Introduction La mesure de la fonction sudorale est utilisée pour évaluer l'atteinte des petites fibres du système nerveux autonome notamment chez les patients diabétiques. Le but de cette étude était ...d'évaluer la reproductibilité et la répétabilité de Sudoscan une méthode de mesure quantitative de la fonction sudorale. Patients et Méthodes Six mesures (3 appareils différents pour la reproductibilité, 2 mesures sur chaque appareil pour la répétabilité) ont été effectuées chez 18 sujets sains et 14 patients diabétiques de type 2. Pour chaque mesure, réalisée dans les conditions habituelles d'utilisation, il a été demandé au sujet se tenant debout d'appliquer la paume des mains et la plante des pieds sur de larges électrodes en inox durant 3 minutes. Les résultats disponibles immédiatement sont présentés sous forme de Conductances Cutanées Électrochimiques (CCE). Les coefficients de variations ont été calculés selon la norme iso 5725-2 sur l'exactitude des méthodes de mesures. Résultats Les données démographiques des volontaires sains étaient : 72 % d'hommes, âge : 37 ± 13 ans, IMC : 26 ± 4 kg/m2 et pour les patients diabétiques : 93 % d'hommes, âge : 62 ± 9 ans, IMC : 29 ± 5 kg/m2 . Chez les sujets sains les coefficients moyens de variations pour la répétabilité et la reproductibilité des CCE des pieds étaient respectivement de 2,8 ± 1,6 % et de 3,1 ± 1,5 % alors qu'ils étaient de 6,9 ± 6,3 % et de 6,9 ± 6,3 % chez les patients diabétiques. Pour les mains, les coefficients moyens de variations pour la répétabilité et la reproductibilité des CCE étaient respectivement de 4,2 ± 2,7 % et de 4,3 ± 2,7 % chez les sujets sains alors qu'ils étaient de 7,1 ± 5,9 % et de 7,4 ± 6,1 % chez les patients diabétiques. Discussions La plus grande variabilité observée pour les mesures des CCE des mains peut s'expliquer par la qualité de leur appui sur les électrodes qui varie moins pour les pieds. Cette étude montre une bonne reproductibilité et répétabilité des mesures réalisées avec SUDOSCAN confirmant son utilisation potentielle pour le suivi des patients et dans des études multicentriques
The Variance Inflation Factor and the Condition Number are measures traditionally applied to detect the presence of collinearity in a multiple linear model. This paper presents the relation and the ...difference between both measures from theoretical and empirical perspectives by using Monte Carlo simulations and taking special interest in the computational techniques.
Objective
To define and characterize the progression of the spontaneous autoimmune disease that develops in mice in the absence of the leukocyte adhesion receptor P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 ...(PSGL‐1).
Methods
Skin‐resident immune cells from PSGL‐1–deficient mice and C57BL/6 control mice of different ages were isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry. Biochemical parameters were analyzed in mouse serum and urine, and the presence of serum autoantibodies was investigated. Skin and internal organs were extracted, and their structure was analyzed histologically.
Results
Skin‐resident innate and adaptive immune cells from PSGL‐1−/− mice had a proinflammatory phenotype with an imbalanced T effector cell:Treg cell ratio. Sera from PSGL‐1−/− mice had circulating autoantibodies commonly detected in connective tissue–related human autoimmune diseases. Biochemical and histologic analysis of skin and internal organs revealed skin fibrosis and structural and functional abnormalities in the lungs and kidneys. Furthermore, PSGL‐1−/− mice exhibited vascular alterations, showing loss of dermal vessels, small vessel medial layer remodeling in the lungs and kidneys, and ischemic processes in the kidney that promote renal infarcts.
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates that immune system overactivation due to PSGL‐1 deficiency triggers an autoimmune syndrome with characteristics similar to systemic sclerosis, including skin fibrosis, vascular alterations, and systemic organ involvement. These results suggest that PSGL‐1 expression contributes to the maintenance of the homeostasis of the immune system and could act as a barrier for autoimmunity in mice.
High-performance aromatic polyamides García, José M.; García, Félix C.; Serna, Felipe ...
Progress in polymer science,
05/2010, Letnik:
35, Številka:
5
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Wholly aromatic polyamides (aramids) are considered to be high-performance organic materials due to their outstanding thermal and mechanical resistance. Their properties arise from their aromatic ...structure and amide linkages, which result in stiff rod-like macromolecular chains that interact with each other via strong and highly directional hydrogen bonds. These bonds create effective crystalline microdomains, resulting in a high-level intermolecular packing and cohesive energy. The better known commercial aramids, poly(
p-phenylene terephthalamide) and poly(
m-phenylene isophthalamide), are used in advanced technologies and have been transformed into high-strength and flame resistant fibers and coatings, with applications in the aerospace and armament industry, bullet-proof body armor, protective clothing, sport fabrics, electrical insulation, asbestos substitutes, and industrial filters, among others. Owing to their chemical structure, they exhibit extremely high transition temperatures that lie above their decomposition temperatures, are sparingly soluble in common organic solvents and, accordingly, can only be transformed upon solution. Research efforts are therefore underway to take advantage of their properties, enhance their processability and solubility, and incorporate new chemical functionalities in the polyamide backbone or lateral structure, so that their applicability is expanded and remains on the forefront of scientific research.
Balloon tamponade is recommended only as a “bridge” to definitive therapy in patients with cirrhosis and massive or refractory esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB), but is frequently associated with ...rebleeding and severe complications. Preliminary, noncontrolled data suggest that a self‐expandable, esophageal covered metal stent (SX‐ELLA Danis; Ella‐CS, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic) may be an effective and safer alternative to balloon tamponade. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial aimed at comparing esophageal stent versus balloon tamponade in patients with cirrhosis and EVB refractory to medical and endoscopic treatment. Primary endpoint was success of therapy, defined as survival at day 15 with control of bleeding and without serious adverse events (SAEs). Twenty‐eight patients were randomized to Sengstaken‐Blakemore tube (n = 15) or SX‐ELLA Danis stent (n = 13). Patients were comparable in severity of liver failure, active bleeding at endoscopy, and initial therapy. Success of therapy was more frequent in the esophageal stent than in balloon tamponade group (66% vs. 20%; P = 0.025). Moreover, control of bleeding was higher (85% vs. 47%; P = 0.037) and transfusional requirements (2 vs 6 PRBC; P = 0.08) and SAEs lower (15% vs. 47%; P = 0.077) in the esophageal stent group. TIPS was used more frequently in the tamponade group (4 vs. 10; P = 0.12). There were no significant differences in 6‐week survival (54% vs. 40%; P = 0.46). Conclusion: Esophageal stents have greater efficacy with less SAEs than balloon tamponade in the control of EVB in treatment failures. Our findings favor the use of esophageal stents in patients with EVB uncontrolled with medical and endoscopic treatment. (Hepatology 2016;63:1957‐1967)
We present the results of a global analysis of the neutrino oscillation data available as of fall 2018 in the framework of three massive mixed neutrinos with the goal at determining the ranges of ...allowed values for the six relevant parameters. We describe the complementarity and quantify the tensions among the results of the different data samples contributing to the determination of each parameter. We also show how those vary when combining our global likelihood with the χ2 map provided by Super-Kamiokande for their atmospheric neutrino data analysis in the same framework. The best fit of the analysis is for the normal mass ordering with inverted ordering being disfavoured with a Δχ2 = 4.7 (9.3) without (with) SK-atm. We find a preference for the second octant of θ23, disfavouring the first octant with Δχ2 = 4.4 (6.0) without (with) SK-atm. The best fit for the complex phase is δCP = 215° with CP conservation being allowed at Δχ2 = 1.5 (1.8). As a byproduct we quantify the correlated ranges for the laboratory observables sensitive to the absolute neutrino mass scale in beta decay, mνe\ {m}_{\nu_e} \ , and neutrino-less double beta decay, mee, and the total mass of the neutrinos, Σ, which is most relevant in Cosmology.
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