[Ecotoxicology, human ecology, laser biotechnology in primary prevention of environmental health hazards]. / Ekotoksykologia, ekologia czlowieka, biotechnologia laserowa w ekologicznej profilaktyce srodowiskowych zdrowia.

Interdisciplinary studies in ecotoxicology (including the influence of complex physical, chemical and biological factors on ecosystems and human food chain), human ecology (related to estimation of individuals exposition to different pollutants both in the natural environment and in-door environment, as well as by food) and environmental biotechnology (based on application of high sensitive biological, especially embryological criteria in biotests for water quality, including image computisation and biosensors)--are scientific base for primary prevention of disturbances of the ecological balance as well as environmental risk factors for human health. Large scale applications of laser biostimulation in environmental engineering is a new chance for system approach in primary prevention by more efficient nutritional prevention, protection of proper water quality (including biotests) and protection of the human environment in working and living places.

[The effects of occupational exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on the immunological parameters in workers]. / Wplyw zawodowego narazenia na dwutlenek azotu (NO2) oraz tlenek azotu (NO) na parametry ukladu odpornosciowego pracowników.

The study of T-cell subpopulation: T CD3+, T CD4+, T CD8+; NK CD16+ and B CD19+ cells as well as of serum concentrations of immunoglobulins G, A, M, E, complement components C3c and C4, total circulating immune complexes (CIC), CRP, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin and transferin, was carried out in 16 males, smokers and non-smokers. The control group of smokers and non-smokers comprised 36 males not exposed to any chemical compound. The study was performed also in two groups of non-smokers: 5 workers occupationally exposed and 7 non-exposed controls. For the determination of T-cells, NK- and B CD19+ cells populations monoclonal antibodies were used in indirect immunofluorescence tests. Passive sampling spectrophotometric method was employed to determine NO2 and NO concentrations in the work environment air. Their mean values were 0.0867 +/- 0,0585 mg x m-3 (from 0.0165 to 0.1960) and 0.0614 +/- 0.0263 mg x m-3 (from 0.0220 to 0.1090), respectively. The number of total leucocytes and lymphocytes in the group of 16 smokers and non-smokers exposed to NO2 and NO was increased. Stimulation T-cells line in the men exposed to NO2 and NO was evidenced by an increased number of T CD3+ cells, about two-fold increase in absolute number of T CD4+ cells (p < 0.001), an increased number of T CD8+ cells (p < 0.001) and by an enhanced value (by 24.7%) of the T CD4+/T CD8+ ratio. In the group of 16 persons exposed to NO2 and NO serum IgG concentration was elevated (p < 0.01), C3c C4 decreased (p < 0.001), and serum CIC enhanced by about two times (p < 0.001). Stimulation T-cells line in the groups of 5 non-smoking workers exposed to NO2 and NO was evidenced by an increased number of T CD3+ (p < 0.05), T CD4+ (p < 0.05) and T CD8+ cells but without any change in the value of the T CD4+/T CD8+ ratio. In addition, decreased serum C3c and C4 levels together with serum CIC elevated by 76.7% (p < 0.05) were evidenced in this group on non-smokers. Moreover, significant positive correlations between NO2 concentrations in the air and the numbers of total lymphocytes, T CD3+, TCD4+, T CD8+ cells or IgG: (magnitude of r in the range between 0.31 and 0.71), as well as significant negative correlations between NO2 concentrations in the air and C3c (r = 0.44) in the group of 16 smoking and non-smoking workers were calculated. In this group significant positive correlation between NO concentrations in the air of the workplace and counts of T CD3+, T CD8+, B CD19+ (magnitude of r in the range between 0.51 and 0.63), haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin (magnitude of r from 0.37 to 0.58), as well as significant negative correlation between NO concentrations in the air and serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM (magnitude of r from -0.67 to -0.47) and CIC (magnitude of r = -0.39) were also observed. In the group of 5 exposed non-smoking workers, the values of correlation coefficients magnitude of r between NO2 and NO concentrations in the work environment air and immunological parameters were similar to those in the whole group. The results obtained suggest that during occupational exposure NO2 may play a more important role mainly in the process of inflammation but exogenous NO seems to act as modulating factor of this proinflammatory NO2 effect through a greater and exposure-dependent influence mainly on B CD19+ cells and other parameters of humoral immunity.

[Neurotic disturbances, depression and anxiety disorders in the population living in the vicinity of overhead high-voltage transmission line 400 kV. Epidemiological pilot study]. / Zaburzenia nerwicowe oraz poziom depresyjnosci i leku wsród osób zamieszkujacych w poblizu linii przesylowej 400 kV. Wstepne wyniki badan epidemiologicznych.

Numerous reports suggest a relationship between the increased incidence of depressive and neurotic symptoms in humans and the exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) at the place of residence. Our study was conducted in one of the Cracow suburbs with low socio-economic status, adjacent to an easement containing two 400 kV high-voltage transmission lines (distance up to 50 m from the line). The population investigated comprised 70 persons (35 males and 35 females). This group was exposed to EMF from 1986. A control group (n = 37), non-exposed to EMF, was also tested. The EMF intensity was measured by special devices. The following assessments instruments were used: Anamnestic Data Questionnaire, Neurotic Symptoms Questionnaire "O" Spielberger Self-Rating Questionnaire, and Beck-Self-Rating Scale. The measurements of the electric field levels taken at the front walls of investigated buildings averaged much higher than normal values of safety exposure. Our investigation showed the increased psychopathological values in all clinical tests. The difference between the group exposed to EMF and the control population was statistically significant. The results of our study did not support a possible cause-and-effect relationship between EMF and psychopathology observed. Some other factors (noise) can be responsible for the data obtained. The hypothesis that EMF produced by external electric power lines may enhance the occurrence of neurotic symptoms and depression, requires further clinical and experimental investigations.

Environmental risk factors of cancer and their primary prevention.

The evaluation of the influence of different environmental carcinogenic factors requires interdisciplinary cooperation. Related studies include epidemiological surveys and air, water and soil, chemical, toxicological, and microbiological analyses, supplemented by experimental verification of suspected ecological pathogens and cofactors. A balance of carcinogens and protective agents in the external environment and in the human body is recommended for an ecologically oriented prevention. Toxicological control of the food chain using modern technology (Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), nuclear activation analysis, and induced coupled plasma) should be integrated with microanalyses at the cellular level (by X-ray scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic response, PIXE, and spontaneous and delayed chemiluminescence for balance of free-radicals and their scavengers). A pilot cross-disciplinary study conducted in the area of a "cluster" of human neoplasms and cattle leukemia, in comparison with control villages in Poland, showed an excess in Pb, Hg, Ni, Rb, K, Mn, Cr, and Zn, accompanied by a nutritional deficiency in Mg, Ca, Fe, Co, and Se in the food chain of the "cluster." The living and breeding houses in this area were significantly more contaminated with the toxicogenic molds Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium meleagrinum and by nitrate and nitrite in the drinking water. Our experiments showed that selenium deficiency stimulated the growth of fungi and some bacteria and increased the immunosuppressive and teratogenic effects of aflatoxin B1. New methods of protection of the indoor environment against microbiological contamination and laser-related biotechnology for nutritional prevention of selenium deficiency and associated risk of neoplasms have been introduced. Primary prevention requires a large scale application of highly sensitive methods for early detection of risk factors in the environment, food, water, and at the personal level, as well as education of the society and an integrated common corrective action.

Effect of low intensity laser beam on steroid dehydrogenase activity and steroid hormone production in cultured porcine granulosa cells.

Effect of the beam emitted by a helium-neon (He-Ne) laser of a low power (2.8 mW) on the activity of delta 5, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta 5, 3 beta-HSD), as well as on the estradiol and progesterone production was studied in cultured granulosa cells obtained from porcine ovary. It has been found that the laser beam stimulates the activity of steroid dehydrogenase, increases estrogen levels and exerts a variable influence on the progesterone level. In control cultures the highest level of both hormones occurred simultaneously, while in cultures exposed to the laser beam progesterone level rose at a slower rate and reached maximum when the estrogen level dropped. Hyperplasia and epithelisation were observed only in the experimental cultures. The most intense cytochemical reaction for delta 5, 3 beta-HSD, as well as the most pronounced increase in estrogen and progesterone level occurred in cells exposed to a pulsating beam for 60 sec.