Increasing Physical Activity at School Improves Physical Fitness of Early Adolescents.

(1) Introduction: Regular physical activity (PA) is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of an increase in organized PA at school on the physical fitness (PF) of early adolescent boys and girls. (2) Methods: A total of 294 children born in 2007 took part in the study. The sample was divided into two groups: of increased PA at school (n = 140, girls n = 66, boys n = 74) and standard PA (n = 154, girls G n = 70, boys n = 84). Increased and standard PA levels consisted of 10 and 4 h of physical education lessons (PE) per week, respectively. PE consisted of team games and fitness exercises. Three of the Eurofit tests, core strength, long jump, and running speed, were used to measure PF. Tests were conducted in May 2018 and 2019, at an average age of a participant of 11 and 12 years, respectively. Descriptive statistics and cluster analysis were applied for analyzing the results. (3) Results: After one year of observation PF of children was improved in both groups (p < 0.001). However, it was greater in the increased PA group than in the standard one. A higher percentage of very good scores and lower of poor and very poor were noted in the increased PA group than the standard one (20.36% vs. 12.90%, p = 0.003 and 18.58% vs. 24.85%, p = 0.022, respectively). Boys obtained better results than girls (p = 0.003). Children achieved the best results in the shuttle run test, and the worst in the core strength. Children with normal body mass obtained better results than those with excessive ones. (4) Conclusions: Increasing the number of PE at school beneficially affects the fitness performance of early adolescents. To improve the health status of adolescents it is advisable to increase the number of compulsory PE lessons in the school curriculum.

The Impact of Physical Activity at School on Eating Behaviour and Leisure Time of Early Adolescents.

(1) Background: Diet and physical activity (PA) significantly impact health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of long-term increase in organized PA level at school on the eating behaviour and leisure time of early adolescences in the period from the age of 10 to 12. (2) Methods: Children born in 2007 (n = 278) in groups with a standard (control group) and increased level of organized PA at school (4 and 10 h a week) were subjected to an anonymous follow-up survey. The questionnaire included 22 questions related to the eating behaviour and ways and frequency of leisure time PA. The study was conducted in the same groups in three assessment sessions in September 2017, 2018 and 2019. (3) Results: During the course of the study, it was shown improvement of eating behaviour in the increased PA group whereas decline in the standard PA one. The share of children with good and very good scores of eating behaviour decreased in the standard PA group from 56.89% to 54.54% and increased in the increased PA from 58.06% to 60.29%. In the increased PA group children more frequently than standard PA ate vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry meat, wholemeal bakery products, milk, dairy products and drinking tea without sugar, as well as ate breakfast. The standard PA children more frequently than increased PA ate high sugar and/or fat content food as sweets, savoury snacks and drank fizzy drinks as well as fast foods. The frequency of often undertaken leisure time PA increased in the increased PA group from 67% to 74%, while decreased in the standard PA from 58% to 52%. (4) Conclusions: Increase in organized PA at school beneficially influenced early adolescents' eating behaviour and frequency of leisure time PA during 2 years observation. It also increased early adolescents' awareness of healthy diet. Increased PA at school helps shaping healthy lifestyle among early adolescents.

The Impact of Physical Activity at School on Body Fat Content in School-Aged Children.

(1) Background: Excessive amounts of adipose tissue is a health risk. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of increased physical activity (PA) at school on body fat content in children aged 10 to 12 years over a 2-year follow-up. (2) Methods: Children born in 2007 (n = 245) in two groups, (1) standard PA and (2) increased PA at school, 4 and 10 h of physical education lessons per week, respectively. BIA measurements of body fat content were taken twice a year. Results were interpreted based on children's fat content reference curves. (3) Results: During 2 years of observation, the percentage of children with excessive fat mass (overweight and obese) increased by one-third (from 28.11% to 39.67%) in the group of standard PA, while decreased by one-third in the increased PA one (from 28.92% to 21.00%); with normal fat content increased by one-quarter in the increased PA group (from 59.86% to 76.26%) and decreased by one-tenth in the standard PA one (from 61.61% to 56.29%). (4) Conclusions: An increase in PA at school has a positive impact on children's body fat content. It is recommended to increase the number of physical education lessons at school, which has a positive effect on children's health, reducing the risk of obesity.

Increased Physical Activity at School Benefits Arterial Blood Pressure in Children-A Prospective Follow-Up Cohort Study.

(1) Background: A sedentary lifestyle and low physical activity (PA) increase the risk of hypertension in children. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of increased PA at school by elevation of the number of compulsory physical education (PE) lessons on arterial blood pressure in children during a two-year follow-up. (2) Methods: Children (n = 245) born in 2007 attending a standard or elevated number of PE lessons in the school timetable (4 and 10 h a week, respectively) took part in the study. Blood pressure was measured starting from age approx. 10 to 12. (3) Results: Starting from a similar level, after 2 years, the percentage of children with normal blood pressure decreased in the standard-PE children from 83.25% to 78.03% but increased in the elevated-PE ones from 83.15% to 86.13%. The prevalence of both prehypertension and hypertension increased by one-third in the standard-PE children from 16.74% to 21.97% but decreased by one-sixth in the elevated-PE ones from 16.85% to 13.87%. The prevalence of hypertension itself increased by one-third in the standard-PE children from 9.82% to 13.12% but decreased in the elevated-PE ones by one-fifth from 9.60% to 7.75% (4) Conclusions: An increase in PA at school by the elevation of the number of PE lessons benefits children's arterial blood pressure. Early prevention of hypertension in children can be supported by an adequate number of PE lessons in the school timetable.

The Impact of Physical Activity at School on Children's Body Mass during 2 Years of Observation.

(1) Background: Children's overweight and obesity are a growing public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of physical activity (PA) at school on body mass of children aged 10-12 during 2 years of observation. (2) Methods: Primary school children (n = 245, 48% girls and 52% boys) took part in the study. Children were divided in two groups, (1) of standard PA and (2) of elevated PA at school corresponding to 4 and 10 h of physical education lessons (PE) a week, respectively. Weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were measured starting from the 4th grade and ending at the 6th grade of school. (3) Results: The number of children with excessive body weight (overweight and obese) increased by » in children of standard PA while slightly decreased in children of elevated PA. Many more children of elevated PA changed body mass category from overweight to healthy weight than those of standard PA. Girls, especially of standard PA, had more often excessive body weight compared to boys. (4) Conclusions: Increasing time of physical activity at school by elevation of the number of PE lessons favorably affects the body mass of children.

Hematological and Hematopoietic Effects of Bactericidal Doses of Trans-Cinnamaldehyde and Thyme Oil on Cyprinus carpio Juveniles.

The effects of two potential antibacterial agents of plant origin: trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) and thyme oil (TO) on the peripheral blood parameters and cellular composition of hematopoietic tissue of Cyprinus carpio were studied. Both phytochemicals were used in the doses based on the bactericidal concentrations against Aeromonas spp. developed earlier in in vitro study. The fish were fed for 2 weeks on a commercial feed supplemented with 10 µl/kg of TC or 20 µl/kg of TO. Groups TC1 and TO1 were fed diets containing phytochemicals daily, while groups TC2 and TO2 every 2 days. Control group and groups TC2 and TO2 on the remaining days were fed plain feed. Peripheral blood and head kidney hematopoietic tissue were sampled from all the fish at the end of the experiment. In all the groups, hematological values were within the reference ranges for the healthy common carp juveniles. However, blood hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were significantly lower in all the groups exposed to TC and TO, while MCH in TC1, TO1, and TO2 compared to the control. TC and TO did not affect leukocyte count [white blood cell (WBC)], differential leukocyte count, the oxidative activity of phagocytes [nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)], or thrombocyte count (Thro). No significant alterations were observed in the hematopoietic tissue. The results showed that TC and TO exhibited no considerable hematotoxic effects and trials of their use in the treatment of fish infected with Aeromonas spp. may be undertaken.

Food Safety When Eating Out-Perspectives of Young Adult Consumers in Poland and Turkey-A Pilot Study.

Food safety is perceived differently by consumers in different countries. The objective of this study was to examine the experience of young adults regarding the safety of meals eaten outside the home in Poland and Turkey. Questionnaire surveys were conducted on a group of 400 young adults. The findings provided new insights into cross-cultural consumer perceptions of the food safety of meals eaten out. Differences in the perception of the safety of the meals eaten out concerned both the manner in which consumers chose an eating establishment, the frequency with which they ate out, their experience of the meals consumed, and their practice of lodging complaints. Consumers in Poland and Turkey experienced different problems with the health quality of meals eaten out. The experience of consumers in Turkey reflected the occurrence of numerous cases of meals of poor quality, while in Poland it was smaller. This suggests that meals eaten out in Poland (an EU country) may have a lower health risk than in Turkey (a non-EU country). The method described in this study could be an additional tool for checking the operation of food safety systems in eating out establishments.

Effects of embryonic exposure to chromium (VI) on blood parameters and liver microstructure of 1-day-old chickens.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) has carcinogenic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, and neurotoxic effects. Exposure to Cr(VI) can also lead to hematological alterations and blood biochemical changes. The literature on Cr(VI) toxicity concerns mostly adult forms of vertebrates. In this study, an attempt was made to determine the effect on the developing chicken embryo of Cr(VI) in ovo administration. It was observed that chromium affected the hatchability of chicks in a dose-dependent manner. At a dose from 25 to 250 µg per egg, Cr(VI) resulted in a statistically significant reduction of hatchability. Chromium administrated at lower doses (1.56 and 2.5 µg per egg) caused a statistically insignificant increase of hatchability. However, chromium at a level of LD50 (15.6 µg per egg) or 1/10 LD50 (1.56 per egg) did not cause major changes in hematological parameters or plasma biochemical indices in newly hatched chicks. The same doses did not lead to any histopathological changes in the liver.

Effects of Oxytetracycline and Gentamicin Therapeutic Doses on Hematological, Biochemical and Hematopoietic Parameters in Cyprinus carpio Juveniles.

Hematological, biochemical and hematopoietic effects of therapeutic doses of two antibiotics, oxytetracycline (OTC) and gentamicin (GEN), in clinically healthy common carp juveniles were studied. The fish were divided into four groups: controls 1 and 2 (untreated or injected with 0.6% NaCl solution), and two groups treated with antibiotics (orally with 75 mg/kg OTC four times every two days or injected with a single dose (4 mg/kg) of GEN dissolved in 0.6% NaCl). Blood and head kidneys were sampled from all fish 3 days post-treatments for hematological, biochemical and hematopoietic tissue analyses. No major alterations in the values of hematological and serum biochemical parameters occurred following administration of OTC or GEN. Glucose concentrations were significantly lower in both groups of fish subjected to injections (Control 2 and GEN), while the oxidative metabolic activity of phagocytes increased in the antibiotic-treated groups (significantly in OTC). More alterations were observed in hematopoietic tissue. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that G caused a significant increase in the rate of cell proliferation (PCNA-positive cells) and an increase in the frequency of apoptotic cells (caspase-positive). The frequency of lymphoid lineage decreased, which was related to a decrease in the abundance of mature lymphocytes in GEN-treated fish. Percentages of neutrophilic lineage were significantly elevated in OTC and GEN groups compared to controls. The obtained results showed no considerable hematotoxicity or hepatotoxicity of therapeutic doses of OTC and GEN to carp.

Eating Behaviour and Physical Fitness in 10-Year-Old Children Attending General Education and Sports Classes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the body mass index (BMI), selected eating behaviour and physical fitness of children aged 10 years attending general education and sports classes in Siedlce. Subject children were 272 girls and boys mean aged 10.8-years attending general education (GC) and sports classes (SC). Survey questionnaires consisted of 18 questions about eating behaviour and physical activity. The BMI was determined for each child and compared with reference percentile charts. Eurofit testing was used to measure physical fitness. Increased physical fitness was positively correlated with beneficial eating behaviour among children. SC children showed significantly more frequent dietary intakes of milk, dairy products, poultry, fish, wholegrain bread, groats and vegetables when compared to GC ones. However, significantly more GC children ate red meat more frequently along with snacking on confectionery and savouries than SC ones. Most subjects fell within correct BMI percentile ranges. Underweight was more frequent in SC children at 12.85% than in GC children 9.88%. Overweight and obesity was most often observed in GC children (respectively 19.73% and 5.51%) compared to SC ones (respectively 14.37% and 3.8%). SC children achieved significantly better results in the Eurofit tests. The highest levels of physical fitness and most favourable BMIs and eating behaviour were observed more often among SC children than GC ones. The results confirmed the beneficial health effects of physical fitness for children.

The Nutritional Behaviour of Pregnant Women in Poland.

A woman's diet during pregnancy can significantly affect her health, as well as her child's future development and well-being. Unfortunately, many pregnant women do not follow the recommended nutritional guidelines. The reason could be that they have insufficient knowledge about nutritional best practice. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to investigate the nutritional behaviour of pregnant women in Poland. The research was conducted using a questionnaire to survey a sample of N = 815 pregnant women in first pregnancy. Among the findings were that the subjects ate an excessive amount of sweets, and white bread, and consumed insufficient quantities of fish, milk and fermented milk drinks. Subjects chose white bread more often than wholemeal bread, and fruit rather than vegetables. The study showed that the nutritional behaviour of pregnant women was characterised by many bad practices.

The effects of Roundup on gametes and early development of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L).

To determine the effects of Roundup, a commercial formulation of glyphosate, gametes, and embryos of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L) was exposed to wide range of herbicide concentrations (0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 2.0, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, and 50.0 mg/l). The obtained results showed different effects of Roundup on common carp gametes. Herbicide reduced swelling of eggs (but the effect was not concentration-related), while sperm showed low sensitivity to Roundup (time of spermatozoa motility was reduced in a significant way only at 20 mg/l, and at remaining concentrations, only a slight tendency was observed). During the embryonic development, Roundup caused a decrease of common carp embryonic survival (and the effect was concentration-related); however, it had no effect on development rate. During the embryogenesis, three types of embryo body malformation were observed: yolk sac edema, spine curvature, and shortening of body, but their frequencies were not associated with the presence or concentration of herbicide. However, Roundup affected quality of newly hatched larvae of common carp by increasing their mortality. No effect of herbicide on percentage of deformed larvae was observed but larvae hatched in water with Roundup tended to show more complex anomalies compared to those from the control. Obtained data showed that even low concentrations of this herbicide in waters can significantly reduce egg swelling, survival of embryos, and quality of fish larvae.

The effects of cadmium and copper on embryonic and larval development of ide Leuciscus idus L.

The effects of Cd and Cu on embryos and larvae of the ide Leuciscus idus were evaluated. The ide is an European cyprinid fish, natural populations of which tend to decrease. The ide is also used as a bioindicator organism to evaluate water quality. However, sensitivity of ide early developmental stages to heavy metal intoxication is not known. Fish were exposed to Cd or Cu (100 µg/L) during embryonic, larval or both developmental periods. Survival of the embryos, time of hatching, size and quality of newly hatched larvae were evaluated at the end of embryonic period. Correctly developed larvae from the control and Cd or Cu-exposed groups were transferred to clean water, Cd or Cu solutions (100 µg/L) immediately after hatching. Larval development was observed, and the larvae were photographed. Time of yolk sac resorption, onset of active feeding and swim bladder inflation were evaluated, and the measurements were done on body and swim bladder size. The results showed that exposure of embryos to Cd and Cu significantly reduced embryonic survival and increased frequency of body malformations and death in newly hatched larvae and delayed hatching. Exposure to Cd and Cu during larval period reduced larval survival, growth and delayed development (yolk utilization, beginning of active feeding and swim bladder inflation). Cadmium was more toxic to the ide embryos and larvae than copper. Exposures to metals during embryonic period alone caused adverse impact on larval performance even when larval development took place in clean water. However, exposure of embryos to Cu reduced toxic impact of metal on larvae in continuous Cu exposure compared to the non-preexposed fish, but no such an effect occurred in case of Cd exposure. The results show that even a short-term exposure to Cd or Cu during early development of ide may adversely affect recruitment of this species. Among the measured endpoints, quality of newly hatched larvae (frequency of body malformations and larvae dead immediately after hatching) and swim bladder size were the most sensitive to intoxication with both metals. Embryos were more sensitive to Cu intoxication than larvae, while in case of Cd, sensitivity of both stages was similar.

High affinity of cadmium and copper to head kidney of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

The aim of the present study was to evaluate bioaccumulation of metals in various tissues of the freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio L. exposed to cadmium and copper (a xenobiotic and a microelement). The fish were subjected to short-term (3 h, Cd-S and Cu-S) or long-term (4 weeks, Cd-L and Cu-L) exposures to 100 % 96hLC50 or 10 % 96hLC50, respectively. Blood, gill, liver, head and trunk kidney were isolated weekly from 5 fish of each group for 4 weeks (post-short-term exposure and during long-term exposure). Atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique was applied to measure concentrations of metals (Cd and Cu) in fish tissues. Initial concentrations of copper in fish tissues were higher than levels of cadmium. Cadmium and copper levels increased in all tissues of metal-exposed fish. After short-term exposures (at higher concentration) and during long-term exposures (at lower concentration), similar changes in metal concentrations were observed. The values of accumulation factor (ratio of final to initial metal concentration) were higher for cadmium as compared to copper. Comparison of metal levels and accumulation factors in various tissues revealed that cadmium and copper showed very high affinity to head kidney of common carp (higher than to other tissues), but accumulation factors for cadmium in trunk, head kidney and liver were much higher than for copper. The concentrations of copper in organs of Cu-exposed fish increased only slightly and quickly returned to the control level, which shows that fish organism easily buffered metal level. On the other hand, concentrations of cadmium considerably increased and remained elevated for a long time which suggests that activation of mechanisms of sequestration and elimination of cadmium required more time.

The effects of heavy metals on embryonic development of fish (a review).

Early developmental stages of fish are particularly sensitive to water pollution. Heavy metals may affect various developmental processes during the embryonic period, which results in a reduction of offspring quantity and quality. Waterborne metals may accumulate in the gonads of spawners and adversely affect gamete production and viability, or exert direct toxic influence upon developing embryos. The egg shell does not fully protect the embryo against metal penetration, particularly during the swelling phase; thus, metals may accumulate in the egg. The results depend on metal concentration and range from developmental disturbances to death of the embryo. Metals disturb various processes of fish embryonic development and affect the development rate. Early stages just after fertilization are particularly sensitive to metal intoxication, when most disturbances and the highest embryonic mortality occur. Waterborne metals also promote developmental anomalies during organogenesis, including body malformations. Heavy metals often induce a delay in the hatching process, premature hatching, deformations and death of newly hatched larvae. All these disturbances result in reduced numbers and poor quality of the larvae, which show small body size, high frequency of malformations and reduced viability.

Ammonium ionic liquid as modulator of the critical micelle concentration of ammonium surfactant at aqueous solution: conductimetric and dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies.

We report measurements of self aggregation in aqueous solution of an ionic liquid (IL), didecyl-dimethylammonium nitrate ([DDA][NO(3)]) and a surfactant hexadecyl-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and of mixtures of these two salts. The electrical conductivity and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements were used for the characterization of the aggregation process. The conductivity measurements were performed at three temperatures. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined at different temperatures and at different ratio of two salts. The effect of IL on the micellization of CTAB has been discussed. Our results suggest that organized structures formed by CTAB and [DDA][NO(3)] self assembly in domains of several hundred nanometers size. The micellar solubility of the salicylic acid in mixed salt aqueous solutions was determined to probe the physical properties of these assemblies. We have observed, that the micellar solubility enhancement was only slightly influenced by the nature of micelles present in aqueous solution. This proves that salicylic acid solubilization is enthalpy driven.