Kangaroo mother care can improve the short-term outcomes of very preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a cornerstone of preterm infant management. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of daily prolonged KMC in very preterm infants and its influence on neonatal morbidity and short-term outcomes, and breastfeeding optimization. METHODS: Research included 52 very preterm infants. According to the KMC duration newborns were divided into two groups; Group1 of 22 infants (42.3%) - KMC lasted more than 3 hours/day, Group 2 of 30 infants (57.7%) - KMC lasted less than 3 hours/day. RESULTS: Nosocomial sepsis occurred less frequently in Group 1 versus Group 2 (OR = 10.50; 95% CI 1.23-89.67, p = 0.012). Incidences of BPD, NEC, IVH I-II grades, the duration of parenteral nutrition, and growth parameters have not been different between groups (p > 0.05). Breastfeeding rates at discharge prevailed in Group 1 (OR = 3.70; 95% CI 1.16-11.86, p = 0.025). The most important factors for nosocomial sepsis: combination of parenteral nutrition duration and daily prolonged KMC, as a preventing factor (p = 0.002). Combination of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) treatment duration, type of enteral feeding, and mother's age add as factors that have important influence on breastfeeding prolongation (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Nosocomial infection prevention and breastfeeding optimization are profitable outcomes of daily prolonged KMC in very preterm infants. No significant differences in the BPD, NEC, IVH I-II grades incidences, duration of parenteral nutrition, and growth parameters were found between studied groups. Combination of long-lasting KMC and short-term parenteral nutritionis a significant factor for nosocomial sepsis prophylaxis.

ABILITY TO FORM BIOFILMS BY PYELONEPHRITIS CAUSATIVE AGENTS IN CHILDREN.

The work is dedicated to the study of biofilms formation process by main pyelonephritis causative agents in children in vitro using methods of light, fluorescent and scanning microscopy. To study biofilms formation bacteria were cultivated in liquid substratum on glass in polystyrene Petri dishes d=40mm. The study demonstrated that all isolates formed biofilms. Adhesion of bacteria planktonic forms took place on the first stage, intracellular matrix formation took place on the second stage, and biofilms formation took place on the third stage. During the study of E. coli and Proteus sрр bacteria preparations with the use of scanning and light microscopy ordered bacteria arrangement was seen in the form of separate structures or tiny clusters of bacterial cells united by matrix. During the study of the ability to form P. aeruginosa isolates biofilms with the help of scanning microscopy it was stated that the adhesion of separate bacterial cells occurs by conglomerates formation surrounded by matrix with further biofilms formation. Bacterial cells in the form of dense elongated sticks were seen under the film. P. аeruginosa isolates daily biofilms were stated to have dense structure in the form of gel. Packed biofilms areas with cells clusters with good fluorescence were found with the help of fluorescent microscopy. During daily K.рneumoniae isolates biofilms study by methods of scanning and fluorescent microscopy it was found that K.рneumoniae biofilms were covered with dense matrix and riddled with multiple canals in the form of apertures. During morphological peculiarities study of E. faecalis isolates biofilms formation with the use of scanning and fluorescent microscopy it was found that bacterial cells were densely packed and united by intracellular matrix under which bacteria of spherical shape were seen. Thus biofilms, the nature of which depends on the type of bacteria, are formed on the surface of conglomerates consisting of bacterial cells. Peculiarities of course and appearance of pyelonephritis chronic form and relapses in children is explained by biofilms formation.

Presence, mobility and bioavailability of toxic metal(oids) in soil, vegetation and water around a Pb-Sb recycling factory (Barcelona, Spain).

The work was conducted to establish contamination from improper disposal of hazardous wastes containing lead (Pb) and antimony (Sb) into nearby soils. Besides other elements in the affected area, the biological role of Sb, its behaviour in the pedosphere and uptake by plants and the food chain was considered. Wastes contained 139532 ±â€¯9601 mg kg-1 (≈14%) Pb and 3645 ±â€¯194 mg kg-1 (≈0.4%) Sb respectively and variability was extremely high at a decimetre scale. Dramatically high concentrations were also found for As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Sn and Zn. In adjacent natural soils metal(oid)s amounts decreased considerably (Pb 5034 ±â€¯678 mg kg-1, Sb 112 mg kg-1) though largely exceeded the directives for a given soil use. Metal(oid)s potential mobility was assessed by using H2O→KNO3→EDTA sequential extractions, and EDTA extracts showed the highest concentration suggesting stable humus-metal complexes formation. Nevertheless, selected plants showed high absorption potential of the investigated elements. Pb and Sb values for Dittrichia viscosa grown in wastes was 899 ±â€¯627 mg kg-1 and 37 ±â€¯33 mg kg-1 respectively. The same plant showed 154 ±â€¯99 mg kg-1 Pb and 8 ±â€¯4 mg kg-1 Sb in natural soils. Helichrysum stoechas had 323 ±â€¯305 mg kg-1 Pb, and 8 ±â€¯3 mg kg-1 Sb. Vitis vinifera from alongside vineyards contained 129 ±â€¯88 mg kg-1 Pb and 18 ±â€¯9 mg kg-1 Sb, indicating ability for metal uptake and warning on metal diffusion through the food chain. The biological absorption coefficient (BAC) and the translocation factor (TF) assigned phytoextraction potential to Dittrichia viscosa and Foeniculum vulgare and phytostabilization potential to Helichrysum stoechas. Dissolved metal (oid)s in the analysed water strongly exceeded the current directive being a direct threat for livings. Data warned against the high contamination of the affected area in all its compartments. Even though native plants growing in metal-contaminated sites may have phytoremediation potential, high risk of metal diffusion may threat the whole ecosystem.