Enzymatic activity of fungi isolated from crops.

AIM: To detect and assess the activity of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes and to find differences in enzymograms between fungi isolated from wheat and rye samples and grown on Czapek-Dox Broth and Sabouraud Dextrose Broth enriched with cereal (wheat or rye). Isolated strains were also classified in the scale of biosafety levels (BSL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study used 23 strains of fungi cultured from samples of wheat and rye (grain, grain dust obtained during threshing and soil) collected in the Lublin region (eastern Poland). API ZYM test (bioMérieux) was carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions. Classification of BSL (Biosafety levels) was based on the current literature. RESULTS: High enzymatic activity was found in strains cultured in media containing 1% of wheat grain (Bipolaris holmi, Penicillium decumbens) and with an addition of 1% of rye grain (Cladosporium herbarum, Aspergillus versicolor, Alternaria alternata). The total number of enzymes varied depending on the type of media, and in most cases it was higher in the culture where an addition of cereal grains was used. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated strains of fungi reveal differences in the profiles of the enzyme assay. It can be assumed that the substrate enriched in grains stimulate the higher activity of mold enzymes.

Food allergies in rural areas.

INTRODUCTION: A food allergy is a group of symptoms occurring in the organism and resulting from consuming some food, where the problems are conditioned by immunological mechanisms. The symptoms may become apparent first in adulthood and they may be an initial manifestation of a latent allergy. Typical symptoms of a food allergy occur in different organs, thus not only in the digestive system, but also in the skin, respiratory system and circulatory system. AIM: To assess the frequency of food allergy onset in rural areas of the Lublin region as well as to determine which factors induce such allergies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey was conducted, involving the participation of 340 inhabitants of rural areas. The study monitored the knowledge and situation of the disease, concerning allergens, allergy symptoms, methods of treatment and opinions regarding such treatment. RESULTS: The analysis focused on 124 people with diagnosed allergies. CONCLUSIONS: Introducing a diet did not result in a statistically significant difference regarding elimination of the symptoms, as compared to the patients who did not follow any diet. On the other hand, pharmacological treatment causes statistically worse results than using other methods or not being treated at all. The patients in whom allergy symptoms disappeared were more convinced about the positive character of their diet than those in whom the symptoms were not eliminated. The age when the allergy becomes evident does not affect its duration, yet it matters as to the time of its later elimination. The more symptoms were experienced by a patient, the longer the duration of the allergy was.

Selected oxidative stress markers in gynecological laparoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: The surgical stress response after laparoscopy is smaller when compared with open surgery, and it is expected that after minimally invasive surgery the possible development of oxidative stress will be less severe. AIM: To evaluate markers of pro-oxidant activity - levels of lipid peroxides and malondialdehyde - and activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the perioperative period in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy and to determine whether the duration of laparoscopy can affect these changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 64 patients, divided into two groups: group 1 with duration of laparoscopy up to 20 min, and group 2 with duration of the operation over 40 min. Blood samples were collected before anesthesia, 5 min after release of pneumoperitoneum, and 10 h after surgery. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in the levels of lipid peroxides and malondialdehyde in samples collected after surgery was found in comparison with values obtained before surgery. Also statistically significant differences existed between groups of patients with different duration of surgery. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity values were significantly decreased. They were also significantly different between the two groups with different duration of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, levels of the markers of pro-oxidant activity increased and levels of the markers of antioxidant enzymes decreased, suggesting development of oxidative stress. The duration of laparoscopic procedures affects the severity of the presented changes.

Drugs as important factors causing allergies.

Medications can cause many adverse reactions, both non-immunologic and immunologic ones. Allergies can take many forms, allergic reactions include all types of reactions according to Gell and Coombs. Typically, allergic reactions to drugs are manifested by skin lesions such as maculopapular rash or urticaria and life-threatening systemic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Allergy to drugs is diagnosed based on medical history and a number of specific tests: skin tests, blood tests. In diagnosing the causes of anaphylaxis, the basophil activation test is used to exclude false negative and false positive results of skin tests and specific IgE levels. Allergic reactions to medications usually resolve themselves after discontinuation of the drug. Sometimes in the treatment anti-allergic drugs are used to inhibit the development of skin lesions. After observing any signs of drug allergy it is important to accurately diagnose the cause, since the subsequent exposure to the drug may lead to a strong anaphylactic reaction and consequently death.

Allergy to selected cosmetic ingredients.

In an era in which cosmetics are commonly used, their often prolonged contact with the human body should determine the safety of their use. Often cosmetics are the cause of many side effects, mainly hypersensitivity reactions. Common groups of cosmetic components responsible for side effects are fragrances, preservatives and dyes. This paper focuses on the most allergenic components.

Farmers' occupational diseases of allergenic and zoonotic origin.

Farmers are exposed to a number of biological, physical and chemical factors harmful to the health, resulting from the specific nature of their work environment. As is clear from epidemiological studies about occupational diseases, pneumoconioses and infectious and parasitic diseases are recorded most commonly. Due to the character of farmer's work, the greatest risk to his health is biological hazards in the form of numerous microorganisms and their metabolites, and particles of plants and animals contained in the organic dust and pathogens transmitted by vectors such as ticks. The health status of farmers is often worse than of other professional groups as a result of limited access to health care and lower health literacy. Therefore, farmers should be subject to a system of diagnosing occupational diseases, and many preventive and educational programs concerning health risks associated with their work. The aim of this paper is to characterize occupational diseases of farmers including allergic diseases, tick-borne diseases and zoonoses.

The role of fungi in allergic diseases.

Allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, asthma, airborne dermatitis, or allergic conjunctivitis, can be caused or aggravated by components of bioaerosol from natural environment or from indoor environment in enclosed spaces, workplaces and homes. The main components of bioaerosol are fungi and their metabolites, which are common in the environment.

Grain dust originating from organic and conventional farming as a potential source of biological agents causing respiratory diseases in farmers.

INTRODUCTION: Agricultural producers are exposed to a number of different health risks associated with their work environment. AIM: The objective of the study was to assess the degree of colonization by fungi in terms of quantity and in terms of variety of species the samples taken from the settled dust from combine threshing of rye cultivation from organic and conventional farms in the Province of Lublin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This paper is a preliminary quantitative assessment of the species of fungi colonizing the samples of settled dust collected during combine threshing from organic and conventional farms in the Province of Lublin. One of the stages of the project was the classification of biosafety BSL (biosafety level) of selected isolates and API ZYM tests to evaluate the potential ability of isolates to cause adverse health effects. To determine the concentration and composition of fungi in collected samples plate dilution method was used with two media: Malt Agar and Potato Dextrose Agar. RESULTS: MOST COMMONLY ISOLATED FUNGI IN SETTLED DUST SAMPLES COLLECTED DURING COMBINE THRESHING FROM ORGANIC FARMS, ON PDA MEDIUM WERE: Alternaria alternata and Aureobasidium pullulans. Cultures on MA medium were dominated by Alternaria alternata, Mycelia sterilia and Fusarium poae. In samples of dust from conventional crops, the predominant species was Alternaria alternata on PDA medium and on MA medium. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results show a potential risk of people involved in agricultural work.

Rye grains and the soil derived from under the organic and conventional rye crops as a potential source of biological agents causing respiratory diseases in farmers.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the specific work environment, farmers are exposed to various biological occupational hazard. Among these factors significant are fungi present in the grain and also in the soil. The fungi may be the cause of human diseases including skin infections, asthma, allergic rhinitis and many others. AIM: The aim of this study was to quantify and identify species of fungi colonizing rye grain samples and the soil under cultivation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: THE MATERIAL CONSISTED OF GRAIN AND SOIL SAMPLES FROM TWO AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS: organic and conventional. To determine the concentration and composition of fungi in collected samples, two media: Malt Agar (MA, Becton, Dickinson and Company) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA, Becton, Dickinson and Company) were used. The composition of species in fungal flora was determined using macroscopic and microscopic methods. The isolates of fungi were ranked in the appropriate classes of biosafety BSL. RESULTS: THE MOST FREQUENTLY ISOLATED FUNGI FROM ORGANIC RYE GRAIN, REGARDLESS OF THE MEDIA USED, WERE SPECIES: Aureobasidium pullulans and Alternaria alternata. In conventional farms, most species isolated from rye grain were: Aureobasidium pullulans, Cladosporium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata and yeast-like fungi. Most often species isolated from the soil was Penicillium citreo-viride. CONCLUSIONS: All the results of the research demonstrate the potential hazard to the health of people working in agriculture. Significant exposure of this professional group is associated with the presence of harmful biological agents present in the grain and soil from its cultivation.