Laparoscopic embryo transfer in pigs - comparison of different variants and efficiencies of the method.

The aim of the study was to develop a method of laparoscopic embryo transfer in pigs and to compare different variants of this method. Two catheter diameters (1.6 mm and 1.0 mm), the method and site of embryo deposition (oviduct or uterus), the embryo development stage (2 - 4 cell or blastocyst), the method for oviduct or uterus stabilization, the potential for cryopreserved embryo transfer, the developmental potential of the embryos after transfer to the oviduct, patomorphology of the oviduct after transfer and possible clinical complications were taken into consideration. Two studies compared two variants of transfer to the uterus, and five variants of transfer to the fallopian tube. The transfer of embryos by the infundibulum may be of limited use due to handling problems and very low efficiency (pregnancy was not achieved). Very low efficiency was shown after transfer of vitrified embryos. Transfer to the fallopian tube by puncture of the fallopian tube, regardless of the developmental stage of the embryo, is the recommended method of embryo transfer. The histopathological examination of the fallopian tube revealed possible changes within the puncture site. The numerous clinical complications observed did not affect the effectiveness of the method.

Time evolution of microbiological quality and content of volatile compounds in chicken fillets packed using various techniques and stored under different conditions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate dependence of microbiological quality of chicken fillets and profile of volatile compounds in their packages on the applied packaging technique and storage conditions. Samples packaged in either normal atmosphere (AP, air packaging, PVC overwrap), in modified atmosphere with high oxygen content (Hi-O2-MAP), or in vacuum (VP) were stored in a cold room or exposed in a display case for 8 days. Quality of the meat was determined on day 1, 3, 6, 7, and 8 of the storage or exposition time. The microbiological quality of chicken fillets was assessed by determining the number of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas spp. bacteria, and Enterobacteriaceae family bacteria. The profile of volatile compounds in the packaging of chicken fillets was also determined. At the beginning of the storage, bacteria of all major groups were growing at similar rates regardless of the used packaging technique. However, at the end of the period, the growth dynamic was diversified. The profile of the volatile compounds did not depend on the storage or exposition time regardless of the storage conditions and/or the packaging technique. The results of this study indicate that there is a potential to gain understanding of spoilage of packed chicken meat through the analysis of volatile compounds in association with microbiological analysis. However, future research should be based on standardized material with similar bacterial load.

Quality parameters and fertility of ram semen cryopreserved in egg yolk and soybean lecithin supplemented extenders.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of soybean lecithin as a substitute for egg yolk in milk and tris based extenders in ram semen cryopreservation. Twenty ejaculates were col- lected from four healthy, mature Wrzosówka rams (2-3 years of age). Each ejaculate was divided into four equal aliquots and diluted with four different extenders: 1) milk extender containing 5% egg yolk, 2) milk extender containing 1.5% soybean lecithin, 3) tris extender containing 20% egg yolk, 4) tris extender containing 1.5% soybean lecithin. Extended semen was loaded into 0.25 ml French straws, cooled and frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor. Total motility, curvilinear velocity, plasma membrane integrity and fertilizing ability of sperm were assessed after thawing. Total mo- tility was lower (p⟨0.05) in tris-soybean lecithin extender when compared to other extenders. Curvilinear velocity was higher (p⟨0.05) for spermatozoa cryopreserved in milk-soybean lecithin extender compared to other extenders tested. For the percentage of live sperm no significant difference was observed between extenders. The lambing rate were higher (not statistically signifi- cant) in ewes inseminated with semen doses frozen in milk-soybean lecithin extender (42.9%) than in the tris-egg yolk extender (16.7%). In conclusion, replacing the egg yolk with soybean lecithin was effective in milk but not in tris extender.

Standard expected years of life lost due to tuberculosis in Poland.

SETTING: Central European countries such as Poland have higher tuberculosis (TB) morbidity and mortality than Western European Union countries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in mortality due to TB during the period 1999-2012 in Poland and years of life lost due to the disease. DESIGN: Information obtained from 5 219 205 death certificates in Poland during the period 1999-2012 was used for the study. Crude (CDRs) and standardised (SDRs) death rates due to TB were analysed. Standard expected years of life lost per living person (SEYLLp) was also calculated. RESULTS: In Poland, TB and related complications contributed 0.23% of total deaths from 1999 to 2012. The SEYLLp was 3.46 per 10 000 population in 1999 and 1.88 in 2012. It was respectively 5.75 and 3.12 for males, and 1.31 and 0.72 for females. The SEYLLp index decreased over the period (annual per cent change [APC] -4.27%, P < 0.05); the decrease was greater in females than in males (APC -4.75%, P < 0.05 vs. APC -4.15%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite an improvement in the epidemiological situation, TB remains the most common single cause of death due to an infectious agent in Poland.

Apoptotic-like changes of boar spermatozoa in freezing media supplemented with different antioxidants.

This study evaluated the effect of supplementing the freezing extender with exogenous anti-oxidants on apoptotic-like changes in post-thaw boar spermatozoa. A total of 36 ejaculates were resuspended in standard lactose-egg yolk-glycerol extender supplemented with antioxidant to final concentrations of 0 (as control), 2.5mM GSH (group I), 5.0 mM GSH (group II), 150 IU/mL SOD (group III), 300 IU/mL SOD (group IV), 200 IU/mL CAT (group V), 400 IU/mL CAT (group VI), 150 IU/mL SOD+200 IU/mL CAT (group VII), 300 IU/mL SOD+400 IU/mL CAT (group VIII). Sperm motility and apoptotic-like changes were determined before and after freeze-thawing. The various markers of apoptotic-like changes were measured: plasma membrane permeability by YO-PRO-1/PI assay, phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation across the plasma membrane using fluorescein-labeled Annexin-V, mitochondrial transmembrane potential detected by JC-1, and DNA fragmentation evaluated by TUNEL assay. The highest percentage of progressive motile sperm was noticed in group II (PM% 64.2±15.4) compared with control (PM% 36.8±5.5). The supplementation of 400 IU/mL CAT (group VI) revealed significant (P<0.01) reduction of apoptotic-like changes (YO-PRO-1+/PI-: 13.1±7.5%, AnV+/PI-: 9.9±4.1%) in frozen-thawed spermatozoa compared with extender supplemented with 200 IU/mL CAT (group V). Irrespective of the concentration used, SOD and CAT in combination (group VII and group VIII) significantly (P<0.01) improved post-thaw sperm survival compared with the control. Evaluation by TUNEL assay revealed that cryopreservation and thawing did not induce DNA fragmentation in boar spermatozoa.

Motility, mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content of rabbit spermatozoa stored in extender supplemented with GnRH analogue [des-Gly10, D-Ala6]-LH-RH ethylamide.

The present study was aimed to determine the effect of GnRH analogue [des-Gly10, D-Ala6]-LH-RH ethylamide on the quality of rabbit spermatozoa stored at 17°C for 3 days. Semen from 5 bucks (13 ejaculates) was used in the experiment. Ejaculates were divided and diluted at a 1:10 ratio with rabbit semen extender Galap (IMV, France) (Control) or with Galap extender supplemented with GnRH analogue [des-Gly10, D-Ala6]-LH-RH ethylamide (50 µg/ml) and stored for 3 days. Sperm motility parameters, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP content were as- sessed on each day of the experiment. Motility analysis was performed using a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. The following sperm motility parameters were recorded: total motile spermatozoa, progressively motile spermatozoa, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, average path velocity, linearity, straightness and amplitude of lateral head displacement. MMP was evaluated using JC-1 fluorescent dye. ATP content was assessed using a bioluminescence method. The addition of GnRH analogue [des-Gly10, D-Ala6]-LH-RH ethylamide to Galap extender did not affect any of the quality parameters studied. However, in both groups (Control and GnRH), significant changes in motility parameters (except straight-line velocity) and proportion of spermatozoa showing high MMP and ATP content were observed throughout 3 days of storage.

Lipid content and cryotolerance of porcine embryos cultured with phenazine ethosulfate.

The addition of phenazine ethosulfate (PES) to culture medium was investigated for its effect on pig embryo development, apoptosis, cytoplasmic lipid content and survival after OPS vitrification. Porcine zygotes were cultured in NCSU-23 medium supplemented with 0 (control) or 0.05 microM PES up to the blastocyst stage and were vitrified using OPS technology. Culture of embryos with PES reduced the cytoplasmic lipid content, as measured by fluorescence of blastocysts stained with Nile Red. The survival rate of vitrified blastocysts was slightly enhanced, although not significantly, in the presence of PES compared to the PES-free group (45.2 and 37.9 percent, respectively). These results showed that culturing porcine embryos in medium with PES increased the proportion of morula and blastocyst formation and reduced the index of DNA fragmentation and the cytoplasmic lipid content of cultured blastocysts. However, the use of PES during in vitro culture had limited effect on porcine blastocyst survival after vitrification.

Apoptotic-like changes in the spermatozoa of fresh and stored boar semen and the quality of embryos produced in vivo.

The aim of this study was to determine the apoptotic-like changes in the spermatozoa of fresh and stored boar semen and to investigate the relationship between this phenomenon and the quality of embryos produced in vivo. The experiments were divided into two series. In the first series, ten ejaculates were collected from five boars, which were crossbreeds of the Polish Landrace and Large White breeds. The semen was stored as a liquid until Day A (the day on which sperm motility decreased to 30%). Three fluorescence methods were used to evaluate semen quality: an assay to assess the early changes in sperm membrane integrity using the fluorophore YO-PRO-1, an assay for phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation across the plasma membrane using fluorescein-labeled annexin-V and the mitochondrial-specific probe JC-1 (5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3' tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide) for measuring changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Our results showed that liquid preservation of boar semen causes apoptotic-like changes in the sperm, and a significant increase in both: apoptotic sperm (YO-PRO-1(+)/PI(-)) and early apoptotic sperm (annexin-V(+)/PI(-)) were observed between Day 0 (fresh semen) and Day A only in semen from three of the five boars. In the second series of experiments, the semen from boar nos. 1, 2, and 3 was selected for insemination of superovulated gilts. The fertilizing capacity of fresh and stored semen with different levels of apoptotic spermatozoa was measured based on the morphology and the number of cells of embryos that were obtained after insemination with this semen. Our studies indicated no significant differences in the fertilization rate of gilts after insemination with fresh and stored semen with increased levels of apoptotic spermatozoa. After insemination with stored semen, a significantly greater number of degenerated embryos were observed, but the morphologically normal blastocysts obtained after insemination with either fresh or stored semen had a similar number of nuclei.

Overweight and obesity as risk factors in hypertension--study of the working population.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is one of the major epidemiological problems in developed countries; it is also one of the main risk factors for hypertension. It is estimated that about 80% of hypertension cases in Poland are related to an increase in body mass. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the study was to investigate overweight and obesity in terms of being risk factors for arterial hypertension. METHODS: The study population consisted of randomly selected working adults living in the Swietokrzyskie province in Poland The research tools included a questionnaire inquiring about data concerning healthy habits, as well as measuring blood pressure, body mass, height and waist circumference. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 599 people (55.3% females and 44.7% males) aged 18-67; 67.8% of the study subjects were white-collar workers and 36.2% were blue-collar workers; 44.9% of our respondents were overweight and 22.8% were obese. Hypertension occurred significantly more fequently (p < 0.01) among blue-collar (54.4%) than among white-collar workers (43.2%). Our analysis showed a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of hypertension among employees of various economic sectors (p < 0.01). Hypertension and body mass increase were more frequent among men (p < 0.001). Hypertension occurred in people with higher levels of Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The data confirm the correlation between frequency of overweight and obesity and prevalence of arterial hypertension Active and proper prevention of obesity among the working population could lower the risk of arterial hypertension.

Effect of semen quality in transgenic boars on the developmental competence of preimplantation embryos.

The aim of this study was to compare the fertilising capacity of sperm from 6 transgenic (TG) and 6 non-transgenic (NTG) boars based on analyses of embryos resulting from insemination with sperm from these particular boars. Expanded blastocysts were collected from five groups of synchronised gilts (six gilts per group) inseminated by TG boars bearing a gene construct containing the human alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase gene and by NTG boars. The ejaculates used for insemination were analysed to detect apoptotic changes using two fluorescence methods: an assay to assess early changes in the membrane integrity of the sperm using the YO-PRO-1 fluorophore and an assay for phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation across the plasma membranes using fluorescein-labelled Annexin-V. Our results, using a combination of YO-PRO-1 and PI fluorophores, revealed no significant differences in the percentage of sperm subpopulations between non-transgenic and transgenic boars (P<0.01). Moreover, the second fluorescent probe also revealed no significant differences between the average values of live (Ann-V(-)/PI(-)), early apoptotic (Ann-V(+)/PI(-)), and late apoptotic/early necrotic sperm (Ann-V(+)/PI(+)) as calculated for TG and NTG boars. Only the percentage of necrotic sperm (Ann-V(-)/PI(+)) was significantly different (P<0.05) between transgenic and non-transgenic boars (3.4%+/-2.7; 7.2%+/-2.1, respectively). The quality of the preimplantation embryos at the blastocyst stage was determined by counting the number of cells, observing a TUNEL-positive reaction and by caspase-3 labelling. We found that expanded blastocysts that were derived from gilts inseminated with TG and NTG boar semen showed almost no DNA fragmentation (80%) and 70% caspase-3 activity. The expanded blastocysts that were derived from gilts inseminated with TG and NTG boar semen did not differ significantly in their DNA fragmentation, and there were no differences in caspase-3 activity. These results revealed a positive correlation between the percentage of blastocysts with TUNEL-positive nuclei and the percentage of blastocysts with caspase-3 activity (r=0.9787; P<0.0001).

Assessment of plasma membrane and chromatin structure of sperm from transgenic and non-transgenic boars.

The aim of this study was to determine the apoptotic changes and chromatin damage in non-transgenic and transgenic boars carrying the human alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase gene. Five ejaculates were collected from six transgenic (TG) and six non-transgenic (NTG) boars. Five ejaculates were collected from six transgenic (TG) and six non-transgenic (NTG) boars both crossbreds of Polish Landrace and Large White. Two fluorescence methods were employed to measure apoptosis: an assay to assess the early changes in sperm membrane integrity using fluorophore YO-PRO-1 and an assay for phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation across the plasma membrane using fluorescein-labeled Annexin-V. The chromatin damage was assessed based on the sperm chromatin structure assay method. No significant differences in the proportion of all detected subpopulations of spermatozoa were found between TG and NTG boars. Similarly, the analysis of the chromatin structure revealed no statistical differences in the sperm chromatin damage between TG and NTG boars. In conclusion, the presence of the human alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase gene in the genome of TG boars did not cause any spermatogenesis process disturbances leading to the increased production of apoptotic spermatozoa. Moreover, the low level of sperm with damaged chromatin in TG boars confirms the high stability of the spermatogenesis process in the TG boars analyzed.

Occupational accidents in a selected chemical enterprise in Poland and an attempt to evaluate their economic effects.

An analysis was made of occupational accidents leading to temporary absence from work occurring in a selected chemical plant in the years 1988-1989. The authors also studied the possibilities of evaluating costs and financial losses for the enterprise due to occupational accidents. However, the results of the evaluation, in the Polish situation and based on records existing in the enterprise, were not very useful.

[Work intensity of regional industrial physicians and specialists in the Occupational Health Care Units in Poland 1981-1986]. / Intensywnosc pracy lekarzy rejonowych przemyslowych i lekarzy specjalistów w przemyslowych zespolach opieki zdrowotnej w Polsce (w latach 1981-1986).

The paper contains an analysis of condition of resources and scope of activity of all Industrial Health Care Units in Poland in the period between 1981-1986. Special attention is given to the problems of medical staff, especially industrial physicians and different specialists working for these Units. The relationship was discussed between the existing resources and the Units. The relationship was discussed between the existing resources and the Units activity. The activity was understood as the number of consultations given both in cases of spontaneous attendance and prophylactic (including periodical) medical examination. Also, disproportions between these two types of consultations were discussed. The results were interpreted in detail, so that the cause-effect relationships could be found. The sense and potential advantages coming from this analysis were presented.

The problems of the rational use of the medical staff in industrial health care complexes.

The awareness of resources scarcity in the occupational health care makes one analyze allocation in the selected institutions of occupational health service in Poland. The principal issue was to find out the differentiation in medical staff use and the costs involved. Such conclusions resulting from inputs and outputs evaluation are expected to be a basis for economic rationalization of resources allocation. An attempt to make such analysis has been made in Industrial Health Care Complexes (IHCCs) in Poland. Mainly, the costs of work of medical staff have been considered as an element of wider empirical study and comprehensive analysis of resources usage.

[Specialization of physicians of the Industrial Health Care System in occupational medicine]. / Specjalizacja lekarzy pzoz w dziedzinie medycyny pracy.

One of the principal issues concerning the analysis of industrial health care functioning is the problem of the practitioners' qualifications, including specialization. In the present paper the authors focus their attention on specializations of practitioners employed in regional Industrial Health Care Complexes. The analysis refers to two groups of problems concerning: a) those practitioners who are specialists in occupational health, and b) those who are going to obtain such specialization. The authors refer to the personnel of the industrial health care as a whole and pay special attention to those who are employed in the districts where seats of Industrial Health Care Complexes are located.

[Analysis of personnel expenditures in the industrial health care system]. / Propozycja analizy kosztów osobowych w przemyslowych zespolach opieki zdrowotnej.

An analysis of the management costs of Industrial Health Care Complexes and its results may be a starting point for the rational resources administration. Of importance is the analysis of wage costs which constitute a reflection of human factor. Human factor, in its turn, is a basis for securing the statutory tasks of Industrial Health Care Complexes. What is necessary is collecting proper information on the means of payment intended for wages for medical personnel. However, this undertaking is accompanied by some difficulties; cost records and financial reports are not efficient for carrying on the wage cost analysis. Therefore, reflections upon the extended evaluation of the costs rate and structure should inspire to provide necessary conditions for performing the routine analyses of financial nature.

[Cost estimation as a form of analysis of the rationality of managing the resources of occupational health services]. / Rachunek kosztów jako forma analizy racjonalnosci gospodarowania zasobami przemyslowej sluzby zdrowia.

The cost account to be applied as a method of improving the financial economy of occupational health services is one of the proposals within the social services reform. The considerations should refer to the account of both total and unit costs. There fore the cost account should involve a comparison of total costs of activities with the productivity of occupational health service facilities, which is largely hampered due to deficiencies in the present knowledge on methods and empirical studies. A significant issue is the precise determination of effects whose measures applied in hitherto performed studies were burdened with the element of conventionality and discretionality. A significant obstacle is the correct classification of detailed cost items pursuant to their original places. In the authors' opinion, solution of those problems may contribute to the development of methods for the unit cost account which is essential in the proposed future variants of financial means allocation within the health care services.