Zawartość ołowiu w produktach zbożowych jako marker narażenia zdrowotnego populacji na przykładzie województwa podlaskiego

Heavy metals, which are considered basic industrial and environmental pollutants, pose a threat to the human health if found in food products even in trace amounts. Lead may cause such conditions as functional disorders of the kidneys, liver or the circulatory system. It can also impede the biosynthesis of heme and cause disturbances in the metabo- lism of vitamin D and the following microelements: Fe, Cu, Zn Se and Ca. The aim of the study was to assess the health threat and estimate risks from the presence of Pb in cereal products available in retail shops in the Province of Podlasie. The material consisted of samples of cereal products (flour, groats, bakery products, pasta and rice) taken at random from retail shops in Podlasie in 2004-2005 and 2010-2011. The lead concentration was estimated by using the atomic absorption spectrometry method (AAS). The content of Pb was analyzed depending on a product type and sampling period; the health threat was assessed with reference to the current Polish requirements. The results were statistically analyzed using Statistica 7.1 software, Duncan?s test and Wilcoxon test. The results revealed that the average content of Pb in the examined cereal products did not exceed the norms. During the analyzed period, a decrease in the Pb concentration in cereals was found. This may indicate an improvement in the quality of the environ- ment, which can be measured by the content of Pb in cereal products. At the same time, owing to the significant role of cereal products in human nutrition, the lead content may also serve as a marker of health exposure

Zanieczyszczenie produktów zbożowych Pb i Cd jako czynnik ryzyka zdrowotnego ludności województwa podlaskiego

Lead and cadmium pose a serious threat to human health, hence their content in food products is regulated by the EU standards, also binding in Poland. Food contamination with these metals is an etiological factor of civilization diseases. In order to prevent such disorders, it is extremely important to assess the degree of environmental pollution with Pb and Cd, reflected by the level of these metals in food products. Determination of Pb and Cd in food products demonstrates exposure to the toxic effect of these metals and enables evaluation of the threat to human health in a given population. The aim of this study has been to estimate the health threat to the population of the Province of Podlasie ( województwo podlaskie ) due to Pb and Cd contamination of cereal products. The following foodstuffs were analyzed: flour, groats, bread, pasta, rice, bran and soya products. They were collected in 13 administrative districts of the Province of Podlasie while monitoring health quality of food products. Pb and Cd concentrations were determined with the AAS method. The highest Cd level was noted in pastas (0.058±0.0330 mg kg ?1 ) and the highest Pb level was determined in cuscus (0.120±0.0899 mg kg ?1 ). The lowest average Pb concentration was found in groats (0.042±0.0306 mg kg ?1 ) and Cd was the lowest in wholemeal bread (0.016±0.0106 mg kg ?1 ). The average concentrations of Pb and Cd in cereal products did not exceed the permissible limits established by the Minister of Health. The permissible level of Pb was not surpassed until the level of the 90 th percentyl (in couscous and soya products). An average intake of Pb and Cd was within the tolerated amount, corresponding to 10% PTWI and 12% PTWI, respectively. Thus, no threat to the health of the population in Podlasie was detected

Usefulness of polysaccharide and glycoprotein fraction of Trichomonas vaginalis in serodiagnosis of trichomonosis

It has been shown that glycoprotein and polysaccharide fractions obtained from T. vaginalis cells can be employed as antigens in serodiagnosis of trichomonosis. This refers especially to the polysaccharide fraction because of its easy availability, solubility in aqueous solutions, high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. It has been stated that the diagnostic value of polysaccharide antigen of T. vaginalis, in occult trichomonosis in men particularly, is higher than the effect of the secretion examination by means of culture, even after the prostatic gland massage

Virulence of Trichomonas vaginalis strains according to clinical form of trichomonosis

Estimation of virulence of T. vaginalis strains injected subcutaneously to mice was done. T. vaginalis strains were obtained from the urinogenital tracts of patients with different clinical forms of trichomonosis. The virulence of T. vaginalis strains measured by infiltration size was found to depend upon a clinical form of trichomonosis. It was moreover shown that the cutaneous infiltration size is proportional to a dose of Trichomonas administered subcutaneously. Histopathological analysis of cutaneous infiltration itself is not decisive as to the strains virulence, yet in addition to macroscopic examination it may be a criterium in the studies on strain pathogenicity

Analysis of trace element content in hair of autistic children

Determination of the pathogenesis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders is one of the major challenges for modern scientists. The main pathogenic factors implicated in these disorders are epigenetic changes caused by environmental factors, which include toxic metals (Cd, Pb, Hg, Mn, Al and As). Also, the nervous system may be affected by the deficiency of microand macroelements (e.g. Zn and Mg). The aim of the work was to analyze the content of particular trace elements in the hair of autistic children. The study material comprised samples of hair collected from both autistic children (study group) and children chosen randomly from general population (control group). The concentrations of Mg, Zn, Cd and Mn were measured by electron scanning microscopy on a Hitachi TM-3000 apparatus, and by X-ray EDS microanalysis. The content of trace elements in hair, mutual interactions between them and their impact on the development of autism in children were evaluated. The results were statistically analyzed with the use of Statistica PL 12.5 software, including the Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon matched-pair test and R-Spearman correlation. According to the study, children diagnosed with autism suffer from both Zn deficiency and toxic metal burden (Cd and Mn). The changes observed in Mg level were statistically insignificant. These abnormalities, as an environmental factor, may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of this disease

Analysis of trace element content in hair of autistic children

Determination of the pathogenesis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders is one of the major challenges for modern scientists. The main pathogenic factors implicated in these disorders are epigenetic changes caused by environmental factors, which include toxic metals (Cd, Pb, Hg, Mn, Al and As). Also, the nervous system may be affected by the deficiency of microand macroelements (e.g. Zn and Mg). The aim of the work was to analyze the content of particular trace elements in the hair of autistic children. The study material comprised samples of hair collected from both autistic children (study group) and children chosen randomly from general population (control group). The concentrations of Mg, Zn, Cd and Mn were measured by electron scanning microscopy on a Hitachi TM-3000 apparatus, and by X-ray EDS microanalysis. The content of trace elements in hair, mutual interactions between them and their impact on the development of autism in children were evaluated. The results were statistically analyzed with the use of Statistica PL 12.5 software, including the Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon matched-pair test and R-Spearman correlation. According to the study, children diagnosed with autism suffer from both Zn deficiency and toxic metal burden (Cd and Mn). The changes observed in Mg level were statistically insignificant. These abnormalities, as an environmental factor, may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of this disease

Usefulness of polysaccharide and glycoprotein fraction of Trichomonas vaginalis in serodiagnosis of trichomonosis

It has been shown that glycoprotein and polysaccharide fractions obtained from T. vaginalis cells can be employed as antigens in serodiagnosis of trichomonosis. This refers especially to the polysaccharide fraction because of its easy availability, solubility in aqueous solutions, high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. It has been stated that the diagnostic value of polysaccharide antigen of T. vaginalis, in occult trichomonosis in men particularly, is higher than the effect of the secretion examination by means of culture, even after the prostatic gland massage

Virulence of Trichomonas vaginalis strains according to clinical form of trichomonosis

Estimation of virulence of T. vaginalis strains injected subcutaneously to mice was done. T. vaginalis strains were obtained from the urinogenital tracts of patients with different clinical forms of trichomonosis. The virulence of T. vaginalis strains measured by infiltration size was found to depend upon a clinical form of trichomonosis. It was moreover shown that the cutaneous infiltration size is proportional to a dose of Trichomonas administered subcutaneously. Histopathological analysis of cutaneous infiltration itself is not decisive as to the strains virulence, yet in addition to macroscopic examination it may be a criterium in the studies on strain pathogenicity