University of Lodz an electron spectrometer--a new conversion-electron spectrometer for "in-beam" measurements.

The designed and constructed at the University of Lodz an electron spectrometer is devoted to "in-beam" measurements. The apparatus is characterized by high efficiency up to 9%, good energy resolution (FWHM = 5 keV at 482 keV) and, what is very important good suppression of delta electrons, positrons, and photons emitted by the targets. This achievement was obtained using a combination of magnetic field in two different layouts: perpendicular and parallel to the axis of the spectrometer being orthogonal to the beamline. The conversion-electron spectrometer coupled to the EAGLE array was successfully tested in an "in-beam" measurement.

Decay chains and photofission investigation based on nuclear spectroscopy of highly enriched uranium sample.

Nuclear spectroscopy experiments were performed for 100g metallic uranium rod enriched to 93% (235)U, in order to establish and characterize the most prominent γ-rays in the natural decay series and photofission reaction. Single γ-ray spectra and γ-γ coincidences measurements were conducted before irradiation. The uranium sample was subsequently irradiated with 15 MeV bremsstrahlung photons. Relative intensities of γ-lines and several values of half-lives of the fission fragments decays were determined. The obtained information can be utilized in detection of smuggled nuclear materials and characterization of bulky nuclear waste packages.

0(gs)+ -->2(1)+ transition strengths in 106Sn and 108Sn.

The reduced transition probabilities, B(E2; 0(gs)+ -->2(1)+), have been measured in the radioactive isotopes (108,106)Sn using subbarrier Coulomb excitation at the REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN. Deexcitation gamma rays were detected by the highly segmented MINIBALL Ge-detector array. The results, B(E2;0(gs)+ -->2(1)+)=0.222(19)e2b2 for 108Sn and B(E2; 0(gs)+-->2(1)+)=0.195(39)e2b2 for 106Sn were determined relative to a stable 58Ni target. The resulting B(E2) values are approximately 30% larger than shell-model predictions and deviate from the generalized seniority model. This experimental result may point towards a weakening of the N=Z=50 shell closure.

128Cs as the best example revealing chiral symmetry breaking.

The results of the Doppler-shift attenuation method lifetime measurements in partner bands of 128Cs and 132La are presented. Experimental reduced transition probabilities in 128Cs are compared with theoretical calculations done in the frame of the core-quasiparticle coupling model. The electromagnetic properties, energy and spin of levels belonging to the partner bands show that 128Cs is the best known example revealing the chiral symmetry breaking phenomenon.

[The effect of tannery waste products on viability of selected bacteria from activated sludge]. / Wplyw scieków garbarskich na zywotnosc wybranych bakterii osadu czynnego.

In this study we have investigated the influence of sludge on the activity of bacteria strains: Acinetobacter baumannii, Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas cepacia. To our studies we have taken waste materials used in the chromium compound leather tanning process as well as materials from leather fat and waste materials, in general. It was confirmed that 1:20 dilution of chromium tanning leather waste, retanage and leather fat allowed the survivability of bacteria in all three strains. Through our research we were able to establish that general sewage with a decreased level of chromium practically did not effect the survivability of bacteria in a sewage environment. Both types of waste, city sewage as well as leather waste, were shown not to facilitate bacterial growth. If chromium waste flow into city sewage without treatment, bacteria can only survive at a dilution level of 1:20, which will not affect the survivability of bacteria used in biological waste treatment.

[The effect of selected tannery chemical compounds on selected bacteria of activated sludge]. / Wplyw wybranych srodków chemicznych stosowanych w garbarstwie na niektóre bakterie wchodzace w sklad osadu czynnego.

Influence of tannery chemical compounds on the selected bacteria of the activated sludge was investigated. The chromium compounds must be diluted to 1:15-1:20 to loss its activity on the bacteria. Other compounds like: natrium chloratum, natrium formate and greased oils have any influence on the growth of the selected bacteria.

[Survival of Bacillus anthracis spores in various tannery baths]. / Przezywalnosc przetrwalników laseczek waglika w poszczególnych kapielach garbarskich.

The influence of tannery baths: liming, deliming, bating, pickling, tanning, retannage on the survival and on the germination dynamism of B. anthracis spores (Sterne strain) was investigated. The periods and the conditions of this influence were established according to technological process of cow hide tannage. Practically after every bath some part of the spores remained vital. The most effective killing of spores occurred after pickling, liming and deliming. Inversely, the most viable spores remained after bating and retannage process. The lack of correlation that was observed between survival and germination of spores after retannage bath can be explained by different mechanism of spores germination inhibition and their killing.

Trends in surgical treatment of breast cancer at an urban teaching hospital: a six-year review.

The treatment of breast cancer at an urban teaching hospital from 1990 to 1995 was analyzed according to age, stage, race, and funding status. Two hundred thirty-eight patients (mean age, 55 years) with newly diagnosed breast cancers were retrospectively identified and reviewed. A larger proportion of all funded patients (F; n = 131) presented with early-stage cancers (ductal carcinoma in situ, stage I) compared to nonfunded (NF, n = 107) (41 vs 25%; P = 0.03). Additionally, there was an increasing rate of early cancers occurring in F over the study interval (40% in 1990 to 69% in 1995), but there was no such increase in NF. There was an increasing trend in the overall use of breast conservation therapy (BCT) over this interval (11.6% of all cancers in 1990, 50.8% in 1994 and 1995). Although F were overall more likely to undergo BCT than NF (40% vs 29%, P = 0.04), there was no statistical difference in the use of BCT for nonadvanced (ductal carcinoma in situ, stage I and II) cancers (44% of F, 46% of NF). Age did not affect the overall use of BCT (36% of patients 55 or older, 35% younger than 55). Mean age was significantly greater in F than in NF (60 vs 49, P < 0.000001), but racial composition did not differ between these two groups. In conclusion, funded status of our patients corresponded with earlier diagnosis, perhaps due to better access to screening. Additionally, neither funding status nor age affected the use of BCT in our patients with nonadvanced cancers. Our rate of BCT far exceeds that seen nationally, perhaps reflecting a trend at academic institutions.

[Identification of toxigenic Clostridium difficile strains isolated from alimentary tract of dogs by PCR]. / Identyfikacja metoda PCR toksynotwórczych szczepów Clostridium difficile wyhodowanych z przewodu pokarmowego psów.

Twenty eight Clostridium difficile strains were investigated. Eleven strains were toxin A and toxin B gene positive. Four strains were negative for both genes. These results correlate with results of cytotoxicity assay. We identified 13 Clostridium difficile strains toxin A gene positive and toxin B gene negative.

[Occurrence of Clostridium difficile in the digestive system of dogs]. / Wystepowanie Clostridium difficile w przewodzie pokarmowym psów.

This study was aimed at seeking strains of Clostridium difficile in feces and investigation of influence of antibiotics application on frequency of isolation and detection of toxing in vivo produced by this microorganism. Samples of feces were obtained from experimental dogs consisting of two groups. To groups I belonged 150 healthy dogs. Group II consisted of samples of feces received from four dogs before and after application of various antibiotics. Clostridium difficile was not isolated from group I dogs. From dogs belonging to group II, 28 strains were isolated. Production of toxing and classification to serological groups of the isolated strains were performed. Presence of this microorganism in feces of dogs is evident only after multiple application of antibiotics. Results of these studies suggest that dogs may constitute a reservoir of Clostridium difficile.

[Upper respiratory tract infections as a hypothetical source of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)]. / Infekcje dróg oddechowych jako hipotetyczne zródlo syndromu naglej smierci niemowlat (SIDS).

A hypothesis that the common bacterial toxins are the possible cause of the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) was discussed. Recently, even botulinum toxin and Clostridium perfringens Type A enterotoxin are mentioned.

[Decontamination of soil after bacterial warfare experiments on Gruinard Island]. / Odkazenie gleby po wojennych doswiadczeniach bakteriologicznych na wyspie Gruinard.

Bombs containing B. anthracis spores were detonated on Gruinard island in 1942 and 1943 as a part of a British research programme set up in response to fears that the Germans were developing biological weapons. In 1986 island was decontaminated by spraying with 5% formaldehyde. As a demonstration of confidence in the success of the decontamination operation a flock of 40 sheep was allowed to graze for several months with no ill effects.

Preparation of antibacterial and antitoxic Clostridium difficile sera.

Preparation of Clostridium difficile antibacterial and antitoxic sera is presented. Fifty one strains (72%) were typeable within Delmee scheme. Twenty strains (28%) belonged to new Polish serogroups designated 18, 27, 70, 71, 72, 88, 89 and NICH. Supernatants of all toxigenic Clostridium difficile strains were neutralized by gamma-globulin fraction of goat Clostridium difficile antitoxin in neutralization assay when it was performed on McCoy cell line. Only 8 toxigenic strains (21%) were positive in counterimmunoelectrophoresis.

Inhibition of immune response by diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate.

Effect of acute, oral intoxication of guinea-pigs and pigs with diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP) on the level of humoral factors of natural immunity and immunocyte production was studied. The effect of DFP on these animals, expressed by decreased complement and haemolysin activities and diminished number of plaque-forming cells (PFC), was observed only after repeated intoxication. After a single application of DFP statistically significant increase of these parameters were found. In single and multiple treatments, lysozyme activity was somewhat weaker in comparison with control animals.