Biofilm formation of achromobacter xylosoxidans on contact lens

Achromobacter spp. may contaminate lenses, lens cases, and contact lens solutions and cause ocular infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of isolated strain of Achromobacter xylosoxidans to form biofilm on the surface of soft contact lenses (CL), to quantify the production of the formed biofilm, and compare it with the reference strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Haemophilus influenzae). Bacterial strain isolated from one contact lens case was identified as A. xylosoxidans using Vitek2 Automated System. Biofilm forming capacity of isolated strain of A. xylosoxidans and reference strains of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and H. influenzae on soft CL were analyzed by commonly used microtitre plate method. Our results showed that isolated strain of A. xylosoxidans was capable to form biofilm on the surface of soft contact lens. A. xylosoxidans was strong biofilm producer while all examined reference strains were moderate biofilm producers. A. xylosoxidans appears to be superior biofilm producer on soft CL compared to reference strains

Problematika određivanja količine istaloženih azotnih jedinjenja na slatinska staništa nacionalne ekološke mreže

The exceedance in the critical load of nitrogen compounds is used by the European Environment Agency as an indicator of the biodiversity loss risk. This paper provides a general overview of continental saline habitats vulnerability (Slatine - in Serbian) located in central Banat within the National Ecological Network, caused by the deposition of nitrogen compounds. These compounds originate from manure of selected category of animals raised in settlements located in the vicinity of protected areas. The data on short-range deposition of nitrogen compounds within two zones were used for determining the areas of impact: the zone of probable impact (0-500 m) and the zone of potential impact (500-2000 m). According to the calculation results, the most vulnerable locations which, for the most part, belong to 'Rusanda' protected area, are the pastures directly surrounding village Kumane, pastures bordering Rusanda salty lake, including the lake itself.Prekoračenja kritičnih opterećenja azotnim jedinjenjima se koriste kao indikatori rizika gubitka biodiverziteta od strane Evropske agencije za životnu sredinu. U radu je dat okvirni prikaz ugroženosti slatinskih staništa nacionalne ekološke mreže koja je uzrokovana taloženjem azotnih jedinjenja iz stajnjaka izabranih životinja, poreklom iz naselja koja se nalaze u okruženju zaštićenih područja srednjeg dela Banata. Za određivanje oblasti uticaja korišćeni su podaci o kratkom dometu taloženja azotnih jedinjenja, unutar dva pojasa: pojas verovatnog uticaja (od granice zaštićenog područja do 500 m) i pojas mogućeg uticaja (500-2000 m). Na osnovu rezultata proračuna, kao posebno ugroženi lokaliteti izdvajaju se pašnjačke površine u neposrednom okruženju naselja Kumane koje najvećim delom pripadaju zaštićenom području 'Rusanda', pašnjaci uz Rusandu, kao i samo jezero

Propylene glycol energy supplementation during peripartal period in dairy cows and reproduction efficiency parameters

The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of two energy supplements based on propylene glycol in dairy cows diet on ovarian and follicular morphology, conception, insemination index and length of service period. A total number of 60 Holstein Friesian dairy cows, parity between 2-8, with an average milk production of 7000 kg/305 days of lactation were divided into three experimental groups (20 dairy cows per group). The first group of dairy cows was supplemented daily with "Energy-plus" (O1 group; 200 mL propylene-glycol supplement) and the second group was supplemented with "Ketal" (O2 group; 160 mL propylene-glycol supplement), two weeks before partus until 30 days post partum. The third experimental group were non supplemented dairy cows (O3, control group). Ultrasound examination of the reproductive system using real time echo camera Falco VET 100 (ESAOTE PieMedical, Holland, B-shaped scan with linear-array endorectal 5-8 MHz probe) was conducted on every animal starting from day 40 postpartum. The diameters of the ovaries (left and right) and of the dominant follicle(s) were recorded. Ultrasound testing was repeated on day 50 and 60 postpartum only in cows which in the meantime were not inseminated. Reproduction efficiency parameters (conception rate, number of inseminations and length of service period) were recorded individually. The statistical significance of the differences between groups was tested using ANOVA with LSD test at the level of significance p<0.05, chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (the length of service period). There was no significant impact of the propylene glycol supplementation on the ovarian and follicular morphology at the first ultrasound examination. At the second ultrasound examination there was a significant difference between left ovarian dominant follicle diameter in the control and supplemented dairy cows (1.67±0.53 vs 1.12±0.29 and 1.11±0.35 cm, p<0.05, O3 vs O1 and O2, respectively). The cumulative percentage of conception after the first and second insemination was 60%, 81% and 25% in groups O1, O2 and O3, respectively (p<0.05, chi-square test). The insemination index was lowest in group O2 and statistically significant differences were found between groups O2 and O3 (1.69±0.79 : 3.38±1.36, respectively, p<0,05). The length of the service period was significantly (p<0.05, LSD test) shorter in the O2 group (100±35 days) compared to groups O1 and O3 (168±59 and 157±52 days, respectively), that was confirmed by the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of days open periods. The use of propylene glycol supplement in dairy cows diet during peripartal period induced higher percentage of pregnancy rates after the first and second insemination, significantly shortened the length of the service period and reduced the insemination index

Uticaj gustine naseljenosti na pojedine parametre dobrobiti brojlera - 2. različite gustine naseljenosti brojlera

Stocking density is considered one of the most important factors for the welfare of broilers. This paper is continuation of the study in order to obtain full evaluation of the impact of different broiler stocking densities on production performance, condition of the broiler legs and body feathering, as welfare indicators but also indicators of the productivity and quality of produced chickens. The effect of three stocking densities (20, 15 and 10 birds/m2) was investigated in 4 repetitions on broilers of genotype Hubbard at the age of 3 and 6 weeks. At the age of 6 weeks stocking density of 20 birds/m2 resulted in significantly lower growth of broilers, higher mortality and higher incidence of leg lesions and problems with body feathering, compared to stocking densities of 15 and 10 birds/m2.Gustina naseljenosti se smatra jednim od važnijih faktora za dobrobit brojlera. Rad predstavlja nastavak istraživanja u cilju potpunijeg sagledavanja efekata različitih gustina naseljenosti brojlera na proizvodne performanse, stanje nogu i telesnog pokrivača, kao indikatore dobrobiti ali i proizvodnosti i kvaliteta proizvedenih pilića. Ispitan je uticaj tri gustine naseljenosti (20, 15 i 10 grla/m2) u 4 ponavljanja na brojlerima genotipa Hubbard u uzrastu 3 i 6 nedelja. Gustina naseljenosti se, na osnovu ispitanih indikatora, ne može smatrati faktorom koji utiče na dobrobit pilića u uzrastu od 3 nedelje. U uzrastu od 6 nedelja gustina naseljenosti od 20 grla/m2 je rezultirala značajno manjim porastom brojlera, većim mortalitetom i većom frekvencijom pojavljivanja problema sa nogama i telesnim pokrivačem u odnosu na gustine od 15 i 10 grla/m2

Supplementary material for the article: Milovanović, M. M.; Andrić, J. M.; Medaković, V. B.; Djukic, J.-P.; Zarić, S. D. Investigation of Interactions in Lewis Pairs between Phosphines and Boranes by Analyzing Crystal Structures from the Cambridge Structural Database. Acta Crystallographica Section B: Structural Science, Crystal Engineering and Materials 2018, 74 (3), 255–263. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2052520618003736

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1107/S2052520618003736]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2157

Characterization of bread wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) by glutenin proteins

Glutenin polymers composed of HMW and LMW subunits are important contributors to the wheat end-use properties. Twenty-six winter wheat cultivars differing in bread processing quality were collected at the experimental fields of the Agricultural Institute Osijek, Croatia and Institute of the Field and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad, Serbia, in 2008/2009 season. The HMW glutenins composition and glutenin proteins content were determined by SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC, respectively, with aim to determine the relationship between glutenin protein fractions and wheat quality properties. Significant differences were found between Croatian and Serbian cultivars in several quality attributes (GI, WA, DDT, DS and R/EXT) as well as in the content of total glutenins and LMW glutenins and GLI/GLU ratio. The dominant HMW subunits in analyzed cultivars were 2*, 7 + 9/7 + 8 and 5 + 10. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the presence of association between HMW glutenins composition and GI, dough E, R and R/EXT, while the glutenins quantitative data showed pronounced relation with P, DDT, DS, E, R and R/EXT. GLI/GLU ratio had the opposite effect on these parameters

Antioxidative effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) in rat thalamus after quinolinic acid-induced neurotoxicity

Quinolinic acid (QA) produces a pattern of selective cell loss in the striatum, that closely mimics that of Huntington's disease (HD). The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidative status in the thalamus after intrastriatal application of QA and the influence of nerve growth factor (NGF) on such neurotoxicity. Wistar rats were treated intrastriatally (coordinates: 8.4A, 2.6L, 4.8V), using a stereotaxic instrument. The first group was treated with QA (150 nmol/l). The second group was treated with QA, followed by NGF (4.5 mg/kg b.w). The control group was treated with 0.9 % saline solution. Seven days after the treatment, we found decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in mitochondrial fractions of the striatum of both groups. In the thalamus, SOD activity showed no differences. The content of superoxide anion increased in the striatum of QA- treated animals. It was decreased in both structures in the group that was treated with QA and NGF. In the QA+ NGF-treated group, we found increased glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and GSH, compared to the group that was treated with QA only, but these values were lower than in the controls. Thus, NGF showed beneficial effects on the oxido-reduction status in the striatum, and also in the thalamus, a structure that is separated from but tightly connected with the striatum.Hinolinska kiselina (HK) prouzrokuje takav selektivni gubitak ćelija u strijatumu, koji veoma dobro imitira onaj kod Huntingtonove bolesti. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je da se ispita antioksidativni status u talamusu nakon aplikacije HK u strijatum i uticaj NGF na takvu neurotoksičnost. Wistar pacovi su tretirani intrastrijatno, pomoću stereotaksičnog instrumenta (koordinate: 8,4A, 2,6L, 4,8V). Prva grupa je bila tretirana HK (150 nmol/l). Druga grupa je bila tretirana HK, a nakon toga je dobila NGF (4.5 mg/ kg b.w). Kontrolna grupa je bila tretirana fiziološkim rastvorom. Sedam dana nakon tretmana, u mitohondrijskim frakcijama strijatuma, našli smo smanjenu aktivnost SOD u obema grupama. U talamusu, aktivnost SOD se nije promenila. Sadržaj superoksidnog anjona se povećao u strijatumu životinja koje su bile tretirane HK, a smanjio se u obema strukturama, u grupi koja je bila tretirana sa HK i NGF. U HK+ NGF-tretiranoj grupi, našli smo povećanu aktivnost GSHPx i GSH u odnosu na grupu koja je bila tretirana samo sa HK, ali su te vrednosti bile manje u odnosu na kontrolne. NGF je pokazao povoljne efekte na oksido-reduktivni status u strijatumu, ali takođe i u talamusu, strukturi koja je odvojena, ali veoma blisko povezana sa strijatumom.nul

Autoimunske bolesti štitaste žlezde - in vitro dijagnostika

In diagnostics of autoimmune thyroid diseases a number of in vitro methods is used to evaluate thyroid function or examine the presence of an tithyroid antibodies which may be included in pathogenesis of the disease or only represent "silent witnesses" of autoimmune processes. During the evaluation of thyroid function serum concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones are determined and due to these concentrations the diagnosis of manifested or subclinical disturbances of thyroid gland is set. Detection of antibodies specific in dominant thyroid auto antigenes represents confirmation of autoimmune pathogenesis of the disease. The concentration of TSH and thyroid hormones in blood may be influenced by some diseases and drugs, so abnormal values can be detected in absence of diseases of thyroid gland. In the serum of a tested person heterophilic antibodies, rheumatoid factors or other antibodies may occur which reduce the number of specific interactions in the assay, causing increased or decreased concentrations of hormones or autoantibodies. A great number of methods used in in vitro diagnostics differs very much by sensitivity which should be considered during the interpretation of laboratory results. This study presents the most important methods used in diagnostics of autoimmune thyroid diseases.U dijagnostici autoimunskih bolesti štitaste žlezde koriste se brojne in vitro metode kojima se procenjuje tireoidna funkcija ili ispituje prisustvo antitireoidnih autoantitela koja mogu biti uključena u patogenezu bolesti ili samo predstavljati "neme svedoke" autoimunskog procesa. Pri proceni funkcije štitaste žlezde određuju se serumske koncentracije tireostimulišućeg (TSH) i tireoidnih hormona i na osnovu njihove koncentracije postavlja dijagnoza ispoljenih ili subkliničkih poremećajafunkcije štitaste žlezde (hipertireoze ili hipotireoze). Potvrdu autoimunske patogeneze bolesti predstavlja detekcija antitela specifičnih za dominantne tireoidne autoantigene (receptor za TSH, tireoidnu peroksida zuitireoglobulin). Na koncentraciju TSH i tireoidnih hormona u krvi mogu uticati neka fiziološka stanja, bolesti i lekovi, tako da se abnormalne vrednosti mogu detektovati i u odsustvu bolesti štitaste žlezde. U serumu ispitanika mogu biti prisutna heterofilna anti tela, reumatoidni faktori ili druga auto anti tela koja smanjuju broj specifičnih interakcija u testu prouzrokujući povećanu ili smanjenu koncentraciju hormona ili autoantitela. Veliki broj metoda koje se koriste u in vitro dijagnostici veoma se razlikuju prema osetljivosti, što treba imati u vidu prilikom interpretacije laboratorijskih rezultata. U ovom radu su prikazane najvažnije metode koje se koriste u dijagnostici autoimunskih bolesti štitaste žlezde: Graves-ove bolesti i Hashimoto tireoiditisa

Autoimunske bolesti štitaste žlezde - in vivo dijagnostika

Autoimmune thyroid disease, Graves disease and Hashimoto thyroiditis, cause changing in morphology and function of the thyroid tissue. Graves disease is characterized by an increased synthesis and release of thyroid hormones (hyperthyrosis). Hashimoto fhyroiditis is characterized by the destruction and regeneration of thyroid follicles, which are clinically expressed by symptoms of hypothyrosis. Less frequently, Hashimoto fhyroiditis is expressed by transient thyrotoxicosis (if the destruction of the thyroid gland tissue is extremely emphasized). In order to examine thyroid morphology and function, there are numerous in iga diagnostic methods. Ultrasono graphy enables the examination of the fine structure and vasculanzation of the thyroid gland, and nuclear medicine methods reflect the function of the thyroid tissue. Radioactive iodine uptake is useful in assessment of the ability of thyrocytes to uptake iodide, and scmtigraphy gives the morpho-functional picture of the thyroid gland. Scintigraphy of orbital tissue gives the insight of orbital accumulation of the activated leucocytes. Although modem imaging methods (positron emission tomography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) are very useful in assessment of nodular changes in the thyroid gland and retrostemal goiter, these techniques are not widely applied in diagnostic procedures of autoimmune thyroid diseases. In this study we reviewed in vivo diagnostic methods used in the examination of Graves disease and Hashimoto thyroiditis, we considered their significance in the investigation of pathological process in the thyroid gland and we noticed the factors which could influence the results of morphological and functional investigations of the thyroid gland.Autoimunske bolesti štitaste žlezde, Gravesova bolest i Hashimoto tireoiditis, prouzrokuju promenu strukture i funkcije tireoidnog tkiva. Gravesovu bolest karakteriše povećana sinteza i oslobađanje tireoidnih hormona (hipemreoza), a Hashimoto tireoiditis destrukcija i regeneracija tireoidnih folikula, koje se klinički ispoljavaju simptomima hipotireoze, a ako je destrukcija tkiva štitaste žlezde veoma izražena, privremeno mogu da se jave i simptomi tireotoksikoze. Da bi se ispitala struktura i funkcija tireoidnog tkiva primenjuju se brojne in vivo dijagnostičke metode. Ultrasonografija daje uvid u finu strukturu i vaskularizaciju štitaste žlezde, a metode nuklearne medicine odslikavaju funkciju tireoidnog tkiva. Testom fiksacije radioaktivnog joda procenjuje se sposobnost tireocita da preuzmu jodid, a scintigrafijom se dobija morfofunkcijska slika štitaste žlezde. Scintigrafijom orbite kod obolelih od Gravesove bolesti ispituje se stepen infiltracije orbitalnog tkiva aktivisanim leukocitima. Iako su savremene imaging metode (pozitronska emisiona tomografija, kompjuterizovana tomografija i magnetna rezonanca) veoma korisne u ispitivanju nodoznih promena u štitastoj žlezdi i substemame strume, te metode nisu značajnije zastupljene u dijagnostici autoimunskih tireoidnih bolesti. U ovom radu su prikazane in vivo dijagnostičke metode koje se koriste u dijagnostici Gravesove bolesti i Hashimoto tireoiditisa, njihov značaj u ispitivanju patološkog procesa u štitastoj žlezdi i faktori koji svojim dejstvom mogu da utiču na rezultate ispitivanja

Licheniocin 50.2 and Bacteriocins from Lactococcus lactis subsp lactis biovar. diacetylactis BGBU1-4 Inhibit Biofilms of Coagulase Negative Staphylococci and Listeria monocytogenes Clinical Isolates

Background Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) and Listeria monocytogenes have important roles in pathogenesis of various genital tract infections and fatal foetomaternal infections, respectively. The aim of our study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of two novel bacteriocins on biofilms of CoNS and L. monocytogenes genital isolates. Methods The effects of licheniocin 50.2 from Bacillus licheniformis VPS50.2 and crude extract of bacteriocins produced by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis BGBU1-4 (BGBU1-4 crude extract) were evaluated on biofilm formation and formed biofilms of eight CoNS (four S. epidermidis, two S. hominis, one S. lugdunensis and one S. haemolyticus) and 12 L. monocytogenes genital isolates. Results Licheniocin 50.2 and BGBU1-4 crude extract inhibited the growth of both CoNS and L. monocytogenes isolates, with MIC values in the range between 200-400 AU/ml for licheniocin 50.2 and 400-3200 AU/ml for BGBU1-4 crude extract. Subinhibitory concentrations (1/2 x and 1/4 x MIC) of licheniocin 50.2 inhibited biofilm formation by all CoNS isolates (p lt 0.05, respectively), while BGBU1-4 crude extract inhibited biofilm formation by all L. monocytogenes isolates (p lt 0.01 and p lt 0.05, respectively). Both bacteriocins in concentrations of 100 AU/mL and 200 AU/mL reduced the amount of 24 h old CoNS and L. monocytogenes biofilms (p lt 0.05, p lt 0.01, p lt 0.001). Conclusions This study suggests that novel bacteriocins have potential to be used for genital application, to prevent biofilm formation and/or to eradicate formed biofilms, and consequently reduce genital and neonatal infections by CoNS and L. monocytogenes