Characterization of Actinobacteria Degrading and Tolerating Organic Pollutants

Species of the genera Rhodococcus, Gordonia and Mycobacterium are known as degraders of recalcitrant pollutants. These bacteria are good survivors in harsh environments. Due to such properties these organisms are able to occupy a wide range of environmental niches. The members of these taxa have been suggested as tools for biotechnical applications such as bioremediation and biosynthesis. At the same time several of the species are known as opportunistic human pathogens. Therefore, the detailed characterization of any isolate that has potential for biotechnological applications is very important. This thesis deals with several corynebacterial strains originating from different polluted environments: soil, water-damaged indoor walls, and drinking water distribution systems. A polyphasic taxonomic approach was applied for characterization of the isolates. We found that the strains degrading monoaromatic compounds belonged to Rhodococcus opacus, a species that has not been associated with any health problem. The taxonomic position of strain B293, used for many years in degradation research under different names, was clarified. We assigned it to the species Gordonia polyisoprenivorans. This species is classified under European Biohazard grouping 1, meaning that it is not considered a health hazard for humans. However, there are reports of catheter-associated bacteraemia caused by G. polyisoprenivorans. Our results suggested that the ability of the organism to grow on phthalate esters, used as softeners in medical plastics, may be associated with the colonization of catheters and other devices. In this thesis Mycobacterium lentiflavum, a new emerging opportunistic human pathogen, was isolated from biofilms growing in public drinking water distribution systems. Our report on isolation of M. lentiflavum from water supplies is the second report on this species from drinking water systems, which may thus constitute a reservoir of M. lentiflavum. Automated riboprinting was evaluated for its applicability in rapidly identifying environmental mycobacteria. The technique was found useful in the characterization of several species of rapidly and slowly growing environmental mycobacteria. The second aspect of this thesis refers to characterization of the degradation and tolerance power of several R. opacus, M. murale and G. polyisoprenivorans strains. R. opacus GM-14 utilizes a wide range of aromatic substrates, including benzene, 15 different halobenzenes, 18 phenols and 7 benzoates. This study revealed the high tolerance of R. opacus strains toward toxic hydrophobic compounds. R. opacus GM-14 grew in mineral medium to which benzene or monochlorobenzene was added in amounts of 13 or 3 g l-1, respectively. R. opacus GM-29 utilized toluene and benzene for growth. Strain GM-29 grew in mineral medium with 7 g l-1 of liquid toluene or benzene as the sole carbon source, corresponding to aqueous concentrations of 470 and 650 mg l-1, respectively. Most organic solvents, such as toluene and benzene, due to their high level of hydrophobicity, pass through the bacterial membrane, causing its disintegration. In this thesis the mechanisms of adaptation of rhodococci to toxic hydrophobic compounds were investigated. The rhodococcal strains increased the level of saturation of their cellular fatty acids in response to challenge with phenol, chlorophenol, benzene, chlorobenzene or toluene. The results indicated that increase in the saturation level of cellular fatty acids, particularly that in tuberculostearic acid, is part of the adaptation mechanism of strains GM-14 and GM-29 to the presence of toxic hydrophobic compounds

The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection after the arthroplasty of knee joint

Total knee replacement is one of the most widely performed surgeries. It is stated as the most efficient method of treating end-stage osteoarthritis of the knee joint.  Due to the aging of the population and the prevalence of osteoarthritis, the number of arthroplasties is increasing every day.  Such extensive surgical procedures are associated with a large number of postoperative complications, one of which is periprosthetic joint infection. The reported prevalence of PJI out to 2 years after knee replacement is 1.55 %. Misconceptions in the management of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) can compromise the treatment success. The aim of the following article was to provide an overview of the medical knowledge on the periprosthetic joint infection after the arthroplasty of knee joint. Infections are caused by microbes that can enter the joint, which are most often coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Staphylococcus Aureus, Streptococci, Enterococci and Gram-negative bacteria. Fungal infections are much less common. The diagnostic process requires the involvement of a large group of medical personnel, which is why protocols with algorithms have been created to facilitate and standardize the diagnosis in the direction of periprosthetic joint infections. Mainly used tests from the patient's serum, synovial tests and histology. The positive results of the above tests are taken into account in the assessment of the fulfillment of the major and minor criteria to assess the likelihood of the occurrence of periprosthetic infection. This research paper aims to analyze the latest medical reports on the PJI diagnostic algorithm, laboratory and imaging studies of their effectiveness. This article was written based on analyzing data available in publications in Pubmed and Google Scholar database

Intertrochanteric fractures and mortality in elderly patients

The aim of the following article was to provide an overview of the medical knowledge on the correlation of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur and mortality in the elderly population. Due to the fact that life expectancy has increased, we can observe an increasing trend of hip fractures. There are about 20,000 fractures of the proximal end of the femur treated in Poland and 300,000 patients in the United States annually. It is estimated that the upward trend of fractures can be traced to 2050 with an increase of +1% per year. There are expected to be 6 million cases per year worldwide according to International Osteoporosis Foundation. The most frequently early mortality related factors are biodemographic factors - age and gender. The majority - 75% of those treated fractures are female. Also, the risk of fracture of the proximal end of the femur in women over 50 years is almost 20%, and by the age of 80 it reaches 30%. Although among women the risk of fracture is higher, mortality is lower than man who experienced the same fracture. Other predictors of poor functional outcomes and early mortality factors for patients with hip fracture besides age and gender, are clinical factors, such as time spent waiting for surgery or comorbidities. Knowing those factors, we can try to avoid some complications. Each surgeon has to remember about a multidisciplinary care protocols, which are made to improve healthcare, shorten length of hospital stay, and decrease mortality in hip‐fracture‐operated patients. Also, it is significant to select proper surgical methods depending on the fracture complexity. This article was written based on analyzing data available in publications in Pubmed and Google Scholar databases

Selenium and Hashimoto disease

       Selenium is one of the most important micronutrients affecting the human body. It plays a crucial role in the thyroid gland, where its concentration is the highest. This element has the ability to remove reactive oxygen species and deiodinate thyroid hormones. Balanced diet and supplements are basic for achieving proper concentration of selenium in human organism. Recently a number of studies have been conducted focusing on the effect of selenium on autoimmune thyroiditis - Hashimoto’s disease. In our study the oral supply of selenium was used, and then the levels of selected parameters were measured. It has been proved that Selenium lowers levels of antithyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Moreover the concentration of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is also lowered by this micronutrient. In this review we draw attention to possible resources of delivery of this element to organisms and the impact it has on the course of the above-mentioned diseases. We come to conclusion that there is a strong correlation between Selenium and the functioning of thyroid gland. Doctor’s awareness and cooperation with the patient in order to establish proper doses of micro- and macronutrients which are taken with basic medications is very important for the therapeutic process. This article is a review of current medical knowledge about Selenium affecting a thyroid gland based on available publications in Pubmed and Google Scholar databases

Monkeypox - new epidemiological threat? Review of the current literature

The mokeypox is zoonotic disease caused by an orthopoxvirus, which was first isolated and identified in 1959 among captive monkeys transported to Copenhagen, Denmark from Africa for research purposes. Monkeypox in humans was initially diagnosed in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and then it has spread to other regions of Africa. The monkeypox cases in Africa were neglected by the scientific community for past decades till 2022, when thousands of cases were reported  from nonendemic countries around Europe and in the western hemisphere. Therefore monkeypox has recently been labelled as a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO. Monkeypox virus is believed to have several modes of transmission, all of which are associated with direct or indirect contact with infected animals or infected humans. The diagnosis of monkeypox infection is based on the history, clinical symptoms and laboratory tests such as PCR.The illness begins with nonspecific symptoms such as fever, lethargy, lymphadenopathy, myalgias and then it occures the rash first on the face and then across the body which lasts for 2–4 weeks. Most cases of monkeypox are mild and self-limited disease, which require only supportive treatments. However in very severe cases antiviral medications such as tecovirimat may be administered.  Smallpox vaccination has been estimated to provide 85% cross-protection against monkeypox infection. The main problem is there is a huge population born only after the discontinuation of the smallpox vaccination campaign with  lack of cross-protective immunity. The question is - the monkeypox is only old neglected foe or a new epidemiological threat

PIMS - symptoms and short/long-term gastrointestinal and cardiovascular system complications

PIMS (paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome associated with COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)) is a new disease classification, occurring in children and young adults associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although children suffer from COVID-19 infection asymptomatically or mildly, long-term complications of the disease may be more severe for them than for adults. Despite the fact that PIMS is a relatively new disease, we already know that it should not be underestimated. In spite of the clinical picture of these complications may resemble Kawasaki Disease (KD), we may notice some differences in laboratory tests (such as reduced number of lymphocytes, decreased platelet count or elevated ferritin levels). Although usually the first symptom of PIMS is high fever, it is followed by symptoms related to the digestive system, present in about 80% of cases. The insidious and severe gastrointestinal symptoms of PIMS can mimic abdominal surgical emergencies, including acute appendicitis, gastrointestinal infections or inflammatory bowel disease. Cardiovascular symptoms occur in approximately 60% of patients with PIMS. Immunomodulatory therapy plays an essential role in the treatment of PIMS. The exact causes of PIMS are recently unknown, however, it is explained as genetic hyperactivation of immunity. In this minireview we summarize the most recent data about this condition, mainly we are focusing on gastrointestinal and cardiovascular  symptoms, short/long-term complications and treatment

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy – review of current literature

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) also known as broken heart syndrome is acute cardiac disease, which is characterized by reversible ventricular motion abnormalities, in the absence of justifying coronary artery disease. The clinical entity was first described in Japan in 1991. The word “Takotsubo” is a container used by the Japanese to catch octopus, which has a narrow neck and a relatively wide base, which resembles the heart's shape in TTS. The cardiomiopathy predominantly affects postmenopausal women and is often preceded by emotional (death of close family member, domestic abuse) or physical (external injury, severe pain) stress. The exact pathophysiological mechanism has not yet been fully clarified. Inordinate amount of catecholamines released into bloodstream after stress attack plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of TTS. Symptoms of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy such as chest pain and dyspnea are similar to acute myocardial infarction due to it TTS requires careful diagnosis. The main tools for making diagnosis are echocardiography, coronary angiography, ECG, cardiac biomarkers and cardiac magnetic resonance. The syndrome is usually reversible, nevertheless number of patients may develop complications such as cardiogenic shock, arrhythmias, heart failure. Treatment is mostly supportive including Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACEi) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which may reduce the likelihood of recurrent episodes. Generally patients with TSS have favourable prognosis, although some deaths are reported. This article is a review of current medical knowledge about Takotsubo syndrome based on available publications in Pubmed and Google Scholar databases

Sexual activity in terms of cardiac rehabilitation after cardiovascular incidents

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are still the leading cause of death. Environmental factors such as smoking, low physical activity and poor diet have the greatest impact on the incidence of the disease. For patients after a cardiovascular incident, cardiac rehabilitation is the key to recovery. One possible path of rehabilitation is sexual activity (SA). Sexual activities are similar to mild/moderate physical activity during a short period. Most patients are recommended to involve in sexual activity after prior comprehensive evaluation of physical condition. Before involving in sexual activity the general condition of the patient needs to be checked.  A useful method for this is a stress testing. The patients with stable cardiac symptoms and good functional capacity are at a low risk of recurrent cardiovascular events, and others require treatment or improvement of heart function. The most efficient way to provide SA is a sexual counseling. Evidence suggests that relatively few cardiac patients receive sexual counseling, which can result in negative outcomes ranging from psychological, physical, and quality of life. Sexual problems and concerns are prevalent, including patient and partner fear of causing another heart attack. It is because people still believe that sexual activity is too risky and they cease all of it. Sexual counseling is needed across health care settings to ensure that patients receive information to safely resume SA

Characterization of Microbiological Quality of Whole and Gutted Baltic Herring

There is growing interest in Baltic herring (Clupea harengus membras) and other undervalued, small-sized fish species for human consumption. Gutting or filleting of small-sized fish is impractical; hence, the aim of this study was to explore the suitability of the whole (ungutted) herring for food use. The microbiological quality of commercially fished whole and gutted herring was analysed with culture-dependent methods combined with identification of bacterial isolates with MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry and culture-independent 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Whole and gutted herring had between 2.8 and 5.3 log(10) CFU g(−1) aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria and between 2.2 and 5.6 log(10) CFU g(−1) H₂S-producing bacteria. Enterobacteria counts remained low in all the analysed herring batches. The herring microbiota largely comprised the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria (71.7% to 95.0%). Shewanella, Pseudomonas, and Aeromonas were the most frequently isolated genera among the viable population; however, with the culture-independent approach, Shewanella followed by Psychrobacter were the most abundant genera. In some samples, a high relative abundance of the phylum Epsilonbacteraeota, represented by the genus Arcobacter, was detected. This study reports the bacterial diversity present in Baltic herring and shows that the microbiological quality was acceptable in all the analysed fish batches

Skin cancer’s prevention in the light of current medical knowledge

Among all diagnosed malignancies, skin cancers account for more than 30-50%. Caucasian patients have a lifetime risk of more than 20%. The incidence increases with the age of patients. In 2017, there were over 14,000 new cases in Poland. It can be expected that these results are underestimated due to incomplete registration of new cases in the National Cancer Registry.(1,2)The most common skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma - over 80% of cases. In second place is squamous cell carcinoma - 15-20%. Other types are less common.(1)The appearance of a new mole or a change in the appearance of an existing one is often missed at the beginning, and even if it is noticed, it is underestimated by the patient. Therefore, detection rate of skin cancer, including melanoma at an early stage, is unfortunately relatively low.The incidence of skin cancer is constantly increasing, which is an important epidemiological problem of modern medicine.(2)Patient education should focus on behaviors that the patient can influence and modify, including: regular visits to a dermatologist and undergoing a dermatoscopic examination, the use of sunscreen with a high UV factor, the use of special protective clothing, sunglasses, covering head when under sun’s exposure, moderate overall sun exposure, avoiding sunburn, not using a tanning bed.The purpose of this review was to assess the current literature on the impact of educating the public and promoting sun protection as a necessary method to directly reduce the incidence of skin cancer.The literature was searched in Pubmed and Google Scholar databases