Three-Dimensional Nanoscale Morphological Surface Analysis of Polymeric Particles Containing Allium sativum Essential Oil

Biodegradable particles were developed using poly-ε-caprolactone and gelatin carriers containing different concentrations of Allium sativum essential oil (EO) (360 µg/mL, 420 µg/mL, and 460 µg/mL). Atomic force microscopy was useful to evaluate the particles’ surface based on morphological parameters. The particles’ size varied from 150 nm to 300 nm. The diameter was related to the increase of the particles’ height as a function of the EO concentration, influencing the roughness of the surface core values (from 20 to 30 nm) and surface irregularity. The spatial parameters Str (texture aspect ratio) and Std (texture direction) revealed low spatial frequency components. The hybrid parameters Sdq (root mean square gradient) and Sdr (interfacial area ratio) also increased as a function of the EO concentration, revealing fewer flat particles. On the other hand, the functional parameters (inverse areal material ratio and peak extreme height) suggested differences in surface irregularities. Higher concentrations of EO resulted in greater microtexture asperity on the particles’ surface, as well as sharper peaks. The nanoscale morphological surface analysis allowed the determination of the most appropriate concentration of encapsulated EO, influencing statistical surface parameters.     

Particularités de l’accompagnement en soins palliatifs d’un patient atteint de schizophrénie en secteur psychiatrique

Objectives

The studies of comorbidities, risk factors of organic pathologies, or declining life expectancy of patients with mental disorders, particularly psychotic disorders, are the subject of many publications. The cares, including palliative care, for these patients, but also the patients and caregivers experience in these situations are rarely described in the literature. From the story of Peter, we evoke the palliative support and the management of these patients in a psychiatric hospital.

Initiation of antiretroviral therapy after the critical neuronal developmental period of the second postnatal year affects white matter microstructure in adolescents living with HIV

Journal of NeuroVirology - Rapid maturation of major white matter pathways occurs in the first 2 years of life, indicating a critical neuronal developmental period. The impact of...     

Leptospirosis in Reunion Island (Indian Ocean): analysis of factors associated with severity in 147 confirmed cases

Objective Analysis of risk factors associated with severity in patients with confirmed leptospirosis. Design and setting Retrospective study in 147 leptospirosis-confirmed patients at two tertiary nonteaching hospital in Reunion Island. Patients 138 men and 9 women, aged 36 ± 14 years, 80 in the ICU and 67 in medical wards. Measurements and results We collected demographic, clinical, biological, and radiographic data and performed univariate and multivariate analysis to examine risk factors associated with admission in ICU and mortality. Pulmonary forms were more frequent (85%) than in previous reports, with 85 cases (65.3%) on abnormal chest radiography. Among the 38 patients who underwent bronchoalveolar lavage at admission 31 (81.5%) had alveolar hemorrhage. Independent factors related to ICU admission were: age over 46 years (OR 3.02), creatinine higher than 200 μmol/l (6.69), shock (13.87), and acute respiratory failure (20.69). Mortality was 12.9%. The only factor independently related to mortality was need for mechanical ventilation (OR 20.94). Icterohemorrhagiae serogroup was found in 62 cases (42.8%) but was not related to death. Conclusions Pulmonary involvement is a major feature in leptospirosis disease but is not associated with poor outcome. Identification of clinical and laboratory findings on admission may help to better characterize severe cases. Mailing address: Arnaud Bourdin is currently at the Service de Pneumologie, CHU Montpellier, France.     

Validation of a new standardized cystatin C turbidimetric assay: Evaluation of the three novel CKD-EPI equations in hypertensive patients

Objectives

Analytical and clinical performances of the new standardized cystatin C particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay (PETIA) using DiaSys reagents on Olympus AU2700® analyzer were evaluated.

Design and methods

We have studied imprecision, linearity, limit of detection and limit of quantification of this new immunoassay. Method comparison was assessed in relation to results generated by the standardized Siemens-particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay (PENIA). In order to evaluate the clinical relevance of this assay, estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using MDRD, CKD-EPI creatinine, CKD-EPI cystatin C 2012 and CKD-EPI creatinine–cystatin C 2012 equations and compared to GFR measured using urinary clearance of ^99mTc-DTPA in 100 hypertensive patients.

Results

Cystatin C measurements using DiaSys reagents have reliable analytical performances and are comparable to the standardized Siemens-PENIA method (bias of 0.01 mg/L). The mean measured GFR was 90.0 ± 29.7 mL/min/1.73 m². Bias and accuracy of the three CKD-EPI equations were better than the MDRD. Both CKD-EPI creatinine-based and cystatin C-based formulae had similar bias, precision and accuracy. The combined creatinine–cystatin C equation was significantly more accurate and precise than the CKD-EPI creatinine equation in patients with GFR above 60 mL/min/1.73 m².

Conclusions

The use of cystatin C in a combined equation with creatinine could improve the accuracy of eGFR in the reference interval.     

Proadrenomedullin,a useful tool for risk stratification in high Pneumonia Severity Index score community acquired pneumonia

The aim of the present study was, first, to evaluate the prognostic value of mid-regional proadrenomedullin (proADM) in emergency department (ED) patients with a diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and, second, to analyze the added value of proADM as a risk stratification tool in comparison with other biomarkers and clinical severity scores.     

Doppler Flow Wire Evaluation of Renal Blood Flow Reserve in Hypertensive Patients with Normal Renal Arteries

Purpose: To study the vasomotor responses of the renal microcirculation in patients with essential hypertension. Methods: We studied the reactivity of the renal microcirculation to papaverine, with intraarterial Doppler and quantitative arteriography, in 34 renal arteries of 19 hypertensive patients without significant renal artery stenosis. Isosorbide dinitrate was given to maximally dilate proximal renal arteries. APV (average peak blood flow velocity) was used as an index of renal blood flow. Results: Kidneys could be divided into two distinct subgroups based on their response to papaverine. An increase in APV of up to 55% occurred in 21 kidneys, an increase > 55% in 13 kidneys. Within each group the values were normally distributed. Both baseline APV and the effect of papaverine on mean velocity differed significantly between groups. Conclusion: There seems to be a subgroup of patients with essential hypertension that has an impaired reactivity to papaverine, consistent with a functional impairment of the renal microcirculation. Further studies are required to determine whether this abnormality contributes to or results from elevated blood pressure.