Indoor allergens in settled dust from kindergartens in city of Łódź, Poland

Objectives: The main objective of the study was to determine the levels of house dust mite (Der p1), dog (Can f1), cat (Fel d1) and cockroach (Bla g2) allergens in kindergartens localized in an urban agglomeration. Material and Methods: A quantitative analysis of allergens was carried out in settled dust samples collected by vacuuming the floor surface in three kindergartens (N = 84) and children's clothing (N = 36). The samples were collected in springsummer and autumn-winter periods as well as at the beginning and end of the week. The allergen dust concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA). Results: The mean geometric concentrations (±geometric standard deviations) of allergens Der p1, Can f1, Fel d1 and Bla g2 determined in kindergartens were: 0.02±3.21 μg/g of dust; 0.97±4.49 μg/g of dust; 0.30±4.43 μg/g of dust and 0.01±3.08 μg/g of dust, respectively. Younger classrooms (children aged from 3 to 4 years) were characterized by almost twice higher mean concentration of allergen Fel d1, as compared to older classrooms (children aged from 5 to 6 years) (p < 0.05). A significant impact of seasonality on the level of dog allergen Can f1 was found (p < 0.05). No significant weekly variation was found in average concentrations of the allergens. Children who had a dog and/or cat at home were characterized by high concentrations of allergens Can f1 and Fel d1 on their clothes (59.2±5.39 μg Can f1/g of dust; 3.63±1.47 μg Fel d1/g of dust), significantly higher than concentrations of allergens in children who did not have any pets (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Special attention should be paid to keeping the kindergarten rooms tidy and clean and to an appropriate choice of furnishings and fittings which would prevent the proliferation of the house dust mite and accumulation of allergens

Silsesquioxane nanocarriers in diagnostics and biomedicine

Artykuł stanowi przegląd literatury dotyczącej nanokompozytów silseskwioksanowych, jako nośników cząstek bioaktywnych, stosowanych we współczesnej teranostyce (terapii i diagnostyce). Przedstawiono metody syntezy funkcjonalizowanych struktur silseskwioksanowych (POSS), w tym dendrymerów, a także kopolimerów organiczno-nieorganicznych wykorzystywanych do kowalencyjnego wiązania i enkapsulacji cząstek bioaktywnych.The paper reviews current literature concerning silsesquioxane nanocomposites as potential nanocarriers in contemporary teranostics. It describes synthetic methods leading to functionalized silsesquioxanes (POSS), including dendrimers as well as organo-inorganic copolymers studied as covalent composites and systems for encapsulation of bioactive moieties

Liquid crystal coating for SAW sensors

This paper presents results on measurements of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor, using polymer liquid crystal layer. The sensitivity and response time for different test probes have been studied. The sensitivity of the order of 4 Hz/ppm or higher, towards such compounds as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), dimethyl methylphosphonate and dibutyl sulphide, was found. The results show that the very high sensitivity towards DMA results from interaction of DMA with structurally ordered liquid crystalline material

Selected topics in design and application of a robot for remote medical examination with the use of ultrasonography and ascultation from the perspective of the REMEDI project

This article presents a robot for remote noninvasive medical examination. In particular, this robot allows a doctor to carry out an interview, an observation, an auscultation and an ultrasound examination, including echocardiography. The robot has been developed within the ReMeDi (Remote Medical Diagnostician) project funded by the European Union’s Research and Innovation 7th Framework Programme. At the beginning of the article, we outline selected results of the user’s evaluation of the robot idea together with the requirements regarding the robot. Then the essential system components are presented and a selection of them are discussed in detail. Subsequently we present the integrated system and discuss selected topics concerning the integration. Finally, the document is completed by a description of the users evaluation process

The efficiency of synthetic sex pheromones in sexual arousal stimulation in domestic dogs

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of synthetic bitch sex pheromones (Eau’ De Estrus®, Synbiotics USA) for the stimulation of the reproductive reflexes in adult male dogs. In experiment I: anoestral bitches were applied synthetic (n=6) or natural (n=6) pheromones and their attractiveness was compared to the attractiveness of bitches in natural oestrus, In experiment II: swabs socked in natural estrual discharge or Eau D’Estrus were presented to male dogs and behavioral arousal (Exp. II a) and changes in blood flow in the penile artery reflecting erection (Exp. II b) were recorded. In experiment III the time dedicated for sniffing in experimental dogs was analyzed in relation to the type of attractant presented (natural estrual discharge or Eau D’Estrus). In all three experiments we observed the signs of sexual arousal, increased blood flow in the penile artery and increased time of sniffing only with natural pheromones. No signs of excitation or changes in penis perfusion were noted after the use of artificial pheromones. Our results did not support the suitability of Eau D’Estrus for male dog sexual stimulation.</jats:p