Histological, histochemical and fine structure studies of the lacrimal gland and superficial gland of the third eyelid and their significance on the proper function of the eyeball in alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

The lacrimal gland (LG) and superficial gland of the third eyelid (SGTE) belong to accessory organs of the eye. The aim of the present studies was to evaluate the histological, histochemical and fine structure of the LG and SGTE obtained from 3 adult females and 2 adult males of alpaca (Vicugna pacos). The LG was situated in the dorsolateral angle of the orbit between the dorsal rectus and the lateral rectus muscles. The SGTE was located between the medial rectus muscle, the ventral rectus muscle and was partially covered by the ventral oblique muscle of the eyeball. There were no effect of gender on the morphometry of examined LG and SGTE. The third eyelid resembles an anchor in shape. During histological and ultrastructural analyses using light and transmission electron microscopy, it was established that the LG and SGTE are tubulo-acinar glands with mucoserous characters. The LG contains either lymphocytes or plasma cells, while SGTE had rare plasma cells and numerous lymphocytes in connective tissue. The cartilage of the third eyelid was composed of hyaline tissue. Numerous aggregations of lymphocytes as lymph nodules in bulbar surface of the third eyelid were observed. The LG and SGTE secretory cells exhibited a similar ultrastructure appearance in electron microscopic examination, with secretory cells tightly filled with intracytoplasmatic secretory granules and numerous clusters of mucus of different sizes which were observed in the peripheral cells compartment

Morphometry and topography of the coronary ostia in the European bison

Background: Coronary vessels have been widely studied in many species of domestic and wild mammals. However, there are no available literature reports describing the morphology and morphometry of the coronary ostia of the European bison (Bison bonasus). The aim of this study was to measure the area of the coronary ostia and assess their localisation in the coronary sinuses of the aortic root in the European bison. Materials and methods: The study material comprised 27 hearts from European bison of both sexes (16 males and 11 females), from 3 months to 26 years old, inhabiting the Bialowieza Forest (Bialowieza National Park, Poland). The animals were divided into two age groups: ≤ 5 years (group I) and > 5 years (group II). Results: In all the studied European bison, the aortic valve consisted of three semilunar leaflets, left, right and septal. The ostia of both coronary arteries were located beneath the sinotubular junction. The dimensions of the left coronary ostium were larger than those of the right coronary ostium. They were longer by on average 4.5 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.5–5.6 mm), they were wider by on average 1.6 mm (95% CI 1.0–2.2 mm) and they had a larger area by on average 31.6 mm2 (95% CI 22.7–40.5 mm2). This was evident both in young and in adult bison. After adjusting for age, there were no differences in the ostia dimensions between males and females. There were no differences in the structure of the left and right coronary arteries in nine animals. In the remaining 18 animals, there were variations in the morphology of the coronary ostia or additional ostia. Conclusions: Because of the anatomical similarity between the European bison and other ruminants, the results of this study can be applied to the other species including endangered ones

Operational testing of a laboratory paddle mixer

W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań procesu mieszania mieszaniny dwuskładnikowej w laboratoryjnej mieszarce łopatkowej. Badano wpływ parametrów eksploatacyjnych tj. prędkość obrotowa, czas mieszania oraz ilość pierścieni w mieszarce. Wykazano, że podstawowe znaczenie w realizowanym procesie ma zastosowana ilość pierścieni, oraz prędkość obrotowa.The study presents analysis results of mixing process for two—component mixtures in a paddle mixer. The effect of exploitation parameters such as: rotation speed, mixing time and quantity of collars in a mixer was investigated. It was shown that a quantity of collars applied and rotation speed used are of great importance in this process

The influence of humidity on selected mechanical properties of wheat grain

W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań dotyczące określenia wytrzymałości mechanicznej pojedynczych ziaren pszenicy o różnej wilgotności. Stwierdzono, że wraz ze wzrostem wilgotności ziarna zmniejsza się wartość siły ściskającej oraz zwiększa się energia ściskania. Nie odnotowano jednoznacznych zależności między wilgotnością ziarna a siłą i energią cięcia.The paper presents test results regarding determination of mechanical strength of single wheat grains with different humidity. It was ascertained that on the increase of grain humidity the value of compression force got reduced and compression energy got increased. No univocal dependencies between grain moisture and cutting force and cutting energy were recorded

Health properties of Yerba Mate

Introduction. Yerba Mate, also called Paraguay tea, is obtained from the dried leaves (approximately 95%) and stems (about 5%) of the evergreen shrub-tree Ilex paraguariensis. Each year, the consumption of yerba mate becomes increasingly popular in North America and Europe. The fashion for Paraguay tea has also reached Poland. During the period 2012 – 2018, as much as an 8-fold increase has been observed in the import of this raw material to our country. Objective. The aim of the study is analysis of the present state of knowledge concerning the health effects of Yerba Mate, based on selected scientific literature. Dicussion. The consumption of yerba mate may exert a beneficial effect on human health and its consumption is recommended in the treatment of obesity and while practicing sports. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that a very high consumption of the tea, especially when very hot, may increase the risk of occurrence of cancer, which has not been unequivocally confirmed by scientific studies to-date. Conclusions. It has been confirmed that this beverage shows a number of beneficial health effects, including: a protective effect on liver cells, stimulation of the central nervous system, anti-inflammatory effect, as well as a positive effect on the cardiovascular system

Factors of work environment hazardous for health in opinions of employees working underground in the ‘Bogdanka’ coal mine

Introduction. Employees performing work underground in coal mines are exposed to the effect of many hazardous factors in their work environment which negatively affect their health. Objective. The objective of the study was to recognize the opinions of employes working underground in one of the coal mines concerning the occurrence of factors hazardous for health in their work environment. Materials and method. The study was conducted in a group of 700 persons working underground in the ‘Bogdanka’ coal mine in Łęczna (Eastern Poland). The study was carried out using a questionnaire. The results were statistically analyzed using software STATISTICA v. 7.1. Results. The vast majority of respondents (approximately 80%) reported that noise and dustiness at their workplace create risk for their health. More than a half of them mentioned that the microclimate in the mine threatens their health (high humidity and high temperature), and a half of respondents indicated vibration and poor lighting. The greatest differences of opinions concerning the effect of hazardous factors on health of persons employed in the mine were observed in the sub-groups distinguished according to the work position. Health risk at a workplace was most often identified by those employed as miners. Conclusions. Among actions reducing the negative effect of the work environment on health is the introduction of new, safer technologies of coal mining. Also, the human factor is very important for work safety in mining, including the proper preparation of employees who undertake work in a mine. It is recommended that new, more effective educational programmes are implemented in the area of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) at workplaces

Assessment of musculoskeltal system pain complaints reported by forestry workers

Introduction. According to the European Occupational Diseases Statistics (EODS-2005) diseases related with musculoskeletal disorders occupy the first position on the obligatory list of occupational diseases. These disorders most frequently occur in the agriculture-hunting-forestry sector in such countries as: Finland, Holland, Germany, France and Spain (data: EU-OSHA). Materials and method. The study included a selected group of males – 414 forestry workers, employees of the State Forests, aged 25–65, mean age 48. The control group were 119 office workers aged 23–64, mean age 45.8. The basic research instrument was a questionnaire designed by specialists concerning pain complaints occurring in 7 areas of the motor system: neck, arms, upper and lower back, hips, knees and feet. Results. The results of the survey showed that in the selected group of forestry workers, among 7 investigated areas of the motor system, the most frequently reported pain complaints involved the lower part of the spine (272 persons, 65.7% of the total number of respondents). In the control group such pain complaints occurred in 55.5% (66) of office workers (p = 0.04). Forestry workers most often described this pain as permanent, radiating to the leg, or as an acute pain. According to the frequency of reporting pain, the area of the knees was placed on the second position (214 foresters; 51.7%). Conclusions. The work of a forester which consist, among other things, in relocation on foot or by vehicle over long distances along an uneven terrain and in various weather conditions, is a risk factor of the occurrence of musculosceletal disorders concerning the low back and knees

Assessment of musculoskeltal system pain complaints reported by forestry workers

Introduction. According to the European Occupational Diseases Statistics (EODS-2005) diseases related with musculoskeletal disorders occupy the first position on the obligatory list of occupational diseases. These disorders most frequently occur in the agriculture-hunting-forestry sector in such countries as: Finland, Holland, Germany, France and Spain (data: EU-OSHA). Materials and method. The study included a selected group of males – 414 forestry workers, employees of the State Forests, aged 25–65, mean age 48. The control group were 119 office workers aged 23–64, mean age 45.8. The basic research instrument was a questionnaire designed by specialists concerning pain complaints occurring in 7 areas of the motor system: neck, arms, upper and lower back, hips, knees and feet. Results. The results of the survey showed that in the selected group of forestry workers, among 7 investigated areas of the motor system, the most frequently reported pain complaints involved the lower part of the spine (272 persons, 65.7% of the total number of respondents). In the control group such pain complaints occurred in 55.5% (66) of office workers (p = 0.04). Forestry workers most often described this pain as permanent, radiating to the leg, or as an acute pain. According to the frequency of reporting pain, the area of the knees was placed on the second position (214 foresters; 51.7%). Conclusions. The work of a forester which consist, among other things, in relocation on foot or by vehicle over long distances along an uneven terrain and in various weather conditions, is a risk factor of the occurrence of musculosceletal disorders concerning the low back and knees

Bean seeds processing in the non-water and osmotic environment

W pracy przedstawiono ocenę wpływu odkażania termicznego nasion fasoli zwyczajnej. Badano przyrost masy nasion podczas obróbki w wodzie, wodnych roztworach azotanu (V) potasu o stężeniach 2, 4, 8 i 12% oraz oleju jadalnym w temperaturze wynoszącej 52°C. Im wyższe stężenie soli, tym wolniej woda wnikała w nasiona. W przypadku przetrzymywania nasion w oleju jadalnym nie zauważono przyrostu masy nasion. Badano wpływ środowiska, w którym prowadzono termoterapię, na żywotność nasion. Wraz z wydłużeniem się czasu przebywania w wodzie i wodnych roztworach KNO3 zdolność kiełkowania nasion fasoli maleje. Obróbka w oleju nie wpłynęła negatywnie na nasiona fasoli, co daje nowe możliwości do wykorzystania tego środowiska.Assessment of influence of thermal decontamination of kidney beans seeds has been presented in the paper. The mass growth of seeds during processing in water, in water potassium nitrate solutions (V) of concentration 2,4,8 and 12% and in edible oil in the temperature of 52°C were investigated. The higher salt concentration, the slower water penetrated the seeds. In case of keeping seeds in edible oil the mass growth of seeds was not reported. The impact of environment, where the thermal therapy was carried out, on the seeds vitality was investigated. Along with lengthening the time of staying in water and KNO3 water solutions, the ability of bean seeds germination decreases. Processing in oil did not negatively influence bean seeds, which gives new opportunities for using this environment