Study of the correlation between sensing performance and surface morphology of inkjet-printed aqueous graphene-based chemiresistors for NO2 detection.

The extremely high sensitivity to the external environment and the high specific surface area, as well as the absence of bulk phenomena that could interfere with the response signal, make graphene highly attractive for the applications in the field of sensing. Among the various methods for producing graphene over large areas, liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) appears to be very promising, especially if combined with inkjet printing (IJP), which offers several advantages, including the selective and controlled deposition of small ink volumes and the versatility of the exploitable inks and substrates. Herein we present a feasibility study of chemiresistive gas sensors inkjet-printed onto paper substrates, in which a LPE graphene suspension dispersed in a water/isopropanol (H2O/IPA) mixture is used as sensing ink. The device performances, in terms of relative conductance variations, upon exposure to NO2 at standard ambient temperature and pressure, are analysed. In addition, we examine the effect of the substrate morphology and, more specifically, of the ink/substrate interaction on the device performances, by comparing the response of different chemiresistors fabricated by dispensing the same suspension also onto Al2O3 and Si/SiO2 substrates and carrying out a supportive atomic force microscopy analysis. The results prove the possibility to produce sensor devices by means of a wholly environmentally friendly, low-cost process that meets the requests coming from the increasing field of paper-based electronics and paving the way towards a flexible, green-by-design mass production.

[Sacral chordoma: a consideration in low back pain]. / Sakrales Chordom: bei Kreuzschmerzen daran denken.

We present the case of a sacral chordoma (S3-S5). Its diagnostic problems as well as its pathological properties and the epidemiologic situation are discussed. The therapy and the surgical procedure are outlined.

Evaluation of a new pharmaceutical form of nimesulide for the treatment of influenza.

In 39 outpatients suffering from a seasonal epidemic influenza, the antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of nimesulide granules was compared with that of aspirin + vitamin C granules. The drugs were administered b.i.d., dispensed in one-dose sachets containing either 100 mg of nimesulide or 500 mg aspirin + 300 mg vitamin C. The efficacy of the two treatments was comparable: both drugs brought about a rapid complete recovery in all treated patients. However, nimesulide was better tolerated: only one case of slight gastralgia was recorded in the nimesulide group vs the six cases of side-effects complained of in the aspirin + vitamin C group.

Nimesulide in the treatment of fever: a double-blind, crossover clinical trial.

A double-blind, crossover clinical trial was carried out in subjects with fever, to assess the activity of three antipyretic drugs. Eighteen in-patients with body temperature (axillary) above 38 degrees C were given a single dose of nimesulide 100 mg, acetylsalicylic acid 500 mg, and dipyrone 500 mg, orally according to an incomplete balanced block design. Significant improvement was recorded with nimesulide and dipyrone, which gave similar results. Acetylsalicylic acid normalized body temperature in a few patients. Safety was very satisfactory. No local or systemic side-effects were noted.