An Esophagopleural Fistula Related to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

International audienceWe describe a previously unreported and potentially fatal complication of esophageal perforation following cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a 74-year-old man with cardiac arrest subsequent to ventricular tachycardia caused by ischemic heart disease. We discuss the importance of searching for severe traumatic complications. This description emphasizes presenting complaints, early recognition, and management strategies of such cases (level of difficulty: Intermediate)

Preparation, characterization and applicability of cellulose acetate-polyurethane blend membrane in separation techniques

The characteristics of blend membrane, prepared from cellulose acetate and polyurethane, were investigated in order to compare its properties with membrane material from pure cellulose acetate and polyurethane. Attenuation of total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was utilised to investigate structural properties of membranes. Membranes morphology and its thermal properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis methods (thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis and derivated thermogravimetric analysis). Besides, swelling degree, membrane permeability, diameter of membrane pores, its thickness and stability as the function of pH of prepared blend membrane were determined. The applicability of prepared blend membrane was tested by using of aqueous solutions of new textile dye and its complex with iron(III) ions in order to test its suitability for wastewater treatment. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Physical Hydrogels of Oxidized Polysaccharides and Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) for Wound Dressing Applications

Two natural polymers, i.e., cellulose and water soluble pullulan, have been selectively oxidized employing the TEMPO-mediated protocol, to allow the introduction of C6-OOH groups. Thereafter, the composite hydrogels of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and different content of the oxidized polysaccharides were prepared by the freezing/thawing method. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has been used to discuss the degree of interaction between the hydrogels constituents into the physical network. The homogeneity of the prepared hydrogels as revealed by the SEM show an excellent distribution of the oxidized polysaccharides inside the PVA matrix. The samples exhibit self-healing features, since they quickly recover the initial structure after being subjected to a large deformation. The cell viability was performed for the selected hydrogels, all of them showing promising results. The samples are able to load L-arginine both by physical phenomena, such as diffusion, and also by chemical phenomena, when imine-type bonds are likely to be formed. The synergism between the two constituents, PVA and oxidized polysaccharides, into the physical network, propose these hydrogels for many other biomedical applications

STUDIES ON ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF EDIBLE MUSHROOMS BOLETUS EDULIS AND CANTHARELLUS CIBARIUS

The study evaluated the antioxidant, antihyperglycemic and antimicrobial effects of both ethanolic and hydromethanolic extracts of the fruiting bodies of wild edible mushrooms Boletus edulis (penny bun) and Cantharellus cibarius (golden chanterelle) sampled in Poiana Stampei (Suceava county, Romania). The total phenolic contents of extracts were also determined. Boletus edulis hydromethanolic extract showed the highest total phenolic content (72.78±0.29 mg/g). This extract was also the most active as scavenger of DPPH and ABTS radicals (EC50=151.44±0.85 and 65.4±0.4 µg/mL, respectively) and reducing agent (EC50=46.77±0.34 µg/mL). Cantharellus cibarius ethanolic extract showed high ferrous ion chelating (EC50=82.9±0.6 µg/mL), 15-lipoxygenase (EC50=236.7±1.5 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase (EC50=9.77±0.06 μg/mL) inhibitory activities. For both mushrooms, the ethanolic extracts were more active against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 than the hydromethanolic ones. The antioxidant and antihyperglycemic effects revealed in this study support further investigations for a possible valorization of both mushrooms in the dietary supplement and pharmaceutical industries

Biomaterials Based on Chitosan and Polyvinyl Alcohol as a Drug Delivery System with Wound-Healing Effects

The excellent biological properties of chitosan (CS) together with the increased oxygen permeability of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were the prerequisites for the creation of a wound healing dressing that would also function as a system for L-arginine (L-arg) and caffeine (Caff) delivery. Using the freezing/thawing method, 12 hydrogels were obtained in PVA:CS polymer ratios of 90:10, 75:25, and 60:40, and all were loaded with L-arg, Caff, and the mixture of L-arg and Caff, respectively. Afterwards, an inorganic material (zeolite–Z) was added to the best polymeric ratio (75:25) and loaded with active substances. The interactions between the constituents of the hydrogels were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy, the uniformity of the network was highlighted by the SEM technique, and the dynamic water vapor sorption capacity was evaluated. In the presence of the inorganic material, the release profile of the active substances is delayed, and in vitro permeation kinetics proves that the equilibrium state is not reached even after four hours. The synergy of the constituents in the polymer network recommends that they be used in medical applications, such as wound healing dressings