[Modification of cardiovascular system in animals subjected to intoxication with manganese compounds].

The authors review in this paper the most recent knowledge on possible toxic effects of manganese on the organism in the conditions of environmental exposure. A problem of cardiovascular manifestation is discussed in particular although it is not characteristic of chronic manganese intoxication. The results of animal studies s show that manganese ions may affect the heart.

Melatonin decreases homocysteine level in blood of rats.

Elevated plasma homocysteine level promotes atherosclerosis in blood vessels due to, among others, generation of reactive oxygen species and reduction of nitric oxide bioavailability. The aim of this study was to investigate whether melatonin administration reduces plasma homocysteine level in rats consuming increased doses of methionine in the diet. The trial lasted for two months.

Levels of hemoglobin and lipid peroxidation metabolites in blood, catalase activity in erythrocytes and peak expiratory flow rate in subjects with passive exposure to tobacco smoke.

Introduction: Exposure to tobacco smoke is an extremely important risk factor determining the development of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Passive exposure is common and often not realized by the exposed subjects. Markers of tobacco smoke exposure are nicotine metabolites, i.

Life style and cardiovascular risk factors among students of Wroclaw postgraduate schools.

Introduction: Cardiovascular risk factors include independent factors such as advanced age, male gender, family history and modifiable risk factors including cigarette smoking, arterial hypertension, lipid disturbances, diabetes mellitus, obesity, dietary habits and stress. In contrast, fruit and vegetables consumption, moderate alcohol consumption and physical activity are cardioprotective factors.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the lifestyle of students from universities of the city of Wroclaw in the aspect of cardiovascular risk factors.

[Suspected azodicarbonamide poisoning in a patient with acute hemorrhaging pancreatitis].

The report describes the case of death of a 22-year old man due to acute hemorrhaging pancreatitis. Azodicarbonamide poisoning was suspected in this patient. Autopsy results, data from the literature and the knowledge about mechanisms of azodicarbonamide toxicity allowed for excluding poisoning with this substance as the cause of death.

[Poisonings with anticoagulant rodenticides].

Anticoagulant rodenticides are commonly used in extermination of rodents. Failure to adhere to safety principles and sometimes a deliberate use of these compounds may be a reason of severe poisonings in human. Diagnosis is based on a characteristic clinical course of the disease and postmortem examinations.

Expression, purification, crystallization, data collection and preliminary biochemical characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Sar2028, an aspartate/tyrosine/phenylalanine pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase.

Sar2028, an aspartate/tyrosine/phenylalanine pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase with a molecular weight of 48,168 Da, was overexpressed in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus compared with a methicillin-sensitive strain. The protein was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized. The protein crystallized in a primitive orthorhombic Laue group with unit-cell parameters a = 83.

[Mechanisms and toxic effects of lead on the cardiovascular system].

Exposure to lead is still one of essential health problems in our country. Current views on mechanisms and toxic effects of lead on the cardiovascular system are presented. Special attention is paid to changes in the heart morphology and physiology resulting from long-term exposure to lead, the effect of lead on the muscular coat and endothelium of blood vessels, changes in the metabolism of erythrocytes, leukocytes and thrombocytes in persons chronically exposed to lead as well as to the relation between lead and hypertensive and atherosclerotic illnesses induced by changes in the structure and function of the cardiovascular system.

Protein crystallization by surface entropy reduction: optimization of the SER strategy.

A strategy of rationally engineering protein surfaces with the aim of obtaining mutants that are distinctly more susceptible to crystallization than the wild-type protein has previously been suggested. The strategy relies on replacing small clusters of two to three surface residues characterized by high conformational entropy with alanines. This surface entropy reduction (or SER) method has proven to be an effective salvage pathway for proteins that are difficult to crystallize.

Endoscopic study of the morphology of Vieussens valve.

Vieussens valve (Vv) is the ostial valve of the great cardiac vein located near the beginning of the coronary sinus. Knowledge of its anatomy is important for several trans-sinus cardiologic procedures. The frequency of its presence is reported to vary from 65-87%.

Melatonin stimulates the activity of protective antioxidative enzymes in myocardial cells of rats in the course of doxorubicin intoxication.

The study aimed at determining the effect of melatonin on the activity of protective antioxidative enzymes in the heart and of lipid peroxidation products in the course of intoxication with doxorubicin (DOX). The rats were categorized into four groups, receiving: 0.9% NaCl i.

Subcortical Magnetic Resonance Imaging Changes in a Healthy Elderly Population; Stroke Risk Factors, Ultrasound, and Hemostasis Findings.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a group of 60 ambulatory elderly individuals (average age, 75.8 yr) were characterized as normal (grade 0), periventricular changes only (grade 1 ). small punctate lesions (grade 2), and confluent or large (> 2 mm) punctate lesions (grade 3).

Moniliformin production by fusarium species.

A total of 132 Fusarium isolates belonging to 19 species sensu Nelson et al (1983) originating from Poland, Italy, and international cultures collections were examined for their ability to produce mycotoxin moniliformin.Moniliformin was produced by the following isolates:-F acuminatum Ell & Ev: 2 out of 2,130 - 2670mg/kg-F avenaceum (Fr) Sacc 18 out of 18,70 - 2670mg/kg-F anthophilum (A Braun) Wollenw. 1 out of 3, 200mg/kg-F dlamini Marasas et al: 2 out of 3,130 - 470mg/kg-F oxysporum Schlecht emend Snyd Hans: 4 out of 9,130 - 270 mg/kg-F proliferatum (Matsushima) Nirenberg: 3 out of 7,130 - 400 mg/kg-F solani (Mart) Appel & Wollenw: 1 out of 14,670 mg/kg-F subglutinans (Wollenw & Reinking) Nelson et al: 8 out of 20,70 - 1660 mg/kg-F tricinctum (Corda) Sacc: 2 out of 9,130 - 1330 mg/kgIn cultures ofF beomiforme Nelson, Toussoun & Burgess,F chlamydosporum Wollenw & Reinking,F compactum I Wollenw/ Gordon, F equiseti /Corda/Sacc,F poae I Peck / Wollenw,F moniliforme Sheldon,F napiforme Marasas, Nelson & Rabie,F nygamai Burgess & Timbold,F poly phialidicum Marasas et al,F sporotrichioides Sherb moniliformin was not detected.

Moniliformin, deoxynivalenol, 3Acetyldeoxynivalenol and zearalenone - Mycotoxins associated with corn cob fusariosis in Poland.

Naturally infected ears of corn were examined for presence of mycotoxins and colonizingFusaria. In kernels of cobs with symptoms of pink fusariosis /pink ear rot/ which stated about 95% cobs naturally infected was present moniliformin in amount 30-530 mg/kg.Fusarium suhglutinans /W&R/N,T&M was dominating species in this type of ear fusariosis.