Stem photosynthesis : a key element of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) acclimatisation to salinity

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) is a leguminous plant of outstanding tolerance to abiotic stress. The aim of the presented study was to describe the mechanism of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) photosynthetic apparatus acclimatisation strategies to salinity stress. The seedlings were cultivated in a hydroponic system in media containing various concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, and 100 mM), imitating none, moderate, and severe salinity, respectively, for three weeks. In order to characterise the function and structure of the photosynthetic apparatus, Chl a fluorescence, gas exchange measurements, proteome analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis were done inter alia. Significant differences in the response of the leaf and stem photosynthetic apparatus to severe salt stress were observed. Leaves became the place of harmful ion (Na+) accumulation, and the efficiency of their carboxylation decreased sharply. In turn, in stems, the reconstruction of the photosynthetic apparatus (antenna and photosystem complexes) activated alternative electron transport pathways, leading to effective ATP synthesis, which is required for the efficient translocation of Na+ to leaves. These changes enabled efficient stem carboxylation and made them the main source of assimilates. The observed changes indicate the high plasticity of grass pea photosynthetic apparatus, providing an effective mechanism of tolerance to salinity stress

Caregiver burden versus intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms in parents of children with cerebral palsy as well as factors potentially differentiating the level of burden: a cross-sectional study (Poland)

Objectives To assess the relationship between caregiver burden and severity of symptoms of anxiety/depression in parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP), and to identify factors differentiating the level of caregiver burden.Setting Regional rehabilitation centres in South-Eastern Poland.Participants The study involved 190 parents of children with CP, that is, 138 women and 52 men.Primary and secondary outcome measures Caregiver burden was assessed using Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS), while the intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms was measured using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Potential predictors were examined using Gross Motor Function Classification System for Cerebral Palsy (GMFCS), Barthel Index (BI) as well as a questionnaire focusing on the characteristics of the child, the parent and the family. The analyses applied Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient as well as multiple regression analysis.Results All the CBS measures are significantly correlated to HADS-A (anxiety) and HADS-D (depression). Intensity of anxiety is most visibly linked to CBS measures of disappointment and environment (p<0.0001), while severity of depression is related to emotional involvement and general strain (p<0.0001). The factors differentiating caregiver burden measure in the subscales of general strain (p<0.0001) and social isolation (p<0.0001) include the child’s age and BI, and the parent’s health status; in the subscale of disappointment (p<0.0001)—the child’s age, BI, GMFCS, as well as the parent’s age and health status; in the subscale of emotional involvement (p=0.0007)—BI, and the parent’s health status; in the subscale of environment (p=0.0002)—the child’s age and BI.Conclusions There is a positive linear relationship between the caregiver burden measures and severity of anxiety and depression. Effort should be made to relieve caregiver burden in parents of children with CP

The Content of Selected Bioactive Compounds in Wines Produced from Dehydrated Grapes of the Hybrid Variety ‘Hibernal’ as a Factor Determining the Method of Producing Straw Wines

Sweet wines are appreciated worldwide; many are produced by fermenting the must of dehydrated (semi-dried) grapes, using methods that vary from region to region. The aim of this study was to evaluate the basic chemical and oenological characteristics of wines obtained by three technologies of production. The wines were made from a hybrid cultivar ‘Hibernal’, grown under cool climate conditions. ‘Hibernal’ is a hybrid variety. This ‘Hibernal’ variety is widely cultivated in central and eastern Europe, where it is of great economic importance. Wines produced from this variety are popular in local markets. In comparison with the production of varieties belonging to Vitis vinifera, a very small percentage of the ‘Hibernal’ variety is cultivated. The methods used in the experiment for the production of wines were: classical method in the Italian passito style, modification of the passito style with a seven-day maceration of grapes, and a method of production in the Tokaj wine style at five Puttonyos. Basic chemical parameters, acid profile, total phenolic content, antioxidant and antiradical capacities, and quantitative analysis of selected polyphenols was performed. The sensory features and quality of the wines was assessed using a sommelier analysis based on The Wine & Spirit Education Trust guidelines. The results indicated that the seven-day maceration of the dehydrated grapes resulted in the highest polyphenol content, as well as the largest antioxidant and antiradical contents. The oenological evaluation of wines produced by the Tokaj method and Italian passito method with seven-day maceration found that the wines were appreciated due to their rich taste, flavor, and overall quality. The present study confirms the promising opportunities to obtain special sweet wine with a valuable composition and oenological characteristics in regions with cooler climates

WAITING TIMES HEALTH POLICY IN POLAND

In Poland, a provisions of the Act of 27 August 2004 on health care services financed from public funds1 defines the principles of the waiting list . Waiting list is one of the way to ensure equal access to health care services . Running waiting lists for health care services is the statutory duty of all providers and considers only first-time patients . The Act of 27 August specifies the responsibilities of the provider in relation to the patient, and to managing the waiting lists . Provider is obliged to give the patient information on the scope of health care services, the waiting time for health services, and information regarding the confirmation of the right to health care benefits at the first visit of the patient . In addition, a patient at the point of registration should receive comprehensive information on clinics . Minister of Health in regulation of 26 September 2005 on medical criteria, described what criteria should be guided by the provider entering a beneficiary on waiting lists for health care services . In case of deterioration of patients’ health, which may indicate the need to provide earlier health care service, the patient is obliged to inform the provider . Then, for medical reasons, the time of providing the health care service should be adjusted . Health care provider has no right to refuse to register patient on the waiting list to obtain health care servic. National Health Fund web sites provide information on waiting lists main-tained by individual providers, the number of people, by urgent cases and cases of a stable, and the average waiting time for providing medical services and infor-mation about other healthcare providers who offer benefits in within a shorter period of tim

Flowering Biology of Selected Hybrid Grape Cultivars under Temperate Climate Conditions

Climate change is being felt in all vineyards around the world, opening up new perspectives for regions with a growing winemaking industry. In this study, 11 hybrid grapevines grown in cold climates were assessed in terms of flowering biology and pollination efficiency. The flowers were evaluated for the number of anthers and pollen grains in the flower; pollen viability and pollen grain size, the number of ovules in the ovary, and, consequently, the size and the weight of berries and the number of seeds in the berries were also analyzed. The flowers of Vitis vinifera L. usually have 5 stamens and 5 petals in their structure; this number for hybrid varieties ranged from 4 to 7, and in the case of the variety ‘Seyval Blanc’, it was 4 to 11 stamen and petals. Pollen grain size varied and ranged from 17.01 to 22.25 μm, while pollen grain pro-duction in flowers ranged from 5073 to 34,976 grain, which was calculated using a Bürker hemocytometer. The number of ovules in the ovary for the cultivars in question was highly variable, ranging from 3 to 7. One of the most important factors affecting flower pollination is stigma receptivity. Stigma receptivity appeared when the cap starts to fall off and disappeared at the browning of the cap. In connection with climatic changes, grapevine production is expanding to cool-climate countries. The aim of this study was to expand our knowledge about the flower morphology of 11 hybrid grapevine varieties most commonly cultivated in Poland. Knowledge of the flowering process can be important for improving yield and its quality

Flowering Biology of Selected Hybrid Grape Cultivars under Temperate Climate Conditions

Climate change is being felt in all vineyards around the world, opening up new perspectives for regions with a growing winemaking industry. In this study, 11 hybrid grapevines grown in cold climates were assessed in terms of flowering biology and pollination efficiency. The flowers were evaluated for the number of anthers and pollen grains in the flower; pollen viability and pollen grain size, the number of ovules in the ovary, and, consequently, the size and the weight of berries and the number of seeds in the berries were also analyzed. The flowers of Vitis vinifera L. usually have 5 stamens and 5 petals in their structure; this number for hybrid varieties ranged from 4 to 7, and in the case of the variety ‘Seyval Blanc’, it was 4 to 11 stamen and petals. Pollen grain size varied and ranged from 17.01 to 22.25 μm, while pollen grain pro-duction in flowers ranged from 5073 to 34,976 grain, which was calculated using a Bürker hemocytometer. The number of ovules in the ovary for the cultivars in question was highly variable, ranging from 3 to 7. One of the most important factors affecting flower pollination is stigma receptivity. Stigma receptivity appeared when the cap starts to fall off and disappeared at the browning of the cap. In connection with climatic changes, grapevine production is expanding to cool-climate countries. The aim of this study was to expand our knowledge about the flower morphology of 11 hybrid grapevine varieties most commonly cultivated in Poland. Knowledge of the flowering process can be important for improving yield and its quality

Assessment of Anxiety and Depression in Polish Primary Parental Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy Compared to a Control Group, as well as Identification of Selected Predictors

Background: Taking care of a child with Cerebral Palsy (CP) may be linked with adverse effects in the parents’ physical and mental health. The causes of anxiety and depression symptoms associated with childcare are still not fully understood. Aim: To assess the intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms in parents of children with CP compared to a control group and to identify selected mental health predictors. Design and Methods: Data were collected from 301 respondents, including 190 parents of children with CP (study group) and 111 parents taking care of children developing normally (control group). Intensity of anxiety and depression was rated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scale. Gross Motor Function Classification System for Cerebral Palsy (GMFCS), Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29), Berlin Support Social Scales (BSSS) scales and a specially designed questionnaire were used to assess the predictors. The investigated variables included the children’s and the parents’ characteristics, as well as environmental factors. The analyses applied Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, M(SD) as well as multiple regression. Results: The level of anxiety and depression was clearly higher in the parents of children with CP–the mean levels of anxiety and depression in the study group and the controls amounted to 8.1 vs. 4.7 and 6.8 vs. 3.7, respectively. The factors associated with intensity of anxiety and depression in the parents of children with CP included lack of social support, mainly perceived and received support, unsatisfying parental health status, poor economic status of the family, as well as difficult living conditions, sense of coherence, loneliness, the parent’s gender, and the child’s intellectual disability. Conclusions: Identification of significant anxiety and depression predictors, understood as modifiable factors, should be considered in determining and planning comprehensive support for a child with CP and his/her primary parental caregiver