Fabrication of an electrochemical sensor based on eggshell waste recycling for the voltammetric simultaneous detection of the antibiotics ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin.

In this work, an accurate, highly sensitive, and economical electrochemical sensor based on a carbon paste electrode modified by Ca2CuO3 nanostructure (Ca2CuO3 NS) was constructed using Eggshell waste recycling as a cheap source of calcium. The Ca2CuO3 NS was analyzed using FTIR, SEM, and XRD measurements. The synthesized nanomaterials utilized for the first time to enhance the electrocatalytic efficiency of carbon paste electrode (CPE) toward fluoroquinolones antibiotics ofloxacin (OFL) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), The drugs used to treat pneumonia caused by COVID-19. The synthesized Ca2CuO3 NS dramatically enhanced the anodic peak response of CPE toward both drugs compared to the unmodified one and other modified electrodes. The simultaneous detection of the two antibiotics was performed in the linear range of 0.09-1.0 µM for OFL and 0.05-0.8 µM for CIP with the LOD of 0.027 µM and 0.012 µM, respectively. The suggested method was applied successfully to determine OFL and CIP in real samples.

[Azoospermia and a history of inguinal hernia repair in adult]. / Azoospermie et antécédent de cure de hernie inguinale chez l'adulte.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most performed surgeries in the world. It is recognized that any surgery of the pelvic floor may represent a risk factor of male infertility. METHOD: Retrospective study of patients with azoospermia and a history of adult inguinal hernia repair surgery and referred to our center between January 1990 and January 2011 for infertility. RESULTS: Among 69 azoospermia patients with history of adult inguinal hernia repair surgery, 60 patients underwent surgical extraction of sperm that was successful in 75% (45/60). Positive extraction rate decreases in the subgroup of patients with risk factors for infertility (61.4%) as well as in the group with bilateral inguinal hernia (67.9%). There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rate of sperm retrieval according to surgical technique or according to the use of polypropylene mesh (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The obstruction of the vas deferens due to an inguinal hernia repair was a potential iatrogenic cause of male infertility that was rare and underestimated. The influence of using a polypropylene mesh was not clearly demonstrated. The management of these patients is based on prevention in order to identify patients with risk factors of infertility in order to propose a presurgery cryopreservation of sperm. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

[Evaluation of a nurse educational program for intracavernous alprostadil injections after radical prostatectomy]. / Évaluation d'un programme infirmier d'éducation thérapeutique pour les injections intra-caverneuses d'alprostadil après prostatectomie radicale.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a nurse educational program for penile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy (RP) based on intracavernous alprostadil injection (IAI). PATIENTS: One hundred consecutive patients started IAI one month after RP under the supervision of a nurse practitioner (day 0). Patients performed the first injection (2.5 µg); they were advised to increase gradually the dose of alprostadil until having satisfactory erections. Patients having difficulties with IAI were called back by the nurse. They received a medical follow-up at the uro-oncology department at 6 months. We assessed at D0, D15 and at 6 months: the ability to complete the IAI, the occurrence of priapism, the injected doses, the recovery of sexual function (EHS and GAQ scores), and pain in erection (numeric rating scale). RESULTS: Eighty-one percent of patients were very satisfied with the educational program. On day 15, 93% of patients achieved IAI (mean injected dose: 5.2 µg). No priapism was noted. The treatment had ameliorated erections in 80% of cases (GAQ); 47% of patients had erections hard enough to allow penetration (EHS>2) and 39% had sexual intercourses. Pain to erection (3.9/10 on average) represented a motive of request for recall for 2/3 of the patients. At 6 months, the dropout rate was 31%; mean pain level, EHS score and injected dose were respectively 3.2/10, 2.9/4 and 8.8 µg. CONCLUSIONS: The nurse educational program for penile rehabilitation after RP was associated with satisfactory rates of self-injection accomplishment and treatment observance. However, close and prolonged follow up was necessary because of post-IAI penile pain.

[Management of erectile dysfunction by general practitioners and endocrinologists in diabetes: a survey of 130 patients]. / Attitudes des médecins généralistes et endocrinologues face à la dysfonction érectile du patient diabétique: enquête auprès de 130 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence, the severity and expectations regarding erectile dysfunction (ED) in diabetic patients, then to investigate how general practitioners (GP) and endocrinologists manage this disorder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was given during 5 weeks to every diabetic patient addressed to the endocrinology department in order to assess erectile function (IIEF5), patient's bother and expectations to be treated, and the management of ED by GP and endocrinologists and differences in management between male and female doctors. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty questionnaires were available. Mean age was 57.5 and the mean IIEF5 score was 13.6. Twenty-two patients (16.9%) reported an IIEF5 score less than 5 and 75 patients (57,6%) reported an IIEF5 between 5 and 20. Eighty-six patients declared ED (66.2%). In these patients, 76 (88.4%) sought for a medical treatment and 11 (12.8%) received a treatment for ED. Endocrinologists were more active than GP in the screening of ED (59.5% vs 19.4%, P=0.001) but prescribed a treatment less often (14.3% vs 45.2%, P=0.008). Female doctors seemed less active in ED management (29.3% vs 13.3%, NS). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the lack of ED management by GT and endocrinologists in diabetic patients in spite of ED's frequency and patients' expectations.

Optimisation of the composition of a screen-printed acrylate polymer enzyme layer with respect to an improved selectivity and stability of enzyme electrodes.

Glucose oxidase (GOD) was immobilized on screen-printed platinum electrodes by entrapment in a screen printable paste polymerized by irradiation with UV-light. The influences of different additives, in particular polymers and graphite, on the sensitivity and stability of the sensor and the permeability of the enzyme layer for a possible electrochemical interferent were investigated. The chosen additives were Gafquat 755N, poly-L-lysine, bovine serum albumin (BSA), sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), Nafion and graphite. All additives led to increases of glucose signals, i.e. improved the sensitivity of glucose detection with Gafquat 755N, poly-L-lysine, SDS and graphite showing the strongest influences with increases by a factor 4, 6.5, 5 and 10, respectively. Ascorbic acid was used as a model interferent showing the influence of the enzyme layer composition on the selectivity of the sensor. The addition of Gafquat 755N or poly-L-lysine led to higher signals not only for glucose, but also for ascorbic acid. SDS addition already reduced the influence of ascorbic acid, which was almost completely eliminated when Nafion (5%) and PEG (10%) were added. A comparable beneficial effect on the selectivity of the sensors was also observed for the addition of 0.5% graphite. Thus, the enzyme electrodes with PEG, Nafion or graphite as additives in the enzyme layer were applied to glucose determinations in food samples and samples obtained from E. coli cultivations.

Cathodic stripping voltammetry of the anticancer agent 5-fluorouracil and determination in urine.

Cathodic stripping voltammetry was used to determine 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the presence of traces of Cu(II). It was found that the addition of 5 x 10(-9) mol dm(-3) Cu(II) to the measurement cell greatly enhanced the peak current of the adsorbed molecule. Different parameters were tested to optimize the conditions for the determination of 5-FU. The adsorbed form is reduced irreversibly. It was observed that by controlling the deposition potential, the technique could be directed to the determination of Cu(II) or the drug. The linear range was from 5 x 10(-9) to 6 x 10(-8) mol dm(-3) for 5-FU and from 6 x 10(-9) to 5 x 10(-8) mol dm(-3) for Cu(II). Detection limits of 4.6 x 10(-10) and 5 x 10(-10) mol dm(-3) were obtained for 5-FU and Cu(II), respectively. The method was applied to urine and molecules or ions which may interfere were studied.

Determination of Ag(I) with chemically modified carbon paste electrode based on 2,3-dicyano 1,4-naphthoquinone.

The utility of carbon paste modified with 2,3-dicyano 1,4-naphthoquinone (CYNQ) for the voltammetric determination of Ag(I) is demonstrated. The method is based on the formation of Ag(I) complex with CYNQ by accumulation from the aqueous solution to the electrode surface without an applied potential. Using the medium exchange technique, the electrode was transferred to another media followed by linear-scan voltammetric measurements. The reduction peak of the Ag(I)-CYNQ complex was observed at +0.22 V (vs. SCE). The silver response is studied with respect to paste composition, pH of the measurement solution, reproducibility, interference and other variables. A detection limit of 5 x 10(-8)M was obtained and the calibration curve was linear over the range 1 x 10(-6)-8 x 10(-5)M.

Electroreduction and determination of Pipril (Piperacillin) in both aqueous and biological samples.

The electrochemical behavior of the relatively new antibacterial antibiotic Pipril (Piperacillin) at the dropping mercury electrode is investigated using both direct current polarography (DCP) and differential pulse polarography (DPP). At the hanging mercury electrode (HMDE), the reduction mechanism has been elucidated using cyclic voltammetric technique in the pH range from 2 to 10. The effect of some metal ions, e.g. Cu(II) and Pb(II) has been also tested. Determination of the drug using adsorptive stripping analysis was assessed in both aqueous and urine samples. The effect of the different experimental parameters affecting the drug determination, e.g. pH, supporting electrolyte nature, accumulation potential, accumulation time and other operational parameters are also mentioned. Detection limits of 5 x 10(-9) and 1 x 10(-8)M Pipril in aqueous and urine samples, respectively, are achieved.

Applications in drug analysis of carbon paste electrodes modified by fatty acids.

The oxidation of promethazine as a model compound has been studied by adsorptive stripping voltammetry at carbon paste electrodes (CPE). A modification of the carbon paste matrix with fatty acids allows greater preconcentration of the molecule at the electrode surface. Several fatty acids of different chain length have been tested. The modification of the CPE with lauric acid has been successfully applied in the quantitative analysis of promethazine in standard serum samples. The influence of several parameters affecting the accumulation step has been investigated such as: pH, ionic strength, interfering ions, paste composition. The detection limit in phosphate buffer at pH 9.0 (tacc = 5 min) has been found to be 1 x 10(-10) M.