Streptococcus suis in invasive human infections in Poland : clonality and determinants of virulence and antimicrobial resistance

The purpose of this study was to perform an analysis of Streptococcus suis human invasive isolates, collected in Poland by the National Reference Centre for Bacterial Meningitis. Isolates obtained from 21 patients during 2000–2013 were investigated by phenotypic tests, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), analysis of the TR9 locus from the multilocus variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) scheme and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of SmaI-digested DNA. Determinants of virulence and antimicrobial resistance were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analysed by sequencing. All isolates represented sequence type 1 (ST1) and were suggested to be serotype 2. PFGE and analysis of the TR9 locus allowed the discrimination of four and 17 types, respectively. Most of the isolates were haemolysis- and DNase-positive, and around half of them formed biofilm. Genes encoding suilysin, extracellular protein factor, fibronectin-binding protein, muramidase-released protein, surface antigen one, enolase, serum opacity factor and pili were ubiquitous in the studied group, while none of the isolates carried sequences characteristic for the 89K pathogenicity island. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin, cefotaxime, imipenem, moxifloxacin, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, gentamicin, linezolid, vancomycin and daptomycin. Five isolates (24 %) were concomitantly non-susceptible to erythromycin, clindamycin and tetracycline, and harboured the tet(O) and erm(B) genes; for one isolate, lsa(E) and lnu(B) were additionally detected. Streptococcus suis isolated in Poland from human invasive infections belongs to a globally distributed clonal complex of this pathogen, enriched in virulence markers. This is the first report of the lsa(E) and lnu(B) resistance genes in S. suis. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10096-016-2616-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

The Content of Elements in Infant Formulas and Drinks Against Mineral Requirements of Children

Abstract The present study aimed at analysing the content of fluorine (F), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in the drinks for children and infant formulas, a popular supplement or substitute for breast milk produced from cow milk on an industrial scale. Ca, Mg, Zn and Fe concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, while F levels using a potentiometric method. F levels in the examined formula samples increased with the intended age range, until the intended age of 1 year, and then decreased. A lower content of Ca, Mg and Zn was observed in formulas intended for children <1 year of age and higher for older children. Fe content increased with the age range. A statistically significant higher content of Ca, Mg, Zn and Fe in samples intended for children with phenylketonuria in comparison to those intended for healthy children or children with food aller-gies was noted. The content of the analysed elements in juices and nectars showed the highest contents in products intended for infants (under 6 months of age). The lowest levels of elements tested were found in drinks for children over 6months of age. In conclusion, the concentrations of the examined elements in infant formulas and juices for children were decid-edly greater than the standards for the individual age groups. Although the absorption of these elements from artificial prod-ucts is far lower than from breast milk, there is still the fear of consequences of excessive concentrations of these minerals

Wpływ różnych temperatur pasteryzacji na mikroflorę mleka ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem bakterii ciepłoopornych

The influence of the pasteurization of milk in a temperature of 72°, 76° and 84 °C for 15 secs on its microflora has been determined in laboratory experiments. Special attention was drawn to heat-resistant bacteria. It was observed that the temperatures used in the experiments have different bactericidal efficacy. From among the various physiological groups of bacteria under test, heat-resistant bacteria proved to be tha least sensitive to heating. Identification showed that the latter group of bacteria was dominated by those belonging to the genera of Bacillus and Microbacterium.W doświadczeniach przeprowadzonych w warunkach laboratoryjnych określano wpływ różnych temperatur pasteryzacji mleka na jego mikroflorę ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem bakterii ciepłoopornych. Pasteryzację prowadzono w laboratoryjnym aparacie płytowym Alfa-Laval typ P-20-HB z dołączonym przetrzymywaczem. Stosowano temperatury 72, 76 i 84°C w ciągu 15 sek. Z płytek z posiewami bakterii ciepłoopornych izolowano bakterie, które poddano identyfikacji. Wykonano ogółem 5 serii badań na mleku zbiorczym otrzymywanym z Rolniczego Zakładu Doświadczalnego SGGW-AR. W wyniku badań stwierdzono, że temperatury 72, 76 i 84°C niszczyły odpowiednio 96,8, 99,3 i 99,99% ogólnej liczby drobnoustrojów, 99,7, 99,99 i 100% bakterii kwaszących, 88,4, 92,9 i 99,8% bakterii kazeolitycznych oraz 22,1, 42,4 i 77,9% bakterii ciepłoopornych. Bakterie z grupy coli uległy zniszczeniu w 100%, a enterokoki przeżyły w jednym doświadczeniu temperaturę 72°C. Wśród bakterii ciepłoopornych zidentyfikowano Bacillus (60,4% wyizolowanych szczepów), Microbacterium (24,6%), Micrococcus (8%) oraz pałeczki i ziarniaki, których nie udało się zidentyfikować

Zastosowanie konserwanta chemicznego do utrwalania probek mleka do badan mikrobiologicznych

lt has been shown that boric preservative (50 g H3B03 and 10 g glycerol in 1 dm3 of solution in distilled water) added in the amount of 1.2 cm3 to 10 cm3 of milk prevents statistically significant changes of the, number of bacteria during 28 h storage of milk at 12°C and 20°C or during 8 h storage at 25°C, irrespective of the initial microbiological quality of milk. The bacteriostatic effect of the preservative on psychrotrophic bacteria persisted for 24 h. The action of the preservative an coliform bacteria varied depending on the quality of milk and storage temperature. In the absence of preservative, the milk kept at 0-2°C (in ice water) did not alter its microbiological quality during storage for 28 h

Wystepowanie Clostridium w mleku i niektorych przetworach mleczarskich

W pracy określono najbardziej prawdopodobną liczbę (NPL) przetrwalników (a) Clostridium redukujących siarczany(IV), (b) gazujących (RCM), (c) Cl tyrobutyricum (RCM-mleczan) i (d) przypuszczalnego CL perfringens. W większości próbek mleka surowego NPL (a, b, c, d) zawierała się w granicach 1,0.101 - 1,0·103 w 1 dm3. W serach podpuszczkowych dojrzewających (produkty rynkowe I klasy) NPL (a, d) wynosiła poniżej 2,0-102 w 1 g, (d) poniżej 1 w 1 g (obecny w 21% próbek). W mleku w proszku klasy Ekstra і I NPL (a) wynosiła poniżej 2,0-102 w 1 g (obecne odpowiednio w 65% i 70% próbek).In the work the most probable number (MPN) of spores of (a) sulphate (IV) reducing Clostridia, (b) gas forming (RCM), (c) CI tyrobutyricum (RCM-lactate) and (d) presumptive CL. perfringens has been determined. In most samples of raw milk MPN (a, b, c, d) was in the range 1,0·101 - 1,0·103 in 1 1. In rennet ripening cheeses (market products class I) MPN (a, d) was below 2,0·102 in 1 g, (d) below 1 in 1 g (present in 21% of samples). In milk powder (class Extra and I) MPN (a) was below 2,0·102 in 1 g (present in 65% and 70% of samples)

Evaluation of the Antinociceptive Activity of Ocimum gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae) Essential Oil and its isolated Active Principles in Mice

Ocimum gratissimum is used in popular medicine to treat painful diseases. the antinociceptive properties of O. gratissimum essential oil (OgEO) and two of its active principles (eugenol and myrcene) were tested in classic models of pain (hot plate test and formalin test). Adult male C57BL/6J mice acutely received corn oil (control group, p.o.), morphine (positive control group, 5mg/kg, i.p.), OgEO (10, 20, or 40mg/kg, p.o.), eugenol or myrcene (both at 1, 5, or 10mg/kg, p.o.). the highest doses of all tested drugs significantly increased the latency to lick the paw(s) in the hot plate test compared with the control group. OgEO at a dose of 40mg/kg and eugenol and myrcene at a dose of 10mg/kg were effective in minimizing animal pain in the first and second phases of the formalin test. the antinociceptive effect shown by all drugs tested in hot plate test was reverted by naloxone administration (1mg/kg), indicating opiod system participation. These results demonstrate the beneficial effects of OgEO and its active principles against neurogenic and inflammatory pain. Our findings demonstrate that OgEO and its isolated active principles exhibited antinociceptive activity in murine pain models. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)AFIPConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 09/51881-1Web of Scienc

The oral administration of trans-caryophyllene attenuates acute and chronic pain in mice

Trans-caryophyllene is a sesquiterpene present in many medicinal plants' essential oils, such as Ocimum gratissimum and Cannabis sativa. in this study, we evaluated the antinociceptive activity of transcaryophyllene in murine models of acute and chronic pain and the involvement of trans-caryophyllene in the opioid and endocannabinoid systems. Acute pain was determined using the hot plate test (thermal nociception) and the formalin test (inflammatory pain). the chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve induced hypernociception was measured by the hot plate and von Frey tests. To elucidate the mechanism of action, mice were pre-treated with naloxone or AM630 30 min before the trans-caryophyllene treatment. Afterwards, thermal nociception was evaluated. the levels of IL-1 beta were measured in CCI-mice by ELISA. Trans-caryophyllene administration significantly minimized the pain in both the acute and chronic pain models. the antinociceptive effect observed during the hot plate test was reversed by naloxone and AM630, indicating the participation of both the opioid and endocannabinoid system. Trans-caryophyllene treatment also decreased the IL-1 beta levels. These results demonstrate that transcaryophyllene reduced both acute and chronic pain in mice, which may be mediated through the opioid and endocannabinoid systems. (C) 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Centro Brasileiro de Informacoes sobre Drogas Psicotropicas (CEBRID)Associacao Fundo de Incentivo a Pesquisa (AFIP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Judas Tadeu, Fac Farm, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med Prevent, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med Prevent, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 09/51881-1Web of Scienc

Effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Solidago chilensis Meyen on nociception and hypernociception in rodents

Abstract Background Solidago chilensis (syn. microglossa) is a plant from the Asteraceae family widely distributed in South America and used to treat inflammatory diseases. In 2009, it was listed as one of the native medicinal herbal plants used in the Brazilian public health system. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, a recent clinical study has shown antinociceptive effects of S. chilensis, introducing a new potential medical use for this plant. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antinociceptive activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Solidago chilensis (HESc) in rodent models of pain. Methods The dried plant extract was obtained from its aerial parts, maintained in ethanol (100 g/l) and filtered. Rats or mice were treated with intraperitoneal injections of HESc (3, 10 or 30 mg/kg) 30 min before being submitted to writhing, 0.2%-formaline or hot-plate tests or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) administration in the hind paw. Mechanical hypernociception and motor impairment were evaluated by electronic von Frey and rota-rod, respectively. Results HESc dose-dependently inhibited abdominal contortions in the writhing test and attenuated phases I and II formalin-induced nociceptive behavior. Treatment with HESc also increased thermal threshold and decreased PGE2-induced hypernociception without promoting motor impairment. Conclusions Our data suggest that, when systemically administered, HESc decreases nociception without inducing a sedative effect. Importantly, this effect was observed in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory models of pain and nociception, suggesting a specific non-inflammatory mechanism of HESc on pain. Our findings indicate that S. chilensis might be an important adjuvant in pain management

Cryo-XPS for Surface Characterization of Nanomedicines

Nanoparticles used for medical applications commonly possess coatings or surface functionalities intended to provide specific behavior in vivo, for example, the use of PEG to provide stealth properties. Direct, quantitative measurement of the surface chemistry and composition of such systems in a hydrated environment has thus far not been demonstrated, yet such measurements are of great importance for the development of nanomedicine systems. Here we demonstrate the first use of cryo-XPS for the measurement of two PEG-functionalized nanomedicines: a polymeric drug delivery system and a lipid nanoparticle mRNA carrier. The observed differences between cryo-XPS and standard XPS measurements indicate the potential of cryo-XPS for providing quantitative measurements of such nanoparticle systems in hydrated conditions