Azelaic Acid: A Bio-Based Building Block for Biodegradable Polymers

The production of fine chemicals, new materials and products from renewable feedstocks represents a continuous challenge. Several procedures have been reported in the literature or patented in the last decade for the main biomass components: carbohydrates (75%), lignins (20%), fats and oils (5%) [1]. Regarding oleochemical developments, the oxidative cleavage of unsaturated fatty acids to produce dicarboxylic acids, hydroxy acids, and amino acids has received great attention in the last decade [2]. Two main oleochemical products obtained by the cleavage of unsaturated fatty acids are sebacic acid and azelaic acid. Azelaic acid (AzA) is a naturally occurring saturated nine carbon atom dicarboxylic acid found in whole grains, wheat, rye and barley [2], first detected in rancid fats. It can be formed endogenously from substrates such as longer-chain dicarboxylic acids and processes like the metabolism of oleic acid, and ψ-oxidation of monocarboxylic acids. The azelaic acid market is predicted to reach USD 160 million by 2023 and the applications include pharmacological ingredients, polymers, plastics, lubricants and materials for electronics [3]. The aim of the present review is to highlight the potential of azelaic acid as powerful building block for the synthesis of bio-based and biodegradable polymers, with a special emphasis on the green synthetic routes, embracing both chemical and enzymatic methods

Atti del Secondo incontro dell\u2019Associazione Genovese di Stud\uee Vedici e P\u101\u1e47iniani (Genova, 25. luglio \ub7 15. ottobre 2003)

Atti di convegno; temi trattati: Grammatica di P\ue2nini, formazione delle parole, fonologia sincronologica e diacronica indoaria antica, fonologia roman

Practice of proctology among general surgery residents and young specialists in Italy: a snapshot survey

Anal diseases are very common and, in most of the cases, require surgery of minor or medium complexity, and, therefore, are among the most accessible diseases for surgeons in training. Aim of this study is to investigate the status of the training in proctology in Italy. A 31-items questionnaire was administered to residents and young specialists (<= 2 years) in general surgery, using mailing lists, and the social media accounts of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery. Answers from 338 respondents (53.8% males) were included in the final analysis. Overall, 252 respondents (74.5%) were residents and 86 (25.5%) young specialists. Two hundred and fifty-five (75.4%) respondents practiced proctology for the first time early on during their postgraduate training, but only 19.5% did it continuously for >= 24 months. Almost all respondents (334; 98.8%) had the chance to participate in proctological procedures, 205 (60.5%) as first surgeon. This percentage decreases according to the complexity of the surgery. In fact, only 11 (3.3%) and 24 (7.1%) of the respondents were allowed to be the first surgeon in more complex proctological diseases such as surgery for rectal prolapse and fecal incontinence. The present survey suggests that, in Italy, most surgeons in training deal with anal diseases. However, only few of them could achieve sufficient professional skills in the management of proctological diseases to be able to practice autonomously as young specialists