Dyslipidemia is a significant threat to public health worldwide and the identification of its pathogenic mechanisms, as well as novel lipid-lowering agents, are warranted. Magnesium (Mg) is a key ...element to human health and its deficiency has been linked to the development of lipid abnormalities and related disorders, such as the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or cardiovascular disease. In this review, we explored the associations of Mg (dietary intake, Mg concentrations in the body) and the lipid profile, as well as the impact of Mg supplementation on serum lipids. A systematic search was computed in PubMed/MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library and 3649 potentially relevant papers were detected and screened (n = 3364 following the removal of duplicates). After the removal of irrelevant manuscripts based on the screening of their titles and abstracts (n = 3037), we examined the full-texts of 327 original papers. Finally, after we applied the exclusion and inclusion criteria, a number of 124 original articles were included in this review. Overall, the data analyzed in this review point out an association of Mg concentrations in the body with serum lipids in dyslipidemia and related disorders. However, further research is warranted to clarify whether a higher intake of Mg from the diet or via supplements can influence the lipid profile and exert lipid-lowering actions.
Partant de l’hypothèse que les discours qui circulent dans le contexte d’une controverse modifient le potentiel de signification des mots désignant les entités visées par cette controverse, l’article ...traite de la dynamique du potentiel modal du lexème vaccination durant la controverse qui s’est déroulée en France pendant la pandémie de Covid-19. L’étude prend comme cadre le modèle sémantique de la SPA d’Olga Galatanu, ainsi que la vision de la modalité propre à ce modèle théorique. Le potentiel modal de vaccination est identifié au départ sur la base des dictionnaires ; ensuite, les spécificités de la controverse sont décrites en tant que génératrices de nouvelles modalisations et surmodalisations de la signification de vaccination. Pour finir, la dynamique sémantique et modale de vaccination est traitée en prenant en compte deux dimensions de la controverse (l’incertitude et l’incompatibilité de rationalités), et la complexification modale est décrite comme venant de trois sources : la surmodalisation par une valeur épistémique ‹incertain›, l’inflexion des valeurs modales inscrites dans le potentiel de signification et l’ajout de nouvelles valeurs modales.
This article is based on the hypothesis that the discourses circulating within the context of a controversy tend to modify the meaning potential of the words involved in that controversy. More specifically, the article focuses on the dynamics of the meaning potential of the lexeme vaccination during the controversy that took place in France during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study is carried out within the frame of Olga Galatanu’s SAP model, and according to the approach on modality specific to this theoretical model. First, the modal potential of vaccination is identified based on the lexicographic discourse; then, the controversy’s features are described as a source of new modalisations to the meaning of vaccination. Finally, the semantic and modal dynamics of vaccination is approached starting from two dimensions of controversy (uncertainty and incompatible rationalities), and modal complexity is described as emerging from three sources: the modalisation by the epistemic modal value ‹uncertain›, the inflexion of the modal values contained in the meaning potential, and the addition of new modal values.
This paper addresses the issue of polysemy, and more precisely of multiple meanings in the case of the words francophonie/francophone from the perspective of argumentative semantics. The aim of the ...paper is to examine the mechanisms that account for the multiple meanings of francophonie/francophone, i.e. the semantic and discursive mechanisms involved in the (re)construction of lexical meaning as the words occur in discourse. The data analysed in this paper consists of a set of discourse fragments about francophone identity, discourses that vary according to the speaker, the geographical location and the media support. The study is carried out within the framework of the SAP theory (Semantics of Argumentative Possibilities), following a procedure based on a pre-built reference meaning – i.e. a description of the argumentative potential of the lexeme – that will be used when analysing the discursive occurrences. First, the paper briefly presents the SAP theory and the pre-built reference meaning of the lexemes francophonie/francophone (described in terms of core-elements, stereotypes and argumentative possibilities). It then illustrates several discursive mechanisms of meaning construction. The analysis highlights a series of meaning construction mechanisms: transgressive activation of the argumentative potential, reconfiguration by scission of the core-elements or by deletion of one of the elements, modality addition, transgressive reconstruction of the core meaning, and finally core circularity. Thus, the paper indicates, from the perspective of argumentative semantics, that the multiple meanings of the words francophonie/francophone, i.e. the various semantic configurations attached to these words, can be seen as reconfigurations of a single lexical meaning.
Non-melanocytic skin cancers represent an important public health problem due to the increasing incidence and the important local destructive potential. Thus, the early diagnosis and treatment of ...precancerous lesions (actinic keratoses) is a priority for the dermatologist. In recent years, non-invasive skin imaging methods have seen an important development, moving from simple observational methods used in clinical research, to true diagnostic and treatment methods that make the dermatologist's life easier. Given the frequency of these precancerous lesions, their location on photo-exposed areas, as well as the long treatment periods, with variable, imprecise end-points, the need to use non-invasive imaging devices is increasingly evident to complete the clinical observations in the diagnosis and treatment of these lesions, with the aim of increasing accuracy and decreasing the adverse effects due to long treatment duration. This is the first review that brings together all skin imaging methods (dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy, ultrasonography, dermoscopy-guided high frequency ultrasonography, and optical coherence tomography) used in the evaluation of actinic keratoses and their response to different treatment regimens.
Ascaris suum is present in traditionally managed indoor pig herds and in industrialized farms, especially in older fatteners and sows. The increasing resistance to common antihelminthic drugs ...redirected research towards alternative and traditional therapies, which also include medicinal plants. This study comparatively evaluated the in vitro antiparasitic effects of Allium sativum L., Artemisia absinthium L., Cucurbita pepo L., Coriandrum sativum L., Satureja hortensis L. and Calendula officinalis L. against A. suum egg hatching and larval development. A. suum eggs were sampled from randomized fecal specimens collected from traditionally raised swine. The egg suspension (ES, 12 × 103/mL) was divided into two controls (C) (1C—1 mL ES + 1 mL distilled water, 2C—five plates of 1 mL ES + 1 mL ethanol of 70%, 35%, 17.5%, 8.75%, and 4.375%, respectively) and six experimental groups, and placed in 3 mL cell plates. The experimental groups (EG, 1–6) included ES + each alcoholic plant extract (10%, 5%, 2.5%, 1.25%, 0.625%). Both C and EG were performed in quintuplicate. All variants were incubated at 27 °C for a total of 21 days. A. suum eggs were examined after 2, 14 (L1), and 21 (L2/L3) days of incubation. The efficacy of all tested plant extracts increased with concentration. Anti-embryogenic effects on A. suum eggs were expressed by all plants. A superior influence was observed in A. sativum L., A. absinthium L., C. pepo L. and S. hortensis L. extracts, at all concentrations tested. A. sativum L. and A. absinthium L. extracts showed the strongest antihelminthic activity, while C. sativum L. and C. officinalis L. were the weakest ascaricids. Future in-depth phytochemical studies are required to identify the compounds responsible for the anthelminthic properties of these plant species.
Background and objectives: To minimize stroke-related deaths and maximize the likelihood of cerebral reperfusion, medical professionals developed the “code stroke” emergency protocol, which allows ...for the prompt evaluation of patients with acute ischemic stroke symptoms in pre-hospital care and the emergency department (ED). This research will outline our experience in implementing the stroke code protocol for acute ischemic stroke patients and its impact on door-to-needle time (DTN) in the ED. Methods: Our study included patients with a “code stroke alert” upon arrival at the emergency department. The final sample of this study consisted of 258 patients eligible for intravenous (IV) thrombolysis with an onset-to-door time < 4.5 h. ED admissions were categorized into two distinct groups: “day shift” (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) (n = 178) and “night shift” (from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.) (n = 80) groups. Results: An analysis of ED time targets showed an increased median during the day shift for onset-to-ED door time of 310 min (IQR, 190–340 min), for door-to-physician (emergency medicine doctor) time of 5 min (IQR, 3–9 min), for door-to-physician (emergency medicine doctor) time of 5 min (IQR, 3–9 min), and for door-to-physician (neurologist) time of 7 min (IQR, 5–10 min), also during the day shift. During the night shift, an increased median was found for door-to-CT time of 21 min (IQR, 16.75–23 min), for door-to-CT results of 40 min (IQR, 38–43 min), and for door-to-needle time of 57.5 min (IQR, 46.25–60 min). Astonishingly, only 17.83% (n = 46) of these patients received intravenous thrombolysis, and the proportion of patients with thrombolysis was significantly higher during the night shift (p = 0.044). A logistic regression analysis considering the door-to-needle time (minutes) as the dependent variable demonstrated that onset-to-ED time (p < 0.001) and door-to-physician (emergency medicine physicians) time (p = 0.021) are predictors for performing thrombolysis in our study. Conclusions: This study identified higher door-to-CT and door-to-emergency medicine physician times associated with an increased DTN, highlighting further opportunities to improve acute stroke care in the emergency department. Further, door-to-CT and door-to-CT results showed statistically significant increases during the night shift.
Coccidiosis in pigs seldom results in important economic losses. However, it can influence growth rates in weaners and it is an important hygiene indicator in swine farms. Certain herbs, along with ...their extracts, have been used over the course of history in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anticoccidial effects of
L. (garlic),
L. (wormwood),
L. (coriander),
L. (pumpkin),
L. (summer savory), and
L. (marigold) against
and
oocysts. The stock solution of oocysts (58%
42%
) was incubated for three days, before adding the tested solutions. The unsporulated
spp. oocysts were then placed in a 3 mL well plate and incubated for 96 h at 27 °C, in a suspension containing serial dilutions of alcoholic plant extracts (5%, 2.5%, 1.25%, 0.625%, and 0.312%). The percentage of sporulated and destroyed oocysts was recorded every 24 h for 96 h. All extracts had a good in vitro anticoccidial effect against oocysts of
spp. compared with the control groups. Oocyst sporulation was significantly (
= 0.05) inhibited by the 5% marigold extract (3.6% sporulated oocysts). The same extract had the highest lytic effect on oocysts (65.2% destroyed oocysts). Our results prove that the most effective alcoholic plant extract is the marigold extract, followed, in order of efficiency, by the wormwood, coriander, garlic, pumpkin, and summer savory extracts. This study represents a preliminary contribution for establishing a new generation of natural disinfectants aimed at destroying
oocysts in the context of swine contamination.
Desmoplastic melanoma accounts for 5% of all cases of melanoma, but its diagnosis can be difficult due to its frequent clinical presentation with amelanotic lesions. Histologically, spindled ...melanocytes surrounded by a collagenous stroma are observed. Compared with other types of melanoma, the desmoplastic types presents greater local aggression, and is more prone to local recurrence, but has a lower risk of lymph node metastasis. Early detection, accurate staging, and proper surgical management are the main factors associated with higher survival rates in melanoma patients. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has proven to be a valuable imaging tool in the diagnosis of skin neoplasms, being useful for orientating practitioners towards the diagnosis of melanoma and indicating the necessity of performing a diagnostic biopsy. We present the case of 52-year-old woman, who presented to the dermatology department with an irregular, dark-colored plaque in the right deltoid region. Dermoscopy showed asymmetry with an atypical network and some areas of regression. RCM revealed pagetoid cells in the upper epidermis, cell atypia, non-edged papillae, dermal inflammation, and nucleated cells in the dermis, which are highly suggestive of melanoma. A biopsy was also performed. A histopathology exam confirmed the diagnosis of superficially spreading melanoma with a desmoplastic component, and revealed a Breslow index of 0.9 mm, Clark level IV, an absence of mitoses, angiolymphatic invasion and regression, and complete excision. The CT and PET-CT scans were negative. A biopsy of the axillary sentinel lymph node was conducted, with a negative result obtained, establishing the IB stage of the disease. The patient will remain under follow-up to look for a recurrence or a new primary melanoma.
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