Non-invasive vocal-folds monitoring using electrical imaging methods

International audienceMany methods have been considered for human larynx imaging and especially vocalfolds monitoring. A widely-used non-invasive technology for vocal-folds monitoring is electroglottography (EGG), a technology based on impedance measurement of the larynx. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is another non-invasive electrical measurement method which attempts to reconstruct the conductivity map inside an object. It has been used in several human monitoring applications, and a theoretical study of EIT for vocal-folds monitoring has given promising results [8] but, to our knowledge, no device has been built. In our project, we aim at developing an innovative measurement system for vocal-folds monitoring using both EGG and EIT technologies. Two devices are currently under development. In this paper, we present a brief review of EGG and EIT technologies, the principles of the two new devices and the perspectives they offer for both medical and research fields

Severe thrombophilia in a factor V‐deficient patient homozygous for the Ala2086Asp mutation (FV Besançon)

International audienceBackground Coagulation factor V (FV), present in plasma and platelets, has both pro- and anticoagulant functions.Objective We investigated an FV-deficient patient (FV:C 3%, FV:Ag 4%) paradoxically presenting with recurrent venous thrombosis (11 events) instead of bleeding.Methods/Results Thrombophilia screening revealed only heterozygosity for the F2 20210G>A mutation. Although thrombin generation in the patient's platelet-poor plasma was suggestive of a hypocoagulable state, thrombin generation in the patient's platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was higher than in control PRP and extremely resistant to activated protein C (APC). This was partially attributable to the complete abolition of the APC-cofactor activity of FV and a marked reduction of plasma tissue factor pathway inhibitor antigen and activity. The patient was homozygous for a novel missense mutation (Ala2086Asp, FVBesancon) that favors a "closed conformation" of the C2 domain, predicting impaired binding of FV(a) to phospholipids. Recombinant FVBesancon was hardly secreted, indicating that this mutation is responsible for the patient's FV deficiency. Model system experiments performed using highly diluted plasma as a source of FV showed that, compared with normal FVa, FVa(Besancon) has slightly (<= 1.5-fold) unfavorable kinetic parameters (K-m, V-max) of prothrombin activation, but also a lower rate of APC-catalyzed inactivation in the presence of protein S.Conclusions FVBesancon induces a hypercoagulable state via quantitative (markedly decreased FV level) and qualitative (phospholipid-binding defect) effects that affect anticoagulant pathways (anticoagulant activities of FV, FVa inactivation, tissue factor pathway inhibitor alpha level) more strongly than the prothrombinase activity of FVa. A possible specific role of platelet FV cannot be excluded

GFHT proposals on the practical use of argatroban — With specifics regarding vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopaenia (VITT)

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