Assou Hamza | Mohammad 5 University-Agdal Rabat (original) (raw)
Papers by Assou Hamza
Bulletin de l'Institut National des …, 2008
... M er de Salam m bÌ, V ol. ... Sur les côtes tunisiennes, le réseau de surveillance phytoplanc... more ... M er de Salam m bÌ, V ol. ... Sur les côtes tunisiennes, le réseau de surveillance phytoplanctonique, instauré depuis 1995 permet de répertorier les épisodes des eaux colorées qui sont reportées essentiellement dans la région du golfe de Gabès (Hamza, 1988, 1994 et 2003), et d ...
Marine Ecology, 2011
A survey on the epiphytic microorganisms growing on Posidonia oceanica leaves was conducted along... more A survey on the epiphytic microorganisms growing on Posidonia oceanica leaves was conducted along a depth transect along the coast of Eastern Tunisia (Mahdia). Samples were collected by SCUBA diving at depths of 3, 5, 10 and 12 m in July 2008 and January 2009. A total of 58 microepiphyte taxa were identified. Multivariate analyses revealed temporal and spatial variation of the abundance of epiphytic microalgae. Water motion, light availability, temperature and motility of species seem to be responsible of temporal and bathymetric variations of epiphytic microalgae. Unlike diatoms, dinoflagellates were more abundant in deep waters, suggesting that they are more vulnerable to hydrodynamics. The significant correlation between leaf area index and abundance of epiphytic species indicates that the phenological parameters of the host plant influence the abundance of the epiphytic microorganisms. Among the epiphytic dinoflagellates, our data showed a great number of potentially toxic species (Alexandrium minitum, Amphidinium carterae, Karenia selliformis, Coolia monatis, Karlodinium veneficum, Ostreopsis siamensis, Prorocentrum concavum, Prorocentrum minimum, Prorocentrum rathymum and Prorocentrum lima). These species were more abundant in the deep station under more sheltered conditions than found at inshore shallower stations, which are subjected to high water motion.
Scientists from over 20 major research centers recently convened to discuss advances and new disc... more Scientists from over 20 major research centers recently convened to discuss advances and new discoveries in "Protein MisFolding and MisProcessing in Disease." Understanding protein mechanisms the underlying etiology of complex diseases lies in analyzing the associated biochemical mechanisms, which include folding patterns, processing patterns, chaperone regulators, stress pathways, and signal transduction.
Geophysical Research Letters, 2001
Geomagnetic and auroral activity vary seasonally with maxima at equinoxes, as has been known for ... more Geomagnetic and auroral activity vary seasonally with maxima at equinoxes, as has been known for more than a century. The cause remains under debate. The angle made by the Earth's dipole axis with the typical direction of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) can explain a portion (about 17%) of the effect. To explain the majority of the equinoctial effect, we suggest that geomagnetic activity peaks when the nightside auroral zones of both hemispheres are in darkness, as happens at equinox. Under such conditions, no conducting path exists in the ionosphere to complete the currents required by solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, and geomagnetic disturbances maximize. To test this theory, the Universal Time (UT) variation of geomagnetic activity was explored. As our model predicts, geomagnetic activity in December, measured by the Am index, evinces a deep minimum around 0300-0600 UT when the auroral oval of both hemispheres are in darkness and a maximum around 1500-1600 UT when the southern nightside oval is sunlit. In June, complementary effects are predicted and observed. Previous studies using the AE index have shown more ambiguous results. Here we show that if AE is resolved into the AU and AL components, the discrepancy disappears, with the AL component following the same pattern as does Am. We thus conclude that the intensity of global geomagnetic activity is well ordered by whether the nightside auroral oval is sunlit in one hemisphere or neither.
Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 2011
To develop and test the feasibility of a need-based psychosocial training programme for family ca... more To develop and test the feasibility of a need-based psychosocial training programme for family caregivers of in-patients with schizophrenia in India. Six topics for the psychosocial training programme were identified. Each day's programme was based on a theoretical approach and involved a combination of methodologies. A structured questionnaire eliciting comments on each day's topic, content and methodology was given independently to 11 experienced mental health professionals for validation. The final version of the programme based on the feedback given by the experts was pilot tested on a group of six caregivers to check for feasibility. Experts gave an average score of '4' (very much - on a 5 point Likert scale) when asked whether the overall psychosocial programme will achieve its objective of helping the caregiver reduce their burden. They independently approved the theoretical approach and methodology used for each day's topic and suggested many changes. In ...
Journal of applied …, 2002
In this article the Fourier transform method is applied to analyze multiplebeam interference Fize... more In this article the Fourier transform method is applied to analyze multiplebeam interference Fizeau fringes. The real part of the inverse Fourier transform is used to estimate a theoretical pattern. This pattern coincides with the experimental one. A derivative-sign binary image of the interference pattern is also used in automated determination of the contour line of the fringe pattern, regardless of the quality of this pattern. A correlation between the pixel size and the accuracy of the measured fiber refractive index is presented.
Transplantation Proceedings, 2006
Lymphocele incidence after kidney transplantation is as high as 18%. We retrospectively studied t... more Lymphocele incidence after kidney transplantation is as high as 18%. We retrospectively studied the therapy of 42 lymphoceles that occurred in our clinic between 1990 and 2005, focusing on possible predisposing factors for their formation and the results of several therapy variants: conservative, operative, percutaneous puncture, and laparoscopic or open marsupialization.There was no connection between lymphocele formation and the following parameters: the extent to which the iliac vessels had been prepared, the materials used for the preparation, or whether clips or ligatures were applied. Lymphoceles may originate either from the lymphatic system of the recipient or the transplanted kidney. The most sensible measures to prevent their occurrence therefore seems to be to restrict the transplant bed to the smallest permissible level with careful ligature of the lymphatic vessels in the area of the kidney hilus.Treatment for lymphoceles should start with minimally invasive measures. W...
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 2010
The study aimed to report our experience with retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) for treatmen... more The study aimed to report our experience with retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) for treatment of localized prostate cancer in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Data of 16 RTR who had an RRP between 2001 and 2007 were retrospectively analysed and compared to the data of 294 non-transplanted patients who were operated for RRP during the same period. Diagnostic work-up consisted of digital rectal examination, serum prostate specific antigene levels, as well as Transrectal Ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy. Follow-up was obtained in all patients with a mean follow-up time of 2.1 years in RTR. Mean time distance to the renal transplantation at the time of RRP was 81.2 ± 19.1 months. RRP was successfully performed and tolerated in all RTR without pelvic lymph node dissection. No major complications occurred during or after the operation. There were two minor complications in transplant group (prolonged haematuria and urinary leakage). Mean operative time was 108.3 ± 3.9 ...
Urologe A, 2009
Laparoskopische Techniken haben für Dialyse- und nierentransplantierte Patienten nicht nur eine z... more Laparoskopische Techniken haben für Dialyse- und nierentransplantierte Patienten nicht nur eine zunehmende Bedeutung erlangt; sie stellen für viele Eingriffe die operative Therapie der Wahl dar. Da die Patienten nahezu ausnahmslos ein höheres Nebenerkrankungsprofil und Operationsrisiko aufweisen, profitieren sie insbesondere von den klassischen Vorzügen minimalinvasiver Techniken wie reduzierte Morbidität und schnelle Rekonvaleszenz. In Zentren mit ausgewiesener Expertise hat die laparoskopische Donornephrektomie die offene Lebendspende als Standardverfahren abgelöst. Laparoscopic techniques have not only become increasingly more important for patients on dialysis or after kidney transplantation, they also represent the operative standard procedures as almost all patients additionally suffer from concomitant diseases and do carry a higher operative risk. Therefore, these patients will derive special benefits from minimally invasive procedures offering lower morbidity and quick recov...
European Urology Supplements, 2011
Materials & Methods: Management of SUI associated with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) can b... more Materials & Methods: Management of SUI associated with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) can be challenging after prior failed therapies. The Uromedica Adjustable Continence Therapy (ACT ®) system is a device consisting of two silicone balloons providing urethral coaptation and bladder neck support. Each balloon is attached to a titanium port buried in the labia allowing for post-operative titration. The study population involves females with recurrent SUI with or without urethral hypermobility. Baseline and follow-up tests were performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months and annually thereafter including urinalysis, a 3-day voiding diary, provocative pad weight test (PPWT), direct visual stress test, Stamey score and validated questionnaires to assess the degree of stress incontinence, voiding dysfunction, sexual function and quality of life (IQol questionnaire). results: Between 2002 and 2007, 162 patients were implanted (mean age 67.4 (31-94) years), with 142, 90, 75 and 45 patients completing at least 1, 2, 3 and 4 years follow-up respectively. The majority, 83% (N=135) had at least one or 2 (46%) previous anti-incontinence procedures.. Difficulty of surgery was rated as mild, moderate, or severe in 62%, 30%, and 9% of procedures respectively. Improvement in Stamey score of > 1 grade was achieved in 75.4% (107/142) at 1 year, in 75.6% (68/90) at 2 years, in 84.9% (62/73) at 3 years and in 92.9% (39/42) at 4 years. Dry rate (PPWT < 2 gms) was 51%, 62% and 74%, and 77% and > 50% improved rate was 80%, 86%, 83% and 89% at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. IQoL increased from36.8 (SD 23.1) at baseline compared to 70.0 (SD 25.5), 71.7, 74.1 and 80.6 at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years. Optimal continence was achieved with a mean of 3 adjustments. Mean balloon volumes were 3.9 ml (1.0-11.5 ml). Device or procedure related complications (bladder perforation, port or balloon erosion, balloon migration, port or balloon related discomfort, intermittent urinary retention) were reported in 25% (39/156) of subjects at the end of 12 months, 19% (22/116) through year 2, 11.1% (10/90) through year 3 and 13.2% (3/22) through year 4. Of these, the majority were considered to be mild in severity. At 4 years 29 patients had undergone permanent explants of both devices, 43 were lost to follow up and 6 had died of unrelated causes. Conclusions: Four year data suggest ACT can be an effective, simple, safe and minimally invasive treatment for recurrent female SUI.
Transplantation Proceedings, 2006
Microbial blood infection represents a high risk for immuno-suppressed patients. Of all catheter-... more Microbial blood infection represents a high risk for immuno-suppressed patients. Of all catheter-related infections in the bloodstream, 90% result from the use of central venous catheters, the main cause being microbial colonization at the catheter's insertion point or the catheter hub. Between January 2003 and December 2004, 102 patients received a renal transplant including 57 who received a triple-lumen central venous catheter (CVC) during the procedure. Two catheters were used: a standard polyurethane catheter placed in the jugular veina or the subclavian veina for group I, and polyurethane catheters with the AgION antimicrobial system always placed in the subclavian veina for group II. Care and maintenance of the CVCs was standardized in both groups. After catheter removal, the tips were analyzed microbiologically. Of 57 (43.9%) CVCs, 25 were found to be contaminated. In the first group 24 out of 41 CVCs (58.5%) showed bacterial growth, whereas in group II only one catheter (6.6%) had a biofilm. The most common contaminant (18 out of 25, 72%) was Staphylococcus epidermidis. In group II, two patients had positive blood cultures yet a microbiologically sterile CVC. None of the catheters with the AgION antimicrobial system had to be removed owing to local infection or intolerance. The continuous release of silver ions increases the protection against bacteria and fungi during the entire time of catheterization. Use of catheters with the AgION antimicrobial system lead to a marked reduction in catheter-associated infections of the bloodstream.
Transplantation Proceedings, 2008
The history of living donor nephrectomy has undergone several development phases with respect to ... more The history of living donor nephrectomy has undergone several development phases with respect to medical, immunologic, and operative aspects. Due to the shortage of postmortem organ donations and the rising number of patients with terminal renal insufficiency who are awaiting kidney transplantation, living kidney donation has become increasingly important during recent years. Methods. From December 2004 to May 2005, we performed hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomies on 15 female and 9 male patients of median age 37 years. Our immunosuppressive regimen included tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, methylprednisolone, and a monoclonal antibody. Results. The median operative time was 138 minutes (113-180 minutes), and the median warm ischemia time was 87 seconds (63-150 seconds); results comparable to those of open donor nephrectomy. The hospitalization periods of the donors were between 5 and 7 days. The renal function and acute-phase parameters showed a transient increase during and after the operation. Most of the patients reached baseline levels by postoperative day 3 or 4. Conclusion. Together with the clinical data, these findings confirmed the efficacy and minimal invasiveness of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. It is thus possible that in the future this operative method will become the procedure of choice.
Colloids and Surfaces A-physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2006
A simple experimental approach was developed to determine the adhesion rate of particles onto mas... more A simple experimental approach was developed to determine the adhesion rate of particles onto massive substrate. Turbidimetry measurements are used to follow the evolution of particle concentration in a suspension in dynamic contact with the walls of a vessel made of different materials. This method allows to rapidly obtain qualitative results about the adhesion of metallic oxides particles on massive
A new compression technique, which enables the study of solids into the TPa regime, is described ... more A new compression technique, which enables the study of solids into the TPa regime, is described and used to ramp (or quasi-isentropically) compress diamond to a peak pressure of 1400 GPa. Diamond stress versus density data are reported to 800 GPa and suggest that the diamond phase is stable and has significant material strength up to at least this stress level. Data presented here are the highest ramp compression pressures by more than a factor of 5 and the highest-pressure solid equation-of-state data ever reported.
Supporting Information Available. Some computational details and additional results including 5 f... more Supporting Information Available. Some computational details and additional results including 5 figures and 6 tables. This material is available free of charge via the Internet at http://pubs.acs.org. Computational details of the 3D-QSAR analysis Identification of bioactive conformation and molecular alignment of compounds are two important steps in a 3D-QSAR study. 1 The 3D structures of all compounds were built using the SYBYL software (Tripos, Inc.). The most active compound, i.e. 30, in the series was used as the template for alignment of molecules. Simulated-annealing conformational search for this molecule was carried out. The conformational search was performed by heating to 1,000 K for 1 ps and followed by exponential quenching down to 200 K in 2 ps. 500 such cycles were run and the 50 lowest-energy conformers were selected for further geometry optimizations using PM3 semiempirical molecular orbital method implemented in Gaussion03 program. After the PM3 energy minimizations, we noted that the two lowest-energy conformers have energies close to each other, whereas the energies of the other conformers are significantly higher. So, the geometries of these two lowest-energy conformers were further optimized by performing the more sophisticated geometry optimizations at ab initio HF/6-31G* level. The geometries optimized at the HF/6-31G* level were followed by the single-point energy calculations at the B3LYP/6-31+G* level. The lowest-energy conformation determined at the B3LYP/6-31+G*//HF/6-31G* level was used as the template for the alignment.
Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship studies are a field of work in biochemistry that see... more Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship studies are a field of work in biochemistry that seeks to provide an empirical, semi-empirical or theoretical basis for estimating the physiochemical properties of chemical compounds. Knowledge of these properties allows scientists to ...
Kuwait Medical …, 2008
(33 to 69 years). Six were recurrent hernias, 16 were bilateral hernias, and two patients had rec... more (33 to 69 years). Six were recurrent hernias, 16 were bilateral hernias, and two patients had recurrent bilateral hernias. The postoperative hospital stay was one day in the majority of patients (n = 20, 83.3%), three patients stayed for two days and only one patient stayed for three days. ...
Bulletin de l'Institut National des …, 2008
... M er de Salam m bÌ, V ol. ... Sur les côtes tunisiennes, le réseau de surveillance phytoplanc... more ... M er de Salam m bÌ, V ol. ... Sur les côtes tunisiennes, le réseau de surveillance phytoplanctonique, instauré depuis 1995 permet de répertorier les épisodes des eaux colorées qui sont reportées essentiellement dans la région du golfe de Gabès (Hamza, 1988, 1994 et 2003), et d ...
Marine Ecology, 2011
A survey on the epiphytic microorganisms growing on Posidonia oceanica leaves was conducted along... more A survey on the epiphytic microorganisms growing on Posidonia oceanica leaves was conducted along a depth transect along the coast of Eastern Tunisia (Mahdia). Samples were collected by SCUBA diving at depths of 3, 5, 10 and 12 m in July 2008 and January 2009. A total of 58 microepiphyte taxa were identified. Multivariate analyses revealed temporal and spatial variation of the abundance of epiphytic microalgae. Water motion, light availability, temperature and motility of species seem to be responsible of temporal and bathymetric variations of epiphytic microalgae. Unlike diatoms, dinoflagellates were more abundant in deep waters, suggesting that they are more vulnerable to hydrodynamics. The significant correlation between leaf area index and abundance of epiphytic species indicates that the phenological parameters of the host plant influence the abundance of the epiphytic microorganisms. Among the epiphytic dinoflagellates, our data showed a great number of potentially toxic species (Alexandrium minitum, Amphidinium carterae, Karenia selliformis, Coolia monatis, Karlodinium veneficum, Ostreopsis siamensis, Prorocentrum concavum, Prorocentrum minimum, Prorocentrum rathymum and Prorocentrum lima). These species were more abundant in the deep station under more sheltered conditions than found at inshore shallower stations, which are subjected to high water motion.
Scientists from over 20 major research centers recently convened to discuss advances and new disc... more Scientists from over 20 major research centers recently convened to discuss advances and new discoveries in "Protein MisFolding and MisProcessing in Disease." Understanding protein mechanisms the underlying etiology of complex diseases lies in analyzing the associated biochemical mechanisms, which include folding patterns, processing patterns, chaperone regulators, stress pathways, and signal transduction.
Geophysical Research Letters, 2001
Geomagnetic and auroral activity vary seasonally with maxima at equinoxes, as has been known for ... more Geomagnetic and auroral activity vary seasonally with maxima at equinoxes, as has been known for more than a century. The cause remains under debate. The angle made by the Earth's dipole axis with the typical direction of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) can explain a portion (about 17%) of the effect. To explain the majority of the equinoctial effect, we suggest that geomagnetic activity peaks when the nightside auroral zones of both hemispheres are in darkness, as happens at equinox. Under such conditions, no conducting path exists in the ionosphere to complete the currents required by solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, and geomagnetic disturbances maximize. To test this theory, the Universal Time (UT) variation of geomagnetic activity was explored. As our model predicts, geomagnetic activity in December, measured by the Am index, evinces a deep minimum around 0300-0600 UT when the auroral oval of both hemispheres are in darkness and a maximum around 1500-1600 UT when the southern nightside oval is sunlit. In June, complementary effects are predicted and observed. Previous studies using the AE index have shown more ambiguous results. Here we show that if AE is resolved into the AU and AL components, the discrepancy disappears, with the AL component following the same pattern as does Am. We thus conclude that the intensity of global geomagnetic activity is well ordered by whether the nightside auroral oval is sunlit in one hemisphere or neither.
Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 2011
To develop and test the feasibility of a need-based psychosocial training programme for family ca... more To develop and test the feasibility of a need-based psychosocial training programme for family caregivers of in-patients with schizophrenia in India. Six topics for the psychosocial training programme were identified. Each day's programme was based on a theoretical approach and involved a combination of methodologies. A structured questionnaire eliciting comments on each day's topic, content and methodology was given independently to 11 experienced mental health professionals for validation. The final version of the programme based on the feedback given by the experts was pilot tested on a group of six caregivers to check for feasibility. Experts gave an average score of '4' (very much - on a 5 point Likert scale) when asked whether the overall psychosocial programme will achieve its objective of helping the caregiver reduce their burden. They independently approved the theoretical approach and methodology used for each day's topic and suggested many changes. In ...
Journal of applied …, 2002
In this article the Fourier transform method is applied to analyze multiplebeam interference Fize... more In this article the Fourier transform method is applied to analyze multiplebeam interference Fizeau fringes. The real part of the inverse Fourier transform is used to estimate a theoretical pattern. This pattern coincides with the experimental one. A derivative-sign binary image of the interference pattern is also used in automated determination of the contour line of the fringe pattern, regardless of the quality of this pattern. A correlation between the pixel size and the accuracy of the measured fiber refractive index is presented.
Transplantation Proceedings, 2006
Lymphocele incidence after kidney transplantation is as high as 18%. We retrospectively studied t... more Lymphocele incidence after kidney transplantation is as high as 18%. We retrospectively studied the therapy of 42 lymphoceles that occurred in our clinic between 1990 and 2005, focusing on possible predisposing factors for their formation and the results of several therapy variants: conservative, operative, percutaneous puncture, and laparoscopic or open marsupialization.There was no connection between lymphocele formation and the following parameters: the extent to which the iliac vessels had been prepared, the materials used for the preparation, or whether clips or ligatures were applied. Lymphoceles may originate either from the lymphatic system of the recipient or the transplanted kidney. The most sensible measures to prevent their occurrence therefore seems to be to restrict the transplant bed to the smallest permissible level with careful ligature of the lymphatic vessels in the area of the kidney hilus.Treatment for lymphoceles should start with minimally invasive measures. W...
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 2010
The study aimed to report our experience with retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) for treatmen... more The study aimed to report our experience with retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) for treatment of localized prostate cancer in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Data of 16 RTR who had an RRP between 2001 and 2007 were retrospectively analysed and compared to the data of 294 non-transplanted patients who were operated for RRP during the same period. Diagnostic work-up consisted of digital rectal examination, serum prostate specific antigene levels, as well as Transrectal Ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy. Follow-up was obtained in all patients with a mean follow-up time of 2.1 years in RTR. Mean time distance to the renal transplantation at the time of RRP was 81.2 ± 19.1 months. RRP was successfully performed and tolerated in all RTR without pelvic lymph node dissection. No major complications occurred during or after the operation. There were two minor complications in transplant group (prolonged haematuria and urinary leakage). Mean operative time was 108.3 ± 3.9 ...
Urologe A, 2009
Laparoskopische Techniken haben für Dialyse- und nierentransplantierte Patienten nicht nur eine z... more Laparoskopische Techniken haben für Dialyse- und nierentransplantierte Patienten nicht nur eine zunehmende Bedeutung erlangt; sie stellen für viele Eingriffe die operative Therapie der Wahl dar. Da die Patienten nahezu ausnahmslos ein höheres Nebenerkrankungsprofil und Operationsrisiko aufweisen, profitieren sie insbesondere von den klassischen Vorzügen minimalinvasiver Techniken wie reduzierte Morbidität und schnelle Rekonvaleszenz. In Zentren mit ausgewiesener Expertise hat die laparoskopische Donornephrektomie die offene Lebendspende als Standardverfahren abgelöst. Laparoscopic techniques have not only become increasingly more important for patients on dialysis or after kidney transplantation, they also represent the operative standard procedures as almost all patients additionally suffer from concomitant diseases and do carry a higher operative risk. Therefore, these patients will derive special benefits from minimally invasive procedures offering lower morbidity and quick recov...
European Urology Supplements, 2011
Materials & Methods: Management of SUI associated with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) can b... more Materials & Methods: Management of SUI associated with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) can be challenging after prior failed therapies. The Uromedica Adjustable Continence Therapy (ACT ®) system is a device consisting of two silicone balloons providing urethral coaptation and bladder neck support. Each balloon is attached to a titanium port buried in the labia allowing for post-operative titration. The study population involves females with recurrent SUI with or without urethral hypermobility. Baseline and follow-up tests were performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months and annually thereafter including urinalysis, a 3-day voiding diary, provocative pad weight test (PPWT), direct visual stress test, Stamey score and validated questionnaires to assess the degree of stress incontinence, voiding dysfunction, sexual function and quality of life (IQol questionnaire). results: Between 2002 and 2007, 162 patients were implanted (mean age 67.4 (31-94) years), with 142, 90, 75 and 45 patients completing at least 1, 2, 3 and 4 years follow-up respectively. The majority, 83% (N=135) had at least one or 2 (46%) previous anti-incontinence procedures.. Difficulty of surgery was rated as mild, moderate, or severe in 62%, 30%, and 9% of procedures respectively. Improvement in Stamey score of > 1 grade was achieved in 75.4% (107/142) at 1 year, in 75.6% (68/90) at 2 years, in 84.9% (62/73) at 3 years and in 92.9% (39/42) at 4 years. Dry rate (PPWT < 2 gms) was 51%, 62% and 74%, and 77% and > 50% improved rate was 80%, 86%, 83% and 89% at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. IQoL increased from36.8 (SD 23.1) at baseline compared to 70.0 (SD 25.5), 71.7, 74.1 and 80.6 at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years. Optimal continence was achieved with a mean of 3 adjustments. Mean balloon volumes were 3.9 ml (1.0-11.5 ml). Device or procedure related complications (bladder perforation, port or balloon erosion, balloon migration, port or balloon related discomfort, intermittent urinary retention) were reported in 25% (39/156) of subjects at the end of 12 months, 19% (22/116) through year 2, 11.1% (10/90) through year 3 and 13.2% (3/22) through year 4. Of these, the majority were considered to be mild in severity. At 4 years 29 patients had undergone permanent explants of both devices, 43 were lost to follow up and 6 had died of unrelated causes. Conclusions: Four year data suggest ACT can be an effective, simple, safe and minimally invasive treatment for recurrent female SUI.
Transplantation Proceedings, 2006
Microbial blood infection represents a high risk for immuno-suppressed patients. Of all catheter-... more Microbial blood infection represents a high risk for immuno-suppressed patients. Of all catheter-related infections in the bloodstream, 90% result from the use of central venous catheters, the main cause being microbial colonization at the catheter's insertion point or the catheter hub. Between January 2003 and December 2004, 102 patients received a renal transplant including 57 who received a triple-lumen central venous catheter (CVC) during the procedure. Two catheters were used: a standard polyurethane catheter placed in the jugular veina or the subclavian veina for group I, and polyurethane catheters with the AgION antimicrobial system always placed in the subclavian veina for group II. Care and maintenance of the CVCs was standardized in both groups. After catheter removal, the tips were analyzed microbiologically. Of 57 (43.9%) CVCs, 25 were found to be contaminated. In the first group 24 out of 41 CVCs (58.5%) showed bacterial growth, whereas in group II only one catheter (6.6%) had a biofilm. The most common contaminant (18 out of 25, 72%) was Staphylococcus epidermidis. In group II, two patients had positive blood cultures yet a microbiologically sterile CVC. None of the catheters with the AgION antimicrobial system had to be removed owing to local infection or intolerance. The continuous release of silver ions increases the protection against bacteria and fungi during the entire time of catheterization. Use of catheters with the AgION antimicrobial system lead to a marked reduction in catheter-associated infections of the bloodstream.
Transplantation Proceedings, 2008
The history of living donor nephrectomy has undergone several development phases with respect to ... more The history of living donor nephrectomy has undergone several development phases with respect to medical, immunologic, and operative aspects. Due to the shortage of postmortem organ donations and the rising number of patients with terminal renal insufficiency who are awaiting kidney transplantation, living kidney donation has become increasingly important during recent years. Methods. From December 2004 to May 2005, we performed hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomies on 15 female and 9 male patients of median age 37 years. Our immunosuppressive regimen included tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, methylprednisolone, and a monoclonal antibody. Results. The median operative time was 138 minutes (113-180 minutes), and the median warm ischemia time was 87 seconds (63-150 seconds); results comparable to those of open donor nephrectomy. The hospitalization periods of the donors were between 5 and 7 days. The renal function and acute-phase parameters showed a transient increase during and after the operation. Most of the patients reached baseline levels by postoperative day 3 or 4. Conclusion. Together with the clinical data, these findings confirmed the efficacy and minimal invasiveness of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. It is thus possible that in the future this operative method will become the procedure of choice.
Colloids and Surfaces A-physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2006
A simple experimental approach was developed to determine the adhesion rate of particles onto mas... more A simple experimental approach was developed to determine the adhesion rate of particles onto massive substrate. Turbidimetry measurements are used to follow the evolution of particle concentration in a suspension in dynamic contact with the walls of a vessel made of different materials. This method allows to rapidly obtain qualitative results about the adhesion of metallic oxides particles on massive
A new compression technique, which enables the study of solids into the TPa regime, is described ... more A new compression technique, which enables the study of solids into the TPa regime, is described and used to ramp (or quasi-isentropically) compress diamond to a peak pressure of 1400 GPa. Diamond stress versus density data are reported to 800 GPa and suggest that the diamond phase is stable and has significant material strength up to at least this stress level. Data presented here are the highest ramp compression pressures by more than a factor of 5 and the highest-pressure solid equation-of-state data ever reported.
Supporting Information Available. Some computational details and additional results including 5 f... more Supporting Information Available. Some computational details and additional results including 5 figures and 6 tables. This material is available free of charge via the Internet at http://pubs.acs.org. Computational details of the 3D-QSAR analysis Identification of bioactive conformation and molecular alignment of compounds are two important steps in a 3D-QSAR study. 1 The 3D structures of all compounds were built using the SYBYL software (Tripos, Inc.). The most active compound, i.e. 30, in the series was used as the template for alignment of molecules. Simulated-annealing conformational search for this molecule was carried out. The conformational search was performed by heating to 1,000 K for 1 ps and followed by exponential quenching down to 200 K in 2 ps. 500 such cycles were run and the 50 lowest-energy conformers were selected for further geometry optimizations using PM3 semiempirical molecular orbital method implemented in Gaussion03 program. After the PM3 energy minimizations, we noted that the two lowest-energy conformers have energies close to each other, whereas the energies of the other conformers are significantly higher. So, the geometries of these two lowest-energy conformers were further optimized by performing the more sophisticated geometry optimizations at ab initio HF/6-31G* level. The geometries optimized at the HF/6-31G* level were followed by the single-point energy calculations at the B3LYP/6-31+G* level. The lowest-energy conformation determined at the B3LYP/6-31+G*//HF/6-31G* level was used as the template for the alignment.
Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship studies are a field of work in biochemistry that see... more Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship studies are a field of work in biochemistry that seeks to provide an empirical, semi-empirical or theoretical basis for estimating the physiochemical properties of chemical compounds. Knowledge of these properties allows scientists to ...
Kuwait Medical …, 2008
(33 to 69 years). Six were recurrent hernias, 16 were bilateral hernias, and two patients had rec... more (33 to 69 years). Six were recurrent hernias, 16 were bilateral hernias, and two patients had recurrent bilateral hernias. The postoperative hospital stay was one day in the majority of patients (n = 20, 83.3%), three patients stayed for two days and only one patient stayed for three days. ...