Methodology for preparing a cosmetic sample for the development of Microorganism Detection System (SDM) software and artificial intelligence learning to recognize specific microbial species.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The article presents the methodology of preparing a cosmetic sample for analysi, and the creation of a dataset for teaching artificial intelligence to recognize specific species of microorganisms in cosmetic samples in terms of compliance with the ISO standard document, to develop of the Microorganism Detection System (SDM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Methodology of preparation a cosmetic sample for testing covers the steps from taking a cosmetic sample to obtaining separated living microorganisms through staining to photos, which in the final stage are used for analysis of the purity of cosmetics by SDM, as well as for learning and testing of the deep convolutional neural network (CNN) for detecting and classifying cells of specific species of bacteria, fungi and yeast in cosmetics, according to the document of standard PN-EN ISO 17516-2014:11. RESULTS: A new techique was devised for preparing a cosmetic sample for the development of Microorganism Detection System (SDM) software, and artificial intelligence learning to recognize specific microbial species. Based on metod demonstrated, the Intelligent algorithms of SDM proved to be effective in counting and recognizing specific microorganisms (average accuracy for Candida albicans - 97%, Escherichia coli - 76%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa - 70%, Staphylococcus aureus - 85%), which are the most important species for the assessment of the purity of cosmetics. In addition, the reproducibility of the developed method was verified, and the results obtained were comparable to the breeding methods currently used, based on specific standards. CONCLUSIONS: The experiments confirmed the high sensitivity and specificity of the SDM method, its repeatability and, above all, the comparability of the results with clasic methods of European standards.

The Microorganism Detection System (SDM) for microbiological control of cosmetic products.

The Microorganism Detection System (SDM) is a new solution using artificial intelligence, unique on the international scale, to correctly identify and count microorganisms, with particular emphasis on specificlisted microorganisms (Document of Standard PN-EN ISO 17516-2014:11) - Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus. SDM enables the use of algorithms for microscopic image interpretation in the microbiological assessment of the cosmetics in accordance with the standard, providing an answer to whether the tested product complies with the standard. Apart from the software part of SDM, an integral part of the system is an innovative methodology for preparing a cosmetic sample for testing. The experiments confirm the high sensitivity and specificity of the SDM method, its repeatability and, above all, the comparability of the results with the methods of European standards.

Assessment of the effect of estradiol on biochemical bone turnover markers among postmenopausal women.

INTRODUCTION: Estrogen deficiency found in postmenopausal women may lead to disturbances in the balance of bone metabolism. Study of the influence of estradiol on markers of bone turnover may help to understand the mechanisms of bone metabolism and to monitor osteoporosis therapy in postmenopausal women at high risk of fractures. The aim of the study was evaluation of the effect of estradiol on the basic markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in a group of 92 postmenopausal women, divided into two groups: Gr-1 with low estradiol levels ≤ 10 pg/ml and Gr-2 with reference estradiol levels ≥ 25 pg/ml). Basic markers of bone turnover were examined: Ctx (C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen alpha chain) and OC (osteocalcin); pro-resorptive cytokines: IL-6 and TNF-α; vitamin 25(OH)D3 and lipid profile. Women was also analyzed according to demographic and clinical data. RESULTS: A positive relationship was found between estradiol and the main bone formation marker - OC (p = 0.041, r = 0.213) and IL-6, TNF-α (p = 0.007, r = 0.281 and p = 0.018, r = 0.246, respectivly, but only in the group with a reference hormone level. Moreover, the main markers of bone turnover: Ctx and OC showed a mutual positive correlation (p = 0.013; r = 0.257) in women with reference estradiol levels. Relationships between markers of bone remodeling, pro-resorptive cytokines and vitamin D3 depending on the level of estradiol showed no statistically significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that only in women with the reference estradiol level (≥ 25 pg/ml) were the bone formation and resorption processes balanced.

Beneficial Combination of Lacosamide with Retigabine in Experimental Animals: An Isobolographic Analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To isobolographically determine the types of interactions that occur between retigabine and lacosamide (LCM; two third-generation antiepileptic drugs) with respect to their anticonvulsant activity and acute adverse effects (sedation) in the maximal electroshock-induced seizures (MES) and chimney test (motor performance) in adult male Swiss mice. METHODS: Type I isobolographic analysis for nonparallel dose-response effects for the combination of retigabine with LCM (at the fixed-ratio of 1:1) in both the MES and chimney test in mice was performed. Brain concentrations of retigabine and LCM were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to characterize any pharmacokinetic interactions occurring when combining these drugs. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis revealed that retigabine had its dose-response effect line nonparallel to that of LCM in both the MES and chimney tests. The type I isobolographic analysis illustrated that retigabine combined with LCM (fixed-ratio of 1:1) exerted an additive interaction in the mouse MES model and sub-additivity (antagonism) in the chimney test. With HPLC, retigabine and LCM did not mutually change their total brain concentrations, thereby confirming the pharmacodynamic nature of the interaction. CONCLUSION: LCM combined with retigabine possesses a beneficial preclinical profile (benefit index ranged from 2.07 to 2.50) and this 2-drug combination is worth recommending as treatment plan to patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy.

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.

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.

Obesity and poverty paradox in developed countries.

Obesity is a civilization disease and the proportion of people suffering from it continues to grow, especially in the developed countries. Number of obese people in Europe has increased threefold over the last 20 years. The paradox of obesity and poverty relationship is observed especially in the developed and developing countries. In developing countries, along with economic development and income growth, the number of people with overweight and obesity is increasing. This paradox has a relationship with both the easy availability and low cost of highly processed foods containing 'empty calories' and no nutritional value. To date, this paradox has been described in the United States and the United Kingdom, although many European countries are also experiencing high percentages of obese people. Among the reasons for the growing obesity in the population of poor people are: higher unemployment, lower education level, and irregular meals. Another cause of obesity is low physical activity, which among the poor is associated with a lack of money for sports equipment. Due to the large rate of deaths caused by diseases directly linked to obesity, the governments of many countries implement prevention programmes of overweight and obesity. These programmes are based primarily on educating the public about a healthy lifestyle based on healthy eating, daily physical activity and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes.

Probiotic lactic acid bacteria and their potential in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.

Allergy is one of the most important and very common health problems worldwide. To reduce the proportion of people suffering from allergy, alternative methods of prevention and treatment are sought. The aim of this paper is to present the possibilities of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases. Probiotics are live microorganisms belonging mainly to the lactic acid bacteria. They modify the microflora of the human digestive system, especially the intestinal microflora. Prophylactic administration of probiotics in the early stages of life (naturally in breast milk or milk substitute synthetic compounds) is very important because intestinal microflora plays a huge role in the development of the immune system. Prevention of allergies as early as in the prenatal and postnatal periods provides huge opportunities for inhibiting the growing problem of allergy in emerging and highly developed societies. Effects of probiotic therapy depend on many factors such as the species of the microorganism used, the dose size and characteristics of the bacteria such as viability and capacity of adhesion to the intestinal walls. Authors of several studies showed beneficial effects of probiotics in the perinatal period, infancy, and also in adults in the prevention of atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis. Probiotics, due to their immunomodulatory properties and safety of use are a good, natural alternative for the prevention and treatment of many diseases including allergies. It is therefore important to explore the knowledge about their use and to carry out further clinical trials.

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.

Assessment of microbiological cleanness of selected medicinal herbs in relations to the level of resource fragmentation.

Herbs are commonly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Their vast use is connected with their antibacterial or antioxidising properties, as well as numerous pro-health properties. The aim of the presented research was assessment of the quantitative and qualitative composition of moulds which contaminate samples of dried herbs: Sage (Salvia officinalis L.), Camomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) and Melissa (Mellisa officinalis L.) with different degrees of resource fragmentation. The dried herbs investigated had a characteristic mould content below 1•10(6) CFU/g according to the recommendations of the European Herbal Infusions Association (EHIA). The most contaminated resource turned out to be Camomile, the least--Melissa. The most often isolated moulds were: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Ulocladium, Alternaria. Moreover, it was observed that more fragmented dried herbs were characteristic of lower--by approx. 40-55% microbiological contamination--depending on the type of tested herb, which might be connected with the time of dried herbs' processing, higher aeration, moisture changes or mechanical damaging of fungi's fragments in the case of a resource with higher fragmentation. High contamination of a herbal resource might be harmful for a consumer, and moulds and their metabolites in the form of mitotoxins might constitute a threat for human health. To keep all the sensory features and activity of herbs' active substances, it is extremely important to secure their high microbiological quality.

Causes, symptoms and prevention of food allergy.

Currently, food allergy is considered to be one of the diseases of civilization, which occurs as a result of the changing conditions of life and environmental changes (e.g. increased popularity of cesarean delivery, excessive hygienic regime during the neonatal-infantile period). Based on medical statistics, it can be concluded that this problem will be intensified. Consumption of food is one of the main activities in human life. What and how one eats affects our health. Meals eaten regularly provide the components necessary for the energy metabolism. Multicultural society, travel, and new trends affect the diversity of food consumed. The mechanism of food allergy reaction covers all 4 types of the immune response of the classical division of Gell and Coombs. The percentage of the immune response was assessed by Chandra as follows: type I - 48%, type II - 6%, type III - 10%, and type IV - 18%. The article presents the risk factors for food allergy, most common symptoms, preventive measures and characteristics of food products that are potential allergens.