Smart greenhouse fuzzy logic based control system enhanced with wireless data monitoring.

Greenhouse climate control is complicated procedure since the number of variables involved on it and which are dependent on each other. This paper presents a contribution to integrate greenhouse inside climate key's parameters, leading to promote a comfortable micro-climate for the plants growth while saving energy and water resources. A smart fuzzy logic based control system was introduced and improved through specific measure to the temperature and humidity correlation. As well, the system control was enhanced with wireless data monitoring platform for data routing and logging, which provides real time data access. The proposed control system was experimentally validated. The efficiency of the system was evaluated showing important energy and water saving.

A Rapidly Enlarging Recurrent Eyebrow Pilomatrixoma in a Nonagenarian.

A rapidly growing, large (horizontal diameter of 3.1 cm) eyebrow lesion in a nonagenarian patient was found on pathologic examination to demonstrate an admixture of islands of anucleated, washed out eosinophilic "ghost" cells with surrounding nucleated, small germinal basaloid cells. Further analysis disclosed adipophilin granular positivity in the necrotic zones, negative nuclear staining for androgen receptor and strong nuclear positivity for Ki67 in the basaloid cells (proliferation index of 50%). These findings are consistent with a highly mitotically active pilomatrixoma. The lesion recurred after initial resection but returned the same histopathologic features as the primary. Several clinical features were notably atypical for pilomatrixoma-specifically, the age of the patient, rapid lesion growth and recurrence, and clinical appearance and large size of the mass. The immunohistochemical findings can help to distinguish this tumor from other skin neoplasms, especially sebaceous carcinoma in an older individual.

[Imaging in the screening and diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis liver in Tunisia. A series of 30 cases]. / L'imagerie dans le dépistage et le diagnostic du carcinome hépatocellulaire sur foie de cirrhose en Tunisie. A propos de 30 cas.

UNLABELLED: The aim of our study is to expose a practical screening and diagnosis strategy of HCC occuring in cirrhosis liver, which is nowadays a health public matter in Tunisia. METHODS: HCC routine screening in cirrhosis liver has been conducted every 6 months using a combination of abdominal sonography and serum alpha-foetoprotein levels. PCUS, CT scan or MRI have been performed each time a focal liver lesion was discovered in US, or in case of elevated serum alpha-foetoprotein levels. 30 cases of HCC were identified. RESULTS: US has shown a unique nodule in 46% of the cases, multiple nodules in 50% of them. No lesion has been discovered in 4% of the cases. Nodule size ranged from 8 to 140 mm. Heterogenous hyperechoic pattern was the most frequent one (41%). Hypervascular doppler feature was authentified in 20% of the cases. Serum alpha-foetoprotein levels had respectively a sensitivity and a specificity of 14% and 44% in lesions inferior to 3 cm, 62% and 80% in lesions superior to 3 cm. Typical arterial enhancement of HCC was depicted in 1 case for PCUS, in 76% for CT scan and 60% for MRI. CONCLUSION: Combination of abdominal sonography and serum alpha-foetoprotein levels practiced every 6 months represent a good compromise between cost and effectiveness. Second intention imaging is based on CT scan in Tunisia because of its availability compared to MRI. PCUS is becoming in the near future the best modality for lesion caracterization thanks to its safety and relative inexpensiveness.

Does duodenal atresia and stenosis prevent midgut volvulus in malrotation?

Thirty-six of the 64 (56%) neonates with duodenal atresia and stenosis who were retrospectively reviewed had associated malrotation. A volvulus neonatorum (age: <28 days) was not encountered among these patients. Can the duodenal atresia and stenosis act as a flood gate mechanism, in the prevention of volvulus in these children?

[Percutaneous nephrostomy in neoplasm patients: when?]. / Nefrostomia percutanea nei pazienti neoplastici: quando?

The management of cancer patients with a lesion in its end stage is a clinical problem a satisfactory solution to which has not been found yet, because of the ethical and legal problems involved. The authors analyzed the survival rates of 218 patients with advanced neoplastic disease and obstructive renal failure who had undergone external/internal urinary diversion. One month after the procedure 20% of the patients were dead. The figure rose to 75% at 6 months and reached 98% at one year. Urinary diversion in cancer patients with renal failure is aimed not only at avoiding death and assuring a prolonged survival, but also at providing a good quality of life. Several clinical criteria are therefore analyzed which are used in the selection of patients to submit to nephrostomy. The most important factors seem to be the actual stage of the tumor, its primary location, the possibility of an effective antineoplastic therapy, and the patient's consent. Randomized long-term studies are still necessary to analyze not only survival rates but also quality of life after urinary diversion for obstructive renal failure.