Biowęgiel z pofermentacyjnej pozostałości kukurydzy hybrydowej - tani i wydajny sorbent metali ciężkich

Biochar produced from fermentation residue of maize hybrid was used in untreated form as a sorbent for the removal of Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solution. The capability of biochar to immobilized ions was investigated by leaching test. Equilibrium between biochar sample and studied elements in solution was reached at a contact time 30 min for Zn(II) and 90 min for Pb(II) and Cd(II). The experimental data were described by pseudofirst-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, two- and three-parameter isotherms in non-linear form. The maximum sorption capacity achieved was 30.07 mg.g(-1) in the case of Cd(II) ions, 99.44 mg.g(-1) in the case of Pb( II) and 40.18 in the case of Zn(II). Biochar developed for this study is comparable to conventional biochar, low cost, non-toxic and experimental results show that is a suitable and efficient sorbent for Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) removal from aqueous solutions.Web of Science26475774

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas: A 10-year single-center surgical experience and long-term echocardiographic follow-up study

Aims. Limited contemporary data are available on the clinical and echocardiographic outcomes after surgery for cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (CPF). The aim of this study was to review the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, surgical management, and prognoses of patients with histologically verified CPF, who underwent surgery at our cardiac surgery center from 2008 to 2018. Methods and Results. Twelve patients of median age 62 years (28 to 77 years) were treated. Embolic stroke or transient ischemic attack (five patients, 42%) were the only CPF clinical manifestations. Eleven (92%) tumors were localized on the valves, with the aortic valve being the most common tumor site (seven patients; 58%). Multiple factor analysis revealed no independent predictor of CPF-related embolization. Simple shave tumor excision was sufficient in most patients (10 patients, 83%). No operative or tumor-related late mortality during the median follow-up period of 4.7 years (1.1 to 10.2 years) was recorded. Asymptomatic metachronous valve tumor recurrence (in a location different from that of the original tumor) was revealed in two patients (17%) by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), not detected by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). One of these two patients underwent repeated surgery for CPF but later suffered a recurrent embolic stroke, due to another tumor recurrence. Conclusion. CPF can be safely and effectively treated surgically. TEE is superior to the TTE option in CPF post-operative recurrence detection. There is a clear need for a prospective study to determine criteria for embolization risk stratification and optimum management in patients with CPF.Web of Science1641918

Monitoring of heavy metals and nitrogen concentrations in mosses in the vicinity of an integrated iron and steel plant: Case study in Czechia

Featured Application The findings of this study can be applied in monitoring of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and nitrogen on a local scale in order to better understand the pollution distribution in the surroundings of a local pollution source, especially in the context of the interpretation of the results respecting the principle's compositional data analyses. A biomonitoring study using terrestrial mosses was performed in the vicinity of an Integrated Iron and Steel plant near the Czech-Polish border. Moss samples were collected in two seasons (June, October) in order to embrace the effect of the heating season on the pollution levels. The contents of metals (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, Sb and Hg) were determined using the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and contents of N, C, H via elemental analysis. The influence of the proximity of the factory, the heating season and modelled concentrations of particulate matter <10 mu m (PM10) on determined concentrations of elements were studied via multivariate statistical methods using clr-transformed data. This approach led to the first-time demonstration that not only the distance from the industrial source but also the sampling season and PM10 concentrations significantly affect the elemental content in mosses; the association of the emissions from the source and the determined concentrations of elements in moss samples were more evident outside the heating season (October). The analyses of transformed data revealed the association of Fe, Cr, V, As and Al with the coarse particles and their dominant spatial distribution depending on the prevailing wind directions. The spatial distribution of Mn, Zn and Cd, which are carried by fine particles, appears to depend more on atmospheric dispersion and long-range transport, and, thus, these metals should be considered weak markers of the pollution load in the close surroundings of an industrial source.Web of Science1117art. no. 826

Magnetically modified biosorbent for rapid beryllium elimination from the aqueous environment

Although both beryllium and its compounds display high toxicity, little attention has been focused on the removal of beryllium from wastewaters. In this research, magnetically modified biochar obtained from poor-quality wheat with two distinct FexOy contents was studied as a sorbent for the elimination of beryllium from an aqueous solution. The determined elimination efficiency was higher than 80% in both prepared composites, and the presence of FexOy did not affect the sorption properties. The experimental q(max) values were determined to be 1.44 mg/g for original biochar and biochar with lower content of iron and 1.45 mg/g for the biochar with higher iron content. The optimum pH values favorable for sorption were determined to be 6. After the sorption procedure, the sorbent was still magnetically active enough to be removed from the solution by a magnet. Using magnetically modified sorbents proved to be an easy to apply, low-cost, and effective technique.Web of Science1421art. no. 661

Immunohistochemical evaluation of tissues following bone implant extraction from upper and lower limb

Fractured bones can regenerate and restore their biological and mechanical properties to the state prior to the damage. In some cases, however, the treatment of fractures requires the use of supportive implants. For bone healing, three processes are essential: the inflammatory phase, the repair phase and the remodelling phase. A proper course of the first - inflammatory - stage is important to ensure a successful fracture healing process. In our study, we evaluated tissue samples immunohistochemically from the area surrounding the fractures of upper and lower limbs (bone tissue, soft tissue, and the implant-adhering tissue) for markers: CD11b, CD15, CD34, CD44, CD68, Cathepsin K, and TRAcP that are linked to the aforementioned phases. In soft tissue, higher expressions of CD68, CD34, CD15 and CD11b markers were observed than in other locations. TRAcP and Cathepsin K markers were more expressed in the bone tissue, while pigmentation, necrosis and calcification were more observed in the implant-adhering tissue. Since even the implant materials commonly perceived as inert elicit the observed inflammatory responses, new surface treatments and materials need to be developed

Identification of the phase composition of solid microparticles in the nasal mucosa of patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis using Raman microspectroscopy

Solid particles, predominantly in micron and submicron sizes, have repeatedly been observed as a threat to a human health unique compared to the other textures of the same materials. In this work, the hypothesis the solid metal-based particles play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic hypertrophic rhinitis was investigated in patients who had not responded positively to medication. In the group of 40 randomly selected patients indicated for surgical mucotomy, the presence of solid micro- and submicron particles present in their nasal mucosa was assessed. For comparison, a set of 13 reference samples from patients without diagnosed chronic hypertrophic rhinitis was evaluated. The analysis was performed using Raman microspectroscopy. The advantage of this method is the direct identification of compounds. The main detected compounds in the mucosa samples of patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis were TiO2, carbon-based compounds, CaCO3, Ca(Fe, Mg, Mn)(CO3)2 MgCO3, Fe2O3, BaSO4, FeCO3 and compounds of Al and Si, all of which may pose a health risk to a living organism. In the reference samples, only TiO2 and amorphous carbon were found. In the control group mucosa, a significantly lower presence of most of the assessed compounds was found despite the longer time they had to accumulate them due to their higher mean age. Identification and characterisation of such chemicals compounds in a living organism could contribute to the overall picture of the health of the individual and lead to a better understanding of the possible causes not only in the chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, but also in other mucosal and idiopathic diseases

Possibilities of Atmospheric Conditions Biomonitoring Using Bryophytes in an Industry-Affected Region.

Import 16/04/2013Práce předkládá výsledky výzkumu možností využití mechorostů v biomonitoringu/bioindikaci stavu atmosféry. Hodnoceny byly možnosti využití 3D fotogrammetrického skeneru k analýze povrchové struktury mechového zápoje, bylo srovnání této metody s metodou LED laserového skeneru a zjišťován vztah sledované povrchové struktury ke sledovaným veličinám (vlhkost, teplota). 3D fotogrammetrický skener, na rozdíl od LED laserového skeneru, umožňuje sběr dat v reálném čase a až s tisícinásobně větší přesností. Mnohonásobná regresní analýza vztahu vlhkosti a teploty k povrchové struktuře prokázala jasnou závislost, povrchová struktura je tedy odrazem historie populace mechu a může sloužit i jako indikátor těchto atmosférických podmínek v místě jejího výskytu. Dále práce prezentuje srovnání aktivního biomonitoringu atmosférických stopových prvků (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, V a Zn) pomocí mechorostů metodou „irrigated moss bag“ s běžně užívanými technickými metodami ČHMÚ a vliv koncentrace sledovaných prvků v prašných částicích, vlhkosti, teploty a osvitu na akumulaci těchto prvků v mechovém materiálu. Pomocí mnohorozměrné analýzy dat byly stanoveny modely, které daný vztah nejlépe popisují.This thesis presents the outcomes of research of possibilities of using bryophytes in the field of biomonitoring/bioindication of the atmospheric state. Utilization of 3D photogrammetric scanner was evaluated in order to assess its suitability for the moss canopy structure analysis. This approach was further compared to the LED laser scanner and relation of the canopy structure to the environmental factors (humidity, temperature) was assessed. 3D photogrammetric scanner, unlike LED laser scanner, allows us to gather date in real time and with up to thousand-times higher accuracy. Multiple regression analysis of the relation between humidity, temperature and canopy structure showed significant dependence. Thus, canopy structure is a reflection of the particular moss population history and can be used as indicator of these atmospheric conditions in its vicinity Furthermore, this thesis presents the comparison of active biomonitoring of atmospheric trace elements ((Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, V a Zn) by the means of “irrigated moss bag” method and common technical methods used by Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Effects of concentration of the trace elements in suspended dust particles, humidity, temperature and irradiance on their accumulation in the moss material were assessed as well. By the means of multivariate analysis, models describing such dependence were created.Prezenční546 - Institut environmentálního inženýrstvívyhově

Chlorophyll content in two medicinal plant species following nano-TiO2 exposure

Chlorophyll content in leaves is a convenient indicator of the physiological state of the plant following exposure to a stressor. In the present study, a pot experiment was carried out using two medicinal plant species - peppermint (Mentha X piperita L.) and common sage (Salvia officinalis L.) to determine the link between the chlorophyll content in the plant leaves and the exposure of the plants to nano-TiO2 either through the leaves (in suspension) or through the root system (in soil). Following the exposure, the shoots were analysed for the contents of Ti, Al, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Na and chlorophyll. Significant decrease in chlorophyll content was observed in all but one of the nano-TiO2 treatments, the differences in the determined element content were mostly species-dependent: Ti exposure was found to be related to the decrease in the chlorophyll and Mn content in both species as well as to the decrease in Mg content in common sage.Web of Science104337937

Phosphate removal using non-modified and magnetically modified montmorillonite

Phosphate sorption on sodium montmorillonite and its magnetically modified (using iron oxide) form was studied. The chemical composition and specific surface area of both non-magnetic and magnetically modified montmorillonite were determined. The effect of sorbent dose in solution, sorption efficiency and adsorption equilibrium in a range of phosphate concentrations 1-1000 mg P/L were evaluated. Model solutions of wastewater were prepared using Na3PO4. Phosphate concentrations were determined by UV/VIS. The results show that efficiency increased with increasing amount of sorbent and that it exceeded 80% when 1 g of sorbent was introduced in 50 ml of solution. Obtained experimental equilibrium data were fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms using the linear and non-linear regression. Based on the calculated coefficient of determination, the Langmuir adsorption isotherms determined by non-linear regression were specified. Presence of magnetic iron oxides does not affect the adsorption capacity of sorbents while it allows the magnetic separation of the used sorbent after its application.Web of Science1687839783