Quantification of the composition of pyrolysis oils of complex plastic waste by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer detector.

Waste valorisation through pyrolysis generates solid, liquid and gaseous fractions that need to be deeply characterised in order to try to recover secondary raw materials or chemicals. Depending on the waste and the process conditions, the liquid fraction obtained (so-called pyrolysis oil) can be very complex. This work proposes a method to quantitatively measure the composition of pyrolysis oils coming from three types of polymeric waste: (1) plastic packaging from sorting plants of municipal solid waste, (2) plastic rich fractions rejected from sorting plants of waste of electrical and electronic equipment and (3) end-of-life carbon/glass fibre reinforced thermoset polymers. The proposed methodology uses a gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectrometer detector (MS) analytical technique, a certified saturated alkanes' mix, an internal standard and fourteen model compounds. Validation of the methodology concluded that the average relative error was between -59 wt% and +62 wt% (with standard deviations between 0 wt% and 13 wt%). Considering that the state-of-the-art scenario to quantify complex plastic pyrolysis oils as a whole is almost none and that they are usually evaluated only qualitatively based on the area percentage of the GC-MS chromatograms, the presented quantification methodology implies a clear step forward towards complex pyrolysis oil compositional quantification in a cost-effective way. Besides, this quantification methodology enables determining what proportion is being detected by GC-MS with respect to the total oil. Finally, the presented work includes all the Kováts RI for complex temperature-program gas chromatography of all the signals identified in the analysed pyrolysis oils, to be readily available to other researchers towards the identification of chemical compounds in their studies.

Composite waste recycling: Predictive simulation of the pyrolysis vapours and gases upgrading process in Aspen plus.

Waste generation is one of the greatest problems of present times, and the recycling of carbon fibre reinforced composites one big challenge to face. Currently, no resin valorisation is done in thermal fibre recycling methods. However, when pyrolysis is used, additional valuable compounds (syngas or H2-rich gas) could be obtained by upgrading the generated vapours and gases. This work presents the thermodynamic and kinetic multi-reaction modelling of the pyrolysis vapours and gases upgrading process in Aspen Plus software. These models forecast the theoretical and in-between scenario of a thermal upgrading process of an experimentally characterised vapours and gases stream (a blend of thirty-five compounds). Indeed, the influence of temperature (500 °C-1200 °C) and pressure (ΔP = 0, 1 and 2 bar) operating parameters are analysed in the outlet composition, residence time and possible reaction mechanisms occurring. Validation of the kinetic model has been done comparing predicted outlet composition with experimental data (at 700 °C and 900 °C with ΔP = 0 bar) for H2 (g), CO (g), CO2 (g), CH4 (g), H2O (v) and C (s). Kinetic and experimental results show the same tendency with temperature, validating the model for further research. Good kinetic fit is obtained for H2 (g) (absolute error: 0.5 wt% at constant temperature and 0.3 wt% at variable temperature) and H2O (v) shows the highest error at variable T (8.8 wt%). Both simulation and experimental results evolve towards simpler, less toxic and higher generation of hydrogen-rich gas with increasing operating temperature and pressure.

Production of hydrogen-rich gases in the recycling process of residual carbon fiber reinforced polymers by pyrolysis.

In this work, a novel method to valorize the polymeric matrix of residual carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) in the recycling process of carbon fibers by pyrolysis is presented. The experiments have been carried out with an expired epoxy-based pre-preg and in a lab-scale installation composed of two reactors. In the first one, pyrolysis and oxidation have been carried out, while in the second one, the gases and vapors resulting from the thermal decomposition of the polymeric resin have been thermally treated. The following operating parameters have been studied in the pyrolysis step: dwell time, the use of N2 (N2 flow, no N2 flow and not even to inert the reaction medium) and the solid bed material of the second reactor. In the oxidation step, temperature and time have been optimized by using the theory of experiments based on 2 k factorial design was used. It has been demonstrated that clean carbon fibers and a gaseous fraction with 75% by volume of H2 can be obtained. This is possible through a combined process of (1) CFRP thermal decomposition at 500 °C, (2) thermal treatment of gases and vapors at 900 °C in a solid bed tubular reactor filled with a waste refractory material and (3) oxidation of pyrolysis solid at 500 °C during 165 min in presence of 1.3 L air min-1.

Presentación multifocal en 2 casos de maculopatía unilateral aguda idiopática / Multifocal presentation in 2 cases of unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy

Presentamos 2 casos de maculopatía idiopática aguda unilateral en 2adultos jóvenes, un varón de 24 años y una mujer de 37 años. Ambos sufrieron una pérdida aguda de visión acompañada de manifestaciones clínicas compatibles con la maculopatía idiopática unilateral aguda. Como hallazgo excepcional, presentaron lesiones multifocales alrededor de una lesión central de mayor tamaño. Con el tiempo, se produjo la recuperación espontánea de la pérdida visual. La maculopatía idiopática aguda unilateral puede presentarse de formas distintas de la convencional, por lo que deberíamos considerar la posibilidad de encontrarnos ante estas formas atípicas (AU)

Two cases of multifocal unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy are presented, one in a 24 year-old man, and another in a 37 year-old woman. Both of them presented with acute vision loss and clinical findings compatible with unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy. As a relatively uncommon finding, they had multifocal lesions around a larger central lesion. They experienced a spontaneous improvement of their vision. Atypical presentations of unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy like multifocal lesions are possible. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this rare form of presentation (AU)

Multifocal presentation in 2 cases of unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy. / Presentación multifocal en 2 casos de maculopatía unilateral aguda idiopática.

Two cases of multifocal unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy are presented, one in a 24 year-old man, and another in a 37 year-old woman. Both of them presented with acute vision loss and clinical findings compatible with unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy. As a relatively uncommon finding, they had multifocal lesions around a larger central lesion. They experienced a spontaneous improvement of their vision. Atypical presentations of unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy like multifocal lesions are possible. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this rare form of presentation.

Respuesta similar a la uveítis de recuperación inmune en un paciente con retinitis herpética como complicación de una leucemia de células peludas / Immune recovery uveitis in a patient with herpes retinitis as a complication of hairy cell leukaemia

Paciente de 51 años de edad con leucemia de células peludas tratado con pentostatina. Mientras recibía el tratamiento, desarrolló una retinitis herpética en el ojo derecho. Tras finalizar el tratamiento con pentostatina, presentó un cuadro de vitritis y edema macular quístico. No había signos de reactivación de la retinitis herpética. Tras excluir otras causas de inflamación intraocular, se estableció el diagnóstico de uveítis de recuperación inmune. El paciente fue tratado con triamcinolona intravítrea, corticoides orales, implantes de dexametasona intravítreos y, finalmente, vitrectomía. La uveítis de recuperación inmune puede aparecer en pacientes VIH negativos. La reconstitución inmune tras el tratamiento podría dar lugar a una inflamación intraocular. El manejo de esta puede ser bastante complicado, pudiendo ser necesaria la realización de una vitrectomía. La posibilidad de una uveítis de recuperación inmune en pacientes VIH negativos debería ser tenida en cuenta

A 51 year-old man with hairy cell leukaemia was treated with pentostatin. While receiving the treatment, he was diagnosed with herpes retinitis in his right eye. After the last cycle of pentostatin the patient developed a mild vitritis and cystoid macular oedema. There were no signs of herpes retinitis reactivation. After excluding other possible causes of intraocular inflammation, a diagnosis of immune recovery uveitis was made. The patient was treated with 2-monthly retro-septal injections of triamcinolone, oral corticosteroids, intravitreal dexamethasone implants and, finally, pars plana vitrectomy. An immune recovery uveitis-like response is possible in HIV negative individuals. The immune reconstitution after the treatment of hairy cell leukaemia may have led to intraocular inflammation. Management of immune recovery uveitis is challenging and difficult. Pars plana vitrectomy may be necessary. Ophthalmologists should be alert to the possibility of immune recovery uveitis in HIV negative patients

Coroidopatía, retinopatía y neuropatía óptica hipertensiva en un paciente con fracaso de trasplante renal / Hypertensive choroidopathy, retinopathy and optic neuropathy in renal transplantation failure

Varón de 32 años que presenta una elevación grave de la tensión arterial con cifras de 200/140 mmHg tras fracaso de trasplante renal. Se observaron múltiples desprendimientos serosos retinianos, dilatación venosa y atenuación de las arteriolas, hemorragias retinianas y edema del disco óptico. Ante la imposibilidad de realizar una angiografía fluoresceínica, la angiotomografía y las imágenes en face-tomografía de coherencia óptica permitieron identificar las alteraciones vasculares en retina, coroides y coriocapilar. La angiotomografía y las imágenes en modo en face-tomografía de coherencia óptica pueden ser de gran utilidad en la identificación de lesiones oftalmológicas vasculares relacionadas con la hipertensión maligna de aquellos casos en los que no sea posible realizar una angiografía fluoresceínica

A 32 year-old man who presented with severe elevation of blood pressure after failure of kidney transplant. The patient had multiple serous retinal detachments, venous dilation, arteriolar narrowing, retinal haemorrhages, as well as optic disc oedema. Due to the impossibility of performing a fluorescein angiography, an angiotomography and en-face optical coherence tomography images were used to identify the vascular alterations in the retina, choroid, and choriocapillaris. Angiotomography and en face-optical coherence tomography mode images are very useful in cases where it is not possible to perform fluorescein angiography

Uso de la OCT-en face en el diagnóstico de rotura del epitelio pigmentario de la retina / Use of en face OCT in the diagnosis of a retinal pigment epithelium tear

No disponible

Immune recovery uveitis in a patient with herpes retinitis as a complication of hairy cell leukaemia. / Respuesta similar a la uveítis de recuperación inmune en un paciente con retinitis herpética como complicación de una leucemia de células peludas.

A 51 year-old man with hairy cell leukaemia was treated with pentostatin. While receiving the treatment, he was diagnosed with herpes retinitis in his right eye. After the last cycle of pentostatin the patient developed a mild vitritis and cystoid macular oedema. There were no signs of herpes retinitis reactivation. After excluding other possible causes of intraocular inflammation, a diagnosis of immune recovery uveitis was made. The patient was treated with 2-monthly retro-septal injections of triamcinolone, oral corticosteroids, intravitreal dexamethasone implants and, finally, pars plana vitrectomy. An immune recovery uveitis-like response is possible in HIV negative individuals. The immune reconstitution after the treatment of hairy cell leukaemia may have led to intraocular inflammation. Management of immune recovery uveitis is challenging and difficult. Pars plana vitrectomy may be necessary. Ophthalmologists should be alert to the possibility of immune recovery uveitis in HIV negative patients.

Hypertensive choroidopathy, retinopathy and optic neuropathy in renal transplantation failure. / Coroidopatía, retinopatía y neuropatía óptica hipertensiva en un paciente con fracaso de trasplante renal.

A 32 year-old man who presented with severe elevation of blood pressure after failure of kidney transplant. The patient had multiple serous retinal detachments, venous dilation, arteriolar narrowing, retinal haemorrhages, as well as optic disc oedema. Due to the impossibility of performing a fluorescein angiography, an angiotomography and en-face optical coherence tomography images were used to identify the vascular alterations in the retina, choroid, and choriocapillaris. Angiotomography and en face-optical coherence tomography mode images are very useful in cases where it is not possible to perform fluorescein angiography.

Estudio del ángulo iridocorneal mediante OCT Swept-Source en paciente con uveítis anterior granulomatosa / Iridocorneal angle assessment using Swept-Source OCT in a patient with anterior granulomatous uveítis

No disponible

Necrosis retiniana como manifestación de aspergilosis invasiva en un paciente tratado con ruxolitinib / Invasive aspergillosis manifesting as retinal necrosis in a patient treated with ruxolitinib

Varón de 30 años de edad con leucemia mieloblástica aguda y síndrome mielodisplásico secundario que desarrolló una enfermedad injerto contra huésped. El paciente fue tratado con ruxolitinib, un inhibidor de la Janus quinasa. A los 3 meses de haber iniciado el tratamiento se produjo una necrosis retiniana por Aspergillus, sin respuesta al tratamiento. El tratamiento con inhibidores de la Janus quinasa favorecería un aumento en la incidencia de infecciones oportunistas. El uso de estos fármacos podría dar lugar a una menor eficacia de los tratamientos empleados

A 30 year-old man with acute myeloblastic leukaemia and secondary myelodysplastic syndrome developed graft-versus-host disease. The patient was treated with ruxolitinib. After being treated for 3 months with ruxolitinib, an inhibitor of Janus kinase, he developed Aspergillus retinal necrosis resistant to common treatment. Treatment with Janus kinase inhibitors may lead to an increased incidence of opportunistic infections. Janus kinase inhibitor administration may result in poor treatment efficacy

Invasive aspergillosis manifesting as retinal necrosis in a patient treated with ruxolitinib. / Necrosis retiniana como manifestación de aspergilosis invasiva en un paciente tratado con ruxolitinib.

A 30 year-old man with acute myeloblastic leukaemia and secondary myelodysplastic syndrome developed graft-versus-host disease. The patient was treated with ruxolitinib. After being treated for 3 months with ruxolitinib, an inhibitor of Janus kinase, he developed Aspergillus retinal necrosis resistant to common treatment. Treatment with Janus kinase inhibitors may lead to an increased incidence of opportunistic infections. Janus kinase inhibitor administration may result in poor treatment efficacy.

PET/TC con 68Ga-PSMA, importancia en la práctica hospitalaria. Visión del oncólogo radioterápico / Importance of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in hospital practice. View of the radiation oncologist

La radioterapia es un tratamiento curativo indicado en pacientes con cáncer de próstata (CaP) primario y en aquellos con recurrencia bioquímica tras prostatectomía radical (PR). Además, recientemente, ha habido un aumento en el uso de técnicas de alta precisión como la radioterapia estereotáctica fraccionada corporal para tratar un número limitado de metástasis en pacientes con CaP oligometastásico. Las pruebas de imagen convencional (ecografía transrectal, tomografía computarizada [TC], resonancia magnética morfológica y gammagrafía ósea) tienen un papel menor en estos escenarios, debido a su bajo rendimiento diagnóstico. Recientemente, se ha desarrollado el radiotrazador 68Ga-PSMA, para la tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET), que es un ligando del antígeno de membrana específico de próstata (PSMA), una proteína transmembrana sobrexpresada en las células del CaP. Sus resultados son prometedores, con tasas de detección de lesiones tumorales mayores que la TC y mayor que la mejor técnica disponible actualmente, la PET con colina. Su superioridad es más evidente en pacientes con valores bajos de PSA (< 1 ng/ml). Esta mejora en el rendimiento diagnóstico representa un potencial impacto en el manejo terapéutico, especialmente en radioterapia. A pesar de que la prueba ya está disponible en la práctica clínica diaria de otros países europeos, en España su uso es muy limitado. En esta revisión, analizamos los principales estudios que investigan la utilidad de la PET/TC con 68Ga-PSMA en pacientes con CaP y su potencial impacto en los tratamientos de radioterapia. Además, comparamos la PET/TC con PSMA, con la resonancia magnética multiparamétrica y la PET/TC con colina, en los distintos escenarios clínicos

Radiotherapy is a treatment with curative intent, both in patients with primary diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) and in patients presenting with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP). Moreover, the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy as a metastasis directed therapy in patients with oligometastatic PCa has significantly increased in the recent years. Conventional imaging techniques, including transrectal ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), morphologic magnetic resonance and bone scintigraphy have traditionally played a minor role in all those clinical scenarios due to its low diagnostic accuracy. The recent development of the positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer 68Ga-PSMA binding to the prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a transmembrane glycoprotein overexpressed in PCa cells, has shown promising results. Detection rates for PCa lesions are higher than CT and higher than the best technique available, the PET/CT with choline. Its superiority has been demonstrated even at very low PSA levels (<1 ng/ml). This increase in diagnostic accuracy represents a potential impact on patient management, especially in radiotherapy. Even if this imaging technique is already available for routine clinical practice in some European countries, in Spain, unfortunately, there is very limited access. In this review, we analyze the main studies that investigate the usefulness of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in patients with PCa and its potential impact on radiotherapy treatments. In addition, we compared the 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT, with the multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and the PET/CT with choline, in the different clinical scenarios

Importance of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in hospital practice. View of the radiation oncologist. / PET/TC con 68Ga-PSMA, importancia en la práctica hospitalaria. Visión del oncólogo radioterápico.

Radiotherapy is a treatment with curative intent, both in patients with primary diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) and in patients presenting with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP). Moreover, the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy as a metastasis directed therapy in patients with oligometastatic PCa has significantly increased in the recent years. Conventional imaging techniques, including transrectal ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), morphologic magnetic resonance and bone scintigraphy have traditionally played a minor role in all those clinical scenarios due to its low diagnostic accuracy. The recent development of the positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer 68Ga-PSMA binding to the prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a transmembrane glycoprotein overexpressed in PCa cells, has shown promising results. Detection rates for PCa lesions are higher than CT and higher than the best technique available, the PET/CT with choline. Its superiority has been demonstrated even at very low PSA levels (<1 ng/ml). This increase in diagnostic accuracy represents a potential impact on patient management, especially in radiotherapy. Even if this imaging technique is already available for routine clinical practice in some European countries, in Spain, unfortunately, there is very limited access. In this review, we analyze the main studies that investigate the usefulness of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in patients with PCa and its potential impact on radiotherapy treatments. In addition, we compared the 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT, with the multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and the PET/CT with choline, in the different clinical scenarios.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Prevalence and quality of life in Spanish postmenopausal women. The GENISSE study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and urogynecological conditions associated with menopause, and to evaluate the impact of GSM on quality of life in a cohort of Spanish postmenopausal women. METHODS: Multicenter, cross-sectional, and observational study involving 430 women. RESULTS: The prevalence of GSM was 70%. GSM was diagnosed in 60.2% of women with no known diagnosis of vulvovaginal atrophy or GSM. Most prevalent symptoms were vaginal dryness (93.3%) and reduced lubrication with sexual activity (90.0%). Most prevalent signs were decreased moisture (93.7%) and loss of vaginal rugae (78.4%). GSM was significantly associated with stress or mixed urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and vaginal prolapse. Symptoms showed a low-moderate impact on quality of life, mainly in sexual functioning and self-concept and body image. CONCLUSIONS: The GSM is very prevalent in Spanish postmenopausal women, affecting up to 70% of those consulting the gynecologist. Despite the high prevalence of symptoms and signs and its impact on the women's well-being, GSM remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Given its relationship with urogynecological conditions, it seems necessary to provide an adequate evaluation of postmenopausal women for identifying potential co-morbidities and providing most adequate treatments. An adequate management of GSM will contribute to an improvement in the quality of life of these women.