ABSTRACT
Roadside vegetation in Central Europe is mostly species-poor and dominated by a few grass species. Hemiparasitic plant species, including Rhinanthus spp., might effectively restrict grass growth, thereby making space for light-dependent herb species. Despite the significance of abiotic site conditions for plant establishment in general, their effects on Rhinanthus establishment are less well known. We investigated combined effects of water availability, litter amount and seed position within litter on Rhinanthus seedling emergence and growth. Two parallel greenhouse experiments were conducted with R. angustifolius and R. minor. In these, we tested the impact of 200 or 400 g litter·m-2 with seeds sown beneath or on top of a litter layer under constantly humid or intermittently dry conditions on seedling emergence and biomass production of Rhinanthus. Presence of litter positively affected Rhinanthus seedling emergence when sown beneath the litter layer and reduced negative effects of water deficiency. Sowing beneath a litter layer increased seedling emergence by 157%, with similar effects at 200 and 400 g litter·m-2. Water level did not affect biomass production. Compared to R. minor, R. angustifolius had higher mean biomass, and its seedlings emerged earlier and in higher numbers. Our results indicate that Rhinanthus spp. react similarly to litter as non-hemiparasitic plant species from temperate grasslands. Litter presence positively influenced Rhinanthus seedling emergence and growth under intermittently dry conditions. Its hemiparasitic characteristics might reduce drought impacts on biomass production. To ensure seed contact with the soil surface, seeds should be sown when no litter is present, or mulching should occur post-sowing.
Subject(s)
Orobanchaceae , Seedlings , Droughts , Plants , Seeds , Poaceae , Water , GerminationABSTRACT
Macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics are widely used to control invertebrate pests in livestock, such as sheep. While anthelmintic effects on non-target animals, such as dung-dwelling insects, are well studied, effects on seed germination are largely unknown. Seeds can come into contact with anthelmintics either during passage through the gastro-intestinal tract of grazing animals or when anthelmintics are excreted with their dung into the environment, which may result in changed germination patterns. We used four commonly applied macrocyclic lactones to assess their effects on germination: moxidectin, ivermectin, abamectin and doramectin as pure substances; moxidectin and ivermectin also in formulated form. We tested these pharmaceuticals on 17 different temperate grassland species from five plant families. Seeds were exposed to three concentrations of macrocyclic lactones (0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mg·l-1 ) under controlled conditions, and germination was assessed over a 6-week period. From these data, we calculated germination percentage, mean germination time and germination synchrony. Most of the tested species were significantly affected in germination percentage and/or mean germination time by at least one of the tested pharmaceuticals, with formulated moxidectin having the largest impact. In general, the effects found were species- and pharmaceutical-specific. While formulated substances generally reduced germination percentage and increased mean germination time, pure substances increased germination percentage. Synchrony showed less clear patterns in all pharmaceuticals. Although effect size and sign varied between species, our study shows that non-target effects of macrocyclic lactones commonly occur in terrestrial plants. This may impede successful seed exchange between habitats via sheep, and even translate into profound changes to grazed ecosystems.
Subject(s)
Anthelmintics , Lactones , Animals , Sheep , Lactones/pharmacology , Ivermectin/pharmacology , Germination , Grassland , Ecosystem , Seeds , Anthelmintics/pharmacology , Anthelmintics/therapeutic use , Plants , Pharmaceutical Preparations , FecesABSTRACT
A multi-energy soft x-ray pinhole camera has been designed, built, and deployed at the Madison Symmetric Torus to aid the study of particle and thermal transport, as well as MHD stability physics. This novel imaging diagnostic technique employs a pixelated x-ray detector in which the lower energy threshold for photon detection can be adjusted independently on each pixel. The detector of choice is a PILATUS3 100 K with a 450 µm thick silicon sensor and nearly 100 000 pixels sensitive to photon energies between 1.6 and 30 keV. An ensemble of cubic spline smoothing functions has been applied to the line-integrated data for each time-frame and energy-range, obtaining a reduced standard-deviation when compared to that dominated by photon-noise. The multi-energy local emissivity profiles are obtained from a 1D matrix-based Abel-inversion procedure. Central values of Te can be obtained by modeling the slope of the continuum radiation from ratios of the inverted radial emissivity profiles over multiple energy ranges with no a priori assumptions of plasma profiles, magnetic field reconstruction constraints, high-density limitations, or need of shot-to-shot reproducibility. In tokamak plasmas, a novel application has recently been tested for early detection, 1D imaging, and study of the birth, exponential growth, and saturation of runaway electrons at energies comparable to 100 × Te,0; thus, early results are also presented.
ABSTRACT
A multi-energy soft x-ray pinhole camera has been designed and built for the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed field pinch to aid the study of particle and thermal-transport, as well as MHD stability physics. This novel imaging diagnostic technique combines the best features from both pulse-height-analysis and multi-foil methods employing a PILATUS3 x-ray detector in which the lower energy threshold for photon detection can be adjusted independently on each pixel. Further improvements implemented on the new cooled systems allow a maximum count rate of 10 MHz per pixel and sensitivity to the strong Al and Ar emission between 1.5 and 4 keV. The local x-ray emissivity will be measured in multiple energy ranges simultaneously, from which it is possible to infer 1D and 2D simultaneous profile measurements of core electron temperature and impurity density profiles with no a priori assumptions of plasma profiles, magnetic field reconstruction constraints, high-density limitations, or need of shot-to-shot reproducibility. The expected time and space resolutions will be 2 ms and <1 cm, respectively.
ABSTRACT
A multi-energy soft x-ray pin-hole camera based on the PILATUS3 100 K x-ray detector has recently been installed on the Madison Symmetric Torus. This photon-counting detector consists of a two-dimensional array of â¼100 000 pixels for which the photon lower-threshold cutoff energy E c can be independently set for each pixel. This capability allows the measurement of plasma x-ray emissivity in multiple energy ranges with a unique combination of spatial and spectral resolution and the inference of a variety of important plasma properties (e.g., T e, n Z, Z eff). The energy dependence of each pixel is calibrated for the 1.6-6 keV range by scanning individual trimbit settings, while the detector is exposed to fluorescence emission from Ag, In, Mo, Ti, V, and Zr targets. The resulting data for each line are then fit to a characteristic "S-curve" which determines the mapping between the 64 possible trimbit settings for each pixel. The statistical variation of this calibration from pixel-to-pixel was explored, and it was found that the discreteness of trimbit settings results in an effective threshold resolution of ΔE < 100 eV. A separate calibration was performed for the 4-14 keV range, with a resolution of ΔE < 200 eV.
ABSTRACT
The performance of seedlings is crucial for the survival and persistence of plant populations. Although drought frequently occurs in floodplains and can cause seedling mortality, studies on the effects of drought on seedlings of floodplain grasslands are scarce. We tested the hypotheses that drought reduces aboveground biomass, total biomass, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and specific leaf area (SLA), and increases root biomass and root-mass fraction (RMF) and that seedlings from species of wet floodplain grasslands are more affected by drought than species of dry grasslands. In a greenhouse study, we exposed seedlings of three confamilial pairs of species (Pimpinella saxifraga, Selinum carvifolia, Veronica teucrium, Veronica maritima, Sanguisorba minor, Sanguisorba officinalis) to increasing drought treatments. Within each plant family, one species is characteristic of wet and one of dry floodplain grasslands, confamilial in order to avoid phylogenetic bias of the results. In accordance with our hypotheses, drought conditions reduced aboveground biomass, total biomass, plant height, number of leaves and leaf area. Contrary to our hypotheses, drought conditions increased SLA and decreased root biomass and RMF of seedlings. Beyond the effects of the families, the results were species-specific (V. maritima being the most sensitive species) and habitat-specific. Species indicative of wet floodplain grasslands appear to be more sensitive to drought than species indicative of dry grasslands. Because of species- and habitat-specific responses to reduced water availability, future drought periods due to climate change may severely affect some species from dry and wet habitats, while others may be unaffected.
Subject(s)
Apiaceae/growth & development , Grassland , Plantaginaceae/growth & development , Rosaceae/growth & development , Seedlings/growth & development , Apiaceae/physiology , Droughts , Ecosystem , Plant Leaves/physiology , Plant Roots/physiology , Plantaginaceae/physiology , Rosaceae/physiology , SanguisorbaABSTRACT
Soft x-ray detection with the new "multi-energy" PILATUS3 detector systems holds promise as a magnetically confined fusion (MCF) plasma diagnostic for ITER and beyond. The measured x-ray brightness can be used to determine impurity concentrations, electron temperatures, ne2Zeff products, and to probe the electron energy distribution. However, in order to be effective, these detectors which are really large arrays of detectors with photon energy gating capabilities must be precisely calibrated for each pixel. The energy-dependence of the detector response of the multi-energy PILATUS3 system with 100 K pixels has been measured at Dectris Laboratory. X-rays emitted from a tube under high voltage bombard various elements such that they emit x-ray lines from Zr-Lα to Ag-Kα between 1.8 and 22.16 keV. Each pixel on the PILATUS3 can be set to a minimum energy threshold in the range from 1.6 to 25 keV. This feature allows a single detector to be sensitive to a variety of x-ray energies, so that it is possible to sample the energy distribution of the x-ray continuum and line-emission. PILATUS3 can be configured for 1D or 2D imaging of MCF plasmas with typical spatial energy and temporal resolution of 1 cm, 0.6 keV, and 5 ms, respectively.
ABSTRACT
Arable weeds are one of the most endangered species groups in Europe. Modern agriculture and intensive land-use management are the main causes of their dramatic decline. However, besides the changes in land use, climate change may further challenge the adaptability of arable weeds. Therefore, we investigated the response pattern of arable weeds to different water potential and temperature regimes during the phase of germination. We expected that endangered arable weeds would be more sensitive to differences in water availability and temperature than common arable weeds. To this end, we set up a climate chamber experiment where we exposed seeds of five familial pairs of common and endangered arable weed species to different temperatures (5/15, 10/20 °C) and water potentials (0.0 to -1.2 MPa). The results revealed a significant relationship between the reaction of arable weed species to water availability and their Red List status. The effects of reduced water availability on total germination, mean germination time and synchrony were significantly stronger in endangered than in common arable weeds. Therefore, global climate change may present a further threat to the survival of endangered arable weed species.
Subject(s)
Germination/physiology , Magnoliopsida/physiology , Plant Weeds/physiology , Seeds/physiology , Water/physiology , Agriculture , Apiaceae/physiology , Asteraceae/physiology , Campanulaceae/physiology , Caryophyllaceae/physiology , Climate , Endangered Species , Europe , Papaver/physiology , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
Living plant neighbours, but also their dead aboveground remains (i.e. litter), may individually exert negative or positive effects on plant recruitment. Although living plants and litter co-occur in most ecosystems, few studies have addressed their combined effects, and conclusions are ambivalent. Therefore, we examined the response in terms of seedling emergence and growth of herbaceous grassland and forest species to different litter types and amounts and the presence of competitors. We conducted a pot experiment testing the effects of litter type (grass, oak), litter amount (low, medium, high) and interspecific competition (presence or absence of four Festuca arundinacea individuals) on seedling emergence and biomass of four congeneric pairs of hemicryptophytes from two habitat types (woodland, grassland). Interactions between litter and competition were weak. Litter presence increased competitor biomass. It also had positive effects on seedling emergence at low litter amounts and negative effects at high litter amounts, while competition had no effect on seedling emergence. Seedling biomass was negatively affected by the presence of competitors, and this effect was stronger in combination with high amounts of litter. Litter affected seedling emergence while competition determined the biomass of the emerged individuals, both affecting early stages of seedling recruitment. High litter accumulation also reduced seedling biomass, but this effect seemed to be additive to competitor effects. This suggests that live and dead plant mass can affect species recruitment in natural systems, but the mechanisms by which they operate and their timing differ.
Subject(s)
Biomass , Forests , Germination , Grassland , Plants , Seedlings/growth & development , Soil , Ecology , Festuca , Poaceae , QuercusABSTRACT
Seedling establishment is influenced by litter cover and by seed predators, but little is known about interactions between these two factors. We tested their effects on emergence of five typical grassland species in a microcosm experiment. We manipulated the amounts of grass litter, seed sowing position and earthworm activity to determine whether: (i) the protective effect of litter against seed predation depends on cover amount and seed sowing position, i.e., on top or beneath litter; (ii) seed transport by earthworms changes the effect of seed sowing position on seedling emergence; and (iii) seeds transported into deeper soil layers by earthworms are still germinable. Litter cover and presence of earthworms lowered seedling emergence. The impact of seed position increased with seed size. Emergence of large-seeded species was reduced when sown on the surface. Additionally, we found an important seed position × earthworm interaction related to seed size. Emergence of large-seeded species sown on top of the litter was up to three times higher when earthworms were present than without earthworms. Earthworms also significantly altered the depth distribution of seeds in the soil and across treatments: on average 6% of seeds germinated after burial. In contrast to the seed position effect, we found no size effect on mobility and germinability of seeds after burial in the soil. Nevertheless, the fate of different-sized seeds may differ. While burial will remove large seeds from the regeneration pool, it may enhance seed bank build up in small-seeded species. Consequently, changes in the amount of litter cover and the invertebrate community play a significant role in plant community composition.
Subject(s)
Apiaceae/growth & development , Oligochaeta/physiology , Seedlings/growth & development , Seeds/physiology , Angelica/growth & development , Animals , Environment , Feeding Behavior , Germination , Heracleum/growth & development , Oligochaeta/growth & development , Pastinaca/growth & development , Pimpinella/growth & development , Poaceae/growth & developmentABSTRACT
The basic principles of x-ray image formation in radiology have remained essentially unchanged since Röntgen first discovered x-rays over a hundred years ago. The conventional approach relies on x-ray attenuation as the sole source of contrast and draws exclusively on ray or geometrical optics to describe and interpret image formation. Phase-contrast or coherent scatter imaging techniques, which can be understood using wave optics rather than ray optics, offer ways to augment or complement the conventional approach by incorporating the wave-optical interaction of x-rays with the specimen. With a recently developed approach based on x-ray optical gratings, advanced phase-contrast and dark-field scatter imaging modalities are now in reach for routine medical imaging and non-destructive testing applications. To quantitatively assess the new potential of particularly the grating-based dark-field imaging modality, we here introduce a mathematical formalism together with a material-dependent parameter, the so-called linear diffusion coefficient and show that this description can yield quantitative dark-field computed tomography (QDFCT) images of experimental test phantoms.
Subject(s)
Darkness , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Diffusion , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Linear Models , Phantoms, ImagingABSTRACT
The morphological and biochemical changes that occur in the early phase of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced beta cell failure have not been characterized. The pancreas and plasma of rats treated with STZ were processed for morphological and biochemical parameters 1-24 h and 4 weeks after STZ treatment. Marked reduction in body weight was observed as early as 3 h post STZ treatment and hyperglycemia coupled with hypoinsulinaemia appeared in rats 1 h after treatment with STZ. Hyperglycemia, hyperglucagonemia and hypoinsulinemia became permanent 24 h after STZ treatment. The number of insulin-positive cells decreased significantly (p<0.05) at 24 h after STZ treatment with a concomitant increase in the number of glucagon-immunoreactive cells. Electron microscopy showed coalescing of beta cell granules 18 h after STZ treatment. A near to complete degranulation of beta cells settled at 21 h after STZ administration. The pancreatic tissue and plasma levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline increased significantly (p<0.004: pancreatic tissue; p<0.04: plasma) 3 h after STZ treatment and remained high after a reduction at 6 h post STZ treatment. The pancreatic tissue and plasma levels of 5-HIAA decreased significantly (p<0.002 pancreatic tissue; p<0.04: plasma) 1 h after STZ treatment and remained low after a reduction at 6-9 h post STZ treatment. STZ elicited significant dose-dependent increases in insulin secretion from the isolated pancreas. The early changes in catecholamine level may be used in screening and follow-up studies on diabetes mellitus.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/pathology , Insulin-Secreting Cells/drug effects , Insulin-Secreting Cells/ultrastructure , Streptozocin/toxicity , Animals , Cell Degranulation/drug effects , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/blood , Epinephrine/blood , Glucagon/blood , Glucagon/metabolism , Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid/blood , Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid/metabolism , Hyperglycemia/chemically induced , In Vitro Techniques , Insulin/blood , Insulin/metabolism , Insulin Secretion , Insulin-Secreting Cells/physiology , Male , Norepinephrine/blood , Osmolar Concentration , Pancreas/drug effects , Pancreas/metabolism , Pancreas/pathology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Secretory Vesicles/drug effects , Secretory Vesicles/metabolism , Secretory Vesicles/ultrastructure , Time Factors , Weight Loss/drug effectsABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate whether the extruded magnesium alloy LAE442 reacts in vivo with an appropriate host response and to investigate how an additional magnesium fluoride (MgF(2)) coating influences the in vivo corrosion rate. Forty cylinders were machined from extruded LAE442 and 20 of these were coated additionally with MgF(2) and implanted into the medial femur condyle of adult rabbits. Synchrotron-radiation-based X-ray computed micro-tomography (SRmicroCT) was used to quantitatively analyse corrosion non-destructively in vivo and comparisons were made to magnesium degradation rates based on area measurements of the remaining metal on uncalcified sections. Blood concentrations of the alloying elements were measured below toxicological limits. The MgF(2) layer was no longer detected after 4 weeks of implantation by particle-induced gamma emission, and the MgF(2) coating reduced the blood content of alloying elements during the first 6 weeks of implantation with no elevated fluoride concentration in the adjacent bone. Histopathological examinations of liver showed in 9 out of 40 cases minimal infiltrations of heterophil granulocytes of unknown origin (5 LAE442, 4 LAE442+MgF(2)). The kidneys were mainly regular in structure. The synovial tissue showed a granular cell infiltration as a temporary observation in the LAE442+MgF(2) group after 2 weeks. No subcutaneous gas cavities were observed clinically and on postoperative X-rays in all animals. All specimens were scanned by SRmicroCT at 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively before uncalcified sections were performed. All magnesium implants have been observed in direct bone contact and without a fibrous capsule. Localized pitting corrosion occurred in coated and uncoated magnesium implants. This study shows that the extruded magnesium alloy LAE442 provides low corrosion rates and reacts in vivo with an acceptable host response. The in vivo corrosion rate can be further reduced by additional MgF(2) coating.
Subject(s)
Alloys/pharmacology , Magnesium/pharmacology , Animals , Coated Materials, Biocompatible , Corrosion , Elements , Female , Femur/drug effects , Femur/pathology , Fluorides/pharmacology , Hydrogen/chemistry , Implants, Experimental , Magnesium Compounds/pharmacology , Rabbits , Synchrotrons , Time Factors , X-Ray MicrotomographyABSTRACT
We report numerical and experimental results demonstrating accurate region-of-interest computed tomography (CT) reconstruction based on differential phase-contrast projection (DPC) images. The approach removes the constraint of covering the entire sample within the field of view of the image detector. Particularly for biomedical applications, the presented DPC-CT region-of-interest approach will allow for the visualization of previously inaccessible details deep inside an entire animal or organ. We envisage that this development will also be of interest for potential future clinical applications, because grating-based DPC-CT can be implemented with standard x-ray tube sources.
ABSTRACT
We have developed a neutron phase contrast imaging method based on a grating interferometer setup. The principal constituents are two absorption gratings made of gadolinium and a phase modulating grating made of silicon. The design parameters of the setup, such as periodicity, structure heights of the gratings, and the distances between the gratings, are calculated. The fabrication of each grating is described in detail. The produced diffraction gratings were finally characterized within the setup, by locally evaluating the produced contrast (visibility) in each detector pixel, resulting in a visibility map over the whole grating size. An averaged value of 23% is achieved.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: There is functional and morphological evidence that interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) may play a role in nitric oxide (NO) dependent signal transduction. However, little is known about the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) containing ICC during inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunocytochemical methods were used for the ultrastructural localization of NOS1-containing ICC in the wall of the colon of rats in experimental colitis. RESULTS: Large numbers of NOS immunoreactive (IR) nerve terminals were found in very close vicinity to smooth muscle cells as well as to blood vessels. IR nerves were found in close relationship with the ICC. The gap between the NOS IR nerve fibers and the membrane of smooth muscle cells and of ICC was 20-250 nm. In experimental colitis the number of NOS IR nerve fibers slightly decreased, however, large numbers (24%) of the ICC became IR for NOS. In the noninflamed area and in the controls, all these cells were immunonegative for NOS. CONCLUSIONS: Our light- and ultrastructural study suggests that some of the ICC can also synthesize NO, at least during inflammation. Therefore the change in the number and structure of ICC could play an important role in the pathogenesis of a variety of motility disorders.
Subject(s)
Colitis/enzymology , Colon/enzymology , Colon/innervation , Nitric Oxide Synthase/metabolism , Animals , Colitis/chemically induced , Colitis/pathology , Colon/pathology , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Nerve Fibers/enzymology , Nerve Fibers/pathology , Nitric Oxide Synthase/immunology , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I , Rats , Trinitrobenzenesulfonic AcidABSTRACT
Intrinsic nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing nerve cells and fibers were studied in the wall of the pylorus of cat at the ultrastructural level using ABC immunocytochemistry. Large numbers of NOS immunoreactive (IR) nerve cell bodies were observed in the myenteric and in the submucous plexuses, and few in the tunica propria mucosa. The NOS IR nerve fibers were most abundant in the inner circular muscle layer and in the tunica mucosa. They were found in very close vicinity to the smooth muscle cells of the inner circular muscular layer as well as to the blood vessels and the epithelial lining. The gap between the NOS IR nerve fibers and the membrane of the target cells was 20 to 250nm. Apparent synaptic contacts were observed between the IR nerve fibers and unlabelled nerve processes and other non IR nerve cell body. It is confirmed that NO might influence smooth muscle cell activity, regulate blood flow and modulate the function of the epithelial cells. Our ultrastructural study suggested that some of the NOS containing neurons belong to the intrinsic interneurons and have a regulatory effect on other intrinsic nerve elements involved in local neuronal reflexes.
Subject(s)
Nerve Fibers/enzymology , Neurons/enzymology , Nitric Oxide Synthase/analysis , Pylorus/innervation , Animals , Cats , Female , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Male , Microscopy, Immunoelectron , Nerve Fibers/ultrastructure , Neurons/ultrastructure , Pylorus/ultrastructureABSTRACT
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is an inhibitory non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic transmitter, which mediate in the relaxation of sphincters of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a change in the pattern of innervation and tissue content of VIP in the rat gastroduodenum after the onset of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg Kg(-1)). Four weeks after the induction of diabetes mellitus, the rats were anaethetised and the pancreata were removed for further processing. VIP was localized and measured in normal and diabetic rat gastroduodenal tissues by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay, respectively. VIP immunoreactivity was stronger in the ganglion cells of the submucosal and myenteric plexuses of the gastric antrum and duodenum of normal rats (n = 6) when compared to that of diabetic rats (n = 6). Moreover, the number of VIP-positive neurons was significantly lower in the gastrointestinal tract of diabetic rats compared to normal. The VIP content of the gastric antrum and duodenum of diabetic rat was significantly lower (p< 0.05) than that of normal rat. In contrast to the lower tissue levels of VIP in the gastroduodenal segment of diabetic rats, the plasma level of VIP was significantly higher (p< 0.04) in diabetic rat compared to normal. The plasma level of VIP in normal rats was comparable to that measured in normal human beings. A low tissue level of VIP in the gastroduodenal tract of diabetic rat may contribute in part to the abnormal gut motility observed in diabetic patients.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism , Digestive System/metabolism , Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide/metabolism , Animals , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/blood , Digestive System/innervation , Down-Regulation , Duodenum/innervation , Duodenum/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Myenteric Plexus/metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Pyloric Antrum/innervation , Pyloric Antrum/metabolism , Radioimmunoassay , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Submucous Plexus/metabolism , Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide/analysisABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to examine the disease characteristics and complications of diabetes mellitus in patients in a Hungarian rural community. Data relating to age, sex, date of onset of diabetes, fasting blood glucose values and all diseases associated with diabetics were retrieved from the medical records of patients. Almost six percent (5.7%) of the population has diabetes mellitus. The percentage of Type I diabetic patients in this population was 5.8 percent. The prevalence of diabetes was slightly but not significantly higher in females than in males. The mean age of the diabetic population was 52.1 +/- 11.3 for male and 53.47 +/- 15.7 for the female patients. The peak age of onset of diabetes mellitus was in the sixth decade of life. The mean fasting blood sugar value was 10.64 +/- 0.6 and 10.57 +/- 0.5 mmol L(-1), in male and female diabetic patients (n = 103), respectively. Diabetic patients presented with many signs and symptoms in the general practice setting. The findings of this study showed that diabetics present with many disease conditions and signs and symptoms in the general practice setting. Many of these conditions are known to be associated with diabetes while others are not. As a result of the adverse effects of diabetes mellitus on the cardiovascular system and on body metabolism as a whole, the damage and morbidity caused by diabetes mellitus may have been underestimated. The results of this study have shed light on the unrecognised complications of diabetes mellitus.