Elzbieta Muszynska

Aquatic fungi growing on the spawn of certain amphibians

The mycoflora developing on the spawn of nine species of amphibians was investigated under laboratory conditions. Fifty-two zoosporic fungus species were found to grow on the spawn investigated, including 6 chytridiomycetes, 1 hyphochytriomycete, 44 oomycetes and 1 zygomycete fungus. Out of these 52 species, 23 are known as parasites or necrotrophs of fish. Five fungus species were recorded for the first time from Poland.

Zoosporic fungi and fungus-like organisms in the Siemianówka dam reservoir

Abstract: The occurrence of fungi in the Siemianowka dam reservoir and in the river Narew downstream and upstream of the reservoir was investigated, during the spring, summer and autumn months, taking into consideration many physicochemical factors of water. Phytoplankton chlorophyll a content was also determined. Eighty-seven fungal species, including 71 fungus-like organisms (Straminipila) and 16 species of true fungi were identified. Most species were found in the river Narew upstream of the reservoir, the fewest inside it. The latter finding can be correlated with cyanobacterial blooming recurring every year. The greatest number of species developed in the spring months, the smallest in the summer period. The surface layer of the reservoir was poorer in species than its deeper layers. Moreover, 6 rare species were detected, including Aphanodictyon apiculatum which is recorded for Poland for the first time.

Magnesium in schizophrenia

Many psychopathological symptoms, including schizophrenia, can be associated with magnesium metabolism disturbances. In the literature, contradictory data exist regarding magnesium levels in patients with this disorder. However, this situation might be caused by determination of extracellular concentration of magnesium; although, this is mainly an intracellular ion. There are no data concerning determination of the ionized fraction of magnesium in patients with schizophrenia, while the ionized fraction represents 67% of the total pool of magnesium in healthy people. Also, the mechanism of magnesium action-the effect of magnesium ions on NMDA and GABA receptors-has not yet been fully investigated. There are preliminary studies aimed at increasing the effectiveness of schizophrenia pharmacotherapy via magnesium supplementation. Multidirectional activity of magnesium can significantly increase its therapeutic effect in psychiatry. This observation is confirmed by recent studies conducted by various research teams. However, further studies on the role of magnesium supplementation in patients with schizophrenia are needed.

Ionized magnesium in plasma and erythrocytes for the assessment of low magnesium status in alcohol dependent patients

BACKGROUND Studies on the homeostasis of magnesium in alcohol-dependent patients have often been characterized by low hypomagnesemia detection rates. This may be due to the fact that the content of magnesium in blood serum constitutes only 1% of the average magnesium level within the human body. However, the concentration of ionized magnesium is more physiologically important and makes up 67% of the total magnesium within a human organism. There are no data concerning the determination of the ionized fraction of magnesium in patients addicted to alcohol and its influence on mental health status. METHODS This study included 100 alcohol-dependent patients and 50 healthy subjects. The free magnesium fraction was determined using the potentiometric method by means of using ion-selective electrodes. The total magnesium level was determined by using a biochemical Indiko Plus analyzer. In this study, different psychometric scales were applied. RESULTS Our results confirm the usefulness of ionized magnesium concentrations in erythrocytes and plasma as a diagnostic parameter of low magnesium status in alcohol-dependent patients. CONCLUSIONS The lower the concentration of ionized magnesium, the worse the quality of life an alcohol-dependent person might experience. In the case of total magnesium, no such correlation was determined.

Effect of Disturbances of Zinc and Copper on the Physical and Mental Health Status of Patients with Alcohol Dependence

The concentrations of copper and zinc in the tissues of alcohol-addicted people can significantly correlate with the variables describing their mental state. Studies on the homeostasis of zinc in alcohol-dependent patients have often been characterized by low hypozincemia detection. This may be caused by a low content of zinc in blood serum (1%) compared to the average zinc level in the body. Unfortunately, most authors have identified extracellular zinc in their studies. In the available literature, data on the level of copper in patients suffering from alcohol dependence are inconsistent. Our study included 100 alcohol-addicted patients (the study group) and 50 healthy subjects (the control group). Mental state was measured using appropriate psychometric scales. We used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine copper and zinc content. Our results confirm the purposefulness of the use of zinc concentration in erythrocytes as a diagnostic parameter for low zinc status in alcohol-dependent patients. Alcohol-dependent patients with reduced concentrations of zinc in erythrocytes/copper in blood plasma differed significantly from alcohol-dependent patients with normal concentrations in terms of clinical parameters. With regard to zinc in blood plasma and copper in erythrocytes, this situation has not been found. The clinical symptoms of hypozincemia and copper deficiency in patients addicted to alcohol usually relate to disorders in central nervous system functioning, and they result in a decreased quality of physical and mental life.

Fungi and fungus-like organisms growing in selected lotic oxbow lakes and tributaries of the Narew River

Abstract Mycological and hydrochemical research was conducted in two different types of reservoirs connected with the Narew riverbed (three tributaries and three lotic oxbow lakes) in two growing seasons. The obtained results seem to indicate that more favorable conditions for the development of the analyzed microorganisms prevailed in the studied tributaries of the Narew. A total of 36 species of fungi and fungus-like organisms were identified in these tributaries in spring and 35 in autumn, while respectively 32 and 26 species in the lotic oxbow lakes. Six taxa not identified in the oxbow lakes were found only in the tributaries of the river. They were: Alternaria alternata, Allomyces moniliformis, Catenaria anguillulae, Leptomitus lacteus, Rhipidium parthenosporum and Saprolegnia diclina. On the other hand, only two species occurred only in the oxbow lakes (not recorded in tributaries) (i.e. Catenophlyctis variabilis and Rhizophlyctis rosea). The differences observed in the microfungi species composition in the studied ecosystems are associated, among others, with the time of the year and physicochemical properties of the water. Hydrochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, Mg, N-NH3, N-NO3, P-PO4 and suspended solids showed positive correlation, and sulfates, chlorides, Ca, Fe correlated negatively with the number of taxa observed.

Fungi and Straminipilous organisms found at bathing sites in the vicinity of Białystok

Introduction. Fungi and straminipilous organisms play a significant role in aquatic ecosystems as a food source for many invertebrates and in the process of mineralization of organic matter. Research on the occurrence of fungi and straminipila at bathing sites has a major sanitary and epidemiological significance since it allows registration of fungi that can be potentially pathogenic to man. The ai m of the present study was to establish species diversity of fungi and straminipila found in four bathing sites in the vicinity of Bialystok, to determine or exclude potential etiological factors of mycotic infections, and to determine the effect of physicochemical parameters of the waters examined on the growth of this group of destruents in the spring and autumn of 2006/2007. Material and methods. The baiting method was used to isolate fungi from water samples collected at the respective bathing sites. Fungi and straminipilous organisms were trapped using amphipod crustacean Gammarus pulex , grass snake skin, onion skin, buckwheat seeds, as well as seeds of clover and cannabis. Results. Forty-two species were identified, with the predominance of saprothrophic fungi, particularly species Aspergillus fumigatus - a potential etiologic agent factor for aspergillosis. Most species were found in the water of the bathing site in Supraśl and Jurowce -26 (RF-63.41%), the fewest in Korycin -16 (RF-39.02%). Conclusion. Species diversity of the fungal and straminipilous organisms at the investigated bathing sites depended on characteristics of a given ecosystem, biotic and abiotic factors.