Mosaic tetracycline resistance genes encoding ribosomal protection proteins

First reported in 2003, mosaic tetracycline resistance genes are a subgroup of the genes encoding ribosomal protection proteins (RPPs). They are formed when two or more RPP-encoding genes recombine resulting in a functional chimera. To date, the majority of mosaic genes are derived from sections of three RPP genes, tet(O), tet(W) and tet(32), with others comprising tet(M) and tet(S). In this first review of mosaic genes, we report on their structure, diversity and prevalence, and suggest that these genes may be responsible for an under-reported contribution to tetracycline resistance in bacteria

The Patient’s and the Therapist’s Evaluation of Bridges of Different Materials and Age

The aim of this study was to find out patients\u27 satisfaction with their bridges made of different materials (metal-ceramics, Au/resin, Ag-Pd/resin). One hundred and sixty four patients were examined at the Dental School, University of Zagreb, Croatia. They assessed their bridges – the overall quality, aesthetics, speech, chewing and the health of the gingiva by the scale from 1–5. The same categories were also assessed by a trained prosthodontist. The majority of the patients was really satisfied and gave the highest grades (quality, aesthetics, speech, etc.) and therefore the results were skewed and asymmetrical towards the biggest scores (biggest grades). The best gingival health was evaluated by the group of patients with ceramic crowns and bridges (p < 0.05) and the worst by the patients with Ag-Pd bridges. Speech was scored higher for the lateral than for the frontal bridges. Patients evaluated the health of the tissue surrounding their bridges, overall quality of fixed prosthodontic appliance and aesthetics with significantly higher scores than the prosthodontist (p < 0.01). The results point at a difference between the patient’s and the therapist\u27s evaluations and to the patient\u27s insufficient care about the gingiva around the bridge abutments

Cell Response on Laser-Patterned Ti/Zr/Ti and Ti/Cu/Ti Multilayer Systems

Arranged patterns obtained via ultrafast laser processing on the surface of Ti/Cu/Ti/Si and Ti/Zr/Ti/Si thin-film systems are reported. Two differently designed multilayer thin films Ti/Cu/Ti/Si and Ti/Zr/Ti/Si were deposited on silicon using the ion sputtering method. The bioactive surfaces of these systems involve the formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) in each of the laser-written lines of mesh patterns on 5 × 5 mm areas. The formation of nano- and micro-patterns with an ultra-thin oxide film on the surfaces was used to observe the effects of morphology and proliferation of the MRC-5 cell culture line. To determine whether Ti-based thin films have a toxic effect on living cells, an MTT assay was performed. The relative cytotoxic effect, as a percentage of surviving cells, showed that there was no difference in cell number between the Ti-based thin films and the control cells. There was also no difference in the viability of the MRC-5 cells, except for the Ti/Cu/Ti/Si system, where there was a slight 10% decrease in cell viability. © 2023 by the authors

Prirodna mikobiota i prisustvo aflatoksina B1 u polenu prikupljenom u Srbiji

Total fungal count, incidence of fungi and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) concentration were studied in 33 samples of bee pollen randomly collected from beekeepers in Serbia. The total number of fungi was determined by dilution method whereas AFB1 was detected using the Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA). The mycological estimation showed the presence of nine genera of fungi as followed: Acremonium, Alternaría, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Epiccocum, Fusarium, Mucor, Pénicillium and Rhizopus, with total number ranging from 1 x 103 to 1 x 105 CFU g-1. The results have shown the predominance of the fungi from the genera Aspergillus and Alternaria. Among Aspergillus species it was observed that the most frequent species was A. flavus with incidence of 27.27 %. Mycotoxin AFB1 was detected as 100% positive in all samples (100%) with an average concentration of 8.61 μg kg-1. The obtained results indicated that honey bee pollen must be strictly controlled during its manipulation in the harvesting and manufacturing. Therefore, the implementation of good manufacturing (beekeeping) practice to define procedures for honeybee products could be crucial to reduce the risk of possible contamination and provide natural and safety product without risk on the human health.Ukupan broj gljiva, učestalost (incidenca) gljiva i koncentracija aflatoksina B1 (AFB1) ispitivani su u 33 uzoraka polena sakupljenih od pčelara iz različitih regiona u Srbiji. Ukupan broj gljiva određen je primenom metode razređenja a AFB1 je određen primenom imunoadsorpcione enzimske metode (ELISA). Mikološkim ispitivanjima identifikovano je devet rodova gljiva: Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Epiccocum, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium i Rhizopus, sa ukupnim brojem od 1 x 103 to 1 x 105 CFU g-1. Najučestalije vrste gljiva su u rodovima Aspergillus i Alternaria. Među Aspergillus vrstama najučestalija je vrsta A. flavus sa incidencom od 27,27%. AFB1 je detektovan u svim uzorcima sa prosečnom koncentracijom od 8,61 μg kg-1. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da pčelarski polen mora biti strogo kontrolisan tokom prikupljanja i njegove dalje prerade. Zbog toga, sprovođenje dobre proizvođačke (pčelarske) prakse podrazumeva definisanje procedura za pčelarske proizvode što bi moglo biti presudno za smanjenje rizika od moguće kontaminacije i dobijanje prirodnih i bezbednih proizvoda bez rizika po zdravlje ljudi

Model for Computer Simulation of Bone Tissue

The paper deals with the dependence of the torsional moment on the angle of the compact bone torsion in laboratory animals and humans. Based on the data for laboratory animals obtained by measurements, the data on dependence of the torsional moment and the angle of torsion were predicted for humans. The measurements were carried out in four groups of laboratory animals. One was the control group, and the other three groups were treated by various vitamin D3 metabolites. The same measurements were performed also in only one group of humans, due to the impossibility to treat humans with vitamin D3 metabolites. The functional relationship between the angle of torsion and the torsional moment for all the groups of animal bone tissue were determined by measurements, and results were used to predict the reaction of the human compact bone tissue if treated by vitamin D3 metabolites

Investigation of Ion Release from Ni-Cr Alloy in Various Acidity Conditions

Cytotoxicity is in direct correlation to the level of ion release, with non-precious alloys having higher ion release than that of precious alloys. The most often used non-precious dental alloy is Ni-Cr alloy. The aim of the investigation was to determine the type and quantity of ions released from Ni-Cr alloy (Wiron 99(r), Bego, Germany), in acid solutions with different pH values, and to determine the influence of the type of acid solution, its pH value, and duration of interaction on ion release. The overall sample consisted of 180 pieces of Ni-Cr alloy, 60 samples submerged in each of three different solutions (buffered phosphate solutions pH 3.5 and pH6, and lactic acid solution pH 3.5). Quantity of ion release was measured on solution samples taken at 10 different time intervals by means of the ICP-AES method. Average release of Ni ions in lactic acid solution was 432.42 μg/L, while the highest average Ni+ ions release of 541.67μg/L was measured in buffered phosphate solution pH 6.0. MANOVA demonstrated significant influence of the type of solution on Ni ion release (p<0.01), while the time of exposure was not a significant factor (p=0.23). Zn ions demonstrated the lowest average ion release (88.95 μg/L, phosphate solution pH 3.5). Statistically significant influence of the type of solution and pH value on ion release was determined, except for chromium ions (p<0.05). Dentobacterial plaque acidity is sufficient to start corrosion of Ni-Cr dental alloys

Natural mycobiota and aflatoxin B1 presence in bee pollen collected in Serbia

Total fungal count, incidence of fungi and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) concentration were studied in 33 samples of bee pollen randomly collected from beekeepers in Serbia. The total number of fungi was determined by dilution method whereas AFB1 was detected using the Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA). The mycological estimation showed the presence of nine genera of fungi as followed: Acremonium, Alternaría, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Epiccocum, Fusarium, Mucor, Pénicillium and Rhizopus, with total number ranging from 1 x 103 to 1 x 105 CFU g-1. The results have shown the predominance of the fungi from the genera Aspergillus and Alternaria. Among Aspergillus species it was observed that the most frequent species was A. flavus with incidence of 27.27 %. Mycotoxin AFB1 was detected as 100% positive in all samples (100%) with an average concentration of 8.61 μg kg-1. The obtained results indicated that honey bee pollen must be strictly controlled during its manipulation in the harvesting and manufacturing. Therefore, the implementation of good manufacturing (beekeeping) practice to define procedures for honeybee products could be crucial to reduce the risk of possible contamination and provide natural and safety product without risk on the human health

Preclinical validation of rilmenidine for repurposing in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Introduction: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has dismal prognosis, as there are no screening tests available, most often is diagnosed in the metastatic phase of the disease and is refractory to conventional, targeted and immunotherapy. We have examined the expression and role of the novel tumor suppressor nischarin (NISCH) in PDAC and the effects of treatment with the agonist rilmenidine (approved for treatment of hypertension) in order to determine the potential of nischarin agonists for repurposing in this deadly disease.EACR 2023: Innovative Cancer Science, 12-15 June 2023, Torino, Ital

Identifying models of delivery, care domains and quality indicators relevant to palliative day services: a scoping review protoco

Abstract Background With an ageing population and increasing numbers of people with life-limiting illness, there is a growing demand for palliative day services. There is a need to measure and demonstrate the quality of these services, but there is currently little agreement on which aspects of care should be used to do this. The aim of the scoping review will be to map the extent, range and nature of the evidence around models of delivery, care domains and existing quality indicators used to evaluate palliative day services. Methods Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) will be searched for evidence using consensus development methods; randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials; mixed methods; and prospective, longitudinal or retrospective case-control studies to develop or test quality indicators for evaluating palliative care within non-residential settings, including day hospices and community or primary care settings. At least two researchers will independently conduct all searches, study selection and data abstraction procedures. Meta-analyses and statistical methods of synthesis are not planned as part of the review. Results will be reported using numerical counts, including number of indicators in each care domain and by using qualitative approach to describe important indicator characteristics. A conceptual model will also be developed to summarise the impact of different aspects of quality in a palliative day service context. Methodological quality relating to indicator development will be assessed using the Appraisal of Indicators through Research and Evaluation (AIRE) tool. Overall strength of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Final decisions on quality assessment will be made via consensus between review authors. Discussion Identifying, developing and implementing evidence-based quality indicators is critical to the evaluation and continued improvement of palliative care. Review findings will be used to support clinicians and policymakers make decisions on which quality indicators are most appropriate for evaluating day services at the patient and service level, and to identify areas for further research

Dental caries experience, oral health status and treatment needs of dental patients with autism

OBJECTIVES: Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder. The aims of this study were to investigate whether children with autism have higher caries prevalence, higher periodontal problems, or more treatment needs than children of a control group of non-autistic patients, and to provide baseline data to enable comparison and future planning of dental services to autistic children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 61 patients with autism aged 6-16 years (45 males and 16 females) attending Dubai and Sharjah Autism Centers were selected for the study. The control group consisted of 61 non-autistic patients chosen from relatives or friends of autistic patients in an attempt to have matched age, sex and socioeconomic status. Each patient received a complete oral and periodontal examination, assessment of caries prevalence, and caries severity. Other conditions assessed were dental plaque, gingivitis, restorations and treatment needs. Chi-square and Fisher's exact test of significance were used to compare groups. RESULTS: The autism group had a male-to-female ratio of 2.8:1. Compared to controls, children with autism had significantly higher decayed, missing or filled teeth than unaffected patients and significantly needed more restorative dental treatment. The restorative index (RI) and Met Need Index (MNI) for the autistic children were 0.02 and 0.3, respectively. The majority of the autistic children either having poor 59.0% (36/61) or fair 37.8% (23/61) oral hygiene compared with healthy control subjects. Likewise, 97.0% (59/61) of the autistic children had gingivitis. CONCLUSIONS: Children with autism exhibited a higher caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene and extensive unmet needs for dental treatment than non-autistic healthy control group. Thus oral health program that emphasizes prevention should be considered of particular importance for children and young people with autism