Synthesis, tailoring and characterization of silica nanoparticles containing a highly stable ruthenium complex.

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of sol-gel silica nanoparticles (NPs) derived from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and from tetraethoxysilane and methyltriethoxysilane (TEOS-MTEOS) in which is encapsulated, an in-house synthesized, stable oxygen-sensitive ruthenium complex, ruthenium (II) (bis-2,2-bipyridyl)-2(4-carboxylphenyl) imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline. These NPs were characterized using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. The spherical, stable and monodispersed NPs have been prepared using the Stöber method. It was found that the addition of prehydrolyzed MTEOS-based sol prepared in an acidic environment to the reaction mixture containing TEOS NPs synthesized for 6 h produced material with increased porosity when compared to pure silica NPs. Oxygen sensitivity, stability, photobleaching and leaching have been characterized. The hybrid NPs exhibit enhanced O2 sensitivity but a high degree of leaching when compared to pure silica NPs, which have minimum O2 sensitivity and no leaching.

An algorithmic diagnostic approach to scapholunate ligament injuries based on comparison of X-ray examinations and arthroscopy in 414 patients.

Conventional X-ray imaging is usually the first diagnostic assessment after clinical examination in case of suspected scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) injury. Nevertheless, there is no consensus on the norms of the scapholunate distance (SLD) or carpal angles. Therefore, we aimed to determine the utility of static and dynamic radiographs in the diagnostic of an SLIL injury in comparison with the reference standard arthroscopy. We retrospectively analyzed the preoperative X-ray series and surgical records of arthroscopies of 414 patients. Radiological assessment included conventional static X-rays in the posteroanterior (PA) projection, clenched fist views in ulnar and radial deviations, in which the SLD at the midportion of the scapholunate (SL) joint was measured. The scapholunate angle (SLA) and radiolunate angle (RLA) were measured on lateral wrist radiographs. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created to determine possible cut-off points of the radiological indices for the diagnosis of SLIL injury. Further, a logistic regression with the parameters having the highest area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. We found that SLD in ulnar inclination (AUC= 0.774), SLD in PA projection (AUC = 0.748), and SLA (AUC = 0.737) had the highest diagnostic value. The AUC of the combination of these three parameters was 0.822 for all patients with any SLIL lesion and 0.850 for patients with SLIL lesions of 3-4 Geissler grade. Further investigation of SLIL pathology would be appropriate in the case of SLD in ulnar inclination of 2.7 mm, SLD in PA projection of 1.9 mm and SLA of 63°.

Adsorption of phenolic compounds by activated carbon--a critical review.

Adsorption of phenol and its derivatives on activated carbons is considered based on numerous papers related to this issue. Special attention is paid to the effects of carbon surface functionalities, pH of solution and heterogeneity effects that accompany adsorption of phenolic compounds. Moreover, in this paper the most important aspects are overviewed referring to irreversible adsorption of phenols and impact of different substituents of phenolic compounds on their uptake by activated carbons is considered. Finally, some remarks pertaining to applications of novel adsorbents for phenol adsorption are discussed and illustrated by means of a few examples.

[Changes in chemical composition of selected food products in the province of Katowice]. / Zmiany skladu chemicznego wybranych rynkowych produktów spozywczych w województwie katowickim.

The levels of Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb and Cd were determined in fresh vegetables obtained from central storerooms of the WSO in Katowice which were intended for market in that Province. Vegetable samples were taken from the stores twice in the months from September to March in the years 1986-1987. At the same time similar analyses were done of raw milk and milk for consumption from the market and from certain dairy cooperatives in the Province. Besides the above metals, in the samples dry mass, ash, protein (by Kjeldahl method), calorie values (by burning in calorimetric bomb ZKL-4) were determined. The study included these mineral components which are necessary in human physiological requirements, and those which can be toxic if consumed in excess, and also those which cumulate selectively in plants and in animal and human organisms. The mutual relationships were evaluated of these components in the analysed food products based on calculated correlation coefficients. After the chemical analysis of these products it was found that the levels of Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and Cd and Pb varied depending on the product and site of origin of the sample. The levels of heavy metals, such as Cd and Pb, were exceeding the acceptable values in the edible parts of vegetables grown in the Province of Katowice and intended for the market in that Province. The lowest levels of toxic metals and the highest content of mineral components indispensable for physiological functions were found in the vegetables brought from the neighbouring Province of Kielce.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)