The aim of this study was to analyse the bite forces of seven species from three carnivore families: Canidae, Felidae, and Ursidae. The material consisted of complete, dry crania and mandibles. A total of 33 measurements were taken on each skull, mandible, temporomandibular joint, and teeth.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of the present study was to evaluate selenium content in the gonads of healthy cats and those with impaired homeostasis with the use of fluorescence spectroscopy. Higher concentrations of selenium were found in the gonads of the male domestic cats studied. The average content of this element in the testes of healthy males was: 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMercury is a toxic element widely distributed in the natural environment, affecting animals' health. It is released into the environment from both natural and anthropogenic sources. The present study analyzed the mercury concentrations in liver, kidney, heart and muscle tissue in two species of birds from the Warsaw area, which were used as bioindicators of local environmental pollution with this metal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe study concerns the influence of graphene monolayer, as a 2 D platform, on cell viability, cytoskeleton, adhesions sites andmorphology of mitochondria of keratinocytes (HaCaT) under static conditions. Based on quantitative and immunofluorescent analysis, it could be stated that graphene substrate does not cause any damage to membrane or disruption of other monitored parameters. Spindle poles and cytokinesis bridges indicating proliferation of cells on this graphene substrate were detected.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study investigates the effect of graphene scaffold on morphology, viability, cytoskeleton, focal contacts, mitochondrial network morphology and activity in BALB/3T3 fibroblasts and provides new data on biocompatibility of the "graphene-family nanomaterials". We used graphene monolayer applied onto glass cover slide by electrochemical delamination method and regular glass cover slide, as a reference. The morphology of fibroblasts growing on graphene was unaltered, and the cell viability was 95% compared to control cells on non-coated glass slide.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of pristine graphene monolayer and its utility as a scaffold for murine fibroblast L929 cell line. Cell viability, morphology, cytoskeleton architecture (microfilaments and microtubules), cell adhesion and migration into the scratch-wound area were determined using pristine graphene-coated microscopic slides. We found that fibroblasts cultured on pristine graphene monolayer exhibited changes in cell attachment, motility and cytoskeleton organization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of the study was to evaluate the cadmium and zinc content in the kidneys and liver of moose from north-eastern Poland. Animals were divided with respect to their age. The mean concentration of cadmium in the kidneys of moose studied was 11.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe study aimed at determining the degree of mercury contamination of mallards, game waterbirds migrating from the regions of the unknown degree of contamination and establishing whether the consumption of their meat comprises a hazard to human health in view of the binding norms concerning the mercury content in food products. The investigations were carried out on 30 mallards shot during the duck shooting season in which mercury concentrations in the muscles, liver, and kidneys were determined using the cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) method. The mean Hg concentration in the investigated tissues in all birds studied amounted to 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of the study was to evaluate the content of Cu and Mo in the liver, kidneys, and skeletal muscles of elks from north-eastern Poland. The investigation material comprised samples obtained in 2010 from 35 animals. Animals were grouped according to age (elks up to 2 years and over than 3 years).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Pollut Res Int
June 2015
The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn, Rb, Cs, Sr and Ba in the muscles of red deer that were hunted in two regions of Poland (south-western and north-eastern). The data obtained were evaluated with regards to benefits and potential risk to consumers' health. Samples for the investigations were collected in 2008 and 2009 from 50 female red deer, and the metal concentrations were determined by using the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) method.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe European bison (Bison bonasus) is the only living species of the bison genus in the Old World. It is the largest, wild, herbivorous mammal living in Europe. As a result of the efforts of biologists, the European bison has been saved as a species.
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