Rapid prototyping fabrication of soft and oriented polyester scaffolds for axonal guidance.

Biodegradable polyesters have been extensively used for preparation of nerve guidance scaffolds, due to their high biocompatibility and defined degradation periods. However, conventional methods for fabrication of porous polyester scaffolds provide limited control over shape and micro-architecture. Here, a fabrication procedure based on 3D printing was developed to generate highly ordered and anatomically personalized, polyester scaffolds for soft tissue regeneration.

Kinetics of pollutants removal in vertical and horizontal flow constructed wetlands in temperate climate.

This paper reports a comparative study on kinetics of organic matter expressed as BOD and nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands operated in Poland. Analyzed data were collected at eight wetland systems, composed of subsurface flow beds: horizontal flow (HF) and vertical flow (VF), in different number and sequences. The analysis involved particularly mass removal rates (MRR) and first-order removal rate coefficients of BOD and total nitrogen (k and k for VF and HF filters, respectively, and k as a parameter averaged for a temperature of 20 °C).

Long-term operation of Kickuth-type constructed wetland applied to municipal wastewater treatment in temperate climate.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the problem of changes of effectiveness of Kickuth-type constructed wetland with subsurface flow applied to domestic wastewater treatment. This study is based on an example of a wetland 3000 m in surface, serving 800 inhabitants, located in Poland. The results of chemical analysis showed that after an initial year of 'start-up time', the efficiency of pollutant removal gradually increased to reach an apex in the 6th year of operation.

A simulation study of the energy-efficient options for upgrading and retrofitting a medium-size municipal wastewater treatment plant.

Many municipal wastewater treatment plants are retrofitted with membrane filtration that replaces secondary clarification. Such a solution saves space and improves overall treatment efficiency but at the cost of increased energy consumption and reduced potential for energy recovery from sewage sludge. Thus, the plant takes a step back from reaching energy self-sufficiency.

Ghrelin as a potential blood pressure reducing factor in obese women during weight loss treatment.

Background: In animal models ghrelin reduces cardiac afterload and increases cardiac output via receptors in the cardiovascular system. The aim of our study was to evaluate a potential relationship between weight loss treatment, blood pressure and serum ghrelin concentrations in obese women.

Material And Methods: A group of 37 obese premenopausal women with no previous history of hypertension (BMI: 36.