Anatomy of ovary and ovule in dandelions (Taraxacum, Asteraceae).

The genus Taraxacum Wigg. (Asteraceae) forms a polyploid complex within which there are strong links between the ploidy level and the mode of reproduction. Diploids are obligate sexual, whereas polyploids are usually apomictic. The paper reports on a comparative study of the ovary and especially the ovule anatomy in the diploid dandelion T. linearisquameum and the triploid T. gentile. Observations with light and electron microscopy revealed no essential differences in the anatomy of both the ovary and ovule in the examined species. Dandelion ovules are anatropous, unitegmic and tenuinucellate. In both sexual and apomictic species, a zonal differentiation of the integument is characteristic of the ovule. In the integumentary layers situated next to the endothelium, the cell walls are extremely thick and PAS positive. Data obtained from TEM indicate that these special walls have an open spongy structure and their cytoplasm shows evidence of gradual degeneration. Increased deposition of wall material in the integumentary cells surrounding the endothelium takes place especially around the chalazal pole of the embryo sac as well as around the central cell. In contrast, the integumentary cells surrounding the micropylar region have thin walls and exhibit a high metabolic activity. The role of the thick-walled integumentary layers in the dandelion ovule is discussed. We also consider whether this may be a feature of taxonomic importance.

Mobile telecare system for intensive insulin treatment and patient education. First applications for newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic patients.

The aim of the work was to develop and to evaluate the clinical efficiency of a mobile telecare system implementing teleconsultations based on the continuous transmission of patient-collected data directly to the physician and to the clinic. The developed TeleMed system consists of the patients' and the diabetologist's mobile units, the diabetologist's clinic and home workstations and the clinical server. The evaluation of the system was performed on a group of 13 newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic patients, during a single-arm study with 3-days run-in period, including a one-day intensive educational program, and 3-week study period, when the intensive insulin treatment was conducted without visits of patients to the clinic. The MBG dropped from 7.2 +/- 1.7 mmol/L before the study to 6.1 +/- 1.0 mmol/L in the third week of the study (P = 0.02) and the J-index from 30.2+/-19.2 to 19.7+/-7.7 (P = 0.04). Hemoglobin A1c decreased from 11.8 +/- 3.3% to 8.6 +/- 1.2% (P = 0.0002) in one month. The total daily insulin dose declined from 39.9 +/- 8.5 U to 20.0 +/- 9.6 U (P = 0.000006). The number of hypoglycemia episodes per patient per day decreased by 66% (P = 0.08) and the number of hyperglycemia episodes was reduced by 47% (P < 0.0001). The TeleMed facilitates not only efficient realization of the intensive insulin treatment but also successful remote patient training and education. No formal patient satisfaction study was done. However, some of the findings indicate that the application of the developed system increases patient self-confidence and quality of life.

Soluble adhesion molecules in children and young adults with chronic renal failure treated conservatively.

PURPOSE: Chronic renal failure (CRF) patients present with signs of immunodeficiency, such as increased incidence of infections. Cell adhesion molecules, determining leukocyte migration, may be responsible for the impaired immune response. The aim of the study was to measure soluble (s) vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), P-selectin and L-selectin levels in sera of CRF children and young adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The evaluation of adhesion molecule concentrations by ELISA was performed on 15 patients with serum creatinine levels below 265.2 micromol/l (gr. I), 15 patients with serum creatinine levels above 265.2 micromol/l (gr. II) and 15 controls. RESULTS: sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and sP-selectin concentrations were elevated in both groups vs controls, whereas sL-selectin levels were decreased in all CRF patients. Mean sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 values in gr. I and gr. II were comparable. sL-selectin and sP-selectin mean values in gr. II were lower than in gr. I. sICAM-1 correlated with haemoglobin and erythrocyte count in both groups and with haematocrit and serum urea--in gr. I. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced (sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, sP-selectin) and diminished (sL-selectin) adhesion molecule concentrations in both groups show a state of immunologic imbalance, already present in early stages of CRF. Differences in sL-selectin concentrations between gr. I and II imply a progressive character of CRF-related leukocyte dysfunction. sICAM-1 correlation with anaemia markers may suggest the connection between this molecule and the CRF-related disorders.

[The role of selected cell adhesion molecules in chronic renal failure patients treated conservatively]. / Rola wybranych czasteczek adhezyjnych w przewleklej niewydolnosci nerek leczonej zachowawczo.

Cell adhesion molecules play a pivotal role in many biological processes. Their membrane-bound forms take part in leukocyte migration in case of inflammation and therefore determine effective immune response. Uremia is a state of immunologic imbalance. By comparison with healthy controls, levels of soluble adhesion molecules are either elevated or lowered in chronic renal failure patients. This fact proves conclusively that activation and inhibition of immunocompetent cells coexist in end stage renal disease, thus showing the complexity of immune disorders in uremia. Taking into account the competitive action between circulating adhesins and their bound counterparts, one can come to the conclusion that soluble forms' dysregulation results in the blockage of membrane-bound adhesion molecules and leads to disordered adhesion. Although the effects of change in circulating adhesins' concentrations seem evident, the reason for this change is still unclear.

[The condition of circulatory system in children and adolescents with ESRD treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis]. / Stan ukladu krazenia u dzieci i mlodziezy ze schylkowa niewydolnoscia nerek leczonych CADO i HD.

Cardio-vascular abnormalities appear very often in end-stage renal failure patients. Because of this we have examined 54 patients, children and adolescents, 35 patients underwent haemodialysis (HD) and 19 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We can observe that the anatomical status of the heart was dependent upon the time of the treatment. The function of the heart was normal much longer. Structural heart's abnormalities were observed earlier in patients on HD than on CAPD.

[Acute renal failure in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome]. / Ostra niewydolnosc nerek u dzieci z idiopatycznym zespolem nerczycowym.

In the course of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), acute renal failure (ARF) may develop. The factors, which lead to ARF appearance are not entirely defined. In 1990-1997, 1006 children suffering from INS were admitted to our Department. ARF was noticed in 8 of them (0.8%), aged 6 to 17.5 years. The aim of study was to emphasize the clinical features of ARF and to evaluate factors that may contribute to renal failure in children with INS. The following data were considered: the course of INS (disease duration, the number of relapses, the remission periods), renal histology, degree of electrolyte disorders, lipid metabolism disorders, serum albumin level, intensification of proteinuria, presence of hypertension, applied treatment. According to the analysis, it seems that considerable hypoalbuminaemia, the presence of infection and severe course of nephrotic syndrome are the factors of ARF appearance risk in the course of INS.

[Urolithiasis and urinary tract abnormalities in children: own experience]. / Kamica moczowa u dzieci a wady ukladu moczowego w obserwacji wlasnej.

The study aimed analyzing case histories of 36 children (21 girls and 15 boys), from between 3 weeks and 17 years old, with urinary tract abnormalities, admitted to the Pediatric Nephrology Department for renal stone disease within a 5-year period (1995-1999). Most common clinical manifestations, requiring further urinary tract investigation, were: pain, urinary tract infections caused mainly by Gram-negative bacteria, and erythrocyturia. Most frequent anomalies observed in our patients were those resulting in urinary outlet obstruction. Disturbances in uremic acid and oxalate metabolism were abnormalities we have often found in the examined children. The majority of patients underwent a successful conservative treatment. The obtained results indicate that disorders in the urine flow are main risk factors for crystallization in children with urinary tract abnormalities.