Municipal Wastewater and Pig Slurry Treatment in a Batch Reactor

The degradation of organic compounds, and TKN elimination were studied in a batch reactor under different aerobic and anoxic/anaerobic conditions. The objective of this experimental procedure was to reduce to below 100 mg L-1 and to below 10 mg L-1. The experiments were carried out in such a way that the aeration and non-aeration phases were repeated, in sequences. The following systems were tested: 2+2 (2 h of aeration and 2 h without aeration), 3+2, and 4+1. Satisfactory results were obtained in all cases. The expected results were obtained after 10 h of retention time for systems 3+2 and 4+1 and, after 12 h for system 2+2. The best results were obtained for system 4+1 after 10 h. The wastewater treated in the batch reactor had the following characteristics: was 913 mg L-1, was 56.0 mg L-1, and was 33.0 mg L-1. The following results were obtained for treated wastewater (effluent): = 54 mg L-1, = 4.4 mg L-1, and < 1.2 mg L-1, respectively. The maximal values for specific substrate utilization and nitrification rate were obtained for system 4+1; was 0.406 h-1 and was 0.0182 h-1. Such batch tests are appropriate for fast determination of main treatment parameters in regard to existing wastewater treatment plants, where expansion is on programme

Series of illustrations based on Federico García Lorca\u27s poetry

V diplomski nalogi smo najprej opredelili pojem ilustracije in naše delo v nadaljevanju umestili na področje domišljijske ilustracije. Raziskali smo uporabljena likovna sredstva in naredili primerjalno analizo treh ilustriranih zbirk poezije. Na podlagi raziskav smo pojasnili namen ilustracije ob poeziji. V praktičnem delu naloge smo ilustrirali poetičen jezik Federica Garcie Lorce. V nadaljevanju smo ob praktičnem delu razpravljali o odnosu ilustracije in poezije. Videti je, da ilustracija in poezija, kljub temu da sicer trdno stojita vsaka zase, v obliki ilustrirane zbirke ustvarita vzajemen in dopolnjujoč odnos. Ugotavljamo, da ilustracije z besedilom vzpostavijo smiselno vsebinsko vez in jo pojasnijo, razložijo in razvozlajo v vizualnem smislu. Poeziji torej nudijo še eno novo obliko obstajanja, in to je vizualno, ki se dopolnjuje z literarno.In the BA thesis, we initially described the concept of illustration and then placed our work within the area of fiction illustration. We made a research of illustrating methods and made a comparative analysis of three illustrated poetry collections. Based on our research, we explained the purpose of illustration along with poetry. In the practical part of our thesis, we illustrated the poetical language of Federico Garcia Lorca. In the practical part, we also discussed the relationship between illustration and poetry. Even though firmly standing apart, it seems that in the form of an illustrated collection, illustration and poetry create a mutual and complementary relation. We have established that illustrations create a meaningful connection in terms of content and explain, clarify, and decode it in the visual sense. They provide the poetry with another new dimension of existence – the visual – that is complemented by the literary one

Frequency, type and localization of premalignant and malignant skin lesions in renal transplant recipients

Osobe kojima su transplantirani organi imaju povećan rizik pojave malignih oboljenja, među kojima dominiraju maligni tumori kože. Smatra se da je osnovni razlog primena imunosupresivne terapije, ali još nije sasvim jasan mehanizam i nivo dejstva različitih imunosupresiva. Važan uticaj na nastanak većine malignih tumora kože ima ultraljubičasto (UV) zračenje koje izaziva pojačano starenje kože u vidu histološki prepoznatljivog fotooštećenja, sa odlikama razvoja elastoze i limfocitne infiltracije. U našoj zemlji do sada nisu sprovođena istraživanja rizika pojave maligniteta kože kod transplantiranih pacijenata, ne postoje podaci o njihovoj incidenci, uticaju imunosupresivne terapije i drugim potencijalnim faktorima rizika. U dostupnoj literaturi nema objavljenih radova iz oblasti analize histološkog fotooštećenja kože kod osoba na imunosupresivnoj terapiji. Ciljevi ove studije preseka bili su utvrđivanje učestalosti, vrste i lokalizacije premalignih i malignih lezija kože kod pacijenata nakon transplantacije bubrega, povezanosti njihove pojave sa dužinom, vrstom i režimom primene imunosupresivne terapije i sa histološki verifikovanim fotooštećenjem perilezionalne kože. U studiju je uključeno 66 pacijenata kojima je transplantiran bubreg (primaoci organskog transplantata – POT). Relevantni podaci su prikupljeni putem upitnika i iz medicinske dokumentacije, kliničko-dermoskopskim pregledom kože uočene suspektne lezije su bioptirane u cilju postavljanja dijagnoze i utvrđivanja histoloških parametara fotooštećenja, a u studiju su uključeni i maligni tumori kože POT ispitanika uklonjeni u periodu od prethodnih 5 godina ali nakon transplantacije. Radi komparacije prisutnih faktora rizika i stepena fotooštećenja kože sa opštom populacijom formirana je kontrolna grupa (KG) ispitanika kojima je prethodno bioptirana koža, bez oboljenja bubrega i bez imunosupresije, slična po polu i životnoj dobi sa onim POT ispitanicima kojima je urađena biopsija. Za svaku leziju iz POT grupe obezbeđene su po 2 lezije iz KG, tako da je pojedinim ispitanicima POT grupe analizirano više lezija, dok je u KG 1 ispitanik – 1 lezija. Osnovno oboljenje bubrega do započinjanja dijalize kod ispitanika POT grupe prosečno je trajalo 7,67 godina, u strukturi oboljenja bubrega dominirao je hronični glomerulonefritis sa 31,8%, a ispitanici su na dijalizi bili prosečno 4,54 godine. Prosečna životna dob ispitanika u momentu transplantacije iznosila je 42,5 godina, 60,6% imalo je isključivo kadaveričnu transplantaciju, a prosečno trajanje jatrogene imunosupresije iznosilo je 4,89 god. U POT grupi bioptirane su 33 lezije, među kojima su od značaja za studiju bile 2 (6,1%) aktinične keratoze (AK), 3 (9,1%) displastična nevusa (DN), 1 (3,0%) melanom (MM), 3 (9,1%) skvamocelularna karcinoma (SCK) i 6 (18,2%) bazocelularnih karcinoma (BCK). U POT grupi učestalost MM bila je 1,5%, učestalost SCK 4,5%, učestalost BCK 9,1%, dok je utvrđeni relativan rizik pojave MM u POT populaciji 227 puta veći, BCK 316 puta veći, a SCK 805 puta veći nego u opštoj populaciji. Relativan rizik nastanka AK i DN nije određen zbog izostanka zvanične registracije u opštoj populaciji. POT grupa i KG nisu se statistički značajno razlikovale po Ficpatrikovom fototipu kože, profesionalnoj izloženosti UV zračenju, upotrebi solarijuma, broju solarnih opekotina, ličnoj anamnezi malignih tumora kože i konzumiranju cigareta. Pripadnici KG su se značajno više rekreativno izlagali UV zračenju, češće koristili sredstva za zaštitu od sunčevog zračenja, češće imali bliske srodnike sa malignim tumorima kože, češće konzumirali alkohol, značajno veći broj ispitanika KG imao je pregled kompletne kože i informaciju o merama prevencije od strane lekara, dok 50% ispitanika POT grupe nije znalo da su pod povećanim rizikom pojave maligniteta kože. U stepenu elastoze među grupama nije postojala statistički značajna razlika, dok je limfocitna infiltracija bila marginalno izrazitija u POT grupi bez obzira na vrstu lezije. U POT grupi utvrđena je statistički značajna povezanost prisustva malignog tumora sa većim stepenom perilezionalne limfocitne infiltracije i elastoze. U KG utvrđena je statistički značajna povezanost prisustva malignog tumora sa većim stepenom limfocitne infiltracije, dok nije bilo statistički značajne razlike u stepenu perilezionalne elastoze. U studiji je utvrđeno da osobe nakon transplantacije bubrega imaju statistički značajno veći rizik nastanka BCK, SCK i MM kože u odnosu na opštu populaciju, sa najčešćom lokalizacijom ovih tumora u predelu glave. Dužina primene imunosupresivne terapije uopšteno nije statistički značajno uticala na pojavu premalignih i malignih tumora kože, ali je kumulativna doza pojedinih imunosupresiva poput ciklosporina i azatioprina imala statistički značajan uticaj na pojavu premalignih i malignih lezija kože. Dužina imunosupresije je statistički značajno uticala na stepen elastoze, ali je imala marginalan uticaj na stepen perilezionalne limfocitne infiltracije.Organ transplant recipients are at an increased risk of developing malignancies, with the predominance of malignant skin tumors. The main cause is considered to be the administration of immunosuppressive therapy, but the mechanism and effect levels of different immunosuppressive agents are still not completely clear. Ultraviolet (UV) rays also influence the development of malignant skin tumors, causing increased skin aging with histologically recognisable photo damage, with its hallmark being development of elastosis and lymphocytic infiltration. No research on the topic of risks of malignant skin tumors in transplant patients has been done in our country, there is no data on their incidence, or on the effects of immunosuppressive agents and other potential risk factors. There are also no published studies in the field of hystological photo damage analysis in patients on immunosuppressive therapy. The aims of this study were to establish the rates of occurance, types and localisation of premalignant and malignant skin lesions in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) and to associate their advent with the length, type and regimen of immunosuppressive therapy. A total of 66 KTR patients were enrolled in the study. Relevant information was gathered through a specially constructed questionnaire and from the medical records, followed by combined clinical and dermoscopic skin examination to detect suspicious lesions which were biopsied in order to determine the histopathologic diagnosis of the lesion and perilesional degree of photo damage. The study also encompassed malignant skin tumors of KTR patients that have been removed in the last 5 years, but after the transplantation. For the sake of comparison of the risk factors and the levels of photo damage with the general population, an age and sex - matched control group (CG) of patients with previous skin biopsy but without kidney disease and immunosuppression was formed. For each lesion from KTR group, 2 lesions from CG were provided, meaning that some KTR patients had several lesions analysed, whereas in the CG only 1 lesion per patient was analyzed. The average duration of underlying kidney diseases in KTR was 7,67 years, the most frequent being chronic glomerulonephritis (31,8%), and an average duration of dialysis was 4,54 years. The mean age at transplantation was 42,5 years, with 60,6% of the KTR having exclusively cadaveric graft. The mean duration of the iatrogenic immunosuppression was 4,89 years. In the KTR group a total of 33 lesions were biopsied, 2 of which were actinic keratoses (AK) (6,1%), 3 were dysplastic nevi (DN) (9,1%), 1 melanoma (MM) (3,0%), 3 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) (9,1%) and 6 basal cell carcinomas (BCC) (18,2%). The estimated frequency of MM was 1,5%, SCC 4,5%, BCC 9,1%, and the estimated relative risk of MM in KTR being 227, BCC 316, and SCC 805 times higher compared to the general population. The relative risk of AK and DN development could not have been estimated as there are no official records in the general population. The KTR and CG were not significantly different judging by the Fitzpatrick skin phototype, occupational UV exposure, sunbed usage, personal history of skin cancers, or smoking. The controls were recreationally more exposed to UV rays, used sun protective measures more frequently, had more relatives with skin cancers and consumed alcohol more frequently. A significantly greater number of controls had had complete skin examination and protective measures counceling by the doctor, while 50% of KTR patients did not even know that they were at an increased risk of malignant skin tumor development. There was no significant difference in elastosis levels among the groups, whereas the lymphocitic infiltration was only marginally greater in the KTR group. A significant association between the level of perilesional photodamage and developement of malignant tumors was estimated for the KTR group, whereas in the CG only the perilesional lymphocitic infiltration was strongly associated to malignant lesions. The study results suggest that KTR patients have a significantly higher risk of BCC, SCC and MM development in comparison with the general population, the most common localisation being in the head region. The duration of the immunosuppressive therapy had no significant effect on the premalignant and malignant tumors development, whereas the cummulative dose of certain immunosuppressives (such as cyclosporine and azathioprine) affected the development notably. The duration of immunosuppression statistically influenced the elastosis levels, but had only a marginal influence on the perilesional lymphocitic infiltration levels

Neželeni učinki radioterapije na možgane

There are numerous and often unpredictable side effects of radiotherapy on the brain. The damage can be direct or indirect, and becomes apparent acutely or even many years thereafter. The distinction between these forms is important since early side effects are predominantly reversible whereas late ones usually are not. The incidence of radiotherapy-induced side effects is hard to estimate due to the differing definitions and methodologies used in clinical studies. Nevertheless, the clinical picture often resembles the progression of pre-existent malignant disease. The mechanism underlying side effects of radiotherapy is mainly injury to glial cells and cerebral endothelial cells. The hippocampus is especially prone to radiation damage. The burden of radiation damage in a given individual is dependent upon many factors. Concomitant systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy adds significantly to neurotoxicity. Diagnosing side effects of radiotherapy can be a daunting task since the time interval between radiotherapy and the occurrence of neurological side effects is variable. What is more, the clinical picture can resemble metastatic, paraneoplastic or other neurological disease. It is therefore of crucial importance to be aware of the fact that the clinical picture can be ascribed to side effects of radiotherapy only after other possible reasons (mainly tumor progression) have been effectively ruled out. The article entails a broad spectrum of direct and indirect radiotherapyinduced consequences on the brain. Acute encephalopathy is connected to blood-brain barrier disruption. Early-delayed encephalopathy is caused by demyelination. Late-delayed encephalopathy is represented mainly by radiation necrosis. Cognitive decline as a consequence of radiotherapy is still a matter of hot debate.Neželeni učinki radioterapije na možgane so številni in pogosto nepredvidljivi. Lahko gre za neposredno ali posredno okvaro možganov. Okvara se lahko pojavi akutno ali več tednov, mesecev ali celo let po končani radioterapiji. Ločevanje med temi oblikami je pomembno, saj so zgodnji zapleti navadno reverzibilni, pozni pa se večinoma ne popravijo. Incidenco neželenih učinkov radioterapije na možgane je težko oceniti. Razlogi za to so v različnih opredelitvah in metodoloških razlikah v raziskavah ter v klinični sliki, ki se pogosto prekriva z napredovanjem osnovne maligne bolezni. Med mehanizmi radiacijske okvare možganov je v ospredju okvara celic glije in možganskih endotelijskih celic. Za radiacijsko okvaro je zlasti občutljiv hipokampus. Obseg okvare možganov je odvisen od številnih dejavnikov. Dodatna sistemska ali intratekalna kemoterapija pomembno poveča nevrotoksičnost. Diagnosticiranje neželenih učinkov radioterapije na možgane je težavno, saj je časovni interval med radioterapijo in pojavom nevroloških simptomov precej variabilen, klinična slika pa lahko posnema metastatsko, paraneoplastično ali drugo nevrološko bolezen. Zavedati se je treba, da klinično sliko lahko pripišemo neželenim učinkom radioterapije na možgane šele po izključitvi drugih vzrokov. V članku opisujeva različne klinične oblike neposredne in posredne radiacijske okvare možganov. Pri akutni encefalopatiji ima pomembno vlogo okvara krvno-možganske pregrade. Pri zgodnji odloženi encefalopatiji je pomembna demielinizacija, pri pozni odloženi encefalopatiji pa radiacijska nekroza. O kognitivnem upadu kot posledici radioterapije so mnenja še vedno deljena