Distribution of microplastics in (sub)urban soils of Serbia and Cd, As, and Pb uptake by Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik.

Omnipresent in terrestrial ecosystems, microplastics (MPs) represent a hazard to soil biota and human health, while their relationship with other environmental contaminants remains poorly acknowledged. This study investigated MPs prevalence in (sub)urban soils of Serbia and its impact on Cd, As, and Pb mobility in the soil-medicinal plant Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik system. Soil physicochemical parameters (pH, Eh, SOM, and texture) were analyzed alongside the Cd, As, and Pb pseudo-total (aqua regia) and phytoavailable (EDTA) contents. Toxic elements' concentrations in soil fractions and C. bursa-pastoris roots and shoots were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Pseudo-total Cd, As, and Pb contents in soils ranged from 0.16 to 2.23 µg g-1, 2.00 to 36.92 µg g-1, and 0.18 to 65.54 µg g-1, respectively. Using an optimized density separation method with 30% H2O2 and 5% NaClO, we found an average abundance of 489 MPs per kg of soil. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of seven polymer types, whereby the main contributors were polystyrene (PS) - 28.57% and cardanol prepolymer (PCP) - 23.81%. The dominant associated pollution sources were road networks and industrial activities. Spearman correlation analysis revealed the interconnection among soil MPs, physicochemical variables, and Cd, As, and Pb mobility. We identified significant positive correlations between MPs' abundance and phytoavailable concentrations of Cd, As, and Pb (ρ = 0.82, 0.95, and 0.63). Moreover, soil MPs strongly positively correlated with Cd contents in roots (ρ = 0.61) and shoots of C. bursa-pastoris (ρ = 0.65). These findings underscore the synergistic effects of MPs and toxic metals in urban environmental pollution, with possible implications for human health. Further research is required to deepen our understanding of the impact of MPs on element mobility in complex plant-soil systems and to elucidate the broader consequences of induced alterations.

Application of Surfactant Modified Natural Zeolites for the Removal of Salicylic Acid-A Contaminant of Emerging Concern.

This work aimed to test composites (surfactant modified zeolites prepared by treatment of natural zeolites-clinoptilolite (IZ CLI) and/or phillipsite (PHIL75)-rich tuffs with two different amounts of cationic surfactants: cetylpyridinium chloride (CPyCl) and Arquad® 2HT-75 (ARQ)) for the adsorption of salicylic acid (SA)-a common contaminant of emerging concern. Adsorption of SA was studied at different initial drug concentrations (in the range of 2-100 mg/L) in water solution. The Langmuir isotherm model showed the highest adsorption was achieved by bilayer composite of IZ CLI and CPyCl-around 11 mg/g. Kinetic runs were performed by using the initial drug concentration of 20 mg/L in the time interval from 0 to 75 min and pseudo-second order had good correlation with experimental data. The influence of the four different temperatures on the SA adsorption was also investigated and thermodynamic parameters suggested that the adsorption drug onto composites is an exothermic and nonspontaneous process, followed by the decrease of randomness at the solid/liquid interface during the adsorption. Zeta potential and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) had been performed for the characterization of composites after adsorption of SA confirming the presence of the drug at composite surfaces.

In situ synthesis of potassium tungstophosphate supported on BEA zeolite and perspective application for pesticide removal.

Potassium tungstophosphate is supported on BEA zeolite by in situ synthesis for glyphosate removal. Spectroscopic measurements identified hydrogen bonding as a primal interaction of potassium salt and BEA zeolite. Composites are evaluated for glyphosate herbicide removal and adsorption process is analyzed using two isotherm models. Obtained adsorption capacities for all prepared composites lay between 45.2 and 92.2 mg of glyphosate per gram of investigated composite. Suspension acidity revealed that glyphosate is adsorbed mainly in the zwitter-ion form at the composite surface while the amount of potassium salt in the composites is crucial for the adsorption application. Exceptional adsorption behavior is postulated to come from a high degree of homogeneity among surface active sites which is confirmed by different experimental methods. Temperature programmed desorption of glyphosate coupled with mass spectrometer detected one broad, high-temperature peak which represents overlapped desorption processes from active sights of similar strength. Introduction of potassium tungstophosphate affects active sites present in BEA zeolite for glyphosate desorption and significantly increases the amount of adsorbed pesticide in comparison to BEA zeolite. Supporting of potassium tungstophosphate on BEA zeolite via in situ synthesis procedure enables the formation of highly efficient adsorbents and revealed their perspective environmental application.

Genotypic diversity and virulent factors of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from human breast milk.

Staphylococcus epidermidis strains were isolated from the expressed human breast milk (EHM) of 14 healthy donor mothers. Genetic diversity was evaluated using RAPD-PCR REP-PCR and pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). PFGE allowed the best discrimination of the isolates, since it provided for the greatest diversity of the analyzed genomes. Among the S. epidermidis strains, resistance to gentamicin, tetracycline, erythromycin, clindamycin or vancomycin was detected, whilst four isolates were multiresistant. The results from our study demonstrate that staphylococci from EHM could be reservoirs of resistance genes, since we showed that tetK could be transferred from EHM staphylococci to Gram-negative Escherichia coli. Most of the staphylococcal strains displayed excellent proteolytic and lipolytic activities. Additionally, the presence of ica genes, which was related to their ability to form a biofilm on tissue culture plates, and the presence of virulence factors including autolysin/adhesin AtLE, point to their pathogenic potential.

[Correlation analysis of predictive factors of successful implantation in fertilization in vitro]. / Korelativna analiza predikcionih faktora za uspesnost implantacije u programu vantelesne oplodnje.

INTRODUCTION: Endometrial receptivity as isolated predictive factor of successful implantation, with its specifity is determined with numbered factors. PURPOSE: Purpose of this study was to evaluate significance and correlation between relevant factors using appropriate statistical analyses on term of embryo implantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Evaluated group contained 85 women whom according different causes of infertility have been determined for assisted reproduction program. Analysed measurements were: endometrial thickness, assessed hyperechogenity in relation with absolute endometrial thickness (HEA relation) and uterine blood flow (pulsatile index-Pi). Simultaneously were analyzed serum estradiol (E2; pg/ml) and progesterone (P; nmol/l) levels. After these evaluations achieved results were processed with standard statistical pack. Beside that were applied parameter and nonparameter tests with aim to test significancy of difference and multiple regressive analyse (Stepwise). RESULTS: Resulted measured parameters have been presented in basic analyse as middle value (Xrs) from all measurements + SD (standard deviation) and significance of difference is tested by mentioned statistical tests (Table 1). Application of Stepwise analyse, "step by step", has used parameter by parameter based on value which has decreased variability and based on achieved correlative coefficient between dependent uneven and complex of independent uneven values. This procedure confirms best correlation between HEA relation and serum progesterone levels and HEA relation in correlation with associated values: P, E2 and endometrial thickness (Table 1). DISCUSSION: Investigation provided till now shows that embryo quality and endometrial receptivity with highest probability determine success of applied assisted reproduction, successful embryonal implantation There is assessed influence of endometrial receptivity represented trough HEA relation using many folded regressive analyse where qualitative endometrial value has been looked with dependency with other parameters gives picture for high determinancy with hormonal activity and with stimulative ovarian activity. This determinancy could be viewed mostly through serum progesterone levels on day of HCG administration. Correlative relation between qualitative endometrial characteristics on day of HCG administration has high value related to progesterone levels. CONCLUSION: Results presented with this research confirm once again complexity characteristic for factors that play final role in embryo implantation in IVF program. There is presented only one aspect related with this problem with aim to contribute quantification importance and assessment rate of mutual influence these factors known till now as relevant.