Arsenic contamination in environment in the region of Vojvodina

Ground waters in the region of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia are endangered by arsenic (up to 0.750 mg/l). Total arsenic concentration was determined In samples of untreated and treated water from some local and central water-supply systems. Results are compared to actual regulations in the country. This analysis encompassed 324 drinking water samples of various sources. Analyzed in the Inst. of Pub. Hlth. Novi Sad, during 2005. Determined Concentration of Total Arsenic in Drinking Water Varies from 0.005 to 0.450 Mg/l. Arsenic Concentration in the River Danube Water Was Within Recommended Value for L-ll Class. Maximum Arsenic Daily Intake Through Food and Nutr. Was 60.9 ± 22.3 (G/day in 2000. to Understand Importance of the Prob. of Arsenic Environ. Contamination in Vojvodina Reg., Our Own Results, As Well As the Results of Other Authors Are Presented and Analyzed (Drinking Water: 173 Samples, Moss Deposition and Daily Intake Through Nutr.)

Bacterial flora on the surface of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the microbial presence and type in the biofilms present on the surface of oral squamous cell carcinomas and benign lesions of oral mucosa. Methods: Thirty new (untreated) patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma were examined. The control group consisted of thirty subjects with benign lesions of oral mucosa. Swab samples were taken from the superficial layer of the carcinoma and benign lesions for bacteriological examination. Swabs were transported within 2 hours and immediately sown and incubated. Oral health index was assessed in all patients. Results: The prevalence of pathological bacterial microflora was significantly higher in cancer patients (p<0.01). No significant associations were found between bacterial presence and gender, localization, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and denture wearing (p>0.05). Poor oral hygiene was also registered in cancer patients. Conclusion: Possibility of microflora retention on irregular oral carcinoma surface possibly contributes to chronic inflammation often observed on the surface of oral carcinomas

Autologous blood transfusion in total knee replacement surgery

Background/Aim. Total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is one of the most frequent and the most extensive procedures in orthopedic surgery, accompanied with some serious complications. Perioperative blood loss is one of the most serious losses, so it is vital to recognize and treat such losses properly. Autologous blood transfusion is the only true alternative for the allogeneic blood. The aim of this study was to to examine if autologous blood transfusion reduces usage of allogenic blood in total knee replacement surgery, as well as to examine possible effect of autologous blood transfusion on postoperative complications, recovery and hospital stay of patients after total knee replacement surgery. Methods. During the controlled, prospective, randomised study we compared two groups of patients (n = 112) with total prosthesis implanted in their knee. The group I consisted of the patients who received the transfusion of other people’s (allogeneic) blood (n = 57) and the group II of the patients whose blood was collected postoperatively and then given them [their own (autologous) blood] (n = 55). The transfusion trigger for both groups was hemoglobin level of 85 g/L. Results. In the group of patients whose blood was collected perioperatively only 9 (0.9%) of the patients received transfusion of allogeneic blood, as opposed to the control group in which 98.24% of the patients received the transfusion of allogeneic blood (p ≤ 0.01). The patients whose blood was collected stayed in hospital for 6.18 days, while the patients of the control group stayed 7.67 days (p &lt; 0.01). Conclusion. Autologous blood transfusion is a very effective method for reducing consumption of allogenic blood and thus, indirectly for reducing all complications related to allogenic blood transfusion. There is also a positive influence on postoperative recovery after total knee replacement surgery due to the reduction of hospital stay, and indirectly on the reduction of hospital costs

Li-fraumeni syndrome: A case report

Introduction. Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a very rare familial disease with the predisposition to the development of malignant tumors, such as osteosarcoma, breast cancer, brain neoplasm, leukemia, and adrenal tumors. Inheritance is autosomal dominant and is caused by heterozygous mutations in the p53 gene. The diagnosis is based on clinical criteria: a person under the age of 45 years suffering from sarcoma, the closest relative younger than 45 years diagnosed with cancer and a relative of the first or second degree, which is up to 45 years, was diagnosed with cancer and was diagnosed with sarcoma at any age. Case report. The presented family with three members diagnosed with malignant disease typical for LFS suggests the need to carefully follow those diagnosed with LFS related tumor. A 24-yearold man diagnosed and treated for osteosarcoma of the maxilla died in the first year. His younger brother was submitted to surgery due to osteosarcoma of the mandible three years later, and a year later in his 24 year he had no signs of locoregional recurrence. Their mother was operated in 1996 for glioblastoma multiform brain cancer and ductal carcinoma, and died two years later at the age of 33. Conclusion. The presented family highlights the need for careful examination, inspection and notification of the risks of family members diagnosed with LFS related tumors

Bioremediation of soil polluted with crude oil and its derivatives: Microorganisms, degradation pathways, technologies

The contamination of soil and water with petroleum and its products occurs due to accidental spills during exploitation, transport, processing, storing and use. In order to control the environmental risks caused by petroleum products a variety of techniques based on physical, chemical and biological methods have been used. Biological methods are considered to have a comparative advantage as cost effective and environmentally friendly technologies. Bioremediation, defined as the use of biological systems to destroy and reduce the concentrations of hazardous waste from contaminated sites, is an evolving technology for the removal and degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons as well as industrial solvents, phenols and pesticides. Microorganisms are the main bioremediation agents due to their diverse metabolic capacities. In order to enhance the rate of pollutant degradation the technology optimizes the conditions for the growth of microorganisms present in soil by aeration, nutrient addition and, if necessary, by adding separately prepared microorganisms cultures. The other factors that influence the efficiency of process are temperature, humidity, presence of surfactants, soil pH, mineral composition, content of organic substance of soil as well as type and concentration of contaminant. This paper presents a review of our ex situ bioremediation procedures successfully implemented on the industrial level. This technology was used for treatment of soils contaminated by crude oil and its derivatives originated from refinery as well as soils polluted with oil fuel and transformer oil

Ex situ bioremedijacija vanbilansnih ugljovodonika, tzv. „otpadnog mazuta“ iz JKP „Beogradske elektrane“ na industrijskoj projektovanoj gomili-haldi zapremine oko 600 m3 - U primeni!

NTD-CH Instituta za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo, Novi Sad i BREM GROUP d.o.o., Beograd, 2008

Ex situ bioremedijacija vanbilansnih ugljovodonika, tzv. „otpadnog mazuta“ iz JKP „Beogradske elektrane“ na industrijskoj projektovanoj gomili-haldi zapremine oko 600 m3 - U primeni!

NTD-CH Instituta za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo, Novi Sad i BREM GROUP d.o.o., Beograd, 2008