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Cigarette butts are one of the most abundant waste in the world, being dangerous due to non-biodegradable behavior and highly toxic. Cigarette butts can be converted to activated carbon (CA) which can be used as an adsorbent. However, the synthesized CA lacks functional groups facilitating the interaction with adsorbate, like heavy metal. This paper investigates the effect of Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate (DCG) modification on CA towards lead(II) ion adsorptions. CA was synthesized from cigarette butt waste through several vital processes, like flash carbonization and activation. The surfactant used in this study was DCG due to its natural and anionic behavior, with varied concentrations (0.1, 1, and 10 % (v/v)). Infrared spectroscopy revealed that the structure of both CA and CA-DCG mainly consists of aromatic rings functionalized by several oxygen functional groups, such as carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. Adding DCG increases the number of carbonyl groups in the CA confirmed by infrared and elemental analysis data. The obtained CA-DCGs have an amorphous property and a slightly porous structure. The presence of DCG also affects CA-DCG crystallinity, which increases the amorphous content as the concentration of DCG increases. The adsorption results show that the equilibrium removal efficiency significantly increased from 25 % to 99 % as DCG was introduced to the CA. CA-DCG 0.1 % demonstrated the highest maximum adsorption capacity of 9.89 mg/g. The presence of DCG markedly enhances the affinity of CA towards lead(II) ions due to its anionic behavior. Based on these results, CA-DCG is potentially applied as a lead(II) ion adsorbent. It also could reduce the existing cigarette butt waste in the environment.

INTRODUCTION: Screening and brief interventions (SBI) consist of a variety of activities aimed at people who engage in risky alcohol drinking, but who are not severely alcohol-dependent. Many studies have proved that SBI might serve as a very effective tool for reducing alcohol consumption and the associated negative consequences. However, the rate of SBI provided by healthcare professionals in the Czech Republic is relatively low. Our aim is to perform a quantified economic evaluation of SBI in the Czech Republic and thus point out its high importance in the field of alcohol policy. METHODS: To reliably estimate the benefits of SBI, the authors will perform a pilot validation of its efficiency. Within selected patients, the level of alcohol consumption will be investigated (AUDIT questionnaire) together with the level of quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire) before the intervention, and then again six months after the intervention. Respondents will be approached in collaboration with cooperating general practitioners. The authors will use cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) as the main research technique. The decision analytic model (DAM) will include three key elements—a set of probabilities with different treatment outcomes, a set of costs for implementing each of the possible treatment outcomes, and the health benefits of each possible outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The authors are aware that demonstrating the effectiveness of SBI on a national level would require a significantly broad participant base. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of alcohol SBI in the Czech Republic has not yet been thoroughly investigated so far. This pilot validation is therefore a necessary basis for further follow-up studies targeting at-risk Czech alcohol consumers and the regulation of their addictive behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leydig cell tumours of the ovary are rare and represent a diagnostic challenge not only due to their sporadic incidence but also due to the seemingly normal imaging. We present three cases of pre- and postmenopausal women who were presented with severe clinical signs of hyperandogenism where modern imaging modalities (including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron-emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT)) failed to identify the tumour. Two patients underwent non-expert ultrasound, CT and MRI examination with uniform conclusion that ovaries are of normal appearance. One of the two patients even had a PET-CT performed, which was inconclusive. Our case reports show the importance of examination by specialists with established skills in gynaecologic ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the Leydig cell tumours. The most useful diagnostic tool seems to be the combination of age (postmenopause), symptoms (onset of hirsutism and virilisation), high total testosterone plasma values and expert sonography. On ultrasound, these tumours are unilateral, usually small, solid intraovarian nodules of a slightly increased echogenicity in contrast to the surrounding ovarian tissue, delineated by abundant perfusion with an enhanced vascularity. The appropriate setting of the sensitive colour Doppler is crucial for the detection of intraovarian Leydig cell tumour. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? A diagnosis of Leydig cell tumours is based on ultrasound performed by a trained examiner or by MRI. CT or PET/CT are not among the primary methods of choice. According to the results of imaging investigations surgical treatment is planned. Because these tumours are usually benign and have a good prognosis the unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is a standard procedure. What do the results of this study add? Our case series show how difficult it can be to establish the diagnosis of Leydig cell tumours by imaging, including transvaginal ultrasound, the most frequently recommended diagnostic tool. We demonstrate in three cases how easily a small hyperechogenic tumour can be overseen or interchanged for a different gynaecological pathology if transvaginal scan is not performed by an experienced examiner trained in sonographic features of gynaecologic neoplasms. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This case series demonstrate how important it is to see the patient in the whole complexity with their medical history, proper clinical symptoms evaluation, laboratory test and not to rely solely just on sophisticated high-end investigations, such as the PET-CT, a CT and an MRI. It also emphasises the importance of specialists with established skills in gynaecologic ultrasonography. Further effort should be made to define the resources for the appropriate training of such sonographers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]