Persistent organochlorine compounds in fetal and maternal tissues: evaluation of their potential influence on several indicators of fetal growth and health

Some organochlorine compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have a tendency to bioaccumulate in humans and predators at the top of the food chain. We have recently confirmed the transplacental transfer of these compounds and the present study has been designed on the same material with the aim of investigating their potential health effects on newborns from 70 pregnant women, resident in a Northern Italy industrial town. Organochlorine compounds [namely, p,p′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p′-DDT), p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (p,p′-DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and PCBs] have been analyzed both in cord and maternal serum, placenta, and maternal subcutaneous adipose tissue by GC-MSD. p,p′-DDT levels in the adipose tissue resulted significantly (p < 0.05) related to birth length. Mothers of neonates born by preterm programmed caesarean delivery showed significantly (p < 0.005 for both) higher serum p,p′-DDE serum concentrations and p,p′-DDT levels in the adipose tissue, as compared to mothers delivering at term.     

Solar-blind UV photodetectors for large area applications

In this paper, we extensively investigate a family of solar-blind thin-film photodetectors optimized for the ultraviolet spectrum (UV). The devices are p-i-n structures made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) on a glass substrate. At room temperature the photodetectors exhibit values of quantum efficiency of 20% at λ=187 nm, and are transparent to visible radiation. The excellent sensitivity of the device at short wavelengths is explained within the framework of a diffusive model of transport, taking into account the effects of hot carrier relaxation. The rejection of visible light is obtained with an appropriate design of the energy gap and intrinsic layer thickness. The great advantage of this technology lies in the possibility to produce low-cost, large-area arrays of photodetectors     

Thromboembolic events in beta thalassemia major: an Italian multicenter study

Oxidation of cholesterol (1a) or pregnenolone (1b) with pyridinium dichromate (PDC) in dimethylformamide (DMF) or in dichloromethane (DCM) and pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) in DCM provided cholest-4-en-3,6-dione (2a) or pregn-4-en-3,6,20-trione (2b). TLC monitoration of the reactions implied that cholest-5-en-3-one (3a) or pregn-5-en-3,20-dione (3b) and cholest-4-en-3-one (4a) or pregn-4-en-3,20-dione (4b) might be intermediates. Individual oxidation of 3a or 3b with PDC and PCC could give 2a or 2b, but 4a or 4b remained unchanged. Further investigation indicated that 4a or 4b was an isomerization product of 3a or 3b on silica gel TLC plate rather than really existence in the reaction mixture. These results shown steroidal 5-en-3-ones were intermediates of the transformation of steroidal 5-en-3 beta-ols to steroidal 4-en-3,6-diones oxidized by PDC and PCC.     

Physical factors influencing the oviposition of Lutzomyia migonei (Diptera: Psychodidae) in laboratory conditions

Anthropometric and demographic characteristics are important determinants of exercise performance in healthy subjects, but their influence has not yet been studied in severe chronic heart failure, although peak oxygen uptake is frequently assessed in such patients for prognostic purposes. The aim of the present analysis was to examine the association between peak oxygen uptake and age, gender, and measures of body size in patients with severe chronic heart failure. We selected 122 (99 male) adult heart transplant candidates who were able to perform a bicycle ergometer test with respiratory gas analysis until voluntary fatigue. Peak oxygen uptake was higher in male than in female patients, both before and after adjustment for weight. In single regression analysis on the total study population, peak oxygen uptake was positively related to weight and to height, but inversely to age (r = 0.59 (P < 0.001), 0.42 (P < 0.001), and -0.33 (P < 0.001), respectively). Multiple stepwise regression analysis identified weight (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.001), and gender (P < 0.01) as independent determinants of peak oxygen uptake (cumulative R2 = 0.45). Similar to the findings in healthy subjects, peak oxygen uptake of patients with severe chronic heart failure is influenced by anthropometric and demographic characteristics.     

Human osteoclast formation and activity in vitro: effects of alendronate

A 10-center cooperative clinical study with a new formulation of epirubicin hydrochloride injectable solution (Epirubicin-RTU) was conducted in patients with breast cancer. One course of treatment consisted of one intravenous administration of Epirubicin-RTU at the dose of 60 mg/m2 followed by a 3-week drug-free interval and concomitant daily administration of oral cyclophosphamide at 100 mg/day during the period between Days 1 through 14. At least, two courses of treatment were given. Among 20 registered cases, all 20 cases were eligible and 16 cases completed the whole course of the study. In 16 completers, PR was observed in 5 cases, indicating the efficacy rate of 31.3% (5/16).. No local irritation was observed at the injection sites. Adverse reactions frequently observed were leukopenia, neutropenia, anorexia, alopecia, and nausea/vomiting, which were all reversible and tolerable. From the above results, Adverse reactions both locally and systemically were tolerable. Intravenous administration of Epirubicin-RTU was considered to be useful for the treatment of breast cancer.     

Performance of Buildings under Earthquakes in Barcelona, Spain

Abstract:   The seismic risk of the buildings of Barcelona, Spain, is analyzed by using a method based on the capacity spectrum. The seismic hazard in the area of the city is described by means of the reduced 5% damped elastic response spectrum. Obtaining fragility curves for the most important building types of an urban center requires an important amount of information about the structures and the use of nonlinear structural analysis tools. The information on the buildings of Barcelona was obtained by collecting, arranging, improving, and completing the database of the housing and current buildings. The buildings existing in Barcelona are mainly of two types: unreinforced masonry structures and reinforced concrete buildings with waffled slab floors. In addition, the Arc-View software was used to create a GIS tool for managing the collected information to develop seismic risk scenarios. This study shows that the vulnerability of the buildings is significant and therefore, in spite of the medium to low seismic hazard in the area of the city, the expected seismic risk is considerable.     

Analysis of Common-Mode Voltage in Utility-Interactive Fuel Cell Power Conditioners

Fuel cell stacks produce a dc output with a 2:1 voltage variation from no load to full load. It is customary for a utility-scale fuel cell stack to consist of several hundreds of series-connected cells, each producing 0.6 V at full load. A power conditioner consisting of dc-dc and dc-ac converters is required for utility interface, which are operated in high frequency, employing pulsewidth-modulation control for voltage and current regulation. Due to their switch-mode nature, a common-mode voltage with respect to ground is generated. The common-mode voltage, in turn, contributes to the circulating ground current, which can interfere with the ground fault protection system. In addition, it also contributes to the neutral shift and electromagnetic interference. Moreover, the electrostatic potential to ground within the fuel cell stack needs to be limited for safe operation. This paper presents an analysis of common-mode voltage in several fuel-cell-powered converter topologies connected to the electric utility and discusses several mitigation methods suitable for utility-scale generation.