Intestinal endoparasitism in wild cat (Felis silvestris) from Banat area (Romania).

The wild cat (Felis silvestris), spread in Romania from the Danube Delta to the mountain range is present in the Banat area, on the hunting ground that can be contaminated with different stage developmental forms of parasites, some of them having real zoonotic potential. The wild cat is an animal protected by the Romanian law of protection animals. Coprological samples from 88 wild cats from 16 hunting grounds, as well as the gastrointestinal tract collected from six wild cats cadavers and the molecular characterization of the cestodes identified in their intestines, allowed us to establish intestinal parasitic fauna. During coprological examination Isospora oocysts, tapeworm eggs, eggs of Toxocara cati, Ancylostoma spp. and Capillaria spp were found. At the same time, the form of genera Mesocestoides, Taenia, Toxocara/Toxascaris and Ancylostoma were identified at necropsy. Further polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification revealed the species of Taenia taenieformis, and Mesocestoides litteratus, the latter providing a zoonotic potential. This study, the first in the western part of the country (Banat area, Timis County), provides information about the parasitic fauna of wild cats and underlines the importance of the human contamination risk.

Use of LDH- chromate adsorption co-product as an air purification photocatalyst.

This work deals with the use of layered double hydroxides for a double environmental remediation. The residue obtained in the use of these materials as a chromate sorbent in water, was subsequently studied as a photocatalyst for the removal of NOx gases. With this aim, MgAl-CO3 layered double hydroxides were synthesized by the coprecipitation method with a divalent/trivalent metal ratio of 3. After its calcination at 500 °C, the mixed oxide was obtained and MgAl-CrO4 were synthesized by the reconstruction method. A complete chemical, morphological and photochemical study of the samples was carried out with techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, TGA, XRF, PL, DRIFTS and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Results showed that LDH materials presented no significant changes in their structure after their use as a sorbent. Photocatalytic tests of the samples showed a very good NO removal efficiency, as well as a high selectivity (low NO2 emissions) through complete oxidation of these oxides to nitrate. The incorporation of chromate into the LDH structure improved the absorption of light in the visible region of the spectra, producing an improvement of 20% in the NO elimination compared with the LDH without chromate.

Insight into the role of copper in the promoted photocatalytic removal of NO using Zn2-xCuxCr-CO3 layered double hydroxide.

In this work the ability of Zn2-xCuxCr-CO3 layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as highly efficient DeNOx photocatalysts was studied. LDHs with x = 0, 0.2 and 0.4 were prepared using a coprecipitation method. The samples were characterized by different techniques such as XRD, XPS, FT-IR, ICP-MS, TG, SBET, SEM and Diffuse reflectance (DR). The increased amount of copper ions in the LDH layers gave rise to slight changes in the structure and morphology and an important variation of the optical properties of the LDHs. The prepared ZnCuCr-CO3 photocatalysts exhibited favourable conversion efficiency (51%) and an extraordinary selectivity (97%) for the photochemical NO abatement. The photochemical mechanism was elucidated from DOS, EPR, Femtosecond transient absorption and in-situ DRIFTS studies. The results suggested that the presence of Cu2+ ions in the LDH framework introduced new states in the valence band states, thus favouring the production and mobility of e-/h+ charge carriers and a greater production of ⋅O2- and ⋅OH.

Changes of Hippocampal Noradrenergic Capacity in Stress Condition.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic restraint stress (CRS) on the protein levels of dopamine-ß-hydroxylase (DBH), noradrenaline transporter (NET), vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as the concentration of noradrenaline (NA) in the rat hippocampus. The investigated parameters were quantified by Western blot analyses and ELISA kits. We found that CRS increased the protein levels of DBH by 30 %, VMAT2 by 11 %, BDNF by 11 % and the concentration of NA by 104 %, but decreased the protein levels of NET by 16 % in the hippocampus of chronically stressed rats. The molecular mechanisms by which CRS increased the hippocampal NA level are an important adaptive phenomenon of the noradrenergic system in the stress condition.

Photolysis of cell-permeant caged inositol pyrophosphates controls oscillations of cytosolic calcium in a ß-cell line.

Among many cellular functions, inositol pyrophosphates (PP-InsPs) are metabolic messengers involved in the regulation of glucose uptake, insulin sensitivity, and weight gain. However, their mechanisms of action are still poorly understood. So far, the influence of PP-InsPs on cellular metabolism has been studied by overexpression or knockout/inhibition of relevant metabolizing kinases (IP6Ks, PPIP5Ks). These approaches are, inter alia, limited by time-resolution and potential compensation mechanisms. Here, we describe the synthesis of cell-permeant caged PP-InsPs as tools to rapidly modulate intracellular levels of defined isomers of PP-InsPs in a genetically non-perturbed cellular environment. We show that caged prometabolites readily enter live cells where they are enzymatically converted into still inactive, metabolically stable, photocaged PP-InsPs. Upon light-triggered release of 5-PP-InsP5, the major cellular inositol pyrophosphate, oscillations of intracellular Ca2+ levels in MIN6 cells were transiently reduced to spontaneously recover again. In contrast, uncaging of 1-PP-InsP5, a minor cellular isomer, was without effect. These results provide evidence that PP-InsPs play an active role in regulating [Ca2+]i oscillations, a key element in triggering exocytosis and secretion in ß-cells.

Comparison of Demographic, Epidemiological, Immunological, and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with HIV Mono-infection Versus Patients Co-infected with HCV or/and HBV: A Serbian Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to correlate the status of hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection with clinical and demographic data prior to starting highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and assess the impact of HCV and HBV co-infection on the natural history of HIV infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved a total of 836 treatment-naive patients with available serological status for HBV and HCV at the point of therapy initiation. Patients were stratified into four groups: HIV mono-infection, HIV/HCV, HIV/HBV, and HIV/HCV/HBV co-infection. Demographic, epidemiological, immunological and clinical characteristics were analyzed in order to assess the possible impact of HCV and HBV co-infection on HIV - related immunodeficiency and progression to AIDS. RESULTS: The prevalence of HCV and HBV co-infection in our cohort was 25.7% and 6.3%, respectively. Triple HIV/HCV/HBV infection was recorded in 1.7% of the patients. In comparison with those co-infected with HCV, patients with HIV mono-infection had lower levels of serum liver enzymes activity and higher CD4 cell counts, and were less likely to have CD4 cell counts below100 cells/µL and clinical AIDS, with OR 0.556 and 0.561, respectively. No difference in the development of advanced immunodeficiency and/or AIDS was recorded between patients with HIV monoinfection and those co-infected with HBV, or both HCV/HBV. CONCLUSION: HIV/HCV co-infection was found to be more prevalent than HIV/HBV co-infection in a Serbian cohort. Co-infection with HCV was related to more profound immunodeficiency prior to therapy initiation, reflecting a possible unfavorable impact of HCV on the natural history of HIV infection.

[Developments and inventions from Germany : Influence on international ophthalmology]. / Entwicklungen und Erfindungen aus Deutschland : Einfluss auf die internationale Augenheilkunde.

There are various developments and inventions from Germany that have influenced not only the domestic but also the international field of ophthalmology. Beginning with the invention of the ophthalmoscope by Hermann von Helmholtz in 1850, to the establishment of the "Archives of Ophthalmology" medical journal, a publication founded by Albrecht von Graefe in 1854, through to the development of the retinal chip by Eberhart Zrenner and colleagues with the first clinical data collected in 2007. The abovenamed and further developments and the German ophthalmologists behind these inventions are discussed in more detail.

Helminth fauna of the northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus) in Serbia.

The result of helminthological examination of 28 hedgehogs died at traffic accident and 12 samples of feces collected from pets hedgehogs during 2013-2015 were presented. Three species of helminths were found: Crenosoma striatum, Hymenolepis erinacei and Aonchotheca erinacei. This is the first research of parasitic fauna of hedgehogs in Serbia.

Antioxidant status and sex hormones in women with complex endometrial hyperplasia.

Endometrial tissue is under a strong influence of sex hormones. These hormones are considered as developmental factors of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. We examined the influence of gonadotropins (follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone) and sex hormones (estradiol, progesterone) on oxidant/antioxidant parameters in blood and endometrial tissue of women with complex endometrial hyperplasia. In blood, superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in luteal phase and postmenopause compared to the follicular phase. A significant phase-related difference of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activity was recorded in the endometrium. Both enzymes had lower activity in luteal phase and postmenopause compared to the follicular phase. The linear regression analysis of individual hormonal variables against antioxidant parameters showed negative correlation between glutathione peroxidase activity and gonadotropin concentrations in the endometrium. The regression of hyperplastic to normal endometrium is the purpose of conservative treatment based on administration of progestogens or gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues. Our findings indicate that gonadotropins influence the antioxidant enzymes activity in women with complex endometrial hyperplasia, which may affect disease development. Further studies are needed to clarify the molecular basis of hormone action on antioxidant system that may potentially initiate a development of treatments based on redox-dependent mechanism.

Synthesis of 2-diphospho-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate and a photocaged analogue.

Diphosphoinositol polyphosphates (inositol pyrophosphates, X-InsP7) are a family of second messengers with important roles in eukaryotic biology. Their chemical synthesis and modification remains a challenging task due to the high density of phosphate groups arranged around the myo-inositol core. Here, a novel approach is presented that facilitates the incorporation of the diphosphate in the 2-position (2-InsP7) and that enables the introduction of a photocage subunit.

Capturing Cd(ii) and Pb(ii) from contaminated water sources by electro-deposition on hydrotalcite-like compounds.

Two different hydrotalcite-like compounds were prepared and used as substrates for the electrochemical removal of extremely toxic pollutant cations, such as Cd(ii) and Pb(ii), from aqueous solutions, and their subsequent recovery for further potential applications. By deposition on the hydrotalcite electrode, it was possible to remove 75% of Cd(ii) contained in a starting 5.2 mM solution of CdCl2, which was subsequently recovered and concentrated up to 14.3 mM in a single step. A removal of almost 100% was obtained in the case of Pb(ii). Its recovery was largely hindered by the formation of several inert phases, among which is some stable formation of hydroxycarbonate. Our results suggest that the removal of these contaminants by hydrotalcite-like compounds occurs by the combination of two parallel processes: electro-deposition and adsorption. It was possible to achieve a removal capacity for Cd(ii) and Pb(ii) equal to 763 mg ga.m.(-1) and 1039 mg ga.m.(-1), respectively. These removal capacities, accompanied by an excellent posterior eluent-free recovery of Cd(ii), suggest that this new method could be an environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional adsorption wastewater treatment.

Antioxidant status in blood of gynaecological patients: influence of diagnosis and reproductive factors.

Cancer of the reproductive tract is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. In this study we evaluated the influence of diagnostic categories, age and reproductive factors on antioxidant enzymes and lipid hydroperoxides in the blood of gynaecological patients diagnosed with endometrial polyp, myoma, hyperplasia simplex, hyperplasia complex and endometrial adenocarcinoma. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the association of diagnosis, age, parity, abortions and abnormal uterine bleeding with the examined parameters. Diagnosis provided the best predictive model for superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and also for the lipid hydroperoxide level. Abortions fitted the best predictive model for superoxide dismutase activity. A significant correlation was also found between the predictor variables themselves. This study showed that reproductive and other factors may be associated, at least partially, with antioxidant capacity and ability to defend against the oxidative damage in gynaecological patients with various diagnoses.

Levels of infection of intestinal helminth species in the golden jackal Canis aureus from Serbia.

During the past decade, golden jackal populations have substantially increased, yet little is known of their potential for transmitting parasites within animal and human hosts. In the present study, between 2005 and 2010, 447 jackals from six localities in Serbia were examined for intestinal parasites. Two species of trematodes (Alaria alata, Pseudamphistomum truncatum), three nematodes (Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum, Gongylonema sp.), and seven cestodes (Taenia pisiformis, Taenia hydatigena, Multiceps multiceps, Multiceps serialis, Mesocestoides lineatus, Mesocestoides litteratus, Dipylidium caninum) were identified. Pseudamphistomum truncatum and M. serialis species were recorded for the first time. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 10.3%. No significant differences were found in the prevalence of infection between males and females (P>0.817), between localities (P>0.502), or with regard to annual cycles (P>0.502). In the infected jackal population, 65% harboured multiple infections and one individual was a host to five different types of parasite species, the highest number of parasites we recorded in a single host. These findings indicate that although the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in the jackal population in Serbia is significantly lower than expected from earlier studies, further monitoring is required given the jackal's rapid population increase.

Organo/layered double hydroxide nanohybrids used to remove non ionic pesticides.

The preparation and characterization of organo/layered double hydroxide nanohybrids with dodecylsulfate and sebacate as interlayer anion were studied in detail. The aim of the modification of the layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was to change the hydrophilic character of the interlayer to hydrophobic to improve the ability of the nanohybrids to adsorb non-ionic pesticides such as alachlor and metolachlor from water. Adsorption tests were conducted on organo/LDHs using variable pH values, contact times and initial pesticide concentrations (adsorption isotherms) in order to identify the optimum conditions for the intended purpose. Adsorbents and adsorption products were characterized several physicochemical techniques. The adsorption test showed that a noticeable increase of the adsorption of the non-ionic herbicides was produced. Based on the results, the organo/LDHs could be good adsorbents to remove alachlor and metolachlor from water. Different organo/LDHs complexes were prepared by a mechanical mixture and by adsorption. The results show that HTSEB-based complex displays controlled release properties that reduce metolachlor leaching in soil columns compared to a technical product and the other formulations. The release was dependent on the nature of the adsorbent used to prepare the complexes. Thus, it can be concluded that organo/LDHs might act as suitable supports for the design of pesticide slow release formulations with the aim of reducing the adverse effects derived from rapid transport losses of the chemical once applied to soils.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy of ureteral stone in a patient with en bloc kidney transplantation: a case report.

We report a case of ureterolithiasis in a patient with an en bloc kidney transplantation, using extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). The patient presented with asymptomatic macrohematuria. Computed tomography revealed a ureteral calculus just below the pyeloureteral junction with hydronephrosis of the medially positioned kidney. Took two sessions of ESWL were required for complete disintegration of the stone. At 3 years after successful treatment, the patient has an excellent functioning and stone-free graft.

The prognosis of patients with dissociated virological and immunological responses to HAART.

BACKGROUND: While HAART allows for the reconstitution of immune functions in most treated HIV patients, failure to achieve a significant increase in circulating CD4+ T cells despite undetectable viremia occurs. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the treatment outcome in a subgroup of 232 patients who after 3.1 years of treatment had not achieved desirable immune reconstitution despite a good virological response to HAART. RESULTS: After a further 3.6 ± 2.4 years of HAART, 82 (35.3%) patients achieved immune reconstitution (565.2 ± 174.6 CD4 cells/µl), while 149 (64.2%) patients did not (268.8 ± 91.1 cells/µl); the difference in the achieved CD4 counts between these subgroups was significant (P<0.01). One patient experienced treatment failure. Eleven patients died to the end of follow-up, of which 10 with a continuously dissociated response. Factors associated with immune recovery included clinical AIDS at HAART initiation (OR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.24-0.81, P<0.01), usage of PIs and of drugs from all three classes (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0-3.0, P=0.046 and OR: 4.5, 95% CI: 1.15-18.19, P=0.03, respectively), and a rise in CD4 count to over 200 cells/µl after the first 3.1 years of treatment (OR: 5.3 95% CI: 2.6-11.0, P<0.01). Achievement of a rise in CD4 count to over 200 cells/µl after the first 3.1 years of treatment was an independent predictor of immune reconstitution in the following period. CONCLUSION: If patients on HAART reach CD4 cell counts of above 200 cells/µl in the first 3 years, immune recovery is possible after at least 6 years of treatment.

Layered double hydroxides as adsorbents and carriers of the herbicide (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid (MCPA): systems Mg-Al, Mg-Fe and Mg-Al-Fe.

Hydrotalcite-like compounds [Mg(3)Al(OH)(8)]Cl x 4H(2)O; [Mg(3)Fe(OH)(8)]Cl x 4H(2)O; [Mg(3)Al(0.5)Fe(0.5)(OH)(8)]Cl x 4H(2)O (LDHs) and calcined product of [Mg(3)Al(OH)(8)]Cl x 4H(2)O, Mg(3)AlO(4.5) (HT500), were studied as potential adsorbents of the herbicide MCPA [(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid] as a function of pH, contact time and pesticide concentration, and also as support for the slow release of this pesticide, with the aim to reduce the hazardous effects that it can pose to the environment. The information obtained in the adsorption study was used for the preparation of LDH-MCPA complexes. The results showed high and rapid adsorption of MCPA on the adsorbents as well as that MCPA formulations based on LDHs and HT500 as pesticide supports displayed controlled release properties and reduced herbicide leaching in soil columns compared to a standard commercial MCPA formulation. Thereby, we conclude that the LDHs employed in this study can be used not only as adsorbents to remove MCPA from aqueous solutions, but also as supports for the slow release of this highly mobile herbicide, thus controlling its immediate availability and leaching.

Intramuscular fetal corticosteroid therapy: short-term effects on the fetus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the short-term effects of direct intramuscular (i.m.) corticosteroid therapy on fetal biophysical profile, baseline fetal heart rate and the nonstress test, which indicate the degree of fetal hypoxia. METHOD: We evaluated the effect of direct i.m. fetal single-dose dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) on the fetal biophysical profile 2 h before and 2-4 h after corticosteroid therapy in 41 fetuses in the 32nd week of gestation at risk of preterm delivery. Risk factors for preterm delivery included pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia. RESULT: There was a statistically significant difference between fetal breathing movements before and after corticosteroid therapy (p = 0.019; 95% confidence interval for difference -11.75, -1.12). No significant changes were observed between baseline fetal heart rate before and after corticosteroid therapy (p = 0.99; 95% confidence interval for difference -4.81, +4.81), biophysical profile before and after fetal corticosteroid therapy, p = 0.235 as well as the nonstress test before and after therapy (p = 0.564). CONCLUSION: Direct corticosteroid i.m. fetal therapy results in increasing profound short-term fetal breathing movements. There are no changes in baseline fetal heart rate, biophysical profile score, and nonstress test.

[Mathematical modeling in preooperative planning for reconstructive and plastic surgery].

Social importance of skin emphasizes an importance of quality of methods of planning for reconstructive and plastic surgery. With modern technical improvement the usage of complex mathematical model based on biomechanical characteristics of tissue is possible. Two- and three-dimensional model, expert systems and mechanical analysis are used. In this work we tested the system for mechanical analysis in preoperative planning of a simple procedure of the Z-plastic, named the finite-element method. Computer model simulates tissue coverages. With geometrical data some physical characteristics are added. Complex surface of skin is marked by the grid divided in quadrangular elements. Mechanical consequences and definitive results of surgical procedure are analysed during the computer simulation of the action of tension of skin and suture material. In our analysis we found the finite-element method of great usefulness and noticed that "surgery simulators" might be an efficient way to speed-up learning curve in reconstructive surgery.