Determination of the Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, and Lead Ions Relays in Selected Polish Medicinal Plants and Their Infusion.

Concentration of Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb were determined in peppermint leaves (Folium Menthae piperitae), chamomile blossom (Anthodium Chamomillae), and their infusions by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after microwave digestion of plants samples. Peppermint and chamomile preparations by five different producers were purchased at various pharmacies in Poland. Infusions were made from herbs according to prescription for patients, provided by the producer of medicine on the package. Results show that in exam of medicinal plants the content of cadmium exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The highest level of extraction was observed for Ni (50-70% of the total content in herb), Cr (28-36%), Cd (14-16%), and the lowest for Pb (about 6%). The calculated daily intake all analyzed elements was very low. Phytotherapy with using of these herbs is safe for health of patient even in case of long time therapy.

Influence of the type of tree habitat on the character of co-occurrence of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr and Co in the soil of the Tatra Mountain National Park.

The objective of the research was to determine the effect of habitat type of selected species of trees on the nature of co-occurrence of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr and Co. The presence of speciation forms of these metals was investigated, with reference to the species composition of tree stands in selected areas of the Tatra Mountain National Park (Chocholowska Valley, Strazyska Valley, Koscieliska Valley, as well as Mala Laka Valley).Contents of selected metals in samples were determined by the flame ASA method, with an accuracy of 0.1 µg/g. In habitats dominated by maples, the Pb content in the Chocholowska Valley, unlike Koscieliska Valley covered with beeches, the Pb content in the form directly bioavailable, was twice as high. This was clearly proved in the case of Strazyska Valley where the soil in beech tree habitats contained larger quantities of exchangeable forms of Pb, than that in the Chocholowska Valley. The soil of the valleys, including the Mala Laka Valley, showed peculiar characteristic averaging of the contents of selected speciation forms of metals in the soil. Content corresponding to 10 percentile and geometrical average may be regarded as benchmarks in future studies of the Tatra Mountain National Park, or other protected areas.

[The changes of barium and strontium content in gallstones from smoking and non-smoking women]. / Zmiany zawartosci baru i strontu w zlogach kamieni zólciowych kobiet palacych i niepalacych tyton.

The problem of statistical characteristics of occurrence barium and strontium content in gallstones from smoking and non-smoking women living in southern Poland is presented in the work. The subjects of the research were gallstones, gained intraoperatively from 146 women (49 smoking, 97 non-smoking). The content of barium and strontium was determined using atomic emission spectroscopy with inductive coupled plasma (ICP-AES). The statistical characteristic of barium and strontium content in gallstones shows that smoking does not decide about content level of these elements in gallstones. Content of barium (2.32 microgBa/g) as well as strontium (3.23 microgSr/g) in gallstones from non smoking women are higher in comparison to content of these elements in gallstones from smoking women (1.91 microgBa/g and 2.76 microgSr/g).

[Analysis of participation of mercury in gallstones from smoking and non smoking people]. / Analiza udzialu rteci w skladzie mineralnym kamieni zólciowych osób palacych i niepalacych tyton.

Mercury concentration in gallstones of 146 women (49 smoking, 97 non-smoking) and 24 men (11 smoking, 13 non-smoking) was determined employing Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The possibility of mercury accumulation in concretions in the gallbladder was confirmed by the study. The changes of given elements were different in comparison for smoking and non smoking women and men. The research of mercury occurrence in gallstones shows the presence of higher concentration at smoking both women (0.16 microgHg/g) and men (0.22 microgHg/g) in comparison to non smoking women (0.12 microgHg/g) and men (0.06 microgHg/g).

[Metabolism of chromium in femur head in aspect of cigarette smoking]. / Metabolizm chromu w glowie kosci udowej w aspekcie nalogu palenia.

The objective of this study was qualification of content chromium in femur head in aspect of smoking cigarette. Investigated of femur head from habitants of Upper Silesian Region. The content of chromium was marked at non-smoking persons, smoking in past and smoking at present. Determination of contents chromium realized by ASA method (Pye Unicam SP-9) in flame acetylene-oxygen. Higher contents of chromium were observed for smoking people. The most of the correlations described by large values of the correlation factors were concerned Cr with Ni, Cu, Zn, Na.