Value of tongue biting in the differential diagnosis between epileptic seizures and syncope

AbstractBackgroundTongue biting (TB) may occur both in epileptic seizures and in syncope. A comprehensive search of the literature to determine the accuracy of this physical finding and its prevalence in epileptic seizures and syncope is still lacking.AimsTo undertake a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies evaluating the prevalence of TB in patients with epileptic seizures and syncope, and to determine sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios (LR) of this physical finding.MethodStudies comparing the prevalence of TB in epileptic seizures and syncope were systematically searched. Prevalence of TB was analyzed calculating odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (pLR, nLR) of TB were determined for each study and for the pooled results.ResultsTwo studies (75 epilepsy patients and 98 subjects with syncope) were included. There was a significantly higher prevalence of TB in patients with epileptic seizures (OR 12.26; 95% CI 3.99–37.69). Pooled accuracy measures of TB for the diagnosis of epileptic seizures were: sensitivity 33%, specificity 96%, pLR 8.167 (95% CI 2.969–22.461) and nLR 0.695 (95% CI 0.589–0.82).ConclusionsA pooled analysis of data from the literature shows that TB has great value in the differential diagnosis between epileptic seizures and syncope. Given a certain pre-test probability of seizures, the presence of TB greatly increases the chance that the patient had an epileptic seizure. Systematic reviews with pooled analyses (meta-analyses) of data from the literature allow an increase in statistical power and an improvement in precision, representing a useful tool to determine the accuracy of a certain physical finding in the differential diagnosis between seizures and other paroxysmal events

Mechanical Support for Efficient Dissemination on the CAN Overlay Network

The various algorithms underlying P2P systems are notoriously difficult to design and analyze. Coming up with new proven algorithms for such large scale systems is a challenging task. We report on the initial steps of an ongoing work that aims to devise an efficient correct-by-construction broadcast algorithm for the CAN structured overlay network. To rigorously reason about such an algorithm and prove correctness we rely on an interactive theorem prover : Isabelle/HOL. This paper presents a generic reasoning framework which should ease the promotion of formal correctness proofs of existing multicast algorithms and also facilitate the design of new ones.Les différents algorithmes sous-jacents des systèmes Pair-à-Pair sont notoirement difficiles à concevoir et à analyser. Créer de nouveaux algorithmes prouvés corrects pour de tels systèmes à grande échelle est une tâche difficile. Nous rapportons les premières étapes d'un travail en cours qui vise à concevoir un algorithme de diffusion qui est correct par construction et efficace pour le réseau de recouvrement structuré CAN. Afin de raisonner de manière rigoureuse sur un tel algorithme et d'en prouver son exactitude nous nous appuyons sur un assistant de preuve interactif: Isabelle / HOL. Cet article présente un cadre de raisonnement générique qui devrait faciliter la promotion de preuves de correction formelle d'algorithmes de multicast existants et de faciliter la conception de nouveaux algorithmes

A Rationally Designed Hsp70 Variant Rescues the Aggregation-Associated Toxicity of Human IAPP in Cultured Pancreatic Islet β-Cells.

Molecular chaperones are key components of the protein homeostasis system against protein misfolding and aggregation. It has been recently shown that these molecules can be rationally modified to have an enhanced activity against specific amyloidogenic substrates. The resulting molecular chaperone variants can be effective inhibitors of protein aggregation in vitro, thus suggesting that they may provide novel opportunities in biomedical and biotechnological applications. Before such opportunities can be exploited, however, their effects on cell viability should be better characterised. Here, we employ a rational design method to specifically enhance the activity of the 70-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) against the aggregation of the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP, also known as amylin). We then show that the Hsp70 variant that we designed (grafted heat shock protein 70 kDa-human islet amyloid polypeptide, GHsp70-hIAPP) is significantly more effective than the wild type in recovering the viability of cultured pancreatic islet β-cells RIN-m5F upon hIAPP aggregation. These results indicate that a full recovery of the toxic effects of hIAPP aggregates on cultured pancreatic cells can be achieved by increasing the specificity and activity of Hsp70 towards hIAPP, thus providing evidence that the strategy presented here provides a possible route for rationally tailoring molecular chaperones for enhancing their effects in a target-dependent manner.Alzheimer's Society U

Modular P2P-Based Approach for RDF Data Storage and Retrieval

International audienceOne of the key elements of the Semantic Web is the Resource Description Framework (RDF). Efficient storage and retrieval of RDF data in large scale settings is still challenging and existing solutions are monolithic and thus not very flexible from a software engineering point of view. In this paper, we propose a modular system, based on the scalable Content-Addressable Network (CAN), which gives the possibility to store and retrieve RDF data in large scale settings. We identified and isolated key components forming such system in our design architecture. We have evaluated our system using the Grid'5000 testbed over 300 peers on 75 machines and the outcome of these micro-benchmarks show interesting results in terms of scalability and concurrent queries

Detection rate of FNA cytology in medullary thyroid carcinoma. a meta-analysis

Background: The early detection of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) can improve patient prognosis, because histological stage and patient age at diagnosis are highly relevant prognostic factors. As a consequence, delay in the diagnosis and/or incomplete surgical treatment should correlate with a poorer prognosis for patients. Few papers have evaluated the specific capability of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) to detect MTC, and small series have been reported. This study conducts a meta-analysis of published data on the diagnostic performance of FNAC in MTC to provide more robust estimates. Research Design and Methods: A comprehensive computer literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus databases was conducted by searching for the terms 'medullary thyroid' AND 'cytology', 'FNA', 'FNAB', 'FNAC', 'fine needle' or 'fine-needle'. The search was updated until 21 March 2014, and no language restrictions were used. Results: Fifteen relevant studies and 641 MTC lesions that had undergone FNAC were included. The detection rate (DR) of FNAC in patients with MTC (diagnosed as 'MTC' or 'suspicious for MTC') on a per lesion-based analysis ranged from 12·5% to 88·2%, with a pooled estimate of 56·4% (95% CI: 52·6-60·1%). The included studies were statistically heterogeneous in their estimates of DR (I-square >50%). Egger's regression intercept for DR pooling was 0·03 (95% CI: -3·1 to 3·2, P = 0·9). The study that reported the largest MTC series had a DR of 45%. Data on immunohistochemistry for calcitonin in diagnosing MTC were inconsistent for the meta-analysis. Conclusions: The presented meta-analysis demonstrates that FNAC is able to detect approximately one-half of MTC lesions. These findings suggest that other techniques may be needed in combination with FNAC to diagnose MTC and avoid false negative results. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

A new photophysics for 2D and 3D lead halide perovskites: Polaron plasma in equilibrium with bright excitons

Rapid advances in perovskite photovoltaics have produced efficient solar cells, with stability and duration improving thanks to variations in materials composition, including the use of layered 2D perovskites. A major reason for the success of perovskite photovoltaics is the presence of free carriers as majority optical excitations in 3D materials at room temperature. On the other hand, the current understanding is that in 2D perovskites or at cryogenic temperatures insulating bound excitons form, which need to be split in solar cells and are not beneficial to photoconversion. Here we apply a tandem spectroscopy technique that combines ultrafast photoluminescence and differential transmission to demonstrate a plasma of unbound charge carriers in chemical equilibrium with a minority phase of light-emitting excitons, even in 2D perovskites and at cryogenic temperatures. We validate the technique with 3D perovskites and investigate 2D compounds basded on both Pb and Sn as metal cation. The underlying photophysics is interpreted as formation of large polarons, charge carriers coupled to lattice deformations, in place of excitons. A conductive polaron plasma foresees novel mechanisms for LEDs and lasers, as well as a prominent role for 2D perovskites in photovoltaics

RDF Data Indexing and Retrieval: A survey of Peer-to-Peer based solutions

The Semantic Web enables the possibility to model, create and query resources found on the Web. Enabling the full potential of its technologies at the Internet level requires infrastructures that can cope with scalability challenges and support various types of queries. The attractive features of the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) communication model such as decentralization, scalability, fault-tolerance seems to be a natural solution to deal with these challenges. Consequently, the combination of the Semantic Web and the P2P model can be a highly innovative attempt to harness the strengths of both technologies and come up with a scalable infrastructure for RDF data storage and retrieval. In this respect, this survey details the research works that adopt this combination and gives an insight on how to deal with the RDF data at the indexing and querying levels.Le Web Sémantique permet de modéliser, créer et faire des requêtes sur les ressources disponibles sur le Web. Afin de permettre à ses technologies d'exploiter leurs potentiels à l'échelle de l'Internet, il est nécessaire qu'elles reposent sur des infrastructures qui puissent passer à l'échelle ainsi que de répondre aux exigences d'expressivité des types de requêtes qu'elles offrent. Les bonnes propriétés qu'offrent les dernières générations de systèmes pair-à- pair en termes de décentralisation, de tolérance aux pannes ainsi que de passage à l'échelle en font d'eux des candidats prometteurs. La combinaison du modèle pair-à-pair et des technologies du Web Sémantique est une tentative innovante ayant pour but de fournir une infrastructure capable de passer à l'échelle et pouvant stocker et rechercher des données de type RDF. Dans ce contexte, ce rapport présente un état de l'art et discute en détail des travaux autour de systèmes pair-à-pair qui traitent des données de type RDF à large échelle. Nous détaillons leurs mécanismes d'indexation de données ainsi que le traitement des divers types de requêtes offerts

Halide double-perovskites: High efficient light emission and beyond

Lead-free halide double perovskites are stable and versatile materials for a wide range of applications, particularly for lighting, thanks to their very efficient emission of warm white light. Element substitution in halide double perovskite is recognized as a powerful method for tuning the emission wavelength and improve the efficiency. This review provides an overview on composition and recent progress in halide double perovskite with main focus on the synthesis and emission properties of chloride-based compounds

Bioimpedance Vector References Need to Be Period‐ Specific for Assessing Body Composition and Cellular Health in Elite Soccer Players: A Brief Report

none9noPurpose: Bioimpedance data through bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) is used to evaluate cellular function and body fluid content. This study aimed to (i) identify whether BIVA patters differ according to the competitive period and (ii) provide specific references for assessing bioelectric properties at the start of the season in male elite soccer players. Methods: The study included 131 male soccer players (age: 25.1 ± 4.7 yr, height: 183.4 ± 6.1 cm, weight: 79.3 ± 6.6) registered in the first Italian soccer division (Serie A). Bioimpedance analysis was performed just before the start of the competitive season and BIVA was applied. In order to verify the need for period-specific references, bioelectrical values measured at the start of the season were compared to the reference values for the male elite soccer player population. Results: The results of the two-sample Hotelling T2tests showed that in the bivariate interpretation of the raw bioimpedance parameters (resistance (R) and reactance (Xc)) the bioelectric properties significantly (T2= 15.3, F = 7.6, p ≤ 0.001, Mahalanobis D = 0.45) differ between the two phases of the competition analyzed. In particular, the mean impedance vector is more displaced to the left into the R-Xc graph at the beginning of the season than in the first half of the championship. Conclusions: For an accurate evaluation of body composition and cellular health, the tolerance ellipses displayed by BIVA approach into the R-Xc graph must be period-specific. This study provides new specific tolerance ellipses (R/H: 246 ± 32.1, Xc/H: 34.3 ± 5.1, r: 0.7) for performing BIVA at the beginning of the competitive season in male elite soccer players.openBongiovanni T.; Mascherini G.; Genovesi F.; Pasta G.; Iaia F.M.; Trecroci A.; Ventimiglia M.; Alberti G.; Campa F.Bongiovanni T.; Mascherini G.; Genovesi F.; Pasta G.; Iaia F.M.; Trecroci A.; Ventimiglia M.; Alberti G.; Campa F