[Development and validation of an analytical method to quantify residues of cleaning products able to inactivate prion]. / Développement et validation d'une méthode de dosage des traces de détergents inactivants totaux du prion.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, a novel analytical method to quantify prion inactivating detergent in rinsing waters coming from the washer-disinfector of a hospital sterilization unit has been developed. The final aim was to obtain an easy and functional method in a routine hospital process which does not need the cleaning product manufacturer services. METHODS: An ICP-MS method based on the potassium dosage of the washer-disinfector's rinsing waters was developed. Potassium hydroxide is present on the composition of the three prion inactivating detergent currently on the French market. The detergent used in this study was the Actanios LDI(®) (Anios laboratories). A Passing and Bablok regression compares concentrations measured with this developed method and with the HPLC-UV manufacturer method. RESULTS: According to results obtained, the developed method is easy to use in a routine hospital process. The Passing and Bablok regression showed that there is no statistical difference between the two analytical methods during the second rinsing step. Besides, both methods were linear on the third rinsing step, with a 1.5ppm difference between the concentrations measured for each method. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the ICP-MS method developed is nonspecific for the detergent, but specific for the potassium element which is present in all prion inactivating detergent currently on the French market. This method should be functional for all the prion inactivating detergent containing potassium, if the sensibility of the method is sufficient when the potassium concentration is very low in the prion inactivating detergent formulation.

Screening for childhood lead poisoning in the industrial region of Fez, Morocco.

The study objectives were to estimate lead poisoning prevalence among children living next to an industrial area, to compare it to that in a control population, and to establish clinical and biological follow-up of the poisoned children. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study including 150 children (exposed and unexposed) performed between January 2012 and April 2013. It was meant to determine blood lead levels (BLLs) in children considered to be an exposed population (EP N 90), living in the industrial area Ain Nokb Fez compared with BLLs of children of other areas belonging to the same city supposed to be unexposed [UP (N = 60)]. A sociodemographic questionnaire was obtained, and a blood lead analysis was performed. Clinical and biological follow-up has been performed of poisoned children. The sample consisted of 90 EP children with an average age of 6.82 ± 3.32 years and male-to-female sex ratio (SR) of 1.5 and 60 UP children with an average age of 6.45 ± 3.29 years and an SR of 1.2. Among the 150 children recruited, the average of BLLs was 58.21 ± 36 µg/L (18-202.3 µg/L). The average of BLLs in EP children (71 ± 40 µg/L) was statistically greater (p < 0.0001) than that registered in UP children (38 ± 13 µg/L). All poisoned children belonged to the EP group at a prevalence of 21.1 %. The clinical and biological examinations of poisoned children showed a few perturbations such as anemia, hypocalcaemia, and deficiencies in magnesium and iron. No renal disease or objective neurological disorders were observed. In the follow-up of the children with BLL ≥100 µg/L (19 cases). BLL monitoring showed a significant decrease in average of blood concentration ranging from 136.75 ± 32.59 to 104.58 ± 32.73 µg/L (p < 0.0001) and in lead poisoning prevalence (p < 0.001), which decreased to 7.8 % from 21.1. Our study showed a high prevalence of lead poisoning (21.1 %) in EP children. The relocation of the industrial site associated with corrective and preventive measures has contributed to a decrease of exposure and lead poisoning prevalence in the aforementioned population.

[Evolution of feeding behavior in mothers of infants and young children from 1 to 36 months old in France]. / Conduite alimentaire des nourrissons et jeunes enfants âgés de 1 à 36 mois en France: évolution des habitudes des mères.

The SFAE conducts every eight years since 1981 a national survey on feeding behavior and consumption in children under 3 years old. In 2005, the authors noticed a great improvement of milk feeding behaviour in infants compared to 1982, 1989, and 1997. Infant formulas get more importance compared to cow milk before the age of 1 year, and growth milk takes more and more cow milk's place since 13-18 months old. Feeding diversification is postponed between 5 and 6 months old.

[Comparison of feeding behaviors in mothers of infants and young children from 0 to 36 months old]. / Comportement alimentaire des nourrissons et jeunes enfants de 0 à 36 mois : comparaison des habitudes des mères.

This article shows the second part of results from the "Behaviour" chapter of fourth edition of Feeding in French infants and young children Survey conducted by SFAE, in 2005, concerning mothers of 713 infants and young children from the age of 1 to 36 months. This survey, conducted every 8 years since 1981, shows that feeding behaviour of young children has improved, especially since 1997, with meals taken in family, postponement of diversification. It confirms that mothers need counselling for feeding their child, and especially from the medical profession. On the other hand, the transition to adult feeding is too fast since 1 year old; an early introduction of certain food as French fries, and cooked pork meat, early television viewing, a lack of sports are observed.

Pharmacokinetic analysis of pralidoxime after its intramuscular injection alone or in combination with atropine-avizafone in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Treatment of organophosphate poisoning with pralidoxime needs to be improved. Here we have studied the pharmacokinetics of pralidoxime after its intramuscular injection alone or in combination with avizafone and atropine using an auto-injector device. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The study was conducted in an open, randomized, single-dose, two-way, cross-over design. At each period, each subject received either intramuscular injections of pralidoxime (700 mg), or two injections of the combination: pralidoxime (350 mg), atropine (2 mg), avizafone (20 mg). Pralidoxime concentrations were quantified using a validated LC/MS-MS method. Two approaches were used to analyse these data: (i) a non-compartmental approach; and (ii) a compartmental modelling approach. KEY RESULTS: The injection of pralidoxime combination with atropine and avizafone provided a higher pralidoxime maximal concentration than that obtained after the injection of pralidoxime alone (out of bioequivalence range), while pralidoxime AUC values were equivalent. Pralidoxime concentrations reached their maximal value earlier after the injection of the combination. According to Akaike and to goodness of fit criteria, the best model describing the pharmacokinetics of pralidoxime was a two-compartment with a zero-order absorption model. When avizafone and atropine were injected with pralidoxime, the best model describing pralidoxime pharmacokinetics becomes a two-compartment with a first-order absorption model. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The two approaches, non-compartmental and compartmental, showed that the administration of avizafone and atropine with pralidoxime results in a faster absorption into the general circulation and higher maximal concentrations, compared with the administration of pralidoxime alone.

Stimulating effect of forskolin on thyroxine secretion. Influence of calcium.

The aim of this study was to determine, with a rat thyroid fragment perifusion system, the short-term (20 min) effect of forskolin (FK), an adenylate cyclase activator, on T4 secretion, the effect of forskolin on T4 secretion stimulated by theophylline and TSH, and the role played by calcium in the forskolin effect. A dose-dependent effect on T4 secretion was obtained with forskolin, from 10(-8) to 10(-4) mol/l, with a maximal effect between 10(-6) and 10(-5) mol/l. The effect of forskolin was not increased by theophylline. The combined stimulation with forskolin and theophylline induced a T4 release which remained significantly lower than the effect of 22 or 65 mIU/ml TSH. Forskolin slightly increased the stimulating effect of 22 mIU/ml TSH but significantly decreased the effect of 65 mIU/ml TSH. A reduction in the buffer calcium concentration slightly decreased the effect of the forskolin and theophylline stimulations and the effect of the combined stimulation with forskolin and theophylline without suppressing completely the effect of these stimulations. This study demonstrates that 1) low concentrations of forskolin are able to induce a significant T4 release during short-term stimulations; 2) calcium is necessary in order to obtain a maximum effect of adenylate cyclase activation on T4 release; 3) the part of the thyroid hormone response to TSH which is mediated by adenylate cyclase activation is relatively small.