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This study was undertaken to determine the concentrations of metals in the muscle and exoskeleton of the crayfish Orconectes limosus in order to compare them with other species of crayfish and crustaceans. In addition, we analyzed the correlation between the concentrations of the same element in the exoskeleton and the meat and different elements accumulated in the same tissue. Crayfish individuals were acquired in spring (May 2012) from Lake Gopło. Individuals with damaged claws were not analyzed. Due to the relatively low amounts of meat that was obtained from the abdomen of individual crayfish, material from individuals with a similar body length was combined; thus, there were ten samples of meat and the exoskeleton obtained on the whole. The muscle samples (about 12 g) were freeze dried in a Finn-Aqua Lyovac GT2 freeze dryer (Finland). Three replicates of each freeze-dried sample were acid digested with 1 ml of concentrated HNO3 and 1 cm3 H2O2. Metal analyses were performed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with a Perkin-Elmer Optima 8300 spectrometer. The analyses revealed that the mean metals concentrations (mg.kg-1) in the meat of the crayfish and in the exoskeleton were in the following order (Zn (115.571) > Mn (18.825) > Cu (17.226) > Ni (15.472) > Pb (3.535) > Cr (0.769) > Co (0.551) > Cd (0.315) > Hg (0.138)) and (Mn (111.640) > Zn (11.355) > Ni (8.165) > Pb (6.695) > Co (0.595) > Cu (0.575) > Cd (0.379) > Cr (0.195) > Hg (0.0168)), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creatine kinase (CK), one of the most characteristic muscle tissue enzymes, catalyzes transfer of phosphate from phosphocreatine to adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP). The CK activity during exercise depends largely on the duration and intensity of exercise. The physiological range of activity of this enzyme in the blood plasma of clinically healthy horses is in the range from 90 to 275 U/L. Common phenomenon, especially in endurance horses, is the occurrence of a much larger post-exercise CK activity. However, the increase in CK activity in the blood plasma is a frequent phenomenon in endurance horses and should not be interpreted as an undesirable symptom, unless it is accompanied by clinical signs of myopathy or is still persisting over a longer period of time to increase the activity of this enzyme in the blood. It is recommended to collect blood from the horse directly before and after (up to 5 min.) exercise and 15, 30, 60 minutes or 24 hours after the exercise. Due to the various analytical methods applied and various units in which the results are presented, it seems that it would be appropriate to present variability of post-exercise CK activity in percentages, which will facilitate the assessment of this phenomenon in different individuals, often subjected to different loads. In horses especially important for diagnostic purposes is a muscle isoform (M-CK), present only in striated muscle, which probably determines to a large extent, their potential aerobic. The paper discusses creatine kinase function and usefulness for determining the activity of this enzyme during the physical effort of horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present work was to assess the concentrations of metals in the abdominal muscle and exoskeleton of 3-year-old males and 4-year-old females and males of spiny-cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus) collected from Lake Gopło. A total of 93 males and 35 females were collected in autumn (October 2014). The analyzes of heavy metals were conducted by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy with a PU9100X spectrometer. The content of mercury was determined using AMA 254 mercury analyser. As analyses indicated heavy metals accumulated in the muscle and exoskeleton in the following sequence: Zn > Cu > Pb > Mn > Ni > Hg and Mn > Pb > Zn > Ni > Cu > Hg, respectively. Statistically significant differences between 3- and 4-year-old males were found for all analyzed metals. Gender dependent differences were calculated only for Ni in the muscle tissue and for Mn and Hg in the exoskeleton. In comparison with the study carried out 2 years ago notably higher concentrations of Pb were found in the muscle and a higher content of Zn, Pb, Mn and Ni was determined in the exoskeleton.

Chitin dihexanoate (DHCH) is the novel biocompatible and technologically friendly highly substituted chitin diester. Here we described optimization of DHCH and chitin dibutyrate (dibutyryl chitin, DBC) synthesis conditions (temperature and reaction time) to obtain desired polymers with high reaction yield, high substitution degree (close to 2) and appropriately high molecular weights. A two-step procedure, employing acidic anhydrides (hexanoic or butyric anhydride) as the acylation agent and methanesulfonic acid both as the catalyst and the reaction medium, was applied. Chemical structures of DBC and DHCH were confirmed by NMR ((1)H and (13)C) and IR investigations. Mechanical properties, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and biocompatibility (Neutral red uptake assay, Skin Sensitization and Irritation Tests) were assessed. Both polymers proved highly biocompatible (non-cytotoxic in vitro, non-irritating and non-allergic to skin) and soluble in several organic solvents (dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone, ethanol and others). It is worth emphasizing that DHCH and DBC can be easily processed by solvent casting method and the salt-leaching method, what gives the opportunity to prepare highly porous structures, which can be further successfully applied as the material for wound dressings and scaffolds for tissue engineering., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The tissue factor (TF) - tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) axis plays a major role in hemostasis. Disorders of the coagulation system are commonly diagnosed with the help of screening tests such as prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and plasma fibrinogen concentration (PFC). However, the effect of prebiotics on the hemostasis system has not been characterized in poultry yet. This study was designed to determine the effect of in ovo administration ofprebiotics on blood coagulation parameters of broiler chickens depending on their age. The study was conducted with 180 broiler chick embryos, the air cells of which were injected on day 12 of incubation with prebiotics (experimental groups: Bi2tos, DiNovoo and RFO) or physiological saline solution (control group). At 1, 21 and 42 days of rearing, blood was sampled from 15 broiler chickens from each group. An enzyme immunoassay was performed to determine plasma TF and TFPI levels, and PT, aPTT and PFC were determined in the chicken blood. We demonstrated that: 1) total TF levels increased with age in the experimental groups, 2) prebiotics had no significant effect on TF levels between the groups at a particular age, 3) total TFPI levels differed between both the type of in ovo injected substance and the broiler chicken age, 4) in the control group, PT and aPTT were found to increase with age whilst fibrinogen concentration decreased. The main conclusion from this pilot study is that total TF and TFPI levels change with age, however no clear patterns regarding TFPI were detected yet. The levels of PT, aPTT and PFC varied with the prebiotics administered in ovo as well as with the age of broiler chickens.

In this article, the synthesis of novel biopolymer, chitin dipentanoate (Di-O-Valeryl Chitin, DVCH) has been described. DVCH is a chitin derivative esterified with two valeryl groups at positions 3 and 6 of the N-acetylglucosamine units and it is soluble in common organic solvents like ethanol, methanol, acetone, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, N,N-dimethylmethanamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide and ethyl acetate. Highly efficient synthesis (degree of esterification close to 2) of DVCH was achieved by employing a huge excess of valeric anhydride used as both the acylation agent and the reaction medium in the presence of perchloric acid as catalyst. Studies on the DVCH synthesis were aimed at finding optimal conditions (temperature, reaction time) to obtain DVCH with high reaction yield and desirable physicochemical properties. Biological data demonstrate that DVCH is non-cytotoxic in vitro and doesn't exert irritating or allergic effects to animal skin. Thanks to its filmogenic properties, it can be used to manufacture threads, foils, foams and non-woven materials. Moreover, DVCH can be easily processed by salt-leaching method to prepare highly porous structures exhibiting open-cell architecture, that can be further employed in wound dressing therapies and scaffolds for tissue engineering., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this study new biodegradable materials obtained by crosslinking poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene succinate) (PSAGE) with oligo(isosorbide maleate) (OMIS) and small amount of methyl methacrylate were investigated. The porous scaffolds were obtained in the presence of a foaming system consisted of calcium carbonate/carboxylic acid mixture, creating in situ porous structure during crosslinking of liquid formulations. The maximum crosslinking temperature and setting time, the cured porous materials morphology as well as the effect of their porosity on mechanical properties and hydrolytic degradation process were evaluated. It was found that the kind of carboxylic acid used in the foaming system influenced compressive strength and compressive modulus of porous scaffolds. The MTS cytotoxicity assay was carried out for OMIS using hFOB1.19 cell line. OMIS resin was found to be non-toxic in wide range of concentrations. On the ground of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations and energy X-ray dispersive analysis (EDX) it was found that hydroxyapatite (HA) formation at the scaffolds surfaces within short period of soaking in phosphate buffer solution occurs. After 3h immersion a compact layer of HA was observed at the surface of the samples. The obtained results suggest potential applicability of resulted new porous crosslinked polymeric materials as temporary bone void fillers., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Drawbacks with the commonly used PMMA-based bone cements, such as an excessive elastic modulus and potentially toxic residual monomer content, motivate the development of alternative cements. In this work an attempt to prepare an injectable biomaterial based on isosorbide-alicyclic diol derived from renewable resources was presented. Two novel dimethacrylic monomers ISDGMA - 2,5-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy)-1,4:3,6-dianhydro-sorbitol and ISETDMA - dimethacrylate of ethoxylated isosorbide were synthesized and used to prepare a series of low-viscosity compositions comprising bioactive nano-sized hydroxyapatite in the form of a two-paste system. Formulations exhibited a non-Newtonian shear-thinning behavior, setting times between 2.6 min and 5.3 min at 37°C and maximum curing temperatures of 65°C. Due to the hydrophilic nature of ISDGMA, cured compositions could absorb up to 13.6% water and as a result the Young's modulus decreased from 1,429 MPa down to 470 MPa. Both, poly(ISDGMA) and poly(ISETDMA) were subjected to a MTT study on mice fibroblasts (BALB/3T3) and gave relative cell viabilities above 70% of control. A selected model bone cement was additionally investigated using human osteosarcoma cells (SaOS-2) in an MTS test, which exhibited concentration-dependent cell viability. The preliminary results, presented in this work reveal the potential of two novel dimethacrylic monomers in the preparation of an injectable biomaterial for bone augmentation, which could overcome some of the drawbacks typical for conventional acrylic bone cement., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of the season and the breeding region on the content of selected minerals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Cd) in the hair of dairy cows. The research material covered 114 Holstein-Friesian breed cows from three breeding centres in Poland, hereafterreferred to as A, B and C. Breeding centre A is located in Opolskie province, breeding centre B in Podlaskie province and breeding centre C in Kujawsko-Pomorskie province. The cows were kept in freestanding cowsheds with den boxes. Animal nutrition involved the use of the TMR system, considering division into nutrition groups. Hair was sampled in summer and in the period of winter and spring from the side of the body, directly behind the coastal arch. The Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe analysis was performed with atomic absorption spectrometry. The Pb and Cd content was assayed with the use of the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The results demonstrated the effect of season and breeding region on the level of the minerals and heavy metals assayed in the hair of cows being in the period of drying-off. The hair sampled in winter from cows from C demonstrated a higher concentration of most elements except for Fe than in material derived in summer. Hair sampled in winter from cows from the B centre showed higher Zn, Cu and Pb concentrations as compared with summer. Higher Cu, Mn, Fe and Pb concentrations were determined in hair sampled during winter from cows from A than in the material obtained in summer. The Cd content in the cow hair did not exceed the admissible norm, however, normal levels were exceeded for Pb in hair sampled in winter from cows from breeding centre C.

The aim of this work was to synthesize and investigate properties of a novel dimethacrylic monomer based on bioderived alicyclic diol--isosorbide. Its potential as a possible substitute of 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane (BISGMA), widely used in dental restorative materials and suspected for toxicity was assessed. The novel monomer was obtained in a three-step synthesis. First, isosorbide was etherified by a Williamson nucleophilic substitution and subsequently oxidized to isosorbide diglycidyl ether (ISDGE). A triphenyl phosphine catalyzed addition of methacrylic acid to ISDGE resulted in 2,5-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy)- 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-sorbitol (ISDGMA). The monomer obtained was photopolymerized using camphorquinone/2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate initiating system. Next, compositions with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) were prepared and polymerized. Double bond conversion, polymerization shrinkage and water sorption of resulting polymers were determined. Selected mechanical (flexular strength and modulus, Brinell hardness) and thermomechanical (DMA analysis) properties were also investigated. BISGMA based materials were prepared as reference for comparison of particular properties.

The aim of this study was to determine fat and cholesterol content and the fatty acid profile in the meat of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.). Muscle samples for analyses were taken from the large side muscle of the fish body above the lateral line. The study involved 56 individuals caught in fall and spring. Analyses were carried out on 14 females and 14 males caught in each season. The percentage content of fat in the fish meat was determined with the modified method of FOLCH et al. (1957). The cholesterol content was determined with the modified Liebermann-Burchardt colorimetric method using a Shimadzu spectrophotometer (UV-VIS-NIR-3100). The fatty acid profile was determined with the gas chromatograph with a flame-ionization detector. Analyses indicated that the percentage content of fat was higher in the meat of roach caught in autumn (0.96% in females and 0.91% in males) than in the tissues of individuals from spring, which was 0.67% and 0.86%, respectively. The content of the total cholesterol was higher in autumn (64.17 mg 100g(-1)) than in spring (56.25 mg 100g(-1)), and these values significantly differed (p < 0.05). Statistical analyses indicated that there were no significant differences in the content of fat and cholesterol between females and males caught in both seasons. The total amounts of SFA, MUFA and PUFA ranged from 30.05% to 33.57%, from 39.53% to 47.64% and from 19.96% to 27.42%, respectively. Analyses of correlations between fatty acids from the n-3 and n-6 group indicated a positive and statistically significant relationship between C20:4 n-6 and C22:4 n-6 (p = 0.000, R = 0.9065) and C20:5 n-3 and C22:6 n-3 (p = 0.000, r = 0.8555). The ratio of n-3/n-6 was highest in the meat of roach caught in spring (0.50-0.81) than in autumn (0.50-0.77). The AI index ranged from 0.35 to 0.46 and the mean values of TI ranged from 0.41 to 0.54.

Meat is an important source of animal protein but, at the same time, it includes saturated fatty acids, which makes it a potential cause of different cardiovascular diseases and still little is known about influence of age and sex on these parameters in roe deer muscles. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of age and sex on the CLA and other fatty acids content in the musculus longissimus lumborum in 67 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.). In the meat from the oldest individuals a higher content of CLA was noted (89.76 [mg/kg]) when compared to the fawns (42 [mg/kg]). In this research meat from roe deer does showed in general a higher percentage proportion of SFAs and MUFAs, but lower of PUFAs, than the meat from bucks. These results may provide an important source of information for consumers of roe deer meat because of differences between CLA and other fatty acids content depending on age and sex of the animals. Meat from roebucks is the most advantageous for dietary purposes.

The aim of this work was to compare the concentrations of calcium and phosphorus and Ca/P ratio in the meat of females and males of the roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) caught from the Brda River. The study involved 40 roach individuals caught in fall and spring (10 females and 10 males from each season). The muscle samples for analyses were taken from the large side muscle of the fish body above the lateral line. Ca concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry; P content was analyzed by the colorimetric method. Calcium concentration in the meat of analysed roach was higher in samples collected from fish caught in spring and equaled 1.82 g kg(-1) in females and 1.93 g kg(-1) in males. Values for individuals from autumn amounted to 0.83 and 1.10 g kg(-1), respectively. Statistically significant differences in calcium content were detected between individuals caught in different seasons, but samples taken from females and males caught within one season did not differ substantially. The mean value of P in the meat of analysed roach caught in spring was higher than in fish from autumn, and it was respectively 2.24 g kg(-1) in females and 2.30 g kg(-1) in males from spring, and 1.89 g kg(-1) in the tissue of females and 2.01 g kg(-1) in males in fish from autumn. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the meat of analysed wild roach ranged from 0.43:1 to 0.82:1. A negative and statistically significant correlation between Ca and P concentrations was found in the meat and the body length of analysed roach from the Brda River.

The Zn and Pb concentration was determined in 45 samples of bull semen from three Artificial Insemination Stations (A,B,C) differing in degree of environmental pollution. Bull semen was diluted with Biociphos-Plus to such an extent as to obtain 16 million sperm cells in an insemination dose. The research aimed at assessing the correlation between zinc, lead and other parameters influencing the semiological assessment of bull semen. The content of zinc and lead was determined with the use of the flame method and an absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Positive, statistically significant correlations between zinc concentration and semen motility were observed in station A at r = 0.61 and station C at r = 0.614. In station B these correspondences were not statistically confirmed. Positive correlation at r = 0.583 was observed in case of zinc and the ejaculate volume only in station B. No statistically significant correlation was observed between lead concentration and the analyzed parameters.

To estimate the potential adverse consequences of rifampin therapy on cell-mediated immunity in tuberculosis, we measured in vitro lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, and in vitro and in vivo responses to purified protein derivative tuberculin. Thirty-seven patients treated with therapeutic combinations containing rifampin were compared with 13 persons who had never received the drug. After initial improvement, responses to phytohemagglutinin became depressed in patients receiving rifampin for periods of 4 to 24 months. No significant changes were noted in lymphocyte responses to concanavalin A or pokeweed mitogen. In vitro and in vivo responses to purified protein derivative tuberculin were not altered. Because a favorable therapeutic outcome was achieved in all subjects, we concluded that rifampin does not have clinically significant immunosuppressive activity.

In an attempt to understand divergent observations regarding the in vitro lymphocyte responsiveness to antigens and mitogens, the frequency of cutaneous reactivity, and the relationship of these variables to clinical features of sarcoidosis, we examined cell-mediated immune responses in 75 untreated patients. In vitro lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A were significantly decreased among the group of patients with chronic active disease. In vitro lymphocyte responses to streptococcal antigen paralleled the patient's cutaneous reactivity; however, when compared to healthy persons, patients with sarcoidosis responded significantly less often to streptococcal skin tests. Twelve of 13 persons expected to be tuberculin positive by clinical history were found to be dermally reactive, and 11 these 12 exhibited positive in vitro lymphocyte responses to purified protein derivative. Among the remaining 62 patients, failure to respond to all stimuli in vivo and in vitro occurred in only 10. No evidence was found to support the general view that sarcoidosis is characterized by anergy to specific antigens. The patterns of responses to mitogens were neither characteristic nor unique for sarcoidosis. In patients in whom diminished specific cellular immune reactivity was observed, no correlation was evident with specific clinical features of the disease.

Immunoelectrophoretic analyses were performed on a cell extract and culture filtrate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, H37Rv strain using homologous polyvalent goat antisera. General similarity between the cell extract and culture filtrate antigens was found. Significant variation between two anti-culture filtrate antisera was observed. These antigens and antisera also differed significantly from previously described reference reagents. These findings demonstrate the necessity of using reference materials for precise identification of mycobacterial antigens in comparative studies.

The in vitro lymphocyte transformation test was compared to the skin test at intervals after aerogenic administration of bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine to monkeys, and also at monthly intervals after aerogenic challenge of monkeys vaccinated and not vaccinated with virulent strain H37Rv of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Individual responses varied, but several consistent patterns of sensitivity development could be discerned. The lymphocyte transformation test was more sensitive, and often positive when the skin test was negative, doubtful, or feeble. Conversion to tuberculin reactivity was detected by lymphocyte transformation in vitro earlier in the disease or after vaccination, and persisted longer after sensitivity to the skin test had waned or after the animals had become anergic by the skin test. Monkeys not vaccinated, but challenged, developed larger in vitro skin reactions and responses than animals that were either vaccinated and challenged or only vaccinated; however, the unvaccinated, challenged monkeys developed anergy to tuberculin and progressive disease more rapidly than other groups, and their cells became less responsive to phytohemagglutinin in vitro.

Blastogenic responses in vitro to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen were examined in microcultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes from a group of 12 healthy, long-term marihuana smokers and a group of matched control subjects. With either mitogen, no significant difference in cellular incorporation of (3H)thymidine was noted between the groups. These results were interpreted to indicate that the functional status of blood lymphocytes was not altered by long-term smoking of marihuana.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 60 black patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis disease proved by culture and 100 healthy black persons were HLA phenotyped using a standard lymphocytotoxicity test. Statistical analysis of the results showed that only Bw15 antigen had a significantly increased frequency among patients with tuberculosis when they were compared to healthy persons. Furthermore, examination of disease manifestations among patients with tuberculosis demonstrated that patients with Bw15 had significantly more far-advanced pulmonary disease with cavitation than did patients without Bw15. These observations suggest that Bw15 may influence both susceptibility to tuberculosis and the course of the disease.

Fractions of cell sonicates from the H37Rv strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis prepared by gradient acrylamide gel electrophoresis (GAGE) were examined by immunoelectrophoretic analysis and tested for biologic reactivity and antigenic specificity. Each was tested for the ability to elicit delayed type hypersensitivity reactions in the skin of guinea pigs sensitized with M. tuberculosis, M. kansasii, M. intracellulare (Battey), M. scrofulaceum (Gause), and M. fortuitum. Peripheral lymphocytes from persons infected with mycobacteria were also exposed to fractions, and the increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA was used as an index of stimulation (lymphocyte transformation). Only 4 fractions (6, 11, 12, and 16) were found to be significantly more specific than the unfractionated sonicate, and none was monospecific for M. tuberculosis. The results of fused rocket immunoelectrophoresis suggested that incomplete separation of antigens and/or shared group-specific multideterminant antigens may have accounted for the observed cross-reactions.