Scleroderma: skin stiffness assessment using the stress-strain relationship under progressive suction.

in Expert Opinion on Medical Diagnostics (2013), 7(2), 119-25

Introduction: A few non-invasive biometrological methods are available for monitoring skin stiffening in systemic scleroderma. Among them, the Cutometer(R) is used for years by several clinical teams ... [more ▼]

Introduction: A few non-invasive biometrological methods are available for monitoring skin stiffening in systemic scleroderma. Among them, the Cutometer(R) is used for years by several clinical teams. Objectives: To revisit the microscopic structure of the dermal fibrous networks in scleroderma and the relationship with changes in viscoelasticity. Methods: The suction method delivered by the Cutometer(R) was applied following the progressive stress-vs-strain modality. Results: The test procedure was sensitive enough to document the initial progression steps of acroscleroderma. Four stages were thus identified including i) the incipient, ii) the progressive, iii) the overt, and iv) the regressive acroscleroderma. Conclusion: The non-invasive determination of skin biomechanical functions is relevant both in routine clinical practice and in antisclerotic drug development. It is complementary although not a substitute for the determination of selected serum biomarkers. [less ▲]

Characterization of spontaneous collagen fibrillogenesis in a cell-free and tension-free environment.

in Clinical & Experimental Dermatology (2013)

The collagen fibril packing that forms threads and bundles is poorly defined, despite the fact that it is important for distinct aspects of the adventitial and reticular dermis. The present study explored ... [more ▼]

The collagen fibril packing that forms threads and bundles is poorly defined, despite the fact that it is important for distinct aspects of the adventitial and reticular dermis. The present study explored an in vitro fibrillogenesis model using the property of heat polymerization. The process was performed on glass slides with mixtures of collagen I and III, and the material was viewed by scanning electron microscopy. In all instances, collagen I and III formed fibrils with regular sizes. The formation of threads was influenced by the relative proportions of collagen I and III; increasing the relative proportion of collagen I resulted in the formation of threads showing increasing variations in thickness. These findings are in line with the differential presentation and compositions of the different parts of the dermis. The possible interventions of stromal cells and of other macromoleules of the extracellular matrix were not considered in this study. [less ▲]

Fibromyalgie: un syndrome d'Ehlers-Danlos de type hypermobile qui s'ignore?

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2013), 68(1), 22-4

Some patients suffering from fibromyalgia present with clinical signs and alterations in the histopathology, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure of the dermis similar to the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome ... [more ▼]

Some patients suffering from fibromyalgia present with clinical signs and alterations in the histopathology, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure of the dermis similar to the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hypermobile type (EDSH). Some types of fibromyalgia possibly represent an undiagnosed EDSH. [less ▲]

Critical assessment of diabetic xerosis.

in Expert Opinion on Medical Diagnostics (2013), 7(2), 201-7

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is commonly responsible for skin changes including discrete to mild xerosis. Areas covered: This review focuses on some selected relevant bioinstrumental methods assessing ... [more ▼]

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is commonly responsible for skin changes including discrete to mild xerosis. Areas covered: This review focuses on some selected relevant bioinstrumental methods assessing diabetes xerosis. Peer-reviewed articles on objective non-invasive methods were scrutinized. The reviewed methods address i) the xerosis severity grading scale, ii) corneodynamics referring to the desquamation rate, iii) electrometric assessment of skin hydration including skin capacitance mapping and iv) implication of the imperceptible perspiration. The subjective clinical assessment often fails to disclose diabetic xerosis with confidence and precision. By contrast, a multipronged biometrological approach identifies a cluster of diabetic patients who experience alterations in the structural and functional maturation of the stratum corneum. Expert opinion: A multipronged biometrological approach helps identifying the changes in the stratum corneum of diabetic xerosis. There is a continuum between the 'dry skin' feeling, xerosis and ichthyosiform presentations, particularly on the shins and feet of diabetic patients. [less ▲]

Contingency ranking with respect to overloads in very large power systems taking into account uncertainty, preventive, and corrective actions

in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems (2013)

This paper deals with day-ahead security management with respect to a postulated set of contingencies, while taking into account uncertainties about the next day generation/load scenario. In order to help ... [more ▼]

This paper deals with day-ahead security management with respect to a postulated set of contingencies, while taking into account uncertainties about the next day generation/load scenario. In order to help the system operator in decision making under uncertainty, we aim at ranking these contingencies into four clusters according to the type of control actions needed to cover the worst uncertainty pattern of each contingency with respect to branch overload. To this end we use a fixed point algorithm that loops over two main modules: a discrete bi-level program (BLV) that computes the worst-case scenario, and a special kind of security constrained optimal power flow (SCOPF) which computes optimal preventive/corrective actions to cover the worst-case. We rely on a DC grid model, as the large number of binary variables, the large size of the problem, and the stringent computational requirements preclude the use of existing mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) solvers. Consequently we solve the SCOPF using a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) solver while the BLV is decomposed into a series of MILPs. We provide numerical results with our approach on a very large European system model with 9241 buses and 5126 contingencies. [less ▲]

Les Initiatives populaires de solidarité internationale en Wallonie et à Bruxelles : une autre manière de coopérer avec le Sud ?

in Wintgens, Sophie; Grandjean, Geoffrey (Eds.) Acteurs émergents. Perspectives pour la gouvernance mondiale (2013)

Dans le contexte actuel d’harmonisation de l’aide au développement en vue du renforcement de son efficacité, leitmotiv de l’injonction à la professionnalisation du secteur, cette contribution s’attache à ... [more ▼]

Dans le contexte actuel d’harmonisation de l’aide au développement en vue du renforcement de son efficacité, leitmotiv de l’injonction à la professionnalisation du secteur, cette contribution s’attache à questionner les spécificités des Initiatives Populaires de Solidarité Internationale (IPSI) en régions wallonne et bruxelloise au regard des ONG de Développement (ONGD) agréées par la Direction Générale de la coopération au Développement (DGD). Les IPSI sont des associations dont l’objet social principal est la solidarité internationale mais qui ne sont pas subsidiées de manière récurrente par les pouvoirs publics et fonctionnent donc majoritairement sur fonds propres. Elles résultent de l’engagement bénévole de leurs membres, ceux-ci exerçant ces activités solidaires en-dehors ou en sus de leurs occupations professionnelles officielles. Face aux ONGD, sous-champ professionnel qui se définit comme tel et dont les modalités d’accès sont contrôlées par la DGD, les projets menés par les IPSI questionnent les stratégies de développement actuelles des acteurs non gouvernementaux et la place de ces différents acteurs dans le champ des relations Nord-Sud. Ainsi, après avoir défini la professionnalisation dans le cadre de la coopération belge au développement, nous dresserons des pistes quant au regard que les ONGD portent sur les IPSI et inversement, sur les éléments mis en avant par ces dernières pour justifier leurs pratiques dans le champ de la solidarité internationale. [less ▲]

Role of sea ice in global biogeochemical cycles: emerging views and challenges

in Quaternary Science Reviews (2013)

IDENTIFICATION AND DETERMINATION OF ALKALOIDS IN FUMARIA SPECIES FROM ROMANIA

in Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures (2013), 8(2), 817-824

The neural correlates of recollection and familiarity during aging

Poster (2013)

Chronic exercise differentially impacts perceptual or motor inhibition as a function of age: a cross-sectional study

Poster (2013)