Persistent tachypnea of infancy: Follow up at school age.

AbstractBackgroundPersistent tachypnea of infancy (PTI) is a rare pediatric lung disease of unknown origin. The diagnosis can be made by clinical presentation and chest high resolution computed tomography after exclusion of other causes. Clinical courses beyond infancy have rarely been assessed.MethodsPatients included in the Kids Lung Register diagnosed with PTI as infants and now older than 5 years were identified. Initial presentation, extrapulmonary comorbidities, spirometry and clinical outcome were analyzed.ResultsThirty‐five children older than 5 years with PTI diagnosed as infants were analyzed. At the age of 5 years, 74% of the patients were reported as asymptomatic and did not develope new symptoms during the observational period at school‐age (mean, 3.9 years; range, 0.3‐6.3). At the age of about 10 years, none of the symptomatic children had abnormal oxygen saturation during sleep or exercise anymore. Lung function tests and breathing frequency were within normal values throughout the entire observational period.ConclusionsPTI is a pulmonary disease that can lead to respiratory insufficiency in infancy. As at school age most of the previously chronically affected children became asymptomatic and did not develop new symptoms. We conclude that the overall clinical course is favorable

The antioxidant properties of leaves of selected cultivars of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.)

The leaves of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) contain a lot of vitamins beneficial for human health, e.g.: A, C, B (riboflavin). They are a great source of lutein, macro- and microelements and bioactive compounds, including antioxidants. They are characterised by a wide range of properties, including antioxidation. Eating sweet potato leaves can prevent cancer, systemic, cardiovascular or neurological diseases. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the contents of antioxidants in the leaves of several sweet potato cultivars. The results of the study were based on a field experiment conducted between 2015-2016 in South Eastern Poland (49.83°N; 21.85°E) in brown earth with slightly acidic pH. The experiment involved a randomised block design and 3 repetitions. The study included 10 sweet potato cultivars (Okinawa, Georgia Jet, Satsumo Imo, Beauregard, Molokai, Purple, Radiosa, White Triumph, Speckled Purple, Carmen Rubin) with various skin and flesh colours. The experiment was commenced in mid-May by planting rooted seedlings. Fertilisation remained constant during the whole experiment (80 kg N, 35 kg P, 100 kg K and 25 t.ha-1 of manure). During vegetation, potatoes were cultivated according to good agricultural practice. In BBCH phase 19 (on a 99-point BBCH scale), in the first ten days of July, 30 leaves were sampled from each sweet potato cultivar and field repetition for chemical analyses. The leaves were dried until solid with the use of thermal drying according to PN-EN ISO 712. Then, 2 grams of dried leaves was weighted and infused by pouring distilled water (100 ml) at 80° and 100 °C into the samples. The analysis of antioxidant properties of the dried sweet potato leaf infusion involved three infusion times: 2.5 and 10 minutes. The study of antioxidant effectiveness was based on the ability to deactivate free radicals with the use of the DPPH reagentVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Phenotypic changeability of features of foreign cultivars of potato in Poland

In field experiments conducted at two localities in Poland, on various height over the sea level, in the years 2006-2008, the influence of potato eultivars was hoted of the various colours of skin and flesh on the crop, morphological traits and chemical composition of tubers. The higher total and commercial crop was obtained in potatoes with yellow rather than colourful flesh. A higher content of dry matter, starch, total and true protein, vitamin C and Lascorbic acid in tubers were noted in eultivars with coloured flesh. The highest concentration of dry matter, total and true protein was characteristic for cultivar Valfi and starch for Shetland Black. The highest content of the vitamin C and ascorbic acid was noted in cultivar Blue Congo with purple skin and flesh. The homologous content of this component is characteristic for the eultivars: Shetland Black, Highland Burgundy Red and Valfi with colourful tuber flesh. Cultivars with purple and red flesh showed a higher mean content of those components than it was noted with yellow tuber eultivars. The investigation did not show the effect of the localization on the content of dry matter, starch, true protein, vitamin C and ascorbic acid in tubersVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Biologically active compounds in germinated seed for foods

Recently there is a new market tendency to reduce the amount of salt, sugar and fat, to change food ingredients (to reformulate food). Thus, sprouted seeds are also suitable to fulfil this task. The aim of this research was to evaluate the biologically active compounds in the seeds used for germination. The seeds of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), lens (Lens culinaris), mung beans (Vigna radiata), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) were germinated for 120 hours. Seed sprouting and dry matter estimation were carried out at the laboratory of Agronomy, Aleksandras Stulginskis University (ASU) and Food Sciences Institute. Amounts of biologically active compounds in sprouted seeds for food were determined at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University (Kaliningrad, Russia) and University of Rzeszow, Poland. The experiment was performed in 2015-2016. Seeds were sprouted with three repetitions in polish firm “Bio-Natura” Ø 20cm, 1 litre capacity incubator disinfected with 70% ethyl alcohol solution. The seeds were sprouted for 5 days in dark ventilated room at the temperature of 22 °C. Each time 80 g of seeds were taken for sprouting. Before sprouting, seeds were carefully reselected, removing miscellaneous impurities and then they were kept in water for 12 hours (ratio 1:4). By standard methods was determined: the amount of dry matter, vitamin C (titrimetric), anthocyanins, leuco-anthocyanins, catechins (spectrophotometric). Data was statistically evaluated applying a statistical program Anova. The averages and standard deviations were calculated.[...]Agronomijos fakultetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

The effects of temperature on the quality and storage stalibity of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. [Lam]) grown in Central Europe

The research focuses on the effects of temperature on the quality and storage stability of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. [Lam]). It is based on the results of a field experiment conducted between 2015–2017 in Zyzn ˙ ów (49◦490 N, 21◦500 E). The experimental factors were: storage temperatures (5◦ and 15 ◦C) and sweet potato cultivars (‘Carmen Rubin’, ‘White Triumph’, ‘Beauregard’, ‘Satsumo Imo’, ‘Purple’). Tubers were harvested at BBCH stage 97. Tubers were stored in a climatic chamber with temperature control and fixed ambient humidity for 6 months during the 2015/16–2017/18 seasons. The storage of tubers at 15 ◦C helped reduce tuber waste and weight losses resulting from germination, transpiration, respiration and rotting. The quality of the stored tubers depended mostly on storage temperature. It was observed that at 15◦ , the content of dry matter and total sugars was higher than at 5◦ , whereas the content of starch was lower. The factor determining storage stability was the genetic features of the cultivars under study. The cultivars ‘Purple’ and ‘Satsumo Imo’ demonstrated good storage stability. The cultivar ‘Carmen Rubin’ turned out least suitable for long storage. The experiment results can contribute to developing storage technology of sweet potato tubers cultivated in Central EuropeAgronomijos fakultetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Genotypic and environmental variance of macroelements in tubers of coloured potato varieties

Coloured-flesh potatoes, rich in nutrients, in particular minerals, are getting more and more popular on the European market. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to determine the influence of genotypic and environmental variance on phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium content in tubers of coloured-flesh potatoes. The results of the study based on a field experiment conducted between 2013-2015 in Central Eastern Poland (49.8333°N; 21.8500°E) on earth based on flysch deposits (mechanical composition: silt loam with slightly acidic pH). It involved a randomised block design and 3 repetitions. The study included 4 potato varieties (Vitelotte, Blue Congo, Red Emmalie, Purple Majesty). Fertilisation remained constant (80 kg N, 35 kg P, 100 kg K and 25 t ha-1 of manure). Potatoes were cultivated according to good agricultural practice. After harvest, tubers were analysed for content of potassium, calcium and magnesium (Atomic Absorption Spectrometry) as well as phosphorus (colorimetry). Statistical evaluation of the results involved an analysis of variance and descriptive statistics. Mineral content in tubers of coloured potato varieties depended on both environmental and genetic factors. One of the most significant environmental factor turned out to be minerals phytoavailability in the earth. The variety containing the most minerals was Purple Majesty, and the least – Vitelotte. Among the macroelements under study, the least fluctuation in potato tubers was demonstrated by magnesium, and the most – by phosphorus. Minerals content in potato tubers under study may be increased by combining genotypes with a naturally higher content of minerals in tubers with the right fertilisation methods in order to achieve the minerals most crucial in dietsVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Pro-health value of the potato pulp with a colorful

Vytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Phenolic Acid Content and Antioxidant Properties of Edible Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) with Various Tuber Flesh Colours

The aim of the paper was to evaluate the phenolic acid content and antioxidant properties in potato cultivars with coloured flesh and bright flesh. The study material included eight cultivars of edible potato grown in a temperate climate in Poland. Five cultivars were potato tubers with coloured flesh: “Rote Emma”, “Blue Salad”, “Vitelotte”, “Red Emmalie”, and “Blue Congo”; and three were potato tubers with bright flesh: “Bella Rosa”, “Lord”, and “Tajfun”. In all potato samples under study, four phenolic acids were identified: chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, and caffeic acid. The predominant acid was chlorogenic acid, the levels of which ranged from 62.95 mg·100 g−1 FM to 126.77 mg·100 g−1 FM. The total concentration of the identified phenolic acids was diverse and depended on the genotype of the cultivar and the tuber flesh colour, with coloured-fleshed potatoes having higher phenolic acid contents in comparison to bright-fleshed potato cultivars. The average concentration of phenolic acids in the samples was 89.19 mg∙100 g−1 FM, and the average concentrations of the individual phenolic acids identified were as follows: chlorogenic acid (86.19 mg∙100 g−1 FM), gallic acid (1.18 mg∙100 g−1 FM), p-coumaric acid (0.64 mg∙100 g−1 FM), and caffeic acid (1.18 mg∙100 g−1 FM). In addition, three groups of anthocyanins were identified: pelargonidin-3,5-di-O-glucoside, peonidin-3,5-di-O-glucoside, and petunidin-3,5-di-O-glucoside. Anthocyanins were not found in the “Lord” or “Tajfun” varieties characterised by white tuber flesh. The predominant pigment was petunidin-3,5-di-O-glucoside, with an average content of 23.15 mg∙100 g−1 FM, and the highest value was observed in the “Vitelotte” variety (51.27 mg∙100 g−1 FM). The antioxidant activity of the flesh of the potatoes under study was diverse depending on flesh colour. The FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) assay indicated higher antioxidant activity of coloured-fleshed potato cultivars. The highest concentration was identified in the “Vitelotte” cultivar flesh and was 114% higher than in the “Lord” cultivar. Similar dependencies were found in the case of the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay; however, in this case, the “Vitelotte” cultivar flesh demonstrated nearly 6.4 times higher antioxidant activity than the “Lord” cultivar. Summarizing our own research, we can conclude that potato varieties with coloured flesh are characterised by a higher content of biologically active substances, including phenolic acids, and antioxidant properties compared to potato tubers with bright flesh

Diagnostic workup of childhood interstitial lung disease

Childhood interstitial lung diseases (chILDs) are rare and heterogeneous diseases with significant morbidity and mortality. An accurate and quick aetiological diagnosis may contribute to better management and personalised treatment. On behalf of the European Respiratory Society Clinical Research Collaboration for chILD (ERS CRC chILD-EU), this review summarises the roles of the general paediatrician, paediatric pulmonologists and expert centres in the complex diagnostic workup. Each patient's aetiological chILD diagnosis must be reached without prolonged delays in a stepwise approach from medical history, signs, symptoms, clinical tests and imaging, to advanced genetic analysis and specialised procedures including bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsy, if necessary. Finally, as medical progress is fast, the need to revisit a diagnosis of "undefined chILD" is stressed. Childhood interstitial lung diseases are rare and severe diseases. A stepwise approach to an aetiological diagnosis includes specific investigations performed in expert centres. The term "undefined chILD" must be regularly reassesse