Benign intracranial hypertension in children

Ceftriaxone has a very high plasma protein binding (up to 98%) that is saturable and decreases with higher concentrations. This high protein binding results in high concentrations in plasma that are frequently related to the anti-infective activity. However, because only the free fraction of the drug is pharmacologically active and most of the infections are located in the tissues, it is more relevant to evaluate unbound concentrations in the interstitial space. Plasma and tissue pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone in rats after single intravenous administration were investigated at two different concentrations (50 and 100 mg/kg). Both plasma and tissue samples were taken simultaneously from the same animal and analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Free tissue levels in the thigh muscle were measured by microdialysis. The concentration in plasma is much higher than the free concentration in tissue. After determination of nonlinear protein binding by microdialysis and including these parameters in the pharmacokinetic model, it is possible to predict free concentrations in the interstitial space from plasma levels for any given dose.     

Valorization of galvanic sludge in sulfoaluminate cement

Every year increasing amounts of industrial waste are generated worldwide. Depending on their characteristics, wastes can represent an important source of secondary raw materials in order to replace natural resources. In this study, galvanic sludge (LDG) was used as raw material in sulfoaluminate cement. This waste was incorporated to sulfoaluminate cement (CSA), at a weight ratio of 25%, to compose an blended sulfoaluminate cement (BCSA). The compressive strength, drying shrinkage and products of hydration were determined. The efficiency of CSA towards the retention of chromium (the main pollutant present in the sludge) was also investigated. Compressive strength higher than 30 MPa was obtained. The main product of hydration (ettringite) was also identified and the encapsulation of Cr in hydration phases was verified.     

Role of genotypic and environmental factors in the origin of cerebral circulatory disorders in young persons

The paper is concerned with the results of a comparative analysis of clinical signs in cerebral crises, strokes and other symptoms seen in 2 groups of patients younger than 45 years of age, and differing only in the presence (104 cases) or absence (108 cases) of hereditary-familial aggravation by a cardio-vascular pathology. Although in the first group of patients there was a certain tendency towards a more severe disorder of cerebral circulation, it was not possible to mark any statistically significant differences in the clinico-biochemical indices. At the same time different negative environmental influences (alcohol abuse, brain injuries, severe acute and chronic mental traumatization, frequent exacerbations of focal chronic infections of the ENT and the lungs, etc.) and a combination of 2 or 3 of them were significantly more frequently seen in patients without hereditary aggravation (34.8%) rather then with it (10.7%). A conclusion is being made that genotypical factors do not play a decisive role in the etiology of cerebral vascular disorders in young people. They only condition a lesser stability of the organism to unfavourable environmental factors and their different combinations.     

Colposcopy and the management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

The stable, bound iodine in the thyroid colloid of Triturus helveticus has been studied with the electron microprobe. Some animals show a normal development. Others are accidentally neotenic due to certain ecological conditions. The values of punctate iodine concentrations (CPI) have been computed and expressed in relative units (counts/s). The mean CPI per lumen is very variable from one follicle to another in the same thyroid section. During normal development, the mean CPI per animal is generally higher in metamorphosing individuals than in larvae. During development with neoteny, the mean CPI per animal attains high values if the larval state is maintained in its totality; the CPI decreases in partially metamorphosed animals, but increases again after metamorphosis. The amount of halogen contained in the thyroid colloid has been computed in relative units (colloid iodine pool). Throughout normal development, the pool remains small if the animals have not attained the adult state. In increases considerably in entirely larval neotenic newts, decreases during metamorphosis but increases afterwards. In totally neotenic newts, the thyroid gland receives only a low hypophyseal stimulation and reacts as the thyroid gland of various hypophysectomized Urodeles. Our results pose the problem as to whether TSH regulates the transepithelial iodine flows, which permit the expansion of the colloid iodine pool, when this hormone is secreted at a very low levels.     

Rapid Screening of Lectins for Multivalency Effects with a Glycodendrimer Microarray

Multivalency is an important phenomenon in protein–carbohydrate interactions. In order to evaluate glycodendrimers as multivalent inhibitors of carbohydrate binding proteins, we displayed them on a microarray surface. Valencies were varied from 1 to 8, and corrections were made for the valencies so that all surfaces contained the same amount of the sugar ligand. Five different carbohydrates were attached to the dendrimers. A series of fluorescent lectins was evaluated, and for each of them a binding profile was obtained from a single experiment showing both the specificity of the lectin for a certain sugar and whether it prefers multivalent ligands or not. Very distinct binding patterns were seen for the various lectins. The results were rationalized with respect to the interbinding distances of the lectins.     

Refusal to eat in the elderly

Refusal to eat by the elderly, and subsequent malnutrition, occurs in both institutional and community settings. Causes include physiologic changes associated with aging, mental disorders such as dementia and depression, and medical, social, and environmental factors. Treatment approaches call for management of these causes while considering the roles that medicine, ethics, and culture play in the process.