Retracted: Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Analysis of Trace Elements in Degenerated Intervertebral Disc Tissue.

Medical Science Monitor is retracting the following publication on the basis of duplicated published content. 1) Kubaszewski L, Ziola-Frankowska A, Frankowski M, Rogala P, Gasik Z, Kaczmarczyk J, Nowakowski A, Dabrowski M, Labedz W, Miekisiak G, Gasik R. Comparison of trace element concentration in bone and intervertebral disc tissue by atomic absorption spectrometry techniques. J Orthop Surg Res. 2014 Oct 25;9: 99. doi: 10.1186/s13018-014-0099-y. PMID: 25342441; PMCID: PMC4220064. 2) Kubaszewski L, Ziola-Frankowska A, Frankowski M, Nowakowski A, Czabak-Garbacz R, Kaczmarczyk J, Gasik R. Atomic absorption spectrometry analysis of trace elements in degenerated intervertebral disc tissue. Med Sci Monit. 2014 Nov 4;20: 2157-64. doi: 10.12659/MSM.890654. PMID: 25366266; PMCID: PMC4301216. 3) Nowakowski A, Kubaszewski L, Frankowski M, Wilk-Franczuk M, Ziola-Frankowska A, Czabak-Garbacz R, Kaczmarczyk J, Gasik R. Analysis of trace element in intervertebral disc by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry techniques in degenerative disc disease in the Polish population. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2015;22(2): 362-7. doi: 10.5604/12321966.1152096. PMID: 26094540. We have reviewed the content of all three similar publications. We note that Medical Science Monitor was the second to publish this study, in November 2014. At that time, the Corresponding Author gave no declaration of submitting this study to any other journal, nor of previously publishing this study. Reference: Lukasz Kubaszewski, Anetta Ziola-Frankowska, Marcin Frankowski, Andrzej Nowakowski, Róza Czabak-Garbacz, Jacek Kaczmarczyk, Robert Gasik. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Analysis of Trace Elements in Degenerated Intervertebral Disc Tissue. Med Sci Monit, 2014; 20: 2157-2164. DOI: 10.12659/MSM.890654.

Orthostatic cardiovascular profile of subjective well-being.

Previous clinical and elderly population studies have found that affective well-being can be assessed by clino-orthostatic cardiovascular reactivity. This study explored this relationship in a young healthy sample, and with respect to cognitive appraisals of well-being. Four successive readings of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) after lying down (clinostatic probe) followed by four successive readings after standing up (orthostatic probe) were obtained from 52 healthy students along with questionnaire-reported well-being. Analyses indicated that a deeper drop of systolic BP (SBP) and mean arterial (MAP) pressure during supine was related to higher positive mood, but higher and more stable orthostatic MAP and HR response were related to lower negative mood. A higher diastolic BP while standing upright and lower SBP in general were associated with higher optimism and higher global life satisfaction, respectively. The findings confirm previous results and indicate that cognitive appraisals of well-being are also related to BP regulation.

Analysis of trace element in intervertebral disc by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry techniques in degenerative disc disease in the Polish population.

OBJECTIVE: Although trace elements are regarded crucial and their content has been determined in number of tissue there are only few papers addressing this problem in intervertebral disc in humans. Most of the trace elements are important substrates of enzymes influencing metabolism and senescence process. Others are markers of environmental pollution. Therefore the aim of the research was to analyzed of the trace element content in the intervertebral disc, which may be a vital argument recognizing the background of degenerative changes to be the effect of the environment or metabolic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Material consist of 18 intervertebral disc from 15 patients, acquired in surgical procedure of due to the degenerative disease with Atomic Absorption Spectrometry content of Al, Cd, Co, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mo, Mg, Zn was evaluated. RESULTS: Only 4 of the trace elements were detected in all samples. The correlation analysis showed significant positive age correlation with Al and negative in case of Co. Among elements significant positive correlation was observed between Al/Pb, Co/Mo, Al/Mg, Al/Zn Pb/Zn and Mg/Zn. Negative correlation was observed in Al/Co, Cd/Mg, Co/Mg, Mo/Mg, Co/Zn and Mo/Zn. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to our knowledge that profiles the elements in intervertebral disc in patients with degenerative changes. We have confirmed significant differences between the trace element contents in intervertebral disc and other tissue. It can be ground for further investigation.

Atomic absorption spectrometry analysis of trace elements in degenerated intervertebral disc tissue.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated trace elements (TE) in human intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue. Trace element presence can have diverse meanings: essential TE show the metabolic modalities of the tissue, while environmentally-related TE indicate pollution and tissue-specific absorption and accumulation. IVD is a highly specific compartment with impaired communication with adjacent bone. Analysis of TE in IVD provides new insights regarding tissue metabolism and IVD communication with other tissues. MATERIAL/METHODS: Thirty intervertebral discs were acquired from 22 patients during surgical treatment for degenerative disease. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to evaluate the concentrations of Al, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mo, Mg, and Zn. RESULTS: Al, Pb, Cu, Mg, and Zn were detected in all samples. Pb was significantly positively correlated with age, and Ni concentration was weakly correlated with population count in the patient's place of residence. Only Cu was observed in higher concentrations in IVD compared to in other tissues. Significant positive correlations were observed between the following pairs: Mg/Zn, Mg/Al, Mg/Pb, Zn/Al, Zn/Pb, and Al/Pb. Negative correlations were observed between Mg/Cd, Zn/Cd, Mg/Mo, and Mo/Pb. CONCLUSIONS: This study is one of few to profile the elements in intervertebral discs in patients with degenerative changes. We report significant differences between trace element concentrations in intervertebral discs compared to in other tissues. Knowledge of the TE accumulation pattern is vital for better understanding intervertebral disc nutrition and metabolism.

Clearance, distribution volume, and dialyzer mass area transport coefficient of glucose in whole blood.

The extracorporeal transport of glucose was studied to determine the dialyzer mass transfer coefficient K(0)A for glucose in whole blood under conditions of glucose delivery and glucose removal. Glucose was removed from blood or delivered to blood using glucose-free dialysate or dialysate with a glucose concentration of 200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/L). FX8 dialyzers (Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany) were studied at constant dialysate flow Q(d) (500 ml/min) and variable blood flows Q(b) (200, 300, and 400 ml/min) under countercurrent flow conditions in a series of laboratory bench studies. Glucose clearance K(d) and glucose distribution volume flow rate Q(e) were determined from glucose mass balance. In 32 studies done with bovine blood at different hematocrit levels glucose was calculated to distribute in plasma water and to be excluded from red cell water when passing the FX8 dialyzer. The dialyzer mass transfer area coefficient K(0)A for glucose computed from Q(e), Q(d), and K(d) was 301.6 ± 45.2 ml/min and not different between modes of glucose delivery or glucose removal but lower than expected from the diffusivity of glucose estimated for aqueous solutions.

Blunted insulinemia using high dialysate glucose concentration during hemodialysis.

The benefit of high glucose concentrations in the dialysate remains under debate. The aim of this study was to analyze and to compare the acute insulin response using a common but high glucose concentration in the dialysate representing a parenteral mode of glucose administration to oral glucose administration in stable and fasting nondiabetic hemodialysis patients during their routine hemodialysis session. Glucose was either given by a standardized oral load (75 g) or using a glucose concentration of 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) in the dialysate for the duration of an hour. The insulin response per unit glucose stimulus was determined from the slope of paired insulin and glucose concentrations measured in 15-minute intervals using standard techniques. This slope is mathematically equivalent to the insulinogenic index (IG) and has been shown to be independent of extracorporeal clearance by ongoing hemodialysis. In 10 subjects, the IG was 9.3 ± 2.6 U/mol with oral glucose delivery but only one-third of that value (3.0 ± 1.1 U/mol, p < 0.001) when glucose was delivered through the dialysate. Administration of glucose using dialysate thus leads to a blunted insulin response per unit glucose stimulus. This may cause prolonged hyperglycemia which should be avoided in patients treated with hemodialysis.

Influence of long-term treatment with tuftsin analogue TP-7 on the anxiety-phobic states and body weight.

TP-7 is a synthetic analogue of tuftsin. It has a structure of tuftsin, to which three natural L-amino-acids Pro-Gly-Pro are attached. This heptapeptide improves learning and memorization and causes antidepressant and anxiolytic effect. It is possible to use TP-7 in the future to optimize cognitive functions and as a potential new anxioselective, fast-acting and easy-dosed drug. Therefore, it was purposeful to study such properties of the heptapeptide as its influence on anxiety-fear and body weight under a long-term treatment regimen. The experiment was performed on 24 preselected Wistar rats with the use of Rodina's method. There were three experimental groups of animals with high initial emotional reactivity: passive control group (P), active control group (A, receiving distilled water) and group treated with TP-7 at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg (T). The rats of A and T groups received intraperitoneal injections every day. The experiments were conducted 15 min after the administration of the drug, one and two days after initial testing day, then 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after that. The heptapeptide reduced the anxiety-phobic states significantly starting from the second day of drug application. The observed effects persisted throughout four weeks of the experiment, which confirmed effective long-term anxiolytic properties of the heptapeptide. TP-7 did not cause any changes in the body mass by itself.

[Oxidative stress in experimental acute glomerulonephritis]. / Stres oksydacyjny w eksperymentalnym ostrym zapaleniu klebuszków nerkowych.

The aim of this study was to estimate the concentration of lipid peroxidation products (TBARS -thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) in serum and in renal cortex, and erythrocytes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in blood during the development of experimental acute glomerulonephritis. Total antioxidant capacity of plasma and some of plasma nonenzymatic antioxidants, such as total protein level and uric acid were also measured. Acute glomerulonephritis was induced by intravenous injection of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in rabbits, at a dose of 250 mg/kg. Blood and tissues for analysis were taken from animals on the 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th day after antigen administration. Morphologic changes in kidneys were verified by light and electron microscope. Injection of the BSA resulted in diffuse endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis with transient proteinuria with peak on the 8th day after antigen administration. Morphological alterations were associated with marked increase of TBARS in serum (on the 2nd, 4th, and 12th day) and renal cortex (on the 2nd, 4th and 8th day). In immunized rabbits we observed an increase in SOD activity (after 8 and 12 days of BSA injection). Activity of GPx was elevated throughout the observation period. We also noted an exhaustion of nonenzymatic antioxidants in plasma expressed as the decrease of total plasma antioxidant capacity (on the 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th day), uric acid and total plasma protein level (8th day). We conclude, that during development of experimental acute glomerulonephritis, oxidative stress occurs which manifests as an increase of lipid peroxidation products, changes in antioxidant enzymes and exhaustion of nonenzymatic scavengers. The oxidant-antioxidant imbalance may contribute in the development of pathogenic changes in this model of glomerulonephritis.

Diagnostic value of high resolution computed tomography in the assessment of nodular changes in pneumoconiosis in foundry workers in Lublin.

The workers of an iron foundry were exposed to air pollution, which after some time of exposure results in lung fibrosis among some workers. The diagnosis of pneumoconiosis in workers of an iron foundry is based mainly on the radiological findings among workers exposed to the dust causing lung fibrosis. However, on radiograms many parenchymal structures overlap, which limits sensitivity and specificity to the method. Difficulties in accurate interpretation of conventional radiograms in silicosis also result from their relatively low resolution. The purpose of the present study was to assess the value and usefulness of high resolution computed tomography in the diagnostics of nodular changes in foundry workers' pneumoconiosis, compared to conventional radiography. The study group consisted of 64 iron foundry workers in whom silicosis had been recognized. The average age of the group was 51 years and the mean silica exposure time was 23 years. Chest radiograms with hard X-rays were taken at the maximal inspiration phase. For the HRCT examination the Siemens Somatom ART apparatus was used, equipped with a 512 x 512 pixels reconstruction matrix and a special programme for high resolution algorithm image reconstruction. In our material, consistency of results for conventional radiography and HRCT in revealing the presence of nodules was high. A statistically significant increase in detectability of intralobular nodules and peripheral nodules localized under the pleura was observed. The increase in detectability of cavernous, calcified nodules and those in the upper pulmonary fields obtained from computed tomography, however, was not statistically significant. High resolution computed tomography provides significant additional information in patients with foundry workers' pneumoconiosis.

Comparison of planning and using free time among students of the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences.

The work presents a research of the group of third year students from two faculties of the Medical University in Lublin. The aim of the research was find out the correlation and differences in the ways of managing and using the so-called 'leisure time'; in relation to stable factors, as well as the system and the direction of studies and environmental factors, dependent on the influences of the psychosociological surrounding. 114 students of the Faculty of Pharmacy and also 55 daily and 51 extramural students of the Faculty of Nursing and Health Education were examined. It has been stated that students of the Faculty of Nursing and Health Education devoted most of their time to house work, reading books and magazines and watching TV, which differentiated them from pharmacy students. Daily students of both faculties in comparison with extramural students spent more time on listening to the radio, going to the cinema or taking part in social meetings. Daily students of the Faculty of Nursing and Health Education devoted more time to sport, walking, reading books and magazines, hobbies and going to the theatre, opera, museum, concerts and exhibitions, not only in comparison with the extramural students, but also with the pharmacy students. A few students showed interest in part-time work during the academic year, although their number rose during the period of holidays, especially among daily students of the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences. On the basis of the research it was stated that the way of managing and actual spending of leisure time was influenced by the direction of studies, family situation and sex of the examined students.

[Hygiene during leisure time among third year students from the Department of Nursing and Health Sciences]. / Higiena wypoczynku studentów III roku Wydzialu Pielegniarskiego i Nauk o Zdrowiu.

The aim of the study was the assessment of hygiene of leisure time among third year students from Faculty of Nursing and Health Science of Lublin Medical Academy. It analysed passive and active ways of spending free time. The study involved 106 students (55 stationary and 51 extramural) and it was conducted by means of questionnaire. The study revealed that students prefer passive types of spending their leisure time. The most popular activity was listening to the radio, to which they devoted average 2.9 hours a day (listening to music mainly). Extramural students listened to the radio shorter than stationary ones (the difference was statistically significant). Students spent also a lot of their time watching television (average 1.5 hours a day), reading books and newspapers (average 1.85 hours a day) and doing housework, which is an active way of rest (average 2.7 hours a day), mainly preparing meals and shopping. Students devoted the least of their free time to sleep during the day in spite of the fact it is an excellent way of rest. The study found also that physical activity was not a favourite type of spending free time. Every third student did not do any sport. Stationary students did sport 4 times longer than extramural (the difference was statistically significant). Only 31% practiced taking a daily walk and only 44% of students made tourist trips. 81.9% of them went away during summer holidays, but only 31% of them during the winter break. Undoubtedly, the way of spending free time by the students under examination was not hygienic as it did not give them a sense of relaxation and rest; also the students themselves were not satisfied with it.

Ways of spending leisure time by the third year-students of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin.

The aim of the study was the assessment of leisure time among third-year students from the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Medical University of Lublin. It analysed quantity of time devoted to school activity and ways of spending free time. The study involved 114 students (82 women and 32 men). The study revealed that women had less free time than men, who, most probably did not attend some lectures. The most popular activities among the questioned students were: sleeping (average 6.8 hours a day), studying (average 3.6 hours a day), listening to the radio (average 2.9 hours a day), talking with friends (average 1.9 hours a day), personal hygiene (average 1.1 hours a day), watching TV (average 1.1 hours a day), housework. Students devoted the least of their free time on active rest, for example walking (women did it more often than men) or practising sport (more popular among men). Cultural life of the students consisted only of meetings with friends and going to the cinema (women did it more often). The least popular way of spending free time was going to the theatre, opera, concerts and exhibitions. Few students spent their time working. Their number increased significantly during holidays. The way of spending free time by third-year students from the Faculty of Pharmacy (both men and women) during the day was similar, differences related only to the amount of time devoted to each activity.

The influence of diazepam on the behaviour of rabbits in spontaneous conditions.

The study dealt with a popular drug diazepam also known as Relanium. Two doses of the substance were tested: 0.2 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg. The experiment was carried out on 10-rabbit groups for two hours. The animals were observed in peaceful environment of the laboratory after one hour of adaptation. There were distinguished a few phases of behaviour: active and passive observation, comfort, tension, grooming, food and water intake. Both doses eliminated completely the tension phase. Changes in other phases were similar to each other but depending on the dose there were differences in strength and duration. The smaller dose caused significant prolongation of the comfort phase at the expense of active and passive observation time decrease during the first hour of observation. The second hour trends were not changed but lost their statistical relevance. The changes caused by the bigger dose were almost identical and they were statistically significant during both hours of the experiment, but their amplitude was stronger than that caused by the lower dose. The outcome of the experiment confirms anxiolytic, sedative and miorelaxant properties of diazepam.