Hydrogeological investigations of river bed clogging at a river bank filtration site along the River Warta, Poland

River bank filtration (RBF) is a system that enriches groundwater resources by induced infiltration of river water to an aquifer. Problematic during operation of RBF systems is the deterioration of infiltration effectiveness caused by river bed clogging. This situation was observed in the Krajkowo well field which supplies fresh water to the city of Poznań (Poland) during and after the long hydrological drought between the years 1989 and 1992. The present note discusses results of specific hydrogeological research which included drilling of a net of boreholes to a depth of 10 m below river bottom (for sediment sampling as well as for hydrogeological measurements), analyses of grain size distribution and relative density studies. The results obtained have allowed the recognition of the origin of the clogging processes, as well as the documentation of the clogged parts of the river bottom designated for unclogging activities

Hydrogeological investigations of river bed clogging at a river bank filtration site along the River Warta, Poland

River bank filtration (RBF) is a system that enriches groundwater resources by induced infiltration of river water to an aquifer. Problematic during operation of RBF systems is the deterioration of infiltration effectiveness caused by river bed clogging. This situation was observed in the Krajkowo well field which supplies fresh water to the city of Poznań (Poland) during and after the long hydrological drought between the years 1989 and 1992. The present note discusses results of specific hydrogeological research which included drilling of a net of boreholes to a depth of 10 m below river bottom (for sediment sampling as well as for hydrogeological measurements), analyses of grain size distribution and relative density studies. The results obtained have allowed the recognition of the origin of the clogging processes, as well as the documentation of the clogged parts of the river bottom designated for unclogging activities

Hydrogeological investigations of river bed clogging at a river bank filtration site along the River Warta, Poland

River bank filtration (RBF) is a system that enriches groundwater resources by induced infiltration of river water to an aquifer. Problematic during operation of RBF systems is the deterioration of infiltration effectiveness caused by river bed clogging. This situation was observed in the Krajkowo well field which supplies fresh water to the city of Poznań (Poland) during and after the long hydrological drought between the years 1989 and 1992. The present note discusses results of specific hydrogeological research which included drilling of a net of boreholes to a depth of 10 m below river bottom (for sediment sampling as well as for hydrogeological measurements), analyses of grain size distribution and relative density studies. The results obtained have allowed the recognition of the origin of the clogging processes, as well as the documentation of the clogged parts of the river bottom designated for unclogging activities

Sirtuin 1 and Sirtuin 2 Plasma Concentrations in Patients with Ascending Aortic Dissection and Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

Abstract Background Previous studies explored multifactorial interactions and sirtuin expression in the aortic cells of laboratory rodents and humans. Human studies were limited due to the availability of biological material exclusively in the advanced stage of the disease. The role of sirtuins in aortic pathology has not been explained extensively therefore the aim of the study was to assess the plasma concentrations of human sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and human sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) in patients with ascending aortic dissection and ascending aortic aneurysm. Material and methods The study group included 43 adults (34 males and 9 females) aged 44–92 years with ascending aortic dissection (n = 10) or with ascending aortic aneurysm (n = 33). The SIRT1 and SIRT2 plasma concentrations in patients’ blood samples were determined, and the differences between groups were observed (p = 0.02 for SIRT1, p = 0.04 for SIRT2). Results Levels of both SIRT1 and SIRT2 were lower in patients with ascending aortic dissection (SIRT1: median = 6.5 ng/mL; SIRT2: median = 5.7 ng/mL) than in patients with ascending aortic aneurysm (SIRT1: median = 9.2 ng/mL; SIRT2: median = 7.8 ng/mL). The SIRT1 and SIRT2 cut-off levels differentiating both groups of patients were 6.7 ng/mL and 3.2 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusions The patients with ascending aortic dissection had lower plasma concentrations of SIRT1 and SIRT2 than the patients with ascending aortic aneurysm. Calculated cut-off values for both enzymes may be helpful in laboratory differentiation of ascending aortic dissection from ascending aortic aneurysm

Enhanced Suppressive Activity of Regulatory T Cells in the Microenvironment of Malignant Pleural Effusions

Cancer metastatic spread to serous cavity causes malignant pleural effusions (MPEs), indicating dismal prognosis. Tumor microenvironment can implement suppressive activity on host immune responses. Thus, we investigated the prevalence of Tregs and the relationship between them and TGF-β and IL-10 concentrations and measured expression of FOXP3, CTLA-4, CD28, and GITR genes, as well as protein expression of selected genes in benign effusions and MPEs. The percentage of Tregs was determined by means of multicolor flow cytometry system. TGF-β and IL-10 concentrations were measured using human TGF-β1 and IL-10 ELISA kit. Relative mRNA expression of studied genes was analyzed by real-time PCR. The frequency of Tregs was significantly higher in MPEs compared to benign effusions; however, the level of TGF-β and IL-10 in analyzed groups was comparable, and no correlation between concentrations of TGF-β and IL-10 and percentage of Tregs was observed. Relative mRNA expression of all the genes was higher in CD4+CD25+ compared to CD4+CD25− cells. In CD4+CD25+ cells from MPEs, relative mRNA expression of FOXP3, CTLA-4, and CD28 genes was significantly higher than in benign effusions; however, the level of CD4+CD25+CTLA-4+ cells in analyzed groups showed no significant differences. We found numerous genes correlations in an entire CD4+CD25+ cell subset and CD4+CD25+ cells from MPEs. Enhanced suppressive activity of Tregs is observed in the microenvironment of MPEs. Understanding of relations between cellular and cytokine immunosuppressive factors in tumor microenvironment may determine success of anticancer response

Serum folate concentration and the incidence of lung cancer

<div><p>Background</p><p>Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Folate helps to maintain DNA integrity and to regulate gene expression. Serum folate levels may affect the risk of several cancers, including lung cancer. In this study we evaluated the association between serum folate concentration and variations in genes involved in folate metabolism with lung cancer incidence in Poland.</p><p>Methods</p><p>The study included 366 lung cancer patients and 366 control subjects. We measured serum folate concentration and genotyped six variants in <i>MTHFR</i>, <i>MTR</i> and <i>MTRR</i> genes. The odds ratios of being diagnosed with lung cancer were calculated using conditional univariable and multivariable logistic regression with respect to folate level and genotypes.</p><p>Results</p><p>The mean serum folate level was lower in lung cancer cases than in control group (20.07 nmol/l vs. 22.52 nmol/l, p = 0.002). The odds ratio for lung cancer declined with increasing serum content of the folate. The folate concentration of >25.71 nmol/l (IVth quartile) in comparison to <15.92 nmol/l (Ist quartile) was associated with an odds ratio of 0.61 (95%CI 0.40–0.95, p = 0.03). The analysis of variations in <i>MTHFR</i>, <i>MTR</i> and <i>MTRR</i> genes did not reveal any significant difference between lung cancer cases and controls in univariable and multivariable analyses.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>In this case-control study, lower serum folate concentrations were associated with a higher risk of lung cancer diagnosis. Although previous findings have been somewhat mixed, our results add to the evidence that circulating folate levels may be an indicator of lung cancer risk.</p></div

Characteristic of lung cancer cases and controls.

<p>Characteristic of lung cancer cases and controls.</p

Serum folate concentration and odds ratio curve of developing lung cancer.

<p>Odds ratio curve of developing lung cancer for folate concentration (nmol/l) shown for a sliding approach (window size: 30 observations). Values above the line indicate an increased probability, values below indicate a decreased probability of developing lung cancer. The reference proportions is 1:1 for the entire series. A Lowest-regression was applied to those calculated data point to estimate the underlying probability curve.</p

Folate concentration and lung cancer incidence.

<p>Folate concentration and lung cancer incidence.</p