Red blood cell exchange in children with sickle cell disease.

The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of red blood cell exchange (RBCx) using a Spectra Optia® automated apheresis system in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). We used automated RBCx to treat acute and chronic complications in 75 children with SCD who had a median age of 10 years [7-13]. We analyzed 649 RBCx sessions.

Bone and joint infections with Staphylococcus aureus strains producing Panton-Valentine Leukocidin in French Guiana.

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features of bone and joint infections (BJI) due to Panton-Valentine Leukocidin producing (PVL+) Staphylococcus aureus (SA) in French Guiana.A multicenter study that consists of a retrospective charts review of children admitted for PVL+ S. aureus BJI between January 2010 and December 2015.

Immunosuppression by a subconjunctival implant releasing dexamethasone in a rabbit model of penetrating keratoplasty.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of a subconjunctival dexamethasone-releasing implant in preventing rejection of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in an animal model.

Methods: Twenty-two rabbits underwent allogenic PK. After randomisation, they received either a 700 µg dexamethasone implant under the conjunctiva at the end of surgery (n=10), one dexamethasone 1 mg/mL eye-drop thrice daily (n=6) or a placebo thrice daily (n=6).

In Vitro Comparison of the Role of P-Glycoprotein and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein on Direct Oral Anticoagulants Disposition.

Background: Pharmacokinetics of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are influenced by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP).

Objectives: To better understand the role of transporters in DOAC disposition, we evaluated and compared the permeabilities and transport properties of these drugs.

Methods: Bidirectional permeabilities of DOACs were investigated across Caco-2 cells monolayer.

Asymptomatic multinodular splenoma (splenic hamartoma) in a child with sickle cell anemia.

Splenoma is a rare and benign malformation usually fortuitously diagnosed during imaging, surgery or, unfortunately, at autopsy. Although splenoma was first described in 1861, its association with hematological pathology is a very unusual condition in children. We report the case of an asymptomatic splenoma in an 8-year-old boy with sickle cell anemia, whose diagnosis was confirmed after conventional splenectomy.

Nicotine delivery from the refill liquid to the aerosol via high-power e-cigarette device.

To offer an enhanced and well-controlled nicotine delivery from the refill liquid to the aerosol is a key point to adequately satisfy nicotine cravings using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). A recent high-power ENDS, exhibiting higher aerosol nicotine delivery than older technologies, was used. The particle size distribution was measured using a cascade impactor.

Paediatric Bone and Joint Infections in French Guiana: A 6 Year Retrospective Review.

The epidemiology of paediatric bone and joint infections from South America is poorly known. We herein report a retrospective study conducted in whole French Guiana from January 2010 to December 2015. Medical charts of 55 previously healthy children were analysed, identifying 27 with osteomyelitis, 22 with septic arthritis and 6 with multifocal infections and/or osteoarthritis.

Assessment of new-generation high-power electronic nicotine delivery system as thermal aerosol generation device for inhaled bronchodilators.

Purpose: A need remains for alternative devices for aerosol drug delivery that are low cost, convenient and easy to use for the patient, but also capable of producing small-sized aerosol particles. This study investigated the potential of recent high power electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) as aerosol generation devices for inhaled bronchodilators.

Methods: The particle size distribution was measured using a cascade impactor.

Effect of Activated Charcoal on Rivaroxaban Complex Absorption.

Objective: To quantify the impact of activated charcoal (AC) on rivaroxaban exposure in healthy volunteers.

Methods: This was an open-label study with an incomplete cross-over design of single-dose rivaroxaban (40 mg) administered alone or with AC in 12 healthy volunteers. The study comprised three treatment periods in randomised sequence, one with rivaroxaban administered alone and two with AC given at 2, 5 or 8 h post-dose.

Direct oral anticoagulants: Current indications and unmet needs in the treatment of venous thromboembolism.

The treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) is being completely modified with the development of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban directly inhibit factor Xa, whereas dabigatran inhibits factor IIa. All these drugs are proposed orally, and share pharmacological similarities: fixed doses without any therapeutic drug monitoring, key role of the transporter proteins P-glycoprotein for all of them and metabolism mediated by CYP3A4 for the anti-Xa, short half-life with variable rate of renal elimination.

Associated factors of acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell disease in French Guiana.

A matched case-control study was performed in order to identify some associated factors for ACS or to confirm the published data. Controls were children hospitalized during the same period for pain crisis who did not develop an ACS during hospitalization. Between January 2006 and October 2010, there were 24 episodes of ACS distributed among 19 patients (8 girls and 11 boys).

Quantification of total and unbound tranexamic acid in human plasma by ultrafiltration liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to pharmacokinetic analysis.

The present work describes the development and validation of rapid, sensitive and accurate liquid chromatography method, coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection, for quantification of tranexamic acid in human plasma using isotopically labeled internal standard (IS). A one-step plasma protein precipitation was performed with acetonitrile. UPLC BEH amide column was used for chromatographic separation.

Rapid determination of apixaban concentration in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to pharmacokinetic study.

We described the development and full validation of a rapid, high throughput sensible and accurate LC method using tandem mass spectrometry detection for determining apixaban concentration with [(¹³C, ²H₇]-apixaban as internal standard in human plasma. Plasma pretreatment involved a one-step protein precipitation with methanol. The separation was performed by reverse-phase chromatography on a Luna MercuryMS C18 column (20 mm × 4 mm × 3 μm) column.

Performance of creatinine and cystatin C-based glomerular filtration rate estimating equations in a European HIV-positive cohort.

Objective: To validate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimating equations in white HIV-infected patients based on serum creatinine and/or serum cystatin C.

Design: Single-center, cross-sectional evaluation of the predictive performance of GFR estimators.

Methods: GFR was measured by iohexol plasma clearance.

Investigation of drug-drug interactions between clopidogrel and fluoxetine.

Drug-drug interactions may contribute to the variability of the response of clopidogrel. Several hypotheses have been proposed concerning the potential modification of clopidogrel pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics by fluoxetine. This open-label crossover study assessed the effect of fluoxetine on the pharmacological activity of clopidogrel in healthy volunteers.

A semi-mechanistic absorption model to evaluate drug-drug interaction with dabigatran: application with clarithromycin.

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop a PK/PD model to assess drug-drug interactions between dabigatran and P-gp modulators, using the example of clarithromycin, a strong inhibitor of P-gp.

Methods: Ten healthy male volunteers were randomized to receive in the first treatment period a single 300 mg dose of dabigatran etexilate (DE) and in the second treatment period 500 mg clarithromycin twice daily during 3 days and then 300 mg DE plus 500 mg clarithromycin on the fourth day, or the same treatments in the reverse sequence. Dabigatran plasma concentration and ecarin clotting time (ECT) were measured on 11 blood samples.

[Severe meprobamate poisoning: description of 146 cases in a French department].

Meprobamate poisoning are serious and sometimes fatal. Faced with a potential stop of marketing, we conducted a multicenter retrospective study to assess the severity criteria presented by patients admitted to the ICU for severe meprobamate poisoning, whether with alone form or in combination with aceprometazine. One hundred fourty-six patients have been enrolled between January 2005 and June 2011: 38 had a single meprobamate poisoning, 104 to meprobamate and aceprometazine and 4 to both forms.

Mycophenolate sodium dosing in combination with tacrolimus: pharmacokinetic evaluation of a novel regimen in de novo tacrolimus-treated kidney transplant patients.

Background: There are no clear guidelines concerning the appropriate dose of mycophenolate acid (MPA) to be used in association with tacrolimus. When MPA is given at an approved fixed dose in cyclosporine-treated patients, initial systemic under exposure is frequent and associated with the occurrence of acute rejection. We pharmacologically evaluated in tacrolimus-treated recipients a novel dosing regimen of MPA with an initial high dose followed by a gradual decrease over time.

UPLC MS/MS assay for routine quantification of dabigatran - a direct thrombin inhibitor - in human plasma.

This article described the development and full validation of rapid and accurate liquid chromatography method, coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection, for quantification of dabigatran in human plasma with [(13)C(6)]-dabigatran as internal standard. Plasma pretreatment involved a single step protein precipitation with methanol. Separation was performed by ultra performance reversed-phase chromatography on an Acquity UPLC BEH C8 100 mm × 1 mm × 1.

HPLC MS/MS method for quantification of meprobamate in human plasma: application to 24/7 clinical toxicology.

We described the development and full validation of rapid and accurate liquid chromatography method, coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection, for quantification of meprobamate in human plasma with [(13)C-(2)H(3)]-meprobamate as internal standard. Plasma pretreatment involved a one-step protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Separation was performed by reversed-phase chromatography on a Luna MercuryMS C18 (20 mm×4 mm×3 μm) column using a gradient elution mode.

UPLC MS/MS method for quantification of mycophenolic acid and metabolites in human plasma: Application to pharmacokinetic study.

Background: We described the development and full validation of a rapid, high throughput sensible and accurate UPLC method using tandem mass spectrometry detection for mycophenolate acid (MPA) and its metabolites, MPA glucuronide (MPAG) and acyl MPA glucuronide (AcMPAG) concentration determination with MPA-D3 as internal standard in human plasma.

Methods: Plasma pretreatment involved a one-step protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The separation was performed by reverse-phase chromatography on a Waters BEH HSST3 100 mm*2.

Ultra-performance LC MS/MS method for quantification of clopidogrel active metabolite.

A sensible ultra-performance LC-MS method was developed and validated for the quantification of clopidogrel active metabolite in human plasma, with clopidogrel D4 as internal standard. Plasma pretreatment involved a one-step protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The separation was performed by reverse-phase chromatography on a C8 column.

Invasive aspergillosis in a paediatric haematology department: a 15-year review.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is an increasingly common and often fatal fungal infection in children with haematological disorders. To describe the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of IA in children, retrospective review of the medical records of proven and probable IA between January 1986 and December 2000 was used. Twenty-four patients with IA were identified (10 proven and 14 probable) with a median age of 8.