The influence of lactic acid bacteria on the viability of the reference strain of Listeria monocytogenes 123 serotype I in plant foods.

Listeria (L.) monocytogenes is the causative agent of human listeriosis, the frequent sourceof which is food of animal origin. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the viability of Listeria in carrot juice and compound feed inoculated with L. monocytogenes. The effect of homogenous cultures of Streptococcus (Str.) lactis distaticus, Str. thermophilus and Lactobacillus (Lac.) lactis subsp. Cremoris and the combination of Str. thermophilus with Lac. bulgaricus in the carrot juice and compound feed samples on viability of inoculated L. monocytogenes were examined. There were no statistically significant differences in the results between the experimental groups. Regardless of used LAB, the results showed that the mean pH values in the carrot juice samples decreased from an initial pH of 6.7 to a mean value of 3.7 on 15 experimental day. The Listeria concentration in carrot juice samples decreased from average of 4.94 on day 5 to 3.24 log CFU/mL on day 10, and on day 15 achieved <0.01 log CFU/mL. In the compound feed trials, the pH decreased average from initial 6.5 to 3.7 on day 15. The concentration of Listeria decreased, similarly to the carrot juice samples, from average 5.0 on day 5 to 4.68 on day 10, and on day 15 achieved <0.01 log CFU/mL. In control samples, the number of Listeria increased throughout the study period and amounted to 9.2-9.84 log CFU/mL/g in all the samples. The activity of LAB has been shown to be antagonistic to L. monocytogenes. The results of the study did not show any clear differences between the used LAB strains in limiting the L. monocytogenes concentration. Based on the obtained results it can be conducted that the addition of LAB to animal food increases its microbiological safety.

Homogeneous nucleation rate of methane hydrate formation under experimental conditions from seeding simulations.

In this work, we shall estimate via computer simulations the homogeneous nucleation rate for the methane hydrate at 400 bars for a supercooling of about 35 K. The TIP4P/ICE model and a Lennard-Jones center were used for water and methane, respectively. To estimate the nucleation rate, the seeding technique was employed. Clusters of the methane hydrate of different sizes were inserted into the aqueous phase of a two-phase gas-liquid equilibrium system at 260 K and 400 bars. Using these systems, we determined the size at which the cluster of the hydrate is critical (i.e., it has 50% probability of either growing or melting). Since nucleation rates estimated from the seeding technique are sensitive to the choice of the order parameter used to determine the size of the cluster of the solid, we considered several possibilities. We performed brute force simulations of an aqueous solution of methane in water in which the concentration of methane was several times higher than the equilibrium concentration (i.e., the solution was supersaturated). From brute force runs, we infer the value of the nucleation rate for this system rigorously. Subsequently, seeding runs were carried out for this system, and it was found that only two of the considered order parameters were able to reproduce the value of the nucleation rate obtained from brute force simulations. By using these two order parameters, we estimated the nucleation rate under experimental conditions (400 bars and 260 K) to be of the order of log10 (J/(m3 s)) = -7(5).

Liposome induction of CD8+ T cell responses depends on CD169+ macrophages and Batf3-dependent dendritic cells and is enhanced by GM3 inclusion.

Cancer vaccines aim to efficiently prime cytotoxic CD8+ T cell responses which can be achieved by vaccine targeting to dendritic cells. CD169+ macrophages have been shown to transfer antigen to dendritic cells and could act as an alternative target for cancer vaccines. Here, we evaluated liposomes containing the CD169/Siglec-1 binding ligand, ganglioside GM3, and the non-binding ligand, ganglioside GM1, for their capacity to target antigens to CD169+ macrophages and to induce immune responses. CD169+ macrophages demonstrated specific uptake of GM3 liposomes in vitro and in vivo that was dependent on a functional CD169 receptor. Robust antigen-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T and B cell responses were observed upon intravenous administration of GM3 liposomes containing the model antigen ovalbumin in the presence of adjuvant. Immunization of B16-OVA tumor bearing mice with all liposomes resulted in delayed tumor growth and improved survival. The absence of CD169+ macrophages, functional CD169 molecules, and cross-presenting Batf3-dependent dendritic cells (cDC1s) significantly impaired CD8+ T cell responses, while B cell responses were less affected. In conclusion, we demonstrate that inclusion of GM3 in liposomes enhance immune responses and that splenic CD169+ macrophages and cDC1s are required for induction of CD8+ T cell immunity after liposomal vaccination.

Social conditioning of body height and mass in children and adolescents, as well as in adult inhabitants of the Konin Province, Poland.

This paper presents the socio-economic conditioning of somatic features in children and adolescents, as well as in adults, both men and women. The material used in the analysis was collected in 1990 in the Konin voivodeship (Poland). It comprises 1587-1608 boys and 2191-2213 girls at the age of 7-18 years. The adults consist of two groups: 1. aged 25-39 (3096 men and 4628 women), 2. aged 40-59 (4210 men and 3061 women). The metrical data comprise body height, body mass and BMI. Environmental (size of the district of residence) and social data (level of education and professional data of the parents) were taken into account. Multidimensional statistical analysis (step-wise) was applied to explain the variability of the somatic features under study in relation to the socio-environmental factors. It could be shown that the socio-environmental differentiation of the somatic features manifests itself in a different manner depending on the kind of feature, on the gender and on the age. In comparison with the girls the boys show a greater ecosensitivity of body height and mass and a lesser ecosensitivity concerning the BMI. Among all the factors describing "the quality of living conditions" the classically used indirect factors have a fundamental influence on the development of body height, body mass and BMI of boys, as well as on the body height of girls (e.g. parents' addiction to nicotine, physical effort). The social differentiation manifests itself most clearly in adult women's body mass and BMI and in men's body height. The level of education is a factor of relatively highest importance. It differentiates somatic features of men and women independently of their age (exceptions: body mass of younger women, BMI of older men). The occupational stratification differentiates women's somatic features (with the exception of the BMI of the older women) and body height of the younger men. The size of the district differentiates somatic features in younger women and men, apart from body height in men, and conditionally (Ha: one-sided) BMI in older women.

[Pulmonary complications after partial laryngectomies for cancer]. / Powiklania plucne po czesciowych operacjach krtani z powodu raka.

The material of patients after partial laryngectomies due to the laryngeal cancer in light of pulmonary complications was analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups depending on kind of performed operation. The first group consisted of patients after vertical laryngectomies, the second after horizontal operations. The important protective function of the larynx in comparison with lower airway was emphasized. It was pointed out, that after horizontal laryngectomies this protective mechanism becomes not sufficient. Cases of aspiration pneumonia as a result of horizontal operations were introduced. The important contraindications to the horizontal laryngectomies were presented.

[A case of a large parapharyngeal tumor removed by medial mandibulectomy]. / Przypadek olbrzymiego guza przestrzeni przygardlowej usunietego z dojscia przez mandibulotomie srodkowa.

In the paper by the authors the case of big size pleomorphic adenoma of the parapharyngeal space was presented. The tumors was taken out without any difficulties by transcervical approach with splitting mandibulae and cutting the muscles of the mouth bottom with wide exposure of the parapharyngeal space. This way of operations is considered and proved us a practicable method concerning the localization of the tumor.

[Surgical treatment of nasal bleeding in patients admitted to the 2nd ENT department in Zabrze in the years 1981-1990]. / Chirurgiczne leczenie krwawien z nosa u chorych hospitalizowanych w II klinice laryngologii w Zabrzu w latach 1981-1990.

The authors presented 11 cases of excessive and recurrent nose bleeding treated surgically in 2nd ENT Department. The vascular ligation of the internal maxillary artery or ethmoidal arteries was carried out. In the 3 years period of follow up no bleeding hasn't been reported.

[Fractures of the frontal sinuses]. / Urazy zatok czolowych.

Six patients with of frontal sinus was presented. The causes of injury, diagnostic methods and treatment based of our and other authors experience was compared.

The application of the computation pattern for recording of a flexion creases alignment on the human fetus palms.

We have investigated palm prints of 100 fetuses and palm prints of 8 human neonates. Flexion creases investigation have shown that creases alignment has a threefold form: independent, joining and crossing. To describe them we have used our own graphical recording of a triangle. This system widens and improves dactyloscopic methods of creases recording; it seems to be simple and versatile therefore it is proposed to implement it as per instruction.

Investigations of the excitation energy transport mechanism in donor-acceptor systems.

Measurements of fluorescence quantum yield ηD/ηoD of Na-fluorescein (donor; D) versus concentration of rhodamine B (acceptor; A) in viscous solutions have been carried out. The donor concentration in these solutions was as follows:C D=2·10(-2) M (system I), 1.5·10(-2) M (II), 10(-2) M (III), 3·10(-3) M (IV), and 5·10(-5) M (V). The experimental results have been compared with current theories of nonradiative electronic energy transfer (NEET). In the case of very strong migration (systems I, II, and III), a significant influence of correlations (between configurations of D and A molecules in the surroundings of successively excited donors) on quantum yield ηD/ηoD has been determined. Experimental values have been found to be clearly higher in comparison with those predicted theoretically. The influence of possible factors on the decrease in the effectiveness of excitation energy transport to traps-acceptors in systems of very strong migration has been discussed.

[Evaluation of the respiratory system function in girls from the Textile Technical College in Lódz (II)]. / Ocena czynnosci ukladu oddechowego dziewczat z Technikum Wlókienniczego w Lodzi (Czesc II).

The work in textile industry is a risk factor of the development of chronic non-specific diseases of the respiratory tract. Thus the vocational selection for the posts in this industry should particularly take into account the health status of the applying youths. The subjects of the study were 35 girls from Textile Technical College and 42 girls from Grammar School (control group). The girls were examined three times in the succeeding school years. Anthropometric and spirometric examinations were performed. No significant differences between the values of ventilation parameters in both the groups were observed, which indicates that the selection of pupils admitted to the Technical College was proper. During the period of professional training no adverse effects of the industrial environment on the respiratory function could be found either.

[Evaluation of somatic development, physical fitness and motor skills of girls from the Textile Technical College in Lódz (I)]. / Ocena rozwoju somatycznego, wydolnosci fizycznej i sprawnosci motorycznej dziewczat z technikum wlókienniczego w Lodzi.

Thirty-five girls from a technical college (TC) and forty-five from a grammar school (GS) (a control group) were included in a long-term examination. Somatic traits have been investigated for 4 years, while aerobic capacity and motor efficiency have been studied for 3 years. The preliminary selection was noticed in girls--candidates to technical college and grammar school. These two groups of girls differed in respect of social factors and somatic predisposition. At the beginning of the examination the girls from the technical college revealed a considerably lower motor efficiency as compared to those from the GS. After 3 or 4 years of learning traits of the body length were still weaker in the girls from the technical college. However, they had a more massive skeleton, stronger trunk muscles and stronger hands. In addition, these girls were characterized by a remarkable improvement of general physical efficiency, particularly endurance, speed and nimbleness. In the final stage of the study in all girls from both TC and GS aged 18 lower aerobic capacity in comparison with data from the previous year was found, which could results from inefficient physical activity during the educational process. This fact may be especially unfavourable for the girls from TC as far as their future profession is concerned.

[Skeletotopy of the kidneys of American mink Mustela vison (Brisson, 1756)]. / Skeletotopia nerki u norki amerykanskiej Mustela vison (Brisson, 1756).

A radiological and anatomical analysis of the position of 120 kidneys of 60 minks of both sexes in relation to the vertebral column was carried out. It was found that they are situated at the height of Th13 to L5, the right kidney is situated more cranially than the left one and most often across the fourteenth rib (female 51.5%, male 59.3%).