Functionalized carbon nanotubes based filters for chromium removal from aqueous solutions.

This investigation examines the filtration efficiency of chromium from aqueous solution using two types of commercial multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (Taunit-M (TM) and Taunit-MD (TMD)). These MWCNTs were modified using two complementary treatments, purification (using a mixture of hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide) and functionalization (using nitric acid). The effect of these treatments on the morphology of MWCNT Taunit filters was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to estimate the outer diameter distribution and element content deposited on filters. Effects of different parameters, i.e., carbon nanotube filter mass, concentration of chromium in aqueous solution, and pH of aqueous solution, on removal of this heavy metal were determined. From these investigations, the removal efficiency of chromium could reach 97% for modified TM and 70% for modified TMD at concentration of 10 ppm, suggesting that modified TM is an excellent adsorbent for chromium removal from aqueous solutions and more efficient than modified TMD. A significant increase in chromium removal by modified TM at pH = 2 has been observed compared with higher pH values. It was found that modified TM filters can be reused through many cycles of regeneration with high performance. Modified TM filters may be a promising candidate for heavy metal ion removal from industrial wastewater.

GENOTYPING AND COAT COLOUR DETECTION OF ANCIENT HORSES FROM BURYATIA.

From genetic point of view, differences between ancient and modern horses can be reconstructed by using the phylogeographic analysis of mitochondrial genomes and by studying phenotypically important nuclear loci. The variety of modern horse coat colors resulted from artificial selection indicates a high degree of domestication. We have conducted the phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA extracted from bone samples of six ancient horses from Tsaramburial in the Republic of Buryatia, and established that they belong to a haplogroup E by Achilli's classification. This haplogroup is found among modern horses of the Maremmano breed from Italy. Gray coat color different from wild type have been detected in two ancient horses, which demonstrates a sufficiently high domestication level of Buryat horses during the period I century BC to I century AD. The analysis of the mitochondrial genome hypervariable region fragments revealed that ancient Buryat horses belong to a haplotype X3 by Cieslak's classification, which is ancestral to the haplogroup X3 of modern horses in Mongolia, Tuva, and Buryatia.

Basal divergence of Eriophyoidea (Acariformes, Eupodina) inferred from combined partial COI and 28S gene sequences and CLSM genital anatomy.

Eriophyoids are an ancient group of highly miniaturized, morphologically simplified and diverse phytoparasitic mites. Their possible numerous host-switch events have been accompanied by considerable homoplastic evolution. Although several morphological cladistic and molecular phylogenetic studies attempted to reconstruct phylogeny of Eriophyoidea, the major lineages of eriophyoids, as well as the evolutionary relationships between them, are still poorly understood. New phylogenetically informative data have been provided by the recent discovery of the early derivative pentasetacine genus Loboquintus, and observations on the eriophyoid reproductive anatomy. Herein, we use COI and D1-2 rRNA data of 73 eriophyoid species (including early derivative pentasetacines) from Europe, the Americas and South Africa to reconstruct part of the phylogeny of the superfamily, and infer on the basal divergence of eriophyoid taxa. In addition, a comparative CLSM study of the female internal genitalia was undertaken in order to find putative apomorphies, which can be used to improve the taxonomy of Eriophyoidea. The following molecular clades, marked by differences in genital anatomy and prodorsal shield setation, were found in our analyses: Loboquintus(Pentasetacus((Eriophyidae + Diptilomiopidae)(Phytoptidae-1, Phytoptidae-2))). The results of this study suggest that the superfamily Eriophyoidea comprises basal paraphyletic pentasetacines (Loboquintus and Pentasetacus), and two large monophyletic groups: Eriophyidae s.l. [containing paraphyletic Eriophyidae sensu Amrine et al. 2003 (=Eriophyidae s.str.) and Diptilomiopidae sensu Amrine et al. 2003] and Phytoptidae s.l. [containing monophyletic Phytoptidae sensu Boczek et al. 1989 (=Phytoptidae s.str.) and Nalepellidae sensu Boczek et al. 1989]. Putative morphological apomorphies (including genital and gnathosomal characters) supporting the clades revealed in molecular analyses are briefly discussed.

[Contemporary approaches to B chromosome analysis].

The most recent data on sequencing and analysis of non-coding genome parts have revealed surprising biological functions of sequences, which were previously thought to be junk. Here we review the progress of techniques for B chromosome analysis - from methods of classical cytogenetics to contemporary technologies of high throughout genome sequencing, - and discuss the perspectives of involving new species with additional chromosome to ongoing genomic projects.

[Prevention of endogenous infectious complications in patients after severe trauma and orthopedic surgery]. / Profilaktika éndogennykh infektsionnykh oslezhnenii u bol'nykh posle tiazhelykh travm i ortopedicheskikh operatsii.

The clinical efficacy of a complex procedure for the prophylaxis of purulent septic complications in patients requiring pulmonary artificial ventilation after severe traumata and orthopedic operations, as well as in patients with the endoprosthetic appliance of the hip joint and the resection of bone tumors was studied. The procedure includes a selective decontamination of the gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity, the oral administration of lactic acid bifidum-bacterin (eubiotic) during the entire period of the pulmonary artificial ventilation and a short-term systemic administration of a 3rd generation cephalosporin. The autoflora and microflora of the pathologic foci in the patients were tested. There were observed regularities in the colonization of the mucous membranes and wounds with aerobic opportunistic organisms and the endogenic pattern of the infectious complications in the patients subjected to the pulmonary artificial ventilation. The use of the complex procedure for the prophylaxis resulted in a significant decrease in the number of the patients with purulent septic complications.