The problem of water body status misclassification-a Hierarchical Approach.

This article addresses the issue of estimating probability of misclassification (PoM), when assessing the status of a water body (w.b.). The standard deviation of a monitoring data is considered a good measure of the uncertainty of the assessed w.b. status. However, when PoM is to be estimated from the biological data, a problem caused by too few monitoring data emerges. The problem is overcome by developing Monte-Carlo models to simulate sufficient synthetic measurements of these elements, thereby accounting for random "disturbances" in the measurements. At each level of a procedure, called the Hierarchical Approach, values of PoM were derived from the Monte-Carlo-simulated data as for the assessment of w.b. status. It is assumed in the Hierarchical Approach that PoMs on each upper level can be estimated by processing PoMs inherited from the lower levels. Data from the river monitoring systems in three Polish regions were used in the study. Values of PoM calculated for biological elements show that 70-80% of cases belong to < 0.0, 0.1 > interval, whereas PoMs for physico-chemical elements in only 20% belong in this interval whereas for 25-40% of cases, PoMs are greater than 0.5. Moreover, when analyzing PoMs for cases when the w.b. status was classified as good, 22-52% of them are characterized by 0.5 or higher probability to be assessed wrongly. These pessimistic results suggest the need for formulation of new directions for future research in determining the PoM (in general, the uncertainty) of the w.b. status estimated from monitoring data.

Effect of Sow Body Weight at First Service on Body Status and Performance during First Parity and Lifetime.

In this retrospective study, we aimed to assess the effect of body weight (BW) at first service on body status development and sow performance during first parity and lifetime efficiency. A total of 360 DanBred gilts were used, which we categorized into three groups according to their BW: (1) Small sows (<135 kg BW; n = 108); (2) Medium sows (135−150 kg BW; n = 155); (3) Large sows (>150 kg BW; n = 63). We studied the gilts from first insemination to first weaning, and then monitored until culling. Sow body status, litter size and weight, farrowing rate, weaning-to-conception interval, lifetime performance, and hormones linked to metabolism were recorded. Sows in the Small group had the lowest body weight, backfat thickness, and loin depth during gestation. Moreover, they had the smallest number of total piglets born and longest weaning-to-conception interval at first parity. The Small sows also had, on average, one less piglet born during their productive life, and they tended to have a higher culling rate over three parities. For immunoglobulins, insulin, cortisol, and IGF-I levels, no differences were found. In conclusion, achieving optimal body weight at first service is essential for maximizing the sow's lifetime performance.

The Body Status of Manganese and Activity of This Element-Dependent Mitochondrial Superoxide Dismutase in a Rat Model of Human Exposure to Cadmium and Co-Administration of Aronia melanocarpa L. Extract.

The impact of a polyphenol-rich 0.1% aqueous extract from Aronia melanocarpa L. berries (AE) on the body status of manganese (Mn) and the activity of this essential element-dependent mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) during treatment with cadmium (Cd) was investigated in a rat model of low-level and moderate environmental human exposure to this xenobiotic (1 and 5 mg Cd/kg diet, respectively, for 3-24 months). The exposure to Cd, dose- and duration-dependently, affected the body status of Mn (apparent absorption, body retention, serum and tissue concentrations, content in some organs and total Mn body burden, and urinary and faecal excretion) and the activity of MnSOD in the mitochondria of the liver, kidney, and brain. The administration of AE during the exposure to Cd prevented or at least partially protected the animals from the perturbation of the metabolism of Mn, as well as ameliorated changes in the activity of MnSOD and the concentration of Mn and protected from Cd accumulation in the mitochondria. In conclusion, AE may protect from disorders in the body status of Mn and influence the antioxidative capacity of cells under chronic exposure to Cd. The findings confirm the protective impact of aronia berries products against Cd toxicity.

Iron deficiency anaemia and early childhood caries: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the association between iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and dental caries in early childhood. METHODS: A total of 40 children with proven IDA and another 40 healthy age and sex-matched children were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Legal guardians were interviewed to collect data on oral hygiene measures and dietary habits. Anthropometric measurements were performed for all participants, and blood samples were collected to assess complete blood count and body iron status. Patients were confirmed to have IDA based on haemoglobin level (Hb), red blood cells indices and body iron status. Caries experience was determined based on the number of decayed, missing and filled primary teeth using dmft index. RESULTS: A statistically significant negative correlation between dmft index scores and haemoglobin level (r = -0.454, P < 0.001) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) level (r = -0.380, P = 0.001) was detected, and in accordance there was a positive statistically significant correlation between caries experience and the presence of anaemia (r = -0.60, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In early childhood, dental caries might coexist with IDA even in its mildest form. All children exhibiting severe early childhood caries should be investigated for IDA and anaemia should be managed if present.

Are There Any Differences between First Grade Boys and Girls in Physical Fitness, Physical Activity, BMI, and Sedentary Behavior? Results of HCSC Study.

The transition from kindergarten to school is associated with a variety of negative changes. After entry to elementary school physical activity level decreases. Moreover, physical fitness level of children over the past decades have rapidly declined. Children are spending an increasing amount of time in the environments that require constant sitting. We evaluated the differences between boys and girls in physical fitness, frequency of undertaking of different forms of physical activity, prevalence of underweight and overweight, and time spent on sedentary behavior. A total of 212 first grade pupils (mean age 6.95 ± 0.43) from two standard urban schools in Poznan participated in the study. Compared to girls, boys obtained better results in 20-meter run (4.9 s and 5.0 s, p < 0.01), sit-ups (16.8 and 15.3, p < 0.05), six-minute run (829.7 m and 766.4 m, p < 0.001), and standing broad jump (106.8 cm and 99.7 cm, p < 0.01). In the sit-and-reach test girls achieved higher results than boys (17.0 cm and 14.4 cm, p < 0.001). There were no gender differences in prevalence of underweight and overweight. In conclusions, difference between genders should be taken into consideration during designing physical activity programs in the aspects of intensity and forms of physical activities.

Effect of an Extract from Aronia melanocarpa L. Berries on the Body Status of Zinc and Copper under Chronic Exposure to Cadmium: An In Vivo Experimental Study.

In an experimental model of low-level and moderate environmental human exposure to cadmium (Cd), it was investigated whether the consumption of a polyphenol-rich Aronia melanocarpa L. berries (chokeberries) extract (AE) may influence the body status of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). The bioelements' apparent absorption, body retention, serum and tissue concentrations, total pool in internal organs, excretion, and the degree of binding to metallothionein were evaluated in female rats administered 0.1% aqueous AE or/and Cd in their diet (1 and 5 mg/kg) for 3-24 months. The consumption of AE alone had no influence on the body status of Zn and Cu. The extract administration at both levels of Cd treatment significantly (completely or partially) protected against most of the changes in the metabolism of Zn and Cu caused by this xenobiotic; however, it increased or decreased some of the Cd-unchanged indices of their body status. Based on the findings, it seems that rational amounts of chokeberry products may be included in the daily diet without the risk of destroying Zn and Cu metabolisms; however, their potential prophylactic use under exposure to Cd needs further study to exclude any unfavourable impact of these essential elements on the metabolism.