Influence of restoration on arbuscular mycorrhiza of Biscutella laevigata L. (Brassicaceae) and Plantago lanceolata L. (Plantaginaceae) from calamine spoil mounds

The arbuscular mycorrhizal status of two plant species, Biscutella laevigata L. and Plantago lanceolata L., was investigated on calamine spoil mounds in Boles^aw (southern Poland). Although B. laevigata is a member of the Brassicaceae, a family generally accepted as non-mycorrhizal, this species formed AM symbioses on both heavy metal-contaminated and non-contaminated sites. Besides vesicles and coils, arbuscules were also observed, especially in roots collected prior to seed maturity. Relative mycorrhizal root length and relative arbuscular richness were usually much higher in P. lanceolata than in B. laevigata but not absolute arbuscule richness. Roots of P. lanceolata showed higher colonisation than B. laevigata. Although roots were collected from plants in close proximity, no correlation in mycorrhizal parameters was found between the two species.     

X-ray fluorescence determination of the loss of chosen electrolytes in the urine of children with a congenital cyanotic heart defect and after heart transplantation

In this paper results of the analysis of urine samples of healthy children and children with a congenital cyanotic heart defect and after heart transplantation are presented. The analysis of urine samples was carried out by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with wavelength dispersion and using CRM urine Seronorm as a reference. It was found that for patients with a congenital cyanotic heart defect the loss of electrolytes like Na, Cl and K was increased. Moreover, urine samples of children from areas of different degree of environmental pollution were analysed. We observed (as expected) higher concentrations of heavy metals in the urine of children from ecological polluted areas.     

Selenium and glutathione levels, and glutathione peroxidase activities in blood components of uremic patients on hemodialysis supplemented with selenium and treated with erythropoietin

Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) often have reduced concentrations of selenium (Se) and lowered activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in blood components. The kidney is a major source of plasma GSH-Px. We measured Se and glutathione levels in blood components and red cell and plasma GSH-Px activities in 58 uremic patients on regular (3 times a week) hemodialysis (HD). The dialyzed patients were divided in 4 subgroups and were supplemented for 3 months with: 1) placebo (bakers yeast), 2) erythropoietin (EPO; 3 times a week with 2,000 U after each HD session), 3) Se-rich yeast (300 μg 3 times a week after each HD), and 4) Se-rich yeast plus EPO in doses as above. The results were compared with those for 25 healthy subjects. The Se concentrations and GSH-Px activities in the blood components of dialyzed uremic patients were significantly lower compared with the control group. Treatment of the HD patients with placebo and EPO only did not change the parameters studied. The treatment with Se as well as with Se and EPO caused an increase in Se levels and red cell GSH-Px activity. Plasma GSH-Px activity, however, increased only slowly or did not change after treatment with Se and with Se plus EPO. In the group treated with Se plus EPO the element concentration in blood components was higher compared with the group supplemented with Se alone. The weak or absence of response in plasma GSH-Px activity to Se supply indicates that the impaired kidney of uremic HD patients has reduced possibilities to synthesize this enzyme.     

Concentrations of Metals in Maxilla and Mandible Deciduous and Permanent Human Teeth

The study shows the results of research on the concentrations of metals (Cd, Pb, Mn, Cu, Cr, Fe, Zn, Na, K, Mg, and Ca) in deciduous and permanent teeth with respect to their location in the oral cavity (maxilla, mandible). It has been found that the concentrations of metals were significantly higher in the deciduous teeth than in permanent ones. Regression analysis and principal component analysis revealed an increased dynamics of the processes of binding the elements by the hydroxyapatite of deciduous teeth. Higher concentrations of the metals were found in the maxilla permanent and deciduous teeth than in the mandible ones.