Upper Silesia Region Of Poland Research Articles

Plant Species and Functional Diversity of Novel Forests Growing on Coal Mine Heaps Compared with Managed Coniferous and Deciduous Mixed Forests

(1): The Upper Silesia region of Poland is one of the most extensively altered regions of Europe due to human activity, especially coal mining. (2): We used cluster analysis to examine the floristic composition of three classified forest communities: forests developed on post-coal mine mineral heaps (HF), mixed deciduous forests (DECI), and managed secondary coniferous forests (CON). Vegetation data were collected from 44 randomly selected plots, and plant traits connected with persistence, dispersal, and regeneration were taken from commonly used plant trait databases. (3): Higher species richness, species diversity, and evenness (36, 2.7, and 0.76, respectively) were calculated for HF plots compared with those plots from DECI (22, 1.9, and 0.62) and CON (18, 2.0, and 0.71) plots. Higher functional richness (0.173, 0.76) and functional divergence were determined for HF compared with those calculated for DECI (FRic 0.090, FDiv 0.71) and CON (FRic 0.026, FDiv 0.69). In contrast, the substrate from HF forests had significantly lower soil respiration (0.76 mg-CO2 h/m2) compared with substrates from both CON and DECI forests (0.90 and 0.96 mg-CO2 h/m2, respectively); (4): A set of complex abiotic stresses which plants suffer from on coal mine spoil heaps shaped different patterns of taxonomic and functional diversity. These findings demonstrate the importance of investigating successional aspects and carbon dynamics of de novo forests which have developed on post-coal mine spoil heaps in urban industrial areas.

The Wild, Wild Promised Land of Upper Silesians: Panna Maria and Its Cultural Heritage

In the mid-19th century, a small number of families from the Upper Silesia region of Poland emigrated to Texas and established Panna Maria, which many historians have identified as the oldest enduring Polish settlement in the United States. The current study focuses on the cultural identity of these settlers and their descendants. It also discusses various aspects of the lasting cultural impact that the Panna Maria story has had on the two areas involved, Texas and Upper Silesia itself. The approach will draw on the theoretical frameworks of cultural and ethnic studies.

Association of chemotactic cytokine receptor 5 (CCR5) gene polymorphism (59029 A/G, rs1799987) with diabetic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes from Poland.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) pathogenesis is multifactorial and is a combination of metabolic, genetic, and environmental factors. Due to a long period of asymptomatic course, it is often diagnosed late when advanced stages of the disease are present. Among patients with diabetes, the presence of chemotactic cytokine receptor 5 (CCR5) gene polymorphism is suspected to be associated with the risk of DKD occurrence; however, the results of the research conducted so far are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CCR5 gene polymorphism (rs1799987, 59029 A/G) association with DKD among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), who are residents of the Upper Silesia region of Poland. CCR5 gene polymorphism (rs1799987, 59029 A/G) was assessed among consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated in a single outpatient diabetology clinic in Upper Silesia, Poland. Its association with DKD was examined. Additionally, selected clinical and demographic data were included in the analysis. Among 467 eligible study patients, there was no association between examined CCR5 gene polymorphism and the presence of DKD in relation both to the American Diabetes Association definition (p = 0.6) and to the National Kidney Foundation definition (p = 0.3) of this complication. The presented study did not confirm the association between the examined gene polymorphism and the risk of DKD; further studies in this area are needed in order to establish or explicitly exclude this association.

Efficiency of Air Purifiers at Removing Air Pollutants in Educational Facilities: A Preliminary Study

Infectious diseases caused by airborne bacteria and viruses are a major problem for both social and economic reasons. The significance of this phenomenon is particularly noticeable during the time of the coronavirus pandemic. One of the consequences is the increased interest in the air purifier (AP) market, which resulted in a significant increase in sales of these devices. In this study, we tested the efficiency of APs in removing bacterial air contamination in the educational context in the Upper Silesia region of Poland during the “cold season” of 2018/2019. During the 6 months of measuring microbiological air quality, an 18% decrease in the concentration of microbiological pollutants as a result of the action of the APs was recorded. Additionally, the results of the particle size distribution of the bacterial aerosols showed a reduction in the share of the respirable fraction (particles with an aerodynamic diameter below 3.3 µm) by an average of 20%. The dominance of gram-positive cocci in the indoor environment indicates that humans are the main source of most of the bacteria present in the building. We conclude that the use of APs may significantly decrease the level of concentration of microbiological air pollutants and reduce the negative health effects of indoor bioaerosols; however, further work that documents this phenomenon is needed.

The Discovery of Zoonotic Protozoans in Fleas Parasitizing on Pets as a Potential Infection Threat

PurposeFleas are insects with a high medical and veterinary importance. They may participate in spreading of many pathogenic agents, but still there is limited information about their possible reservoir or vector role for protozoans. The main aim of this study was an attempt of detection zoonotic pathogens, such as Babesia microti and Toxoplasma gondii in fleas Ctenocephalides felis felis and Ctenocephalides canis.MethodsIn 2013–2017, 155 fleas were captured from domestic dogs and cats in veterinary clinics, animal shelters and pet grooming salons in Upper Silesia Region in Poland. Then, the DNA was extracted from each Ctenocephalides flea by using the ammonia method. Samples were screened for the presence of B. microti and T. gondii using PCR and nested PCR methods.ResultsB. microti was reported in 6.6% of C. felis felis and 9.1% of C. canis, whereas the prevalence of coinfection with B. microti and T. gondii was 1.9% in cat fleas and 2.3% in dog fleas.ConclusionThis study shows the first cases of B. microti occurrence and B. microti and T. gondii coinfection in Ctenocephalides fleas. The estimation of prevalence of examined protozoans may be useful considering the possibility of infection among companion animals, as well as during presentation of the potential risk of infection in humans. In order to clarify the role of C. felis felis and C. canis in transmission of B. microti and T. gondii, the another studies with in vitro cultures and laboratory animals are needed.

Whole Brain and Cranial Size Adjustments in Volumetric Brain Analyses of Sex- and Age-Related Trends.

Our goal was to determine the influence of sex, age and the head/brain size on the compartmental brain volumes in the radiologically verified healthy population (96 subjects; 54 women and 42 men) from the Upper Silesia region in Poland. The MRI examinations were done using 3T Philips Achieva with the same T1-weighted and T2-weighted protocols. The image segmentation procedures were performed with SPM (Statistical Parameter Mapping) and FSL-FIRST software. The volumes of 14 subcortical structures for the left and right hemispheres and 4 overall volumes were calculated. The General Linear Models (GLM) analysis was used with and without the Total Brain Volume (TBV) and Intracranial Volume (ICV) parameters as the covariates to study the regional vs. global brain atrophy. After the ICV/TBV adjustments, the majority of sex differences in the specific volumes of interest (VOIs) revealed to be linked to the difference in the head/brain size parameters. The analysis also confirmed the significant effect of the aging process on the brain loss. After the TBV adjustment, the age- and sex-related volumetric trends for the gray and white matter volumes were observed: the negative age dependence of the gray matter volume is more pronounced in the males, while in case of the white matter the positive age-related trend in the female group is weaker. The local losses of the left caudate nucleus and the right thalamus are more advanced than the global brain atrophy. Different head-size correction strategies are not interchangeable and may yield various volumetric results, but when used together, facilitate studies on the regional dependencies inherent to a healthy, but aging, brain.

High rates of undiagnosed and untreated osteoporosis in postmenopausal women receiving medical services in the area of Upper Silesia.

IntroductionHigh social cost and high risk of disability make postmenopausal osteoporosis one of major public health problem in the 21st century. The aim of this study was to assess frequency of undiagnosed and untreated osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in the Upper Silesia Region of Poland. Additionally, we compare estimation of the 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) and hip fractures (HF) based on fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) with and without bone mineral density (BMD).Material and methodsThe survey included 450 postmenopausal women (age 65 ±11 years). A detailed questionnaire included demographic and anthropometric data, comorbidity, history of previous low-energy fractures, family medical history, and treatment for osteoporosis. The FRAX calculator was used to estimate the risk of MOF and HF.ResultsOsteoporosis was previously diagnosed in 23.7% women. Of those 70.2% were receiving vitamin D, 27% calcium preparations, 33% bisphosphonates, and 22% were untreated. Only 42.2% women with previous fractures had been diagnosed with osteoporosis and 42.8% received any treatment. 12.5% women with FRAX-BMD ≥ 10% had no risk factors of osteoporosis and < 10% risk of MOF and HF in FRAX without BMD.ConclusionsOsteoporosis often remains undiagnosed and untreated in postmenopausal women. There is a great need to popularize FRAX without BMD calculator among physicians, especially GPs, as the risk calculation justify the implementation of antiosteoporotic therapy. Women with burden of risk factors of fractures and borderline FRAX without BMD values, should be referred to a densitometry examination, as having greater risk of fracture than shown by FRAX without BMD.

Rainwater-induced migration of potentially toxic elements from a Zn–Pb slag dump in Ruda Śląska in light of mineralogical, geochemical and geophysical investigations

The Upper Silesia region of Poland is known for its concentration of heavy industry, including mining and smelting. Slag dumps scattered across the region are the sources of pollutants such as Zn, Mn, As, Cd and Pb. At the slag dump in Ruda Śląska, it is possible to distinguish three types of slag: (i) slag associated with the muffle/lining material, composed of olivine, pyroxene, iron oxide, feldspar and glass; (ii) glassy slag composed of glass and single crystals of melilite and wollastonite; and (iii) slag composed of aggregates of melilite, wollastonite and anorthite. These concentrate Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs), reaching up to 6130 mg/kg of As, 36300 mg/kg of Mn, 21700 mg/kg of Pb, 53600 mg/kg of Zn and 105 mg/kg of Cd. Rainfall-induced weathering causes PTE mobilisation to secondary phases, mainly carbonates, sulphates, oxides and hydroxides. Leaching tests based on the Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP) prove the release of PTEs from slags and secondary phases, which was further confirmed by significant PTE concentrations in a water sample from effluent next to the dump: 2710 μg/l Mn, 163 μg/l Zn, 52.5 μg/l Pb, 20.1 μg/l As, 0.98 μg/l Cd. This study is the first attempt to apply a combination of electromagnetic (EM) measurements and mineralogical investigations to pyrometallurgical Zn–Pb slags, and to precisely describe links between the obtained conductivity and in-phase results and phases building soils and sediments of the studied area. Contamination mapping, using combined scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and EM methods, allowed to distinguish the main migration path of PTEs from the slag dump. This path is related to the effluent in which the presence of sulphides, oxides and hydroxides concentrating Cd, Zn, and Pb was determined to cause both high conductivity (>300 mS/m) and in-phase values (>6 ppt). On the other hand, soils from other areas outside the dump are not polluted by this migration path. Application of EM mapping confirmed its usefulness as a tool for tracking environmental contamination. For successful interpretation, however, it must always be used in combination with mineralogical/petrological methods.

Calcium supplementation from dairy products in the diet of women over the age of 55 from Zabrze (the Silesian Osteoactive Study - nutritional part).

ObjectivesThe primary goal of the study was to assess calcium intake among women over the age of 55.Material and methodsThe study participants were randomly selected from the female population of Zabrze, a town in the Upper Silesia Region in Poland, making use of the framework of the Silesia Osteoactive Study Project. The Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (sFFQ) was used for nutritional assessment. A total of 388 women at the median age of 65.2 years responded to written and mailed invitations and decided to participate in the study.ResultsThe mean calcium intake in the group of enrolled post-menopausal women was 886.9 ±615.1 mg/day. Only 32.9% of the participants met the daily calcium intake criterion of > 1000 g/day (the Estimated Average Requirement of 1000 mg according to the Nutrition Standards from 2017 for women in the age group of 51–65 years). Calcium supplementation, identified among women over the age of 55 years in Zabrze, was not sufficient and significantly differed from indicated nutrition standards. Fermented dairy products were the main source of calcium for the studied women. The quantity of calcium provided from yoghurts, kefirs and buttermilk was 338.3 mg/day. The level of consumption of fortified plant products, e.g., soy milk, was found to be very low. Some of the study participants (approximately 32%) reported the intake of calcium supplements or OTC medicinal products with calcium.ConclusionsSumming up, the studied women reported low calcium intake levels, which calls for appropriate adjustments, including either dietary modifications or proper supplementation programmes with calcium containing agents.

Microbiological indoor air quality in an office building in Gliwice, Poland: analysis of the case study

Bioaerosols play a significant role in indoor air quality (IAQ) as they can be the cause of several health problems, including acute allergies and infectious diseases. This study aimed to characterize and compare the microbial air quality of air-conditioned (AC) and naturally ventilated (NV) office rooms in the Upper Silesia region of Poland. The bacterial samples were collected during the late spring season. Culturable bacteria were deposited on the nutrient media on Petri dishes to investigate the viable-culturable count (VCC) of bacteria and bacterial community structure using a Biolog GEN III system. In total, 12 species of bacteria were identified, with the most isolated Macrococcus equipercicus, Micrococcus luteus D, Staphylococcus xylosus (indoor), and Bacillus species (outdoor). The indoor mean concentrations of bacterial aerosol ranged from 102 to 103 CFU m−3, below Polish proposals for threshold limit standards in office buildings. The indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios indicated that studied air pollutants in the office rooms originated from the indoor air. These results, together with community composition of bacteria, indicate that most of the bacteria present in the studied office building were relatively fresh and of human origin. Multi-antibiotic resistance (MAR) tests showed that the most antibiotic-resistant features were present in Macrococcus species. The office building exposure dose (OBED) and mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of bacteria aerosol were estimated. The highest value of OBED over the study period was obtained for staff working in offices with natural ventilation (141 CFU kg−1), in contrast to the value for staff working in offices equipped with air conditioning (about 100 CFU kg−1). The MMAD of viable airborne bacteria was higher in AC offices (2.4 μm) than in NV offices (2.2 μm).

Nutrient intake assessed with Diet History Questionnaire II, in relation to long-term calcium-phosphate control in hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal failure.

Diet is a key factor that determines proper alignment of calcium-phosphate and nutritional status among hemodialysis (HD) patients. To assess the nutrient intake in relation to long-term calcium-phosphate control in HD patients with end-stage renal failure. The study included 107 patients (66 men, 41 women) from 10 dialysis centers in the Upper Silesia region of Poland. To analyze the diet composition during the previous year, a portion-sized version of the Diet History Questionnaire II (DHQ-II) from National Institutes of Health was used. The nutrient intake was assessed in accordance with the most complex recommendations on HD patients' nutrition - K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines for nutrition in chronic renal failure. Poor long-term alignment of calcium-phosphate homeostasis was defined as the presence of over 50% monthly phosphorus concentrations exceeding 5 mg/dL, and for calcium 10.2 mg/dL, during the last 6-month period. Lower than recommended protein intake was found in 63% of HD patients (average consumption: 0.9 ±0.5 g/kg/day). Most of the patients consumed too much fat (33.5 ±6.7% of daily energy intake) and sodium (2912 ±1542 mg/day). In 42% of patients, dietary phosphorus intake was consistent with the recommendations (13.3 ±7.5 mg/kg/day). Protein intake over 1.2 g/kg/day resulted in an increased consumption of phosphorous, but did not increase the risk of misalignment of phosphorus concentrations (OR = 1.15 [0.40-3.27]); p = 0.8). Poor control of serum phosphorus concentrations was observed in 69% of patients (they were on average 8 years younger). The average intake of protein and phosphate in the groups with good or not satisfactory serum phosphorus alignment did not differ significantly. Adequate control of protein intake is not sufficient to obtain phosphorus alignment, especially in younger HD patients.

Bacterial and Fungal Aerosols in Rural Nursery Schools in Southern Poland

This study aimed to characterize airborne bacteria and fungi populations present in rural nursery schools in the Upper Silesia region of Poland during winter and spring seasons through quantification and identification procedures. Bacterial and fungal concentration levels and size distributions were obtained by the use of a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor. Results showed a wide range of indoor bioaerosols levels. The maximum level of viable bacterial aerosols indoors was about 2600 CFU·m−3, two to three times higher than the outdoor level. Fungi levels were lower, from 82 to 1549 CFU·m−3, with indoor concentrations comparable to or lower than outdoor concentrations. The most prevalent bacteria found indoors were Gram-positive cocci (&gt;65%). Using the obtained data, the nursery school exposure dose (NSED) of bioaerosols was estimated for both the children and personnel of nursery schools. The highest dose for younger children was estimated to range: 327–706 CFU·kg−1 for bacterial aerosols and 31–225 CFU·kg−1 for fungal aerosols. These results suggest an elevated risk of adverse health effects on younger children. These findings may contribute to the promotion and implementation of preventative public health programs and the formulation of recommendations aimed at providing healthier school environments.

Physical activity, body composition and general health status of physically active students of the University of the Third Age (U3A)

ObjectiveTo evaluate general health status of a group of older adults, physically active students of the University of the Third Age (U3A), based on results of biochemical analyses of blood, assessment of their physical activity (PA) level, body composition and cognitive function with respect to age and sex. MethodsA total of 104 students (85 women and 19 men, aged 63.7±6.6 y) of the U3A's located in the Upper Silesia region of Poland volunteered to participate in this study. A habitual PA level and body composition were objectively assessed by using ActiGraph GT1M and InBody 720, respectively. Serum lipid profile and glucose metabolism markers were measured for assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Moreover, subjects' cognitive functions were tested. ResultsMost of the study participants reached the daily step goal of 10,000 steps and thus fulfilled the ACSM recommendations for the quantity and quality of cardiorespiratory exercise. Highly negative correlations between the number of steps per day and body adiposity markers, serum insulin and HOMA-IR confirmed that vigorous physical activity at the recommended level was associated with better body composition and lower levels of risk markers of coronary heart disease and diabetes. Most of the U3A students were characterized by a favorable lipid profile, prevalence of normal blood pressure, low rates of HOMA-estimated insulin resistance and normal cognitive function. ConclusionAdherence to ACSM recommendations is associated with beneficial changes in risk factors related to cardiovascular disease.

Physical activity of middle-age adults aged 50–65 years in view of health recommendations

The objective of the study was to assess the level of habitual physical activity, mainly its frequency and duration, of middle-age adults aged 50–65 years in a typical week of their life in comparison to the level of these parameters recommended for health benefits. The study carried out in the Upper Silesia region in Poland in May 2010 included 456 deliberately selected subjects (234 women and 222 men) aged 50–65 years. Numeric data were collected by diagnostic survey method using the short version of IPAQ. The surveyed men were characterized by higher level of physical activity than the surveyed women (longer duration and higher frequency) (p < 0.01). This regularity was observed both for moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity. At the same time, significantly higher percentage of men (41 %) than women (28 %) met the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) on physical activity beneficial for health (p < 0.01). The level of physical activity of the surveyed group of older adults was estimated as unsatisfactory—72 % of women and 59 % of men did not perform physical activity resulting in the expected health benefits.

Influence of genetic polymorphisms on biomarkers of exposure and effects in children living in Upper Silesia

This article is a follow-up to our previous molecular epidemiology studies on the DNA damage in children from the Upper Silesia region of Poland. It is expected that metabolic and DNA repair gene polymorphisms may modulate individual susceptibility to environmental exposure. In this study, we investigate the association between polymorphisms of metabolising (CYP2D, EPHX1, GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, NAT2) and DNA repair (XPD, XRCC1, XRCC3) genes and selected biomarkers of exposure and effect such as levels of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and urinary mutagenicity, aromatic DNA adducts, sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronuclei (MN) in 74 children. Both 1-OHP concentration and urinary mutagenicity tested by TA98+S9 were significantly higher in individuals with EPHX1 (exon 4) Arg/Arg genotype than in individuals with other genotype. The EPHX1 (exon 3) significantly affected urinary mutagenicity tested with strain YG1024+S9. The urinary mutagenicity in individuals with Tyr/Tyr homozygotes was lower than in individuals with Tyr/His and His/His (1057±685 vs. 1432±1003 revertants/mol creatinine). XRCC3 Met/Met genotype was associated with significantly higher levels of 1-OHP in urine compared with only The/Met genotype. The PAH-DNA adduct levels in the subgroup with GSTM1 null genotype was 2-fold higher than in individuals with GSTM1 active (7.06±5.12 vs. 13.14±9.81 adduct/10(8) nucleotides). The mean level of aromatic DNA adducts in children with deletion of the GSTT1 gene was significantly higher compared with individuals with that gene present (8.03±6.23 vs. 14.66±10.70 adduct/10(8) nucleotides). Also the carriers of the XPD Lys/Lys genotype showed higher levels of DNA adducts than heterozygotes (13.16±9.70 vs. 6.81±5.86 adducts/10(8) nucleotides). Children carrying the XRCC3-241 Met/Met genotype exhibited a higher number of SCE in peripheral blood lymphocytes than carriers of Thr/Met allele (8.15±0.86 vs. 7.62±0.79 SCE/cell). It was also observed that children with the GSTP1 slow conjugator had significantly elevated MN in peripheral blood lymphocytes compared with fast conjugator (4.23±3.49 vs. 6.56±5.00 MN/1000 cells).

Is inflammation a new risk factor of depression in haemodialysis patients?

PurposePrevalence of depression is high in patients with chronic kidney disease. Depression is associated with increased mortality and the higher rate of suicides in these patients. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in haemodialyzed patients in Upper Silesia region of Poland and the possible role of inflammation in depression development.MethodsSix hundred and ninety-seven haemodialyzed patients from 22 dialysis centres in Upper Silesia region of Poland were enrolled into the study. Mean age was 59.1 ± 0.5 years, and mean time of dialysis treatment was 3.6 ± 0.2 years. Each patient received 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire for depression screening. Additional questions considering length of dialysis treatment, concomitant diseases and number of days spent in hospitals during the last year were also asked.ResultsDepressive symptoms were found in 268 (38.6 %) patients. Patients with depressive symptoms when compared with the patients without them tended to have higher C-reactive protein plasma concentration (14.3 ± 1.3 vs. 11.1 ± 0.9 mg/l; p = 0.067) and were more often dialyzed with central catheter (27.6 vs. 18.2 %; p = 0.0042). During the last year, patients with depressive symptoms spent in hospitals more days than patients without depressive symptoms (24.3 vs. 15.3 days, respectively; p < 0.0001). Significant positive correlation between BDI score and C-reactive protein level (r = 0.1625; p = 0.001) was found both in univariate and multivariate analysis.Conclusions(1) Depressive symptoms are frequently found (38.6 %) in haemodialyzed patients in Upper Silesia part of Poland. (2) Catheter placement and inflammation seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of depression in haemodialysis patients.

Regional risk assessment for contaminated sites Part 1: Vulnerability assessment by multicriteria decision analysis

As highlighted in the EU Soil Communication, local contamination is one of the main soil threats and it is often related to present and past industrial activities which left a legacy of a high number of contaminated sites in Europe. These contaminated sites can be harmful to many different receptors according to their sensitivity/susceptibility to contamination, and specific vulnerability evaluations are needed in order to manage this widely spread environmental issue. In this paper a novel comprehensive vulnerability assessment framework to assess regional receptor susceptibility to contaminated site is presented. The developed methodology, which combines multi criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques and spatial analysis, can be applied to different receptors recognized as relevant for regional assessment. In order to characterize each receptor, picked parameters significant for the estimation of the vulnerability to contaminated sites have been selected, normalized and aggregated by means of multi criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques. The developed MCDA methodology, based on the Choquet integral, allows to include expert judgments for the elicitation of synergic and conflicting effects between involved criteria and is applied to all the geographical objects representing the identified receptors. To test the potential of the vulnerability methodology, it has been applied to a specific case study area in the upper Silesia region of Poland where it proved to be reliable and consistent with the environmental experts' expected results. The vulnerability assessment results indicate that groundwater is the most vulnerable receptor characterized by a wide area with vulnerability scores belonging to the highest vulnerability class. As far as the other receptors are concerned, human health and surface water are characterized by quite homogeneous vulnerability scores falling in the medium–high vulnerability classes, while protected areas resulted to be the less vulnerable receptor with only one protected area falling in the medium vulnerability class. The vulnerability assessment results will support the regional risk assessment for the ranking of potentially contaminated sites at regional scale.

Cadmium and lead accumulate in the deciduous teeth of children with celiac disease or food allergies

Hard tooth tissue (enamel, dentin, and root cement) consists of several minerals, with calcium being the main macro-mineral. Minerals of physiologic importance as well as toxic metals can bioaccumulate in the calcified tissues, i.e., teeth and bone tissues [1]. Hard tooth tissues are distinguished by their limited ability to release accumulated elements into systemic fluids. Therefore, teeth provide ideal biological samples for the evaluation of long-term environmental exposure to toxic metals. The mineral and metal contents of teeth reflect their overall content in the whole body [2, 3]. Tooth samples have been used to evaluate the environmental exposure of a body to lead and cadmium [4, 5]. In the present study, we examined the content of these metals in the deciduous teeth. These teeth are readily available and their analysis can reflect exposure to toxic metals from the time that odontogenesis begins in the fetal period to when the tooth is lost. However, toxic metals that accumulate in teeth remain in a dynamic balance with normal tooth components. For example, heavy metals can replace calcium in hydroxyapatite crystals which are basic structural units of calcified tissues. Therefore, evaluation of cadmium and lead levels in the tooth hard tissues should be based not only on absolute content of these metals but also on the ratio of these metals to calcium. Such ratios are more representative of the relative changes in the levels of accumulated metals [6, 7]. While a variety of factors may influence the content of heavy metals in hard tooth tissues, our research focused on systemic diseases that require long-term treatment with restrictive diets. In pediatric patients, such diseases include celiac disease and food allergy conditions [8–10]. The long term implementation of restrictive diets has been linked to mineral deficiency in children as well as quantitative or/and qualitative changes in the mineral content of bone and hard tooth tissue. These alterations may result in increased accumulation of toxic metals, such as lead, cadmium, strontium, mercury, and arsenic in the body [11, 12]. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the levels of selected toxic metals, cadmium and lead, in the deciduous teeth of children 7–11 years of age with celiac disease or food allergies that live in the Upper Silesia region in Poland. This region is characterized by a large concentration of heavy industry, such as coal mining and steel production, resulting in significant environmental pollution. To our knowledge, there are no previously published data on the toxic metal content in teeth of children with celiac disease or food allergies.

Psychological Problems of Polish Organizations in Transition

The purpose of this paper is identification of psychological problems, diagnosis of workers´ ideas and initiatives aimed at solving those problems, and diagnosis of readiness of workers to change. There is an assumption that organizational behaviour is multilevel, involves multiple variables, and requires multivariate measurement. In this paper I ask questions about the level of different psychosocial and emotional dimensions, the main problems experienced by organization members, and the greatest barriers in the process of change. I also examine what should be done to solve existing problems. I constructed and used the Organizational Assessment Questionnaire (OAQ) that is composed of 15 sections and 190 questions covering different sectors of organizational functioning. The OAQ was completed by 432 workers from organizations in the highly industrialised Upper Silesia region of Poland. On the basis of OAQ, interviews and discussions with employees I divided the results into positive and negative factors. Positive factors are those that can be treated as opportunities; employees’ emotional engagement and self-perceptions of competence and ambition. Negative factors were psychological barriers in the process of organizational transition; functioning in area of HRM that badly need to be changed. In conclusion I proposed some solutions in the area of Human Resources, management trust and workers’ self- assessment.

Determination of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAs) content in samples of household-prepared meat dishes

Aminoazaarene content was investigated in 10 meat samples (including pork, beef, turey and chicken) thermally processed at home according to common recipes used by residents of Upper Silesia region in Poland. The clean-up procedure included tandem solid-phase extraction (SPE) using Extrelut-type columns filled with diatomaceous earth, propylsulphonic acid and chemically bounded phase-C 18. Identification and quantitative analysis of HAs fraction was carried out using a HPLC system with DAD-type detector. Separation was achieved using TSK-gel ODS 80-T M column and a mixture of 5% acetonitrile and 95% triethylamine phosphate buffer (pH 3.3) as a mobile phase. The results of qualitative determinations were confirmed by GC–MS method. To achieve this, HAs fractions were derivatized to pentafluoropropionic acid (PFPA) amide derivatives. The summary content of five aminoazaarenes determined in investigated meat samples, i.e. 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5- f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5- f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5- f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5- f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQ x), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenyl-imidazo[4,5- b]pyridine (PhIP) falls within the range of 1.9–77.4 ng/g of sample. The calculated values of theoretically daily human exposure to five determined HAs were in the range of 0.2–7.7 μg per day per person.