Non-woven polypropylene fabric modified with carbon nanotubes and decorated with nanoakaganeite for arsenite removal

Due to its harmful impact on human health, the presence of heavy metals, metalloids and other toxic pollutants in drinking or irrigation water is a major concern. Recent studies have proved that nanosized adsorbents are significantly more effective than their microsized counterparts. Particular attention has been given to nanocomposites with nanoadsorbents embedded in matrixes that could provide stability to the material and contribute to eliminating problems that may appear when using conventional granular systems. This study presents the preparation of a novel hybrid filter from a commercially available polypropylene (PP) non-woven fabric matrix modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and iron oxy(hydroxide) nanoparticles, and its use in the removal of As(III). A Box–Behnken statistical experimental design has been chosen to explore relevant variables affecting the filter performance: (1) As(III) concentration, (2) pH and (3) sorbent dose. From an As(III) concentration of 10 mg L−1, at pH 6.5 and with a sorbent dose of 5 g L−1, the PP filter modified with MWCNT removes 10% of the initial metalloid concentration, reaching a capacity of 0.27 mg g−1. After modification with iron oxy(hydroxide), the performance of the material is largely enhanced. The filter, under the same conditions, removes 90% of the initial As(III) concentration, reaching a capacity almost tenfold higher (2.54 mg g−1). This work demonstrates that the developed hybrid filter is effective toward the removal of As(III) in a wide range of pHs. A cubic regression model to compute the removal of the filter as a function of pH and sorbent dose is provided.acceptedVersio

Extra- and intracerebral course of the recurrent artery of Heubner

Background: The aim of the current study was to analyse the extra- and intracerebral course of the recurrent artery of Heubner (RAH) to provide detailed information for neurosurgeons operating in this area.Materials and methods: The material for this study was obtained from cadavers (ages 31–75 years) during routine autopsies. A total of 70 human brains (39 male and 31 female) were examined. The material was collected not later than 48 h post-mortem. People who died due to neurological disorders were not includedinto the study. Right after dissection the arteries were perfused with either acrylicpaint emulsion, polyvinyl chloride or Mercox CL-2R resin, through the Circle ofWillis or electively through the RAH. The obtained material was analysed usinga stereoscopic light microscope, magnification 2–40´.Results: The RAH was present in 138 hemispheres with a mean of 1.99 RAH per hemisphere (275 RAH in total). The mean RAH length was 25.2 mm and the mean RAH diameter, in its place of origin, was 1 mm. In 168 (61%) cases the RAH ran superiorly, in 88 (32%) cases anteriorly, in 11 (4%) cases inferiorly and in 8 (3%) cases posteriorlyto the A1 segment. In 70.2% of the cases the course of the RAH was parallel to theanterior communicating artery A1 segment, and in 29.8% of the cases the RAH archedtowards the olfactory tract. As the extracerebral course of the RAH was always tortuous,its length was 1 to 5 times the distance between its place of origin and the most lateralpoint of anterior perforated substance (APS) penetration. The intracerebral course ofthe RAH was almost always univectorial — towards the head of the caudate nucleus.The course of RAH branches depended on their number. When the number of RAH sand their branches was low, they separated immediately after penetrating the APS andformed multiple small branches. When the number of RAHs and branches was high,post-APS branching was less frequent and occurred in distal segments.Conclusions: The origin and course of the RAH is highly variable. The RAH, in itsextra- and intracerebral course, may join with the middle group of the lenticulostriatearteries or directly with the middle cerebral artery. This artery should beroutinely identified during anterior communicating artery aneurysm clipping toprevent postoperative neurological deficits

The presence of B7-H4+ macrophages and CD25+CD4+ and FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in the microenvironment of nasal polyps - a preliminary report.

The nasal polyp (NP) seems to represent the end-stage of longstanding inflammation in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. The aim of our study has been to evaluate the presence of two regulatory cell populations in the microenvironment of NP: CD4+CD25high Foxp3+ (Treg) cells and B7-H4-expressing macrophages. Treg cells are actively able to inhibit T lymphocytes, while the population of B7-H4-expressing macrophages has recently been described as characterized by a regulatory function similar to that of Treg cells. For our study, we evaluated 14 NP tissue samples. The samples were divided into two main groups, eosinophilic (NP) and lymphocytic (NP), according to the predominant type of immune cell infiltration. The presence of Treg cells and B7-H4 positive macrophages in the samples was analyzed by FACS. Treg cells and B7-H4-expressing macrophages were identified in all the examined nasal polyps. The percentages of both Treg cells and of B7H4 positive cells found in the eosinophilic nasal polyps were higher than those found in the lymphocytic nasal polyps. Treg cells and B7H4+ macrophage subpopulations were present in the NP microenvironment and the alterations in their percentages were related to a distinct pattern of immune cell infiltration

Sex determination based on the analysis of a contemporary Polish population’s palatine bones: a computed tomography study of 1,200 patients

Background: The aims of the present study were to assess whether the hard palate reveals any measurable sex-related differences, and to create a mathematical model which would differentiate between males and females using hard palate measurements alone. Materials and methods: The present study was conducted on 1,200 archived sinus computed tomography (CT) scans. Each cranial measurement was taken twice by the same observer, and in cases of any discrepancies, the mean of the two values was recorded. Twenty per cent of randomly chosen samples were re-measured by an observer who did not partake in assessing the samples the first time. Logistic regression was used to derivate two mathematical formulas which would calculate the probability of a skull being male. Results: The studied group comprised 1,200 head CT’s (627 female; 52.3%). The mean age of the group was 43.5 ± 17.4 years — no age difference between sexes was noted (p = 0.37). All of the performed measurements were significantly (p < 0.0001) larger in males than in females. The mathematical formula based on the “orale-spina nasalis posterior” (O-SNP) distance alone had a reliability rate of 68.35%. The equation based on the depth of the right greater palatine canal (GPC), the O-SNP distance and the anterior width of the palatal arch (AWPA) had a reliability rate of 78.37%. Conclusions: The most prominent sexually dimorphic parameters were the O-SNP, the GPC depth and the AWPA. The mathematical models presented in the current study can be used to successfully distinguish between sexes during forensic examination.

COST 733 - WG4: Applications of weather type classification

The main objective of the COST Action 733 is to achieve a general numerical method for assessing, comparing and classifying typical weather situations in the European regions. To accomplish this goal, different workgroups are established, each with their specific aims: WG1: Existing methods and applications (finished); WG2: Implementation and development of weather types classification methods; WG3: Comparison of selected weather types classifications; WG4: Testing methods for various applications. The main task of Workgroup 4 (WG4) in COST 733 implies the testing of the selected weather type methods for various classifications. In more detail, WG4 focuses on the following topics:• Selection of dedicated applications (using results from WG1), • Performance of the selected applications using available weather types provided by WG2, • Intercomparison of the application results as a results of different methods • Final assessment of the results and uncertainties, • Presentation and release of results to the other WGs and external interested • Recommend specifications for a new (common) method WG2 Introduction In order to address these specific aims, various applications are selected and WG4 is divided in subgroups accordingly: 1.Air quality 2. Hydrology (& Climatological mapping) 3. Forest fires 4. Climate change and variability 5. Risks and hazards Simultaneously, the special attention is paid to the several wide topics concerning some other COST Actions such as: phenology (COST725), biometeorology (COST730), agriculture (COST 734) and mesoscale modelling and air pollution (COST728). Sub-groups are established to find advantages and disadvantages of different classification methods for different applications. Focus is given to data requirements, spatial and temporal scale, domain area, specifi

Increased nitric oxide availability attenuates high fat diet metabolic alterations and gene expression associated with insulin resistance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High fat diet impairs nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, and induces insulin resistance. The link between NO availability and the metabolic adaptation to a high fat diet is not well characterized. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high fat diet on metabolism in mice with decreased (eNOS-/-) and increased (DDAH overexpressed) NO bioavailability.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>eNOS-/- (n = 16), DDAH (n = 24), and WT (n = 19) mice were fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 13 weeks. Body weight, biochemical parameters, adipokines and insulin were monitored. The matrigel <it>in vivo </it>model with CD31 immunostaining was used to assess angiogenesis.</p> <p>Gene expression in adipose tissues was analyzed by microarray and Real Time PCR. Comparisons of the mean values were made using the unpaired Student t test and p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>eNOS-/- mice gained less weight than control WT and DDAH mice. In DDAH mice, a greater increase in serum adiponectin and a lesser increment in glucose level was observed. Fasting insulin and cholesterol levels remained unchanged. The angiogenic response was increased in DDAH mice. In adipose tissue of DDAH mice, genes characteristic of differentiated adipocytes were down-regulated, whereas in eNOS-/- mice, genes associated with adipogenesis, fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis were upregulated.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicate that increased NO availability attenuates some HFD induced alterations in metabolism and gene expression associated with insulin resistance.</p

The Polish adaptation of the CAMbridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review (CAMPHOR)

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) results in severely impaired quality of life (QoL) in people with this condition. The CAMbridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review (CAMPHOR) is the only questionnaire providing a disease-specific measurement of symptoms, functioning and QoL in PH patients. It has already been adapted for use in several countries. The aim of this study was to adapt and validate CAMPHOR for the Polish-speaking population.Methods: Two panels (bilingual and lay) were conducted to translate CAMPHOR into Polish. This new version was then tested by cognitive debriefing interviews with 15 patients. Finally, a postal validation survey was conducted with 56 patients on two occasions 2 weeks apart to assess its psychometric properties.Results: No problems were experienced in producing a Polish translation of CAMPHOR. Interviewees responded well to the Polish CAMPHOR, finding it relevant, comprehensible and easy to complete. For all three CAMPHOR scales (Symptoms, Activity, QoL), The Cronbach alpha coefficients were above 0.8 at both time points, indicating high internal consistency. Test-retest reliability for the three scales achieved a value above 0.80. Predicted correlations with the Nottingham Health Profile provided evidence of the construct validity of CAMPHOR scales. The Polish CAMPHOR could distinguish between patients who differed according to their perceived general health and perceived disease severity. No significant differences in scores were found between participants grouped by gender or age.Conclusions: The Polish version of CAMPHOR demonstrated good psychometric properties and is recommended for use in clinical practice