Investigation of "Acinetobacter baumannii" activity in vascular surgery units through epidemiological management based on the analysis of antimicrobial resistance, biofilm formation and genotyping

Background/Objectives: The genus Acinetobacter demonstrates resistance to antibiotics and has been shown to spread in the hospital environment causing epidemic outbreaks among hospitalized patients. The objectives of the present study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and clonality among Acinetobacter baumannii strains. Materials and Methods: The study involved 6 (I Outbreak) and 3 (II Outbreak) A. baumannii strains isolated from patients hospitalized in vascular surgery unit. Results: All tested A. baumannii strains were extensively drug resistant (XDR) and all the isolates were carbapenem-resistant and among them, all carried the blaOXA-51 gene, the blaOXA-24 gene, as well as the blaOXA-23 gene. All of the investigated strains had the ability to form a biofilm, but all of them produced less biofilm than the reference strain. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) showed that all strains belonged to the ST2 clone. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) divided the tested outbreak strains into two clones (A and B). Conclusion: This study shows a nosocomial spread of XDR A. baumannii ST2 having the blaOXA-51 gene, the blaOXA-24 gene, as well as the blaOXA-23 gene, low biofilm formers, that was prevalent in the vascular surgery unit. To identify the current situation of vascular surgery departments targeted epidemiological investigation was needed. Effective implementation of infection control prevented the spread of the epidemic outbreaks

Urinary NGAL Measured after the First Year Post Kidney Transplantation Predicts Changes in Glomerular Filtration over One-Year Follow-Up

Currently, serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) together with albuminuria or proteinuria are laboratory markers used in long-term monitoring of kidney transplant recipients. There is a need for more sensitive markers that could serve as early warning signs of graft dysfunction. Our aim was to assess the urinary concentrations of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a predictor of changes in kidney transplant function after the first year post-transplantation. We prospectively recruited 109 patients with functioning graft at least one year after the transplantation, with no acute conditions over the past three months, during their control visits in kidney transplant ambulatory. Urinary NGAL measured on recruitment was twice higher in patients with at least 10% decrease in eGFR over 1-year follow-up compared to those with stable or improving transplant function. Baseline NGAL significantly predicted the relative and absolute changes in eGFR and the mean eGFR during the follow-up independently of baseline eGFR and albuminuria. Moreover, baseline NGAL significantly predicted urinary tract infections during the follow-up, although the infections were not associated with decreasing eGFR. Additionally, we assessed urinary concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase 9—NGAL complex in a subgroup of 77 patients and found higher levels in patients who developed urinary tract infections during the follow-up but not in those with decreasing eGFR. High urinary NGAL in clinically stable kidney transplant recipients beyond the first year after transplantation may be interpreted as a warning and trigger the search for transient or chronic causes of graft dysfunction, or urinary tract infection

Toys and playtime of Roman children in light of archaeological and written sources

Dzieci stanowią podstawę istnienia każdego społeczeństwa, a w przypadku społeczeństw starożytnych jest to szczególnie dobrze widoczne . Tematyka ta w stosunku do Rzymu była poruszana, lecz rzadko kiedy w sposób przekrojowy, koncentrując się raczej na kontekstach grobowych. Dlatego też niniejsza praca stanowi próbę spojrzenia na dzieci rzymskie oraz ich dzieciństwo, przede wszystkim od strony zabawy. Mimo, że w pracy pojawiają się odniesienia do źródeł pisanych, rodziny i prawa rzymskiego oraz pochówków, najistotniejszym materiałem źródłowym są zabawki oraz zabytki ukazujące dzieci w ich naturalnym środowisku – podczas zabawy. Dzięki skupieniu się na konkretnym materiale i stworzeniu klasyfikacji zabawek przy równoczesnym odniesieniu do źródeł dodatkowych,możliwe jest uzyskanie przekrojowego obrazu pierwszych lat życia dziecka i odpowiedź na pytania dotyczące jego pozycji społecznej. Wnioskowanie odbywa się na podstawie analizy zabytków przeznaczonych do zabawy przy wsparciu danych osteologicznych, materiałów źródłowych i zabytków szeroko pojmowanej sztuki.Children are the base of each society, it is particularly well seen when ancient ones are in concern. This topic was being brought to the light when it comes to Rome, but rarely in panoramic perspective, concentrating rather on graves and cemeteries. Because of that, presented thesis is trying to look at roman children and their childhood mainly through play. Although one can find references to written sources, roman family and law system, most important are objects define as toys and relics depicting children in their natural environment – that is when playing. Being concentrated on particular source material, creating toys’ classification but simultaneously making references to additional data, enables constructing layered depiction of first few years of roman children’s life as well as their social status. Inference is based on analyses of artifacts made for children to play, with assistance of osteological data, written sources and monuments of art

SDS-PAGE Protein and HPTLC Polyphenols Profiling as a Promising Tool for Authentication of Goldenrod Honey

The aim of the study was to use protein and polyphenolic profiles as fingerprints of goldenrod honey and to apply them for verification of the labeled variety. The markers for 10 honey samples were correlated with the standard physicochemical parameters and biological activity measured in vitro as antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial activities. Honey proteins were examined regarding soluble protein, diastase and SDS-PAGE protein profile. The polyphenolic profile was obtained with the use of the HPTLC and the antioxidant activity was detected with standard colorimetric methods. The antimicrobial effect of representative honey samples of different chemical profiles was verified against E. coli and budding yeast. It was found that the SDS-PAGE technique allows for creating the protein fingerprint of the goldenrod honey variety which was consistent for 70% of tested samples. At the same time, the similarity of their polyphenolic profile was observed. Moreover, specific chemical composition resulted in higher bioactivity of honey against tested bacteria and yeast. The study confirmed the usefulness of both SDS-PAGE and HPTLC techniques in honey authentication, as an initial step for selection of samples which required pollen analysis

Wsparcie ICT i środowiskowe dla pacjentów z zespołem słabości: projekt CareWell, projekt Focus i projekt SUNFRAIL

Maintaining wellbeing and independence by elderly people results from implementing the rules of “successful aging” , based on activity and participation in professional and social life, as well promotion of healthy lifestyle. Increasingly greater importance is attributed to frailty syndrome among patients of old age. These patients are characterized by increased sensitivity to stimuli, impaired ability to cope with inner and environmental stressinducing factors, and they also have limited ability to maintain the state of physiological and psychosocial homeostasis. In such cases it is necessary to provide the patients with integrated care based on the support of the environment and the latest technology. Providing the residents of Lower Silesian Province with high quality of life, adjusting social services to residents’ needs, and social integration alone are compliant with The Strategy of Social Integration in Lower Silesia. For that reason, supporting such patients with technology in Lower Silesia was started with the CareWell and WRP® pilot projects. The use of the latest technologies requires a social campaign, media-distributed information, and awakening social interest or even a trend related to their use. It will allow the refining of new services, reduce costs and improve safety for people. Instead of costly specialist care, elderly patients will receive individualized care located within the environment, which will be less costly but more intensive. The FOCUS project deals with reducing the frailty syndrome load in the population of elderly Founpeople in Europe, taking note of enhancing the environmental support. The purpose of the SUNFRAIL project is to improve the identification, prevention and management of frailty, and care of multimorbidity by regional centers and institutions in EU countries of people aged 65 years and over living in the local community.Zachowania dobrostanu i samodzielności przez osoby starsze wynika z wdrażania zasad „dobrego starzenia się” opartego na aktywności i uczestnictwie w życiu zawodowym i społecznym oraz promocji zdrowego stylu życia. Coraz większe znaczenie przypisuje się rozpowszechnieniu zespołu słabości wśród pacjentów w wieku podeszłym. Pacjenci ci charakteryzują się zwiększoną wrażliwością na bodźce, upośledzoną zdolnością do radzenia sobie z wewnętrznymi i środowiskowymi czynnikami stresogennymi, a także posiadają ograniczoną zdolność do utrzymania stanu fizjologicznej i psychospołecznej homeostazy W takich przypadkach konieczne jest wsparcie pacjentów opieką zintegrowaną polegającą na wsparciu środowiska oraz najnowszej technologii. Zapewnienie mieszkańcom województwa dolnośląskiego wysokiej jakości życia, dopasowanie usług społecznych do potrzeb mieszkańców oraz sama integracja społeczna są zgodne ze Strategia Integracji Społecznej na Dolnym Śląsku. Dlatego też, na Dolnym Śląsku wsparcie takich pacjentów technologią, zostało zapoczątkowane pilotażem projektu CareWell i WRP®. Zastosowanie nowych technologii wymaga kampanii społecznej, informacji w mediach i wzbudzenia społecznego zaciekawienia, wręcz mody na ich stosowanie. Pozwoli to na doskonalenie nowych usług, obniżenie kosztów i poprawę bezpieczeństwa ludzi. W miejsce kosztownej opieki specjalistycznej pacjenci w wieku podeszłym uzyskują opiekę indywidualizowaną, lokowaną w środowisku, mniej kosztowną lecz bardziej intensywną. Projekt FOCUS zajmuje się zmniejszeniem obciążenia zespołem słabości w populacji osób w wieku podeszłym w Europie z uwzględnieniem wzmocnienia wsparcia środowiskowego. Celem projektu SUNFRAIL jest poprawa identyfikacji, zapobiegania i zarządzanie zespołem słabości oraz opieką nad wielochorobowością wśród osób po 65 roku życia mieszkających w społeczności lokalnej przez regionalne ośrodki i instytucje krajów UE

Soluble complement component 1q receptor 1 (sCD93) is associated with graft function in kidney transplant recipients

Cluster of differentiation 93 (CD93), also known as complement component 1q receptor 1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in endothelial and hematopoietic cells and associated with phagocytosis, cell adhesion, angiogenesis and inflammation. The extracellular part, soluble CD93 (sCD93), is released to body fluids in inflammation. Data on sCD93 in kidney diseases are limited. Our aim was to evaluate serum sCD93 in long-term kidney transplant recipients as a marker of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction that may be potentially useful in early recognition of graft dysfunction. Seventy-eight adult patients with functioning kidney graft and stable clinical state were examined at least one year after kidney transplantation. Serum sCD93 was measured by enzyme immunosorbent assay. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria or proteinuria were assessed at baseline and over one-year follow-up. Increased sCD93 was associated with lower baseline eGFR independently of the confounders. Moreover, sCD93 was negatively associated with eGFR during one-year follow-up in simple analysis; however, this was not confirmed after adjustment for confounders. Baseline sCD93 was positively associated with baseline albuminuria and with increased proteinuria during the follow-up. Serum sCD93 was not correlated with other studied inflammatory markers (interleukin 6, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and C3 and C4 complement components). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the concentrations of sCD93 in kidney transplant recipients and one of the first reports showing the inverse association between sCD93 and renal function. Serum sCD93 should be further evaluated as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in renal transplantation