Cytocompatibility of Medical Biomaterials Containing Nickel by Osteoblasts: a Systematic Literature Review

The present review is based on a survey of 21 studies on the cytocompatibility of medical biomaterials containing nickel, as assessed by cell culture of human and animal osteoblasts or osteoblast-like cells. Among the biomaterials evaluated were stainless steel, NiTi alloys, pure Ni, Ti, and other pure metals. The materials were either commercially available, prepared by the authors, or implanted by various techniques to generate a protective layer of oxides, nitrides, acetylides. The observation that the layers significantly reduced the initial release of metal ions and increased cytocompatibility was confirmed in cell culture experiments. Physical and chemical characterization of the materials was performed. This included, e.g., surface characterization (roughness, wettability, corrosion behavior, quantity of released ions, microhardness, and characterization of passivation layer). Cytocompatibility tests of the materials were conducted in the cultures of human or animal osteoblasts and osteoblast-like cells. The following assays were carried out: cell proliferation and viability test, adhesion test, morphology (by fluorescent microscopy or SEM). Also phenotypic and genotypic markers were investigated. In the majority of works, it was found that the most cytocompatible materials were stainless steel and NiTi alloy. Pure Ni was rendered and less cytocompatible. All the papers confirmed that the consequence of the formation of protective layers was in significant increase of cytocompatibility of the materials. This indicates the possible further modifications of the manufacturing process (formation of the passivation layer)

Iron: a target for the management of Kaposi's sarcoma?

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a mesenchymal tumour associated with human herpesvirus-8 infection. However, the incidence of human herpesvirus-8 infection is far higher than the prevalence of KS, suggesting that viral infection per se is not sufficient for the development of malignancy and that one or more additional cofactors are required. DISCUSSION: Epidemiological data suggest that iron may be one of the cofactors involved in the pathogenesis of KS. Iron is a well-known carcinogen and may favour KS growth through several pathways. Based on the apoptotic and antiproliferative effect of iron chelation on KS cells, it is suggested that iron withdrawal strategies could be developed for the management of KS. Studies using potent iron chelators in suitable KS animal models are critical to evaluate whether iron deprivation may be a useful anti-KS strategy. SUMMARY: It is suggested that iron may be one of non-viral co-factors involved of KS pathogenesis and that iron withdrawal strategies might interfere with tumour growth in patients with KS

Famose (Jean-Pierre), Guérin (Florence). - La connaissance de soi en psychologie de l’éducation phyique et du sport, Paris, Armand Colin, 2002

Brunot S. Famose (Jean-Pierre), Guérin (Florence). - La connaissance de soi en psychologie de l’éducation phyique et du sport, Paris, Armand Colin, 2002. In: Bulletin de psychologie, tome 56 n°467, 2003. pp. 734-735

Performances scolaires des élèves et appartenance ethnique (majoritaire vs. minoritaire) de leurs modèles professionnels.

This study explored the relationship between academic performance and adopted role models among children. A factor that could affect this relationship is the reputation of the models' group membership in the academic domain. It was predicted that children whose role models' group was associated with low school performance would show poorer academic performance than children whose role models' group had a more positive reputation in the academic domain. Furthermore, this pattern was predicted regardless of the children's own group membership. The study was conducted on a sample of fifty-six French pupils. Twenty- six of these children belonged to recently immigrated minority groups, and the rest belonged to the majority group ana were non migrant. The children completed a questionnaire that assessed the role model of each child and the group membership of the role model. Scores in French and Mathematics were collected at the end of the academic year to measure children's academic performance. As expected, results showed that regardless of their own group membership, children who adopted a role model of the minority group showed a lower academic performance than those who adopted a role model of the majority group. This finding is discussed in terms of social identification processes.Dans cette étude portant sur la relation entre la performance scolaire des élèves et leurs modèles professionnels, l'originalité est d'étudier le rôle joué par l'appartenance ethnique des modèles. Nous suggérons que, quelle que soit l'appartenance ethnique des élèves, ceux qui ont pour modèle un membre d'un groupe ethnique associé à une mauvaise réputation intellectuelle (groupe minoritaire) auront des performances scolaires plus faibles que les élèves dont le modèle est membre d'un groupe ethnique épargné par cette mauvaise réputation (groupe majoritaire). Cette hypothèse a été testée sur des élèves de CM2 dont 26 étaient membres d'un groupe ethnique minoritaire (enfants issus d'une immigration récente) et 30 membres du groupe ethnique majoritaire (enfants non-migrants). Ces élèves remplissaient un questionnaire permettant de connaître leur modèle professionnel et son origine ethnique, puis leurs notes en mathématiques et en français étaient recueillies en fin d'année scolaire. Les résultats, conformes à l'hypothèse, sont discutés en termes de processus d'identification au groupe ethnique.Martinot Delphine, Toczek Marie-Christine, Brunot Sophie. Performances scolaires des élèves et appartenance ethnique (majoritaire vs minoritaire) de leurs modèles professionnels. In: Revue française de pédagogie, volume 145, 2003. pp. 77-87

Hepatocellular carcinoma in elderly patients: challenges and solutions

Angélique Brunot, Samuel Le Sourd, Marc Pracht, Julien Edeline Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Eugene Marquis, Rennes, FranceAbstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of death by cancer in the world. Due to the delayed HCC development in hepatitis C carriers and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the incidence of HCC in the elderly is increasing and is becoming a global health issue. Elderly patients with HCC should be assessed through proper oncologic approach, namely, screening tools for frailty (Geriatric-8 or Vulnerable Elders Survey-13) and comprehensive geriatric assessment. This review of the literature supports the same treatment options for elderly patients as for younger patients, in elderly patients selected as fit following proper oncogeriatric assessment. Unfit patients should be managed through a multidisciplinary team involving both oncological and geriatrician professionals. Specific studies and recommendations for HCC in the elderly should be encouraged.Keywords: liver cancer, treatment, surgery, geriatric evaluation, sorafeni