Electrochemical investigation of imidazol azo chromotropic acid and its Pd(II) complex

The electrochemical behaviour of 1,8-dihydroxy-2-(imidazol-2-ylazo)- naphthalene-3,6-disulphonic acid (IACA) and its complex with Pd(II) was investigated using cyclic voltammetry. Experiments were performed in the concentration range from 5×10-6M to 4.8 ×10-4M of IACA. Linear dependence of current intensity vs. IACA concentration was obtained in the investigated concentration range. According to the obtained results, process is controlled by diffusion.Physical chemistry 2004 : 7th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 21-23 September 200

Speciation Analysis of Mercury in Seawater from the Lagoon of Venice by on-line Pre-concentration HPLC-ICP-MS

A method based on the coupling of HPLC with ICP-MS with an on-line pre-concentration micro-column has been developed for the analysis of inorganic and methyl mercury in the dissolved phase of natural waters. This method allows the rapid pre-concentration and matrix removal of interferences in complex matrices such as seawater with minimal sampling handling. Detection limits of 0.07 ng L−1 for inorganic mercury and 0.02 ng L−1 for methyl mercury have been achieved allowing the determination of inorganic mercury and methyl mercury in filtered seawater fromtheVenice lagoon. Good accuracy and reproducibility was demonstrated by the repeat analysis of the certified reference material BCR-579 coastal seawater. The developed HPLC separation was shown to be also suitable for the determination of methyl mercury in extracts of the particulate phase

Optimisation of Perioperative Cardiovascular Management to Improve Surgical Outcome II (OPTIMISE II) trial: study protocol for a multicentre international trial of cardiac output-guided fluid therapy with low-dose inotrope infusion compared with usual care in patients undergoing major elective gastrointestinal surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative morbidity and mortality in older patients with comorbidities undergoing gastrointestinal surgery are a major burden on healthcare systems. Infections after surgery are common in such patients, prolonging hospitalisation and reducing postoperative short-term and long-term survival. Optimal management of perioperative intravenous fluids and inotropic drugs may reduce infection rates and improve outcomes from surgery. Previous small trials of cardiac-output-guided haemodynamic therapy algorithms suggested a modest reduction in postoperative morbidity. A large definitive trial is needed to confirm or refute this and inform widespread clinical practice. METHODS: The Optimisation of Perioperative Cardiovascular Management to Improve Surgical Outcome II (OPTIMISE II) trial is a multicentre, international, parallel group, open, randomised controlled trial. 2502 high-risk patients undergoing major elective gastrointestinal surgery will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio using minimisation to minimally invasive cardiac output monitoring to guide protocolised administration of intravenous fluid combined with low-dose inotrope infusion, or usual care. The trial intervention will be carried out during and for 4 hours after surgery. The primary outcome is postoperative infection of Clavien-Dindo grade II or higher within 30 days of randomisation. Participants and those delivering the intervention will not be blinded to treatment allocation; however, outcome assessors will be blinded when feasible. Participant recruitment started in January 2017 and is scheduled to last 3 years, within 50 hospitals worldwide. ETHICS/DISSEMINATION: The OPTIMISE II trial has been approved by the UK National Research Ethics Service and has been approved by responsible ethics committees in all participating countries. The findings will be disseminated through publication in a widely accessible peer-reviewed scientific journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN39653756.The OPTIMISE II trial is supported by Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine, CA) and the UK National Institute for Health Research through RMP’s NIHR Professorship

Energy Drinks – a Real Danger or a Scapegoat? an Analysis of the Commercially Available Products in Romania

Energy drinks are beverages that contain caffeine, taurine, ginseng, guarana, vitamins, herbal supplements, and sugar. Their ingredients are generally regarded as safe for consumption, but some of them raise some concerns. Caffeine is especially regarded as problematic, especially for some categories of consumers. Nevertheless, energy drinks also offer some advantages. In this study, we aimed to analyze the ingredients found in the energy drinks that were commercially available on the Romanian market. We analyzed products gathered over one year (March 2018 – March 2019). We used the information found on the companies' websites and directly on the products. We included 120 energy drinks found on the market. Most of the inspected products (93.4 %) contained caffeine and/or taurine (75 %). Many other products contained herbal ingredients such as guarana and ginseng. Vitamins and minerals were also abundant in these products. The vitamin concentrations are mostly negligible. Finally, all the energy drinks contained preservatives, food colorants or stabilizers, ingredients that are safe and authorized for use. In conclusion, energy drinks' consumption is mostly safe and all their ingredients are approved. However, special attention should be dedicated to some particular classes of consumers. Energy drinks should not be used in large quantities and children should be discouraged to consume them. The population must be further informed in regards to their risk, the negative effects when consumed in combination with alcohol and the danger they represent for children