The distribution of iron oxidation states in a constructed wetland as an indicator of its redox properties.

Wastewater-treatment processes taking place inside constructed wetlands are closely connected with chemical properties of these systems. The aeration of a wetland via the roots of the vegetation (and a subsequent formation of redox-potential gradients) strongly influences the wastewater treatment efficiency, and thus it represents one of the most important characteristics of the wetland. The concentration ratios of individual iron oxidation states (Fe(II) and Fe(III)) were determined as the indicator of the redox properties of the constructed wetland reed bed during this study.

Mild course of Puumala nephropathy in children in an area with sporadic occurrence Hantavirus infection.

The first three children with Puumala virus nephropathy diagnosis in the Czech Republic are reported on. A boy and two girls were admitted with symptoms of interstitial nephritis. The medical history in all children revealed flu-like symptoms.

[Improved control of hypertension and its effect on graft function in children after renal transplantation].

Background: Hypertension in patients after renal transplantation (RTx) is associated with impaired graft functions and graft survival. Control of hypertension in children after RTx is low--only 20-50 % of children have well controlled hypertension. The aim of this interventional study is to improve blood pressure control and to investigate whether the improved control will improve the graft survival.

Prevalence of mutations in renal developmental genes in children with renal hypodysplasia: results of the ESCAPE study.

Renal hypodysplasia (RHD) is characterized by a reduced nephron number, small kidney size, and disorganized renal tissue. A hereditary basis has been established for a subset of affected patients, suggesting a major role of developmental genes that are involved in early kidney organogenesis. Gene mutations that have dominant inheritance and cause RHD, urinary tract anomalies, and defined extrarenal symptoms have been identified in TCF2 (renal cysts and diabetes syndrome), PAX2 (renal-coloboma syndrome), EYA1 and SIX1 (branchio-oto-renal syndrome), and SALL1 (Townes-Brocks syndrome).

Blood pressure, renal function, and proteinuria in children with unilateral renal agenesis.

Background/aim: Unilateral renal agenesis (URA) is a model for a reduced nephron number that is believed to be a risk factor for blood pressure (BP) elevation and reduced renal function. The aim of the study was to investigate BP and renal function in children with URA.

Methods: Data on children with URA from two pediatric nephrology centers were firstly retrospectively reviewed (renal ultrasound and scintigraphy, clinical BP, creatinine clearance, urinalysis).

The relaxation response: reducing stress and improving cognition in healthy aging adults.

Aging adults are vulnerable to the effects of a negative emotional state. The relaxation response (RR) is a mind-body intervention that counteracts the harmful effects of stress. Previous studies with relaxation techniques have shown the non-pharmacological benefit of reducing stress and improving the memory of healthy older adults.

Case study: reconciling the quality and safety gap through strategic planning.

An essential outcome of professional practice environments is the provision of high-quality, safe nursing care. To mitigate the quality and safety chasm, nursing leadership at St. Michael's Hospital undertook a strategic plan to enhance the nursing professional practice environment.

[Subclinical rejection of kidney transplants and the possibilities of its diagnosis].

Resource: The subclinical rejection is defined as finding of histological signs of rejection on well functioning grafts. Its diagnostic domain remains protocol biopsy. The diagnostic value of ultrasound scaning in subclinical rejection has not been studied yet.

Control of hypertension in children after renal transplantation.

The aim of this cross-sectional single-center study was to investigate the efficacy of hypertension control in children who underwent transplantation using ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring, and to determine the risk factors associated with poor control of hypertension. Thirty-six children fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 13.

Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP) in cardiac bypass patients: a multicenter randomized trial of uncertainty and certainty of receiving intercessory prayer.

Background: Intercessory prayer is widely believed to influence recovery from illness, but claims of benefits are not supported by well-controlled clinical trials. Prior studies have not addressed whether prayer itself or knowledge/certainty that prayer is being provided may influence outcome. We evaluated whether (1) receiving intercessory prayer or (2) being certain of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with uncomplicated recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

[Explant culture of Trifolium pratense L].

The red cloverl seems to be a prospective source of flavonoids and isoflavonoids with phytoestrogenic activity. Young seedlings of four different varieties of Trifolium pratense L. were employed to derive callus and suspension cultures.

[Effect of ultrasound on the production of flavonoids by the culture of Ononis arvensis L. in vitro].

The paper tested the effect of ultrasound of output density of 0.1 W/cm3 (stable frequency, 35 kHz) on the production of flavonoids in the suspension culture of Ononis arvensis L. The use of this abiotic elicitor was proved good to increase the production of secondary substances (flavonoids) in the culture of Ononis arvensis L.

Ethylene glycol intoxication misdiagnosed as eclampsia.

Ethylene glycol intoxication is one of the most serious acute poisonings with very uncertain prognosis with regard to both recovery and survival. A case report is presented in which a woman who was admitted for the termination of pregnancy by Caesarean section with a diagnosis of eclampsia turned out to be severely intoxicated by ethylene glycol.

Prognostic significance of ischemia modified albumin after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Unlabelled: Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) is a new biochemical marker of ischemia. IMA levels rise in patients who develop ischemia during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is unclear whether IMA elevations correlate with PCI variables.

Proteinuria in children after renal transplantation.

Proteinuria is associated with poor long-term allograft as well as patient survival among adults after renal transplantation. In children, there are no studies focusing primarily on posttransplant proteinuria. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence of and possible risk factors associated with proteinuria.

Association between oxygen consumption and nitric oxide production during the relaxation response.

Background: Mind/body practices that elicit the relaxation response (RR) are currently practiced by over 30% of American adults. RR elicitation reduces volumetric oxygen consumption (VO(2)) from rest and counteracts the effects of stress, although the mechanisms mediating the RR remain unknown. This study was designed to investigate whether RR elicitation is mediated by nitric oxide (NO).

Incidence of sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction and far- and near-transyears.

We analyzed cycles with periods, tau, in the range of 0.8-2.0 years, characterizing, mostly during 1999-2003, the incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD), according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD10), code I46.

Opportunity of detecting pre-hypertension: worldwide data on blood pressure overswinging.

Overswinging or CHAT (brief for Circadian Hyper-Amplitude-Tension), that is an excessive circadian variation in blood pressure (BP), has been associated with a large increase in cardiovascular disease risk, present even in the absence of an elevated BP itself. This usually asymptomatic condition is usually overlooked by current practice based on spot-checks, because to be diagnosed, measurements need to be taken around-the-clock, preferably for 7 days at the outset. Once diagnosed, however, a usual circadian BP pattern can be restored by means of certain non-pharmacologic or pharmacologic interventions timed appropriately.

Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness.

Previous research indicates that long-term meditation practice is associated with altered resting electroencephalogram patterns, suggestive of long lasting changes in brain activity. We hypothesized that meditation practice might also be associated with changes in the brain's physical structure. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess cortical thickness in 20 participants with extensive Insight meditation experience, which involves focused attention to internal experiences.

Reduced nocturnal blood pressure dip and sustained nighttime hypertension are specific markers of secondary hypertension.

Objective: To investigate with the use of ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring whether nocturnal BP dip and nighttime BP values are different in children with untreated primary and secondary hypertension.

Study Design: Ambulatory BP monitoring studies from 145 children with untreated hypertension were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-five children had primary hypertension and 100 children had secondary hypertension.

[Ischemia-modified albumin: new marker of myocardial ischemia?].

The Albumin Cobalt Binding Test is a quantitative in vitro diagnostic test used on human serum that detects ischemia-modified albumin by measuring the cobalt binding capacity of albumin in human serum. Ischemia modified albumin is intended for use in conjunction with ECG and cardiac troponin as an aid to short term risk stratification of patients presenting with chest pain suggestive of cardiac origin. Thus, in patients with chest pain or equivalent symptoms suggestive of cardiac origin, with non-diagnostic ECG and normal troponin, a negative IMA can be used as an aid to rule out acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in low risk patients.

[Effect of vanadyl sulfate (VOSO4) on the production of flavonoids by the culture Ononis arvensis L. in vitro].

The study tested the effect of vanadyl (IV) sulfate (VOSO4) on the production of flavonoids in the callus and suspension culture of Ononis anrensis L. (Fabaceae). This substance proved to be a good abiotic elicitor for an increase in the production of secondary substances (flavonoids) in the culture of Ononis arvensis L.