Songbird nests on the ground as islands of diversity of ptyctimous mites (Acari: Oribatida) in the primeval Białowieża Forest (Poland)

Due to specific microclimatic conditions and accumulation of organic matter, bird nests are microhabitats that are often inhabited by various invertebrates, including mites (Acari). We tested whether nests of the ground-nesting passerine Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechstein) (Passeriformes: Phylloscopidae) [wood warbler] were associated with an increased local diversity of ptyctimous mites (Acari: Oribatida) on the forest floor in the Białowieża National Park, East Poland. In 2019–2020, we analysed 150 warbler nests shortly after they had been vacated by the birds, and additionally we sampled mites in leaf litter at 1 and 6 m distances from 21 of the collected nests. We found on average more mite species in nests sampled in 2020 than in nests sampled in 2019. Although the species composition largely overlapped between bird nests and the litter, bird nests contained a greater average number of mite species than litter samples, including species found only – Microtritia minima (Berlese) and Phthiracarus crenophilus Willmann – or mostly – Euphthiracarus cribrarius (Berlese) and Phthiracarus globosus (C.L. Koch) – in bird nests. The results suggest that the presence of bird nests may increase the local diversity of the invertebrate species assemblage

Immunoglobulin, glucocorticoid, or combination therapy for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a propensity-weighted cohort study

Background Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a hyperinflammatory condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as a serious illness in children worldwide. Immunoglobulin or glucocorticoids, or both, are currently recommended treatments. Methods The Best Available Treatment Study evaluated immunomodulatory treatments for MIS-C in an international observational cohort. Analysis of the first 614 patients was previously reported. In this propensity-weighted cohort study, clinical and outcome data from children with suspected or proven MIS-C were collected onto a web-based Research Electronic Data Capture database. After excluding neonates and incomplete or duplicate records, inverse probability weighting was used to compare primary treatments with intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, or glucocorticoids alone, using intravenous immunoglobulin as the reference treatment. Primary outcomes were a composite of inotropic or ventilator support from the second day after treatment initiation, or death, and time to improvement on an ordinal clinical severity scale. Secondary outcomes included treatment escalation, clinical deterioration, fever, and coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN69546370. Findings We enrolled 2101 children (aged 0 months to 19 years) with clinically diagnosed MIS-C from 39 countries between June 14, 2020, and April 25, 2022, and, following exclusions, 2009 patients were included for analysis (median age 8·0 years [IQR 4·2–11·4], 1191 [59·3%] male and 818 [40·7%] female, and 825 [41·1%] White). 680 (33·8%) patients received primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, 698 (34·7%) with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, 487 (24·2%) with glucocorticoids alone; 59 (2·9%) patients received other combinations, including biologicals, and 85 (4·2%) patients received no immunomodulators. There were no significant differences between treatments for primary outcomes for the 1586 patients with complete baseline and outcome data that were considered for primary analysis. Adjusted odds ratios for ventilation, inotropic support, or death were 1·09 (95% CI 0·75–1·58; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids and 0·93 (0·58–1·47; corrected p value=1·00) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Adjusted average hazard ratios for time to improvement were 1·04 (95% CI 0·91–1·20; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, and 0·84 (0·70–1·00; corrected p value=0·22) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Treatment escalation was less frequent for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids (OR 0·15 [95% CI 0·11–0·20]; p<0·0001) and glucocorticoids alone (0·68 [0·50–0·93]; p=0·014) versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Persistent fever (from day 2 onward) was less common with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids compared with either intravenous immunoglobulin alone (OR 0·50 [95% CI 0·38–0·67]; p<0·0001) or glucocorticoids alone (0·63 [0·45–0·88]; p=0·0058). Coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Interpretation Recovery rates, including occurrence and resolution of coronary artery aneurysms, were similar for primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin when compared to glucocorticoids or intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids. Initial treatment with glucocorticoids appears to be a safe alternative to immunoglobulin or combined therapy, and might be advantageous in view of the cost and limited availability of intravenous immunoglobulin in many countries. Funding Imperial College London, the European Union's Horizon 2020, Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Foundation, UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and National Institutes of Health

Immunoglobulin, glucocorticoid, or combination therapy for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a propensity-weighted cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a hyperinflammatory condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as a serious illness in children worldwide. Immunoglobulin or glucocorticoids, or both, are currently recommended treatments. METHODS: The Best Available Treatment Study evaluated immunomodulatory treatments for MIS-C in an international observational cohort. Analysis of the first 614 patients was previously reported. In this propensity-weighted cohort study, clinical and outcome data from children with suspected or proven MIS-C were collected onto a web-based Research Electronic Data Capture database. After excluding neonates and incomplete or duplicate records, inverse probability weighting was used to compare primary treatments with intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, or glucocorticoids alone, using intravenous immunoglobulin as the reference treatment. Primary outcomes were a composite of inotropic or ventilator support from the second day after treatment initiation, or death, and time to improvement on an ordinal clinical severity scale. Secondary outcomes included treatment escalation, clinical deterioration, fever, and coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN69546370. FINDINGS: We enrolled 2101 children (aged 0 months to 19 years) with clinically diagnosed MIS-C from 39 countries between June 14, 2020, and April 25, 2022, and, following exclusions, 2009 patients were included for analysis (median age 8·0 years [IQR 4·2-11·4], 1191 [59·3%] male and 818 [40·7%] female, and 825 [41·1%] White). 680 (33·8%) patients received primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, 698 (34·7%) with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, 487 (24·2%) with glucocorticoids alone; 59 (2·9%) patients received other combinations, including biologicals, and 85 (4·2%) patients received no immunomodulators. There were no significant differences between treatments for primary outcomes for the 1586 patients with complete baseline and outcome data that were considered for primary analysis. Adjusted odds ratios for ventilation, inotropic support, or death were 1·09 (95% CI 0·75-1·58; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids and 0·93 (0·58-1·47; corrected p value=1·00) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Adjusted average hazard ratios for time to improvement were 1·04 (95% CI 0·91-1·20; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, and 0·84 (0·70-1·00; corrected p value=0·22) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Treatment escalation was less frequent for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids (OR 0·15 [95% CI 0·11-0·20]; p<0·0001) and glucocorticoids alone (0·68 [0·50-0·93]; p=0·014) versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Persistent fever (from day 2 onward) was less common with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids compared with either intravenous immunoglobulin alone (OR 0·50 [95% CI 0·38-0·67]; p<0·0001) or glucocorticoids alone (0·63 [0·45-0·88]; p=0·0058). Coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution did not differ significantly between treatment groups. INTERPRETATION: Recovery rates, including occurrence and resolution of coronary artery aneurysms, were similar for primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin when compared to glucocorticoids or intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids. Initial treatment with glucocorticoids appears to be a safe alternative to immunoglobulin or combined therapy, and might be advantageous in view of the cost and limited availability of intravenous immunoglobulin in many countries. FUNDING: Imperial College London, the European Union's Horizon 2020, Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Foundation, UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and National Institutes of Health

Dynamics of water levels and ground water storage in the soils of polder Zagorow within range of impact of hydraulic engineering structures

The aim of this study was to analyze the dynamics of groundwater level and water reserves changes in the active layer of the soil in the area of compensation activities. The study area covered the range of functioning culverts during the growing season in year of 2012. This paper for the first time presents a real area impact of hydraulic structures which is the surface of the flood footprint that arise as a result of water overflow into the polder from Warta river by culverts. According to the calculation the maximum coverage area of the building is less than 230 ha. It is not so much considering the fact that the whole area of the polder has almost 1200 hectares. Nevertheless, considering the fact of the importance of leading restoration activities in the Central Valley Warta the constant monitoring and verifications of changes are required. At this work relations between underwater level and water supply were presented. For that purpose a statistical relation between above mentioned parameters was determined. Using a simple regression equation the relationship between ground water and water reserves was showed. In addition, the changes of groundwater level and soil moisture of polder Zagorow were assessed against the monthly precipitation and average air temperatures by their own weather station. The results were compared with data from multiple years of 1981–2011 with a weather station in Slupca. On the basis of measurement average daily values of meteorological elements indicate reference evapotranspiration by using method of Penman-Monteith. Climatic water balance was calculated as the difference between the percentage of monthly precipitation P and the sum of the monthly reference evapotranspiration ETo. In addition, the study also monitored the level of water changes on the Warta river. Modeling studies conducted, in most cases gave satisfactory results. In most of the analyzed cases, the coefficient of determination was very high which means that the resulting regression equation significantly explains how the water reserves to groundwater level dependent. Best results are obtained at positions 1, 2 and 9, where more than 90% variation in the regression equation Y explained. Only in sections 4 and 5 shows the model inadequately describes the relationship test. In case of further analysis it is necessary to extend the model to a further independent variables. In this work, we can see that for some positions a major impact on the level of water reserves are influenced by the meteorological and hydrological conditions

The role of water and drainage system infrastructure in the process of suburbanization

Celem pracy była analiza stanu infrastruktury wodno-melioracyjnej w aspekcie intensywnej realizacji zabudowy mieszkaniowej na terenach uprzednio użytkowanych rolniczo. Jako obszar badań wybrano obręb geodezyjny Skórzewo w gminie Dopiewo, położony na terenie zlewni cieku Skórzynka. Wyniki analiz materiałów archiwalnych i kartograficznych zweryfikowano wizją terenową przeprowadzoną w dniach 1÷8.09.2010 roku, podczas której wykonano szczegółową dokumentację fotograficzną, zweryfikowano parametry techniczne budowli oraz oceniono ich stan techniczny (drożność, stopień zamulenia).Encroachment of housing and service and industrial building development on previously used agricultural areas is conducting changes in the aquatic environment among others changes of the hydrographical network and water relationships in the soil. In the paper changes of the land management and their influence on the state of the waterdrainage infrastructure were analysed. The research was carried out on the example of the geodetic range Skórzewo within the limits of Skórzynka catchment area being liable to an intensive process of suburbanization associated with the development of Poznan agglomeration. In analysed area an increase of the population number was documented. Besides rise of the share in builtup areas which were driving simultaneously to disappearance of farmlands and natural water relation was included. Also further planned directions of changes in the population number and spatial planning were indicated. Against this background an evaluation of the state of the existing water-drainage infrastructure was carried out, its patency among others. Special attention was drown attention to the fact that the process of converting previously used agriculturally areas into builtup areas must be preceded by a detailed analysis of possibilities of the effective functioning of the existing water-drainage infrastructure in changed conditions. First of all parameters of devices must be adapted for fast draining rain waters. Investment projects every time should include a detailed analysis of the layout of the existing drainage network. Those should be joined in the new agreement during the earth work and strictly documented

The role of Zagorow polder in flood protection

Celem pracy była analiza aktualnych problemów związanych z gospodarowaniem wodą na terenach polderowych, na przykładzie polderu Zagórów, w tym przede wszystkim jego wpływu na ochronę przeciwpowodziową terenów niżej położonych. Praca została wykonana na podstawie materiałów archiwalnych oraz wstępnych badań i obserwacji prowadzonych w ramach realizacji projektu badawczego dotyczącego możliwości renaturyzacji tego obszaru.The aim of this work was to present a detailed characterization of Zagorow polder and its possible functions in flood protection. So far the polder composed the closed part of the valley Konin-Pyzdry entirely cut away from periodic of swelling of the River Warta by flood bank. The lack of the possibility of cyclical flooding on this area at a fast pace contributed to their drying. Consequently, it led to changes of water ratios as well as habitat conditions occurring in polder. In 2009, within the framework "Restoration of the river water circulation in the middle of the Warta river valley between Zagorow and Lad" made a possibility of the natural compensation for this area and controlled deluge of the polder in the case of the flood hazard in lower areas of the valley. Analyses showed, that at the moment Zagorow polder cannot be the alternative for standard flood reservoirs. However it is affecting for slowing the outflow down, improving distorted circulation of water in centre course of the River Warta caused by anthropogenic activity. Great natural values of the Konin-Pyzdry valley resulting from the fact of living on the Zagorow polder numerous kinds of the fauna, require the particular flood protection. The priority usually granted highly prized natural values often led to lack of comprehensive action allowing for the rational management of water in the valley. In this case an applying to the sensible compromise between the flood and natural environment protection is recommended. Zagorow polder as the only facility in the whole valley has his own drainage infrastructure. This area largely used by agriculture and a little populated in some proper legal acts and investment could constitute the additional component of the flood control. However, costs of the flood protection (repurchase of the earth and the structure of additional devices) should not exceed values of this facilities

Use of antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Introduction: The presence of background HCV infection cannot be overestimated in view of the prevalence of chronic hepatitis C and the risk of adverse outcomes of this disease. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined use of antiviral therapy (Roferon + Vero-Ribavirin) and resort factors in patients with chronic hepatitis C in the phase of replication. Material and methods: We observed 48 patients with chronic hepatitis C; the minimum level of activity of the process defined the phase of replication. Markers of HCV infection were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (a-HCV and HCV-Ig M). HCV RNA was determined twice by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotyping of hepatitis C virus was performed. Biochemical blood analysis and the study of HCV infection markers were carried out four times. Results of therapy were assessed immediately after the end of the resort (spa) treatment, then at 3, 6 and 12 months after starting treatment. At 12 months after starting treatment, all the observed patients had persistent clinical and biochemical remission. Elimination of the virus from the blood was noted in 56% of the control group and 74% of patients in the study group. Conclusions: For patients with moderately active HCV, the replication phase was characterized by asthenic-vegetative syndrome (100% of patients) with severe depression (22.92%), pain (77.08%) and dyspeptic syndrome (33.33%), moderate hypertransferaseemia (100%), slightly pronounced cholestasis (33% of patients), and signs of mesenchymal- inflammatory response