Comparison of Anion-Exchange Membranes for Diffusion Dialysis of Mixtures of Acids and Their Iron Salts.

This study presents the possibility of using diffusion dialysis for the separation of inorganic acids (hydrochloric, nitric, and hydrofluoric) and their ferric salts whose composition corresponds to that of real spent pickling solutions. At a steady state, the transport properties of three different anion-exchange membranes (Fumasep-FAD, Neosepta-AFN, and Neosepta-AHA) are compared using a continuous counter-current dialyzer. At a constant composition of the solutions (acid concentration 3 mol L and iron concentration 30-40 g L), the effects of volumetric liquid flow rates on the transport rate of H and Fe ions through the membrane are studied.

The Effect of Vibratory Grinding Time on Moisture Sorption, Particle Size Distribution, and Phenolic Bioaccessibility of Carob Powder.

Carob pod powder, an excellent source of health-promoting substances, has found its use in a wide range of food products. Grinding conditions affect the physical and chemical properties of the powder, but their influence on the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds in carob pod powder has not yet been determined. The carob pods were ground for 30-180 s in a vibratory grinder.

Evaluating the Use of TiO Nanoparticles for Toxicity Testing in Pulmonary A549 Cells.

Purpose: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles, 25 nm in size of crystallites (TiO P25), are among the most produced nanomaterials worldwide. The broad use of TiO P25 in material science has implied a request to evaluate their biological effects, especially in the lungs. Hence, the pulmonary A549 cell line has been used to estimate the effects of TiO P25.

Bioaccessibility of phenolics from carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pod powder prepared by cryogenic and vibratory grinding.

Carob pod powder prepared by cryogenic (CG) and vibratory grinding for 4 min (VG-4) and 8 min (VG-8) was evaluated for its antioxidant properties, and phenolic content. The bioaccessibility of phenolics was determined after the oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion phases in vitro. CG carob powder had a higher total phenolic content (6.

Attenuation of Radiation-Induced Lung Injury by Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles.

Purpose: Therapeutic thorax irradiation as an intervention in lung cancer has its limitations due to toxic effects leading to pneumonitis and/or pulmonary fibrosis. It has already been confirmed that hyaluronic acid (HA), an extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan, is involved in inflammation disorders and wound healing in lung tissue. We examined the effects after gamma irradiation of hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (HANPs) applied into lung prior to that irradiation in a dose causing radiation-induced pulmonary injuries (RIPI).

Silica coated iron oxide nanoparticles-induced cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and its underlying mechanism in human HK-2 renal proximal tubule epithelial cells.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have a great potential with regard to cell labelling, cell tracking, cell separation, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic hyperthermia, targeted drug and gene delivery. However, a growing body of research has raised concerns about the possible unwanted adverse cytotoxic effects of IONPs. In the present study, the in vitro cellular uptake, antiproliferative activity, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, prooxidant, microtubule-disrupting and apoptosis-inducing effect of FeO@SiO and passivated FeO@SiO-NH nanoparticles on human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (HK-2) have been studied.

Magnetic microparticles post-synthetically coated by hyaluronic acid as an enhanced carrier for microfluidic bioanalysis.

Iron oxide based particles functionalized by bioactive molecules have been utilized extensively in biotechnology and biomedicine. Despite their already proven advantages, instability under changing reaction conditions, non-specific sorption of biomolecules on the particles' surfaces, and iron oxide leakage from the naked particles can greatly limit their application. As confirmed many times, surface treatment with an appropriate stabilizer helps to minimize these disadvantages.

PEGylation of magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) microparticles for microfluidic bioassays.

In this study, magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) microparticles containing carboxyl groups (PGMA-COOH) were coated using highly hydrophilic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). PEG was used to reduce nonspecific interactions with proteins and cells while decreasing adhesion of particles to the walls of a microfluidic devices from poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC). Zeta potential measurement, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, anti-PEG ELISA assay, and bioaffinity interactions between biotin and streptavidin-HRP successfully proved the presence of PEG on the surface of microspheres.

Synthesis and characterization of a pH-sensitive conjugate of isoniazid with Fe3O4@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles.

The Letter describes the preparation and characterization of a conjugate of isoniazid (INH) with magnetic nanoparticles Fe3O4@SiO2 115±60 nm in size. The INH molecules were attached to the surface of nanoparticles by a covalent pH-sensitive amidine bond. The conjugate was characterized by X-ray diffraction, SEM, dynamic light scattering, IR spectroscopy and microanalysis.

New monodisperse magnetic polymer microspheres biofunctionalized for enzyme catalysis and bioaffinity separations.

Magnetic macroporous PGMA and PHEMA microspheres containing carboxyl groups are synthesized by multi-step swelling and polymerization followed by precipitation of iron oxide inside the pores. The microspheres are characterized by SEM, IR spectroscopy, AAS, and zeta-potential measurements. Their functional groups enable bioactive ligands of various sizes and chemical structures to couple covalently.

[Cerebral concussion].

The author analyzes a group of casualties with concussion of the brain hospitalized in 1997-2001 in the Traumatological Hospital in Brno. From the discussion ensue some questions and suggestions--the role of the neurologist in assessment of the diagnosis, indications for CT examination, referring patients to hospital, care of patients with concurrent intoxications, discharge on patient's own wish.

[Fractures of the calcaneus].

The authors present the results of another investigation of a group of casualties with fractures of the calcaneum treated by open reposition and stabilization with a splint and screws in 1994 to 1996, followed up after an interval of 57-74 months after the injury, on average after 66 months. Sixteen patients (20 calcanea) could be followed up, 7 patients were lost (8 calcanea). Again two evaluation patterns were compared.

[Surgical activity in emergency health services (analysis of activity at the Trauma Hospital in Brno in 1990)].

In the Traumatological Hospital in Brno in 1999 4975 operations were made incl. 1064 (21%) during emergency services. Thus there are on average 3 (2.

[Complications of synthesis using the Medin sliding compression screw].

In 1993-1999 in the Traumatological Hospital in Brno 141 syntheses DHS Medin were made in patients with fractures of the proximal femur. (Eighteen DHS syntheses of other manufacturers were also made. The latter were however not analyzed).

[Intramedullary nailing using the Medin tibial nails].

In a prospectively followed up group of 163 nailed tibiae in 157 casualties after 4-48 months, on average after 15 months following implantation 20 patients (12.5%) developed complications. In two instances the nail broke or was bent (1.

[Transfer of injured patients. Analysis of injured patients transferred to the Casualty Hospital in Brno from other hospitals in 1997].

The author analyzes a group of casualties referred in 1997 to the Casualty Hospital Brno from other institutions where the patients were hospitalized after the injury, if the period did not exceed 30 days. Thus 361 casualties were referred. The reasons are summarized.

[Surgical treatment of (selected) calcaneal fractures].

The authors present the short-term results of a prospective group of 23 casualties with 28 intraarticular dislocated fractures of the calcaneus who were treated between November 1994 and May 1996 by open reposition and stabilization by means of a plate, supplemented in 22 cases by autospongioplasty. The most frequent complication as regards healing were infections which were recorded seven times, incl. one case with a deep infection, which penetrated to the bone.

[The Medin intramedullary nails].

The authors present an account on a group of their first 28 patients/29 nails/treated during a 6-month period from May 1995 by synthesis using Medin nails/14 tibial, 12 femoral and 3 reconstruction nails/. The nails and instruments are briefly described. The main objective of the development of nails was to enable the professional public to obtain the necessary implants from local manufacturers and thus at much lower prices.

[Reconstruction with intramedullary femoral nailing (a new implant made by Medin, A.S. for synthesis of concurrent fractures of the femoral shaft and neck--preliminary report)].

The authors discuss indications for the use of a femoral reconstruction nail-synthesis of a diaphyseal fracture of the femur by an intramedullary nail with the necessity of concurrent treatment of cervical fracture or the necessity to safeguard by screws in the cervix a too short proximal fragment. The authors present short-term results obtained in a group of 13 clinical patients (followed up for 2-12 months, mean 6.6 months) who were operated using a Russel-Taylor reconstruction nail: 10 on account of a new fracture and the remaining three on account of complications of the original synthesis.

[Fractures of the foot (excluding the talus and calcaneus)].

The submitted retrospective investigation analyzes a group of 108 casualties with injuries of the skeleton of the foot who were hospitalized in the years 1985-90. Excluded was the group of patients with fractures of the talus and calcaneus because they consider problems of these fractures specific. The structure of the group is influenced by the specialty of the authors' workplace--i.

[Fractures of the humerus in multiple injuries (comparison with the same injury in a group of single injuries/associated injuries).].

The authors compare retrospectively, based on material of the Research Institute of Traumatology and Special Surgery in Brno (1985-1990), a group of 13 patients who suffered fractures of the diaphysis of the humerus as part of a multiple injury with a group of 29 patients who suffered the same injury as a monotrauma or associated injury. Both groups are characterized, the therapeutic approach is described as well as the complications which developed. The patients were checked on average after 45 months following the injury (12-96 months) and the results are reviewed.

[Comparison of treatment of fractures of the tibia by plates and by küntscher nails.].

In a retrospective investigation the authors compare the results achieved in a group of casualties with a fresh fracture of the tibia/fracture of the leg as a single injury, who were treated by osteosynthesis with a plate (15 patients) or an intramedullary Küntscher nail (19 patients). The two groups were evaluated as identical and the achieved results do not differ significantly. An intramedullary nail has a wider range of use, it is irreplaceable in fractures with a long comminuted zone or fractures at different levels.

[Reasons for repeated hospitalization of patients with alloplasty of the hip joint.].

The submitted paper is an analysis of 143 patients with cervicocapital femoral endoprostheses (CCP) and 230 patients with total endoprostheses of the hip joint (TE) operated in the Research Institute of Traumatology and Special Surgery in 1985-1990 with special attention paid to reasons for their repeated readmissions. Admissions, the necessity or probability of which was obvious already during the first hospitalization (immobilization on account of instability, extraction of metal after synthesis of the greater trochanter, infection detect during first hospitalization) were not included in the group. Only in one third (31 %) in the CCP group and in half (48 %) the TE group the assumption was confirmed that the most frequent reason for readmission to hospital is loosening of the alloplasty, septic or aseptic.