A study of the performance of a cascade image

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Repeatability of the macular pigment spatial profile: A comparison of objective versus subjective classification

PURPOSE: Classification of macular pigment (MP) spatial profile phenotypes varies and is often based on subjective visualisation. We investigated repeatability of MP optical density (MPOD) comparing an objective versus subjective profiling system. METHODS: The coefficient of repeatability (CoR) was calculated for point MPOD values (0-3.8°) obtained by dual-wavelength fundus autofluorescence (FAF) from two scans obtained in a single visit of 40 healthy individuals (39 ± 9 years). For each individual's dataset, the MP profile was classified as exponential, ring-like or central dip using an objective method (based on deviations away from an exponential fit), as well as by subjective visual profiling. Existing FAF images of 88 monozygotic (MZ) and 69 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs were reanalysed using the objective profiling method and concordance and heritability of ring-like profiles determined. RESULTS: The CoR was 0.23 at 0° and 0.06 at 0.8°. Agreement of objective profiling between scans was excellent (κ = 0.85, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.00; p < 0.0005). Subjective profiling showed moderate agreement between scans (κ = 0.48, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.73; p < 0.0005). Agreement between objective and subjective classification was low (κ = 0.23, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.42; p = 0.02). Concordance for the ring-like profile using objective profiling was 0.74 for MZ compared to 0.36 for DZ twins. Heritability was calculated as 81.5% (95% confidence interval 61.1-93.1%). CONCLUSION: Compared to visual assessment, objective MP profiling is a more reliable method and should be considered in future observational and interventional studies. In addition, MP profile phenotypes showed high heritability

Supramolecular hair dyes : a new application of cocrystallization

The manuscript presents the first report of hair dyes of various colors formed by the cocrystallization reactions. Unlike the most popular oxidative hair dye (OHD) products, these dyes are NH3 free and do not require H2O2 as a color developer. The importance of these new hair dyes products is further enhanced by recent reports which indicate that some of the OHDs may be carcinogeni

Using crystallography, topology and graph set analysis for the description of the hydrogen bond network of triamterene: a rational approach to solid form selection.

This study has demonstrated the use of crystallography, topology and graph set analysis in the description and classification of the complex hydrogen bonded network of triamterene. The aim is to give a brief overview of the methodology used to discuss the crystal structure of triamterene with a view to extending the study to include the solvates, cocrystals and salts of this compound. Graphical abstract One of the structurally significant dimers (supramolecular synthons) of triamterene identified by this study

Structural studies of crystalline forms of triamterene with carboxylic acid, GRAS and API molecules.

Pharmaceutical salt solvates (dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO) of the drug triamterene with the coformers acetic, succinic, adipic, pimelic, azelaic and nicotinic acid and ibuprofen are prepared by liquid-assisted grinding and solvent-evaporative crystallization. The modified ΔpKa rule as proposed by Cruz-Cabeza [(2012 ▸). CrystEngComm, 14, 6362-6365] is in close agreement with the results of this study. All adducts were characterized by X-ray diffraction and thermal analytical techniques, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis. Hydrogen-bonded motifs combined to form a variety of extended tapes and sheets. Analysis of the crystal structures showed that all adducts existed as salt solvates and contained the amino-pyridinium-carboxyl-ate heterodimer, except for the solvate containing triamterene, ibuprofen and DMSO, as a result of the presence of a strong and stable hemitriamterenium duplex. A search of the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD 5.36, Version 1.18) to determine the frequency of occurrence of the putative supramolecular synthons found in this study showed good agreement with previous work

Léiomyosarcome de la veine rénale gauche dans un contexte de polyarthrite rhumatoïde sous méthotrexate

RésuméLe léiomyosarcome de la veine rénale est une tumeur maligne exceptionnelle dont la détection est délicate, le traitement mal codifié et le pronostic sombre. Nous décrivons le cas d’une patiente de 68 ans atteinte de polyarthrite rhumatoïde et développant un léiomyosarcome de la veine rénale gauche avec une issue fatale en moins d’un an. L’association à une polyarthrite rhumatoïde traitée par méthotrexate pose donc la question d’une combinaison fortuite ou d’un terrain favorisant compte tenu des études récentes qui tendent à prouver l’association entre ce rhumatisme et certains cancers

La prise en charge thérapeutique de l'insuffisance cardiaque aiguë aux urgences du CHU d'Angers et des cliniques Saint Luc à Bruxelles en 2012 est-elle conforme aux recommandations de la Société européenne de cardiologie (ESC) de 2010?

L'insuffisance cardiaque aiguë est une pathologie ayant un taux de morbi-mortalité important. La société européenne de cardiologie (ESC) met à jour régulièrement des recommandations de bonnes pratiques. Nous nous intéressions donc à leurs mises en œuvre dans une étude rétrospective, descriptive, bicentrique au CHU d'Angers et aux Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc à Bruxelles entre novembre 2011 et février 2012. Notre critère de jugement principal était le taux d adéquation entre la prise en charge thérapeutique globale réalisée et les recommandations de l'ESC 2008. Secondairement, nous nous intéressions plus spécifiquement à chaque items de la thérapeutique (oxygénothérapie, dérivé nitré, diurétique) ainsi qu'aux facteurs de variation du taux d'adéquation. Ont été inclus 301 patients, Les recommandations étaient suivies dans leur totalité pour 9 patients (3%). Les prises en charge par oxygénothérapie était adéquate pour 145 patients (48,2%), avec un taux moins important pour la VNI chez les patients en détresse respiratoire (OR= 0,17 intervalle de confiance à 95% (0,09-0,31), p<0,001). Le traitement par diurétique était adéquate pour 116 patients (38,5%), moins important chez les patients ayant des signes de surcharge (OR=0,10 intervalle de confiance à 95% (0,02-0,48), p=0,004). Les dérivés nitrés étaient administrés de façon adéquate pour 56 patients (18,6%), avec un taux plus élevé chez les patients en décompensation cardiaque hypertensive (OR=2,87 intervalle de confiance à 95% (1,25-6,63), p=0,013). L'application des recommandations de l'ESC est donc extrêmement perfectible, particulièrement chez les patients ayant des signes francs d'insuffisance cardiaque aiguëAcute heart failure is extremely common with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) updates regularly the guidelines in recent years. We focused on their implementation in a retrospective, descriptive study. Patient were recruited from CHU in Angers and Les cliniques Saint-Luc in Brussel between november 2011 and February 2012. The primary end point was the adequacy rate between thetherapeutic management and the ESC 2008 guidelines. Then, we were intersted in each therapeutics ( oxygen, nitrates, diuretics) as well as factors of variation of adequacy rate. 301 patients were included, the recommendations were followed in full for 9 patients (3%). The oxygen was adequate for 145 patients (48.2%), with a lower rate for NIV in patients with respiratory distress (OR = 0.17 95% confidence interval, 0.09 to 0.31; p <0.001). Diuretic therapy was adequate for 116 patients (38.5%), lower among patients with systemic congestion (OR = 0.10 IC, 0.02 to 0.48; p = 0.004). Nitrates were administered appropriately for 56 patients (18.6%), with a higher rate in patients with hypertensive heart failure (OR = 2.87 IC, 1.25 to 6.63; p = 0.013). Implementations of guidelines are extremely low and would be improved in futur, particularly in patients with significant signs of acute heart failureANGERS-BU Médecine-Pharmacie (490072105) / SudocSudocFranceF

Images of photoreceptors in living primate eyes using adaptive optics two-photon ophthalmoscopy

In vivo two-photon imaging through the pupil of the primate eye has the potential to become a useful tool for functional imaging of the retina. Two-photon excited fluorescence images of the macaque cone mosaic were obtained using a fluorescence adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope, overcoming the challenges of a low numerical aperture, imperfect optics of the eye, high required light levels, and eye motion. Although the specific fluorophores are as yet unknown, strong in vivo intrinsic fluorescence allowed images of the cone mosaic. Imaging intact ex vivo retina revealed that the strongest two-photon excited fluorescence signal comes from the cone inner segments. The fluorescence response increased following light stimulation, which could provide a functional measure of the effects of light on photoreceptors

The value of measurement of macular carotenoid pigment optical densities and distributions in age-related macular degeneration and other retinal disorders

AbstractThere is increasing recognition that the optical and antioxidant properties of the xanthophyll carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin play an important role in maintaining the health and function of the human macula. In this review article, we assess the value of non-invasive quantification of macular pigment levels and distributions to identify individuals potentially at risk for visual disability or catastrophic vision loss from age-related macular degeneration, and we consider the strengths and weaknesses of the diverse measurement methods currently available

Green synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 5-fluorouracil derivatives as potent anticancer agents

This study reports the formation of 5-FU co-crystals with four different pharmacologically safe co-formers; Urea, Thiourea, Acetanilide and Aspirin using methanol as a solvent. Two fabrication schemes were followed i.e., solid-state grinding protocol, in which API and co-formers were mixed through vigorous grinding while in the other method separate solutions of both the components were made and mixed together. The adopted approaches offer easy fabrication protocols, no temperature maintenance requirements, no need of expensive solvents, hardly available apparatus, isolation and purification of the desired products. In addition, there is no byproducts formation, In fact, a phenomenon embracing the requirements of green synthesis. Through FTIR analysis; for API the Nsingle bondH absorption frequency was recorded at 3409.02 cm−1 and that of single bondCdouble bondO was observed at 1647.77 cm−1. These characteristics peaks of 5-FU were significantly shifted and recorded at 3499.40 cm−1 and 1649.62 cm−1 for 5-FU-Ac (3B) and 3496.39 cm−1 and 1659.30 cm−1 for 5-FU-As (4B) co-crystals for Nsingle bondH and single bondCdouble bondO groups respectively. The structural differences between API and co-crystals were further confirmed through PXRD analysis. The characteristic peak of 5-FU at 2θ = 28.79918o was significantly shifted in the graphs of co-crystals not only in position but also with respect to intensity and FWHM values. In addition, new peaks were also recorded in all the spectra of co-formers confirming the structural differences between API and co-formers. In addition, percent growth inhibition was also observed by all the co-crystals through MTT assay against HCT 116 colorectal cell lines in vitro. At four different concentrations; 25, 50, 100 and 200 µg/mL, slightly different trends of the effectiveness of API and co-crystals were observed. However; among all the co-crystal forms, 5-FU-thiourea co-crystals obtained through solution method (2B) proved to be the most effective growth inhibitor at all the four above mentioned concentrations