Metabolic Responses to Lead of Metallicolous and Nonmetallicolous Populations of Armeria maritima

Metabolic responses to Pb(NO₃)₂ (Pb) ions of excised leaves of metallicolous (MPs) and nonmetallicolous populations (NMPs) of Armeria maritima, cultivated on normal soil, were examined. Detached leaves were exposure to Pb for 24 h, and metabolic parameters were investigated. Pb decreased the photosynthesis (Pn) rate and photosystem II (PSII) activity, whereas the photochemical efficiency of PSII remained unchanged. In both populations, Pb ions caused increase in O₂ uptake of dark-treated leaves; however, respiration after Pn was not affected. Pb increased superoxide dismutase activity in MP leaves and malondialdehyde content in NMP leaves. Other metabolites after Pb treatment were increased (proline or H₂O₂) or decreased (malate). Ascorbate peroxidase activity and adenosine triphosphate content decreased more in MP than in NMP leaves. Our results indicate that A. maritima is well adapted to heavy metal-contaminated soils, and we discuss potential causes of the stimulation of respiration by Pb ions and possible reasons for the tolerance to oxidative stress of plants growing in a metal-rich habitat.     

Health-related quality of life in children with immunoglobulin A nephropathy – results of a multicentre national study

IntroductionImmunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) may lead to end stage renal disease and severely affect patient functioning and wellbeing. The aim of the study was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents with IgAN, and compare HRQoL in relation to the disease course, social status and psychological factors, such as expressing anger and perceived personal competence.Material and methodsThe multicentre cross-sectional study included 51 patients ≥ 8 years from 7 paediatric nephrology centres in Poland. Psychometric analysis was performed using the Kidscreen-52 questionnaire to evaluate HRQoL, the Anger Expression Scale to evaluate the severity of anger and the Personal Competence Scale to measure general perception of personal competence.ResultsMean age of patients was 14.54 ±3.69 years; duration since the diagnosis of IgAN was 4.98 ±3.9 years. Patients with IgAN rated their psychological wellbeing as significantly worse compared to healthy peers (p < 0.05). The presence of proteinuria was associated with significantly worse physical wellbeing (58.72 ±18.45 vs. 74.44 ±22.97; p < 0.05). Current therapy (steroids/immunosuppressive drugs) had no effect on HRQoL in the study group. Perceived personal competence was rated high by 49% of children in the study group. Children with IgAN were characterized by lower intensity of expressed anger (p < 0.001) and significantly higher intensity of suppressed anger (p < 0.01) compared to reference ranges. Severity of expressed anger correlated positively with the parent relations and school environment dimensions of HRQoL.ConclusionsWe found lower HRQoL in regard to physical and psychological wellbeing in a group of Polish children with IgAN compared to healthy peers. HRQoL should be monitored in this patient group.     

Serum copeptin levels in adolescents with primary hypertension

Background

The prevalence of hypertension continues to rise in the pediatric population. In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of reports on serum arginine vasopressin and its derivative, copeptin, in blood pressure control, but its role is still unclear. The objective of this study was to assess serum copeptin in adolescents with essential hypertension.

Methods

The study cohort consisted of 84 subjects (30 girls and 54 boys) aged 11–18 years, divided into two groups: hypertension (HT) – 53 subjects with confirmed primary hypertension and R - reference group – 31 subjects in whom hypertension was excluded on the basis of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) (white-coat hypertension). Serum copeptin concentration was measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (USCN).

Results

Hypertensive patients had higher serum copeptin levels (median, 267 [Q1–Q3: 151.1–499.7 pg/ml]) than controls (median, 107.3 [Q1–Q3: 36.7–203.4 pg/ml]), (p?<?0.01). Statistically significant difference was found both in males and females. In both groups, positive correlations between serum copeptin and uric acid levels (r?=?0.31, p?<?0.01), albuminuria (r?=?0.45, p?<?0.01), serum triglycerides (r?=?0.3, p?<?0.05), body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS) (r?=?0.24, p?<?0.05) and 24-h systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r?=?0.37, p?<?0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r?=?0.23, p?<?0.05) were found.

Conclusions

In summary, higher serum copeptin levels, a surrogate for arginine vasopressin (AVP) release, are associated not only with systolic and diastolic blood pressure but also with several components of metabolic syndrome including obesity, elevated concentration of triglycerides, albuminuria, and serum uric acid level. However, for the time being, more research is needed in order to confirm the role of serum copeptin as a novel marker of elevated blood pressure and predictor of metabolic syndrome.     

Relationship of serum interleukin-7 concentration and the coagulation state in children with nephrotic syndrome

BACKGROUND: Enhanced platelet reactivity may play a significant role in the hypercoagulable state of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Thrombocytosis with platelet aggregation cause the release of some cytokines, among them interleukin-7 (IL-7). The aim of the study was to evaluate serum IL-7 levels in children with the symptoms of NS and to determine a correlation between its concentration and platelet count, other hemostatic factors, and NS intensity. METHODS: The study was performed in two groups. I--the examined group of 26 children with NS (12 boys, 14 girls) aged 6.8 +/- 2.1 years, subjected to two examinations: A--before treatment, B--during treatment with prednisone (60 mg/kg 24 h after albuminuria regression); and II--the control group (C) of 20 healthy children. Serum IL-7 level was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method using a R & D Quantikine set. RESULTS: In group I, IL-7 level in examination A (33.33 +/- 33.24 pg/mL) was higher than in the control subjects (P < 0.01). In examination B, IL-7 concentration was reduced to the level of 10.86 +/- 5.22 pg/mL and did not differ from the controls (P > 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between IL-7 and platelet count and serum fibrinogen level. A negative correlation was noted with antithrombin III concentration. No correlation was found with serum levels of albumin and cholesterol or urine protein. CONCLUSION: In children with NS, serum IL-7 level increases proportionally to the elevated platelet count and other hemostatic components, but shows no correlation with serum albumin or urine protein.     

Serum and urine leptin concentration in children with nephrotic syndrome

Literature data point to the relationship between leptin concentration and certain markers of the metabolic syndrome, including cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoproteins. A substantial lipid metabolism disturbance occurs in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS). The aim of the study was to find out whether in NS children, serum and urine leptin levels change proportionally to lipid metabolism disturbances. The study was performed on two groups: (I) 30 children with NS (A) before, (B) during, prednisone therapy after proteinuria regression; (II) 25 healthy children. Serum and urine leptin levels were determined by the immunoenzymatic ELISA method. Serum leptin level in NS children before and after treatment was similar to that in the control group ( p >0.05). Leptin urinary excretion in group A was approximately 60 times and in group B 24 times higher than in the controls ( p <0.01). Before treatment, children with NS had increased concentrations of TC, TG, LDL, -lipoprotein, apolipoprotein B (apo B) ( p <0.01) and reduced HDL and apolipoprotein A (apo A) ( p <0.01). The conclusions were that: (1) in NS children leptin urinary excretion increases but its level is unchanged in serum; (2) serum leptin level is correlated with lipid parameters.     

Two cases of congenital toxoplasmosis with a central nervous system damage--delayed diagnosis

OBJECTIVES: The intrauterine toxoplasma gondii infection is linked with a high risk of central nervous system/CNS/damage in the fetus. Why, despite the wide knowledge of this neurodegenerative disease prophylaxis and therapy, do we still meet neonates with the CNS damage? DESIGN, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Authors present two cases of congenital toxoplasmosis with the CNS involvement. RESULTS: One of the cases was identified as the internal hydrocephalus during a prenatal ultrasound examination but no further diagnostics tests were undertaken. The congenital toxoplasmosis and severe CNS damage was diagnosed post delivery. In the other case some clinical symptoms of the CNS infection appeared in the neonatal period. Now this patient is eight months old and presenting mild motor developmental delays. CONCLUSIONS: 1. There are many clinical symptoms of the congenital toxoplasmosis, that can occur in the prenatal/case 1/and postnatal/case 2/period. 2. No serologic tests for toxoplasmosis were performed in mothers during pregnancy, what delays treatment and diagnosis of sick children. 3. Fetus presenting the CNS anomalies identified during ultrasound examinations should be immediately diagnosed.     

Mesenchymoma malignum of the buttock

A case of a soft-tissue tumor of the left gluteal region in a 33-year-old woman is presented. Immunohistochemical study and electron microscopic examination confirmed multidirectional differentiation of the tumor. The patient died 9 months after surgery, despite complementary multimodal therapy. No autopsy was performed.