Mild Abiotic Stress Affects Development and Stimulates Hormesis of Hemp Aphid .

The hemp aphid Passerini is a well- known (Asia, Europe) or newly emerging (North America) insect. It is a monophagous insect pest causing considerable damage in field and glasshouse cultivations. The aim of this work was to study the effects of meteorological (temperature) and agronomical (herbicide) factors on the biology of the hemp aphid.

Influence of Body Mass on Kidney Graft Function in Patients After Kidney Transplantation.

Background: Increasing evidence shows that body mass may play a role in complications after kidney transplantation and influence graft and patient survival. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between graft function and both the body mass and adipokines (leptin, visfatin, adiponectin) in kidney transplant recipients.

Methods: We studied 183 kidney transplant recipients from the Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk.

Flash floods in the Tatra Mountain streams: frequency and triggers.

Flash floods represent a frequently recurring natural phenomenon in the Tatra Mountains. On the northern slopes of the mountain chain, located in Poland, ongoing and expected future changes in climate are thought to further increase the adverse impacts of flash floods. Despite the repeat occurrence of major floods in the densely populated foothills of the Polish Tatras, the headwaters have been characterized by a surprising lack of data, such that any analysis of process variability or hydrometeorological triggers has been largely hampered so far.

Nutritional status and carnitine level in kidney transplant recipients.

Introduction: Overweight/obesity, malnutrition, and abnormalities in carnitine metabolism are recognized in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of nutritional abnormalities and carnitine status in KTRs.

Methods: The study was performed in 80 stable KTRs aged 52.

Adipokines and nutritional status in kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Obesity and disturbances of adipokine concentrations are often recognized in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Leptin plays a key role in regulating energy intake and expenditure, including appetite and hunger, metabolism, and behavior. Adiponectin modulates certain metabolic processes, including glucose regulation and fatty acid oxidation, and exerts some weight-reduction effects.

[Vitamins and microelements in patients with chronic kidney disease].

The supply of vitamins and microelements in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is very important and requires special attention. CKD patients presented deficiency of these substances in the diet and in organism, but also excess of fat-soluble vitamins or trace elements is observed. Studies indicate that deficiency of vitamins and antioxidants in diet and also enhanced oxidative stress are cause of many complications for example: accelerated process of arteriosclerosis in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Nano, micro, and bulk structures in atactic polystyrene-syndiotactic polystyrene blends obtained in situ in presence of the CpTiCl3/SiO2/MAO catalysts (Cp-cyclopentadienyl, MAO-methylaluminoxane).

CpTiCl3/SiO2/MAO (Cp=cyclopentadienyl, MAO - methylaluminoxane) catalysts, where the Al:Ti varies from 20:1 to 500:1, were used in styrene polymerization. Atactic - syndiotactic polystyrene blends (aPS-sPS) were obtained in situ, the morphology of which was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy. The blends morphology changed according to the kind of catalytic centers: cationic and syndiotactic on the catalyst surface, which create individually atactic or syndiotactic polystyrenes forming specific blends containing nano or micro-forms: when the Al:Ti ranges from 50:1 and to 100:1 in the blends, there occur nano-sPS particles 40-120 nm in size, if the Al:Ti≥300:1, the filament of δ-sPS polymorph, is produced where the filament size ranged from 30 to 10 nm.

A multi-center open study to determine the effect of lamivudine on HBV DNA clearance and to assess the safety of the regimen in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Background: Patients with on-going HBV viral replication often present with clinical features of active chronic hepatitis. Until the recent introduction of nucleoside analogues, interferon-alpha was the only approved drug for these patients. One of the former drugs, lamivudine, has been shown in clinical trials in the US and Asia to effectively inhibit the viral polymerase of HBV.