Search

The complex structure of the eye poses challenges in delivering drugs effectively, which can be circumvented by employing nanotechnologies. The present study aimed to prepareacetazolamide-loadedleciplex (ACZ - LP) using a simple one-step fabrication approach followed byoptimization employing a 3 2 Full Factorial Design. The ACZ - LP demonstrated high entrapment efficiency (93.25 ± 2.32 %), average diameter was recorded around 171.03 ± 3.32 with monodisperse size distribution and zeta potential of 41.33 ± 2.10 mV. Invitro release and ex vivo permeation studies of prepared formulation demonstrated an initial burst release in 1 h followed by sustained release pattern as compared to plain acetazolamide solution. Moreover, an ex vivo corneal drug retention (27.05 ± 1.20 %) and in vitro mucoadhesive studies with different concentration of mucin indicated strong electrostatic bonding confirming the mucoadhesive characteristics of the formulation. Additionally, the histopathological studies ensured that the formulation was non-irritant and nontoxic while and HET-CAM ensured substantial tolerability of the formulation. The in vivo pharmacodynamic investigation carried out on a rabbit model demonstrated that treatment with ACZ - LP resulted in a significant and prolonged reduction in intraocular pressure as compared to plain acetazolamide solution, acetazolamide oral tablet, and Brinzox®. In summary, the ACZ - LP is anefficient and versatile drug delivery approach which demonstrates significant potential in controlling glaucoma., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Palm olein (PO) and olive oil (OO) are widely consumed in the world. PO is considered harmful to health, whereas OO is considered healthy. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of consumption of these oils on antioxidant status and inflammation in rats. This was an experimental study in male wistar rats fed a diet containing 30% of each oil. Rats had free access to food and water. After being fed for 12 weeks, animals were sacrificed and liver and aortic blood were collected. Plasma was used for the determination of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and oxidative stress parameters (Superoxide dismutase -SOD; Gluthation peroxidase - GPx; Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances - TBARS; Thiol groups and isoprostane). The inflammation and oxidative stress status as well as the expression of several genes/proteins were also analyzed in liver homogenate. No significant differences were observed between PO and OO in plasma and liver levels of the studied inflammation and oxidative stress parameters. This study showed that the consumption of PO induces an antioxidant status superimposable to that of OO.   Key words : Palm olein - Olive oil - Oxidative stress - Inflammation - High fat diet.

Treatment scale-up is leading to a progressive increase in HIV resistance to antiretrovirals, especially in children. To assess resistance to reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) in HIV-1 infected children in Côte d'Ivoire, genotypic resistance tests were performed and interpreted using the ANRS algorithm (www.hivfrenchresistance.org). Phylogenetic trees were created using BioEdit v7 and Mega7 software. The frequency of resistance to at least one RTI was 79%. It was 88% for nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), 71% for non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), and 63% for both classes (NRTI + NNRTI). The frequency of resistance was 50% for the ZDV + 3TC + EFV combination, 42% for the ABC + 3TC + EFV combination, and 8% for the TDF + 3TC + EFV combination. Frequently encountered resistance mutations were for NRTIs: M184V (88%), TAMs (67%), T215F/I/V/Y (33%), and L74I/V (24%); for NNRTIs: K103N/S (74%), P225H (26%), and G190A/E/Q (24%). The synthesis of phylogenetic analyses showed the predominance of the viral subtype CRF02_AG (85%). These results show a high prevalence of resistance to RTIs in children infected with HIV-1. Hence the interest of a more accessible monitoring of viral load and genotypic resistance tests in HIV-1 infected children undergoing treatment in Côte d'Ivoire.

Purpose: Palm (PO) and olive oils (OO) are the two most consumed and/or used oils in the world for food elaboration. These oils should not be confused with the solid palm stearin which is widely used in pastry making. Large number of studies was reported dealing with adverse/beneficial cardiovascular effects of PO and OO, whereas few studies were conducted to compare their potential effects on hepatic steatosis and liver lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to compare the metabolic effects of high intake of POs (both crude and refined) and virgin OO on surrogate parameters of glucose tolerance, hepatic lipid metabolism and liver integrity., Methods: Thirty-two young male Wistar rats were divided into four equal groups and fed either control diet (11% energy from fat) or three high-fat diets rich in crude or refined POs or in OO (56% energy from fat), during 12 weeks. Systemic blood and liver biochemical parameters linked to glucose and lipid metabolism as well as hepatic steatosis and liver fatty acid composition were explored. The inflammation and oxidative stress status as well as the expression of several genes/proteins were also analyzed., Results: The major effects of POs intake concerned glucose metabolism and liver fatty acid composition, whereas the major effects of OO intake concerned hepatic TG accumulation, inflammation, and cytolysis., Conclusions: In conclusion, high dietary intake of PO compromises glucose tolerance whereas high dietary intake of OO compromises hepatic lipid composition and liver integrity. However, adverse hepatic effects of OO observed in this study may not be transposed to human since, (a) the rodent model could lead to different effects than those observed in humans and (b) the average normal OO amounts ingested in the population are lower than those corresponding to a high-fat diet. So, further studies are needed to determine a maximum non-invasive dietary intake of OO.

This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of microalbuminuria in preventing kidney damage in systemic lupus erythemathosus. This was a prospective study of 6 months has focused on 25 patients of both sexes aged over 14 with SLE whose diagnosis was based on the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology, having a negative proteinuria at the dipstick (Ketodiastix(®)) and a balance sheet normal renal (creatinine and uraemia normal). Each month, samples of venous blood were achieved at the elbow in patients fasted for the night (12pm). The serum obtained was used for measurement of creatinine and urea, according to conventional methods, by a Hitachi 902(®) automated random type. The determination of urinary albumin by immuno-nephelometric method (Hitachi 902(®)), in search of microalbuminuria has involved the collection of urine over 24 hours in a sterile jar containing crystals of thymol as an antiseptic. In the presence of microalbuminuria, the dose of prednisone was progressively increased by 5 mg until no microalbuminuria. We found: 1) that creatinine and blood urea remained normal during the 6 months of study, 2) the disappearance of microalbuminuria first two months after increasing the daily dose of corticosteroid with a significant decrease of albuminuria from day 0 to day 180 (p = 0.001, day 180 vs day 0), 3) a female predominance with a sex ratio of 0.13. In conclusion, the regular dosage and systematic albuminuria to microalbuminuria appears to be a reliable means for diagnosis of lupus glomerulonephritis in the subclinical stage to prevent renal complications that occur during the Supported Lupus erythematosus.

To determine the prevalence of ketotic hypoglycemia among schoolchildren, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in preschools and schools in rural areas that involved 102 schoolchildren, from 4 to 7 years old, comprised 51 girls and 51 boys. Index WHZ was used to evaluate the children's nutritional status. The sampling was obtained by a drop of capillary blood in the pulp of the finger. The determination of glucose was realized by glucose oxidase method using an ultra sensitive and fast (One Touch Ultra) glucometer, and ketonuria was detected by dipstick "Ketodiastix." The clinical results revealed that most of children had a normal birth weight with an average of 2.885 g, a good Apgar's score superior to 7, and then the nutritional index WHZ revealed 3% of severe malnutrition and 34% of moderate malnutrition. Ten children (9.8%) had a hypoglycemia with a median of 0.51 g/l and extreme values going from 0.42 to 0.59 g/l. Seven children had a hypoglycemia associated with ketonuria. The prevalence of ketotic hypoglycemia was 7% in this study, and more frequent in the children between 4 and 5 years with 57% of cases in this age group. Thus, this condition, found in Western countries is a reality in Côte d'Ivoire, where the diathesis of malnutrition (37% of the population of the study) is a favorable factor. Therefore, it is useful to prevent protein-energy malnutrition by a balanced food by avoiding fasting before school by diet management.