Influence of Polyfluorinated Side Chains and Soft-Template Method on the Surface Morphologies and Hydrophobic Properties of Electrodeposited Films from Fluorene Bridged Dicarbazole Monomers.

A clear case of relationship between the monomer molecular structure and the capability of tuning the morphology of electrodeposited gas bubbles template polymer thin films is shown. To this end, a series of fluorene-bridged dicarbazole derivatives containing either linear or terminally branched polyfluorinated side chains connected to the fluorene subunit were synthesized and their electrochemical properties were investigated. The new compounds underwent electrochemical polymerization over indium tin oxide electrodes to give hydrophobic films with nanostructural and morphological properties strongly dependent on the nature of the side chains. Gas bubbles templated electropolymerization was next achieved by the addition of tiny amounts of water to the monomer solutions, without using surfactants. Within the investigated set of molecules, the nanostructural properties of the soft-templated films obtained from monomers bearing linear side chains could be fine-tuned by adjusting electrochemical parameters, leading to superhydrophobic surfaces.

Changes in the prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotype among Italian injection drug users-relation to period of injection started.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C is a worldwide health problem. Intravenous drug users are the main risk group. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of HCV genotypes in Italian injecting drug users and the distribution of genotypes in relation to the period when the infection was acquired. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred sera from patients with chronic hepatitis C and a history of intravenous drug use were assayed for HCV-RNA and genotyped by a commercial line probe assay. RESULTS: Genotypes 1 (45.5%) and 3 (35%) were the most common genotypes, followed by genotypes 4 (15%) and 2 (3%). One genotype 5 (0.5%) was found. Two mixed infections (1%) were detected. Subtype could be determined in 160 cases (80%): subtype 3a was the most prevalent (41.3%), followed by subtypes 1a (23.1%) and 1b (20.6%). A significant change in the distribution of prevalent genotypes occurred since 1965 (p=0.020). Genotype 3 infections declined from 48/116 (41.4%) in 1965-1985 to 22/84 (26.2%) in 1986-2006. The prevalence of genotype 4 was significantly higher in patients infected after 1985 compared to patients infected before this year (11/116 [9.5%] vs. 19/84 [22.6%], respectively; p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Since 1965 the common HCV genotype 3 has become less common in Italy. Genotype 4, an imported genotype, has become more common.

Eliminación de fluoruros utilizando hidroxiapatita

Dado que en diversos lugares del mundo existen aguas subterráneas con elevadas cantidades de flúor que resultan altamente tóxicas a la salud humana, se están ensayando nuevos métodos alternativos para la eliminación parcial de dicho elemento, utilizando hueso molido