Halo-complexes of Titanium(III): the Thermochromic Behaviour of [NBu4][TiCl4(thf)2]

TiCl3(thf)3 reacts with ACl (A = NBu4, PPN; PPN = Ph3PNPPh3) in dichloromethane solution, affording the compounds A[TiCl4(thf)2] (A = NBu4, 1; A = PPN, 2). Compound 1, dissolved in CH2Cl2, exhibits thermochromic behaviour which has been the subject of variable-temperature UV–Vis investigations

On the Effect of the Reaction Medium on the HydroClaus Process: A Novel Sustainable H2S Valorization Strategy

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is becoming a critical issue to manage, due to the increasing sulfur content in the processed gas together with the stricter environmental regulations. Novel alternatives are being developed for the H2S abatement and conversion to valuable chemicals. Among them, the HydroClaus process, patented by Eni S.p.A., deserves attention. This technology aims at converting H2S and SO2 into a hydrophilic mixture of sulfur and sulfur-rich compounds, polythionates, to be used as a fertilizer. An improved configuration for an efficient water management is proposed in this work. The process operability has been demonstrated at the bench scale, through an ad hoc experimental campaign. For the technology scale-up, a flowsheet has been set up and its performances have been assessed in terms of heat and material balances and CO2 emissions. Results reveal that the modified HydroClaus process can be a valid solution for an effective H2S valorization, also considering that no direct CO2 emissions are released. Moreover, since only electric power is required, a further reduction of the indirect CO2 emissions is expected, if renewable sources can be exploited for this purpose

Borrelia Lyme Group

Borreliaceae is a family of the phylum Spirochaetales and includes two genera, Borrelia and Cristispira genus. Borrelia genus is divided into three groups, namely Lyme group (LG), Echidna‐Reptile group (REPG) and Relapsing Fever group (RFG). All Borrelia species have an obligate parasitic lifestyle, as they depend on their hosts for most of their nutritional needs. Borreliæ are transmitted among vertebrate hosts by arthropod vectors (ticks and lice). Transtadial transmission within their carriers occurs for the Borreliæ RF Group, while this does not (or rarely occurs) for the Borreliæ Lyme Group. Phylogenetic data demonstrated that these two groups are genetically similar but distinct, forming independent clades sharing a common ancestor. In nature, the vectors of LB belong to the genus Ixodes spp. frequently found in the Northern Hemisphere, while the vectors of RF are usually the soft-ticks (Ornithodoros spp.). Borreliae share a unique genomic structure consisting of a single highly conserved linear chromosome and several linear and circular extrachromosomal plasmids which can vary widely between strains. In addition to Lyme and RF borreliosis, an intermediate group, called Echidna-Reptile borreliosis, has recently been identified. Lyme disease (LD) is caused by the spirochæte Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) and transmitted to humans by the bite of a hard tick of the genus Ixodes, and LD reservoir are usually small rodents. LD is present in America, Eurasia, Africa, while its presence in Australia is not yet well documented. Not all Borreliæ Lyme Groups cause this disease in humans. Of the 23 Borreliæ burgdorferi s.l. currently known only 9 have been identified in human infection, namely Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii, B. bavarensis, B. bissettii, B. garinii, B. lusitaniae, B. spielmani, B. valaisiana, and B. mayonii. LD is an organotropic infection, but there is also a spirochætemic form, caused by Borrelia mayonii, which gives fever similarly to the Borreliosis RF Group. A third variant of LD is Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome (BYS), which is transmitted by another hard tick, Amblyomma cajennense. This Borrelia has not been isolated in culture, therefore its membership in the Lyme Group is not yet proven. All three of these Sub-Groups can manifest early with erythema migrans. Clinical features of LD are wide and variable, with clinical manifestations linked to distinct tissue tropisms of specific Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. genospecies. The early infection is localized and, in the absence of treatment, the spirochete can spread. The organs most frequently involved are skin, joints, muscles, nervous system, heart and eyes. B. burgdorferi s.s. is more often associated with Lyme arthritis, Borrelia garinii with neuroborreliosis and B. afzelii with acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans

Reproducibility of the WHO histological criteria for the diagnosis of Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms.

This study, performed on behalf of the Italian Registry of Thrombocythaemias (Registro Italiano Trombocitemie), aimed to test the inter-observer reproducibility of the histological parameters proposed by the WHO classification for the diagnosis of the Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms. A series of 103 bone marrow biopsy samples of Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms consecutively collected in 2004 were classified according to the WHO criteria as follows: essential thrombocythaemia (n=34), primary myelofibrosis (n=44) and polycythaemia vera (n=25). Two independent groups of pathologists reviewed the bone marrow biopsies. The first group was asked to reach a collegial 'consensus' diagnosis. The second group reviewed individually all the cases to recognize the main morphological parameters indicated by the WHO classification and report their results in a database. They were subsequently instructed to individually build a 'personal' diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasms subtype just assembling the parameters collected in the database. Our results indicate that high levels of agreement ( 6570%) have been reached for about all of the morphological features. Moreover, among the 18 evaluated histological features, 11 resulted statistically more useful for the differential diagnosis among the different Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms. Finally, we found a high percentage of agreement (76%) between the 'personal' and 'consensus' diagnosis (Cohen's kappa statistic >0.40). In conclusion, our results support the use of the histological criteria proposed by the WHO classification for the Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms to ensure a more precise and early diagnosis for these patients

Basic self-disturbances related to reduced anterior cingulate volume in subjects at ultra-high risk for psychosis

Introduction: Alterations of the “pre-reflective” sense of first-person perspective (e.g., of the “basic self”) are characteristic features of schizophrenic spectrum disorders and are significantly present in the prodromal phase of psychosis and in subjects at ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR). Studies in healthy controls suggest that neurobiological substrate of the basic self involves cortical midline structures, such as the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices. Neuroimaging studies have identified neuroanatomical cortical midline structure abnormalities in schizophrenic spectrum disorders. Objectives: i) To compare basic self-disturbances levels in UHR subjects and controls and ii) to assess the relationship between basic self-disturbances and alterations in cortical midline structures volume in UHR subjects. Methods: Thirty-one UHR subjects (27 antipsychotic-naïve) and 16 healthy controls were assessed using the 57-item semistructured Examination of Anomalous Self-Experiences (EASE) interview. All subjects were scanned using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 T, and gray matter volume was measured in a priori defined regions of interest (ROIs) in the cortical midline structures. Results: EASE scores were much higher in UHR subjects than controls (p < 0.001). The UHR group had smaller anterior cingulate volume than controls (p = 0.037). There were no structural brain imaging alterations between UHR individuals with or without self-disturbances. Within the UHR sample, the subgroup with higher EASE scores had smaller anterior cingulate volumes than UHR subjects with lower EASE scores and controls (p = 0.018). In the total sample, anterior cingulate volume was inversely correlated with the EASE score (R = 0.52, p < 0.016). Conclusions: Basic self-disturbances in UHR subjects appear to be related to reductions in anterior cingulate volume

The lived experience of psychosis: a bottom-up review co-written by experts by experience and academics

: Psychosis is the most ineffable experience of mental disorder. We provide here the first co-written bottom-up review of the lived experience of psychosis, whereby experts by experience primarily selected the subjective themes, that were subsequently enriched by phenomenologically-informed perspectives. First-person accounts within and outside the medical field were screened and discussed in collaborative workshops involving numerous individuals with lived experience of psychosis as well as family members and carers, representing a global network of organizations. The material was complemented by semantic analyses and shared across all collaborators in a cloud-based system. The early phases of psychosis (i.e., premorbid and prodromal stages) were found to be characterized by core existential themes including loss of common sense, perplexity and lack of immersion in the world with compromised vital contact with reality, heightened salience and a feeling that something important is about to happen, perturbation of the sense of self, and need to hide the tumultuous inner experiences. The first episode stage was found to be denoted by some transitory relief associated with the onset of delusions, intense self-referentiality and permeated self-world boundaries, tumultuous internal noise, and dissolution of the sense of self with social withdrawal. Core lived experiences of the later stages (i.e., relapsing and chronic) involved grieving personal losses, feeling split, and struggling to accept the constant inner chaos, the new self, the diagnosis and an uncertain future. The experience of receiving psychiatric treatments, such as inpatient and outpatient care, social interventions, psychological treatments and medications, included both positive and negative aspects, and was determined by the hope of achieving recovery, understood as an enduring journey of reconstructing the sense of personhood and re-establishing the lost bonds with others towards meaningful goals. These findings can inform clinical practice, research and education. Psychosis is one of the most painful and upsetting existential experiences, so dizzyingly alien to our usual patterns of life and so unspeakably enigmatic and human

Catena d'onore, catena d'amore: Baldassarre Castiglione, Elisabetta Gonzaga e il gioco della 'S'

In the funerary chapel of Baldassarre Castiglione in Santa Maria delle Grazie (Curtatone, Mantua) we can see an unusual collar: it is a famous livery collar named the collar of the 'S'; Castiglione was given it by Henry VII of England in autumn 1507. This collar presents itself as a metallic chain composed of elements in the form of an 'S' shape. On the chain livery badges would be appended to indicate different levels of associations and different roles. The collar was introduced into the court of England by Henry IV, the first Lancastrian king, at the beginning of the XV century and its use lasted throughout the Tudor age. In this period the collar had many forms according to the fashion of the time as we know by the many exemplars of this collar still preserved. The significance of the 'S' has been long debated by scholars. The hypotheses most accepted today are: - 'S' representing the capital letter of Soverayne, the Sovereign - 'S' representing the capital letter of Souveignex, the first word of the common motto ‘Soueignex vous du moy’ (remember me). Probably the latter hypothesis is the most creditable because the knight always had to remember the relationship to his king. Before the coronation of Henry IV, when he was still duke of Lancaster, he was already well known for one of his personal emblems, the 'Forget-me-not'. Additionally a necklace that he commissioned was composed of alternating elements in the shape of the S and the forgetmenot flower. When Henry IV became king the meaning of the 'S' shifted from the 'Souveignex/forgetmenot' to 'Soverayne/Sovereign', and in this way had a double meaning with the 'S' changing from a personal emblem to a livery symbol which the English king gave to his knights to signify his gratitude and esteem. Baldassarre Castiglione went to England as an ambassador many times and his role as such is recorded in the long epitaph written by Pietro Aretino on the tombstone in the chapel of Santa Maria delle Grazie. In a recent book Lina Bolzoni points out that Castiglione gives very often the impression that he knew well the symbolic and economic value of the collar. She suggests that on frequent occasions the elements of the collar were unlinked and sold but always later bought back and reconnected because the symbolic value was higher then the material one. In the Cortegiano book, Castiglione proposed a wordplay about the 'S', a badge wich Elisabetta Gonzaga wore on her forehead. Bolzoni's hypothesis is that the jewel enclosing the 'S' which the lady wore was a gift from Castiglione and it was an element of his own collar. But we know that the Gonzaga family as well was given the sign of the 'S' by the king of England at the beginning of the XV century as this sign is shown in the frescos of Pisanello in Palazzo Ducale in Mantua, and this collar is listed in the inventory of the jewels of the Gonzaga family in the XV cent. We therefore hypothesised that the 'S' on the forehead is not a gift from Castiglione but a family jewel. It is not plausible, as Bolzoni wrote, that Castiglione did not know the meaning of the 'S'. When he returned from England to Urbino he brought the same symbol that Elisabetta had been given by her family, the Gonzagas. In this way the 'S' is charged with a new meaning: indeed the enterprise is by its nature polysemic. In the Cortegiano the gentlemen played wordgames and questioned themselves about the meaning of the 'S': the question about the symbol remained without an answer but Castiglione left the ambiguity open. The meaning of the 'S' was probably known only by Baldassarre and Elisabetta: the hidden meaning is the double servitude of the knight, to the love of the Lady and to the fidelity to the King