The effect of resveratrol on the developmental competence of feline oocytes vitrified at the metaphase II stage.

The objective of this research was to assess the viability and developmental potential of feline oocytes following in vitro maturation (IVM), vitrification, and post-warming incubation with resveratrol. In the first experiment, warmed oocytes were incubated with 0.2 µM, 2 µM, or 20 µM resveratrol for 2 h. Oocytes treated with 0.2 µM resveratrol had the highest viability (68.89 %), as assessed by fluorescein diacetate and ethidium bromide staining, while higher concentrations were associated with diminished oocyte viability. In the second experiment, the warmed oocytes were inseminated following the 2-h incubation with the three concentrations of resveratrol. The presumptive zygotes were then maintained in culture and their development evaluated. The highest cleavage rate was observed when the oocytes had been incubated with 0.2 µM resveratrol (88.34 %), which was higher than for the control group (without resveratrol (75 %)). Moreover, this concentration of resveratrol also augmented the blastocyst formation rate. While the vitrification of oocytes often results in diminished developmental potential in the ensuing embryos, attributed to cryopreservation-induced injury, the utilization of low concentrations of resveratrol enhances the procedure's efficacy.

Is Raman Spectroscopy of Fingernails a Promising Tool for Diagnosing Systemic and Dermatological Diseases in Adult and Pediatric Populations?

Background: Raman spectroscopy is a well-known tool used in criminology, molecular biology, and histology. It is also applied to diagnose bone mineral disorders by taking advantage of the similarity of the structure of keratin and bone collagen. Raman spectroscopy can also be used in dermatology and diabetology. The purpose of the present review is to critically evaluate the available research about the use of Raman spectroscopy in the mentioned areas of medicine. Methodology: PubMed was searched for peer-reviewed articles on the subject of use of Raman spectroscopy in bone mineral disorders, dermatology, and diabetes mellitus. Results: Nail keratin and bone collagen are related structural proteins that require disulfide bond for structural stability. Therefore, Raman spectroscopy of keratin may have potential as a diagnostic tool for screening bone quality and distinguishing patients at risk of fracture for reasons different from low bone mineral density (BMD) in the adult women population. Raman spectroscopy can also investigate the changes in keratin's structure in nails affected by onychomycosis and distinguish between healthy and onychomycosis nail samples. It could also reduce the need for nail biopsy by distinguishing between dermatophytic and non-dermatophytic agents of onychomycosis. Additionally, Raman spectroscopy could expedite the diagnostic process in psoriasis (by assessing the secondary structure of keratin) and in diabetes mellitus (by examining the protein glycation level). Conclusions: In adult populations, Raman spectroscopy is a promising and safe method for assessing the structure of fingernails. However, data are scarce in the pediatric population; therefore, more studies are required in children.

Women suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus are characterized by low blood levels of α-dicarbonyl compounds.

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, autoimmune disease, often characterised by severe course and unclear etiopathogenesis. The reaction of protein glycoxidation, also known as glycation, may be linked to etiopathogenesis of SLE. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) exhibit cytotoxic properties, affect cellular signalling, impair functions of extracellular proteins, and may act as neoepitopes. Glucosone (GS), glyoxal (GO), and methylglyoxal (MGO) are examples of α-dicarbonyl compounds (α-DCs) partaking in glycoxidation. The study aimed to evaluate concentrations of these three compounds in blood serum of SLE patients, and to compare the results with healthy individuals. Material and methods: 31 women suffering from SLE and 26 healthy individuals were included in the study. High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was applied to evaluate concentrations of α-DCs in their serum samples. Correlations between the results and parameters such as disease duration time, age, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), and creatinine were analysed. Results: The SLE patients exhibited lower concentrations of glucosone, glyoxal, and methylglyoxal than the control group. Analysis of correlations showed a difference between the examined groups. Conclusions: In women suffering from SLE the course of α-DCs metabolism is altered. SLE patients are characterised by low serum levels of α-DCs. We hypothesise that either hindered proteasomal degradation or fast consumption of α-DCs in oxidative conditions may cause the observed low concentration of these compounds.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Grilled Marshmallows.

The aim of this study was to assess potential health risks among children and adolescents consuming various grilled marshmallows using a survey and to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in these food products. PAH analysis in grilled marshmallows included a dilution stage with deionized water and liquid-liquid extraction with cyclohexane and solid-phase extraction (SPE). PAH fractions were initially analyzed via high-performance thin-layer chromatography, and PAH concentrations were determined via gas chromatography with a tandem mass detector using the selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. This study on the consumption of grilled marshmallows was conducted among approximately 300 children and adolescents. The preliminary results indicated that "raw" marshmallows did not contain PAHs. However, the obtained data suggested the exposure of young people to carcinogenic PAHs from grilled marshmallows (63.5% of them consumed marshmallows). Carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) was determined in all samples. The profile of PAH concentrations in the extracts isolated from various grilled types of marshmallows was similar (r2 > 0.8000), regardless of the grilling method. Compared to the white sugar confection, higher concentrations of PAHs were determined in multicolored marshmallows. The lack of social awareness about exposure to carcinogenic substances is alarming.

Iron parameters analysis in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common acquired cardiovascular disease in small breed dogs. In contrast to human patients with heart failure (HF), iron deficiency (ID) prevalence in dogs with MMVD is weakly known. The study aimed to assess the usability of ID markers in serum and reticulocyte parameters from whole blood of dogs with MMVD to evaluate early ID symptoms. RESULTS: Sixty-eight dogs (43 male and 25 female) were included in the study. MMVD dogs were assigned according to the 2019 ACVIM guidelines for groups B1 (n = 9), B2 (n = 10), C (n = 27) and D (n = 10). Groups were also combined into B1 and B2 as non-symptomatic HF and C with D as symptomatic HF. Healthy controls were 12 dogs. Serum iron concentration below the reference range in dogs with MMVD was 12.5%. Other ID indices, such as %SAT, UIBC, and TIBC were similar in the MMVD groups and healthy controls (p > 0.05 for all parameters). Statistical comparison between control group and 4 groups of different stages of MMVD showed that significant differences occur only in serum transferrin. The assessment of ferritin and soluble transferrin receptors using Western Blotting did not show differences between control (n = 7) and MMVD (n = 33) dogs. Study has shown positive correlation between ID parameters and echocardiographic indices such as LA/Ao and LVIDdN, and some biochemical parameters. A significant increase in reticulocytes percentage, assessed manually, was observed in the HF group of animals (p = 0.027) compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Studies have shown that ID parameters in serum are not significantly different in dogs with MMVD compared to healthy dogs. However, there is a clear correlation between atrial size and normalised left ventricular size to body size and some biochemical parameters, including ID parameters and therefore the severity of MMVD.

The Risk of Oral Cancer and the High Consumption of Thermally Processed Meat Containing Mutagenic and Carcinogenic Compounds.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified the consumption of heat-processed meat as a direct human carcinogen and the consumption of red meat as a probable carcinogen. Mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds present in meat dishes include, among others, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs). These compounds can cause the development of gastrointestinal cancer. Oral cancer is one of the world's research priorities due to the ever-increasing incidence rate. However, the effect of diet on oral cancer is still a poorly recognized issue. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the risk of oral cancer and dietary ingredients with a particular emphasis on red meat and thermally processed meat. This study was conducted among patients with oral cancer in 2022 and 2023. The shortened standardized Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and a multivariate regression statistical analysis were used. The high consumption of red meat in general and thermally processed meat, especially smoked, fried, roasted and boiled, increases the risk of oral cavity cancer. Limiting the consumption of meat products and modifying the methods of preparing meat dishes may reduce exposure to carcinogenic compounds from the diet and thus reduce the risk of developing oral cancer.

Mixture of Doxycycline, ML-7 and L-NAME Restores the Pro- and Antioxidant Balance during Myocardial Infarction-In Vivo Pig Model Study.

The restoration of blood flow to the ischemic myocardium inflicts ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) heart injury (IRI). The main contributors to IRI are increased oxidative stress and subsequent excessive production of ROS, increased expression of NOS and peroxinitate, activation of MMPs, and enhanced posttranslational modifications of contractile proteins, which make them more susceptible to proteolytic degradation. Since the pathophysiology of IRI is a complex issue, and thus, various therapeutic strategies are required to prevent or reduce IRI and microvascular dysfunction, in the current study we proposed an innovative multi-drug therapy using low concentrations of drugs applied intracoronary to reach microvessels in order to stabilize the pro- and antioxidant balance during a MI in an in vivo pig model. The ability of a mixture of doxycycline (1 µM), ML-7 (0.5 µM), and L-NAME (2 µM) to modulate the pro- and antioxidative balance was tested in the left ventricle tissue and blood samples. Data showed that infusion of a MIX reduced the total oxidative status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and malondialdehyde (MDA). It also increased the total antioxidant capacity, confirming its antioxidative properties. MIX administration also reduced the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and then decreased the release of MLC1 and BNP-26 into plasma. This study demonstrated that intracoronary administration of low concentrations of doxycycline in combination with ML-7 and L-NAME is incredibly efficient in regulating pro- and antioxidant balance during MI.

Mechanical and Thermal Analysis of Duroplastic Matrix Composites over a Range of Temperatures.

It is commonly acknowledged that polymer composites in service are often subjected to not only intricate mechanical loads but also harsh environmental conditions. The mechanical and thermal properties of five particular composites are explored here. The composites are composed of laminates of glass cloth type "E" sheet infilled with a duroplastic matrix. This is a thermoset polymer-epoxy resin with different molecular weights. The composites were fabricated by IZOERG company, which is based in Poland. The final articles were 1.5 mm thick by 60 cm long and 30 cm wide, with the glass layers arranged parallel to the thickness. Young's modulus and tensile strength were measured at room temperature. Using the thermal analysis of dynamic mechanical properties (DMTA), the values of the storage modulus and the loss modulus were determined, and the damping factor was used to determine the glass transition temperature (Tg). It was revealed that the nature of changes in the storage modulus, loss modulus, and damping factor of composite materials depends on the type of epoxy resin used. Thermal expansion is a crucial parameter when choosing a material for application in cryogenic conditions. Thanks to the TMA method, thermal expansion coefficients for composite materials were determined. The results show that the highest value of the coefficient of thermal expansion leads the laminate EP_4_2 based on brominated epoxy resin cured with novolac P. Duroplastic composites were characterized at cryogenic temperatures, and the results are interesting for developing cryogenic applications, including electric motors, generators, magnets, and other devices.

Histological and morphometrical evaluation of the urethral wall after bioresorbable stent implantation in male New Zealand White Rabbits: A preliminary study.

The aim of the study was the histological and morphometrical evaluation of the urethral wall at three time points after bioresorbable stent implantation in male New Zealand White Rabbits. The research was performed on 26 male New Zealand White rabbits aged 3-4 months and weighing 2.1-3.0 kg. Two models of bioresorbable sodium alginate-based stents were developed and implanted into the urethral lumen for one (T1), three (T3), and six weeks (T6). Sections of 5 µm thickness were cut from the urethra at intervals of 2 mm. The sliced sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Van Gieson's (VG), Von Kossa, and Movat-Russell modified pentachrome (MOVAT) staining methods. The study provided valuable information for future models of urethral stents. The first model of the stent failed to fit the requirements due to inadequate mechanical properties. It curled up on itself losing the ability to adhere to the animals' urethra and was bioresorbed three weeks after implantation. The more rigid no. 2 stent was effective in widening the urethral lumen but did not biodegrade during the experiment. A comprehensive assessment of the second model's properties of biosorption and biointegration requires an extended observation of at least 12 months for an in depth morphological analysis. Stent migration is not likely to be caused solely by the mechanical properties of the urethra or urinary flow but mainly by muscle contraction of the organ wall.

Bipolar endo-epicardial RF ablation: Animal feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Bipolar radiofrequency ablation (B-RFA) is a method used to treat the arrhythmia substrate resistant to unipolar ablation. Few studies have addressed endo-epicardial B-RFA. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate chronic lesions resulting from endo-epicardial B-RFA and to determine optimal settings for such procedures in an animal model. METHODS: In 7 pigs, up to 5 radiofrequency applications per animal were performed with 2 electrodes placed on both sides of the left ventricular free wall. Current was delivered for 60 seconds by a generator dedicated for B-RFA with power settings of 25, 30, 35, 40, and 50 W. RESULTS: At 12 weeks after ablation, 31 lesions were assessed. Their maximal cross-sectional area ranged from 7.2 to 68 mm2 and correlated with total power delivered (r = 0.53), with temperature increment at the endocardial catheter (r = 0.65), and inversely with temperature decrement at the epicardial catheter (r = 0.54). For power values between 30 and 40 W, the lesion area did not differ significantly (P = .92). Lesion depth ranged from 1.9 to 11 mm and correlated with impedance decrement (r = 0.5). Lesions were transmural in 8 cases. Lesion depth/wall thickness ratio was on average 0.6 ± 0.3, with the smallest value for 25 W (0.5 ± 0.3) and the largest for 50 W (0.8 ± 0.3). Steam pops occurred at a power range of 30-50 W, with an incidence of 1 in 5 applications, with 1 case of fatal tamponade at 40 W. Impedance decrement, endocardial catheter temperature increment, and endocardial electrogram amplitude decrement were greater during applications with steam pops. CONCLUSION: Chronic lesions resulting from endo-epicardial B-RFA appear smaller and less often transmural compared with acute lesions described in the literature. The incidence of steam pops during endo-epicardial B-RFA is relatively high even at low powers.

Decomposition of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by activated sludge supported by biopreparation in sequencing batch reactor.

The presence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in wastewater from sewage treatment plants indicates that they are not completely biodegradable. The designed biopreparation based on immobilized bacteria enables the degradation of paracetamol, ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac at a rate of 0.50 mg/L*day, 0.14 mg/L*day, 0.16 mg/L*day and 0.04 mg/L*day, respectively. Lower degradation of drugs in the mixture than in monosubstrate systems indicates their additive, antagonistic effect, limiting the degradative capacity of microorganisms. The biopreparation is stable for at least 6 weeks in bioreactor conditions. Biochemical parameters of activated sludge functioning showed increased oxygen demand, which was related to increased ammonia concentration caused by long-term exposure of activated sludge to drugs. Reduced metabolic activity was also observed. The preparation enables decomposing drugs and their metabolites, restoring the activated sludge's functionality. The tested biopreparation can support activated sludge in sewage treatment plants in degrading non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and phenolic compounds.

Effects of Punica granatum L. peel extract supplementation on body weight, cardiac function, and haematological and biochemical parameters in an animal model of metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of pathological conditions well described in humans but still investigated insufficiently in animals. A novel approach in its management is the utilisation of nutrients from natural sources. Recent studies suggested that phenolic compounds from pomegranate peel could be a promising dietary intervention for MetS. This study evaluated the potency of polyphenol-rich pomegranate peel extract (EPP) in mitigating some MetS components in an animal model. Material and Methods: Zucker diabetic fatty rats (with an fa/fa missense mutation in the Lepr leptin receptor gene) and their healthy counterparts (fa/+) as controls were fed a high-calorie diet to induce MetS and supplemented with EPP at two doses: 100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) and 200 mg/kg b.w. The extract was administered for eight weeks. The rats' body weights were monitored twice per week, and blood samples were taken before EPP administration after four weeks and eight weeks of study. Echocardiography measurement was performed at the beginning and at the end of the study. Results: The extract restrained the dynamic of weight gain. A cardioprotective effect of the highest dose of EPP supplementation was manifested in a relative decrease in heart rate and improved mid-fractional shortening, representing myocardial contractility. No improvement in fasting blood glucose or lipid profile was observed. Conclusion: Pomegranate peel extract possesses beneficial health properties that could be useful in dietary intervention in MetS. However, its bioavailability still requires further investigation in clinical trials in humans and animals suffering from endocrine and metabolic disorders.

DNA-based molecular recognition system for lactoferrin biosensing.

The paper describes the development of a novel DNA oligonucleotide-based affinity bioreceptor that binds to lactoferrin, a glycoprotein-type immunomodulator. The research was performed using surface plasmon resonance method to investigate affinity of various types of oligonucleotides to the target protein. The 72 base pair-long 5'[(TAGAGGATCAAA)AAA]4TAGAGGATCAAA3' sequence with the highest affinity to lactoferrin was selected for further investigations. Kinetic analysis of the interaction between selected DNA and lactoferrin provided rate and equilibrium constants: ka = (2.49 ± 0.03)∙104 M-1∙s-1, kd = (1.89 ± 0.02)∙10-3 s-1, KA = (0.13 ± 0.05)∙108 M-1, and KD = (7.61 ± 0.18)∙10-8 M. Thermodynamic study conducted to determine the ΔH0, ΔS0, and ΔG0 for van't Hoff characteristic in the temperature range of 291.15-305.15 K, revealed the complex formation as endothermic and entropically driven. The chosen DNA sequence's selectivity towards lactoferrin was confirmed with interferents' response constituting <3 % of the response to lactoferrin. SPR analysis justified utility of the designed DNA oligonucleotide for Lf determination, with LOD of 4.42∙10-9 M. Finally, the interaction between lactoferrin and DNA was confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, providing the basis for further quantitative assay of lactoferrin using the developed DNA-based bioreceptor. The interactions were performed under immobilized DNA ligand conditions, thus reflecting the sensor's surface, which facilitates their transfer to other label-free biosensor technologies.

Mitochondrial Genome Variation in Polish Elite Athletes.

Energy efficiency is one of the fundamental athletic performance-affecting features of the cell and the organism as a whole. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants and haplogroups have been linked to the successful practice of various sports, but despite numerous studies, understanding of the correlation is far from being comprehensive. In this study, the mtDNA sequence and copy number were determined for 99 outstanding Polish male athletes performing in power (n = 52) or endurance sports (n = 47) and 100 controls. The distribution of haplogroups, single nucleotide variant association, heteroplasmy, and mtDNA copy number were analyzed in the blood and saliva. We found no correlation between any haplogroup, single nucleotide variant, especially rare or non-synonymous ones, and athletic performance. Interestingly, heteroplasmy was less frequent in the study group, especially in endurance athletes. We observed a lower mtDNA copy number in both power and endurance athletes compared to controls. This could result from an inactivity of compensatory mechanisms activated by disadvantageous variants present in the general population and indicates a favorable genetic makeup of the athletes. The results emphasize a need for a more comprehensive analysis of the involvement of the mitochondrial genome in physical performance, combining nucleotide and copy number analysis in the context of nuclear gene variants.

Comparative cardiac macroscopic and microscopic study in cats with hyperthyroidism vs. cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hyperthyroidism is considered the most common endocrinopathy in middle-aged and old cats. The increased level of thyroid hormones influences many organs, including the heart. Cardiac functional and structural abnormalities in cats with hyperthyroidism have indeed been previously described. Nonetheless, myocardial vasculature has not been subjected to analysis. Also, no comparison with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been previously described. Although it has been shown that clinical alterations resolve after the treatment of hyperthyroidism, no detailed data have been published on the cardiac pathological or histopathological image of field cases of hyperthyroid cats that received pharmacological treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiac pathological changes in feline hyperthyroidism and to compare them to alterations present in cardiac hypertrophy due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats. The study was conducted on 40 feline hearts divided into three groups: 17 hearts from cats suffering from hyperthyroidism, 13 hearts from cats suffering from idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 10 hearts from cats without cardiac or thyroid disease. A detailed pathological and histopathological examination was performed. Cats with hyperthyroidism showed no ventricular wall hypertrophy in contrast to cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Nonetheless, histological alterations were similarly advanced in both diseases. Moreover, in hyperthyroid cats more prominent vascular alterations were noted. In contrast to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the histological changes in hyperthyroid cats involved all ventricular walls and not mainly the left ventricle. Our study showed that despite normal cardiac wall thickness, cats with hyperthyroidism show severe structural changes in the myocardium.

Punica granatum L. Extract Shows Cardioprotective Effects Measured by Oxidative Stress Markers and Biomarkers of Heart Failure in an Animal Model of Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), a leading cause of death globally. The presented study investigated the cardioprotective role of dietary polyphenols found in pomegranate peels in an animal model of metabolic syndrome. Zucker diabetic fatty rats (ZDF, MetS rats, fa/fa) were supplemented with polyphenol-rich pomegranate peel extract (EPP) at two dosages: 100 mg/kg BW and 200 mg/kg BW. The extract was administered for 8 weeks. The effect of ethanolic peel extract on the concentration of oxidative stress markers (CAT, SOD, MnSOD, GR, GST, GPx, TOS, SH, and MDA), biomarkers of heart failure (cTnI, GAL-3), and alternations in tissue architecture was assessed. The results showed a significant increase in SH concentration mediated via EPP supplementation (p < 0.001). Treatment with a 100 mg/kg BW dosage reduced the TOS level more efficiently than the higher dose. Interestingly, the CAT and GST activities were relevantly higher in the MetS 100 group (p < 0.001) compared to the MetS control. The rats administered EPP at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW did not follow a similar trend. No differences in the GR (p = 0.063), SOD (p = 0.455), MnSOD (p = 0.155), and MDA (p = 0.790) concentration were observed after exposure to the pomegranate peel extract. The administration of EPP did not influence the cTnI and GAL-3 levels. Histology analysis of the heart and aorta sections revealed no toxic changes in phenolic-treated rats. The findings of this study prove that the extract from pomegranate peels possesses free radical scavenging properties in the myocardium. The effect on alleviating ventricular remodeling and cardiomyocyte necrosis was not confirmed and requires further investigation.

Burden of caregivers of people suffering from schizophrenia versus symptom severity, social functioning and treatment satisfaction of patients treated by a CMHT. / Obciazenie opiekunów osób chorujacych na schizofrenie a nasilenie objawów, funkcjonowanie spoleczne i satysfakcja z leczenia pacjentów leczonych w ZLS.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the caregivers' burden in schizophrenia amongst patients treated by Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) and its relation to patients' demographic, clinical and social characteristics, with emphasis on their satisfaction with care, and to evaluate the correlation of selected characteristics of caregivers with the level of their burden. METHODS: A total of 65 patient-caregiver dyads remaining in home treatment were included. Caregivers were assessed with demographic questionnaires, and the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). The patients were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Verona Service Satisfaction Scale (VSSS-54), the Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), the Social Network Index (SNI) and with the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Data were analysed using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Increased caregiver burden was associated with: greater symptom severity in patients, lower satisfaction with staff professionalism, and a high level of emotional expressiveness in relationships. The regression model explaining 57% of the variance in the caregivers' emotional burden consisted of four factors: the patient's positive syndrome intensity, patient's remaining in an emotional relationship, gender i.e. higher burden amongst female caregivers of male patients, and smaller social network. CONCLUSIONS: The caregivers' burden severity is related to patients' sociodemographic, clinical and social characteristics and their satisfaction with treatment. The emotional burden of caregivers is impacted by: greater symptom severity, especially the positive syndrome, lower patient satisfaction with staff professionalism, and a high expression of emotions in family relationships. The patient's and caregiver's gender and education level, the patient's degree of disability, them being in a relationship and social support network size are also significant.

Co-interaction of nitrofuran antibiotics and the saponin-rich extract on gram-negative bacteria and colon epithelial cells.

Large-scale use of nitrofurans is associated with a number of risks related to a growing resistance to these compounds and the toxic effects following from their increasing presence in wastewater and the environment. The aim of the study was to investigate an impact of natural surfactant, saponins from Sapindus mukorossi, on antimicrobial properties of nitrofuran antibiotics. Measurements of bacterial metabolic activity indicated a synergistic bactericidal effect in samples with nitrofurantoin or furazolidone, to which saponins were added. Their addition led to more than 50% greater reduction in viable cells than in the samples without saponins. On the other hand, no toxic effect against human colon epithelial cell was observed. It was found that exposure to antibiotics and surfactants caused the cell membranes to be dominated by branched fatty acids. Moreover, the presence of saponins reduced the hydrophobicity of the cell surface making them almost completely hydrophilic. The results have confirmed a high affinity of saponins to the cells of Pseudomonas strains. Their beneficial synergistic effect on the action of antibiotics from the nitrofuran group was also demonstrated. This result opens promising prospects for the use of saponins from S. mukorossi as an adjuvant to reduce the emission of antibiotics into the environment.