Selenium as a Factor Moderating Depression and Obesity in Middle-Aged Women.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of serum selenium on PPAR-γ and the selected proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in relation to depressive symptoms and obesity in middle-aged women. The research procedure was as follows: a survey was performed using the authors' questionnaire and the BDI, anthropometric measurements, and the analysis of blood for the levels of selenium, cytokines, and genetic analysis of the PPAR-γ polymorphism ( = 443). It was found that the BMI increased along with the concentration of IL-6.

A Comparison of the Prevalence of the Parasites of the Digestive Tract in Goats from Organic and Conventional Farms.

The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in goats kept on organic ( = 76) and conventional farms ( = 82). In general, a higher prevalence of some gastrointestinal parasitic infections was found in the conventional farms compared to the organic farms: the mean prevalence of spp. was 85.

Parasites of the digestive tract of sheep and goats from organic farms in Western Pomerania, Poland.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of parasite infection of the digestive tract in sheep and goats from the West Pomerania region following anti-parasite treatment. Feces were freely collected from sheep and goats kept on organic farms and subjected to analysis by the Willis-Schlaf and McMaster’s flotation methods. The mean extensity of infection by gastrointestinal parasites in both sheep and goats was found to be 100%.

Soil contamination with geohelminths in children’s play areas in Szczecin, Poland.

The presence of invasive forms of parasites in the soil represents a potential threat to public health, especially for children. The aim of the study was to determine the degree of contamination with geohelminth eggs of soil samples collected from sandpits and playgrounds in the Szczecin area. The findings showed overall prevalence of soil samples contaminated with geohelminth eggs in the soil and sand of play areas in Szczecin at 41.