaneously a better exploration of the search space with higher exploitation. We then propose the random and the balanced hybridization of the operators' classes. The hybridization strategies are applied to solve 24 CVRP benchmark instances. Results are analyzed and compared to demonstrate the role of each class of operators in the evolution process

تأثير عملية التخليل على تصبير الحنشة المدخنة

The effect of marination on the shelf life of smoked eel (Anguilla anguilla) was investigated. The fish was hot smoked at 80°C for 90 min and separated into two samples: Lot A was immersed in a solution containing 4% acetic acid, 4% lemon juice and 10% NaCl, then stored at 4°C during 7 days. After the marination process, samples were transferred to a diluted solution, containing 2% acetic acid, and 2% NaCl. Lot B was directly immersed in the same diluted solution. Chemical (total volatile basic nitrogen), physical (pH), microbiological (Total viable count, coliforms, pathogen staphylocoques, sulphate reducing bacteria and salmonellas) and sensory analyses were performed on both lots during the storage. The marination reduced considerably the bacterial flora and permitted shelf life extension of both lots. Depending on the acetic acid and salt concentrations, the taste and aroma of the smoked eel were masked by the high acidity of lot A. According to sensory analyses the panellists have chosen lot B. TVB-N, pH and TVC values significantly increased during the storage, and were higher in lot B. Sensory analyses did not show unacceptable values up to 90 days of storage at 4 °C, but microbiological values showed unacceptable values after 7 and 10 weeks of storage for the B and A samples respectively.L’effet du marinage sur la conservation de l’anguille fumée, a été étudié. Les anguilles ont été fumées à chaud à 80°C pendant 1h30 puis marinées différemment, et divisées en deux lots A et B. Le lot A a été d’abord macéré à 4°C, durant 7 jours, dans une saumure contenant 4% d’acide acétique, 4% de jus de citron et 10 % de sel, puis conditionné directement dans une saumure légère contant 2% d’acide acétique et 2% de sel. Le lot B a été conservé directement sans macération, dans le même bain de conditionnement que le lot A. Une comparaison des caractéristiques microbiologiques (Flore mésophile aerobie totale, coliformes, Anaerobie sulfito réducteur, staphylocoques présumés pathogènes et salmonelles), physicochimiques (Azote basique volatile totale et pH) et organoleptiques des deux lots, a été établie. Les principales conclusions se résument comme suit: le marinage a réduit considérablement la flore microbienne et a permis d’augmenter la durée de conservation des deux lots. La durée de conservation dépend de la concentration en sel et en acide acétique. L’acidité élevée du lot A a dissimulé l’arome et le goût des anguilles fumées. Les dégustateurs ont tendance à préférer le lot B. L’évolution des valeurs de l’ABVT, du pH et de la FMAT du lot B est significativement élevée par comparaison au lot A. Les analyses sensorielles n’ont pas atteint des seuils de rejet jusqu’à 90 jours de stockage à 4°C, par contre le seuil limite de la FMAT a été atteint à la 7éme et 10éme semaine de conservation respectivement pour le lot B et le lot A.اهتمت هذه الدراسة بتأثير عملية التخليل على تصبير دفعتين" أ و ب" من سمكة الحنشة المدخنة تحت درجة حرارة °C80 و لمدة ساعة و30 دقيقة وقع تخليلها بطريقتين مختلفتين. و قد أظهرت نتائج هذه الدراسة، أهمّية التخليل في الحدّ من تكاثر الجراثيم و بالتالي في التمديد في مدّة تصبير الدفعتين كما أبرزت النتائج أن هذه المدة مرتبطة أساسا بنسبة تركيز الملــح و الحامض الآستيك و أن الحموضة المرتفعة للدفعة أ، أثّرت سلبا على نكهة و ذوق الحنشة المدخنة حيث استحسن الذواقون مذاق الدفعة ب. لكن تطوّر تحاليل الأزوت القاعدي المبخر كليا و مؤشر الحموضة و التحاليل الجرثومية الكلية كان مرتفعا بالنسبة للدفعة ب مقارنة بالدفعة أ. كما أظهرت التحاليل أنه تم الوصول إلى الحد المسموح به بالنـسبة للجراثيم الكلية و ذلك بعد سبعة أسابيع من التصبير بالنسبة للدفعــة ب و 10 أسابيع بالنسبة للدفعة أ بالرغم من أن التحاليل الحسية لم تصل إلى حد الإتلاف بعد 90 يوما من التصبير تحت درجة 4°C بالنسبة للدفعتين.Publishe