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Microbiota of the vagina and myoma nodes in uterine myoma

Objective: to study the microbiota of the vagina, myomatous nodes, their bed in patients with fibroids. Materials and methods: a comprehensive examination of 83 patients aged 26 to 50 years with diagnosed interstitial, interstitial-subserous uterine myoma was carried out. By age, all women are divided into 3 groups. Standard clinical and clinical laboratory studies, colposcopy, microbiological examination of the detachable posterior vaginal fornix, biopsy specimens of myomatous nodes and their bed, as well as morphological examination of biopsy specimens of myomatous nodes and their bed were performed.Results: in the structure of clinical manifestations of uterine fibroids, pain syndrome was the leading one (p<0.05). The number of myoma nodes in patients varied from 1 to 22. The duration of the operation and the amount of blood loss did not differ significantly (p>0.05). According to the results of a bacteriological study of the detachable posterior vaginal fornix in patients in the 2nd group, a decrease in the frequency of detection and the number of lactobacilli was revealed compared to the 1st group, and in women in the 3rd group, these microorganisms were absent. Among the anaerobic microorganisms in the 1st and 2nd groups, Eubacterium spp. dominated, in the 3rd — Peptostreptococcus spp. In patients of group 3, the frequency of detection of Bacteroides spp. was significantly increased (p<0.05). Among the aerobic spectrum of microorganisms in all groups, coagulasenegative staphylococci predominated. In a bacteriological study of biopsy specimens, the absence of growth of microorganisms in myomatous nodes was observed in 7.2% of cases, in the tissue of the bed of myomatous nodes in 17.7%. The microbiota of myomatous nodes and their bed in most cases was represented by anaerobic taxa. According to the results of a morphological study of biopsy specimens, no inflammatory reaction of tissues was detected. Conclusions: In women with uterine myoma of different age groups, multidirectional changes in the vaginal microbiota were revealed. In most cases, the myomatous node (92.8%) and its bed (82.3%) are not sterile with the dominance of anaerobic microbiota taxa. Identified significant correlations in the loci «vagina – myomatous node – myomatous node bed» indicate their relationship. The detection of various taxa of microorganisms in the myomatous node and its bed, according to morphological studies, is not associated with the presence of infectious and inflammatory processes in the tissues.

A Rare Case of Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome in a Neonate

Staphylococcus toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is not well described in neonates. The present criteria for diagnosis of TSS have not yet been validated in neonates. Here, we present a case of a 13-day-old female baby who presented with acute kidney injury (AKI). She had a pus-draining lesion on the head, and the pus grew Staphylococcus aureus. Based on the clinical criteria of fever, desquamation, hypotension, and AKI and laboratory criteria of absence of growth of any organisms in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, we diagnosed the case as TSS. She was treated with antibiotics, oxygen, and fluids, along with inotropic support and mechanical ventilation, and she recovered fully and was discharged on day 17 of admission. As there is no single test to diagnose TSS and it is uncommon in neonates, physicians should be familiar with the clinical presentation of the disease to make early diagnosis.

Effect of different types of dry swabs and their storage conditions on the inoculation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

The results of evaluating the effectiveness of C. diphtheriae inoculation using different types of dry swabs in studies simulating various conditions of its storage at the preanalytical stage of a laboratory study for diphtheria are presented. A typical toxigenic strain of C. diphtheriae biovar gravis No. 665 was used. A commercial dry, sterile cotton swab probe (Ningbo Greetmed Medical Instruments Co., LTD, China), a commercial dry, sterile swab probe (plastic and viscose) (COPAN, Italy), tufters with a fluffy probe-tampon on a polystyrene applicator, standard (DELTALAB, SL, Spain). The tampons were pooled with a 24-hour bacterial culture of C. diphtheriae, then immediately seeded on Tellurite-containing blood agar and Corynebacagar. Storage conditions were simulated for 3 hours: at room conditions +(20-25)°C, in the refrigerator +(4-8)°C, in a thermostat +(37±1)°C. Optimal storage of C. diphtheriae on all three types of dry swabs at + (4-8) ° C; at +(20-25)° C - growth is observed when seeding from a cotton swab; in a swab with a fleecy probe-tampon, a decrease in the inoculation of C. diphtheriae was noted; when using a viscose swab - a significant loss of C. diphtheriae. At +(37±1)°C, a significant decrease in the inoculation of C. diphtheriae on all three types of tampons was noted, up to the absence of growth when using a viscose tampon. To exclude the loss of C. diphtheriae, it is necessary to observe the conditions for taking and storing biological material at the preanalytical stage of a laboratory study, which will improve the quality of laboratory microbiological studies for diphtheria infection.

Three new Penicillium species isolated from the tidal flats of China.

During a survey of culturable fungi in the coastal areas of China, three new species of Penicillium sect. Lanata-Divaricata were discovered and studied with a polyphasic taxonomic approach, and then named as P. donggangicum sp. nov. (ex-type AS3.15900T = LN5H1-4), P. hepuense sp. nov. (ex-type AS3.16039T = TT2-4X3, AS3.16040 = TT2-6X3) and P. jiaozhouwanicum sp. nov. (ex-type AS3.16038T = 0801H2-2, AS3.16207 = ZZ2-9-3). In morphology, P. donggangicum is unique in showing light yellow sclerotia and mycelium, sparse sporulation, restricted growth at 37 °C, irregular conidiophores, intercalary phialides and metulae, and pyriform to subspherical conidia. P. hepuense is distinguished by the fast growth on CYA and YES and slow growth on MEA at 25 °C, weak or absence of growth at 37 °C, biverticillate and monoverticillate penicilli, and ellipsoidal conidia. P. jiaozhouwanicum is characterized by abundant grayish-green conidia en masse and moderate growth at 37 °C, the appressed biverticillate penicilli and fusiform, smooth-walled conidia. These three novelties were further confirmed by the phylogenetic analyses based on either the combined BenA-CaM-Rpb2 or the individual BenA, CaM, Rpb2 and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences.

Observation of unexpected neo like-fruit development from Cakile maritima calli

Parthenocarpy, the ability of some plants to undergo fruit growth in absence of fertilization, is an important question of basic science and the subject of much interest due to its possible agricultural benefits. In the context of our cellular biology studies on a halophyte of interest, Cakile maritima, we generated calli, pluripotent cell masses, that unexpectedly allowed the appearance of parthenocarpic fruits without any floral tissues. These observations raise the hope to develop an in vitro model to study parthenocarpic fruit development.

The protective role of selenium against uptake and accumulation of cadmium and lead in white oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) and pink oyster (Pleurotus djamor) mushrooms

ABSTRACT Mushrooms are bioaccumulators and have been used to produce Se-enriched foods. However, these fungi can also bioaccumulate potentially toxic metals, producing food dangerous to human health. It is known that co-exposure to Se plays a protective role against metal accumulation and toxicity in some organisms due to its antioxidant properties. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Se(IV) and Se(VI) on elemental uptake and accumulation as well as proteins and protein-bound Se, Cd, and Pb distribution in Pleurotus mushrooms. Pink oyster and white oyster mushrooms showed high ability to bioaccumulate Se (19–205 µg g−1), Cd (4.5 to 18.8 µg g−1), and Pb (1.6 to 7.0 µg g−1). Growth substrate supplementation with Se(IV) or Se(VI) decreased the Cd total concentration in mushrooms by 4 to 89%, while Se(VI) increased the Pb total concentration by 9% to 187%, compared to growth in absence of Se. It was found that despite molecular weights distributions of mushrooms grown on Se(IV) and Se(VI)-supplemented substrates being similar, Se(VI) supplementation favoured Se interaction with proteins of medium molecular weight (17–44 kDa), when compared to supplementation with Se(IV). Therefore, we propose the supplementation of growth substrates with Se(VI) to reduce eventual Cd accumulation and produce Se-enriched oyster mushrooms.

Growth and behavioral differences in a C57BL/6J mouse model of prenatal alcohol exposure.

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can produce behavioral deficits in the presence or absence of growth and morphological deficits. Here, we describe a murine PAE model having parallels to the clinical diagnosis of alcohol-related neurodevelopmental deficit (ARND). Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were gavaged with alcohol (ALC, 3g/kg) or maltodextrin daily on embryonic days (E) E8.5 through E17.5. Blood alcohol levels were 211±14mg/dL at 30min post-gavage. Offspring behavior was tested at adolescence. ALC dams gained less weight during the alcohol exposure period (p=0.035). ALC male and female pups weighed more than controls at P15 (p≤0.001) and P22 (p≤0.001), but not at P37, perhaps because their dams were pair-housed. During the training session for accelerating rotarod, control offspring trended to stay longer on the rotarod than did ALC offspring [F(1,54)=2.892, p=0.095]. In the Y-maze, ALC offspring had a higher percent alternation than did controls [F(1,54)=16.577, p<0.001], but activity level did not appear to differ. In the fear-conditioning test, there was no ALC effect in the training trial. In the contextual test, there was a group×minute effect for males [F(4,120)=2.94, p=0.023], and ALC trended to freeze less than controls in minute 1 (p=0.076) and froze less in minute 2 (p=0.02). In the cue test, there was a trend for a group-sex interaction [F(1,53)=3.008, p=0.089] on overall freezing, such that ALC males (p<0.05) again froze less than control males, whereas ALC females (p<0.05) froze more than control females. This mouse model of PAE, using a repeated intermediate exposure, produces modest behavioral impairments that are consistent along the continuum of PAE models, including deficits in associative memory and hyper-responsivity. The lack of growth or morphological deficits suggests these mice may model aspects of ARND.

The role of apparent diffusion coefficient as a predictive factor for tumor recurrence in patients with cerebellopontine angle epidermoid tumor.

Intracranial epidermoid tumors are slowly growing benign tumors, but due to adjacent critical neurovascular structures, surgical resection is challenging, with the risk of recurrence. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) has been used to evaluate the characteristics of brain tumors, but its utility for intracranial epidermoid tumors has not been specifically explored. This study analyzed the utility of preoperative ADC values in predicting tumor recurrence for patients with intracranial epidermoid tumors. Between 2008 and 2019, 21 patients underwent surgery for cerebellopontine angle (CPA) epidermoid tumor, and their preoperative ADC data were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: the recurrence group, defined by regrowth of the remnant tumor or newly developed mass after gross total resection on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and the stable group, defined by the absence of growth or evidence of tumor on MRI. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to obtain the ADC cutoff values for predicting tumor recurrence. The prognostic value of the ADC was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. The minimum ADC values were significantly lower in the recurrence group than in the stable tumor group (P = 0.020). ROC analysis showed that a minimum ADC value lower than 804.5 × 10-6 mm2/s could be used to predict higher recurrence risk of CPA epidermoid tumors. Non-total resection and mean and minimum ADC values lower than the respective cutoffs were negative predictors of recurrence-free survival. Minimum ADC values could be useful in predicting the recurrence of CPA epidermoid tumors.

Burkholderia perseverans sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from the Restinga ecosystem, is a producer of volatile and diffusible compounds that inhibit plant pathogens.

Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, motile bacteria, designated CBAS 719T, CBAS 732 and CBAS 720 were isolated from leaf litter samples, collected in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, in 2008. Sequences of the 16S rRNA, gyrB, lepA and recA genes showed that these strains grouped with Burkholderia plantarii LMG 9035T, Burkholderia gladioli LMG 2216T and Burkholderia glumae LMG 2196T in a clade of phytopathogenic Burkholderia species. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization experiments and ANI analyses demonstrated that strain CBAS 719T represents a novel species in this lineage that is very closely related with B. plantarii. The genome sequence of the type strain is 7.57 Mbp and its G + C content is 69.01mol%. The absence of growth on TSA medium supplemented with 3% (w/v) NaCl, citrate assimilation, β-galactosidase (PNPG) activity, and of lipase C14 activity differentiated strain CBAS 719T from B. plantarii LMG 9035T, its nearest phylogenetic neighbor. Its predominant fatty acid components were C16:0, C18:1 ω7c, cyclo-C17:0 and summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C15:0 iso 2-OH). Based on these genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the strains CBAS 719T, CBAS 732 and CBAS 720 are classified in a novel Burkholderia species, for which the name Burkholderia perseverans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CBAS 719T (= LMG 31557T = INN12T).

Ecological and histological investigation of species complex Diaporthe eres on Fraxinus excelsior seed from Montenegro

Investigation of different seed diseases of common ash has great significance due to occurrence of ash dieback across Europe caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus Baral, Queloz and Hosoya (T.Kowalski) and still not completely defined strategies about regeneration of this species. Species complex Diaporthe eres are familiar pathogens of common ash. During the monitoring of health condition of common ash in Montenegro Diaporthe eres was frequently isolated from common ash seeds. The aim of this research was to investigate temperature conditions that contribute to the growth of Diaporthe eres strains from Montenegro in infected seeds and histological characteristics of Diaporthe eres spread in seeds. Growth of Diaporthe eres pure cultures on tested temperatures showed the fastest growth on 25°C and the absence of growth on 35°C. Mechanical damage did not significantly contribute to occurrence of infection. Microscopic examination of heavy infected seeds showed that hyphae of D.eres were visible on outer parts of seed spreading inside the core. In this research we investigated some basic bio ecological characteristics of D. eres associated with decline of F. excelsior seed in Montenegro.

Applicability of Escherichia Coli As an Indicator for Assessing Quality of Disinfectants and Antiseptic During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: The application of disinfectant agents is a common way to fight against micro-organisms. Although there are different types of disinfectant agents to fight COVID-19, many of them do not have the required quality and efficiency. The present work was aimed to evaluate the quality of the available disinfectant agents using gram-negative E. coli bacteria. Materials and Methods: In the laboratory phase of the research, the gram-negative E. coli bacteria were used to evaluate the quality of disinfectants. According to the proposed laboratory method, microbial kit was prepared and used to evaluate the performance of disinfectants. Results: Based on the obtained results, 1.0 mL of microbial suspension in the test tube, as microbial kit, is used for quality assessment of the disinfectants. Also, based on the results and considering the optimum conditions, in case of growth of microorganisms, the quality of disinfectant is evaluated as unfavorable, and in the absence of growth of microorganisms, the quality of disinfectant is considered appropriate in terms of its effect on gram-negative bacteria and weaker microorganisms. Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, E. coli can be used as a reliable indicator for assessing the quality of the disinfectant agents used against COVID 19.

Antimicrobial and antifungal activity of new fluorophenyl-containing 1,2,4-triazoles

The achievements of the world organic chemistry are most clearly represented by scientific publications that prove the promising nature of heterocyclic substances. The possibility of combining various pharmacophore fragments and 1,2,4-triazole in one molecule is quite popular. In 2018, the drug Trifuzol-NEO appeared on the veterinary market of Ukraine, which took its rightful place among synthetic immunomodulators for various groups of unproductive animals.&#x0D; So, further studies of new promising compounds among substituted 1,2,4-triazole, which can be used as objects for the creation of new original domestic antimicrobial and antifungal agents, remains relevant and has theoretical and practical significance.&#x0D; The aim of our work was to investigate the antimicrobial and antifungal activity of a number of new fluorophenyl-containing derivatives of 1,2,4-triazole and, in some cases, to trace the presence of certain patterns between structure and action.&#x0D; The sensitivity of new fluorophenyl-containing derivatives of 1,2.4-triazole was studied by the method of serial dilutions in accordance with the methodological recommendations. From the initial concentration of the new synthesized compounds of 1 mg/ml, a series of two-fold serial dilutions were prepared in Mueller–Hinton broth in a volume of 1 ml. Then, 0.1 ml of microbial curtain (106 m. c./ml) was added to each tube. MIC (MIC) was determined in the absence of visible growth in a test tube with the minimum concentration of the drug, the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBcK) – in the absence of growth on agar after inoculation from transparent tubes. Dimethyl sulfoxide was used as a solvent for the compounds in the studies. The research was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, Virology and Immunology of Zaporizhzhia State Medical University.&#x0D; Analyzing the results of studying the sensitivity of substances to Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, it should be noted that almost all compounds were active against the bacteria. It should be noted that a number of compounds were found to be the most active against Staphylococcus aureus, and 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-(((5-nitrofuran-2-yl)methylene)amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiols generally exceeded several times the activity indices of the reference drug (MIC 1.95 μg/ml, MBcK 3.9 μg/ml) to Staphylococcus aureus.&#x0D; Most of the compounds were found to be quite active against Candida albicans. Among the corresponding 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-((aryl)ylidene)amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiols, the highest activity for Candida albicans exhibit 5-(2-fluorophenyl) -4-((4-bromophenyl)ylidene)amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol and 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-((2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)ylidene)amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol.&#x0D; It was found that most of the compounds exhibit a moderate antimicrobial and a fairly high antifungal effect.&#x0D; The most sensitive strain was S. aureus in relation to 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-(((5-nitrofurans-2-yl)methylene)amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol, Candida albicans proved to be very sensitive to 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-((4-bromophenyl)ylidene)amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol and 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4((2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)ylidene)amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol.

Optimization of pre- treatments with Propidium Monoazide and PEMAX™ before real-time quantitative PCR for detection and quantification of viable Helicobacter pylori cells

Accurate detection of H. pylori in different environmental and clinical samples is essential for public health strtdudies. Now, a big effort is being made to design PCR methodologies that allow for the detection of viable and viable but non-culturable (VBNC) H. pylori cells, by achieving complete exclusion of dead cells amplification signals. The use of DNA intercalating dyes has been proposed. However, its efficacy is still not well determined.In this study, we aimed to test the suitability of PMA and PEMAX™ dyes used prior to qPCR for only detecting viable cells of H. pylori. Their efficiency was evaluated with cells submitted to different disinfection treatments and confirmed by the absence of growth on culture media and by LIVE/DEAD counts. Our results indicated that an incubation period of 5 min for both, PMA and PEMAX™, did not affect viable cells. Our study also demonstrated that results obtained by using intercalating dyes may vary depending on the cell stress conditions. In all dead cell's samples, both PMA and PEMAX™ pre-qPCR treatments decreased the amplification signal (>103 Genomic Units (GU)), although none of them allowed for its disappearance confirming that intercalating dyes, although useful for screening purposes, cannot be considered as universal viability markers. To investigate the applicability of the method specifically to detect H. pylori cells in environmental samples, PMA-qPCR was performed on samples containing the different morphological and viability states that H. pylori can acquire in environment. The optimized PMA-qPCR methodology showed to be useful to detect mostly (but not only) viable forms, regardless the morphological state of the cell.

Producing metabolic complexes of probiotic microorganisms with significant antimicrobial properties

The aim of the work – to produce metabolic complexes with significant antibacterial properties using a new proprietary method and to substantiate the prospects of their use for designing of antimicrobial polyfunctional drugs. Materials and methods. Metabolic complexes of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus plantarum, Saccharomyces boulardii, Enterococcus faecium were obtained by culturing the producers in ultrasonic disintegrates of other probiotic microorganisms. Sensitivity of antibiotic-resistant strains of Escherichia coli PR and Staphylococcus haemolyticus PR was determined by qualitative method. The suspension of test-cultures (optical density of 1.0 units on the McFarland scale) after incubation with metabolites (2, 24 and 48 hours at 37 °C) was inoculated into Mueller–Hinton agar. The absence of growth was indicative of the metabolic complexes antibacterial activity against the microorganism. Results. Cultivation of S. boulardii in the S. boulardii / L. rhamnosus / L. plantarum / E. faecium disintegrates, L. plantarum – in the L. rhamnosus / E. faecium disintegrates and L. rhamnosus – in the L. plantarum disintegrates was accompanied by an increase in the biomass of isolated microorganisms (P ≤ 0.03) and production of metabolites. Along with a similar increase in S. boulardii cells in the S. boulardii / L. rhamnosus / L. plantarum / E. faecium disintegrates, the metabolic products of lactobacterial and enterococcal disintegrates exhibited more active inhibitory effects against E. coli PR and S. haemolyticus PR. The increased antibacterial activity indicates the advantage of the new method. Another improvement is the extended spectrum of metabolic complexes owing to producer cultivation in the other probiotic disintegrates to obtain original biologically active substances with high antibacterial properties against pathogens. Among the strength of the method is that all the stages are unified into a single process avoiding multiphase procedure for the separate preparation of one probiotic microorganism disintegrate and the metabolic products of another. Conclusions. Disintegrates as a nutrient medium can be used not only for their own producers, but also for other strains/species and various probiotic microorganisms (fungi and bacteria). The increase in antibacterial activity of metabolic complexes has been found using the new method of production. The prospects of antimicrobial polyfunctional drugs designing on this basis have been proved.

Effect of exopolysaccharides produced by dairy starter cultures on biofilms formed on reverse osmosis membranes

Two different cheese starter cultures producing exopolysaccharides (EPS+: Streptococcus thermophilus strain ST3534 and Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris strain JFR+) and their isogenic EPS-negative (EPS−: S. thermophilus strain ST5842 and L. lactis ssp. cremoris strain JFR–) variants were used to study the attachment of bacterial cells in the absence of growth (at 4°C) and the resultant biofilm formation on reverse osmosis membranes (at 30 or 35°C). We used M17 broth and a 10% solution of whey protein concentrate (with 35% protein) as growth media for biofilm development under static conditions. As expected, ST3534 (EPS+) showed significantly greater cell counts within biofilms than ST5842 (EPS−). In the absence of growth, however, cells of these 2 isogenic Streptococcus strains attached to the membrane in similar numbers. In contrast, JFR+ counts were significantly lower than those of JFR– under all conditions. These findings indicate that the EPS produced by S. thermophilus may play a greater role in building up the 3-dimensional structure of the biofilm, rather than only assisting during initial attachment of the cells to the membrane, whereas the EPS produced by L. lactis ssp. cremoris hampered both initial attachment to the membrane and biofilm formation. Although no differences were observed in the surface charge of the cells between the 2 EPS-producing cultures, surface hydrophobicity was associated with the different adhesive properties of these microorganisms. In conclusion, our results exclude the hypothesis that all EPS-producing starter cultures have an advantage in regard to their ability to form biofilm on membrane separation surfaces. In contrast, variations between different EPS, with hydrophobicity being an important influencing feature, modify adhesive behavior to reverse osmosis membranes.

Qiviut cortisol reflects hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity in muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus)

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) are increasingly exposed to a broad diversity of stressors in their rapidly changing Arctic environment. There is an urgent need to develop validated tools to monitor the impact of these stressors on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity of muskoxen to help inform conservation actions. Here, we evaluated whether muskox qiviut (dense wooly undercoat) cortisol accurately reflects changes in HPA axis activity. Two repeated pharmacological challenges, involving weekly administrations of saline (control group) or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) during five consecutive weeks, were done on captive muskoxen, in winter (no hair growth) and summer (maximum hair growth). Pre-challenge qiviut cortisol levels were significantly higher in the shoulder than in the neck, but neither differed from rump concentrations. Qiviut cortisol levels significantly increased (p < 0.001) in response to the administration of ACTH during the hair growth phase, but not in the absence of growth (p = 0.84). Cortisol levels in the qiviut segment grown during the summer challenge increased significantly over a six-month period in the ACTH-injected muskoxen with a similar trend occurring in the control animals. Finally, cortisol levels in shed qiviut were significantly higher and not correlated to those of fully grown qiviut shaved three months earlier. Our results show that cortisol is deposited in qiviut during its growth and that qiviut cortisol can thus be used as an integrated measure of HPA axis activity over the period of the hair’s growth. Differences in qiviut cortisol across body regions, significant differences in qiviut segments over time, and differences between shed qiviut versus unshed qiviut, highlight the importance of consistent design and methodology for sample collection and analyses in order to account for sources of variation when using qiviut cortisol as a biomarker of HPA axis activity in muskoxen.

КЛИНИЧЕСКИЕ НАБЛЮДЕНИЯ ИЗМЕНЕНИЙ МИКРОБИОМА ПОЛОСТИ НОСА У ДЕТЕЙ СО ЗЛОКАЧЕСТВЕННЫМИ ОПУХОЛЯМИ ПАРАМЕНИНГЕАЛЬНОЙ ЛОКАЛИЗАЦИИ ВО ВРЕМЯ ХИМИОЛУЧЕВОЙ ТЕРАПИИ

Malignant tumors of parameningeal localization are various morphological neoplasms located in the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses and middle ear. As a result of tumor growth, conditions are created for the development of chronic inflammation. Studies of the microbiome of the upper respiratory tract in children with malignant tumors were practically not conducted. Objective of the research: to identify changes in the microbiome of the nasal cavity in children with malignant tumors of parameningeal localization during chemoradiotherapy. Materials and methods: the study included 29 patients with parameningeal tumors, 2–17 years old. Among the included in the study there were 18 boys (62%) and 11 girls (37%). Morphologically, the following were verified: embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) – 17 (58%), alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (arms) – 3 (10%), other sarcomas – 4 (13%), nasopharyngeal cancer – 5 (17%). All patients received induction chemotherapy. Simultaneous radiotherapy (LT) and chemotherapy (CT) – in 24 (82%) cases. After completing the chemoradiotherapy stage, consolidation therapy continued in 20 (70%) patients. Results: before the start of LT (after the induction stage of chemotherapy), a variety of microflora was observed in the nasal secretions, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were isolated in an equal ratio. The absence of growth of microorganisms was determined in 4 (13%) cases before the start of LT. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus were more frequently detected after LT. Colonization of the nasal cavity of Candida albicans occurred before the start of LT in 4 (13%) and persisted after irradiation in 5 (17%) patients. In the delayed period, there was an increase in the percentage of patients who ridiculed gram-negative microorganisms – Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 4 (13%) cases. After 12 months, 3 (10%) patients showed a return of nosocomial flora (S. epidermidis MRSE and S. haemolyticus MRS), a decrease in colonization of P. aeruginosa and the preservation of C. albicans. Conclusion: at different stages of chemoradiotherapy, the nasal mucosa is colonized by various microorganisms that differ in their properties and pathogenicity. The continuation of this study will clarify the clinical significance of certain types of opportunistic microorganisms in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract in children with malignant tumors.

Real-time monitoring of extracellular ATP in bacterial cultures using thermostable luciferase.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is one of the most important indicators of cell viability. Extracellular ATP (eATP) is commonly detected in cultures of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells but is not the focus of current scientific research. Although ATP release has traditionally been considered to mainly occur as a consequence of cell destruction, current evidence indicates that ATP leakage also occurs during the growth phase of diverse bacterial species and may play an important role in bacterial physiology. ATP can be conveniently measured with high sensitivity in luciferase-based bioluminescence assays. However, wild-type luciferases suffer from low stability, which limit their use. Here we demonstrate that an engineered, thermostable luciferase is suitable for real-time monitoring of ATP release by bacteria, both in broth culture and on agar surfaces. Different bacterial species show distinct patterns of eATP accumulation and decline. Real-time monitoring of eATP allows for the estimation of viable cell number by relating luminescence onset time to initial cell concentration. Furthermore, the method is able to rapidly detect the effect of antibiotics on bacterial cultures as Ampicillin sensitive strains challenged with beta lactam antibiotics showed strongly increased accumulation of eATP even in the absence of growth, as determined by optical density. Patterns of eATP determined by real-time luminescence measurement could be used to infer the minimal inhibitory concentration of Ampicillin. Compared to conventional antibiotic susceptibility testing, the method presented here is faster and more sensitive, which is essential for better treatment outcomes and reducing the risk of inducing antibiotic resistance. Real-time eATP bioluminescence assays are suitable for different cell types, either prokaryotic or eukaryotic, thus, permitting their application in diverse fields of research. It can be used for example in the study of the role of eATP in physiology and pathophysiology, for monitoring microbial contamination or for antimicrobial susceptibility testing in clinical diagnostics.

Эффективность применения хлорина Е6 для санации продукции птицеводства от микроорганизмов рода Salmonella

In this work the effectiveness of using solutions of activated photosensitizer of the second generation was determined by the example of chloride E6 for the sanitation of poultry products from microorganisms of the genus Salmonella. In the practical part, the minimum concentration of the photosensitizer solution necessary to achieve a bactericidal effect against the museum strain of Salmonella enteritidis, during surface treatment of finished poultry products, broiler chicken carcasses, was determined. Tenfold sequential dilutions of the studied preparation were used, the treatment was carried out by immersion of carcasses contaminated with Salmonella bacteria into a photosensitizer solution. The bactericidal effect was expressed in the absence of growth of Salmonella enteritidis in crops from the studied samples treated with the first tenfold dilution of E6 chloride.

The In Vitro Effect of Ozone Therapy Against Equine Pythium insidiosum

The goal of the present study was to characterize the antimicrobial action of different ozone (O3) presentations against Pythium insidiosum isolated from horses. In experiment 1, P. insidiosum was treated with ozonated distilled water, ozonated sunflower oils with distinct peroxide indexes or O3 gas (72 μg O3 mL−1). In experiment 2, samples were exposed one or three times to oxygen (O2) or O3 gas (72 μg O3 mL−1; 30 min/day). In experiment 3, P. insidiosum was treated with different concentrations of O3 gas (Ø, 32, 52, or 72 μg O3 mL−1) for three days (30 min/day). In experiment 4, samples were exposed to O2 or O3 gas (72 μg O3 mL−1) for 05, 15, or 30 minutes during three days. Posteriorly, all samples were cultured for two weeks, and the pathogen growth area was measured until D14. Samples with absence of growth on D14 were recultured to assess the germicidal or germistatic action of the treatment. In experiment 1, only ozonized sunflower oil with a high peroxide index had germicidal action against the pathogen. In experiment 2, samples exposed three times to O3 gas were inactivated. In experiment 3, the O3 therapy had germicidal action against P. insidiosum independently of the gas concentration (P > .1). In experiment 4, O3 treatments ≥15 minutes suppressed the pathogen development, whereas samples exposed to O3 gas for 5 minutes had progressive growth (P < .01). In conclusion, ozonated sunflower oil with a high peroxide index and multiple exposures to O3 gas mixtures were able to inactivate P. insidiosum isolated from horses.