Nitrate reduction by electrochemical processes using copper electrode: evaluating operational parameters aiming low nitrite formation.

This work aims to present different electroreduction and electrocatalytic processes configurations to treat nitrate contaminated water. The parameters tested were: current density, cell potential, electrode potential, pH values, cell type and catalyst use. It was found that the nitrite ion is present in all process variations used, being the resulting nitrite concentration higher in an alkaline pH. The increase in current density on galvanostatic operation mode provides a greater reduction of nitrate (64%, 1.4 mA cm-2) if compared to the potentiostatic (20%) and constant cell potential (37%) configurations. In a dual-chamber cell the nitrate reduction with current density of 1.4 mA cm-2 was tested and obtained as a NO3- reduction of 85%. The use of single chamber cell presented 32 ± 3% of nitrate reduction, indicating that in this cell type the nitrate reduction is smaller than in dual-chamber cell (64%). The presence of a Pd catalyst with 3.1% wt. decreased the nitrite (1.0 N-mg L-1) and increased the gaseous compounds (9.4 N-mg L-1) formation. The best configuration showed that, by fixing the current density, the highest nitrate reduction is obtained and the pH presents a significant influence during the tests. The use of the catalyst decreased the nitrite and enhanced the gaseous compounds formation.

Extrusion-based 3D printing of oral solid dosage forms: Material requirements and equipment dependencies.

Extrusion-based 3D printing is steadily gaining importance as a manufacturing technique due to its flexibility and wide range of possible end-products. In the medical field, the technique is being exploited for a variety of applications and one of these is the production of personalised medicines. However, despite many proof-of-concept studies, more thorough insights in the production technique itself and the required material properties are needed before 3D printing can be fully exploited in a hospital or pharmacy setting. This research aims at clarifying the complex interplay between material properties, process parameters and printer-dependent variables. A variety of different polymers and polymer-drug blends were extruded (diameter 1.75±0.05 mm) and characterised in terms of mechanical, thermal and rheological properties. These properties, together with the processing temperature, printing speeds and different nozzle diameters of the 3D printer were linked to the quality of the end-product. Different failure mechanisms (mechanical, thermal) were assessed. Decisive material parameters (e.g. cross-over point) for optimal printing behaviour and the importance of printer construction (nozzle diameter) were clarified. In general, this study offers insight into the 3D printing process and will help to speed up future pharmaceutical formulation development for printlets.

Structured report for chest high-resolution computed tomography in patients with connective tissue disease: Impact on the report quality as perceived by referring clinicians.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact on perceived report quality of referring rheumatologists for a chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) structured report (SR) template for patients with connective tissue disease (CTD), compared to the traditional narrative report (NR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively considered 123 HRCTs in patients with CTD. Three radiologists, blinded to the original NRs they wrote during clinical routine, re-reported each HRCT using an SR dedicated template. We then divided all NR-SR couples into three groups (41 HRCT each). Each group was evaluated by one of three rheumatologists (R1, R2, R3), who expressed their perceived report quality for the respective pools of NRs and SRs in terms of completeness, clarity (both on a 10-points scale), and clinical relevance (on a 5-points scale). The Wilcoxon test and the McNemar test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: For each rheumatologist, SR received higher ratings compared to NR for completeness (median ratings: R1, 10 vs. 7; R2, 10 vs. 8; R3, 10 vs. 6, all p < 0.0001), clarity (median ratings: R1, 10 vs. 7; R2, 10 vs. 8; R3, 10 vs. 7, all p < 0.0001), and clinical relevance (median ratings: R1, 5 vs. 4; R2, 5 vs. 4; R3, 5 vs. 1, all p < 0.0001). After rating dichotomization, the use of SR led to a significant increase (p < 0.01) in completeness, clarity, and clinical relevance as compared to NR, except for clarity as perceived by R2 (p = 1). CONCLUSION: Referring rheumatologists' perceived report quality for structured reporting of HRCT in patients with CTD was superior to narrative reporting.

Viscosity of API/fatty acid suspensions: Pitfalls during analysis.

This article describes how to obtain reliable data during rheological analysis of active pharmaceutical ingredient/fatty acid suspensions. These materials are specifically used for prilling, an innovative pharmaceutical technique for the production of a multiparticulate dosage form. Nevertheless, presented guidelines are applicable for a wide range of pharmaceutical suspensions. Reliable rheological results can only be obtained when being aware of artefacts, such as a non-continuous medium, sedimentation, apparent wall slip and protrusion flow. To comply with the continuum hypothesis at high phase volumes (≥25% w/w), the required gap-to-particle-size ratio may be larger than the generally accepted 10:1 ratio. Reproducible flow curves that are not disturbed by sedimentation during sample analysis can be obtained faster by varying the shear rate stepwise from high to low values. While apparent wall slip (at low shear rates) can be prevented via serrated instead of smooth plates, protrusion flow (at high shear rates) during measurements with serrated plates results in non-reliable data. Therefore, in general, high viscous suspensions with yield stress can be analysed with serrated plates, while low viscous suspensions without yield stress should be analysed with geometries having smooth surfaces. By following these guidelines, accurate rheological properties of pharmaceutical suspensions can be obtained.

Epidemiological and ethical aspects of multiplex autoantibody testing.

Arrays are one of the technologies able to detect autoantibodies by measuring simultaneously many thousands of markers from a unique biological sample. The main purpose of a diagnostic test is making an early and accurate diagnosis. From a statistical point of view, multiple testing increases the probability of false positive and false negative results. Some correction methods are available to account for this problem for instance family-wise error rate or false discovery rate. From an ethical point of view, the decision to accept or decline a test not requested has to be made autonomously. Some people may seek clarification about tests and implications of their choices. A scarcity of proven measures to reduce mortality has to be considered too. Reasons may also include avoidance of psychological harm or anxiety. Moreover, protection of confidentiality and privacy has to be respected. In conclusion, the fact that testing is optional and that surveillance advice can be offered on the basis of risk alone without a test should be discussed in the consultation. The implication of a positive test result should be discussed to make a decision about the degree to which early treatment of the condition is better than late (or no) treatment.

[Pordenone study: HDL-cholesterol and obesity indexes in the young]. / Studio di Pordenone: HDL-colesterolo e indici di obesità nei giovani.

BACKGROUND: In 1987, ten years after the first observation, we performed the follow-up of the subjects included in the "Pordenone Study on the precursors of atherosclerosis in childhood". METHODS: The anthropometric, biologic and anamnestic indicators of coronary risk were evaluated. The W.H.O. protocol was always used. 439 (90%) subjects underwent reexamination, (234 males and 205 females between 18 and 26 years). HDL cholesterol, tricipital and subscapular skinfold thickness, weight and height were evaluated. The aim of our study was to find possible correlations between obesity indexes and HDL cholesterol values. RESULTS: We found that HDL cholesterol levels are lower in males compared to females and that differences exist below and over the 80 degrees percentile of BMI. Obese subjects have lower HDL cholesterol levels in both sexes. Females with android obesity (subjects with subscapular skinfold thickness values over 80 degrees percentile) had low HDL cholesterol values. CONCLUSIONS: Because of this inverse correlation between HDL cholesterol and coronary risk, and because young obese generally have low HDL cholesterol levels, we believe that the study of coronary risk factors is also useful starting from this age in overweight subjects. This will be useful for preventive purposes. Particular attention must be given to young girls with android obesity.

[The Pordenone study on the precursors of atherosclosis in childhood. A 10-year follow-up. Cigarette smoking]. / Studio di Pordenone sui precursori dell'aterosclerosi nell'infanzia. Follow-up dopo dieci anni. Il fumo di sigaretta.

We have studied smoking habit in the sample enrolled in the ten year follow-up of the "Pordenone Study on the Precursors of Atherosclerosis in Childhood". The response rate at ten year follow-up was very high (about 90%). Prevalence of smoking is 45.1% among males and 25.6% among females. Males and females aged 23 present a prevalence of smokers higher than the other groups while the group aged 26 smoke less. Males began to smoke at 16.4 years, females at 16.7. Mean daily consumption is 12.6 cigarettes among males, and 5.0 among females. Juvenile experimentation with cigarettes and juvenile smoking habit are strong predictors to smoke ten years later; while parental smoking behaviour is not so influential. Therefore we conclude that smoking habit acquired in youngs has a high probability to be maintained in adults, remarking the importance of planning a preventive intervention as early as possible.

Lack of DNA alterations induced by orotic acid in rat liver as evaluated with two DNA unwinding methods.

One percent orotic acid supplemented diet is a promoting treatment in the rat model of liver carcinogenesis. After treatment with this type of diet, DNA alterations were observed using alkaline sucrose gradients and alkaline elution methods. In this work we have utilized two unwinding methods for the detection of DNA fragmentation. One method is a viscosimetric method in which the rate of increase in DNA viscosity with time is related to the rate of alkaline DNA unwinding. The second method measures fluorimetrically the amount of renatured and denatured DNA after different times allowed for alkaline DNA unwinding. These two methods are very sensitive in detecting DNA breaks induced by typical alkylating agents, X-rays and H2O2. The two unwinding methods were clearly negative for the orotic acid supplemented diet. We suggest that the DNA alterations detected with alkaline sucrose gradients and alkaline elution methods, after promoting treatment with orotic acid, are probably different from the DNA breaks induced by typical alkylating agents, X-rays and H2O2.

A comparison of the delta copper T and the copper T 200 in Bologna, Italy.

An analysis is presented of a comparative study of the Delta T and Copper T 200 IUDs. A total of 195 postabortion insertions was performed between March 1981 and August 1982. All insertions were performed with an inserter. Primary bleeding/pain complaints after insertion were largely related to intermenstrual problems, with spotting the most frequently reported. Nine women had their devices removed for PID. One pregnancy occurred at ten months in the Delta T group. Both groups had one expulsion/displacement. Eight devices in each group were removed for bleeding/pain. Two women in the TCu group had their devices removed for personal reasons. The 6-months continuation rates for the two groups were 85.5 for the Delta T group and 82.2 for the TCu group. The 6-months follow-up rate for the Delta T group was 39.4 and 38.8 for the TCu group.

PIP: Complications associated with postabortion insertion of the Delta T and Copper T 200 IUDs were compared in 195 women. All insertions were performed with an inserter. There were no reported incidents of inserter-related problems, pelvic pain, or other complications at insertion. At follow-up, intermenstrual spotting was the most frequently reported complaint, involving 14 women (18.2%) in the Delta T group and 7 women (9.5%) in the TCu group. 8 Delta T acceptors (10.4%) and 12 TCu acceptors (16.2%) experienced intermenstrual bleeding. Intermenstrual pain was reported by 7 (9.1%) Delta T users and 4 (5.4%) TCu users. Other primary bleeding and pain complaints included menorrhagia, reported by 9 (11.7%) Delta T users and 9 (12.2%) TCu users, and dysmenorrhea, reported by 5 (6.5%) Delta T users and 4 (5.4%) TCu users. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) confined to the uterus was diagnosed in 9 (11.7%) Delta T acceptors and 5 (6.8%) TCu acceptors. 7 women (9.1%) in the Delta T group and 8 women (10.8%) in the TCu group reported PID confined to the adnexa. 1 woman from each group had PID confined to the uterus and adnexa and 5 TCu users reported PID beyond the uterus and adnexa. Of the 36 women diagnosed with PID, 9 had their devices removed. There was 1 pregnancy in the Delta T group and 1 device from each group was expelled. There were 3 removals for pain and bleeding in the Delta T group and 4 removals for this reason in the TCu group. The 6-month continuation rate was 85.5 for the Delta T device and 82.2 for the TCu IUD. Given the high incidence of spotting, intermenstrual bleeding, and PID recorded in this sample, insertion of an IUD in the immediate postabortion period is not recommended.