CO2 Gasification Reactivity of Char from High-Ash Biomass.

Biomass char produced from pyrolysis processes is of great interest to be utilized as renewable solid fuels or materials. Forest byproducts and agricultural wastes are low-cost and sustainable biomass feedstocks. These biomasses generally contain high amounts of ash-forming elements, generally leading to high char reactivity. This study elaborates in detail how chemical and physical properties affect CO2 gasification rates of high-ash biomass char, and it also targets the interactions between these properties. Char produced from pine bark, forest residue, and corncobs (particle size 4-30 mm) were included, and all contained different relative compositions of ash-forming elements. Acid leaching was applied to further investigate the influence of inorganic elements in these biomasses. The char properties relevant to the gasification rate were analyzed, that is, elemental composition, specific surface area, and carbon structure. Gasification rates were measured at an isothermal condition of 800 °C with 20% (vol.) of CO2 in N2. The results showed that the inorganic content, particularly K, had a stronger effect on gasification reactivity than specific surface area and aromatic cluster size of the char. At the gasification condition utilized in this study, K could volatilize and mobilize through the char surface, resulting in high gasification reactivity. Meanwhile, the mobilization of Ca did not occur at the low temperature applied, thus resulting in its low catalytic effect. This implies that the dispersion of these inorganic elements through char particles is an important reason behind their catalytic activity. Upon leaching by diluted acetic acid, the K content of these biomasses substantially decreased, while most of the Ca remained in the biomasses. With a low K content in leached biomass char, char reactivity was determined by the active carbon surface area.

Cosmetic use of three topical moisturizers following glycolic acid facial peels.

BACKGROUND: Facial chemical exfoliation (peeling) involves using a chemical agent to insult the skin and damage the cutaneous barrier, to reduce the signs of aging. The use of a moisturizer is advised postprocedure to promote repair of the epidermis. Biomimic moisturizer formulations may be effective treatment options for repair following facial peeling. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the local tolerance and cosmetic efficacy of three topical moisturizers (Physiogel® moisturizing creams), used after a 70% glycolic acid facial peel. METHODS: Three randomized, evaluator-blind, parallel group studies were performed. Subjects were healthy females aged 30-60 years with moderate to advanced photoaged skin (Glogau photoaging type II-III). All included a screening visit, a 7-day washout period, a 70% glycolic acid facial peeling procedure, and randomization to a 14-day treatment period with one of the three test products vs control. RESULTS: The primary endpoint was reached in all three studies; all completed subjects in the test groups received a favorable dermatologist global assessment score for tolerance at Day 14 (postchemical peel). Secondary assessments of local tolerance based on dermatologist and subject self-assessment scores demonstrated improvements from baseline. No treatment-related adverse events were reported in any study. Benefits for the test products were also observed in secondary efficacy analyses of transepidermal water loss and moisturization. CONCLUSIONS: These studies have demonstrated the local tolerance and cosmetic efficacy of three moisturizing skin care products, when used for skin recovery after superficial chemical peeling on the face.

The tolerability profile of clindamycin 1%/benzoyl peroxide 5% gel vs. adapalene 0.1%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel for facial acne: results of a randomized, single-blind, split-face study.

BACKGROUND: Topical combination therapy, such as that with fixed-dose clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide (BPO) or adapalene/BPO, is the recommended first-line approach for the treatment of facial acne. AIMS: To compare the tolerability of clindamycin 1%/BPO 5% gel vs. adapalene 0.1% BPO 2.5% gel for the first 2 weeks of treatment in patients with facial acne. PATIENTS/METHODS: Using a randomized, single-blind, split-face method, 48 patients with acne received both clindamycin/BPO and adapalene/BPO once daily for 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed tolerability. Treatment efficacy, patient-assessed tolerability and satisfaction, and safety were also investigated. RESULTS: Forty-five patients completed treatment. Investigator-rated scores for erythema, dryness, and peeling were significantly higher with adapalene/BPO than clindamycin/BPO. Patients rated clindamycin/BPO as significantly more tolerable than adapalene/BPO for redness, dryness, burning, itching, and scaling. Investigator Static Global Assessment scores and lesion counts improved with both products, with no significant difference between treatments. Patients' Global Change Assessment showed a statistically significant difference in favor of clindamycin/BPO at week 1, but not week 2. Overall, >80% of patients were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with treatment at week 2, but 63% of patients stated that they preferred clindamycin/BPO. Both products were well tolerated, with no serious adverse events (AEs), but a post hoc analysis indicated that treatment-related AEs, including irritation, dryness and erythema, were significantly less common with clindamycin/BPO. CONCLUSIONS: Clindamycin/BPO had a better tolerability profile than adapalene/BPO during 2 weeks of split-face treatment. Treatment satisfaction was highest with clindamycin/BPO.

Attenuation correction for lung SPECT: evidence of need and validation of an attenuation map derived from the emission data.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to investigate the importance of attenuation correction (AC) in reconstructed and reprojected images on lung SPECT studies. METHODS: Simulation studies were undertaken to evaluate the influence of AC on defect-to-normal ratios (D/N), to demonstrate the influence of errors in the correction map values and to detect lung boundaries used for AC. The use of a synthetic map (SM) for AC of the clinical data was also evaluated and the results compared with those obtained with data derived from CT (CTM). Additionally, the role of AC in reprojected SPECT data was assessed and level of noise on the 'planar-like' images was measured. RESULTS: Phantom studies showed that AC markedly affects the D/N ratio. However, variations in micro values typical of those found in clinical studies resulted in relatively small changes in results. Eroded and dilated conditions did not cause any significant effect on D/N. The level of noise in the reprojected images is reduced in comparison with real planar data. Clinical SPECT/CT data reconstructed with AC using CTM and SM showed an excellent correlation between the two methods. CONCLUSION: AC improves D/N in lung SPECT studies, thus potentially enhancing the diagnostic capability of the method. The use of a synthetic map for AC is feasible, avoiding the need for an additional procedure and the increased radiation dose involved. Planar-like images generated from reprojected SPECT data are well matched to normal planar images provided AC is performed and attenuation included in the reprojection.

Weight-based combination therapy with peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin for Naïve, relapser and non-responder patients with chronic hepatitis C

Combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is considered the new standard therapy for naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of treatment with weight-based peginterferon alpha-2b (1.5 mg/kg per week) plus ribavirin (800-1,200 mg/day) for 48 weeks in naïve, relapser and non-responder (to previous treatment with interferon plus ribavirin) patients with chronic hepatitis C. Sixty-seven naïve, 26 relapser and 40 non-responder patients were enrolled. The overall sustained virological response (SVR) for the intention-to-treat population was 54 percent for naïve, 62 percent for relapser and 38 percent for non-responder patients. In the naïve subgroup, SVR was significantly higher in patients with the non-1 genotype (67 percent) compared to those with genotype 1 (45 percent). In relapsers and non-responders, SVR was, respectively, 69 percent and 24 percent in patients with genotype 1 and 43 percent and 73 percent in those with genotype non-1. There were no significant differences in SVR rates among the three body weight ranges (< 65 kg, 65-85 kg and > 85 kg) in any of the subgroups. Early virological response (EVR) was reached by 78 percent, 81 percent and 58 percent of naïve, relapser and non-responder patients, respectively, and among those with EVR, 63 percent, 67 percent and 61 percent, respectively, subsequently achieved SVR. All of the non-responder patients who did not have EVR reached SVR. Treatment was discontinued in 13 percent of the patients, due to loss to follow-up, hematological abnormalities or depression.

Weight-based combination therapy with peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin for naïve, relapser and non-responder patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is considered the new standard therapy for naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of treatment with weight-based peginterferon alpha-2b (1.5 mg/kg per week) plus ribavirin (800-1,200 mg/day) for 48 weeks in naïve, relapser and non-responder (to previous treatment with interferon plus ribavirin) patients with chronic hepatitis C. Sixty-seven naïve, 26 relapser and 40 non-responder patients were enrolled. The overall sustained virological response (SVR) for the intention-to-treat population was 54% for naïve, 62% for relapser and 38% for non-responder patients. In the naïve subgroup, SVR was significantly higher in patients with the non-1 genotype (67%) compared to those with genotype 1 (45%). In relapsers and non-responders, SVR was, respectively, 69% and 24% in patients with genotype 1 and 43% and 73% in those with genotype non-1. There were no significant differences in SVR rates among the three body weight ranges (<65 kg, 65-85 kg and >85 kg) in any of the subgroups. Early virological response (EVR) was reached by 78%, 81% and 58% of naïve, relapser and non-responder patients, respectively, and among those with EVR, 63%, 67% and 61%, respectively, subsequently achieved SVR. All of the non-responder patients who did not have EVR reached SVR. Treatment was discontinued in 13% of the patients, due to loss to follow-up, hematological abnormalities or depression.