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Selected phlogopite flakes from Mt. Vulture in southern Italy were studied using a combination of single-crystal techniques: electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), and micro-X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES). The latter technique was employed to analyze the structure of the Fe-K absorption edge over the region from 7080-8100 eV and to determine [Fe.sup.3+]/[ZIGMA]Fe at a micrometer scale, albeit with large error bars due to known effects of orientation on pre-edge energy. The annite component, Fe/(Mg+Fe), of the samples studied ranged from 0.16 to 0.31, the Ti content from 0.11 to 0.27 atoms per formula unit (apfu) and the Ba content from 0.03 to 0.09 apfu. SIMS analysis showed [H.sub.2]O (wt%) = 1.81-3.30, F (wt%) = 0.44-1.29, and [Li.sub.2]O (wt%) = 0.001-0.027. The intra single-crystal chemical variability for major/minor elements (Mg, Fe, Al, Ba, Ti, and K) was found particularly significant for samples VUT 191_11 and PG5_1, less significant for the other samples of the set. SIMS data relative to crystals VUT187_24, VUT191 10, VUT191_ll, and VUT187_28 showed a noteworthy variation in the concentrations of some light elements (H, Li, and F) with coefficient of variation CV (as l[sigma]%) up to ~18% for [H.SUB.2]O. The analyzed micas belong to the 1M polytype. Structure refinements using anisotropic displacement parameters were performed in space group C2/m and converged at 3.08 [less than or equal to] R [less than or equal to] 3.63, 3.32 [less than or equal to] [R.sub.w] [less than or equal to] 3.98%. Micro-XANES results yielded [Fe.sup.3+]/[ZIGMA]Fe from 51-93%. Previous Mossbauer data from powdered samples suggested [Fe.sup.3+]/[ZIGMA]Fe values ranging from 49-87%. However, the [Fe.Sup.3+] content determined by both techniques is sometimes remarkably different, in part because of the large errors ([+ or -] 10-15%) presently associated with the micro-XANES technique and in part because the [Fe.Sup.3+] content of a single crystal may significantly depart from the average value obtained from routine M6ssbauer analysis. The combination of EMPA, SIMS, and micro-XANES resulted in the characterization of the samples at a comparable spatial scale. By means of in-situ data and the results of crystallographic investigations, the occurrence of different relative amounts of [M.sup.3+]-oxy [[sup.VI][M.sup.2+] + [(OH).sup.-] [left and right arrow] [sup.VI][M.sup.3+] + [O.sup.2-] + 1/2 [H.sub.2][up arrow]], Ti-oxy substitutions [[sup.VI][M.sup.2+] + 2[(OH).sup.-] [left and right arrow] [sup.VI][Ti.sup.4+] + 2[O.sup.2-] + [H.sub.2][up arrow], and Ti-vacancy ([??]) substitution (2[sup.VI][M.sup.2+] [left and right arrow][sup.VI][Ti.sup.4+] + [sup.VI][??]) was ascertained for the studied samples. Keywords: Volcanic phlogopite, micro-XANES, SIMS, crystal chemistry, substitution mechanisms DOI: 10.2138/am.2010.3442

Fluorine-, boron- and magnesium-rich metamorphosed xenoliths occur in the Campanian Ignimbrite deposits at Fiano (southern Italy), at ~50 km northeast of the sourced volcanic area. These rocks originated from Mesozoic limestones of the Campanian Apennines, embedded in a fluid flow. The Fiano xenoliths studied consist of ten fluorophlogopite-bearing calc-silicate rocks and five carbonate xenoliths, characterized by combining mineralogical analyses with whole-rock and stable isotope data. The micaceous xenoliths are composed of abundant idiomorphic fluorophlogopite, widespread fluorite, F-rich chondrodite, fluoborite, diopside, Fe(Mg)-oxides, calcite, humite, K-bearing fluoro-richterite and grossular. Of the five mica-free xenoliths, two are calcite marbles, containing subordinate fluorite and hematite, and three are weakly metamorphosed carbonates, composed only of calcite. The crystal structure and composition of fluorophlogopite approach that of the end-member. The Fiano xenoliths are enriched in trace elements with respect to the primary limestones. Comparisons between the rare-earth element (REE) patterns of the Fiano xenoliths and those of both Campanian Ignimbrite and Somma-Vesuvius marble and carbonate xenoliths showthat the Fiano pattern overlaps that of Somma-Vesuvius marble and carbonate xenoliths, and reproduces the trend of Campanian Ignimbrite rocks. Values of δ13C and δ18O depict the same trend of depletion in the heavy isotopes observed in the Somma-Vesuvius nodules, and is related to thermometamorphism. Trace-element distribution, paragenesis, stable isotope geochemistry and data modelling point to infiltration of steam enriched in F, B,Mg and As into carbonate rocks at a temperature of ~300-450°C during the emplacement of the Campanian Ignimbrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structures of tokkoite, K2Ca4[Si7O18OH](OH,F) and tinaksite, K2Ca2NaTi[Si7O18OH]O from the Murun massif (Russia) were refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data in the triclinic space group P1̄: Average crystallographic data are a ≈ 10.423, b ≈ 12.477, c ≈ 7.112 Å, α ≈ 89.92°, β ≈ 99.68°, γ ≈ 92.97°, V ≈ 910.5 Å3 for tokkoite; a ≈ 10.373, b ≈ 12.176, c ≈ 7.057 Å, α ≈ 90.82°, β ≈ 99.22°, γ ≈ 92.80°, V ≈ 878.5 Å3 for tinaksite. The substantial similarities between the geometrical parameters of the tokkoite and tinaksite structures led us to conclude that the two minerals are isostructural. However, major differences of tokkoite with respect to tinaksite are larger lattice constants, especially concerning the b parameter, longer distances, especially ; larger values of the M1-M3 and O20-O2 bond lengths, and a stronger distortion of the M1 polyhedron. Mössbauer analysis showed that significant trivalent iron is present, VIFe3+ 40.0(7)% in tokkoite and 12.8(3)% in tinaksite. It is confirmed that 2Ca(M1+M2)2+ + (F, OH)-(O20) ↔ Ti4+(M1) +Na+(M2) +O-(O20) is the exchange reaction that describes the relation between tokkoite and tinaksite. In addition, this exchange reaction causes local stress involving mainly the M1 site and its interaction with the M2 and M3 sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Unaltered and weathered samples of Calcarenite di Gravina were analyzed. • Biological colonizations and efflorescences cover the surface of calcarenite. • Biological colonizations are dominated by algae covering the calcarenite substrate. • Efflorescences contain mainly sulfates and other salts including niter and sylvine. • Salt weathering may originate from anthropic activity or environmental factors. San Michele delle Grotte is a rupestrian cave excavated into the "Calcarenite di Gravina" formation, resting over the Cretaceous formation of "Calcare di Altamura". Both rock types show evident instability features and intense surficial rock weathering. A detailed mineralogical and morphologic characterization of Calcarenite di Gravina Fm. samples has been carried out by means of optical and petrographic microscope (OM and PM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). In thin section, bioclastic packstone to grainstone fabrics were observed. In the surficial portion of the rock it is possible to find biological colonizations and efflorescences: the first are dominated by algae covering the calcite substrate, whilst the efflorescences contain mainly sulfates such as syngenite, gypsum and arcanite, and other salts including niter and sylvine. A distinctive enhance of microporosity on the rock surface immediately at the contact with the biological colonizations and efflorescences was observed. A high abundance of biological colonizations was found where the hostrock is well exposed to light, whereas efflorescences prevail in the innermost parts of the cavity. Efflorescences may originate from both anthropogenic air pollution (wet and dry airborne deposition that provides sulfate and nitrate anions) and circulation of soil water whose composition can be modified, for instance, by fertilizers. Analysis of the weathering conditions of calcarenite rocks is a crucial factor in determining the likely possibility of failures and collapses in underground environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystal chemistry of Ti-rich phlogopite from deposits of the oldest activity (~740 ka) of Mt. Vulture, Potenza, Italy, was investigated to identify the substitution mechanisms in Ti-rich phlogopite and to determine its potential as a geohygrometer. Substitution mechanisms were determined by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), Mössbauer spectroscopy, and micro-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Magnetite and sanidine from the mica-rich host rocks were also analyzed. Use of the biotite-magnetite-sanidine geohygrometer in these volcanics (essentially trachytic-phonolitic ignimbrites) is exploited. All investigated phlogopite samples consist of the 1M polytype, with 5.3275(2) ≤ a ≤ 5.3635(4) Å, 9.2211(4) ≤ b ≤ 9.2958(8) Å, 10.1211(5) ≤ c ≤ 10.281(1) Å, and 99.980(3) ≤ β ≤ 100.097(2)°. Structure refinements in space group C2/m converged to 2.42 ≤ R1 ≤ 4.00% and 2.04 ≤ wR2 ≤ 4.50%. VIFe3+ /Fetot from Mössbauer analyses ranged from 34(1)-89(1)%. The main bands in the OH-stretching region are 3709, 3682, and 3658 cm-1, and were assigned to 3Mg-OH--K-OH , 3Mg-OH--K-O2-, and 2MgFe3+ - OH--K-O2- local configurations, respectively. The overall crystal chemical features are compatible with the M3+-Tschermak substitutions (VIM2+ + IVSi4 ↔ VIM3+ + IVAl, with M3+ = Al, Fe3+), M3+-oxy [VIM2+ + (OH)- ↔ M3+ + (O) 2- + 1/2H2↑ and Ti-oxy substitutions [VIM2+ + 2(OH)-1 → VITi4+ + 2(O)2- + H2↑]. The magnetite composition varies between Mt82Uv18 and Mt93Uv07, whereas the proportion of orthoclase with respect to albite plus anorthite is 0.77 ≤ XOr =≤ 0.82. A partly ionic model was used to estimate annite activity, starting from experimentally determined substitutions in phlogopite. The resulting water fugacity was an order of magnitude lower than that calculated using stoichiometry to determine the phlogopite formula. The results are consistent with the occurrence of a well-developed hydrothermal system that altered the magmatic oxygen fugacity conditions at Mt. Vulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trioctahedral micas from kamafugitic lavas of Presidente Olegario (Brazil) are Ti-Fe-bearing fluorophlogopites. They were investigated using a combination of electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), and Mössbauer spectroscopy. EPMA data yielded the following ranges: Al2O3 (8.7-10.1 wt%), MgO (19.6-20.6 wt%), FeO (5.7-6.5 wt%), TiO2 (5.9-7.5 wt%), K2O (8.9-9.7 wt%), Na2O (0.4 -0.6 wt%), and fluorine (3.4-4.1 wt%). Mössbauer investigation indicated: VIFe2+ ~ 60%, VIFe3+ ~ 10%, IVFe3+ ~ 30%. X-ray analysis indicated the 1M polytype, with cell parameters in the range a = 5.3208-5.3376, b = 9.2210-9.2464, c= 10.1227-10.155 Å, β= 100.157-100.194°. Structure refinements using anisotropic displacement parameters were performed in space group C2/m and converged to 2.01 ≤ R1 ≤ 3.51,2.00 ≤ wR2 ≤ 3.51%. The micas have no VIAl3+ and Na is probably partitioned over both interlayer and octahedral sites. Major substitutions are OH- ↔ F-, and the Ti-oxy substitution: VIM2+ + 2(OH)- ↔ VITi4+ + 2O2- + H2↑. Accordingly, the structural features of the studied micas encompass those typical of both fluorophlogopites and micas affected by Ti-oxy substitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inland and offshore sediments from Southern Italy were studied in order to evaluate the occurrence and nature of microplastics (MPs). Inland sediments were collected in the Bradano and Basento rivers (Apulo-Lucanian region, Southern Italy), while offshore sediments were collected on the continental shelf near Bari (Adriatic Sea) and Metaponto (Ionian Sea). MPs were detected and characterized using optical microscopy, micro-Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR) and micro-Raman analyses. The number of MPs present varied between 144 and 1246 kg -1 of dry sediment (468.8 ± 410,7 MPs kg -1 ) with a predominance of black fibers; no correlation emerged between MPs and sediment grain size. In river sediments, the occurrence of MPs is associated with local pollution, whereas the offshore occurrence of MPs depends on seasonal river flow and submarine canyons. Compositional analyses suggest that the main source of MPs in the studied sediments is sewage discharge from residential areas., 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 © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The controlled supply of bioactive molecules is a subject of debate in animal nutrition. The release of bioactive molecules in the target organ, in this case the intestine, results in improved feed, as well as having a lower environmental impact. However, the degradation of bioactive molecules' in transit in the gastrointestinal passage is still an unresolved issue. This paper discusses the feasibility of a simple and cost-effective procedure to bypass the degradation problem. A solid/liquid adsorption procedure was applied, and the operating parameters (pH, reaction time, and LY initial concentration) were studied. Lysozyme is used in this work as a representative bioactive molecule, while Adsorbo ® , a commercial mixture of clay minerals and zeolites which meets current feed regulations, is used as the carrier. A maximum LY loading of 32 mg LY /g AD (LY(32)-AD) was obtained, with fixing pH in the range 7.5-8, initial LY content at 37.5 mg LY /g AD , and reaction time at 30 min. A full characterisation of the hybrid organoclay highlighted that LY molecules were homogeneously spread on the carrier's surface, where the LY-carrier interaction was mainly due to charge interaction. Preliminary release tests performed on the LY(32)-AD synthesised sample showed a higher releasing capacity, raising the pH from 3 to 7. In addition, a preliminary Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay showed an antioxidant capacity for the LY of 1.47 ± 0.18 µmol TroloxEq/g with an inhibition percentage of 33.20 ± 3.94%.

The external genitalia are notoriously implicated in every fifth male with Henoch−Schönlein syndrome. Nonetheless, the underlying conditions are poorly categorized. To characterize the involvement of the external male genitalia in this vasculitis, we performed a systematic review of the literature. For the final analysis, we selected 85 reports published between 1972 and 2022, which reported on 114 Henoch−Schönlein cases (≤ 18 years, N = 104) with a penile (N = 18), a scrotal (N = 77), or both a penile and a scrotal (N = 19) involvement. The genital involvement mostly appeared concurrently with or after the cutaneous features of Henoch−Schönlein syndrome, while it preceded the presentation of Henoch−Schönlein syndrome in 10 cases. Patients with penile involvement (N = 37) presented with swelling (N = 26), erythema (N = 23), and purpuric rash (N = 15). Most patients were otherwise asymptomatic except for transient micturition disorders (N = 2) or priapism (N = 2). Patients with scrotal involvement (N = 96) presented with pain (N = 85), swelling (N = 79), erythema (N = 42), or scrotal purpura (N = 22). The following scrotal structures were often involved: scrotal skin (N = 83), epididymis (N = 49), and testes (N = 39). An ischemic testicular damage was noted in nine patients (four with torsion and five without). The scrotal skin involvement was mostly bilateral, while that of the epididymis and testis were mostly (p < 0.0001) unilateral (with a significant predilection for the left side). In conclusion, this analysis allows for better categorization of the involvement of external male genitalia in Henoch−Schönlein vasculitis. Scrotal involvement can result from skin inflammation, epididymitis, orchitis, or testicular ischemia.

Background: Kidney diseases are a recognized cause of posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome, usually abbreviated as PRES. The purpose of this review was to systematically address the association between acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis and PRES., Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature on acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis associated with PRES. The principles recommended by the Economic and Social Research Council guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis and on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses were used. Databases searched included Excerpta Medica, US National Library of Medicine, and Web of Science., Results: For the final analysis, we evaluated 47 reports describing 52 cases (32 males and 20 females). Fifty patients were ≤ 18 years of age. Blood pressure was classified as follows: normal-elevated (n = 3), stage 1 hypertension (n = 3), stage 2 hypertension (n = 5), and severe hypertension (n = 41). Acute kidney injury was classified as stage 1 in 32, stage 2 in 16, and stage 3 in four cases. Neuroimaging studies disclosed a classic posterior PRES pattern in 28 cases, a diffuse PRES pattern in 23 cases, and a brainstem-cerebellum PRES pattern in the remaining case. Antihypertensive drugs were prescribed in all cases and antiepileptic drugs in cases presenting with seizures. A resolution of clinical findings and neuroimaging lesions was documented in all cases with information about follow-up., Conclusions: The main factor associated with PRES in acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis is severe hypertension. Prompt clinical suspicion, rapid evaluation, and management of hypertension are crucial. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

The present study describes the first example of utilization of a natural clay mineral as catalyst in a process addressed to chemical valorization of poly-[bisphenol A carbonate] (PC; (1)) wastes. A natural clinochlore was investigated for the first time as the catalyst of the hydrolysis reaction of 1, a potential route to chemical recycling of wastes of this polymeric material. At 473 K, in tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the solvent, the mineral promoted effectively the depolymerization (up to 99%, after 6 h) of 1 by H 2 O and the selective (~99%) regeneration of the monomer bisphenol A (BPA, (2)). Temperature, catalyst loading, reaction time, H 2 O/PC weight ratio affected markedly the productivity of the process. The role of the catalyst was also focused: the experimental data showed that the exposed brucite-like sheets of clinochlore are involved in the hydrolysis reaction and take active part in promoting the depolymerization process., 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 © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Bone bruise characteristics after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury have been correlated with the level of joint derangement in adults. However, the literature lacks information about younger patients, whose higher ligamentous laxity may lead to different lesion patterns., Purpose: To investigate the prevalence, size, location, and role of bone bruise associated with ACL rupture in the pediatric population., Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3., Methods: Knee magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs) of patients aged 8 to 16 years with ACL tears from 2010 to 2018 were selected from the institution database. Inclusion criteria were open or partially open physes, less than 90 days between trauma and MRI, and no history of injury or surgery. Presence, localization, and size of bone bruise were analyzed by 2 blinded researchers and scored with the Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) bone bruise subscale. Ligamentous, cartilaginous, meniscal, and other lesions were documented., Results: Of the 78 pediatric patients selected from the database, 54 (69%) had bone bruise. The mean area of bone bruise was larger in males than in females (femur, 3.8 ± 2.8 vs 2.2 ± 1.4 cm 2 , respectively, P = .006; tibia, 2.6 ± 1.6 vs 1.5 ± 0.8 cm 2 , respectively, P = .007). The subregions most affected by bone bruise were the lateral posterior tibia and the lateral central femur (in 83% and 80% of the knees affected, respectively). A low correlation was found between age and bone bruise area (biggest areas r = 0.30, P = .03, and sum of areas r = 0.27, P = .04), but no correlation was found between age and WORMS (femur, r = -0.03, P = .85; tibia, r = -0.04, P = .76). The injuries most associated with bone bruise were 23 meniscal lesions (43%), 10 lesions of other ligaments (19.0%), 2 cartilage lesions (3.7%), and 2 patellar fractures (3.7%)., Conclusion: The prevalence of bone bruises in pediatric patients with ACL tears is high, although it seems slightly lower than the prevalence documented in adults but with similar localization. The area and the distribution pattern of bone bruises are similar among different ages. The pediatric patients had a lower presence of cartilage and meniscal lesions compared with that reported in adults, which suggests a different effect of this trauma on the knee of pediatric patients.

Tracheal agenesis is a rare and often lethal congenital defect that leads to airway emergency at birth. Computed tomography (CT) is the modality of choice to evaluate anomalous tracheal anatomy. The absence of spontaneous aeration of the tracheobronchial tree in children with tracheal agenesis makes CT interpretation difficult. We describe a procedure of airway management applied in two newborns with suspected tracheal agenesis. Correct airway management was performed immediately prior to CT examination by airway ventilation, with bag-valve mask alone in one case, and attached to an endotracheal tube placed into the esophagus in the other case. The images allowed for classification of tracheal agenesis. Computed tomography with appropriate airway ventilation is fundamental for the diagnosis of tracheal agenesis.

Background: Despite revised guidelines that no longer exclude people who inject drugs (PWID) from treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, many clinicians are reluctant to treat recent PWID. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir therapy in people with chronic HCV infection and recent injection drug use., Methods: In this open-label, single-arm phase 4 trial (SIMPLIFY), we recruited participants with recent injection drug use (past 6 months) and chronic HCV genotype 1-6 infection from seven countries (19 sites). Participants received oral sofosbuvir (400 mg) and velpatasvir (100 mg) once daily for 12 weeks. Therapy was given in 1-week electronic blister packs to record the time and date of each dose. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with sustained virological response 12 weeks after completion of treatment (SVR12; defined as HCV RNA <12 IU/mL), analysed in all patients who received at least one dose. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02336139, and follow-up is ongoing to evaluate the secondary endpoint of HCV reinfection., Findings: Between March 29, and Oct 31, 2016, we enrolled 103 participants; 29 (28%) of whom were female, nine (9%) had cirrhosis, 36 (35%) had HCV genotype 1, five (5%) had genotype 2, 60 (58%) had genotype 3, and two (2%) had genotype 4. 61 (59%) participants were receiving opioid substitution therapy during the study, 76 (74%) injected in the past month, and 27 (26%) injected at least daily in the past month. 100 (97%) of 103 participants completed treatment; two people were lost to follow-up and one person died from an overdose. There were no virological failures. 97 (94%, 95% CI 88-98) of 103 people achieved SVR12. Three participants with an end-of-treatment response did not have a SVR; two were lost to follow-up and one had reinfection. Drug use before and during treatment did not affect SVR12. Treatment-related adverse events were seen in 48 (47%) patients (one grade 3, no grade 4). Seven (7%) patients had at least one serious adverse event; only one such event (rhabdomyolysis, resolved) was possibly related to the therapy. One case of HCV reinfection was observed., Interpretation: HCV treatment should be offered to PWID, irrespective of ongoing drug use. Recent injection drug use should not be used as a reason to withhold reimbursement of HCV therapy., Funding: Gilead Sciences., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study presents a cross-correlated surface and near surface investigation of two phlogopite polytypes from Kasenyi kamafugitic rocks (SW Uganda) by means of advanced Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), confocal microscopy and Raman micro-spectroscopy. AFM revealed comparable nanomorphology and electrostatic surface potential for the two mica polytypes. A widespread presence of nano-protrusions located on the mica flake surface was also observed, with an aspect ratio (maximum height/maximum width) from 0.01 to 0.09. Confocal microscopy showed these features to range from few nm to several μm in dimension, and shapes from perfectly circular to ellipsoidic and strongly elongated. Raman spectra collected across the bubbles showed an intense and convolute absorption in the range 3000-2800 cm -1 , associated with weaker bands at 1655, 1438 and 1297 cm -1 , indicating the presence of fluid inclusions consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, alkanes and cycloalkanes, with minor amounts of oxygenated compounds, such as carboxylic acids. High-resolution Raman images provided evidence that these hydrocarbons are confined within the bubbles. This work represents the first direct evidence that phlogopite, a common rock-forming mineral, may be a possible reservoir for hydrocarbons.

Two mineral clays of the montmorillonite group were tested as sorbents for the removal of Rare Earths (REs) from liquid solutions. Lanthanum and neodymium model solutions were used to perform uptake tests in order to: (a) verify the clays sorption capability, (b) investigate the sorption mechanisms and (c) optimize the experimental parameters, such as contact time and pH. The desorption was also studied, in order to evaluate the feasibility of REs recovery from waters. The adsorption-desorption procedure with the optimized parameters was also tested on a leaching solution obtained by dissolution of a dismantled NdFeB magnet of a hard-disk. The clays were fully characterized after REs adsorption and desorption by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); the liquid phase was characterized via Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analyses. The experimental results show that both clays are able to capture and release La and Nd ions, with an ion exchange mechanism. The best total efficiency (capture ≈ 50%, release ≈ 70%) is obtained when the uptake and release processes are performed at pH=5 and pH=1 respectively; in real leached scrap solutions, the uptake is around 40% but release efficiency is strongly decreased passing from a mono-ion system to a real system (from 80% to 5%). Furthermore, a strong matrix effect is found, with the matrix largely affecting both the uptake and the release of neodymium., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare form of non-Langerhans-cell histiocytosis, associated in more than 50% of cases to BRAF(V600E) mutations in early multipotent myelomonocytic precursors or in tissue-resident histiocytes. It encompasses a spectrum of disorders ranging from asymptomatic bone lesions to multisystemic, life-threatening variants. We reviewed all published reports of histologically-confirmed ECD and explored clinical, radiological, prognostic and therapeutic characteristics in a population of 448 patients, including a unique patient from our Department. To find a clinically relevant signature defining differentiated prognostic profiles, the patients' disease features were compared in relation to their CNS involvement that occurred in 56% of the entire population. Diabetes insipidus, visual disturbances, pyramidal and extra-pyramidal syndromes were the most recurrent neurological signs, whereas concomitant pituitary involvement, retro-orbital masses and axial lesions in the presence of symmetric bilateral osteosclerosis of long bones depicted the typical ECD clinical picture. Patients with CNS infiltration showed a lower occurrence of heart involvement and a higher incidence of bone, skin, retro-peritoneal, lung, aortic and renal infiltration. No difference in the therapeutic algorithm was found after stratification for CNS involvement. A better understanding of the disease pathogenesis, including BRAF deregulation, in keeping with improved prognostic criteria, will provide novel suggestions for the management of ECD., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The title complex, [Ir2(C18H13FNO2S)4Cl2]·C7H8, was crystallized from dichloromethane solution under a toluene atmosphere. It is a dimeric complex in which each of the two Ir(III) centres is octahedrally coordinated by two bridging chloride ligands and by two chelating cyclometalated 2-(4-benzylsulfonyl-2-fluorophenyl)pyridine ligands. The crystal structure analysis unequivocally establishes the trans disposition of the two cyclometalated ligands bound to each Ir(III) centre, contrary to our previous hypothesis of a cis disposition. The latter was based on the (1)H NMR spectra of a series of dimeric benzylsulfonyl-functionalized dichloride-bridged iridium complexes, including the compound described in the present work [Ragni et al. (2009). Chem. Eur. J. 15, 136-148]. The toluene solvent molecules, embedded in cavities in the crystal structure, are highly disordered and could not be modelled successfully; their contribution was removed from the refinement using the SQUEEZE routine in the program PLATON [Spek (2009). Acta Cryst. D65, 148-155].