Efficient prototyping of large-scale pdms and silicon nanofluidic devices using pdms-based phase-shift lithography

International audienceIn this study, we explore the potential of poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based phase-shift lithography (PPSL) for the fabrication of nanofluidic devices. We establish that this technology, which was already shown to allow for the generation of 100 nm linear or punctual features over squared centimeter surfaces with conventional photolithography systems, is readily adequate to produce some of the most popular nanofluidic systems, namely nanochannels and nanoposts arrays. We also demonstrate that PPSL technology enables to generate PDMS and silicon nanofluidic systems. This technological achievement allows us to perform single DNA molecule manipulation experiments in PDMS and silicon nano-channels, and we observe an unexpectedly slow migration of DNA in PDMS devices, which is independent on salt or pH conditions. Our data in fact hint to the existence of an anomalous response of DNA in PDMS nanofluidic devices, which is likely associated to transient nonspecific interactions of DNA with PDMS walls. Overall, our work demonstrates the efficiency and the performances of PPSL for prototyping nanofluidic systems

Prevalence and risk factors related to haloperidol use for delirium in adult intensive care patients: the multinational AID-ICU inception cohort study

Purpose: We assessed the prevalence and variables associated with haloperidol use for delirium in ICU patients and explored any associations of haloperidol use with 90-day mortality. Methods: All acutely admitted, adult ICU patients were screened during a 2-week inception period. We followed the patient throughout their ICU stay and assessed 90-day mortality. We assessed patients and their variables in the first 24 and 72 h in ICU and studied their association together with that of ICU characteristics with haloperidol use. Results: We included 1260 patients from 99 ICUs in 13 countries. Delirium occurred in 314/1260 patients [25% (95% confidence interval 23–27)] of whom 145 received haloperidol [46% (41–52)]. Other interventions for delirium were benzodiazepines in 36% (31–42), dexmedetomidine in 21% (17–26), quetiapine in 19% (14–23) and olanzapine in 9% (6–12) of the patients with delirium. In the first 24 h in the ICU, all subtypes of delirium [hyperactive, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 29.7 (12.9–74.5); mixed 10.0 (5.0–20.2); hypoactive 3.0 (1.2–6.7)] and circulatory support 2.7 (1.7–4.3) were associated with haloperidol use. At 72 h after ICU admission, circulatory support remained associated with subsequent use of haloperidol, aOR 2.6 (1.1–6.9). Haloperidol use within 0–24 h and within 0–72 h of ICU admission was not associated with 90-day mortality [aOR 1.2 (0.5–2.5); p = 0.66] and [aOR 1.9 (1.0–3.9); p = 0.07], respectively. Conclusions: In our study, haloperidol was the main pharmacological agent used for delirium in adult patients regardless of delirium subtype. Benzodiazepines, other anti-psychotics and dexmedetomidine were other frequently used agents. Haloperidol use was not statistically significantly associated with increased 90-day mortality