Preparation and Characterization of Zinc(II)-Based Lewis/Brønsted Acidic Deep Eutectic Solvents.

Lewis/Brønsted acidic deep eutectic solvents (LBDESs) are a recent class of solvents that combine the two types of acidity. In some cases, this synergy leads to enhanced catalytic properties for many reactions and applications. For this reason, it is important to discover more LBDESs. In this work, we prepared and characterized four different zinc(II)-based LBDESs, mixing ZnCl2 and various Brønsted acids: acetic, glycolic, levulinic, and formic acids. Apart from the latter, for which the corresponding DES is not thermally stable, the samples have been characterized in terms of density, viscosity, and conductivity. Notably, as zinc(II) is a diamagnetic metal, all of them are suitable for NMR spectroscopy, for example, for kinetic and mechanistic studies.

Clinical-Diagnostic Relevance of Breast "Incidentaloma" Detected During 18F-Fluoro-2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography: Correlation with Radiological Imaging and Histopathology.

AIM: This study aims to study the clinical-diagnostic relevance of incidental breast uptake ("incidentaloma") on 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scan performed for other indications and to correlate it with radiological imaging and histopathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 3675 FDG-PET scans, identifying 43 patients with breast "incidentaloma." Thirty of these findings were further investigated with clinical examination, mammography (MMX), UltraSound (US) and/or magnetic resonance (MR). Cases suspected for malignancy underwent US-guided macro-biopsy (USMB) or MR-guided biopsy. Correlations between FDG-PET, radiology findings, age, and histopathology were evaluated. RESULTS: patients who performed both US and MMX were 19. Ten consequently underwent USMB, one MR-guided biopsy, the remaining 8 were not further investigated. Nine patients had a diagnosis of malignancy. Among 11 patients who performed only US and consequently, USMB 6 had a diagnosis of malignancy. Histopathology of the 22 patients with both morphological and glucometabolic alterations showed different types of benign or malignant neoplasia, with a cumulative 68.2% incidence of malignancy. Seven lesions showed a SUVmax >2.5, while the remaining 15 a SUVmax <2.5. There was no statistically significant correlation between SUVmax and histology, therefore SUVmax parameter should not be used to discriminate between benign and malignant findings. No significant correlation between patient age and tumor characterization was found. CONCLUSIONS: incidental mammary uptake during an FDG-PET scan may represent a clue suggesting to investigate PET findings. In this subset of patients, early diagnosis may lead to a change in clinical management with a favorable impact on prognosis and a significant reduction in healthcare costs.

Fracture Resistance of Zirconia-Reinforced Lithium Silicate Ceramic Crowns Cemented with Conventional or Adhesive Systems: An In Vitro Study.

In recent years, Zirconia-reinforced Lithium Silicate ceramic (ZLS), combining lithium-silicate and zirconia features, has shown to have excellent mechanical and aesthetic characteristics. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the fracture strength of ZLS single crowns cemented with two different cementation techniques. Twenty crowns were realised and cemented on teeth replicas achieved from an extracted premolar human tooth. The samples were divided into two groups of 10 specimens each, Glass-ionomeric cement (GIC) group and Self-Adhesive Resin Cement (ARC) group. The mechanical test was performed using a universal testing machine. The specimens were then evaluated with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to identify for all crowns and related abutments the pattern of fracture after the breaking point. The data obtained were statistically analysed. The mean fracture toughness values and standard deviations (±SD) were 2227 ± 382 N and 3712 ± 319 N respectively for GIC and ARC groups. In fact, t-test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.001). Moreover, the SEM results demonstrated portions of abutments still attached to the crown fragments in the ARC group, whilst these were not present in the GIC group. Within the limitations of this study, these results suggest the use of adhesive cementation for ZLS crowns, which significantly increase the compressive strength of ZLS restorations compared to GIC.

[No floroquinolone resistance in non typhoidal salmonellas from hospitalized persons in an endemic area of Apulia, Italy]. / Nessuna resistenza ai fluorochinolonici in salmonelle non tifoidee isolate da persone ospedalizzate in un'area endemica della Puglia.

Non typhi-salmonella is the most common cause of hospitalization or death associated with acute diarrhea. It is usually a self limiting disease and antibiotic therapy is not required, but in immunocompromised people it is essential. Increasing antimicrobial resistance in salmonella, in future, would limit the therapeutic options. During 2002, 198 persons were hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis. The 55% of cases were female, the age ranged between 4 and 94 years and the 25% of them were > 60 years old. The 58.5% of hospitalizations occurred between June and October. Non-typhi salmonella was isolated in the stool of 49 persons, with a rate of hospitalization of 24.7% respect to other causes of gastroenteritis. The incidence of resistance that was defined as resistance to one or more drugs was 14.3%. Only one non-typhi salmonella showed a multiple resistance (> four drugs). Among all antibiotics tested, only the fluorquinolones showed a susceptibility in vitro in all strains. Non typhoidal Salmonellosis is a public healt problem in the world and it will be important to restrict the use of antibiotics in medicine and veterinary to reduce the spread of multiresistant strains.

[Myocardial infarction in the course of antiretroviral therapy with protease inhibitor]. / Infarto miocardico in corso di terapia antiretrovirale con inibitore della proteasi.

The use of protease inhibitors (PIs) in the antiretroviral therapy (ART) of HIV-1 infection has reduced the rate of morbidity and mortality; but, unfortunately, this therapy has several side effects and a long term toxicity. Unexpected lipid abnormalities and cardiovascular complications are observed. We report a case of myocardial infarction in a young man HIV-1 positive patient without a history of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular pathologies undergoing PI treatment. The new ART without PI was not suppressive, while hypertriglyceridemia value improved by omega 3 fatty acids use. Our opinion is to continue ART with PI and to correct lipid abnormalities with the use of antidislipidemic drugs instead to change a demonstrated suppressive ART.