Kinetic study of thermal de-chlorination of PVC containing waste

With the increasing of plastics content in solid waste, both municipal and industrial, also increases the interest in its use as an energy source. Some of these wastes are an important potential source of energy and might be valorized using the pyrolysis or gasification processes. However, the presence of high chlorine contents in its composition prevents its management by a thermal process, as consequence of toxic compounds production and their release to the atmosphere. The present work asses a possible process for treating PVC-containing wastes in an environmentally friendly way. It is based on the effective de-chlorination of PVC-containing wastes through a pyrolysis process at low temperature before the carbonaceous residue from PVC-containing wastes being subject to a subsequent thermal treatment for energetic valorization.QREN (NORTE-01-0202-FEDER-011447

Rupture of splenic angiosarcoma: a rare cause of spontaneous haemoperitoneum

Primary splenic angiosarcoma, a very rare mesenchymal tumour of endothelial cell origin, comprises 2.6% of all cases of angiosarcoma and 10% of all primitive splenic tumours. Clinical presentation is usually unspecific, with abdominal pain and anaemia. Rupture is a rare complication and should prompt emergency splenectomy. Prognosis is usually poor because of liver, lung or bone metastases. We describe the case of an 80-year-old woman admitted to the emergency room with syncope, hypotension and vomiting. She stabilised after fluid resuscitation. Investigations showed anaemia, a large, heterogeneous spleen and free fluid in the abdominal cavity. She underwent emergency splenectomy. Pathology revealed primary splenic angiosarcoma. The postoperative period was complicated by respiratory failure but the patient made an otherwise uneventful course and was discharged 2 weeks after surgery. Six months after the operation she remains free of disease with no adjuvant treatment

Do intelligent leaders make a difference? The effect of a leader’s emotional intelligence on followers creativity

This research investigates the connection between emotional intelligence (EI) and creativity. This was studied by exploring: (i) an association between leaders’ EI and their followers’ creative output; (ii) an association between six sub-dimensions of EI and creativity; and (iii) a mediating role of climate in the link between EI and creativity. Two questionnaires (one for leaders and one for employees) were used to collect data in a hospital. Sixty-six usable leader-employee dyads were collected. The findings confirmed a positive relationship between leaders’ EI and employees’ creativity. At an EI’s sub-dimensions level, the current research showed an association between creativity, on one hand, and self-encouragement and understanding of own emotions, on the other. Finally, no mediating effect of climate was observed. The absence of a mediating effect is interesting, since it suggests a direct link between leaders’ EI and employees’ creativity, regardless of the climate. This is important, since it calls attention to the paramount role of leaders in shaping individual and organizational behaviours as far as creativity is concerned. The paper also discusses implications for management and practice.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A tecnologia vídeo digital na educação: fator de inclusão ou de exclusão?

A convergência das mídias em uma plataforma que reúne sons, imagens e dados, com recursos de interatividade e portabilidade, oferece novas possibilidades educomunicacionais. Este artigo foi desenvolvido para conclusão da disciplina Desenvolvimento de Conteúdo Educacional baseado na TV Digital Interativa, do programa de pós-graduação da Faculdade de Educação da Unicamp, com o objetivo de discutir o papel do vídeo digital no processo de ensino-aprendizagem e os fatores de inclusão e de exclusão que podem estar envolvidos. A adoção do vídeo digital na sala de aula pode fazer parte de um plano de atividades pedagógicas, ampliando os espaços para a aprendizagem, a reflexão e a construção de conhecimento de forma coletiva. Para que isso aconteça, os estudos mostram que o uso das novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação deve ser pensado estrategicamente para que estimule o aluno a pensar a sua realidade e a apropriar-se dos mecanismos que permitam transformá-la, superando o papel de mero receptor para o de produtor de conhecimento e de conteúdos digitais interativos

Locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the rectum presenting with necrotising fasciitis of the perineum: successful management with early aggressive surgery and multimodal therapy

Colorectal cancer is a common malignant neoplasm and its treatment usually involves surgery associated, in some cases, depending on the staging, with chemoradiotherapy. Necrotising fasciitis of the perineum is a highly lethal infection of the perineum, perirectal tissues and genitals, requiring emergency surgical debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotics and control of sepsis. We present the case of a 59-year-old man with necrotising fasciitis of the perineum as the first clinical manifestation of locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the rectum, in which successful management consisted of early and aggressive surgical debridement, followed by multimodal therapy with curative intent. 2 years and 6 months after surgery the patient is well, with no evidence of local or systemic relapse.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mediastinal Mass in a Patient with Colorectal Cancer: A Diagnostic Challenge

The differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses involves many benign and malignant conditions, such as lymphadenopathies and cystic lesions. Metastatic mediastinal adenopathies are usually due to lung, esophagus, and stomach cancer and, rarely, due to colorectal cancer. Gastrointestinal duplication cysts are uncommon inherited lesions usually diagnosed during childhood and may involve the esophagus in 20% of cases. In adults, they are usually asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. We report the case of a 54-year-old male who recently underwent sigmoidectomy due to an obstructive colon adenocarcinoma. Staging computed tomography scan showed a hypodense lesion in the posterior mediastinum suggestive of metastatic adenopathy. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed a homogeneous and hypoechogenic lesion with intramural location in the upper esophagus, suggestive of a duplication esophageal cyst. Given the oncologic background and to exclude metastatic disease, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration was performed, and a mucinous fluid was aspirated. The cytologic examination supported the ultrasonographic diagnostic hypothesis. This case highlights the role of endoscopic ultrasound in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses, particularly in oncologic patients, in order to rule out more ominous lesions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Water enema computed tomography (WE-CT) in the local staging of low colorectal neoplasms: comparison with transrectal ultrasound

BACKGROUND: To determine the accuracy of computed tomography performed with a water enema application (WE-CT) in the local staging of low colorectal neoplasms and to compare the results with those of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). METHODS: Forty patients with low colorectal tumors were evaluated prospectively by CT with the simultaneous administration of a lukewarm rectal enema (0.5-1.5 L). Thin slices (5 mm) and intravenous application of iodinated contrast media were routinely used. TRUS was performed in 18 patients. Tumor size, location, and staging according to the TNM classification of the UICC were registered. Tumors were classified as or 5 mm in diameter was seen (reading A); N+ if at least one peritumoral node > or = 5 mm or three peritumoral nodes < 5 mm were identified (reading B). RESULTS: For the tumor staging, WE-CT showed a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 73%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 90%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 73%, and an accuracy of 85%. For TRUS, the results were sensitivity of 73%, specificity of 29%, PPV of 62%, NPV of 40%, and an accuracy of 39%. Concerning nodal staging with WE-CT, results were superior when reading A was used: sensitivity = 84%, specificity = 83%, PPV = 73%, NPV = 91%, and accuracy = 84%. TRUS showed a sensitivity of 29%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100%, NPV of 67%, and an accuracy of 71%. CONCLUSION: WE-CT is a reliable technique for the local staging of low colorectal tumors that can be superior to TRUS. For diagnosis of peritumoral metastatic lymph nodes on WE-CT, the 5-mm diameter cutoff value is the most appropriate size criterion

Oxaliplatin toxicity presenting as a liver nodule - case report

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin based chemotherapy is often used as adjuvant therapy in colon and rectal cancer. A reported side effect is Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome which is characterized by a spectrum of pathologic changes, from sinusoidal dilation, peri-sinusoidal haemorrhage, peliosis and nodular regenerative hyperplasia. Very rarely it can cause the development of liver nodules mimicking liver metastases. Herein, we report a case of Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome causing a liver nodule suspicious of liver metastasis on imaging. This is the third reported case of this complication of oxaliplatin toxicity, in which resection was performed and pathological diagnosis confirmed. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 59 year old man with stage III colon cancer who underwent sigmoidectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin. One year after surgery a liver nodule was detected and the patient underwent right hepatectomy. Pathology showed no liver nodule and diagnosed sinusoidal obstruction syndrome. CONCLUSION: We describe the third reported case of a liver lesion mimicking a liver metastasis after oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for colon cancer. We suggest that in patients heavily treated with oxaliplatin with de novo liver nodules, this differential diagnosis should be considered. In particular, in this population of patients an intense imagiologic evaluation and even a preoperative biopsy should be pursued to confirm the diagnosis of malignancy and avoid overtreatment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio