Radioaktivnost u cisternskim vodama u Hrvatskoj

The levels of radioactivity in cistern waters in the areas along the Adriatic coast have been investigated since 1962 when high total beta activity and 90Sr were detected. A rapid decline followed after the nuclear moratorium. Since 1970 a small increase due to Chinese nuclear weapon tests has been registered. Several cistern waters in the villages around Zagreb were investigated while the nuclear power station was still under construction. Very low alpha and beta radioactivity originating from fall-out was detected.Nivo radioaktivnosti u cisternskim vodama duž Jadrana ispituje se od 1962. godine. Prati se stalno ukupna beta-aktivnost i 90Sr. Nakon prestanka velikih pokusa s nuklearnim oružjem, radioaktivnost je naglo pala i ostala niska do sada. Poslije 1968. godine došlo je do malog povišenja nivoa radioaktivnosti uslijed kineskih nuklearnih eksperimenata, međutim, značajnog povišenja nije bilo. Tokom dvije godine praćena je i alfa i beta aktivnost cisternskih voda u blizini Zagreba kao nulta točka prije rada nuklearne elektrane Krško. Istraživanja se nastavljaju

Radioactive contamination of the Adriatic

Od 1963. godine praćena je radioaktivna kontaminacija Jadranskog mora. 90Sr je određivan kontinuirano, a 137Cs povremeno. Definirana je vrijednost omjera aktivnosti 137Cs/90Sr = 1,56. Koncentracija U i Ra istog je reda veličine kao u površinskom sloju svjetskih mora.The control of the radioactive contamination of the Adriatic Sea started in 1963. 90Sr has been measured at regular intervals, and 137Cs sporadically. The value of 137Cs/90Sr in the sea water has been determined as 1.56. The same amount of U and Ra activity has been found as in world oceans

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 enhances survival of LX2 human hepatic stellate cells

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) is strongly induced upon activation of hepatic stellate cells and their transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts in vitro. This was confirmed in vivo in an animal model of liver fibrosis. Since IGFBP5 has been shown to promote fibrosis in other tissues, the aim of this study was to investigate its role in the progression of liver fibrosis. METHODS: The effect of IGFBP5 was studied in LX2 cells, a model for partially activated hepatic stellate cells, and in human primary liver myofibroblasts. IGFBP5 signalling was modulated by the addition of recombinant protein, by lentiviral overexpression, and by siRNA mediated silencing. Furthermore, the addition of IGF1 and silencing of the IGF1R was used to investigate the role of the IGF-axis in IGFBP5 mediated effects. RESULTS: IGFBP5 enhanced the survival of LX2 cells and myofibroblasts via a >50% suppression of apoptosis. This effect of IGFBP5 was not modulated by the addition of IGF1, nor by silencing of the IGF1R. Additionally, IGFBP5 was able to enhance the expression of established pro-fibrotic markers, such as collagen Ialpha1, TIMP1 and MMP1. CONCLUSION: IGFBP5 enhances the survival of (partially) activated hepatic stellate cells and myofibroblasts by lowering apoptosis via an IGF1-independent mechanism, and enhances the expression of profibrotic genes. Its lowered expression may, therefore, reduce the progression of liver fibrosi

T-2 toksin - pojavnost i toksičnost u peradi

T-2 toxin is the most toxic type A trichothecene mycotoxin. It is the secondary metabolite of the Fusarium fungi, and is common in grain and animal feed. Toxic effects have been shown both in experimental animals and in livestock. It has been implicated in several outbreaks of human mycotoxicoses. Toxic effects in poultry include inhibition of protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis, cytotoxicity, immunomodulation, cell lesions in the digestive tract, organs and skin, neural disturbances and low performance in poultry production (decreased weight gain, egg production, and hatchability). Concentrations of T-2 toxin in feed are usually low, and its immunosuppressive effects and secondary infections often make diagnosis difficult. If at the onset of the disease, a change in diet leads to health and performance improvements in animals, this may point to mycotoxin poisoning. Regular control of grain and feed samples is a valuable preventive measure, and it is accurate only if representative samples are tested. This article reviews the incidence and toxic effects of T-2 toxin in poultry.T-2 toksin je najtoksičniji predstavnik trikotecenskih mikotoksina tipa A. On je sekundarni produkt metabolizma plijesni roda Fusarium i često je prisutan u žitaricama i hrani za životinje. Štetni učinci uočeni su u eksperimentalnih životinja i životinja u uzgoju. On se povezuje s pojavom bolesti ljudi od mikotoksikoza. Učinci toksina u peradi su višestruki: inhibicija sinteze proteina, DNA i RNA, citotoksični učinak, imunomodulatorni učinak, oštećenje stanica probavnog sustava, organa i kože, živčani poremećaji te pad proizvodnih karakteristika u uzgoju peradi (slabiji prirast, pad nesivosti i valivosti). Koncentracije T-2 toksina u hrani redovito su vrlo malene, a zbog imunosupresivnog djelovanja toksina te istodobne sekundarne infekcije bolest se često teško dijagnosticira. Pri pojavi bolesti promjenom hrane može doći do poboljšanja zdravstvenog stanja, što tako|er upućuje na moguće trovanje mikotoksinima. Redovita kontrola uzoraka žitarica i hrane za životinje jedna je od preventivnih mjera, a detekcija mikotoksina u žitaricama i hrani pouzdana je samo ako se ispituje reprezentativan uzorak. U radu su opisani učestalost i toksični učinci T-2 toksina u peradi

Assessment of the physical characteristics and stormwater effluent quality of permeable pavement systems containing recycled materials

This paper evaluates the physical characteristics of two recycled materials and the pollutant removal efficiencies of four 0.2 m2 tanked permeable pavement rigs in the laboratory, that contained either natural aggregates or these recycled materials in the sub-base. The selected recycled materials were Crushed Concrete Aggregates (CCA) and Cement-bounded Expanded Polystyrene beads (C-EPS) whilst the natural aggregates were basalt and quartzite. Natural stormwater runoff was used as influent. Effluent was collected for analysis after 7–10 mins of discharge. Influent and effluent were analysed for pH, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Electroconductivity (EC), turbidity, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Nitrate-Nitrogen (NO3-N), reactive phosphorous (PO43-) and sulphates (SO42-). Both CCA and C-EPS had suitable physical properties for use as sub-base materials in PPS. However, C-EPS is recommended for use in pavements with light to no traffic because of its relatively low compressive strength. In terms of pollutant removal efficiencies, significant differences (p 0.05) were found with respect to TSS, turbidity, COD and NO3-N. Effluent from rigs containing CCA and C-EPS saw significant increases in pH, EC and TDS measurements whilst improvements in DO, TSS, turbidity, COD, PO43- and SO42- were observed. All mean values except pH were, however, within the Maximum Permissible Levels (MPLs) of water pollutants discharged into the environment according to the Trinidad and Tobago Environmental Management Authority (EMA) or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). In this regard, the CCA and C-EPS performed satisfactorily as sub-base materials in the permeable pavement rigs. It is noted, however, that further analysis is recommended through leaching tests on the recycled materials

Distribution of fission and natural radioactivity in the soil

Radioaktivnost u tlima se kod nas rijetko kompleksno zahvaća. Zato su u ovom radu prikazani podaci o raspodjeli fisijskih i nekih prirodnih radionuklida u tipskim tlima. Dan je omjer 137Cs/90Sr, te nivo urana, torija i 226Ra u pojedinim tipovima i slojevima tla.Radioactivity in Yugoslav soils is rarely investigated on a large scale. For that reason this paper gives some data on the distribution of fission products in the soil, 137Cs/90Sr ratio and the level of natural radioactivity of uranium, thorium and 226Ra

Distribution of fission and natural radioactivity in the soil

Radioaktivnost u tlima se kod nas rijetko kompleksno zahvaća. Zato su u ovom radu prikazani podaci o raspodjeli fisijskih i nekih prirodnih radionuklida u tipskim tlima. Dan je omjer 137Cs/90Sr, te nivo urana, torija i 226Ra u pojedinim tipovima i slojevima tla.Radioactivity in Yugoslav soils is rarely investigated on a large scale. For that reason this paper gives some data on the distribution of fission products in the soil, 137Cs/90Sr ratio and the level of natural radioactivity of uranium, thorium and 226Ra

Effects of pH on the stability of cyanidin and cyanidin 3-O-β-glucopyranoside in aqueous solution

The colour variation, colour intensity and stability at various pH values (2.0, 4.0, 7.0 and 9.0) of cyanidin 3-O-β-glucopyranoside (Cy3Glc) and its aglycone cyanidin was investigated during a period of 8 hours storage at 25ºC. Our data showed that pH of aqueous solution had impact on spectroscopic profile of cyanidin and Cy3Glc. Beginning with the most acidic solutions, increasing the pH induce bathochromic shifts of absorbance maximum in the visible range for all examined pH values (with the exception pH 4.0 for cyanidin), while the presence of the 3-glucosidic substitution induce hypsochromic shift. Compared to cyanidin, Cy3Glc has higher colour intensity and higher stability in the whole pH range, except at pH 7.0. The 3-glucosidic substitution influences on the colour intensity of Cy3Glc in the alkaline region. After 8-hour incubation of Cy3Glc and cyanidin at pH 2.0 and 25 ºC, 99% of Cy3Glc and only 27% of cyanidin remained unchanged