Combined use of companion planting and PGPR for the assisted phytoextraction of trace metals (Zn, Pb, Cd)

Biomass production and metal accumulation in plant tissue (bioconcentration) are two critical factors limiting the phytoextraction rate.Metal translocation to aboveground organs should be accounted for as the third most important factor, as harvesting of the plant roots is usually economically disadvantageous. These three parameters could be potentially increased with the use of companion planting, a well-known agricultural technique, and inoculation with plant growth–promoting bacteria (PGPB). The aim of the study was to determine whether intercropping and inoculation with endophytic PGPB (Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJNT) can increase the efficiency of phytoextraction of Zn, Pb, and Cd. The study was conducted on Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. “Małopolska” grown in a monoculture or co-planted with Zea mays L. “Codimon” and Medicago sativa L. “Sanditi.” Results show that companion planting and inoculation with rhizobacteria can increase the efficiency of metal phytoextraction, mainly by increasing the yield of dry biomass and the survival rate of plants grown on contaminated soil.We have shown that the simultaneous planting of B. juncea with M. sativa and inoculation with PGPB were the most efficient variants of assisted phytoextraction reaching a recovery of 95% Zn, 90% Cd, and on average about 160% Pb compared with control B. juncea plants grown in monoculture

HPV genotypes in the oral cavity/oropharynx of children and adolescents: cross-sectional survey in Poland

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a very complex group of pathogenic viruses, with more than 80 types, causing human infection. Given the prevalence of HPV infection and its relationship with the development of cervical and many other cancers, HPV vaccine development has been a major public health initiative worldwide in the last decade. The aim of the presented study was to identify HPV DNA by MY-PCR in 4,150 school children and adolescents, aged 10–18 years in the Wielkopolska region, Poland. All individuals were asked to fill in extensive questionnaires; further normal, oral squamous cells were collected from each pupil. Cellular DNA was isolated and used as a MY-PCR template to estimate the incidence of HPV-active infection. Forty five subjects (1.08% of the sample) were carriers of oropharyngeal HPVs. HPV status and variables of interest, such as age, gender, socioeconomical status, and risk factors (smoking and sexual intercourse history, alcohol consumption) were not correlated. The presence of HPVs in the oral cavity was cumulated in several schools of the region. DNA sequencing of MY-PCR products revealed only four HPV genotypes. The most frequent genotype was HPV11 (38/45 HPV-positive cases), while other more rare genotypes were HPV6 (3/45), HPV12 (3/45), and HPV57 (1/45). Conclusion: Our findings presented herein, reveal a relatively low prevalance of oropharyngeal HPVs in Polish adolescents and fill an important gap in the knowledge of oral HPV infections of children above 10 years and adolescents

The adaptation process and preliminary psychometric evaluation of the Polish version of Kiddo-KINDL questionnaire

The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is increasingly important in fields of public health, medicine, sociology and psychology. The aim of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Polish version of generic Kiddo-KINDL questionnaire for adolescents. The psychometric evaluation was performed using 96 questionnaires fulfilled by adolescents aged 12–16 years. Cronbach’s α coefficient for internal consistency and split-half reliability was estimated as well as ceiling, floor effect and correlations among the subscales and total score. The mean reliability for subscales was 0.65 and the Cronbach’s α coefficient for the total score was 0.85. The lowest α coefficient was for the School dimension (0.44) and the highest was achieved for the Self-esteem (0.80). The correlation between two parts of the questionnaire and split-half reliability was 0.66 and 0.80 respectively. The first psychometric evaluation of the Polish Kiddo-KINDL showed promising basic measurement properties, but it needs farther assessment, including convergent, construct and discriminant validity estimation

FTO and MC4R polymorphisms, and selected pre-, peri- and postnatal factors as determinants of body mass index and fatness in children: a thorough analysis of the associations

Abstract Background Overweight and obesity among children have become significant global health concerns. Previous studies have highlighted the potential role of genetic factors, particularly polymorphisms in the FTO and MC4R genes, as well as environmental factors in the development of childhood obesity. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between genetic, socioeconomic and perinatal factors, adverse childhood events (ACEs), and lifestyle, and their impact on overweight, obesity and body composition parameters in children. Additionally, we explored potential interactions between genetic factors and ACEs. Methods Four hundred fifty-six children aged 6–12 years participated in our study. Information on the socioeconomic status, perinatal factors, ACEs and lifestyle of the children was collected with a questionnaire completed by their parents/guardians. We examined the children’s body weight and conducted an electrical bioimpedance analysis. Overweight and obesity were diagnosed based on the International Obesity Task Force and McCarthy criteria. We genotyped two selected polymorphisms in the FTO and MC4R genes using the TaqMan SNP allelic discrimination method. Results Higher BMI (Body Mass Index) z scores were related to higher paternal BMI and lower maternal age at the child’s birth. Higher FMI (Fat Mass Index) z scores were associated with higher paternal BMI, increased gestational weight, lower maternal education and the presence of the FTO risk allele. Higher FatM (fat mass in kg) z scores were linked to lower maternal education, lower maternal age at the child’s birth, higher maternal body weight gain, paternal BMI and the presence of the FTO risk allele. Moreover, interaction effects were observed on BMI z scores between ACE and FTO AA, and on FMI z scores and FatM z scored between ACE and MC4R CC. Conclusions The contribution of environmental factors is more strongly related to changes in body composition than genetic ones. Additionally, the presence of the risk allele combined with unfavourable environmental factors like ACEs leads to visible interaction effects, resulting in increased BMI z scores and FMI z scores in children

The Association between Executive Functions and Body Weight/BMI in Children and Adolescents with ADHD

Despite the increasing body of research on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the results of the studies assessing the relationship between executive function deficit and the risk of obesity in people with ADHD are incongruent. Our study aimed to assess the relationship between measures of executive functions and body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) in children and adolescents with ADHD and control subjects. The study group consisted of 58 subjects aged from 8 to 17 years with ADHD. The Control group consisted of 62 healthy age and sex-matched participants from primary and secondary schools. Weight, height, and BMI measurements were standardized. The Sustained Attention to Response Test (SART) and the Attention Network Test (ANT) were used to assess executive functions. Based on the analysis of the correlation and analysis of moderation, we found that subjects with higher weight in the study group presented a lower efficiency of the inhibition processes and gave more impulsive and incorrect answers. The occurrence of impulsive reactions might contribute to the risk of excessive weight in children and adolescents with ADHD

Cool executive functions and their association with body mass & fatness and the FTO gene in school-aged children

Abstract The FTO gene rs9936909 polymorphism is one of the well-documented single nucleotide polymorphisms in the context of increased risk of obesity, including in children. Few studies have tested the association of the FTO gene with cognitive functions. Deficits of “cool” executive functions (EFs) are considered a potential risk factor for excessive weight. The aims of our study were to investigate whether cool EFs are associated with the Body Mass Index, the Fat Mass Index and the risk of excess body mass and overfatness in neurotypically school-aged children, and whether the FTO gene polymorphism is involved in development of this possible association. The sample consisted of 553 children aged 6–12 years old. A body composition analysis, a neuropsychological assessment of EFs, and FTO polymorphism genotyping were performed in the children studied. The study found a significant association of an interference effect in theStroop Color-Word Interference Task and the risk of excessive body fatness, but not excessive body mass. There were no explicit associations between the FTO genotype and EFs deficits. Environmental factors, and particularly low maternal education, appeared to be the strongest contributors to the increased risk of obesity

Relation between Systemic Inflammatory Index (SII) and Hair Trace Elements, Metals and Metalloids Concentration in Epicardial Coronary Artery Disease—Preliminary Report

Background: Coronary artery atherosclerosis development and progression are related to generic, clinical, and lifestyle factors combined with inflammatory activation. The relationship between trace element concentration and morbidity is under investigation to gain a clearer understanding of underlying pathological processes. Methods: Thirty-five consecutive patients (22 males and 13 females) with a median [interquartile range (IQR)] age of 67 (61–73) years presenting with anginal symptoms were included in the single center prospective analysis in 2022 and divided into a epicardial coronary artery disease (CAD) and non-CAD group. Scalp hair chemical analysis and inflammatory markers from a peripheral blood count were analyzed. Results: The correlation analysis of elements and inflammatory indexes showed statistical significance between median hair lithium (Li) concentration and the systemic inflammatory index (SII) (r = –0.476, p = 0.046), antimony (Sb) (r = –0.521, p = 0.028) followed by chromium (Cr) (r = –0.478, p = 0.045) and iron (Fe) (r = –0.604, p = 0.008) in the CAD group. Similar correlations were not found in non-CAD group. Conclusions: The correlation between scalp hair lithium (Li), antimony (Sb), chromium (Cr) and iron (Fe) concentration and the systemic inflammatory index (SII) were revealed only in patients with coronary artery disease. Our analysis identified a strong correlation between inflammatory activation and iron concentration