Characterization of nanodimensional Ni-Zn ferrite prepared by mechanochemical and thermal methods.

Nickel zinc ferrite nanoparticles, Ni1−xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0), with dimensions below 10 nm have been prepared by combining chemical precipitation with high-energy ball milling. For comparison, their analogues obtained by thermal synthesis have also been studied. Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements are used for the characterization of the obtained materials. X-ray diffraction shows that after 3h of mechanical treatment ferrites containing zinc are formed, while 6h of treatment is needed to obtain NiFe2O4. The magnetic properties of the samples exhibit a strong dependence on the phase composition, particle size and preparation method

Mössbauer and magnetic study of Co x Fe3−x O4 nanoparticles

Magnetic nanoparticles of cobalt ferrites Co x Fe3−x O4 (x = 1 or 2) have been obtained either by mechanical milling or thermal treatment of pre-prepared layered double hydroxide carbonate x-LDH–CO3. Mechanical milling of the 1-LDH–CO3 leads to the large-scale preparation of nearly spherical nanoparticles of CoFe2O4, the size of which (5 to 20 nm) is controlled by the treatment time. Core-shell structure with surface spin-canting has been considered for the nanoparticles formed to explain the observed hysteresis loop shift (from ZFC–FC) in the magnetic properties. Annealing treatment of the 2-LDH–CO3 below 673 K results in the formation of nearly spherical pure Co2FeO4 nanoparticles. At 673 K and above, the LDH decomposition leads to the formation of a mixture of both spinels phases Co2FeO4 and CoFe2O4, the amount of the latter increases with annealing temperature. Unusually high magnetic hardness characterized by a 22 kOe coercive field at 1.8 K has been observed, which reflects the high intrinsic anisotropy for Co2FeO4

Efficacy and safety of colchicine for the treatment of myopericarditis

Objective Clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy and safety of colchicine only in simple pericarditis, excluding cases of concomitant myocarditis. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of colchicine for the treatment of the first attack of acute pericarditis with concomitant myocardial involvement. Methods Double-centre retrospective cohort study analysing consecutive patients admitted for first attack of pericarditis with myocarditis and treated with or without colchicine. The primary efficacy end point was the time to the first recurrence. Propensity score matching was used to generate two groups of patients with similar baseline characteristics. Colchicine-associated side effects were analysed as safety end-point. Results A total of 175 patients (mean age 46.2±20.1 years, 25.1% females, 88.6% with idiopathic/viral aetiology) were included. Seventy-nine (45.1%) patients were treated with colchicine. After a median follow-up of 25.3 (IQR 8.3-45.6) months, 58 (33.1%) patients had recurrences. The propensity score generated two groups of 73 patients with similar baseline characteristics but the use of colchicine. Patients treated with colchicine had a lower incidence of recurrences (respectively, 19.2% vs 43.8%; p=0.001) and a longer event-free survival (p=0.005). In multivariable analysis, women (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.73; p=0.037) and corticosteroid use (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.15 to 4.47; p=0.018) were independent risk factors for recurrences. Colchicine-associated side effects were mild and occurred in 3 (1.7%) patients. Conclusion In patients with first attack of pericarditis associated with myocardial involvement, colchicine was safe and efficacious for the reduction of recurrences

Clinical and immunological characteristics of bacterial pneumonia associated with HIV infection coupled to drug addiction

Bacterial pneumonia holds the second place after respiratory tuberculosis in patients with HIV infection. In recent years, sexual transmission of HIV was replaced by injection drug route. It seems of high relevance to advance medical aid to patients with HIV infection and bacterial pneumonia depending on psychoactive substance use.Aim of study — assessment of clinical and immunological manifestations of bacterial pneumonia coupled to HIV infection with respect to verified injection drug use.Materials and methods. Clinical and immunological data collected from 224 patients with HIV infection and pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed: group 1 group — 70 patients with HIV infection, IDU, verified bacterial pneumonia; group 2 — 16 injecting drug users (IDU) with HIV infection and pneumonia of unverified etiology; group 3 — 65 patients with HIV and bacterial pneumonia of verified etiology without injection drug use, group 4 — 73 patients with HIV infection and bacterial pneumonia of unverified etiology, without injection drug use. The data obtained were analyzed by using software Statistica 13.3. Methods of descriptive statistics with calculation of nonparametric criterion — the Kruskall—Wallis test (H-criterion) and χ2 test — were used.Results. Immunological manifestations of HIV infection and bacterial pneumonia were characterized by decreased count of CD4+ cells paralleled with increased count of CD3+ and CD8+ cells at higher magnitude without injection drug use being also featured with peak viral load upon developing pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia coupled to HIV infection showed clinical manifestations similar both in injecting drug users and non-users, proceeding in 10% cases during normothermia. Injection drug user patients often demonstrated clinical picture of pneumonia resembling those found in sepsis such as pain in the body, muscles, bone aches untypical to HIV-sexually infected subjects. In addition, systolic murmur on a heart top was more often auscultated in this patient group.Conclusion. Subjects self-considered healthy being at risk of sexually transmitted infections should examined for HIV. All subjects manifested with symptoms of the lower airway tract infections in admission department should not be rejected to be hospitalized and undergo chest X-ray examination