[Quality of life assessment in dialyzed patients in the Cuneo area].

The concept of quality of life includes several aspects of physical and psychological status. In a medical setting the evaluation of quality of life comprises physiopathological and clinical aspects as well as patient well-being and functioning. The aims of this study were to carry out an updated evaluation of the health status and quality of life of chronic dialysis patients in a defined geographic area; to obtain data comparable with other studies or other populations; and to identify possible action or interventions.

[Hemodialysis monitor assessment].

The choice of a dialysis monitor should be based on a thorough evaluation of multiple factors. The nephrologist must take into account not only the technical features of the device, but also aspects related to the operating environment, the organization of the dialysis unit, and the number and expertise of the nursing staff under his supervision. The enormous technological developments of recent years have contributed to a considerable improvement in the survival and quality of life of patents on chronic hemodialysis.

[Withdrawing or discontinuing chronic dialysis in adult patients].

Dialysis treatment leads chronic uremic patients to a prolonged survival; incidence and prevalence of dialysis patients are increasing, the population is getting older and many comorbidities coexist, such as diabetes, heart diseases, vasculopathies, neoplasia. The question often arises of whether to start or continue dialysis treatment in compromised patients. Withdrawing and/or discontinuing dialysis represents a therapeutic option with different ratios among countries, due to various cultural, religious, legal and social aspects.

Oxidative and energetic efficiency of different electrochemical oxidation processes for chloroanilines abatement in aqueous medium.

The oxidative efficiency and energy consumption, in the degradation of chloroanilines by anodic oxidation, indirect oxidation with electrogenerated hydrogen peroxide and electro-Fenton have been compared, using a laboratory system driven by a LabVIEW virtual controller. Solutions were oxidized in an undivided cell, where H(2)O(2) was generated electrochemically by reduction of atmospheric oxygen bubbled at a carbon cloth cathode. The electro-Fenton process showed the best degradation power, in terms of efficiency of removal and energy consumption.