Chemical modification of temoporfin--a second generation photosensitizer activated using upconverting nanoparticles for singlet oxygen generation.

LiYF4:Tm(3+)/Yb(3+) upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) were functionalized with the second generation photosensitizer 5,10,15,20-tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (m-THPC, Temoporfin, Foscan®). m-THPC was modified using 4-(bromomethyl)benzoic acid, which induced a bathochromic shift of the m-THPC blue absorption peak. The nanoconstruct causes up to 70% cell death under 980 nm irradiation.

[Scrofuloderma. a clinical case]. / Scrofuloderma. Un caso clinico.

Scrofuloderma is a form of colliquative cutaneous tuberculosis resulting from the spread of an underlying focus, generally represented by lymphnodes; osteoarticular tubercular locations or epididimus locations can also lead to ulcerative cutaneous involvement. We report the case of a female patient aged 12 who had been in Italy for 15 days following her arrival from Marocco. In the left clavicular region she presented an ulcerated lesion with palpable lymphnodes on the corresponding side of the neck. Histopathological examination of one of the involved lymphnodes suggested a mycobacteriosis; differential diagnosis was carried out between MAIS (M. avium, M. intracellulare, M. scrofulaceum) group mycobacteria infection and tuberculosis. Bacteriological research in the lymphnode of alcohol-acid resistant bacilli gave a negative result, while cultural examination and protein chain reaction pointed to M. tuberculosis. The patient was subjected to combined treatment based on rifampycin, isoniazide, etambutolol and pyrazinamide. At the present time, tuberculosis is an important public health problem in developing countries. In western countries such as the United Kingdom, which have been open to immigration for a longer time, scrofuloderma is present with higher prevalence in immigrants from Asia and Africa; in these immigrant populations, this tubercular form involves a wide age segment between the ages of 10 and 50. In the autochthonous population the highest incidence is in subjects aged more than 50. In Italy too, extra-communitary immigration has also contributed, with a delay compared to other western countries, to bring tuberculosis back into the public eye after a period of decades during which it was wrongly considered to have disappeared.

Tether-controlled cycloadditions for the asymmetric synthesis of decalins: increased selectivity in acetonitrile solvent.

[reaction: see text] The beneficial influence of cis-isopropylidene acetal tether control groups, to facilitate the asymmetric synthesis of substituted decalins by intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions, is described. Compared to trans-acetonides, these cases proceed under milder conditions to afford the cis-fused adducts from an endo transition state. An unusual acetonitrile solvent effect exerts a dramatic influence on the diastereoselectivity. This strategy leads to the chiral nonracemic bicyclo[4.4.0]decane core of diverse natural products.

[Pollution due to automobile traffic in the region of Presidi Cardarelli, Santobono e Presidio Multizonale di Prevenzione della USL 40 di Na di Napoli]. / Indagine sull'inquinamento da traffico veicolare nell'area dei Presidi Cardarelli, Santobono e Presidio Multizonale di Prevenzione della USL 40 di Napoli.

A control of air pollution has been performed in the Hospital Area of Naples during a period of two years, from 1988 to 1990. The concentration of inert suspended dust, lead and the respirable fraction of both components has been determined to obtain information about air pollutants produced by vehicular traffic which is very high in the observed zone.

[Analytical evaluation of significant chemical and physico-chemical parameters in water for human consumption]. / Valutazione analitica di parametri significantivi chimici e chimico-fisici in acque destinate al consumo umano.

A quality control of drinking water has been performed in hospitals and schools located in the Vomero-Area of Naples. Some chemical pollutants (iron, manganese, ammonia nitrogen, nitrite, nitrate, fluoride) as well as chemical and physical parameters (hardness, pH, electric conductivity, chloride, cations) have been periodically analyzed from Autumn 1991 to Summer 1992.

[Identification of the root of Punica granatum in galenic preparations using TLC]. / Riconoscimento della radice di "Punica granatum" nelle preparazioni galeniche mediante TLC.

The alkaloids present in the root of "Punica granatum" have been extracted by two different methods: extraction by Soxlet and extraction by steam distillation. Then the extracts have been compared by TLC chromatography using different solvents and specific chromogen reagents. The presence of pseudo-pelletierine has been confirmed in both the extractive solution by reaction with conc. K2Cr2O7. The above results explains the toxic activity of the unsuitable galenic preparations.

[Purification of waste water from olive-oil pressing plants using hydrophytes. Preliminary study on the use of Eichornia crassipes]. / Depurazione delle acque reflue di frantoio mediante idrofite. Indagini preliminari sull'impiego dell' Eichornia crassipes.

The use of Eichornia crassipes has been tested in order to depurate the waste water from olive oil factories. The control of some parameter variations during the treatment, such as COD, total azote, dissolved oxygen and pH, has given encouraging results about the depurative efficacy of employed hydrophytae. Particularly indicative is, in this regard, COD rejection of about 60%.

[Determination by capillary gas liquid chromatography of nitrosamine in partially altered food]. / Determinazione mediante GLC capillare di nitrosamine in alimenti parzialmente alterati.

The nitrosamines have been extensively studied for their toxicity. Their formation in the foods containing nitrous and nitric derivatives is favoured by the presence of suitable substrata. In the present work have been used column and capillari GL Chromatography for the determination of some nitrosamines in altered foods. The results obtained by applying the suggested procedure to a number of altered samples have been very encouraging.

[The use of Eichornia crassipes for the improvement of some characteristics of water]. / Impiego dell'Eichornia crassipes nel miglioramento di alcune caratteristiche di acque.

Some plants of Eichornia Crassipes were studied in September-January period for the absorption of some cations from wastewaters. In this note was studied the lead, zinc and copper in relation the depurative potential of this plants to 18 degrees C. These metals have identified in the water and in the ashes by atomic absorption. Nowadays our researches, are intented at to study the depurative potential of Eichornia Crassipes and others aquatic plants in presence of multiple cations.

[Utilization of Eichornia crassipes to improve certain characteristics of water (preliminary note)]. / Impiego dell'eichornia crassipes nel miglioramento di alcune caratteristiche di acque (nota preliminare).

Some plants of Eichornia Crassipes were studied in the November-January period for the absorption of some cations from wastewaters. In this preliminary note was studied the lead in relation to the depurative potential of this plants to 18 degrees and 25 degrees C. This metal have identified in the water and in the ashes by atomic-absorption. Nowadays our researches are intended to study the depurative potential of Eichornia Crassipes and others aquatic plants in presence of multiple cations.