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Precision-medicine management recommendations for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: expert consensus.
No full textInternational audienceLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death and the second most common cancer worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, lung cancer ranks second in incidence and cancer mortality, with a five-year survival rate of about 8%. To address this pressing health challenge, this expert consensus aims to provide regionally tailored recommendations to improve outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC in the MENA region. A panel of 15 regional experts convened to develop evidence-informed guidance using a modified Delphi process. Through this structured and collaborative approach, the panel formulated 40 consensus statements covering key areas such as epidemiology, diagnostic workup, molecular testing, and the use of targeted therapies in advanced NSCLC. These statements reflect both global best practices and region-specific considerations, including access to testing and treatment. The resulting recommendations offer the first regionally adapted framework for the management of advanced NSCLC in the MENA region. By unifying clinical practice and promoting precision medicine, these guidelines aim to support clinicians in improving patient care and outcomes across the region
Techno-Economic Assessment of Green Hydrogen Integration into Residential Buildings: Case Study of Beirut, Lebanon
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Calcium and Microhardness Quantification in Healthy and Fluorotic Dentin Conditioned with a Self-Etching System: An In Vitro Study
No full textInternational audienceBackground: Dental fluorosis can affect the micromorphology of dentin, a fact that could present constraints relating to the structural, mechanical, and chemical stability of dentin when it is demineralized in operative maneuvers.Introduction: The aim of this article is to quantify the amount of calcium and the microhardness of both a healthy and a fluorotic dentin through conditioning with a two-step self-etching system (Optibond Versa, Kerr, CA, USA).Methods: Dentin samples were obtained from healthy molars diagnosed with mild, moderate, and severe fluorosis. The amount of calcium was quantified utilizing an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The hardness was evaluated using a Vickers durometer. Two dentin samples from each study group were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey-Kramer test were applied as post hoc tests for determining the differences in calcium values between the study groups and to show the difference in the hardnesses evaluated. The Student's t-test was applied to related samples. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Statistically significant results were obtained for the amount of calcium and microhardness of the healthy dentin group. The SEM images demonstrated irregular etching patterns in the fluorotic dentin, indicating potential bonding challenges. Conclusion: in conclusion, there is a lower amount of calcium and a significant reduction in microhardness in healthy dentin when applying the self-etching system compared to fluorotic dentin. Fluorotic dentin is more resistant to demineralization, which may influence
Evolution of Dried Food Texturization: A Critical Review of Technologies and Their Impact on Organoleptic and Nutritional Properties
No full textInternational audienceThe evolution of food texturization techniques has opened new possibilities for producing healthy, ready-to-eat (RTE) snacks with improved sensory and nutritional properties. Originating from traditional methods such as deep frying and popping, the field has now embraced advanced technologies, including mechanical extrusion, puffing, Détente Instantanée Contrôlée (DIC), and the more recent Intensification of Vaporization by Decompression to the Vacuum (IVDV). These methods focus on enhancing texture and flavor and preserving nutritional value, while also prolonging shelf life, effectively meeting the increasing consumer demand for healthier snack options. This review explores the various food texturization methods, highlighting the key parameters for the optimization of organoleptic and nutritional properties. The strengths and limitations of each method were systematically evaluated and critically assessed. The development of innovative approaches for potential industrial applications, alongside efforts to mitigate the drawbacks of conventional methods, has become imperative. A comparative analysis was conducted, focusing on aspects such as productivity, efficacy, and operational conditions, demonstrating that the novel methods tend to be more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective while delivering the best-quality product in terms of texture, color, expansion factor, and nutritional content attributes
Arbres indigènes de la région méditerranéenne : répartition, diversité et défis en matière de conservation
No full textInternational audienceAlors que 38 % des espèces d’arbres sont menacées d’extinction dans le monde, leur inventaire et leur répartition à des échelles écologiques et biogéographiques pertinentes font défaut dans de nombreuses régions du monde, y compris dans la région méditerranéenne, riche en biodiversité. Notre étude bibliographique fournit des données sur la présence/absence, le risque d’extinction, la biogéographie et la diversité génétique des arbres dans 39 territoires botaniques méditerranéens en Afrique du Nord, en Asie occidentale et en Europe du Sud.L’inventaire comprend 496 espèces et 147 sous-espèces issues de 50 familles et 111 genres, dont 48 espèces et 8 sous-espèces qui n’étaient auparavant pas considérées comme des arbres (arbres cryptiques). Nous montrons que la répartition des espèces d’arbres indigènes est phylogénétiquement très inégale, avec quelques familles riches en espèces telles que les Rosaceae alors que la majorité des familles comprend moins de 1% de toutes les espèces. L’endémisme non plus n’est pas réparti de manière uniforme entre les territoires botaniques, tout comme le risque d’extinction, dont l’évaluation est absente pour près de la moitié des espèces. Bien qu’aucune tendance géographique n’ait pu être détectée, la richesse des espèces s’est avérée être positivement corrélée à la superficie du territoire botanique et, lorsqu’elle était normalisée par la superficie, à l’hétérogénéité de l’habitat. Les informations sur la diversité génétique font défaut pour les deux tiers des espèces répertoriées et lorsqu’elles existent, elles se concentrent principalement sur les espèces ayant une importance économique.Nos données sont en libre accès et peuvent être utilisées par les chercheurs, les gestionnaires et les décideurs politiques à des fins diverses, notamment la conservation et la restauration. Nos résultats ont permis d’identifier les principaux hauts lieux de richesse en essences indigènes, ainsi que les principales lacunes et biais dans les connaissances relatives au risque d’extinction et à la diversité génétique. Nos résultats soulignent également l’importance d’une collaboration accrue pour soutenir la conservation des arbres forestiers méditerranéens
Flatbread and consumers from the Mediterranean area: preference, perception, and innovation acceptance
No full textInternational audienceThe FLAT BREAD MINE international research project, funded by PRIMA with EU support, explores innovative technologies and reformulations to develop healthy flatbreads for Mediterranean consumers. A survey across eight Mediterranean countries examined consumption habits, preferences, perceptions, and openness to innovation. Statistical analyses, including logistic and linear regressions, and principal component analysis (PCA), were applied. PCA identified three distinct consumer segments: Mindful (34 %), Aesthetic (32 %), and Practical (34 %), prioritizing nutrition, sensory qualities, and convenience, respectively. The Mindful group showed the strongest interest in innovation, positioning them as the primary target group for project outcomes. Geographic origin strongly influenced preferences: Middle Eastern consumers favoured double-layered flatbreads and considered them essential, while Europeans preferred single-layered types for their gastronomic and health appeal. Pita was the most popular variety (45.9 %). Taste and texture were major drawbacks of gluten-free flatbreads. Part-baked flatbreads were seldom consumed (~16 %) largely due to misconceptions, though interest was higher for shelf storage (40.6 %) than for frozen (24.8 %). The most accepted alternative flours were durum wheat (59.7 %), corn (53.1 %), and oat (53 %). Overall, the study enhances understanding of flatbread preferences in the Mediterranean area, underscoring the importance of cultural origin and consumer attitudes in driving innovation in the flatbread industry
The relative contribution of discs and vertebral bodies to thoracic kyphosis in healthy volunteers
No full textInternational audienceIntroduction : Understanding the normal anatomy of thoracic kyphosis (TK) in healthy subjects is essential for evaluating sagittal malalignment and planning the surgery accordingly. The aim of this study was to identify the proportion of thoracic kyphosis originating from disc versus vertebral body shape and to describe its variation according to age and thoracic kyphosis magnitude.Methods : This study was a retrospective review of a prospective multicenter database of healthy volunteers aged 18 years or older. Vertebral body and disc sagittal Cobb angles were measured at each level and summed within each of the 3 TK regions (Upper, Middle and Lower TK). Relative contributions of discs and vertebral bodies to Upper, Middle, Lower, and total TK were assessed in the whole cohort, and according to age and TK groups, after stratification. Finally, a multivariate analysis including age and TK magnitude was conducted.Results : Among these 645 subjects, the mean age was 37.6 ± 16.3 years with 51% of females. Intervertebral discs were kyphotic in Upper and Middle TK with respective discs contribution to total TK of 4.2% and 9.6%, for a total of 13.8% of total kyphosis. Lower TK discs were lordotic, with a participation of -13.2% of total TK, leading to an overall discs contribution to TK of 0.6%. Vertebral bodies were all kyphotic with a contribution of 99.4% of total kyphosis. Vertebral bodies kyphosis increased across age groups for Middle TK (p = 0.004), Lower TK (p < 0.001), and Total TK (p < 0.001). Discs contributions to total TK increased significantly with increasing TK (-13.8% for Low TK, -1.5% for Average-Low TK, 5.7% for Average-High TK and 9.1% for High TK), (p < 0.001). Finally, discs contribution was significantly greater in males than in females, with respective values of 2.6% and -1.8% (p = 0.01).Conclusion : This study highlights the predominant role of vertebral bodies contribution to thoracic kyphosis, 99.4% on average. The contribution of disc to thoracic kyphosis (values ranging from -13.8% to 9.1%) increases significantly with increasing thoracic kyphosis magnitude. The association of age with thoracic kyphosis was greater for vertebral bodies than discs, particularly in Middle and Lower TK
Edge selection non-cooperative game in IoT edge computing
No full textInternational audienceComputational offloading is a pivotal solution to several Internet of Things (IoT) issues as it helps subdue the constrained nature of IoT devices. By harnessing the large capacity at the Edge, IoT devices with limited battery and storage can delegate certain tasks, especially those related to Machine Learning. Because of their restricted capacity, such devices can only store a limited amount of data as a training set for their learning, leading to a faulty prediction with high error rate. To tackle that issue, IoT devices can federate the learning process with other devices while the Edge server acts as an aggregator. However, selecting the appropriate Edge is a significant challenge. In fact, although learning collectively can reduce the prediction error, it also brings about a communication cost that depends on the selected Edge. Thus, in this paper, we propose a Non-Cooperative game where devices autonomously and efficiently select an Edge server in order to reduce both their learning error and communication cost
From Energy Efficiency to Renewable Energy Integration: A Comprehensive Review of Sustainable Building Practices
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Optimisation de la technologie des blocs de construction : Caractérisations thermiques et mécaniques
No full textInternational audienceThis research explores the thermal and mechanical properties enhancement in hollow concrete blocks by incorporating recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) and crumb rubber (CR). Key thermal properties—including average thermal resistance (R¯), average thermal conductivity (λ¯), and average specific heat (Cp¯)—were analyzed, while mechanical properties were evaluated via compressive strength tests. Findings indicate that the addition of EPS and CR significantly improved thermal resistance, with specific heat and compressive strength remaining within acceptable thresholds. The optimal mixture of 35% EPS and 5% rubber by volume led to a remarkable 49.67% increase in thermal resistance compared to standard hollow blocks while still achieving a compressive strength (σ¯) around 7 MPa. These results classify the blocks as non-load-bearing, highlighting their potential for energy-efficient construction using sustainable materials. This research advances sustainable building materials by providing practical solutions to improve building performance in Lebanon