Recovery and characterization of nickel particles by chemical reduction method from wastes generated in electroless industry.

The discarded solutions by the chemical nickel industry have high amounts of nickel, this is why they are considered hazardous wastes for the health and the environment. On the other side, Ni particles can have potential applications in the developing of magnetorheological fluids currently being used to improve the performance of mechanical devices. The present study raises the treatment of a residual effluent from a chemical nickel industry by applying a chemical precipitation which uses sodium hypophosphite as a reducer, and varying the order of the reagents involved in the conditioning of the reaction with respect to the reducer. The recovered solids were studied using different material characterization techniques to recognize the chemical composition (X-Ray Fluorescence, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry), crystallinity and morphology (X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope), surface charge and size distribution (Dynamic Light Scattering). By the chemical reduction treatment it was possible to decrease the amount of nickel in the residual between 97.25% and 99.50%, obtaining Ni particles that were then tested to be used in magnetic fluids. To this purpose a suspension was prepared by mixing the Ni particles with silicone oil in a constant solid/liquid ratio, and the rheological behavior of this suspension was evaluated as a function of the magnetic field and the deformation applied, revealing an interesting magnetorheological behavior.

Aeromonas hydrophila and its relation with drinking water indicators of microbiological quality in Argentine.

In Argentine, water municipal supplies disinfection is carried out by chlorine. We have isolated Aeromonas hydrophila from a chlorinated water supply in Buenos Aires that fulfilled Argentinean microbiological quality standards. It is an aquatic organism that could produce cytotoxins and enterotoxins associated with acute gastroenteritis and wound infections in human and hemorrhagic septicaemia of fish, reptiles and amphibians. The isolated strain produced protein bands at isoelectric point in the range of 4.6-5.3 lightly labile at 56 degrees C and heat labile at 100 degrees C non cholera antitoxin reactive in electrofocusing assay (IEF) and showed hemolytic activity thermolabile at 56 degrees C and 100 degrees C in 5% rabbit erythrocytes in phosphate buffered saline. A cytotoxic effect thermolabile at 56 degrees C and 100 degrees C and a cytotonic activity were demonstrated in Vero cell cultures. Survival assay of A. hydrophila and indicator organisms would show no correlation between their contamination sources. Biofilms production could explain the persistence of this gram negative pathogen organism in chlorinated tap water. A water system supply maintenance program and pasteurisation may be performed in spite of water chlorination.

[C0Q10 in the prevention and treatment of primary osteoporosis. Preliminary data]. / Il C0Q10 nella prevenzione e nella terapia dell'osteoporosi primitiva. Dati preliminari.

Preliminary data are reported of an as yet uncompleted clinical study aimed at evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of C0Q10 for primary osteoporosis. In spite of the small number of subjects treated (only 5) the results obtained are evidence of the efficacy of this agent which had never before been used in the therapy of osteoporosis. The possible mechanisms of action C0Q10 are discussed in the light of an original interpretation of the etiopathogenesis of this very complex bone disease. Details of the study will be reported once the trial has been completed.

[Percussion-auscultation syndrome of carnitine deficiency]. / La sindrome percusso-ascoltatoria da carenza di carnitina.

Up till now it has been possible to demonstrate carnitine deficiency, after separating non esterified carnitine and acyl-carnitines, by some sophisticated assays: photometric methods, enzymatic and radio-enzymatic-methods, gas chromatography, HPLC, mass spectrometry. This diagnostic approach is not easy for the general practitioner; therefore, the diagnosis of carnitine deficiency is often delayed and delegated to the specialist. In this paper signs of the syndrome and how to find them by the aid of auscultatory percussion are fully described for the first time. This knowledge will be helpful to the general practitioner both from technical point of view--diagnosis of carnitine deficiency--and for monitoring the results of therapy.

[Ketanserin, an antagonist of 5-HT2 serotoninergic receptors and free-radical scavenger]. / Ketanserina, antagonista dei recettori 5HT2 serotoninergici e scavenger dei radicali liberi.

The authors describe an original clinical method of auscultatory percussion which is easily performed and reliable for bedside evaluation of tissue Co Q10, tissue acidosis, endothelial damage, free radicals and microcirculatory functional reserve. They report data observed in 25 arteriosclerotic patients treated with ketanserin which show the drug to be an excellent scavenger of free radicals.

[Early clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis using auscultatory percussion. Therapeutic monitoring]. / Diagnosi clinica precoce dell'osteoporosi con la percussione ascoltata. Monitoraggio terapeutico.

The authors describe the auscultatory percussion method, easy to perform and reliable in early bed-side diagnosis of osteoporosis, even if asymptomatic. In addition, the great importance of early diagnosis in preventing fractures complicating osteoporosis is underlined. The results obtained with prompt administration of current therapy in 25 cases, diagnosed with the aid of auscultatory percussion, are reported. Finally, practical use of this method for both therapeutic monitoring and individual prescription of drugs, is emphasized.

[Percussion auscultation of transient ischemic attacks. Role of cerebral evoked potentials]. / Percussione ascoltata degli attacchi ischemici transitori. Ruolo dei potenziali cerebrali evocati.

The auscultatory percussion signs present during so called transitory ischaemic attacks are described. Long experience has revealed the identification of cerebral evoked potentials to be particularly valuable, both in confirming diagnosis and monitoring treatment. "Bed-side" identification of cerebral evoked potentials is an extension of physical symptomatology as applied to diseases of the nervous system. Finally, differential diagnosis with cerebral tumours often associated with enigmatic phenomena is discussed.