Development of normalization factors for Canada and the United States and comparison with European factors.

In Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), normalization calculates the magnitude of an impact (midpoint or endpoint) relative to the total effect of a given reference. The goal of this work is to calculate normalization factors for Canada and the US and to compare them with existing European normalization factors. The differences between geographical areas were highlighted by identifying and comparing the main contributors to a given impact category in Canada, the US and Europe.

Complement activation by substituted polyacrylamide hydrogels for embolisation and implantation.

An inflammatory reaction has always been observed in vivo around particles used for therapeutic embolisation. Hydrogel microspheres based on Trisacryl, prepared by polymerisation of N-acryloyl-2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol in the presence of a crosslinking agent, are amongst the best materials for such a purpose. The aim of this work was to evaluate in vitro the complement-activating capacity of the OH-bearing Trisacryl particles either microporous, or macroporous, or partially substituted with carboxylate, or diethylaminoethyl, or sulphonate groups, in order to be able to decrease the inflammatory reaction in vivo.

Thrombosis of angiographic catheters in humans: experimental study.

One of the major problems in the use of catheters is their thrombogenicity since the embolization of clots near the central nervous system or the coronary arteries can cause permanent damage. Catheter thrombogenicity was evaluated in humans during angiographic procedures by their tendency to become occluded. Characterization of catheters was achieved using roughness measurements, FTIR with ATR, DSC and ESCA.

Fibrinogen binding and platelet retention: relationship with the thrombogenicity of catheters.

One of the major problems in the use of catheters is their thrombogenicity, since the embolization of clots near the central nervous system or the coronary arteries can cause permanent damage. In this work we have compared the in vivo thrombogenicity of four different angiography catheters and their in vitro activation of fibrinogen binding and platelet retention. The thrombogenicity of catheters has been evaluated in angiographic conditions by kinetic evaluation of the reduction of blood flow rate through the catheters.