Unlocking the Potential of Substrate Quality for the Enhanced Antibacterial Activity of Black Soldier Fly against Pathogens.

Globally, antibiotics are facing fierce resistance from multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. There is an urgent need for eco-friendly alternatives. Though insects are important targets for antimicrobial peptides, it has received limited research attention. This study investigated the impact of waste substrates on the production of antibacterial agents in black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae (HIL) and their implications in the suppression of pathogens [Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6051), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922)]. The 20% acetic acid (AcOH) extract from market waste had the highest antibacterial activity with an inhibition zone of 17.00 mm, followed by potato waste (15.02 mm) against S. aureus. Hexane extract from HIL raised on market waste also showed a significant inhibitory zone (13.06 mm) against B. subtilis. .Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values recorded were 25 mg/mL against all test pathogens. The fastest time-kill of 20% AcOH extract was 4 h againstB. subtilis, E. coli, ,andP. aeruginosa. Lauric acid was also identified as the dominant component of the various hexane extracts with concentrations of 602.76 and 318.17 µg/g in HIL reared on potato and market waste, respectively. Energy from the market waste substrate correlated significantly (r = 0.97) with antibacterial activities. This study highlights the key role of substrate quality and extraction methods for enhancing the production of antibacterial agents in HIL, thus providing new insights into the development of potential drugs to overcome the alarming concerns of antimicrobial resistance.

Soluble endoglin versus sFlt-1/PlGF ratio: detection of preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and FGR in a high-risk cohort.

The angiogenic factors sFlt-1 and PlGF play an established role in the detection of preeclampsia (PE). Recent data suggest that sEng might contribute to the pathogenesis of PE. However, only a few studies so far have addressed its role.This monocentric cross-sectional study of high-risk pregnancies aims to compare the levels of sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and sEng depending on different placental-related adverse pregnancy outcomes. The statistical analysis takes into account Pearson's correlation coefficient between angiogenic factors, the area under the curve estimates (AUCs) for detection, and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%-CIs). The analysis included 206 patients: 60 controls, 90 PE (59 EOPE, 35 LOPE), 94 FGR, and 35 HELLP cases. Some outcomes overlapped because FGR commonly complicated PE and HELLP syndrome. Serum levels of sFlt-1/PlGF and sEng correlated with each other. Higher levels were observed in HELLP syndrome and EOPE cases. AUCs for sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and sEng were, respectively, 0.915 (95%-Cl 0.87-0.96) and 0.872 (95%-Cl 0.81-0.93) in PE, 0.895 (95%-Cl 0.83-0.96) and 0.878 (95%-Cl 0.81-0.95) in HELLP syndrome, 0.891 (95%-Cl 0.84-0.94), and 0.856 (95%-Cl 0.79-0.92) in FGR.aORsfor sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and sEng were, respectively: 2.69 (95%-Cl 1.86-3.9) and 2.33 (95%-Cl 1.59-3.48) in PE, 2.38 (95%-Cl 1.64-3.44) and 2.28 (95%-Cl 1.55-3.4) in FGR, and 2.10 (95%-Cl 1.45-3.05) and 1.88 (95%-Cl 1.31-2.69) in HELLP syndrome. In addition, the aORs between sFlt-1/PlGF and sEng were very similar but higher for PE and FGR than HELLP syndrome.In conclusion,sEng performed similarly to sFlt-1/PlGF to detect placental dysfunctions.

Alterations in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in plasma and saliva in relation to disease activity in patients with Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition with uncertain aetiology. Dysfunction of immunoregulatory factors and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to the damage of the gastrointestinal tract. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) are involved in protection of cells from the damaging effects of ROS. The aim of the study was to assess activity of antioxidative stress enzymes, GPx and SOD, in plasma and saliva of patients with active and inactive forms of CD. Forty-seven patients with CD were prospectively enrolled in the study. The control group comprised 25 healthy volunteers. Patients' demographics, clinical features, localization of inflammatory changes, CD history, and treatment were recorded. SOD and GPx were assayed in plasma and saliva samples by ELISA method. CD activity index (CDAI) scores correlated inversely with SOD in plasma (r = - 0.46; P = 0.0012), but not in saliva. No correlations were observed in respect to GPx activities in both plasma and saliva and CDAI. Higher activity of plasma SOD was observed in patients with inactive CD in comparison with active CD (P = 0.004). No significant differences in SOD and GPx activity both in plasma and saliva were found between CD remission group and the control group. We concluded that in active CD the antioxidant defence system was diminished and returned to normal values in remission. Results of SOD and GPx assays in saliva are not conclusive, suggesting that saliva seems to be not an appropriate material for further similar studies.

Anti-Mullerian-Hormone during pregnancy and peripartum using the new Beckman Coulter AMH Gen II Assay.

BACKGROUND: AMH levels determined by the conventional AMH assay declined during pregnancy and postpartum. A new Beckman Coulter AMH Gen II assay removes the potentially assay-interfering complement which is activated in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the decline of AMH levels in the serum of pregnant women during the course of pregnancy and peripartum was assay-dependent and thus artificial. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study prepartal blood samples were collected from 62 patients (median age 30.6 years [interquartile range: 25.6 - 34.5]) in the third trimester of pregnancy and again 1-4 days after delivery between 2011 and 2012. In another cohort of 11 patients (median age 34.1 years [interquartile range: 32.6 - 37.8]) blood samples were taken in different trimesters of pregnancy between 1995 and 2001. The conventional and the modified AMH assay were performed in the same patient serum samples. We used the conventional and the modified AMH-Gen-II ELISA (Beckman Coulter, Immunotech, Webster, USA) for the assessment of AMH levels. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for determining differences between AMH levels pre- and postpartum. The method of Bland and Altman was applied for analyzing the agreement of both methods for determining AMH levels. RESULTS: AMH values peripartum were lower than those expected in fertile non-pregnant women of comparable age. An overall mean difference of 0.44 ng/ml was observed between the conventional and the modified assay. Measurements with the modified assay showed a significant decline of postpartal levels compared with prepartal levels which is consistent with values obtained using the conventional assay (both p < 0.00001). Compared to the longitudinal measurements of AMH levels determined using the conventional assay, AMH levels obtained using the modified assay suggest a steeper decline of values during the course of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: By comparing the conventional assay for AMH determination with the modified assay the present study confirmed that AMH levels decline during the course of pregnancy and early after delivery.

Ionization of doped helium nanodroplets: complexes of C60 with water clusters.

Water clusters are known to undergo an autoprotonation reaction upon ionization by photons or electron impact, resulting in the formation of (H(2)O)(n)H(3)O(+). Ejection of OH cannot be quenched by near-threshold ionization; it is only partly quenched when clusters are complexed with inert gas atoms. Mass spectra recorded by electron ionization of water-doped helium droplets show that the helium matrix also fails to quench OH loss. The situation changes drastically when helium droplets are codoped with C(60). Charged C(60)-water complexes are predominantly unprotonated; C(60)(H(2)O)(4)(+) and (C(60))(2)(H(2)O)(4)(+) appear with enhanced abundance. Another intense ion series is due to C(60)(H(2)O)(n)OH(+); dehydrogenation is proposed to be initiated by charge transfer between the primary He(+) ion and C(60). The resulting electronically excited C(60)(+*) leads to the formation of a doubly charged C(60)-water complex either via emission of an Auger electron from C(60)(+*), or internal Penning ionization of the attached water complex, followed by charge separation within {C(60)(H(2)O)(n)}(2+). This mechanism would also explain previous observations of dehydrogenation reactions in doped helium droplets. Mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy scans reveal spontaneous (unimolecular) dissociation of C(60)(H(2)O)(n)(+). In addition to the loss of single water molecules, a prominent reaction channel yields bare C(60)(+) for sizes n=3, 4, or 6. Ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations for C(60)-water complexes reveal negligible charge transfer within neutral complexes. Cationic complexes are well described as water clusters weakly bound to C(60)(+). For n=3, 4, or 6, fissionlike desorption of the entire water complex from C(60)(H(2)O)(n)(+) energetically competes with the evaporation of a single water molecule.

Electron impact ionization of furanose alcohols.

Electron impact ionization of the gas phase 3-furanol, tetrahydro (3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran, 3HTHF) and 2-furanmethanol, tetrahydro (alpha-tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, THFA) molecules has been studied both experimentally and theoretically. The electron induced positive ion formation has been investigated experimentally using a crossed electron/neutral beams technique in combination with a quadrupole mass spectrometry. The mass spectra of both molecules have been determined at the incident electron energy of 70 eV. The ionization efficiency curves for each parent cation and a number of fragment cations have been measured near the threshold, and the corresponding appearance energies have been derived using an iterative fitting procedure based on the Wannier threshold law, taking into account the incident electron energy resolution. The appearance energies of the parent cations were experimentally determined to be (9.620+/-0.058) eV for (C(4)H(8)O(2)(+)/3HTHF) and (9.43+/-0.12) eV for (C(5)H(10)O(2)(+)/THFA), which are in a good agreement with G3MP2 calculated results: 9.480 and 9.419 eV, respectively. The most abundant cations in the mass spectra were determined to be 57 amu for 3HTHF and 71 amu for THFA, with the corresponding experimentally determined appearance energies of (10.22+/-0.10) eV and (9.574+/-0.062) eV, respectively. With the help of the energies calculated at B3LYP and G3MP2 levels of theory, the possible fragmentation patterns were discussed.

The influence of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids feeding on composition of fatty acids in fatty tissues and eggs of laying hens.

The paper deals with supplementation of hen diet with oils with increased content of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and occurrence of fatty acids (FA) in fatty tissues and eggs of laying hens after the respective supplementation. The experiment was carried out on 30 laying hens of ISA BROWN hybrid, divided to three groups (A, B, C). For the period of three weeks the group A was administered flax-seed oil, group B served as a control and group C was fed base rations supplemented with fish oil. In addition to that the diet of groups A and C was supplemented with vitamin E as an antioxidant. Administration of the oils as a source of omega-3 PUFA increased their concentration in both the fatty tissues and egg-yolk which resulted in the change of the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 PUFA. No influence of flax-seed and fish oil on concentration of alpha-tocopherol in egg-yolk was observed.

[Testicular metastases as primary manifestation of malignant melanoma at known melanocytoma]. / Hoden-Metastasen als Erstmanifestation eines malignen Melanoms bei bekanntem Melanozytom.

BACKGROUND: Secondary tumors of the testes are rare. In about 15 % of the cases they are metastases of a malignant melanoma, there are about 30 reports of such cases in the literature. Most of them describe findings at post-mortem, in only 4 of the previously described cases testicular metastases were the first manifestation of a melanoma. The transformation of a benign, meningeal melanocytoma into a malignant melanoma has only been described once world-wide. The problems in the diagnosis and therapy of this extremely rare tumor are discussed on the basis of a further patient with metastases of the testes as primary manifestation of a malignant melanoma. CASE REPORT: We report on a 74-year-old man who presented with a relatively rapidly developing but less painful swelling of the left testicle. The case history disclosed operations 10 and 3.5 year earlier for an apparently benign melanocytoma at the level of the 11th and 12th thoracic vertebrae, a local recurrence with paraparesis was known at the time of admission. Sonography revealed an inhomogeneous tumor effecting the entire left testicle. Therapy comprised an inguinal, radical orchiectomy. The correct diagnosis was made histologically. Shortly after the operation, a diffuse, subcutaneous and hepatic metastases occurred. CONCLUSION: In the case of a primary manifestation a correct preoperative diagnosis is unusual. Radical orchiectomy is the treatment of choice for a suspected primary testicular tumor. The prognosis is accordingly poor. In elderly patients with unclear testicular tumors metastases from an (occult) tumor disease must be taken into consideration.

Ionization energies of argon clusters: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

We have measured appearance energies of Ar(n)+, n

[Surgical treatment of discogenic compression of the spinal cord in the thoracic region]. / Chirurgická liecba diskogénnej kompresie miechy v hrudníkovej oblasti.

The objective of the submitted work was to draw attention to some problems associated with the diagnosis and treatment of prolapse of sequestra of thoracic intervertebral discs. The investigated group comprised 9 subjects (4 women, 5 men) aged 33 to 67 years operated upon at the Neurosurgical Clinic in Kosice between Jan. 1 1982 and June 30 2001 on account of compression of nervous structures in the thoracic portion of the spine by sequestra of intervertebral discs. This was manifested by back pain, a sensation of stiffening of the muscles of the lower extremities, altered sensitivity and in all by impaired gait. Only one female patient developed urinary retention, another one painless paraparesis of the lower extremities, therefore the condition was evaluated as a demyelinisation process. In three patients as the only imaging examination method perimyelography was used, in another two it was supplemented by CT. Four patients were examined by MRI. This graphic method proved to be the most suitable. In all subjects of the investigated group the clinical picture and examination methods indicated a unilateral predominance of the affection. In five subjects it proved possible to remove the sequestream of the intervertebral disc via laminectomy, in another four a transpedicular approach into the spinal canal was used successfully. In all patients the condition improved after surgery.

Electro-optic response and switchable Bragg diffraction for liquid crystals in colloid-templated materials.

We report optical switching studies on nematic liquid crystal incorporated into structures based on self-assembled colloids. We compare the electro-optic responses of liquid crystal imbibed into colloid-templated polymers, liquid crystal imbibed in the interstitial space of colloid crystals, and conventional polymer-dispersed liquid crystals. We characterize the Bragg diffraction of our templated liquid-crystal/polymer composites as a function of electric field and measure switching times. The response of liquid crystal in connected networks differs qualitatively from that of liquid crystal in isolated cavities.

[A patient with spontaneous healing of traumatic spondylolisthesis of the cervical vertebrae]. / Pozorovanie pacienta so spontánne zahojenou traumatickou spondyloptózou krcného stavca.

The authors submit a report on a patient with traumatic spondyloptosis of the sixth cervical vertebra which occurred in an adult man when he bumped his head against a standing lorry. The injury of the cervical spine was diagnosed only four weeks after the accident when the patient regained consciousness and the vertebrae were already fixed in a pathological position. Seven years after the injury the patient is satisfied with his health, works in his original occupation, is engaged in sports and leads an active life.

Evaluation of a dry, rehydratable film method for rapid enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus.

Results with the new 3M Petrifilm Rapid S. aureus Count (RSA) Plate method were compared with those of the classical Baird-Parker agar (BPA) method for detection and enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus. Studies on 219 bacterial strains demonstrated that the Petrifilm RSA plate is more sensitive than and as specific as the classical BPA method for confirmed identification of S. aureus. Counts of colonies from 71 pure cultures, 61 naturally contaminated food samples, and more than 750 artificially inoculated food samples showed that the Petrifilm RSA method was as effective as the classical BPA method for identification and enumeration of S. aureus. The Petrifilm RSA method gave results in one-third the time required for the classical method.

[Injuries of the intracranial part of the carotid artery]. / Poranenia intrakraniálneho úseku karotickej tepny.

The objective of the submitted work was to draw attention to different types of injuries of the intracranial portion of the carotid artery and some problems associated with its solution. The investigated group comprised 7 subjects (2 women, 5 men) aged 19 to 76 years who attended between Jan. 1, 1995 and Feb. 29 2000 the Neurosurgical Clinic in Kosice with sequelae of injuries of the intracranial carotid artery. Two patients developed a pseudoaneurysm. In one case it was manifested by subarachnoid haemorrhage on the 24th day after a crash, in one instance by diplopia six weeks after a retrobulbar injection. Injury of the intracavernous portion of the artery was manifested in one instance by profuse epistaxis on the 17th day after a fall from a bicycle, four times by the development of a carotid-cavernous fistula several days to 3 years after the head injury. In the diagnosis classical as well as MR and digital subtraction angiography were used. In the patient with epistaxis classical carotid angiography was 3 times negative. The results are comparable with data in the literature. In three patients the problem was resolved by ligature of the common carotid artery on the neck. In another three it was necessary to use extra-intracranial trapping. One patient will be subjected to endovascular surgery. Two patients died (a 76-year-old woman from bronchopneumonia, a 19-year-old man from meningitis, despite a liquor fistula treated correctly by a patch).

[Acute necrotizing pancreatitis--a constant surgical problem]. / Akutní nekrotizující pankreatitida--trvalý problém chirurga.

The treatment of each patient admitted for the diagnose of acute pancreatitis requires a very individual approach. It is necessary to consider the possibility of severe complications. Currently, there is no specific therapeutic measure to prevent the development of pathogenic processes. In addition to all modes of supportive therapy and surgical sanatation of the local finding, it is necessary to retain the energetic intake by means of parenteral and enteral modes of nutrition provision.

Theoretical study of the reactivity properties of two forms of stobadine.

The cardio- and neuroprotective effect of the pyridoindole stobadine (S) is conditioned mainly by its good radical scavenging properties. It has been showed by EPR experiment, that the ultimate product of the reaction of stobadine with hydroxyl radical is the nitroxyl radical. However, for the unsaturated dehydrostobadine (DHS) the ultimate product was not experimentally determined, although its reactivity with a hydroxyl radical has been detected. Using the quantum chemical method AM1 we calculated the physico-chemical properties of S, DHS and their radicals. For the stobadine alone, the corresponding radical was formed by removing the H* from the NH group of indol, while in the case of DHS we removed the CH3* from the nitrogen in pyridine ring. For S and DHS we calculated the differences in the energies between the parent molecules and the corresponding radicals as well as the spin distributions for the radicals. The results confirmed the differences in the reactivities of S and DHS.

[Dynamics of the sliding screw]. / Dynamický skluzný sroub.

Fractures of the upper end of the femur are treated by the authors since August 1993 by the method of a dynamic gliding screws. This method is considered sparing and economical. The operation is implemented as urgent with a screen of antibiotics and anticoagulants in order to reduce postoperative complications. As a matter of routine intensive early rehabilitation is ensured and early return of the patient to his normal environment. Between August 1, 1993 and August 31, 1998 at the authors clinic 259 osteosyntheses were made using a dynamic gliding screw. There were 10 reoperations. In three instances the reason was incorrect surgical technique, in seven instances unsuitable indication of osteosynthesis in an arthrotic joint with impaired nurture in a severely dislocated fracture of the subcapital type. Reoperation was implemented twice by the original technique, eight times by replacement of the hip joint [4, 6]. For successful treatment of patients with fractures of the upper end of the femur it is essential that the department should have an X-ray amplifier, instruments for a dynamic gliding screw, a gamma and reconstruction nail and a hip joint replacement.

Structures of chiral smectic-C mesophases revealed by polarization-analyzed resonant x-ray scattering.

We report polarization-analyzed, resonant x-ray diffraction at the sulfur K edge performed upon free-standing liquid-crystal films. Our studies of the thiobenzoate liquid-crystal enantiomer 10OTBBB1M7 yield the polarization states of resonant satellite peaks arising from characteristic superlattices in the chiral smectic-C (SmC(*)) variant phases, including the antiferroelectric SmC(*)(A), ferrielectric SmC(*)(FI1) and SmC(*)(FI2), as well as SmC(*)(alpha). The observed polarizations agree with the clock model of chiral smectic-C variants, and rule out other proposals made to date for these structures. Data from the 10OTBBB1M7 racemate also support the clock model. Our resonant diffraction results from a thiophene liquid-crystal compound reveal the same superlattice periodicities seen in corresponding antiferroelectric and ferrielectric phases of 10OTBBB1M7.

[Post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of an anomalous right hepatic artery with arteriobiliary fistula and hemobilia]. / Poúrazová pseudoaneuryzma anomálnej pravej hepatálnej arterie s arterio-biliárnou fistulou a hemobíliou.

The authors describe a rare case of posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm of an anomaly arising right hepatic artery accompanied with arteriobiliary fistula. Treacherousness of this case was given by anomaly origin of the affected vessel. Thirty-four year old female has been treated at the author's department after sustained knife abdominal injury. Before our treatment, she was twice operated at the other hospital for haemoperitoneum and subhepatic abscess with haemobilia. The patient was transferred to the 1st department of surgery in Kosice because of septic shock, right-lobe hepatic abscess and repeated haemobilia. Selective hepatico-mesentericography revealed the cause of haemobilia. At the operation a double ligation of anomaly right hepatic artery was carried out together with closure of arteriobiliary fistula via choledochotomy. Haemobilia was not seen after surgery and the patient was discharged without any signs of liver disfunction. Repeated angiography showed closure of anomaly arising vessel.