Les limites de la fibroscopie [Limits of fibroscopy]

La fibroscopie oesophagienne n'est pas sans poser quelques problèmes : pouvoir optique limité, examen insuffisant de l'hypopharynx et des zones sphinctériennes, manque de sélectivité des biopsies en muqueuse plane, possibilités instrumentales insuffisantes pour la désobstruction alimentaire et l'hémostase. Bien que le fibroscope reste l'instrument de choix pour les examens de routine, l'oesophagoscope rigide doit jouer un rôle déterminant dans le bilan pré-thérapeutique des patients porteurs d'un carcinome epidermoïde « précoce », dans l'extraction des corps étrangers, et dans toutes les situations complexes où l'instrument flexible se révèle insuffisant pour des raisons techniques (biopsie, coloration vitale, désobstruction alimentaire, etc.).

Study of fish swimming activity using Acoustical Doppler Velocimetry (ADV) techniques

Peer reviewed

Influence of rootstocks and pruning times on yield and on nutrient content and extraction in 'Niagara Rosada' grapevine

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of rootstocks and pruning times on yield and on nutrient content and extraction by pruned branches and harvested bunches of 'Niagara Rosada' grapevine in subtropical climate. The rootstocks 'IAC 766', 'IAC 572', 'IAC 313', 'IAC 571-6', and '106-8 Mgt' were evaluated. Treatments consisted of a combination between five rootstocks and three pruning times. At pruning, fresh and dry matter mass of branches were evaluated to estimate biomass accumulation. At harvest, yield was estimated by weighing of bunches per plant. Branches and bunches were sampled at pruning and at harvest, respectively, for nutrient content analysis. Nutrient content and dry matter mass of branches and bunches were used to estimate total nutrient extraction. 'Niagara Rosada' grapevine grafted onto the 'IAC 572' rootstock had the highest yield and dry matter mass of bunches, which were significantly different from the ones observed in 'Niagara Rosada'/'IAC 313'. 'Niagara Rosada' grafted onto the 'IAC 572' rootstock extracted the largest quantity of K, P, Mg, S, Cu, and Fe, differing from 'IAC 313' and 'IAC 766' in K and P extraction, and from '106-8 Mgt' in Mg and S extraction. Winter pruning results in higher yield, dry matter accumulation by branches, and total nutrient content and extraction.

Fuzzy Principal Components Analysis

Due to the large number of characteristics, there is a need to extract the most relevant characteristicsfrom the input data, so that the amount of information lost in this way is minimal, and the classification realized with the projected data set is relevant with respect to the original data. In order to achieve this feature extraction, different statistical techniques, as well as the principal components analysis (PCA) may be used. This thesis describes an extension of principal components analysis (PCA) allowing the extraction ofa finite number of relevant features from high-dimensional fuzzy data and noisy data. PCA finds linear combinations of the original measurement variables that describe the significant variation in the data. The comparisonof the two proposed methods was produced by using postoperative patient data. Experiment results demonstrate the ability of using the proposed two methods in complex data. Fuzzy PCA was used in the classificationproblem. The classification was applied by using the similarity classifier algorithm where total similarity measures weights are optimized with differential evolution algorithm. This thesis presents the comparison of the classification results based on the obtained data from the fuzzy PCA.

Evaluation of acid digestion techniques to estimate chromium contents in cattle feces

The objective of this work was to evaluate the accuracy of digestion techniques using nitric and perchloric acid at the ratios of 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1 v v-1, in one- or two-step digestion, to estimate chromium contents in cattle feces, using sodium molybdate as a catalyst. Fecal standards containing known chromium contents (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g kg-1) were produced from feces of five animals. The chromium content in cattle feces is accurately estimated using digestion techniques based on nitric and perchloric acids, at a 3:1 v v-1 ratio, in one-step digestion, with sodium molybdate as a catalyst.

Evolving techniques to evaluate ejaculatory function.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent findings in the physiology and neurobiology of ejaculation have expanded our understanding of male sexual function and have allowed the development of new instruments to investigate ejaculatory and orgasmic disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: The evidence-based definition of lifelong premature ejaculation has set a model in the evaluation and treatment outcome of sexual dysfunction. New instruments to objectively assess arousal, orgasm and the expulsion phase of ejaculation such as functional MRI, dynamic pelvic ultrasound, PET scans and validated questionnaires have lead to a better understanding of sexual dysfunction in men. Animal models, developments in neurobiology and clinical experience have transformed a purely psychoanalytical approach to ejaculatory and orgasmic function into a novel multidisciplinary, scientifically sound and evidence-based discipline of medicine. SUMMARY: Ejaculation is an integral part of normal sexual function. Ejaculatory dysfunction is common and may cause substantial disruption to the quality of a patient's life. A better understanding of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, neuroscience and genetics of ejaculatory and orgasmic function will eventually lead to the development of new, effective methods of treatment of disorders of ejaculation and orgasm in men.

Buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine quantification in human plasma by simple protein precipitation and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A highly sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the quantification of buprenorphine and its major metabolite norbuprenorphine in human plasma. In order to speed up the process and decrease costs, sample preparation was performed by simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first application of this extraction technique for the quantification of buprenorphine in plasma. Matrix effects were strongly reduced and selectivity increased by using an efficient chromatographic separation on a sub-2μm column (Acquity UPLC BEH C18 1.7μm, 2.1×50mm) in 5min with a gradient of ammonium formate 20mM pH 3.05 and acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4ml/min. Detection was made using a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in positive electrospray ionization mode, using multiple reaction monitoring. The procedure was fully validated according to the latest Food and Drug Administration guidelines and the Société Française des Sciences et Techniques Pharmaceutiques. Very good results were obtained by using a stable isotope-labeled internal standard for each analyte, to compensate for the variability due to the extraction and ionization steps. The method was very sensitive with lower limits of quantification of 0.1ng/ml for buprenorphine and 0.25ng/ml for norbuprenorphine. The upper limit of quantification was 250ng/ml for both drugs. Trueness (98.4-113.7%), repeatability (1.9-7.7%), intermediate precision (2.6-7.9%) and internal standard-normalized matrix effects (94-101%) were in accordance with international recommendations. The procedure was successfully used to quantify plasma samples from patients included in a clinical pharmacogenetic study and can be transferred for routine therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical laboratories without further development.

Immunomarquage des collagènes I, III et IV, de la laminine et de la fibronectine dans la capsule cristallinienne humaine [Immunolabelling of collagen types I, III and IV, laminin and fibronectin in the human lens capsule].

PURPOSE: To localize collagen types I, III, and IV, laminin and fibronectin in the anterior human lens capsule. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one anterior capsules were sampled by capsulorhexis during extracapsular cataract extraction (mean age 71.5). All capsules were labelled by an immunostaining specific for each antibodies. Immunostaining of four capsules was revealed with immunoperoxydase and seventeen using indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Labelling of collagen types I and III was observed throughout the entire thickness of the capsule for each technique, the strongest labelling was found in the base of the epithelial cells with immunofluorescence. Collagen type IV was observed at the base of the epithelial cells whichever technique was used. Laminin could be detected in the inner layer of the capsule, using immunoperoxydase or immunofluorescence. No specific labelling was found for fibronectin using the two techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Different kinds of collagens have been found in capsules, more particularly the type III. The latter does not appear on other ocular basement membrane. Because of this uneven distribution in the capsule's thickness, each collagen might have a specific function.

Estratigrafia i evolució conceptual d'un paisatge de muntanya al massís del Garraf: la Maçana-Rovirós-Térmens (Begues)

En aquest estudi, l'aplicació regressiva de tècniques com la prospecció arqueològica, la foto i cartointerpretació, els SIG i el buidatge documental han permès la reconstrucció diacrònica del paisatge de l'àrea de la Maçana-Térmens-Rovirós (Begues). L'estudi paisatgístic del Garraf revesteix un singular interès per la seva condició muntanyenca i la seva intensa antropització. Els entorns de muntanya són medis especialment sensibles a processos de canvi, especialment en el cas del massís del Garraf, proper a importants nuclis d'habitació des de l'antiguitat. El nostre treball mostrarà com, en ocasions, el canvi paisatgístic ha estat irreversible al massís.

The Application of 3D Reconstruction Techniques in the Analysis of Ancient Tarraco’s Urban Topography

The widespread implementation of GIS-based 3D topographical models has been a great aid in the development and testing of archaeological hypotheses. In this paper, a topographical reconstruction of the ancient city of Tarraco, the Roman capital of the Tarraconensis province, is presented. This model is based on topographical data obtained through archaeological excavations, old photographic documentation, georeferenced archive maps depicting the pre-modern city topography, modern detailed topographical maps and differential GPS measurements. The addition of the Roman urban architectural features to the model offers the possibility to test hypotheses concerning the ideological background manifested in the city shape. This is accomplished mainly through the use of 3D views from the main city accesses. These techniques ultimately demonstrate the ‘theatre-shaped’ layout of the city (to quote Vitrubius) as well as its southwest oriented architecture, whose monumental character was conceived to present a striking aspect to visitors, particularly those arriving from the sea.

Indexation et annotation pour améliorer le partage des documents

Le partage et la réutilisation d'objets d'apprentissage est encore une utopie. La mise en commun de documents pédagogiques et leur adaptation à différents contextes ont fait l'objet de très nombreux travaux. L'un des aspects qui fait problème concerne leur description qui se doit d'être aussi précise que possible afin d'en faciliter la gestion et plus spécifiquement un accès ciblé. Cette description s'effectue généralement par l'instanciation d'un ensemble de descripteurs standardisés ou métadonnées (LOM, ARIADNE, DC, etc). Force est de constater que malgré l'existence de ces standards, dont certains sont relativement peu contraignants, peu de pédagogues ou d'auteurs se prêtent à cet exercice qui reste lourd et peu gratifiant. Nous sommes parti de l'idée que si l'indexation pouvait être réalisée automatiquement avec un bon degré d'exactitude, une partie de la solution serait trouvée. Pour ce, nous nous sommes tout d'abord penché sur l'analyse des facteurs bloquants de la génération manuelle effectuée par les ingénieurs pédagogiques de l'Université de Lausanne. La complexité de ces facteurs (humains et techniques) nous a conforté dans l'idée que la génération automatique de métadonnées était bien de nature à contourner les difficultés identifiées. Nous avons donc développé une application de génération automatique de métadonnées laquelle se focalise sur le contenu comme source unique d'extraction. Une analyse en profondeur des résultats obtenus, nous a permis de constater que : - Pour les documents non structurés : notre application présente des résultats satisfaisants en se basant sur les indicateurs de mesure de qualité des métadonnées (complétude, précision, consistance logique et cohérence). - Pour des documents structurés : la génération automatique s'est révélée peu satisfaisante dans la mesure où elle ne permet pas d'exploiter les éléments sémantiques (structure, annotations) qu'ils contiennent. Et dans ce cadre nous avons pensé qu'il était possible de faire mieux. C'est ainsi que nous avons poursuivi nos travaux afin de proposer une deuxième application tirant profit du potentiel des documents structurés et des langages de transformation (XSLT) qui s'y rapportent pour améliorer la recherche dans ces documents. Cette dernière exploite la totalité des éléments sémantiques (structure, annotations) et constitue une autre alternative à la recherche basée sur les métadonnées. De plus, la recherche basée sur les annotations et la structure offre comme avantage supplémentaire de permettre de retrouver, non seulement les documents eux-mêmes, mais aussi des parties de documents. Cette caractéristique apporte une amélioration considérable par rapport à la recherche par métadonnées qui ne donne accès qu'à des documents entiers. En conclusion nous montrerons, à travers des exemples appropriés, que selon le type de document : il est possible de procéder automatiquement à leur indexation pour faciliter la recherche de documents dès lors qu'il s'agit de documents non structurés ou d'exploiter directement leur contenu sémantique dès lors qu'il s'agit de documents structurés.

High-performance liquid chromatography of the renal blood flow marker p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) and its metabolite N-acetyl PAH improves PAH clearance measurements.

PAH (N-(4-aminobenzoyl)glycin) clearance measurements have been used for 50 years in clinical research for the determination of renal plasma flow. The quantitation of PAH in plasma or urine is generally performed by colorimetric method after diazotation reaction but the measurements must be corrected for the unspecific residual response observed in blank plasma. We have developed a HPLC method to specifically determine PAH and its metabolite NAc-PAH using a gradient elution ion-pair reversed-phase chromatography with UV detection at 273 and 265 nm, respectively. The separations were performed at room temperature on a ChromCart (125 mmx4 mm I.D.) Nucleosil 100-5 microm C18AB cartridge column, using a gradient elution of MeOH-buffer pH 3.9 1:99-->15:85 over 15 min. The pH 3.9 buffered aqueous solution consisted in a mixture of 375 ml sodium citrate-citric acid solution (21.01 g citric acid and 8.0 g NaOH per liter), added up with 2.7 ml H3PO4 85%, 1.0 g of sodium heptanesulfonate and completed ad 1000 ml with ultrapure water. The N-acetyltransferase activity does not seem to notably affect PAH clearances, although NAc-PAH represents 10.2+/-2.7% of PAH excreted unchanged in 12 healthy subjects. The performance of the HPLC and the colorimetric method have been compared using urine and plasma samples collected from healthy volunteers. Good correlations (r=0.94 and 0.97, for plasma and urine, respectively) are found between the results obtained with both techniques. However, the colorimetric method gives higher concentrations of PAH in urine and lower concentrations in plasma than those determined by HPLC. Hence, both renal (ClR) and systemic (Cls) clearances are systematically higher (35.1 and 17.8%, respectively) with the colorimetric method. The fraction of PAH excreted by the kidney ClR/ClS calculated from HPLC data (n=143) is, as expected, always <1 (mean=0.73+/-0.11), whereas the colorimetric method gives a mean extraction ratio of 0.87+/-0.13 implying some unphysiological values (>1). In conclusion, HPLC not only enables the simultaneous quantitation of PAH and NAc-PAH, but may also provide more accurate and precise PAH clearance measurements.