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Biobased packaging is an essential parameter in the pharmaceutical industry. In the present work, bio-composites consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as a matrix and lignin recovered from argan nut shells as filler were developed to investigate their potential use as packaging materials for vitamin C drugs. The lignin was extracted via alkali and klason processes, and the effects of the extraction method as well as the lignin content on the thermal, morphological, mechanical, and rheological properties of the produced composites, as well as their application for vitamin C packaging, were investigated. Among all the prepared packaging materials, the one with desirable results in pH, color stability, hardness, and mechanical characteristics was based on alkali lignin. It achieved its highest Young's modulus enhancement, 10.12 %, at 10 % alkali lignin loading, while the highest yield strain enhancement (4.65 %) was obtained with 2 % loading. When compared to neat HDPE and HDPE/klason lignin packaging materials, vitamin C solutions packed with this composite showed a lower oxidation rate, attributed to the extremely low pH variation and high color stability of the material, which decreased the rate of vitamin C degradation. According to these findings, HDPE/alkali lignin composite is a promising vitamin C syrup packaging material.
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Lignina , Polietileno , Polietileno/química , Lignina/química , Ácido Ascórbico , Vitaminas , Embalaje de ProductosRESUMEN
Smart materials based on biomaterials have been shown growing interest by researchers. This paper investigated pH-indicator film with less leaching containing betalain molecule extracted from red prickly pear fixed in the cellulose-alginate blend as a matrix. Herein, the film was manufactured from a blend containing covalently bounded cellulose with betalain via the creation of a Fischer esterification (FE) to solve the leaching problem of dyes in contact with food. The structural, thermal, morphological optical, and mechanical properties and the pH-sensitive properties of films were examined. The FTIR and color analysis confirmed the fisher esterification. The fisher esterification led to a pH-indicator film with less leaching with significant color stability against UV light. The smart film changes colors with the pH values, where it goes from purple at a pH below 10 to yellow color at a pH above 10. All those proprieties with contact angles helped this film to be used as an intelligent film for monitoring salmon spoilage.
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Betalaínas , Celulosa , Celulosa/química , Alginatos , Embalaje de Alimentos , Colorantes/química , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Antocianinas/químicaRESUMEN
Griscelli syndrome (GS) is a rare genetic disorder that encompasses three different subtypes (GS type 1 (GS1), GS type 2 (GS2), and GS type 3 (GS3)), in which isolated neurological manifestations without immune system implications are typically seen in GS1, while neurological involvements in GS2 should be attributed to the macrophage and lymphocyte invasion of the central nervous system (CNS), under associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The presence of the clinical, biological, and hematologic features of HLH help explain the neurological defects that GS2 patients unusually present. In our case report, however, we attempt to highlight an uncommon presentation of GS2 involving a hemiparesis, along which we did not have any clinical or biological features of HLH. We also collect and evaluate similar published cases that feature this problem of explaining the neurological manifestations among GS2 patients.
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The UV-protection films based on renewable materials extracted from natural sources are being one of the most interesting targets for the packaging industry. In this paper, the UV-protection films were produced based on modified lignin and cellulose nanocrystals, both were extracted from the Argania nutshell. The lignin was extracted via the alkylation process followed by chemical modification using epichlorohydrin. The chemical modification and the in-use temperature range of the films were investigated via FTIR and TGA, where the chemical modification of lignin improves the thermal property which is an essential parameter during the thermo-sealing of food packaging. On the other hand, the CNCs were extracted via acid hydrolysis treatment with the smallest size around 300 nm generating smooth texture of films. Finally, the produced films were shown a maximum absorption of the UV light in the range of 450-200 nm and great results in food packaging.
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Celulosa , Nanopartículas , Celulosa/química , Embalaje de Alimentos/métodos , Esperanza de Vida , Lignina/química , Nanopartículas/químicaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The clinical manifestations and the evolution of patients with COVID-19 are variable. In addition to respiratory involvement, COVID-19 leads to systemic involvement and can affect the hematopoietic system. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of hematological and hemocytometric parameters in predicting the severity of patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study at Mohammed VI university Hospital from 1 March to 11 November 2020. We collected demographic characteristics and hematological findings of incident COVID-19 cases. RESULTS: A total of 245 patients were included in our study. We found that the rate of lymphopenia was significantly reduced in patients who were severely affected by COVID-19. Additionally, the rate of neutrophilia, the neutrophil side fluorescence light signal, monocyte fluorescent intensity, monocyte size, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio were significantly elevated in patients who were severely affected by COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with the literature regarding the predictive value of these markers. A prospective validation in a large population with a longer follow-up is required.
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COVID-19 , Linfopenia , Humanos , Marruecos/epidemiología , Neutrófilos , Estudios Retrospectivos , SARS-CoV-2RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The combination of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) makes the diagnosis difficult due to their similar clinical presentation, with a poor prognosis especially since the treatment is still poorly codified.We report the case of a 17-month-old female patient from Berkane, presenting for a 3 months history of anarchic fever with anemic syndrome made up of pallor and hemorrhagic syndrome made up of epistaxis. Physical examination revealed a temperature of 39 ° C, lower limbsedema, paleness of skin and mucous membranes, gingival petechiae, bleached hair, and hepatosplenomegaly. CASE PRESENTATION: The complete blood count showed pancytopenia with deep aregenerative normochromic normocytic anemia at 3 g/dL, leukocytes were at 4860/mm 3 with neutropenia at 680/mm 3 and thrombocytopenia at 12.000/mm3, the blood smear was without abnormality. These anomalies were associated with a hypoalbunemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperferritinemia, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was at 337 IU/L, low prothrombin time (PT) at 56 % and fibrinogen level at 1 g/L. The direct Coombs test was positive. Examination of the myelogram revealed the presence of leishmania bodies and figures of hemophagocytosis. A diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis associated with MAS was made.The patient was put on liposomal amphotericin B and corticosteroid therapy with good clinical and biological evolution and good therapeutic tolerance. CONCLUSION: The association of VL and MAS remains rare and should be evoked even in non-endemic areas since late diagnosis worsens the prognosis and may even be responsible for the death of patients despite an aggressive treatment.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The presence of yeasts in the urine is not synonymous with urinary tract infection since it can result in simple colonization or contamination. Regarding this, it is required to further clarify the epidemiological profile of funguria. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to establish the epidemiology of funguria in the Mohammed VI Teaching Hospital of Oujda, Morocco. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on all urine samples sent for cytobacteriological examination to a microbiology laboratory over a period of 28 months (i.e., from March 2016 to June 2018). After the removal of duplicates, the urine samples were treated according to the recommendations of the medical microbiology standards. RESULTS: A total of 15,165 urine samples were collected. Urinary colonization accounted for 4.94% (n=749) of cases. The infections of the urinary tract accounted for 5.35% (n=811) of cases. Microbial isolates (n=1,669) in colonization and urinary tract infections were dominated by bacteria (93.47%, n=1,560). Furthermore, the yeasts accounted for 6.53% (n=109) of the isolates. Candida albicans was isolated from 56.88% (n=62) of funguria cases. The risk factors for funguria in our series were essentially old age, admission to intensive care unit, and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: The current level of knowledge about the clinical situations leading to funguria with the improvement and popularization of efficient identification techniques for yeasts other than C. albicans should redress the epidemiology of funguria. This should allow the knowledgeable societies to establish the rules of interpreting the cytobacteriological examination of the urine in case of funguria, as for bacteriuria.
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The cytobacteriological examination of urine (CBEU) is the most prescribed test in a microbiology laboratory. The objectives of this work were to present our experience in carrying out the CBEU and to share one of the means that we consider very useful in the daily practice of this crucial analysis. This is a 28-month prospective study (March 2016 to June 2018). The CBEU was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the medical microbiology referential (REMIC). Antibiotic susceptibility was studied in accordance with the recommendations of the l'European committee on antimicrobial susceptibility testing (EUCAST). Cultures were positive for urinary tract infection in 5.09% (n=769) of cases and for colonization in 4.88% (n=737) of cases. E. coli alone accounted for 57.8% (n=850) of all isolates. In our experience, the display of the interpretation flowchart at the bench level, as well as the availability of clinical information and cytology results when examining urocultures, allows our technicians to decide, independently, what action to take for each CBEU according to the particular context of the patient for whom it has been prescribed. Similarly, this flowchart allows the unique microbiologist in the laboratory to contextually interpret each CBEU.
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Técnicas Bacteriológicas , Interpretación Estadística de Datos , Diseño de Software , Urinálisis , Infecciones Urinarias/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Técnicas Bacteriológicas/métodos , Técnicas Bacteriológicas/estadística & datos numéricos , Niño , Preescolar , Escherichia coli/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones por Escherichia coli/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Escherichia coli/microbiología , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Prospectivos , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Urinálisis/métodos , Urinálisis/estadística & datos numéricos , Infecciones Urinarias/microbiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is a routine analysis in the daily practice of a medical biology laboratory. This study aimed to analyze the different electrophoretic profiles seen in our current practice. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 410 serum samples collected during the routine analyses in the Laboratory of Biochemistry at the University Hospital Mohammed VI in Oujda. Serum protein electrophoresis was performed using automated instrument CAPILLARYS 2 FLEX-PIERCING, SEBIA. 241 sera from women and 169 sera from men were collected. Patients were aged between 1-91 years, with an average age of 49 years; 19.5% of SPEs were normal, hypoalbuminemia was found in 34% of cases, chronic inflammatory syndrome in 19.5% of cases, nephrotic syndrome in 2% of cases, 5.8% of our patients had betagamma block, hypogammaglobulinemia was found in 8.5% of cases and 29 monoclonal peaks were noted, bisalbuminemia was found in 2 patients. Out of 410 collections: 92 immunofixations were performed, of whom 23 were positive (showing monoclonal gammopathy). This study highlights the variability in prescribing serum protein electrophoresis as well as the importance of clinical data for a better interpretation.
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Electroforesis de las Proteínas Sanguíneas/métodos , Hipoalbuminemia/diagnóstico , Inflamación/diagnóstico , Paraproteinemias/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Adulto , Agammaglobulinemia/diagnóstico , Agammaglobulinemia/epidemiología , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Niño , Preescolar , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Hospitales Universitarios , Humanos , Hipoalbuminemia/epidemiología , Lactante , Inflamación/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Síndrome Nefrótico/diagnóstico , Síndrome Nefrótico/epidemiología , Paraproteinemias/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The aim of this work is to present the results of a comparative study between the ALT assay on Integra 400 plus Roche Diagnostic versus Architect ci8200 of Abbott Diagnostic. METHODS: A total of 200 patients hospitalized in the various departments of the university hospital Mohammed VI of Oujda were prospectively tested on two systems: Abbott Architect ci8200 and Roche Integra 400 plus. Both analyzers use the spectrophotometric technique by coupling the transamination reaction to the oxidation-reduction reaction at NAD. The agreement of the results between the different techniques was evaluated using the Bland-Altman difference diagram and the Passing-Bablok and Deming regression line. RESULTS: There was a high concordance between the two assays: the equation of the Passing-Bablok line is YArchitect â= â-0,5625 â+ â0,9917 XIntegra with a correlation coefficient r2â¯=â¯0.999. The Bland-Altman diagram shows that the mean bias between the two methods is of the order of 1.1 IU/L and the difference between the ALT measurements by Architect and Integra is in the range of -1.4 to 3.6. CONCLUSION: Our study shows a high correlation of the ALT assay results between the architect ci8200 and Integra 400 plus.
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Gaucher disease (GD) is a lysosomal storage disease. It corresponds to a congenital deficit in ß-glucocerebrosidase. This pathology should be considered in the presence of unexplained splenomegaly, with or without signs of haemorrhage, skeletal manifestations or hepatomegaly. The diagnosis is based on the measurement of the ß-glucocerebrosidase activity but the preanalytical process should be respected in order to avoid the under-diagnosis of this disorder and the delay of its management. We report two cases of Gaucher disease collected at Mohammed VI University Hospital and Al Farabi regional hospital in Oujda. We have emphasized the need for a reference center for overload diseases.
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Non-secretory myeloma (NSM) is a rare form of myeloma. It is defined as monoclonal plasmocytic proliferation of the bone marrow with the same clinical and radiological manifestations of myeloma. However, plasma cells are unable to secrete immunoglobulin (serum and urinary electrophoresis are negative and free light chain measurement is unquantifiable). This variant of multiple myeloma (MM) usually poses a diagnostic challenge to the biologist and clinician. We report a rare case of non-secretory myeloma in a 76-year-old patient who was diagnosed at the Mohammed V University Hospital Center in Oujda, Morocco.
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Parathormone (PTH) is the main hormone of phosphocalcic homeostasis. It is synthesized and secreted by the parathyroid glands. PTH has become a routine test in the medical biology laboratory. However, its measurement presents analytical difficulties with the various marketed kits. The aim of this work is to present the results of a comparative study between the PTH measurment on Abbott architect ci8200 and on Roche's Cobas e411 automaton. It is a prospective study carried out for 252 hospitalized patients in the various departments of the University Hospital Center Mohammed VI of Oujda. The "intact" PTH tests were performed on two automata: Abbott Architect ci8200 and Roche Cobas e411. The first uses chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. The second uses electrochemiluminiscence sandwich enzyme immunoassay. The agreement of the results between the different techniques was evaluated using the Bland-Altman difference diagram and the Passing-Bablok and Deming regression line (MedCalc software version 14.8.1.0®). By analyzing the diagram of Bland-Altman, we note that the average bias between both methods is of the order of 193.9 pg/mL. As for the equation of the right of Passing-Bablok, it is: Y(Architect) = 3.11 X (Cobas) - 12.26. In conclusion, our study shows a great discrepancy between the results of the PTH assay on the Architect ci8200 versus the Cobas e411, hence the biologist's indisputable role in the control and evaluation of the kits marketed through the various validation tests.
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Análisis Químico de la Sangre/instrumentación , Análisis Químico de la Sangre/métodos , Hormona Paratiroidea/sangre , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Recolección de Muestras de Sangre/normas , Niño , Preescolar , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Inmunoensayo/instrumentación , Inmunoensayo/métodos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Hormona Paratiroidea/análisis , Radioinmunoensayo/instrumentación , Radioinmunoensayo/métodos , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
This study aimed at developing a biocomposite using polypropylene (PP) as the matrix and Argan nut shell (ANS) as reinforcement. Also, styrene-(ethylene-butene)-styrene triblock copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) was used as a coupling agent. The samples were prepared by using extrusion compounding followed by injection molding to determine the effect of filler and coupling agent content on the morphological, thermal, mechanical, and hygroscopic properties of the biocomposites. SEM micrographs revealed that good ANS dispersion/distribution into PP was achieved with an important reduction of fiber pull-out, micro-spaces, and voids with coupling agent addition. This led to substantial improvement intension, torsion, and water absorption reduction due to improved interfacial adhesion. Although ANS particles did not significantly modify the thermal stability of PP, the use of a coupling agent increased it. The experimental data were compared with several theoretical models such Voigt, Reuss, Hirsch, and Tsai-Pagano to characterize the interfacial adhesion quality and to determine the elastic modulus of a single ANS particle. Finally, all the results show that Argan waste to produce PP biocomposites is an interesting avenue to effectively deal with agricultural wastes and develop valuable industrial and practical applications.