L’objectif de cette étude observationnelle était d’évaluer la réponse à une association d’extraits de boswellia, curcuma, et algue rouge, trois plantes aux propriétés anti-inflammatoires et ...analgésiques bien connues, chez des patients souffrant de gonarthrose. Les effets ont été évalués par un arsenal de mesures centrées sur le patient (patient-reported outcome measure PROMs).
Les patients souffrant d’une gonarthrose unilatérale ou bilatérale (radiographie<2 ans ; stade 2 ou 3 sur l’échelle de Kellgreen ; examen clinique) ont pris une gélule de l’association par jour pendant 90 jours (jusqu’à quatre en cas de crises douloureuses). Les PROMs ont été complétés à j0 (inclusion), 10, 20, 30, 60, et 90. Les patients ont également répondu à une liste de 17 items décrivant les caractéristiques de leur douleur.
Cent dix-huit patients (femmes : 69,5 % ; âge : 62,9 9,5 ans, moyenne ET ; IMC : 26,4 4,0 kg/m2 ; DN4<4 : 90,7 %) ont été inclus et ont pris au moins une gélule. Une amélioration des symptômes a été observée au cours du temps (p<0,0001 pour tous les PROMs) avec une réponse maximale à j90 : 64,5 % des patients étaient répondeurs (Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State PASS positif) ; 68,8 % et 58,4 % avaient des scores Minimal Clinically Important Improvement (MCII) et Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) indiquant une bonne réponse à la complémentation (score ≥ 3) et une amélioration notable de l’état de santé global (score ≥ 5) ; 73,3 % (versus 47,5 % à l’inclusion) présentaient un handicap léger à modéré (indice algofonctionnel de Lequesne<8) ; 55,2 % présentaient une diminution significative (−30 %) de l’intensité de la douleur (EVA). La prise d’analgésiques a diminué significativement entre j0 et j90 (p<0,0001 ; 35,1 % des patients à j90 versus 59,2 % à l’inclusion). Le temps médian avant le premier changement de PASS était de 34jours. L’intensité de la douleur (EVA) ainsi que les items « douleur lancinante » et « douleur diffuse » étaient des facteurs prédictifs de réponse à j30. À l’inclusion, 4 clusters de patients ont été isolés selon les caractéristiques de la douleur (17 items). L’amélioration de l’état des patients était particulièrement significative dans le cluster I, patients avec des douleurs légères et sans caractéristiques spécifiques. Néanmoins, des répondeurs ont été observés dans tous les clusters, montrant l’intérêt de l’association chez des patients présentant des symptômes plus sévères. L’observance du traitement et la tolérance étaient bonnes.
Les patients atteints de gonarthrose complémentés avec l’association de boswellia, curcuma, et algue rouge testée ont présenté une amélioration significative de leur état quels que soient les caractéristiques de la douleur et leur handicap à l’inclusion. Cette prise en charge a induit une diminution de la consommation de la prise d’antalgiques. Cette étude met également en évidence l’importance de l’utilisation de PROMs et de descripteurs qualitatifs de la douleur pour une évaluation individualisée des patients.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
We present observations of the rotational ortho-water ground transition, the two lowest para-water transitions, and the ground transition of ionised ortho-water in the archetypal starburst galaxy M ...82, performed with the HIFI instrument on the Herschel Space Observatory. These observations are the first detections of the para-H2O(111–000) (1113 GHz) and ortho-H2O+(111–000) (1115 GHz) lines in an extragalactic source. All three water lines show different spectral line profiles, underlining the need for high spectral resolution in interpreting line formation processes. Using the line shape of the para-H2O(111–000) and ortho-H2O+(111–000) absorption profile in conjunction with high spatial resolution CO observations, we show that the (ionised) water absorption arises from a ~2000 pc2 region within the HIFI beam located about ~50 pc east of the dynamical centre of the galaxy. This region does not coincide with any of the known line emission peaks that have been identified in other molecular tracers, with the exception of HCO. Our data suggest that water and ionised water within this region have high (up to 75%) area-covering factors of the underlying continuum. This indicates that water is not associated with small, dense cores within the ISM of M 82 but arises from a more widespread diffuse gas component.
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FMFMET, NUK, UL, UM, UPUK
Background Recent studies show that limb apraxia is often not recognized as a higher motor impairment in patients suffering from a stroke. Because it is adversely affecting every-day life and ...personal independence, a successful rehabilitation of apraxia is critical for personal well-being ( Cappa et al., 2005; Dovern et al., 2012 ). Yet, evidence of an effective treatment approach with long-lasting effects and generalization to untrained actions is still missing ( Binkofski and Klann, 2013; Dovern et al., 2011 ). One possible reason for the treatment-resistance of this neurological disorder may be a deficit in motor memory storage of (re-) learned motor acts. So far, however, such a hypothesis has not been tested. Objective The present study aimed at assessing the ability of apractic stroke patients to acquire and retain a new motor sequence skill. Methods Eleven stroke patients suffering from chronic upper limb apraxia participated in a four-weeks multiple session training program using a motor sequence learning paradigm. Patients were required to perform a standardized finger sequence movement task, which is a well-established paradigm to explore motor learning and procedural memory abilities (e.g. Doyon et al., 2009 ). Motor performance was recorded with a modified four-button PC gaming keypad (Belkin Razer Nostromo, Belkin, Playa Vista, USA) and analyzed using customized Matlab (MathWorks, Natick, USA) scripts. Motor sequence learning was measured in terms of speed and accuracy. According to the hypothesis of disturbed motor memory abilities, no training induced simultaneous improvement in both, speed and accuracy, was expected. Results All patients improved in terms of speed in producing the learned finger sequence. While patients were slow at the beginning of the training program, nearly all ended up with performance within age related norms. In contrast, accuracy varied across sessions. The latter finding can be explained through the notion of stroke-specific capacity problems (improving one capacity at cost of another). Moreover and unexpectedly, most of patients showed clinical improvement of their apraxia symptoms. Conclusions All of our patients with limb apraxia were able to improve the speed of producing novel motor sequences, while accuracy remained variable. Thus, the present findings did not unequivocally reveal that the ability to acquire a new motor skill was retained. Further studies must determine whether the unexpected improvement of apraxia in patients with stable deficits is causally and specifically related to motor sequence training.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
The
World Space Observatory Ultraviolet
(
WSO-UV
) is a multi-national project lead by the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) with the objective of high performance observations in the ...ultraviolet range. The 1.7 m
WSO-UV
telescope is equipped with UV spectrographs (responsibility of Russia and Germany) and UV imagers (responsibility of Spain). The UV spectroscopic instrumentation comprises two high resolution echelle spectrographs operating in wavelength ranges of 102–176 nm and 174–310 nm respectively, and a Long Slit Spectrograph designed to operate in the range of 102–310 nm. All three spectrographs represent individual instruments. In order to save mass while maintaining high stiffness, the instruments are combined to a monoblock, World Space Observatory Ultraviolet Spectrographs (WUVS). Due to strict technical requirements stated by the customer the material CeSiC (provided by the company ECM) has been selected for the design of the spectrograph structure. In contrast to aluminium, the stable structure of CeSiC is significantly less sensitive to thermal gradients. No further mechanism for focus correction with high functional, technical and operational complexity and corresponding additional System costs are necessary. Using CeSiC also relaxes the thermal control requirements of ±5°C, which represents a considerable cost driver for the S/C design. The phase B2 study of the WUVS instrument finished in December 2010 in collaboration with Russia and with industrial support of the Kayser–Threde company. It included construction of a Structural Thermal Model (STM) for verification of thermal and mechanical loads, stability with respect to thermal distortions and CeSiC manufacturing feasibility.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by selective midbrain nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration, is consistently associated with moderate systemic mitochondrial dysfunction. Downstream ...degeneration of spinal cord has also been suggested in PD, although the mechanisms have not been much investigated. In the present study, two mitochondrial toxicants, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+ ) and rotenone were tested in ventral spinal cord (VSC 4.1) motoneuronal cells. Cell death was assessed by morphological and biochemical means to discern a lower apoptosis-inducing concentration and lethal concentration of 50% cell death (LC50 ), which were subsequently compared in further cytoprotection experiments. Mitochondrial toxicants dose-dependently induced increase in intracellular free Ca2+ level, which was conducive for increased expression and activities of Ca2+ -activated neutral protease calpain and downstream caspase-3. Thus, mitochondrial damage triggered apoptotic mechanisms in spinal cord motoneurons. Inhibition of calpain by calpeptin significantly attenuated damaging effects of MPP+ and rotenone on motoneurons, especially at low apoptosis-inducing concentrations of toxicants and partly at their LC50 , as demonstrated by absence of DNA ladder formation and decrease in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells. Cytoprotection by calpeptin was observed with marked decreases in Bax: Bcl-2 ratio and activities of calpain and caspase-3, which affirmed the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and involvement of intrinsic pathway in mediation of apoptosis. These findings strongly suggested that parkinsonian toxicants MPP+ and rotenone at low doses induced cascade of cell-damaging effects in spinal cord motoneurons, thus, highlighting the possibility of induction of apoptotic mechanisms in these cells, when subjected to mitochondrial stress. Cytoprotection rendered by calpeptin further validated the involvement of calpain in apoptosis and suggested calpain inhibition as a potential neuroprotective strategy.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
► Multiple hydrogeochemical tracers delineated anthropogenic and natural recharge processes in alluvial basins. ► Recharge source contributions were quantified using Cl
− and δ
18O in a three-member ...mixing model. ► Historical unmanaged recharge does not hinder evaluation of Managed Aquifer Recharge though Soil Aquifer Treatment.
It is necessary to define the role of various sources of recharge in the surficial alluvial aquifer system in arid Alice Springs in central Australia, for future management of water resources in the region. Multiple sources of natural recharge include infiltration from ephemeral stream flow in the Todd River; groundwater throughflow between connected alluvial basins; regional groundwater flow from the underlying Tertiary aquifer; and diffuse recharge. In addition treatment, storage and irrigation reuse of Alice Springs’ waste water has resulted in additional recharge of effluent, via infiltration. Water resource management plans for the region include effluent reuse through Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) within one of the connected alluvial basins, with the purpose of managing the excess waste water overflows while also supplementing groundwater resources for irrigation and protecting their quality.
Hydrogeochemical tracers, chloride and the stable isotopes of water, were used in a three-member mixing model to define and quantify the major recharge sources. The mixing model was not sensitive enough to quantify minor contributions from effluent in groundwater that were identified only by an evaporated isotopic signature. The contribution of the multiple recharge sources varied spatially with proximity to the recharge source; with Todd River, effluent and Town Basin throughflow contributing to the Inner Farm Basin groundwater. The Outer Farm Basin was largely influenced by the Todd River, the Inner Farm Basin throughflow and the older Tertiary aquifer. While Inner Farm groundwater throughflow contains an effluent component, only Outer Farm Basin groundwater near the interface between the two basins clearly illustrated an effluent signature. Aside from this, effluent recharge was not evident in the Outer Farm Basin, indicating that past unmanaged recharge practices will not mask signs of Managed Aquifer Recharge through the Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) operation. The long-term impact of effluent recharge is a shift from sodium and calcium as co-dominant cations in the groundwater, as evident in the Outer Farm Basin, to dominance by sodium alone, as typical for the Inner Farm Basin.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Beneficial effects of physical exercise have been previously demonstrated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence ...supporting physical exercise to improve on lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life in cystic fibrosis patients.
Medline database was used to search clinical studies from 2000 to 2015. We also analyzed the bibliographic section of the included studies, in order to identify additional references.
A total of 17 studies were identified. A great disparity was found in the results of the different studies. No systematic benefit was found on lung function, exercise capacity or quality of life. No relationship between the type of program and the benefits achieved was observed.
Evidence that physical exercise benefits lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life in cystic fibrosis patient is inconsistent and evidence does not support a particular standardized program for all patients.
Genetic diseases are both inherited and acquired. Many genetic diseases fall under the paradigm of orphan diseases, a disease found in < 1 in 2000 persons. With rapid and cost-effective genome ...sequencing becoming the norm, many causal mutations for genetic diseases are being rapidly determined. In this regard, model organisms are playing an important role in validating if specific mutations identified in patients drive the observed phenotype. An emerging challenge for model organism researchers is the application of genetic and chemical genetic platforms to discover drug targets and drugs/drug-like molecules for potential treatment options for patients with genetic disease. This review provides an overview of how model organisms have contributed to our understanding of genetic disease, with a focus on the roles of yeast and zebrafish in gene discovery and the identification of compounds that could potentially treat human genetic diseases.
Understanding the fate of injected organic matter and the consequences of subsequent redox processes is essential to assess the viability of using reclaimed water in aquifer storage and recovery ...(ASR). A full-scale field trial was undertaken at Bolivar, South Australia where two ASR cycles injected approximately 3.6
×
10
5
m
3 of reclaimed water into a carbonate aquifer over a 3-a period. Organic C within reclaimed water was predominantly in the dissolved fraction, ranging from 1 to 2
mmol
L
−1 (10–20
mg
L
−1), markedly higher than potable supply and stormwater previously reported as source waters for ASR. Between 20% and 24% of the injected dissolved organic C (DOC) was mineralised through reaction with injected O
2 and NO
3. Furthermore, this was achieved mainly within the first 4
m of aquifer passage. Despite the presence of residual DOC, SO
4 reduction was not induced within the bulk of the injected plume. It was only near the ASR well during an extended storage phase where deeply reduced (methanogenic) conditions developed, indicating variable redox zones within the injectant plume. The quality of water recovered from the ASR well indicated that the organic C content of reclaimed water does not restrict its application as a recharge source for ASR.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
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