MoM analysis and design of a quasi-TEM split ring resonator for UHF-MRI

This article presents the electromagnetic characterization of the effective dielectric constant (εeff), the characteristic impedance (Zc),  the inductance (L) and the capacitance (C) of the quasi-transverse-electromagnetic split ring resonator (quasi-TEM SRR). This characterization is done using the method of moments (MoM), while the resonator is loaded by a dielectric body and is used for UHF-MRI probes. We simulate the frequency response of (S11) at the RF port of the designed quasi-TEM UHF-MRI probe using transmission line method (TLM).  As an application, we present the design results of an UHF-MRI probe loaded with a human muscle model of average relative dielectric constant of 65.57. The probe with high-Q operates at 340 MHz frequency and has (-115.7 dB) minimum reflections

Léiomyosarcome pleural primitif: à propos d’un cas

Nous rapportons le cas d'un léiomyosarcome pleural primitif, localement avancé, chez un homme de 64 ans, traité par chimiothérapie. La circonstance de découverte est une masse intra-thoracique, augmentant progressivement de volume, dans un contexte de fièvre et d'altération de l'état général. La tomodensitométrie abdominale a objectivé la tumeur. L'exploration chirurgicale a révélé une tumeur pleurale, très localement avancée, envahissant le médiastin. Une simple biopsie a été réalisée. L'examen anatomopathologique avec complément immunohistochimique était en faveur d'un léiomyosarcome de haut grade. Notre patient a reçu une chimiothérapie à base de Doxorubicine à la dose de 60 mg / m², administrée tous les 21 jours. L'évaluation après 6 cycles de chimiothérapie a retrouvé un bénéfice clinique et une réponse partielle radiologique estimée à 30%. Actuellement, il est en bon contrôle.Key words: Léiomyosarcome, plèvre, chimiothérapi

Effect of Melatonin Implants during the Non-Breeding Season on the Onset of Ovarian Activity and the Plasma Prolactin in Dromedary Camel

To examine a possible control of reproductive seasonality by melatonin, continual-release subcutaneous melatonin implants were inserted 4.5 months before the natural breeding season (October–April) into female camels (Melatonin-treated group). The animals were exposed to an artificial long photoperiod (16L:8D) for 41 days prior to implant placement to facilitate receptivity to the short-day signal that is expected with melatonin implants. The treated and control groups (untreated females) were maintained separately under outdoor natural conditions. Ovarian follicular development was monitored in both groups by transrectal ultrasonography and by plasma estradiol-17β concentrations performed weekly for 8 weeks and then for 14 weeks following implant insertion. Plasma prolactin concentrations were determined at 45 and 15 days before and 0, 14, 28, 56, and 98 days after implant insertion. Plasma melatonin concentration was determined to validate response to the artificial long photoperiod and to verify the pattern of release from the implants. Results showed that the artificial long photoperiod induced a melatonin secretion peak of significantly (P < 0.05) shorter duration (about 2.5 h). Melatonin release from the implants resulted in higher circulating plasma melatonin levels during daytime and nighttime which persisted for more than 12 weeks following implants insertion. Treatment with melatonin implants advanced the onset of follicular growth activity by 3.5 months compared to untreated animals. Plasma estradiol-17β increased gradually from the second week after the beginning of treatment to reach significantly (P < 0.01) higher concentrations (39.2 ± 6.2 to 46.4 ± 4.5 pg/ml) between the third and the fifth week post insertion of melatonin implants. Treatment with melatonin implants also induced a moderate, but significant (P < 0.05) suppressive effect on plasma prolactin concentration on the 28th day. These results demonstrate that photoperiod appears to be involved in dromedary reproductive seasonality. Melatonin implants may be a useful tool to manipulate seasonality and to improve reproductive performance in this species. Administration of subcutaneous melatonin implants during the transition period to the breeding season following an artificial signal of long photoperiod have the potential to advance the breeding season in camels by about 2.5 months

Le lipome du mésentère chez l'enfant

Le lipome du mésentère est une pathologie extrêmement rare chez l’enfant. Moins de 50 cas ont été rapportés dans la littérature. Il siège essentiellement au niveau du mésentère de l’intestin grêle. Nous rapportons une étude rétrospective de deux cas de lipome du mésentère chez l’enfant colligés au service des Urgences Chirurgicales Pédiatriques à l’Hôpital d’Enfants de Rabat sur une période de dix-sept ans s’étalant de l’année 1990 à l’année 2007, en démontrant l’utilité de la laparoscopie. La symptomatologie clinique chez nos deux malades est non spécifique, dominée par la douleur abdominale, la distension abdominale, ainsi que les troubles de transit. Le diagnostic se pose en se basant sur l’examen clinique, les données des examens para cliniques essentiellement l’échographie qui demeure l’examen de première intention, sans oublier la place de la tomodensitométrie qui permet de compléter l’échographie. En revanche, seule l’étude histologique de la pièce au cours d’une laparotomie ou d’une laparoscopie permet de confirmer le diagnostic. Ainsi, la chirurgie, que ça soit par laparotomie ou bien par cœlioscopie, constitue un moyen d’exploration et de traitement en matière du lipome du mésentère

Seasonal effects on fertility and ovarian follicular growth and maturation in camels (Camelus dromedarius)

International audienc

Infectious causes of reproductive loss in camelids

Reproductive losses in camelids are due to infertility, pregnancy loss, udder diseases and neonatal mortality caused by a variety of infectious diseases. Uterine infection and abortion represent the major complaint in camelid veterinary practice. The major infectious organisms in endometritis and metritis are E. coli and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus . Abortion rates due to infectious diseases vary from 10% to more than 70% in some areas. Leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis and chlamydiosis have been diagnosed as the major causes of abortion in llamas and alpacas. In camels, brucellosis and trypanosomiasis represent the major causes of infectious abortion in the Middle East and Africa. Mastitis is rare in South American camelids. The prevalence of subclinical udder infection in camels can reach very high proportions in dairy camels. Udder infections are primarily due to Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus . Neonatal mortality is primarily due to diarrhea following failure of passive transfer and exposure to E. coli , rotavirus, coronavirus, Coccidia and Salmonella . This paper reviews the etio-pathogenesis of these causes of reproductive losses, as well as the major risk factors and strategies to prevent their occurrence

Controls and manipulation of reproductive functions in native sheep

Meeting: Small Ruminants Research and Development in the Near East, 2-4 Nov. 1988, Cairo, EGIn IDL-298

Diagnostic Accuracy of an Indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (iELISA) for Screening of <i>Babesia bovis</i> in Cattle from West Africa

The epidemiology of corresponding tick-borne diseases has changed as a result of the recent introduction of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus to West Africa. The current study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of an indirect ELISA for the detection of Babesia bovis infection in cattle. In a cross-section study, using a Bayesian Latent Class Model and iELISA diagnostic test for cattle babesiosis due to Babesia bovis, accuracy has been assessed with RT-PCR as an imperfect reference test. A total of 766 cattle were tested. The optimal diagnostic performances were obtained with 5% percentage of positivity. Sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 0.94 [Cr. I.: 0.85–0.99] and 0.89 [Cr. I.: 0.87–0.92]. Additional diagnostic characteristics revealed that the Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) were 96.6% [Cr. I.: 92.7–100%] and 82.2% [Cr. I.: 72–93%]. Overall, this test well discriminates an infected status from an uninfected status considering the area under the ROC curve (AUC) which was 0.78 [Cr. I: 0.72–0.85] and a Diagnostic Odds Ratio (DOR) of 127.8 [Cr. I.: 10.43–1562.27]. The AUC was significantly higher than 0.5 (p −5). In consequence, this serologic assay could be suitable in moderate to high prevalence assessments