Development of a rapid, antimicrobial susceptibility test for E. coli based on low-cost, screen-printed electrodes

Antibiotic resistance has been cited by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the greatest threats to public health. Mitigating the spread of antibiotic resistance requires a multipronged approach with possible interventions including faster diagnostic testing and enhanced antibiotic stewardship. This study employs a low-cost diagnostic sensor test to rapidly pinpoint the correct antibiotic for treatment of infection. The sensor comprises a screen-printed gold electrode, modified with an antibiotic-seeded hydrogel to monitor bacterial growth. Electrochemical growth profiles of the common microorganism, Escherichia coli (E. coli) (ATCC 25922) were measured in the presence and absence of the antibiotic streptomycin. Results show a clear distinction between the E. coli growth profiles depending on whether streptomycin is present, in a timeframe of ≈2.5 h (p < 0.05), significantly quicker than the current gold standard of culture-based antimicrobial susceptibility testing. These results demonstrate a clear pathway to a low cost, phenotypic and reproducible antibiotic susceptibility testing technology for the rapid detection of E. coli within clinically relevant concentration ranges for conditions such as urinary tract infections

The influence of the nutrition space on the herb and seed yields at Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.), in A.R.D.S. Secuieni pedoclimatic conditions

The Dracocephalum moldavica (L.) species, known under the popular name of moldavian dragonhead, is used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industry due to its high content in active principles. To ensure the necessary of raw material at A.R.D.S. Secuieni are conducted researches regarding the development of the cultivation technology for its introduction into culture and extension in agriculture. In the conditions of 2015 – 2016 agricultural year, due to the observations made, it was found that the fresh herba, dry herba and seed yields were positively influenced by the distance between the rows (average factor A), but also by the distance between plants per row (average factor B). The obtained data have showed that the highest average yields of fresh herba (34063,33 kg/ha), dry herba (9313,33 kg/ha) and seeds (1069 kg/ha) were obtained at the a1xb1 interaction sown at 25 cm between rows and in continuous row (control variant). In the experience with the nutrition space, it was found that, the plants harvested for herba had a vegetation period of 109 days requiring 1877,9 oC and 325,2 mm of rainfall, and the plants harvested for seed developed in 137 days, the sum of accumulated temperatures being of 2492,1 o C and of rainfall of 355 mm

Use of Fractal Analysis in the Evaluation of Deforested Areas in Romania

Spectacular spatial dynamics of forest areas is one of the biggest challenges for the scientific world, concerned with completing the methodologies devoted to new methodological approaches, to provide new information that is indispensable in assessing the impact of deforestation within the ecosystem. In this study, we analyzed the evolution of the deforested areas, using the fractal fragmentation index (FFI). The research is based on high-resolution satellite images of forest areas between 2000 and 2017. The use of fractal algorithms allowed the modeling of the grinding patterns, identifying obvious differences between compact and fragmented cuts. Information is needed especially in the evaluation of the areas cleared because of illegal actions. Research has shown spectacular increases in deforestation in the mountain area, the northern and central groups of the Eastern Carpathians being the most fragmented geographical regions in Romania. The study showed that deforestation led to the fragmentation of forests, which generates major natural changes. The results obtained can contribute to the identification of new approaches in national forest fund management policies by establishing a critical fragmentation threshold