Fomitopsis officinalis: a Species of Arboreal Mushroom with Promising Biological and Medicinal Properties.

Medicinal mushrooms of the order Polyporales have a long history of use, which is evidenced by the finding of dissected fruiting bodies with Ötzi, who lived over 5000 years ago. Because of its valuable biological properties and its use in 18th and 19th-century pharmacy, Fomitopsis officinalis used to be mass-collected. Moreover, the large demand for larch wood and non-wood materials (resin) caused an excessive exploitation of larch forests, which directly contributed to the disappearance of F. officinalis from its natural environment. The qualities of medicinal preparations obtained from the F. officinalis fruiting bodies are determined by the unique composition of its bioactive compounds, such as: triterpenoids, polysaccharides, organic acids, coumarins and phenolic compounds. It has been proved that both crude extracts and the compounds isolated from F. officinalis have a wide spectrum of therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial effects.

α-Tocopherol supplementation and the oxidative stress, homocysteine, and antioxidants in lead exposure.

To investigate whether α-tocopherol supplementation in workers exposed to lead would reduce the oxidative stress intensity and decrease homocysteine level, the examined population was randomly divided into two groups. Workers in the first group (n = 49, reference group) were not administered any drugs. Workers in the second group (n = 34) were administered orally α-tocopherol, 200 mg per day for 12 weeks. The level of α-tocopherol significantly increased compared to the baseline and the reference group. The level of thiol groups significantly increased compared to the reference group. However, the levels of malondialdehyde and homocysteine did not significantly change. Animal studies suggest the ability of α-tocopherol administration to reverse adverse health effects of lead exposure, such as oxidative stress; however, the results of this study on humans do not confirm these protective effects.

The effects of α-tocopherol administration in chronically lead exposed workers.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether α-tocopherol supplementation for workers who are chronically exposed to lead would normalize/improve the values of parameters that are associated with the lead-induced oxidative stress. Study population included chronically lead exposed males who were divided into two groups. Workers in the first group (reference group) were not given any antioxidants, while workers in the second group (αT group) received supplementation with α-tocopherol. After treatment, the blood lead and leukocyte malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly in the αT group compared to the baseline levels and reference group. However, the erythrocyte malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes, and lipofuscin levels significantly increased compared to the baseline levels. The glutathione level significantly increased compared with the baseline. Effects of supplementation with α-tocopherol on oxidative damage were not satisfactory. Therefore, there is no reason to administer α-tocopherol to workers chronically exposed to lead as a prophylaxis of lead poisoning.

Beryllium concentration in pharyngeal tonsils in children.

Power plant dust is believed to be the main source of the increased presence of the element beryllium in the environment which has been detected in the atmospheric air, surface waters, groundwater, soil, food, and cigarette smoke. In humans, beryllium absorption occurs mainly via the respiratory system. The pharyngeal tonsils are located on the roof of the nasopharynx and are in direct contact with dust particles in inhaled air. As a result, the concentration levels of beryllium in the pharyngeal tonsils are likely to be a good indicator of concentration levels in the air. The presented study had two primary aims: to investigate the beryllium concentration in pharyngeal tonsils in children living in southern Poland, and the appropriate reference range for this element in children's pharyngeal tonsils. Pharyngeal tonsils were extracted from a total of 379 children (age 2-17 years, mean 6.2 ± 2.7 years) living in southern Poland. Tonsil samples were mineralized in a closed cycle in a pressure mineralizer PDS 6, using 65% spectrally pure nitric acid. Beryllium concentration was determined using the ICP-AES method with a Perkin Elmer Optima 5300DVTM. The software Statistica v. 9 was used for the statistical analysis. It was found that girls had a significantly greater beryllium concentration in their pharyngeal tonsils than boys. Beryllium concentration varies greatly, mostly according to the place of residence. Based on the study results, the reference value for beryllium in pharyngeal tonsils of children is recommended to be determined at 0.02-0.04 µg/g.

Influence of the type of tree habitat on the character of co-occurrence of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr and Co in the soil of the Tatra Mountain National Park.

The objective of the research was to determine the effect of habitat type of selected species of trees on the nature of co-occurrence of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr and Co. The presence of speciation forms of these metals was investigated, with reference to the species composition of tree stands in selected areas of the Tatra Mountain National Park (Chocholowska Valley, Strazyska Valley, Koscieliska Valley, as well as Mala Laka Valley).Contents of selected metals in samples were determined by the flame ASA method, with an accuracy of 0.1 µg/g. In habitats dominated by maples, the Pb content in the Chocholowska Valley, unlike Koscieliska Valley covered with beeches, the Pb content in the form directly bioavailable, was twice as high. This was clearly proved in the case of Strazyska Valley where the soil in beech tree habitats contained larger quantities of exchangeable forms of Pb, than that in the Chocholowska Valley. The soil of the valleys, including the Mala Laka Valley, showed peculiar characteristic averaging of the contents of selected speciation forms of metals in the soil. Content corresponding to 10 percentile and geometrical average may be regarded as benchmarks in future studies of the Tatra Mountain National Park, or other protected areas.

[Effect of passive smoking on the occurrence of Cu and Ca in the tonsils of children with an area of Tychy]. / Wplyw biernego palenia na wystepowanie Cu i Ca w migdalkach dzieci z obszaru miasta Tychy.

In this paper the results of concentration of Cu and Ca in pharyngeal tonsils from children exposed and unexposed to tobacco smoke. Concentration of Ca and Cu determination of ICP-AES method with the apparatus Solaar M6 (PJA Solutions). Geometric mean of content of Cu in pharyngeal tonsils girls and boys exposure and unexposure to tobacco smoking was in similar level--2.69-2.99 microg/g. Concentration of Ca in investigated samples was higher in pharyngeal tonsils from children unexposure to tobacco (boys about 200 microg/g, girls about 30 microg/g) in comparison to children exposure to tobacco smoking. In our study was presented cross-correlation analysis between Cu and Ca and other elements and Cluster Analysis.

[Changing the contents of Fe and Mn in the tonsils of children exposed to passive smoking and their local imission example Chorzow]. / Zmiana zawartosci Fe i Mn w migdalkach dzieci narazonych na bierne palenie i ich lokalna imisje na przykladzie Chorzowa.

The subject of the research were samples of overgrown adenoids removed by adenoidectomy 56 children, including 30 boys and 26 girls, exposure and unexposure from passive smoking, living in the administrative area of Chorzów. The statistic characteristic of Fe and Mn occurrence is presented in the thesis. The studies were carried out on the changes of Fe and Mn and other elements, (B, Al, La, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, Se, Hg, V, Be, Mo, Sn, V, Ti, Sb, Bi, TI, Zr, Ca, Mg, Na, Ba, Sr, Li) respectively. The elemental composition of adenoids was determined with ICP-AES method (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy). The studies on Fe and Mn occurrence in adenoids showed the presence of its higher concentrations in exposure boys (Fe - 116.13 microg/g; Mn - 0.70 microg/g), in comparison with exposure girls from passive smoking (93.06 microg/g; Mn - 0.57 microg/g).

[Influence of age in content of trace elements in pharyngeal tonsils from exposure and unexposure children]. / Rola wieku w ksztaltowaniu sie obecnosci pierwiastków fizjologicznych w migdalakch gardlowych dzieci w aspekcie biernego palenia.

This project is aimed to estimate the effect of passive smoke on the levels of selected trace elements (Ca, Mg, K, Na) in pharyngeal tonsils of children in several group of age (2-5 years, 6-9 years, 10-15 years). This trace elements were determined using ICP-AES method. It was concluded that the exposure to the cigarette smoke in pharyngeal tonsils is a factor producing the changes in the levels of essential elements: geometric mean of Ca was the highest in pharyngeal tonsils of children in 10-15 years old unexposure to ETS (410 microg/g). The least level of Ca - 281 microg/g was observed in this samples in the same group of age, but in children exposure by ETS. High levels of K was observed in pharyngeal tonsils of children exposure to passive smoking in all of group of age to comparison to unexposure by ETS. The greatest content - 27479 microg/g was in pharyngeal tonsils in exposure to ETS in 6-9 years old was observed, but the least - 16478 microg/g in 10-15 years old. Change of content of Mg was from 764 to 784 microg/g in samples from children exposure by ETS to comparison 720-744 microg/g in children unexposure by ETS. High level of Na was observed in pharyngeal tonsils from children exposure to ETS in all of group of age to comparison to unexposure. This study showed that the kind of interaction dependent on age and exposed by ETS. The changes of given elements were different for children passive smoking and no passive smoking in several group of age.

[Trace elements concentration in pharyngeal tonsils from exposed and unexposed to ETS children in refer to sex and places of living]. / Wplyw biernego palenia na zawartosc pierwiastków fizjologicznych w migdalkach gardlowych w nawiazaniu do plci i miejsca zamieszkania.

The aim of this study was investigation influence sex and place living (industrial region or village) to concentration of: Ca, K, Mg and Na in pharyngeal tonsils (n = 84) from children exposed and unexposed to tobacco smoke and analysis kind of interactions between trace elements. Determination of these elements contents were performed by ICP-AES. It was found higher concentrations of Ca and Na in pharyngeal tonsils from boys (389 microg//g) and girls (356 microg/g) unexposed to tobacco smoke to comparison to expose to ETS boys (304 microg/g) and girls (298 microg/g). Higher concentrations of Ca and Na was found in this samples from children unexposed on ETS, living in industrial area to comparison to unexposed to ETS children living in village region. Higher concentration of K and Mg was found in exposed to ETS girls and boys in comparison to unexposed to ETS children, and higher level of these metals were found in exposed to tobacco smoke children living in industrial region and village.

[The important mean of passive smoking for lead and chromium content in deciduous teeth]. / Znaczenie biernego palenia dla wystepowania olowiu i chromu w zebach mlecznych.

In this work the changes of lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) content in deciduous children teeth exposed on environmental tobacco smoking were presented. As the control group were given deciduous children teeth nonexposed on tobacco smoking in home. The content of lead in deciduous teeth was higher in non-exposed population (13.81 microg/g) than in passive-smoking population (12.28 microg/g) p < or = 0.005. The passive smoking has effect to less chromium content in deciduous teeth. The quotient of lead and chromium contents was higher in passive-smoking boys and girls and different kind of deciduous teeth.

[The influence of tobacco smoking on the occurrence of copper in hydroxiapatites of gallstones]. / Wplyw nalogu palenia tytoniu na wystepowanie miedzi w hydroksyapatytach kamieni zólciowych.

The studies were carried out on the changes in copper content in concretions of gallstones which were taken from 146 women (49 smoking and 97 no smoking) and 24 men (11 smoking and 13 no smoking), respectively. The elemental composition of gallstones was determined with ICP-AES method (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy). Studies on copper occurrence in concretions of gallstones showed the presence of its higher concentrations in case of smoking women (9.59 microg/g) and men (8.99 microg/g) in comparison with no smoking women (7.02 microg/g) and men (7.66 microg/ g). It was shown differences in pattern of changes of copper concentration in gallstones in case of smoking and no smoking women and men.

[Chromium in hydroxiapatites of gallstones from active and passive smoking and non smoking women]. / Chrom w hydroksyapatytach kamieni zólciowych u kobiet palacych aktywnie i biernie oraz niepalacych tyton.

The studies were carried out on the changes in chromium content in concretions of gallstones taken from 93 women (24 active smoking, 18 passive smoking, 51 non smoking women), respectively. Chromium content was determined with ICP-AES method (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy). Studies on chromium occurrence in concretions of gallstones showed the presence of its higher concentrations in passive smoking women (3.15 microgCr/g) in comparison with active smoking (1.20 microgCr/g) and non smoking women (0.89 microgCr/g). Separate patterns of changes in chromium in active, passive and no smoking women gallstones were demonstrated.

[The occurance lead and cadmium in hip joint in aspect of exposure on tobacco smoke]. / Wystepowanie olowiu i kadmu w stawie biodrowym w aspekcie narazenia na dym tytoniowy.

The objective of this study was qualification of content cadmium and lead in selected elements of the hip joint in aspect of tobacco smoking. The material for the research were 5 elements of hip joint (articular cartilage, trabecular bone and cortical bone femur head, fragment articular capsule and fragment trabecular bone from region intertrochanteric femoral bone), obtained intraoperatively during endoprothesoplastic surgeries. The samples come from habitants of Upper Silesian Region. Determination of trace elements contents were performed by ASA method (Pye Unicam SP-9) in acetylene-oxygen flame. Higher contents of lead were observed for smoking people, however in case of cadmium the differences of this element were not statistical essential between smokers and non-smokers.

[Accumulation of Cu in pharyngeal tonsils from children exposed and unexposed to smoke of tobacco]. / Kumulacja Cu w migdalkach gardlowych dzieci narazonych i nienarazonych na dzialanie dymu tytoniowego.

The characteristic of occurrence Cu content in pharyngeal tonsils from girls and boys exposed to tobacco smoke and unexposed to tobacco smoke living in Southern Poland is presented in this article. Analysis of content of Cu in pharyngeal tonsils was observed in eight groups of children: girls exposed to tobacco smoke and unexposed to tobacco smoke living in industrial region and village, boys exposed to tobacco smoke and unexposed to tobacco smoke living in industrial region and village. Geometric mean of contents of copper in pharyngeal tonsils from girls exposed to ETS living in industrial region was 1.35 microg/g and no exposed girls was 1.31 microg/g, in girls exposed to ETS living in village region was 0.72 microg/g and no exposed to ETS girls was 0.66 microg/g. Geometric mean of contents of copper in pharyngeal tonsils from boys exposed to ETS living in industrial region was 1.76 microg/g and no exposed to ETS boys was 1.10 microg/g, in boys exposed to ETS living in village region was 0.71 microg/g and no exposed girls was 0.30 microg/g and this differences was statistically important. The cross-correlation analysis between content of Cu and other metals Ba, Ca, Cr, Al, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, K, Na in eight groups of children was observed.

[Co-occurrence Fe in relationships to other metals in pharyngeal tonsil of children in view of sex, age and expose to passive smoking]. / Wspólwystepowanie Fe z innymi metalami w migdalkach gardlowych dzieci ze wzgledu na plec, wiek i narazenie na dym tytoniowy.

The aim of this study was analysis of kind of interactions between Fe and the other metals: Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Zn, K i Na in pharyngeal tonsils from girls and boys in several group of age (2-5 years, 6-9 years and 10-15 years) exposed and no exposed to tobacco smoking. This study showed that the kind of interaction dependent on sex, age and exposed to ETS.

[Influence of passive smoking on content of aluminium in pharyngeal tonsils from children living in Southern Poland]. / Wplyw biernego palenia na zawartosc glinu w migdalkach gardlowych dzieci zamieszkujacych rejony poludniowej Polski.

The characteristic of occurrence Al content in pharyngeal tonsils from girls and boys living in Southern Poland is presented in this article. Analysis of content of Al in pharyngeal tonsils was observed in four groups of children: girls exposed to tobacco smoke and unexposed to tobacco smoke, boys exposed to tobacco smoke and unexposed to tobacco smoke. Arithmetic mean of contents of aluminium in pharyngeal tonsils from exposed girls was 15.94+/-8.08 microg/g, in unexposed girls was 14.11+/-5.08 microg/g, in exposed to tobacco smoke boys--16.68+/-11.17 microg/g and unexposed boys 18.08+/-10.56 microg/g was observed. Differences between analysed groups of children were not statistically important. The cross-correlation analysis between content of Al and other metals Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, K, Na showed repeating co-dependences between Al and Fe, Mg and Zn in pharyngeal tonsils from children exposed to tobacco smoke. In unexposed children was only one co-dependence between Al and Ca.

[Influence of environmental tobacco smoking on different barium contents in pharyngeal tonsils]. / Wplyw biernego palenia na zrónicowanie wystepowania baru w migdalkach gardlowych dzieci.

The aim of this study was analysis of content of barium in pharyngeal tonsils from children living on Southern Poland in during exposure on ETS. Barium contents in pharyngeal tonsils were higher for no exposure ETS children (0.099 microg/g) in comparison to exposure by ETS (0.033 microg/g), p=0.0042. The interaction between Ba and Ca, Fe, K or higher arithmetic and geometric mean, statistical range of changes contributed the role ETS in relation to children.

[Influence of smoking tobacco on the occurrence metals in some parts and profiles of femur head]. / Wplyw nalogu palenia tytoniu na wystepowanie metali w czesciach i przekrojach glowy kosci udowej.

The smoking tobacco makes the negative influence on state of osseous tissue, many research shows, that the smoking tobacco states the factor of risk of appearance of osteoporosis. The aim of this study was determined of occurrence of 12 metals in separate parts and profiles of femur head in three studied groups: smoker persons, non-smoker and smoker in past. Human femur heads were obtained from people living in Upper Silesia cities in Poland during endoprosthetoplasty of coxa. The femur heads were cut into 5 cross-sections A-E using a stabilizing device provided with a fixed and a movable part maintained at a 12 degrees angle. As the next step, fragments of articular cartilage, cortical bone and trabecular bone were sectioned off from the cross-sections. In smoker group the large content of chrome of, nickel, zinc pays back attention. In case of individual parts of femur head notice, that the largest place in articular cartilage has accumulating metals. The largest contents of metals were observed in the external sections A and E.

[Lead content in blood of children living near zinc smelter plant exposure on environmental tobacco smoking (ETS)]. / Wystepowanie olowiu w krwi dzieci zamieszkalych w zasiegu oddzialywania Huty Cynku "Miasteczko Slaskie" narazonych na bierne palenie tytoniu.

In this paper the results of concentration of lead in the blood of children living near and background the plant smelter are presented. 510 girls and 567 boys from schools located at Tarnowskie Góry and Miasteczko Slaskie took part in the study. Concentration of lead content in the blood of children was determined by the ASA method with the apparatus Pye Unicam SP-9. Smoking of parents increased the level of lead in the blood. Higher concentration of lead was show in blood girls (8.09 microg/100 ml) and boys (9.78 microg/100 ml) exposure to tobacco smoke in comparison to girls (6.19 microg/100 ml) and boys (6.81 microg/100 ml) living in no smoking conditions.