Thermal and catalytic degradation of polyethylene wastes in the presence of silica gel, 5A molecular sieve and activated carbon.

A comparative study of thermal and catalytic degradation of polyethylene wastes has been carried out with the aim of obtaining chemical compounds with potential use in the chemical industry and the energy production. Polyethylene wastes were obtained from polyethylene bags used in supermarkets. Catalysts utilized in the study were silica gel, 5A molecular sieve and activated carbon.

Secretory IgA antibody responses in Venezuelan children infected with Giardia duodenalis.

We standardized and evaluated an ELISA technique for the detection of total and specific anti-Giardia duodenalis secretory IgA antibodies (sIgA). Samples of saliva and serum of 161 Venezuelan schoolchildren were analysed. After stool examination, 66 children were diagnosed to be infected with Giardia duodenalis, 22 with other protozoa, and 73 non-parasitized.