The influence of treated oleo-chemical wastewater applications on the metal speciation forms in soils

This paper presents a developed method of pretreating wastewaters coming from small-tonnage oleo-chemical production and also the research results on the variability of concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in the soil irrigated and fertilized with wastewater from this production. The processing wastewater pretreatment was carried out at two stages. The first stage eliminated fatty substances by using dispersed air flotation aided with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizer. The second stage included coagulation and chemical precipitation with milk of lime, flocculation, final dissolved air flotation (DAF), and also oxidation with hydrogen peroxide. Field experiments, the aim of which was to compare variability levels for speciation fractions of heavy metals, were carried out according to Tessier's method for four years. The study revealed that the average concentrations of the given metals fractions in soil samples where raw wastewaters were directed did not significantly change during the experiment, which clearly justifies the need for their physical–chemical pretreatment and further agro-utilization without the risk of soil environment degradation. The successive decrease of exchangeable fraction, the increase in the content of the fraction bound with carbonate forms, and stability of the fraction bound with hydrated iron and manganese oxides as well as organic and residual fractions were found in soil samples treated with pretreated wastewaters

Fetal activin A in labor complicated by meconium-stained amniotic fluid

Objective: During pregnancy the placenta and the fetal membranes are the main sources of activin A. An increased level of activin A has been found in the serum of women with preeclampsia, diabetes mellitus and intrauterine growth restriction. Meconium is the predictor for adverse perinatal outcome, such as meconium aspiration syndrome or brain damage. The aim of our study was to evaluate the levels of fetal activin A in labors complicated by meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Material and methods: Cord blood samples were collected from 65 full-term neonates from single pregnancies. In each case, the hematological parameters of cord blood and activin A (ELISA – Oxford Bio-Innovation Activin A Assay Kit) were assessed. Results: There were no significant differences in the concentration of activin A in cord blood between the group with and the group without meconium-stained amniotic fluid. The mean count of nucleated erythrocytes and white blood cells as well as the percentage of reticulocytes was significantly higher in the meconium group. There were no significant differences between concentration of fetal activin A in a vaginal delivery (0,58±0,38ng/ml) and cesarean section after labor (0,44 ±0,32ng/ml) or elective cesarean section (0,62±0,47ng/ml) groups. There were also no correlations between the levels of activin A and the parameters of fetal acid base status or cord blood hematological values. Conclusions: Fetal activin A has a limited significance for diagnosing fetal hypoxia in labors complicated by meconium-stained amniotic fluid. There were no correlations between the parameters of fetal acid base status and fetal activin A. The levels of fetal activin A do not depend on the mode of the delivery. Meconium-stained amniotic fluid resulted in significant changes of the hematological variables in cord blood

Research on physico-chemical pretreatment of wastewater from the production of wood coating materials

This paper presents the results of the research conducted on the installation designed for physico-chemical pretreatment of technological wastewater in the volume of up to 5.0 m3/day discharged from the production of protective and decorative coating materials used for wooden surfaces. The subject-matter installation constructed on a mobile pallet, consisted of a storage-averaging tank where concentrations were equalised with the use of circulation aeration and mixing. A variant, preliminary pre-oxidation with the use of hydrogen peroxide was conducted in this tank. A substantial installation set for the wastewater treatment plant consisted of two preliminary tube reactors, one cylindrical-conical processing reactor, stations for preparing and dispensing reagents and the sediment dewatering station. Considerable reductions in main chemical indicators of water pollution were obtained in the installation: both total suspended solids (TSS) and ether extract (EE) - more than 98%, chemical oxygen demand (COD) - 46-54%, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) - 39-46%, and free formaldehyde (HCHO) - 14-27% due to the use of pre-oxidation and the acid - alkaine double coagulation by applying the ALCAT 105 - SAX 25 system. The use of pre-oxidation with hydrogen peroxide in doses 250.0-450.0 mg/l and then two-stage coagulation resulted in an increase in the reduction of: COD and BOD5 by ca 10-15%, and HCHO by ca 58-66% with reference to the water pretreatment without pre-oxidation. The assessment of sediments formed during the process of pretreatment was made determining the leachable forms of metals (Cu, Ni and Ti) according to methodology of TCLP in compliance with the US EPA Method 1311

Biogas Upgrading Using a Single-Membrane System: A Review

In recent years, the use of biogas as a natural gas substitute has gained great attention. Typically, in addition to methane (CH4), biogas contains carbon dioxide (CO2), as well as small amounts of impurities, e.g., hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). One of the latest trends in biogas purification is the application of membrane processes. However, literature reports are ambiguous regarding the specific requirement for biogas pretreatment prior to its upgrading using membranes. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to comprehensively examine and discuss the most recent achievements in the use of single-membrane separation units for biogas upgrading. Performing a literature review allowed to indicate that, in recent years, considerable progress has been made on the use of polymeric membranes for this purpose. For instance, it has been documented that the application of thin-film composite (TFC) membranes with a swollen polyamide (PA) layer ensures the successful upgrading of raw biogas and eliminates the need for its pretreatment. The importance of the performed literature review is the inference drawn that biogas enrichment performed in a single step allows to obtain upgraded biogas that could be employed for household uses. Nevertheless, this solution may not be sufficient for obtaining high-purity gas at high recovery efficiency. Hence, in order to obtain biogas that could be used for applications designed for natural gas, a membrane cascade may be required. Moreover, it has been documented that a significant number of experimental studies have been focused on the upgrading of synthetic biogas; meanwhile, the data on the raw biogas are very limited. In addition, it has been noted that, although ceramic membranes demonstrate several advantages, experimental studies on their applications in single-membrane systems have been neglected. Summarizing the literature data, it can be concluded that, in order to thoroughly evaluate the presented issue, the long-term experimental studies on the upgrading of raw biogas with the use of polymeric and ceramic membranes in pilot-scale systems are required. The presented literature review has practical implications as it would be beneficial in supporting the development of membrane processes used for biogas upgrading

Ibrutinib in the Treatment of Solid Tumors: Current State of Knowledge and Future Directions

Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) is considered crucial in the activation and survival of both physiological and malignant B-cells. In recent years, ibrutinib, an oral BTK inhibitor, became a breakthrough therapy for hematological malignancies, such as chronic lymphocytic. However, ibrutinib’s feasibility might not end there. Several other kinases with established involvement with solid malignancies (i.e., EGFR, HER2) have been found to be inhibited by this agent. Recent discoveries indicate that BTK is a potential anti-solid tumor therapy target. Consequently, ibrutinib, a BTK-inhibitor, has been studied as a therapeutic option in solid malignancies. While most preclinical studies indicate ibrutinib to be an effective therapeutic option in some specific indications, such as NSCLC and breast cancer, clinical trials contradict these observations. Nevertheless, while ibrutinib failed as a monotherapy, it might become an interesting part of a multidrug regime: not only has a synergism between ibrutinib and other compounds, such as trametinib or dactolisib, been observed in vitro, but this BTK inhibitor has also been established as a radio- and chemosensitizer. This review aims to describe the milestones in translating BTK inhibitors to solid tumors in order to understand the future potential of this agent better

Dietary Supplements in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A New Hope?

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the main and most prevalent side effects of chemotherapy, significantly affecting the quality of life of patients and the course of chemotherapeutic treatment. Nevertheless, despite its prevalence, the management of the CIPN is considered particularly challenging, with this condition often being perceived as very difficult or even impossible to prevent with currently available agents. Therefore, it is imperative to find better options for patients diagnosed with this condition. While the search for the new agents must continue, another opportunity should be taken into consideration—repurposing of the already known medications. As proposed, acetyl-L-carnitine, vitamins (group B and E), extracts of medical plants, including goshajinkigan, curcumin and others, unsaturated fatty acids, as well as the diet composed of so-called “sirtuin-activating foods”, could change the typical way of treatment of CIPN, improve the quality of life of patients and maintain the continuity of chemotherapy. This review summarizes currently available data regarding mentioned above agents and evaluates the rationale behind future research focused on their efficacy in CIPN

Management of hepatocellular carcinoma with novel immunotherapeutic agents and prospects for the future

The most frequent type of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although HCC is not the most frequent cancer, it is characterized by high mortality – the 5-year survival rate is 6,9%. In recent decades there was only one molecule available in treatment (sorafenib). However, in the past few years there have been advances in treatment. Nowadays, new generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, check point inhibitors and anti-angiogenesis drugs are available. All those studies were analyzed outcome in context of monotherapy or combined therapies. In this review we made an attempt to com­pare results from different studies. Even though, many studies are undergoing final stages of clinical trials, it seems that combined therapies should be the next step in treatment advances

Management of hepatocellular carcinoma with novel immunotherapeutic agents and prospects for the future

The most frequent type of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although HCC is not the most frequent cancer, it is characterized by high mortality – the 5-year survival rate is 6,9%. In recent decades there was only one molecule available in treatment (sorafenib). However, in the past few years there have been advances in treatment. Nowadays, new generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, check point inhibitors and anti-angiogenesis drugs are available. All those studies were analyzed outcome in context of monotherapy or combined therapies. In this review we made an attempt to com­pare results from different studies. Even though, many studies are undergoing final stages of clinical trials, it seems that combined therapies should be the next step in treatment advances