One-step electrodeposition of Pd–CeO2 on high pore density foams for environmental catalytic processes

Electrodeposited Pd–CeO₂ on high pore density foams shows high activity and stability for environmental processes and outstanding mass transport properties.

Gaining insight into the kinetics of partial oxidation of light hydrocarbons on Rh, through a multiscale methodology based on advanced experimental and modeling techniques

This chapter updates previous reviews on the catalytic partial oxidation of methane and light hydrocarbons over noble metals; specifically, it focuses on the development of experimental and modeling tools that in recent years allowed to measure with accuracy and formalize the kinetics of the surface process, thus setting the basis for the engineering of short contact time CPO reformers. Such advanced tools include special micro-reactor designs for the kinetic investigation under isothermal conditions, first-principle microkinetic schemes, techniques for the spatially resolved measurement of temperature and concentration profiles inside working adiabatic reactors, detailed reactor models accounting for the role of transport phenomena in structured catalysts as well as that of homogeneous reactions. These contributions pave a multi-scale path, that runs from the fundamentals of surface kinetics to the reactor optimal design.

Genotyping of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in Italian AIDS patients. Clinical outcome is influenced by dihydropteroate synthase and not by internal transcribed spacer genotype

BACKGROUND

Two Pneumocystis jiroveci independent genomic regions, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and ITS2, and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene have been used for typing a cohort of HIV-infected Italian patients with P jiroveci pneumonia (PcP).

METHODS

Bronchoalveolar lavage samples isolated from 207 HIV-infected adults were ITS and DHPS genotyped by DNA sequencing and by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, respectively. Mutant DHPS samples were cloned and ITS typed. Data on severity, treatment, and outcome of PcP were obtained by chart review.

RESULTS

High diversity with 46 different ITS genotypes was observed. At the DHPS locus, 9.1% of samples analyzed were found to be mutated. A correlation was observed between DHPS mutants and greater severity of PcP, as defined by higher lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.015) and need for intubation (P = 0.002), and worse outcomes, as defined by failure of sulfa treatment (P = 0.04), death, and/or relapse of PcP (P = 0.008). There was a significant difference in ITS genotype patterns between DHPS wild-type and mutants (P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

The present data suggest the absence of a correlation between P jiroveci ITS types and specific clinical characteristics. DHPS mutations correlate with possible failure of anti-P jiroveci sulfa therapy, and a trend of association is shown between DHPS mutations and some clinical PcP features.

Assessment of immune reconstitution to Pneumocystis carinii in HIV-1 patients under different highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens

The introduction of protease inhibitors (PIs) gave a dramatic drop in AIDS-related opportunistic events, mainly due to induced immune reconstitution. Discontinuation of prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii is considered safe when CD4 > 200 cells/mm(3). Ideally, we should have specific functional tests for HIV-1-related decisions. We examined viro-immunological profiles, clinical outcome and lymphocyte proliferation (LP) to P. carinii and other antigens in 108 subjects: 28 AIDS presenters with P. carinii pneumonia (PCP) (CD4 < 200 cells/mm(3)), 22 untreated asymptomatic HIV-1-infected patients (CD4 > 200 cells/mm(3)), 44 HIV-1-infected patients immune-reconstituted on antiretroviral regimens and 14 HIV-1-uninfected healthy controls. As regards viral load, there was no significant difference in therapy duration, nadir, or actual CD4, CD8, natural killer or B cell counts in immune-reconstituted patients receiving protease inhibitor (PI)-based versus those receiving PI-sparing antiretroviral regimens. Among subjects showing abnormally low P. carinii-specific LP, three patients receiving a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (nNRTI) developed PCP despite having CD4 > 250 cells/mm(3). P. carinii-specific LP could be considered for doubtful situations, i.e. for a safer clinical decision of discontinuing or restarting prophylaxis in patients with a low CD4 nadir or experiencing a sudden CD4 decrease under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HIV-1 PIs, having in vitro aspecific effects against Pneumocystis, could play a clinically significant anti-opportunistic role, thus offering a further benefit in heavily immunosuppressed patients during early stages of antiretroviral therapy.

[Aerobic fitness in police officers]

According to act n. 626, individual assessment of fitness and absence of contraindications for carrying on a job is fundamental. We considered a group of 44 Urban Police officers (36 males, 8 females), age 39.7 +/- 9.1, whose principal job requirement is a good energetic and motor availability, for a fitness evaluation through a submaximal treadmill test, with subsequent steps of 6 minutes. During the test, physiological variables (VO2, VE, QR through a metabograph, Hr trough an Ec-monitor and Pa through a manual sphygmomanometer) and subjective evaluations of fatigue and dyspnea were monitored. Studying the individual variables trend it was possible to identify the critical metabolic level that was easily tolerated by each individual. This level, an average of 6.8 MET corresponding to a heavy activity, is an endurance predictor and can be utilized in subsequent controls.