Publications by authors named "Witczak A"

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a persistent organic pollutant (POP) commonly detected in milk and dairy products. These compounds pose a serious threat to the health of consumers due to their considerable bioaccumulation potential, high stability, and toxicity. (2) Methods: The study evaluated the potential of and probiotic cultures to reduce HCB residues in fermented goat milk beverages during 21-day refrigerated storage.

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The threat posed by microplastics has become one of the world's most serious problems. Recent reports indicate that the presence of microplastics has been documented not only in coastal areas and beaches, but also in water reservoirs, from which they enter the bodies of aquatic animals and humans. Microplastics can also bioaccumulate contaminants that lead to serious damage to aquatic ecosystems.

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The main route of human exposure to toxic contaminants is through the consumption of contaminated food. To protect against potential negative health effects of rice consumption, the concentration of total mercury (THg) in rice and rice products sold in Poland was determined, and a consumer risk assessment was carried out. In this study, the concentration of THg in selected types of rice and rice products was determined and assessed.

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Coffee is a source of micronutrients, including iron, zinc, copper, and manganese. It may also contain toxic metals, such as lead and cadmium. The effects of coffee on the human body may vary depending on its composition.

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Article Synopsis
  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to serious health issues, including end-stage renal disease (ESRD), cardiovascular problems, and early death, highlighting its significance as a global public health concern.
  • The study examined trace element profiles in the erythrocytes of 80 hemodialysis patients with stage 5 CKD, comparing them to 40 healthy individuals, measuring essential and toxic trace elements using specific spectrometry techniques.
  • Results showed lower levels of essential elements like iron and zinc, but higher levels of toxic elements like lead and cadmium in ESRD patients, suggesting kidney impairment in excreting these toxic substances; the study concludes that interventions to lower these toxic elements and supplementation of iron and zinc could be beneficial
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(1) Background: Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a persistent organic pollutant that is possibly carcinogenic to humans. It is still found in the environment, humans and animals, and in foods, including milk and dairy products; (2) Methods: The influence of the probiotic cultures and subsp. on the possibility of effecting the biodegradation of HCB in dairy products fermented from mare milk was investigated, taking into account the product storage time (maximum 21 days).

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Given the importance of breastfeeding infants, the contamination of human milk is a significant public concern. The aim of this study was to assess the contamination of human milk with dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) and non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs) in relation to the duration of lactation and other influencing factors, especially the frequency of the consumption of selected foods during pregnancy. Based on this, the health risk to infants was assessed and compared to the tolerable daily intake (TDI).

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The aim of this study was to assess the risk to consumers associated with the intake of toxic metals and other trace elements in diets that include the female gonads, testicles, and muscles of four popular freshwater fish species in Poland—common bream (Abramis brama L.), European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.), common roach (Rutilus rutilus L.

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Drinking water is the essential medium for food production, and is also needed for direct consumption; while it must be free of harmful substances, it also must have a composition that is beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of water and wastewater treatment on reducing the concentrations of zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in the Western Pomerania Voivodeship in Poland. The research was carried out in 2017-2019.

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Background: The content of essential and toxic elements in grilled fish (Atlantic salmon, trout) and in 20 assortments of fish products was examined. The aim of this study was to assess the fulfilment of the demand for Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu based on recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) or adequate intakes (AIs) and to assess the health risk associated with the consumption of Al, Pb and Cd. The risk assessment was based on estimated weekly intake (EWI), hazard index (HI), target risk ratio (THQ) and percentage: provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for Al, tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for Cd and reference dose lower bound (BMDL) for Pb.

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The technological properties of raw fish are influenced by the changes in protein structure under heating, which determines the texture and quality of the product. The aim of the study was to examine the protein denaturation temperature and the rheological properties of Baltic herring muscle tissue. The thermal properties were determined by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method and the rheological properties were determined using dynamic oscillatory tests.

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The sources of endocrine-disrupting persistent organochlorine compounds (OC) are environmental pollutants. Contaminated food is a direct result of environmental pollution, and fish are considered as the main source of OC in the human diet. This study aimed to analyze the contamination of imported fish fillets with organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in the context of potential health risks of consumers in Poland in the light of the new tolerable weekly intake (TWI) values.

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The aim of the present study was to assess infant safety associated with the occurrence of endocrine-disrupting organochlorine pesticides (OCP) in breast milk. Moreover, the association between pregnant mothers' dietary habits and these compounds levels in breast milk was investigated. Breast milk was collected at various stages of lactation.

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Restriction-modification (R-M) systems are highly widespread among bacteria and archaea, and they appear to play a pivotal role in modulating horizontal gene transfer, as well as in protecting the host organism against viruses and other invasive DNA particles. Type II R-M systems specify two independent enzymes: a restriction endonuclease (REase) and protective DNA methyltransferase (MTase). If the cell is to survive, the counteracting activities as toxin and antitoxin, must be finely balanced in vivo.

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The Baltic Sea is known to be severely polluted by a range of chemicals, one group of which being PCBs. Although the use and production of PCBs were limited or banned in many countries in the 1970s, their presence is still observed in the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate PCBs concentration in four species of diving sea ducks, interspecies and tissues differences, and in the case of game species, comparison of the obtained results with maximal residue levels (MRLs) and tolerable weekly intake (TWI).

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The content of residual organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was examined in green, herbal, and black tea leaves as well as in their infusions prepared from tea products marketed in the main supermarkets in Poland. It was found that the detected mean levels of organochlorine residues in tea leaves ranged from View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The occurrence of organochlorine xenobiotics in goat milk is a one of bioindicators of environmental pollution, and, consequently, food contamination. This study estimates contamination level of goat milk produced at two organic farms in years 2009-2013. Analysis covered determination of 18 organochlorine pesticides, including HCH isomers (α, β, γ, δ), DDT and its metabolites, endosulfan and its derivatives, and methoxychlor.

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Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of polymorphisms of the eNOS gene on the clinical status of patients with normal and high tension glaucoma.

Methods: 266 Polish Caucasian patients with primary open angle glaucoma were studied. Of the 266, 156 had normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and 110 high tension glaucoma (HTG).

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The aim of the research is to analyse the influence of polymorphisms of endothelin-1 gene and endothelin-1 receptor type A gene on the clinical condition of patients with primary open angle glaucoma. Methods. 285 Polish patients took part in the research (160 normal-tension glaucoma and 125 high-tension glaucoma).

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Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which both structure and functional capacity of cardiac muscle are impaired, resulting in ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion. Affecting numerous organs and systems, it is currently considered to be a systemic illness. Among significant, however until now, hardly recognized consequences of CHF there are ventilatory disorders.

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Hart failure (HF) accounts for numerous serious problems: medical, social and financial. HF affects 2-3% adult population and its frequency increases with age. Despite advances in laboratory diagnostics of HR the use of biochemical markers remains limited.

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The aim of this study was to estimate the health risks associated with consumption of smoked cheeses, which are popular in Poland. The analysis covered polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) indicator congeners (ndl-PCBs: PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 180), dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs): non-ortho (PCB 77, PCB 81, PCB 126, PCB 169) and mono-ortho (PCB 105, PCB 114, PCB 118, PCB 156, PCB 157), as well as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs: αHCH, βHCH, γHCH, heptachlor, aldrin, heptachlor epoxid isomer B, dieldrin, pp'DDE op'DDD, pp'DDT, pp'DDD, op'DDT, endrin). The pesticide residues detected in the examined cheese were below the maximum residues levels.

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Currently, butter and margarine are food products attracting wide customer interest. Every day, consumers around the world buy these products for human consumption. Butter is obtained from milk fat, while margarine is derived from vegetable oils.

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Article Synopsis
  • ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) is a severe inflammatory lung condition marked by fluid buildup in the lungs, indicated by specific findings on chest X-rays and a low PaO2/FiO2 ratio.
  • The primary trigger for ARDS is sepsis, but it can also arise from other factors like pneumonia, drug reactions, trauma, and certain infections, including severe cases linked to Influenza A/H1N1.
  • Advances in treatment options such as new drugs and techniques exist, but the main focus remains on supportive care through advanced mechanical ventilation, especially in intensive care settings, to improve patient outcomes.
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Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by viruses belonging to the family Ortomyxoviridae. Among the influenza viruses type A, B and C, the A type virus shows the most pathogenic potential. Its surface receptor glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), are characterized by high antigenic variation, thus a host organism cannot develop permanent resistance.

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