Faculties https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14178/1 2026-07-05T01:40:59Z 2026-07-05T01:40:59Z Zitrický, František Sundquist, Kristina Sundquist, Jan Hemminki, Akseli Försti, Asta Hemminki, Kari Jussi https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14178/3863 2026-07-04T01:00:16Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Familial cancers associated with cancers of the breast, prostate, colorectum and lung in Sweden Zitrický, František; Sundquist, Kristina; Sundquist, Jan; Hemminki, Akseli; Försti, Asta; Hemminki, Kari Jussi Available epidemiological evidence shows that many cancers share familial risks, and this is increasingly confirmed by data on shared pathogenic germline gene variants between cancers. We decided to harness the world's largest resource on familial cancer to assess discordant familial risks for female breast (BC), prostate (PC), colorectal (CRC) and lung (LC) cancers with any of 22 different cancers in first-degree relatives (proband cancers). Familial relative risk was calculated as standardized incidence ratio (SIR) when either one proband or 2 or more (2+) probands were found in a family to distinguish low- and high-risk associations. Discordant familial associations of BC were significant for 15 1-proband and 6 2+ proband cancers. For PC the numbers were 10 and 4, for CRC they were 9 and 3 and for LC they were 14 and 5. The results with large case numbers showed that BC, CRC and LC associated with each other but the familial association between PC and LC was negative. Many novel associations with possible genetic causes were found, including lobular BC with stomach cancer, PC with kidney cancer, CRC with squamous cell skin, brain and thyroid cancers, and LC with gallbladder and endocrine tumors, the most common of which were parathyroid adenomas. Also, LC associations with esophageal and cervical cancers were unlikely to be due to smoking alone and require additional explanations. In conclusion, 2/3 of discordant associations could suggest low-risk genetic and environmental causation and 1/3 high-risk genetic causation, both waiting for experimental proof.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Lichovník, Martin Aiglsperger, Thomas Mihaljevič, Martin Kříbek, Bohdan Mapani, Ben Ettler, Vojtěch https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14178/3862 2026-07-02T01:00:38Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Using Quantitative Mineralogy for Tailoring the Metal Extraction and Potential Recovery from Copper Slags Lichovník, Martin; Aiglsperger, Thomas; Mihaljevič, Martin; Kříbek, Bohdan; Mapani, Ben; Ettler, Vojtěch Waste metallurgical slags have shown the potential to serve as a source of critical raw materials. In this study, we examined the extraction of Cu and Zn from a fine-grained copper slag from the Tsumeb smelter (Namibia). A combination of chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and automated mineralogy (autoSEM) was used to determine its elemental and mineralogical composition. Silicate glass was determined as being the most abundant phase (over 90 area %) and the dominant host phase for the target elements (58-70% of the total Cu, over 90% of the total Zn). Based on these results, the reprocessing of the slag by sulfide flotation and subsequent pyrometallurgical treatment would be inefficient. For the extraction of Cu and Zn, a hydrometallurgical approach using acid leaching was proposed. Extraction tests to simulate agitation leaching were carried out by leaching the original fine-grained material in H<inf>2</inf>SO<inf>4</inf> (20, 50, and 100 g/l) at liquid/solid (L/S) ratios of 5, 10, and 20 kg/l and ambient temperature for 1 and 6 h. The extraction efficiencies increased with the increasing acid concentrations, L/S ratios, and leaching time, reaching up to 70% for Cu and 94% for Zn. High extraction efficiencies of As were reached (up to 91%), possibly lowering the environmental hazards posed by the original material.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Lichovník, Martin García-Tudela, Matías Aiglsperger, Thomas Strnad, Ladislav Mihaljevič, Martin Kříbek, Bohdan Bagai, Zibisani Ettler, Vojtěch https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14178/3861 2026-07-02T01:00:43Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Resource potential of Cu-Ni-Co metallurgical slag: Quantitative mineralogy and critical metals extraction using different acids Lichovník, Martin; García-Tudela, Matías; Aiglsperger, Thomas; Strnad, Ladislav; Mihaljevič, Martin; Kříbek, Bohdan; Bagai, Zibisani; Ettler, Vojtěch Dumps of waste metallurgical slags can store large quantities of critical raw materials. This study examined the granulated slag from a Ni-Cu smelter, containing 0.30 wt% Cu, 0.11 wt% Ni, and 0.086 wt% Co. A combination of mineralogical characterization techniques (XRD, SEM-EPMA, LA-ICP-MS, and automated mineralogy) was employed to investigate the phase composition and distribution of target elements to provide the key information for the possible reprocessing of this material on a quantitative basis. The major constituents are silicate glass (84 area%) and fayalite (15 area%), while entrapped matte (sulfide inclusions) accounts only for 0.2 area%. The silicate phases are also the primary hosts for the target elements, accounting for 98%, 74%, and 66% of the total Co, Cu, and Ni, respectively. Our results indicate that acid leaching and hydrometallurgical processing are the preferred strategies for the potential metal recovery. Laboratory extraction tests were conducted under the following conditions: original slag without comminution and finely milled; sulfuric acid, methanesulfonic acid (MSA), and citric acid; liquid/solid ratios of 10 and 20 L/kg; ambient and elevated (70 °C) temperatures; 2 and 6 h of leaching. For the original granulated slag, extraction efficiencies up to 89% for Co, 71% for Cu, and 46% for Ni were reached. The extractions of Cu and Ni were limited by adsorption or incorporation into newly formed phases. Considering the current prices of MSA and citric acid and the lack of improvement in the extraction efficiency, their use for metal recovery instead of sulfuric acid appears unlikely.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Anjan, Apurva Bharti, Vikram Kishore Mahato, Manmatha Oh, Il-Kwon Koratkar, Nikhil https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14178/3860 2026-07-02T01:00:34Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Multivalent metal-ion, sulfur, and selenium batteries for energy and healthcare applications: Current status, challenges, and future outlook Anjan, Apurva; Bharti, Vikram Kishore; Mahato, Manmatha; Oh, Il-Kwon; Koratkar, Nikhil Battery technologies have revolutionized modern life, powering portable electronics, electric vehicles, and medical innovations. Among next-generation options, multivalent batteries have garnered growing interest due to their high volumetric capacity, material abundance, and potential for low cost. This review focuses on three representative systems: multivalent metal-ion, metal-sulfur, and metal-selenium batteries. We summarize their working principles and recent advances addressing persistent challenges such as sluggish ion diffusion, structural degradation, and electrolyte incompatibility. Particular emphasis is placed on electrode design and electrolyte engineering strategies that enhance performance and durability. Beyond technical aspects, we discuss potential applications in grid-scale energy storage and biomedical devices, highlighting the advantages of high energy density, tunable form factors, and intrinsic safety. By mapping current research directions and identifying critical knowledge gaps, this review provides a comprehensive overview and forward-looking perspective on multivalent battery technologies, offering guidance for the development of sustainable, high-performance energy storage systems for industrial and healthcare applications.

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