Alginate biopolymer coatings obtained by electrophoretic deposition on Ti15Mo alloy

In this work, the electrophoretic deposition method has been developed for the fabrication of bioactive alginate coatings on the surface of Ti15Mo implant alloy. Thin ZnO lm was deposited cataphoretically as the interlayer prior to anaphoretic deposition of alginate (Alg) which was performed from aqueous solution containing 1 g dm3 of NaAlg at room temperature. The deposition voltage and time varied in the range 20 50 V and 30 120 min, respectively. The microstructure of Alg coatings was studied by scanning electron microscope, and the surface roughness was analysed using atomic force microscopy. Structure was studied by grazing incidence X-ray di raction. Chemical composition and functional group were examined using energy dispersive spectrometry and attenuated total re ectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy methods, respectively. It was found that controlling the deposition conditions it is possible to obtain amorphous Alg coatings of variable thickness and porosity. Mechanism of electrophoretic deposition of bioactive Alg coatings on the Ti15Mo alloy surface was discussed

Future Technology Mix—Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)—An Overview of Selected Projects as an Example for Future Investments in Poland

Rising fuel prices, changes in energy markets, and concern for the environment make it necessary to develop new solutions and technologies. The development of new technologies brings with it the need to take risks associated with unpredictable consequences, technological immaturity, and other issues. However, without these elements, technological development is not possible. In this study, installations related to two different technologies—Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)—are reviewed. An Enhanced Geothermal System is a technology for exploiting the energy stored in hot dry rocks. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage is an important technology for reducing CO2 emissions. The combination of these two technologies in CO2–EGS systems can bring significant environmental benefits. This paper reviews the most important CCUS and EGS systems in the world to form a baseline for similar, future technology investment in Poland

Significance of HLA Haplotypes in Two Patients with Subacute Thyroiditis Triggered by mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccine

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) can be triggered by several viral factors in genetically predisposed individuals. In the case of COVID-19, SAT can be induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as COVID-19 vaccination. The aim of this study was to present two cases of SAT triggered by mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, with special attention paid to the possible significance of HLA-related SAT susceptibility. In our patients, a strong similarity of HLA profiles with regard not only to SAT high-risk alleles but also to other SAT-unrelated ones was observed. The rare phenomenon of SAT occurrence after COVID-19 vaccination can be HLA-dependent and related to a co-presence of HLA-B*35:03 and -C*04:01. Taking into account the similarity of HLA profiles in both our patients, the co-presence of other alleles, such as HLA-A*03:01, -DQA1:01, DQB1*05:01 as well as some of HLA-DRB1, can also play a role. This hypothesis is strongly consistent with autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) being the postulated mechanism of this post-vaccine reaction, as ASIA-related immune reactions are directly associated with HLA-based genetic susceptibility. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings

Clinical Manifestation of Subacute Thyroiditis Triggered by SARS-CoV-2 Infection Can Be HLA-Dependent

In the last two years, we have been struggling with the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. Several cases of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) have already been described as directly related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The clinical course of SAT induced by SARS-CoV-2 can be entirely different from the classic SAT course, and one of the most important differences is a very rapid SAT onset observed in some patients, especially a phenomenon of the simultaneous presence of both diseases. The aim of this report is to compare HLA profile and clinical course of SAT in four patients, in whom SAT was considered as triggered by COVID-19, with special attention paid to the differences between a patient with rare simultaneous presence of SAT and COVID-19, and patients with longer time lag between the diseases. The unusual phenomenon of simultaneous occurrence of COVID-19 and SAT induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection can be HLA-dependent and related to the presence of homozygosity at HLA-B*35. Additionally, the clinical course of SAT triggered by COVID-19 can be HLA-related in regard to the risk of recurrence, and to a variety of other aspects, including severity of thyrotoxicosis

Geological and environmental implications of the utilisation of geothermal energy in the Lahendong working area, Indonesia

This study presents the characteristics of the Lahendong geothermal working area (GWA) in terms of the geological, geophysical, geochemical, and environmental implications. The investigated area is located in the Sulawesi North Arm, where the volcanic arc extends from Sangihe Island to Minahasa with two major strike-slip faults. NE–SW (northeast-southwest) trending faults control the thermal surface manifestation. The geothermal field is grouped into two hydrochemical systems: acid-sulphate-chloride (acid reservoir) and chloride (closer to neutral) types. The environmental implication analysis shows that the North Sulawesi province is experiencing water shortages due to excessive mining activities, inadequate wastewater management, and periods of drought. Although geothermal wastewater is being re-injected, the possibility of water contamination by hazardous materials from geothermal power plant activity is still evident. This study reviews the actual geothermal utilisation in the form of the 120 MWe power plant, the 500 kWe binary power plant, while the heat from geothermal energy is used for palm sugar production. Furthermore, the article also analyses the potential of the rational use of geothermal resources in this area. As a result of the high salinity and silica concentration of the brine, the geothermal wastewater should be treated before further utilisation and it potentially benefits both local communities and geothermal companies

Geological and environmental implications of the utilisation of geothermal energy in the Lahendong working area, Indonesia

This study presents the characteristics of the Lahendong geothermal working area (GWA) in terms of the geological, geophysical, geochemical, and environmental implications. The investigated area is located in the Sulawesi North Arm, where the volcanic arc extends from Sangihe Island to Minahasa with two major strike-slip faults. NE–SW (northeast-southwest) trending faults control the thermal surface manifestation. The geothermal field is grouped into two hydrochemical systems: acid-sulphate-chloride (acid reservoir) and chloride (closer to neutral) types. The environmental implication analysis shows that the North Sulawesi province is experiencing water shortages due to excessive mining activities, inadequate wastewater management, and periods of drought. Although geothermal wastewater is being re-injected, the possibility of water contamination by hazardous materials from geothermal power plant activity is still evident. This study reviews the actual geothermal utilisation in the form of the 120 MWe power plant, the 500 kWe binary power plant, while the heat from geothermal energy is used for palm sugar production. Furthermore, the article also analyses the potential of the rational use of geothermal resources in this area. As a result of the high salinity and silica concentration of the brine, the geothermal wastewater should be treated before further utilisation and it potentially benefits both local communities and geothermal companies

Actual Associations between HLA Haplotype and Graves’ Disease Development

The association between HLA and the risk of Graves’ disease (GD) has been analyzed for many years. However, the results were often inconsistent and mostly regarded Asian populations. The purpose of our study was to perform HLA genotyping using a next-generation sequencing (NGS) method in Caucasians, to find out which alleles are eventually correlated with GD morbidity as well as which of them can be considered protective. HLA-A, -B, -C, -DQB1, -DRB1 were genotyped using a next-generation sequencing method in 2376 persons, including 159 GD patients and 2217 healthy controls. We have demonstrated a significant association between the risk of GD and the following alleles: HLA-B*08:01, -B*39:06, -B*37:01, -C*07:01, -C*14:02, -C*03:02, -C*17:01, -DRB1*03:01, -DRB1*11:01, -DRB1*13:03, -DRB1*01:03, -DRB1*14:01, -DQB1*03:01, DQB1*02:01. The alleles HLA-B*39:06, -B*37:01, -C*14:02, -C*03:02, -C*17:01, -DRB1*14:01 are novel GD-associated, previously not-reported independent ones with no linkage disequilibrium with other high-risk alleles. On the other hand, the frequencies of HLA-B*07:02, -C*07:02, -C*03:04, DRB1*07:01, -DQB1*02:02, -DQB1*03:03 were significantly lower in GD compared to controls. This study demonstrated the actual relationships between HLA and GD based on the NGS method and provided a novel set of alleles as a reliable tool for an individual personalized risk assessment

Novel Insight into Non-Genetic Risk Factors of Graves’ Orbitopathy

An assessment of the risk of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is an important challenge in Graves’ disease (GD) management. The purpose of this study was to compare non-genetic parameters in GD patients with and without GO in order to find novel risk factors and to verify the factors already reported. A total number of 161 people, 70 with GO and 91 non-GO patients were included in this study. GO was confirmed to be associated with smoking, older age, higher TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) and lower thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) levels and hypercholesterolemia. We demonstrated the latter correlation even for only a mild increase in LDL cholesterol. Importantly, our study provides novel potential GO risk factors, including higher serum creatinine levels, higher MCV and lower PLT. If further confirmed, these new, simple and easily accessible potential GO markers may constitute valuable auxiliary markers in GO risk assessments. We additionally proved that in moderate to severe GO, gender-related differences attenuate. No impact of vitamin D deficiency in GO development in patients with 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] > 20 ng/mL was found. The present report provides a set of GO risk factors, which can be used as a precise tool for an individual GO risk assessment

Associations between Lipid Profiles and Graves’ Orbitopathy can Be HLA-Dependent

The risk of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is related to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) profile and was demonstrated to be increased in patients with elevated total cholesterol (TC) and/or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. We hypothesized that there were some HLA alleles that were related to both GO and TC and/or LDL levels. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare the TC/LDL results in patients in whom GO-related HLA alleles were present to those in whom they did not occur. HLA classes were genotyped using a next-generation sequencing method in 118 patients with Graves’ disease (GD), including 63 and 55 patients with and without GO, respectively. Lipid profiles were assessed at the time of the GD diagnosis. A significant correlation between the presence of GO high-risk alleles (HLA-B*37:01 and C*03:02) and higher TC/LDL levels was found. Additionally, the presence of alleles associated with non-GO GD (HLA-C*17:01 and B*08:01), as well as alleles in linkage disequilibrium with B*08:01 (i.e., HLA-DRB1*03:01 and DQB1*02:01), was correlated with lower TC levels. These results further confirm the significance of TC/LDL in the risk of GO development and provide evidence that associations between TC/LDL and GO can be HLA-dependent

Coal Mine Drainage as a Source of Drinking and Industrial Water—The Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland

Water is one of the most important resources found on Earth, essential for all forms of life. Both the quantity and quality of water resources are crucial for the health of the population and for economic sectors, making water a factor in determining a society’s standard of living. Mine water serves as an appealing source of both drinking and technological water. Regardless of the exploitation method, it must be pumped to the surface and, usually, treated to meet environmental standards. In most cases, it is discharged to rivers. In this article, we present a model of the use of mine water from three pumping stations of decommissioned coal mines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin—Jan Kanty, Saturn, and Boże Dary. Water from these pumping stations is characterized by good qualitative and quantitative parameters. The results of the physico-chemical composition analyses carried out in the years 2012–2022 did not reveal any excessive amounts of toxic components or treatment difficulties. Given the long operational lifespan of these pumping stations and their existing water extraction infrastructure, they emerge as promising sources of both potable and industrial water supply, demanding minimal treatment efforts