The relationship between the aggrecan VNTR polymorphism and its content in lumbar intervertebral discs.

BACKGROUND: There is a specific polymorphism of the ACAN gene called the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR), which is particularly interesting in the light of the development of intervertebral disc pathology and associated low back pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The nucleus pulposus specimens were harvested from the L5/S1 intervertebral discs. The aggrecan content was determined using enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, the VNTR polymorphism in the ACAN gene was evaluated. RESULTS: The genotyping of VNTR polymorphism in ACAN gene was successful in 94 tissue samples (48 homozygotes and 46 heterozygotes). The alleles were divided into four groups, in accordance with the number of tandem repeats in the ACAN gene. No difference between groups in the mean aggrecan mass nor in the mean degree of tissue moisture was observed. CONCLUSIONS: No relationship between the ACAN gene VNTR polymorphism and the aggrecan content was observed in studied Caucasian cadavers. Such a relationship may be a more complex phenomenon and exists in other populations.

Spruce Decline and Diaporthe: Incidence, Taxonomy, Virulence, and Tree Susceptibility in Michigan.

In the early 2000s, spruce trees in Michigan began displaying basal needle drop and branch death that slowly progressed upward, symptoms of what we call spruce decline. A survey in 2013 revealed that spruce decline was common throughout Michigan's Lower Peninsula, and Diaporthe was the most likely pathogen causing the cankers associated with these symptoms. Greenhouse inoculation studies completed Koch's postulates, confirming that Diaporthe could cause cankers that cause needle loss and branch death. The five different Diaporthe haplotypes isolated from symptomatic branches during the survey differed in virulence. Haplotypes 2, 4, and 5 were more virulent, and differed from each other by only one or two base pairs using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and did not differ using the ß-tubulin (TUB) gene. These haplotypes were unresolved phylogenetically. Haplotypes 1 and 3 were weakly virulent to avirulent on multiple spruce taxa, and fell into a resolved Diaporthe eres clade. Spruce taxa varied in susceptibility, with Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) the most susceptible, followed by Norway (P. abies), then white spruce (P. glauca). Spruce taxa that were much less susceptible were Black Hills (P. glauca var. densata), Serbian (P. omorika), and Meyer spruce (P. meyeri). We demonstrate that one or more Diaporthe species is causing cankers on declining spruce in Michigan, and these cankers elicit symptoms similar to the branch death expressed by declining spruce in the landscape. Future work will focus on further characterizing Diaporthe to species, and determining biotic and abiotic stressors that may predispose spruce trees to express decline symptoms.

Changes in lipid metabolism during last month of pregnancy and first two months of lactation in primiparous cows - analysis of apolipoprotein expression pattern and changes in concentration of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides.

The final weeks of pregnancy and period of increasing lactation abound with adaptive changes in the intensity of metabolic processes. Maintaining the homeostasis of an organism in prepartum and postpartum periods is the key condition in maintaining the health of the mother and the fetus/calf. The aim of the study was to analyze physiological changes in lipid metabolism in cows during the last month of first pregnancy and in the first two months of lactation, based on the expression of identified apolipoproteins and changes in selected parameters of the lipid metabolism in peripheral blood plasma. Statistically significant changes in the expression of identified apolipoproteins were observed for apolipoprotein A-1 precursor, apolipoprotein A-IV precursor, apolipoprotein E precursor and apolipoprotein J precursor. The lowest expression of the apolipoproteins was noted around parturition and higher expression was observed during the final weeks of pregnancy and during lactation. Tendencies of changes in the concentration of total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were similar in blood plasma from analyzed cows - in the last month of pregnancy a decrease was observed and subsequently an increase in the first two months of lactation was noted. In contrast to abrupt changes observed for total cholesterol, HDL and LDL, changes in concentration of triglycerides were not that extensive and during lactation this parameter was rather stable. Evaluation of changes in the analyzed parameters may contribute to a better understanding of the changes in lipid metabolism occurring in the body of pregnant and lactating young cows.

Total fluid intake and its determinants: cross-sectional surveys among adults in 13 countries worldwide.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the total fluid intake from drinking water and beverages in adult populations from different countries and assess the percentage of individuals complying with the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) adequate intake (AI) of water from fluids. METHODS: A total of 16,276 adults (7580 men and 8696 women) aged between 18 and 70 years (mean age 39.8 years) were randomly recruited from 13 different countries from three continents. Information about the total daily fluid intake (sum of drinking water and beverages) was collected using a 24-h fluid-specific record over seven consecutive days. RESULTS: Important differences in total fluid intake between countries were found; however, few differences between men and women were reported in most of the countries. Less than 50 % of the women and approximately 60 % of the men do not comply with the EFSA AI of water from fluids. Women were more than twice as likely as men to meet these AI (OR 2.15; 95 % CI 2.02-2.29). The odds of meeting the AI of water from fluids were lower in individuals over 50 years (OR 0.88; 95 % CI 0.80-0.96). Nine percent of the total population consumed less than half of the AI, 40.5 % between 50 and 100 %, and 50.5 % more than the AI. CONCLUSIONS: There were considerable differences in total fluid intake between countries but not between genders. Only 40 % of men and 60 % of women comply with the EFSA AI of water from fluids. Men and elderly individuals had an increased risk of not complying with this reference value.

Intake of water and different beverages in adults across 13 countries.

PURPOSE: To describe the intake of water and all other fluids and to evaluate the proportion of adults exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on energy intake from free sugar, solely from fluids. METHODS: A total of 16,276 adults (46 % men, mean age 39.8 years) were recruited in 13 countries from 3 continents. A 24-h fluid-specific record over 7 days was used for fluid assessment. RESULTS: In Spain, France, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia and China, fluid intake was characterised by a high contribution of water (47-78 %) to total fluid intake (TFI), with a mean water intake between 0.76 and 1.78 L/day, and a mean energy intake from fluids from 182 to 428 kcal/day. Between 11 and 49 % of adults exceeded the free sugar WHO recommendations, considering solely fluids. In Germany, UK, Poland and Japan, the largest contributors to TFI were hot beverages (28-50 %) and water (18-32 %). Mean energy intake from fluids ranged from 415 to 817 kcal/day, and 48-62 % of adults exceeded free sugar WHO recommendations. In Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, the contribution of juices and regular sugar beverages (28-41 %) was as important as the water contribution to TFI (17-39 %). Mean energy intake from fluids ranged 565-694 kcal/day, and 60-66 % of the adults exceeded the free sugar WHO recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: The highest volumes recorded in most of the countries were for water, mean energy intake from fluids was up to 694 kcal/day, and 66 % of adults exceeded the free sugar WHO recommendation solely by fluids. Actions to create an environment in favour of water consumption and reduce sugar intake from fluids therefore are warranted.

Intake of water and beverages of children and adolescents in 13 countries.

PURPOSE: To describe the intake of water and all other beverages in children and adolescents in 13 countries of three continents. METHODS: Data of 3611 children (4-9 years) and 8109 adolescents (10-17 years) were retrieved from 13 cross-sectional surveys (47 % males). In three countries, stratified cluster sampling design was applied to randomly recruit schools classes. A quota method was applied in the other countries to randomly recruit participants. Details on the intake of all fluid types were obtained with a fluid-specific record over 7 consecutive days. RESULTS: In the total sample, the highest mean intakes were observed for water (738 ± 567 mL/day), followed by milk (212 ± 209 mL/day), regular soft beverages (RSB) (168 ± 290 mL/day) and juices (128 ± 228 mL/day). Patterns characterized by a high contribution of water, RSB or hot beverages to total fluid intake were identified among the countries with close geographical location. Adolescents had a significantly lower milk intake and higher intake of RSB and hot beverages than children in most countries. The most consistent gender difference observed was that in both age groups males reported a significantly higher RSB consumption than females. CONCLUSION: On average, water was the fluid consumed in the largest volume by children and adolescents, but the intake of the different fluid types varied substantially between countries. Since the RSB intake was as large, or even larger, than water intake in some countries, undertaking actions to improve fluid intake habits of children and adolescents are warranted.

Eigenvalues and singular values of products of rectangular gaussian random matrices.

We derive exact analytic expressions for the distributions of eigenvalues and singular values for the product of an arbitrary number of independent rectangular gaussian random matrices in the limit of large matrix dimensions. We show that they both have power-law behavior at zero and determine the corresponding powers. We also propose a heuristic form of finite size corrections to these expressions which very well approximates the distributions for matrices of finite dimensions.

Is there a difference between patients with peak oxygen consumption below 10 ml/kg/min versus between 10 and 14 ml/kg/min? Does the "Grey Zone" really exist?

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is an important component of evaluation when orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) is considered for chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. However there is a question about the accuracy of interpretations of peak oxygen consumption (VO(2)max) used at present. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 302 CHF patients stratified into 3 groups according to VO(2)max (mL/kg/min): group 1 = <10 (n = 37); group 2 = 10-14 (n = 121) and group 3 = >14 (n = 144). We compared the mortality rate, the OHT rate, time to OHT, time to death and pulmonary function tests (PFT) among the groups using ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis tests for analysis in Statistica 7.1. RESULTS: No important differences were observed between groups 1 and 2 (P > .05), but first in comparison with group 3 (P < .05) in terms of mortality (48.6% vs 33.1% vs 21.5%), number of OHT (24.3% vs 32.2% vs 14.6%), time to death (15.4 vs 16.6 vs 34.4 months) or PFT results (forced expiratory volume in the first second forced vital capacity and peak expiratory flow, all as direct or as percent of normal values). In contrast, time to OHT (4.6 vs 6.9 vs 10.9 months) and percent of normal vital capacity (72% vs 81% vs 91%) differed significantly among all groups (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Patients with VO(2)max between 10 and 14 or <10 mL/kg/min are at similar risk of death.

The influence of chronic heart failure on pulmonary function tests in patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure and airway obstruction produce overlapping syndromes. Existent criteria for the diagnosis and grading of airway obstruction based on spirometry results may be inadequate in the presence of coexistent cardiac failure. The cardiac component of pulmonary function tests (PFT) can be measured in patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Before and 1 year after OHT between 2006 and 2008 PFT were performed in 29 patients according to existent guideline. Willcoxon matched pair tests were used for analysis in Statistica 7.1. The general group characteristic included age, gender, New York Heart Association class, CCS class, body mass index, present medications, blood and chemistry tests, as well as exercise tolerance tests, right heart catheterization, and echocardiography results. RESULTS: One year after OHT we observed significant improvements in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and its percent of normal value (FEV1%) as well as forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC%, vital capacity (VC) and VC%: namely, 2.56 L versus 2.96 L; 82% versus 93%; 3.30 L versus 3.81 L; 85% versus 97%; 3.38 L versus 4.04 L and 85% versus 100% (all P < .01). FEV1 and FVC increments of: 0.39 and 0.471 respectively, exceeded the cutoff point of 12% of predicted value established as the spirometry criterion for reversibility of obstruction. Elimination of heart failure by OHT did not significantly change the FEV1 to FVC ratio (FEV1%FVC). CONCLUSION: Chronic heart failure contributed to significant FEV1 reduction, which limits the usefulness of PFT for diagnosis and grading of airway obstruction. FEV1%FVC, the main diagnostic criterion of chronic obstructive lung disease, seems to be an index independent of concomittant heart function impairment.

Main compounds responsible for off-odour of strawberries infected by Phytophthora cactorum.

AIMS: Volatile compounds present in strawberries infected with Phytophthora cactorum, especially those responsible for the characteristic off-odour of such fruits were the subject of this study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Six strawberry varieties (Redgauntlet, Selva, Korona, Tenira, Real, Pegasus) inoculated with P. cactorum strain (PC-5), isolated from naturally infected fruit and one variety inoculated with 15 strains of P. cactorum in the laboratory were analysed. All the samples had a distinct, to a various degree, off-odour reminiscent of watercolour paint with phenolic notes. Volatile compounds were isolated by solid phase microextraction and simultaneous distillation extraction methods. To detect compounds responsible for the characteristic off-odour, gas chromatography-olfactometry was used. Two compounds were found to be responsible for the characteristic off-odour of strawberries infected by P. cactorum: 4-ethyl phenol and 4-ethyl-2-metoxy phenol (4-ethyl guaiacol). The content of these compounds in infected varieties ranged from 1.12 to 22.56 mg kg(-1) and 0.14-1.05 mg kg(-1) respectively. Other volatile compounds, not detected in noninoculated sound strawberries, were also identified: camphene, 1-octene-3-ol, 3-octanone, o-cymene, phenyl methanol, cis-linaloloxide, nonanal, phenyl ethyl alcohol, 2-undecanone and alpha-muurolene. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Volatile compounds responsible for the characteristic off-odour of strawberries infected with P. cactorum were identified. Also compounds produced as a result of P. cactorum growth on strawberry fruit were characterized.

LpAI in HDL subfractions: serum levels in men and women with coronary heart disease and changes under hypolipemic therapy.

BACKGROUND: It is generally accepted that different HDL subpopulations may vary in their antiatherogenic potential, and the identification and differentiation of individual HDL subclasses may be useful in documentation and understanding of metabolic changes of different HDL particle groups. METHODS: In the present study, LpAI particles concentrations in HDL(2) and HDL(3) subfractions were determined in serum of 54 CHD patients (33 men and 21 women) and 46 control subjects (19 men and 27 women) with similar total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels. RESULTS: In CHD patients, both men and women, as compared to control subjects lower levels of LpAI subpopulations were found, however, the difference was much more predominant for LpAI-HDL(2) than for LpAI-HDL(3). The effect of hypolipidemic treatment on the distribution of LpAI subpopulations between HDL subfractions was investigated in 44 hyperlipidemic patients assigned to fenofibrate therapy and 43 patients assigned to simvastatin therapy. Fenofibrate did not change LpAI level but had an effect on LpAI particle distribution among HDL(2) and HDL(3) increasing LpAI concentration in HDL(2) and slightly decreasing LpAI concentration in HDL(3). Simvastatin led to an increase in LpAI-HDL(3) and did not change significantly LpAI-HDL(2) particle concentration. CONCLUSION: Further studies are needed to evaluate the significance of different HDL subpopulations.

Variability of the reproductive system of Piscicola respirans (Troschel, 1850) (Hirudinea, Piscicolidae).

The studies on the reproductive system of P. respirans, based on 115 specimens, have revealed its considerable variability. Two main types of the system can be distinguished: 1) ovaries reaching the first pair of testes, ejaculatory ducts symmetrical, no seminal vesicles (juvenile individuals), 2) ovaries reaching the first pair of testes, ejaculatory ducts symmetrical, seminal vesicles reaching the ends of ovaries (adults individuals). The structure of the reproductive system is correlated with the individual size and age. Because the reproductive system of P. respirans as described by BRUMPT (1900) and SKET (1968) based on type specimens designated by them, is found only in a small fraction (c. 4-8%) of specimens, a redescription of the species is necessary, best based on a neotype series.

[Parasites leech Batracobdelloides moogi (Nesemann & Csanyi, 1995) (Hirudinea, Glossiphoniidae vaillant, 1850) of Polish fauna?]. / Pasozytnicza pijawka Batracobdelloides moogi (Nesemann & Csanyi, 1995) (Hirudinea, Glossiphoniidae Vaillant, 1850) W faunie Polski?

In the light of recent studies (NESEMANN and CSANYI 1995) on the genus Batracobdella (VIRGUIER 1879) Batracobdella paludosa (CARENA 1824)--a component of the Polish fauna--is actually Batracobdelloides moogi (NESEMANN and CSANYI 1995).

Influence of Dew Period and Temperature on Foliar Infection of Greenhouse-Grown Tomato by Colletotrichum coccodes.

Effects of temperature, duration of leaf wetness, and leaf position on foliar infection of greenhouse-grown tomato (cv. Bonnie Best) by Colletotrichum coccodes were determined by inoculating plants with C. coccodes (5.0 × 105 conidia per ml) and keeping them in a dew chamber for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, or 24 h of wetting at 15, 20, or 25°C. One week after inoculation, leaf disks were placed on the surface of an amended medium on which colonies of C. coccodes were compact and easily identified, and severity of infection was quantified after 4, 6, and 8 days. There was no infection of plants incubated at 15°C, while plants kept at 20 or 25°C had increasing numbers of colonies when leaf wetness duration was extended beyond 12 and 8 h, respectively. Leaf position had a significant effect, with leaves tending to increase in susceptibility as they age. After 24 h of leaf wetness at 25°C, the mean number of colonies per leaf disk from top, middle, and bottom leaves was 23.8, 29.0, and 34.0, respectively.

The acquisition of hypovirulence in host-pathogen systems with three trophic levels.

A major focus of research on the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions has been the evolution of pathogen virulence, which is defined as the loss in host fitness due to infection. It is usually assumed that changes in pathogen virulence are the result of selection to increase pathogen fitness. However, in some cases, pathogens have acquired hypovirulence by themselves becoming infected with hyperparasites. For example, the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica has become hypovirulent in some areas by acquiring a double-stranded RNA hyperparasite that debilitates the pathogen, thereby reducing its virulence to the host. In this article, we develop and analyze a mathematical model of the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions with three trophic levels. The system may be dominated by either uninfected (virulent) or hyperparasitized (hypovirulent) pathogens, or by a mixture of the two. Hypovirulence may allow some recovery of the host population, but it can also harm the host population if the hyperparasite moves the transmission rate of the pathogen closer to its evolutionarily stable strategy. In the latter case, the hyperparasite is effectively a mutualist of the pathogen. Selection among hyperparasites will often minimize the deleterious effects, or maximize the beneficial effects, of the hyperparasite on the pathogen. Increasing the frequency of multiple infections of the same host individual promotes the acquisition of hypovirulence by increasing the opportunity for horizontal transmission of the hyperparasite. This effect opposes the usual theoretical expectation that multiple infections promote the evolution of more virulent pathogens via selection for rapid growth within hosts.

Sources of poisoning exposures in children during 1990-1995. An analysis of the National Poison Information Centre files.

Information protocols on the causes of acute poisoning exposures with chemicals in children up to 14 years old collected during 1990-95 at the National Poison Information Centre have been analyzed. Approximately 96% of intoxication were accidental, 44% of patients were poisoned with drugs, 22% with household products and 14% with pesticides. Almost 25% of drug poisonings were due to sedative and to psychotropic drugs, and 17% to drug mixtures. The frequency of mushrooms and plants poisonings were low - 6%. In Poland there are practically no acute poisoning departments which treat children (actually, there is only one Poison Unit in Kraków at Polish-American Children's Hospital), and thus these patients are treated in paediatric wards and paediatric hospitals, so complete data on the poisonings in children from over the whole territory of Poland are not available. However, we believe that the frequency of causes of children's intoxication in our country is properly reflected in our material. This allows us to draw conclusions of the prevention of poisoning in this age group.

Telephone toxicological information service on pesticide poisonings.

The problem of pesticide poisonings has been discussed with reference to the records of the toxicological information provided in 1993-1995 by the staff of the National Poison Information Centre and the physicians of the Clinic of Acute Poisonings in Lódz. Based on those data, pesticide poisonings occupy second place among the categories of chemical most frequently responsible for acute poisonings, while the first place is occupied by drugs. In the pesticide category, most of the information related to poisonings with pyrethroids, followed by organophosphorous compounds, coumarine derivatives, carbamates. Pesticide poisonings in children continue to be a serious problem. Coumarine derivatives and zinc phosphide found in rodenticides constitute the most frequent source of pesticide poisoning among children. Considering the circumstances of pesticide poisoning, accidental poisonings are the most frequent. The high incidence of pesticide poisoning shows that it is a serious problem and the steps should be taken to prevent poisonings with pesticides.

Virulence and Molecular Diversity in Colletotrichum lindemuthianum from South, Central, and North America.

ABSTRACT Isolates of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (138 total) from Argentina, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, and the United States were characterized into 41 races based on virulence to 12 differential cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris. These 41 races were categorized into two groups: those found over a wide geographic area and those restricted to a single country. Races 7, 65, and 73 were widespread. Race 73 was the most common (28%). Race 7 was found once in Argentina and Mexico but at a higher frequency in the United States. Race 65 was found repeatedly in Brazil and the United States. Although 39% of the races were detected repeatedly and three races were widespread, no race was isolated from both P. vulgaris gene pools. Phenetic analyses showed no obvious patterns correlated with virulence clusters. No geographic pattern was evident. Molecular polymorphism generated by random amplified polymorphic DNA confirmed the extensive variability in virulence of C. lindemuthianum. Virulence phenotypes were grouped into 15 clusters. The two largest clusters contained isolates from all the geographic regions sampled. Molecular polymorphism was observed among isolates from races 65 and 73 within and among countries, except among Bra-zilian isolates of race 65. The genetic diversity of C. lindemuthianum was greatest in Mexico and Honduras. Our data suggest that C. lindemuthianum may not be highly structured to specific Phaseolus gene pools.

[Analysis of toxicological information rendered by the staff of the National Poison Information Center and physicians at the Clinic of Acute Poisoning of the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódz]. / Analiza informacji toksykologicznych udzielanych przez Krajowe Centrum Informacji Toksykologicznej i Klinike Ostrych Zatruc Instytutu Medycyny Pracy w Lodzi.

The article presents structure of toxicological information given by phone to the physicians involved in treatment of acute poisonings, private persons the services monitoring the working environment. The information comprises data on toxic effect on human organism, chemical composition, therapeutic procedure in acute poisonings as well as the data on hazards occurring in every day life. The consultations chiefly regarded poisonings with drugs, pesticides, alcohols, organic solvents and corrosive substances. The analysis has shown that poisonings of children aged below 14 years pose a significant problem. Moreover, it has been noted that there is a growing demand for toxicological consultations among the general population. They play a significant role in education of the society, making them aware of the hazards created by various chemicals used in the households and occurring in the working environment which contributes to promotion of the poisonings prevention.

Host-pathogen interactions in natural populations of Linum marginale and Melampsora lini : III. Influence of pathogen epidemics on host survivorship and flower production.

The epidemiology of rust caused by the fungus Melampsora lini and the effects of infection by this pathogen on its host, the herbaceous perennial Linum marginale, were determined in the field and in garden experiments. There was considerable natural variability in disease levels over the four years (1986-1989) of the study. In two years (1986, 1989) major rust epidemics occurred. In the field, the main effect of disease was to reduce survivorship during the winter following infection. Plants which were heavily infected during the 1986 or 1989 growing seasons had reduced survivorship relative to more lightly infected plants. Melampsora lini infections did not appear to affect survivorship in either 1987 or 1988. Flowering was correlated with environmental factors and the number of stems a plant possessed. A severe drought in 1987 completely inhibited flowering. In the other three years the number of flowers produced by a plant was strongly positively correlated with the number of stems it possessed. Disease levels had no consistent effect on flowering. Controlled garden experiments were also used to examine the response of seedlings and adult plants to infection. These showed that both the timing and severity of disease appears to determine the effect of M. lini infections on L. marginale. Early, severe infection reduced growing season and overwintering survivorship as well as capsule production. However, plants in the field were most often infected only after flowering had begun, and the predominant effect of infection was a reduction in overwintering survivorship. The high variability in disease levels from year to year and the deferred nature of the effect of the rust on its host have significant implications for the design of experiments aimed at assessing the role of diseases in plant communities.