Chlorhexidine salt-loaded polyurethane orthodontic chains: in vitro release and antibacterial activity studies.

The widespread use of indwelling medical devices has enormously increased the interest in materials incorporating antibiotics and antimicrobial agents as a means to prevent dangerous device-related infections. Recently, chlorhexidine-loaded polyurethane has been proposed as a material suitable for the production of devices which are able to resist microbial contamination. The aim of the present study was to characterize the in vitro release of chlorhexidine from new polymeric orthodontic chains realized with polyurethane loaded with two different chlorhexidine salts: chlorhexidine diacetate or chlorhexidine digluconate.

A multicenter prospective observational study of the conformity of temozolomide prescriptions in France.

Context: Temozolomide (TMZ) is approved for the treatment of high-grade gliomas such as glioblastoma (GBM) multiforme and refractory anaplastic astrocytoma, but it is also used in indications not mentioned in the summary of product characteristics (SPC). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the conformity of TMZ prescriptions to the French SPC and prescription guidebook.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of all consecutive patients treated with TMZ in 21 French hospitals between September 2006 and February 2007, accounting for 39% of total TMZ consumption in France.

Solid lipid nanoparticles suspension versus commercial solutions for dermal delivery of minoxidil.

Solid lipid nanoparticles have been reported as possible carrier for skin drug delivery. Solid lipid nanoparticles are produced from biocompatible and biodegradable lipids. Solid lipid nanoparticles made of semi-synthetic triglycerides stabilized with a mixture of polysorbate and sorbitan oleate were loaded with 5% of minoxidil.

Development and in vitro assay of oxidative stress modifying formulations for wound healing promotion.

Often presented as metabolism byproducts, reactive oxygen species are linked to detrimental effects such as chronic wound, mutagenesis, cancer and skin ageing. However, recent in vitro and in vivo observations suggest that ROS, and mainly hydrogen peroxide, interfere with cell signaling acting like second messenger and inducing adaptive responses. This is particularly observed in skin wound healing where cells are exposed to H₂O₂ following injury.

Risk-adjusted monitoring of veno-occlusive disease following Bayesian individualization of busulfan dosage for bone marrow transplantation in paediatrics.

In order to assess the performance of Bayesian individualization of busulfan (BU) dosage regimens, veno-occlusive disease (VOD) rate was monitored for paediatric patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Consecutive patients undergoing allogeneic BMT with BU as conditioning regimen during 5-years period (January 2000-February 2006) were reviewed. VOD was a major outcome variable.

[Evaluation of platinum contamination of a hazardous drug preparation area in a hospital pharmacy].

In our hospital, in accordance with recommendations for personnel protection, hazardous drugs are prepared in a class II biological safety cabinet (BSC) located in a specific area of the pharmacy. The aim of this study was to validate the efficiency of this unit in personnel protection by measuring levels of platinum in the working environment (platinum being the most common antineoplastic agent used in this hospital). Two series of surface sampling were conducted, preparation guidelines were changed for parts after first results have been completed.