The effect of Fertec-type liquid fertilizers on the ecological protection of the environment

In this scientific paper, we have shown the apparent degrees of the efficient use of nutrients from leaf fertilizers (GAUPENICF) and the productive degrees of the efficient use of nutrients from soil reserves (GUPENsol), based on greenhouse tomato yields, obtained after applying leaf fertilizers. In our trials, we have tested the fertilization method and leaf compositions as methods of plant fertilization, for correcting and supplementing crop nutrition in greenhouses and preventing environment pollution. By applying leaf fertilizers in greenhouse tomato crops, we have obtained high yield increases and a significant diminution in the chemical pollution of the environment. The incomplete use by the crop of nutrients from applied fertilizers has determined the increase in the incidence of soil chemical pollution. However, soil fertility may be diminished by high uptakes of soil nutrients, under conditions of weak nutrient supply of soil (without basic fertilization). Therefore, we recommended the concomitant use of soil and leaf fertilization

Protein based capacitive biosensors: a new tool for structure-activity relationship studies

The present work reports a new application of a protein-based capacitive biosensor as an in vitro assay for the selectivity study of the bacterial periplasmic protein MerP and four MerP variants. The modified MerP proteins were produced by site-directed mutagenesis of the heavy metal associated motif (HMA). The MerP and modified MerPs selectivity for copper, zinc, cadmium and mercury bivalent ions were investigated and compared. The variations in the proteins affinity were related to the primary structure of the HMA motifs. Key amino acids for copper coordination of metalloproteins that contain the metal binding sequence Gly-Met-Thr-Cys-xxx-xxx-Cys were identified. The results brought insights valid for Menkes and Wilson ATPases. The protein-based capacitive biosensors were a simple and useful tool for studying structure-activity relationships of proteins

Biosensors for life quality. Design, development and application

none10Biosensors, combining a selective biological recognition element and a sensitive transducer, are versatile analytical tools applied more and more in different fields, such as medicine, food quality and safety control, and environment pollution monitoring. They are expected to play an increasingly important role in the improvement of life quality. In this context, the present work covers recent approaches in design and development of biosensors applied for analysis of real samples of medical, environmental or industrial relevance. The described sensors meet the sensitivity, selectivity, and response time required by their applications. Moreover, they are designed to avoid contamination of the monitored systems with undesirable components and to minimise the damage of living organisms (when it comes to in vivo monitoring).J. Castillo; S. Gáspár; S. Leth; M. Niculescu; A. Mortari; I. Bontidean; V. Soukharev; S.A. Dorneanu; A.D. Ryabov; E. CsöregiJ., Castillo; S., Gáspár; S., Leth; M., Niculescu; Mortari, Alessia; I., Bontidean; V., Soukharev; S. A., Dorneanu; A. D., Ryabov; E., Csöreg

Tuberculous Meningitis in Children and Adults: A 10-Year Retrospective Comparative Analysis.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most lethal form of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, which has a high rate of neurological complications and sequelae.Our study offers a real-world infectious disease clinic perspective, being thus representative for the clinical environment of developing countries.We performed a retrospective analysis of the 127 adult and 77 pediatric cases diagnosed with TBM in the Infectious Disease Hospital of the School of Medicine of Iasi, Romania between 2004-2013.Definite diagnosis of TBM was established in 31% of children but in only 20% of adults (p = 0.043). A contact with an individual with pulmonary tuberculosis was documented in 30% of children vs. 13% of adults (p = 0.0007). Coma occurred in 19% of patients (similar in children and adults); other consciousness abnormalities were seen in 27% of children and in 72% of adults (p = 0.000001). Cranial nerve palsies occurred prior to therapy in 9% of cases (12% vs 7% of children and adults, respectively, p>0.05), and developed 2-7 days after treatment initiation in 10% (12 vs 9%). CSF cultures were positive for M. tuberculosis in 24% of patients (31% vs. 20%, p>0.05). Overall mortality was 7.35%, similar for children and adults. Yet, permanent neurological sequelae, which were seen in 23% of patients occurred significantly more frequent in children vs. adults (36% vs. 14%, respectively, p = 0.0121). In conclusion, our retrospective analysis on a significant number of cases of TBM identified striking differences between children and adults: while children were in an earlier stage at the admission, they associated a higher frequency of neurological sequelae and miliary pattern, and they were more likely to have normal CSF protein levels and positive cultures of CSF

Epidemiological aspects, case definition and stage of TBM on admission.

<p>Data are presented as n (%)</p><p>Epidemiological aspects, case definition and stage of TBM on admission.</p

Clinical features and infection outcome in patients with TBM.

<p>Data are presented as n (%)</p><p>Clinical features and infection outcome in patients with TBM.</p