Mouse Pxt1 expression is regulated by Mir6996 miRNA.

Mouse Pxt1 gene is expressed exclusively in male germ cells and encodes for a small, cell death inducing protein. However, upon PXT1 interaction with BAG6, cell death is prevented. In transiently transfected cell lines the PXT1 expression triggered massive cell death, thus we ask the question whether the interaction of PXT1 and BAG6 is the only mechanism preventing normal, developing male germ cells from being killed by PXT1.

Vascular plant and cryptogam abundance as well as soil chemical properties shape microbial communities in the successional gradient of glacier foreland soils.

In the glacier forelands, microbes play a fundamental role in soil development and shaping the vegetation structure. Such ecosystems represent various stages of soil development and are, therefore, an excellent place to study the interrelationship between soil, plants, and microorganisms. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of vegetation and soil physicochemical properties developing after glacier retreat on soil microbial communities.

Ecophysiological Parameters of Medicinal Plant in Diverse Habitat Conditions.

This study attempts to determine which of the habitats occupied by creates better conditions for its growth and development. Selected physiological parameters-PSII activity, chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide content as well as biomass, the occurrence of mycorrhiza, and soil characteristics-were investigated. Grassland soils had a higher content of macronutrients and a lower concentration of heavy metals.

The Influence of Surgical Correction of Idiopathic Scoliosis on the Function of Respiratory Muscles.

Background and objective: It is important to introduce respiratory exercises to the therapy of patients after the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Surgical correction is the best way to prevent hypoxia in scoliosis, but whether pulmonary rehabilitation increases the effectiveness of scoliosis surgery has not yet been confirmed. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the function of respiratory muscles after surgical correction of idiopathic scoliosis.

Slight dependence of temperate-forest herbaceous plants, Geum urbanum and Senecio ovatus, on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enables them to colonise soils with a low level of AMF abundance.

While numerous studies have revealed that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance plant performance, the influence of these symbionts on temperate-forest herbaceous species in relation to soil physical and chemical properties has been left largely unexplored. Therefore, two perennial herbs, Geum urbanum (Rosaceae) and Senecio ovatus (Asteraceae), were examined in a laboratory pot experiment to determine whether AMF influenced their growth, photosynthetic performance index, and N and P contents in biomass. The treatments, involving three widespread AMF species, were prepared in the soils of two habitats colonised by both plants, namely beech and riparian forests, as follows: (1) control-soils without AMF, (2) Claroideoglomus claroideum, (3) Funneliformis geosporus, and (4) Funneliformis mosseae.

Monitoring of fungal root colonisation, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi diversity and soil microbial processes to assess the success of ecosystem translocation.

To compensate for an airport expansion, including construction on valuable wet meadows of a Natura 2000 system, 1.3 ha of turf, cut into blocks, were transferred to artificial basins in a habitat garden. To evaluate the impact of translocation on this ecosystem, and thus the success of its preservation, we monitored fungal root colonisation of Molinia caerulea, the diagnostic plant species for wet meadows, along with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species richness and composition in soils and soil microbial processes for three seasons: prior to the transfer (2013) and the two following years (2014-15).

Effect of Preoperative SpineCor® Treatment on Surgical Outcome in Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND Idiopathic scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine. We investigated the effect of preoperative treatment with SpineCor® dynamic brace on the efficiency of surgical correction from a posterior approach in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a retrospective observational study.

Associations of root-inhabiting fungi with herbaceous plant species of temperate forests in relation to soil chemical properties.

The overwhelming majority of research on fungal interactions with plants in the forest ecosystems of the temperate climate zone focuses on ectomycorrhizal associations and no studies so far have compared the occurrence of root-inhabiting fungi in herbaceous plant species. We thus studied arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and fungal root endophyte colonization rates as well as AMF species richness and composition under 19 herbaceous plant species in temperate forests (southeast Poland) in relation to soil chemical properties. Seventeen species formed arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), while 2 were non-mycorrhizal.

Correlations between somatic features, anteroposterior spinal curvatures and trunk muscle strength in schoolchildren.

Background: Evaluation of body posture and strength of spinal muscles in children during their progressive ontogenesis is significant for the evaluation of their physical health condition and physical fitness. It is also a reference point in a process of control and medical care.

Purpose: The aim if this study was to evaluate correlation between the selected features of somatic body structure, shape of anteroposterior spinal curves and force-velocity (FV) parameters of trunk muscles in school children.

Functional capacities of Polish adults of 60-87 years and risk of losing functional independence.

Aim: To characterise the functional capacities of Polish men and women aged 60-87 years and evaluate their status relative to criteria for functional independence.

Subjects And Methods: Four hundred and thirty-one women and 125 men, aged 60-87 years, who were residents of Wrocław, southwestern Poland, were recruited. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated.

Effectiveness of Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis by SpineCor Dynamic Bracing with Special Physiotherapy Programme in SpineCor System.

Background: The SpineCor dynamic brace for the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis is designed to maintain the correct position of the spine and a new movement strategy for 20 hours per day. The SpineCor exercise system intensifies and complements the brace treatment. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a comprehensive treatment of idiopathic scoliosis involving the SpineCor system.

Evaluation of a Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program for Older Females Suffering from Bronchial Asthma.

Background: Asthma is a disease that affects people of all ages worldwide.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program, with one supervised session a week, for improvement of respiratory function, inspiratory muscle strength and physical fitness in older women suffering from asthma.

Material And Methods: The study involved 10 female patients (mean age 70.

Evaluation of isokinetic trunk muscle strength in adolescents with normal and abnormal postures.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess existing differences in the isokinetic trunk muscle strength in males and females aged between 10 and 11 years depending on body posture.

Methods: The study included 145 children (67 males and 78 females) divided into 2 age groups: 10-year-old males (x¯ = 9.98 ± 2.

Structural and functional markers of health depending on lifestyle in elderly women from Poland.

Objective: To comparatively analyze the rate and magnitude of age-related changes between two groups of elderly women with different lifestyles living in Poland: women attending a University of the Third Age (active lifestyle) and less-active peers not involved in any seniors association.

Methods: The study was conducted in 2010-2012. The study design was approved by the Senate Ethics Committee for Scientific Research of the University School of Physical Education.

[Return to physical activity and duration of exemption from physical education classes after mild and moderate head injury in children at school age].

Goal: An attempt to explain the correlation between exemption from physical education classes at school, the length of their duration and the return to physical activity of children with mild and moderate head injury.

Material And The Method: 55 patients the age of 7 to 17 years treated in two hospital centers due to mild and moderate head injury. The results were interpreted basing on an author's survey conducted among respondents in 1-2 weeks after the injury and after 12 weeks from sustained head injury.

Fine motor skills of the hands in Polish and Czech female senior citizens from different backgrounds.

The aim of the present study was an in-depth analysis of fine motor skills of the hands in elderly women from different socio-cultural backgrounds. The research also included analysis of the associations of age with the variables assessing right- and left-hand motor skills and its effect on hand performance asymmetry. The study examined 486 women over the age of 60.

The impact of specialized physiotherapy methods on BODE index in COPD patients during hospitalization.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of specialized physiotherapy methods measured by the BODE index in patients with COPD during hospitalization.

Material And Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 30 patients diagnosed with COPD, all under treatment at the clinical hospital in Wroclaw due to the exacerbation of their symptoms. All patients were undergoing standard pharmacological treatment along with basic physiotherapy.

Influence of industrial environments on the development of respiratory systems and morphofunctional features in preadolescent boys.

The present study examines the differences between levels of selected structural and functional features of boys 11-13 years in age from regions with varying levels of air pollution, including an industrial and rural region. The sample consisted of 213 boys from the industrial region and 98 from the rural region. Somatic, respiratory parameters and motor abilities were evaluated in both groups.

Assesment scores of functional efficiency in hip osteoathritis.

One of the fundamental problem to solved, connected with a way of proceeding in hip osteoarthritis is appropriate selection of diagnosis methods. Various scores helps in assessment of functional efficiency of the hip. They are applied on variable stages of diagnosis process, assumed way of treatment included physiotherapy and to analysis achieved results of treatment.

Alternative methods of conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis.

Scoliosis is a deformity of the spine known since Hippocrates times. The value of certain methods of conservative treatment remains controversial. Some of them have only a psychological value both for the physician and his or her caregivers.

Blood lead level and physical fitness of schoolchildren in the copper basin of south-western Poland: indirect effects through growth stunting.

Objective: The present study was set in the context of two questions. First, does blood lead level exert a direct effect on measures of physical fitness? And second, might blood lead influence physical fitness indirectly through growth stunting?

Background: Blood lead level is negatively associated with performances on a variety of fine motor tasks. Corresponding information on associations with measures of physical fitness and gross motor coordination are limited.

Lead and growth status of school children living in the copper basin of south-western Poland: differential effects on bone growth.

Objective: The study analyzed the relationship between blood lead (BPb) levels and growth status of upper and lower body segments among schoolchildren living in the copper basin of south-western Poland.

Materials And Methods: Schoolchildren 7-15 years of age (463 males, 436 females) living in the vicinity of copper smelters and refineries were tested for blood lead. Weight, height, symphyseal height (leg, lower segment length), and arm length were measured.