Aerosol-assisted production of mesoporous titania microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic activity: the basis of an improved process.

An aerosol-based process was used to prepare mesoporous TiO(2) microspheres (MTM) with an average diameter in the range of 0.5-1 microm. The structural characteristics and photocatalytic properties of the synthesized materials were determined.

Highly ordered hybrid mesoporous bifunctional thin films.

Highly ordered mixed framework mesoporous cubic (Im3m) thin films of (M(1-x)(Si-R)(x))O(2) bearing organic groups (M = Ti or Zr, R = propylamine, propylthiol or phenyl, x < or = 0.2) are obtained by one-pot dip-coating; a second organic function (R' = hexadecyl, phenyl, thiol) can be added by post-grafting with a molecule presenting a group capable to anchor to the M sites, thus leading to bifunctional accessible mesopores.

Manometric assessment of Heller-Dor operation for esophageal achalasia.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes occurring in esophageal motility through a systematic manometric study performed before, during and after Heller-Dor operation (8) and to correlate the possible post-operative symptoms to the manometric and pH-recording patterns detected, in order to provide useful elements that may optimize surgical therapy for esophageal achalasia.

Materials And Methods: Between January 1981 and January 1991, 27 patients affected by esophageal achalasia underwent Heller's operation with Dor's anti-reflux procedure. Assessment involved clinical, radiological and manometric investigations.

[Heller's intervention for esophageal achalasia].

From 1962 to 1992 sixtythree patients with esophageal achalasia underwent primary surgical treatment. The intervention performed was a cardiomiotomy according to Heller in 20 patients (Group A), a cardiomiotomy according to Heller with anti-reflux procedure according to Lortat-Jacob in 12 patients (Group B), a cardiomiotomy according to Heller with fundoplicatio according to Dor in 31 patients (Group C). Preoperative study was performed by radiological evaluation in patients of Group A, while patients of Group B and Group C were submitted also to endoscopy and esophageal manometry.