Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – epidemic of the XXI century

The term “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” (NAFLD) was first introduced by Ludwig in 1980. He described NAFLD as a liver disease characterized by lipid accumulation in the hepatocytes of people who do not abuse alcohol (<20g/ethanol/day). NAFLD comprises of a range of disorders, including simple fatty liver without the symptoms of damaged hepatocytes, as well as complex fatty liver with an ongoing inflammation and developing fibrosis. It is estimated that 2-44% of adult Europeans will develop a fatty liver. The pathogenesis and development of NAFLD is a complicated process involving numerous factors, such as: dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, overweight, obesity, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, the development of an inflammatory state, the disorders of the metabolism of fat tissue, dysbiosis and genetic factors. Because the mechanism of the illness is based on many factors, the multiple hits hypothesis serves as the new and generally standard approach to this pathological unit. The basis of this theory is the development of insulin resistance, which is one of the main causes of steatosis. The consequence of insulin resistance is an increased glucose level (associated with impaired insulin receptors) and excessive insulin production leading to elevated levels of this hormone in the serum. Insulin resistance causes continuous stimulation of gluconeogenesis and hyperglycemia. On the other hand, hyperinsulinemia stimulates the hepatic synthesis of the de novo lipogenesis and leads to steatosis. NAFLD is also closely connected to the metabolism disorders of fatty acids. The pathomechanism of the illness includes an increased concentration of FFA in blood, an increase in the biosynthesis of fatty acids in the liver, as well as disorders in the process of β-oxidation

Forest recovery in set-aside windthrow is facilitated by fast growth of advance regeneration

Funding This study was conducted as a part of research project 2012/07/ B/NZ8/01908 “Patterns and drivers of the regeneration processes following catastrophic wind disturbances in forests” funded by the Polish National Science Foundation (NCN) and research project Poland N N304 048934 “Comparison of the dynamics of woody species and vascular plants in active and passive protected areas of the Roztoczański National Park” funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland. This work was also partially supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland (DS 3421/ZBL).The disturbance of a research plot by a windstorm allowed us to study the role of the seedling bank in the regeneration processes. The released advance regeneration dominated among the saplings; taller individuals retained their position until the end of the study. Pioneer species occurred sporadically. Seven years after the disturbance, the windthrow was covered by a dense thicket of young trees. Context: The dominant role played by advance regeneration in natural regeneration processes after intense wind disturbances is still a matter of dispute. Aims: We took advantage of a windstorm in one of our research plots to study the role of the seedling bank released by the disturbance in the regeneration processes. Methods: We collected data in 70 plots, recording the survivorship of seedlings, annual height growth, and signs of browsing. The height ranking was analyzed with Kendall’s concordance coefficient, and the height growth rates were compared using Dunn’s test. Results: The density of seedlings increased from 6.7/m2 in 2008 to 8.1/m2 in 2010 and then decreased to 1.2/m2 in 2015. The density of saplings increased continuously from 0.14 to 1.9/m2. The highest size differentiation occurred in sycamore maple; the individuals which were taller before the windstorm retained their position until the year 2015. The only species that was recruited mainly from germinants was European hornbeam. Conclusion: The advance regeneration released by the windstorm played a major role in the regeneration process, while pioneer species occurred only sporadically. Seven years after the disturbance, the windthrow was already covered by a dense thicket of young trees.NC

Changes in the IGF-1 and TNF-α synthesis pathways before and after three-month reduction diet with low glicemic index in women with PCOS

Objectives: An increase in IGF-I and TNF-α may be a cardioprotective effect. To examine the relationships between IGF-I and TNF-α and test the anthropometric and biochemical parameters before and after a low-glycemic index reduction diet using a correlation matrix. Material and methods: Twenty-two women diagnosed with PCOS according to Rotterdam’s criteria were eligible for this study, which analysed the results before and after a three months dietary intervention. Body composition measurements were determined by bioimpedance and performed twice, along with the labelling of lipid, carbohydrate and hormonal profiles. IGF-I and TNF-α were also determined in the serum. Results: Before dietary intervention, a significant correlation was observed. A correlation was also noted between the increase in TNF-α and DHEA-SO4, FSH, glucose level and total cholesterol. The increase in IGF-I was not related to anth­ropometric measurements: however, its concentration was observed to be related to the level of SHBG and HDL. After dietary intervention, the correlation between TNF-α and muscle mass percentage was confirmed, as was the correlation between WHR and fasting blood glucose levels. A significant negative correlation was observed between extracellular water, provided in litres, and SHBG level. Conclusions: One important role of IGF-I in PCOS pathogenesis is the stimulation of increased synthesis of SHBG and HDL. The increased level of IGF-I after the reduction diet had a cardioprotective effect. TNF-α inhibits FSH synthesis, preventing the growth of numerous follicles. Its synthesis is also related to DHEA-SO4. After three-month reduction diet does not significantly reduce TNF-α

Caloric Restriction Diet (CR diet) or Mediterranean Diet (MD) - Which is the Best Choice for Former Athletes?

Overweight or obesity which often develop in athletes who end their careers is one of the most important issues of the world of sport. During aging, an increase in the amount of intra-abdominal fat is observed; this fat increases the risk of such metabolic disease as diabetes or hypertension. The participants of the study were 94 males. The people were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups: group 1 &ndash; people using the diet based on calorie restriction CRON (n = 32), and group 2 &ndash; those who followed the recommendations of the Mediterranean diet (n = 34). The patients who at the check-up declared not following any diet were assigned to the control group (n = 28). A change in parameters was observed in each of the sub-groups after the intervention. The most significant changes were observed in the sub-group which lost &gt;2.6 kg. Both the diet based on mild calorie restriction and the Mediterranean diet had positive effect on the change of the former athlete&rsquo;s body parameters after the 6-week long dietary intervention. Both diets which were being tested changed the body composition of the athletes who ended their careers in a similar way

Nutrition of healthy infants

The daily energy requirement of infants depends on age, sex and body weight. Breastfeeding is the most appropriate way to feed babies in the first 6 months of their lives. According to WHO recommendations, one should aim for exclusive breast-feeding for the first 6 months of your child's life. After 6 months, the baby's diet should be extended, continuing breastfeeding. It is recommended to continue feeding with the mother's milk, according to the WHO, until the second year of life, and according to AAP up to 12 months, with the simultaneous introduction of supplementary foods. When, for various reasons, it is not possible to feed the infant with mother's milk, the products substituting for female milk are used. Infant formula is intended for children under 6 months of age and fully satisfies the nutritional needs of an infant. Complementary Feeding should be started between 17 and 26 weeks of age

In vitro analysis of the proliferation potential and colony forming efficiency of stem cells isolated from dental pulp (DPSC) and apical papilla (SCAP), cultured in standard and pro-mineralizing conditions

Introduction. Recent data point to unerupted third molars as a promising source of stem cells (SC). Tooth derived SC are clonogenic and present a capacity for self-renewal and colony formation. Additionally, an environmental stimulation induces an in vitro differentiation of SC into multiple lineages, including odontoblasts. Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro potential for proliferation and colony formation by stem cells derived from both dental pulp and apical papilla cultured in both standard medium (control and primary group) and medium modified with ingredients that stimulate mineralization (experimental group). Material and methods. Right after odontectomy the dental pulp and apical papilla were digested with dispase and collagenase type I. DPSCs and SCAPs were sorted using anti STRO-1, CD146, CD34, CD45 antibodies by means of the MACS method. Thereafter, the cells from the initial and control groups were cultured in a standard medium. The medium of the experimental group was additionally modified with ingredients that stimulated mineralization. To assess the cells commitment, the rate of proliferation and colony formation were examined. Results. The analysis showed that SCAPs from all the examined groups proliferated faster and formed more numerous and larger colonies compared to DPSCs. Environmental stimulation reduced proliferation and the ability to form colonies in both the DPSCs and SCAPs lineages. Conclusion. Faster proliferation and a higher ability to form colonies indicates the lower commitment of SCAPs compared to DPSCs. Additionally, the slower proliferation of stem cells from the experimental group suggests their more advanced commitment and differentiation. Although the SCAPs and DPSCs present different degrees of maturation, both cell lineages seem to be promising sources of stem cells

Betula pollen season in southern Poland in 2016

The paper presents a comparison of birch pollen seasons in 2016 in study sites located in the southern part of Poland: Zielona Gora, Opole, Wroclaw, Sosnowiec, Cracow, Lublin, and Guciow in the Roztocze National Park. The pollen concentrations were measured with the volumetric method using Burkard or Lanzoni pollen samplers. The annual pollen sum was calculated for each measurement site. In 2016, the birch pollen season started at a similar time, i.e. between 4th and 6th April in all the localities. The highest annual sums and maximum pollen concentrations were recorded in Lublin and Guciow. The maximum concentrations of birch pollen were noted from 5th and 15th April, with the highest value in Lublin, i.e. 8573 P/m3 (14.04)

Corylus pollen season in southern Poland in 2016

The aim of the study was to compare the hazel pollen season in 2016 in Zielona Gora, Opole, Wroclaw, Sosnowiec, Cracow, Lublin, and Guciow (Roztocze National Park). Due to the mild winter, the hazel pollen season in Zielona Gora and Opole began very early, i.e. in the third decade of December 2015. In the other cities, the onset of the pollen season was noted between 30th January and 7th February. In a majority of the cities, the maximum daily pollen concentrations were recorded in the period between 7th and 10th February. The highest seasonal peak was reported from Lublin and the lowest – in Guciow and Wroclaw. The highest risk of allergy related to the persistence of high concentrations of airborne hazel pollen was noted for Zielona Gora, Lublin, and Cracow

Wpływ wieloletniego nawożenia azotem i obornikiem na zmiany wybranych właściwości materii organicznej gleby lekkiej

The aim of the research was to assess the effect of long-term application of different doses of nitrogen fertilizers with or without manure to changes in the total organic carbon content, total nitrogen content, evaluation of dissolved organic carbon content and the value of absorbance coefficient (A4/6) in sandy loam soil. The base of research was the long-term field experiment, established in 1979 at the Wierzchucinek Experimental Station close to Bydgoszcz city - Poland. The experiment was carried out in the three-course crop rotation, potato, rye, rye in randomized split-plot design. The experimental treatments were four levels of N fertilizers in 0, 47, 93, and 140 kg∙ha-1∙yr-1 (N0, N1, N2, N3) as a 1st factor of experiment, and the same doses of N fertilizers with farmyard manure application (30 t∙ha-1) as a 2nd factor. After 36 years of experiment the content of total organic carbon was 26% lower and the content of total nitrogen 13% higher compared to the values determined before the experiment foundation (1979). The consequence of changes in the content of organic carbon and total nitrogen, are changes in the ratio of organic carbon content and total nitrogen content. It was noticed that the use of manure and different nitrogen doses resulted in a decrease of organic carbon content and total nitrogen content value. After application of different nitrogen doses, organic carbon content ranged from 122.4 to 152.2 mg∙kg-1. The same nitrogen doses applied simultaneously with farmyard manure increased the organic carbon content, which ranged from 133.5 to 166.7 mg∙kg-1. The changes of the organic carbon content did not effect on percentage of this fraction in the total organic carbon. Percentage of organic carbon content in total organic carbon content was on averaged 1.6%. After the application of different nitrogen doses, humic acids of analyzed soils were characterized by lower average value of A4/6 (5.4). However, the application of nitrogen doses with manure brought a higher - 6.3 - A4/6 value. Farmyard manure application caused the formation of humic acids of lower molecular weight and a low humification degree.Celem pracy było zbadanie wpływu długookresowego nawożenia zróżnicowanymi dawkami azotu stosowanymi z obornikiem lub bez tego nawozu na zmiany zawartości ogólnego węgla organicznego (OWO), azotu ogółem (Nog), rozpuszczalnego węgla organicznego (RWO) w glebie oraz określenie wartości absorbancji (A4/6). Podstawą badań było statyczne wieloletnie doświadczenie polowe, założona w 1979 roku w Stacji Badawczej w Wierzchucinku koło Bydgoszczy. Prowadzono je w trzyletnim, uproszczonym zmianowaniu: ziemniak – żyto ozime – żyto ozime. Pierwszym czynnikiem doświadczenia było zróżnicowane nawożenie azotem, dawki w kg∙ha-1 ∙r -1 wynosiły: N0, N47, N93, N140, drugim zastosowane dawki azotu na tle obornika (30 t∙ha-1). Po 36 latach stosowanego nawożenia średnie zawartości węgla oznaczone w próbkach glebowych były średnio niższe o 26%, natomiast zawartości azotu ogółem w glebie były wyższe o 13% w porównaniu do zawartości określonych w glebie przed założeniem doświadczenia (1979). Konsekwencją zmian zawartości węgla organicznego i azotu ogółem, są zmiany wartości stosunku zawartości węgla do azotu ogółem. Stosowanie łącznie obornika i zróżnicowanych dawek azotu spowodowało zawężenie wartości stosunku zawartości węgla do azotu ogółem. Stwierdzono, że zawartości węgla organicznego w glebie po zastosowaniu zróżnicowanych dawek azotu, wahały się w zakresie od 122.4 mg∙kg-1 do 152.2 mg∙kg-1 natomiast aplikacja azotu na tle obornika spowodowała, że zawartości te mieściły się w zakresie od 133.5 mg∙kg-1 do 166.7 mg∙kg-1 . Zawartości węgla organicznego nie przełożyły się na procentowy udział tej frakcji w całkowitej zawartości węgla organicznego. Udział ten średnio wynosił 1.6%. Zauważono również, że po aplikacji badanych dawek azotu, kwasy huminowe analizowanych gleb charakteryzowały się średnio niższymi wartościami współczynnika A4/6, który wynosił 5.4. Natomiast po zastosowaniu zróżnicowanych dawek azotu łącznie z obornikiem wynosił 6.3. Nawożenie obornikiem generowało powstawanie kwasów huminowych o mniejszej masie cząsteczkowej i o niskim stopniu humifikacji