Valorizing industrial tobacco wastes within natural clays and chitosan nanocomposites for an ecofriendly insecticide.

We report the engineering of insecticide films based on two mineral clays, montmorillonite and kaolinite, combined to chitosan and/or cellulose acetate originating from cigarette filter and subsequently impregnated with tobacco essential oil extracted from tobacco dust. Both binary composites, i.e. clay and chitosan or clay and cellulose acetate, and ternary composites containing clay, chitosan and cellulose acetate were prepared and characterized by XRD, DLS, ELS, and IR to investigate the nature of interactions within the composites. The two clay minerals showed different kinds of interaction with chitosan: intercalation in the case of Montmorillonite vs adsorption on the external surface for kaolinite. Secondly, the nicotine release from the composites films at different temperatures was studied by in-situ IR. The Montmorillonite composites, particularly the ternary one, showed a better encapsulation of nicotine which release was limited. Finally, the insecticidal activity of the composites was evaluated against the Tribolium castaneum a common wheat pest. The differences observed between montmorillonite and kaolinite composites were rationalized in relation to the nature of interaction between the components. The fumigant bioassay showed promising insecticidal effects in the case of the ternary composite cellulose acetate/chitosan/montmorillonite. Therefore, these eco-friendly nanocomposites can be used efficiently for the sustainable protection of stored cereals.

Isokinetic assessment of trunk muscles in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 patients.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 is the third most common inherited myopathy. Its severity is proportionate to the loss of microsatellite D4Z4 repetitions, which are below 10. Patients suffer from weakness in facial muscles, shoulder girdles and ankle dorsiflexors. Trunk impairment is reported in few studies. To assess correlation between D4Z4 number of repetitions in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 patients and trunk extensors and flexors isokinetic peak torque, 48 patients with southern Blot confirmed facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 were enrolled to perform clinical evaluation (Ricci's Clinical Severity Scoring, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test, timed up-and-go test, six-minute walk test, functional independence measure) and trunk isokinetic assessment. Trunk extensors and flexors isokinetic peak torque at 60°/sec were significantly correlated with number of D4Z4 microsatellite repetitions, sex, weight and age-independent (r = 0.391 [0.121; 0.662], p < 0.006 and r = 0.334 [0.028; 0.641], p < 0.033, respectively). Ricci's Clinical Severity Scoring was significantly correlated to trunk extensors isokinetic peak torque at 60°/sec, sex and weight-independent (r = -0.743 [-0.938; -0.548], p < 0.0001). This study demonstrates moderate correlation between pathologic compression of D4Z4 microsatellite array and trunk extensors isokinetic strength among facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type I patients.

How far do stabilometric and clinical parameters correlate in peripheral neuropathies?

Peripheral neuropathies are characterized by the impairment of motor and sensitive nervous fibers. We aimed to investigate the correlation between proprioception, force and the limits of equilibrium parameter (LOE), by assessing 38 patients diagnosed with characterized bilateral neuropathy and 11 healthy subjects. Clinical evaluation, based on a motor and pallesthesic score, enabled their classification into groups corresponding to motor, sensitive or mixed neuropathies. Balance measures on a stabilometric platform allowed differentiation between the patients and healthy subjects but not between the groups of patients. The parameter limits of equilibrium (LOE) calculated as percentage of foot length allowed not only the differentiation between patients and healthy subjects but also between patients showing motor and sensitive forms. ROC analysis gave a threshold of 15% for LOE to discriminate between motor and sensory neuropathies with a 75% of sensitivity and 72% of specificity. Consequently, we propose a simple experimental procedure to carry out an accurate assessment of balance disorders in order to identify future rehabilitation modalities recommended to these patients.

Balance training in ataxic neuropathies. Effects on balance and gait parameters.

A rehabilitation program including foot sensory stimulation, balance and gait training with limited vision was followed by 30 patients with ataxic neuropathy in order to stimulate multi-sensory compensation in a no-controlled and no-blinded study. Ataxic neuropathy was graded by a pallesthetic score. The evaluation of patients and healthy subjects was performed with clinical tests (Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test and Timed up and Go test) and instrumental tests for balance (force platform) and gait (Locometre). All patients exhibited impairments in balance and gait parameters compared to control group values. A high pallesthetic score correlated with increased sway area when standing with the eyes open on a firm surface. At the end of the training program, significant changes were observed in balance control assessed using the three clinical tests (Wilcoxon test, p<0.001). A tendency towards a reduction of the Romberg sign was noticed and limited changes were observed after training in instrumental tests for balance and for gait parameters. Age induced some limitations in balance and gait parameters but had no effect on training results. These results show that ataxic patients are impaired in balance and gait but can improve clinical balance parameters following training with a multisensory approach without limitation due to age or degree of sensory impairment. Only limited correlations were noticed between the pallesthetic score and some balance parameters, suggesting that various levels of compensation occur in these patients. The effectiveness of this training program has to be evaluated in the future in a controlled study to ascertain the contribution of the placebo effect in these data.