Dark Matter directional detection: comparison of the track direction determination

Several directional techniques have been proposed for a directional detection of Dark matter, among others anisotropic crystal detectors, nuclear emulsion plates, and low-pressure gaseous TPCs. The key point is to get access to the initial direction of the nucleus recoiling due to the elastic scattering by a WIMP. In this article, we aim at estimating, for each method, how the information of the recoil track initial direction is preserved in different detector materials. We use the SRIM simulation code to emulate the motion of the first recoiling nucleus in each material. We propose the use of a new observable, D, to quantify the preservation of the initial direction of the recoiling nucleus in the detector. We show that in an emulsion mix and an anisotropic crystal, the initial direction is lost very early, while in a typical TPC gas mix, the direction is well preserved.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

Theoretical approach based on Monte-Carlo simulations to predict the cell survival following BNCT

International audienceWe present here a very preliminary work on BNCT Dosimetry. The approach is as follows:A full Monte Carlo calculation is used to separate all dose components and determine the corresponding physical dose fractions with a realistic clinical model.These dose fractions are then used as mixed fields to predict cell-survivals and RBE values for a specific cell-line, thanks to the radiobiological model NanOxTM

Development and Characterisation of Gastroretentive Solid Dosage Form Based on Melt Foaming

Dosage forms with increased gastric residence time are promising tools to increase bioavailability of drugs with narrow absorption window. Low-density floating formulations could avoid gastric emptying; therefore, sustained drug release can be achieved. Our aim was to develop a new technology to produce low-density floating formulations by melt foaming. Excipients were selected carefully, with the criteria of low gastric irritation, melting range below 70°C and well-known use in oral drug formulations. PEG 4000, Labrasol and stearic acid type 50 were used to create metronidazole dispersion which was foamed by air on atmospheric pressure using in-house developed apparatus at 53°C. Stearic acid was necessary to improve the foamability of the molten dispersion. Additionally, it reduced matrix erosion, thus prolonging drug dissolution and preserving hardness of the moulded foam. Labrasol as a liquid solubiliser can be used to increase drug release rate and drug solubility. Based on the SEM images, metronidazole in the molten foam remained in crystalline form. MicroCT scans with the electron microscopic images revealed that the foam has a closed-cell structure, where spherical voids have smooth inner wall, they are randomly dispersed, while adjacent voids often interconnected with each other. Drug release from all compositions followed Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. Erosion of the matrix was the main mechanism of the release of metronidazole. Texture analysis confirmed that stearic acid plays a key role in preserving the integrity of the matrix during dissolution in acidic buffer. The technology creates low density and solid matrix system with micronsized air-filled voids

An innovative floating gastro retentive dosage system: Formulation and in vitro evaluation

International audienceOver the years, different formulation technologies intended for gastro retentive dosage delivery were investigated and patented. The aim of this study was to develop an innovative floating gastro retentive dosage form (GRDF). The developed technology induces a low-density dosage form containing high active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) concentration by using a hydrophobic dusty powder excipient under specific conditions. The new dosage form was obtained by state of the art wet granulation manufacturing process. An experimental design using a discrete variable and four mixture variables was conducted in order to optimize API concentration and buoyancy of the new dosage form. An apparatus was developed to measure the apparent density of floating tablet. The GRDF was characterized for apparent density, buoyancy, porosity and dissolution using in vitro experimentations

Activation of the NFκB Pathway Enhances AhR Expression in Intestinal Caco-2 Cells

International audienceRecent data suggest that apart from its well-known role in the regulation of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, AhR is also involved in inflammation. However, the influence of inflammation on AhR expression remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that proinflammatory conditions induced by either PMA or IL-1 beta enhance AhR expression in Caco-2 cells. This was associated with an increase in AhR promoter activity. By means of directed mutagenesis experiments and the use of proteasome inhibitors, we demonstrated that inflammation-induced AhR expression involved the NF kappa B pathway but not AP-1. Moreover, conditioned media from PMA-treated Caco-2 cells were also able to induce AhR expression, and this induction was repressed by anti-IL-1 beta blocking antibodies. Similar results were obtained with conditioned media from PMA-treated THP-1 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that AhR could be involved in vivo in an inflammatory loop. AhR was recently suspected to be implicated in inflammatory bowel disease. Our results support this hypothesis and suggest that AhR could be a new target for inflammatory bowel disease patient management

Routine screening for pain combined with a pain treatment protocol in head and neck cancer: a randomised controlled trial

Williams JE, Peacock J, Gubbay AN, et al. Routine screening for pain combined with a pain treatment protocol in head and neck cancer: a randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2015;115(4):621-628.Background: We compared the effectiveness and cost of a pain screening and treatment program, with usual care in head and neck cancer patients with significant pain. Methods: Patients were screened for the presence of pain and then randomly assigned to either an intervention group, consisting of a pain treatment protocol and an education program, or to usual care. Primary outcome was change in the Pain Severity Index (PSI) over three months. Results: We screened 1074 patients of whom 156 were randomized to either intervention or usual care. Mean PSI was reduced over three months in both groups, with no significant difference between the two groups. The Pain Management Index (PMI) at three months, was significantly improved in the intervention group compared with usual care (P<0.001), as was Patient Satisfaction (mean difference in scores was statistically significant: -0.30 [-0.60 to -0.15]). All subjects reported clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression throughout the study. Treatment costs were significantly higher for intervention (mean=400) pound compared with usual care (200) pound, with a low likelihood of being cost-effective. Conclusions: There was no difference in the Pain Severity Index between the two groups. However there were significant improvements in the intervention group in patient satisfaction and PMI. The pain screening process itself was effective. Sufficient benefit was demonstrated as a result of the intervention to allow continued development of pain treatment pathways, rather than allowing pain treatment to be left to nonformalised ad hoc arrangements

The characteristics and quality of randomized controlled trials in neuropathic pain: a descriptive study based on a systematic review

Background: evidence from RCTs is regarded as the gold standard in clinical research and yet the quality of the conduct and reporting of trials is variable, even post-CONSORT. This study arose from a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment for neuropathic pain. The aim was to provide a description of the included trials and investigate trends in study characteristics and measures of quality over time. Methods: the review provided data regarding study characteristics (patients, place, time, drugs, outcomes), methodological factors (sample size calculations, randomisation, reporting baseline patient data, withdrawals, ITT) and statistical analysis (completeness and correctness of reporting of results, methods of analysis). Results: one hundred and thirty-one trials from 1969-2007 were included. Of these 63% were parallel-group designs, the remainder were crossover; 73% were placebo-controlled. Several trial features increased or improved over time: trial size, quality (using Jadad score), presentation of baseline data by group, reporting of power calculations, use of VAS or NRS scales to assess pain, completeness of reporting of statistical results, use of modelling to allow for baseline pain scores. The proportion of withdrawals was constant over time with mean 14.3%. The proportion of studies stating the analysis as ITT, increased over time, but inspection of papers indicated that the proportion confirmed as ITT was unchanged. Conclusions: there have been a number of improvements regarding the quality and reporting of RCTs in neuropathic pain but some failings remain which at best make some results difficult to interpret and at worst lead to bias<br/

A table-top ion and electron beam facility for ionization quenching measurement and gas detector calibration

International audienceIn the frame of the MiMAC project, the LPSC (Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie) has developed COMIMAC, a miniaturized and transportable table-top beam line, producing ions or electrons to make measurements of the “quenching” factor in ionization and detector calibration. The energy range of the COMIMAC beam facility starts from a few tens of eV up to 50 keV