Craniometric Characteristics of Selected Carnivora Species Kept in Captivity in Relation to Bite Force and Bending Strength of the Upper Canines.

The aim of this study was to analyse the bite forces of seven species from three carnivore families: Canidae, Felidae, and Ursidae. The material consisted of complete, dry crania and mandibles. A total of 33 measurements were taken on each skull, mandible, temporomandibular joint, and teeth. The area of the temporalis and masseter muscles was calculated, as was the length of the arms of the forces acting on them. Based on the results, the bite force was calculated using a mathematical lever model. This study compared the estimated areas of the masticatory muscles and the bending strength of the upper canines among seven species. A strong correlation was found between cranial size and bite force. The results confirmed the hypothesis that the weight of the animal and the size of the skull have a significant effect on the bite force.

Selenium Content in the Gonads of Healthy Cats (Felis catus) and Cats with Impaired Homeostasis from the Warsaw Area (Poland).

The aim of the present study was to evaluate selenium content in the gonads of healthy cats and those with impaired homeostasis with the use of fluorescence spectroscopy. Higher concentrations of selenium were found in the gonads of the male domestic cats studied. The average content of this element in the testes of healthy males was: 0.59 mg·kg-1 while 0.47 mg·kg-1 wet weight was recorded in the ovaries of females. In the case of individuals with impaired homeostasis, higher values of selenium were found in the ovaries of obese females (0.40 mg·kg-1), while in the case of females with diagnosed malignancy of the mammary gland, the average values were lower and amounted to 0.31 mg·kg-1 wet weight of tissue. On the basis of statistical analysis, significant differences were found according to sex, age, and disturbed homeostasis of the individuals studied. An association was found between low Se in the gonads and obesity, as well as the presence of mammary gland neoplastic lesions. In addition, Se content was found to decrease with age in females, which can reduce resistance to oxidative stress.

The Total Mercury Concentration in Organs of Eurasian Magpies (Pica pica) and Common Woodpigeons (Columba palumbus) from the Warsaw Municipal Area.

Mercury is a toxic element widely distributed in the natural environment, affecting animals' health. It is released into the environment from both natural and anthropogenic sources. The present study analyzed the mercury concentrations in liver, kidney, heart and muscle tissue in two species of birds from the Warsaw area, which were used as bioindicators of local environmental pollution with this metal. The mercury content in the examined samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) utilizing automatic mercury analyzer type AMA 254. The highest mercury content was found in the body of Eurasian magpies, in which it was 0.025; 0.021; 0.006; 0.0037 and 0.029 mg kg-1 of tissue wet weight for kidney, liver, heart, thigh muscles and pectoral muscles, respectively. In the case of common woodpigeons, the content of this metal was significantly lower, amounting to 0.007; 0.005; 0.002; 0.001 and 0.001 mg∙kg-1 wet weight for kidney, liver, heart, thigh muscles and pectoral muscles, respectively. In light of data from the available literature, the values obtained should be considered low, not causing a risk to animal health. The results obtained indicate low environmental exposure to this element.

Graphene 2D platform is safe and cytocompatibile for HaCaT cells growing under static and dynamic conditions.

The study concerns the influence of graphene monolayer, as a 2 D platform, on cell viability, cytoskeleton, adhesions sites andmorphology of mitochondria of keratinocytes (HaCaT) under static conditions. Based on quantitative and immunofluorescent analysis, it could be stated that graphene substrate does not cause any damage to membrane or disruption of other monitored parameters. Spindle poles and cytokinesis bridges indicating proliferation of cells on this graphene substrate were detected. Moreover, the keratinocyte migration rate on the graphene substrate was comparable to control glass substrate when the created wound was completely closed after 38 hours. HaCaT morphology and viability were also assessed under dynamic conditions (lab on a chip - micro scale). For this purpose, microfluidic graphene system was designed and constructed. No differences as well as no anomalies were observed during cultivation of these cells on the graphene or glass substrates in relation to cultivation conditions: static (macro scale) and dynamic (micro scale). Only natural percentage of dead cells was determined using different methods, which proved that the graphene as the 2 D platform is cytocompatible with keratinocytes. The obtained results encourage the use of the designed lab on a chip system in toxicity testing of graphene also on other cells and further research on the use of graphene monolayers to produce bio-bandages for skin wounds in animal tests.

Cytocompatibility of Graphene Monolayer and Its Impact on Focal Cell Adhesion, Mitochondrial Morphology and Activity in BALB/3T3 Fibroblasts.

This study investigates the effect of graphene scaffold on morphology, viability, cytoskeleton, focal contacts, mitochondrial network morphology and activity in BALB/3T3 fibroblasts and provides new data on biocompatibility of the "graphene-family nanomaterials". We used graphene monolayer applied onto glass cover slide by electrochemical delamination method and regular glass cover slide, as a reference. The morphology of fibroblasts growing on graphene was unaltered, and the cell viability was 95% compared to control cells on non-coated glass slide. There was no significant difference in the cell size (spreading) between both groups studied. Graphene platform significantly increased BALB/3T3 cell mitochondrial activity (WST-8 test) compared to glass substrate. To demonstrate the variability in focal contacts pattern, the effect of graphene on vinculin was examined, which revealed a significant increase in focal contact size comparing to control-glass slide. There was no disruption in mitochondrial network morphology, which was branched and well connected in relation to the control group. Evaluation of the JC-1 red/green fluorescence intensity ratio revealed similar levels of mitochondrial membrane potential in cells growing on graphene-coated and uncoated slides. These results indicate that graphene monolayer scaffold is cytocompatible with connective tissue cells examined and could be beneficial for tissue engineering therapy.

The effects of graphene and mesenchymal stem cells in cutaneous wound healing and their putative action mechanism.

This study provides a review of the therapeutic potential of graphene dressing scaffolds and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their synergistic effects with respect to cutaneous wound healing. This study also considers their putative action mechanism based on the antibacterial, immunomodulating, angiogenic, matrix remodeling effects of materials belonging to the graphene family and MSCs during the wound healing process. In addition, this study discusses the cytocompatibility of graphene, its uses as a platform for skin substitutes, the properties it possesses with respect to providing protection against microbial invasion as well as strategies aimed at minimizing the chance of the occurrence of sepsis. MSCs are capable of secreting several factors that exert a therapeutic impact on reparative processes and tissue regeneration. In light of experiments conducted to date, graphene combined with MSCs appears to have the potential to enhance both the wound healing process and infection control at the injury site.

Biocompatibility of pristine graphene monolayer: Scaffold for fibroblasts.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of pristine graphene monolayer and its utility as a scaffold for murine fibroblast L929 cell line. Cell viability, morphology, cytoskeleton architecture (microfilaments and microtubules), cell adhesion and migration into the scratch-wound area were determined using pristine graphene-coated microscopic slides. We found that fibroblasts cultured on pristine graphene monolayer exhibited changes in cell attachment, motility and cytoskeleton organization. Graphene was found to have no cytotoxicity on L929 fibroblasts and increased cell adhesion and proliferation within 24 h of culture. The area of cells growing on graphene was comparable to the area of fibroblasts cultured on glass. Migration of cells on the surface of graphene substrate appeared to be more regular in comparison to uncoated glass surface, however in both control (glass) and experimental (graphene) groups the scratch wound was closed after 48 h of culture. Taken together, our results indicate that pristine graphene monolayer is non-toxic for murine subcutaneous connective tissue fibroblasts and could be beneficial for recovery of damaged tissues after injury. These studies could be helpful in evaluating biocompatibility of graphene, which still remains ambiguous.

The Presence of Mercury in the Tissues of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos L.) from Wloclawek Reservoir in Poland.

The study aimed at determining the degree of mercury contamination of mallards, game waterbirds migrating from the regions of the unknown degree of contamination and establishing whether the consumption of their meat comprises a hazard to human health in view of the binding norms concerning the mercury content in food products. The investigations were carried out on 30 mallards shot during the duck shooting season in which mercury concentrations in the muscles, liver, and kidneys were determined using the cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) method. The mean Hg concentration in the investigated tissues in all birds studied amounted to 0.110, 0.154, and 0.122 mg kg-1 for the muscles, kidneys, and liver, respectively. The study indicated statistically significant (p ≤ 0.01) positive correlation between all of the organs examined. Animals were divided into two groups differing in both absolute values of Hg concentrations and those measured in individual tissues. In particular organs of birds representing the first group, the presence of highly significant correlation (p ≤ 0.01) was observed in all organs examined. In the second group, highly significant positive correlation between Hg concentrations in the liver and kidneys and highly significant negative dependence between the liver and muscles was noted. The examinations revealed that some birds must have come from regions of a high degree of mercury contamination.

Relationship between Cd and Zn concentration in the kidneys, liver, and muscles of moose (Alces alces) from north-eastern Poland.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the cadmium and zinc content in the kidneys and liver of moose from north-eastern Poland. Animals were divided with respect to their age. The mean concentration of cadmium in the kidneys of moose studied was 11.31 mg kg-1, while in the liver it amounted to 2.68 mg kg-1. Age had a significant effect on the content of cadmium in both organs. In the muscles of most animals studied, the cadmium concentrations were below the detection limit. Elevated concentrations were found in three individuals only. Older animals had over six times higher concentrations of cadmium in both kidneys and liver than younger individuals. The cadmium content in kidneys increased with animals' age while no such relationship was found for zinc. Although older animals had higher mean concentrations of zinc in kidneys, liver, and muscles, the two age groups did not differ significantly. The mean concentration of zinc in the kidneys of moose studied was 38.83 mg kg-1, while in the liver it amounted to 29.03 mg kg-1. The cadmium concentration in the kidneys was significantly correlated with the cadmium concentration in the liver (r = 0.53, p ≤ 0.01) and with the zinc concentration in the kidneys (r = 0.52, p ≤ 0.01). The data obtained within study correspond with analyses results of the organs of healthy moose in Sweden.

The Content of Copper and Molybdenum in the Liver, Kidneys, and Skeletal Muscles of Elk (Alces alces) from North-Eastern Poland.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the content of Cu and Mo in the liver, kidneys, and skeletal muscles of elks from north-eastern Poland. The investigation material comprised samples obtained in 2010 from 35 animals. Animals were grouped according to age (elks up to 2 years and over than 3 years). The metal concentrations were determined using coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. The mean Cu concentrations in the liver, kidneys, and skeletal muscles were 23.08, 5.03, and 2.36 mg∙kg(-1) wet weight, respectively. The mean Mo content in the examined samples was as follows: 0.92, 0.42, and 0.05 mg∙kg(-1) wet weight (w.w.) in the liver, kidneys, and muscles. In the analysis of correlation between the Cu and Mo levels in particular organs, the presence of significant dependence (p ≤ 0.05) was observed in the liver of animals studied. The mean Cu content in the liver of animals studied is lower compared with data reported from Sweden, Russia, and North America. Concentrations of Cu and Mo in the kidneys and skeletal muscles of Polish elks are similar to data noted in healthy animals from Scandinavian region. The results suggest that elks from north-eastern Poland may be threatened by primary Cu deficiency.