Assessment of manure phosphorus export through turfgrass sod production in Erath County, Texas.

A best management practice (BMP) for exporting manure phosphorus (P) in turfgrass sod from the North Bosque River (NBR) watershed in central Texas was assessed using a geographic information system (GIS). The NBR watershed has a mandate to reduce the total annual P load to the NBR by 50% as a result of total maximum daily load regulation. Since dairy waste applications to fields are identified as the major nonpoint source of P to the river, innovative BMPs, such as export of manure P in turfgrass, will be needed to achieve the 50% reduction. However, methods are needed to evaluate the feasibility of these innovative management practices prior to their implementation. A geospatial database of suitable turfgrass production sites was developed for Erath County using GIS. Erath County largely encompasses the upper portion of the NBR watershed. Information from field experiments, production practices, and ground-truthing was used to search, analyze, and verify a geospatial database developed from national and regional sources. The integration and analyses of large databases supports the search by turf producers for sites suitable for turfgrass sod production in Erath County. In addition, GIS enables researchers and regulators to estimate manure P exports and reduced P loading due to implementation of the manure export BMP on a county scale. Under optimal conditions 198,000 kg manure P yr(-1) could be used and 114,840 kg manure P yr(-1) exported from the NBR watershed through implementation of a system using dairy manure to produce turfgrass sod. This is the equivalent of the manure P applied from 10,032 dairy cows yr(-1) and exported from 5808 dairy cows yr(-1). Application of GIS to large-scale planning and decision-making transcends traditional field-scale applications in precision agriculture.

Multi-component adsorption of Ag(I), Cd(II) and Cu(II) by natural carbonaceous materials.

Adsorption of silver, cadmium and copper from aqueous solutions by natural carbonaceous materials was investigated. The studied series of natural materials (spruce wood, pine bark, cork, peat, fusinite, lignite, oxidised lignite, bituminous coal and anthracite) was extended to include industrial carbon-rich materials: coke, activated carbon F-400 and Multisorb 100. Adsorption was tested on a single-component system and on the binary and ternary mixtures. All the materials used differ in their ability to adsorb selected metals. The adsorption of metals is significantly affected by the presence of other ions in solution. Total metal uptake was considerably higher in a mixture than single-ion adsorption. Chemical reactions, such as precipitation and reduction of metallic silver, play a role in metal uptake by bituminous coal, coke and activated carbon.

Polymorphisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II receptor type 1 genes in essential hypertension in a Polish population.

BACKGROUND: The angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene meet the criteria for candidate genes in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association between polymorphisms of these genes and essential hypertension in a Polish population, to evaluate them as possible genetic markers of susceptibility to hypertension, and to search for interaction between the two polymorphisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The insertion/deletion polymorphism at the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene locus and the A1166C polymorphism at the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene locus were detected using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length methods. 250 patients with stable essential hypertension lasting at least 1 year were compared to 150 individuals without signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease or family history of hypertension. RESULTS: No association was found between the insertion/deletion polymorphism at the angiotensin-converting enzyme locus and essential hypertension in the study population, although the DD genotype occurred more often (p<0.01) among patients with hypertension and a negative family history of hypertension than among hypertensives with a positive family history. There was an association in our study population between hypertension and the A1166C polymorphism at the angiotensinogen II type 1 receptor gene locus. The frequency of occurrence of the C1166 variant was higher among patients with hypertension (0.29) than in control subjects (0.20). The CC genotype occurred more frequently among hypertensives (0.10) than in the control group (0.04). Both these differences were statistically significant. This association was stronger in males, patients with a negative family history of hypertension, and non-obese patients with a body mass index less than 26 kg/m2. To test the interaction between the polymorphisms in question, the distribution of the A1166 and C1166 variants among ACE genotypes was assessed. The A1166 variant occurs more often among DD genotype normotensives. CONCLUSIONS: There was no association in our study population between essential hypertension and the I/D polymorphism at the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene locus. The C1166 variant of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene was associated with hypertension in our study population, while the A1166 variant seems to be protective as regards susceptibility to hypertension.

[Influence of androgens on cardiovascular system in men]. / Wplyw androgenów na uklad krazenia u mezczyzn.

It is well known fact that incidence of morbidity and mortality due to coronary artery disease is higher in men than in women. For many years experimental and clinical studies have focussed on the role of androgens in cardiovascular pathology. The clinical implications of androgens' deficiency as well as the molecular mechanisms of their action have not been well established yet. However, the increasing number of evidences suggests that androgens may have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis. In this review we discuss the androgen metabolism, their effect on cardiovascular system and the relations with major risk factors of atherosclerosis.

[Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism in patients with type 2 diabetes]. / Polimorfizm genu reduktazy metylenotetrahydrofolianu u pacjentów z cukrzyca typu 2.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is recognised as a risk factor of ischaemic heart disease and vascular complications of arterial hypertension. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T polymorphism is associated with hyperhomocysteinaemia. The aim of the study was the assessment of an association of the above polymorphism with type 2 diabetes with special attention to myocardial infarction and arterial hypertension accompanying diabetes. The study group consisted of 172 type 2 diabetics. 172 control subjects with normal glucose tolerance were age and sex matched to patients with diabetes. C677T polymorphism in MTHFR gene locus was detected using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. CT and TT genotypes were found more often among diabetics (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.16-2.89; p < 0.01). This finding may be secondary to the excess of T allele bearers among diabetics with myocardial infarction when compared to diabetics without infarction and to control group. Upon obtained results the potential role of genotypes CT and TT as risk factors of myocardial infarction among patients with type 2 diabetes could not be excluded (OR 2.33, 95% CI 0.93-5.8; p = 0.07). Genotypes containing T allele are not associated with diabetes type 2 and concomitant arterial hypertension (OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.89-2.57; p = 0.14). A confirmation in further studies is needed for the presented findings.

The influence of glucose-insulin-kalium mixture (GIK) on the selected parameters of acid-base balance in acute myocardial infarction.

The aim of the paper was assessing the influence of polarizing GIK mixture on the selected indicators of acid-base equilibrium in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated fibrinolytically. The patients had arterial blood taken in order to check pH, partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and the content of bicarbonates. Changes in the examined parameters in the group obtaining GIK and in the one obtaining placebo were subject to critical analysis. Changes in gasometric parameters taking place under the influence of GIK administered to patients were also analysed according to the site of infarction. It was observed that after 24 hours from the beginning of infusion pH increased and pCO2 decreased in comparison to the initial examination. These changes did not depend on the kind of applied infusion (GIK or physiological saline infusion), no significant changes in bicarbonates being observed. However, after applying GIK infusion, an increase in oxygen pressure in comparison with the control group was observed, and differences between the groups were within the boundaries of significance. Neither was there observed any influence of infarction site on changes in the assessed parameters of acid-base equilibrium in the group treated with GIK nor in the one receiving placebo.

[Effect of dihydrotestosterone treatment on exercise induced ischemia in men with stable ischemic heart disease]. / Wplyw leczenia dihydrotestosteronem na indukowane wysilkiem niedokrwienie serca u mezczyzn ze stabilna choroba wiencowa.

Many studies report the negative correlation between the endogenous testosterone (T) level and majority of risk factors for arteriosclerosis, as well as the presence and the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in men. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as a non-aromatizable androgen produces more favourable changes in the hormone profile than T. A constant level of androgens, independent on liver function, may be achieved by their transdermal administration. The aim of our study was to determine in a double-blind placebo study whether a 12-week treatment with transdermal DHT can decrease exercise-induced ischaemia in males with CAD. All patients underwent symptom-limited treadmill stress testing at the beginning of the study and after DHT treatment. The selected preliminary results are presented in this paper. Until now the study group has comprised ten men with stable CAD and decreased morning total T concentration. No side effects of treatment were noted during the study. Chronic DHT administration increased significantly: total exercise time, time to the onset of angina and time to 1 mm ST depression. Our results are consistent with the previous publications investigating T effects. The changes of heart rate and systolic blood pressure indicate rather direct coronary-relaxing effect of DHT than peripheral one.

Playfulness in children with and without disability: measurement and intervention.

OBJECTIVE: The differences in playfulness between young children with cerebral palsy and developmental delays and children who are typically developing, and the comparative effects of two interventions (one focused on improving mother-child interaction patterns, the other a neurodevelopmental treatment [NDT] session) on children's playfulness were examined in this study. Reliability and validity of the Test of Playfulness (ToP) also were examined. METHOD: Three trained raters used the ToP to score 38 children, half with cerebral palsy and developmental delays and half typically developing, as they played with their mothers. Mental ages of the children ranged from 3 to 18 months. The mother-child dyads in which the children had cerebral palsy and developmental delays were then randomly assigned to an intervention group. After a 1-hr intervention to improve mother-child interaction, the children were rescored on the ToP. RESULTS: After examination of ToP reliability and validity, children with cerebral palsy and developmental delays were found to score significantly lower on the ToP than their peers who were typically developing. In addition, children whose mothers received an intervention to improve mother-child interactions scored significantly higher on the ToP after intervention than before intervention. However, the gain scores of children whose mothers received the intervention were not significantly higher than those of children who received direct NDT. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that when the shared goal of parents and therapists is to enable children to express their inherent playfulness, intervention to improve parent-child interactions may be more potent than intervention directed at improving the child's developmental skills.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein B gene in survivors of myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Pvu II and Msp I polymorphisms of the human apolipoprotein B gene and risk of myocardial infarction in 90 survivors of myocardial infarction. Apolipoprotein B is important in the metabolism of lipoproteins and there is an evidence suggesting that this apolipoprotein plays a central role in atherogenesis. Some polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein B gene are associated with peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease and risk of myocardial infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: DNA was prepared from the whole blood. Samples from patients and control group were digested with Pvu II restriction enzyme. Filters were prepared by Southern blotting technique and hybridized with ApoB probe (LB25-A). Genotypes for Msp I polymorphism were determined with polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The frequency of the rarer allele (P2) for Pvu II polymorphism in the apolipoprotein B gene was significantly higher in myocardial infarction group (P = 0.001) compared with healthy individuals. A significant association was also found between P2 allele and the age at which myocardial infarction occurred. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that in Polish population the individuals with P2 allele of the apolipoprotein B gene are at increased risk of developing myocardial infarction. No significant correlation with myocardial infarction event was found for the Msp I polymorphism.

Enalapril (10 mg/day) in systemic sclerosis. One year, double blind, randomised study (ESS-1): echocardiographic substudy--three months follow-up.

The ESS-1 study was designed to evaluate the long-term effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) enalapril (10 mg per day) on the cardio-pulmonary system in patients with scleroderma (SSc). We estimated changes in heart diameters, systolic and diastolic left ventricle function and mean values of pulmonary artery pressure after 3 months treatment. The study group comprise 41 patients with SSc. 18 patients received placebo and 23 ones were given enalapril. After 3 months of treatment we did not observe statistically significant differences in heart diameters and left ventricle systolic function parameters between treated group and placebo. Enalapril therapy did not affect left ventricle diastolic function, nevertheless differences in MVA were almost of statistical significance. Echocardiographic signs of pulmonary hypertension were found in 4 patients.

Enalapril (10 mg/day) in systemic sclerosis. One year, double blind, randomised study (ESS-1): ECG exercise testing--three months follow-up.

The ESS-1 study was designed to evaluate the long-term effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) enalapril (10 mg per day) on cardiopulmonary system of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Exercise testing is used not only for estimation of coronary reserve but also physical capacity--the major determinant of quality of life. In each patient included to the ESS-1 study we performed ECG exercise test on treadmill (5 times at intervals of 3 months). The first follow-up was completed by 41 patients (23 patients in enalapril group and 18 in placebo group). The exercise duration in the placebo group was 683 +/- 295 sec and in enalapril group 768 +/- 173 sec. After 3 months of study there were no significant differences in both groups (758 +/- 271 sec and 720 +/- 191 sec respectively). The analysis of ST segment deviation did not provide any significant changes after 3 months of treatment. We conclude that 3 months enalapril treatment did not improve exercise tolerance in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Enalapril (10 mg/day) in systemic sclerosis. One year, double blind, randomised study (ESS-1): pulmonary substudy--effects of three month treatment.

The ESS-1 study is designed to evaluate the long-term effects of enalapril on cardiopulmonary system of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). During the one year study period 5 visits are scheduled at 3 months intervals. The effect of 3 months treatment with enalapril (10 mg per day) on lung function was studied in 18 patients with SSc (enalapril group) and compared with controls--23 patients with Ssc (placebo group), mean age, SSc duration, gender and % of patients with dcSSc did not differ significantly in both groups. We performed body plethysmography for total airways resistance (Rtot), and static lung volumes (TLC, ITGV and RV), spirometry for FEV1 and FVC and we measured flow parameters (PEF, FEF). We compared initial lung function (first examination) with results after 3 months treatment (second examination) in the enalapril and in the placebo group. Mean values of Rtot, ITGV and RV did not differ significantly in the enalapril group or in the placebo group before and after treatment but FVC, FEV1 and FEF50 were significantly lower in the enalapril group and did not change in the placebo group after three months. We conclude that 3 month treatment with enalapril worsens spirometry of SSc patients. We did not observe any changes in lung functions in the control group in the same three month period.

Enalapril (10 mg/day) in systemic sclerosis. One year, double blind, randomised study (ESS-1): electrocardiographic substudy--three months follow-up.

UNLABELLED: The ESS-1 study was designed to evaluate the long-term effects of enalapril (10 mg per day) on the cardiopulmonary system of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The 3 months follow-up was completed by 41 patients (23 patients in enalapril group and 18 in placebo group). We analysed conventional time domain signal averaged ECG (SAECG). Late potentials were considered to be present in QRS duration (QRS) was > 114 ms or root mean square of last 40 ms (RMS40) was < 20 microV or terminal signal duration under 40 microV (LAS40) was > 38 ms at 40 Hz. At the beginning of study the prevalence of abnormal SAEG parameters was similar in both groups. We observed one abnormal parameter among 13% of patients in enalapril group and 16.7% of patients in placebo group. There were 2 abnormal parameters in 26.1% of patients in enalapril group and 16.7% of patients in placebo group. After three months of treatment we did not find any patient with 2 parameters of late potentials in enalapril group and only 8.7% of patients with one such parameter. In placebo group no substantial improvement was observed. CONCLUSION: The 3 months enalapril treatment seems to decrease the incidence of late potentials in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Low-dose glucose-insulin-potassium is ineffective in acute myocardial infarction: results of a randomized multicenter Pol-GIK trial.

We aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) in acute myocardial infarction. Experimental data provided evidence of the beneficial effects of GIK on ischemic myocardium. The clinical trials, mostly uncontrolled and conducted mainly before the thrombolytic era, were inconclusive due to the small number of patients and discrepancies in protocols. In order to evaluate the efficacy of this intervention, we have performed a prospective multicenter randomized study. The study consisted of 954 patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) randomized within 24 hours from the onset of symptoms to low-dose GIK (n = 494), which consisted of 1000 mL 10% dextrose, 32-20 U insulin, and 80 mEq K-, or to the control group (n = 460), which was given 1000 mL 0.89% sodium chloride, by intravenous 24-hour infusion at a rate of 42 mL/h. Cardiac mortality and the occurrence of cardiac events at 35 days did not differ between GIK and control-allocated patients (32 (6.5%) vs. 21 (4.6%), respectively; OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.79-2.68, P = 0.20; and 214 (43.3%) vs. 192 (41.7%), OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.82-1.38, P = 0.62). Total mortality at 35 days was significantly higher in the GIK than in the control group (44 (8.9%) vs. 22 (4.8%), respectively, OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.12-3.47, P = 0.01). The excess of non-cardiac deaths in the GIK group may have occurred by chance. Low-dose GIK treatment does not improve the survival and clinical course in acute MI.

[Dihydrotestosterone therapy of men with coronary artery disease and processes of peroxidation]. / Terapia dihydrotestosteronem mezczyzn z choroba wiencowa a procesy peroksydacyjne.

In 11 men after myocardial infarction (mean age 58.8 years) influence of 3 months transdermal dihydrotestosterone (DHT) treatment on malondialdehyde (MDA), total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and platelets was estimated. Decrease in MDA concentration after DHT treatment only in men with low (< 13 nmol/l) testosterone (T) level (p = 0.06) was observed. MDA concentration after 3 months DHT treatment was significantly lower in hypotestosteronemic in comparison to normotestosteronemic men (p < 0.05). Plasma lipid levels and platelet count were not affected by DHT administration. Decrease serum MDA concentration in low testosterone men with coronary artery disease may suggest that DHT treatment in this group has beneficial effects on peroxidation processes.

[M235T polymorphism of human angiotensinogen gene in essential hypertension in Polish population]. / Polimorfizm M235T ludzkiego genu angiotensynogenu w pierwotnym nadcisnieniu tetniczym w populacji polskiej.

Genetic factors play very important role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. Angiotensinogen gene is one of the candidate genes in the research concerning genetic background of elevated blood pressure. The aim of this work was to assess an association of M235T polymorphism in human angiotensinogen gene with essential hypertension in Polish population. 250 patients with essential hypertension and 150 normotensives were involved in the study. M235T polymorphism was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. Polymorphic allele and genotypes frequencies did not differ between hypertensive and normotensive groups. However T allele and TT genotype frequency among hypertensive men was higher than in normotensive men. The difference is statistically significant. T allele and TT genotype occurred more frequently in hypertensives with positive family history of essential hypertension. The difference between hypertensive men with positive family history and normotensive men was even more significant. This results are similar to those already published by other authors concerning Caucasian populations and indicate that angiotensinogen gene is involved in the determination of at least some cases of essential hypertension.

[Angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism in type 2 diabetes mellitus]. / Polimorfizm genu enzymu konwertujacego angiotensyne (ACE) u chorych na cukrzyce typu 2.

The aim of this study is the assessment of the association of human angiotensin-converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism with type 2 diabetes in 155 diabetic patients and 139 healthy individuals. These polymorphism were studied using polymerase chain reaction. Angiotensin converting enzyme gene DD genotype associated with type 2 diabetes in overweight and obese patients and patients with normal total plasma cholesterol. There is also association of DD genotype with arterial hypertension and with myocardial infarction in type 2 diabetic patients.

[Bronchial hyperreactivity as a factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease development in the population of the Bogdanka coal miners]. / Nadreaktywnosc oskrzeli jako czynnik ryzyka rozwoju przewleklej obturacyjnej choroby pluc w populacji górników kopalni wegla kamiennego w Bogdance.

The aim of the study was to assess the role of bronchial hyperreactivity in the development of chronic airflow obstruction in the population of the Bogdanka (Lublin Basin) coal miners. The population examined consisted of 1456 coal miners working underground in the Bogdanka colliery. The methods of the study included plethysmographic measurements of total airway resistance (Raw), spirometric measurements of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and determination of forced expiratory flowa at 75, 50 and 25 per cent of vital capacity (FEF75, FEF50 and FEF25%VC). The measurements were repeated twice--before and after administration of 0.2% solution of methacholine (1 min inhalation). Pulmonary function tests were also performed 8 years after initial measurements. The increase in the Raw value above 0.6 kPa/l/s was observed in 5.5% of the population examined. In this group of subjects the skin prick tests with common allergens, measurements of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and determination of blood eosinophils count were performed. Only 12% of all hyperreactives (Raw increase > 0.6 kPa/l/s) showed features of atopy--positive skin prick tests, raised IgE levels, and increase in blood eosinophils count. Using a survival analysis as a statistical tool we evaluated for how long the pulmonary function tests remained within normal ranges in two groups: hyperreactives and controls. All hyperreactives (atopic and non-atopic) showed significantly higher risk of lung function decrease below the normal values as compared with the control group.

Right ventricular function in systemic hypertension.

The aim of the study was the assessment of right ventricular (RV) structure and diastolic function in hypertensive subjects. The study group consisted of 44 patients with untreated, mild to moderate essential systemic hypertension. All the patients were in sinus rhythm, no symptoms of congestive heart failure, ischaemic or valvular heart disease and lung disorders were found. Twenty-six healthy subjects were the control group. M-mode echocardiographic measurements of the right ventricular wall (RVW) diastolic thickness, right ventricular outflow tract diameter (RVOTD), left ventricular (LV) structure and LV systolic function were performed. Pulsed Doppler echocardiography was used to measure peak early (TE) and peak atrial (TA) right ventricular diastolic filling velocities as well as velocity-time integrals (VTI-TE and VTI-TA). TE:TA and VTI-TE:VTI-TA ratios were calculated. Similar parameters of the left ventricular diastolic filling were recorded at the level of mitral annulus. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) was measured non-invasively by the estimation of pulmonary artery systolic flows. We demonstrated in hypertensive patients significantly thicker RVW (3.94 vs 2.8 mm, P < 0.001) and increased LV mass. In the hypertensive, increased TA and VTI-TA and diminished TE:TA and VTI-TE:VTI-TA ratios were recorded, indicating the abnormalities of RV diastolic function. RV diastolic filling parameters correlated positively with corresponding parameters of LV filling. The results of our study demonstrate that impairment of LV diastolic function, the common finding in systemic hypertension, is associated with diastolic disturbances of the right ventricle. RVW thickening and hypertrophy of interventricular septum seem to be major factors influencing RV diastolic function.