Separation of cellulose from industrial paper mill wastewater dried sludge using a commercial and cheap ionic liquid.

Industrial wastewaters and their treatment are now placed at the heart of the environmental concerns that industries face. Some research work has been carried out in order to limit the impact of these wastes on the environment as well as their costs. In this study, wastewater dehydrated sludge (55% wt. water content) from the paper industry was used to recover cellulose by using tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium chloride, [P(CH2OH)4]Cl, ionic liquid as a solvent. The ionic liquid has shown remarkable results in terms of cellulose extraction in addition to its non-volatility and lower toxicity compared to organic volatile solvents. All cellulose, based on dry sludge, was recovered from the industrial dehydrated sludge with better operation conditions. The influence of temperature and the quantity of ionic liquid was preliminary studied in order to optimise the extraction conditions.

Preparation, characterization and gas permeation investigation of resorcinol-formaldehyde polymer or carbon xerogels/tubular ceramic composites.

New very stable composites prepared by deposition of resorcinol-formaldehyde polymer (RF-) or carbon (C-) xerogels into walls of commercial porous tubular ceramics (TiO2-ZrO2 and alphaAl2O3-gammaAl203) were obtained by a sol-gel process followed by a drying and a pyrolytic (only for C-xerogel/ceramic composites) step. They were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption, SEM and XRD, and tested for gas (H2, CH4, CO2 and CO) separation applications. Additional morpho-structural information about the open-interconnected ultramicropore structure of composites was found by gas permeation investigation. Interesting results for H2 permeance was obtained especially for RF-polymer/ceramic composites respecting Knudsen diffusion mechanism of gas permeance: H2 > CH4 > CO > CO2. The coexistence of Knudsen and surface diffusion mechanisms were confirmed.

Optimization of softwood pretreatment by microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvents at high solids loading.

Microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) has received attention as an ultrafast pretreatment method in lignocellulose fractionation. This study investigated the improvement of milled softwood mixture (MSM) fractionation with chlorine chloride-formic acid (ChCl:FA) to obtain residues with high glucan retention and purity while removing majority of the lignin and hemicelluloses. At the optimum pretreatment conditions i.e., ChCl:FA (1:4), 140 °C, 14 min, 800 W and 15 % (w/v), 96.2 % hemicellulose removal, 90.1 % delignification and 93.5 % glucan retention were achieved. About 85 % lignin was recovered with a 95 % purity when solid loading was 10-20 % (w/v). This study showed that microwave assisted ChCl:FA pretreatment was a suitable means to fractionate MSM to achieve high quality glucan and lignin at high solid loading.

Almond shell xylo-oligosaccharides exhibiting immunostimulatory activity.

Partially O-acetylated xylo-oligosaccharides (DXO) isolated from almond shells by autohydrolysis as well as their de-acetylated form (DeXO) were subjected to chemical, molecular, and structural analyses. They represent a mixture of neutral and acidic oligomers and low-molecular weight polymers related to (4-O-methyl-D-glucurono)-D-xylan. DXO and DeXO showed direct mitogenic activity and enhancement of the T-mitogen-induced proliferation of rat thymocytes, indicating the immunostimulatory potential of the almond shell xylo-oligosaccharides.

Exploring iron-based multifunctional catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: a review.

The continuous increase in oil prices together with an increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has prompted an increased interest in the production of liquid fuels from non-petroleum sources to ensure the continuation of our worldwide demands while maximizing CO(2) utilization. In this sense, the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) technology provides a feasible option to render high value-added hydrocarbons. Alternative sources, such as biomass or coal, offer a real possibility to realize these purposes by making use of H(2)-deficient or CO(2)-rich syngas feeds. The management of such feeds ideally relies on the use of iron catalysts, which exhibit the unique ability to adjust the H(2)/CO molar ratio to an optimum value for hydrocarbon synthesis through the water-gas-shift reaction. Taking advantage of the emerging attention to hybrid FT-synthesis catalysts based on cobalt and their associated benefits, an overview of the current state of literature in the field of iron-based multifunctional catalysts is presented. Of particular interest is the use of zeolites in combination with a FT catalyst in a one-stage operation, herein named multifunctional, which offer key opportunities in the modification of desired product distributions and selectivity, to eventually overcome the quality limitations of the fuels prepared under intrinsic FT conditions. This review focuses on promising research activities addressing the conversion of syngas to liquid fuels mediated by iron-based multifunctional materials, highlights their preparation and properties, and discusses their implication and challenges in the area of carbon utilization through H(2)/CO(+CO(2)) mixtures.

Metástasis pulmonar por coriocarcinoma / Lung metastasis due to choriocarcinoma

Se presenta el caso clínico de una fémina de 29 años de edad, que asistió al Servicio de Neumología del Hospital General Docente "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" de Santiago de Cuba con falta de aire constante que evolucionó a la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda. Teniendo en cuenta los antecedentes patológicos personales, la clínica, el examen físico y los resultados de los exámenes complementarios efectuados, se corroboró que la paciente presentaba lesiones metastásicas pulmonares como consecuencia de una enfermedad trofoblástica: el coriocarcinoma. Se realizó legrado terapéutico y se indicó tratamiento con citostáticos, luego de lo cual mejoró. Por la rareza del caso se comparten estos hallazgos con la comunidad científica en general.

The case report of a 29 year female is presented who attended the Pneumology Service of "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba with persistent dyspnea which became an acute respiratory failure. Keeping in mind the personal pathological history, the clinic, the physical examination and the results of the made complementary tests, it was corroborated that the patient presented metastatic lung lesions as consequence of a trophoblastic disease: the choriocarcinoma. A therapeutic curettage was carried out and the treatment with cytostatic was indicated, after which she improved. Due to the rareness of the case these findings are shared with the scientific community in general.

Coinfección por tuberculosis y virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana: confluencia de dos epidemias / Co-infection due to tuberculosis and human inmunodeficiency virus: confluence of two epidemics

Se revisaron diversas fuentes bibliográficas sobre la epidemiología de la tuberculosis y el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y la coinfección de ambas enfermedades en el mundo. Asimismo, fue analizada la relación entre estos procesos morbosos y se tuvo en cuenta la estrategia global de prevención para reducir la carga de las dos epidemias.

Several literature sources on the epidemiology of tuberculosis and the human inmunodeficiency virus and the co-infection of both diseases in the world were reviewed. Also, the relationship between these disease processes was analyzed and the global strategy of prevention to reduce the load of the two epidemics was kept in mind.

Estado de salud bucal en escolares del seminternado 30 de noviembre / Oral health in schoolchildren of 30 de November

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal para determinar el estado de salud bucal de 98 escolares de 5-6 años de la Escuela Primaria 30 de Noviembre de Santiago de Cuba, en el período comprendido de enero a diciembre del 2007. Tanto el examen físico intrabucal y extrabucal efectuado como la revisión de cada historia clínica de los educandos proporcionaron la información necesaria al respecto, que luego fue procesada con la versión 6.0 del programa Epi Info y resumida mediante índices y porcentajes. Los resultados evidenciaron que la salud bucal deficiente podía ser atribuida a la presencia de periodontitis, que en ambas denticiones (temporal y permanente) predominó el componente de dientes obturados y que los estudiantes debían recibir los beneficios de la periodoncia, la ortodoncia y el tratamiento conservador, en ese orden.

A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out with the purpose of determining the oral health in 98 schoolcildren between 5-6 years of age at 30 de Noviembre Primary School of Santiago de Cuba, from January to December 2007. Both, physical intraoral and extraoral examination and the review of each medical record of the pupils provided the necessary information in this respect, which was then processed with the program Epi Info 6.0 and summarized by means of indexes and percentages. Results revealed that poor oral health could be attributed to periodontitis, that in both teethings (deciduous and permanent) the component of filled teeth prevailed and schoolchildren should receive the benefits of the periodontics, orthodontics and conservative treatment in that order.

Principales aspectos clinicoepidemiológicos del cáncer de pulmón / Main clinical epidemiological features of lung cancer

Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 95 pacientes con cáncer de pulmón, egresados del Servicio de Neumología del Hospital General Docente Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba desde enero hasta diciembre de 2008, con vistas a identificar los principales aspectos clinicoepidemiológicos de la enfermedad. Se halló una primacía de la neoplasia maligna en los hombres de 56-65 años, de procedencia urbana y fumadores activos de más de 30 cigarrillos al día por más de 30 años. En la serie predominaron los afectados sin tipo histológico confirmado y con carcinoma epidermoide en etapa clínica lV, la mayoría ellos con posibilidad de ser tratados. Se recomendó incrementar e intensificar las campañas de promoción de salud y prevención de enfermedades para evitar o abandonar el hábito de fumar en la población.

A descriptive and cross-sectional study of 95 patients with lung cancer, discharged from Neumology Service at Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, was carried out from January, 2008 to December, 2008 in order to identify the main clinical epidemiological features of the aforementioned disease. A malignancy predominance among men aged between 56 and 65 years old, belonging to urban areas and being heavy smoker (out of 30 cigarettes per day over 30 years ), was found. Those affected without a confirmed histological type and IV clinical stage epidermoid carcinoma were predominant. Most of them had the opportunity to be treated. Increasing and intensifying health promotion and disease prevention campaigns were recommended so as to achieve the population to avoid or quit the smoking habit.

Principales hábitos deformantes en escolares de primer grado del Seminternado 30 de Noviembre / Main deforming habits in first grade schoolchildren from 30 de Noviembre Day Boarding School

Se realizó una investigación descriptiva y transversal de 98 niños de primer grado del Seminternado 30 de Noviembre de Santiago de Cuba, atendidos en la propia escuela por odontólogos de la Clínica Estomatológica de Vista Alegre durante el 2007, para determinar su estado de salud bucal, así como los hábitos bucales deformantes presentes. Entre las principales alteraciones del complejo bucomaxilofacial sobresalieron: gingivitis, caries, deformidad dentofacial (vestibuloversión y mordida abierta anterior), así como la lengua protráctil como hábito deformante, asociada a la higiene bucal deficiente. Predominaron la dieta cariogénica y la placa dentobacteriana como factores de riesgo. Se recomendó elaborar y ejecutar un programa de actividades de educación para la salud, cuyas acciones estratégicas sean dirigidas a niños, padres, familiares y educadores.

A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in 98 first grade schoolchildren from 30 de Noviembre Day Boarding School of Santiago de Cuba, who were attended at their own school by odontologists from the Dental Clinics of Vista Alegre during 2007 to determine their oral health state and deforming habits. Among the main disorders of the oral and maxillofacial complex were gingivitis, decay, dentofacial deformity (vestibuloversion and anterior open bite), as well as protractile tongue as a deforming habit associated with poor oral hygiene. Cariogenic diet and dentobacterial plaque predominated as risk factors. It was recommended to develop and implement a program of educational activities for health, strategic actions of which are addressed to children, parents, relatives and educators.