Concurrent removal of Cr(III), Cu(II), and Pb(II) ions from water by multifunctional TiO2/Alg/FeNPs beads

The use of multifunctional materials for water remediation is a modern approach where adsorption phenomena and heterogeneous photocatalysis can be applied for the removal of pollutants. Since the ideal remediation system should be able to remove both organic and inorganic pollutants, a crucial aspect to consider is the knowledge of operational parameters affecting the removal process, especially when heavy metal ions are present in concoction as in real systems. Given the proven efficiency of multifunctional TiO₂/Alg/FeNPs magnetic beads for the removal of model organic pollutants, this study investigated the possibility to exploit such system also for the removal of mixed heavy metals (MHM), specifically Cr(III), Cu(II), and Pb(II) ions, under ultraviolet irradiation at a wavelength of 254 nm. After a preliminary screening on the optimal catalyst loading, operating parameters such as the initial concentration of metal ions, contact and irradiation time, and pH were investigated to optimize the removal of metal ions using response surface methodology (RSM) via Box–Behnken design. Starting from a MHM solution containing 44 ppm of each metal ion, the removal of Pb(II), Cr(III), and Cu(II) ions in the aqueous solution was nearly completed (>98.4%) for all three ions within 72 min of irradiation at almost neutral pH (pH = 6.8). The stability of TiO₂/Alg/FeNPs was confirmed by retrieving and reusing the beads in three consecutive cycles of heavy metals removal without observing significant changes in catalyst efficiency.     

Restriction fragment length polymorphism of human mitochondrial DNA in a sample population from Apulia (Southern Italy)

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of human mitochondrial DNA was analysed in a sample of 87 subjects from Apulia (South Italy) by the restriction enzymes Hpa I, Bam HI, Hae II, Msp I, Ava II, and Hinc II using total blood cell DNA probed by human mtDNA from placenta. Five BamHI morphs were observed, two of which are new ( Bam HI-4 and -5), as well as one new Ava II morph ( Ava II-28). The association Bam HI-4/ Ava II-28 enables us to demonstrate for the first time two polymorphic Bam HI sites present together in the same mtDNA molecule. In agreement with historical data the Apulian sample has been shown to be the most heterogeneous Italian population so far tested.     

Synthesis of TPH-13, a new tridecapeptide from Phyllomedusa rohdei

The synthesis of TPH-13 (Glp-Glu-Lys-Pro-Tyr-Trp-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ile-Tyr-Pro-Met-OH), a tridecapeptide isolated from the skin of the South American frog Phyllomedusa rohdei, is described and alternative approaches are discussed.     

Intratemporal vascular tumors: detection with CT and MR imaging

The diagnostic contributions of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were compared in 12 patients with benign intratemporal vascular tumors (hemangioma or vascular malformation). The tumors included six in the internal acoustic canal and six in the geniculate ganglion region. Clinical and histologic correlations were made. Two of the six patients with tumors in the internal acoustic canal underwent CT, and both required gas cisternography to show the tumor. Five patients in that group underwent MR imaging, and all five studies showed the tumor. All six patients with geniculate ganglion tumors underwent CT. Results in one study were questionable, and five showed the tumor. Five patients in this group underwent MR imaging, but the MR findings were positive in only two cases. MR imaging should therefore be performed before CT in the evaluation of facial nerve dysfunction, as it demonstrated all tumors in the internal acoustic canal and some in the geniculate ganglion region. If MR findings are negative, CT should then be performed to rule out a possible geniculate ganglion lesion.     

Acquired Cutis Laxa in Childhood Sweet's Syndrome

Abstract:  In Sweet's syndrome, the essential features are the characteristic morphology of the lesions, their histologic appearance, the dramatic response to corticosteroids and the absence of scarring. We report an 8-month-old infant in whom Sweet's syndrome was diagnosed and who developed acquired cutis laxa in the skin lesions.