Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 169
Filter
1.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 21629, 2024 Sep 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39285202

ABSTRACT

Arsenic contamination in aqueous media is a serious environmental problem, especially in developing countries. In this research, the Box-Behnken response surface methodology was used to optimize the most relevant variables affecting arsenic adsorption on the ZnO-halloysite surface, including temperature, adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and As (III) initial concentration. The regression analysis indicated that the experimental data were appropriately fitted to a quadratic model with the adjusted R-squared value (R2) of 0.982 for As(III) adsorption capacity and a linear model with R2 of 0.931 for As(III) removal. The p-values for both adsorption capacity and removal efficiency were below 0.05, with F-values of 116.91 and 115.58, respectively, supporting the model's validity. The optimum conditions for maximum removal of As(III) were determined through numerical and graphical optimization using the desirability function. It was found that the optimum conditions for adsorption were pH = 7.99, contact time of 3.99 h, As(III) initial concentration of 49.96 mg/L, and adsorbent dosage of 0.135 g/40 ml. The accuracy of the optimization procedure was confirmed by a confirmatory experiment, which showed a maximum arsenic removal of 91.31% and an adsorption capacity of 12.63 mg/g under optimized conditions. Moreover, XPS analysis was performed at different pH levels to investigate the As (III) adsorption mechanism. The results demonstrated that As(III) adsorption occurs at acidic and neutral pH levels. On the other hand, when pH is increased to 8, As (III) oxidizes to As (V), and then adsorption occurs.

2.
Polymers (Basel) ; 16(16)2024 Aug 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39204519

ABSTRACT

Bio-based polymers are a promising material with which to tackle the use of disposable and non-degradable plastics in agriculture, such as mulching films. However, their poor mechanical properties and the high cost of biomaterials have hindered their widespread application. Hence, in this study, we improved polysaccharide-based films and enriched them with plant nutrients to make them suitable for mulching and fertilizing. Films were produced combining sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), chitosan (CS), and sodium alginate (SA) at different weight ratios with glycerol and CaCl2 as a plasticizer and crosslinker, respectively, and enriched with ammonium phosphate monobasic (NH4H2PO4). A polysaccharide weight ratio of 1:1 generated a film with a more crosslinked structure and a lower expanded network than that featuring the 17:3 ratio, whereas CaCl2 increased the films' water resistance, thermal stability, and strength characteristics, slowing the release rates of NH4+ and PO43-. Thus, composition and crosslinking proved crucial to obtaining promising films for soil mulching.

3.
Chemistry ; : e202401944, 2024 Aug 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39150693

ABSTRACT

Fast and sensitive quantification of drugs as emerging pollutants in water bodies is a pressing need in contemporary society, to prevent serious environmental concerns that could negatively impact on human health. This explains the surge of interest in this field, and the need to identify highly selective sensing systems. Addressing this issue, in this work we synthesized two D-glucamine functionalized fluorophores bearing self-assembling cores, as 1,8-naphthalimide and naphthalene diimide. We studied their self-assembly in water solution, and characterized the aggregated formed by determining their stability constant, their morphology and size by scanning electron microscopy, resonance light scattering and dynamic light scattering, as well their solid-state emission ability. Then, we studied their sensing ability, in water, towards pharmaceutically active compounds such as ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, carbamazepine and diclofenac sodium salt, by fluorescence investigation. Data collected show that the self-assembling ability is significantly affected by the fluorophore structure, which in turn also determines sensing ability. In particular, the naphtalene diimide-based probe was the most sensitive, with LOD as low as 0.01 mM in the presence of nalidixic acid, which is in line and competitive with more complex sensing systems, recently reported in the literature.

4.
Langenbecks Arch Surg ; 409(1): 249, 2024 Aug 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39136791

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Leaks after sleeve gastrectomy remain a deadly complication significantly affecting outcomes and medical costs. The aim of the present review is to provide an updated decalogue on leak prevention. METHODS: Risk factors of leakage after LSG were examined based on an extensive review of literature (in period time 2016-2024) and summary of evidence was provided using Oxford levels of evidence scale. RESULTS: Pathogenesis of leakage after LSG still remain related to ischemic and mechanical factors and, therefore, no new evidence has been reported. Conversely, some technical aspect of the procedure has changed: bougie size, antrum resection, staple line reinforcement, and intraoperative leak testing. CONCLUSIONS: Bougie size 36 F is effective and safe achieving similar leakage rate compared to larger bougie sizes (EL:2) 2024 UPDATE; There is no significant difference in the leak rate between restrictive (< 6 cm) and conservative (6 cm) antrum resection (EL: 1) 2024 UPDATE; Surgical experience and case volume affect the leak rate more consistently than every kind of SLR (EL: 2) 2024 UPDATE; Intraoperative leak test after LSG represents a decision based on surgeon preference in absence of standardization (endoscopy, bubble test, methylene blue, indocyanine green.) and strong detection/prevention rate (EL: 3) 2024 UPDATE.


Subject(s)
Anastomotic Leak , Gastrectomy , Laparoscopy , Humans , Gastrectomy/adverse effects , Gastrectomy/methods , Laparoscopy/adverse effects , Anastomotic Leak/prevention & control , Anastomotic Leak/etiology , Risk Factors , Obesity, Morbid/surgery
5.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 277(Pt 2): 134375, 2024 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39094878

ABSTRACT

The development of functional bionanocomposites for active food packaging is of current interest to replace non-biodegradable plastic coatings. In the present work, we report the synthesis of an alginate-based nanocomposite filled with modified halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) to develop coatings with improved barrier properties for food packaging. Firstly, HNTs were chemically modified by the introduction of carbon dots units (CDs) onto their external surface (HNTs-CDs) obtaining a nanomaterial where CDs are uniformly present onto the tubes as verified by morphological investigations, with good UV absorption and antioxidant properties. Afterwards, these were dispersed in the alginate matrix to obtain the alginate/HNTs-CDs nanocomposite (Alg/HNTs-CDs) whose morphology was imaged by AFM measurements. The UV and water barrier properties (in terms of moisture content and water vapor permeability) were investigated, and the antioxidant properties were evaluated as well. To confer some antimicrobial properties to the final nanocomposite, the synthetized filler was loaded with a natural extract (E) from M. cisplatensis. Finally, the extract kinetic release both from the filler and from the nanocomposite was studied in a medium mimicking a food simulant and preliminary studies on the effect of Alg/HNTs-CDs/E on coated and uncoated fruits, specifically apples and bananas were also carried out.


Subject(s)
Alginates , Antioxidants , Clay , Food Packaging , Nanocomposites , Alginates/chemistry , Food Packaging/methods , Clay/chemistry , Nanocomposites/chemistry , Antioxidants/chemistry , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Quantum Dots/chemistry , Carbon/chemistry , Permeability
6.
Qatar Med J ; 2024(3): 38, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39036319

ABSTRACT

Background: Penile Mondor's disease (PMD) is a rare syndrome characterized by sclerosis after superficial thrombophlebitis of the superficial penile veins. The most usual appearance of PMD is a tender, palpable, painful, and sometimes visible cord on the dorsal surface of the penis. Its pathogenesis is still unclear, and a standardized treatment has not been established. Case report: A 54-year-old male patient presented with a left-sided indirect reducible inguinal hernia. The patient underwent Lichtenstein's procedure for inguinal hernia repair. On the tenth postoperative day, he returned with PMD confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography examination. Treatment with 4000 UI low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) daily for three weeks resolved the symptoms, but mild venous ectasia just to the proximal part of the penis remained. Discussion: The exact cause of PMD is not well understood, but various studies have identified certain factors associated with an increased risk of the condition. Out of various potential factors that could trigger PMD, the repair of an inguinal hernia has been reported only once. Treatment may involve pain management, anti-inflammatory medications, anticoagulants, and, in some cases, surgery. Conclusion: PMD after open hernia repair surgery is a very rare benign condition. Correct diagnosis and prompt treatment allowed symptom resolution. Residual venous ectasia has no clinical significance other than a cosmetic appearance.

7.
Front Surg ; 11: 1352196, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39077677

ABSTRACT

Groin hernia repair is the most common procedure performed by general surgeons. The open mesh technique generally represents the main technique for an inguinal repair, but a different approach is often required. Laparoscopy was found to be the answer to minimizing the impact of the preperitoneal open techniques described by Nyhus and Stoppa. The introduction of the totally extraperitoneal hernia repair (TEP) and transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) in the early 1990s started a new chapter in groin hernia surgery. The minimally invasive techniques vs. open mesh, and then one against the other, soon became a hot topic among abdominal wall surgeons. With time, the number of procedures and indications increased and are still increasing. This review aims to provide an overview of the two main laparoscopic techniques for groin hernia repair, answering the following questions: Who should perform them? What is the learning curve required to minimize complications and optimize operative time? When is a minimally invasive approach indicated, and which one (both in elective and in emergency setting)? How are they performed? The standard techniques have been described in detail, and personal observations from an abdominal wall surgery referral center were added. The main reviews from the early 2000s up to date, which compared the techniques, were analyzed, and the results reported, confirming the comparable safety and efficacy of both these techniques.

9.
Qatar Med J ; 2024(3): 25, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38859918

ABSTRACT

Background: Penile Mondor's disease (PMD) is a rare syndrome characterized by sclerosis after superficial thrombophlebitis of the superficial penile veins. The most usual appearance of PMD is a tender, palpable, painful, and sometimes visible cord on the dorsal surface of the penis. Its pathogenesis is still unclear, and a standardized treatment has not been established. Case report: A 54-year-old male patient presented with a left-sided indirect reducible inguinal hernia. The patient underwent Lichtenstein's procedure for inguinal hernia repair. On the tenth postoperative day, he returned with PMD confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography examination. Treatment with 4000 UI low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) daily for three weeks resolved the symptoms, but mild venous ectasia just to the proximal part of the penis remained. Discussion: The exact cause of PMD is not well understood, but various studies have identified certain factors associated with an increased risk of the condition. Out of various potential factors that could trigger PMD, the repair of an inguinal hernia has been reported only once. Treatment may involve pain management, anti-inflammatory medications, anticoagulants, and, in some cases, surgery. Conclusion: PMD after open hernia repair surgery is a very rare benign condition. Correct diagnosis and prompt treatment allowed symptom resolution. Residual venous ectasia has no clinical significance other than a cosmetic appearance.

10.
Materials (Basel) ; 17(10)2024 May 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38793298

ABSTRACT

Clays are a class of porous materials; their surfaces are naturally covered by moisture. Weak thermal treatment may be considered practical to remove the water molecules, changing the surface properties and making the micro- and/or mesoporosities accessible to interact with other molecules. Herein, a modulated thermogravimetric analysis (MTGA) study of the moisture behavior on the structures of five, both fibrous and laminar, clay minerals is reported. The effect of the thermal treatment at 150 °C, which provokes the release of weakly adsorbed water molecules, was also investigated. The activation energies for the removal of the adsorbed water (Ea) were calculated, and they were found to be higher, namely, from 160 to 190 kJ mol-1, for fibrous clay minerals compared to lamellar structures, ranging in this latter case from 80 to 100 kJ mol-1. The thermal treatment enhances the rehydration in Na-montmorillonite, stevensite, and sepiolite structures with a decrease in the energy required to remove it, while Ea increases significantly in palygorskite (from 164 to 273 kJ mol-1). As a proof of concept, the MTGA results are statistically correlated, together with a full characterization of the physico-chemical properties of the five clay minerals, with the adsorption of two molecules, i.e., aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ß-carotene. Herein, the amount of adsorbed molecules ranges from 12 to 97% for the former and from 22 to 35% for the latter, depending on the particular clay. The Ea was correlated with AFB1 adsorption with a Spearman score of -0.9. When the adsorbed water is forcibly removed, e.g., under vacuum conditions and high temperatures, the structure becomes the most important, decreasing the Spearman score between ß-carotene and Ea to -0.6.

11.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(10)2024 May 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38791408

ABSTRACT

Recently, fluorescent sensors have gained considerable attention due to their high sensitivity, low cost and noninvasiveness. Among the different materials that can be used for this purpose, carbon dots (CDs) represent valuable candidates for applications in sensing. These, indeed, are easily synthesized, show high quantum yield and are highly biocompatible. However, it was pointed out that the photoluminescence properties of these nanomaterials are strictly dependent on the synthetic and purification methods adopted. The presence of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), a natural, low cost and biocompatible clay mineral, has been found to be efficient in obtaining small and highly monodispersed CDs without long and tedious purification techniques. Herein, we report the comparison of synthetic pathways for obtaining halloysite-N-doped CDs (HNTs-NCDs) that could be used in biological sensing. One was based on the synthesis of N-doped CDs by a bottom-up approach on HNTs' surface by a MW pyrolysis process; the other one was based on the post-modification of pristine N-doped CDs with halloysite derivatives. The evaluation of the best synthetic route was performed by different physico-chemical techniques. It was found that the bottom-up approach led to the formation of N-doped CDs with different functional groups onto the HNTs' surface. This evidence was also translated in the different fluorescence quantum yields and the existence of several functional groups in the obtained materials was investigated by potentiometric titrations. Furthermore, the ability of the synthesized nanomaterials as sensors for Fe3+ ions detection was assessed by spectroscopic measurements, and the cellular uptake was verified by confocal/fluorescence microscopies as well.


Subject(s)
Clay , Quantum Dots , Quantum Dots/chemistry , Clay/chemistry , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , Biosensing Techniques/methods , Carbon/chemistry , Humans , Nanostructures/chemistry , Nanotubes/chemistry
12.
Front Cardiovasc Med ; 11: 1369090, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38606379

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Hypertension is a relevant cardiovascular comorbidity. Adipose tissue represents a metabolically active tissue involved in the regulation of blood pressure and metabolic alterations. In recent decades, several classifications for the metabolic syndrome (MS) have been proposed. Recently, a new syndrome called the "Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic" (CKM) syndrome was identified, to determine patients at high cardiovascular and metabolic risk. The aim of the study was to compare different classifications in a large population of hypertensive patients. Materials and methods: Between September 2022 and August 2023, we consecutively enrolled 772 hypertensive patients (407 men; 365 women; mean age 52.2 ± 15.1 years), evaluating anthropometric, biochemical, and instrumental parameters (transthoracic echocardiogram, carotid echo-Doppler, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, fundus oculi). Results: Using different classifications we found MS prevalence: Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III) 28.8%, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 31.5%, CKM 40.7%. CKM Classes 3 and 4 showed higher body mass index and waist circumference compared with other groups. Compared with ATP-III and IDF, CKM Class 4 showed higher 24-h systolic blood pressure, lower percentage of controlled hypertension, increased interventricular septum and posterior wall, reduced ejection fraction, and greater prevalence of hypertensive arterial retinal damage. Discussion: Visceral obesity and MS are frequent conditions with healthy impact, becoming an important trigger for the development of cardiovascular and metabolic complications. The different MS classifications allow the early identification of patients at high risk of cardiometabolic complications. The new CKM syndrome proves useful to identify individuals at high risk for CKM morbidity and mortality.

13.
Surg Innov ; 31(4): 355-361, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38632109

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RNL) identification constitutes the standard in thyroidectomy. Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) has been introduced as a complementary tool for RLN functionality evaluation. The aim of this study is to establish how routine use of IONM can affect the learning curve (LC) in thyroidectomy. METHODS: Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy performed by surgery residents in their learning curve course in 2 academic hospitals, were divided into 2 groups: Group A, including 150 thyroidectomies performed without IONM by 3 different residents, and Group B, including 150 procedures with routine use of intermittent IONM, by other 3 different residents. LC was measured by comparing operative time (OT), its stabilization during the development of the LC, perioperative complication rate. RESULTS: As previously demonstrated, the LC was achieved after 30 procedures, in both groups, with no differences due to the use of IONM. Similarly, there were no significant differences among the 2 groups, and between subgroups independently matched, for both OT and complications, even when comparing RLN palsy. Direct nerve visualization and IONM assessment rates were comparable in all groups, and no bilateral RLN palsy (transient or permanent) were reported. No case of interrupted procedure to unilateral lobectomy, due to evidence of RLN injury, was reported. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that the use of IONM thyroid surgery, despite requiring a specific training with experienced surgeons, does not particularly affect the learning curve of residents approaching this kind of surgery, and for this reason its routine use should be encouraged even for trainees.


Subject(s)
Internship and Residency , Learning Curve , Thyroidectomy , Humans , Thyroidectomy/adverse effects , Thyroidectomy/methods , Female , Male , Middle Aged , Adult , Monitoring, Intraoperative/methods , Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring/methods , General Surgery/education , Aged , Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries/prevention & control , Retrospective Studies
14.
Am Surg ; 90(6): 1514-1520, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38557257

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to assess the outcomes of parathyroid gland reimplantation with PR-FaST technique in patients undergoing thyroid surgery, focusing on graft functionality over a 5-year follow-up period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from 131 patients who underwent parathyroid reimplantation using the PR-FaST technique during thyroid surgery due to inadvertent parathyroid removal or evident vascular damage. Postoperative evaluations included serum calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) analyses on the 1st and 2nd postoperative days, at 10 days, and at 1, 3, 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years of follow-up. Additionally, the mean values of serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) concentration were measured from blood samples collected from both the reimplanted arm (iPTH RA) and non-reimplanted arm (iPTH NRA) within the same period. RESULTS: Among 131 patients, at 10 days post-surgery, only 46 patients (35.1%) out of 131 exhibited graft viability (iPTH ratio >1.5). This percentage increased to 72.8% (94 patients) after 1 month and further to 87.8% (108 patients) after 3 months post-surgery. At 1 year, 84.7% of patients showed good graft functionality. After 5 years, the percentage remained stable, with graft viability observed in 81.3% of patients. Only 91 of the initial 131 patients completed follow-up up to 5 years, with a dropout rate of 30.5 %. CONCLUSIONS: Parathyroid reimplantation using the PR-FaST technique is a viable option for patients undergoing thyroidectomy and has been shown to be a reproducible and effective technique in most patients, with sustained graft functionality and parathyroid hormone production over a 5-year follow-up period.


Subject(s)
Forearm , Graft Survival , Parathyroid Glands , Thyroidectomy , Humans , Parathyroid Glands/transplantation , Thyroidectomy/methods , Thyroidectomy/adverse effects , Male , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Middle Aged , Adult , Forearm/surgery , Replantation/methods , Subcutaneous Tissue , Aged , Parathyroid Hormone/blood , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Time Factors
15.
Molecules ; 29(6)2024 Mar 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38542840

ABSTRACT

In this work, diatomaceous earth (Diat) was explored as filler for polycaprolactone (PCL) to obtain composite green materials with promising viscoelastic and thermal properties. The composites were prepared by blending variable Diat amounts (5, 15 and 50 wt%) with a molten PCL matrix. The viscoelastic characteristics of PCL/Diat hybrids were studied by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) under an oscillatory regime, while the thermal properties were determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). We detected that the presence of Diat enhances the energy storage capacity of PCL for temperatures lower than the polymer melting point. Both DMA and DSC data revealed that the PCL melting temperature is slightly affected by the Diat addition, while the TGA results showed that the thermal stability of the polymer can be significantly improved by mixing PCL with diatomaceous earth. Moreover, we observed that the dispersion of Diat into the matrix favors the crystallization process of PCL. Interestingly, the improvements of PCL properties (elasticity, thermal stability, and crystallinity) are proportional to the Diat concentration of the composites. These findings reflect the interfacial compatibility between PCL and diatomaceous earth. In conclusion, this study highlights that the preparation of PCL/Diat hybrids by melt blending is suitable for the development of composite materials for technological applications, including the remediation of air pollutants within museum environments.

16.
J Minim Access Surg ; 20(2): 163-168, 2024 Apr 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37282440

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for primary and secondary adrenal disease, in reducing the length of primary hospital stay and return to daily activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out on 61 patients who underwent LA. A total of 32 patients formed the ERAS group. A total of 29 patients received conventional perioperative care and were assigned as the control group. Groups were compared in terms of patient's characteristics (sex, age, pre-operative diagnosis, side of tumour, tumour size and co-morbidities), post-operative compliance (anaesthesia time, operative time, post-operative stay, post-operative numeric rating scale (NRS) score, analgesic assumption and days to return to daily activities) and post-operative complications. RESULTS: No significant differences in anaesthesia time ( P = 0.4) and operative time ( P = 0.6) were reported. NRS score 24 h postoperatively was significantly lower in the ERAS group ( P < 0.05). The analgesic assumption in post-operative period in the ERAS group was lower ( P < 0.05). ERAS protocol led to a significantly shorter length of post-operative stay ( P < 0.05) and to return to daily activities ( P < 0.05). No differences in peri-operative complications were reported. DISCUSSION: ERAS protocols seem safe and feasible, potentially improving perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing LA, mainly improving pain control, hospital stay and return to daily activities. Further studies are needed to investigate overall compliance with ERAS protocols and their impact on clinical outcomes.

17.
Sci Rep ; 13(1): 21280, 2023 Dec 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38042903

ABSTRACT

Arsenite (As(III)) is the most toxic form of arsenic that is a serious concern for water contamination worldwide. Herein a ZnO/Halloysite (Hal) nanocomposite was prepared by the chemical bath deposition method (CBD) through seed-mediated ZnO growth on the halloysite for eliminating As(III) from the aqueous solution. The growth of ZnO on seeded halloysite was investigated based on the HMTA: Zn2+ molar ratio in the solution. An optimum molar ratio of HMTA:Zn for nucleation and growth of ZnO upon halloysite was obtained 1:2 based on morphological analysis. The TGA results confirmed that thermal stability of HNT was enhanced by ZnO decoration. The prepared ZnO/Hal nanocomposite at optimal conditions was employed for arsenite (As(III)) removal from aqueous solutions. Experimental data were evaluated with different isothermal, thermodynamic, and kinetic models. Based on the zeta potential results, Hal nanocomposites had a greater negative value than pure Hal. Therefore, the ZnO/Hal nanocomposite exhibited efficient As(III) adsorption with a removal efficiency of 76% compared to pure Hal with a removal efficiency of 5%. Adsorption isotherm was well correlated by both non-linear Langmuir and Sips models, exhibiting maximum adsorption capacity of As(III) at 42.07 mg/g, and 42.5 mg/g, respectively. As a result of the study, it was found that the fabricated Hal nanocomposite with low toxicity can be used effectively in water treatment.

18.
ACS Sustain Chem Eng ; 11(50): 17870-17880, 2023 Dec 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38130846

ABSTRACT

With the aim to investigate new strategies for upcycling of plastic waste, we performed aminolysis of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), using N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (DMEDA), N,N-dimethylpropylenediamine (DMPDA), and 3-aminopropylimidazole (API) as nucleophiles. The N-substituted lactamides obtained were alkylated by using alkyl halides differing in alkyl chain length, obtaining organic salts that in most cases behaved as ionic liquids (ILs). Both aminolysis of PLA and alkylation of amides were carried out taking into consideration the basic principles of the holistic approach to green chemistry, applied at a laboratory scale, and carefully selecting the nature of the reaction solvent, temperature range, and amount of reagents. Organic salts obtained from the alkylation of N-substituted lactamides were investigated to determine their glass or solid-liquid transitions and their thermal stability. Furthermore, cytotoxicity toward normal lung fibroblasts was also assessed. Data collected show that the proposed strategy represents a valuable protocol to upcycle plastic waste, using it as starting material to obtain alternative solvents of potential industrial relevance.

19.
Molecules ; 28(24)2023 Dec 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38138442

ABSTRACT

Combining biologically active compounds with nanocarriers is an emerging and promising strategy for enhancing the activities of molecules while reducing their levels of toxicity. Green nanomaterials have recently gained momentum in developing protocols for treating and preserving artifacts. In this study, we designed a functional biohybrid material by incorporating tributyltin(IV) ferulate (TBT-F) into halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), generating a new formulation called HNT/TBT-F. The primary objective was to develop a formulation with robust antimicrobial properties and reinforcing features for treating paper with artistic and historical value. To characterize HNT/TBT-F, assess the HNT's loading capacity, and investigate the TBT-F release kinetics from the nanotubes, various analytical techniques, including UV-Vis and infrared spectroscopies, thermogravimetry, and microscopy analysis, were employed. Furthermore, we evaluated the antimicrobial potential of TBT-F and HNT/TBT-F against Kocuria rhizophila, a bacterial strain known for its opportunistic behavior and a cause of artifact biodeterioration. HNT/TBT-F exhibited a significantly stronger bactericidal effect than TBT-F alone against K. rhizophila cells growing planktonically or those forming a biofilm. This enhanced performance could relate to the confinement of TBT-F within the nanotubes, which likely improved its physical-chemical stability and increased the local concentration of TBT-F upon contact with the bacterial cells. Additionally, we evaluated the mechanical properties of a paper treated with HNT/TBT-F, assessing any potential alterations in its color. The findings of this study highlight the favorable attributes of the HNT/TBT-F formulation and its potential for developing protocols aimed at consolidating and preserving culturally significant paper objects.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents , Disinfectants , Nanotubes , Clay/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry , Nanotubes/chemistry
20.
J Clin Med ; 12(19)2023 09 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37834940

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Parathyroid cancer (PC) is a rare sporadic or hereditary malignancy whose histologic features were redefined with the 2022 WHO classification. A total of 24 Italian institutions designed this multicenter study to specify PC incidence, describe its clinical, functional, and imaging characteristics and improve its differentiation from the atypical parathyroid tumour (APT). METHODS: All relevant information was collected about PC and APT patients treated between 2009 and 2021. RESULTS: Among 8361 parathyroidectomies, 351 patients (mean age 59.0 ± 14.5; F = 210, 59.8%) were divided into the APT (n = 226, 2.8%) and PC group (n = 125, 1.5%). PC showed significantly higher rates (p < 0.05) of bone involvement, abdominal, and neurological symptoms than APT (48.8% vs. 35.0%, 17.6% vs. 7.1%, 13.6% vs. 5.3%, respectively). Ultrasound (US) diameter >3 cm (30.9% vs. 19.3%, p = 0.049) was significantly more common in the PC. A significantly higher frequency of local recurrences was observed in the PC (8.0% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.022). Mortality due to consequences of cancer or uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism was 3.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic hyperparathyroidism, high PTH and albumin-corrected serum calcium values, and a US diameter >3 cm may be considered features differentiating PC from APT. 2022 WHO criteria did not impact the diagnosis.

SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL