Development of technology to manufacture "modified bentonite" used in production of steel castings with special regard to casting surface quality

W artykule przedstawiono ważniejsze wyniki prac badawczych rozwojowych i wdrożeniowych, zrealizowanych w ramach jednego z Projektów Celowych w wyniku współpracy pomiędzy Przedsiębiorstwem Techniczno Handlowym CERTECH w Niedomicach (producentem materiałów dla potrzeb odlewnictwa), a Instytutem Odlewnictwa w Krakowie. Celem projektu było opracowanie innowacyjnej technologii i uruchomienie produkcji "bentonitu zmodyfikowanego" przeznaczonego do wykonywania odlewów staliwnych o bardzo dobrej jakości powierzchni. Przedstawiono oraz omówiono wyniki badań dotyczących możliwości zastosowania dodatków węglowych w masie formierskiej przeznaczonej do wykonywania odlewów staliwnych, ich wpływu na jakość powierzchni odlewów, szczególnie na warstwę powierzchniową (naskórek odlewniczy), w aspekcie ewentualnego nawęglenia powierzchni odlewów. Efektem przedstawionych badań było opracowanie "bentonitu zmodyfikowanego", technologii jego wytwarzania oraz uruchomienie produkcji na skalę przemysłową.The article presents the most important results of the research, development and implementation studies carried out under one of the Target Projects as a result of cooperation between the CERTECH Technical and Commercial Enterprise at Niedomice (manufacturer of materials for foundry industry) and Foundry Research Institute in Cracow. The aim of the project was development of innovative technology and start up of the production of "modified bentonite" used in production of steel castings characterised by very high surface quality. The results of investigations regarding possible use of carbon additives to moulding sands for the manufacture of steel castings were presented and discussed, including the effect of these additives on casting surface quality, especially on casting skin in terms of its possible carburising. Studies were described, the final outcome of which was the development of "modified bentonite", the development of its manufacturing technology, and finally the start up of production

Significance of mucin expression in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) – precursor lesions of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)

Purpose: To evaluate chosen mucins (mucin 1, 4, 5AC) expression in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, which is a precursor lesion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Materials and methods: The study group included 70 patients operated on due to inflammation, cysts and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia revealed additionally. Mucin 1, 4 and 5AC expression was assessed by immunohistochemical method using polyclonal antibodies. Results: Statistical analysis proved a positive correlation between the expression of mucin 1, 4 and 5AC proteins and the presence and staging of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (p<0.001). Statistically significant correlations were determined between mucin 1, 4 and 5AC and the location of PanIN lesion in the pancreas. Positive correlations were found between mucin 5AC expression and the type of a basic disease (p=0.014). Differences in the expression of MUC 1, 4 and 5AC proteins between healthy pancreatic ducts and various stages of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia were statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: Overexpression of mucin 1, 4 and 5AC is related to the presence of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. This suggests that overproduction of mucus is a phenomenon occurring early in the process of carcinogenesis in the pancreas and has its beginning in precancerous lesions of an early stage