Distribution of microelements in human articular cartilage : initial report

The aim of this study was evaluation of distribution microelements in human articular cartilage and to determine factors influencing it. The following elements were taken under consideration: Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, Pb. Their concentration was assessed in the articular cartilage harvested from the loaded an unloaded area of human femoral heads. Initial results indicate that mechanical loadings are one of the important factors influencing distribution of microelements in human articular cartilage

Preliminary studies of sediments from the Dobczyce drinking water reservoir

The analysis of river and lake sediments indicates that the physical, chemical, biochemical and geochemical processes that influence the fate of toxic compounds and elements in sediments are numerous and complex (for example: sorption - desorption, oxidation - reduction, ion-exchange, biological activity). Due to the above-mentioned general statement, only a long term and complex research programme can lead to satisfactory answers to the questions relating to possible changes of water and environmental quality in the future. The aim of our study consisted in physical and chemical characterisation of sediments in in-depth profiles taken from the Dobczyce reservoir in southern Poland that is a main source of drinking water for the city of Kraków. Due to morphological reasons, 7 layers of sediment samples were distinguished from the ground level to about 90 cm below (total thickness of the sediments in the sampling site). Analysis of grain size distribution and application of x-ray diffraction method, enabled mineralogical description of sediments. The use of proton-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) revealed elemental composition of the samples (Al, P, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn). Concentrations of natural 40K and artificial 137Cs radionuclides were determined by the use of gamma spectrometry. The following facts were established: 1) the oldest (deepest) and newest, recently deposited layers of sediments are similar in their physical and chemical properties. It means that the inflow of contaminants and biogenic compounds to the reservoir has changed little since it was constructed and filled with water; 2) the severe flood in 1997 changed significantly sediment composition and, in fact, led to purification of sediments in the Dobczyce reservoir

The serum zinc concentration as a potential biological marker in patients with major depressive disorder

Despite many clinical trials assessing the role of zinc in major depressive disorder (MDD), the conclusions still remain ambiguous. The aim of the present clinical study was to determine and comparison the zinc concentration in the blood of MDD patients (active stage or remission) and healthy volunteers (controls), as well as to discuss its potential clinical usefulness as a biomarker of the disease. In this study 69 patients with current depressive episode, 45 patients in remission and 50 controls were enrolled. The zinc concentration was measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS). The obtained results revealed, that the zinc concentration in depressed phase were statistically lower than in the healthy volunteers [0.89 vs. 1.06 mg/L, respectively], while the zinc level in patients achieve remission was not significantly different from the controls [1.07 vs. 1.06 mg/L, respectively]. Additionally, among the patients achieve remission a significant differences in zinc concentration between group with and without presence of drug-resistance in the previous episode of depression were observed. Also, patients in remission demonstrated correlation between zinc level and the average number of depressive episodes in the last year. Serum zinc concentration was not dependent on atypical features of depression, presence of psychotic symptoms or melancholic syndrome, age, age of onset or duration of disease, number of episodes in the life time, duration of the episode/remission and severity of depression measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS), and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Concluding, our findings confirm the correlation between zinc deficit present in the depressive episode, and are consistent with the majority of previous studies. These results may also indicate that serum zinc concentration might be considered as a potential biological marker of MDD

Supervision of operation tramway substation - means and experiences

Sprawne działanie pasażerskiego transportu w dużych miastach jest jednym z istotnych czynników określających ich przygotowanie do spełnienia funkcji gospodarczych, kulturowych i społecznych (cywilizacyjnych). W warunkach naszego kraju można oczekiwać, że ze względów technicznych, finansowych i ekologicznych, do masowych przewozów pasażerskich, teraz i w najbliższej przyszłości, najkorzystniej jest zastosować elektryczny transport szynowy

Kinetics of Corrosion Process in H2SO4 and HNO3 Aqueous Solutions of Lead Free Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Alloys

This paper presents the results of the corrosion resistance of Sn-Ag-Cu alloys in air-saturated aqueous solutions containing NO3-, SO42- ions, whose concentration was equivalent to their contents in acid rains and in concentrations 10 - 100 times higher. The Ag, Cu and Sn concentrations in the corrosive media were determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The specific dissolution rate and corrosion current were derived using the a rotating disc technique. The corrosion rate of Sn- Ag-Cu alloys depends on pH of the examined solutions and on the concentration of oxygen near the phase boundary. In the whole range of concentrations of the applied H2SO4 + HNO3 mixtures of acids, the pure Sn was more corrosion resistant than eutectic alloy as well as the near eutectic one, following the sequence: Sn>Sn3.66Ag0.91Cu>3.8Ag0.7Cu

Kinetics of Corrosion Process in H2SO4 and HNO3 Aqueous Solutions of Lead Free Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Alloys

This paper presents the results of the corrosion resistance of Sn-Ag-Cu alloys in air-saturated aqueous solutions containing NO3-, SO42- ions, whose concentration was equivalent to their contents in acid rains and in concentrations 10 - 100 times higher. The Ag, Cu and Sn concentrations in the corrosive media were determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The specific dissolution rate and corrosion current were derived using the a rotating disc technique. The corrosion rate of Sn- Ag-Cu alloys depends on pH of the examined solutions and on the concentration of oxygen near the phase boundary. In the whole range of concentrations of the applied H2SO4 + HNO3 mixtures of acids, the pure Sn was more corrosion resistant than eutectic alloy as well as the near eutectic one, following the sequence: Sn>Sn3.66Ag0.91Cu>3.8Ag0.7Cu