Important changes in dynamic balance and resistance of hospital eco system in surgical intensive care unit in the period of 15 years

Continual monitoring of hospital ECO system and its antimicrobial susceptibility is an imperative in prevention of endemic hospital infection. The aim of this paper was to present the significant changes in dynamic balance and antibiotic resistance in the hospital ECO system of the surgical Intensive Care Unit in the period of 15 years (1991-2007). The results obtained have shown decreased isolation of gram negative bacilli from 90% (1991) to 63% (2007)and significant increased isolation of Staphylococcus aureus. Structure of microorganisms found in hospital setting during 1991-1994 was: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (41%), Acinetobacter spp. 2006-07:Staphylococcus aureus (32%), Acinetobacter spp.(27%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14%), and Klebsiella aerogenes (11%) Proteus mirabilis (9%), E. coli (5%). The analysis revealed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa was pushed out from the first to the third place, being replaced by Staphylococcus aureus, mainly MRSA(87% out of the total SA). There were endemic strains of enterobacteria (multiresistant Proteus mirabilis, E.coli and Klebsiellaaerogenes), which had no significant importance in causing infection in ICU 15 years ago. Acinetobacter spp. has proved to be a very important hospital pathogen over the last 3 years within its population there has been an increase of strains of extremely multiresistant mutants that are susceptible only to imipenem (10% of resistance) and greatly enlarged resistance percentage to amikacyn (80%). Conclusion 1. The MRSA has become a common nosocomial pathogen in investigated ICU instead of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 2. Continual monitoring of ICU should be implemented in order to perceive changes in the ICU dynamic balance on time

Effects of Valsartan vs Amlodipin on renal function in salt loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats

The goal of this study was to compare the effects of valsartan and amlodipin on the systolic blood pressure and parameters specific to the renal function in salt loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). 32 male SHR were used at age of 20 weeks and body weight ranging between 265-300 g. From 8 weeks of age tab water was replaced with a solution of NaCl (1%) given ad libitum. Rats were divided into 2 groups: valsartan treated group SHRVAL (n=16) in which valsartan was given at a dose of 10 mg/kg b. w. and amlodipine treated group SHRAMLO (n=16) in which amlodipine was given at a dose of 5 mg/kg b. w. For a period of 12 weeks we have evaluated the effect of the investigated drugs on systolic blood pressure, body weight and renal function tests. In salt loaded rats amlodipine was more effective in reducing the systolic blood pressure in contrast to valsartan who had more pronounced effect on renal parameters most evident in proteinuria. Since both treatment groups have different mechanism of action a combination therapy may be beneficial in improving renal function in SHR rats

Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics in prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are functional components able to exert positive effects on human health. Numerous medical conditions lack effective and safe approaches for prevention or treatment, thus usage of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics is an alternative. Further, the benefit related to the consumption of these compounds is associated with lower morbidity of chronic diseases and reduced health-care costs. Various types of mediums to deliver probiotics/synbiotics to the human GIT are used. Although capsules and tablets are frequently applied as delivery systems for probiotics, the major challenge of the commercial sector is to market new functional foods containing probiotics and/or prebiotics. Discovering of new probiotic/synbiotic functional foods is connected to the interest of the food industry to revitalize continuously through introduction of products with improved nutritional value and pleasant taste, but also with health benefit for the consumers. The review provides insights and new perspectives in respect to usage of functional components and foods in prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that are highly correlated with the modern lifestyle. The therapeutic and safety properties of probiotics and prebiotics, their role in pathogenesis of IBD, potential to prevent and treat these diseases as well as postulated mechanisms of action will be discussed, highlighting the main areas in which further research is an emergence

Microencapsulated formulation of Lactobacillus casei protecting probiotic stability in vivo and targeting release

The objective of this work was to prepare optimal formulation of L.casei loaded whey protein-Ca alginate microparticles with potential for controlled release and colon-targeted delivery of the probioti

Anti-inflammatory properties of L. casei loaded whey protein-alginate microparticles in animal model of colitis

Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic conditions that affect large population and the drugs used for their treatment have great potential for manifesting adverse effects. Regular administration of probiotics incorporated in pharmaceutical and/or functional food products may significantly prolong, delay or diminish occurrence of these diseases or serve as supplements to conventional drugs. The probiotic L. casei has proved its beneficial effects in improving acquired immunity, decreasing colon inflammation, serum cholesterol and increased blood pressure, improving lactose tolerance, controlling irritable bowel syndrome and decreasing risk of colon cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiinflammatory properties of L. casei loaded in whey proteinalginate microparticles after oral administration to rats in which TNBS-colitis was induced. TNBS model appeared to show high correlation between the pathohistological, immunological and clinical features of the inflammation in IBDs. Comparing to the positive control, the total damage score and colon weight/body weight ratio decreased when L. casei was administered, with non-significant difference when free and encapsulated cells were administered (23% and 31% for the total damage score, and 5% and. 8% for the colon weight/body weight ratio, respectively). The activity of MPO was also decreased with the probiotic administration and the lowest value was observed when microparticulated probiotic was administered. Macroscopic and histological evaluation confirmed the higher potential of the microencapsulated probiotic to decrease the parameters of inflammation (Figure 1). Visible segments of ulcerations were not observed in the fourth group, while at the histological sections subepithelial polymorph nuclear infiltration was observed with preserved epithelium. Also, in this group, dilated blood vessels in submucosal layer and dilated intestinal glands were observed. In conclusion, the microparticluated L. casei showed high potential to be used as adjuvant therapy in IBD when incorporated in pharmaceutical dosage form or functional food produc

Viability of L. casei during fermentation in soymilk and freeze-dried soymilk; effect of cryoprotectant, rehydration and storage temperature

The aim of the work was to investigate the behaviour of L. casei and the effect of sorbitol on its viability during fermentation in soymilk drink. Values for pH, ranging from 6.82 to 3.42 in the soymilk drink without sorbitol and from 6.74 to 3.41 in the drink with sorbitol were noted during 72 h of fermentation at 25oC. The corresponding values for titratable acidity ranged from 0.071% to 0.758% and from 0.073% to 0.761%, respectively. Soymilk was found to support the growth of L. casei with improvement in viability for 0.24 log at the end of fermentation when sorbitol was added. Survival of L. casei and the effectiveness of sorbitol in improving viability during freeze-drying, subsequent rehydration and during a 5-week period of storage under different temperatures were also investigated. After freeze-drying, L. casei exhibited a survival percent of approximately 46%. Sorbitol improved the viability of L. casei by 0.51 log immediately after freeze-drying and by 1.30 log and 0.47 log during five weeks of storage at 25oC and 4oC, respectively. Further study revealed that the freeze-dried fermented soymilk rehydrated at 45oC was optimum for the recovery of L. casei with improvement in recovery for 0.68 log when sorbitol was added. A higher percent of survival was noted when the dried soymilk was stored at 4oC than at 25oC with improved viability at the end of 5 weeks storage for approximately 6 log for drinks with and without sorbitol. Fermented dried soymilk with sorbitol afforded significant tolerance of L. casei to acid stress. Generally, a stable probiotic diary product was prepared in which the concentration of L. casei remained above therapeutic level of 107 cfu/ml

Formulation of synbiotic soy-based food product with antihypertensive potential

The specific aims of this study were to select the favorable prebiotic for L casei-01 as well as the suitable inoculum of the probiotic for fermented soy with ACE-inhibitory potential. For that purpose the metabolic activity of L casei-01 in soymilk supplemented with(1.5% w/v) prebiotics Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) or oligofructose enriched inulin (Synergy 1) was assessed. The evaluated parameters were: pH, viable cell counts, proteolysis, organic acid production and inhibition of angiotensine converting enzyme activity (IACE). The cell growth of L casei-01 reached the recommended therapeutic level of 9.58 ± 0.035 log cfu mL-1 for low inoculum samples (0.005 and 0.01%w/v) and 11.543 ± 0.13 log cfu mL-1 for high inoculum samples (0.075 and 0.1%w/v) regardless of the prebiotic used. The lower pH during fermentation, faster cell growth and superior proteolysis in Synergy 1 samples indicated better utilization of that prebiotic vs. FOS. The hydrolysis depended on the prebiotic used, showing higher values in Synergy 1 samples. The faster proteolysis was confirmed by SDSPAG electrophoresis. The Mw of polypeptides in the synbiotic end-products were lower than 30kD. The observed values for inhibition of ACE activity were app. 71, 74, 77 and 78% for inoculum rates of 0.005, 0.01, 0.075 and 0.1% w/v, respectively. Based on the results obtained in our study, the prebiotic Synergy 1 (1.5% w/v) and L. casei-01 at inoculum of 0.01% w/v for low dose and 0.075% w/v for high dose were considered more favorable for the production of synbiotic soy drink with antihypertensive potential

First case of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a dog in the Republic of Macedonia

A six-month-old Pomeranian male dog was referred due to a month long history of unformed, soft faeces and mild weight loss. Stool analyses by direct faecal smear, Zinc sulphate flotation and the Baermann concentration method revealed an infection with Strongyloides stercoralis. The dog was initially treated once with a combination drug of praziquantel, pyrantel and febantel (½ Drontal® Plus Tablets for puppies and small dogs; Bayer; i.e. 31.5 mg/kg bodyweight of febantel). The treatment was repeated after 12 days with the same dosage for 3 consecutive days. The stool analyses performed 14 days and 3 months after the second treatment were negative for S. stercoralis larvae. The results suggest that a repeated treatment with Drontal® Plus Tablets is effective against S. stercoralis in dogs and has no adverse effects

Lactobacillus casei Loaded Alginate-Soy Protein Microparticles: acidification Kinetics and Survival of the Probiotic in Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions

L. casei has already proven its health effects. However, its viability decreases after exposure to gastric juice and bile salts. The aim of this study was to protect the probiotic microorganism from the harsh environment of the GIT by microencapsulation in alginate-soy microparticles. Aqueous dispersion of alginate (2.5%w/w) and probiotic cells (ca12log CFU/g) was emulsified in olive oil containing 0.2% Tween 80 to obtain microparticles which were subsequently cross-linked (CaCl2, 3%w/w), coated with the protein (1:4-4:1 in respect to alginate), isolated, washed and stored (0.9% saline, 4oC). Negatively charged microparticles were obtained (d50 16-36um, Ca-content 5.56-9.38%), viability 9.11-11.25log CFU/g). Free and encapsulated cells were cultivated in MRS broth (37oC) to determine if they were still metabolically active. pH values and optical density at 600nm were measured every 4h. Viability tests of free and encapsulated cells were performed by exchanging simulated GI juices, after incubation. The enumeration of living cells was assayed by incubation on MRS agar (37oC, 48h). The time taken to decrease the initial pH of MRS broth to 4 was 20h for free cells and for encapsulated cells 32-56h. Initial decrease in cell survival was observed after 0.5h (70% for free, 20-35% for encapsulated cells). After 12 h, the viability of the encapsulate cells was 5.7-8.6 log CFU/g. In conclusion, encapsulated L. casei in alginate-soy protein microparticles showed significantly higher survival in simulated GIT compared to free cells. The use of protein increased the survival compared to alginate alone

Influence of the elevated ambient temperature on immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin G subclasses in sera of Wistar rats

The aim of our research was to examine changes in the immune system of the rats influenced by the elevated ambient temperature. Male Wistar rats were divided, into 2 groups and housed at 20 ± 2°C (n=64, control group) and 35 ± 1°C (n=74, experimental group), during precise timing of 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days. All the animals were given food and water ad libitum, and were lighted during 12 hours per day. We have measured IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG2c. The obtained results showed significant elevation in the level of IgG after 4 and 7 days (+32%), IgG2a after 7th (+88%), 14th and 21nd day (+110%), IgG2b after 14 days (+60%) at 35 ± 1°C compared with the control group at 20 ± 2°C. IgG1 level was not affected and IgG2c showed significant decrease after 21st day at 35 ± 1°C. In conclusion, during the elevated ambient temperature the immune system is activated as one of the regulation mechanisms in homeostasis and survival of the population