Evaluation of droplet-vitrification, vacuum infiltration vitrification and encapsulation-dehydration for cryopreservation of Syzygium maire zygotic embryos.

BACKGROUND: Syzygium maire is a threatened tree species with limited information on long-term storage options for its recalcitrant seed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cryopreservation of S. maire zygotic embryo axes (EA) using dehydration, encapsulation-dehydration as well as PVS2 vitrification using droplet vitrification (DV) and the novel droplet vacuum infiltration vitrification (DVIV) methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Excised naked and sodium alginate encapsulated EA were desiccated to various moisture contents (MC) using a laminar flow cabinet. Moisture content, embryo survival and plantlet formation, before and after cryopreservation, were assessed at 1 h intervals during the desiccation period (0-6 h). The influence of PVS2, using DV and DVIV, was assessed for various desiccation times and temperatures. RESULTS: Encapsulated EA desiccated to 31% and 37% MC survived but no plantlets formed following cryopreservation. Exposure to PVS2 using the DV method had a negative impact on embryo survival and plantlet formation, while DVIV resulted in improved results for non-cryopreserved EA. However, neither PVS2 vitrification method resulted in embryo survival following cryopreservation. CONCLUSION: S. maire embryos are sensitive to desiccation and likely require physical, chemical or a combination of protection methods to increase embryo survival and plantlet formation following cryopreservation.

[Treatment of chronic recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis with fluconazole (fungolon--Actavis)].

The object of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of peroral administration of Fluconazole (Fungolon caps. 50 mg - "Actavis") in dose 150 mg (3 caps. x 50 mg) once weekly for a period of 6 months. 50 female patients of reproductive age with chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by C. albicans with three or more recurrences per year were enrolled in an open trial prospective study and 42 women were evaluated before and after treatment. Clinical improvement was observed in 81% of the patients after treatment Microbiological cure was observed in 86% of the patients (36/42). Positive cultures for C. albicans after treatment had 6 patients. Four of these 6 patients had duration of the chronic candidiasis for more than 3 years. Side effects during the treatment were not significant and might not be directly correlated with the administration of fluconazole. There was no cessation of therapy due to side effects. 53.3% of the patients accepted positively the long duration of therapy while 30% found the long duration of treatment a major inconvenience. Fluconazole is easily administrated well tolerated and is suitable for the long treatment of chronic vulvovaginal candididasis.

[Contamination during transurethral manipulations of the upper urinary tract]. / Kontaminatsiia pri transuretralni manipulatsii vurkhu gornite pikochni putishta.

A four-year observation was carried out on a series of 289 patients who had undergone miscellaneous transurethral operations and manipulations on the upper urinary tract. Clinical and microbiological studies were performed in an attempt to record the incidence of urinary tract infections as a consequence of contamination following transurethral manipulations. Random groups of in-lying patients at two urologic clinics served as controls. It was found that the hazard of contamination with pathogenic bacteria causative agents of urinary tract infections in the study group was smaller than usually believed. The mean infection rate was 17.3 per cent, vs. 35.6 and 45.5 per cent respectively in the control groups. Higher was the risk of contamination after manipulations terminating without temporary drainage of the urine from the upper urinary tract. In the contamination processes was involved a broader spectrum of microorganisms with more resistant strains. Conclusions are drawn on the possibilities to reduce the contamination levels and to prevent the consequences of infection. This should be achieved not by limiting the manipulations, but by mastering the endoscopic technique and nontraumatic work with this technique.