Thermovision analysis of surface body temperature changes after thermal stimulation treatments in healthy men.

PURPOSE: Among thermal stimulation treatments that have a beneficial effect on the human body general application of cold and various forms of massage are mentioned which can be assessed by means of thermovision analysis. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in the distribution of surface body temperature under the influence of whole-body cryostimulation, classical massage and hot stone massage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on a group of 40 men aged 20-24 years. They were subjected to a cryostimulation treatment at -120 °C and -140 °C, and to heat-stimulating treatments in the form of massages. Before the treatment, blood pressure and heart rate were measured. Temperature distribution in the 12 areas of the body surface was recorded using a Thermo Vision A20M Thermo Vision Camera with Therma CAM Researcher 2.8 software. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between cryostimulation treatments in the left upper limb and the back of the trunk were found. After heat-stimulating treatments, a statistically significant increase in temperature after classic massage was observed in the lower limbs, and a similar increase in temperature was noted in the rear of the pectoral girdle and of the trunk after hot stone massage. CONCLUSIONS: The thermovision analysis showed a great variation of body surface temperature depending on the body area. The higher changes in temperature, of up to 20%, were found within the upper and lower extremities in the group treated with cryostimulation. After heat-stimulating treatments, lower temperature differences, of 2-6%, were observed, the largest within the trunk and the lower limbs.

Occurrence of reproductive disorders in pig herds with and without Chlamydia suis infection - statistical analysis of breeding parameters.

Chlamydiae are frequently encountered Gram-negative intracellular eubacteria that can cause clear manifestations or clinically asymptomatic disorders. C. suis and other chlamydia are primarily isolated in cases of reproductive disorders. This study was performed to estimate the impact of Chlamydia suis infection on reproduction in sows by analyzing reproduction rates and breeding parameters. The test was conducted on first generation (F1) pigs from Polish Landrace (PL) × Polish Large White (PLW). Sixty-four herds were investigated and 500 vaginal swabs were collected. Isolation of DNA was carried out directly from the swabs. All samples were analyzed for Chlamydia suis by real-time PCR with a locked nucleic acid (LNA)-containing probe. To analyze the impact of chlamydia infection on reproductive parameters, evaluation questionnaires were used. Reproductive problems were found in 77.3% of the farms tested. The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that in the farms with 10 up to 120 sows, there were higher reproductive problems with chlamydia infection than in smaller and bigger pig farms. The most common problems were estrus repetition, which was reported by 57.81% of the surveyed farms, and the birth of dead piglets, which was reported by 31.25% of the investigated pig farms. Abortions, which were reported by 28.12% of the surveyed farms, were the least common reproductive disorders.

The protective action of tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid on the behavior of rats treated with dioxins.

BACKGROUND: Dioxins contribute to neurological disorders in humans and animals, causing also neurological disorders in offspring during prenatal and postnatal periods. These compounds significantly affect the development of the central nervous system (CNS) structures, which results in behavioral changes. Tocopherol (TCP) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) may provide protective measures to reduce the inflammatory effects in the CNS associated with free radicals generated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), thus contributing to the reduction of the negative effects of dioxin. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of dioxin on rats and their behavioral functions, and to ascertain whether a combined administration of TCP and ASA to rats treated with TCDD shows the possibility of potential protective effect on the functioning of the CNS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Experiments were performed on 75 female and 12 male Buffalo strain rats, which are offspring of females from particular study groups. TCDD was used in the experiments, TCP and ASA were administered orally every day for 3 weeks. Animals were subjected to behavioral testing: the tail and swimming tests. RESULTS: During the observation of the offspring of both sexes born to females exposed to TCDD, males did not demonstrate any attempt to swim, whereas in females, the immobility time was significantly extended. Assessing the response times from the tail test in the animals treated with dioxins in relation to the control group, it was demonstrated that the response time was extended in the 3rd measurement in both females and males. CONCLUSIONS: Dioxin is characterized by neurotoxic effect causing behavioral disorders associated with prolonged response times. The use of TCP after the administration of dioxins causes a significant reduction and improvement of reflex response times. In contrast, ASA reduces the reflex response times also in the offspring of females exposed to TCDD and ASA.

Effect of Glucocorticoids on Ultrastructure of Myocardial Muscle in the Course of Experimentally Induced Acute Myocardial Ischemia.

The search for effective methods of myocardial cytoprotection against ischemia is the most significant issue in modern cardiology and cardiac surgery. Glucocorticoids are deemed very strong modulators of inflammatory response and thus can potentially protect heart muscle from postreperfusion injury and myocardial ischemia during cardiac surgery. Ultrastructural examination of the left ventricle heart samples revealed that the intravenous application of dexamethasone and hydrocortisone proved to exert cytoprotective effect on cardiomyocytes during experimentally induced acute ischemia in rats.

The Influence of α-Tocopherol on Serum Biochemical Markers During Experimentally Induced Pleuritis in Rats Exposed to Dioxin.

Toxicity of dioxins is wide ranging. Amongst the organs, the liver is the most susceptible to damage by dioxins. Damage caused to liver cells results in promoting inflammatory processes. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether high doses of tocopherol will change the inflammatory response, monitored by biochemical indicators, by improving liver function in rats exposed to tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The study was conducted on a population of female Buffalo rats. The animals were divided into the following groups: Control Group A-representing physiological norms for the studied diagnostic indicators; Control Group B-subjects were administered a 1% ceragenin solution to induce pleuritis; Study Group 1-where rats were administered α-tocopherol acetate for 3 weeks, after which pleuritis was induced; Study Group 2-rats were administered a single dose of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), while 3 weeks later, pleuritis was induced; and Study Group 3-rats were administered a single dose of TCDD and next, were administered α-tocopherol acetate for 3 weeks, followed by pleuritis induction. The results clearly show that administering tocopherol in the course of inflammation causes changes to the distribution and ratio of in the serum protein fractions, including acute phase proteins. The latter proteins are indicative to the improvement in liver function and linked to protein synthesis and stimulation of the antibody-mediated immunity. Moreover, in the course of inflammation caused by exposure of rats to TCDD, tocopherol significantly affected the acute phase protein concentration.

Protective effects of levamisole, acetylsalicylic acid, and α-tocopherol against dioxin toxicity measured as the expression of AhR and COX-2 in a chicken embryo model.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (dioxins) are classed as persistent organic pollutants and have adverse effects on multiple functions within the body. Dioxins are known carcinogens, immunotoxins, and teratogens. Dioxins are transformed in vivo, and interactions between the products and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) lead to the formation of proinflammatory and toxic metabolites. The aim of this study was to determine whether α-tocopherol (vitamin E), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and levamisole can decrease the amount of damage caused by dioxins. Fertile Hubbard Flex commercial line chicken eggs were injected with solutions containing 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or containing TCDD and the test compounds. The chicken embryos and organs were analyzed after 7 and 13 days. The levels at which AhR and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins (which are induced during inflammation) were expressed were evaluated by performing immunohistochemical analyses on embryos treated with TCDD alone or with TCDD and the test compounds. TCDD caused developmental disorders and increased AhR and COX-2 expression in the chicken embryo tissues. Vitamin E, levamisole, ASA, and ASA plus vitamin E inhibited AhR and COX-2 expression in embryos after 7 days and decreased AhR and COX-2 expression in embryos after 13 days. ASA, levamisole, and ASA plus vitamin E weakened the immune response and prevented multiple organ changes. Vitamin E was not fully protective against developmental changes in the embryos.

Dynamic Analysis of Changes of Protein Levels and Selected Biochemical Indices in Rat Serum in the Course of Experimental Pleurisy.

A significant role is played in inflammation by the liver, which, stimulated by inflammatory mediators, synthetizes plasma proteins with various dynamics. The purpose of these studies is to generate a detailed dynamic analysis of changes to concentrations of plasma and serum protein fractions and selected acute-phase proteins as well as nonspecific biochemical indices during the course of an induced pleurisy. The studies were conducted on female inbred Buffalo rats, which were divided into two groups: a control group (C) and an experimental group (IP) in which pleurisy was induced. In the IP group, significant changes in biochemical indices were observed between the 48th and 96th hours of pleurisy. A reduction of albumin, transferrin, urea, and creatinine concentrations was observed, while concentrations of the complement components C3 and C4, haptoglobin, and fibrinogen increased. An early increase of IL-1 was observed, while increases of IL-6 and TNF were noted in the later period. The maximum intensity of the processes described above occurred between the 72nd and 96th hours of pleurisy.

Thermovision Analysis Changes of Human Hand Surface Temperature in Cold Pressor Test.

The cold pressor test (CTP) as a diagnostic method of the circulatory system reactivity may be a basis for the qualification for thermal stimulation therapy. The aim of the work was a thermovisual assessment of the reaction to the Hines and Brown cold pressor test. A group of 30 healthy men in the age of 23.5 ± 0.8 years were examined. The average weight of the examinees was 78.4 ± 9.2 kg, their height 180.7 ± 5.9 cms, and BMI 23.9 ± 2.2 kg/m(2). A thermovisual picture of a tested and not tested hand of all the subjects was taken before and after the cold pressor test. Under the influence of cold water the surface temperature of a tested hand has decreased in a statistically significant way by 8.3°C on average, which is 29% of the temperature before the test, whilst the temperature of an untested hand dropped by 0.67°C. The decreases of temperature were not even and there was a statistically significant difference between the dorsal and palmar side of the hand. The correlation between the changes of systolic blood pressure and the hand surface temperature before and after CTP was observed.

Assessment of physical traits of rat offspring derived from mothers exposed to dioxin.

Negative effects of dioxin action are associated with limited abilities of their bio-degradation along with continuously increasing production and long-term bio-accumulation of those toxins in living organisms. Dioxins penetrate through placenta to fetus indicating indirect toxic effects on offspring of mothers exposed to the action of these toxins. During lactation a significant part of dioxins is excreted from organism with milk, which contributes to further accumulation of those compounds and multiple exceeding of maximal permissible dose of dioxins in newborns feeding with mother's milk. The aim of the study was to determine how a single dose of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) administered to females 3 weeks before getting pregnant affects the parturition duration, labour delay, number and weight of offspring. The studies were performed on rat offspring deriving from primigravida females from the Buffalo strain, which 3 weeks before getting pregnant were administered with a single dose of TCDD. The obtained results revealed that labours in females exposed to dioxin effects were characterized by significant temporal range and their end occurred 3 weeks later compared to females from the control group, which gave birth within a very narrow temporal range ending within 2 days. Offspring obtained from females exposed to the TCDD action was smaller in number and was characterized by smaller rearing and smaller birth weight even after the first month of life; however weight gain in both groups was similar and it was twelve-fold increase.

Microbiological Analysis of Necrosols Collected from Urban Cemeteries in Poland.

Decomposition of organic matter is the primary function in the soil ecosystem, which involves bacteria and fungi. Soil microbial content depends on many factors, and secondary biological and chemical contaminations change and affect environmental feedback. Little work has been done to estimate the microbiological risk for cemetery employees and visitors. The potential risk of infection for people in the cemetery is primarily associated with injury and wound contamination during performing the work. The aim of this study was to analyze the microbiota of cemetery soil obtained from cemeteries and bacterial composition in selected soil layers encountered by gravediggers and cemetery caretakers. The most common bacterial pathogens were Enterococcus spp. (80.6%), Bacillus spp. (77.4%), and E. coli (45.1%). The fungi Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus spp. were isolated from 51% and 6.4% of samples, respectively. Other bacterial species were in the ground cemetery relatively sparse. Sampling depth was not correlated with bacterial growth (p > 0.05), but it was correlated with several differences in microbiota composition (superficial versus deep layer).

Effect of tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid on the biochemical indices of blood in dioxin-exposed rats.

New sources of dioxins and increased dioxin concentrations in the environment, coupled with their increased bioavailability along the food chain and accumulation in adipose tissues, contribute to various adverse long-term biological effects. The purpose of the study was to determine whether tocopherol protects the CNS by decreasing the pro-inflammatory influence of free radicals generated by TCDD; whether acetylsalicylic acid inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators; and whether the combined administration of tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid to TCDD-exposed rats has a potential CNS-protective effect. The study included 117 rats divided into 8 groups: 75 female and 12 male Buffalo rats aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 140-160 g; as well as 30 female rats aged 6 weeks and weighing 120 g, which were the offspring of females from each study group. In the experiment, the following substances were used: 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), dosed at 5 µg/kg BW and 12.5 µg/kg BW, diluted in a 1% DMSO solution at the concentration of 1 µg/ml; α-tocopherol acetate, dosed at 30 mg/kg BW, in 0.2 ml of oil solution; and acetylsalicylic acid, 50mg/kg BW, suspended in 0.5 ml of starch solution, administered orally using a feeding tube. Pleurisy was induced by an injection of 0.15 ml of 1% carrageenin solution. The use of tocopherol reduces the adverse effects of the inflammatory reaction induced by TCDD. Administering tocopherol improves protein metabolism by reducing protein catabolism, and raises γ-globulin fraction levels. Combined acetylsalicylic acid and tocopherol suppress catabolic processes accompanying inflammation.

Histopathological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical assessment of hippocampus structures of rats exposed to TCDD and high doses of tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid.

The effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on central nervous system consists of changing expression of estrogen receptors, whereas the result of chronic inflammatory reaction caused by dioxin is occurrence of destructive changes in various organs connected with disturbed metabolism of connective tissue and damage of cells. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of dioxins on function, ultrastructure, and cytological and histological structure of hippocampus, particularly on expression of estrogen receptors in central nervous system as well as to define protective influence of tocopherol (TCP) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on the decrease in activity of proinflammatory effects in central nervous system. It was shown that TCDD contributes to destructive and inflammatory changes along with demyelization of myelin sheaths and atrophy of estrogen receptors in hippocampus. Dioxin contributes to atrophy of estrogen receptors in hippocampus, in which also destructive and inflammatory changes were found along with demyelination of myelin sheaths. Histopathological and ultrastructural image of hippocampus areas in rats, in which both TCP and ASA were used, is characterized by poorly expressed degenerative changes and smaller inflammatory reactivity. Using both TCP and ASA has a protective effect on functions of central nervous system.

The use of infrared thermography as a rapid, quantitative, and noninvasive method for evaluation of inflammation response in different anatomical regions of rats.

PURPOSE: Thermographic assessment of temperature distribution within the examined tissues allows a quick, noncontact, noninvasive measurement of their temperature. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of digital infrared imaging in monitoring experimental inflammation of pleura (PL), lower lip (LL), and left paw (LP) and right paw (RP) of lower limbs in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The inflammatory reaction was induced by injection of 1% carrageenin solution into pleural cavity, lip, or paws. With the use of digital infrared imaging temperature measurement was conducted at 0 to 72 hours of the inflammatory reaction. RESULTS: The temperature decrease was observed at the site of injection directly afterwards. Next, it was gradually increasing and it reached the maximum on the third day of the inflammatory reaction. Statistically significant changes were observed after 48-hour period in PL and LL regions, as well as after 72-hour period in LP and RP regions (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: It was found that thermographic examination allows for indicating the presence of inflammatory reaction within examined tissues and determining the dynamics of this process. This method could be used as alternative procedure that allows using fewer animals for experiments.

Inhibition of cathepsin B activity by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is the most potent toxic isomer in the dioxin-like family. Due to its resistance to metabolic degradation, this ubiquitous environmental pollutant readily accumulates in multiple organs. Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine protease playing an essential role in the intracellular protein turnover. Alterations in its expression, activity, and localization may facilitate the development of many pathologies, including cancer. TCDD, due to its extremely lipophilic nature, may diffuse through biological membranes and affect lysosomal enzymes, including cathepsins. Therefore, in this study we performed two enzymatic assays, spectrofluorimetry and gelatin zymography, in order to evaluate the effect of TCDD on purified bovine cathepsin B. We showed that the dioxin decreases the enzyme's activity in a dose-dependent manner. The reversibility of TCDD-induced inhibition of the protease was also examined, suggesting that TCDD does not bind covalently to the enzyme's active site, acting rather as a reversible inhibitor.

Effect of tocopherol on biochemical blood parameters in pleuritis-induced rats treated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tocopherol on pleuritis-induced rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Rats were treated with a single TCDD dose of 5 µg/kg body weight (b.w.) and then for 3 weeks they were daily supplemented with tocopherol at a dose of 30 mg/kg b.w. The inflammation was initiated by intrapleural injection of a single dose of 1% carrageenin solution in a volume of 0.15 ml. Changes in biochemical blood parameters were measured three times at the 24th, 72nd and 120th hour of pleuritis and the blood was collected from 20 animals of each group of rats (group with the control inflammation; group treated with TCDD and with control inflammation; group treated with TCDD, supplemented with tocopherol and with the inflammation). The following biochemical parameters were measured: tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, procollagen, telopeptide, fibrinogen, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) and alanine aminotransferase (AlAT). Daily supplementation of tocopherol caused significant changes in the level of TNF, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, urea, creatinine, AspAT and AlAT. According to the results of these studies, we suggest that tocopherol supplementation in high doses could act as a protective treatment to improve liver metabolism.

Influence of dioxin intoxication on the human system and possibilities of limiting its negative effects on the environment and living organisms.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Despite the restrictive legal regulations related to the reduction of dioxins emission, their concentration in the environment is still too high. Mainly, this is related to the illegal utilisation of electronic equipment and combustion of wastes, and also to intensified activity and maintenance of ships, especially in developing countries. The most important remaining source in Europe is the metal industry. Studies on the mechanism of impact of dioxins are still being carried out. This review points at new possibilities for limiting the molecular mechanisms of dioxins activity, inter alia, through the application of high doses of tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid while treating dioxins intoxication. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: Apart from the knowledge of dioxins affinity to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), the multi-stage radical-form actions and the pro-inflammatory mechanism associated with cyclooxygenase-II enzyme (COX-2) are under intense investigation at the moment. Due to the high affinity of dioxins to animals adipose tissue and their ability to accumulate in it, they can enter the food chain. Furthermore, high dioxin doses can cause poisoning manifested as advanced clinical symptoms, whereas in smaller doses, when cumulated, can cause metabolic changes which are often difficult to associate with their presence. Recently, some serious food contaminations by dioxins have been demonstrated. Sea fish and products from contaminated aqueducts still constitute potential sources of dioxins pollution. CONCLUSION: According to recent studies, dioxins are present in different concentrations in the environment and cause specific and long-time effects. These effects could be limited by the use of tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid.

The influence of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on hematological parameters during experimentally induced pleuritis in rats.

Proper functioning of homeostatic mechanisms is characteristic for every healthy organism and enables adapting to environmental changes. These complicated systematic reactions can neutralize the harmful stress factors leading to various inflammatory reactions. The aim of this study was to determine dynamic changes in the inflammatory reaction after single 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) administration of 5 µg/kg body weight into rats with experimentally induced pleuritis. These changes were observed by monitoring the hematological blood parameters during inflammation. The obtained results proved that dioxins contribute to various changes in the character of the inflammatory response. TCDD administration before pleuritis initiation caused an increase of lymphocytes and significant decrease of the number of neutrophils during inflammation. The current study proved that administration of low TCDD dose (seven times lower than used in other studies) can cause thymus, spleen, or lymphatic gland atrophy. This finding indicates the toxic influence of small TCDD dose especially on the immune system.

Characteristics of MIC-1 antlerogenic stem cells and their effect on hair growth in rabbits.

AIM: We characterized growth factors produced by MIC-1 antlerogenic stem cells and attempted to apply those cells to stimulate hair growth in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the gene and protein expression of growth factors by immunocytochemical and molecular biology techniques in MIC-1 cells. An animal model was used to assess the effects of xenogenous stem cells on hair growth. In the experimental group, rabbits were intradermally injected with MIC-1 stem cells, whereas the control group rabbits were given vehicle-only. After 1, 2 and 4 weeks, skin specimen were collected for histological and immunohistochemical tests. RESULTS: MIC-1 antlerogenic stem cells express growth factors, as confirmed at the mRNA and protein levels. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated an increase in the number of hair follicles, as well as the amount of secondary hair in the follicles, without an immune response in animals injected intradermally with MIC-1 cells, compared to animals receiving vehicle-alone. CONCLUSION: MIC-1 cells accelerated hair growth in rabbits due to the activation of cells responsible for the regulation of the hair growth cycle through growth factors. Additionally, the xenogenous cell implant did not induce immune response.

Phage display--a powerful technique for immunotherapy: 2. Vaccine delivery.

Phage display is a powerful technique in medical and health biotechnology. This technology has led to formation of antibody libraries and has provided techniques for fast and efficient search of these libraries. The phage display technique has been used in studying the protein-protein or protein-ligand interactions, constructing of the antibody and antibody fragments and improving the affinity of proteins to receptors. Recently phage display has been widely used to study immunization process, develop novel vaccines and investigate allergen-antibody interactions. This technology can provide new tools for protection against viral, fungal and bacterial infections. It may become a valuable tool in cancer therapies, abuse and allergies treatment. This review presents the recent advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of phage display. In particular the applicability of this technology to study the immunization process, construction of new vaccines and development of safer and more efficient delivery strategies has been described.

Phage display--a powerful technique for immunotherapy: 1. Introduction and potential of therapeutic applications.

One of the most effective molecular diversity techniques is phage display. This technology is based on a direct linkage between phage phenotype and its encapsulated genotype, which leads to presentation of molecule libraries on the phage surface. Phage display is utilized in studying protein-ligand interactions, receptor binding sites and in improving or modifying the affinity of proteins for their binding partners. Generating monoclonal antibodies and improving their affinity, cloning antibodies from unstable hybridoma cells and identifying epitopes, mimotopes and functional or accessible sites from antigens are also important advantages of this technology. Techniques originating from phage display have been applied to transfusion medicine, neurological disorders, mapping vascular addresses and tissue homing of peptides. Phages have been applicable to immunization therapies, which may lead to development of new tools used for treating autoimmune and cancer diseases. This review describes the phage display technology and presents the recent advancements in therapeutic applications of phage display.