Agro-materials : a bibliographic review

Facing the problems of plastic recycling and fossil resources exhaustion, the use of biomass to conceive new materials appears like a reasonable solution. Two axes of research are nowadays developed : on the one hand the synthesis of biodegradable plastics, whichever the methods may be, on the other hand the utilization of raw biopolymers, which is the object of this paper. From this perspective, the “plastic” properties of natural polymers, the caracteristics of the different classes of polymers, the use of charge in vegetable matrix and the possible means of improving the durability of these agro-materials are reviewed

Prediction of the survival and functional ability of severe stroke patients after ICU therapeutic intervention

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study evaluated the benefits and impact of ICU therapeutic interventions on the survival and functional ability of severe cerebrovascular accident (CVA) patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-two ICU patients suffering from severe ischemic/haemorrhagic stroke were evaluated for CVA severity using APACHE II and the Glasgow coma scale (GCS). Survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier survival tables and survival prediction factors were determined by Cox multivariate analysis. Functional ability was assessed using the stroke impact scale (SIS-16) and Karnofsky score. Risk factors, life support techniques and neurosurgical interventions were recorded. One year post-CVA dependency was investigated using multivariate analysis based on linear regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The study cohort constituted 6% of all CVA (37.8% haemorrhagic/62.2% ischemic) admissions. Patient mean(SD) age was 65.8(12.3) years with a 1:1 male: female ratio. During the study period 16 patients had died within the ICU and seven in the year following hospital release.</p> <p>The mean(SD) APACHE II score at hospital admission was 14.9(6.0) and ICU mean duration of stay was 11.2(15.4) days. Mechanical ventilation was required in 37.1% of cases. Risk ratios were; GCS at admission 0.8(0.14), (p = 0.024), APACHE II 1.11(0.11), (p = 0.05) and duration of mechanical ventilation 1.07(0.07), (p = 0.046). Linear coefficients were: type of CVA – haemorrhagic versus ischemic: -18.95(4.58) (p = 0.007), GCS at hospital admission: -6.83(1.08), (p = 0.001), and duration of hospital stay -0.38(0.14), (p = 0.40).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>To ensure a better prognosis CVA patients require ICU therapeutic interventions. However, as we have shown, where tests can determine the worst affected patients with a poor vital and functional outcome should treatment be withheld?</p

Imidazol-1-ylethylindazole Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Ligands Are Neuroprotective during Optic Neuritis in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis

[Image: see text] A series of imidazol-1-ylethylindazole sodium channel ligands were developed and optimized for sodium channel inhibition and in vitro neuroprotective activity. The molecules exhibited displacement of a radiolabeled sodium channel ligand and selectivity for blockade of the inactivated state of cloned neuronal Na(v) channels. Metabolically stable analogue 6 was able to protect retinal ganglion cells during optic neuritis in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Does clinical examination aid in the diagnosis of urinary tract infections in women? A systematic review and meta-analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clinicians should be aware of the diagnostic values of various symptoms, signs and antecedents. This information is particularly important in primary care settings, where sophisticated diagnostic approaches are not always feasible. The aim of the study is to determine the probability that various symptoms, signs, antecedents and tests predict urinary tract infection (UTI) in women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a systematic search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to identify articles published in all languages through until December 2008. We particularly focused on studies that examined the diagnostic accuracy of at least one symptom, sign or patient antecedent related to the urinary tract. We included studies where urine culture, a gold standard, was preformed by primary care providers on female subjects aged at least 14 years. A meta-analysis of the likelihood ratio was performed to assess variables related to the urinary tract symptoms.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 1, 212 articles identified, 11 met the selection criteria. Dysuria, urgency, nocturia, sexual activity and urgency with dysuria were weak predictors of urinary tract infection, whereas increases in vaginal discharge and suprapubic pain were weak predictors of the absence of infection. Nitrites or leukocytes in the dipstick test are the only findings that clearly favored a diagnosis of UTI.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Clinical findings do not aid in the diagnosis of UTI among women who present with urinary symptoms. Vaginal discharge is a weak indicator of the absence of infection. The urine dipstick test was the most reliable tool for detecting UTI.</p

Cell Transplant

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a most appealing source for cell replacement therapy in acute brain lesions. We evaluated the potential of hiPSC therapy in stroke by transplanting hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) into the postischemic striatum. Grafts received host tyrosine hydroxylase-positive afferents and contained developing interneurons and homotopic GABAergic medium spiny neurons that, with time, sent axons to the host substantia nigra. Grafting reversed stroke-induced somatosensory and motor deficits. Grafting also protected the host substantia nigra from the atrophy that follows disruption of reciprocal striatonigral connections. Graft innervation by tyrosine hydoxylase fibers, substantia nigra protection, and somatosensory functional recovery were early events, temporally dissociated from the slow maturation of GABAergic neurons in the grafts and innervation of substantia nigra. This suggests that grafted hiPSC-NPCs initially exert trophic effects on host brain structures, which precede integration and potential pathway reconstruction. We believe that transplantation of NPCs derived from hiPSCs can provide useful interventions to limit the functional consequences of stroke through both neuroprotective effects and reconstruction of impaired pathways

Lombrices raras y endémicas de la provincia de Castellón (España)

The more significant species of terrestrial Oligochaeta from Castellón province are presented, a total of seven species attending to their rarity or endemicity. For every one of them, the more important anatomical and morphological characteristics, as well as their habitat and ecologic category, are depicted, together with the distribution area in the Valencian Comunity.Se incluyen aquí las especies de oligoquetos terrícolas raras y endémicas más significativas de la provincia de Castellón, atendiendo a su rareza o endemicidad, en total siete especies. Para cada una de ellas se indican las características anatómicas y morfológicas más destacadas, su hábitat y categoría ecológica, además de su área de distribución y rareza

Impacto de la cirugía bariátrica en pacientes obesos con síndrome metabólico: evolución del perfil farmacoterapéutico

La obesidad está asociada a una reducción de la esperanza de vida y a múltiples comorbilidades, entre ellas el síndrome metabólico. Su abordaje terapéutico está dirigido a mejorar o eliminar comorbilidades y disminuir el impacto de las complicaciones por exceso de peso. La cirugía bariátrica es el único tratamiento que ha demostrado pérdida de peso y mejora de comorbilidades a largo plazo. El objetivo del estudio es determinar los cambios en la farmacoterapia derivados de la mejora de comorbilidades en pacientes obesos mórbidos con síndrome metabólico tras someterse a cirugía bariátrica. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio observacional de cohorte retrospectiva. Se analizarán los cambios en el tratamiento del síndrome metabólico en pacientes obesos tras ser sometidos a cirugía bariátrica atendiendo al tipo y número de fármacos y sus dosis diarias a partir de los datos obtenidos de las dispensaciones en Oficina de Farmacia realizando tres análisis: a corto (hasta 2 años post-cirugía), medio (entre 3 y 5 años) y largo plazo (más de 5 años). También se estudiarán los cambios en parámetros bioquímicos relacionados con el síndrome metabólico, las diferencias entre técnicas quirúrgicas y el impacto económico que suponen dichos cambios. APLICABILIDAD DE LOS RESULTADOS: Los resultados del estudio podrán utilizarse para estimar la mejora de las comorbilidades asociadas a la obesidad mórbida que presenten los pacientes, así como el uso de medicación destinada a su tratamiento, ofreciendo al paciente una información objetiva y adecuada a sus características para facilitar la toma de decisiones sobre la cirugía