speciation of copper ii in natural waters in the presence of ligands of high and intermediate strength

AbstractA new procedure is presented for the determination of the ligands of copper(II) in natural waters, based on titration with the metal ion, monitored by measuring the concentration of copper(II) sorbed on the carboxylic resin Amberlite CG 50. The data are treated by the Ruzic linearization method to obtain the concentration of the ligands and the conditional stability constant of the complexes. Ligands with reaction coefficient αM higher than 0.1 K*w/V are detected, where K* is the ratio of the concentration of sorbed metal to the concentration of free metal in solution, which can be evaluated from the sorption equilibria of copper(II) on Amberlite CG 50, w is the amount of water in the resin phase, and V the volume of the solution phase. Some natural waters at high and low salinity were examined. The ligand concentration determined in these samples ranged from around 50 to 2000 nM, while the original copper concentrations from 11 to 130 nM. The ligand concentration was always much higher than that ..

Fine structure and functional morphology of the mouthparts of a male Veigaia sp (Gamasida: Veigaiidae) with remarks on the spermatodactyl and related sensory structures

Mites of the genus Veigaia are common gamasid inhabitants of forest litter. They engage in the peculiar reproductive strategy of podospermy which, along with other morphological and behavioral adaptations, involves modification of the chelicerae of the relatively rare males into gonopods. Each movable digit is provided with an appendage (spermatodactyl) that is involved in sperm transfer. We describe the gross anatomy, fine structure, and functional morphology of the mouthparts of a male Veigaia species and give ultrastructural details for the corniculi, laciniae, preoral cavity, labrum, pharynx, and movable and fixed digits. The fine structure of the spermatodactyl is illustrated here for the first time in detail. A semischematic reconstruction of the gnathosoma and spermatodactyl is provided. The spermatodactyl is totally fused with the movable digit and a sperm transfer duct runs along its entire length. This duct starts at the adaxial base of the movable digit, continues inside the digit into the tube of the spermatodactyl, and finally opens at the distal abaxial surface of the spermatodactyl. Several sensory structures associated with the spermatodactyl probably provide the male with mechanical and chemical clues

Application of the new electroanalytical technique AGNES for the determination of free Zn concentration in river water

Absence of gradients and Nernstian equilibrium stripping (AGNES) is a recently developed electroanalytical technique specifically designed for the direct determination of free concentrations of metal ions. AGNES is applied here to the determination of free Zn concentration in a river water sample. The method has been validated with synthetic solutions of low ionic strengths containing Zn and 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and then applied to synthetic river waters and to a natural sample collected from Besòs River in Montcada i Reixac (Catalonia, North-Eastern Spain). In the river sample, an average free Zn concentration of 12.8(4) nM was obtained, while the total dissolved Zn concentration was 0.51(8) μM. To control and maintain pH and pCO2 constant during AGNES measurements, a novel device for N2/CO2 mixed purging has been developed

Treatment and outcome of metastatic parathyroid carcinoma: A systematic review and pooled analysis of published cases

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is an extremely rare malignant tumor with an incidence of about 6 new cases per 10 million inhabitants per year. While several papers have been published on treatments and outcomes of PC patients with loco-regional disease, little is known about the prognosis, treatment strategies, and prognostic factors of patients with distant metastasis

Ligand-dependent EGFR activation induces the co-expression of IL-6 and PAI-1 via the NFkB pathway in advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a member of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases, is expressed in up to 70% of epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs), where it correlates with poor prognosis. The majority of EOCs are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and at least 50% present malignant ascites. High levels of IL-6 have been found in the ascites of EOC patients and correlate with shorter survival. Herein, we investigated the signaling cascade led by EGFR activation in EOC and assessed whether EGFR activation could induce an EOC microenvironment characterized by pro-inflammatory molecules. In vitro analysis of EOC cell lines revealed that ligand-stimulated EGFR activated NFkB-dependent transcription and induced secretion of IL-6 and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). IL-6/PAI-1 expression and secretion were strongly inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478 and EGFR silencing. A significant reduction of EGF-stimulated IL-6/PAI-1 secretion was also obtained with the NFkB inhibitor dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin. Of 23 primary EOC tumors from advanced-stage patients with malignant ascites at surgery, 12 co-expressed membrane EGFR, IL-6 and PAI-1 by immunohistochemistry; both IL-6 and PAI-1 were present in 83% of the corresponding ascites. Analysis of a publicly available gene-expression data set from 204 EOCs confirmed a significant correlation between IL-6 and PAI-1 expression, and patients with the highest IL-6 and PAI-1 co-expression showed a significantly shorter progression-free survival time (P=0.028). This suggests that EGFR/NFkB/IL-6-PAI-1 may have a significant impact on the therapy of a particular subset of EOC, and that IL-6/PAI-1 co-expression may be a novel prognostic marker

Síntesis y caracterización de materiales de referencia certificados de impurezas de ingredientes farmacéuticos activos

A partir de la promulgación de Ley N° 19.511/1972, el Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial (INTI) fue designado Instituto Nacional de Metrología. En función de la reglamentación de esta ley, el INTI es responsable de producir, mantener y diseminar los patrones nacionales de medida, y diseminar trazabilidad metrológica en todo el territorio nacional. Esta diseminación se establece principalmente al Sistema Internacional de Unidades (SI). Además, tiene un rol en el aseguramiento de la calidad de las mediciones vinculadas con la producción industrial, la equidad en el comercio, y el cuidado del ambiente, la salud, los alimentos y la seguridad pública. La necesidad de mejorar las mediciones en la actualidad es una premisa fundamental del desarrollo industrial y por ende económico, de nuestro país. Combinando las capacidades existentes en INTI de investigación y desarrollo en síntesis química, caracterización de pequeñas moléculas y en la producción de MR para distintos sectores industriales, nos planteamos como objetivo el Desarrollo de Materiales de Referencia Certificados de Sustancias Relacionadas (SR) de Ingredientes Farmacéuticos Activos (IFAs). En este trabajo describimos los principales avances en este proyecto.Fil: Gandolfi Donadío, Lucía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Hermida, Laura Graciela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Molinari, Judith Paola. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Alberti, Cecilia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Ciarlantini, Matias Sebastián. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Santos, Leandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Scravaglieri, Antonella. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Fischer, Diego Alejandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Heba, Julieta. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Bellomo, Ana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Paolo, Luciano Sebastián. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Grillo, Sergio Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Puelles, María Mabel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Gatti, Patricia Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Comin, Maria Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; Argentin

Мова українських обрядових пісень

Intestinal failure (IF) is the reduction in functioning gut mass below the minimal level necessary for adequate digestion and absorption of nutrients and fluids for weight maintenance in adults or for growth in children. There is a paucity of epidemiologic data on pediatric IF. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, incidence, regional distribution and underlying diagnosis of pediatric chronic IF (CIF) requiring home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in Italy. METHODS: Local investigators were selected in 19 Italian centers either of reference for pediatric HPN or having pediatric gastroenterologists or surgeons on staff and already collaborating with the Italian Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition with regard to IF. Data requested in this survey for children at home on Parenteral Nutrition (PN) on 1 December 2016 included patient initials, year of birth, gender, family's place of residence and underlying diagnosis determining IF. RESULTS: We recorded 145 CIF patients on HPN aged ≤19 years. The overall prevalence was 14.12/million inhabitants (95% CI: 9.20-18.93); the overall incidence was 1.41/million inhabitant years (95% CI: 0.53-2.20). CONCLUSION: Our survey provides new epidemiological data on pediatric CIF in Italy; these data may be quantitatively useful in developing IF care strategy plans in all developed countrie

Protein-Energy Wasting and Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with an increased death risk from cardiovascular diseases. However, while even minor renal dysfunction is an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular prognosis, PEW becomes clinically manifest at an advanced stage, early before or during the dialytic stage. Mechanisms causing loss of muscle protein and fat are complex and not always associated with anorexia, but are linked to several abnormalities that stimulate protein degradation and/or decrease protein synthesis. In addition, data from experimental CKD indicate that uremia specifically blunts the regenerative potential in skeletal muscle, by acting on muscle stem cells. In this discussion recent findings regarding the mechanisms responsible for malnutrition and the increase in cardiovascular risk in CKD patients are discussed. During the course of CKD, the loss of kidney excretory and metabolic functions proceed together with the activation of pathways of endothelial damage, inflammation, acidosis, alterations in insulin signaling and anorexia which are likely to orchestrate net protein catabolism and the PEW syndrome

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Minimal Symptom Expression' in Patients With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab

The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension