Partial AUCs in Long-Acting Injectables: Rationale, Challenges, Variability, Usefulness, and Clinical Relevance.

Regulatory authorities typically require bioequivalence to be demonstrated by comparing pharmacokinetic parameters like area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (C). Because in certain cases, AUC and C alone may not be adequate to identify formulation differences in early and/or late segments of the dosing interval, partial AUCs (pAUCs) have been proposed as additional metrics to evaluate bioequivalence. Even though cut-off points for pAUCs are usually decided based on clinical relevance, the identification of the correct cut-off range remains elusive in many other cases and tends to contribute to increased pAUC estimate variabilities.

Insecticidal Action of Local Isolates of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Pupae.

In this work, the ability of certain entomopathogenic fungi to control the olive fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae), which significantly affects olive cultivation, was assessed. First, entomopathogenic fungi that often contribute to reducing pests, as well as , were sought out. Puparia of were collected from oil mills, and soil samples were collected from various olive grove regions of Greece.

Does Risk of Hyperhomocysteinemia Depend on Thiol-Disulfide Exchange Reactions of Albumin and Homocysteine?

Increased plasma concentrations of total homocysteine (tHcy; mild-moderate hyperhomocysteinemia: 15-50 μ tHcy) are considered an independent risk factor for the onset/progression of various diseases, but it is not known about how the increase in tHcy causes pathological conditions. Reduced homocysteine (HSH ∼1% of tHcy) is presumed to be toxic, unlike homocystine (∼9%) and mixed disulfide between homocysteine and albumin (HSS-ALB; homocysteine [Hcy]-albumin mixed disulfide, ∼90%). This and other notions make it difficult to explain the pathogenicity of Hcy because: (i) lowering tHcy does not improve pathological outcomes; (ii) damage due to HSH usually emerges at supraphysiological doses; and (iii) it is not known why tiny increments in plasma concentrations of HSH can be pathological.

Fatigue Resistance of Bituminous Mixtures and Mortars Containing High Reclaimed Asphalt Content.

With the increased use of reclaimed asphalt (RA), the ability of bituminous materials to resist fatigue cracking may face a decline mainly due to the aged reclaimed asphalt binder (RAB), especially when RA is used at higher rates and not sufficiently treated. In this study, the bulk scale (asphalt) and its subscale (mortar) were employed to evaluate the effect on fatigue resistance when a RAB is added, by considering three replacement rates: 0%, 40%, and 70% RAB. The fatigue testing of asphalt mixtures was carried out using a four-point bending (4PB) setup, while the mortars were tested using a new column-like geometry utilising a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR).

Physicochemical and Rheological Properties of a Transparent Asphalt Binder Modified with Nano-TiO.

Transparent binder is used to substitute conventional black asphalt binder and to provide light-colored pavements, whereas nano-TiO has the potential to promote photocatalytic and self-cleaning properties. Together, these materials provide multifunction effects and benefits when the pavement is submitted to high solar irradiation. This paper analyzes the physicochemical and rheological properties of a transparent binder modified with 0.

Characterizing the Complex Modulus of Asphalt Concrete Using a Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer.

Asphalt mixtures are the most common types of pavement material used in the world. Characterizing the mechanical behavior of these complex materials is essential in durable, cost-effective, and sustainable pavement design. One of the important properties of asphalt mixtures is the complex modulus of elasticity.

Lime Treatment of Coal Bottom Ash for Use in Road Pavements: Application to El Jadida Zone in Morocco.

Industrial waste causes environmental, economic, and social problems. In Morocco, the Jorf Lasfar Thermal Power Station produces two types of coal ash with enormous quantities: fly ash (FA) and Bottom ash (BA). FA is recovered in cement while BA is stored in landfills.

Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Relatives of Intensive Care Unit Patients and the Perceived Need for Support.

Background: Admission of a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the recovery process may be stressful for family members.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the families' psychological symptoms and their evolution over the 1 week of patients' ICU stay. Additional objectives were the estimation of the families' need for support and the estimation of satisfaction regarding the information provided by ICU physicians.

Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants among Gram-negative bacteraemia isolates: a hidden threat.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes in an unselected collection of bloodstream isolates recovered over an 18-month period in a laboratory affiliated to a university hospital in Athens, Greece, and to assess their impact on the in vitro activity of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin.

Methods: Eight PMQR genes were screened by PCR and sequencing. All PMQR-positive isolates were submitted to isoelectric focusing for β-lactamase detection, conjugation or transformation, time-kill assays, mutant prevention concentrationand inoculum effect evaluation.

Recent developments in the production and applications of bacterial cellulose fibers and nanocrystals.

Cellulosic nanomaterials provide a novel and sustainable platform for the production of high performance materials enabled by nanotechnology. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a highly crystalline material and contains pure cellulose without lignin and hemicellulose. BC offers an opportunity to provide control of the products' properties in-situ, via specific BC production methods and culture conditions.

Homocysteinemia control by cysteine in cerebral vascular patients after methionine loading test: evidences in physiological and pathological conditions in cerebro-vascular and multiple sclerosis patients.

The toxicity risk of hyperhomocysteinemia is prevented through thiol drug administration which reduces plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations by activating thiol exchange reactions. Assuming that cysteine (Cys) is a homocysteinemia regulator, the hypothesis was verified in healthy and pathological individuals after the methionine loading test (MLT). The plasma variations of redox species of Cys, Hcy, cysteinylglycine, glutathione and albumin (reduced, HS-ALB, and at mixed disulfide, XSS-ALB) were compared in patients with cerebral small vessels disease (CSVD) (n = 11), multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 12) and healthy controls (n = 11) at 2-4-6 h after MLT.

Severe Legionnaires' Disease Complicated by Rhabdomyolysis and Clinically Resistant to Moxifloxacin in a Splenectomised Patient: Too Much of a Coincidence?

We here report a case of Legionnaires' disease in a splenectomised patient, complicated by rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure and characterized by a poor clinical response to moxifloxacin. Splenectomy is not included among the factors, typically associated with higher risk or mortality in patients with Legionellosis. However, our report is consistent with previous case reports describing severe Legionella infections in asplenic subjects.

The impact on blood donor screening for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus using plasma from frozen-thawed plasma preparation tubes.

Background: Blood services are required to maintain repositories of frozen samples for confirmation of results and/or retrospective testing. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service archives donor samples in plasma preparation tubes (PPTs). This study aims to evaluate the effect of freeze-thawing and extended frozen storage on the ability to detect human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) using blood donation screening assays in samples stored in PPTs.

Characterization of novel composite alginate chitosan-carrageenan nanoparticles for encapsulation of BSA as a model drug delivery system.

The objective of this research project was to develop a nanoparticle drug delivery system using the biopolymer chitosan as the base component. The nanoparticles were produced through ionotropic gelation by flush mixing chitosan with counterions carrageenan and alginate. The nanoparticles were generated under a range of conditions to determine the effect of pH, chitosan concentration, carrageenan concentration, and alginate concentration on the nanoparticle characteristics of particle diameter, zeta potential, and particle size distribution.

Pneumonia by Listeria monocytogenes: A Common Infection by an Uncommon Pathogen.

Infections by Listeria monocytogenes typically occur in infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and immunosuppressed subjects. Pulmonary infections in adults are extremely uncommon and only few reports can be found in the literature. We here report a case of Listeria pneumonia in an 85-year-old female patient and we discuss our diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Characterization Of Novel Composite Alginate Chitosan-Carrageenan Nanoparticles For Encapsulation Of Bsa As A Model Drug Delivery System.

The objective of this research project was to develop a nanoparticle drug delivery system using the biopolymer chitosan as the base component. The nanoparticles were produced through ionotropic gelation by flush mixing chitosan with counterions carrageenan and alginate. The nanoparticles were generated under a range of conditions to determine the effect of pH, chitosan concentration, carrageenan concentration, and alginate concentration on the nanoparticle characteristics of particle diameter, zeta potential, and particle size distribution.

Novel applications of ubiquinone biopolymer nanocarriers for preventive and regenerative therapeutics: The Saccharomyces cerevisiae paradigm.

Since the last decade, nanodispersed drug delivery systems gain increasingly more importance for therapeutic research fields. The forced transport to the centers of inflammation is supposed to take advantage as a novel strategic approach. Thus, the focus of this study was to investigate the applicability of ubiquinone nanoformulations against oxidative stress.

Hepatitis B virus nucleic acid amplification testing of Australian blood donors highlights the complexity of confirming occult hepatitis B virus infection.

Background: We present an analysis of the first 2 years of hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleic acid testing (NAT) of the Australian donor population.

Study Design And Methods: Between July 5, 2010, and July 4, 2012, all blood donations were screened for HBV DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Donors who tested HBsAg negative but HBV NAT positive were assessed as occult hepatitis B infections (OBI) if reactive for antibodies to HBV core antigen (anti-HBc).

The control of hyperhomocysteinemia through thiol exchange mechanisms by mesna.

In hyperhomocysteinemic patients, after reaction with homocysteine-albumin mixed disulfides (HSS-ALB), mesna (MSH) forms the mixed disulfide with Hcy (HSSM) which can be removed by renal clearance, thus reducing the plasma concentration of total homocysteine (tHcy). In order to assess the HSS-ALB dethiolation via thiol exchange reactions, the distribution of redox species of cysteine, cysteinylglycine, homocysteine and glutathione was investigated in the plasma of healthy subjects: (i) in vitro, after addition of 35 μM reduced homocysteine (HSH) to plasma for 72 h, followed by MSH addition (at the concentration range 10-600 μM) for 25 min; (ii) in vivo, after oral treatment with methionine (methionine, 200 mg/kg body weight, observation time 2-6 h). In both experiments the distribution of redox species, but not the total amount of each thiol, was modified by thiol exchange reactions of albumin and cystine, with changes thermodynamically related to the pKa values of thiols in the corresponding mixed disulfides.