Background Disturbed bone turnover, osteoporosis, and increased fracture risk are late complications of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Little is known about how far and to what extent can glycaemic control of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) prevent disturbances of bone health and body composition during the growth and maturation period. Objective The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the skeletal status outcomes and body composition between patients stratified by glycaemic control (1-year HbA1c levels) into well- and poorly-controlled subgroups in a population of T1DM adolescents, that is, <8% and ≥8%, respectively. Subjects and Methods Skeletal status and body composition were evaluated in 60 adolescents with T1DM (53.3% female; mean aged: 15.1 ± 1.9 years; disease duration: 5.1 ± 3.9 years) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (GE Prodigy). The results were compared to age- and sex-adjusted reference values for healthy controls. The calculated Z-scores of different metabolic control subgroups were compared. Clinical data was also assessed. Results As evidenced by Z-scores, patients with T1DM revealed a significantly lower TBBMD (total body bone mineral density), TBBMC (total body bone mineral content), S24BMD (bone mineral density of lumbar spine L2–L4), and TBBMC/LBM ratio (total body bone mineral content/lean body mass), but higher FM (fat mass) and FM/LBM ratio (fat mass/lean body mass) values compared to an age- and sex-adjusted general population. The subset (43.3% patients) with poor metabolic control (HbA1c ≥ 8%) had lower TBBMD, TBBMC, and LBM compared to respective values noted in the HbA1c < 8% group, after adjusting for confounders (mean Z-scores: −0.74 vs. −0.10, p = 0.037; −0.67 vs. +0.01, p = 0.026; and −0.45 vs. +0.20, p = 0.043, respectively). Additionally, we found a significant difference in the TBBMC/LBM ratio (relative bone strength index) between the metabolic groups (−0.58 vs. −0.07; p = 0.021). A statistically significant negative correlation between 1-year HbA1c levels and Z-scores of TBBMD, TBBMC, and LBM was also observed. In patients with longer disease duration, a significant negative correlation was established only for TBBMD, after adjusting for confounders. The relationships between densitometric values and age at onset of T1DM and sex were not significant and showed no relation to any of the analysed parameters of the disease course. Conclusion Findings from this study of adolescents with T1DM indicate that the lower Z-scores of TBBMD, TBBMC, and LBM as well as the TBBMC/LBM ratio are associated with increased HbA1c levels. Their recognition can be crucial in directing strategies to optimise metabolic control and improve diabetes management for bone development and maintenance in adolescents with T1DM.

Abstract:The presented paper reports data from malacological and pedological studies carried out at sites representing diverse biotopes (beech wood, coniferous forest, and meadow) located 2 km away from the Dyckerhoff Cement Plant in Sitkówka-Nowiny in 1992 and in [2008][2009]. The studies aimed to determine physicochemical properties of soils exposed to cement and limestone dust emission and to identify composition of snail communities inhabiting three different biotopes in relation to physicochemical properties of soils, and to grasp the dynamics of the alkalization-dependent changes in physicochemical properties of soils and their impact on the composition and ecological structure of malacofauna.

Rock raw material exploitation has been of long tradition in Poland. However, due to alkalization, the intensification of changes that began more than 30 years ago should be associated with the localization of cement plants, lime plants and aggregate plants in this area. Cement dust entering the soil in large quantities causes increasing of CaCO 3 concentration in the horizons, which evokes a series of the consequences in phytocenoses (BOROWIEC, ZABŁOCKI 1983;DALE, BALL 1991; BRÓŻ et al. 1992;KREUTZER 1995;ŚWIERCZ 1997). Especially susceptible to slight changes are the oligotrophic gatherings of pine forests. The range of alkali deposit impact depends on the source and type of emission, the distance from the emitters, the orography of the area, frequency and direction of winds, among others (DAMME, ERNST 1989;SPOREK 1995;ŚWIERCZ 1997).The aim of this paper is to: -check the suitability of pine bark to indicate the degree of air pollution caused by cement-lime dusts,-define the range of a cement plant impact in connection with the results obtained by SPOREK (1995) in the Opole forests. Pine bark was analyzed in the forests located at three cement plants in the Świętokrzyski province (South Poland). MATERIAL AND METHODSThe testing data were collected from the pine forests located in the Świętokrzyski province. The forested areas tested are located in proximity of three cement plants and the control one in Wymysłów, located outside the impact of alkali dust emissions.In total 310 bark samples were collected from the trees at the breast height diameter.The bark in question was removed by means of a bark knife. The pine bark was dried in room temperature, then it was rinsed with water and dried again (approximately 40°C) for 24 hours. The dried material was milled into dust powder in a Fritsch mill. Suitability of pine bark to evaluate pollution caused by cement-lime dust A. ŚWIERCZ Institute of Geography, Pedagogical Academy, Kielce, PolandABSTRACT: The aim of this paper is to show the application of pine bark to indicate the level of air contamination by cement-lime dust and to determine the impact range of cement plants. The pine bark was analyzed in the forested formed around three cement plants in the Świętokrzyski administrative district (South of Poland). The test results were compared with the results gained from the controlled forested areas, free from alkali contamination. The strongly alkali areas show high pH H 2 O of bark in the range of 7.2-8.5 and low coefficient of change v% = 2.2. The pine bark values of pH H 2 O in the alkali areas are on average 2.5 times as high as those achieved in the controlled area (natural pH of bark shows the range of 2.8-3.5). On the basis of the measurements of pH H 2 O there are five alkali-forested spheres determined. The existence of the forest spheres confirms the variable mineral composition of the bark, and first of all the variable content of calcium, magnesium, potassium, aluminium, manganese, zinc and iron as a function of the distance from the emitter and real ...

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Kielce and Olsztyn are two different urban ecosystems. They differ from each other in terms of geological and climatic conditions, as well as spatial development and industrial past. The aim of this article is to assess and compare the degree of lead contamination of the natural environment in both cities based on the conducted tests of soils, as well as a common dandelion’s roots and leaves. For this study’s purpose, 60 samples of soils and common dandelion’s roots and leaves were collected in each city, according to four land-use types, namely industrial areas, urban green areas, urban allotment gardens, and urban forests. Basic physico-chemical properties and concentrations of lead, i.e., total content and bioavailable content were determined in the soils, using speciation analysis. Lead concentrations in the roots and leaves of common dandelion were, in turn, determined using the ICP-OES method. By using kriging models, spots with excessive lead concentrations differing from the geochemical background were identified in each city. The number of spots was comparable for both cities; however, the values for this metal differed significantly. No relationship has been found between land-use types and concentrations of lead in soils and common dandelions. The results of the study, as well as statistical and spatial analyses show that this species may be recommended as an indicator for biomonitoring of urban environments.