Biredox ionic liquids: new opportunities toward high performance supercapacitors.

Nowadays commercial supercapacitors are based on purely capacitive storage at the porous carbons that are used for the electrodes. However, the limits that capacitive storage imposes on energy density calls to investigate new materials to improve the capacitance of the device. This new type of electrodes (e.g., RuO2, MnO2…) involves pseudo-capacitive faradaic redox processes with the solid material. Ion exchange with solid materials is, however, much slower than the adsorption process in capacitive storage and inevitably leads to significant loss of power. Faradaic process in the liquid state, in contrast can be similarly fast as capacitive processes due to the fast ion transport. Designing new devices with liquid like dynamics and improved specific capacitance is challenging. We present a new approach to increase the specific capacitance using biredox ionic liquids, where redox moieties are tethered to the electrolyte ions, allowing high redox concentrations and significant pseudo-capacitive storage in the liquid state. Anions and cations are functionalized with anthraquinone (AQ) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO) moieties, respectively. Glassy carbon, carbon-onion, and commercial activated carbon electrodes that exhibit different double layer structures and thus different diffusion dynamics were used to simultaneously study the electrochemical response of biredox ionic liquids at the positive and negative electrode.

[Who are the recipients of labile blood products? A multicenter nation-wide study--a "donation day." Blood banks, health facilities]. / Qui sont les receveurs de produits sanguins labiles (PSL)? Une étude nationale multicentrique - un jour donné. Etablissement de transfusion sanguine (ETS) - établissements de santé (ES).

During the years 1994-2001, a progressive decrease of the number of blood units transfused has been reported in France. In contrast, since 2002, there is an increasing number of blood units issuing (+7.6% between 2001 and 2006) and this must be investigated. On behalf of the French Society of Blood Transfusion, the "Recipients" working group promoted a nation wide survey with the support of the regional blood transfusion centres. This survey was aimed at describing the profiles of the transfused patients: socio-demographical patterns, and reasons of the blood transfusion (main and associated diagnoses). A cross-sectional survey was designed. All the patients who received a blood unit during a specific day were considered as the population of the study. They were identified by the regional transfusion centres by means of the "individual issuing form". Survey forms were fully filled for 90% of the patients. It has been considered as a good answer rate. Seven thousand four hundred and twenty-two blood units, delivered to 3450 patients were analyzed. Three groups of pathologies were found as a reason of transfusion: haematology-oncology (52.70% of the prescriptions) with 892 patients (27.8%) for haematological malignancies; surgical procedures (23.99%); intensive care and medicine procedures (21.92%). More than 50% of the recipients are 70 years old and more. This result is explained by the age distribution of inpatients. In a context of lack of donors and consequently difficulties to provide patients with optimal number of blood units, this study is helpful. Variability of blood unit issuings must be detected, analyzed and monitored in real time by the actors of the transfusion process, using computerized dashboards: the blood units provider (in order to adjust the strategy of blood units provision) and the health care establishment as well as care blood components prescribers (reasons of blood transfusion and evaluation of practices).

Transport Properties of Li-TFSI Water-in-Salt Electrolytes.

Water-in-salts are a new family of electrolytes that may allow the development of aqueous Li-ion batteries. They have a structure that is reminiscent of ionic liquids, and they are characterized by a high concentration of ionic species. In this work, we study their transport properties and how they evolve with concentration by using molecular dynamic simulations. We first focus on the choice of the force field. By comparing the simulated viscosities and self-diffusion coefficients with experimental measurements, we select a set of parameters that reproduces well the transport properties. We then use the selected force field to study in detail the variations of the self and collective diffusivities of all the species as well as the transport number of the lithium ion. We show that correlations between ions and water play an important role over the whole concentration range. In the water-in-salt regime, the anions form a percolating network that reduces the cation-anion correlations and leads to rather large values for the transport number compared to other standard electrolytes.

Relationship between quality of life and cognitive decline in dementia.

AIMS: We aimed to examine the association of cognitive decline with quality of life (QoL) in dementia compared to controls and to determine variables associated with QoL. METHODS: Every subject was placed within a specific group depending on their designation by the Mini Mental State Examination and evaluated by the Alzheimer's Disease Related Quality of Life (ADRQL) and clinical assessments. RESULTS: QoL for the mild dementia group was lower (p = 0.08) than that of controls. The very severe dementia group had a significantly lower QoL than the other dementia groups, which all had similar ADRQL scores. The only predictor of ADRQL scores was found to be the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. CONCLUSION: There is no direct relationship between cognitive decline and QoL.

[Conclusions and recommendations of a WHO expert consultation meeting on iron supplementation for infants and young children in malaria endemic areas]. / Conclusions et recommandations à l'issue de la consultation de l'OMS sur la lutte contre la carence martiale chez le nourrisson et le jeune enfant dans les pays d'endémie palustre.

This article presents the results of an expert consultation meeting aimed at evaluating the safety and public health implications of administering supplemental iron to infants and young children in malaria-endemic areas. Participants at this meeting that took place in Lyon, France on June 12-14, 2006 reached consensus on several important issues related to iron supplementation for infants and young children in malaria-endemic areas. The conclusions in this report apply specifically to regions where malaria is endemic.

WITHDRAWN: Rice-based oral rehydration solution for treating diarrhoea.

BACKGROUND: Oral rehydration therapy is used to treat dehydration caused by diarrhoea. However the rehydration solution does not reduce stool loss or length of illness. A solution able to do this may lessen the use of ineffective diarrhoea treatments as well as improve morbidity and mortality related to diarrhoea. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of rice-based oral rehydration salts solution compared with glucose-based oral rehydration salts solution on reduction of stool output and duration of diarrhoea in patients with acute watery diarrhoea. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline, Embase, Lilacs and the reference lists of relevant articles. We also contacted researchers in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized trials comparing standard World Health Organization oral rehydration solution with an experimental oral rehydration salts solution in which glucose (20 grams per litre) was replaced by 50-80 grams per litre of rice powder, with the electrolytes remaining unchanged. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted independently by a statistician and a clinician. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-two trials were included. Concealment of allocation was adequate in 15 of these trials. Irrespective of age, people with cholera who were given rice oral rehydration salts solution had substantially lower rates of stool loss than those given oral rehydration salts solution in the first 24 hours. Mean stool outputs in the first 24 hours were lower by 67 millilitres/kg of body weight (weighted mean difference -67.40, 95% confidence interval -94.26 to -41.53) in children, and by 51 millilitres/kg of body weight (weighted mean difference -51.07, 95% confidence interval -65.87 to -36.27) in adults. The rate of stool loss in infants and children with acute non-cholera diarrhoea was reduced by only four millilitres/kg of body weight (weighted mean difference -4.29, 95% confidence interval -9.36 to 0.78). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Rice-based oral rehydration appears to be effective in reducing stool output in people with cholera. This effect was not apparent in infants and children with non-cholera diarrhoea.

[Zinc and treatment of diarrhoea]. / Zinc et traitement de la diarrhée.

Recently WHO and UNICEF issued a joint statement revising guidelines for clinical management of diarrhoea. These updated recommendations take into account new research findings showing the beneficial effects of oral rehydration salts (ORS) containing lower concentrations of glucose and salts and of zinc supplementation. In combination with prevention and treatment of dehydration with appropriate fluids, breastfeeding, continued feeding and selective use of antibiotics, these two advances can drastically diminish the number of child deaths by reducing the duration and severity of diarrhoeal episodes and lowering their incidence. The purpose of this report is to present the research findings that demonstrated the efficacy of zinc supplementation in the management of diarrhoea and led to revision of WHO/UNCEF guidelines.

Effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 on phosphate uptake into chick intestinal brush border membrane vesicles.

Brush border membrane vesicles prepared from the vitamin D-deficient chick duodenum take up phosphate and show an overshoot phenomenon in the presence of NaCl. Substitution of choline chloride for NaCl reduces phosphate uptake. Prior treatment of vitamin D-deficient chicks with 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D-3 increases the initial rate of Na+-dependent phosphate uptake into the brush border vesicles. This Na+-dependent phosphate uptake is a saturable process, exhibiting an apparent Km of 0.31 mM and a V of 385 pmol/mg per 15 s. Pretreatment of chicks with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 leads to an increase in V (750 pmol/mg per 15 s) without significantly altering the apparent Km (0.33 mM). Addition of Ca2+, either in the presence or absence of the polyene antibiotic, filipin, or of calmodulin, has no effect on Na+-dependent phosphate uptake. Pretreatment of the vitamin D-deficient chick with a dose of cycloheximide sufficient to inhibit membrane protein synthesis blocks the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3-induced increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, but does not affect the stimulation of Na+-dependent phosphate uptake. From these data, it is concluded that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 stimulates Na+-dependent phosphate transport at the brush border membrane of the enterocyte, that alkaline phosphatase is not directly involved in this process, and that this effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 is independent of new protein synthesis.

Multilobulated "flower" cells in a subcutaneous mass aspirate from a cat.

An 8-year-old intact male cat was presented with a subcutaneous mass in the region of the right jugular vein. Cytologic and histopathologic examinations revealed cells with multilobulated nuclei (flower cells). Immunochemistry using a panel of markers showed vimentin-positivity on cytologic specimens, and postive staining for CD79a and BLA36 on histologic specimens. The final diagnosis was lymphoma of B-cell origin. We have observed similar multilobulated cells in ascites fluid, thoracic fluid, and peripheral blood from dogs and cats with a variety of lymphoid and myeloid neoplasms. Cells with multilobulated nuclei that resemble flower petals also have been described in humans. These cells are infrequently observed in canine and feline cytology specimens and require immunochemistry to determine their cell of origin.

Use of nonhuman milks in the dietary management of young children with acute diarrhea: a meta-analysis of clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of continued feeding of nonhuman milks or formulas to young children during acute diarrhea on their treatment failure rates, stool frequency and amount, diarrheal duration, and change in body weight. METHODS: A total of 29 randomized clinical trials of 2215 patients were identified by computerized bibliographic search and review of published articles. Data were abstracted and analyzed using standard meta-analytic procedures. RESULTS: Among studies that compared lactose-containing milk or formula diets with lactose-free regimens, those children who received the lactose-containing diets during acute diarrhea were twice as likely to have a treatment failure as those who received a lactose-free diet (22% vs 12%, respectively; P < .001). However, the excess treatment failure rates occurred only in those studies that included patients whose initial degree of dehydration, as reported by authors, was severe, or that were conducted before 1985, when appropriate diarrhea treatment protocols were first widely accepted. Among studies of patients with mild diarrhea, all but one of which were completed after 1985, the overall treatment failure rates in the lactose groups were similar to the rates in the lactose-free groups (13% vs 15%). These results suggest that children with mild or no dehydration and those who are managed according to appropriate treatment protocols, such as that promoted by the World Health Organization, can be treated as successfully with lactose-containing diets as with lactose-free ones. The pooled information from studies that compared undiluted lactose-containing milks with the same milks offered at reduced concentration concluded that (1) children who received undiluted milks were marginally more likely to experience treatment failure than those who received diluted milk (16% vs 12%, P = .05), (2) the differences in stool output were small and of limited clinical importance, and (3) children who received the undiluted milk diets gained 0.25 SD more weight than those who received the diluted ones (P = .004). In addition, as with the previous set of studies, there were no differences in the pooled treatment failure rates between the respective groups in those studies of mildly dehydrated patients conducted after 1985 (14% vs 12%). CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of young children with acute diarrhea can be successfully managed with continued feeding of undiluted nonhuman milks. Routine dilution of milk and routine use of lactose-free milk formula are therefore not necessary, especially when oral rehydration therapy and early feeding (in addition to milk) form the basic approach to the clinical management of diarrhea in infants and children.

Effect of growth hormone on the metabolism of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in hypophysectomized rats on a diet without vitamin D and low in calcium.

The metabolism of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-(OH)D3) was investigated in rats fed a diet low in calcium and without vitamin D for 4 weeks after hypophysectomy. Compared with intact rats on the same diet these animals had a low serum phosphorus concentration, a less marked degree of hypocalcaemia and their parathyroid gland was not hypertrophied. Eighteen hours after i.p. injection of a single dose of tritiated 25-(OH)D3, chromatography of serum extracts on Sephadex LH-20 showed that the percentage of radioactivity corresponding to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2D3) was lower in hypophysectomized rats than in control rats. High-pressure liquid chromatography demonstrated that 81% of this material had the same elution profile as 1,25-(OH)2D3. The percentage of 1,25-(OH)2D3 in the serum of hypophysectomized rats could be increased to the level seen in the controls by chronic treatment with bovine growth hormone. This action of growth hormone was most probably independent of the parathyroid glands since the injection of parathyroid extract did not alter 25-(OH)D3 metabolism in hyophysectomized animals. These results suggest that the decrease in the conversion of 25-(OH)D3 to 1,25-(OH)2D3 after hypophysectomy may be related to the lack of growth hormone.

Nutritional status, age and survival: the muscle mass hypothesis.

The relevance of nutritional indices derived from comparison with growth standards to assess the risk of dying was evaluated in a 2-year prospective study in rural Senegal. An average of 3151 children aged 6-59 months were measured twice a year and followed up during the intervening 6-month periods. Children who survived and those who died during follow-up were found to differ more by anthropometric measures directly related to absolute muscle mass (viz. weight, height or arm circumference) than by nutritional indices obtained from comparison with growth standards (weight-for-age, weight-for-height and height-for-age). The findings could not be explained by a confounding effect of age. This brings into question the current approach used to identify high-risk children.

PIP: As part of a nutritional and mortality study ongoing since 1962 in rural Senegal, the relevance of nutritional indices derived from comparison with growth curves was analyzed to assess childrens' risk of dying. During a 2-year prospective study, an average of 3151 children aged 6-59 months were measured at 6 month intervals, a total of 12,605 semesters. 301 children who died during the following 6-months had anthropometric measures taken such as height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), head circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness. Univariate and bivariate multiple linear regression models were constructed and compared including anthropometric indicators such as weight, weight-for- age, weight-for-height, height, height-for-age, mid-upper-arm- circumference (MUAC), MUAC-for-age and age. Measures directly related to body size, such as weight, height and MUAC were found to be more closely related to child survival than any nutritional indices derived from them. Survival is related to a measure of body size which increases with age faster than MUAC but more slowly than weight, and is not due to a confounding effect of age. Mortality peaked at 18-29 months, corresponding to weaning. For a given muscle mass, children with a larger head had a greater risk of dying. Skinfold thickness did not improve assessment, perhaps because it is difficult to measure. Stunting had an independent effect on risk which could not be explained by muscle mass. This analysis suggests that screening schemes based on comparison with growth curves or weight gain are not likely to be predictive of risk of dying; arm circumference without correction for age or height is substantially better than classical nutritional indices.

Rice-based oral rehydration solution for treating diarrhoea.

BACKGROUND: Oral rehydration therapy is used to treat dehydration caused by diarrhoea. However the rehydration solution does not reduce stool loss or length of illness. A solution able to do this may lessen the use of ineffective diarrhoea treatments as well as improve morbidity and mortality related to diarrhoea. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of rice-based oral rehydration salts solution compared with glucose-based oral rehydration salts solution on reduction of stool output and duration of diarrhoea in patients with acute watery diarrhoea. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline, Embase, Lilacs and the reference lists of relevant articles. We also contacted researchers in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized trials comparing standard World Health Organization oral rehydration solution with an experimental oral rehydration salts solution in which glucose (20 grams per litre) was replaced by 50-80 grams per litre of rice powder, with the electrolytes remaining unchanged. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted independently by a statistician and a clinician. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-two trials were included. Concealment of allocation was adequate in 15 of these trials. Irrespective of age, people with cholera who were given rice oral rehydration salts solution had substantially lower rates of stool loss than those given oral rehydration salts solution in the first 24 hours. Mean stool outputs in the first 24 hours were lower by 67 millilitres/kg of body weight (weighted mean difference -67.4, 95% confidence interval -94.3 to -41.0) in children, and by 51 millilitres/kg of body weight (weighted mean difference -51.1, 95% confidence interval -65.9 to -36.3) in adults. The rate of stool loss in infants and children with acute non-cholera diarrhoea was reduced by only four millilitres/kg of body weight (weighted mean difference -4.3, 95% confidence interval -9.3 to 0.8). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Rice-based oral rehydration appears to be effective in reducing stool output in people with cholera. This effect was not apparent in infants and children with non-cholera diarrhoea.

Effect of zinc supplementation on clinical course of acute diarrhoea.

This report summarizes the current knowledge on the effects of zinc supplementation on the management of acute diarrhoea. All published and unpublished studies on this topic, conducted in hospitals and in the community, were reviewed. Based on the results of this review, it is concluded that there is now enough evidence demonstrating the efficacy of zinc supplementation on the clinical course of diarrhoea, with regard to the severity and duration of the episode. However, the meeting also concluded that effectiveness studies to assess the feasibility, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of different strategies for delivering zinc supplementation should be undertaken.

[Improving doctor's communication skills in oncology: review and future perspectives]. / Améliorer les stratégies de communication des médecins en oncologie: état des lieux et perspectives futures.

The aim of this review is to discuss the different communication skills training designed to physician interactions with cancer patients. The development of medicine and chronic cancer treatments indicates the need to improve communication skills that combine appropriate assessment, information and support. Literature shows however that numerous factors may jeopardize the mastery of those skills. As a consequence, initiatives have been made to improve oncologists' communication skills. The objectives of those training programs are to improve patients' as well as the medical staffs' quality of life. A critical review of objectives and used techniques (theorical information, case discussion, role playing, feed-back) is presented here. This review includes also the discussion about training module integrating several techniques. This review shows the efficacy of experiential techniques as well as participative techniques. The results of available studies are finally emphasizing two difficulties: the maintenance and the consolidation of the various skills acquired over time and their successful transfer to the clinical practice.

[Ethics, motivations of plasmapheresis donors]. / Ethiques, motivations des donneurs d'aphérèse plasmatique.

For 50 years, the French Blood Transfusion Service has been developing ethical concepts of anonymous, voluntary and non-profit donation. The subject of this work is the study of ethical aspects and motivations of plasmapheresis donors. Three hundred donors were questioned on these subjects. The questionnaire was created after analysing the semi-orientated interviews of ten donors. The donors are male, aged over 35, with relatively high social and professional backgrounds. The main reason given for the first donation is the request by a relative or another person. With regards to further donations, solidarity with patients is mentioned as a reason. Even if the majority of the donors are aware of the ethical aspects of donation, over 50% of them accept to give plasmapheresis regardless of these principles. Plasmapheresis donors are primarily motivated by solidarity reasons. Thereby, they are fully active in the evolution of society.

Impact of rice based oral rehydration solution on stool output and duration of diarrhoea: meta-analysis of 13 clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: To define the benefit of rice oral rehydration salts solution in relation to the glucose based World Health Organisation oral rehydration salts solution for treating and preventing dehydration in patients with severe dehydrating diarrhoea. DESIGN: Meta-analysis using data from 13 available randomised trials that compared these two formulations. SUBJECTS: The studies compared 1367 patients with cholera, severe cholera-like diarrhoea, or acute non-cholera diarrhoea. 668 received the standard WHO solution and 699 the rice based solution. INTERVENTION: Each trial report was reviewed to determine patient eligibility, the number of patients who were randomised and the number of these excluded from analysis, details of the randomisation procedure, and the precise timing of the outcome measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Stool output during the first 24 hours; weighted estimates of the difference in mean stool output between treatments. RESULTS: The rice solution significantly reduced the rate of stool output during the first 24 hours by 36% (95% confidence interval 28 to 44%) in adults with cholera and by 32% (19 to 45%) in children with cholera. The rate of stool loss in infants and children with acute non-cholera diarrhoea was reduced by only 18% (6 to 30%). CONCLUSIONS: The benefit of rice oral rehydration salts solution for patients with cholera is sufficiently great to warrant its use in such patients. The benefit is considerably smaller for children with acute, noncholera diarrhoea and should be more precisely defined before its practical value can be judged.

PIP: This meta-analysis used data from 13 available randomized trials to compare 2 rehydration salts solutions. Specifically, it sought to define the benefit of rice oral rehydration salts in relation to the glucose-based WHO oral rehydration salts solution for treating and preventing dehydration in patients with severe dehydrating diarrhea. The studies compared 1367 patients with cholera, severe cholera-like diarrhea, or acute noncholera diarrhea; 668 received the standard WHO solution and 699 the rice based one. Each report was reviewed to determine patient eligibility, the number of patients who were randomized, and the number of these excluded from the analysis, details of the randomization procedure, and the precise timing of the outcome measurements. Stool output during the 1st 24 hours was measured and there were weighted estimates of the differences in mean stool output between treatments. The rice solution significantly reduced the rate of stool output during the 1st 24 hours by 36% (95% confidence interval 28-44%) in adults with cholera and by 32% (19-45%) in children with cholera. The rate of stool loss in infants and children with acute noncholera diarrhea was reduced by only 18% (6-30%). The benefit of rice oral rehydration salts solution for patients with cholera is sufficiently great to warrant its use in these patients. The benefit is considerably less for children with acute, noncholera diarrhea and should be more precisely defined before its practical value can be judge.

[Blood transfusion safety: current progress]. / Sécurité transfusionnelle: contribution des progrès réalisés.

For the past ten years, a real improvement in knowledge and methods concerning blood transfusion safety has been made. In this observation, concerning a polytraumatism patient who received massive blood transfusion with no immunologic nor infectious complications occurring one year later, brings evidence of real progress on blood transfusion safety for improvement in short and long term prognosis for polytransfused patients.

[Behavioral approach to stress and anxiety and the management of stress]. / Approche comportementale du "stress", de l'"anxiété" et gestion du "stress".

Prior to a study of stress and anxiety, an operational definition of these concepts appears to be essential. The correlative analysis of the three system responses (verbal-cognitive, motor and physiological) as proposed by Peter Lang seems to be promising. To day, a relative independence among these responses has been established. Moreover, the quality of the responses seems to depend on typological differences and on cognitive mechanisms, i.e. the acquired notion of controllability of the stressful situation. These recent results give further evidence to a more accurate use of psychotropic drugs in the behavior therapy of stress and anxiety reactions.

[Functional analysis of depressive states: integration of cognitive and behavioral contributions (author's transl)]. / Analyse fonctionnelle des états dépressifs: intégration des apports cognitifs et comportementaux.

The article provides a review of the main contributions both of behaviorally--and cognitively--oriented litterature on depressive states and depressive behaviors. These various data are organised so as to form into a tool for the functional analysis of depression: symptoms--structures--releasing factors--mechanisms--maintaining and aggravating factors. Synthetic tables at the end of the article constitute a first attempt at a clinical report allowing the pratician to evaluate the contributions--as well as the limits--of a behavioral approach of the depression phenomenom.