The radiological risk assesment methodology applied on sands from public beaches

The radiological risk of public exposure to terrestrial radiation in the sand beaches is assessed through the total absorbed gamma dose rate in air and annual effective dose outdoors determination according to international recommendations. Corresponding hazards due to sand use as a building material has been estimated by gamma irradiation hazard indices, based on the data of natural radionuclides contents in sands from public seaside and riverbank beaches (Ulcinj, Belgrade- Danube) obtained in this study, using spectrometry of gamma radiation.Physical chemistry 2008 : 9th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 24-28 September 200

Infectivity of Trichinella spiralis larvae in pork buried in the ground

Time of survival and infectivity of Trichinella spiralis larvae in pig muscle tissue, buried at various depths in the ground were assessed. In the pork pieces the number of infective larvae was 250 ML/g. Meat originated from pig halves was divided in 39 equal pieces, 0.7 kg each, disposed in three groups of 13, and buried in depths of 30, 50, and 100 centimeters respectively. The pork was dug up at 13 intervals, approximately every week, until 91(st) day of the experiment. After each time interval, infectivity of larvae was assessed by bioassay on rats. The artificially infected rats were sacrificed on 42(nd) day after the infection and meat was examined by the following methods - artificial digestion and trichinoscopy. It was found that the larvae during all 90 days preserved infectivity in each depth

Analysis of activity of antioxidative enzymes, matrix metaloproteinases-2 and -9 and cell death parameters in tissue of breast cancer patients

Uvod: Obzirom da je aktivnost laktat dehidrogenaze (LDH) i malat dehidrogenaze (MDH) povezana sa procesima proliferacije i invazije tumora, odredjivanje distribucije njihovih izoenzima važno je u procesu metabolizma tumorske ćelije. Dugo se smatralo da enzimi antioksidativne zaštite, kao što su superoksid dismutaza (SOD) i katalaza (CAT), štite ćelije od kancerogeneze. Medjutim, pokazano je da su CAT i SOD uključene u procese izbegavanja ćelijske smrti i proliferacije, zbog čega predstavljaju važne medijatore u biologiji karcinoma dojke. Sve češće povezivanje mamografskih karakteristika sa histopatološkim markerima i enzimima, stvara novu klasifikaciju pacijentkinja sa karcinomom dojke u cilju adekvatnog individualnog pristupa. Pored povećane aktivnosti enzima antioksidativne zaštite, u karcinomima dolazi do poremećaja ekspresije pokazatelja ćelijske smrti kao što su STAT3, ciklin D1 i Bcl-2. Obzirom na porast incidence karcinoma dojke u svetu, javlja se sve veća potreba za definisanjem panela tumorskih markera koji bi pouzdano mogli da identifikuju karcinom dojke sa mogućom tendencom recidiva. Podaci pokazuju da marker za karcinom dojke može biti medju proteinima koji učestvuju u procesu tumorske progresije kao što su MMP-2, MMP-9 i TIMP1. Cilj: Iz tih razloga, cilj ovog rada je bio utvrdjivanje aktivnosti enzima antioksidativne zaštite (SOD, CAT), anaerobnog metabolizma (LDH, MDH), invazivnosti (MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP1) i ekspresije pokazatelja ćelijske smrti (pSTAT3, bcl-2, Ciklin D1) u tumorskom tkivu i njihovog odnosa sa kliničko-patološkim karakteristikama tumora, kao i sa mamografskim nalazom bolesnica sa karcinomom dojke. Materijal i metode: U radu je analizirano 75 uzoraka tumorskog i 75 uzoraka okolnog peritumorskog tkiva bolesnica sa histopatološki potvrđenim karcinomom dojke. Aktivnost MMP-2 i MMP-9 određivana je metodom želatin zimografije, dok je aktivnost SOD, CAT, LDH i MDH određivana odgovarajućim spektrofotometrijskim metodama...Introduction: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activity is associated with highly invasive and metastatic breast cancer. It was long thought that the antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), protect cells against carcinogenesis. However, it has been shown that SOD and CAT play role in processes of proliferation and cell death. Association of enzyme profile and mammographic features provide insights into the biological processes in breast cancer and could be of use in defining novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. Together with increased activities of antioxidative enzymes, cancers have altered expression of cell death parameters such as STAT3, Bcl-2 and cyclin D1. Since the incidence of breast cancer is increasing, it is necessary to find more tumor markers for breast cancer patients with high risk of recurrence. The proteins of tumor progression such as MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP1 could be possible tumor markers. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the activity of antioxidative (SOD, CAT), anaerobic metabolism (LDH, MDH), invasivness (MMP-2, MMP-9) enzymes and expression of cell death parameters (TIMP1, STAT3, cyclin D1, Bcl-2) and their relation with clinico-pathologic and mammographic characteristics of breast cancer patients. Material and methods: In this study we analyzed tumor and adjacent tissue samples of 75 breast cancer patients. We examined the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by gelatin zymography, while SOD, CAT, LDH and MDH activity was assayed spectrophotometrically. Distribution of isoforms was determined with direct and reverse electrophoretic zymography. Expression of TIMP1, STAT3, cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 was assessed in tumor lysates by Western blotting. Mammograms were evaluated according to the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data system (BIRADS). Significance of differences of the obtained results was analyzed by the T test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Mann–Whitney U-test. Results: The LDH5 izoenzyme was detected in tumor tissue of breast cancer patients. The activity of MDH, m-MDH, CAT and m-SOD in tumor tissue of breast cancer patients significantly increases compared to adjacent patient tissue..

Discovery of uranium mineralizations in the rhyolite-granite complex in the Jabal Eghei area of southern Libya

During investigation of the Jabal Eghei area in southern Libya and the production of geological maps at a scale of 1:250 000 (Tibesti sector, sheet Wadi Eghei NF 34-1 and NF 34-2), regional prospecting for mineral raw materials was performed. Radiometric survey of observed targets at the sites indicated two significant uranium mineralizations in rhyolites, and some smaller ones in granites that are in close contact with rhyolites. Rhyolites are located in the central part of the investigated region. They cut through granite rocks. The first mineralization is in the central part of the rhyolite region, which is mostly composed of silificated rhyolites. The second one was discovered near the granite-rhyolite contact zone, characterized by the presence of silicified breccia rocks. These findings were confirmed by laboratory measurements of more than seventy samples collected in the area, using high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. The concentrations of uranium in these mineralizations were found to range from approx. 50 mg kg-1 to more than 600 mg kg-1. The latter value is about 240 times above the Earth’s average. Besides uranium, these measurements have also given concentrations of thorium and potassium. Additional geochemical analysis was performed on samples taken from locations where uranium anomalies were discovered using ICP-MS technique, in which concentrations of more than forty elements were determined. Uranium mineralizations are accompained by increased contents of silver (up to 17 times), arsenic (up to 8 times), molybdenum (up to 50 times), mercury (up to 9 times), and lead (up to 14 times), in regard to the Clark’s values. These results warrant a continued investigation of this region because of potential interest in the discovery of nuclear mineral raw materials

Natural radioactivity of some spring and bottled mineral waters from several central Balkan sites, as a way of their characterization

In this work, a study of the radioactive content of some spring and bottled mineral waters originating fi-om metamorphic rock areas was carried out. A high content of radium isotopes (Ra-226, Ra-228), was found by radiometric analysis in the spring waters: Studenica (Ra-226: 289 mBq/L), Cibutkovica (Ra-226: 92, 4 mBq/L, Ra-228: 610 mBq/L), and Crni Guber (Ra-226: 120 mBq/L, Ra-228: 1170 mBq/L). On the other hand, the radiochemical results showed a higher concentration of U-238 in the bottled mineral water samples (dissolved uranium concentrations were from 0.21 mBq[L, for Kopaonik to 71.5 mBq/L fo Skadarska) than in the spring water samples (dissolved uranium concentrations were very low approximate to 10 mBq/L). The concentrations of all the present naturally occuring radionuclides: U-238, U-234, Th-232, Th-230, Th-228, Ra-228 and Ra-226 were determined by alpha/gamma spectrometric analysis. The activity ratios U-234/U-238, Ra-226/Th-230 and Th-228/Th-232, Ra-228/Th-228 were calculated and are discussed as an indication of the radioactive disequilibrium in bothe the U-238 and Th-232 radioactive series. The high contents of radium isotopes with respect to the equilibrium values expected from the respective parents Th-232/(Th-232 series) and Th-230 (U-238 series) found in the spring water samples is the main evidence for the existence of significant radioactive disequilibrium in both the radioactive series

Airborne uranium assessment by epiphytic lichen species in contaminated areas

Natural uranium, consisting of 238U, 234U and 235U isotopes is present in the environment in low concentrations especially in the atmosphere where it usually exists as a constituent of particulate matter submicron conglomerates suspended in the air. In the case of contamination, uranium may be present in the aerosol, being transferred to other areas by wind and again settled on the surface soil with possible migration into deeper layers or resuspension under certain meteorological conditions. Here results on the airborne uranium assessment based on the analysis of lichen species already present or transplanted into contaminated areas will be presented. With that aim, different in situ and transplanted epiphytic lichen species have been taken at selected locations in southern Serbia in the stage of existing contamination by depleted uranium, during the clean-up activities and afterwards, in all four seasons. Collected samples underwent analysis by sensitive nuclear analytical techniques. The INAA and ICP MS results are derived from 238U mass fraction while high resolution alpha-spectrometry gave results for each isotope expressed as specific activity concentration (Bq kg-1). Based on the isotopic ratios 235U /238U and 234U /238U, depleted uranium content was possible to distinguish from natural uranium in the samples. Results have shown that the sensitivity of the examined morphologically different lichen types and their ability to accumulate metals including uranium, strongly depend on metals’ concentration in the air as well as on the age of lichens, properties of host species, chemical properties of particles, local climate conditions, exposure time etc. Epiphytic lichen species Evernia prunastri was found to be the most suitable bioindicator for the accumulation of uranium airborne particles. Concerning the uranium content, a significant difference in concentrations had been observed for different sampling phases, with maximum depleted uranium contribution during the clean-up activities. The variability in uranium concentrations was noticeable in relation to prevailing wind direction, position and distance of the sampling points. Having in mind the results obtained within the national radioactivity monitoring program 2011-2017, it may be concluded that for detailed airborne uranium assessment, a methodology such as biomonitoring with the application of sensitive nuclear techniques should be considered.VII International Conference on Radiation in Various Fields of Research : RAD 2019 : book of abstracts; June 10-14, 2019; Herceg Novi, Montenegr

Assessment and differentiation of light absorbing carbon in atmospheric aerosols

Light Absorbing Carbon (LAC) or Black carbon (BC) is one of the most important components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is formed through the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels and biomass. Based on a number of studies, it has been shown that carbonaceous particles significantly affect air quality/environment and they are an important factor in the carbon cycle and climate change. BC, as one of the constituents of carbonaceous respirable particles, has the property of absorbing light and leads to an increase in the annual average air temperature. Therefore, its quantitative analysis and differentiation for determination of potential radiative effects is extremely important. The BC concentration is usually determined by using thermal or optical methods. In this paper, the results of the application of multiwavelength optical technique for BC estimation which is based on measuring the intensity of absorption/transmission of light through samples of deposited aerosols on PTFE filters, are presented. Sample collection was conducted at Belgrade suburban background site, in heating and nonheating seasons, using low-volume air samplers. In order to estimate the BC concentration of different particle diameters, measurements were performed by using the MABI ANSTO instrument, with LEDs that emit light at seven different wavelengths: 405 nm, 465 nm, 525 nm, 639 nm, 870 nm, 940 nm and 1050nm. The measurement procedure is started by determination of the value of light transmission I0 through an unexposed or blank filter at different wavelengths. After sampling, the estimation of light transmission I through the exposed filters was performed. Before estimation of BC concentration, the light-absorbing coefficient (babs) at each wavelength was determined separately. More intense variations in the values of babs were observed, which most likely occur due to the change in the nature of the pollution sources at the sampling site. The accuracy of the BC concentration depends on the value of the mass absorption coefficient (ε) estimated experimentally and whose values are compared with the predefined manufacturer values. BC generated by combustion at lower temperatures is better absorbed at shorter wavelengths. On the other hand, BC generated through high-temperature processes is better absorbed in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Therefore, the differences of BC concentrations at two boundary wavelengths: 405 nm and 1050 nm were analyzed. Finally, seasonal BC variations were observed, with increased values in the winter and autumn periods compared to the summer period.X JUBILEE International Conference on Radiation in Various Fields of Research : RAD 2022 (Spring Edition) : book of abstracts; June 13-17, 2022; Herceg Novi, Montenegr

Radioactivity of sand from several renowned public beaches and assessment of the corresponding environmental risks

The radiological risk due to the presence of natural and man-made radionuclides in beach sands from several renowned seaside and riverbank public beaches was estimated in this study. The exposure levels to terrestrial radiation of the beaches were determined, as well as hazards due to human use of the analyzed sands in industry and in building constructions. Specific radionuclides concentrations in the sand samples were determined by standard gamma-spectrometry. The corresponding radiation hazards arising due to the use of sand as a building material were estimated by three different radiological hazard indices. The total absorbed gamma dose rate in the air was determined and the corresponding annual effective dose outdoors was estimated. The obtained data are relevant both from human health and environmental monitoring aspects

Comparative Study of Removal Efficiency for Ni and Cd from Industrial Wastewater and Aqueous Solution by Sunflower Husk Using ICP-OES and LIBS

With the growth of the industrial world and the rise of anthropogenic activities, environmental challenges have also increased. Wastewater, especially from industrial sources can contain a wide variety of heavy metals [1]. The presence of heavy metals in water resources is a cause for concern due to their toxicity and tendency to bioaccumulation, which leads to significant problems for the environment as well as for animals and humans [2]. There are various conventional treatment technologies that are used for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater such as reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, ultrafiltration, industrial ion exchange process, and chemical precipitation. These techniques have some drawbacks such a being expensive due to high reagent and energy requirements, incomplete metal removal at low concentrations of heavy metals and generation of sludge [1]. Therefore, biosorption has been the subject of research by scientists for almost 70 years in order to find efficient, effective, and low-cost biomaterials for wastewater treatment [3]. In this study, a sunflower husk treated with 1% hydrochloric acid was used to evaluate removal efficiency for Ni from real wastewater samples, as well as to estimate the adsorption capacity as a function of contact time between the heavy metal ions such as Cd in the aqueous solution and the sunflower husk as a biosorbent. Two techniques were used for quantitative analysis, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) as a standard reference method and laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIBS) as an innovative non-standard analytical method. What makes the LIBS superior from the other standard optical techniques is that it allows fast multi-elemental analysis without prior sample preparation, leads to minimal sample damage, and is considered almost non-destructive, this method is also by the principles of green analytical chemistry, which means that it does not use toxic reagents and therefore no chemical waste [4]. The results of these two methods were compared, to examine the possibility of using laser-induced plasma spectroscopy as an alternative green analytical technology for quantitative analysis of sunflower husk as a biosorbent and evaluation of biosorption efficiency as a function of contact time