Vitrification treatment of municipal solid waste bottom ash

This study involves the chemical characterization of municipal solid waste (MSW) bottom ash (BA) produced at a combustor facility in Rimini (Italy), and vitrification experiments, performed at lab scale under atmospheric conditions, maximum temperature of 1100 °C, for different durations (2-16 h). LA-ICP-MS analyses of the glasses obtained revealed that the overall volatility of metal elements increases with the time but it cannot be simply predicted by element boiling point. Elements have been here categorized into three different groups depending on their volatility comparing the glass product with the BA starting sample- high, medium or low, respectively- (1) Cu, W, Cl; (2) Pb, Zn, Sr; (3) Mo, Cr, V, Ni. The behavior of Cs, Rb, Ag, Ba, Ga, Co, U, Zr, Hf and Ta in the glassy slag is not defined because we did not observe statistically significant changes in their volatility behavior. Vitrification allows us to produce chemically stable glassy materials and immobilize potentially harmful elements, thus producing from waste new vitreous materials that are relatively inert and suitable for potential re-utilization in new products and/or applications for building and construction industries. Moreover, the samples show REE chondrite-normalized patterns indicating relative enrichments in Light-Rare Earth Elements (LREE), in particular La and Nd which may be interesting from an economic point of view in terms of waste recovery. Thus, the results obtained show how to treat bottom ashes from incinerator in order to provide more chemically inert and economically useful resources for recycle and reuse of solid waste BA.

The treatment of the large periradicular endodontic injury

AIM

Periradicular lesions of endodontic origin are characterized by polymicrobial infections, part of which appear to play a crucial role in the facultative anaerobic bacterical species. In literature there is a strong disagreement about the choice of treatment in large periradicular lesions of endodontic origin: some authors propose the orthograde root canal therapy, others surgical therapy with apicectomia, retrograde filling of the cavity and review instrument. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of orthograde endodontic treatment in case of periapical lesions of endodontic origin of dimensions larger than 20 mm.

METHODS

It was evaluated a sample of 60 cases, ages between 18 and 70 years, 32 men and 28 women. The cases have been treated by orthograde endodontic. Were included mono and pluriradicular teeth with periapical lesion of endodontic origin primary or secondary at endodontic incongruous treatment, with dimensions larger than 20 mm. The sample was divided into Group A: 19 cases in which was possible to complete the root canal therapy in the same event; Group B: 41 cases in which there was drainage. Dressing was applied with pure calcium hydroxide, which was renewed every 10 days for a maximum of 30, was eventually completed the endodontic therapy.

RESULTS

Group A: 13 out of 19 cases showed healing at 5 years. Of the remaining 6, there were three failures, a crown-root fracture, missed two follow-up. At 10 years of the 13 successes, 2 cases showed relapse. Group B: 41 cases, later reduced to 30 we had 19 successes in 5 years. Of the remaining 11: 3 crown-root fractures, 2 missed the follow-up, 6 failures. At 10 years of the 19 successes, two were lost because of fracture, one for a relapse. Discussion. The results show the importance of drainage, which can affect the apical seal and therefore the success of endodontic therapy, but allows decompression of the periradicular lesion and symptoms regression. The use of calcium hydroxide in the intermediary dressings allows the neutralization of acidic compounds, alkaline phosphatase activation creating a significant development of the antibacterial action. Proper instrumentation and cleansing of root canals allows the reduction of over one thousand times the bacterial load. The coronal seal has, through the adhesive techniques of restorative materials, a crucial role in closing the doors of entry the bacterial contamination of treated root canals.

CONCLUSION

The endodontic therapy by orthograde is considered primary therapeutic choice in case of large endodontic lesions, given the success at rate both 5 (Group A 68,41%, Group B 63,33%) and 10 years (Group A 57.88%, Group B 53.32%).

The major genetic determinants of HIV-1 control affect HLA class I peptide presentation

Infectious and inflammatory diseases have repeatedly shown strong genetic associations within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC); however, the basis for these associations remains elusive. To define host genetic effects on the outcome of a chronic viral infection, we performed genome-wide association analysis in a multiethnic cohort of HIV-1 controllers and progressors, and we analyzed the effects of individual amino acids within the classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) proteins. We identified >300 genome-wide significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the MHC and none elsewhere. Specific amino acids in the HLA-B peptide binding groove, as well as an independent HLA-C effect, explain the SNP associations and reconcile both protective and risk HLA alleles. These results implicate the nature of the HLA-viral peptide interaction as the major factor modulating durable control of HIV infection.

Anesthetic efficacy and heart rate effects of the intraosseous injection of 1.5% etidocaine (1:200,000 epinephrine) after an inferior alveolar nerve block

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the anesthetic efficacy and heart rate effects of an intraosseous (IO) injection of 1.5% etidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine after an inferior alveolar nerve block.

STUDY DESIGN

In a repeated-measures designed study, 48 subjects randomly received 2 combinations of injections at 2 separate appointments. The combinations were an inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block (with 3% mepivacaine) + IO injection with 1.8 mL of 1.5% etidocaine hydrochloride containing 1:200,000 epinephrine, and an IAN + mock IO injection. The first molar was blindly tested with a pulp tester at 2-minute cycles for 60 minutes after the injection. Anesthesia was considered successful when 2 consecutive 80 readings (no subject response) were obtained. Heart rate (pulse rate) was measured with a pulse oximeter.

RESULTS

Lip numbness occurred in 100% of the subjects with both the techniques. For the first molar, anesthetic success for the IAN + mock IO and the IAN + IO etidocaine hydrochloride groups, respectively, were 81% and 100%. The differences were significant (P <.05) when the IAN + IO etidocaine hydrochloride technique was compared with the IAN + mock IO. A mean increase in heart rate of 32 beats/min occurred in 90% of the subjects with the IO injection of the etidocaine hydrochloride solution. In 89% of these subjects, the heart rate returned to within 5 beats of baseline values 4 minutes or less after solution deposition.

CONCLUSIONS

The IO injection of 1.8 mL of 1.5% etidocaine hydrochloride with 1:200,000 epinephrine, when used to augment an inferior alveolar nerve block, significantly increased anesthetic success in the first molar. The majority of subjects receiving the IO injection of the etidocaine hydrochloride solution had a transient increase in heart rate.

Anesthetic efficacy and heart rate effects of the intraosseous injection of 3% mepivacaine after an inferior alveolar nerve block

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the anesthetic efficacy and heart rate effects of an intraosseous injection of 3% mepivacaine after an inferior alveolar nerve block.

STUDY DESIGN

Through use of a repeated-measures design, each of 48 subjects randomly received 2 combinations of injections at 2 separate appointments. The combinations were (1) an inferior alveolar nerve block (with 1.8 mL of 3% mepivacaine) + intraosseous injection with 1.8 mL of 3% mepivacaine and (2) an inferior alveolar nerve (with 1. 8 mL of 3% mepivacaine) + mock intraosseous injection. The first molar was blindly pulp tested at 2-minute cycles for 60 minutes postinjection. Anesthesia was considered successful with 2 consecutive 80 readings. Heart rate (pulse rate) was measured with a pulse oximeter.

RESULTS

All subjects had lip numbness with both of the inferior alveolar nerve + intraosseous techniques. Anesthetic success for the first molar was significantly increased for 30 minutes with intraosseous injection of mepivacaine in comparison with the inferior alveolar nerve block alone (mock intraosseous injection). Subjects receiving the intraosseous injection of mepivacaine experienced minimal increases in heart rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The intraosseous injection of 1.8 mL of 3% mepivacaine, when used to augment an inferior alveolar nerve block, significantly increased anesthetic success for 30 minutes in the first molar. The 3% mepivacaine had a minimal effect on heart rate and would be useful in patients with contraindications to epinephrine use.

[Analysis of a case of multiple myeloma with late dissemination of skin nodules]

A case of a 55 years old woman suffering from multiple myeloma with strong bone marrow proplasmocytic infiltration, several osteolytic and osteoporotic lesions and high seric M-component level and hypertensive heart failure is described. After 32 months of partial remission obtained with cyclic chemotherapy, large cutaneous tumors arose. Despite of a new therapeutic trial, in the last 8 months, an increase of bone marrow and seric signs was observed without involvement of the lungs or kidneys or expression of plasma-cell leukemia. Death occurred at 50th month because of sepsis and heart failure. A real cutaneous tropism, late occurred and without cytohistological changes, is stressed. The meaning of the rich vascularization of the skin over the tumors in absence of inflammation and necrosis remains unclear.