Biogenic nanosized iron oxides obtained from cultivation of iron bacteria from the genus Leptothrix.

A detailed investigation of nanostructured iron oxides/(oxy)hydroxides gathered after cultivation of bacteria from the genus Leptothrix as iron (II) oxidizers is presented. A specific type of medium is selected for the cultivation of the bacteria. Results for sediment powder and bio-film on glass substrate samples from the same media are discussed. XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, and TEM images and PPMS measurements are used to prove the exact composition of the biogenic products and to interpret the oxidation process. Analysis of the data collected shows that around 80 % of the iron (II) from the growth medium has been transformed into iron (III) in the form of different (oxy)hydroxides, with the rest found to be in a mixed 2,5 valence in magnetite. Our investigation shows that the bio-film sample has a phase content different from that of the powdered biomass and that lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) is the predominant and the initial biogenic phase in both samples. Magnetite nanoparticles are a secondary product in the bio-film, part of which possesses a defective quasi-maghemite surface layer. In the powdered biomass, the oxidation steps are not fully completed. The initial products are non-stoichiometric and due to the mixed ferric and ferrous ions present, they develop into: (i) lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) as a basic sediment, (ii) magnetite (Fe3O4) and (iii) goethite (α-FeOOH) in small quantities. The average size of all iron-bearing particles is found to be below 30 nm. The magnetic measurements performed show a superparamagnetic behavior of the material at room temperature.

WILIS IRLE ARITINS, IMPORTANT FOR CEREBRAL PROTECTION IN AORTIC SURGERY - PRIMARY CT ANGIO DATA.

Unilateral selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) is a method for cerebral protection in aortic arch surgery. However variations of the circle of Willis (CoW) could vitiate its protective effect. The aim of our present work was to make a retrospective analysis of 30 patients, in whom CT angio was performed between January and March 2008. Variations of Willis circle, which could compromise the perfusion during unilateral SCP were found in 21 patients (70%). We also found that many patients have significant stenosis of cerebral arteries. Our present study shows the need of extensive preoperative examination and meticulous intraoperative monitoring.

The influence of novel CT reconstruction technique and ECG-gated technique on image quality and patient dose of cardiac computed tomography.

The aim of the present study was to compare image quality and patient dose in cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA) in terms of volume computed tomography dose index (CTDI vol), dose length product (DLP) and effective dose, when changing from filtered back projection (FBP) to adaptive iterative dose reduction (AIDR) reconstruction techniques. Further aim was to implement prospective electrocardiogram (ECG) gating for patient dose reduction. The study was performed with Aquilion ONE 320-row CT of Toshiba Medical Systems. Analysis of cardiac CT protocols was performed before and after integration of the new software. The AIDR technique showed more than 50 % reduction in CTDIvol values and 57 % in effective dose. The subjective evaluation of clinical images confirmed the adequate image quality acquired by the AIDR technique. The preliminary results indicated significant dose reduction when using prospective ECG gating by keeping the adequate diagnostic quality of clinical images.

Investigation of iron-containing products from natural and laboratory cultivated Sphaerotilus-Leptothrix bacteria.

Bacterial biomass collected from sheath-forming bacteria of the genera Sphaerotilus and Leptothrix was collected from a high-mountain natural stream water source. The elemental constitution and oxide phases of the products after selective cultivation of the bacteria on two different elective media using neutron activation analysis (NAA), electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were studied. A high enrichment level of iron was revealed by the NAA technique in cultivated isolates as compared to the reference sample from nature. Three types of iron oxide compounds were established after cultivation in Adler's medium: lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH), magnetite (Fe3O4), and goethite (α-FeOOH). The cultivation in the Isolation medium yielded a single phase, that of goethite, excluding one sample with a distinguishable amount of lepidocrocite. XRD and EM investigations show that the biogenic oxides are nanosized. Our study exemplifies the possibilities of the biotechnology approach for obtaining, under artificial conditions, large quantities of iron-containing by-products that could be of further used in appropriate nano- and biotechnologies.

Treatment of waters polluted with crude oil and heavy metals by means of a natural wetland.

In the Dolni Dubnik oil deposit, Northern Bulgaria, waters polluted with crude oil and heavy metals (iron, manganese, zinc, cadmium, lead, copper) were treated by means of a natural wetland located in the deposit. The waters had a pH in the range of about 4.5-6.5 and contained about 1-5 mg/l oil. The concentrations of heavy metals usually were about 2-4 times higher than the relevant permissible levels for waters intended for use in the agriculture and industry. The watercourse through the wetland covered a distance of about 100 m and the water flow rate varied in the range of about 0.2-0.8 l/s. The wetland was characterized by an abundant water and emergent vegetation and a diverse microflora, including different oil-degrading bacteria and fungi. The treatment of the polluted waters by means of the above-mentioned wetland markedly depended on the temperature but was efficient during the different climatic seasons, even during the cold winter months at temperatures close to 0 degrees C. The oil content in the wetland effluents in most cases was decreased to less than 0.2 mg/l, and the concentrations of heavy metals were decreased below the relevant permissible levels. The removal of oil was connected with its microbial degradation. The removal of heavy metals was due to different processes but the microbial dissimilatory sulphate reduction and the sorption of metals on the organic matter and clay minerals present in the wetland played the main role.

In situ bioremediation of soil contaminated with oil and heavy metals.

An experimental plot of soil contaminated with crude oil and heavy metals (copper, zinc and cadmium) was subjected to bioremediation using the activity of the indigenous soil microflora. The oil was light, rich in paraffins and with a very low content of asphaltene-resinous substances. Copper, zinc and cadmium were present mainly as sulfide minerals but also in forms more amenable to biological and chemical leaching. Their contents in the soil exceeded approximately 1.5-3 times the relevant permissible levels. The soil microflora contained different oil-degrading and metal-solubilizing microorganisms. The activity of this microflora was enhanced by suitable changes in the levels of some essential environmental factors such as oxygen, water and nutrient contents in the soil. The oil content in the plot was decreased from the initial 12.50 g/kg dry soil to 1.25 g/kg dry soil within 8 months of treatment. Simultaneously, the contents of copper, zinc and cadmium were decreased below the relevant permissible levels for soil of such type.