Implementation Study of Patient-Ready Syringes Containing 25 mg/mL Methotrexate Solution for Use in Treating Ectopic Pregnancy

Background. Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality during the first trimester of pregnancy. Small unruptured tubal pregnancies can be treated medically with a single dose of methotrexate (MTX). Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of a 25 mg/mL solution of MTX to devise a secure delivery circuit for the preparation and use of this medication in the management of EP. Method. MTX solutions were packaged in polypropylene syringes, stored over an 84-day period, and protected from light either at +2 to +8 ∘ C or at 23 ∘ C. We assessed the physical and chemical stability of the solutions at various time points over the storage period. A pharmaceutical delivery circuit was implemented that involved the batch preparation of MTX syringes. Results. We show that 25 mg/mL MTX solutions remain stable over an 84-day period under the storage conditions tested. Standard doses were prepared, ranging from 50 mg to 100 mg. The results of this study suggest that MTX syringes can be prepared in advance by the pharmacy, ready to be dispensed at any time that a diagnosis of EP is made. Conclusion. The high stability of a 25 mg/mL MTX solution in polypropylene syringes makes it possible to implement a flexible and cost-effective delivery circuit for ready-to-use preparations of this drug, providing 24-hour access and preventing treatment delays

Melanocortin-1 Receptor, Skin Cancer and Phenotypic Characteristics (M-SKIP) Project: Study Design and Methods for Pooling Results of Genetic Epidemiological Studies

Background: For complex diseases like cancer, pooled-analysis of individual data represents a powerful tool to investigate the joint contribution of genetic, phenotypic and environmental factors to the development of a disease. Pooled-analysis of epidemiological studies has many advantages over meta-analysis, and preliminary results may be obtained faster and with lower costs than with prospective consortia. Design and methods: Based on our experience with the study design of the Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene, SKin cancer and Phenotypic characteristics (M-SKIP) project, we describe the most important steps in planning and conducting a pooled-analysis of genetic epidemiological studies. We then present the statistical analysis plan that we are going to apply, giving particular attention to methods of analysis recently proposed to account for between-study heterogeneity and to explore the joint contribution of genetic, phenotypic and environmental factors in the development of a disease. Within the M-SKIP project, data on 10,959 skin cancer cases and 14,785 controls from 31 international investigators were checked for quality and recoded for standardization. We first proposed to fit the aggregated data with random-effects logistic regression models. However, for the M-SKIP project, a two-stage analysis will be preferred to overcome the problem regarding the availability of different study covariates. The joint contribution of MC1R variants and phenotypic characteristics to skin cancer development will be studied via logic regression modeling. Discussion: Methodological guidelines to correctly design and conduct pooled-analyses are needed to facilitate application of such methods, thus providing a better summary of the actual findings on specific fields

TIBePO4_4 : un nouveau phosphate ferroélectrique

The thallium-beryllium monophosphate is related to the $\beta$-SiO$_2$ tridymite structural kind. The phase II, stable at room temperature, is found to have orthorhombic symmetry mm2. It sustains a displacive transformation at 919 $^{\circ}$C leading to centric phase I with symmetry mmm. In the low-temperature form, the 6s$^2$ electron pair of TI$^{+}$ cation is oriented along polar axis, inducing a significant distortion of the oxygen framework ; the ferroelectric nature of phase II is pointed out by the strong increase of the dielectric stiffness around Curie temperature. Phase transition results of bound rotations of PO$_4$ and BeO$_4$ tetrahedra, the rise of symmetry order leading to the loss of hybridization of the lone pair. According to the displacive transition mechanism, both thermal and dielectric properties show typical second order features.L'orthophosphate de thallium-béryllium cristallise selon le type structural " tridymite $\beta$-SiO$_2$ déformée ". La phase II, stable à l'ambiante, présente une symétrie orthorhombique mm2 ; elle subit une transformation displacive à $919~^\circ$C vers la forme prototype I centrosymétrique (mmm). Dans la variété ferroélectrique, le doublet électronique 6s$^2$ de l'ion Tl$^+$, orienté selon l'axe polaire, provoque une importante déformation de la charpente oxygénée ; le caractère ferroélectrique est mis en évidence par le fort accroissement de la permittivité diélectrique au voisinage de la température de Curie. La transition procède par des rotations engrenées des tétraèdres PO$_4$ et BeO$_4$, l'accroissement de symétrie impliquant la déshybridation du doublet 6s$^2$. Observée sous ses aspects thermique et diélectrique, cette transition apparaît comme un phénomène du second ordre, conformément à son caractère displacif

Chiral and structural separation by Capillary Electrophoresis of native amino acids by using cyclodextrins derived or not

International audienc

Influence of silicon carbide and porcelain on tribological performance of Al6061 based hybrid composites

The impact of silicon carbide (5 wt%) and porcelain (1.5–6.0 wt%) reinforcements on mechanical and tribological features of Al-based hybrid composite (manufactured by metal stir casting) is investigated. A pin-on-disc tribometer was used for experiment and SEM for the characterization of wear for different operating conditions. The hardness of the hybrid composites enhanced approximately by 57% with an increment in porcelain particulates from 1.5 to 6 wt%. However, the wear loss and average coefficient of friction decrease when the porcelain content was added and was found to be minimum at 4.5 wt% porcelain. Hence, the presence of 4.5 wt% porcelain in the Al6061/5SiC hybrid composites produces the best wear properties

Characterisation of complex amphiphilic cyclodextrin mixtures by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

International audienc