Immunomodulatory effect of non-viable components of probiotic culture stimulated with heat-inactivated Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus on holoxenic mice.

BACKGROUND: Competition of probiotic bacteria with other species from the intestinal microbiota involves different mechanisms that occur regardless of probiotics' viability. The objective of this paper was to assess the cytokine serum levels in holoxenic mice after oral administration of non-viable components (NVC) of Enterococcus faecium probiotic culture stimulated with heat-inactivated Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus in comparison to NVC of unstimulated E. faecium probiotic culture. METHODS: Probiotic E. faecium CMGb 16 culture, grown in the presence of heat-inactivated cultures of E. coli and B. cereus CMGB 102, was subsequently separated into supernatant (SN) and heat-inactivated cellular sediment (CS) fractions by centrifugation. Each NVC was orally administered to holoxenic mice (balb C mouse strain), in three doses, given at 24 hours. Blood samples were collected from the retinal artery, at 7, 14, and 21 days after the first administration of the NVC. The serum concentrations of IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) interleukins were assessed by ELISA method. RESULTS: After the oral administration of SN component obtained from the probiotic culture stimulated with heat-inactivated cultures of B. cereus CMGB 102 and E. coli O28, the serum concentrations of IL-12 were maintained higher in the samples collected at 7 and 14 days post-administration. No specific TNF-α profile could be established, depending on stimulated or non-stimulated probiotic culture, NVC fraction, or harvesting time. CONCLUSION: The obtained results demonstrate that non-viable fractions of probiotic bacteria, stimulated by other bacterial species, could induce immunostimulatory effects mediated by cytokines and act, therefore, as immunological adjuvants.

Influence of hybrid inorganic/organic mesoporous and nanostructured materials on the cephalosporins' efficacy on different bacterial strains.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different hybrid inorganic-organic micro- and nanomaterials (Fe(3)O(4)/PEG(600), Fe(3)O(4)/C(12), ZSM-5) on the antibacterial activity of different cephalosporins against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The synergic effect of the studied materials was demonstrated by the increase in the growth inhibition zones diameter. All tested hybrid micro- and nanomaterials increased the activity of cefotaxime against Staphylococcus aureus. ZSM-5 increased the activity of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone and Fe(3)O(4)/C(12) that of ceftriaxone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and S. aureus. The anti-Pseudomonas, anti-Klebsiella pneumoniae and anti-Bacillus subtilis activity of cefoperazone was increased by Fe(3)O(4)/C(12) nanoparticles, while the ZSM-5 improved its anti-Escherichia coli, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus and B. subtilis activity, whereas Fe(3)O(4)/PEG(600) against K. pneumoniae. The anti-K. pneumoniae activity of cefepime was increased by all tested nanoparticles, whereas its anti-B. subtilis and anti-E. coli activity was improved by Fe(3)O(4)/C(12) and Fe(3)O(4)/PEG(600) nanoparticles. In conclusion, both magnetic Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles, charged outside as extra-shell with the antibiotic as well as ZSM-5 microparticles carrying the antibiotic inside the pores, significantly and specifically improved cephalosporin efficacy. A probable explanation for the increase in the antibiotic efficiency is the better penetration through the cellular wall of the antibiotic charged nanoparticles.

[Colectomy in emergency surgery]. / Colectomia în chirurgia de urgenta.

Unlike the standardised surgery of the right sided colic emergencies there is still a matter of debate on the emergency approach of the left colon and rectum. Between 1998 - 2007 on 32 patients (15 males, 17 females) we performed the single stage radical procedure total or subtotal colectomy. In the same period we performed 372 emergency operations for low intestinal occlusion. The patients had ages between 24 - 86 years, the admittance diagnosis was intestinal occlusion. The postoperative diagnosis was left colic carcinoma (n=23), strangulated hernia (n=2) strangulated incisional hernia (n=2), sigmoid volvulus (n=3) and synchronous colic carcinoma (n=2). All cases were submitted to surgery in the first 24 h of admission. Despite the presence of liver metastasis at the time of surgery in 2 patients, this had not contraindicate the radical procedure. 21 patients (65.62%) had a good evolution. The others 11 (34.38%) had postoperative complications: 2 anastomotic leakage (6.25%), 7 parietal infections (21.87%) and 2 death (6.25%). The total colectomy offers oncological radicality and satisfactory functional results. The disadvantage consists in postoperative diarrhea, gradually decreased with time.

Is IGF-1 involved in the regulatory modifications of cholesterolemia following the administration of embryonary peptides?

Significant modifications of IGF-1 and cholesterol (total and LDL) were observed following the administration of an extract of embryonary peptides (EP) to old subjects for 60 days. For most of the subjects, due to the aging process, the initial values of the biochemical parameters were shifted towards pathological range. Following the administration of EP, the serum levels of IGF-1 and cholesterol (total and LDL) were shifted towards the physiological limits for their age. The most significant modifications towards physiological range were observed for subjects with high, initial levels of IGF-1, when the decrease was striking (1-2 orders of magnitude). For these subjects, significant modifications were observed simultaneously for cholesterol. The modifications induced following the administration of EP exhibit a regulatory feature, as they are dependent on the initial levels of these parameters. The action of EP on the levels of IGF-1 and cholesterol was significantly equal for both sexes, but the influence of EP was more clear-cut in men. In conclusion, our results support an implication of IGF-1 in the regulatory mechanisms of cholesterolemia in old subjects following the long-term administration of EP.

Significant modification of lipid metabolism in aged persons following the treatment with a nutritive supplement containing embryonary peptides--preliminary results.

HUMANOFORT is a nutritive supplement extracted and purified from embryonated chicken eggs according to an original procedure under licence. Humanofort received the suitable consent from the Romanian Ministry of Health. The main components of Humanofort are two oligopeptides of 5,000 and 10,000 D molecular weight. 40 subjects aged 50-75 years (18 men and 22 women) consumed, daily, 4 caps of Humanofort for 60 days. The samples of blood from each subject were obtained before and after treatment. Therefore, each subject was his own control. In all subjects, after treatment, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol decreased approximately 30% as compared with the initial values. In 80% of patients, an increase of HDL cholesterol and a decrease of the insulin level in blood were also observed. After treatment, the cardiac risk factors (Aethna 2000 Program), such as total cholesterol/HDL and Apolipoproteins B/A were shifted towards lower range. These long-lasting modifications have an adaptative-regulatory character and seem to be produced by the growth factors contained in Humanofort.

[The Dissociation Questionnaire DIS-Q: preliminary results with a French-speaking Swiss population]. / Le questionnaire de dissociation DIS-Q: résultats préliminaires dans une population suisse francophone.

Vanderlinden and his collegues (1993) proposed a first european clinical scale to assess dissociative symptoms, the DIS-Q. The DIS-Q was studied in a psychiatric (n = 154) and a control (n = 65). Swiss French speaking sample. Our results reflected that The Dissociation Questionnaire (DIS-Q) has a good criterion-related validity since it discriminates between patients (Axes I and II of the DSM IV classification) and controls. Statistical comparisons indicated significant differences between three subgroups (axis I only, n = 60; axis II only, n = 24; axes I et II together, n = 70), and controls (n = 65). The total DIS-Q score was the highest for the patients with axes I and II together. About 12% of the psychiatric sample studied obtained DIS-Q score > or = 2.5, suggesting the presence of pathological dissociative symptoms. Our results seem not to be influenced by cultural factors.

[The Young Cognitive Schema Questionnaire: translation and preliminary validation]. / Le questionnaire des schémas cognitifs de Young: traduction et validation préliminaire.

Young (1990) proposed a clinical scale to assess personality disorders. We translated and used this scale for validation purpose in pathological (n = 113) and control (n = 54) samples. Our results reflected that Young Schema Questionnaire (SQ) has a good discrimination value between patients (Axes I and II of the DSM III-R classification) and controls. Statistical comparisons indicated significant differences between three subgroups-axis I only (n = 53), axes I and II together (n = 60), and controls (n = 54). The SQ score was the highest in the patients with personality disorders, reflecting the sensitivity of the scale to Axis II pathology. Principal component analysis (unrotated factors) showed a first factor, a failure axis (eigenvalue = 7.93), and a second factor, a narcissistic one (eigenvalue = 1.30). These two principal components explained 62% of the variance.

Biochemical and cytogenetical study of the mycoplasmal antigen and of the cyclophosphamide action in mammalians, in vivo. The action of some immunomodulatory antioxidants.

It was proved spectrophotometrically that Mycoplasma agalactiae antigen inoculated in vivo in sheep modifies the corresponding erythrocyte lysates reactivity toward methylene blue and neutral red and induces several types of chromosomal rearrangements. The treatment in vivo of sheep with an original preparation obtained from the Phaseolus vulgaris pods restores the erythrocyte lysates reactivity toward the two redox dyes and reduces the chromosomal abnormalities frequency induced by the mycoplasmal antigen. It was also demonstrated by optical and electronical microscopy that the Smise line mouse meiocytes exhibit chromosomal abnormalities induced by the cyclophosphamide treatment in vivo. In the case of concomitant treatment with the cyclophosphamide and C vitamin the same frequency of abnormalities was recorded as in the simple treatment with the drug.

Comparative study of the presence of oxidative stress in sportsmen in competition and aged people, as well as the preventive effect of selenium administration.

The study demonstrates the presence of oxidative stress (OS) in physiological conditions in sportsmen in competition and in elderly subjects over 65 years. The OS was estimated by measuring some biochemical parameters, such as peroxides, total antioxidants, uric acid and free SH groups in plasma and peroxides in urine. OS produces a significant increase of peroxides in plasma and urine and a decrease of plasma antioxidants and SH groups. The presence of OS suggests an increased formation of free radicals in young subjects in sporting competition, This increase is subsequently compensated by an increase of antioxidants. In old agers, this unbalance remains unchanged. The level of OS is higher in sportsmen during competition, but the subsequent compensation depends on the degree of training, individual adaptation, diet, etc. The administration of organic selenium partially compensates and decreases the intensity of OS. This study confirmed the hypothesis that in old agers the formation of free radicals increases in the ageing process and recommends the prevention of OS in young sportsmen by an adequate protection with antioxidants, such as organic selenium.

Electron microscopic studies on protoplast release from I.C.A.-1.65 line (I.F.C.-1.65 line) of Bacillus subtilis cells.

Under lysozyme action a minicell-forming line (I.C.A.-1.65) of B. subtilis releases protoplasts. The main cytologic events which proceed protoplast releasing are described. Different areas of the cell wall prove a remarkable difference in their sensitivity to enzymatic lysozyme action. Central areas of the cell wall are most sensitive and the polar areas are most resistant. Mesosomal vesicles and tubules are extruded and released together with other cytoplasmic extrusion during the protoplasting process. The cell wall of minicells does not prove resistance particularities to lysozyme action. The minicells release protoplasts.

Viral particles in the hepatocytes of Rana esculenta (L).

The hepatocytes of Rana esculenta exhibit hexagonal, probably icosahedral, viral particles disseminated in the cytoplasm among cellular organelles (mitochondria, cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex). The particles consist of an electron-dense core (nucleoid) and a less electron-dense envelope (capsid). Empty capsids (without nucleoid) or semilunar capsid fragments can be sometimes observed. The virus seems to be a cytoplasmic one, as it has not been found in the nucleus of hepatocytes.

Persistent measles virus infection in a calf kidney cell line. Note IV. Electron microscopic observations in the K-2 cell line.

An electron microscopic study was performed in the K-2 calf kidney cell line persistently infected with measles virus. Aggregates of granular filamentous structures 20-30 nm in diameter were detected in the paranuclear zone of the cytoplasm. Rare, isolated smooth filaments 15-17 nm in diameter were also observed. No such structures were seen in the nucleus. The budding process was very active. Many pleomorphic particles ranging in diameter from 100 to 600 nm were observed at the cell surface and in the intercellular space; the particles contained a variable amount of filamentous nucleocapsid structures and had an envelope with discontinuous fuzzy material.

Ultrastructure of the liver cells in Salamandra salamandra (L.) in the end of Winter.

Following hibernation, most salamander liver cells undergo alterations. The liver cells containing the structure of their active period present a normal nucleus, glycogen granules disseminated throughout the entire cytoplasm and granular mitochondria with several peripheral cristae. Most cells, however, possess altered mitochondria, transformed into electron-dense masses, or clear vesicles with the possibility of digesting the ambient organelles. Other cells have clear vacuoles with similar digestive possibilities. The endoplasmic reticulum is poorly represented in the liver cells that have suffered advanced alteration. The nucleus of these cells is homogeneously granular. The sytoplasm is populated by electron-dense bodies and lipid vacuoles. The nucleolemma and plasmalemma are thickened. The pigmented cells, altered concomitantly with the liver cells, contain granular aggregates. Some of the pigmented cells exhibit electron-clear formations similar to the reflecting platelets of the iridocytes of the integument of lower vertebrates.