[Latent posttraumatic stress disorder in psychiatry at the Mohammed VI university hospital in Oujda]. / État de stress post-traumatique latent en psychiatrie au CHU Mohammed VI Oujda.

INTRODUCTION: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric disorder following exposure to a traumatic event. It is rarely diagnosed alone. High comorbidity has been observed between PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this work is to evaluate the prevalence of latent PTSD in a population followed in a service of psychiatry and to describe the associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study of 300 patients treated for psychiatric disorders, using a hetero-questionnaire containing sociodemographic data, personal and family history, clinical and therapeutic data, and characteristics of the traumatic event. The MINI was used to screen for PTSD and assess suicidal risk. RESULTS: Exposure to a traumatic event is reported by 46.7% of patients, and PTSD by 19.7%. The suicidal risk is 47.7% in the presence of this comorbidity. An ESPT is significantly associated with a schizoaffective disorder and significant suicidal risk. The recentness of the traumatic event, the presence of a state of acute stress and the absence of family psychological support are significantly associated with the occurrence of PTSD. CONCLUSION: A significant number of patients with a psychiatric disorder have undiagnosed PTSD, thus explaining their clinical deterioration. Screening and treatment of the underlying PTSD would help to improve their management.

Stealth nanoparticles coated with heparin as peptide or protein carriers.

Nanoparticles (prepared from a mixture of polyester and a polycationic polymer) loaded with insulin were prepared by a double emulsion method followed by evaporation solvent. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was bound by electrostatic interactions onto the surface of the particles to confer Stealth properties. These nanoparticles were characterized in vitro (mean diameter, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and release kinetics) and compared with conventional (without LMWH) and unloaded nanoparticles. The pharmacokinetics of insulin were studied after intravenous injection into diabetic rats in the form of Stealth or conventional nanoparticles or as a solution. Stealth nanoparticles allowed an increase in the elimination half-life of insulin, showing that the hydrophilic layer of LMWH was able to limit recognition by the mononuclear phagocytosis system in vivo. However, complement activation studies (CH50) did not reveal significant difference between Stealth and conventional nanoparticles.

Composite microparticles with in vivo reduction of the burst release effect.

The aim of this study was to develop microparticles containing nanoparticles (composite microparticles) for prolonged drug delivery with reduced burst effect in vitro and in vivo. Such composite microparticles were prepared with hydrophobic and biodegradable polymers [poly(epsilon-caprolactone), poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid]. Ibuprofen was chosen as the model drug, and microparticles were prepared by the extraction technique with ethyl acetate as the solvent. Nanoparticles and microparticles and an ibuprofen solution (Pedea) were administered subcutaneously at the dose of 1 mg of ibuprofen per kg to overnight-fasted rats (male Wistar). Composite microparticles showed prolonged ibuprofen release and less burst effect when compared to simple microparticles (without nanoparticles inside) or nanoparticles both in vitro (PBS buffer) and in vivo. Moreover, ibuprofen was still detected in the plasma after 96 h with composite microparticles. Consequently, it has been demonstrated that composite microparticles were able to reduce burst release and prolong the release of ibuprofen for a long period of time.