Microarrays--new possibilities for detecting biological factors hazardous for humans and animals, and for use in environmental protection.

Both the known biological agents that cause infectious diseases, as well as modified (ABF-Advanced Biological Factors) or new, emerging agents pose a significant diagnostic problem using previously applied methods, both classical, as well as based on molecular biology methods. The latter, such as PCR and real-time PCR, have significant limitations, both quantitative (low capacity), and qualitative (limited number of targets). The article discusses the results of studies on using the microarray method for the identification of viruses (e.

Bacillus anthracis infections--new possibilities of treatment.

Introduction And Objective: Bacillus anthracis is one of biological agents which may be used in bioterrorism attacks. The aim of this study a review of the new treatment possibilities of anthrax, with particular emphasis on the treatment of pulmonary anthrax. Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge.

Review of methods used for identification of biothreat agents in environmental protection and human health aspects.

Modern threats of bioterrorism force the need to develop methods for rapid and accurate identification of dangerous biological agents. Currently, there are many types of methods used in this field of studies that are based on immunological or genetic techniques, or constitute a combination of both methods (immuno-genetic). There are also methods that have been developed on the basis of physical and chemical properties of the analytes.

[Protection against bioterrorism acts in Poland].

In this article general principles of defense against bioterrorism are presented. Furthermore, the effort, already undertaken for organization of the system enabling effective countermeasures to this threat as well as liquidation of the effects of such an event, is shown.

[Animal pathogens as biological weapons].

In this article, the most important animal pathogens, which, according to CDC classification, can be used as biological agents, are presented. The means of dissemination and the ways of infection's propagation are reviewed. Typical and the most dangerous signs and symptoms are described, as well as the consequences of these infections.

[Bioterrorism threat].

In this article contemporary views on terrorism with biological weapons use are presented. The bioterrorism phenomenon is described; some of the attacks known so far are reviewed as well as sources of possible agents' acquisition, terrorists' capabilities and lines of conduct.

[Examination of selected biological properties for swarm cells in Proteus mirabilis].

Certain biological properties, which generally are thought to play a role in the bacterial pathogenicity, were compared in short rods, swarm cells and penicillin-induced filaments of Proteus mirabilis S1959. Swarm cells of P. mirabilis S1959 weakly adhere to human uroepithelial cells and also do not penetrate L929 line of mouse fibroblasts.

[Clinical use of Amifostine (WR-2721) as a preparation protecting healthy tissues from the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy].

High doses of chemo- and radiotherapy, while theoretically more effective, are accompanied by severe toxicities and normal cells damage. This may have important implications for patients' management and can result in significant morbidity. Therefore, it is imperative to protect normal tissues from both the early and late damage caused by high doses of radiation and chemotherapy.

Mouse model of infected wound.

Local Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of experimental wound in mice was performed. Suspension of living bacteria was injected beneath skin muscle after skin window had been made on the back of animals. On day 1, 2, 3 and 8 mice were sacrificed, biopsies were taken, number of colony forming units in muscle specimens was estimated and histological examination of skin muscle flaps was performed.

Accelerated repopulation of intestine post-irradiation following intraluminal injection of a mucosal cell suspension or its supernatant.

The injection of (1-7) x 10(5) mucosal cells into the intestinal lumen at 4 h after 14 or 18 Gy increased the number of intestinal microcolonies (> or = 10 cell foci) and microclusters (4-9 cell foci) when assayed at day 3. The effects were less when (a) the interval between irradiation and injection was increased to 20 h, (b) the assay time was increased to 4 days or more, (c) a cell supernatant was injected instead. The data indicate that the injections stimulated earlier regeneration.

[Effect of 5-fluorouracil on DNA synthesis, mitotic index and spleen cells in mice after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation].

The effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on DNA synthesis, mitotic index and cell composition of mouse spleens after 6 Gy X rays irradiation of mice and syngenic bone marrow transplantation were investigated. One dose of 5-FU (100 mg/kg body weight) administered 16 hrs after bone marrow transplantation reduced mitotic index and development of bone marrow grafts, but did not inhibit incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA. It correlates with high thymidylate synthase activity previously noted in the same model.

The effect of exercise associated with acute poisoning with potassium nitrate and sodium nitrite on the processes of intestinal absorption of D-xylose in rats.

The intestinal absorption of D-xylose was studied during acute poisoning of male Wistar rats receiving intragastrically potassium nitrate and sodium nitrite and small intestine perfusion with these compounds. The metabolic parameters, Na+/K(+)-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, oxygen uptake, and lactic acid level, were assessed in the small intestine mucosa one hour after administration of these compounds. Exercise was demonstrated to reduce the intestinal absorption of D-xylose, to raise the level of lactic acid, and to increase the oxygen uptake by the small intestine mucosa, but caused no changes in the activity of Na+/K(+)-ATPase or alkaline phosphatase.

The effect of exercise associated with subchronic poisoning with potassium nitrate and sodium nitrite on the processes of intestinal absorption of D-xylose in rats.

The intestinal absorption of D-xylose was studied during the subchronic poisoning of male Wistar rats with orally administered potassium nitrate and sodium nitrite associated with exercise; running on a moving track during the last two weeks of poisoning. The metabolic parameters of Na+/K(+)-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, oxygen uptake, and lactic acid level in the small intestine mucosa were determined one hour after D-xylose treatment. Exercise increased the toxicity of potassium nitrate and sodium nitrite.

Efficacy and toxicity of N,N',N",N"'-tetra(2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoyl)-spermine for decorporation of 239Pu from mice.

Male SAS/4 mice were injected i.v. with 6.

[Morphological evaluation of the healing process after implantation of knitted polyester net into the muscles and bones].

The usefulness of Polish polyester knitting used for reconstruction of aperidesmial tendons was tested in experiments. For this reason morphological picture was observed in place of knitting and muscle or bone connection at 39 adult rabbits. Calcaneal tendon together with plantar muscle tendon were replaced by polyester prosthesis, so thick as the rabbits tendon.