The effects of magnesium nanovesicle formulations on spatial memory performance in mice.

AIM: The study investigates the effects of magnesium nanovesicles on the memory processes performance in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: L-a-phosphatidylcholine was used to obtain nano formulations as lipid vesicles systems stabilized thereafter with chitosan. The experiment was carried out on white Swiss mice, divided into 3 groups of 7 animals each, treated orally 7 consecutive days: Group I (Control): 0.1 mL/10g distilled water; Group II (Mg): 1 mmol/kbw magnesium chloride; Group III (Mg-vesicles): 1 mmol/kbw magnesium nanovesicles. The spatial memory performance was assessed by recording spontaneous alternation behavior in Y-maze test. Each animal was placed at the end of one arm and allowed to move freely through the maze during a single 8 min session. Alternation was defined as a consecutive entry in three different arms. The alternation percentage was computed according to the formula: (number of alternations/total number of arm visits--2) x 100. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software. Experimental protocols were implemented according to the recommendations of the University Committee for Research and Ethical Issues. RESULTS: New carrier formulations entrapping magnesium chloride were designed: their mean size was 129.56 nm and the mean Zeta potential was +36.1 mV, indicating a moderate stability of the solution. Oral administration of magnesium vesicles resulted in a significant increase of spontaneous alternation percent in Y-maze test (p < 0.01), which suggests an improvement of short-term memory. CONCLUSIONS: Using magnesium chloride entrapped in lipid vesicles induced an enhancement of cognitive functions in mice especially by facilitation of learning extinction.

The effects of two polymeric matrices for indomethacin in cutaneous nociceptive reactivity in mice.

AIM: This paper is focused on the investigation the effects of two polymeric matrices for indomethacin in cutaneous pain models in mice. There were used two different co-polymers polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate and undecan, polymerization reactions being conducted under nitrogen, at 80 degrees C. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiments were carried out on white Swiss mice (20-25 g), divided into 6 groups of 7 animals each, treated orally. Biocompatibility properties of indomethacin-loaded copolymeric matrices ware evaluated by assessing the effects on the blood parameters, the serum biochemical tests of animals treated. The nociceptive somatic testing was performed using hot plate assay and tail immersion test. The latency (second) response to paw, respectively tail thermal noxious stimulation, was measured before the experiment and 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 hours after the substances administration. RESULTS: Laboratory analysis did not show significant differences of blood parameters, serum biochemical tests between control mice group (IND) and groups treated with 1 M, 1 IND, 3 M, 3 IND. In our experimental conditions IND determined a significant increasing of the latency period response, in hot plate and also in tail immersion tests. Using two different co-polymers for indomethacin incorporation we obtained an increasing of the latency time pain reaction in hot plate assay, respectively in tail immersion test, statistically significant (*p < 0.05) compared with the simple copolymers administration. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that indomethacin co-polymeric matrices 1 IND and 3 IND determined similar immune responses with indomethacin and simple co-polymers after oral administration in mice, indicative of good in vivo biocompatibility. Oral administration of both 1 IND and 3 IND resulted in prolonged antinociceptive effects in hot plate assay and also in tail immersion test in mice.

Palliative care--integration model into oncological assistance for the patients of Regional Institute of Oncology Iasi.

AIM: This paper aims to present a retrospective analysis of activity from Palliative Care Compartment of Regional Institute of Oncology Iasi during 12 months of activity and to propose a model of integration of the palliative care in oncology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from 415 patients hospitalized to the Palliative Care Compartment using the computerized database, records and books of existing appointments. RESULTS: Data analysis reveals that 170 cases (40%) were aged higher or equal to 70 years and a number of 142 patients (34%) were aged between 60-69 years. Results regarding the provenience of the patients shows that most of them are from urban areas. Gastrointestinal neoplasms were present at about one-third of the patients--133 cases (32%) and 95 (71%) of these cases had metastases. Most patients--114 cases (27%) required hospitalization for a period between 8 and 14 days. Palliative care has interdisciplinary relations with other specialties. In 2013 from other specialties were transferred to palliative care a number of 156 patients, most of them (87 cases) from Oncology Department. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating palliative care in oncology would increase the quality of life of patients, would relieve the other sections or hospitals by patients who need palliative care, would decrease hospitalization costs and would avoid performing aggressive maneuvers at the end of life.