Monitoring of abiotic degradation of photocrosslinked silicone acrylate coatings: the fate of the photoinitiator

International audiencePhotocrosslinked silicone acrylates are used in a variety of applications, such as printing inks, adhesives, or adhesive release liners. Their production requires the use of a photoinitiator. Even if the photoinitiator represents a minor mass in the photocurable formulation (2–10%), it is used in excess and residual amounts may therefore remain in the polymerized products and possibly migrate into the environment during the use of the products and/or at their end-of-life stage. Little is known on the possible degradation of silicone acrylate which may increase the potential release. The present study investigated the release of Darocur 1173, the most commonly used photoinitiator, from silicone matrix and the effect of accelerated photoageing on the extent of the phenomenon. Leaching tests in water were conducted on thin-coated plastic film (release liners) made of a mixture of polypropylene and polyethylene. Results showed that 44% of the Darocur 1173 photoinitiator initially used in silicone formulation was released from silicone matrix in the leaching test. Accelerated photoageing obtained by UV irradiation of the films for up to 200 h was found to favor photoinitiator degradation but also induced a strong and fast oxidation of silicone-coated liners as compared to that of uncoated ones

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Revealing a Spinal Dural Arterio-Venous Fistula: About a Rare Complication

Teaching Point: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a rare complication of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVF) with very characteristic imaging features, knowledge of which is crucial for positive diagnosis and rapid management

Effect of remediation treatments on Polar PACs in soils : degradation vs. formation

International audienceThe evaluation of the efficiency of remediation processes (thermal desorption, ISCO, bioremediation…) of PAH polluted soil is generally based on the measurement of specific parameters (i.e. 16 PAH US-EPA). Such limited characterisations do not allow evaluating the potential formation of organic by-products (especially Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds-PAC). Different remediation treatments, most commonly used and that may be the most problematic regarding O-PAH production, have been applied to three representatives PAH contaminated soils (former gasworks, coke oven plants and wood preservation facilities soils). These treatments include chemical oxidation (hydroperoxyde oxidation (H 2 O 2), Fenton like oxidation using magnetite as catalyst and permanganate (MnO 4-)) and biological treatment. The experimental results with chemical treatment show that the polar oxy-PAHs were removed more slowly than the PAHs in all chemical treatments, indicating that O-PACs were simultaneous generated during the oxidation (especially for permanganate treatment). The effect was most obvious when considering the PAC contribution to the total Extractable Organic Matter (EOM). The microbiological treatment performed on these soils shows a removal of PAHs with a removal rates controlled by the availability of the pollution. Polar PACs remediation followed the same trends as the PAHs in the coke oven soils and the gasworks soil. However, in the wood preservation soil, the removal rates of the polar PACs were significantly lower than of the PAHs suggesting a simultaneous formation of polar PACs as a result of the extensive transformation of PAHs in this soil

Contribution to the evaluation of the behavior of photocured silicone acrylate coatings at their end of life. Influence of the photoinitiator system on bio-physico-chemical degradation

Les silicones acrylates photoréticulés sont largement utilisés dans les revêtements de divers matériaux. Leur production nécessite l’utilisation d’un photoamorceur considéré comme potentiellement reprotoxique, ce qui impose aux producteurs de revêtements silicones d’imaginer des formulations alternatives. L’augmentation de la consommation de ce type de revêtements amène à s’interroger sur leur devenir au cours et en fin de vie dans les filières de traitement des déchets et sur l’influence du changement de photoamorceur sur le comportement environnemental des revêtements. Ce domaine de recherche demande la mise en place d’une méthodologie spécifique, alliant des expériences de dégradation physico-chimiques et biologiques. Deux types de revêtements photoréticulés par deux photoamorceurs différents : le Darocur 1173 et Darocur 1173 modifié (nouveau photoamorceur) font l’objet de cette étude. L’exposition des revêtements silicones aux UV a montré que ces composés sont facilement dégradables et sensibles au photovieillissement. L’enduction silicone augmente, elle, la photosensibilité des films revêtus. Dans un contexte de fin de vie, les essais réalisés sur la matrice silicone ont permis de mettre en évidence une légère hydrolyse chimique des chaines siloxanes, non biodégradables aussi bien en aérobiose qu’en anaérobiose mais dont la présence n’inhibe pas l’activité microbienne. Les photoamorceurs testés présentent des comportements totalement différents face à la lixiviation et à la dégradation biologique: ainsi, le Darocur 1173 est très mobile en phase aqueuse, facilement assimilable par les microorganismes comme source primaire de carbone en conditions aérobies contrairement au Darocur 1173 modifié. Qu’il y ait eu biodégradation ou non, la structure de la communauté microbienne est influencée différemment suivant le photoamorceur utilisé. L’utilisation du Darocur 1173 modifié permet de diminuer le risque de migration et sa toxicité potentielle dans les revêtements silicones. La démarche mise en œuvre apporte de nombreuses informations quant aux impacts environnementaux et pourra servir d’exemple pour l’étude d’autres déchets silicones.Photocrosslinked silicones acrylates are widely used in coatings of various materials. Their production requires the use of photoinitiator considered as potentially reprotoxic, which requires producers of silicone coatings to devise alternative formulations. Consumption increase of this type of coatings raises questions about their fate during and at their end-of-life in waste treatment channels and the influence of photoinitiator change on the environmental behavior of the coatings. This research area needs the use of a specific methodology, combining physico-chemical and biological degradation experiments. Two types of coatings photocrosslinked by two different photoinitiators: Darocur 1173 and modified Darocur 1173 (new photoinitiator) are the subject of this study. UV exposure of silicone coatings showed that these materials are easily degradable and sensitive to photoageing. The silicone coating increases the photosensitivity of coated films. At the end-of-life stage, performed experiments on silicone coatings revealed a slight chemical hydrolysis of the non-biodegradable siloxane chains, both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. However, these materials does not inhibit the microbial activity. The tested photoinitiators have totally different behavior regarding the leaching and biological degradation: Darocur 1173 is very mobile in aqueous phase, easily assimilated by microorganisms as a primary sole of carbon under aerobic conditions in contrast to modified Darocur 1173. Whether there has been biodegradation or not, the structure of microbial communities is influenced differently depending on the used photoinitiator. Modified Darocur 1173 reduces the risk of migration and its potential toxicity in silicone coatings. The implemented approach brings a lot of information about the environmental impacts and can serve as an example for the study of other silicone waste

Bioremediation of PAH-contaminated soils: Consequences on formation and degradation of polar-polycyclic aromatic compounds and microbial community abundance

International audienceA bioslurry batch experiment was carried out over five months on three polycyclic aromatic compound (PAC) contaminated soils to study the PAC (PAH and polar-PAC) behavior during soil incubation and to evaluate the impact of PAC contamination on the abundance of microbial communities and functional PAH-degrading populations. Organic matter characteristics and reactivity, assessed through solvent extractable organic matter and PAC contents, and soil organic matter mineralization were monitored during 5 months. Total bacteria and fungi, and PAH-ring hydroxylating dioxygenase genes were quantified. Results showed that PAHs and polar-PACs were degraded with different degradation dynamics. Differences in degradation rates were observed among the three soils depending on PAH distribution and availability. Overall, low molecular weight compounds were preferentially degraded. Degradation selectivity between isomers and structurally similar compounds was observed which could be used to check the efficiency of bioremediation processes. Bacterial communities were dominant over fungi and were most likely responsible for PAC degradation. Abundance of PAH-degrading bacteria increased during incubations, but their proportion in the bacterial communities tended to decrease. The accumulation of some oxygenated-PACs during the bioslurry experiment underlines the necessity to monitor these compounds during application of remediation treatment on PAH contaminated soils

Méningo-vascularite bactérienne révélant un adénome hypophysaire Case report Open Access

Abstract Un macroadénome à prolactine se présente généralement par un syndrome hormonal associé à un syndrome tumoral. Une méningite bactérienne compliquant un macroprolactinome en dehors de toute thérapie médicale ou chirurgicale est rarement rapporté dans la littérature. Mme R

Epidemiology of heart failure and long-term follow-up outcomes in a north-African population: Results from the NAtional TUnisian REgistry of Heart Failure (NATURE-HF)

International audienceThe NATURE-HF registry was aimed to describe clinical epidemiology and 1-year outcomes of outpatients and inpatients with heart failure (HF). This is a prospective, multicenter, observational survey conducted in Tunisian Cardiology centers. A total of 2040 patients were included in the study. Of these, 1632 (80%) were outpatients with chronic HF (CHF). The mean hospital stay was 8.7 ± 8.2 days. The mortality rate during the initial hospitalization event for AHF was 7.4%. The all-cause 1-year mortality rate was 22.8% among AHF patients and 10.6% among CHF patients. Among CHF patients, the older age, diabetes, anemia, reduced EF, ischemic etiology, residual congestion and the absence of ACEI/ ARBs treatment were independent predictors of 1-year cumulative rates of rehospitalization and mortality. The female sex and the functional status were independent predictors of 1-year all-cause mortality and rehospitalization in AHF patients. This study confirmed that acute HF is still associated with a poor prognosis, while the mid-term outcomes in patients with chronic HF seems to be improved. Some differences across countries may be due to different clinical characteristics and differences in healthcare systems

Design and Rationale of the National Tunisian Registry of Heart Failure (NATURE-HF): Protocol for a Multicenter Registry Study

BackgroundThe frequency of heart failure (HF) in Tunisia is on the rise and has now become a public health concern. This is mainly due to an aging Tunisian population (Tunisia has one of the oldest populations in Africa as well as the highest life expectancy in the continent) and an increase in coronary artery disease and hypertension. However, no extensive data are available on demographic characteristics, prognosis, and quality of care of patients with HF in Tunisia (nor in North Africa). ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze, follow, and evaluate patients with HF in a large nation-wide multicenter trial. MethodsA total of 1700 patients with HF diagnosed by the investigator will be included in the National Tunisian Registry of Heart Failure study (NATURE-HF). Patients must visit the cardiology clinic 1, 3, and 12 months after study inclusion. This follow-up is provided by the investigator. All data are collected via the DACIMA Clinical Suite web interface. ResultsAt the end of the study, we will note the occurrence of cardiovascular death (sudden death, coronary artery disease, refractory HF, stroke), death from any cause (cardiovascular and noncardiovascular), and the occurrence of a rehospitalization episode for an HF relapse during the follow-up period. Based on these data, we will evaluate the demographic characteristics of the study patients, the characteristics of pathological antecedents, and symptomatic and clinical features of HF. In addition, we will report the paraclinical examination findings such as the laboratory standard parameters and brain natriuretic peptides, electrocardiogram or 24-hour Holter monitoring, echocardiography, and coronarography. We will also provide a description of the therapeutic environment and therapeutic changes that occur during the 1-year follow-up of patients, adverse events following medical treatment and intervention during the 3- and 12-month follow-up, the evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction during the 3- and 12-month follow-up, the overall rate of rehospitalization over the 1-year follow-up for an HF relapse, and the rate of rehospitalization during the first 3 months after inclusion into the study. ConclusionsThe NATURE-HF study will fill a significant gap in the dynamic landscape of HF care and research. It will provide unique and necessary data on the management and outcomes of patients with HF. This study will yield the largest contemporary longitudinal cohort of patients with HF in Tunisia. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03262675; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03262675 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/1226