Ewa M. Skibniewska

Graphene and carbon nanocompounds: biofunctionalization and applications in tissue engineering

In tissue engineering, the possibility of a comprehensive restoration of the tissue, structure or a portion of the organ is largely determined by the type of material used. A wide range of materials such as graphene and other carbon nanocompounds which have different physical and chemical properties can be expected to react differently upon contact with biomolecules, cells and tissues. This mini-review describes the current knowledge on biocompatibility of graphene and its derivatives with a variety of mammalian cells, such as osteoblasts, neuroendocrine cells, fibroblasts NIH/3T3 line, PMEFs (primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts), stem cells and neurons. The results from different studies give hope for the possibility of graphene to be used in the regeneration of almost all tissues, including neural tissue implants or in the form of neural chips, which may allow in the future treatment of degenerative diseases and injuries of the central nervous system.

Magnesium concentrations in the tissues of free-ranging European bison

The European bison (Bison bonasus) is the only living species of the bison genus in the Old World. It is the largest, wild, herbivorous mammal living in Europe. As a result of the efforts of biologists, the European bison has been saved as a species. In Poland, they were reintroduced into the natural conditions of the Bialowieza Forest. By 2011, this herd of free-living bison comprised more than 700 animals. The aim of the present work was to determine tissue levels of magnesium in free-living bison. Samples for the investigations were collected during the winter, from 20 European bison aged from five months to five years culled as part of the annual management programme. Segments of rib, muscle, liver, kidney, hoof and hair were collected. With regards to the gender and age of the animals studied, magnesium content in particular tissues was as follows: in the liver, magnesium content was significantly higher in the group of males; in rib, muscle and kidney there were no statistically significant differences between groups; in hair and hoof wall, a significantly higher magnesium content was found in the group of calves.

EVALUATION OF RUBIDIUM CONTENTS IN ORGANS OF BITCHES (CANIS LUPUS F. FAMILIARIS )

Abstract The objective of the presented study was to compare rubidium concentration in different organs of bitches, depending on their health state. Samples of muscles, liver, and kidneys collected post mortem from 45 animals, at the age of 1-8 years, were examined. Chemical analysis was conducted using the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy method. The contents of rubidium in particular organs varied from 2.07 to 4.52, from 1.25 to 3.81, and from 1.32 to 3.78 mg·kg-1 of wet weight for muscle, kidney, and liver samples, respectively. The highest values were observed in animals with neoplastic disease and the lowest in healthy animals. These differences were highly statistically significant.

Biocompatibility of pristine graphene monolayer: Scaffold for fibroblasts

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of pristine graphene monolayer and its utility as a scaffold for murine fibroblast L929 cell line. Cell viability, morphology, cytoskeleton architecture (microfilaments and microtubules), cell adhesion and migration into the scratch-wound area were determined using pristine graphene-coated microscopic slides. We found that fibroblasts cultured on pristine graphene monolayer exhibited changes in cell attachment, motility and cytoskeleton organization. Graphene was found to have no cytotoxicity on L929 fibroblasts and increased cell adhesion and proliferation within 24 h of culture. The area of cells growing on graphene was comparable to the area of fibroblasts cultured on glass. Migration of cells on the surface of graphene substrate appeared to be more regular in comparison to uncoated glass surface, however in both control (glass) and experimental (graphene) groups the scratch wound was closed after 48 h of culture. Taken together, our results indicate that pristine graphene monolayer is non-toxic for murine subcutaneous connective tissue fibroblasts and could be beneficial for recovery of damaged tissues after injury. These studies could be helpful in evaluating biocompatibility of graphene, which still remains ambiguous.

Dependence between Cu concentration in the liver, kidneys and skeletal muscles of canine females

The aim of the investigations was the determination of the Cu contents in the liver, kidneys and skeletal muscles of canine females. Material for research was collected post mortem from 45 animals aged 1 to 18 years coming from the Warsaw area. The effect of the health state, age and life conditions on the distribution of copper in the investigated organs was estimated. That element was determined using the method of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). In the liver, the average Cu contents amounted to 24.04 mg kg−1 wet weight, in kidneys to 2.90 mg kg−1 wet weight and in muscles to 0.94 mg kg−1 wet weight. The highest values of copper content in particular tissues and organs were noted in the group of animals with neoplastic changes. In respect to the animal age the highest mean values of the copper content were noted in the oldest animals. They amounted to 30.97 mg kg−1 in the liver, 3.34 mg kg−1 in kidneys and 1.18 mg kg−1 wet weight in muscles. Considering life conditions of the dogs it was observed that the higher mean values in all the investigated organs occurred in dogs coming from the urban areas.

Respecting EU cross-compliance requirements as an indicator of animal welfare on dairy farms in Poland

Respecting EU cross-compliance requirements as an indicator of animal welfare on dairy farms in Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the level of animal welfare on dairy farms in Poland and to compare the measured parameters with the cross-compliance requirements. The study was conducted on 46 farms in the winter season. The microclimate measurements such as air moisture content, concentrations of selected air pollutants and the brightness of the room has been taken. A comparison of cattle housing systems on bedding and on the slatted floor has been examined. The barns were divided into four groups, depending on the size of the herd: 10–20 cows (12 barns), 21–40 cows (22 barns), 41–60 cows (7 barns), and 100–180 cows (5 barns), respectively. The largest group consisted of haerds housing 21–40 cows, which represented 48% of all herds involved in the study. Of all the barns that used slatted floors or bedding, we selected three largest herds each in order to compare hygienic parameters between both types of housing. The main findings were as follows: (1) the concentration of selected air pollutants in most of the barns did not deviate from the recommendations of the (Polish) National Research Institute of Animal Production; (2) the concentration of selected air pollutants was lower in barns where the cattle was kept on slatted floors; (3) the cattle housed on slatted floors also had better lighting conditions; (4) smaller herds of dairy cows were found to have relative air humidity conditions; (5) in 81% of farms, air humidity in the premises remained within the animal welfare standards.

Concentrations of zinc, cadmium and lead in the hoof horn of the European bison (Bison bonasus bonasus) / Zawartość cynku, kadmu i ołowiu w ścianie rogowej racicy żubra Europejskiego (Bison bonasus bonasus)

Abstract The aim of the study was the assessment of zinc, cadmium and lead concentrations in the hoof horn of the European bison free ranging in Białowieża Primeval Forest. The investigation material comprised hoof samples collected from animals eliminated during annual selection. Animals were divided depending on gender (males and females). Metals content was determined using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method (ICP-MS). Mean metals concentrations in hoof were: 114.1, 0.15 and 0.45 mg·kg-1 dry matter for zinc, cadmium and lead, respectively. A significantly correlated dependence at p ≤ 0.05 was observed between the zinc and lead content in the material studied. No statistically significant differences in the metals content were observed depending on gender. It can be stated, that zinc, cadmium and lead concentrations in the hoof wall of the European bison from Białowieża primeval forest are in the reference values determined for the hair coat of other ungulates species Streszczenie Celem pracy była ocena zawartości cynku, kadmu i ołowiu w ścianie rogu racicy żubra pochodzącego z Puszczy Białowieskiej. Materiałem badawczym były próby racic pobrane od zwierząt podczas corocznej eliminacji. Zwierzęta podzielono na grupy w zależności od płci (samce i samice). Zawartość metali określano za pomocą spektrometrii mas z jonizacją w plazmie indukcyjnie sprzężonej (ICP-MS). Średnie stężenia metali w ścianie racicy wynosiły: 114,1; 0,15 i 0,45 mg·kg-1 suchej masy odpowiednio dla cynku, kadmu i ołowiu. Stwierdzono statystycznie istotną zależność (p ≤ 0,05) między zawartością cynku i ołowiu w badanym materiale. Nie odnotowano różnic statystycznych w zawartości metali w zależności od płci zwierząt. Można stwierdzić, że zawartość cynku, kadmu i ołowiu w ścianie rogowej racicy żubrów z terenu Puszczy Białowieskiej znajduje się w zakresie wartości referencyjnych ustalonych dla okrywy włosowej innych gatunków zwierząt kopytnych

The effect of gender and age on the sulphur tissue content in free living European bisons / Wpływ płci i wieku na zawartość siarki w tkankach żubra wolno żyjącego

Abstract The presented investigations aimed at determining sulphur status in the European bison free ranging in Białowieża primeval forest. The sulphur concentration in the liver, kidneys, muscle and rib was determined. The material for analyses was obtained from animals eliminated within annual selection. They were grouped according to gender (males, females) and age (calves up to one year of age, animals aged over two years). The sulphur concentrations were determined using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method in the accredited laboratory. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistica™ 10 packet. No statistically significant differences in the sulphur content were observed with respect to the sex and age of animals. The mean content of the discussed element in the liver of European bisons amounted to 6.75 g • kg−1 of the fresh tissue, 6.82 g • kg−1 in kidneys, 6.66 g • kg−1 in muscles and 0.44 g • kg−1 in ribs.

Domestic cat (Felis catus) as a bioindicator of environmental lead contamination / Kot domowy (Felis catus) jako bioindykator zanieczyszczenia środowiska ołowiem

Abstract The investigations aimed at determining the lead content in domestic cat hair as an indicator of environmental lead contamination. The investigation material comprised hair samples collected from 20 cats from the region of Warsaw. The first group of 10 cats (five males and five females) were kept at home as the accompanying animals. Another group (five males and five females) were the so-called feral urban cats whose nutritional base comprised human food wastes. Hair samples were collected from the middle abdominal region prior to routine surgical treatments. The lead content was determined with the help of the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry method. A significant effect of the conditions of animal life on the lead content in their hair was observed. The mean content of metal in hair of all the investigated cats amounted to 1.95 mg • kg−1. The highest lead concentration in free living animals was 2.89 mg • kg−1 (females: 3.58; males: 2.20 mg • kg−1). In cats kept as accompanying animals, the mean lead value was nearly three times lower (1 mg • kg−1) (females: 0.98; males: 1.02 mg • kg−1). In the coat of animals living as urban feral cats, a significantly higher mean lead concentration was observed than in cats kept at home. The values are similar to those obtained in the analysis of the lead content in carnivorous animals originating from the non-urbanised areas.

The effect of living conditions on vanadium bioaccumulation in cats / Wpływ warunków bytowania na bioakumulację wanadu u kotów

Abstract The aim of the investigation was the assessment of vanadium concentrations in the hair of domestic cats kept as accompanying animals and cats living in the urban environment as the feral cats. The investigation material comprised hair samples collected from 20 animals from the Warsaw agglomeration region. The first group included five males and fivefe males kept at home. The second group (five males and fivefe males) represented feral animals. Hair samples were collected from the middle abdominal region prior to the routine surgical procedures. Vanadium content was determined using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry method. The effect of the living environment on vanadium content in the hair of the investigated animals was observed. The mean value in the group of the free-living animals amounted to 0.26 mg • kg−1 for males and 0.20 mg • kg−1 for females. In the group of cats accompanying humans, these values amounted to 0.175 and 0.17 mg • kg−1, respectively. The mean vanadium content was higher in young females than in older ones. In males, this value was higher in the group of older animals.