Search

The research aimed to assess certain predictors for experiencing trouble with the police in cases of young people who possess driver's licenses and who are also alcohol binge drinkers, drugs or mixed alcohol and drugs consumers, in Timis County, Romania. The sample of 1605 young people aged between 18-20 years, 51.4% pupils and 48.6% students, in which girls were significantly better represented, was applied a transversal population study. Of young people who drive, 29.5%, reported trouble with the police, 15.8% of boys and 4.6% of girls. According to the alcohol and/or drugs consumption pattern during the last 30 days, incident reporting is significantly higher in boys for any of the consumption patterns and in girls in the case of drugs or mixed consumption, as compared to non-consumers. The identified police trouble predictors were all consumption patterns, masculine gender, clash or fight experiences, money loss, low school and work performance, previous experience as a victim of robbery or theft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE), represents an acquired inflammatory disorder affecting the retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid of young adults. The disease is characterized by multiple yellow-white placoid subretinal lesions of the posterior pole. We present the case of a young woman, 25 years old, who attended our department complaining of sudden vision loss in both eyes, without any history of ocular or general diseases. After a complex ocular and general examination, a set of laboratory exams and ocular investigations, we established the diagnosis of acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy. Local and general treatment was initiated. The patient was followed for 18 months to note the disease's evolution, considering the risk of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indurated sand in the Late Quaternary coastal plain succession of northern Moreton Bay was examined in sand-mine pits, drillcores and the eroded bank of an estuarine channel. Samples show that the cements usually coat grains and partially infill interstitial pores. Distinctive cement habits reflect different constituents that are dominantly kaolinite and amorphous organic-rich complexes. Trace-metal concentrations in the cements are lower than previously reported for soils and estuarine sediments in the study region. Optically stimulated luminescence and thermoluminescence ages of these deposits indicate that pedogenic induration occurs over long periods, up to approximately 90 000 years, with only incipient induration evident in deposits 16 000 - 2600 years old. However, the rate of induration is far higher in relatively coarse channel fill, in which mineral and amorphous organic-rich cements have precipitated from shallow groundwater that flowed laterally through the deposit. The degree of induration, therefore, is strongly influenced by the original depositional texture and morphology of deposits, with well-indurated gravely channel fill (76 700 ± 6500 y), at least 2 m thick, sitting adjacent to medium-grained sand probably of dune origin, which contains a 30 cm-thick induration horizon (98 000 ± 9900 y). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biologically adhesive delivery systems offer important advantages over conventional drug-delivery systems. In this paper, microspheres intended as a sustained release carrier for oral or nasal administration have been prepared by associating a known bioadhesive polymer, poly(acrylic acid), in gelatin microspheres. A model drug oxprenolol hydrochloride was chosen. It was found that some of the formulation variables can influence the characteristics of the beads in a controlled manner. The internal structure of the microspheres studied by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and optical microscopy showed the absence of drug crystals in microspheres and a lowering in the glass transition temperature. The dynamic swelling of the beads obeyed the square root of time and a shift from the diffusional to the relaxational process dependent on the content of poly(acrylic acid) in gelatin microspheres was observed. As expected, drug release from gelatin/poly(acrylic acid) microspheres was influenced by the poly(acrylic acid) content in beads, by the particle size of microspheres and by the pH of the medium. The mechanism of release was analysed by applying the empirical exponential equation and by calculation of the approximate contribution of the diffusional and relaxational mechanisms to the anomalous release process by fitting the data to the coupled Fickian/Case II equation. In vitro and in vivo experiments in rats showed good adhesive characteristics of the gelatin/poly(acrylic acid) microspheres, which were greater if the poly(acrylic acid) content was greater. A significant retardation in gastric and intestinal emptying time of the beads was observed. This was also suggested by the bioavailability of the model drug after intragastric and intranasal administration of the microspheres. The pharmacokinetic parameters after microsphere administration were more appropriate to a slow release drug-delivery system. The work suggests the potential of this pharmaceutical delivery system as an alternative controlled-release dosage form, either for oral or nasal administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the commonest primitive malignant tumors of the liver, is currently considered one of the very high life-threatening tumors. Surgery remains the treatment of choice of HCC and is indicated whenever possible. We present the case of a patient 66 years old, at which abdominal CT scan reveals the presence of HCC in segments 4 and 8, broken, and perisplenic and perihepatic fluid accumulation in the context of declining hemoglobin. Associate there is an incomplete picture of the portal convergence of 1.9 cm, with the lack of visualization of the left portal wreath. Even in the absence of the possibility of curative resection due to spontaneous rupture of the liver tumor, it is made a central necessity hepatectomy and subsegmentectomy 2 and 3 for the other three formations located at this level. Patient's postoperative course was favorable and he was discharged 11 days after surgery. Abdominal MRI performed 2 months postoperatively revealed the presence of multifocal recurrence. Patient dies at 6 months postoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ∼100 m-long Laguna Potrok Aike sediment sequence yielded a record spanning the Last Glacial period to the Holocene. This paper presents and discusses two aspects of the mineralogy of the lake. The first aspect is based on a semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis of bulk and clay mineralogical assemblages. Minor mineralogical changes are observed throughout the glacial section suggesting relatively uniform sediment sources. The transition into the Holocene is characterized by increasing fluxes of endogenic calcite thought to relate to lower lake levels. The second aspect is based on analysis of uranium-series disequilibria in diagenetic vivianite from the glacial section. U-series ages were expected to yield minimum ages for the host-sediment. Unfortunately, very little authigenic U is present in vivianite grains. The low primary productivity of the lake and thus low organic carbon fluxes might have prevented the development of strong redox gradients at the water-sediment interface and thus reduced diagenetic U-uptake into the sediment. One vivianite sample, at a 56.9 m composite depth, yielded enough authigenic uranium to calculate a 230Th-age of 29.4 ± 5.9 ka (±2σ). This age is younger than the one indicated by the radiocarbon chronology. It is thus concluded that a relatively late diagenetic evolution of the U–Th system characterizes the recovered vivianite minerals. The authigenic U displays a very high excess in 234U (over 238U) with an activity ratio of 4.58 ± 0.58 (±2σ). It suggests that it originates from the transfer of highly fractionated U from surrounding detrital minerals through very low U-content pore waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion product films that were formed on industrial, low-carbon concentration Fe–C steel after immersion in diluted ammoniac solutions were investigated by 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The amorphous Fe3+ oxyhydroxide was the major constituent of the corrosion layers. Layer thickness increased as NH3 concentration changed from 10-1 to 10-4 N. All CEMS spectra indicated a magnetic anisotropy on the surface of the samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Carbamazepine microparticles were produced by the rapid expansion of supercritical carbon dioxide solutions (RESS) method. The characteristics of the resulting particles were studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and image analysis. X-ray diffractograms and SEM photomicrographs revealed that the crystalline nature of the produced carbamazepine microparticles depended on operating pressure and temperature conditions. Different polymorphs were obtained under various operating conditions. Under certain temperature (below 40 °C) and pressure (below 240 bar) conditions, it was possible to form primarily the carbamazepine polymorph stipulated by US Pharmacopeia. A significant reduction was observed in the particle size and size distribution range of carbamazepine produced by RESS. The processed particles had a mean diameter smaller than 3 μm and a size distribution range between 0.5 and 2.5 μm compared to unprocessed starting material with a mean diameter of approximately 85 μm and a size distribution range between 15 and 336 μm. Thus, this study demonstrates that the polymorphic characteristics of carbamazepine microparticles produced by the RESS method can be controlled by varying operating pressure and temperature parameters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: Sacral stress fractures are rare complications which can arise during pregnancy or in the early postpartum period. We report a case and discuss the findings of a confirmed postpartum sacral stress fracture in a 39-year-old multiparous woman and review previous case reports in the literature of sacral stress fracture related to pregnancy. Methods: A review of the literature was conducted to examine the main characteristics of sacral stress fractures related to pregnancy. The Ovid/Medline, Embase and Google Scholar databases were searched with the inclusion criteria: human studies, English language, intrapartum, postpartum (within 6 months of parturition), sacrum and stress fracture. Our exclusion criteria included pubic fractures, vertebral fractures and non-English articles. The search terms included "stress fracture", "postpartum", "pregnancy", "atraumatic" and the wildcard "sacr*". Thirty-four cases were found and summarised in Table 2. Results: A total of 65% of patients had onset of symptoms postpartum. Most patients did not have risk factors for sacral stress fractures including macrosomia, excessive pregnancy weight gain, heparin exposure, rapid vaginal delivery or predisposition to accelerated osteoporosis. Lumbar radiculopathy can be a feature of sacral stress fracture and it is more common (17.6%) than reported in the literature (2%). MRI is the preferred imaging modality for its safety profile in pregnancy and high sensitivity. A total of 70% reported normal bone mineral density (BMD). The mainstay treatment for sacral stress fractures includes relative bed rest, analgesia and modified weight-bearing exercises. Most patients have favourable outcome with complete symptom resolution. Conclusion: Sacral stress fractures in the absence of osteoporosis are rare complications of pregnancy that can present with lumbar radiculopathy. Conservative management often produces good clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The aim of study was to assess the effectiveness of organic and inorganic amendments to immobilize cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in soil and reduce their availability in a contaminated soil. We present the results of a field experiment organised in the Copșa Mica area in which different types of amendments were applied: Na-bentonite, dolomite, natural zeolite and manure. The effectiveness of applied amendments was assessed using single extraction of metals from soil (using DTPA-CaCl 2 -TEA at pH 7.3 or NH 4 NO 3) and metal accumulation in plants. All treatments produced significant increases of soil pH, but the best results were observed after applications of dolomite and Na-bentonite. After two years from applications all amendments decreased the metal (Cd, Pb or Zn) availability compared to the control, but the magnitude of effects depends on each metal and amendment. The addition of dolomite and Na-bentonite reduced significantly the concentrations of Pb and Zn in plants, but this reduction is not enough to produce healthy food or fodder. The application of manure led to a significant increasing of biomass yield comparing with control, even if the extractability of metals in manure treated plots was moderate. The results demonstrate the high potential of Na-bentonite and dolomite to reduce the availability and possible toxicity of heavy metals in contaminated soils but more attention should be paid to the transitory liming effect and metal remobilizing over time. Highlights • Copsa Mica is one of the most polluted area from Romania. • Soil amendment addition increased pH and enhances the metal immobilization in soil. • Long-term monitoring of soils and crops quality is compulsory in contaminated area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The accumulation, enrichment and provenance of selected trace metals (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) were studied in sediment cores collected from three lakes located in the Central Mexican Plateau, selected on the basis of their contrasting degree of urbanization: Santa Elena Lake, in a rural and remote area; El Tule Lake, in a rural and slightly urbanized area; and Chapala Lake, in a highly urbanized area. Grain size, magnetic susceptibility and sedimentary constituents such as organic carbon, calcium carbonate, as well as major (Al, Fe, Mn) and minor (Ca, Li, Rb, Sr, Th) elements were analyzed to explain the concentration trends of trace metals. Factor analysis (FA) was used to assess the provenance of the trace elements. The highest metal enrichment factor (EF) above natural concentration levels was found at Chapala Lake for Ag (EF=3.9), although other trace element EF in all lakes was <2.0, indicating slight contamination. However, the concentration levels of Cr and Ni in all lakes, Hg and Zn in Chapala Lake, Cu in El Tule Lake and As in Santa Elena Lake were above international benchmarks for which adverse effects are expected to occur frequently, even for those metals only slightly enriched (e.g. As, Cr). Through FA, the terrigenous contribution was identified as the most important source of trace metals to the three lakes, most likely related to deforestation and erosion of the surrounding areas, followed by atmospheric transport of volcanic ashes, rather than to direct sources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The inhibiting effect of N-ciclohexil-benzothiazole-sulphenamida (NCBSA) on the corrosion of carbon-steel in diluted ammonia solution at room temperature has been studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy, electrochemical measurements, weight loss and surface microscopic analysis. A decrease in the corrosion spot concentration with the increase of the NCBSA concentration indicates a good adsorbability of NCBSA on the metal surface. Mössbauer spectrometry shows the formation of a layer at the surface of the corroded sample, which is interpreted in terms of the formation of complexes between NCBSA and the metal cations present in the carbon-steel structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A sedimentary sequence from the Espejo de los Lirios lake in the Metropolitan Zone of Mexico City (MZMC) was analyzed in detail for 210Pb and 137Cs activities, allowing to assess the evolution of the accretion rates in the lake during the last ∼84±4 years. The core revealed the deposition of contemporaneously indigenous lake sediments to the site interspersed with eroded bedrock from the catchment, evidencing episodic increases in sediment accretion which varied from 0.14 to 0.93 cm year−1. Increasing trends in sedimentation rates were found to be closely related to demographic expansion of the Metropolitan Zone of Mexico City and explained on the basis of the erosive processes produced as a result of deforestation created as a consequence of the urban and industrial development of the MZMC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect of the NO3- anion on the corrosion of carbon steel in a solution of 0.1M NH4Cl (pH 5.5) was studied by galvanostatic polarization and Mössbauer spectrometry. The anion has an inhibiting effect by decreasing the expansion rate of generalized corrosion of carbon steel in a solution of 0.1M NH4Cl. Mössbauer spectroscopy shows that a superficial compound is formed on the electrode surface as a result of corrosion, presenting no magnetic ordering. Its parameters show the initial stage of corrosion. We assume that at this stage the main corrosion product is a mixture of ferrihydrite Fe(III) and FeOOH (α and/or γ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ΣΣ intermediate-energy reference spectrum irradiation facility, operated until 1998 at the VVR-S Reactor from Bucharest, was put into operation at the Romania TRIGA Reactor. This paper presents the experimental devices developed for the ΣΣ system operating at the Steady State Reactor (SSR)-TRIGA core, including the monitoring system, and preliminary neutron characterization results. These results show that the spectrum characteristics are slowly deviating from those for the recommended ΣΣ spectrum. The high-energy neutron tail is slowly increasing, compared with the recommended ΣΣ spectrum and other similar facilities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]