From spring sources to springbrook : changes in environmental characteristics and benthic fauna

Spatial patterns in macroinvertebrate communities and some abiotic factors were examined in three rheocrene springs and their springbrooks (Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, southern Poland). The mean discharge of particular springs ranged from 5 to 11 L s-1, and its annual fluctuations were small. Water temperature was very stable at all sampling sites. In the eucrenon the number of benthic taxa was the smallest (9-14 determined to the family level), but the densities were the highest (approx. 14000 ind. m-2). The biggest changes in macroinvertebrate composition were observed in the modified hypocrenon, which is an artificial pond. The lowest number of taxa were found in a natural, short springbrook with a nondiversified bottom substrate. The density of crenophilic taxa (Drusus trifidus, Dugesia gonocephala, Elmidae) diminished along the springbrooks, while the opposite trend was observed for ubiquitous taxa (some Oligochaeta, Asellus aquaticus and Chironomidae). Even in a very short natural springbrook (30 m), Drusus trifidus, the only species of Trichoptera found in the springs discussed here, goes through the entire development cycle. The strongest influence of a big river was observed at the outflow of one of the natural springbrooks, where the highest number of riverine oligochaete species were found. The benthic fauna of the springs studied here differed from that found in other springs in this area - the absence of the typical crenophilic species Bithynella austriaca (Gastropoda) and the presence of Gianus aquedulcis (Oligochaeta) may indicate the autonomy of the spring fauna in the Mstów area, possibly resulting from the postglacial geomorphological formation of this region or differences in habitat conditions

Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Is Complementary to Albuminuria in Diagnosis of Early-Stage Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes

Background. Two clinical phenotypes of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) have been reported, that is, with or without increased albuminuria. The aim of study was to assess the usefulness of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) for the early diagnosis of DKD in the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. The study group consisted of 123 patients with T2DM (mean age 62 ± 14 years), with urine albumin/creatinine ratio (uACR) 39.64 µg/g, 13 (54%) did not have markedly increased albuminuria. Women with T2DM had higher uNCR than men (p<0.001), without difference in uACR (p=0.09). uNCR in T2DM patients correlated significantly with HbA1c. Sex, total cholesterol, and uACR were independent predictors of uNCR above 39.64 µg/g. Conclusions. Increased uNGAL and uNCR may indicate early tubular damage, associated with dyslipidemia and worse diabetes control, especially in females with T2DM

Pentraxin 3 as a new indicator of cardiovascular-related death in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is involved in inflammatory response by recognizing pathogens and damaged tissues. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between PTX3 levels and all‑cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) during 5‑year follow‑up. The study included 78 patients (51 on hemodialysis and 27 on predialysis). We measured the levels of PTX3, calcium, phosphate, intact parathyroid hormone, high-sensitivity Creactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL‑6), fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF‑23), osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), fetuin A, tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2), transforming growth factor $\beta1$ ($TGF‑\beta 1$), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), stromal cell‑derived factor $1\alpha$ ($SDF‑1\alpha$), and thrombomodulin (TM). In a subgroup of 45 patients, fragments of the radial artery obtained during creation of hemodialysis access were stained for calcifications. In 51 patients, ultrasonography was performed to assess common carotid artery intima–media thickness (CCA‑IMT). The median serum concentrations of PTX3 were 1.43 ng/ml (interquartile range, 0.74–2.50). Higher concentrations of fibrinogen, hs‑CRP, IL‑6, TNFR2, $TGF‑\beta$ 1, HGF, OPN, OPG, FGF‑23, TM, and $SDF‑1\alpha$ and lower albumin and uric acid levels were observed in patients with PTX3 above the median. During follow‑up, 27 patients (35%) died, including 25 due to CV causes. In contrast to hs-CRP levels, baseline PTX3 levels predicted CV mortality independently of classic CV risk factors. PTX3 levels also significantly predicted mortality after adjustment for age, baseline dialysis status, serum OPG and CRP levels, radial artery calcifications, and CCA‑IMT. We postulate that PTX3 might be an early marker of CV mortality in patients with advanced CKD, yet before the increase in the levels of a specific marker for systemic inflammation such as hs‑CRP