THE INFLUENCE OF FERTILIZATION WITH SEWAGE SLUDGE AND BIOSOLIDS ON HEAVY METAL CONTENT IN WHITE MUSTARD SEEDS

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of fertilization with sewage sludge and biosolids on heavy metal content in white mustard (Sinapis alba) seeds. The study was conducted in 2012 on experimental plots in the State Higher Vocational School in Suwałki. Each research area was divided into 3 blocks 18 m2 each, constituting repetitions. The test areas were fertilized with three different fertilization variants with sewage sludge biosolids: K1-sewage sludge, K2-sludge subjected to a process of composting with a three-month compost organic waste and K3-sludge subjected to the composting process with a three-month compost organic waste from the biological preparation Trigger-4. The samples of sewage sludge were collected for the analysis and one determined its basic physical, chemical, microbiological and parasitological properties, in accordance with the requirements of the Decree of the Minister of the Environment of July 13th 2010 on municipal sewage sludge (Journal of Laws of 2010 No 137 item. 924). Based on these results, it was found that the cadmium concentrations in the seeds mustard ranged from 0.2 mg/kg s.m. on plots with the variant K3 to 0.93 mg/kg s.m. in the variant K1. On the other hand, lead content ranged from 0.3 to 4.25 mg/kg s.m. which shows that none of the analyzed samples met the standards for lead and cadmium contained in the Decree of the Minister of Health of January 13th 2003. The statistical analysis indicated that the concentrations of Cd in mustard seed was significantly correlated with the concentrations of Ni and Zn (respectively, r=-0.89 and r=-0.54). There were significant positive correlations between soil pH and metal concentrations in the seeds of mustard. The pH was significantly correlated with Ni (r = 0.60) and Zn (r = 0.55) at a p≤ 0.05

Chlorpyrifos Occurrence and Toxicological Risk Assessment: A Review

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) was the most frequently used pesticide in food production in the European Union (EU) until 2020. Unfortunately, this compound is still being applied in other parts of the world. National monitoring of pesticides conducted in various countries indicates the presence of CPF in soil, food, and water, which may have toxic effects on consumers, farmers, and animal health. In addition, CPF may influence changes in the population of fungi, bacteria, and actinomycete in soil and can inhibit nitrogen mineralization. The mechanisms of CPF activity are based on the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. This compound also exhibits reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and genotoxicity. The problem seems to be the discrepancy between the actual observations and the final conclusions drawn for the substance’s approval in reports presenting the toxic impact of CPF on human health. Therefore, this influence is still a current and important issue that requires continuous monitoring despite its withdrawal from the market in the EU. This review traces the scientific reports describing the effects of CPF resulting in changes occurring in both the environment and at the cellular and tissue level in humans and animals. It also provides an insight into the hazards and risks to human health in food consumer products in which CPF has been detected

Spectroscopic, Theoretical and Antioxidant Study of 3d-Transition Metals (Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)) Complexes with Cichoric Acid

Cichoric acid (CA) is a derivative of both caffeic acid and tartaric acid. It was isolated for the first time from Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) but it also occurs in significant amounts in Echinacea, particularly E. purpurea, dandelion leaves, basil, lemon balm and in aquatic plants, including algae and sea grasses. It has a wide spectrum of biological properties, including antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and other. The work yielded cichoric acid complexes with selected transition metals, i.e., copper(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and cobalt(II). In this work the dependency between the molecular structure and biological activity was discussed. The molecular structure was studied by means of infrared spectroscopy (Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) Raman (FT-Raman)), electronic absorption spectroscopy (ultraviolet–visible (UV/VIS)) and theoretical calculations (density functional theory (DFT), Hartree–Fock (HF)). Understanding the mechanism of the effect of metals on the electronic system of ligands with biological importance will facilitate in the future the search for new, effective and natural antioxidants. The composition of the studied complexes in aqueous solutions was determined at a constant pH by the Job’s method. Antioxidative properties of the tested compounds were determined using the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate free radical method), cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and Superoxide Dismutase Activity Assay (SOD)

Evaluation of knowledge abort Act on the Professions of Nurse and Midwife by nursing and midwifery students, nurses and midwifes

Wstęp. Znajomość powszechnie obowiązujących przepisów dotyczących zawodów pielęgniarki i położnej ma istotne znaczenie zarówno dla studentek pielęgniarstwa i położnictwa, jak i czynnych zawodowo pielęgniarek. Cel pracy. Analiza wyników znajomości ustawy z dnia 15 lipca 1996 roku o zawodach pielęgniarki i położnej (Dz.U. z 1996 r. nr 91, poz. 410) przez studentów pielęgniarstwa i położnictwa studiów licencjackich oraz pielęgniarki studiujące na magisterskich studiach uzupełniających i czynne zawodowo położne. Materiał i metody. Badania przeprowadzono wśród 129 studentów kierunku pielęgniarstwo, położnictwo oraz czynnych zawodowo pielęgniarek i położnych. W badaniach zastosowano autorski kwestionariusz składający się z części ogólnej oraz zasadniczej. Wyniki. Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników stwierdzono między innymi, że większość respondentów słusznie uznała za fałszywe stwierdzenie: "Pielęgniarka/położna będąca obywatelem państwa członkowskiego UE nie może uzyskać na terenie Polski prawa wykonywania zawodu", podobnie jak: "Obowiązek tajemnicy zawodowej pielęgniarki/położnej ustaje z chwilą śmierci pacjenta". W przypadku problemu: "Podjęcie wykonywania zawodu pielęgniarki/położnej po upływie 5 lat od ukończenia stażu podyplomowego lub po przerwie w wykonywaniu zawodu dłuższej niż 5 lat jest niemożliwe" wykazano znaczną niewiedzę wśród respondentów. W kwestii, że "Pielęgniarka ma obowiązek udzielić pomocy w każdym przypadku niebezpieczeństwa utraty życia, poważnego uszczerbku na zdrowiu pacjenta, zgodnie z posiadanymi kwalifikacjami zawodowymi" prawie wszyscy badani odpowiedzieli poprawnie, tak jak w przypadku, że "Pielęgniarka/ położna nie ma obowiązku poinformowania pacjenta o jego prawach". Stwierdzenie mówiące, że "W wyjątkowych przypadkach pielęgniarka/położna ma prawo odmówić wykonania zalecenia lekarskiego, podając niezwłocznie przyczynę odmowy na piśmie", poprawnie oceniło aż 100% położnych i większość pozostałych grup badanych. Wnioski. Przeważająca większość badanych wykazała dużą znajomość przepisów obowiązujących pielęgniarki i położne. Najwięcej poprawnych odpowiedzi spośród badanych udzieliły studentki II roku studiów licencjackich pielęgniarstwa. Pytanie, na które udzielono najmniej poprawnych odpowiedzi, dotyczyło podjęcia wykonywania zawodu po upływie 5-letniej przerwy. Problemy Pielęgniarstwa 2010; 18 (4): 443–454Introduction. Knowledge of valid regulations about nurse and midwife profession has fundamental meaning for nursing and midwifery faculty students as well as for practicing nurses and midwifes. Aim of study. Results analysis about knowledge of Act on the Professions of Nurse and Midwife (Journal of Laws of July 30, 1996) by bachelor nursery and midwifery students, master nursery students and working midwifes. Material and methods. Research was made on 129 bachelor nursery and midwifery students, master nursery students and working midwifes. For research was used original made questionnaire consisted of two parts: general and principal. Results. Obtained results enabled statement that most of the respondents recognised as false statement "nurse/midwife being European Union citizen cannot get profession licence in Polish territory", similarly as "nurse and midwifery professional secret duty ceased in the moment of patent’s death". According to problem "taking up nursery and midwife profession after 5 years break from diploma practise or after break in doing profession longer than five years is impossible" was shown considerable respondents ignorance. In issue that "nurse I obliged to give help in every case of risk of life, patent’s serious health injury according to own professional qualifications" almost all of the respondents answered correctly, just like in case that "nurse and midwifery are obliged to inform patient about his rights". Statement saying that "in extraordinary situations nurses and midwifes have a right refuse of doctor’s commend giving immediately reason of refusal on paper", correctly judged 100% midwifes and most of other researched groups. Conclusions. The greatest majority of responders pointed big knowledge of valid regulations for nurses and midwifes. The most of correct answers among of responders gave students from 2nd year of bachelor midwifery studies. Midwifery students gave more correct answers than nursery students. Question, in witch was given the least correct answers was connected with juridical restrains about legal form of health service. Conclusions. Predominant number of respondents proved broad knowledge of obligatory regulations about nursery and midwifery. Bachelor nursing students of the second year gave the most correct answers. The most intricate question turned out to be the inquiry about taking up nursig or midwifery profession after 5 years break. Nursing Topics 2010; 18 (4): 443-45