Comparative Rheomechanical and Adhesive Properties of Two Hydrocolloid Dressings: Dependence on the Degree of Hydration

Hydration is believed to modify the mechanical properties (resistance to stress) and the rheological (viscoelastic) properties of hydrocolloid dressings. Rheomechanical properties in turn influence adhesional properties. In this work the relationships between the degree of hydration and the rheomechanical and the adhesive properties of two different commercial dressings (regular and nondispersive) were investigated. The two dressings showed different hydration characteristics. The regular dressing takes up water rapidly and tends to reach saturation after 12 hr. As the dressing swells and loses its integrity there is an accompanying reduction of both rheomechanical and adhesive properties. The nondispersive dressing exhibits a linear water uptake profile over extended periods of hydration up to 4 days. It does not swell and its rheomechanical and adhesive properties remain unchanged after hydration, The comparative evaluation of the results obtained with the various methods points to the relevance of mechanical and viscoelastic properties to the functionality assessment of dressings.     

Author index,vol. 70 (1994/1995)

Author index, vol. 70 (1994/1995)     

Oculomotor paralysis. The perspective of a neuro-ophthalmology consultation

Ocular paresis is a usual diagnosis in neuro-ophthalmologic consultation, and its aetiology is indeed a challenge. The authors studied 3400 records concerning this consultation, between 1982 and the third quarter of 1993. During this period 221 cases with ocular paresis were selected. During this retrospective study we point out the following items: the cranial nerve affected; the neuro-ophthalmologic semiology; the aetiology and clinical evolution, according to the age groups. From 221 cases selected, 111 were paresis from the VIth pair (50.2%), 88 from the IIIrd pair (39.8%), 14 multiple paresis (6.4%) and 8 paresis from the IVth pair (3.6%). The most frequent complaint was diplopia (> 90%). As far as the aetiological diagnosis is concerned, this was easier to establish in patients > 50 years of age. In this age group the most usual aetiology was vascular and traumatic pathologies. In younger patients the most frequent pathologies were traumatic and tumoral. The prognostic was better in the vascular group, the paresis recovery being > 50% in all other pathologies, except the tumoral one.     

Forensic toxicological application of TOXI-LAB screening for biological specimens in autopsy cases and emergency cares

Using the TOXI-LAB drug detection system, emergency toxicological screening was performed in autopsy cases and emergency cares. In 280 autopsy cases (male 182 cases 65%, female 98 cases 35%), drug positive cases were 28 cases of male (15%) and 24 cases of female (24%). The age groups which showed higher rate of drug positive cases were 10s-40s in male (approximately 20%) and 20s in female (67%). In the 238 cases of emergency care (male 129 cases 54%, female 104 cases 44%, unknown 5 cases 2%), drugs were positive in 29 cases of male (22%) and 32 cases of female (30%). The age groups which showed relatively higher rate of drug positive cases were 40s in male (64%), 20s (71%) and 30s (89%) in female. Forty-four different kinds of drugs were detected in TOXI-LAB positive cases, in which the psychotropic drugs and the sedative-hypnotic drugs amounted to approximately 70%. Methamphetamine and amphetamine, which were the main abused drugs showing a socially important problem, were detected in total 15 cases. TOXI-LAB was based on thin-layer chromatography (TLC); however, from the extraction to development, coloration and detection have been accelerated (about 50 min) and simplified. In order to perform the forensic toxicological practice in Japan, it becomes more useful that TOXI-LAB is used in autopsy cases and emergency cares, if the drugs, which have caused poisoning cares in Japan, are added to TOXI-LAB. The present study describes the advantage and problem of TOXI-LAB drug detection system through demonstrating the practical cases of autopsy cases and emergency cares.     

Cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase arachidonate metabolites synthesized by mouse peritoneal macrophages: in vitro effect of N-phenyllinoleamide from toxic oil samples

N-phenyllinoleamide (NPLA) has been detected as extraneous compound in adulterated cooking oils associated with a unique epidemic disease known as the Toxic Oil Syndrome (TOS). In this communication we report on the action of NPLA on the endogenous cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase arachidonate metabolism. Results show that mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) exposed to 1 mM NPLA for 2 h undergo significant increases of 6-keto prostaglandin F1a, prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, 12- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids. MPM prelabelled with 3H-AA showed an enhanced release when exposed to NPLA. Thus, it is concluded that NPLA potentiates AA release from cell membrane phospholipids and the subsequent cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase oxidative metabolism of this precursor to various eicosanoids. This is in agreement with the implication of peroxidative process mediated by fatty acids anilides in TOS.     

Comparison of two Varieties of Microcrystalline Cellulose as Filler-Binders II. Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets

In tests of direct-compression hydrochlorothiazide tablets prepared with either of two varieties of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH 101 and Avicel PH 102), PH 102 tablets had better mechanical properties (owing to lower compressibility of mixtures and greater Interparticle bonding), while PH 101 tablets released the active principle faster. These differences are related to observed differences In tablet micropore structure.     

Comparison of PF4/heparin ELISA assay with the 14C-serotonin release assay in the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

The diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) may be affirmed by demonstrating heparin-dependent anti-platelet antibodies using the 14C-serotonin release assay (SRA). In this study, results of the SRA was compared with the recently described platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with the SRA, the sensitivity and specificity of a PF4/heparin ELISA was 87% and 92%, respectively, using an assay developed in our laboratory; and 90% and 98%, respectively, using a commercially developed kit (Diagnostica Stago, Asnieres, France). However, antibodies to PF4/heparin were also detected in up to 8% of patients whose plasma was negative by SRA, and 23% of patients receiving heparin who were not thrombocytopenic. These data indicate that results obtained with the PF4/heparin ELISA and the SRA are generally in accord in patients with a clinical diagnosis of HIT. However, discrepant results occur in approximately 20% of cases because of the greater sensitivity of ELISA and the possible involvement of other heparin-binding proteins. The fact that each assay contributes independent information in some cases must be considered in the sequence of test performance and in providing consultation to the practicing hematologist.