The effect of organic fruit juices on physicochemical, microbiological and antioxidative aspects of organic goat's and cow's fermented whey beverages produced on laboratory and industrial scale.

Fermented milk beverages have been known for years and are characterized by excellent health-promoting properties. Therefore, consumer attention has been drawn to this product type in recent years. In the presented research, the technology of production in laboratory and industrial scale of controlled fermentation of whey beverages containing sweet and sour organic cow's or goat's whey with the addition of organic fruit juices (apple, blackcurrant juice or Kamchatka berry), has been described. Food production on a laboratory scale involves small batch processes designed for experimentation and refinement, often with precise control over variables and conditions. In contrast, industrial-scale food production in enterprises focuses on large volume output with an emphasis on efficiency, consistency, and adherence to regulatory standards for mass consumption. In this study was examined the amino acid content and nutritional value of the obtained products. Tests were carried out on fermented whey drinks' microbiology and antioxidant properties. The significance was determined using an ANOVA (ANOVA)-each prepared drink was characterized by better antioxidant properties and nutritional values compared with product without juice addition. Microbiological examination proved that only one product was not fit for consumption according to the Polish norm. Using whey (goat and cow) as a base for a fermented beverage with enhanced health benefits is a positive step toward using products commonly regarded as waste.

Extreme dehydration observed in Antarctic Turgidosculum complicatulum and in Prasiola crispa.

Gaseous phase hydration effect of extremely dehydrated thallus of the Antarctic lichenized fungus Turgidosculum complicatulum and of green alga Prasiola crispa was observed using hydration kinetics, sorption isotherm, 1H-NMR spectroscopy and relaxometry. Three bound water fractions were distinguished: (1) very tightly bound water, (2) tightly bound water and (3) a loosely bound water fraction detected at higher levels of hydration. Sorption isotherm was sigmoidal in form and well fitted using Dent model. The relative mass of water saturating primary water binding sites was ΔM/m 0 = 0.055 for T. complicatulum and ΔM/m 0 = 0.131 for P. crispa. 1H-NMR free induction decays (FIDs) for T. complicatulum and for P. crispa were superpositions of a solid signal component, and one averaged liquid signal component for P. crispa thallus ([Formula: see text] ≈ 80 µs) or two liquid signal components coming from a tightly bound ([Formula: see text]≈ 71 µs) and from a loosely bound water fraction ([Formula: see text]≈ 278 µs) for T. complicatulum. 1H-NMR spectra recorded for T. complicatulum and for P. crispa thalli revealed one averaged mobile proton signal component L. The total liquid signal component expressed in units of solid (L 1 + L 2)/S suggests the presence of water soluble fraction in T. complicatulum thallus.

Regioselective hydroxylation of cholecalciferol, cholesterol and other sterol derivatives by steroid C25 dehydrogenase.

Steroid C25 dehydrogenase (S25DH) from Sterolibacterium denitrificans Chol-1S is a molybdenum oxidoreductase belonging to the so-called ethylbenzene dehydrogenase (EBDH)-like subclass of DMSO reductases capable of the regioselective hydroxylation of cholesterol or cholecalciferol to 25-hydroxy products. Both products are important biologically active molecules: 25-hydroxycholesterol is responsible for a complex regulatory function in the immunological system, while 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (calcifediol) is the activated form of vitamin D3 used in the treatment of rickets and other calcium disorders. Studies revealed that the optimal enzymatic synthesis proceeds in fed-batch reactors under anaerobic conditions, with 6-9 % (w/v) 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin as a solubilizer and 1.25-5 % (v/v) 2-methoxyethanol as an organic co-solvent, both adjusted to the substrate type, and 8-15 mM K3[Fe(CN)6] as an electron acceptor. Such thorough optimization of the reaction conditions resulted in high product concentrations: 0.8 g/L for 25-hydroxycholesterol, 1.4 g/L for calcifediol and 2.2 g/L for 25-hydroxy-3-ketosterols. Although the purification protocol yields approximately 2.3 mg of pure S25DH from 30 g of wet cell mass (specific activity of 14 nmol min-1 mg-1), the non-purified crude extract or enzyme preparation can be readily used for the regioselective hydroxylation of both cholesterol and cholecalciferol. On the other hand, pure S25DH can be efficiently immobilized either on powder or a monolithic silica support functionalized with an organic linker providing NH2 groups for enzyme covalent binding. Although such immobilization reduced the enzyme initial activity more than twofold it extended S25DH catalytic lifetime under working conditions at least 3.5 times.

Antioxidant action of six Trifolium species in blood platelet experimental system in vitro.

This study includes a comparative evaluation of antioxidant effects of plant extracts (1.5-50.0 µg/ml), derived from six clover (Trifolium) species: T. alexandrinum L., T. fragiferum L., T. hybridum L., T. incarnatum L., T. resupinatum var. majus Boiss., and T. resupinatum var. resupinatum L. Chemical profiles of the extracts contained three or four groups of (poly)phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids, clovamides, isoflavones, and other flavonoids. Antioxidant properties of Trifolium extracts were assessed as the efficacy to reduce oxidative and nitrative damage to blood platelets, exposed to 100 µM peroxynitrite-induced oxidative stress in vitro. Antioxidant actions of the examined extracts were determined by the following biomarkers of oxidative stress: thiol groups, 3-nitrotyrosine, lipid hydroperoxides, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Despite the significant differences in the chemical composition (the total phenolic concentrations varied between 11.30 and 52.55 mg/g of dry mass) of Trifolium extracts, we observed noticeable protective effects of almost all tested plant preparations. The T. alexandrinum extract, containing the highest concentration of phenols, was the most effective antioxidant among the tested extracts. On the other hand, the T. incarnatum extract, which contained a comparable total phenolic content (49.77 mg/g), was less efficient in prevention of tyrosine nitration and generation of TBARS. These findings indicate on the important role of individual phenolic components of the examined clover extracts for the final antioxidative effects. Antioxidative properties of the remaining extracts were noticeably weaker.

Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection: results of a hospital-based study in Krakow, Poland.

Over the past two decades Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has appeared as a major public health threat. We performed a retrospective study based on the records of patients hospitalized for CDI at the University Hospital in Krakow, Poland, between 2008 and 2014. In the study period, CDI occurred in 1009 individuals. There were 790 (78%) individuals who developed infection only once, whereas 219 (22%) developed infection more than once. The percentage of deaths within 14 days of CDI confirmation was 2·4%, with a mean age of 74·2 ± 15·9 years. Crude mortality was 12·9% in medical wards, 5·6% for surgical wards and 27·7% in the ICU setting. The time span between diagnosis and death was 5·1 days on average. Between 2008 and 2012 a 6·5-fold increase of CDI frequency with a posterior stabilization and even reduction in 2013 and 2014 was observed. According to the data analysed, 2/3 patients in our population developed CDI during their hospitalization even though they were admitted for different reasons. Medical wards pose a significantly higher risk of CDI than the surgical ones. Age is a risk factor for CDI recurrence. In the case of patients who died, death occurred shortly after diagnosis. The first CDI episode poses much higher risk of mortality than the consecutive ones.

Thrombin inhibitory activity of some polyphenolic compounds.

Thrombin, also known as an active plasma coagulation factor II, belongs to the family of serine proteases and plays a crucial role in blood coagulation process. The process of thrombin generation is the central event of the hemostatic process and regulates blood coagulant activity. For this reason, thrombin inhibition is key to successful novel antithrombotic pharmacotherapy. The aim of our present study was to examine the effects of the well-known polyphenolic compounds on the activity of thrombin, by characterization of its interaction with selected polyphenols using different biochemical methods and biosensor BIAcore analyses. Only six compounds, cyanidin, quercetin, silybin, cyanin, (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin, of all examined in this study polyphenols caused the inhibition of thrombin amidolytic activity. But only three of the six compounds (cyanidin, quercetin and silybin) changed thrombin proteolytic activity. BIAcore analyses demonstrated that cyanidin and quercetin caused a strong response in the interaction with immobilized thrombin, while cyanin and (-)-epicatechin induced a low response. Lineweaver-Burk curves show that used polyphenol aglycones act as competitive thrombin inhibitors. Our results suggest that polyphenolic compounds might be potential structural bases and source to find and project nature-based, safe, orally bioavailable direct thrombin inhibitors.

Markers of microbial translocation predict hypertension in HIV-infected individuals.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that microbial translocation, quantified by levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and subsequent monocyte activation [soluble (sCD14)], is associated with hypertension in HIV-infected individuals. METHODS: In this exploratory substudy, 42 patients were recruited from a larger, longitudinal HIV-infected cohort study on blood pressure. LPS and sCD14 levels were measured retrospectively at the time of nadir CD4 cell count, selecting untreated HIV-infected patients with both advanced immunodeficiency and preserved immunocompetence at the time of nadir. Patients with later sustained hypertension (n = 16) or normotension (n = 26) throughout the study were identified. LPS was analysed using the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate colorimetric assay (Lonza, Walkersville, MD) and sCD14 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Nonparametric statistical tests were applied. RESULTS: In the HIV-infected patients [median (interquartile range) age 42 (32-46) years; 79% male and 81% Caucasian], LPS and sCD14 levels were both negatively correlated with nadir CD4 cell count. Plasma levels of LPS (P < 0.001) and sCD14 (P = 0.024) were elevated in patients with later hypertension compared with patients with normotension. There was a stepwise increase in the number of patients with hypertension across tertiles of LPS (P = 0.001) and sCD14 (P = 0.007). Both LPS and sCD14 were independent predictors of elevated blood pressure after adjustment for age and gender. For each 10-unit increase in LPS (range 66-272 pg/ml), the increment in mean blood pressure in the first period of blood pressure recording was 0.86 (95% confidence interval 0.31-1.41) mmHg (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: As LPS and sCD14 were both independently associated with elevated blood pressure, microbial translocation may be linked to the development of hypertension.

Semi-automatic delineation using weighted CT-MRI registered images for radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal cancer.

PURPOSE: To develop a delineation tool that refines physician-drawn contours of the gross tumor volume (GTV) in nasopharynx cancer, using combined pixel value information from x-ray computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during delineation. METHODS: Operator-guided delineation assisted by a so-called "snake" algorithm was applied on weighted CT-MRI registered images. The physician delineates a rough tumor contour that is continuously adjusted by the snake algorithm using the underlying image characteristics. The algorithm was evaluated on five nasopharyngeal cancer patients. Different linear weightings CT and MRI were tested as input for the snake algorithm and compared according to contrast and tumor to noise ratio (TNR). The semi-automatic delineation was compared with manual contouring by seven experienced radiation oncologists. RESULTS: A good compromise for TNR and contrast was obtained by weighing CT twice as strong as MRI. The new algorithm did not notably reduce interobserver variability, it did however, reduce the average delineation time by 6 min per case. CONCLUSIONS: The authors developed a user-driven tool for delineation and correction based a snake algorithm and registered weighted CT image and MRI. The algorithm adds morphological information from CT during the delineation on MRI and accelerates the delineation task.

Cyanines as efficient photosensitizers in photodynamic reaction: photophysical properties and in vitro photodynamic activity.

The purpose of the present study was to explore the potential application of cyanines in photodynamic treatment. The photophysical features of four cyanines (KF570, HM118, FBF-749, and ER-139) were investigated by elemental and spectral analyses. Two malignant cell lines (MCF-7/WT and MCF-7/DOX) were used to test the potential for use in the photodynamic therapy. The cytotoxic effects of these dyes were determined by the MTT assay after 4 and 24 h of incubation with the cyanine. KF570 and HM118 were irradiated with red light (630-nm filter) and FBF-749 and ER-139 with green light (435-nm filter). The results showed that the cyanine HM118 demonstrated a major phototoxic effect. It was also noted that the efficiency of photodynamic therapy was higher in the doxorubicin-resistant cell line (MCF-7/DOX).

Three-dimensional power Doppler placental vascularisation indices in early pregnancy: a pilot study.

The objective of our study was to assess 1st trimester placental vascularisation using three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler vascular indices. A cross-sectional study was used involving 41 normal pregnancies from 7 to 10 + 6 weeks. Placental volume was obtained using the 30° virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) method. The mean, median, standard deviation (SD), minimum and maximum values were calculated for three vascular indices: the VI, vascularisation index; the FI, flow index and the VFI, vascularisation and flow index. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the correlation between vascular indices and crown-rump length (CRL). Our results showed mean (± SD) values ranged from 8.66 ± 12.04 to 15.34 ± 13.89 for the VI, from 63.83 ± 43.61 to 109.22 ± 33.87 for the FI and from 9.52 ± 13.86 to 20.59 ± 22.97 for the VFI. There was no correlation between CRL and VI (r = 0.073, p = 0.630) nor VFI (r = 0.147 and p = 0.037); there was a weak correlation between CRL and FI (r = 0.332, p = 0.037). It was concluded that the FI was the only 3D power Doppler vascular index that was correlated with CRL between 7 and 10 + 6 weeks' gestation.

Characteristics of model polyelectrolyte multilayer films containing laponite clay nanoparticles.

Polyelectrolyte films structure formed by the "layer-by-layer" (LbL) technique can be enriched by addition of charged nanoparticles like carbon nanotubes and silver or hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, which can improve properties of the polyelectrolyte films or modify their functionality. In our paper we examined the formation and properties of model polyelectrolyte multilayers containing a synthetic layered silicate, Laponite. The Laponite nanoparticles were incorporated into multilayer films, which were formed from weak, branched polycation PEI and strong polyanion PSS. Since charge of PEI is pH-dependent, we build up multilayer films in two deposition conditions: pH = 6 when PEI was strongly charged and pH = 10.5 when charge density of PEI was low. Thicknesses of the films constructed with various numbers of Laponite layers were measured by single wavelength ellipsometry. We also determined the differences in permeability for selected electroactive molecules using cyclic voltamperometry. Properties of the films containing clay nanoparticles were compared with model polyelectrolyte multilayer films PEI/PSS formed at the same conditions. We found that Laponite nanoparticles strongly influenced PEI/PSS multilayer film properties. Replacement of PSS by Laponite eliminated the oscillations of the film thickness in the case when PEI was weakly charged. PSS layer adsorbed on top of PEI/Laponite bilayers increased the thickness of multilayer films and improved their barrier properties so synergistic effects between these properties for polyelectrolytes and Laponite nanoparticles could be observed.

Kinetics of plasma cytokines and chemokines during primary HIV-1 infection and after analytical treatment interruption.

BACKGROUND: There are strong theoretical arguments for initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) during primary HIV-1 infection (PHI) to preserve HIV-1-specific T-cell responses and to decrease immune activation. METHODS: We assessed the degree of immune activation during PHI and after analytical treatment interruption (ATI) in plasma samples from 22 subjects by measuring 13 cytokines/chemokines with the Luminex system. Subjects initiated quadruple ART at PHI (the QUEST cohort) and were classified as responders or nonresponders according to their HIV-1 viral load (VL) 6 months post-ATI. RESULTS: During PHI, nonresponders had higher levels of HIV-1 RNA, interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-10 and eotaxin than responders (P

Measurement of embryo volume at 7-10 weeks' gestation by 3D-sonography.

The embryo volume (EV) is an important parameter for the early diagnosis of growth disorders. The objective of this study was to establish normal data for EV at 7-10 weeks' gestation with three-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS). A cross-sectional study involving 50 pregnancies was performed. An endocavitary volumetric transducer (3D5-8EK) was used for all measurements. The VOCAL (Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis) method with a 30 degrees rotation angle was used for volumetric calculations. To analyse the correlation between EV and gestational age (GA) and crown-rump length (CRL), regression models were constructed. The mean, standard deviation, median, minimum and maximum values were calculated for each gestational age. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine inter- and intraobserver reliability. There was a significant correlation between EV and GA and CRL (R(2) = 0.951 and R(2) = 0.880, respectively). The exponential equation was the model that best expressed the correlation between these variables: [EV = exp(0.9481 x GA-8.117)] and [EV = 0.0871 exp(0.1207 x CRL)]. The mean EV ranged from 0.23 cm(3) (95% CI 0.03-0.42) at 7 weeks to 3.91 cm(3) (95% CI 3.85-3.96) at 10 weeks. Inter- and intraobserver correlation were excellent (ICC = 0.993 and 0.999, respectively). Embryo volume assessed through 3DUS increased from 7 to 10 weeks. Reference limits were generated for first trimester EV using 3DUS.

Low-temperature immobilization of water in Antarctic Turgidosculum complicatulum and in Prasiola crispa. Part I. Turgidosculum complicatulum.

The studies of low-temperature immobilization of bound water in Antarctic lichenized fungus Turgidosculum complicatulum were performed using 1H NMR and DSC over a wide range of thallus hydration. 1H NMR free induction decays were decomposed into a solid component well described by the Gaussian function and two exponentially decaying components coming from a tightly bound water and from a loosely bound water fraction. 1H NMR spectra revealed one averaged mobile proton signal component. 1H NMR measurements recorded in time and in frequency domain suggest the non-cooperative bound water immobilization in T. complicatulum thallus. The threshold of the hydration level estimated by 1H NMR analysis at which the cooperative bound water freezing was detected was Δm/m0 ≈ 0.39, whereas for DSC analysis was equal to Δm/m0 = 0.375. Main ice melting estimated from DSC measurements for zero hydration level of the sample starts at tm = -(19.29 ± 1.19)°C. However, DSC melting peak shows a composed form being a superposition of the main narrow peak (presumably melting of mycobiont areas) and a broad low-temperature shoulder (presumably melting of isolated photobiont cells). DSC traces recorded after two-hour incubation of T. complicatulum thallus at -20 °C suggest much lower threshold level of hydration at which the ice formation occurs (Δm/m0 = 0.0842). Presumably it is a result of diffusion induced migration of separated water molecules to ice microcrystallites already present in thallus, but still beyond the calorimeter resolution.

Comparison of placental volume in early pregnancy using multiplanar and VOCAL methods.

In this study we aimed to compare the multiplanar and VOCAL (Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis) methods in the evaluation of placental volume during the first trimester of pregnancy. This was a prospective cross-sectional study involving 37 pregnant women between 7 and 10 weeks of gestation. All volumetric measurements were performed by a single examiner using an endocavitary volumetric probe (3D5-8EK). Placental volume was measured on three-dimensional ultrasound by the VOCAL method using 12 degrees and 30 degrees rotational angles and by the multiplanar method using sequential sections of the placenta obtained at intervals of 1.0 mm. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to evaluate the relation between placental volume and gestational age. The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), paired Student's t-test (P) and Bland-Altman plot were used to compare both methods. There was a strong correlation between placental volume and gestational age (r=0.791 for VOCAL 12 degrees , r=0.801 for VOCAL 30 degrees and r=0.783 for multiplanar). There was a strong correlation between placental volume measured by the VOCAL 12 degrees and the VOCAL 30 degrees (ICC=0.994, confidence interval [0.998; 0.997]) and the multiplanar methods (ICC=0.991, confidence interval [0.983; 0.995]). First trimester placental volume measurements obtained using the multiplanar and VOCAL methods are concordant.

The effects of nitronium ion on nitration, carbonylation and coagulation of human fibrinogen.

The effect of nitronium ion on nitration, carbonylation and coagulation of human fibrinogen (Fg) in vitro was investigated. We observed that nitration of tyrosine, induced by NO2BF4 (0.01 mmol/l), was increased. No changes in carbonylation by NO2BF4 (0.01 mmol/l) were noticed. Mentioned alterations were associated with amplified coagulation of Fg. Higher concentrations of NO2BF4 (1 and 0.1 mmol/l) triggered growth of nitration and carbonylation of Fg, but led to inhibition of polymerization. Slight nitration may be responsible for increase, whereas sizable nitration and oxidation may lead to inhibition of Fg coagulation.

[Both-sided iliac vein thrombosis in a 18-year old patient with lumbago]. / Beidseitige Becken- und Beinvenenthrombose bei einem 18-jährigen Patienten.

A MRI of the lumbal spine was performed on a patient with lumbago. Besides the fact of no evidence for a myelopathy caused by a herniated disc a both-sided iliac vein thrombosis could be seen. In further examination the coincidence of a congenital absence of vena cava inferior with distinctive collateral vessel systems over lumbal and spinal veins and heterozygosis for Factor V Leiden abnormality could be identified as cause for thrombosis. It is very likely that symptoms developed as a result of spinal vein hyperplasia and consecutive myelon compression.

RTD (residence time distribution) predictions in large mechanically aerated lagoons.

Mechanically aerated lagoons (used for wastewater treatment in the pulp and paper industry) are typically very large (>500,000 m3) and have complex three-dimensional fluid flow patterns due to mechanical agitation, sludge accumulation, internal baffling, and confined inlet/outlet flow channels. RTD data is frequently used for evaluation of hydraulic performance, however, obtaining accurate data with traditional dye measurements is a difficult and time-consuming process. Moreover, the mixing impact of factors such as aerator positions, sludge accumulation, and internal baffles would require a significant and costly number of local field measurements. Recent applications of CFD to mechanically aerated lagoons have helped engineers to understand the complex flow interactions. This paper provides a practical method for the evaluation of the hydraulic performance of large mechanically aerated lagoons using CFD. A method, based on random-walk Lagrangian particle tracking, has been developed to significantly shorten the computational time needed to produce RTD curves for these lagoons. Comparison of the particle method with the more conventional scalar transport yields excellent results. These methods allow wastewater engineers to combine their existing knowledge and expertise with the established power of CFD. The results quantify the hydraulic impact of different inlet/outlet configurations, aerator configurations, influent flow rates, and bottom sludge profiles.

Assessment of oxidative/nitrative modifications of plasma proteins, selected ROTEM parameters and kinetics of fibrinogen polymerization in patients with multiple myeloma at diagnosis.

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are at increased risk of thrombosis. Growing evidence indicates that oxidative and nitrative modifications of proteins, including fibrinogen, may lead to changes in hemostasis. The study compares samples from patients with MM at diagnosis and healthy volunteers with regard to the oxidative/nitrative modifications of proteins, ROTEM and thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization. The content of carbonyl groups in plasma proteins of patients with MM was significantly higher than in controls (2.981 vs. 1.807 nmol/mg of protein, p = 0.005), while no differences were seen in the concentrations of nitrated proteins. Maximum clot firmness readings were significantly higher in the samples of patients than in controls according to FIBTEM test (23.5 vs. 15 mm, p = 0.006). The lag time of the fibrin polymerization process and the velocity of clot lysis (V Lys) were found to be significantly higher in the group of MM patients than controls. In contrast, no marked differences were identified between studied groups in reference to maximal velocity of fibrin polymerization process (V max), maximal absorbance (A max) and plasmin amidolytic activity values. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that at the time of diagnosis, patients with MM demonstrated greater oxidative stress than healthy volunteers, which is reflected in a higher amount of carbonylated proteins. Some prothrombotic features found in ROTEM tests in MM patients were not confirmed by turbidimetry.