Heavy metals and other organic pollutants burden the environment, and their removal or neutralization is still inadequate. The great potential for development in this area includes porous, spherical ...silica nanostructures with a well-developed active surface and open porosity. In this context, we modified the surface of silica spheres using a microwave field (variable power and exposure time) to increase the metal uptake potential and build stable bioactive Ag
O/Ag
CO
heterojunctions. The results showed that the power of the microwave field (P = 150 or 700 W) had a more negligible effect on carrier modification than time (t = 60 or 150 s). The surface-activated and silver-loaded silica carrier features like morphology, structure, and chemical composition correlate with microbial and antioxidant enzyme activity. We demonstrated that the increased sphericity of silver nanoparticles enormously increased toxicity against
,
, and
. Furthermore, such structures negatively affected the antioxidant defense system of
,
, and
through the induction of oxidative stress, leading to cell death. The most robust effects were found for nanocomposites in which the carrier was treated for an extended period in a microwave field.
In response to the persistent challenge of heavy and noble metal environmental contamination, our research explores a new idea to capture silver through porous spherical silica nanostructures. The ...aim was realized using microwave radiation at varying power (P = 150 or 800 W) and exposure times (t = 60 or 150 s). It led to the development of a silica surface with enhanced metal-capture capacity. The microwave-assisted silica surface modification influences the notable changes within the carrier but also enforces the crystallization process of silver nanoparticles with different morphology, structure, and chemical composition. Microwave treatment can also stimulate the formation of core-shell bioactive Ag/Ag
CO
heterojunctions. Due to the silver nanoparticles' sphericity and silver carbonate's presence, the modified nanocomposites exhibited heightened toxicity against common microorganisms, such as
and
. Toxicological assessments, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC
) determinations, underscored the efficacy of the nanocomposites. This research represents a significant stride in addressing pollution challenges. It shows the potential of microwave-modified silicas in the fight against environmental contamination. Microwave engineering underscores a sophisticated approach to pollution remediation and emphasizes the pivotal role of nanotechnology in shaping sustainable solutions for environmental stewardship.
The dynamic development of clinical immunology in Europe began in mid 1980s, and was continued in Poland shortly thereafter. In 1993 the first national consultant in the field of clinical immunology ...was appointed in Poland. A milestone was the establishment of the Polish Working Group for Primary Immunodeficiencies (PGR for PID) in 2005. Since then, a network of numerous paediatric and internal medicine centres has been created within the Group, facing and resolving new challenges in the field. The study presents the organization of care for patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiencies in Poland, analyzes the staffing situation and patients' access to diagnostics and treatment between late 1980’s and 2024. The summary presents the achievements resulting in improved diagnostic efficiency, shortening the delay in the diagnosis of Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI)/primary immunodeficiencies (PID), and better access of patients to therapy within drug programs, largely carried out at home. The causes hindering the development of specialization are also analyzed. The most important among them are the lack of systemic support on the part of medical care organizers and the lack of motivation of young doctors to pursue specialization. The main goal is to improve diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for PID patients, including newborn screening, highly specialized, genetic test regardless where they are implemented. It can be only achieved with their better financing. An essential problem is the lack of an epidemiological or clinical IEI registry.
