Volatile Aroma Compounds of Brandy "Lozovaa ' Produced from Muscat Table Grapevine Cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.)

Grape brandy, known as Lozovaa', is one of the most produced alcoholic beverages in the Republic of Serbia. Muscat cultivars are highly priced in grape brandy manufacturing. Among the numerous factors, cultivar-specific characteristics have a significant influence on its quality and aroma profile. Pectolytic enzymes play a part in increasing intensity of the prefermentative aroma by hydrolysis of terpenic glycosides, from which the compounds that contribute to the aroma of brandy are released. In this study, grape brandy samples were produced from five Muscat table grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) namely, Early Muscat, Radmilovac Muscat, Banat Muscat, Italia Muscat, and Muscat Hamburg, with the addition of pectolytic enzyme in two different concentrations or without it (control). A total of 58 volatile aroma compounds were detected by means of combined gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC/MS) method. Ethyl esters of C-8-C-18 fatty acids (21) and terpene (16) compounds were considerably more abundant in all grape brandy samples compared to the other volatile compounds identified. Pectolytic enzyme, positively affected terpenes content in the brandy of all studied cultivars. The similarities between brandy samples produced from Muscat Hamburg (MH) and other Muscat cultivars may be attributed to the parentage of MH to those cultivars

Analysis of the supporting structure of composite material tool machine using the finite element method

Machines aimed for different purposes must be designed taking into account specific shape, type of load and materials they are made of. Nowadays different design solutions can easily be examined by using the finite element method. In this paper an example is given of examining a machine with closed supporting structure, made of iron-concrete, dynamically loaded composite material

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

Newly-synthesized chalcones-inhibition of adherence and biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Biofilm formation and adherence of bacteria to host tissue are one of the most important virulence factors of methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The number of resistant strains is seriously increasing during the past years and bacteria have become resistant, not only to methicillin, but also to other commonly used antistaphylococcal antibiotics. There is a great need for discovering a novel antimicrobial agent for the treatment of staphylococcal infections. One of the most promising groups of compounds appears to be chalcones. In present study we evaluated the in vitro effect of three newly synthesized chalcones: 1,3-Bis-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone, 3-(3-Hydroxy-phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone and 3-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-propenone on glycocalyx production, biofilm formation and adherence to human fibronectin of clinical isolates and laboratory control strain of MRSA (ATCC 43300). Subinhibitory concentrations of the tested compounds reduced the production of glycocalyx, biofilm formation and adherence to human fibronectin of all MRSA strains. Inhibition of biofilm formation was dose dependent and the most effective was 1,3-Bis-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone. In our study we demonstrated that three newly-synthesized chalcones exhibited significant effect on adherence and biofilm formation of MRSA strains. Chalcones may be considered as promising new antimicrobial agents that can be used for prevention of staphylococcal infections or as adjunct to antibiotics in conventional therapy

Inhibitory Effect of Newly-Synthesized Chalcones on Hemolytic Activity of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Pathogenicity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with a broad spectrum of virulence factors, amongst which is a-hemolysin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of three newly-synthesized chalcones (1,3- Bis-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)propenone, 3(3-Hydroxy-phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone and 3-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone) on a-hemolysin production of clinical isolates of MRSA. Subinhibitory concentrations of the tested compounds reduced hemolytic activity of MRSA strains, with almost complete abolishment of hemolysis at concentrations in the range of 1/2-1/4 x MIC (25-12.5 mu g/ml). In conclusion, newly-synthesized chalcones tested in this study showed potent inhibitory activity on a-hemolysin production of multiresistant and genetically diverse MRSA strains

Structure and enhanced antimicrobial activity of mechanically activated nano TiO2

Titanium dioxide is a photocatalyst, known not only for its ability to oxidize organic contaminants, but also for its antimicrobial properties. In this article, significant enhancement of the antimicrobial activity of TiO2 (up to 32 times) was demonstrated after its activation by ball milling. The antimicrobial activity was analyzed for one fungal and 13 bacterial ATCC strains using the microdilution method and recording the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. In order to further investigate the correlation between the mechanical activation of TiO2 and its antimicrobial activity, the structure, morphology and phase composition of the material were studied by means of Electron Microscopy, X-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra were recorded and the Kubelka-Munk function was applied to convert reflectance into the equivalent band gap energy (E-g) and, consequently, to investigate changes in the E-g value. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to analyze the influence of mechanical activation on the Ti 2p and O 1s spectra. The presented results are expected to enable the development of more sustainable and effective advanced TiO2-based materials with antimicrobial properties that could be used in numerous green technology applications

Preeclamptic Women Have Disrupted Placental microRNA Expression at the Time of Preeclampsia Diagnosis: Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-associated, multi-organ, life-threatening disease that appears after the 20th week of gestation. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether women with PE have disrupted miRNA expression compared to women who do not have PE.Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that reported miRNAs expression levels in placenta or peripheral blood of pregnant women with vs. without PE. Studies published before October 29, 2021 were identified through PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Two reviewers used predefined forms and protocols to evaluate independently the eligibility of studies based on titles and abstracts and to perform full-text screening, data abstraction and quality assessment. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used as a measure of effect size.Results: 229 publications were included in the systematic review and 53 in the meta-analysis. The expression levels in placenta were significantly higher in women with PE compared to women without PE for miRNA-16 (SMD = 1.51,95%CI = 0.55-2.46), miRNA-20b (SMD = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.33-1.45), miRNA-23a (SMD = 2.02, 95%CI = 1.25-2.78), miRNA-29b (SMD = 1.37, 95%CI = 0.36-2.37), miRNA-155 (SMD = 2.99, 95%CI = 0.83-5.14) and miRNA-210 (SMD = 1.63, 95%CI = 0.69-2.58), and significantly lower for miRNA-376c (SMD = -4.86, 95%CI = -9.51 to -0.20). An increased level of miRNK-155 expression was found in peripheral blood of women with PE (SMD = 2.06, 95%CI = 0.35-3.76), while the expression level of miRNA-16 was significantly lower in peripheral blood of PE women (SMD = -0.47, 95%CI = -0.91 to -0.03). The functional roles of the presented miRNAs include control of trophoblast proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, differentiation, cellular metabolism and angiogenesis.Conclusion: miRNAs play an important role in the pathophysiology of PE. The identification of differentially expressed miRNAs in maternal blood creates an opportunity to define an easily accessible biomarker of PE

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

Rehabilitacija pacijenata s ozljedama leđne moždine

Ozljeda leđne moždine teško je medicinsko stanje za koje ne postoji adekvatan lijek. Rezultira u velikoj većini tjelesnim invaliditetom i oštećenom funkcijom brojnih organskih sustava. Prema nastanku razlikujemo traumatski i netraumatski oblik OLM-a. Traumatski oblika OLM-a češći je u mlađe populacije do 30 godina i to većinom muške populacije. Razlog je rizičnije ponašanje te učestalije sudjelovanje u prometnim nesrećama i ozljedama pri padovima ili bavljenju sportom. Najčešći uzroci traumatske OLM su automobilske prometne nesreće, zatim motociklističke i biciklističke nesreće, padovi te nasilne ozljede kralježnice. Netraumatska OLM nastaje kao posljedica tumora, bakterijske ili virusne infekcije, neurodegenerativnih bolesti, vaskularna ili metabolička oštećenja. Zahvaća češće žene od muškaraca i to također mlađu populaciju između 20 i 40 godina. Oštećenje uzrokuje neurološke ispade, potpuni ili djelomični gubitak osjeta i motorike te poremećenu funkciju sfinktera i autonomnih funkcija. Dijagnoza i pregled ozljede leđne moždine može biti odmah obavljena neurološkim pregledom. Pregled se sa sigurnošću može obaviti neposredno nakon ozljede, čak i u osoba sa nestabilnom kralježnicom. Ispituju se svi dermatomi i miotomi ekstremiteta s ciljem određivanja posljednje intaktne razine leđne moždine sa očuvanom motornom i osjetnom funkcijom. Također u dijagnostici se koriste i slikovne metode poput RTG-a, CT-a i MR-a kako bi se sa sigurnošću mogla odrediti i lokalizirati ozljeda. Liječenje ozljede leđne moždine započinje odmah po hospitalizaciji. To je težak i kompleksan proces koji traje dugi niz godina. Ishod liječenja ovisi o brojnim komponentama od kojih su možda najvažnije stručnost interdisciplinarnog tima oko pacijenta te sama pacijentova volja i želja za napretkom i oporavkom. Liječenje se sastoji od tri faze: akutno zbrinjavanje OLM-a, rehabilitacija i kronična faza ozljede. Kao dodatna faza liječenja se može i navesti prevencija i tretiranje sekundarnih komplikacija koje nosi OLM.Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a difficult medical condition for which there is no adequate medication. It results in a large majority of physical disabilities and damaged function of many organic systems. By the outset, we differentiate the traumatic and atraumatic form of SCI. The traumatic form of SCI is more common in younger populations up to 30 years, mostly male population. The reason is more risky behavior and more frequent participation in traffic accidents and sport injuries. The most common causes of traumatic SCI are car traffic accidents, then motorcycle and bicycle crashes, falls and violent spinal injuries. Atraumatic SCI is the result of tumors, bacterial or viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases, vascular or metabolic damage. It is more common for women than men, and also for the younger population between 20 and 40 years. Damage causes neurological failure, complete or partial loss of sensation and motor function and disturbed function of sphincter and autonomous functions. Diagnosis and examination of the spinal cord injury can be immediately performed by neurological examination. The examination can be done with immediate effect after injury, even in people with an unstable spine. All dermatomes and myotomes of the extremities are examined to determine the last intact spinal cord with a preserved motor and sensory function. Diagnosis also uses image methods such as RTG, CT, and MR to determine and locate the injury with certainty. Treatment of spinal cord injury begins immediately after hospitalization. It is a difficult and complex process that lasts many years. The outcome of the treatment depends on a number of components. Perhaps the most important are expertise of the interdisciplinary team around the patient and the patient's own will and desire for progress and recovery. The treatment consists of three phases: acute care of SCI, rehabilitation and chronic stage of injury. An additional phase of treatment may include prevention and treatment of secondary complications carried by SCI