Investigating the release of ZnO nanoparticles from cement mortars on microbiological models

Incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) into cement mortars may provide additional functions, e.g., self-cleaning and antibacterial or electroconductive ability. However, these NPs are also known for their potential toxicity. During the life cycle of a cement mortar, various abrasive forces cause the release of admixtures to the natural environment. The effect of the released NPs on model microorganisms has not been extensively studied. Previous studies have shown that nanomaterials may affect various microorganisms’ physiological responses, including changes in metabolic activity, biofilming, or growth rate. In this study, we have focused on evaluating the response of model microorganisms, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, towards ZnO nanoparticles released from cement mortars in different deterioration scenarios. The addition of ZnO nanoparticles to cement mortars had a noticeable effect on impeding the strength development. We have also detected that depending on the deterioration scenario, the release of ZnO nanoparticles was varied. Our studies have also shown that even though the release of nanoform ZnO could be limited by poor dispersion or the used filtration technique, the eluates have caused slight but statistically significant changes in the physiological features of studied microorganisms showing relatively low toxicity.

Early pre- and postsynaptic decrease in glutamatergic and cholinergic signaling after spinalization is not modified when stimulating proprioceptive input to the ankle extensor α-motoneurons: Anatomical and neurochemical study

Alpha-motoneurons (MNs) innervating ankle extensor muscles show reduced peripheral inputs from Ia proprioceptive afferents and cholinergic afferents after chronic spinalization (SCT). That phenomenon is not observed on ankle flexor MNs, indicating a smaller vulnerability of the latter MNs circuit to SCT. Locomotor training of spinal rats which partially restored those inputs to extensor MNs tended to hyper innervate flexor MNs, disclosing a need for selective approaches. In rats with intact spinal cord 7-days of low-threshold proprioceptive stimulation of the tibial nerve enriched glutamatergic Ia and cholinergic innervation of lateral gastrocnemius (LG) MNs, suggesting usefulness of selective stimulation for restoration of inputs to extensor MNs after SCT. Accordingly, to examine its effectiveness after SCT, tibial nerves and soleus muscles were implanted bilaterally, and for MN identification fluorescence tracers to LG and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were injected two weeks prior to spinalization. Stimulation of tibial nerve, controlled by H-reflex recorded in the soleus muscle, started on the third post-SCT day and continued for 7 days. Nine days post-SCT the number and volume of glutamatergic Ia and of cholinergic C-boutons on LG MNs was decreased, but stimulation affected neither of them. Postsynaptically, a threefold decrease of NMDAR NR1 subunit and thirtyfold decrease of M2 muscarinic receptor transcripts caused by SCT were not counteracted by stimulation, whereas a threefold decrease of AMPAR GluR2 subunit tended to deepen after stimulation. We conclude that LG MNs, supported with proprioceptive stimuli after SCT, do not transcribe the perceived cues into compensatory response at the transcriptional level in the early post-SCT period.

Advanced methods to calculation of pressure drop during aeration in composting process

The objective of our research work was to develop a model that could be used to determine resistance of air flow through a bed of organic material processed in composting operation. The raw material used for testing was organic fraction below 80mm separated from municipal waste. The range of process parameters values treated as independent variables was: for hydraulic load 8.49÷50.96m³·m^-2·h^-1, thickening coefficient 0.69÷0.94 and airflow direction from the bottom upwards and vice versa. The research work lasting 19÷25days was performed in three independent series varying in the bed height. Material humidity was maintained at a constant level of approx. 45%. Analysis of simulation results allowed for selection of MLP/5-9-1 neural network. High quality of such obtained neural network was confirmed by statistical evaluation indicators represented by a coefficient of correlation between the forecast and real values (0.906) and the range of standardized rests of the forecast results (4.082÷5.453).

The in vitro efficacy of SunSmile® Fruit & Vegetable Rinse against pathogenic strains of Prototheca algae that cause mastitis in cows

The research concerns algae of the genus Prototheca. They are found in the natural environment and they can cause a disease in animals and humans called protothecosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of the fruit and vegetable rinse agent SunSmile^® Fruit & Vegetable Rinse (Sunrider International) against P. zopfii isolates. The materials consisted of ten P. zopfii strains isolated from the milk of cows with mastitis. The following antifungal chemotherapeutic agents were also used in the study for comparison: nystatin, ketoconazole, amphothericin B, miconazole, clotrimazole, econazole, fluconazole, and flucytosine. The tube dilution method were used to evaluate the effect of a fruit and vegetable rinse agent and the disc-diffusion method to evaluate the effect of antifungal chemotherapeutic agents on P. zopfii strains. All tested strains of P. zopfii were susceptible to the action of the SunSmile^® agent. The MMC was in the range of 0.0024-0.0190%. The SunSmile^® Fruit & Vegetable Rinse can be used in prevention of mastitis in cows and in human protothecosis due to its safe, natural composition and efficacy.

The effect of clary sage oil on staphylococci responsible for wound infections

INTRODUCTION

The spreading of bacterial antibiotic resistance among clinical strains of pathogenic bacteria has made investigators to search for other active antibacterial agents which could provide a valuable complement to the existing therapies.

AIM

To determine the antibacterial activity of clary sage oil (Salvia sclarea L.) against Staphylococcus clinical strains which were isolated from patients with wound infections.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A comprehensive evaluation of Staphylococcus clinical strain resistance to antibiotics was performed. The constituents of clary sage oil were assayed by GC-FID-MS analysis. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tested essential oil against staphylococci by the micro-dilution broth method was determined.

RESULTS

The clary sage oil was active against Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and S. xylosus with MIC values ranging from 3.75 to 7.00 µl/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the in vitro tests encourage to use formulations containing sage oil as the active natural antimicrobial agent. Because of its antimicrobial properties clary sage oil may be applied to treat wounds and skin infections.

[The antibacterial activity of cinnamon oil on the selected gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria]

INTRODUCTION

The aim of our study was to determine the antibacterial activity of cinnamon bark oil against Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates belonging to Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Enterobacter and Acinetobacter genera come from different clinical specimens.

METHODS

The microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration--MIC for cinnamon bark oil. Susceptibility testing to antibiotics was carried out using disc-diffusion method.

RESULTS

Our investigations showed that the tested cinnamon bark oil was inhibiting activity against all isolates. The MIC for Gram-positive bacteria were between 01.25 and 1.5 μl/ml and for Gram-negative between 1.0 and 1.75 μl/ml. The tested bacteria come from Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Enterobacter and Acinetobacter genera were susceptible to essential oil obtained from Cinnamomum zeylanicum Ness in low concentrations, despite the fact that the bacteria characterized the high resistance to recommended antibiotics. No correlation was found between the antibiotic resistance of the bacterial strains and their sensitivity to essential oil.

CONCLUSIONS

The cinnamon bark oil due to the strong activity can be used as alternative antibacterial agents in cosmetics, toiletries and disinfectants applied in hospital environment.

Assessment of in vitro antifungal activity of preparation ''fin Candimis'' against Candida strains

The aim of the study was to assess the antifungal activity of preparation „fin Candimis” (oregano essential oil) against yeast-like strains belonging to the genus <em>Candida</em>. During the investigation, there were used up nine <em>Candida albicans</em> strains and ten C. glabrata strains isolated from different clinical material, along with one <em>C. albicans</em> demonstration strain ATCC 90028. The oregano essential oil, utilized in the study, was obtained from fresh leaves of <em>Origanum vulgare</em> L. and bore a trade name „fin Candimis”. According to data yielded by its manufacturer, concentration of pure oregano essential oil in preparation „fin Candimis” totals up to 210 mg/ml. The susceptibility of the <em>Candida</em> strains to preparation „fin Candimis” was assessed by means of the disc-diffusion method, upon the Sabouraud solid medium (after a 24-hour incubation of the cultures at temperature of 37 degrees centigrade); the oregano essential oil had been diluted in 1 ml of DMSO, according to the geometrical progression. A measure of the antifungal activity of preparation „fin Candimis” was the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), in terms of the fungus growth. Preparation „fin Candimis” is capable of being applied in the prevention and treatment of candidiasis – alone, or as a natural adjunctive agent. The <em>C. albicans</em> strains are more susceptible to preparation „fin Candimis” in comparison to the <em>C. glabrata</em> ones.

[The antibacterial activity of oregano essential oil (Origanum heracleoticum L.) against clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa]

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial properties of oregano (Origanum heracleoticum L.) essential oil against clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial activity of oregano essential oil was investigate against 2 tested and 20 clinical bacterial strains of Escherichia coli and 20 clinical strains o Pseudomonas aeruginosa come from patients with different clinical conditions.

METHODS

The agar dilution method was used for microbial growth inhibition at various concentrations ofoil. Susceptibility testing to antibiotics was carried out using disc-diffusion method.

RESULTS

The results of experiments showed that the tested oil was active against all of the clinical strains from both genus of bacteria, but strains of Escherichia coli were more sensitive to tested oil. Essential oil from Origanum heracleoticum L. inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical strains with different patters of resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

The obtained outcomes will enable further investigations using oregano essential oil obtained from Origanum heracleoticum L. as alternative antibacterial remedies enhancing healing process in bacterial infections and as an effective means for the prevention of antibiotic-resistant strain development.

Hydrogen-induced defects in austenite and ferrite of a duplex steel

The influence of hydrogen on the microstructure of two types of austeno-ferritic duplex stainless steel (Cr26-Ni6 model steel and Cr22-Ni5-Mo3 commercial steel), each of them after two thermo-mechanical treatments, was investigated. The aim of this study was to reveal microstructural changes appearing during the hydrogen charging and particularly to clarify the occurrence of phase transformations induced by hydrogen. The specific microstructural changes in the ferrite (alpha) and austenite (gamma) of both types of steel were observed. A strong increase of dislocation density was noticed in the alpha phase. In the case of model steel, longer hydrogen charging times led to significant ferrite grain refinement. In the commercial steel, the strips and twin plates appeared in the ferrite after hydrogenation. The appearance of stacking faults was revealed in the gamma phase. The martensite laths appeared in austenite after longer hydrogenation times. It seems that the microstructural changes gave rise to the formation of microcracks in the alpha and gamma phases as well as on the alpha/gamma interphase boundaries.

[Long-term results of uncemented hip arthroplasty for dysplastic coxarthrosis]

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term results of uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) in young patients (below 50 years of age) with dysplastic coxarthrosis. In the last 20 years, 862 primary uncemented THA, were implanted in our Institution. This surgery was performed in 459 patients. From this group 220 hips in 177 patients (167 women and 10 men), who had dysplastic coxarthrosis, were included in our study. The left hip was operated in 66 and the right one in 68 patients. Bilateral surgery was performed in 43 cases. The means age at the time of hip surgery was 38.3 years (range from 18 to 49 years). The mean follow-up was 9.3 years (range from 2 years to 18.6 years). In 167 (75.8%) patients the operative treatment of DDH was performed during the early childhood (Colonna-Zahradnicek procedures, Dega, Pemberton and Salter pelvic osteotomies). Only 39 (17.7%) patients were treated in the childhood conservatively by means of overhead extension, Frejka pillow or Pavlik harness. All patients were evaluated clinically and radiological. For clinical evaluation the classification system proposed by Merle d'Aubigne and Postel with Chamley modification was used. For radiological evaluation of the steam implantation the classification system proposed by De Lee and Chamley was used and for the cup implantation the system by Gruen and Moreland. The femoral head displacement prior to THA surgery was classified according to Crowe at all. classification. Based on above mentioned criteria in 26 hips (11.8%) the final result was graded as very good, in 61 cases (27.7%) as good, in 94 hips (42.7%) as satisfactory and in the remaining 39 cases (17.8%) the final result was poor. We observed a very strong correlation between clinical and radiological results. According to Crowe and all. classification, in class I we noted 19 (61.3%) very good, 11 (35.5%) good, 1 (3.2%) satisfactory results. In class II in 5 cases (6.6%) the results was very good, 25 (32.9%) good and in 39 (51.3%) satisfactory results. In class III only in 2 cases the final result was graded as very good, and good in 23 hips (25.8%). In class IV there was no very good result, and we observed 19 (21.4%) poor results. In analyzed group in 37 (16.8%) patients the revision hip surgery was necessary because of aseptic prosthesis loosening.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of dysplastic coxarthrosis by means of THA is difficult. The high level of experience is necessary to perform this type of surgery. This type of THA should be performed only in selected orthopaedic centers. Starting the surgery one has to think about complications.

The use of Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) in the rehabilitation of patients after total knee arthroplasty

Background. Total knee alloplasty (TKA) is standard treatment for advanced gonarthrosis. Proper rehabilitation of the operated joint and the patient is essential in order to achieve a satisfactory functional outcome. The aim of our study was to compare rehabilitation methods used for patients recovering from TKA in the Orthopedic Clinic of the Medical University in Łódź, Poland. Material and methods. We studied 186 patients operated for advanced gonarthrosis, ranging in age from 29 to 80 (average 65.8), who had received 197 endoprotheses. From 1986 to 1989 the rehabilitation program included isometric exercises of the muscles in the operated joint, general fitness exercises in bed, and passive exercises of the knee conducted by a physiotherapist. The average stay during this period was 19.7 +/- 2.5 days. In 1989, continuous passive motion (CPM) using an electric rail was introduced to the rehabilitation program. Results. Thanks to the earlier additional flexibility of the operated joint, active exercises and weight bearing on the operated limb could be accelerated. The patients left the Clinic 2 weeks after surgery (13.6 +/- 2.5 days). The change in the rehabilitation program produced a statistically significant increase in the average range of flexion in the operated joint (p = 0.000001) in a significantly shorter time (p = 0.0000). Conclusion. Introducing CPM to the rehabilitation of TKA patients accelerates their progress and reduces hospitalization time, which improves the patients' emotional comfort and enables a faster return to an active life in society.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and its biological activity

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic glycoprotein belonging to the IL-6 family of cytokines. It shows a wide range of biologic activities that include the growth promotion and cell differentiation of different types of target cells, influence on bone metabolism, cachexia, neural development, embryogenesis and inflammation. LIF has potent proinflammatory property, being the inducer of the acute phase protein synthesis and affecting the cell recruitment into the area of damage or inflammation. LIF is also one of the cytokines that are capable to regulate the differentiation of embryonic stem cells, hematopoietic and neuronal cells. Due to its polyfunctional activities, LIF is involved in the pathogenic events and development of many diseases of various origin.

Basic-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF)--its biological role in physiologic and pathologic conditions

Basic-Fibroblast Growth Factor (b-FGF) is a multifunctional polypeptide that promotes growth and differentiation of a broad spectrum of cell types, including dermal fibroblasts, keratinocytes, endothelial cells and melanocytes. Due to its powerful mitogenic and angiogenic abilities it can influence the tissue remodeling, wound healing, neovascularization and promote tumor growth and metastases. b-FGF is also involved in some inflammatory skin diseases, but its biological role both in physiologic and pathologic conditions is not entirely recognized yet.

Effect of electromagnetic waves on sensitivity of fungi of the genus Candida to miconazole

Increasing use of elctromagnetic fields (EF) in the treatment of various diseases may have potential impacts on fungi--possible aetiological factors of concomitant mycoses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EF on miconazole susceptibility among fungi of the genus Candida showing confirmed pathogenicity in humans. Fifteen Candida strains obtained from patients were used and their susceptibility to miconazole was determined by diffusion in agar gel. Antifungal activity of miconazole was assessed as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) which was calculated for Candida strains not exposed to EF (control) and EF-exposed (3 experiments). In the majority of cases the susceptibility of Candida species to miconazole decreased (higher MICs) after the first week of EF exposure, regardless of the EF's parameters. This was followed by an increase in susceptibility (lower MICs) after the second week of exposure to EF of 2 mT intensity and frequency 3 Hz (experiment I) and an EF of 9 mT intensity and 12.5 Hz frequency (experiment II) relative to control. An increase in susceptibility (lower MICs) was observed in the second week of exposure, whatever the parameters of the EF. The application of low intensity, low frequency EF for a period of at least two weeks may be beneficial in the treatment of mycoses caused by pathogenic fungi of Candida genus.

[The enzymatic activity of fungi strains isolated from the skin and skin appendages of humans returning from the tropics]

The aim of the work was to assess the enzymatic activity of 11 fungi strains isolated from the skin of 10 Lódź residents who had visited the tropics over 1998-1999. The strains were cultured by Jeske and Lupa of The Voivodeship Outpatient Clinic of Infectious, Parasitic and Tropical Diseases and Fungal Infections in Lódź. They were as follows: Trichophyton rubrum and Acremonium kiliense from Zambia, Myriodontium keratinophilum, Beauveria bassiana, Cladosporium herbarum, Candida famata and Trichophyton yaoundei from Sudan, Trichophyton tonsurans from Ethiopia, Trichophyton phaseliforme from Egypt, Acremonium strictum from Zimbabwe and Microsporum racemosus from Tanzania. The enzymatic activity was determined with the use of API ZYM of bioMérieux enabling 19 hydrolases to be revealed. In general, all tropical strains were characterised by a weak hydrolytic activity.

Epidemiology of dermatomycoses of humans in central Poland. Part IV. Onychomycosis due to dermatophytes

The total number of dermatophytoses (7393) included 1567 (21.2%) cases of onychomycosis. Etiological factors in descending order were: Trichophyton rubrum (58.8%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. granulosum (26.2%), T. mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (5.1%), Trichophyton tonsurans (4.1%), Trichophyton violaceum (1.5%), Trichophyton spec. (1.1%). An increase in the incidence was noted between 1994 and 1996. At present, onychomycosis is third by incidence among all clinical forms of dermatophyte infections of skin and skin appendages in the Lódź region.

Epidemiology of dermatomycoses of humans in central Poland. Part V. Tinea corporis

The total number of dermatophytoses (7393) included 2204 (29.8%) cases of tinea glabrosa. Etiological factors in descending order were: Microsporum canis (23.5%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. granulosum (21.6%), Trichophyton rubrum (17.8%), Trichophyton tonsurans (10.4%), Epidermophyton floccosum (7.7%), T. mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum (6.0%), Microsporum gypseum (5.3%), Trichophyton violaceum (3.7%), T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (2.3%), Microsporum equinum (0.7%), Trichophyton verrucosum (0.4%), Trichophyton spec. (0.4%), Microsporum cookei (0.14%). At present tinea glabrosa is dominant among all clinical forms of dermatophyte infections of skin and skin appendages in the Lódź region.

Epidemiology of dermatomycoses of humans in central Poland. Part III. Tinea pedis

The total number of dermatophytoses (7393) included 2025 (27.4%) tinea pedis cases. Etiological factors in descending order by contribution were: Trichophyton rubrum (41.7%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. granulosum (30.9%), T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (10.0%), Epidermophyton floccosum (7.4%), T. mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum (6.9%), Trichophyton tonsurans (2.3%), Trichophyton spec. (0.4%), Trichophyton terrestre (0.2%), Trichophyton violaceum (0.1%). In the years 1987-93 the incidence of tinea pedis substantially increased over 1994-96. Today tinea pedis is second by incidence among all clinical forms of dermatophyte infections of skin and skin appendages in the Lódź region.

Epidemiology of dermatomycoses of humans in central Poland. Part I--Superficial infections caused by yeasts and moulds

This work presents the epidemiology of dermatomycoses and their etiological agents of people living in the Lódź region, Central Poland, over the years 1987-1996. The analysis involved subjects referred by physicians to three major mycological laboratories in Lódź (covering the entire mycological diagnostics of the Lódź region). The study comprised a total of 25,737 persons aged 1-82. Positive results of mycological examinations were obtained for 14,084 (54.7%) patients. The total number of 14,295 positive mycological results included 6902 (48.3%) isolations of non-dermatophyte fungi. The non-dermatophytes included: Candida-like (69.8%), moulds (26.9%) and lipophilic yeasts (3.3%). The distribution of non-dermatophytes was characterized by dependence on sociodemographic features such as subjects' age, place of residence, education and occupation. Candida-like fungi are etiological factors of superficial infections of all clinical types whereas moulds were found to cause infections of finger and toe nails and periungual walls.

Epidemiology of dermatomycoses of humans in Central Poland. Part II--Non-dermatophyte infections of nails and periungual walls

This study presents the epidemiology of dermatomycoses and their etiological agents of people living in the Lódź region, Central Poland, over the years 1987-1996. The study comprised a total of 25,737 patients. Positive mycological results were obtained for 14,084 patients (54.7%). The total number of 14,295 of positive mycological results included 6902 (48.3%) isolations of non-dermatophyte fungi. Among these positive results, isolations from subjects with infections of nails and periungual walls amounted to 2034 (29.5%). Candida albicans (59.9%) and Aspergillus sp. (17.3%) were major etiological factors of those infections. The decade in question was marked by a steady growth in incidence of the infections studied, especially over the years 1994-1996.

The vasopressin and oxytocin neurohypophysial content as influenced by bleeding or dehydration: effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide

The effect of CCK-8 (50 ng, i.c.v.) on the neurohypophysial vasopressin and oxytocin storage was estimated in haemorrhaged (1 ml per 100 g b.w.) male Wistar rats. In another experimental series rats dehydrated for three days were given CCK-8 in a daily i.c.v. dose of 50 ng. The neurohypophysial vasopressin and oxytocin content was bioassayed by pressor effect following Dekański or milk-ejection activity in vitro following van Dongen and Hays, respectively. The decrease of neurohypophysial vasopressin and oxytocin content, brought about by dehydration, was significantly less marked in animals treated with CCK-8. The depletion of neurohypophysial vasopressin and oxytocin content in haemorrhaged animals could be completely inhibited by earlier i.c.v. administration of CCK-8. It is suggested that hypothalamic cholecystokinin may serve as a modulator of neurohypophysial function.