Is there a downside to plant ecological services in the city? Influences of particulate matter on the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) foraging on the small-leaved lime in urban conditions.

The aim of this research was to examine how particulate matter (PM) pollution affects the life history of the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae), in modelled urban conditions. For this purpose, experimental populations of TSSM were cultured on the foliage of small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) contaminated with PM at intensities corresponding to differing city zones such as a park, a busy road and an industrial area. The control samples in the study were washed, unpolluted leaves. The spider mite was selected as a model organism due to its cosmopolitan distribution, broad host spectrum, resistance to a variety of pesticides and food-intake mode involving cell-content sucking, while T. cordata is widely planted in cities and has demonstrated a considerable capability for PM capture. Data on the longevity and mortality of particular instars and on female fecundity at different pollution levels were collected and statistically evaluated. Concentrations of PM typical for roads and industrial city zones significantly reduced total female fecundity (avg. 53.9 and 55.9 eggs/female, respectively, vs 79.2 in control), which entailed a slower population increase, while the survival rate of particular developmental instars (P = 0.52) and fertility curves (P = 0.19) remained unchanged. The presence of PM caused physiological effects in the mites, despite the lack of direct consumption of the pollutant by adult and juvenile instars. Considering the incomparable resilience of TSSM to unfavourable environmental factors, it is predicted that the detrimental influence of PM on other representatives of urban arthropods may be even more severe. The results suggest that there is a need for further investigations into the ecological ramifications of air purification provided by urban green spaces.

[The influence of heart infarction on the concentration of aminoterminal type III procollagen peptide in blood serum]. / Wplyw zawalu miesnia sercowego na stezenie aminoterminalnego peptydu prokolagenu typu III w surowicy krwi.

UNLABELLED: The reconstructive processes in a heart infarction pertain also the fibrous tissue sceleton, of which the main element are collagen fibres. The aim of the study was determination of variability of a specific collagen synthesis marker, i.e. the serum aminoterminal type III procollagen peptide (PIIINP) and its correlation with hydroxyproline (HP), hydroxylysin (HL) concentration as well as activity of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) in serum after heart infarction. The investigations were carried out in 30 patients with a heart infarction with Q wave (group I), in 20 subjects with a heart infarction without Q wave (group II) and in 30 healthy subjects, comprising the C group. All these parameters were determined on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 10th day after onset of infarction. In comparison to the C group, in group I on the 1st day the PIIINP concentration was 3-fold higher and in group II it 2 1/2-fold higher (C = 4.3 +/- 1.8; I = 14.2 +/- 3.9; II = 10.4 +/- 2.0 micrograms/l; p < 0.001). In group I even on the 10th day the concentration did not return to normal values, instead in group II it reached the values x + SD in C group after 5 days. There was no significant correlation between concentration of PIIINP and all other examined parameters stated. Heart infarction with a Q wave caused a relatively highest (% of mean values in C group) increase in CK and AspAT activity, PIIINP held a medial position, while HP and HL the lowest. After infarction without a Q wave the relative elevation of PIIINP concentration was near to the AspAT and HP increase. CONCLUSIONS: 1. the differences of serum PIIINP concentration are probably resulted by the magnitude of heart infarction. 2. During 10 days after the onset of heart infarction the serum concentration of PIIINP does not show any correlation with HP, HL and enzymatic heart infarct markers. 3. The results indirectly show, that the scar formation after heart infarction begins already on the first day.

[Effect of heart infarction on levels of type I procollagen carboxyterminal peptide in blood serum]. / Wplyw zawalu miesnia sercowego na stezenie karboksyterminalnego peptydu prokolagenu typu I w surowicy krwi.

The aim of the study was determination of the influence of heart infarction on the blood serum level of type I procollagen carboxyterminal peptide (PICP) and its covariability with concentration of hydroxyproline (HP) and hydroxylysine (HL) as well as activity of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate transferase (AspAT). The investigations were carried out in 30 patients with a heart infarction with Q wave (group I) and in 20 subjects with a heart infarction without Q wave. The control group comprised 30 healthy subjects. The determination of all parameters was performed on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 10th day after the infarct onset. On the 1st day of heart infarction, the concentration of PICP in serum was (x +/- SD): gr. I-235 +/- 33, gr. II-209 +/- 8, gr. C-65 +/- 17 micrograms/l. There was no co-variability of PICP concentration and the values of all other determined parametres. The authors conclude: 1. the increase of serum PICP concentration is connected probably with the magnitude of heart infarction, 2. the reconstruction process of the heart fibrous tissue and scar formation begins already on the first day of infarction onset, 3. during 10 days after infarction onset the serum PICP concentration does not correlate with HP, HL as well as the enzymatic heart infarct indices, namely CK and AspAT.

Comparison of the action of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and interleukin-1 beta on matrix metabolism in the culture of porcine endothelial cells.

The purpose of the experiment was to evaluate the metabolism of the connective tissue (collagen and proteoglycans) in the endothelial cell culture (enzymatically isolated from porcine aortas). The endothelial cells were activated by 1-10 ng/ml TGF-beta 1 and 250 pg/ml IL-1 beta together and separately. Intensity of proteoglycan synthesis has been evaluated by using radioactive [35S]-sodium sulfate whereas the intensity of collagen was evaluated by incorporation of [3H]-proline. The following conclusions have been drawn as the result of the experiment: 1) TGF-beta 1 stimulates the synthesis of proteoglycans and collagen in endothelial cell culture, whereas IL-1 beta has the opposite action; and 2) TGF-beta 1 reduces IL-1 beta action which hampers the synthesis of proteoglycans and collagen, provided that the culture's preincubation with TGF-beta 1 precedes the incubation with IL-1 beta.

[Hydroxyproline in serum and urine in children with pulmonary hypertension in the course of congenital heart defects]. / Hydroksyprolina w surowicy i moczu u dzieci z nadcisnieniem plucnym w przebiegu przeciekowych wad wrodzonych serca.

In accordance to contemporary views on the pathology of biochemical changes in the fibrotic process at pulmonary hypertension, the authors took a trial to investigate the convection of excessive blood flow through lungs and changes of collagen metabolism in lungs. The possibility of following the metabolism of collagen through naming its metabolites (hydroxyproline-Hp) made us to connect the intended surveys with practical trail of its use, and diagnostic methods at children with congenital shunt cardiac defects. The survey was taken up in three groups of children with different levels of pulmonary advancement hypertension process: 39 children with dynamic elevation of pulmonary artery pressure (I st and II nd group age range: 12 months to 2 years), and 17 children with marks of pulmonary vascular obstructive disease. III rd group age range: 12 months to 6 years. It was stated, that between children from the first and second group before operational treatment, clear growth of Hp contents in serum and in urine returned to its correct value within the 1 to 6 months observation period since the cardiac defect has been corrected. In the third group, in spite of surgical treatment, the increased Hp content remained in the post operative period, therefore testifying the non-retreated fibrotic changes. It was stated, that Hp content control in serum and excretion in urine can possess clinical usage as an auxiliary exam estimating the advancement of pulmonary hypertension before surgical treatment and at the post-operative monitoring of the lungs.