Limited data is available on the vertical transmission of Neospora caninum via the colostrum. The results of our previous research revealed the presence of N. caninum DNA in the milk of seropositive cows. The aim of the present work is to demonstrate parasite DNA in colostrum samples. A polymerase chain reaction using Np21 and Np6 primers was applied to DNA isolated from the colostrum sediment in order to amplify the corresponding genomic Nc-5 region. The expected 328-bp product was obtained in colostrum samples collected both on the calving day and the day after. This is the first detection of N. caninum DNA in the colostrum of seropositive cows, and these findings implicate the possibility of N. caninum transmission through the colostrum.

No abstract

Trichinella parasites with different epidemiological features still occur in Europe and four species of genus Trichinella have been identified: T. spiralis, T. britovi, T. nativa and T. pseudospiralis. Until now, two of them, T. spiralis and T. britovi, have been identified in Poland. In our studies we selected sequence coding for large mitochondrial rRNA (mt LrDNA) as a genetic marker and developed a sensitive LrDNA multiprimer PCR assay allowing for rapid identification of T. spiralis and T. britovi, parasites present in wild and domestic animals in Poland.

Babesia microti (Franca, 1909), an intraerythrocytic, ticktransmitted haemoprotozoan parasite is a common pathogen of free-living small mammals, particularly rodents. Babesiosis caused by this species of Babesia is gaining increasing interest as emerging zoonosis in humans (Parry M.F., Fox M., Burka S

Obesity and the metabolic syndrome caused by it constitute one of the biggest health issues of the 21st century. However, a problem of “a concealed form of obesity” — metabolic obesity with a normal body weight, which manifests clinically through the occurrence of metabolism disorders related to obesity among people with a normal body mass index — was pointed out in the 1980s. This affliction entails similar health consequences and causes many more problems in diagnosis and early treatment because a lack of obesity does not make doctors search for the traits of metabolic syndrome among seemingly healthy patients. The aim of this study is to present a proposition of diagnostic criteria for this disease in the historical perspective and to consider the possibilities of their use in everyday clinic practice.

Abstrakt Insulinooporność to stan zmniejszonej wrażliwości tkanek docelowych na działanie insuliny, mimo jej prawidłowego lub podwyższonego stężenia w surowicy krwi. Jest ważnym czynnikiem w patogenezie zespołu metabolicznego, w tym stanu przedcukrzycowego i cukrzycy typu 2, a także chorób sercowo-naczyniowych oraz zespołu policystycznych jajników. Wzrasta zainteresowanie wykorzystaniem środków pochodzenia roślinnego w leczeniu pacjentów z chorobami metabolicznymi. Jednymi z nich są rośliny z rodziny berberysowatych zawierające alkaloidy izochinolinowe, takie jak berberyna. Sugeruje się, iż berberyna może wpływać na zmniejszenie insulinooporności, gospodarkę węglowodanową oraz metabolizm lipidów. Naukowcy wykazali, że ten roślinny alkaloid może tłumić różnicowanie adipocytów i wspomagać redukcję masy ciała. Inne właściwości berberyny obejmują działanie hipotensyjne oraz ochronne wobec śródbłonka naczyniowego. W artykule skoncentrowano się przede wszystkim na przedstawieniu potencjalnych możliwości wykorzystania berberyny w przeciwdziałaniu insulinooporności w cukrzycy typu 2.

Background. Insulin resistance (IR) is an underlying mechanism in various disorders, including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, several types of cancer and endocrinopathies. Previous research has confirmed that neck circumference (NC) could be a good predictor of metabolic disorders, including IR in overweight individuals. The aim of our study is to investigate the association between the NC and IR in normal-weight Polish individuals to evaluate if this simple measurement could potentially be used as a screening method of IR. Materials and methods. The study participants were 73 Caucasian men and women who were 19-65 years old and of normal weight. The anthropometric parameters were measured using validated tools. Insulin resistance was defined using Matthew's method. Result. There was no significant relationship between NC and serum insulin level or IR. Conclusion.According to our study, NC is not a good predictor of IR in normal-weight Polish individuals. However, larger population studies are needed to further investigate the association between these two parameters.

No abstract