Selected radionuclides and heavy metals in skeletons of birds of prey from eastern Poland

Selenium Protects against Lead-induced Apoptosis via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Chicken Kidneys

Lead (Pb) is a toxic heavy metal and can harm organisms by inducing apoptosis. Selenium (Se), an essential trace element for humans and animals, can alleviate heavy metal toxicity. The aim of our study is to investigate alleviative effect of Se on Pb-induced apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in chicken kidneys. One hundred and eighty male chickens were randomly divided into four groups at 7 days of age and were fed with commercial diet (containing 0.49 mg/kg Se) and drinking water, Na₂SeO₃-added commercial diet (containing 1 mg/kg Se) and drinking water, the commercial diet and (CH₃OO)₂Pb-added drinking water (containing 350 mg/L Pb), and Na₂SeO₃-added commercial diet (containing 1 mg/kg Se) and (CH₃OO)₂Pb-added drinking water (containing 350 mg/L Pb), respectively. On the 30th, 60th, and 90th days of the experiment period, 15 chickens in each group were euthanized and the kidneys were collected. Following contents were performed: kidney ultrastructure; nitric oxide (NO) content; inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity; relative messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of iNOS, ER-related genes (glucose-regulated protein (GRP)78, GRP94, activating transcription factor (ATF)4, ATF6, and iron-responsive element (IRE)), and apoptosis-related genes (caspase-3 and B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)); and caspase-12 protein expression. The results indicated that Pb changed kidney ultrastructural structure; decreased Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression; and increased NO content, iNOS activity, relative mRNA and protein expression of iNOS, ER-related genes, and caspase-3 and caspase-12 protein expression. Se attenuated above changes caused by Pb. Pb had time-dependent manners on NO content, GRP78, GRP94, ATF4, IRE, and caspase-3 mRNA expression. Se attenuated Pb-induced apoptosis via ER stress in the chicken kidneys.

Determination of radionuclides in samples of middle-aged and older human femurs

The paper presents the studies of the presence of gamma isotopes and (90)Sr in 19 middle-to old-aged human femur samples. The samples were taken up during routine orthopedic operations in 2012. The aim of the paper was determination of some radionuclides in human bones and estimation of radiation dose created by (90)Sr and (90)Y (in bones). The (137)Cs, (40)K, (226)Ra, (228)Th, (234)Th and (210)Pb isotopes were determined by gamma spectrometry. The above mentioned radionuclide contents were in the ranges: (137)Cs (0.04-1.45); (40)K (13-86); (226)Ra (1-21.5); (228)Th (1.4-40.2); (234)Th (0.4-5.7); (210)Pb (0.7-8.4) Bq/kg d.w. (90)Sr was assayed based on radiometric measurement of ingrown (90)Y. The (90)Sr content was in the range 0.27-1.85 Bq/kg d.w. Measurements of concentration of (90)Sr and (90)Y in bones were used to estimation of health risk by calculation of radiation dose. Adsorbed doses ranged from 2.7 · 10(-7) to 1.9 · 10(-6) Gy/y for (90)Sr and from 1.2 · 10(-6) to 8.3 · 10(-7) Gy/y for (90)Y.

Characterization of (241)Pu occurrence, distribution, and bioaccumulation in seabirds from northern Eurasia

The paper presents unique data of plutonium (241)Pu study in seabirds from northern Eurasia, permanently or temporally living at the southern Baltic Sea coast. Together, ten marine birds species were examined, as follows: three species that permanently reside at the southern Baltic, four species of wintering birds, and three species of migrating birds; 366 samples were analyzed. The obtained results indicated plutonium was non-uniformly distributed in organs and tissues of analyzed seabirds. The highest (241)Pu content was found in the digestion organs and feathers, the lowest in muscles. Also, the internal radiation doses from (241)Pu were evaluated.

Study on the rate of plutonium vertical migration in various soil types of Lublin region (Eastern Poland)

Soil contamination level with 239+240Pu of Lublin region was determined using the alpha spectrometric method. Results were compared with similar data from the study performed 15 year earlier. Decrease in total 239+240Pu concentration and reducing quantity of Chernobyl fraction (up to almost negligible value of 1 %) has been observed in upper soil layer. Determination of 239+240Pu concentration in soil profile layers allows calculating a vertical migration velocity of plutonium applying a compartment migration model. It was found that 239+240Pu migration rate varies depending on soil type from 0.29 cm year-1 in Podsols to 0.58 cm year-1 in Fluvisols with mean value of 0.5 cm year-1.