The type of blood used to feed Aedes aegypti females affects their cuticular and internal free fatty acid (FFA) profiles.

Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of various arthropod-borne viral (arboviral) diseases such as dengue and Zika, is a popular laboratory model in vector biology. However, its maintenance in laboratory conditions is difficult, mostly because the females require blood meals to complete oogenesis, which is often provided as sheep blood. The outermost layer of the mosquito cuticle is consists of lipids which protects against numerous entomopathogens, prevents desiccation and plays an essential role in signalling processes. The aim of this work was to determine how the replacement of human blood with sheep blood affects the cuticular and internal FFA profiles of mosquitoes reared in laboratory culture. The individual FFAs present in cuticular and internal extracts from mosquito were identified and quantified by GC-MS method. The normality of their distribution was checked using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and the Student's t-test was used to compare them. GC-MS analysis revealed similar numbers of internal and cuticular FFAs in the female mosquitoes fed sheep blood by membrane (MFSB) and naturally fed human blood (NFHB), however MFSB group demonstrated 3.1 times greater FFA concentrations in the cuticular fraction and 1.4 times the internal fraction than the NFHB group. In the MFSB group, FFA concentration was 1.6 times higher in the cuticular than the internal fraction, while for NFHB, FFA concentration was 1.3 times lower in the cuticular than the internal fraction. The concentration of C18:3 acid was 223 times higher in the internal fraction than the cuticle in the MHSB group but was absent in the NFHB group. MFSB mosquito demonstrate different FFA profiles to wild mosquitoes, which might influence their fertility and the results of vital processes studied under laboratory conditions. The membrane method of feeding mosquitoes is popular, but our research indicates significant differences in the FFA profiles of MFSB and NFHB. Such changes in FFA profile might influence female fertility, as well as other vital processes studied in laboratory conditions, such as the response to pesticides. Our work indicates that sheep blood has potential shortcomings as a substitute feed for human blood, as its use in laboratory studies may yield different results to those demonstrated by free-living mosquitoes.

Survival in men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Poland in the years 2000 - 2014 compared to European Countries based on Concord-3.

BACKGROUND: Wealthy countries have observed in recent decades a fast-growing number of prostate patients, who require treatment and long-term cancer care. This trend seems to be connected with some demographic changes such as aging societies, better access to diagnostic methods with high sensitivity as well as large-scale secondary prevention (prostate cancer screening at early stage before clinical manifestation). Secondary prevention is becoming more accessible and widely applied. The expected effect of prevention is to improve overall survival while the mortality trend is decreasing. The prevention success requires highly effective healthcare system that must manage additional burden which is a consequence of the need to provide optimal treatment and healthcare in a big group of cancer patients diagnosed in effective prevention programms. According to the National Cancer Registry (NCR) the number of incidence from year 1980 - 1731 cases rose in year 2013 to 12 162 cases. Apart from incidence and mortality rates, the 5-year survival is a significant factor for the assessment of a population healthcare and healthcare system efficiency. The prognosis related to prostate incidence is 22 344 men in year 2025 in comparison to 12 162 in year 2013 - that would be a double rise in incidence. CONCORD-2 results (years 1995-2009) showed, among the others, that cancer curability for some cancers, including prostate cancer improved. In year 2018 the results of CONCORD-3 were published (years 2000-2014) showing a rising trend in improvement in prostate cancer curability in Poland. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyse the 5-year survival in prostate cancer patients in Poland, and in each of 16 voivodships, with the focus on changes in years 2000 - 2014 in comparison to European trends. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis was based on the 5-year net survival (estimated in CONCORD-3) in prostate cancer patients diagnosed in Poland (NCR national data) and in all Polish voivodships. The 5-year survival of prostate cancer patients and its changes in years 2000 - 2014 compared between 16 voivodships, Poland in total and 28 European countries. RESULTS: In Poland in years 2010 - 2014 the 5-year survival in prostate cancer patients was 78.1%, and compared to years 2000 - 2004 rose by 9.3 percentage points. Despite a systematic improvement in survival the differences between individual voivodships in Poland remained. In 6 voivodships the survival was higher than average for Poland and ranged from 80 to 82%. The lowest survival was in Opolskie voivodship - 72.3%. On a European scale, the curability of prostate cancer at that time was over 90% (9 countries), while Poland was among 5 countries whose total survival rate was less than 80% (from 72.3% - Opolskie voivodship to 83.6% -- Pomeranian voivodship). CONCLUSIONS: The 5-year survival in prostate cancer patients in years 2010 - 2014 in Poland was significantly lower in comparison to Western Europe countries, and favourable trends on a regional level in Poland were too slow to overcome high differentiation in Europe. It is expected that changing the structure and organisation of cancer care in Poland into a modern National Oncology Network Comprehensive Cancer Care Network, together with the use of the experiences from European projects, including iPAAC and better financing will contribute to improvement in prostate cancer treatment in Poland.

The interaction between cuticle free fatty acids (FFAs) of the cockroaches Blattella germanica and Blatta orientalis and hydrolases produced by the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus.

The interactions between entomopathogenic fungi and insects serve a classic example of a co-evolutionary arms race between pathogens and their target host. The cuticle, site of the first contact between insects and entomopathogenic fungus, is an important defensive barrier against pathogens. It is covered by a layer of lipids that appears to play a key role in these processes and cuticular free fatty acid (FFA) profiles are consider as a determinant of susceptibility, or resistance, to fungal infections. These profiles are species-specific. The cockroaches Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Blattidae) and Blatta orientalis (Blattodea: Ectobiidae) are unsusceptible to the soil fungus Conidiobolus coronatus (Entomophthorales: Ancylistaceae) infection, therefore we studied the profiles of FFAs in order to understand the defensive capabilities of the cockroaches. The fungus was cultivated for three weeks in minimal medium. Cell-free filtrate was obtained, assayed for elastase, N-acetylglucosaminidase, chitobiosidase and lipase activity, and then used for in vitro hydrolysis of the cuticle from wings and thoraces of adults and oothecae. The amounts of amino acids, N-glucosamine and FFAs released from the hydrolysed cuticle samples were measured after eight hours of incubation. The FFA profiles of the cuticle of adults, and the wings, thoraces and oothecae of both species were established using GC-MS and the results were correlated with the effectiveness of fungal proteases, chitinases and lipases in the hydrolyzation of cuticle samples. Positive correlations would suggest the existence of compounds used by the fungus as nutrients, whereas negative correlations may indicate that these compounds could be engaged in insect defence.

Repellents as a major element in the context of prevention of tick-borne diseases

In Poland, out of the 21 species of ticks described, two species have the greatest epidemiological significance: Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus. Their participation in the transmission of etiologic agents of vector diseases such as Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, babesiosis, rickettsiosis and many others is widely known. Due to the often severe and sometimes fatal course of diseases transmitted by ticks, a great deal of emphasis is placed on prophylactic activities, minimizing the possibility of biting and transfering pathogens along with the arachnid saliva. In addition to means of personal protection, including appropriate clothing, protective vaccinations, avoiding tick habitats or body checking after returning from this type of places, one of the most important elements of anti-tick prevention is the use of effective repellents. The key role of using the repellent is to discourage the arthropod from attacking and to prevent it from taking food, as a result of which there is no phenomenon of transmission of pathogens from the hematophage to the host organism. The most commonly used substances with arthropod repellent properties are: N-N-diethylm-toluamide (DEET), 3-(N-acetyl-N-butyl) aminopropionic acid ethyl ester (IR3535), icaridine, permethrin and essential oils. However, it should be remembered that no repellent ever protects 100% all the time after application - its use should be considered as one of many elements of personal protection in the prevention of tick bites.

Susceptibility of Dermacentor reticulatus tick to repellents containing different active ingrediens

INTRODUCTION: Ticks are vectors of human and animal diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of four different formulations containing DEET, Icaridin, IR3535 and mix of three compounds: DEET, IR3535 and geraniol, against Dermacentor reticulatus ticks. RESULTS: The repellent effectiveness of these products to adult ticks was different. At 90 minutes after application the repellent A (DEET 30%), repellent D (DEET 30%, IR3535 20%, geraniol 0.1%) and repellent G (IR3535 12%) exhibited a 100% effectiveness in protection against ticks, but the efficacy of repellent C (Icaridin 20%) dropped to 95%. DISCUSSION: DEET is considered by many authors to be the 'gold' standard of insect repellents, and we have also confirmed this in our studies with Dermacentor reticulatus. DEET expressed the higher repellency after 7 hours of application (90%) comparing to other formulation - repellent D containing DEET 30%, IR3535 20% and geraniol 0.1%, whose effectiveness dropped to 60%. Repellents C (Icaridin 20%) and G (IR3535 12%) were effective only up to four hours after application (the efficacy was 85% and 40%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: DEET has proven to be the most effective repellent against Dermacentor reticulatus ticks.

Development of land transport connections between Asia and Europe and their possible impact on vector introductions into European Countries

The possibility of transfer of several organisms ­ disease vectors by land transportation Asia ­ Europe corridors into European countries is discussed. In Europe most alien species are of Asiatic origin. Trade and exchange of goods have developed very intensively for the beginning of the XXI century between Asia and European Union countries both by sea and land routes. Road and railway connections shorten the time of goods' transport from China to Europe to 10,5 ­ 12 days. Shorter travel time and increased intensity of trade can increase the risk of introducing vector organisms from Asian countries to Europe. Existing legal international regulations (International Health Regulations, IHR) provide procedures to protect goods and persons against the carriage of organisms ­ vectors at every stage of transport and travel. Mass passenger and car traffic at border crossing points increase the likelihood of vector organisms entering as random stowaways; therefore it is proposed to intensify educational activities to make people aware of the danger posed by the transport of alien species of arthropods and what preventive actions to take. Unloading goods in a transit country (such as Poland) may take place at a transshipment center located near the border or inland. It is postulated to introduce a 400 m vector monitoring zone around both.

Galleria mellonella L. as model organism used in biomedical and other studies

Comparative of studies of genomes of invertebrates and humans shows that in invertebrates including insects there are numerous homologues of human's genes coding proteins involved in recognition pathogens or transduction of the expression signal. Thanks this features, insects such as Drosophila melanogaster M., Blattella germanica L., Culex quinquefasciatus S., Bombyx mori L. and Galleria mellonella L. are used in studies on virulence, host resistance or in assessing the in vivo efficacy of antibiotics, fungicides and other biologically active substances. G. mellonella (greater wax moth) are rapid growth, high fertility, size and short life cycle insects- these are features that should be met by good model organisms; therefore the number of researches with larvae of wax moth as the model organism for pathogens assays grows from year to year. This is showing by number of scientific publications about infection's model of G. mellonella. An obstacle in the wide use of G. mellonella caterpillars as a model in biomedical research is the lack of standardized breeding of these insects, which would guarantee the reproducibility of the obtained results and lack of procedures and standards according to which biomedical research will be carried out. Despite this, the G. mellonella model can be used in the initial analysis before conventional in vivo tests and to reduce the number of tests performed on mammals.

Survival in women diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer in Poland ­ compared to European countries, based on CONCORD - 3 Programme

INTRODUCTION: The 5-year population-based survival rate, next to cancer incidence and mortality, is a key element for the assessment of effective health care quality provided by OECD in order to establish the condition of health care and set up health care policies. They also apply when assessing breast and cervical cancer prevention in Poland. AIM: The aim of the paper was to analyse the breast and cervical cancer survival in women in Poland in 2010-2014 and its changes in 2000-2014 in comparison to other European countries. RESULTS: The analysis of the 5-year survival rate was performed with the CONCORD-3 programme data. In order to guarantee the comparability of results, the uniform standards for data quality control, all calculations and analyses were performed by a world-leading centre for research, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The absolute value of the survival rate was used to assess survival variations in 2000-2004 and 2010-2014. In 2010-2014 the highest 5-year survival rate in women with breast cancer was in Island (89%), Sweden (89%), Finland (89%) and Norway (88%). Despite its systematic improvement, the 5-year survival rate in Poland was lower than in the majority of European countries, and in the final period amounted to 76,6%. In 2010-2014 the highest survival in women with cervical cancer in Europe was in Island (80%), Norway (73%) and Switzerland (71%). The progress of favourable changes in Poland was not sufficient enough to allow the survival rate (55%) to be significantly closer to the European average. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-year survival rate for breast and cervical cancer in Poland in 2010-2014 was significantly different than in other European countries, and placed Poland among the countries with the lowest survival rate. In 2000-2014 in Poland there was an insignificant progress in survival in women with breast and cervical cancer, which did not contribute to fighting the substantial differences when compared to other European countries.

Methods of testing repellent efficiency against ticks

The use of repellents is the most important in the tick-bite protection. The tests of repellents efficiency shall give strict answer whether ticks are repelled effectively or not by a given agent. Methods of testing repellent efficiency can be divided in in three groups: experiments without tick host and host stimuli; studies simulating host stimuli, methods of testing repellents on animals or human volunteers. Studies on protected human volunteers are the nearest practical conditions of repellent use. However, there is sometimes a need of testing products with unknown toxicity to man; in such circumstances their efficiency should be evaluated in experiments in simulated human body conditions but without a person.

Effect of serine protease KEX2 on Candida albicans virulence under halogenated methyl sulfones.

AIM: The effect of KEX2 mutations on C. albicans virulence and resistance to halogenated methyl sulfones was assessed. MATERIALS & METHODS: The mechanism of action of sulfones was studied using flow cytometry and microscopy. Expression of KEX2 and SAP5 was assessed using quantitative Real-Time-PCR. 2,3-Bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide and lactate dehydrogenase assays were elaborated to study, respectively, metabolism of Candida treated with sulfones and their cytotoxicity against tissues. Inflammatory response was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Lysosome permeabilization and dose-dependent programmed cell death under sulfones were noted. KEX2 induction depended on halogenomethylsulfonyl groups, which affected cell wall biosynthesis and adhesion. CONCLUSION: Sulfones treatment reduced Candida pathogenicity in Galleria mellonella. Sulfones are an alternative for antifungal therapies due to their safety profile and antibiofilm activity.

Methods of mosquito plague control in Swinoujscie area based on the analysis of species distribution.

OBJECTIVE: Studies conducted in 2013 in Swinoujscie area aimed at determining mosquito species distribution and analyzing sites, productivity and dynamics of larva and adult breeding as well as developing guidelines for effective mosquito control in this area. MATERIALAND METHODS: Entomological studies were conducted from March to September 2013. Distribution of mosquito larvae and adults was investigated. Mosquito larvae were observed mainly in April in transient snow-melt pools. RESULTS: Ochlerotatus cantans, Oc. communis, Oc. annulipes, Oc. punctor were the most predominant mosquito species. Since July, larvae of the following genera: Culex spp., Culiseta spp., Anopheles spp. were collected in standing water bodies. A total of 17 species adult mosquito were identified. Of them, Oc. communis, Aedes vexans, Culex pipiens/torrentium, Oc. Cantans, Oc. caspius predominated over other species. CONCLUSIONS: Mosquito plague in Swinoujscie area can be controlled if constant actions would be undertaken from April (use of microbial biocides for snow-melt mosquito larva control) to August (use of microbial biocides for polygeneration larva species control and use of chemical biocides for adult mosquito control). Furthermore, there is a need for actions that would make environment less friendly to mosquitoes and would help to identify breeding sites of aggressive mosquito species - Aedes vexans. There is also a necessity to educate the inhabitants of Swinoujscie area on the danger resulting from uncontrolled use of insecticides in protected areas and those which are unique from a faunistic perspective.

[Evaluation of effectiveness of several repellents against mosquito bites available at the Polish market]. / Ocena skutecznosci wybranych preparatów dosteipnych na polskim rynku sluzacych do ochrony przed komarami.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND. Mosquitoes are blood-sucking insects, nuisance to humans and animals. Their bites cause itching and allergic reactions. These insects are also vectors of several viruses, bacteria and parasites. Protection against mosquitoes is therefore justified and desirable. This can give repellents and products for protection small outdoor areas such as terraces, home gardens. OBJECTIVE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of eight selected products with different formulations used against mosquitoes including: 5 preparations for use on the body or clothing (repellents A, B, C, D, E and 3 products for use in small outdoor spaces (I, J, K). MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] Repellents were tested in laboratory trials, when volunteers were exposed to Aedes aegypti females breeding in the laboratory. Products I, J, K were tested in field trials; volunteers were exposed to female mosquitoes at various ages from the environment (Aedes sp, Culex sp). RESULTS: The results showed that all tested repellents were efficient during 4 hrs. After this time their effectiveness decreased--fast in the case of repellent B (10% DEET), not very fast, but significant--in the case of repellent C (15% DEET). Three products for small area protection gave (each of them) 3-hour protection against mosquito bites. Product K (21,97% allethrin) was 100% effective (no bites at all). CONCLUSIONS: Both kinds of product can give effective protection against mosquito bites. Their use is most effective, cheaper and more safe for the environment method of protection against mosquitoes than chemical spraying of large areas.

[Mosquito control on selected area in Poland after the flood in 2010]. / Zwalczanie komarów na wybranym terenie popowodziowym w Polsce w 2010 roku.

After the flood in 2010 in many regions of Poland mosquitoes occurred in huge number and chemical control of them was performed. In Legionowo district the aerial application of deltamethrin-containing product was done. In the study the efficacy of the treatments was described. Mosquitoes were caught in CDC traps in five places located in the treated area before treatments, after the 1st and after the 2nd treatments chemical. The chemical control resulted in mean reduction of 53.8% in mosquito numbers after the 2nd treatment (48.1%-57.2%). Efficiency results were much lower than those obtained in control programs realized with the use of microbial control agent. Results obtained indicate, that the integrated mosquito control program should be elaborated for this area, enabling the use of biological and chemical control methods to obtain better efficiency and protection of the environment.

[Occurrence of head pediculosis and its control in children's homes in selected provinces of Poland in the years 2007-2009]. / Wystepowanie wszawicy glowowej i jej zwalczanie w domach dziecka w wybranych województwach polski w latach 2007-2009.

Despite civilisation development and the easy access to pediculicides, head pediculosis remains still the social, hygienic and medical problem. In the years 2007 - 2009 in children's homes in selected provinces of Poland the questionnaire survey on the occurrence of head pediculosis and its control have been conducted. From 127 orphanages 61 (48.03%) sent back fulfilled questionnaire. The infestation level ranged from 4.63% (Swietokrzyskie Province, 2009) until 17.63% (Mazowieckie Province 2007) in the surveyed children's homes. The most head pediculosis cases were observed among girls 6 - 12 years old in children's homes from all regions investigated. The profile of pediculicides used had been changed during our study: in the first year the most often pediculicides with the insecticide permethrin were used. In the next years their use decreased, but the use of herbal and silicone pediculicides increased. The efficacy of anti-louse product was the most important factor for the respondents when they choose an pediculicide.

[Synantropic cockroaches (Blattella germanica L.) in hospital environment--microbiological hazard for patients and hospital infections risk assessment]. / Synantropijne karaczany (Blattella germanica l.) w srodowisku szpitalnym - narazenie mikrobiologiczne pacjentów i oszacowanie ryzyka zakazen szpitalnych.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine what a hazard for patients creates the presence of cockroaches in hospital environment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The probable hospital infections cases in 9 hospitals in Warsaw were found in database of the Country Hospital Morbidity Register for the year 2004 and correlation between such factors as: drug resistance of bacteria isolated from external part of cockroach's bodies, their ability to biofilm building, adherence, resistance to disinfectants, resistance of cockroaches to insecticides, infestation level vs. infections of several body systems was examined. RESULTS: The microbiological hazard of cockroaches in hospital environment has been proven by our findings that some of bacterial strains carried on the body of cockroaches belonged to well known species responsible for hospital infections everywhere The strains resistant to several antibiotics used in hospital and the strains able to form virulence factors were found. Some correlation was found between resistance of cockroaches for biocides and higher infestation of the hospital environment. CONCLUSIONS: Cockroaches infected in hospital environment might be the active carrier of bacterial strains as well as indicator of the bacterial presence on the surfaces in the hospital building not enough treated with disinfectants. On the base of our findings we may suppose that in hospital infections the role of infected cockroaches are less important than the other factors but should be not completely neglected. Surveillance and control of hospital infections should be more completed, connected not only with continuous monitoring of resistance of bacterial strains to antibiotics but also to disinfectants used in hospital as well as evaluation of infestation of the hospital environment and resistance of cockroaches to biocides.

[Bioactive effectiveness of selected disinfective agents on Gram-negative bacilli isolated from hospital environment]. / Biobójcza skutecznosc wybranych preparatów dezynfekcyjnych wobec Gram-ujemnych paleczek wyizolowanych ze srodowiska szpitalnego.

In our study the susceptibility (MIC) of chosen 21 strains of Gram-negative bacilli isolated in hospitals to disinfectant agents (glucoprotamine, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, potassium persulfate), the effectiveness of these disinfectants against selected bacteria and their effectiveness to biofilm forming bacteria was determined. It was found that glucoprotamine showed the highest activity to Gram-negative bacteria. Obtained MIC values for glucoprotamine (except 1 strain of S. marcescens) were 16-64 times lower that MICs for sodium dichloroisocyanurate and 4-32 times lower that MICs for potassium persulfate. The effectiveness of disinfectants containing potassium persulfate or sodium dichloroisocyanurate was 100% tested by carrier method. Glucoprotamine was ineffective against 2 out of 9 strains (18%): E. cloacae and S. marcescens. It was found that disinfectants were more effective against Gram-negative bacteria in carrier methods than for biofilm forming bacteria. 86% of bacteria growing 5 days on a catheter were resistant to working solution of disinfectant containing glucoprotamine (5200 mg/L) or potassium persulfate (4300 mg/L); 66.6% of tested bacteria were resistant to working solution of sodium dichloroisocyanurate (1795.2 mg/L). In our study the highest effectiveness to biofilm forming bacteria showed disinfectant with sodium dichloroisocyanurate, the lowest--with glucoprotamine.

[Occurrence of insect pests in hospitals in Poland]. / Ocena zagrozenia i mozliwosci zwalczania owadów--szkodników sanitarnych w szpitalach w polsce.

The prevalent synantropic species present in hospitals in Poland was the German cockroach (Blattella germanica L.), found in about 70% hospitals. It was followed by Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientais L.) and Pharaoh's ant (Monomorium pharaonis L.) occurred in 40% and 17% of hospitals respectively. Kitchens, laundries and lavatories were the most often infested places. Preliminary investigation of German cockroaches caught in hospitals in Poland showed on their body surfaces presence of bacteria known as these causing nosocomial infection. Several strains were resistant to antibacterial drugs widely used for treatment and showed insensitivity to chemical disinfectants used for surface treatment. Additional risk elements in Poland could be high resistance levels to many insecticides used for insect control in hospitals.

[Characteristics of bacteria isolated from body surface of German cockroaches caught in hospitals]. / Charakterystyka bakterii wyizolowanych z powierzchni ciala karaczanów prusaków wystepujacych w srodowisku szpitalnym.

The objective of the study was to identify bacterial flora from external parts of German cockroaches caught in hospitals. The susceptibility of the bacteria to the most important groups of antimicrobial agents was also examined. 80 strains of bacteria were isolated, among them 34 strains of Gram-positive cocci and 31 strains of Gram-negative rods. One of isolated strains of Citrobacter freundii and two strains of Serratia liquefaciens showed ESBL mechanism of resistance and extended level of AmpC--type beta-lactamases. Two Staphylococcus strains (S. epidermidis and S. equorum) were resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin (MLSB mechanism of resistance). Such strains, resistant to antibiotics and chemiotherapeutics may be reservoirs of resistance genes which can be transmitted into other bacteria. Presence of such pathogens on the body surface of German cockroaches, very mobile insects, might create conditions for easy dissemination of them in hospital environment.