An initial evaluation of newly proposed biomarker of zinc status in humans - linoleic acid: dihomo-y-linolenic acid (LA:DGLA) ratio

Background: Zinc is an essential micronutrient for humans with important physiological functions. A sensitive and specific biomarker for assessing Zn status is still needed. Objective: The major aim of this study was to examine if the changes in the content of plasma phospholipid LA, DGLA and LA: DGLA ratio can be used to efficiently predict the dietary Zn intake and plasma Zn status of humans. Methods: The study was performed on healthy human volunteers, 25-55 years of age. The dietary Zn intake was assessed using 24 h recall questionnaires. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid analysis was done by gas chromatography, and plasma analysis of minerals by atomic absorption spectrometry. Biochemical, anthropometrical and hematological parameters were assessed. Results: No significant relationship was found between the dietary and plasma zinc status (r = 0.07; p = 0.6). There was a statistically significant correlation between DGLA and plasma Zn (r = 0.39, p = 0.00). No relationship was observed between the linoleic acid and plasma Zn, while there was a significant negative correlation between LA: DGLA ratio and plasma Zn status (r = 0.35, p = 0.01). Similarly, there were statistically significant difference in DGLA status (p = 0.004) and LA: DGLA ratio (p = 0.042) between the Zn formed groups. Conclusions: This study is an initial step in evaluating LA: DGLA ratio as a biomarker of Zn status in humans. The results are encouraging as they show that concentration of DGLA is decreased and LA: DGLA ratio increased in people with lower dietary Zn intake. However, additional studies are needed to fully examine the sensitivity of this biomarker

Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in children after successful repair of aortic coarctation

The purpose of the study was an assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in children after the successful repair of aortic coarctation (CoA). The prospective study concerned 32 pediatric patients after the CoA surgery. Tissue Doppler imaging parameters including strain and strain rate and the conventional echocardiographic indexes were analyzed in patients and healthy controls. Analysis of mitral annulus velocities, E–E′ ratio, strain, and strain rate of left ventricular mid-cavity segments and conventional indexes of mitral inflow showed the worsening of left ventricular diastolic mechanics in the study group compared to healthy controls. The E/E′ ratio was significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group (8.30 ± 3.24 vs. 6.95 ± 1.36; p < 0.05). The early diastolic strain rate to late diastolic strain rate ratio as well as early to late diastolic strain ratio of the left ventricular mid-cavity segments were significantly lower in the study group compared to healthy controls (1.81 ± 0.63 vs. 3.74 ± 1.53; p < 0.001 and 1.20 ± 0.49 vs. 3.41 ± 1.26; p < 0.001). No differences of the pulmonary venous flow parameters between those two groups were observed. The left ventricular diastolic mechanics in hypertensive patients after CoA repair did not differ from normotensive subjects. Hypertensive and normotensive children after surgical repair of CoA are found to have worsening of the left ventricular diastolic mechanics suggesting the impairment of the active myocardial relaxation

Issue of productivity versus strategies for the development of Polish agricultural sector

W artykule podjęto problematykę oceny sprawności rolnictwa polskiego z perspektywy zrównoważonego rozwoju. W tym celu zostały zdefiniowane pojęcia z zakresu oceny sprawności gospodarowania oraz obszary zrównoważenia właściwe dla rolnictwa europejskiego i polskiego. Następnie zastało zaprezentowane ujęcie zagadnienia sprawności we współczesnych dokumentach strategicznych odnoszących się do rozwoju rolnictwa i obszarów wiejskich w Polsce. Poprzez zaprezentowanie przykładowych prac łączących zagadnienie sprawności ekonomicznej i zrównoważenia rolnictwa zostały wskazane ograniczenia metodyczne poszczególnych metod oceny gospodarowania w rolnictwie. Autorzy zidentyfikowali dalsze potrzeby badania sprawności sektora rolnego w kontekście programowania polityki rolnej wspierającej proces jego zrównoważenia.In the article assessment of economic efficiency of agriculture is discussed from the sustainable development perspective. Basic definitions are outlined and spheres of sustainability related to Polish agriculture characteristics. Concepts of productivity and efficiency measurement are illustrated with the use of recently conducted research. Ability of different measures to reflect most important processes in agriculture sector is discussed. Following, development policies for economy and agricultural sector are reviewed to suggest concept of economic efficiency measurement form the sustainable agriculture perspective

Structure of the rural population incomes in Poland before and after the accession to the European Union

In the period of transformation significant changes in the structure of income sources of population in Poland have been observed. The most important ones are a fall in the share of salaries and an increased role of social transfers as a main source of incomes. These tendencies were especially visible in rural areas. Accession of Poland to the European Union creates through Common Agricultural Policy and regional policy new possibilities for overcoming income problems troubling rural population. Total transfers to Polish agricultural sector and rural areas within 2004-2006 under those titles would reach more than 10 billion €. To ensure maximum absorption of available funds, national development plans were elaborated. Authors argue that during the first years of membership there will be no significant changes in the rural population's income structure

Profitability and productivity of Polish agriculture versus those of EU agriculture in 2002-2010

Teoria ekonomii łączy wzrost wynagrodzenia czynników wytwórczych z poprawą produktywności. W przypadku współczesnego rolnictwa europejskiego wśród czynników dochodotwórczych istotną pozycję zajmują transfery bezpośrednie. Transfery te są jednym z podstawowych instrumentów polityki rolnej i służą realizacji celów społecznych. W przeprowadzonym badaniu poddano zmiany produktywności rolnictwa krajów unijnych i roli transferów bezpośrednich w tworzeniu dochodu rolniczego. W szczególności przeanalizowano związki między poziomem wsparcia bezpośredniego a wzrostem produktywności w kontekście programowania polityki wzrostu rolnictwa.The economic theory links the growth of production factors remuneration with the productivity improvement. In the case of contemporary European agriculture, among the most important income creators are money transfers, namely direct payments. These transfers are part of the agricultural and rural policy directed at fulfillment of societal goals. The research investigates relations between changes of agricultural productivity and the share of direct payments in incomes from agriculture in the EU member states. The level of direct support and the productivity development were analyzed in the context of programming the agricultural growth policy