Application of Granular Biocomposites Based on Homogenised Peat for Absorption of Oil Products

Among the various methods for collecting oil spills and oil products, including from the water surface, one of the most effective is the use of sorbents. In this work, three-component bio-based composite granular adsorbents were produced and studied for oil products’ pollution collection. A bio-based binder made of peat, devulcanised crumb rubber from used tyres, and part fly ash as cenospheres were used for absorbent production. The structure, surface morphology, porosity, mechanical properties, and sorption kinetics of the obtained samples were studied. Composite hydrophobicity and sorption capacity to oil products, such as diesel fuel (DF) and motor oil (MO), were determined. The obtained pellets are characterised by a sufficiently pronounced ability to absorb oil products such as DF. As the amount of CR in the granules increases, the diesel absorption capacity increases significantly. The case of 30-70-0 is almost three times higher than the granules from homogenised peat. The increase in q is due to two factors: the pronounced surface hydrophobicity of the samples (Θ = 152°) and a heterogeneous porous granule structure. The presence of the cenosphere in the biocomposite reduces its surface hydrophobicity while increasing the diesel absorption capacity. Relatively rapid realisation of the maximum saturation by the MO was noted. In common, the designed absorbent shows up to 0.7 g·g⁻¹ sorption capacity for MO and up to 1.55 g·g⁻¹ sorption capacity for diesel. A possible mechanism of DF absorption and the limiting stages of the process approximated for different kinetic models are discussed. The Weber–Morris diffusion model is used to primarily distinguish the limiting effect of the external and internal diffusion of the adsorbate on the absorption process.     

Does systematic lymphadenectomy have a benefit on survival of suboptimally debulked patients with stage III ovarian carcinoma? A DEGOG* Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether systematic lymphadenectomy is necessary in suboptimally cytoreduced patients with stage III ovarian carcinoma. METHODS: Prognostic significance and the effect on survival of systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy were investigated retrospectively in 61 suboptimally debulked patients with stage III ovarian carcinoma. All patients received platinum-based chemotherapy after surgery; 51 patients had been followed for > or =1 year, or until death. Survival curves were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method and were evaluated by log-rank test. RESULTS: Most patients had stage IIIC disease (60.7%), poorly differentiated tumor (45.9%), and serous histological type (59%). Systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed in 29 patients (47.5%). Lymph node metastases were found in 17 (58.6%) patients; the median number of metastatic nodes was 7 (5-10). Lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in patients with residual disease of >2 cm (P < 0.05). Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed that systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was not a significant prognostic factor (P > 0.05). In lymph node-dissected patients, survival was significantly longer in patients with minimal residual tumor than in those with residual tumor size >2 cm (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Lymphadenectomy seems not to have an evident prognostic value and a benefit on survival in suboptimally debulked patients with stage III ovarian carcinoma.     

Inhibition of iNOS with S-methylisothiourea was impaired in wound healing in caustic esophageal burn

OBJECTIVE: Stricture formation is a late complication of caustic esophageal burn, which is a common problem in childhood. For this reason, this experimental study was designed to observe the possible effect of nitric oxide on healing and fibrosis formation in caustic esophageal burns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were divided into five groups. Group A (n=12) received sham burn and treatment with saline injection. Group B (n=34) received caustic burn. Rats in group C (n=31), were given water supplement with 10 g/L L-arginine that was started 24 h preoperatively and continued until postoperative day 4. In group D (n=21), S-methylisothiourea (SMT, specific inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor), was injected at a dose of 3 mg/kg i.p. at 30 min before caustic burn, and similar dose was reinjected immediately after caustic burn. SMT 6 mg/kg/day injections continued for 4 days long. In group E (n=22), Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, nonspecific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor) was injected at a dose of 15 mg/kg i.p. at 30 min before caustic burn, and similar dose was reinjected immediately after caustic burn. L-NNA 30 mg/kg/day continues for 4 days. RESULTS: Dead rates were significantly higher in group E than in groups A-D. The mean hydroxyproline levels in esophageal tissue were significantly lower in groups A and B than in group D. Histopathologically, tissue damage scores in the esophageal tissue were higher in group D than in groups A-C. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of iNOS with SMT was impaired in wound healing due to caustic esophageal burn and provoked collagen accumulation at a later period. Those effects may due to inhibition of antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antifibrotic effects of NO.     

Über die Divertikulose und Divertikulitis des Dickdarmes

Zusammenfassung Bericht über Vorkommen, H?ufigkeit und Pathogenese der falschen Divertikel(Graser). Abgrenzung der Divertikulose und Divertikulitis. Er?rterungen über die Pathogenese, klinischen Bilder und Diagnostik der Divertikulitis. Bericht über 6 Beobachtungen der Klinik, von denen 3 operiert wurden, davon eine mit t?dlichem Ausgang. Er?rterungen über die Therapie, insbesondere unter den Gesichtspunkten der Indikationsstellung und der Operationsverfahren. Vor einem zu radikalen Vorgehen ist zu warnen.     

Comparison of collagen biomatrix and omentum effectiveness on peripheral nerve regeneration

Despite the presence of various nerve coaptation materials and techniques, achievement of the functional nerve regeneration is still inadequate. This study was aimed to compare the effectiveness of conduit composed of collagen biomatrix and omentum graft on peripheral nerve regeneration. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. In the control group, the right sciatic nerve was skeletonized from the sciatic notch till the point of bifurcation. In the primary epineural repair group, the nerve was transected 1 cm proximal to the bifurcation with a sharp pair of micro scissors and then repaired with four epineural sutures. In the collagen biomatrix group, the epineural repaired nerve was wrapped with collagen biomatrix. In the collagen group, the epineural repaired nerve was wrapped with the nonpediculated omentum. Assessment of the nerve regeneration was based on functional (Walking Track Analysis, Electrophysiological Measurements), histological, and morphometric criteria. Light and electron microscopic examinations showed that collagen-biomatrix-wrapped specimens have the best regeneration. The electrophysiological study confirmed the recovery of electrical activity in the regenerated axons.     

Septische Spondylitis bei Fremdkörperperforation. Bericht über einen Fall

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Isolation,chemistry, and biology of pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine natural products

The isolation of the antitumor antibiotic anthramycin in the 1960s prompted extensive research into pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepines (PBD) as potential therapeutics for the treatment of cancers. Since then, nearly 60 PBD natural products have been isolated and evaluated with regard to their biological activity. Synthetic studies and total syntheses have enabled access to PBD analogues, culminating in the development of highly potent anticancer agents. This review provides a summary of the occurrence and biological activity of PBD natural products and covers the strategies employed for their total syntheses.     

Ein Fall von angeborener Divertikelbildung des Blinddarms

Ohne Zusammenfassung