Stability assessment of sulphur (II) compounds in medicinal water from B-8b Michał intake in Busko-Zdrój

In this paper, the stability of sulphur (II) compounds determined as the sum of hydrogen sulphide, hydrosulphides and sulphides was evaluated in groundwater sourced from the B-8b Michał intake. Sulphide waters are a valuable raw material used as a basis for spa treatment in Busko-Zdrój. Based on the chemical composition analyses conducted in the years 1946–2018, a general analysis of random variability and statistical analysis of data was performed using PS IMAGO 5.0.1 software. Stability assessment was carried out on the data set for the 2009–2018 period on the basis of individual measurement control charts. Trend analysis was also performed using the GWSDAT software

A probabilistic approach to assessment of the quality of drinking water

Knowledge of uncertainty in analytical results is of prime importance in assessments of compliance with requirements set out for the quality of water intended for human consumption. Assessments of drinking water quality can be performed using either a deterministic or a probabilistic method. In the former approach, every single result is referred directly to the parametric value, while in the probabilistic method uncertainty related to analytical results is taken into account during the decision-making process. In the present research, laboratory uncertainty and uncertainty determined on the basis of results of analyses of duplicate samples collected in two Polish cities were compared and used in the probabilistic approach of water quality assessment. Using the probabilistic method, more results were considered to be “above the parametric value”. Most excesses were observed when the maximum allowable uncertainty as set out in the Regulation of the Minister of Health of 7 December 2017 was used, which is due to the highest values of these uncertainties. The lowest values above parametric values in the probabilistic approach were observed when measurement uncertainty was considered

Methodological aspects concerning sampling and determination of total selenium and selenium species in geothermal waters

The work presents the results of geothermal water sample analysis with respect to the determination of total selenium concentration. For this purpose, geothermal water (GT) samples were collected from three different intakes (GT-1, GT-2, GT-3) with similar temperatures of about 85ºC. Tests were carried out to see if the methodology of sample preparation influenced total selenium concentration during analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Samples (raw and filtered) were preserved with nitric acid (HNO3) and mineralised in the laboratory. From the data obtained it was found that there is no significant difference between total selenium concentration in raw and filtered samples. Following mineralisation, the concentrations in the samples were below the limit of detection or limit of quantification. While different analytical steps or procedures are applied, the results of total selenium concentration can vary. Furthermore, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ICP-MS was used for the identification of selenium species. The results revealed that hexavalent selenium – Se(VI) – in the geothermal water was found only in samples collected from the GT-2 and GT-3 intakes

Bundists and the issue of emigration from Poland after the Second World War

The main objective of this paper is to present a change in the attitudes among Bundists towards emigration in the post-war Poland. The program of the Jewish Labour Bund throughout its existence was based on three pillars: here-ness (doykayt), family-ness (mishpokhedikayt), and Jewish-ness (Yiddishkayt). After the Second World War some of them lost their significance. Many Jews, including Bundists, saw their future outside Poland. In the article I will show different attitudes of the members of the Bund towards emigration, as well as the reasons behind their choices: either to stay in Poland or to leave the country

Effect of ethanolamine oleate and polidocanol on the respiratory function and blood count in patients treated with esophageal variceal sclerotherapy

Wstęp: Celem pracy było przeprowadzenie analizy wymiany gazowej w płucach po skleroterapii żylaków przełyku z zastosowaniem roztworu 5% etanolaminy (EO) i 3% polidokanolu (PK) oraz ustalenie wpływu enoksaparyny (Enox) na zmiany gazometryczne w płucach i morfologię krwi oraz obraz radiologiczny płuc u chorych po skleroterapii (ST) z zastosowaniem 5% EO. Ponadto celem pracy była ocena zmian w badaniu morfologicznym krwi i obrazie radiologicznym płuc po ST lub podwiązaniu żylaków przełyku (PŻP) oraz określenie rodzaju i częstości powikłań po zabiegach. Materiał i metody: Badania przeprowadzono w 4 grupach, o liczebności 30 chorych w każdej grupie: grupa I (EO) — ST z 5% EO, grupa II (PK) — ST z 3% PK, grupa III (EO + Enox) — przed zabiegiem ST z 5% EO wstrzykiwano podskórnie enoksaparynę, grupa IV (PŻP) — PŻP. Wykonano badania gazometryczne krwi tętniczej i żylnej przed oraz w 1., 5., 15., 30., 60. i 120. minucie po zabiegu: pO2, pCO2, pH, satO2. Przed zabiegiem, w 90 minut i 24 godziny po oznaczano: hematokryt (Ht), hemoglobinę (Hb), liczbę krwinek czerwonych (RBC), białych (WBC) i płytek krwi (Plt). Badania radiologiczne płuc wykonywano przed i 48 go-dzin po zabiegu. Wyniki: Wyniki badań gazometrycznych krwi tętniczej: paO2 — w grupie I i II stwierdzono znamienny spadek, a w III i IV wartości nie wykazywały istotnych zmian; paCO2 — w grupie I w III obniżyło się i wzrosło, w II wzrosło, a w IV obserwowano obniżenie; pHa — w grupie I i w III stwierdzono wzrost, w II wzrost i spadek, a w IV nie stwierdzono zmian; sataO2 — w grupie I i II obniżenie, w III i IV wartości nie wykazywały istotnych zmian. Wyniki badań gazometrycznych krwi żylnej: pvO2 — w grupie I i II wartości nie wykazywały istotnych zmian, w III i IV nastąpił wzrost; pvCO2 — w grupie I stwierdzono wzrost, w II i IV spadek, w grupie III spadek i wzrost; pHv — w grupie I, II i III stwierdzono wzrost, a w IV wartości nie wykazywały istotnych zmian; satvO2 — w grupie I spadek, w II, III i IV wzrost. Składniki morfologiczne: wartości Ht, Hb, RBC, WBC, Plt obniżyły się znamiennie w 90. minucie po zabiegu we wszystkich grupach. Po 24 godzinach zmiany cech morfologii nie wykazywały statystycznie istotnych różnic w porównaniu z wartościami wyjściowymi. Zmiany radiologiczne płuc: odczyn opłucnowy stwierdzono u 4 chorych w grupie I, u 6 w II, u 3 w III i u 3 w IV. Zmiany zapalne stwierdzono u 2 chorych w grupie I, u 2 w II, u jednego w III i w IV. Wnioski: 1. Zabiegi ST żylaków przełyku z zastosowaniem 5% EO i 3% PK wywołują zaburzenia gazometryczne we krwi tętniczej i żylnej, objawiające się obniżeniem pO2 i satO2 oraz zwiększeniem pCO2 i pH. 2. Zaburzenia wymiany gazowej w płucach są przejściowe i nie wywołują żadnych objawów klinicznych u leczonych chorych. 3. Wstrzyknięcie enoksaparyny przed zabiegiem ST, z użyciem 5% EO, zapobiega rozwojowi obserwowanych zmian w gazometrii. 4. Wartości składników morfologicznych krwi obniżyły się w 90. minucie po zabiegu ST i PŻP i nie powodowały zmian w stanie klinicznym u chorych. 5. Zabiegi ST z użyciem 5% EO i 3% PK wywołują zmiany radiologiczne w płucach, objawiające się wysiękowym zapaleniem opłucnej i zmianami niedodmowo-zapalnymi. 6. Obserwowane po zabiegach ST objawy, takie jak bóle zamostkowe, stany podgorączkowe, przejściowa gorączka i nudności zalicza się raczej do objawów towarzyszących ST niż do rzeczywistych powikłań. J. Transf. Med. 2011; 2: 82–98Background: The aim of the study was to perform the analysis of gasometric exchange in lungs following esophageal variceal sclerotherapy with 5% EO and 3% PC, determine the effect of enoxaparin on the gasometric changes in the lungs, on blood count as well as on the radiological image of the lungs in patients treated with 5% EO, evaluate the changes in the blood count and the radiological image of the lungs after ST and EVL and determine the type and frequency of complications following sclerotherapy procedure. Material and methods: The study was conducted in four groups of 30 patients each: group I (EO) — ST with 5% EO, group II (PC) — ST with 3% PC, group III (EO + Enox) — endoxaparin was injected subcutaneously prior to ST with 5% EO and group IV (EVL) — EVL. Gasometric investigations of arterial and venous blood (pO2, pCO2 pH, satO2 ) were performed prior to each procedure as well as 1, 5, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min after. The following parameters were determined prior to procedure, in the 90 min and 24 hours after procedure; Ht, Hb, RBC, WBC, platelet count. Radiological examinations of the chest were performed prior to and 48 hours after procedure. Results: Results for arterial blood: paO2, decrease was statistically significant in group I and II but the changes in group III and IV were not; paCO2 decreased to increase in groups I and III, increased in group II and decreased in group IV; pHa — increased in groups I and III, increased to decrease in goup II and no changes were observed in group IV; sataO2 decreased in groups I and II, and no significant changes were observed in groups III and IV. Results for venous blood: pvO2, values showed no significant changes in groups I and II but an increase was observed in groups III and IV; pvCO2 increased in group I, decreased in group II and IV and decreased to increase in group III; pHv — values increased in group I , II and III and no changes were observed in group IV; satvO2 — decreased in groups I and increased in groups II, III and IV. Blood parameters (Ht, Hb, RBC, WBC, platelet count) significantly decreased in 90. min following procedure in all four groups. After 24 h no statistically significant changes in blood parameters were observed as compared to initial values. Radiological changes in the lungs — pleural reactions were observed in 4 patients from group I, in 6 from II, in 3 from III and 3 from IV. Inflammatory reactions were reported in 2 patients from group I, in 2 from II, in one from III and IV. Conclusions: 1. Esophageal variceal sclerotherapy with 5% EO and 3% PC causes gasometric changes in arterial and venous blood manifested as decrease of pO2 and SatO2 as well as increase of pCO2 and pH. 2. Disturbances of gasometric exchange in lungs are transient and cause no clinical symptoms. 3. Injections of enoxaparin prior to ST with 5% EO prevent such changes in gasometric parameters. 4. Blood count increased in 90 minutes after ST and EVL with no changes in clinical state of patients. 5. ST with 5% EO and 3% PC is the cause of radiological changes in the lungs manifested as exudative pleuritis and atelectatic changes. 6. Symptoms observed after ST such as retrosternal pain, subfebrile body temperature, transient fever and nausea, are regarded rather as ST-associated symptoms than real complications. J. Transf. Med. 2011; 2: 82–9

Gospodarowanie opakowaniami zwrotnymi – analiza przypadku

The paper presents results of research conducted in a manufacturing company for the process of sending and receiving of returnable packaging.The study focused on analyzing the causes of problems with the returnable packaging in the examined enterprise. Pallets are among the most commonly used returnable packaging in manufacturing companies and the circulation in these packages belongs to crucial elements of functioning of the depository management. In the examined enterprise was observed an insufficient control of losses in states of palettes what caused the cost increase involving the more frequent receipt of palettes from customers as well as cases of suspending of production. Authors presented recommendations concerning implementing the monitoring system of the state of palettes and designation of alert level, which should significantly improve the effectiveness of functioning of the examined enterprise

Deterministic and probabilistic approaches to the denomination of the hydrochemical type of potentially medicinal groundwater from the “Zdrój Główny” intake (Krzeszowice, Poland)

The analysis and quality control of potentially curative water in Krzeszowice (Lesser Poland Region, Poland) has been carried out since 2002. The analyses are performed in the certified Hydrogeochemical Laboratory of the AGH University of Science and Technology and the laboratory of Provincial Environmental Protection Inspectorate in Krakow. The main purpose of this paper was to confirm the denomination of the hydrochemical type of water taken from “Zdroj Głowny” both for major ions and sulphur(II) compounds concentration which are specific components and assign curative properties to the examined water. On the basis of statistical analysis, it was stated that the concentrations of SO4, Ca, Mg, HCO3 and sulphur(II) compounds can be regarded as stable. Different methods of hydrochemical type determination lead to various classifications of groundwater. In the deterministic method and the probabilistic method with use of expanded uncertainty, the hydrochemical type of the examined water is SO4-Ca-Mg, S. In the probabilistic method where the standard deviation was taken into account, fewer components were in the hydrochemical type (SO4-Ca)-sulphur(II) compounds did not exceed the threshold value of 1 mg/L and, in this situation, the water cannot be regarded as potentially curative

Human Health Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in Tap Waterand the Factors Influencing Its Value

(1) Background: The influence of tap water fittings construction and internal pipe-work on the release of heavy metals was investigated. (2) Methods: A statistical approach was applied for the examination of the chemistry of tap water in five different cities in southern Poland. In total, 500 samples were collected (from 100 to 101 samples in each city). The sampling protocol included information on the construction of the water supply network and the physicochemical parameters of measured tap water. (3) Results: The statistical analysis allowed to extract the crucial factors that affect the concentrations of trace elements in tap water. Age of connection, age of tap, age of pipe-work as well as material of connection, material of pipe-work and material of appliance reveal the most significant variability of concentrations observed for As, Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn. Calculated cancer risks (CRs) decrease with the following order of analysed elements Ni > Cd > Cr > As = Pb and can be associated with the factors that affect the appearance of such elements in tap water. The hazard index (HI) was evaluated as negligible in 59.1% of the sampling points and low in 40.1% for adults. For children, a high risk was observed in 0.2%, medium in 9.0%, negligible in 0.4%, and low for the rest of the analysed samples

Treatment Considerations for Mandibulectomy Patients

Prosthetic rehabilitation of patients after resection of the mandible due to operation of malignant tumors usually poses a great problem. Loss of tissues and damage caused by radiotherapy cause various functional deficiencies and dysfunction in the stomatognathic system. The study concerned treatment of a group of mandibulectomy patients with problems related mainly to restoration of jaw relationship, lack of occlusion and dysfunctions. In the escamined cases immediate or delayed reconstructive surgery had been completed before prosthetics to treat mandibular discontinuity defects. Unfortunately, many of the patients exibit lack of occlusion, mandibular deviations and torque due to incorrect muscle activity. Prosthetic management was part of a multidisciplinary approach to the problem. Treatment included myotherapy, gradual occlusal rearrangement with the use of therapeutic and corrective splints, special appliances and prostheses with leading inclined planes and guiding surfaces. The degree of success was related to the location and extent of the mandibular resection, the shape of the bone transplants and presence or absence of natural teeth. The aims of treatment realised were the restoration of acceptable occlusion and improved functional efficiency of the masticatory system