The family home-style institution may prove to be a replicable model for the safe and appropriate care of HIV-infected orphaned and abandoned children and teens.

Levulinic acid, easily obtained from cellulose, represents a fundamental chemical platform for a number of valuable building blocks. Among them, diphenolic acid and its esters (DPA and DPE) are valid candidates to replace Bisphenol A in polycarbonate and epoxy resin production processes. In this study, we report a one‐pot synthesis of alkyl DPEs in the presence of a heterogenous acid catalyst starting from levulinic acid, an alcohol and phenol as solvent‐reagent. The most interesting member of the DPE family, the ethyl 4,4‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)pentanoate, is selectively obtained in a good yield in the presence of a commercially available heterogeneous acid catalyst, the Aquivion, which can be reused for at least six times without any noticeable loss in activity.

Comprehensive SummaryA highly selective palladium‐catalyzed carbonylation of 2‐alkynylanilines bearing an amide moiety to condensed six‐membered heterocyclic structures has been developed under mild conditions (room temperature and atmospheric pressure of CO). This carbonylative protocol is also compatible with CO surrogates, such as triformatebenzene (TFBen) or the newly developed calix[6]arenes functionalized with six formate groups (CLX[6]CO), which are both capable to release CO in situ. A series of tricyclic fused heterocycles containing the important oxazino‐quinolinone scaffold have been selectively obtained (only the 6‐endo‐dig cyclization mode has been observed) in good to excellent yields (up to 99%).This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The recovery of wood residues from the spring or autumn pruning of branches, from orchards, in the form of briquettes or pellets, is part of the European policy on reducing non-renewable energy consumption. Also, organic agriculture brought to the fore the need to use natural fertilizers, which is why the National Institute of Research – Development for Machines and Installations Designed for Agriculture and Food Industry- INMA Bucharest conducted applied research for the development of an integrated technology and technical equipment for chopping plant residues resulting from cuttings in vineyards/orchards. Integrating the equipment in the technology, it is possible to obtain plant material that will be the basis for the production of mulch, which will be used in the technologies of organic fertilization of fruit/vine plantations. The advantages of this technology are the fact that the fruits obtained will no longer contain chemical compounds, contributing to the preservation of consumers’ health and at the same time the branches or canes resulting from cuttings will be used efficiently. Also, the chopped wood material can be used to make pellets or briquettes, contributing to solving the global problem of harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

Background and aimsAbnormal antibody response to polysaccharide proteins found in various bacteria (Haemophilus Influenzae type b, Pneumococcus, Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Salmonella Typhi, Escherichia Coli) can be observed in Immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiencies. Though the majority of the individuals with IgA deficiency are asymptomatic, some of them may develop recurrent respiratory, gastrointestinal or urinary tract infections, asthma, autoimmune diseases or allergic disorders.AimTo establish the importance of the appropriate laboratory tests for diagnosing recurrent infections in patients with IgA deficit.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study on 232 patients selected from 51 266 children who were hospitalised in ‘Grigore Alexandrescu’ Emergency Hospital for Children between 1st of January 2010 to 1st of January 2017. Included patients were aged between 1 to 16 years old and had low serum levels of IgA. We analysed their medical history and their investigations. We excluded: 45 patients aged less than 1 year, 109 patients without recurrent infections, 7 cases of celiac disease, 13 cases of asthma and 11 cases of food allergies.ResultsThe recurrent infections identified were – 11 cases of respiratory tract infections, 10 cases of low respiratory tract infections, 10 patients with urinary tract infections, 8 patients with gastrointestinal tract infections and 8 cases of association of different infections. 20 patients were tested positively for specific microbial cultures. The most frequently germs found in our study were: Klebsiella Pneumoniae (35%), Escherichia Coli (35%), Pneumococcus (10%), Proteus (10%), Salmonella Typhi (5%) and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (5%).ConclusionsAssessment of IgA should be performed on each child with recurrent respiratory, gastrointestinal or urinary tract infections. Polysaccharide encapsulated bacteria can be identified in biological products, so investigations like pharyngeal or nasal exudate, urine or stool cultures should always be performed before beginning the antibiotherapy. The association between a respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract infection could raise suspicion for a primary immunodeficiency. Screening for primary immunodeficiency at children aged>1 year old might be helpful. Prevention by limiting the patient from exposure to infectious diseases is important since recurrent infections might determine long term school or work absence with high economic impact.