The aim of this research was to study the possibility of introducing a three-stage procedure for chemical modifi cation of textile fi bres to achieve antimicrobial properties as well as to determine the infl uence of the procedure on chemical, morphological and functional properties of fi bres and their degree of biodegradation. The procedure was applied to 100% cotton (CO) and 100% polyester (PES) fabrics and a CO/PES fabric blend with a ratio of 50%/50%. The procedure of chemical modifi cation included (i) pre-treatment of fi bres with oxygen plasma, (ii) application of organofunctional trialkoxysilane for the creation of a silica matrix, and (iii) in situ synthesis of silver chloride. For comparison, a silica matrix with incorporated silver nanoparticles was also created on the samples without plasma treatment. Untreated and chemically modifi ed samples were buried in soil for a defi ned period of time, and biodegradation of the fi bres was conducted. Chemical and morphological changes after chemical modifi cation and biodegradation were determined by microscopic and spectroscopic analyses, thin-layer wicking, and colour measurements. The results show that chemical modifi cation did not cause signifi cant morphological changes to the fi bres. Treatment with oxygen plasma increased the fi bre hydrophilicity, which resulted in an increased concentration of adsorbed silver. The presence of silver on the CO and CO/PES fabrics signifi cantly decreased the degree of biodegradation compared to the untreated samples. Plasma treatment increased the degree of fi bre biodegradation irrespective of the silver concentration present on the fi bres. The low degree of biodegradation of the PES fabric was more due to the high hydrophobicity and crystallinity of the fi bres than to the presence of silver. Keywords: textile fi bres, chemical modifi cation, plasma treatment, absorptivity for silver, biodegradation
INTRODUCTIONSmoking in pregnancy is unhealthy and can also have negative effects on the foetus. However, there are still some women who do not quit smoking during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to identify Slovenian women at risk who smoke during pregnancy. METHODS A quantative approach using an online survey was adopted. RESULTS More than half (66%) did not quit smoking during pregnancy. Women who continued to smoke during pregnancy were usually younger, less educated with a partner who smoked. Women who smoked more cigarettes per day before conception were less likely to refrain from smoking during pregnancy. The most common reason for not quitting smoking during pregnancy was failure in attempts to quit (37%). CONCLUSIONS Women who smoke need support to stop smoking before pregnancy or, at least, in the first trimester. Special groups for smoking cessation need to be created. Further and more extensive research is warranted in Slovenia to assess this issue. AFFILIATION
To determine the organization of transferrin (TF) locus in the Salmo trutta genome, partial DNA and cDNA sequencing, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and Salmo salar BAC analysis were performed. TF expression levels and copy number prediction were assessed using real-time PCR. In addition to two previously reported DNA TF variant sequences of S. trutta and Salmo marmoratus (TF1), two novel variant sequences (TF2) were revealed in both species. Variant-specific sequence tags, characterizing two variants for each TF type (TF1 and TF2), were identified in genomic clones from each of the F1 hybrids between S. trutta and S. marmoratus. These clearly documented double heterozygote status at the TF loci. The real-time PCR data showed that each of the two TF types (TF1 and TF2) existed in one copy only and that the transcription of TF2 was considerably lower compared with TF1. Using FISH, hybridization signals were observed on two medium-sized acrocentric chromosomes of S. trutta karyotype. A TF type-specific PCR followed by a restriction analysis revealed the presence of two TF loci in the majority of analysed BAC clones. It was concluded that the TF gene is duplicated in the genome of S. trutta, and that the two TF loci are located adjacent to one another on the same chromosome. The differing transcription levels of TF1 and TF2 appear to depend on the corresponding promoter activity, which at least for TF2 seems to vary between different Salmo congeners.
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