Macular degeneration MD is a chronic, lifestyle-related eye disease developing in increasingly younger people. The cause is not fully understood, but oxidative stress is among the most critical factors. The subject of our research is the wet form of MD. The tested materials were whole blood and plasma from 84 patients with exudative MD and from 127 healthy volunteers, from SW Poland. The concentration of toxic metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, As, Be), macroelements (Ca, Mg, Na, K, P) and microelements (Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, Mo, Cr, Li, V, Co, Ag, Ba, Ti, Tl, Sr, Al, Ni, Sn, B, Sb) was analyzed (ICP-MS) in the blood to determine environmental exposure. The activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase SOD, catalase CAT, glutathione peroxidase GPx, glutathione reductase GR) was determined to demonstrate the ability to eliminate the effects of reactive oxygen species ROS. The activity of nonenzymatic antioxidant mechanisms (reduced glutathione GSH, bilirubin, uric acid, vitamins A and E) was examined to assess the body's ability to activate defense mechanisms against ROS. The intensity of lipoperoxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA), and the importance of ceruloplasmin CP in patients with exudative MD and their exposure to oxidative stress were determined. The presence of glutathione-S-transferase GST polymorphisms (GSTT1, GSTM1) was examined to determine their role in generating MD. The genetic polymorphism of interleukin-4 IL-4 and vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF-A was analyzed, and it was determined whether there is a genetic burden that can potentially increase the chance of developing MD. The activity of SOD, CAT, GPx, and GR, and the activity of nonenzymatic antioxidants (GSH, bilirubin, uric acid, all-trans retinol, and alpha-tocopherol) were determined using Cayman kits and HPLC chromatography. MDA was determined using Cayman reagents, and CP was determined using Wuhan reagents. In our exudative MD patients, P, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn were most involved in interactions, whereas in the control group, Pb, Ca, Mn, Zn, and Ba were most important. In the analysis of antioxidant parameters, significant differences were found between the studied groups for SOD, CAT, GPx, bilirubin, all-trans retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and uric acid. Also, MDA and CP showed significant differences. In MD patients and healthy individuals, many correlations were found. Significant differences were noted for IL-4 in the frequency of the T allele in MD patients, and for Sr. The frequency distributions of GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms showed no significant differences between the groups, whereas differences were observed for all-trans retinol. Changes within VEGF-A genotypes showed no significant differences between the studied groups (p > 0.5). Due to the presence of mutagenic substances in the environment, the changed genome plays an important role in MD development. The pathogenic process can be observed by analyzing the effectiveness of enzymatic and nonenzymatic mechanisms. The low diagnostic value of MDA and CP for patients with MD was indicated. The results highlighted the significant role of environmental factors and indicated new directions for research into MD etiology. They identified new parameters to be considered when examining predisposition to this disease (Na, P, Cr, Mn, Ba, MDA, bilirubin, A and E vitamins, SOD, CAT, GPx, IL-4). We compare the aspects we examine holistically, making this the first study of this type. Despite many elements of MD development being known so far, there are still many unanswered questions in this field that will require further analysis, especially regarding K, Pb, As, Hg, Cd, Sr, Al, Ba, V, Fe, mutations in IL-4, GSTM1, and GSTT1.

Background/Aims: Male infertility is conditioned in up to 25% genetically, but environmental factors are equally important. Dependencies analyzed here in this area have not been studied using such an approach so far. Therefore, they are innovative and constitute an important aspect of multi-range interdependencies. That is why we analyzed factors shaping male reproductive condition: glutathione, bilirubin, uric acid, chemical elements (Ca, Na, Mn, Fe, Mo, Li, V, Co, Ag, Ba, Tl, Al, Ni, Sn, B, Pb, Be), and genetic polymorphism (genotypes CC and TT of IL–4v.C589T(rs2243250). We studied infertile men from polluted Poland region with semen perturbations and healthy with normozoospermia. Methods: We described semen abnormalities according to standard criteria. The population of patients with infertility consisted of 76 men with different fertility disorders. The control group consisted of 87 men with normozoospermia. The majority of infertile men came from Central Poland. The collection of biological samples and seminological tests were conducted by qualified medicians from the andrology clinic and by the authors of this paper (semen morphological parameters). Seminological analyses were based on macro- and microscopic analysis of ejaculate to verify semen volume, time of liquefaction, sperm density, motility, presence of agglutination, presence of leukocytes, and percentage of pathological forms. Concentrations of chemical elements in the blood were analyzed (ICP-MS). In serum, non-enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione GSH, bilirubin, uric acid) and lipid peroxidation intensity were qualified (Cayman Chemicals Co.). In researching gene polymorphisms connected with male infertility, molecular analysis was conducted (PCR–RFLP) and applied to chromosome 5: gene IL–4v.C589T. Results: We found poorer antioxidative defense in infertile men, whilst the higher levels of uric acid, compared to healthy, may act as a deteriorating factor. High correlations between glutathione and uric acid in the infertile and healthy implicated that non–enzymatic antioxidants undergo mutual regulation. It also applies to patients with IL–4v.C589T polymorphism. Interactions between non–enzymatic antioxidants and chemical elements were particularly noticeable in men with CC genotype. The most important modulator appeared to be sodium, while boron was the most meaningful in the interactions. Higher concentration of bilirubin, uric acid, and GSH in men with TT (0.687 mg·dL−1, 6.097 mg·dL−1, 6.345 µM), compared to CC genotype (0.652 mg·dL−1, 4.980 mg·dL−1, 4.630 µM) suggest a better functionality of antioxidative barrier. Estimating the importance of unfavorable changes arising from oxidative stress about the functionality of non-enzymatic antioxidants and correlations with MDA in men's serum allows a complete look at the determinants of male infertility. Among genetic polymorphisms, genotypes TT and CC of IL–4v.C589T gene show their influence on generating fertility perturbations. They had an indirect but differentiated effect on antioxidant mechanisms involving bilirubin, uric acid, and glutathione. Therefore, we conclude that IL–4v.C589T polymorphism differentiated the body's response to environmental stressors. The results presented in our paper on IL–4v.C589T polymorphism and conclusions formulated on their basis are consistent with literature data, indicating the lack of a direct relationship between polymorphism studied and male infertility. However, the primary intention of this paper was, to a lesser extent, to exclude or confirm a direct relationship between studied polymorphism and male infertility. We wanted a broader approach to the subject and to establish relationships between genetic aspects and antioxidant parameters of defense mechanisms. Therefore, we were more interested in the status of antioxidant defense and its relationships to the genetic factor in groups of people with a fixed genotype. We obtained a more detailed picture of the sum of genetic aspects and parameters related to antioxidant defense. Conclusion: Non–enzymatic defense, chemical elements, and genetic polymorphisms are related to and shape male reproductive potential. Our results may be helpful in the diagnosis of male infertility; they will enable the reduction of idiopathic cases and the implementation of targeted and more effective treatment. Identification of environmental stressors and their correlations with fertility disorders can help eliminate or reduce the impact of factors unfavorable to fertility. This shows the new importance of environmental and immunogenetic factors, oxidative stress, and genetic polymorphisms in male fertility.

This study aimed to develop criteria for the expert assessment of the visual attractiveness of informal urban green spaces and compare these results with indicators derived from spectral indices and geospatial data. The research was conducted in Lublin, Poland, a medium-sized European city. The expert assessment evaluated the overall attractiveness, naturalness, landscape contrast, and uniqueness. The results were juxtaposed with spectral indices, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Leaf Area Index (LAI), and land surface temperature, which were calculated for the target areas and a 300 m buffer surrounding them. The analyses revealed strong correlations between the expert ratings and spectral indices. For example, overall attractiveness was linked to lower temperatures, while landscape contrast exhibited a relationship with temperature differentials. Moreover, areas with greater landscape contrast showed larger index differences between the site and the buffer. Positive correlations were also observed between attractiveness and land slope. Importantly, the spectral indices highlighted the ecological value of some sites that received lower expert assessments, such as areas dominated by shrubs and bushes. This research introduces the concept of ‘enchanted natural places’ (ENPs) as a framework for identifying and formalizing the protection of visually and ecologically valuable, informal green spaces. The integration of expert evaluations with spectral data provides a novel, robust methodology for assessing urban green spaces, bridging subjective perceptions and objective environmental indicators. This approach underscores the importance of informal green spaces not only for aesthetic and ecological benefits but also for supporting biodiversity and mitigating urban heat islands, contributing to urban resilience in the face of climate change.

Male infertility is a world multifactorial problem modulated by environmental and genetic factors. Male aspects account for 20-50 % of infertility cases. Our results are unique because they treat the importance of components participating in the determination of male infertility (environmental and immunogenetic determinants, seminological analysis, lipoperoxidation, genetic determinants, role of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium and boron). We analyzed agents affecting male reproductive potential (aluminum, boron, cadmium, arsenic, lipid peroxidation, gene polymorphisms (MTHFRv.C677T (rs1801133) (chromosome-1) and IL-4v.C589T (rs2243250) (chromosome-5) in men with semen disorders (n=76) and with normozoospermia (n=87) from Central Poland. Polymorphisms of MTHFRv.C677T and IL-4v.C589T genes indirectly shape toxic metals concentration and lipoperoxidation but do not exert direct influence on male fertility disorders (monomorphism and lack of differences in genotypes frequency). Men with genotype TT or CC (IL-4v.C589T) show some differentiation in elements concentration and intensity of lipoperoxidation. Analysis of TT or CC (IL-4v.C589T) genotype brought correlations with B, Al, Cd, and lipoperoxidation (P<0.05) and suggesting that mentioned factors jointly shape male reproductive capability. Toxic metals may play an important role in shaping of men genetic polymorphisms, since Cd was identified as a factor increasing risk of qualification to infertile group, predisposing to fertility disorders. B, Al and Cd may be considered as important modulators of reproductive condition. However, lipoperoxidation as an isolated predictive parameter does not produce convincing results in male reproductive potential (higher MDA concentration in healthy men). Our results may be helpful in the diagnosis of male infertility, in the reduction of idiopathic cases of unknown origin and in implementation of targeted and more effective treatment (pharmacological, hormonal). Identification of environmental stressors and their correlations with fertility disorders can help to eliminate or reduce the impact of factors unfavorable to fertility. Our results highlight the importance of environmental and immunogenetic factors in shaping of defensive potential against destruction of spermatozoa and infer a role of oxidative stress in the induction of gene polymorphisms, affecting male fertility.

A simplified differential equation for the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) that describes the rate of SOC change (dSOC/dt) was constructed using the LASSO regression-a regularized linear regression machine learning method. This method selects the best predefined explanatory variables and empirically evaluates the relevant parameters of the equation. The result, converted into a formula for the long-term equilibrium level of soil carbon, indicates the existence of carbon sequestration potential in the studied regions of Poland. In particular, the model predicts high SOC content in regions with a high Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), such as river valleys or areas with high cattle density, as expected.

Smelter waste deposits pose a threat to environment and human health worldwide. There is limited availability of long-term phytostabilization field studies evaluating and documenting persistence of tested remediation methods. The paper combines experience from greenhouse testing of most effective soil amendments and long-term field experiments aimed at optimizing phytostabilisation of toxic smelter waste deposits. We compared the impact of novel soil amendments and their combinations with traditional materials on metal solubility and the response of plants, soil organisms and microbial activity. A range of tested parameters included metal extractability and bioaccessibility, soil pH, electric conductivity and enzymatic activity. Soil pore waters were collected to determine trace element concentrations. A separate test was performed to study amendment effects on earthworm behaviour and metal accumulation. Field evaluations involved long-term smelter wasteland site reclaimed with biosolids and by-product limestone combined with implementation of resistant grass species. The data on metal extractability and bioavailability, plant cover, microbial activity, abundance and biodiversity is presented.

The intensification of oxidative stress and destabilization of the antioxidative defenses of an organism is a consequence of many environmental factors. We considered aspects conditioning male reproductive potential and the functionality of enzymatic antioxidative mechanisms, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR), and their correlations with Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Hg, Tl, Pb, and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as genetic polymorphism IL-4v.C589T (rs2243250) in men with infertility (n = 76). A healthy normozoospermic control (n = 87) was also used. We assessed the impact of negative changes driven by oxidative stress on enzymatic antioxidative mechanisms as well as the role of MDA in the overall process. On this basis, we infer connections between disturbances in enzymatic antioxidative defense and reproductive potential. Based on a molecular analysis of the polymorphism of gene IL-4v.C589T (rs2243250) (chromosome 5) (PCR-RFLP), we considered the relationships among particular genotypes with the possibility of occurrence of male infertility. Concentrations of chemical elements were measured in the blood. The activity of antioxidants and MDA levels were measured in serum. In the infertile group, higher GPx activity was noted (6.56 nmoL·min−1·mL−1, control: 4.31 nmoL·min−1·mL−1; p = 0.004), while GR achieved a greater level in the control (17.74 nmoL·min−1·mL−1, infertile: 15.97 nmoL·min−1·mL−1, p = 0.043), which implies diversified efficiency of the first and second lines of defense. The polymorphism of IL-4v.C589T (rs2243250) was not directly connected with infertility because there were not any differences in the frequency of genotypes between the infertile and control group (p = 0.578). An analysis of genotypes CC and TT (polymorphism IL-4v.C589T (rs2243250)) indicated numerous correlations between antioxidants, chemical elements and MDA. Therefore, chemical economy, antioxidative defense and genetic conditions are connected and jointly shape male reproductive potential. Chemical elements influence antioxidative defense and male fertility; the most important modulators appeared to be Na, Ba, Al and B. The polymorphism of gene IL-4v.C589T (rs2243250) has a limited influence on antioxidative defense and the metabolism of chemical elements.

Context. The paper concerns on measuring the values of urban informal green spaces. In times of new challenges importance of informal greenery for landscape ecology and quality of life in the cities increases. Objectives. The objectives of the study is to develop the criteria for expert assesment of visual attractiveness of informal green spaces and compare the results of expert assesment with indicators derived from spectral indexes and GIS data. Methods. The study area is Lublin in Poland, a medium-sized European city. Expert assessment includes: general assessment - defining overall attractiveness, naturalness, landscape contrast and uniqueness. We juxtaposed the results with spectral indexes: LST, NDVI, LAI and GIS data. The analyses were performed for the target areas and a 300 m buffer zones around them. Results. The spectral indexes largely confirm the results of the expert assessment. Clear relationship exists between overall attractiveness and temperature and between landscape contrast and temperature. Areas with greater landscape contrast also have a larger difference in index values between the area and the buffer. There is a positive correlation between overall attractiveness and land slope. Spectral indexes also indicated the value of some sites that received a lower expert assessment. Conclusions. We suggest that the most visually attractive areas be called “enchanted natural places" (ENPs). The concept of ENPs can be a tool for formalising the protection of these areas. Spectral indexes confirm the values of ENPs, but also shown the value of sites with lower expert assessment, more common “bushes and shrubs”.

Smelter waste deposits pose environmental and health threats and require remediation actions. Phytostabilisation techniques, based on soil amendments, help to establish plant cover and limit the secondary emission of potentially toxic trace elements. However, methods to optimize their effectiveness are needed. The application of bacterial inoculants in combination with soil amendments in the remediation of soils and wastes contaminated with metals still has not been extensively tested. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of indigenous (Streptomyces sp., Pseudomonas sp.) and foreign (Streptomyces costaricanus) strains of bacteria in supporting grass growth on extremely contaminated waste slag. They were applied alone and in combination with compost mixed with phosphate fertilizer or iron oxide. The tested strains improved plant growth and increased plant availability of phosphorus. The interaction of the soil amendments and some bacterial strains also stimulated a decrease in the extractability of metals, likely through the phosphate-induced precipitation of lead. Our data show that the effectiveness of soil amendments in the phytostabilisation of heavily polluted smelter deposits can be enhanced by plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB).

The importance of aphids Aphidoidea in the bioaccumulation of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Cd, and Pb was investigated for degraded environments with high salinity, acidification, and elevated Ca, Mg, and Fe concentrations due to management in a Polish saline region. We studied the transfer of Cd and Pb, and other elements listed above in the anthropogenic environments affected by sodium manufacturing, industrial waste utilization, and agroecosystems (dumping grounds of waste and agricultural cultivation) and in natural environments for the water-soil-plants-aphids continuum. Concentrations of chemical elements in ponds, lakes, rivers, headers of stagnant water, soils, plants, and aphids were established. Concentrations were found to differ in K, Ca, Zn, Co, and Cd concentrations between the soil (K: 10159 mu g*g(-1) dw, Ca: 83823, Zn: 117, Co: 8.6, Cd: 12.8), green parts of plants (K: 27101 mu g*g(-1) dw, Ca: 20117, Zn: 142, Co: 2.5, Cd: 2.8), and aphids (K: 165243 mu g*g(-1) dw, Ca: 154228, Zn: 227, Co: 16.3, Cd: 16.7), especially in the anthropogenic environments. Generally, accumulation of these elements increased from soil through plants to aphids. The bioaccumulation of chemical elements by aphids was correlated with higher concentrations of metals in anthropogenically impacted areas, where the contribution of aphids in element-element interactions was significant. Aphids absorb, accumulate, and selectively remove in most cases on average 50-600% of the amount of chemicals from plants, with the exception of Na and Mn. Bioaccumulation and bioavailability of chemical elements in aphids may be a step in the transfer of toxins in the food chain, which is worthy of further exploration. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The aim was to assess plant driven changes in the activity and diversity of microorganisms in the top layer of the zinc and lead smelter waste piles. The study sites comprised two types (flotation waste-FW and slag waste-SW) of smelter waste deposits in Piekary Slaskie, Poland. Cadmium, zinc, lead, and arsenic contents in these technosols were extremely high. The root zone of 8 spontaneous plant species (FW-Thymus serpyllum, Silene vulgaris, Solidago virgaurea, Echium vulgare, and Rumex acetosa; and SW-Verbascum thapsus; Solidago gigantea, Eupatorium cannabinum) and barren areas of each waste deposit were sampled. We observed a significant difference in microbial characteristics attributed to different plant species. The enzymatic activity was mostly driven by plant-microbial interactions and it was significantly greater in soil affected by plants than in bulk soil. Furthermore, as it was revealed by BIOLOG Ecoplate analysis, microorganisms inhabiting barren areas of the waste piles rely on significantly different sources of carbon than those found in the zone affected by spontaneous plants. Among phyla, Actinobacteriota were the most abundant, contributing to at least 25% of the total abundance. Bacteria belonging to Blastococcus genera were the most abundant with the substantial contribution of Nocardioides and Pseudonocardia, especially in the root zone. The contribution of unclassified bacteria was high-up to 38% of the total abundance. This demonstrates the unique character of bacterial communities in the smelter waste.

Prolonged drought and extreme precipitation can have a significant impact on the activity and structure of soil microbial communities. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of drought length on the dynamics of mineral nitrogen, enzyme activities and bacterial diversity in two soils of different texture (sand and silt loam, according to USDA classification). An additional objective was to evaluate the effect of compost on the alleviation of soil microbial responses to stress conditions, i.e. alternating periods of drought and excessive soil moisture. The pot study was carried out in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. Compost was added at an amount equal to 3% of soil to the sandy soil, which was characterised by a significantly lower water retention capacity. Specific levels of water stress conditions were created through application of drought and soil watering periods. For each soil, four levels of moisture regimes were set-up, including optimal conditions kept at 60% of field water holding capacity, and three levels of water stress: The low level—2 week period without watering; the medium level—1 month drought period followed by watering to full but short-term soil saturation with water; and the high level—2 month drought period followed by full and long-term saturation with the same total amount of water, as in other variants. The soil water regime strongly modified the activities of dehydrogenases and acid and alkaline phosphatase, as well as the bacterial diversity. Loamy soil exhibited greater resistance to the inhibition of soil enzymatic activity. After irrigation, following both a 1 month and 2 month drought, the enzyme activities and nitrification largely recovered in soil with a loamy texture. Drought induced substantial shifts in the functional diversity of bacterial communities. The use of such C substrates, as carboxylic and acetic acids, was strongly inhibited by water deficit. Water deficit induced changes in the relative abundances of particular phyla, for example, an increase in Acidobacteria or a decrease in Verrucomicrobia. The study clearly proves the greater susceptibility of microbial communities to drought in sandy soils and the important role of exogenous organic matter in protecting microbial activity in drought periods.

We analyzed cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) concentrations in human semen and catalase CAT activity in seminal plasma and the effects of their relations on the sperm quality. We obtained semen samples from men (n = 168) undergoing routine infertility evaluation. Studies included two groups based on the ejaculate parameters: I (n = 39; normal ejaculate; normozoospermia); II (n = 129; pathological spermiogram). We examined relationships and differences between Co, Cr, and Pb concentrations in seminal plasma, CAT activity, and semen parameters. We did not establish differences in Co, Cr, and Pb concentrations and CAT activity from men between normozoospermic and those with pathological spermiogram. We found a significantly lower Co concentration and CAT activity in males with normal sperm motility than in asthenozoospermic males. We found significantly lower Co and a higher Pb concentration in males with normal morphology of spermatozoa than in teratozoospermic males. We found a significantly higher Pb concentration in the individuals with consumption of alcohol than in those without consumption. There were significant correlations between Co and Pb concentrations, sperm progressive motility (A + B, i.e., fast and slow progressive motility; Co—negatively; Pb—positively), and normal morphology of spermatozoa (Co—negatively; Pb—positively). We found a significant negative correlation between Cr concentration and slow progressive motility, and between CAT activity and volume of ejaculate. Co, Cr, and Pb levels and CAT activity were related to sperm characteristics and male fertility. The impact of alcohol may be manifested by a disturbance in Pb equilibrium in the body. Co and Pb influence progressive motility and normal morphology of human spermatozoa. Thus, Co and Pb levels in semen may be a useful diagnostic in male infertility. Most of the results of this study are in contrast to expectations. Namely, Pb is a toxic element and its harmful effects (poor semen quality) may be expected already at relatively low level of Pb exposure and are particularly visible with increasing of Pb. Co and Cr(III) are essential elements and harmful effects may be expected at their deficiency and/or overexposure.

Smelter wastelands containing high amounts of zinc, lead, cadmium, and arsenic constitute a major problem worldwide. Serious hazards for human health and ecosystem functioning are related to a lack of vegetative cover, causing fugitive dust fluxes, runoff and leaching of metals, affecting post-industrial ecosystems, often in heavily populated areas. Previous studies demonstrated the short term effectiveness of assisted phytostabilisation of zinc and lead smelter slags, using biosolids and liming. However, a long term persistence of plant communities introduced for remediation and risk reduction has not been adequately evaluated. The work was aimed at characterising trace element solubility, plant and microbial communities of the top layer of the reclaimed zinc and lead smelter waste heaps in Piekary Slaskie, Poland, 20 years after the treatment and revegetation. The surface layer of the waste heaps treated with various rates of biosolids and the by-product lime was sampled for measuring chemical and biochemical parameters, which are indicative for metals bioavailability as well as for microorganisms activity. Microbial processes were characterised by enzyme activities, abundance of specific groups of microorganisms and identification of N fixing bacteria. Plant communities of the area were characterised by a percent coverage of the surface and by a composition of plant species and plant diversity. The study provides a strong evidence that the implemented remediation approach enables a sustainable functioning of the ecosystem established on the toxic waste heaps. Enzyme activities and the count of various groups of microorganisms were the highest in areas treated with both biosolids and lime, regardless their rates. A high plant species diversity and microbial activities are sustainable after almost two decades from the treatment, which is indicative of a strong resistance of the established ecosystem to a metal stress and a poor physical quality of the anthropogenic soil formed by the treatment. (c) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We analysed sodium (Na), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) levels in human semen and glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx) in seminal plasma and examined their relationships with sperm quality. Semen samples were obtained from men (n=168) undergoing routine infertility evaluation. The study design included two groups based on standard ejaculate parameters: Group I (n=39) with normal ejaculates (normozoospermia) and Group II (n=129) with a pathological spermiogram. Se concentration (but not Na or Cu) and GPx activity were significantly higher in normozoospermic males than in those with a pathological spermiogram and also in males with correct sperm motility and normal sperm morphology than in asthenozoospermic and teratozoospermic males. There were significant correlations between sperm motility, Se and GPx, between rapid progressive motility and Cu, between sperm motility and Na, between normal sperm morphology and Se and Cu and between sperm concentration and Cu and GPx. Significant correlations were found between Na and Cu, between Na and Se and between Cu and Se in human semen in relation to alcohol consumption and tobacco use. Na, Cu, Se and GPx are related to sperm characteristics and male fertility and their survey could improve male infertility diagnosis.

The aim of the present study was to measure lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), europium (Eu), and gadolinium (Gd) concentrations in human semen and correlate the results with sperm quality. The median semen content of La was 19.5 µg kg−1 dry weight (dw) (range 2.27–269), of Ce was 41.9 µg kg−1 dw (range 4.52 to 167), of Eu was 0.68 µg kg−1 dw (range 0.06–1.95), of Gd was 3.19 µg kg−1 dw (range 0.38–12.0), and of calcium (Ca) was 4063 mg kg−1 dw (range 484–17,191). Concentrations of La, Ce, Eu, Gd, and Ca were significantly lower in nondrinkers’ semen than in semen from drinkers. Significant differences were detected between La, Ce, Eu, Gd, and Ca concentrations in semen from nondrinkers and moderate drinkers. Concentrations of La, Ce, and Gd in semen of short-term smokers were significantly lower than those in extremely long-term smokers. Significant differences were also detected between La concentration in semen from a group of short-term smokers and that of a group of long-term smokers. Positive correlations were found between La, Ce, Eu, Gd, and Ca concentrations in semen. La, Ce, Gd, and Ca concentrations in semen were positively associated with progressive motility and percentage of normal spermatozoa. Positive correlations were found between Ca and sperm concentration. Concentrations of La, Ce, and Gd were negatively associated with sperm concentration, whilst Ca concentration was negatively associated with volume of ejaculate. At the examined level, La, Ce, Eu, and Gd did not affect sperm quality, whereas alcohol consumption and smoking might have increased the level of rare earth elements in semen.

Particle-size distribution (PSD) is one of the most important and frequently measured soil parameters. The assumptions inherent in the use of Stokes’ law in the standardized sieve–sedimentation method (SSM) are known to introduce bias into the estimates of PSD. We used the laser diffraction method (LDM) to quantitatively estimate the bias in the SSM. Pipette samples collected at standardized times during the SSM of three different soils were analyzed with LDM to detect the largest particles in suspension. Light microscopy was used to verify the LDM estimates. Particle sizes in suspension were compared as a function of time to the predicted sizes by Stokes’ law. Our findings suggest that (i) real sedimentation in a soil suspension deviated from Stokes’ law in all the soils investigated; (ii) larger particles then predicted by Stokes’ law occurred in all fractions of all investigated soils where counts of anomalously larger particles ranged from several to around 40%; (iii) the longer the time of the sedimentation, the larger the deviation from Stokes’ law with the effect of irregularly shaped particles becoming more evident; and (iv) sieving soil samples appears to not be an effective method for the separation of the sand fraction from finer fractions. Our observations on the deviation from Stokes’ law has previously been widely discussed in the literature. However, quantification of this phenomenon, as described in this paper, should help to better estimate the uncertainty of the pipette method.

The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of monitoring experimental plots by using a remote-controlled flying model adapted to perform low altitude non-metric photographs. In the first part of the paper, the advantages and disadvantages of a moto-glider construction flight as a platform were discussed. The second part presents issues associated with the acquisition and development of photographs taken with this type of construction. The study was conducted in 2008–2010 in the fields of the research farm in Wielkopolska, Poland (N 52.585°, E 16.640°), which belong to the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, Pulawy. The photographs were taken over crops of winter wheat, spring barley and maize grown on the plots (size of 36 × 36 m), covering an area of about four hectares. The flights were made at various altitudes (20–700 m above ground level) at selected plant growth stages.