Carbon nanotubes adhesion and nanomechanical behavior from peeling force spectroscopy

Applications based on Single Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWNT) are good example of the great need to continuously develop metrology methods in the field of nanotechnology. Contact and interface properties are key parameters that determine the efficiency of SWNT functionalized nanomaterials and nanodevices. In this work we have taken advantage of a good control of the SWNT growth processes at an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip apex and the use of a low noise (1E-13 m/rtHz) AFM to investigate the mechanical behavior of a SWNT touching a surface. By simultaneously recording static and dynamic properties of SWNT, we show that the contact corresponds to a peeling geometry, and extract quantities such as adhesion energy per unit length, curvature and bending rigidity of the nanotube. A complete picture of the local shape of the SWNT and its mechanical behavior is provided

The influence of galvanic field on Saccharomyces cerevisiae in grape must fermentation

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcohol fermentation of 'Sauvignon blanc' grape must a low direct electric current (DC) of 1.3, 7.7 and 30 μA was applied. Constant current stimulated wine yeasts metabolic activity by increasing production of glycerol and lactic acid was studied. The results of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) indicated that by using the direct current at low temperature, similar results as those using higher fermentation temperatures can be achieved. Optical and transmission electron microscopy showed no visible morphological and ultra structural changes in cell morphology. The empirical experience resulting from present laboratory experiments offer a new approach in fermentation of grape musts wine and in wine process control.

Supplementation of standard antibiotic therapy with oral probiotics for bacterial vaginosis and aerobic vaginitis : a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: This multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed to determine whether the use of oral probiotic preparation (prOVag®) containing three Lactobacillus strains together with standard metronidazole treatment and also targeted antibiotic treatment (following the failure of metronidazole therapy) could reduce the recurrence rates of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and aerobic vaginitis (AV). METHODS: Patients at private gynaecological clinics in Poland with histories of recurrent BV/AV and current symptoms were randomly allocated to receive metronidazole and probiotic or placebo, and assessed monthly on visits II and III-V. The total number of study visits was 5–6 (I, II, II bis – if applicable, III, IV, V). One probiotic or placebo capsule was administered with metronidazole/targeted antibiotic twice daily for 10 days; during follow up, patients took one capsule daily for 10 days perimenstrually. Clinical examination and vaginal swabbing were performed at each visit. Primary outcomes were clinical or microbiological BV/AV recurrence and probiotic safety. Secondary outcomes were vaginal pH, Nugent score, and Lactobacillus counts in the vaginal microbiota. Safety analysis was performed in 578 (probiotic, n = 285; placebo, n = 293) 18–50-year-old women who were randomised. RESULTS: BV/AV was confirmed microbiologically in 241 (probiotic, n = 118; placebo, n = 123) participants, who continued the trial. Data from 154 (probiotic, n = 73; placebo, n = 81) participants who completed the study were analysed to determine the efficacy of prOVag. Additional analyses included 37 (probiotic, n = 22; placebo, n = 15) participants who received targeted antibiotics and probiotics or placebo. prOVag lengthened the time to clinical relapse of BV/AV symptoms up to 51 % (p < 0.05) compared with placebo; AV relapse was delayed by up to 76 % (p < 0.05). Probiotic use also reduced and maintained low vaginal pH and Nugent score, and increased vaginal Lactobacillus counts following standard treatment. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that oral probiotics lengthened remission in patients with recurrent BV/AV and improved clinical and microbiological parameters. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01993524; 20 November 2013. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12905-015-0246-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Low phylloquinone intake deteriorates endothelial function in normolipidemic and dyslipidaemic mice

While the plasma phylloquinone (PK) concentration is inversely correlated with cardiovascular risk, the involvement of PK in regulating endothelial function has not been directly investigated. Therefore, in this study we assessed the effects of short-term treatment with PK-deficient diets (5–10 weeks) on endothelial function in normolipidemic 14-week-old male C57BL/6JCmd mice and age-matched dyslipidaemic male E3L.CETP mice. Our results show that in normolipidemic mice dietary PK deficiency was associated with a marked reduction of PK levels in the plasma and liver (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry measurements) and with impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation assessed in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Dietary PK deficiency-induced endothelial dysfunction was fully reversed by PK supplementation. In dyslipidaemic E3L.CETP mice, dietary PK deficiency exacerbated preexisting endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, dietary PK deficiency decreased menaquinone-4 (MK-4) levels in the aorta but did not affect blood coagulation (calibrated automated thrombography), microbiota composition (culturing and next-generation sequencing), and gut menaquinone production. In conclusion, our study demonstrated for the first time that sufficient dietary PK intake supports endothelial function in normolipidemic and dyslipidaemic mice indicating nutritional significance of dietary PK in the maintenance of endothelial function in humans

Serotype Distribution and Invasive Potential of Group B Streptococcus Isolates Causing Disease in Infants and Colonizing Maternal-Newborn Dyads

Serotype-specific polysaccharide based group B streptococcus (GBS) vaccines are being developed. An understanding of the serotype epidemiology associated with maternal colonization and invasive disease in infants is necessary to determine the potential coverage of serotype-specific GBS vaccines.Colonizing GBS isolates were identified by vaginal swabbing of mothers during active labor and from skin of their newborns post-delivery. Invasive GBS isolates from infants were identified through laboratory-based surveillance. GBS serotyping was done by latex agglutination. Serologically non-typeable isolates were typed by a serotype-specific PCR method. The invasive potential of GBS serotypes associated with sepsis within seven days of birth was evaluated in association to maternal colonizing serotypes.GBS was identified in 289 (52.4%) newborns born to 551 women with GBS-vaginal colonization and from 113 (5.6%) newborns born to 2,010 mothers in whom GBS was not cultured from vaginal swabs. The serotype distribution among vaginal-colonizing isolates was as follows: III (37.3%), Ia (30.1%), and II (11.3%), V (10.2%), Ib (6.7%) and IV (3.7%). There were no significant differences in serotype distribution between vaginal and newborn colonizing isolates (P = 0.77). Serotype distribution of invasive GBS isolates were significantly different to that of colonizing isolates (P<0.0001). Serotype III was the most common invasive serotype in newborns less than 7 days (57.7%) and in infants 7 to 90 days of age (84.3%; P<0.001). Relative to serotype III, other serotypes showed reduced invasive potential: Ia (0.49; 95%CI 0.31-0.77), II (0.30; 95%CI 0.13-0.67) and V (0.38; 95%CI 0.17-0.83).In South Africa, an anti-GBS vaccine including serotypes Ia, Ib and III has the potential of preventing 74.1%, 85.4% and 98.2% of GBS associated with maternal vaginal-colonization, invasive disease in neonates less than 7 days and invasive disease in infants between 7-90 days of age, respectively

Dilemmas of implementation of innovation in rural areas

W XX wieku obszary wiejskie w Polsce dwukrotnie przeszły transformację systemową, co spowodowało zerwanie naturalnej ścieżki ich rozwoju. Konieczny był wybór nowego modelu rozwoju, którym stał się zrównoważony rozwój. Jednak rozwój ten wymaga działań innowacyjnych, przy czym innowacyjność ta powinna służyć trwałości systemu. Celem artykułu była próba odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy innowacje przyswajane na obszarach wiejskich sprzyjały zrównoważonemu rozwojowi, czy raczej służyły wzrostowi produktywności czynników produkcji. Zarówno studia literaturowe, jak i badania empiryczne prowadzą do wniosku, że dotychczasowa specyfika powiązań obszarów wiejskich z otoczeniem sprawia, że wdrażania innowacyjne służyły przede wszystkim wzrostowi produktywności, a nie zrównoważonemu rozwojowi.In the twentieth century. Rural areas in Poland twice underwent system transformation, which led to the interruption of natural path of their development. The necessity was the choice of a new development model, which became sustainable development. However, this requires the development of innovative activities, while innovation should serve the sustainability of the system. This issue has become the subject of this study. This article attempts to answer the question whether assimilated innovations in rural areas conducive to sustainable development, or rather served to enhance the productivity of factors of production? The literature studies and the empirical studies lead to the conclusion that the current, the specificity of relationships with the surrounding rural areas makes, that innovation served mainly increase in productivity and did not serve sustainable development

The importance of public agricultural advisory services in local development

Celem badań było określenie znaczenia publicznego doradztwa rolniczego w rozwoju lokalnym. Źródłem materiału badawczego były sprawozdania z działalności DODR we Wrocławiu oraz wyniki wywiadu z rolnikami dotyczące oceny działalności doradców rolniczych. Badania wykazały, że doradztwo rolnicze jest aktywatorem działań na rzecz rozwoju lokalnego. Do działań tych można zaliczyć następujące zadania doradcze: rozwój przedsiębiorczości i innowacyjności mieszkańców obszarów wiejskich, powiększanie zasobów kapitału ludzkiego i społecznego, polepszanie stanu środowiska naturalnego, promocja produktów regionalnych i lokalnych, propagowanie zdrowego modelu żywienia, aktywizacja społeczno-kulturalna ludności, promowanie dziedzictwa kulturowego.The aim of the study was to determine the importance ofa public advisory in local development processes. The source of research material were reports on the activities of the Lower Silesian Agricultural Advisory Centre in Wroclaw and the results of interviews with farmers for evaluation of agricultural advisers. Studies have shown that public agricultural extension is an active agent of measures for local development. These activities include the following advisory tasks: development of entrepreneurship and innovation of rural residents, expand resources, human and social capital, improving the environment, the promotion of regional and local authorities, promotion of healthy nutrition model, activation of the socio-cultural population, promotion of cultural heritage