Enzymatic activity of fungi isolated from crops.

AIM: To detect and assess the activity of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes and to find differences in enzymograms between fungi isolated from wheat and rye samples and grown on Czapek-Dox Broth and Sabouraud Dextrose Broth enriched with cereal (wheat or rye). Isolated strains were also classified in the scale of biosafety levels (BSL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study used 23 strains of fungi cultured from samples of wheat and rye (grain, grain dust obtained during threshing and soil) collected in the Lublin region (eastern Poland). API ZYM test (bioMérieux) was carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions. Classification of BSL (Biosafety levels) was based on the current literature. RESULTS: High enzymatic activity was found in strains cultured in media containing 1% of wheat grain (Bipolaris holmi, Penicillium decumbens) and with an addition of 1% of rye grain (Cladosporium herbarum, Aspergillus versicolor, Alternaria alternata). The total number of enzymes varied depending on the type of media, and in most cases it was higher in the culture where an addition of cereal grains was used. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated strains of fungi reveal differences in the profiles of the enzyme assay. It can be assumed that the substrate enriched in grains stimulate the higher activity of mold enzymes.

Effect of Nitrogen Ion Implantation on the Tool Life Used in Particleboard CNC Drilling.

The paper presents the effect of nitrogen ion implantation on the tool life of the tools commonly used in the furniture industry for drilling particleboards. Nitrogen ions with different accelerating voltages of 25, 40, 55, and 70 kV and a fluence of 5 × 1017 cm-2 were implanted into the surface of commercially available high-speed steel (HSS) drills, using the implanters without mass-separated ion beams. The tests were carried out in a computerized numerical control (CNC) machining center used in the furniture industry. Based on the measurements of the direct tool wear indicator (W), the drill wear curves were determined and the relative tool life index, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and the implantation quality index of tool life were calculated. The studies have shown that the modification of the drill surface layer by the nitrogen ion implantation process increases the tool life. The obtained results allow the research to be the continued in a wider scope.

Wear Resistance Improvement of Cemented Tungsten Carbide Deep-Hole Drills after Ion Implantation.

The paper is dedicated to the lifetime prolongation of the tools designed for deep-hole drilling. Among available methods, an ion implantation process was used to improve the durability of tungsten carbide (WC)-Co guide pads. Nitrogen fluencies of 3 × 1017 cm-2, 4 × 1017 cm-2 and 5 × 1017 cm-2 were applied, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analyses, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) measurements were performed for both nonimplanted and implanted tools. The durability tests of nonimplanted and the modified tools were performed in industrial conditions. The durability of implanted guide pads was above 2.5 times more than nonimplanted ones in the best case, presumably due to the presence of a carbon-rich layer and extremely hard tungsten nitrides. The achieved effect may be attributed to the dissociation of tungsten carbide phase and to the lubrication effect. The latter was due to the presence of pure carbon layer with a thickness of a few dozen nanometers. Notably, this layer was formed at a temperature of 200 °C, much smaller than in previously reported research, which makes the findings even more valuable from economic and environmental perspectives.

Satisfaction with interpersonal relations among employees of State Forests in Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the interpersonal relations of employees of State Forests in Poland, as well as to indicate the factors related to the level of satisfaction with the relations among people employed in similar positions, and relations with superiors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The issues investigated were developed based on research conducted between 2014-2015 among employees of State Forests in Poland. In each of the 9 forest districts selected, 25 people were selected for testing from 3 groups of employees: foresters, deputy foresters and supervisors, together with administrative staff. Altogether, 399 people took part in the study conducted by means of a questionnaire. RESULTS: The study showed that the overall level of satisfaction with interpersonal relations among employees of State Forests in Poland is high. Analysis indicated that the demographic characteristics of respondents, such as age, gender or place of residence, had no significant influence on satisfaction with interpersonal relations in the workplace. However, the level of satisfaction with interpersonal relations was positively affected by a high level of overall job satisfaction and satisfaction with remuneration. Decrease in the level of satisfaction was influenced by the accumulation of stressful life events and employment in administration. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfaction with interpersonal relationships in the workplace is an important indicator of employee mental health. Studies have shown the need to broaden the scope of research into the variables that determine the character and personality of an employee.

Prevalence of Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Ticks from the Ternopil Region in Ukraine.

INTRODUCTION: Lyme borreliosis/Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and is one of the most common vector-borne diseases transmitted by ticks. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 136 Ixodes ricinus ticks, collected in the Ternopil (Ukraine) region, including 126 adults (70 females and 56 males), and 10 nymphs were examined. The identification of the species and their developmental form was based on morphological characteristics. RESULTS: PCR with B5S-Bor and 23S-Bor primers resulted in Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA amplification among six ticks (4.4%). The detailed analysis based on the DNA sequencing showed the presence of DNA of Borrelia afzelii in four samples; the remaining two represented Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, although their genospecies were not determined. The research confirmed the dominance of Borrelia afzelii genospecies in the ticks from Ukraine. CONCLUSION: It seems reasonable to undertake similar research in ticks from other regions of Ukraine. Knowledge in this field can be useful for public health and planning the prevention of tick-borne diseases.

Health promotion and health education with particular emphasis on bone diseases among rural population in Poland.

Osteoporosis and osteoarthrosis are the most common diseases of bone tissue affecting both rural and urban populations. The aim of the study was to investigate the level of education and requirement for health promotion within the scope of common diseases of the skeletal system among rural population in Poland. This was an exploratory study with a cross-sectional design performed between May 2004-September 2005 in rural areas of 16 Voivodeships (main provinces) of Poland. The study population comprised of 404 (62.9%) rural women and 238 (37.1%) rural men (total 642). All subjects were randomly sampled and recruited by personal contact in primary health care centres. Study data were obtained using a specially prepared questionnaire. The most commonly reported diseases were: arterial hypertension (26.1%), joint degenerative disease (24.6%) and osteoarthritis (14.7%). The occurrence of osteoarthritis and joint degenerative disease increased with age and was highest in the group aged over 50 (21% and 38.7% respectively). Osteoarthitis was more frequent in women compared to men (16% and 12.2% respectively). In most cases, the basic information about methods of prevention and treatment given by a General Practitioner or a specialist was characterized as "satisfactory" (73.6% and 62.9% respectively). The most popular prophylactic action performed in local communities was bone densitometry (14.1%), and the most important source of knowledge - TV and radio (65%). Populations living in rural areas have limited access to health education and health prophylaxis actions, irrespective of the geographical region of Poland. Inhabitants with secondary or higher education, as well as those with a higher household income, have better knowledge about skeletal system diseases compared to those with a lower educational level. The practical implications of this study suggest the necessity for paying more attention to etiology, symptoms and methods of prevention and treatment of bone diseases when attending to patients in specialist practice.

Osteoporosis risk factors in rural and urban women from the Lublin Region of Poland.

In various epidemiological and clinical studies, bone quality, bone mineral density (BMD), as well as risk of falling have been associated with lifestyle and anthropometric/demographic characteristics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the osteoporosis risk factors occurrence and its association with BMD in rural and urban women from the Lublin Region in Poland. A cross-sectional study of risk factors of osteoporosis and fracture was carried out in a cohort of 900 rural and urban women aged 30-79 years, representative of the general population the Lublin Region. Data pertaining to osteoporosis risk factors as well as medical history were taken using a specially designed 31 item questionnaire divided in seven sections: social history, past medical history, reproductive history, drug history, family history of osteoporosis, nutritional habits and lifestyle factors. The lumbar spine (L(2)-L(4)) was examined in a-p position using the dual X-ray absorptiometry- DXA (LUNAR Corp.). The differences between urban and rural women in the appearance of particular osteoporosis risk factors, such as gynecological, dietary calcium intake, smoking and coffee consumption, was noticeable. Age, years of menopause and family history of osteoporosis (in mothers) were found to have strong negative independent associations with lumbar spine BMD. Body Mass Index (BMI) was found to have strong positive association with BMD. Dietary calcium intake, coffee consumption and level of physical activity had noticeable positive and independent, but not significant association with BMD.

Age- and BMD-related differences in biochemical markers of bone metabolism in rural and urban women from Lublin Region, Poland.

The utility of biochemical markers of bone metabolism has not been proven in the diagnosis of metabolic diseases of the bone tissue; however they are widely used as a tools for treatment monitoring. Their serum concentrations are influenced by a number of factors, like gender, health status, anthropometric and environmental factors. All the factors listed above should be taken into consideration during clinical use. The aim of the study was to determine the reference values and evaluate the influence of environmental and anthropometric variables on biochemical markers of bone turnover for women from Lublin Region (Poland). Subjects of the study were 188 normal women aged 30-79, all residents of Lublin Region. Analysed markers of bone turnover were: osteocalcin (OC) and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), both assessed using ELISA method. All blood samples were taken and analyzed at the Clinical Chem. Laboratory and Patho-morphology Department at the Institute of Agricultural Medicine in Lublin. The lumbar spine (L2-L4) of all subjects was examined in a-p position using the dual X-ray absorptiometry-DXA (DPX-A LUNAR Corp.) at the Department of Metabolic and Degenerative Diseases of Bone Tissue of Institute of Agricultural Medicine in Lublin. Data pertaining to factors affecting bone tissue were collected using a specially prepared questionnaire. Serum levels of OC and CTX-I in women in every age range were different, generally increasing with age. Serum levels of OC and CTX-I in the analysed population strongly depended of both menopausal status and bone mineral density. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that age and menopausal status variations need to be considered when interpreting laboratory measurements of biochemical markers of bone metabolism.

Emotional attitudes of young people completing secondary schools towards genetic modification of organisms (GMO) and genetically modified foods (GMF).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was recognition of the opinions of adolescents completing secondary schools concerning genetically modified organisms and genetically modified food, especially the respondents' emotional attitude towards scientific achievements in the area of live genetically modified organisms. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study covered a group of 500 school adolescents completing secondary school at the level of maturity examination. The study was conducted by the method of a diagnostic survey using a self-designed questionnaire form. RESULTS: Knowledge concerning the possible health effects of consumption of food containing GMO among adolescents competing secondary schools is on a relatively low level; the adolescents examined 'know rather little' or 'very little know' about this problem. In respondents' opinions the results of reliable studies pertaining to the health effects of consumption of GMO 'rather do not exist'. The respondents are against the cultivation of GM plants and breeding of GM animals on own farm in the future. Secondary school adolescents considered that the production of genetically modified food means primarily the enrichment of biotechnological companies, higher income for food producers, and not the elimination of hunger in the world or elimination of many diseases haunting humans.

Obesity and poverty paradox in developed countries.

Obesity is a civilization disease and the proportion of people suffering from it continues to grow, especially in the developed countries. Number of obese people in Europe has increased threefold over the last 20 years. The paradox of obesity and poverty relationship is observed especially in the developed and developing countries. In developing countries, along with economic development and income growth, the number of people with overweight and obesity is increasing. This paradox has a relationship with both the easy availability and low cost of highly processed foods containing 'empty calories' and no nutritional value. To date, this paradox has been described in the United States and the United Kingdom, although many European countries are also experiencing high percentages of obese people. Among the reasons for the growing obesity in the population of poor people are: higher unemployment, lower education level, and irregular meals. Another cause of obesity is low physical activity, which among the poor is associated with a lack of money for sports equipment. Due to the large rate of deaths caused by diseases directly linked to obesity, the governments of many countries implement prevention programmes of overweight and obesity. These programmes are based primarily on educating the public about a healthy lifestyle based on healthy eating, daily physical activity and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes.

Prevalence of antibodies against selected zoonotic agents in forestry workers from eastern and southern Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Due to the nature of their work, foresters are exposed to many infectious pathogens from the wildlife reservoir. The primary aim of this study was to assess their contact with these pathogens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sera and antibodies, mainly of IgG class against selected infectious factors, collected from a group of 216 employees of National Forests from eastern and southern Poland, were investigated. RESULTS: Antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected in 64 sera (29.6%), to Bartonella spp. in 133 sera (61.6%), to Babesia microti in 50 sera (23.1%), and to Coxiella burnetii in 14 sera (6.4%); 7 sera (3.2%) were positive to Francisella tularensis. In studies of diseases not carried by ticks positive results were found in 28 sera (12.9%) to Toxocara canis, 13 sera (6.0 %) to Trichinella spiralis, and in 7 sera (3.2%) to Echinococcus granulosus. Antibodies to Hanta viruses were detected with antigens from Puumala and Dobrava/Hantaan strains in both IgM and IgG class. In 9 foresters, positive results were found, including one positive result to 2 antigens, 5 to Dobrava/Hantaan antigen and 3 to Puumala antigen. CONCLUSION: Frequently higher percentages of positive results were found in people working utdoors, and in men when compared with women.

Brucellosis in humans--etiology, diagnostics, clinical forms.

Brucellosis in humans is a zoonosis of greatly varied clinical image. It occurs on all inhabited continents. The course of the disease may be acute, sub-acute or chronic. The etiologic factors of brucellosis are small, aerobic Gram-negative rods of the genus Brucella, which currently contains ten species: B. abortus, B. suis, B. ovis, B. melitensis, B. canis, B. neotomae, B. pinnipedialis, B. ceti, B. microti and B. inopinata. In humans, the disease is caused mainly by: B. melitensis as the most pathogenic species, followed by B. suis, whereas B. abortus is considered as the mildest type of brucellosis. The natural reservoir of the germ and the source of infection in humans are infected domestic animals, primarily cattle, sheep, goats, as well as wild animals. Infection in humans occurs by penetration through damaged skin, conjunctiva, and more rarely via the alimentary route by the consumption of infected products. Especially exposed are: veterinarians, veterinary technicians, insemination service employees, zoo technicians, farmers working on multi-herd farms (production cooperatives), e.g. cattlemen, also private farmers, employees of slaughter houses and meat processing enterprises. A basis for diagnosing brucellosis are serologic tests which allow the detection of antibodies occurring in response to infection, performed with the use of the following methods: agglutination test, complement fixation test, Coombs test, 2-mercaptoethanol agglutination test, and Burnet's intradermal allergy test which detects the state of hypersensitivity of the infected organism to Brucella abortus rods.

Assessing levels of knowledge on the principles of pain management during post-graduate education of physicians in Poland.

UNLABELLED: Treating chronic pain forms an integral part of patient care where a doctor's level of expertise is important for ensuring an adequately pain-free life. The aim of the study, therefore, was to assess the level of knowledge in pain management among doctors during their post-graduate education; some of whom were already qualified in various branches of medical specialisation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was performed on doctors undergoing post-graduate training unrelated to the treatment of pain at the Post-Graduate Education Centre at the Institute of Rural Health in Lublin, Poland. The questionnaire comprised of demographic and factual sections, the latter consisting of nine multiple choice questions on symptomatology and pharmacology of pain, including opioid treatment and neuropathic pain. RESULTS: From the 271 respondents, 203 (74.9%) filled in the questionnaire properly, of whom 131 (64.5%) were female. The mean age was 35.5 years (SD=6.3). The average number of correct replies received were 5.75 or 63.9%, (SD=0.51); of the total of 9 questions set, correct answers were seen most frequently for questions No. 2 and question No. 4 (83.7 and 78.3%, respectively). Only 7 fully correct sets of answers were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Significant shortcomings in knowledge about pain management were therefore observed from the sample of doctors' taken in the presented study. It is suggested that alternative/modified methods of education are required to address this issue, especially for doctors who do not have to deal with pain on a daily basis.

Child labour for the benefit of the family in rural Poland.

Employing children to work in a family household or on a farm is a widespread phenomena in many countries worldwide. This paper presents the results of an investigation of the phenomenon of the involvement of children aged 11-14 years in work on family farms and in rural households in central and eastern Poland, a typical agricultural region. The data obtained are characterized by high reliability due to utilization of various research techniques: surveys and observations based on records of daily routines. Material collected by questionnaire survey is significant because of the relatively large group of respondents ­ 1,536 people, selected by stratified sampling. Records of the daily routines of 332 people randomly selected from the general sample of 1,536 people, were conducted over a total period of 2 months through all the seasons ­ 2 weeks in each season ­ provided reliable data. Analysis of the collected material allowed characterization of the phenomenon of children's engagement in the work in a family household and on a farm belonging to their parents or relatives, and an indication of the life and health hazards of children involved in work for a benefit of the family.