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Abstract: The reduction of NO by CO+H2 in the presence of excess O2 has been studied on dispersed, low loading 0.5wt.% Pd-based catalysts. Two different methods of promotion were imposed separately and together, in order to investigate the feasibility of their synergy to enhance de-NO x efficiency of the catalytic system. Therefore, the Pd-catalysed NO+CO+H2 +O2 reaction was gradually studied over: (i) Pd/Al2O3–(TiO2) catalysts (support-mediated promotion by modifying the Al2O3 support with TiO2), (ii) K-dosed Pd(K)/Al2O3 catalysts (surface-induced promotion by modifying the Pd surface with the addition of K), and (iii) doubly-promoted Pd(K)/Al2O3–(TiO2) catalysts. Both (i) and (ii) methods of promotion were found to significantly promote the system, when acting individually. However, the de-NO x efficiency and N2-selectivity of the doubly-promoted Pd(K)/Al2O3–(TiO2) catalysts were found to be better than both of the other two cases, indicating a synergy during the simultaneous imposition of the two methods of promotion. The resulted benefits with the optimal doubly-promoted catalyst were very high, ∼85%, NO x conversion in a very wide temperature range (100–400°C), accompanied by very good N2-selectivities of ∼85%, i.e., 15–30 additional percentage units in comparison to the selectivity of the original un-promoted Pd/Al2O3 catalyst. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

PURPOSE: Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare, chronic, relapsing, diagnostically challenging and poorly understood disease characterized by disseminated mucinous ascites and peritoneal implants. It is most commonly caused by an appendiceal primary cancer. We describe a case to emphasize the value of the cytologic evaluation of peritoneal fluid as a basic diagnostic test. MATERĠALS & METHODS: A 45-year-old male patient admitted to our hospital with abdominal and pelvic pain, bloating and digestive disorders. Two years earlier he had undergone surgery for an appendiceal tumor which histologically proved to be a low grade mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, so afterwards he received chemotherapy. A peritoneal washing was performed and the fluid was sent for cytologic evaluation. Smeras were prepared using the conventional and the liquid based methods abde were stain with Diff-Quick and Papanicolaou stains. RESULTS: The microscopic examination of the smears revealed the presence of extracellular mucin pools and relatively small rounded three-dimensioned clusters or irregular nuclear membranes, irregular chromatin distribution, variably sized nucleoli and occasionally mucinproducing features. Based on the above the diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei was set. CONCLUSĠON: The cytomorphologic features and the patients‟ history are crucial factors for establishing a secure diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei in peritoneal fluid which can lead to an accurate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pursuit of sustainable protein sources, the agricultural sector and emerging edible insect industry intersect in the valorization of agricultural by-products. Establishing a mutually beneficial relationship involves utilizing agricultural by-products as feeding substrates for insect farming, potentially enhancing the sustainability of both sectors. In the present study, by-products from beer, rice, oat, maize, sunflower, and lucerne, as well as mill residues and spent mushroom substrate from the regions of Thessaly and Central Macedonia (Greece) were investigated as nutritional sources for the larvae of the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). Results show that the suitability of the tested by-products for rearing T. molitor larvae varies greatly, with larvae surviving better in some by-products than in others. The highest survival rate and the highest weight of larvae were recorded for larvae reared on rice bran, spent grains, and oat by-products. Similarly, high feed conversion and growth rate were observed when the larvae were fed with rice bran and spent grains. Thus, this research promotes cost-effective and sustainable T. molitor rearing, aligning with circular economy principles., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Insects receive increasing attention as an alternative source of protein for animals and humans, and thus, the production of low-cost insects for meeting the dietary demand on sustained basis is an ever-growing concept. This study aims to design dietswith locally available agricultural byproducts from Greece as feed for larvae of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). This will considerably reduce the cost of insect feed and the environmental impact of insect farming by using locally available agricultural byproducts as economic insect feedstock. More specifically, five agricultural byproducts derived from the production of cereals and legumes were utilized to design twelve different diets at two protein levels, i.e., 17.4 and 22.5% protein content. All diets were evaluated both at laboratory scale, but also at pilot scale. Based on the obtained results, both bioassays revealed that the diets contained one legume and one cereal byproduct (i.e., lupin and triticale as well as lupin and oat) supported more efficiently the growth and performance of the larvae, irrespective of the protein level. Indicatively, individual larval weight of the best performed larvae from both groups ranged from 132 to 142 mg. Moreover, our results highlight the fact that data derived from laboratory scale bioassays are not always easy to be extrapolated to industrial production. For instance, the total harvest of larvae, a parameter assessed in the tray scale bioassay, exhibited a disparity between diet A2 (910 g) and diet A3 (749 g), despite both being deemed optimal in the laboratory-scale experiment. Our study aims to promote a circular approach for the industrial rearing of insects through integration of local agricultural byproducts into specific diets for T. molitor larvae., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Diatomaceous earth (DE) formulations are promising alternatives over the use of traditional insecticides. In the present study, a series of laboratory bioassays was carried out to assess the efficacy of three diatomaceous earth formulations, i.e., Silicid, Celatom ® MN-23, and SilicoSec ® , for the control of a wide range of stored-product insect species in soft wheat. The species tested were Tribolium confusum , Tribolium castaneum , Sitophilus oryzae , Sitophilus granarius , Rhyzopertha dominica , Oryzaephilus surinamensis , and Alphitobious diaperinus . Different dose rates, i.e., 0 (control), 100, 300, 500, and 1000 ppm, were used for each of the aforementioned dust formulations. Mortality levels of the exposed individuals were assessed after 3, 7, 14, and 21 days of exposure. Moreover, progeny were counted 65 days later. Based on our results, dust formulations were effective for the control of most of the stored-product beetle species tested. Among the DE formulations tested, Silicid could adequately control the stored-product insect species. Complete suppression of offspring was observed only for secondary species ( T. confusum , T. castaneum , O. surinamensis , and A. diaperinus ). For primary species ( S. oryzae , S. granarius , and R. dominica ), the lowest number of progeny was observed in wheat treated with Silicid. For instance, in the case of R. dominica , significantly fewer individuals were produced in Silicid-treated wheat at the highest dose rate. The results of the present study aim to encourage the utilization of DE in stored-product protection as an integrated pest management tool. Additional experimentation is required to apply the tested DE formulations in the field and on different surfaces.

Zuska's disease is a pathologic entity characterized by the formation of subareolar breast abscess caused by the obstruction of lactiferous ducts. Although Zuska's disease is found relatively often in female patients, only 19 male cases have been reported. That makes Zuska's diagnosis challenging in males, leading to significant morbidity and high recurrence rates. Clinical evaluation and imaging techniques, especially ultrasound and mammography, are considered the cornerstones for the diagnosis of Zuska's disease, whereas fine-needle aspiration cytology is necessary in order to exclude malignancy. Multiple treatment approaches have been used including conservative antibiotic therapy, drainage of the abscess and surgical excision of the lactiferous ducts. We present the case of a 57 year old male who was diagnosed with Zuska's disease and treated via ultrasound-guided drainage of the abscess. Having a high level of suspicion, performing appropriate imaging tests and offering definite treatment, is the only way to decrease morbidity and recurrence., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare neuroendocrine malignancy that arises from the parafollicular cells (C cells) secreting calcitonin. This study summarizes our experience in the diagnosis of MTC with ultrasound-guided thyroid FNA, subsequently processed with liquid-based cytology (LBC) and immunocytochemistry (ICC). We searched our laboratory archives for thyroid FNA cases with an interpretation of positive or suspicious for MTC, during the period 2004-2018. A total of 20 cases (18 thyroid FNAs; two lymph node FNAs) were selected and included in this study. These displayed high cellularity and a discohesive pattern, with a few loose syncytial groups. There was some variation in the cell size and shape both across and within our cases. Most MTCs (n = 15) exhibited a predominant plasmacytoid/epithelioid cell morphology, whereas five of our cases showed a spindle cell pattern. Of interest, none of eight MTC microcarcinomas (≤1 cm) showed a spindle cell morphology. Amyloid was found in 11/20 cases (55%), while binucleation/multinucleation in 17/20 (85%), and nuclear pseudoinclusions in 3/20 MTC cases (15%). Nuclei exhibited a granular, "salt and pepper" chromatin in all cases. ICC was performed in 18/20 cases (90%). Calcitonin, CEA, TTF1, and Chromogranin were positive wherever applied, whereas thyroglobulin and CK19 were negative. In conclusion, ultrasound-guided thyroid FNA - processed with LBC and ICC - is a reliable modality to detect MTC preoperatively, facilitating the management of such patients.