Temporomandibular Joint Injections and Lavage: An Overview of Reviews.

Objectives: This overview was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews guidelines and aimed to collect and compare the results of systematic reviews on temporomandibular joint injection treatment. Methods: Systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials on temporomandibular disorders treated with lavage or intra-articular administrations were qualified for syntheses. The final searches were conducted on 27 February 2024, without time frame restrictions. Results: Of the 232 identified records, 42 systematic reviews were selected. The most evidence-based conclusions call into question the clinical differences between many therapeutic approaches, including the following: (1) injectable selection for the treatment of pain and hypomobility; (2) the method of performing arthrocentesis; (3) the use of imaging when rinsing the TMJ cavity; (4) the supplementation of the extracapsular administration of unprocessed blood with intracapsular deposition in the treatment of TMJ hypermobility. Conclusions: Systematic reviews based solely on randomized clinical trials proved the following differences: (1) in painful temporomandibular hypomobility, a better therapeutic effect is observed with arthrocentesis followed by I-PRF administration compared to lavage alone; (2) in painful temporomandibular hypomobility, inferior- or double-compartment injection leads to better results than superior-compartment injection; (3) in temporomandibular joint recurrent dislocation, hypertonic dextrose administration is superior to placebo, although (4) unprocessed blood has a better effect than hypertonic dextrose. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024496142.

Vitamins in Gynecologic Malignancies.

The combination of vitamin A and D derivatives with classical chemotherapeutic treatments results in more satisfactory outcomes. The use of drug combinations, such as 9cUAB130 with carboplatin and cisplatin with TAC-101, shows enhanced cytotoxic effects and reductions in ovarian tumor volume compared to single-drug treatments. Combining cisplatin with calcitriol and progesterone increases VDR expression, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of anticancer therapy in ovarian cancer. The effectiveness of vitamin derivatives in anticancer treatment may vary depending on the characteristics of the tumor and the cell line from which it originated. An increase in thiamine intake of one unit is associated with an 18% decrease in HPV infection. Higher intake of vitamin C by 50 mg/day is linked to a lower risk of cervical neoplasia. Beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E are associated with risk reductions of 12%, 15%, and 9% in endometrial cancer, respectively. A balanced daily intake of vitamins is important, as both deficiency and excess can influence cancer development. It has been observed that there is a U-shaped relationship between group B vitamins and metabolic markers and clinical outcomes.

Comparison of active and passive methods for atmospheric particulate matter collection: From case study to a useful biomonitoring tool.

In this study we conducted air pollution monitoring using three different methods: active monitoring with the use of high volume aerosol sampler and biomonitoring with the use of lichens and spider webs. All of these monitoring tools were exposed to air pollution in Legnica city, a region of Cu-smelting in the SW Poland, which is well known for exceeding the environmental guidelines. Quantitative analysis was carried out for the particles collected by the three selected methods and concentrations of seven selected elements (Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Ni, As, Fe) were obtained. Concentrations found in lichens and in spider webs were directly compared and indicated significant differences between them, with higher amounts noted for spider webs. Then, in order to recognize the main pollution sources the principal component analysis was conducted and obtained results were compared. It resulted that spider webs and aerosol sampler, despite different mechanisms of accumulation, show similar sources of pollution - in this case - copper smelter. Additionally, the HYSPLIT trajectories and the correlations between metals in the aerosol samples also confirmed that this is the most probable source of pollution. This study can be considered innovative as these three air pollution monitoring methods were compared, which has never been conducted before, and their comparison gave satisfying results.

Is Poland at risk of urban road dust? Comparison studies on mutagenicity of dust.

Depopulation concerns many polish cities, with the exception of a few metropolises such as Wroclaw (Lower Silesia) and Katowice (Upper Silesia) where investments are growing and therefore more humans are exposed to urban environmental pollution. Accumulation of toxic substances on road surfaces is a major global challenge requiring methods of assessing risk that initiate the proper management strategies. In this study urban road dust (URD) has been collected at seventeen sites in Lower and Upper Silesia regions in Poland renowned for their elevated level of pollution. The aim of the study was: (i) to determine PAH concentration in URD in both regions with the identification of their possible sources based on diagnostic ratio; (ii) to assess possible mutagenic effects of URD with the application of Ames test (Salmonella assay); (iii) to define a possible carcinogenic risk related to URD in both studied regions. We found that the total PAH content of collected URD samples ranged from 142.4 to 1349.4 ng g-1. The diagnostic ratio of PAHs in URD for all studied sites showed that pyrogenic combustion predominated indicating traffic-related and biomass sources of pollution. The Ames assay, which has never been used in studies of URD in Poland, demonstrated that in both regions, URD samples (from eight sites), were characterised by the highest mutagenicity values. Additionally, Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) values, based on PAH content only, were between 10 and 6 to 10-4 indicating potential risk of cancer. Reassuming, humans in both agglomerations are exposed to factors or compounds with carcinogenic properties which may have an adverse health effect through the urban road dust mainly due to vehicular traffic, heating systems and industrial activities.

FCN1 polymorphisms are not the markers of dental caries susceptibility in Polish children: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of four FCN1 SNPs: -542G>A (rs10120023), -144C>A (rs10117466), +6658C>T (rs148649884), and +7895A>G (rs150625869) with dental caries in Polish children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 261 15-year-old Polish teenagers: 82 children with "higher" caries experience (having Decayed Missing Filled Teeth, DMFT >5) and 179 children with "lower" caries experience (having DMFT ≤5). Moreover, in additional comparison, a group of 229 children with caries experience (DMFT ≥1) was compared to a caries-free (DMFT =0) group of 32 children. Extraction of genomic DNA was performed from buccal swabs, and genotyping was performed by Real-Time PCR. RESULTS: FCN1 SNPs +6658C>T and +7895A>G appeared to be monomorphic in our sample. The genotype, allele, or haplotype distributions in FCN1 SNPs -542G>A and -144C>A in children with "higher" caries experience did not differ significantly from those in "lower" caries experience group. Similar results with no significant differences were demonstrated for subjects with DMFT ≥1 compared to subjects with DMFT =0. CONCLUSION: FCN1 SNPs are not the markers of dental caries susceptibility in Polish children.

The Use of Titanium 3D Mini-Plates in the Surgical Treatment of Fractures of the Mandibular Condyle: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.

INTRODUCTION: Fixing fractures of the base and neck of mandibular condyles is demanding due to the difficulties in surgical access and the various shapes of bone fragments. Classic fixation techniques assume the use of straight mini-plates, utilized for other craniofacial bone fractures. Three dimensional mini-plates may provide a reasonable alternative due to their ease of use and steadily improved mechanical properties. The multitude of different shapes of 3D mini-plates proves the need for their evaluation. AIM: This paper aims to summarize the clinical trials regarding the use of various types of 3D condylar mini-plates in terms of need for reoperation and the incidence of loosening and damage to the osteosynthetic material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PICOS criteria and PRISMA protocol. The risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I and RoB 2 Cochrane protocols. The obtained data series was analyzed for correlations (Pearson's r) respecting statistical significance (Student's t-test p > 0.05) and visualized using OriginLab. RESULTS: 13 clinical trials with low overall risk of bias regarding 6 shapes of 3D mini-plates were included in the synthesis. The number of reoperations correlates with the number of fixations (r = 0.53; p = 0.015) and the total number of screw holes in the mini-plate (r = -0.45; p = 0.006). There is a strong correlation between the number of loosened osteosynthetic screws and the total number of fractures treated with 3D mini-plates (r = 0.79; p = 0.001 for each study and r = 0.99; p = 0.015 for each mini-plate shape). A correlation between the percentage of lost screws and the number of distal screw holes is weak regarding individual studies (r = -0.27; p = 0.000) and strong regarding individual mini-plate shape (r = -0.82; p = 0.001). Three cases of 3D mini-plate fractures are noted, which account for 0.7% of all analyzed fixation cases. DISCUSSION: The reasons for reoperations indicated by the authors of the analyzed articles were: mispositioning of the bone fragments, lack of bone fragment union, secondary dislocation, and hematoma. The known screw loosening factors were poor bone quality, bilateral condylar fractures, difficulties in the correct positioning of the osteosynthetic material due to the limitations of the surgical approach, fracture line pattern, including the presence of intermediate fragments, and mechanical overload. Fractures of the straight mini-plates fixing the mandibular condyles amounts for up to 16% of cases in the reference articles. CONCLUSIONS: There is no convincing data that the number of reoperations depends on the type of 3D mini-plate used. The frequency of osteosynthetic screw loosening does not seem to depend on the 3D mini-plate's shape. Clinical fractures of 3D mini-plates are extremely rare.

Elemental and microbiota content in indoor and outdoor air using recuperation unit filters.

This paper presents the results of a twelve-month measurement campaign conducted at a rural single-family house in Poland. The external and internal filters of a recuperator used to mechanically ventilate the building were used to separate the total suspended particles (TSPs), and the concentrations of fifteen elements and abundance of fungi and bacteria were determined. Lower annual mean concentrations were observed indoors, and the concentrations of most elements did not significantly change between seasons. There were some differences between winter and summer, which may have resulted from changes in the ventilation regimes in the house. The number of bacteria was similar outdoors and indoors, while the amounts of fungi were higher indoors (p < 0.05). The order of metal concentrations outdoors agreed well with observations in other countries, while indoors the metal concentrations order indicated the individual characteristics of the building. The species diversity of fungi was higher than that of bacteria, and different species were found indoors and outdoors, while bacteria were typically present both indoors and outdoors. Different TSP sources were identified indoors and outdoors, suggesting limited penetration between the two environments. However, both environments were affected by traffic. Mechanical ventilation systems with built-in filters (such as recuperators) were useful in assessing the air quality within the building, and the changeable recuperation filters offer an approach to assess the air quality in several houses without any additional cost or discomfort to the residents.

Oral Health Related Behaviors in Relation to DMFT Indexes of Teenagers in an Urban Area of North-West Poland-Dental Caries Is Still a Common Problem.

Caries has a negative influence on health and is still a public health problem among children and adolescents in Poland. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of dietary habits, oral hygiene behaviors and the frequency of usage of dental services with the dental caries index in teenagers in North-West Poland. The study enrolled 264 children (147M/117F) aged 15. Participants filled out a questionnaire regarding age, sex, frequency of visits to the dentist, dietary habits and oral hygiene behaviors, and the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth Index (DMFT) was calculated. Caries was found in 88.6% of subjects. The lower or no caries experience group (DMFT ≤ 5) comprised of 180 subjects, while higher caries experience (DMFT > 5) was found in 84 teenagers and was significantly inversely associated with tooth brushing after the last meal (OR = 0.45; 95% CI:0.21-0.97; p = 0.04) and the daily use of dental floss (OR = 0.12; 95% CI:0.01-0.92; p = 0.04). There is an emerging need for the implementation of effective caries prevention and recovery programs in Poland. Health promotion focusing on oral hygiene behaviors should be disseminated more widely because lower caries experience was demonstrated in teenagers declaring healthy oral habits. Another important need is the development of multi-sectorial actions aiming at the improvement of dietary habits.

Fatty acid levels alterations in THP-1 macrophages cultured with lead (Pb).

OBJECTIVE: As cardiovascular events are one of the main causes of death in developed countries, each factor potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease deserves special attention. One such factor is the potentially atherogenic effect of lead (Pb) on lipid metabolism, and is significant in view of the still considerable Pb environmental pollution and the non-degradability of Pb compounds. METHODS: Analysis of saturated fatty acids (SFA) (caprylic acid (C8:0), decanoic acid (C10:0), lauric acid (C12:0), tridecanoic acid (C13:0), myristic acid (C14:0), pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), heptadecanoic acid (C17:0), stearic acid (C18:0), and behenic acid (C22:0)), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) (palmitoleic acid (C16:1), oleic acid (18:1w9), trans-vaccenic acid (C18:1 trans11)), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (linoleic acid (C18:2n6), gamma-linolenic acid (C18:3n6), arachidonic acid (C20:4n6)), was conducted by gas chromatography. Analysis of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) and fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) expression was performed using qRT-PCR. Oxidative stress intensity (malondialdehyde - MDA concentration) was measured using spectrophotometric method. Intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in macrophages was visualized by fluorescence microscopy and quantitatively measured by plate reader. RESULTS: Pb caused quantitative alterations in FAs profile in macrophages; the effect was Pb-concentration dependent and selective (i.e. concerned only selected FAs). In general, the effect of Pb was biphasic, with Pb levels of 1.25 µg/dL and 2.5 µg/dL being stimulatory, and 10 µg/dL being inhibitory on concentrations of selected FAs. The most potent Pb concentration, resulting in increase in levels of 9 FAs, was 2.5 µg/dL, the Pb-level corresponding to the mean blood Pb concentrations of people living in urban areas not contaminated by Pb. Pb was found to exert similar, biphasic effect on the expression of FADS1. However, Pb decreased, in a concentration-dependent manner, the expression of SCD and FADS2. Pb significantly increased MDA and ROS concentration in macrophages. CONCLUSION: Environmental Pb exposure might be a risk factor resulting in alterations in FAs levels, oxidative stress and increased MDA concentration in macrophages, which might lead to the formation of foam cells and to inflammatory reactions.

The influence of the place of residence, smoking and alcohol consumption on bone mineral content in the facial skeleton.

BACKGROUND: Environmental factors exert their influence on the living organism throughout ontogeny. More and more often, researchers find correlations between specific environmental factors and the so-called diseases of affluence. Deficits and excess of essential elements also leave their mark on the skeleton. AIM: To investigate the influence of alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking and place of residence, according to sex and calendar age, on the concentrations of micro-, macro- and toxic elements in human facial bones. MATERIAL & METHODS: Patients undergoing surgical treatment were examined for the mineral content in the collected bone material. The bone contents of the following elements were determined: Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Fe, Zn, Mo, Ba, Mn, Li, Be, Co, B, Sr, Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Al, depending on the type of facial bone, sex, calendar age, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking and place of residence. RESULTS: Sex and alcohol consumption showed the highest degree of correlation with the content of the minerals included in the study. Alcohol drinking was found to exert the strongest influence on women's bodies, the highest number of statistically significant correlations was demonstrated between the content of minerals in the examined bones and alcohol drinking in women. Other factors included in the analysis had a different impact on men and women, the concentrations of elements included in the study differed depending on age, tobacco smoking and place of residence. CONCLUSIONS: The observed differences in the element mineral composition of the human facial skeleton may be explained by developmental specifics and functional adaptation. However, general biological characteristics (sex, age), environmental factors (place of residence), as well as smoking and alcohol use may exert significant influence on the concentrations of micro-, macro- and toxic elements in particular regions of the human skeleton. The impact of environmental factors is a very complex phenomenon, which may be stronger or more subtle, leaving its mark on the bone structure. The environmental factors included in the analysis had a different influence on men than women.

Cadmium Alters the Concentration of Fatty Acids in THP-1 Macrophages.

Fatty acid composition of human immune cells influences their function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of known toxicant and immunomodulator, cadmium, at low concentrations on levels of selected fatty acids (FAs) in THP-1 macrophages. The differentiation of THP-1 monocytes into macrophages was achieved by administration of phorbol myristate acetate. Macrophages were incubated with various cadmium chloride (CdCl2) solutions for 48 h at final concentrations of 5 nM, 20 nM, 200 nM, and 2 µM CdCl2. Fatty acids were extracted from samples according to the Folch method. The fatty acid levels were determined using gas chromatography. The following fatty acids were analyzed: long-chain saturated fatty acids (SFAs) palmitic acid and stearic acid, very long-chain saturated fatty acid (VLSFA) arachidic acid, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) palmitoleic acid, oleic acid and vaccenic acid, and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. Treatment of macrophages with very low concentrations of cadmium (5-200 nM) resulted in significant reduction in the levels of arachidic, palmitoleic, oleic, vaccenic, and linoleic acids and significant increase in arachidonic acid levels (following exposure to 5 nM Cd), without significant reduction of palmitic and stearic acid levels. Treatment of macrophages with the highest tested cadmium concentration (2 µM) produced significant reduction in the levels of all examined FAs: SFAs, VLSFA, MUFAs, and PUFAs. In conclusion, cadmium at tested concentrations caused significant alterations in THP-1 macrophage fatty acid levels, disrupting their composition, which might dysregulate fatty acid/lipid metabolism thus affecting macrophage behavior and inflammatory state.

Cadmium Concentration in Mother's Blood, Milk, and Newborn's Blood and Its Correlation with Fatty Acids, Anthropometric Characteristics, and Mother's Smoking Status.

The aim of this study was to determine cadmium concentration in mothers' blood, milk, and newborns' blood from Szczecin (Poland) as a result of environmental cadmium exposure and evaluate the correlation (1) between cadmium levels in analyzed matrices, (2) between cadmium and fatty acids in those matrices, and (3) between cadmium and some selected personal variables, such as anthropometric characteristics, mothers' smoking status, and fruit and fish consumption by mothers. The concentration of cadmium in whole blood and milk of mothers and in the umbilical cord blood of newborns was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnace atomization and Zeeman correction. The fatty acid concentrations were determined by gas chromatography in our previous study. The mean concentrations of cadmium in maternal blood, newborn's blood, and breast milk were 0.61 ± 0.62 µg/L, 0.05 ± 0.04 µg/L, and 0.11 ± 0.07 µg/L, respectively, and differed significantly between analyzed matrices. Cadmium concentrations in the umbilical cord blood were 15 % (range 0-83 %) of the concentration in maternal blood, whereas cadmium concentrations in breast milk constituted 35 % (range 3-142 %) of the concentration in mothers' blood. No correlation was found between cadmium levels in three analyzed matrices. The correlation analysis revealed significant low positive correlation between maternal blood cadmium concentrations and concentrations of elaidic, oleic, and cis-vaccenic acids in mothers' milk (correlation coefficients 0.30, 0.32, and 0.31, respectively). Mothers' blood cadmium correlated with mothers' age (r = -0.26, p = 0.03), maternal smoking before pregnancy (r = 0.55, p < 0.000), maternal smoking during pregnancy (r = 0.58, p < 0.000), and fruit consumption by mothers after delivery (r = -0.44, p = 0.003). Mothers' height was the only variable that correlated significantly with breast milk cadmium levels. Newborns' blood cadmium concentrations correlated significantly with mothers' height (r = 0.28, p = 0.02), newborns' birth weight (r = 0.26, p = 0.03), maternal smoking during pregnancy (r = 0.24, p = 0.048), and fish consumption by mothers after delivery (r = 0.37, p = 0.02). The concentrations of cadmium in Polish mother-newborn pairs are among the lowest in Europe and within the norms established by different institutions. The results of our study confirm the existence of effective partial barriers (such as the placenta and mammary gland) restricting cadmium passage from mother to newborn. The significant positive correlations between maternal blood Cd and concentrations of oleic, elaidic, and cis-vaccenic acids in breast milk might suggest the increased cadmium toxicity to infant, taking into consideration even low cadmium passage to milk. Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases both maternal and newborn's blood cadmium level. Promotion of nonsmoking among pregnant women could substantially reduce prenatal and neonatal exposure to cadmium. Moreover, the results of our study point to the need of establishing complex biomonitoring of cadmium in mother-infant pairs in order to better protect children from this toxic and carcinogenic metal exposure.

Environmental Lead (Pb) Exposure Versus Fatty Acid Content in Blood and Milk of the Mother and in the Blood of Newborn Children.

Significant progress in understanding the effects of the neurotoxic action of lead (Pb) in young organisms had led to reduction of "safe" level in the blood (Pb-B) to 5 µg/dL in children and pregnant women. Prolonged exposure to relatively low levels of Pb, generally asymptomatic and subclinical (i.e., microintoxication), is currently the dominant form of environmental poisoning, and its negative effects on health may appear after many years, e.g., secondary contamination from Pb bone deposits released in pregnancy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of environmental exposure (urban areas) of mothers to Pb, on its levels in their milk and blood and in the blood of newborns. Moreover, the aim was to determine the fatty acid profile in the mothers' blood and milk and in the blood of newborns. We also wanted to find if infant birth weight depends on Pb blood levels, as well as on Pb and fatty acid levels in the blood and milk of the mothers. Finally, we examined if the mothers' weight and body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy influenced the concentration of Pb and fatty acid profile in the blood and milk of mothers and in the blood of their children. Analysis of fatty acids elaidic (C18:1, 9t), oleic (C18:1, 9c), vaccenic (C18:1, 11t), cis-vaccenic (C18:1, 11c), linoleic (C18:2, cis), γ-linolenic (C18:3, n-6), α-linolenic (C18:3, n-3), arachidonic (C20:4, n-6), eicosapentaenoic (C20:5, n-3), and docosahexaenoic (C22:6, n-3) was conducted by gas chromatography. The concentration of Pb in the whole blood and milk were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnace atomization and Zeeman correction. Our study established a significant and strong correlation between the content of Pb in the blood of the mother and the child. This supports the assumption that the transport of Pb through the placenta is neither regulated nor selective. Environmental maternal exposure to lead resulting in Pb-B levels considered safe for pregnant women had no effect on infant birth weight, the concentration of fatty acids in the blood and milk of mothers, or in the blood of newborns. Mothers' weight and BMI before pregnancy had no effect on the concentration of Pb and studied fatty acid profile.

The use of the transparotid approach for surgical treatment of condylar fractures - Own experience.

AIM: To assess the results of surgical treatment of condylar fractures using the transparotid approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The transparotid approach was used in 38 patients with unilateral condylar fracture. In four cases a single 2.0 plate was used, in the latter - 3D plates were used. All the patients were subjected to control clinical examination including: occlusion, facial nerve function, mandibular movements, pain presence, subjective assessment of the scar aesthetics and the presence of salivary fistula or salivary cyst on the first day following surgery and after 1, 3 and 6 months. Control radiography of the mandible in at least two projections was made on the first day after surgery and after 3 months. RESULTS: In 3 patients a partial paresis of the facial nerve was noticed followed by a spontaneous recovery 3 months postoperatively. In 2 patients acoustic effects, without pain in the temporomandibular joint of the fractured side were still present 6 months postoperatively. Plate fractures were found in two out of four patients operated on with single-plate technique. Loosening and displacement of a fixation screw occurred in 4 patients; in 3 cases it referred to a single 2.0 plate and in one, a Delta plate. Post-operation scar was accepted by all the patients. CONCLUSION: The transparotid approach allows for direct visualisation of the fracture providing proper reduction and osteosynthesis, with a low risk of facial nerve paresis. Precise wound closure in layers, especially of the parotid capsule allows avoiding a salivary fistula.

The Effects of Cadmium at Low Environmental Concentrations on THP-1 Macrophage Apoptosis.

Cadmium at environmental concentrations is a risk factor for many diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, in which macrophages play an important role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cadmium at low environmental (nanomolar) concentrations on apoptotic processes in THP-1(acute monocytic leukemia cells line)-derived macrophages, with special focus on mitochondrial events involved. Macrophages were incubated with various cadmium chloride (CdCl2) solutions for 48 h at final concentrations of 5 nM, 20 nM, 200 nM and 2 µM CdCl2. Cell viability was measured using flow cytometry. Flow cytometric measurement (annexin V/FITC (annexin V/fluorescein isothiocyanate) and PI (propidium iodide) double staining) was used to quantify the extent of apoptosis. Fluorescence and confocal microscopy were used for imaging of apoptosis process. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were monitored using cytofluorimetry after cell staining with JC-1(5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazol-carbocyane iodide) probe. Mitochondrial ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels were measured cytofluorimetrically after incubation of cells with mitochondrial superoxide indicator (MitoSOX) red fluorescent marker. The mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was analysed with qRT-PCR. Our study demonstrates that cadmium, even at low environmental concentrations, exerts mitochondrial toxicity in THP-1 macrophages. Forty-eight-hour exposure to very low concentrations reduces cell viability and results in cell death by apoptosis and necrosis. The decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, increased ROS production, increased Bax and decreased Bcl-2 mRNA expression are mitochondrial events involved in cadmium-induced apoptosis.

DD Genotype of ACE I/D Polymorphism Might Confer Protection against Dental Caries in Polish Children.

The aim of the study was to examine the frequencies of the genotypes and alleles of ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and their association with dental caries in a sample of Polish children. The study subjects were 120 children with dental caries experience (cases) and 41 caries-free individuals (controls). The genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction. The genotype distributions of ACE I/D polymorphism were not statistically different between carious and control children. However, we found a borderline overrepresentation of the II + ID genotypes versus the DD genotype in the carious compared to the control group (69.2% and 51.2%, respectively, p = 0.057). Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex revealed that I allele carriage was a significant predictor of dental caries susceptibility (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.02-4.49, p = 0.041). In conclusion, the DD genotype of ACE I/D polymorphism might be protective against dental caries in Polish children.

The Effect of Cadmium on COX-1 and COX-2 Gene, Protein Expression, and Enzymatic Activity in THP-1 Macrophages.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cadmium in concentrations relevant to those detected in human serum on cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression at mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity levels in THP-1 macrophages. Macrophages were incubated with various cadmium chloride (CdCl2) solutions for 48 h at final concentrations of 5 nM, 20 nM, 200 nM, and 2 µM CdCl2. The mRNA expression and protein levels of COXs were analyzed with RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and stable metabolite of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) concentrations in culture media were determined using ELISA method. Our study demonstrates that cadmium at the highest tested concentrations modulates COX-1 and COX-2 at mRNA level in THP-1 macrophages; however, the lower tested cadmium concentrations appear to inhibit COX-1 protein expression. PGE2 and TXB2 production is not altered by all tested Cd concentrations; however, the significant stimulation of PGE2 and TXB2 production is observed when macrophages are exposed to both cadmium and COX-2 selective inhibitor, NS-398. The stimulatory effect of cadmium on COXs at mRNA level is not reflected at protein and enzymatic activity levels, suggesting the existence of some posttranscriptional, translational, and posttranslational events that result in silencing of those genes' expression.

The impact of candle burning during All Saints' Day ceremonies on ambient alkyl-substituted benzene concentrations.

Research findings concerning benzene, toluene, ethylobenzene, meta-, para- and ortho-xylene as well as styrene (BTEXS) emission at public cemeteries during All Saints' Day are presented here. Tests were carried out at town-located cemeteries in Opole and Grodków (southern Poland) and, as a benchmark, at the centres of those same towns. The purpose of the study was to estimate BTEXS emissions caused by the candle burning and, equally important to examine, whether emissions generated by the tested sources were similar to the BTEXS emissions generated by road transport. During the festive period, significant increases in benzene concentrations, by 200 % and 144 %, were noted at the cemeteries in Opole and Grodków, as well as in toluene, by 366 % and 342 %, respectively. Styrene concentrations also increased. It was demonstrated that the ratio of toluene to benzene concentrations from emissions caused by the burning candles are comparable to the ratio established for transportation emissions.

Co-complexes of MASP-1 and MASP-2 associated with the soluble pattern-recognition molecules drive lectin pathway activation in a manner inhibitable by MAp44.

The lectin pathway of complement is an integral component of innate immunity. It is activated upon binding of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) or ficolins (H-, L-, and M-ficolin) to suitable ligand patterns on microorganisms. MBL and ficolins are polydisperse homo-oligomeric molecules, found in complexes with MBL-associated serine proteases (MASP-1, -2, and -3) and MBL-associated proteins (MAp19 and MAp44). This scenario is far more complex than the well-defined activation complex of the classical pathway, C1qC1r(2)C1s(2), and the composition of the activating complexes of the lectin pathway is ill defined. We and other investigators recently demonstrated that both MASP-1 and MASP-2 are crucial to lectin pathway activation. MASP-1 transactivates MASP-2 and, although MASP-1 also cleaves C2, MASP-2 cleaves both C4 and C2, allowing formation of the C3 convertase, C4bC2a. Juxtaposition of MASP-1 and MASP-2 during activation must be required for transactivation. We previously presented a possible scenario, which parallels that of the classical pathway, in which MASP-1 and MASP-2 are found together in the same MBL or ficolin complex. In this study, we demonstrate that, although MASPs do not directly form heterodimers, the addition of MBL or ficolins allows the formation of MASP-1-MASP-2 co-complexes. We find that such co-complexes have a functional role in activating complement and are present in serum at varying levels, impacting on the degree of complement activation. This raises the novel possibility that MAp44 may inhibit complement, not simply by brute force displacement of MASP-2 from MBL or ficolins, but by disruption of co-complexes, hence impairing transactivation. We present support for this contention.