Rotavirus Vaccination of Premature Newborns in the NICU: Evaluation of Vaccination Rates and Safety Based on a Single-Centre Study.

Preterm newborns are babies born before the end of the 36th week of gestational life. They are at increased risk of infection and death from infectious diseases. This is due, among other things, to the immaturity of the immune system and the long hospitalisation period. One common infectious disease in the paediatric population is rotavirus (RV) infection. We now have specific vaccines against this pathogen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of rotavirus vaccination in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting and to determine the tolerance of this vaccine in low- and extremely low-weight children. The study carried out at a single centre, the University Hospital in Kraków, also allowed the assessment of vaccination trends during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. During the observation period, 126 premature newborns received the RV vaccine. We observed no adverse effects, and our analysis shows safety and good tolerance of the vaccine among preterm babies. In addition, we observed an increase in vaccination rates between 2019 and 2021, partly explained by parents' anxiety about infectious diseases in the era of pandemics and partly explained by a change in vaccination policy in Poland and the introduction of refunding for RV vaccination.

Chemical Structures, Properties, and Applications of Selected Crude Oil-Based and Bio-Based Polymers.

The growing perspective of running out of crude oil followed by increasing prices for all crude oil-based materials, e.g., crude oil-based polymers, which have a huge number of practical applications but are usually neither biodegradable nor environmentally friendly, has resulted in searching for their substitutes-namely, bio-based polymers. Currently, both these types of polymers are used in practice worldwide. Owing to the advantages and disadvantages occurring among plastics with different origin, in this current review data on selected popular crude oil-based and bio-based polymers has been collected in order to compare their practical applications resulting from their composition, chemical structure, and related physical and chemical properties. The main goal is to compare polymers in pairs, which have the same or similar practical applications, regardless of different origin and composition. It has been proven that many crude oil-based polymers can be effectively replaced by bio-based polymers without significant loss of properties that ensure practical applications. Additionally, biopolymers have higher potential than crude oil-based polymers in many modern applications. It is concluded that the future of polymers will belong to bio-based rather than crude oil-based polymers.

Cold-Pressed Pomegranate Seed Oil: Study of Punicic Acid Properties by Coupling of GC/FID and FTIR.

Over the last decades, we have witnessed an increasing interest in food-related products containing vegetable oils. These oils can be obtained either by extraction or by mechanical pressing of different parts of plants (e.g., seeds, fruit, and drupels). Producers of nutraceuticals have ceaselessly searched for unique and effective natural ingredients. The enormous success of argan oil has been followed by discoveries of other interesting vegetable oils (e.g., pomegranate oil) containing several bioactives. This work describes the pomegranate fruit extract and seed oil as a rich source of conjugated linolenic acid as a metabolite of punicic acid (PA), deriving from the omega-5 family (ω-5). Through the chemical characterization of PA, its nutritional and therapeutic properties are highlighted together with the physiological properties that encourage its use in human nutrition. We analyzed the composition of all fatty acids with beneficial properties occurring in pomegranate seed oil using gas chromatography (GC) with flame-ionization detection (FID) analysis combined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Pomegranate seed oil mainly consists of 9,11,13-octadic-trienoic acid (18:3), corresponding to 73 wt % of the total fatty acids. Nine components were identified by GC in PSO, varying between 0.58 and 73.19 wt %. Using midinfrared (MIR) spectroscopy, we compared the composition of pomegranate seed oil with that of meadowfoam seed oil (MSO), which is also becoming increasingly popular in the food industry due to its high content of long chain fatty acids (C20-22), providing increased oil stability. From the results of FTIR and MIR spectroscopy, we found that punicic acid is unique in PSO (73.19 wt %) but not in MSO.

Functional development of preterm children born from singleton and multiple pregnancies: Preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: In recent years an increasing number of multiple pregnancies have been observed, which is a result of advancements made in reproductive technologies for infertility treatments as well as a tendency for women to delay childbearing until later in life. The risk of preterm birth in the case of a twin pregnancy is five to seven times higher than that of a singleton pregnancy, and in the case of triplet pregnancy, the risk is even 10 times higher. The objective of the study was to assess and compare the functional development of children aged between 2 and 2.5 who were prematurely born from singleton, twin and triplet pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in a group of 43 children aged between 2 and 2.5 who were born prematurely (between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy) in 2017 and 2018. Group I was made up of 10 children born from singleton pregnancies, group II included 12 children born from six twin pregnancies and group III consisted of 21 children born from seven triplet pregnancies. The evaluation of functional development was conducted using the Munich Functional Developmental Diagnostics. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in functional development between the studied singletons, twins and triplets. In the examined groups of singletons, twins and triplets, the calculated quotient medians for the 50th percentile approximated 1, which means that development was typical and did not differ from the development of the general population. In turn, for the 95th percentile, the median scores usually approximated 0.8, which also indicated that there was no significant delay in development. Had scores been higher than 1, this might have indicated a delay. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the study group, no relationship was found between the multiplicity of pregnancies and the functional development of premature babies born between the 32nd and 36th weeks of gestation.

Nanopharmaceuticals for Eye Administration: Sterilization, Depyrogenation and Clinical Applications.

As an immune-privileged target organ, the eyes have important superficial and internal barriers, protecting them from physical and chemical damage from exogenous and/or endogenous origins that would cause injury to visual acuity or even vision loss. These anatomic, physiological and histologic barriers are thus a challenge for drug access and entry into the eye. Novel therapeutic concepts are highly desirable for eye treatment. The design of an efficient ocular drug delivery system still remains a challenge. Although nanotechnology may offer the ability to detect and treat eye diseases, successful treatment approaches are still in demand. The growing interest in nanopharmaceuticals offers the opportunity to improve ophthalmic treatments. Besides their size, which needs to be critically monitored, nanopharmaceuticals for ophthalmic applications have to be produced under sterilized conditions. In this work, we have revised the different sterilization and depyrogenation methods for ophthalmic nanopharmaceuticals with their merits and drawbacks. The paper also describes clinical sterilization of drugs and the outcomes of inappropriate practices, while recent applications of nanopharmaceuticals for ocular drug delivery are also addressed.

Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Contained in Gut Microbiota as a Primary Source of Sepsis in Low- and Very Low Birth Weight Neonates.

BACKGROUND: There are only a few reports in the literature about translocation of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) as a primary cause of sepsis in neonates, although CoNS are among a short list of "translocating" bacteria when present in abundance. METHODS: 468 blood samples, 119 stool samples, and 8 catheter tips, from 311 neonates, were tested for presence of microorganisms. CoNS strains isolated from the blood and stool or from blood and catheter tip of the same newborn at approximately the same time were paired and typed with PFGE (Pulse-Field Gel Electrophoresis) method. The strains were then tested for the presence of adherence genes and biofilm formation. RESULTS: The strains with identical PFGE profiles in comparison to those with non-identical profiles differed in terms of the pattern of the virulence genes and showed a lack of the genes related to adherence, but more often presence of IS256, which is related to virulence. They also were phenotypically unable to adhere to intestinal Caco2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of CoNS strains isolated from bloodstream of VLBW/LWB neonates was identical to the strains isolated from faeces of the same neonates at the same time. These observations may offer indirect evidence indicating that at least some CoNS can translocate from the gastrointestinal tract of the premature neonates into the bloodstream and thus cause generalized infection.

Contribution of a Novel B3GLCT Variant to Peters Plus Syndrome Discovered by a Combination of Next-Generation Sequencing and Automated Text Mining.

Anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) encompasses a spectrum of ocular disorders affecting the structures of the anterior eye chamber. Mutations in several genes, involved in eye development, are implicated in this disorder. ASD is often accompanied by diverse multisystemic symptoms and another genetic cause, such as variants in genes encoding collagen type IV. Thus, a wide spectrum of phenotypes and underlying genetic diversity make fast and proper diagnosis challenging. Here, we used AMELIE, an automatic text mining tool that enriches data with the most up-to-date information from literature, and wANNOVAR, which is based on well-documented databases and incorporates variant filtering strategy to identify genetic variants responsible for severely-manifested ASD in a newborn child. This strategy, applied to trio sequencing data in compliance with ACMG 2015 guidelines, helped us find two compound heterozygous variants of the B3GLCT gene, of which c.660+1G>A (rs80338851) was previously associated with the phenotype of Peters plus syndrome (PPS), while the second, NM_194318.3:c.755delC (p.T252fs), in exon 9 of the same gene was noted for the first time. PPS, a very rare subtype of ASD, is a glycosylation disorder, where the dysfunctional B3GLCT gene product, O-fucose-specific ß-1,3-glucosyltransferase, is ineffective in providing a noncanonical quality control system for proper protein folding in cells. Our study expands the mutation spectrum of the B3GLCT gene related to PPS. We suggest that the implementation of automatic text mining tools in combination with careful variant filtering could help translate sequencing results into diagnosis, thus, considerably accelerating the diagnostic process and, thereby, improving patient management.

L-citrulline supplementation in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infant: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: the aim of this case report is to present that oral L-citrulline supplementation may attenuate chronic pulmonary hypertension and reduce oxygen requirement in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. IMPORTANT CLINICAL FINDINGS: a boy, with a birth weight of 700 g, born by cesarean section after 25 weeks of pregnancy complicated with preeclampsia, was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. He was ventilatory dependent for the next 3 months with significantly increased oxygen requirements. A severe stage of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, complicated with increased pulmonary vascular resistance, was diagnosed. Treatment with inhaled nitric oxide and oral sildenafil was included in the therapy of chronic pulmonary hypertension. The results of screening echocardiograms and increased plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentrations, suggested right ventricle dysfunction. THE MAIN INTERVENTION: at the beginning of the sixth month of hospitalization, oral supplementation of L-citrulline in a single dose of 150 mg/kg/day was introduced and continued for 70 days. During the first 3 weeks after L-citrulline was started, the patient was weaned from mechanical ventilation and he was never intubated again until he was discharged. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentrations decreased significantly during the first month of L-citrulline administration and became stable until the termination of L-citrulline supplementation. At discharge, the patient required 22%-25% concentration of oxygen supplemented intermittently, exclusively during feeding. CONCLUSION: these results indicate that L-citrulline supplementation may deserve coverage as an additional, potentially beneficial alternative in the prophylaxis or therapy of chronic pulmonary hypertension in newborns.

Device-associated pneumonia of very low birth weight infants in Polish Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

PURPOSE: Late-Onset Pneumonia (LO-PNEU) is still the most important complication associated with the hospitalization of infants with very low birth weight (<1501g). The purpose of this paper is to summarize the results of an ongoing surveillance program defining LO-PNEU as associated or not associated with respiratory support in the NICU and distribution of causative pathogens from the Polish Neonatology Surveillance Network (PNSN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surveillance of infections was conducted in the years 2009-2011 at six Polish NICUs. RESULTS: The incidence was 3.1/1000 NICU patient days (pds). The mean gestational age and birth weight among infants with LO-PNEU were significantly lower. The VAP incidence was of 18.2/1000 NICU pds for mechanically ventilated (MV) infants, while the rates for those receiving only CPAP were as low as 7.7/1000 NICU pds. MV significantly increased the risk of PNEU, but MV or CPAP for <10 days did not increase the risk of LO-PNEU. Significantly associated with LO-PNEU was the use of central or peripheral venous catheters and total parenteral nutrition for longer periods. Microorganisms isolated in cases of LO-PNEU were Gram-positive cocci (53.5%) and Gram-negative rods, with predominating E. coli. Non fermentative bacilli were significantly more frequent in cases of VAP than in other cases. CONCLUSIONS: Observed incidence rates associated with VAP and CPAP-PNEU, were higher than in other national surveillance systems and expressing the feasibility of lowering the risk of LO-PNEU and increasing patient safety. The incidence of pneumonia was found to be lower when using CPAP as compared to using MV.

Antioxidant activity of selected wild Canadian prairie fruits.

BACKGROUND: Canadian prairies are a habitat for unique wild plants. The main object of the present study was to investigate phytochemicals content and antioxidant activity in seven wild Canadian prairie fruits. METHODS: The presence of total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity were identified in the extracts according to standard procedure. RESULTS: Wild rose had the highest amounts of total phenolics and total flavonoids, whereas elderberry exhibited the highest amount of anthocyanins. All extracts showed good scavenging activities towards DPPH radicals. The results showed a good linear relationship between oxygen radical absorbance capacity and total phenolics indicating that radicals are scavenged at a greater rate as the total phenolics content increases. Additionally, all extracts when applied at concentration of 800 ppm, showed ability to inhibit oxidation of canola oil. In SOT test the best results were obtained when extract of American mountain ash was used. In general, wild rose followed by American mountain ash demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity among assessed Canadian prairie fruits. CONCLUSIONS: From the results it can be concluded that prairie fruit extracts are a rich source of phenolic compounds and poses a high antioxidant activity, confirmed by assessment with different type of radicals employed.

Vertical transmission of HPV in pregnancy. A prospective clinical study of HPV-positive pregnant women.

INTRODUCTION: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Data reporting vertical transmission of HPV from the mother to the fetus are inconsistent and scant. Vertical transmission may occur by hematogenic route (transplacental), or by ascending contamination, or through the birth canal, which may result in the dreaded and rare laryngeal papillomatosis. Infected sperm at fertilization is a potential route of infection, too. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the rate of vertical transmission of HPV in HPV-positive pregnant women to their newborn infants, as well as the risk factors of HPV vertical transmission. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical material was provided by 136 pregnant women, aged 18-45 years. Out of this group, 30 (22.05%) women with abnormal Pap test and positive DNA HPV test were prospectively observed Neonatal status, i.e. DNA HPV from the nasopharyngeal smear was recorded in all infants during the perinatal period. The conventional Pap test was performed with the cervix brush in all women. The Bethesda 2011 classification system was applied. RESULTS: An average C Reactive Protein (CRP) concentration in the studied pregnant women was 711.6083 (Std Dev--12.93). The most frequent cytological findings in the cervical smears from the examined women were ASCUS, n = 13 (43.3%), then--LSIL, n = 10 (33.3%), HSIL--n = 5 (16.7%) and AGC--n = 2 (6.7%). In the neonates, the presence of LR HPV DNA was detected in 9 cases (30.0%) and HR HPV DNA in 7 cases (23.3%). Fourteen neonates (46.7%) tested HPV DNA negative in the perinatal period. CONCLUSIONS: HPV infection (incidental or chronic) is observed in approximately 22% of pregnant women from the Matopolska province. Neonatal HPV infection in HPV-positive women was observed in 53.3% of the subjects. CRP concentration > 10 mg/dl in the serum of pregnant women statistically significantly (p 0.001) reduces the risk of vertical transmission of HPV from the mother to the fetus.

Vaccination of preterm infants by polyvalent vaccines: immunogenicity and safety- review of literature.

The immunization of infants against infectious diseases still raises many controversies, not only with parents, but also among physicians. This refers particularly to preterm infants. Due to the increasing popularity of polyvalent vaccines, a number of studies has recently been conducted to verify their immunogenicity and safety in preterm infants. The aim of the present paper was to review the current literature dealing with the problem in question. The following recommendations regarding the use of polyvalent vaccines in preterm infants and neonates with low birth weight can be formulated on the basis of current evidence (1). Due to sufficient immunogenicity, polyvalent vaccines can be administered to preterm infants in accordance with their calendar age (2). Booster vaccination of preterm infants after completing 12 months of age is vital for achieving complete and persistent immunity against all vaccine antigens (3). In order to reduce the risk of adverse events after the administration of a polyvalent vaccine, it is essential to carefully consider the cardiorespiratory status of preterm infants during preimmunization examination, as well as their history of any cardiorespiratory dysfunctions. In such cases administering the first dose of the vaccine in a hospital setting is strongly advised.

Late-onset bloodstream infections of Very-Low-Birth-Weight infants: data from the Polish Neonatology Surveillance Network in 2009-2011.

BACKGROUND: Late-Onset Bloodstream Infections (LO-BSI) continue to be one of the most important complications associated with hospitalization of infants born with very low birth weight (VLBW). The aims of this study were to assess the epidemiology of LO-BSI together with the risk factors and the distribution of causative pathogens at six Polish neonatal intensive care units that participated in the Polish Neonatology Surveillance Network from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011. METHODS: The surveillance covered 1,695 infants whose birth weights were <1501 grams (VLBW) in whom LO-BSI was diagnosed >72 hours after delivery. Case LO-BSI patients were defined according to NeoKISS. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty seven episodes of LO-BSI were diagnosed with a frequency of 25.3% and an incidence density of 6.7/1000 patient-days (pds). Results of our multivariate analysis demonstrated that surgical procedures and lower gestational age were significantly associated with the risk of LO-BSI. Intravascular catheters were used in infants with LO-BSI significantly more frequently and/or for longer duration: Central venous cathters (CVC) (OR 1.29) and Peripheral venous catheters (PVC) (OR 2.8), as well as, the total duration of total parenteral nutrition (13 vs. 29 days; OR 1.81). Occurrence of LO-BSI was significantly associated with increased the length of mechanical ventilation (MV) (OR 2.65) or the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (OR 2.51), as well as, the duration of antibiotic use (OR 2.98). The occurrence of more than one infection was observed frequently (OR 9.2) with VLBW with LO-BSI. Microorganisms isolated in infants with LO-BSI were dominated by Gram-positive cocci, and predominantly by coagulase-negative staphylococci (62.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Independent risk factor for LO-BSI in VLBV infants are: low gestational age and requirement for surgery. The incidence rates of LO-BSI especially CVC-BSI were higher in the Polish NICUs surveillance than those of other national networks, similar to the central- and peripheral utilization ratio.

Necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants: epidemiology and antibiotic consumption in the Polish neonatology network neonatal intensive care units in 2009.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), antibiotic consumption and the usefulness of microbiological tests in very low birth weight (VLBW) Polish newborns. METHODS: Prospective surveillance was performed in the year 2009 by local infection control teams. The study covered 910 infants hospitalized in six Polish neonatal intensive care units. Two kinds of indicators were used for the description of antibiotic usage: the duration of treatment (days of treatment, DOTs) and the defined daily dose (DDD). RESULTS: NEC incidence was 8.7% and fatality rate was 19%. Chorioamnionitis, late gestational age and low birth weight were identified as risk factors for NEC. Catheterization, mechanical ventilation and other selected procedures were used considerably longer in newborns with NEC than in the remaining neonates. Total usage of antibiotics reached 2.9 DDDs or 1.437 days; the average use of drugs per case of NEC amounted to 0.47 DDD or 23.2 DOTs. The level of antibiotic usage was analysed with correlation to microbiological tests performed and it was non-significantly greater in the group of children with NEC in whom the tests were performed. CONCLUSIONS: A high risk of developing NEC is closely associated with VLBW and with inflammation of the amnion during labour. We observed no relationship between the consumption of antibiotics in neonates with NEC and positive results of microbiological testing indicating sepsis accompanying NEC or gut colonization with pathogens.

Fish-oil fat emulsion supplementation reduces the risk of retinopathy in very low birth weight infants: a prospective, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary studies suggest that fish-oil lipid emulsion given parenterally to very preterm infants reduces the severity of retinopathy (ROP) and cholestasis. METHODS: Infants weighing <1250 g at birth were randomly allocated to 2 groups: an experimental group of 60 infants that received an intravenous (IV) soybean, olive oil, and fish oil emulsion, and a control group of 70 infants that was given a parenteral soybean and olive oil emulsion. Plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were determined using a high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. RESULTS: Nine infants in the fish oil group required laser therapy for ROP compared with 22 infants in the standard intralipid group (risk ratio [RR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.96). Three infants in the fish oil group developed cholestasis compared with 20 infants in the standard intralipid group (RR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.055-0.56). The mean plasma DHA concentrations in treated infants were 2.9-fold higher in the fish oil group than in control infants on the 7th and 14th days of life. The mean DHA content in erythrocytes of treated infants was 4.5-fold and 2.7-fold higher compared with controls at 7 and 14 days of age. CONCLUSIONS: Premature infants receiving an IV fat emulsion containing fish oil had less ROP requiring laser treatment and less cholestasis than those receiving a standard lipid emulsion. These infants also had higher plasma and erythrocyte DHA levels at 7 and 14 days, suggesting potential long-term neurodevelopmental benefits.

May the supplementation of lipid emulsion containing DHA in VLBW infants influence their psychological development evaluated at three years of age? Preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible influence of a lipid emulsion containing DHA (docosahexaenoic polyunsaturated fatty acid), parenterally administered from the first day of life, on the psychological development of 3-year-old children born with very low birth weight (VLBW). It was suspected that an increased amount of DHA in parenteral nutrition may be a variable that modifies the relation between other medical or social factors and their influence on the child's development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups of three-year-old children with calendar age ranging from 29 to 51 months (mean value--38 months) were tested. The children in the study group (n=23) were parenterally nourished during the first weeks of life with a lipid emulsion containing DHA. The patients in the control group (n=13) were fed with a lipid emulsion without DHA. RESULTS: Using the General Linear Model (GLM) with the analysis of interaction effects, it was found that the supplementation of the lipid emulsion containing DHA in parenteral nutrition from the first day of life beneficially influenced the relation between immaturity associated with the children's health status at birth and emotional development evaluated at three years of age. It also modified the relation between emotional and linguistic development. CONCLUSIONS: When administered after birth in prematurely born children, the lipid emulsion containing DHA may influence their development at the age of three years. It may either compensate the negative effects that immaturity associated with the health status at birth has on emotional development, or stimulate the language development in children whose emotional development is normal.

[Epidemiology of infections in very low birth weight infants. Polish Neonatology Network research]. / Epidemiologia Zakazen Noworodkówz Bardzo Mala Masa Urodzeniowa.badania Polskiej Sieci Neonatologicznej.

AIM OF STUDY: 1. prospective record of infections; 2. prevention of nosocomial infections by providing current data about infections, which are significant for making therapeutic decisions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Recorded infections: early-onset sepsis (congenital), late-onset sepsis (acquired in hospital), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), pneumonia. Infections were diagnosed and qualified on the basis of definitions of infections based on the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) criteria, developed by CDC, USA, including modifications of German Neo-KISS programme. Infection control was realised as a part of common research project of "Polish Neonatology Network", appointed by the decision of the Minister of Science and Higher Education no. 669/E-215/BWSN- 0180/2008 dated 20.05.2008 r. The study was conducted by 6 Polish neonatology units, Microbiology Chair of Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum and Institute of Theoretical and Applied Computer Science. Infants with birth weight lower than 1500 g were qualified for the study. RESULTS: Between 1.01.2009 and 31.12.2009, 910 patients were registered, i.e. 19.1% of VLBW infants born in that period. The conducted analysis showed significant differences between centres in gestational age, birth weight, hospitalisation, use of invasive procedures, antibiotics and parenteral feeding. Cumulative morbidity rate was 68.5% total. Blood infection (sepsis) was the most commonly observed type of infection: 268 cases - 43.1% of all recorded forms of infection. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 242 cases, 38.8% total. NEC constituted 12.7% studied infections (79 cases). Apart from NEC, the risk of other forms of infection differed between centres. Dominant etiologic factor of all infections were Gram-positive cocci, which constituted 565 isolated microorganisms. Among them coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were the most common (41.7%), while Staphylococcus aureus was fourth most frequent etiologic factor of infections (6.3% total). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Introduction of unified definition and criteria for diagnosing infections and the use of morbidity rates enables comparative analysis of epidemiology of infections in neonatal intensive care units. 2. Due to significant differences observed between prophylactic and therapeutic procedures in various units, it is essential to propose Polish recommendations regarding control over etiology of infections and use of invasive procedures, such as intravenous catheters and ventilation. 3. It is essential to undertake action leading to fully rational antibiotic therapy, because overuse of antibiotics leads to bacterial resistance and increases incidence of infections.

γ-Oryzanols of North American Wild Rice (Zizania palustris).

γ-Oryzanol, a natural mixture of ferulic acid esters of triterpene alcohols and sterols, are an important bioactive components present in rice bran oil. In light of the recent increase in the popularity of wild rice among consumers, and the possibility of a direct relationship between γ-oryzanol composition and its bioactivity, the oryzanol profile of major wild rice (Zizania palustris) grown in North America was studied and compared to regular brown rice (Oryza sativa L.). A total of twenty-three γ-oryzanol components were separated, identified and quantified by HPLC coupled to an Orbitrap MS. The distribution of individual γ-oryzanols was similar for all the wild rice but significantly different from those of the regular brown rice. Unlike in the regular brown rice, a significant amount of steryl caffeate and cinnamate were found in the wild rice samples. Generally, the amounts of γ-oryzanol in the wild rice were higher compared to the regular brown rice, 1,352 vs. 688 µg/g. The results from this study showed that wild rice had a more diverse γ-oryzanol composition and the higher amounts compared to the regular brown rice.

Infections reported in newborns with very low birth weight who required surgical treatment. Data from the Polish Neonatology Surveillance Network.

AIM: To determine the risk of various forms of infections appearing in very low birth weight newborns (VLBW) during the period of 30 days after surgical treatment in hospitals which have perinatal care departments with neonatal intensive care units that form the Polish Neonatology Surveillance Network (PNSN). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Continuous prospective monitoring of infections was carried out from January 1st to December 31st 2009 in six neonatal intensive care units which form the Polish Neonatal Surveillance Network. (PNSN). 910 newborns with very low birth weight (VLBW) were included in the study programme. 91 (10%) of this group underwent 118 surgical interventions. 12 newborns needed two or more surgeries. The most common procedure was the closure of persistent ductus artesiosus (PDA) and photocoagulation of vascular damage in the eye fundus. RESULTS: In the period of 30 days after surgery the following were diagnosed: in 3 newborns - necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), in 22 newborns - sepsis (BSI) and in 54 newborns - pneumonia (PNEU). Symptoms of BSI and PNEU were on average observed on the 10th day after surgical intervention, while in the case of NEC on the 17th day. The highest incidence of infection (148.4%) was observed after PDA closure and in connection with introducing a drain into the pleural cavity through the intercostal space. The incidence of PN EU (37.3%) was twice as high as the incidence of BSI (18.6%). Surgical procedure was a factor significantly increasing the risk of infection and morbidity (RR 2.1, P<001) In our investigations there was no case of the local infection of a surgical site. 11 newborns died (mortality was 12.1%). The most common bacterial strains found in our investigation were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Escherichia Coli. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into consideration the fact that surgical procedure in VLBW-newborns significantly increases the risk of pneumonia and to a minor degree the risk of NEC and BSI, further detailed investigation in the field of perisurgical epidemiology is needed in order to elaborate a more deeply oriented and more effective strategy of infection prevention in the group of VLBW newborns.