Liquid Perfluorochemicals as Flexible and Efficient Gas Carriers Applied in Bioprocess Engineering: An Updated Overview and Future Prospects

Fully synthetic, biochemically inert and water-immiscible liquid perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are recognised as flexible liquid carriers/scavengers of gaseous compounds (respiratory gases mainly, i.e. O2 and CO2) and increasingly applied in bioprocess engineering. A range of unmatched physicochemical properties of liquid PFCs, i.e. outstanding chemo- and thermostability, extremely low surface tension, simultaneous hydro- and lipophobicity, which result from carbon chain substitution with fluorine atoms (the most electronegative chemical element) and the presence of intramolecular C–F bonds (the strongest single bond known in organic chemistry) have been described in detail. Exceptional propensity to solubility of respiratory gases in liquid perfluorinated compounds has been widely discussed. Advantages and disadvantages of bioprocess applications of liquid PFCs in the form of a pure PFC as well as in an emulsified form have been pointed out. A liquid PFC-mediated mass transfer intensification in various types of microbial, plant cell and animal cell culture systems: from miniaturised microlitre-scale cultures, via biomaterial-based scaffolds containing culture systems, to litre-scale bioreactors, has been reviewed and elaborated on bearing in mind the benefits of bioprocesses

Verification of a survey of the most valuable trees in the city of Czestochowa

In the city of Częstochowa a total of 122 valuable trees of 25 species from 12 families were inventoried. The most numerous group comprises trees with circumferences of natural monuments (55), followed by already registered natural monuments (25), trees with circumferences comparable to those of natural monuments and impressive trees (18 specimens each) and the category of “other trees” (6). The status of natural monuments presently found in the city of Częstochowa was confirmed. Described trees are typically native deciduous species, of which the most numerous are Acer platanoides (18 trees) and Tilia cordata (16 trees). Approximately 60% of them have circumferences from 201 to 300 cm. The health condition of surveyed trees is usually very good (84%). A total of 45 trees were selected with circumferences of natural monuments and characterised by a very good health condition, which may be proposed as worthy of protection as natural monuments

Verification of a survey of the most valuable trees in the city of Częstochowa

In the city of Częstochowa a total of 122 valuable trees of 25 species from 12 families were inventoried. The most numerous group comprises trees with circumferences of natural monuments (55), followed by already registered natural monuments (25), trees with circumferences comparable to those of natural monuments and impressive trees (18 specimens each) and the category of “other trees” (6). The status of natural monuments presently found in the city of Częstochowa was confirmed. Described trees are typically native deciduous species, of which the most numerous are Acer platanoides (18 trees) and Tilia cordata (16 trees). Approximately 60% of them have circumferences from 201 to 300 cm. The health condition of surveyed trees is usually very good (84%). A total of 45 trees were selected with circumferences of natural monuments and characterised by a very good health condition, which may be proposed as worthy of protection as natural monuments

Growth of animal cells on flexible interface of liquid fluorocarbon

The aim of this work was to study BHK-21 fibroblasts cultured on the interfacial area of two immiscible liquids: perfluorodecalin (hydrophobic; PFD) and cell culture medium (aqueous; DMEM) what allows creating 3-D multicellular structures. We showed that the robust growth of 3-D aggregated animal cells could be achieved on flexible PFD/DMEM interfacial area. We also indicated that 3-D aggregates of BHK-21 cells could be successfully subcultured on solid hydrophobic surface and cells could migrate from those multicellular structures, spread on solid surface and further grow in typical monolayered form. Results of our experiments showed that the PFD/medium system is simple and ready-to-use method without need of any inserts traditionally used for 3-D cultures of animal cells. Formed multicellular 3-D aggregates could be directly used in the same culture system for inoculation of biomaterial elements or scaffolds

Quality of Japanese larch stands in Poland

The quality of 39 Japanese larch stands, mainly in north-western Poland, was characterized. On the basis of the presented results it can be concluded that properly managed forest stands of Japanese larch can compete in trees quality with stands of native larches. The alien species is more susceptible to a lower stand density and exposure to strong winds. This is no correlation between forest stand quality and growth dynamics