Separation of anthropogenic radionuclides from aqueous environment using raw and modified biosorbents

In this study, two types of biosorbents were used to remove ¹³⁷Cs and plutonium isotopes from aqueous solutions - moss (Ptilium crista - castrensis) and oak sawdust (Quercus robur), both in the form of natural and modified state. Sorbent modification significantly increases the sorbent surface area (for moss sorbents - from 4.0 to 47.2 m²/g, and for sawdust sorbents - from 1.1 to 26.3 m²/g), pore volume (from 10^-3 to 10^-2), concentration and amount of basic cations and anions, as well as active functional groups on the sorbent surface. The main functional groups on the surface of natural sorbents modified with iron hydroxide interacting with analytes are carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. For carbonized sawdust and its subsequent activation with concentrated HCl, in addition to carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, acetyl groups also become active. Carbonated sawdust treated with HCl showed the highest average removal efficiency and sorption capacity for radiocesium and plutonium isotopes in laboratory column experiments - for ¹³⁷Cs ∼78.6% and ∼196.6 Bq/g and for ^239+240Pu ∼83% and ∼41.5 Bq/g, respectively. The moss and moss modified with iron hydroxide also showed good properties of adsorbing plutonium isotopes in field (in-situ) experiments. The best results on the sorption of ¹³⁷Cs in field experiments were shown by carbonated sawdust activated with HCl, and for isotopes of plutonium - the raw moss and moss modified with iron hydroxide. The results of the study showed that sorbents can be used not only for purification of water from plutonium isotopes but allow the operational sampling and more accurate measurement of radiocesium and plutonium isotopes in the fresh water reservoirs by the dynamic flow method.

Bone Health Index and bone turnover in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and poor metabolic control

BACKGROUND

There is a need for a non-invasive, affordable, and reliable method for bone health screening in pediatric patients at risk.

OBJECTIVE

To assess Bone Health Index (BHI) in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its relation to bone metabolism, age at onset, duration, control, and insulin dose.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Left-hand radiographs were obtained from 65 patients with T1D, mean age 11.23 ± 3.89 years, mean disease duration 5.23 ± 3.76 years and mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)-83 mmol/mol (9.7%). Blood and 24 hours urine samples were collected for bone and mineral metabolism assessment. BoneXpert was used to determine BHI, Bone Health Index standard deviation score (BHI SDS), and bone age.

RESULTS

Mean BHI SDS was -1.15 ± 1.19 (n = 54). In 20.37% (n = 11) BHI SDS was < -2SD with mean value -2.82 ± 0. 69, P < .001. These patients had lower levels of beta cross laps (0.77  ± 0.33 ng/mL vs 1.17 ± 0.47 ng/mL), osteocalcin (47.20 ± 14.07 ng/mL vs 75.91 ± 32.08 ng/mL), serum magnesium (0.79 ± 0.05 mmol/L vs 0.83 ± 0.06 mmol/L) and phosphorus (1.48 ± 0.29 mmol/L vs 1.71 ± 0.28 mmol/L) but higher ionized calcium (1.29 ± 0.04 mmol/L vs 1.26 ± 0.05 mmol/L), P < .05, compared to patients with BHI SDS in the normal range. We found a positive correlation between BHI SDS and age at manifestation (r = 0.307, P = 0.024) and a negative one with disease duration (r = -0.284, P = .038). No correlations were found with HbA1c, insulin dose, height, weight, BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess bone health in pediatric patients with T1D using BHI. We found significantly decreased cortical bone density and bone turnover in 20.37%. Earlier age at onset and diabetes duration may have a negative impact on cortical bone density in patients with poor control. Longitudinal studies are needed to follow changes or to assess future interventions.

Prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: Data from the international SWEET registry

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of underweight (UW), overweight (OW), and obesity in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

An international cross-sectional study including 23 026 T1D children (2-18 years, duration of diabetes ≥1 year) participating in the SWEET prospective, multicenter diabetes registry. Body mass index SD score (BMI-SDS) was calculated using the World Health Organization BMI charts. Children were categorized as UW (BMI-SDS < -2SD), OW (+1SD < BMI-SDS ≤ +2SD), and obese (OB) (BMI-SDS > +2SD). Hierarchic regression models were applied with adjustment for sex, age, and duration of diabetes.

RESULTS

The prevalence of UW, OW, and obesity was: 1.4%, 22.3%, and 7.3% in males and 0.6%, 27.2%, and 6.8% in females. Adjusted BMI-SDS was significantly higher in females than in males (mean ± SEM: 0.54 ± 0.05 vs 0.40 ± 0.05, P < 0.0001). In males, BMI-SDS significantly decreased by age (P < 0.0001) in the first three age categories 0.61 ± 0.06 (2 to <10 years), 0.47 ± 0.06 (10 to <13 years), 0.34 ± 0.05 (13 to <16 years). In females, BMI-SDS showed a U-shaped distribution by age (P < 0.0001): 0.54 ± 0.04 (2 to <10 years), 0.39 ± 0.04 (10 to <13 years), 0.55 ± 0.04 (13 to <16 years). BMI-SDS increased by diabetes duration (<2 years: 0.38 ± 0.05, 2 to <5 years: 0.44 ± 0.05, and ≥5 years: 0.50 ± 0.05, P < 0.0001). Treatment modality did not affect BMI-SDS. Adjusted HbA1c was significantly higher in females than in males (8.20% ± 0.10% vs 8.06% ± 0.10%, P < 0.0001). In both genders, the association between HbA1c and BMI-SDS was U-shaped with the highest HbA1c in the UW and obesity groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The high rate of OW and obesity (31.8%) emphasize the need for developing further strategies to prevent and treat excess fat accumulation in T1D.

Insulin pump therapy in children with type 1 diabetes: analysis of data from the SWEET registry

BACKGROUND

Intensified insulin delivery using multiple daily injections (MDI) or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is recommended in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to achieve good metabolic control.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the frequency of pump usage in T1D children treated in SWEET (Better control in Paediatric and Adolescent diabeteS: Working to crEate CEnTers of Reference) centers and to compare metabolic control between patients treated with CSII vs MDI.

METHODS

This study included 16 570 T1D children participating in the SWEET prospective, multicenter, standardized diabetes patient registry. Datasets were aggregated over the most recent year of treatment for each patient. Data were collected until March 2016. To assess the organization of pump therapy a survey was carried out.

RESULTS

Overall, 44.4% of T1D children were treated with CSII. The proportion of patients with pump usage varied between centers and decreased with increasing age compared with children treated with MDI. In a logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, gender and diabetes duration, the use of pump was associated with both: center size [odd ratio 1.51 (1.47-1.55), P < .0001) and the diabetes-related expenditure per capita [odd ratio 1.55 (1.49-1.61), P < .0001]. Linear regression analysis, adjusted for age, gender, and diabetes duration showed that both HbA1c and daily insulin dose (U/kg/d) remained decreased in children treated with CSII compared to MDI (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin pump therapy is offered by most Sweet centers. The differences between centers affect the frequency of use of modern technology. Despite the heterogeneity of centers, T1D children achieve relatively good metabolic control, especially those treated with insulin pumps and those of younger age.

Safety results from OCAPI: a European Observational Cohort Study of insulin glulisine-treated children aged 6-12 years with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Data on the safety of insulin glulisine for type 1 diabetes are limited in paediatric populations. The European post-marketing Observational prospective Cohort study of children with type 1 diabetes treated with APIDRA(®) (OCAPI) study evaluated the safety of insulin glulisine in children aged 6-12 years in real-life clinical practice, with a particular focus on the 6-8 years age group.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

OCAPI was an international, multicentre, observational, non-interventional, prospective cohort study, in which 94 participants with type 1 diabetes (6-8 years age group: n=31; 9-12 years age group: n=63) received insulin glulisine for 6 months under normal, local conditions. The primary objective was the incidence of severe hypoglycaemia in all participants.

RESULTS

Overall incidence of severe hypoglycaemia was 6.6 events per 100 persons/year (7.2 and 6.3 events per 100 persons/year in the 6-8 and 9-12 years age groups, respectively). 12 participants (all aged 9-12 years) experienced transient injection-site reactions. No systematic hypersensitivity reactions were reported. Only 1 participant (9-12 years age group) experienced a serious class-effect risk possibly related to insulin glulisine (severe hypoglycaemia requiring an Emergency Department visit). Glycated haemoglobin levels did not change markedly throughout the study, and were inversely proportional to the risk of hypoglycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin glulisine has a good safety profile in children with type 1 diabetes aged 6-12 years, with generally low rates of severe hypoglycaemia and few adverse reactions. These results are encouraging for its use in paediatric populations.

Economic evaluation of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for children with diabetes - a pilot study: CSII application for children - economic evaluation

Background

The objective of this study is to assess the cost of using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion to treat children with type-1diabetes in Bulgaria, considering changes in body mass index (BMI) and the glycated hemoglobin. The study was performed from the perspective of the Bulgarian National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and patients.

Methods

A total of 34 pediatric type-1-diabetes patients were observed for 7 months, divided into 2 groups – on pumps and on insulin analogue therapy. Patient demographic data, BMI and glycated hemoglobin level were obtained and recorded. The cost of insulin, pumps, and consumables were calculated and compared with changes in glycated hemoglobin level. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was below the threshold value of gross domestic product per capita.

Results

The results were sensitive to changes in glycated hemoglobin level. Improvements associated with glycemic control led to a reduced glycated hemoglobin level that could ensure good diabetes management, but its influence on BMI in growing children remains unclear.

Conclusion

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion appears to be more cost-effective for the Bulgarian pediatric population and health care system.

Stages of xylene transforming during carbon particle synthesis

Xylene is one of the materials that could be used for synthesis of different carbon nanoparticles including perfect carbon spheres with diameters of 1 to 8 microm and ellipsoids. Its changes in the course of the pyrolytic process in a hermetically sealed stainless steal container have been examined by stopping the process at different stage of temperature treatment from 100 degrees C to 600 degrees C. The prepared material is in a liquid phase up to 400 degrees C and its relative weight and optical transmittance changes have been measured. The origins of these changes are traced to solid micro and nanoparticles and their morphology, which was studied by Scanning (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Electron Probe X-ray Micro Analysis and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of type I (insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus at presentation among Bulgarian children

Clinical and laboratory data of 1248 newly diagnosed diabetic children at the time of diagnosis were analysed. All children were admitted to the University Children's Hospital in Sofia, 45.9% before first their insulin injection. Symptoms preceding the diagnosis and laboratory data (plasma glucose and ketonuria) were analysed, respectively for 1100 and 1022 children. Blood pH (mainly arterialized) was available in 558 ketonuria positive children and in other 82 acidotic breathing was reported. Mother's education was noted in the 1226 hospital records. Among the children with known urinanalysis 13.5% were without ketonuria (148 patients), 12 of them with fasting blood glucose < or = 6.4 mmol/1 (115 mg/dl). Eighteen-point-two percent of all children were hospitalized in a state of severe ketoacidosis (blood pH < or = 7.2 or reported acidotic breathing). The average duration of thirst and polyuria was 28 +/- 33 days. Ketonuria negative children with plasma glucose < or = 6.4 mmol/l showed a significantly shorter period of symptoms, compared to those with plasma glucose > 6.4 mmol/1 (17 +/- 25 vs. 25 +/- 31 days; P = 0.0991). The cases with severe ketoacidosis, compared to those with mild ketoacidosis (blood pH 7.21 - 7.34) showed shorter period of symptoms too (P = 0.0658). Moderate positive relation existed between the age at diagnosis and duration of symptoms (chi 2 = 43.28, D.F. = 8, P = 0.0000). The percentage of severe ketoacidosis is higher in the younger age groups. Febrile illness, preceding the start of the symptoms was more common in the groups with shorter duration of symptoms (up to 1 month), but did not change the proportion of severe ketoacidosis. No significant difference was found between the level of mother's education and duration of the symptoms before diagnosis (P = 0.9782). We conclude that the level of metabolic disturbances at the diagnosis of IDDM among children was not influenced by the duration of the preceding symptoms. The severity of clinical picture was possibly dependent on the degree of insulinopenia, i.e. the rate of beta-cell destruction. Clinical heterogeneity was possibly dependent on genetical heterogeneity related to HLA class II genes.

A cold spot of IDDM incidence in Europe. Macedonia

OBJECTIVE

To determine, for the first time, the incidence of IDDM among children 0-15 yr of age in Macedonia, the south republic of former Yugoslavia, and to compare these rates with those from neighboring countries.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Children < 15 yr of age, with IDDM diagnosed between January 1985 and December 1991, were registered using the criteria established for the WHO Multinational Project for Childhood Diabetes. The primary source of case ascertainment consisted of clinical records from the University Pediatric Clinic in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. The secondary source consisted of records for insulin supplies from the pharmacy in Skopje and from 15 local hospitals.

RESULTS

During 1985-1991, 112 children < 15 yr of age were diagnosed with IDDM in Macedonia. The completeness of case ascertainment was 96.6%. The age-adjusted IDDM incidence rate was very low, only 2.45/100,000 per yr. No significant sex difference in incidence was observed. The highest incidence rate occurred in the 10- to 15-yr age-group. No temporal trends were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of IDDM in Macedonia is the lowest in Europe and among the lowest reported for Caucasian populations. However, the descriptive epidemiology is similar to that for high incidence populations. Further etiological studies are required to evaluate potential reasons for the very low incidence of IDDM in Macedonia.