Physico-Chemical Modifications Affecting the Activity and Stability of Cu-Based Hybrid Catalysts during the Direct Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide into Dimethyl-Ether

The direct hydrogenation of CO2 into dimethyl-ether (DME) has been studied in the presence of ferrierite-based CuZnZr hybrid catalysts. The samples were synthetized with three different techniques and two oxides/zeolite mass ratios. All the samples (calcined and spent) were properly characterized with different physico-chemical techniques for determining the textural and morphological nature of the catalytic surface. The experimental campaign was carried out in a fixed bed reactor at 2.5 MPa and stoichiometric H2/CO2 molar ratio, by varying both the reaction temperature (200–300 °C) and the spatial velocity (6.7–20.0 NL∙gcat−1∙h−1). Activity tests evidenced a superior activity of catalysts at a higher oxides/zeolite weight ratio, with a maximum DME yield as high as 4.5% (58.9 mgDME∙gcat−1∙h−1) exhibited by the sample prepared by gel-oxalate coprecipitation. At lower oxide/zeolite mass ratios, the catalysts prepared by impregnation and coprecipitation exhibited comparable DME productivity, whereas the physically mixed sample showed a high activity in CO2 hydrogenation but a low selectivity toward methanol and DME, ascribed to a minor synergy between the metal-oxide sites and the acid sites of the zeolite. Durability tests highlighted a progressive loss in activity with time on stream, mainly associated to the detrimental modifications under the adopted experimental conditions

Molecular and biological evidence for a severe seedling yellows strain of Citrus tristeza virus spreading in southern Italy

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) outbreaks have been reported in the main citrus-growing regions of Italy in the past 10 years. In some areas where eradication efforts failed to suppress spread, high CTV incidence is now observed. Recently, potentially severe CTV strains were detected in Calabria (southern Italy), one of the major citrus-growing area. As a result, investigations of the virulence and molecular features of CTV populations spreading in this region were undertaken. Virus was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a broad spectrum polyclonal antiserum, and was differentiated into potential virulent categories with the severe-strain discriminating monoclonal antibody MCA13. Isolate genotyping was conducted using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with multiple molecular markers (MMM), single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of the amplicons from the genes coding for the coat protein (CP) p25 and the non-structural p20 protein as well as sequence analysis. Based on the serological reactivity, the isolates were differentiated in two distinct serogroups: MCA13-reactive and MCA13 non-reactive. Similarly, based on the molecular profile, the isolates were grouped in two genetically distinct phylogenetic clusters, and associated either with a T30-like or with a T3-like genotype. These data were related to the results of biological indexing on standard indicator plants, which distinguished isolates causing mild or severe seedling yellow reactions. The study has demonstrated the presence of MCA13-reactive isolates associated with a T3-like genotype and causing severe seedling yellows in sour orange, grapefruit and lemon seedlings, and stem pitting in Mexican lime

A multicenter retrospective cohort study evaluating the clinical outcomes of patients with coagulopathy undergoing transcatheter arterial embolization (tae) for acute non-neurovascular bleeding

Background and Objectives: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is the mainstay of treatment for acute major hemorrhage, even in patients with coagulopathy and spontaneous bleeding. Coagulopathy is associated with worsening bleeding severity and higher mortality and clinical failure rates. Furthermore, some unanswered questions remain, such as the definition of coagulopathy, the indication for TAE or conservative treatment, and the choice of embolic agent. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of TAE for spontaneous non-neurovascular acute bleeding in patients with coagulopathy. Materials and Methods: This study is a multicenter analysis of retrospectively collected data of consecutive patients with coagulopathy who had undergone, from January 2018 to May 2023, transcatheter arterial embolization for the management of spontaneous hemorrhages. Results: During the study interval (January 2018–May 2023), 120 patients with coagulopathy underwent TAE for spontaneous non-neurovascular acute bleeding. The abdominal wall was the most common bleeding site (72.5%). The most commonly used embolic agent was polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles or microspheres (25.0%), whereas coils and gelatin sponge together accounted for 32.5% of the embolic agents used. Technical success was achieved in all cases, with a 92.5% clinical success rate related to 9 cases of rebleeding. Complications were recorded in 12 (10%) patients. Clinical success was significantly better in the group of patients who underwent correction of the coagulopathy within 24 h of TAE. Conclusions: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is effective and safe for the management of acute non-neurovascular bleeding in patients with coagulopathy. Correction of coagulopathy should not delay TAE and vice versa, as better clinical outcomes were noted in the subgroup of patients undergoing correction of coagulopathy within 24 h of TAE

Endovascular treatment of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms with ethylene-vinyl alcohol (evoh) copolymer-based non-adhesive liquid embolic agents (naleas)

Background and Objectives: Treatment of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms (VAPs) is always indicated regardless of their diameters, as their risk of rupture is significantly higher than that of visceral artery aneurysms. The invasiveness of surgery and its associated complications have led to a shift in favor of radiological interventions as the initial treatment of choice. However, there are still some unanswered questions on endovascular treatment of VAPs regarding the optimal endovascular technique and the efficacy and safety outcomes. The purpose of this multicenter study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endovascular treatment of visceral pseudoaneurysms using Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) Copolymer-Based Non-Adhesive Liquid Embolic Agents (NALEAs). Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent endovascular embolization with EVOH-based NALEAs for visceral artery pseudoaneurysms between January 2018 and June 2023 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: 38 embolizations were performed. Technical success was achieved in all patients. The clinical success rate was high (92.1% overall), with no significant differences between ruptured and unruptured VAPs (p = 0.679). Seven patients (18.4%) experienced procedure-related complications, related to one case of non-target embolization, four splenic abscesses due to end-organ infarction, and two femoral pseudoaneurysms. The rates of procedure-related complications, end-organ infarction, and vascular access-site complications did not significantly differ between ruptured and unruptured VAPs (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Both ruptured and unruptured visceral pseudoaneurysms can be effectively and safely treated with NALEA-based endovascular embolization. We suggest considering the use of NALEAs, particularly in specific clinical cases that highlight their advantages, including patients with coagulopathy, fragile vessels, and embolization targets that are located at a considerable distance from the microcatheter tip and are otherwise difficult to reach

Determinants of early working impairments in multiple sclerosis

IntroductionUnemployment can directly affect social status and identity. Assessing and adjusting determinants of early working impairments in a chronic disease can thus reduce its long-term burden. Hereby, we aim to evaluate differences in occupational history and early working impairments between people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy workers.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study comparing 71 workers with MS [age 41.7 ± 9.4 years; females 59.1%; EDSS 2.0 (1.0–6.0)] and 71 controls (age 42.6 ± 11.9 years; females 33.8%). All participants filled in Work Ability Index (WAI), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), European Questionnaire for Quality of Life (EuroQoL), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In MS, we further collected expanded disability status scale (EDSS), MS Questionnaire for Job difficulties (MSQ-Job), Fatigue severity scale (FSS), and the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS).ResultsWorkers with MS were more working disabled (p < 0.01), less exposed to workplace risks (p < 0.01), and more limited in fitness to work (p = 0.01), compared with controls. On linear regression models adjusted by age, sex, education, and type of contract, people with MS had worse WAI (Coeff=−5.47; 95% CI = −7.41, −3.53; p < 0.01), EuroQoL (Coeff = −4.24; 95% CI = −17.85, −6.50; p < 0.01), BDI-II (Coeff = 3.99; 95% CI = 2.37, 7.01; p < 0.01), and PSQI (Coeff = 4.74; 95% CI = 3.13, 7.61; p < 0.01), compared with controls, but no differences in WPAI (p = 0.60). EuroQoL, BDI-II, and PSQI were equally associated with both WAI and WPAI in MS and controls (all p< 0.01). In MS, worse MSQJob was associated with higher EDSS (Coeff = 5.22; 95% CI = 2.24, 7.95; p < 0.01), progressive disease (Coeff = 14.62; 95% CI = 5.56, 23.69; p < 0.01), EuroQoL (Coeff = 4.63; 95% CI = 2.92, 6.35; p < 0.01), FSS (Coeff = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.38, 0.72; p < 0.01), and cognitive impairment (Coeff = 4.42; 95% CI = 0.67, 8.22; p = 0.02).DiscussionEarly factors associated with working difficulties in MS include disability, fatigue, depression, and cognitive dysfunction. Early identification of clinical features potentially causing working difficulties should be considered to enhance job retention, along with targeted prevention and protection measures