Protection of newborn organism against effect of oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate influence of oxidative stress on newborn organism, in terms of the dynamics of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration changes and of the activities of selected antioxidants in asphyxial newborns on the 1st and 5th day of life. METHOD: In the group of 62 preterm and term asphyxial newborns, characterized by the presence of asphyxial criteria and admitted within 24 hours of life, the plasma concentration of MDA and level of total antioxidant status (TAS) were followed. RESULTS: Dynamic changes of MDA signalized active process of lipoperoxidation (LP) and values of TAS were decreased in comparison with the capacity of adult patients.

Filamentous soil fungi and unidentified bacteria in drinking water from wells and water mains near Bratislava.

The occurrence of filamentous fungi in 294 samples of drinking water taken from wells and taps near Bratislava was studied. Fungal contaminants were found in 192 samples (44%). 39 genera and 64 species of soil filamentous fungi were identified by routine isolation and cultivation methods. Most of them belong to the Deuteromycetes. In the course of fungal cultivation in Czapek-Dox agar supplemented with 20 mg.l-1 tetracycline, colonies of unknown yellow coloured bacteria were observed.