The Effects of Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Fluoride, and Lead on Bone Tissue.

Bones are metabolically active organs. Their reconstruction is crucial for the proper functioning of the skeletal system during bone growth and remodeling, fracture healing, and maintaining calcium-phosphorus homeostasis. The bone metabolism and tissue properties are influenced by trace elements that may act either indirectly through the regulation of macromineral metabolism, or directly by affecting osteoblast and osteoclast proliferation or activity, or through becoming part of the bone mineral matrix. This study analyzes the skeletal impact of macroelements (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus), microelements (fluorine), and heavy metals (lead), and discusses the concentration of each of these elements in the various bone tissues.

Comparative Analysis of the Influence of Selected Physical Factors on the Level of Pain in the Course of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders.

Introduction: Temporomandibular joints (TMJs) play a very significant function in the activity of the locomotor system of the masticatory system. But they are often a source of pain, myopathy, myoarthropathy, and malfunction of their surrounding or internal structures. The treatment of a patient's discomfort associated with masticatory system dysfunctions strongly depends on their cause. Aim of the Study. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of selected physical factors: LED light therapy with electromagnetic field and cryotherapy for the level of pain, in the treatment of patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Materials and Methods: The study included 60 patients of both genders with diagnosed TMD in a clinical trial. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. Each group consisted of 30 people and was subjected to separate therapies in which LED light therapy with electromagnetic field (MLT) and cryotherapy (CT) were applied. Results: Having assessed the results of the author's own research in terms of analgesic activity, determined on the VAS scale during the daily routine activity of the mandible and its individual movements, in general, each of the studied groups demonstrated a considerable decrease in the level of the patients' perception of pain (<0.001). Having compared both the therapeutic methods used, a greater reduction in the level of perceived pain was achieved with MLT (p=0.002). The type of therapy used turned out to be the only significant factor for the magnitude of this reduction. Conclusions: Conclusions based on the results of our own research indicate that the selected methods of treatment demonstrate an analgesic effect in terms of the overall discomfort in the course of TMD, and that they may be an alternative pain relief thereby reducing the patient's intake of painkillers.

Impact of Varied Factors on Iron, Nickel, Molybdenum and Vanadium Concentrations in the Knee Joint.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of iron, nickel, molybdenum, and vanadium in the knee joint. We also examined the relationships between the concentrations of these metals in the knee joint and the influence of varied factors on the concentration of Fe, Ni, Mo, and V. The study of these trace elements is important, because these elements are used alone and in combination in diet supplements, and they are components of biomaterials implanted in medicine. The study materials, consisting of the spongy bone, cartilage, meniscus, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and infrapatellar fat pad, were obtained from 34 women and 12 men from northwestern Poland. The concentrations of Ni, Fe, Mo, and V were determined using spectrophotometric atomic absorption in inductively coupled argon plasma (ICP-AES). We found significantly higher Mo concentrations in the ACL of women than men. There was a significant difference in the Mo concentration in the spongy bone between patients from cities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants and patients from cities with more than 100,000 residents. Iron concentrations in the spongy bone were higher in non-smoking patients and those who did not consume alcohol. Vanadium concentrations were higher in the infrapatellar fat pads in abstainers. In patients who had not undergone arthroscopy surgery, V concentration was lower in cartilage. The concentrations of V in the cartilage and infrapatellar fat pad were higher in osteoporotic patients than in non-osteoporotic patients. There were significant differences in Fe concentrations in the meniscus, with the lowest in osteoporotic patients. We noted lower Mo concentrations in the spongy bone of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, we noted some new interactions among metals in the studied structures of the knee joint. The results reported in this study show the influence of gender, place of residence, smoking, consumption of alcohol, arthroscopy surgery, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis on the Fe, Ni, Mo, and V concentrations in the studied structures of the knee joint.

Concentrations of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) in afterbirth and their relations with various factors.

The aim of the study was to evaluate Hg and Se concentrations and Se:Hg molar ratios in the placenta, umbilical cord and fetal membranes, and to examine the relationship between the concentrations of the elements and selected factors. The study material consisted of the placenta, umbilical cord and fetal membranes obtained from 91 healthy women from northwestern and central Poland. In our study mean Hg and Se concentrations in afterbirth were ~ 0.01 mg/kg dry weight (dw) and ≤ 0.5 mg/kg dw, respectively. Correlation analysis showed negative relationships between placenta weight and Se concentration in the placenta and umbilical cord, as well as between placenta length and Se levels in the umbilical cord. We found negative correlations between THg concentration in the placenta and birth weight and between Se concentration in the placenta and umbilical cord and the morphological parameters of the placenta. Furthermore, we noted new types of interactions in specific parts of the afterbirth. In our study, Se:THg molar ratios ranged from 5 to 626; these values indicate protection against Hg toxicity.

Effects of biological factors and health condition on mercury and selenium concentrations in the cartilage, meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament.

Due the long-term nature of joint tissue remodeling processes, knee structures including meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can be a model for studying the bioaccumulation of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se). The accumulation and retention of Hg in human tissues can have a negative effect on the proper functioning of homeostasis-affecting organisms. A factor of chronic poisoning with Hg forms is probably the Se:Hg ratio in tissues. Se:Hg molar ratios below one may increase Hg toxicity potentials, while molar ratios that approach or exceed one effectively may protect against Hg toxicity. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine total mercury (THg), Se, and Se:THg molar ratios in the cartilage, meniscus and ACL of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) from northwestern Poland. In all studied samples (n=95), we observed higher Se than THg concentration. Taking into consideration the biological factors, we found significantly higher THg levels in the cartilage of women, patients under 65 years of age, patients without hypertension and in the ACL of patients with spinal degenerative disease. We found higher Se levels in the meniscus in women than in men. In all studied parts of the knee joint, we found the Se:THg molar ratio higher than one, which suggests that the joint forming structures are not much exposed to THg. Moreover the results reported here may provide a basis for establishing reference values for the meniscus and ACL in patients with OA who had undergone knee replacement surgery.

[The influence of kinesiotaping on lumbar spine pain]. / Wplyw kinesiotapingu na dolegliwosci bólowe odcinka ledzwiowo-krzyzowego kregoslupa.

INTRODUCTION: Pain in the lumbosacral spine is currently one of the most common pain complaints among the elderly. About 72% of the Polish population younger than 40 years have at least once been treated by a doctor for back pain. Degenerative changes of intervertebral joints, overloads, intervertebral disc diseases, and dysfunction of spinal ligaments are very often responsible for the formation of back pain, which is basically a problem of the elderly, MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 60 residents of a Nursing Home in Szczecin with chronic lumbar pain. The age range was 56-85 years. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 30 (study group, where KinesioTaping was used, and a control group without KinesioTaping application). To assess the degree of pain experienced by the patient a visual analogue scale (VAS) in the horizontal format from 0-10 was used, on which subjects scored the severity of pain. Flexion, extension, tilt and rotation were measured with a tape to assess spinal and trunk mobility. RESULTS: In all patients, who had a KinesioTaping patch applied on the lumbosacral spine pain measured by VAS reduced (p ≤ 0.001). Considering respondents' sex, the spine mobility in the tilting position improved in men in the study group in terms of tilting to both sides. In all patients, the application of a KinesioTaping patch significantly improved the rotation to the right side (p ≤ 0.05), scores in the "finger-floor" flexion test (p ≤ 0.01), and the extension range (p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: KinesioTaping is a beneficial method reducing pain and improving the mobility in the lumbosacral spine. The improvement was independent of the sex of the respondents.

[Effect of low -level laser therapy and exercise in reducing the symptoms of disease in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee].

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is the most common disease of the joints contributing to the failure of movement. The disease mostly affects the older part of the population, and is associated with suffering and reduced quality of life. Knee osteoarthritis contributes to joint dysfunction of varying severity. These are common causes of chronic ailments limiting physical activity, which may even complicate the performance of activities of daily living. Low-level laser therapy is thought to have an analgesic effect, as well as a biomodulatory effect on the microcirculation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of low- -level laser therapy on pain relief and functional improvement in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. The effects of laser therapy alone and in combination with exercise were compared. Materials and methods: 40 patients of mean age 65 years with knee osteoarthritis of both sexes were divided into two groups. Laser alone was used in group I (n = 20) and laser combined with kinesistherapy was used in group II (n = 20). All patients received the same dose of laser radiation, which was 3.0 J/cm², 10 Hz, 400 mW. In both groups a series of 10 treatments was performed daily. VAS, ranges of motion in the knee joint, and the strength of the quadriceps and biceps femoris muscles were used as the criteria of pain assessment in both groups. All measurements were taken before and after treatment. Results: Significant pain reduction: I (p = 0.00009, R = 0.68); II (p = 0.00002, R = 0.86), increased range of flexion in the knee: I (p = 0.000001, R = 0.90); II (p = 0.00002, R = 0.85), increased range of extension in the knee: I (p = 0.042, R = 0.87); II (p = 0.0004, R = 0.9) and increased strength of the quadriceps femoris muscle: I (p = 0.03, R = 0.77); II (p = 0.0002, R = 0.9) and the biceps femoris muscle: I (p = 0.04, R = 0.80); II (p = 0.0007, R = 0.91) were found in both groups after treatment. With the exception of flexion of the knee (p = 0.027; r = 0.17), there were no statistically significant differences in other analysed parameters between the use of laser alone and laser therapy combined with exercise. Conclusion: The use of laser in knee osteoarthritis reduces pain and improves the functional status of the patient. Laser therapy combined with kinesistherapy produces better therapeutic effects, and effectively improves the functional status of knee osteoarthritis. Exercise therapy applied in a series of 10 treatments is too short to significantly improve the functional status of the patient.

[Is training yoga regulary can have an effective impact on dealing with stress?].

Introduction: The word yoga (Goya) is derived from the Sanskrit yii and means: bind, connect, attach and focus attention on something. It also means connection, and the union. The system of yoga has collected and systematized Patanjali in his "Yoga Sittrach" work. Yoga has the task of shaping proper physical culture and spirit (mind), regardless of religious beliefs, national origin, membership in a social group. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between yoga and regular coaching strategy for coping with stress, blood pressure and abdominal obesity. Material and methods: The study involved 100 people divided into 2 groups. The first group comprised students regularly practicing yoga. The second group were randomly selected subjects not regularly engaged in sport. The age of the subjects ranged 18­60 years and over. Research material was gathered using a questionnaire designed by the authors, and the mini -COPE test. In addition, blood pressure and waist circumference were measured to assess the prevalence of abdominal obesity. Results: Among people who practice yoga the average waist circumference was 82.8 ±8 in women and 90.3 ±11 in men (p < 0.034). A healthy waistline was found in 43 (86%)subjects in the yoga group, and 34 (68%) subjects in the control group. Body mass index (BMI) also falls in favour of yoga, and in this group 15 (30%) more subjects had normal BMI. Abdominal obesity and BMI indicating obesity was found in 10 (20%) subjects from the yoga group and 15 (30%) from the control group. The study revealed no significant differences in mean blood pressure between the analysed groups. Conclusions: Based on the analysis of the questionnaire mini-COPE people regularly Training Yoga choose more effective strategies for coping with stress. Regular practice of yoga is a factor in reducing abdominal obesity. Men who trains yoga have blood pressure lower than those who doesn't practice any sport.