Antimicrobial activity of trans-cinnamic acid and commonly used antibiotics against important fish pathogens and nonpathogenic isolates.

AIMS: Antibiotics and several other chemicals have been used to prevent fish diseases. However, this situation results in economic loss for the companies in the aquaculture industry and most importantly it pollutes the environment. Cinnamic acid is a naturally occurring aromatic acid and is considered to be safe for human consumption. Therefore, in this study, the antibacterial activity of trans-cinnamic acid and commonly used antibiotics, namely chloramphenicol, vancomycin, streptomycin and erythromycin, were tested against 32 bacteria, including fish pathogens, nonpathogenic isolates and collection strains. METHODS AND RESULTS: Trans-cinnamic acid was applied against the bacteria using the disc diffusion and microdilution method under in vitro conditions. Antibiotics were also tested under similar conditions against all tested bacteria using the disc diffusion method. The results show that among 32 bacterial strains trans-cinnamic acid exhibited potent inhibitory effect on the Gram-negative fish pathogen Aeromonas sobria. In addition, a moderate inhibition of trans-cinnamic acid of fish pathogens Aeromonas salmonicida, Vibrio (Listonella) anguillarum, Vibrio crassostreae and Yersinia ruckeri was also observed for trans-cinnamic acid in our study. On the contrary, the majority of nonpathogenic intestinal isolates were resistant to trans-cinnamic acid. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the antimicrobial activity of trans-cinnamic acid on 24 of the studied bacteria isolated from fish. In conclusion, trans-cinnamic acid can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative additive to prevent and control primarily A. sobria, as well as other pathogenic bacteria such as A. salmonicida, V. anguillarum, V. crassostreae and Y. ruckeri. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study indicated that trans-cinnamic acid may present an environmentally friendly alternative therapeutic agent against A. sobria infections in the aquaculture industry.

[Pregnancy and delivery in patients with an implanted shunt for hydrocephalus]. / Gravidita a porod u pacientek s implantovaným shuntem pro hydrocefalus.

UNLABELLED: Hydrocephalus is a disorder of abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the intracranial space, usually in the cerebral ventricles. The number of patients reaching reproductive age and intending to become pregnant has increased in recent years because of treatment advances. An implanted shunt is usually introduced into the abdominal cavity (ventriculoperitoneal shunt). Numerous changes occur during pregnancy, mainly increased accumulation of water, increased intracranial cerebrospinal fluid volume and increased intra-abdominal pressure as a result of the growing uterus. These changes contribute to increased incidence of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Therefore, it is necessary to make a preconception exam and specify pregnancy management, a suitable method of childbirth and dealing with potential complications. Multidisciplinary care is mandatory with the dominant cooperation of obstetricians and neurosurgeons who should be also available during the delivery when needed. Possible shunt malfunction is necessary to diagnose properly and in time and solve it individually, taking into account the overall and neurological status of the patient and gestational age. The presence of a shunt does not affect pregnancy and vaginal delivery is considered by most authors as the first option. Primary cesarean section is preffered in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus or rapid deterioration in the case of shunt malfunction. Epidural anesthesia or general, eventually spinal anesthesia are recommended. KEYWORDS: hydrocephalus, shunt, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, ventriculoatrial shunt, endoscopy, endoscopic third ventriculostomy, pregnancy.

Pilot study of A-FABP levels as a predictive factor of SPECT results in asymptomatic relatives of patients with cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: A-FABP is a promising link between metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis. It is not well known whether level of A-FABP predicts results of SPECT. PATIENTS & METHODS: In 82 subjects (53 males) with a median age of 54 years, who were first-degree relatives of patients with cardiovascular disease, the following tests and examinations were performed: A-FABP, calcium score (CS) and SPECT. RESULTS: Subjects with positive and negative SPECT results differed significantly in the noncategorized CS (p = 0.001), uric acid (p = 0.025) and the total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein ratio (p = 0.043), but not in other parameters (including A-FABP). To predict SPECT results, the best model proved to be a logistic regression model with gender and noncategorized CS as predictors, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.89 (the sensitivity and specificity based on a CS cutoff of 11.1 were 77.78 and 75.34%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The serum level of A-FABP is not a predictor of a positive SPECT result.

Antifungal activity of cinnamic acid derivatives involves inhibition of benzoate 4-hydroxylase (CYP53).

AIMS: CYP53A15, from the sorghum pathogen Cochliobolus lunatus, is involved in detoxification of benzoate, a key intermediate in aromatic compound metabolism in fungi. Because this enzyme is unique to fungi, it is a promising drug target in fungal pathogens of other eukaryotes. METHODS AND RESULTS: In our work, we showed high antifungal activity of seven cinnamic acid derivatives against C. lunatus and two other fungi, Aspergillus niger and Pleurotus ostreatus. To elucidate the mechanism of action of cinnamic acid derivatives with the most potent antifungal properties, we studied the interactions between these compounds and the active site of C. lunatus cytochrome P450, CYP53A15. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that cinnamic acid and at least four of the 42 tested derivatives inhibit CYP53A15 enzymatic activity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: By identifying selected derivatives of cinnamic acid as possible antifungal drugs, and CYP53 family enzymes as their targets, we revealed a potential inhibitor-target system for antifungal drug development.

[Is there dependence between the level of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein and calcium score in asymptomatic relatives of patients with cardiovascular diseases?]. / Existuje závislost mezi hladinou adipocyte fatty acid binding proteinu a kalciovým skóre u asymptomatických príbuzných pacientu s KVO?

UNLABELLED: The objective of our study was to determine a correlation between the level of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) (as a possible link between metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis), the calcium score (CS) and laboratory parameters, including insulin resistance indices in asymptomatic first degree relatives of patients with cardiovascular diseases. SET AND METHODOLOGY: Examination was conducted in 82 persons (53 male) with the average age of 52.79 ± 9.6. The examinations consisted of anthropometric and physical tests (determination of body weight, height, body mass index - BMI and casual blood pressure measurement), laboratory analysis (uric acid, creatinine, lipid panel, insulin, glucose, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, glycated hemoglobin, adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein - A-FABP) and determination of insulin resistance indices HOMA and QUICKI. Total calcium score (CS) was determined by the Agatston method without the need to administer a contrast agent. RESULTS: The value of the A-FABP level does not show a statistically significant dependence on the categorised CS or on non-categorised CS values. There is a statistically significant positive dependence of the level of A-FABP on the HOMA index (p = 0.00688) and a statistically significant negative dependence on the QUICKI index (p = 0.0068). The A-FABP level is statistically significantly higher in women (p = 0.048), in elder persons (p = 0.043), and in persons with higher BMI values (p = 0.029). Among continuous variables, statistically significant is the difference in the A-FABP level in relation to age (p = 0.002), creatinine (p = 0.026), insulin (p = 0.005), and BMI (p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the correlation of the A-FABP level with insulin resistance indices, BMI, age, gender, and insulin and creatinine levels in a group of asymptomatic first degree relatives of patients with cardiovascular diseases. A-FABP could potentially be a marker when determining the risk of CVD; however, this conclusion requires additional clinical trials.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of cinnamic acid derivatives.

Cinnamic acid is an organic acid occurring naturally in plants that has low toxicity and a broad spectrum of biological activities. In the search for novel pharmacologically active compounds, cinnamic acid derivatives are important and promising compounds with high potential for development into drugs. Many cinnamic acid derivatives, especially those with the phenolic hydroxyl group, are well-known antioxidants and are supposed to have several health benefits due to their strong free radical scavenging properties. It is also well known that cinnamic acid has antimicrobial activity. Cinnamic acid derivatives, both isolated from plant material and synthesized, have been reported to have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Acids, esters, amides, hydrazides and related derivatives of cinnamic acid with such activities are here reviewed.

[The real firing wound of type of skull perforation and head penetration compared with the mathematical model of behaviour of FMJ pistol projectile of calibre of 6.35 mm Browning (25 Auto)]. / Reálné strelné poranení typu prustrel lebky a zástrel hlavy ve srovnání s matematickým modelem chování FMJ strely pistolového náboje ráze 6,35 mm Browning (25 Auto).

Searching for the answer whether the bullet cal. 6.35 mm Browning (25 Auto) could entrance the human skull and stay inside without resting the head against the solid barrier inside the vehicle, forensic experts in the field of ammunition and wound ballistics used mathematical model of the monoogival pistol bullet's velocity decrease through the penetration of the several type of human tissue due to physical and mechanical properties. The result of the expert's terminal ballistics task was the mathematical prediction of wound track length at the moment of bullet's stop in the tissue. The results has been compared with the cases where the similar weapon system with the resembling energetic output has been used.

[Anterior skull base reconstruction]. / Plastika báze prední jámy lební.

The reasons for transcranial operative revision of anterior cranial fossa are cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, pneumocephalus, recurrent meningitis and eventually other causes. The trauma is the most common etiology of previously mentioned pathologic statuses, rarely it can also be long-lasting intracranial hypertension. We retrospectively analyzed our 61 patients, operatively treated at Department of Neurosurgery in Brno-Bohunice between 1997 and 2005, at whom the cranionasal communication must have been treated by means of transcranial neurosurgical repair of anterior fossa skull base. Each year approximately 10-15 operations of this kind were performed. The main goal of operative solution was the water-tight closure of dural defect and cranial base by means of direct dural suture duroplasty with periostal flap, fascial flap or other graft. Each case solution was dependent on actual operative appearance of the operative field. The majority of transcranial repairs of frontal cerebral fossas were performed acutely as a part of frontobasal injury operation with haematoma, calvar impressive fractures and open cerebral injury. The minority of repairs is formed by elective operations for posttraumatic rhinnorhea and meningitis. In our announcement we also mention possible conservative treatment.

Management of a shunt malfunction during pregnancy.

In some cases of shunt malfunction in pregnant women the symptoms can be so severe and occur so early that not only the mother but also the baby is threatened. In such a situation the close co-operation of a neurosurgeon and a gynaecologist is mandatory. Both conservative and surgical treatment have to be applied to overcome the time until the delivery carries an acceptable risk for the child. In such a case a pre-term delivery by Cesarean section should be recommended. (Fig. 1, Ref. 2.)

[Derivatives of thioallophanic acid with anthelmintic activity]. / Deriváty thioallofanové kyseliny s anthelmintickou úcinností.

A reaction of potassium thiocyanate with methyl and ethyl ester of chloroformic acid (I-II) resulted in methoxy- and ethoxycarbonyl isothiocyanates which through an addition reaction with various primary and secondary amines, diamines and hydrazines yielded the perinently substituted esters of thioallophanic acid (III-XXI). The obtained agents were tested for anthelmintic and anticoccidial effects.