Raman characterization of singlewalled carbon nanotubes and PMMA-nanotubes composites

The Raman spectroscopy have allowed us to perform studies on singlewalled nanotubes (SWNT's) produced by following methods: electric arc, laser ablation and solar energy. As this characterization method provides a great deal of informations, we will present a comparison between the nanotubes produced by all these processes and the influence of some synthesis parameters. By using spin casting, we have produced thin films of PMMA-SWNT's for different concentrations. Then, we have characterized these new materials by Raman spectroscopy. The aim of these investigations is to get information on the possible interactions between these two materials. In particular, we have studied the evolution of the composites films spectra as a function of the nanotubes concentration in the polymer.This work has been fully supported by the European Community through its Training and Mobility of Researcher program under network contract : NAMITECH, ERBFMRX- CT96-0067 @GlZ-MIHT) and by the tiench CNRS program : ULTIMATECH.Peer reviewe

Diagnosis and outcomes of acute kidney injury using surrogate and imputation methods for missing preadmission creatinine values

Abstract Background Missing preadmission serum creatinine (SCr) values are a common obstacle to assess acute kidney injury (AKI) diagnosis and outcomes. The Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines suggest using a SCr computed from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 75 ml/min/1.73 m2. We aimed to identify the best surrogate method for baseline SCr to assess AKI diagnosis and outcomes. Methods We compared the use of 1) first SCr at hospital admission 2) minimal SCr over 2 weeks after intensive care unit admission 3) MDRD computed SCr and 4) Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) computed SCr to assess AKI diagnosis and outcomes. We then performed multilinear regression models to predict preadmission SCr and imputation strategies to assess AKI diagnosis. Results Our one-year retrospective cohort study included 1001 critically ill adults; 498 of them had preadmission SCr values. In these patients, AKI incidence was 25.1% using preadmission SCr. First SCr had the best agreement for AKI diagnosis (22.5%; kappa = 0.90) and staging (kappa = 0.81). MDRD, CKD-EPI and minimal SCr overestimated AKI diagnosis (26.7%, 27.1% and 43.2%;kappa = 0.86, 0.86 and 0.60, respectively). However, MDRD and CKD-EPI computed SCr had a better sensitivity than first SCr for AKI (93% and 94% vs. 87%). Eighty-eight percent of patients experienced renal recovery at least 3 months after hospital discharge. All methods except the first SCr significantly underestimated the percentage of renal recovery. In a multivariate model, age, male gender, hypertension, heart failure, undergoing surgery and log first SCr best predicted preadmission SCr (adjusted R2 = 0.56). Imputation methods with first SCr increased AKI incidence to 23.9% (kappa = 0.92) but not with MDRD computed SCr (26.7%;kappa = 0.89). Conclusion In our cohort, first SCr performed better for AKI diagnosis and staging, as well as for renal recovery after hospital discharge than MDRD, CKD-EPI or minimal SCr. However, MDRD SCr and CKD-EPI SCr improved AKI diagnosis sensitivity. Imputation methods minimally increased agreement for AKI diagnosis

Additional file 1: Figure S1a-1d. of Diagnosis and outcomes of acute kidney injury using surrogate and imputation methods for missing preadmission creatinine values

Bland-Altman methods between preadmission serum creatinine and various surrogates methods for estimating baseline serum creatinine. (a) first serum creatinine, (b) minimal serum creatinine, (c) MDRD computed serum creatinine, (d) CKD-EPI computed serum creatinine. SCr: serum creatinine; MDRD: Modification of Diet in Renal Disease; CKD-EPI: Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration. (PNG 78 kb

Additional file 2: of Diagnosis and outcomes of acute kidney injury using surrogate and imputation methods for missing preadmission creatinine values

Table S1a. Comparison between well-classified and misclassified acute kidney injury by the first serum creatinine method. Table S1b. Comparison between well-classified and misclassified acute kidney injury by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) method. Table S1c. Comparison between well-classified, missed and overdiagnosed acute kidney injury by the first serum creatinine method. Table S1d. Comparison between well-classified, missed and overdiagnosed acute kidney injury by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) method. (DOCX 87 kb