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Oxygen transport membranes (OTMs) can be operated as efficient oxygen separators and oxygen distributors, but their diffusion is hampered by the lack of appropriate materials with sufficient chemical stability in operating conditions. Mixed ionic‐electronic conducting SrTiO3‐based perovskite are a promising option due to their remarkable resistance in reducing environments, but they are prone to degradation in CO2‐containing atmospheres owing to carbonate formation. In this study, we propose new Ca1‐xSrxTi0.8Fe0.2O3‐δ perovskites where the Sr2+ cation is partially substituted by Ca2+ to improve the tolerance to CO2. We show that, upon increasing Ca molar fraction, the phase stability in CO2 is progressively improved thanks to the mitigation of carbonate growth. The manufacturing process of the membranes benefits from Ca introduction, which promotes powder densification during sintering. A membrane made of Ca0.1Sr0.9Ti0.8Fe0.2O3‐δ exhibited a stable oxygen flux for 340 h at 900°C when swept with He and for 170 h at 900°C when swept with a gaseous stream containing 40% CO2. Post‐test characterizations confirmed the retention of the crystal structure after the long‐term permeation tests. Ca‐substituted SrTi1‐yFeyO3‐δ perovskites can be considered promising materials for OTMs working in harsh environments and in the presence of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is focused on the investigation of the performance and long-term stability of two composite palladium membranes under different operating conditions. One membrane (Pd/porous stainless steel (PSS)) is characterized by a ~10 μm-thick palladium layer on a porous stainless steel substrate, which is pretreated by means of surface modification and oxidation; the other membrane (Pd/Al2O3) is constituted by a ~7 μm-thick palladium layer on an asymmetric microporous Al2O3 substrate. The operating temperature and pressure ranges, used for studying the performance of these two kinds of membranes, are 350-450 °C and 200-800 kPa, respectively. The H2 permeances and the H2/N2 selectivities of both membranes were investigated and compared with literature data. At 400 °C and 200 kPa as pressure difference, Pd/PSS and Pd/Al2O3 membranes exhibited an H2/N2 ideal selectivity equal to 11700 and 6200, respectively, showing stability for 600 h. Thereafter, H2/N2 selectivity of both membranes progressively decreased and after around 2000 h, dropped dramatically to 55 and 310 for the Pd/PSS and Pd/Al2O3 membranes, respectively. As evidenced by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analyses, the pinholes appear on the whole surface of the Pd/PSS membrane and this is probably due to release of sulphur from the graphite seal rings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is an acute, self-limiting exanthematous disease caused by the endogenous reactivation of human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 and/or HHV-7 infection in conditions of altered immunity. In addition, many drugs have been incriminated as possible triggers of PR-like eruptions, characterized by clinical, morphological and histopathological features that differ from typical PR. Here, we report a case of PR in a patient with chronic hepatitis B, receiving pegylated interferon α2a (PEG-IFN-α2a). PR, arising after the second administration of the PEG-IFN-α2a, might be considered a clinical expression of the patient's altered immune condition as reported in the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome affecting patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection after high-dose antiretroviral therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is an acute, self-limiting exanthematous disease caused by the endogenous reactivation of human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 and/or HHV-7 infection in conditions of altered immunity. In addition, many drugs have been incriminated as possible triggers of PR-like eruptions, characterized by clinical, morphological and histopathological features that differ from typical PR. Here, we report a case of PR in a patient with chronic hepatitis B, receiving pegylated interferon α2a (PEG-IFN-α2a). PR, arising after the second administration of the PEG-IFN-α2a, might be considered a clinical expression of the patient's altered immune condition as reported in the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome affecting patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection after high-dose antiretroviral therapy. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, blood group typing has been performed with serologic techniques, the classical method being the hemagglutination test. Serotyping, however, may present important limitations such as scarce availability of rare antisera, typing of recently transfused patients, and those with a positive direct antiglobulin test. Consequently, serologic tests are being complemented with molecular methods. The aim of this study was to develop a low-cost, high-throughput method for large-scale genotyping of red blood cells (RBCs). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with some clinically important blood group antigens, as well as with certain rare blood antigens, were evaluated: Jka/Jkb, Fya/Fyb, S/s, K/k, Kpa/Kpb, Jsa/Jsb, Coa/Cob, and Lua/Lub. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified targets were detected by direct hybridization to microspheres coupled to allele-specific oligonucleotides. Cutoff values for each genotype were established with phenotyped and/or genotyped samples. RESULTS: The method was validated with a blind panel of 92 blood donor samples. The results were fully concordant with those provided by hemagglutination assays and/or sequence-specific primer (SSP)–PCR. The method was subsequently evaluated with approximately 800 blood donor and patient samples. CONCLUSION: This study presents a flexible, quick, and economical method for complete genotyping of large donor cohorts for RBC alleles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]