The Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm In Vitro Activity of Liquid and Vapour Phases of Selected Essential Oils against Staphylococcus aureus.

The high resistance of staphylococcal biofilm against antibiotics and developing resistance against antiseptics induces a search for novel antimicrobial compounds. Due to acknowledged and/or alleged antimicrobial activity of EOs, their application seems to be a promising direction to follow. Nevertheless, the high complexity of EOs composition and differences in laboratory protocols of the antimicrobial activity assessment hinders the exact estimation of EOs effectiveness. To overcome these disadvantages, in the present work we analysed the effectiveness of volatile and liquid forms of seven EOs (derived from thyme, tea tree, basil, rosemary, eucalyptus, lavender, and menthol mint) against 16 staphylococcal biofilm-forming strains using cohesive set of in vitro techniques, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, inverted Petri dish, modified disk-diffusion assay, microdilution techniques, antibiofilm dressing activity measurement, AntiBioVol protocol, fluorescence/confocal microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. Depending on the requirements of the technique, EOs were applied in emulsified or non-emulsified form. The obtained results revealed that application of different in vitro techniques allows us to get a comprehensive set of data and to gain insight into the analysed phenomena. In the course of our investigation, liquid and volatile fractions of thyme EO displayed the highest antibiofilm activity. Liquid fractions of rosemary oil were the second most active against S. aureus. Vapour phases of tea tree and lavender oils exhibited the weakest anti-staphylococcal activity. The size of emulsified droplets was the lowest for T-EO and the highest for L-EO. Bearing in mind the limitations of the in vitro study, results from presented analysis may be of pivotal meaning for the potential application of thymol as a antimicrobial agent used to fight against staphylococcal biofilm-based infections.

The role of physical training in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in a population of healthy people.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are still a leading cause of death worldwide. The modification of risk factors and lifestyle is more important than pharmacotherapy and it is the most effective way to combat cardiovascular diseases. Recommendations to undertake physical activity are vital to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of physical activity on the modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: Seventy-six participants, including 38 men, with a mean age of 37±9 were enrolled into the study in 2012-2013. Six months of advanced personal training program "You can be a marathon runner too" (twice a week for 3-4 hours) was carried out. Advice on healthy eating and changes in lifestyle were given. The following parameters: body composition analysis, Body Mass Index, lipids profile, glucose and morphology were measured twice at the beginning and after 6 months of the study. The data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A positive trend in some parameters was observed in all the respondents. The BMI decreased from 25 kg/m2 to 23 kg/m2 and the percentage of body fat - from 25% to 21%. Furthermore, some blood parameters decreased: cholesterol from 217mg/dL to 196mg/dL, triglycerides from 128 mg/dL to 97 mg/dL, and glucose from 82 mg/dL to 79 mg/dL. However, HDL increased from 66 mg/dL to 75 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: Regular physical activity has a positive influence on lowering the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Encouraging the implementation of behavioral changes and greater everyday physical activity may contribute to maintaining health for a long time.

Evaluation of Eating Habits and Their Impact on Health among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

According to the health field concept, the most important factor affecting health is a lifestyle. The current upward trend in overweight and obesity among younger populations is a consequence of inadequate lifestyle habits. The study aimed to characterise youth nutrition behaviour and knowledge in the context of the risk of developing overweight or obesity. The study group consisted of 307 high school students, 59% females and 41% males, aged between 15 and 19. Nutrition behaviours were studied using the standardised Questionnaire of Eating Behaviour. Body weight and body height were measured with a body composition analyser and a body height meter, respectively. It was observed that the average body mass index was 21.7 ± 3.4 kg/m2 for the females and 22.3 ± 3.1 kg/m2 for the males (p = 0.036). Disturbed weight-to-height ratios (i.e., overweight and obesity) were found in 15.6% of the females and 16.5% of the males. The diets of approximately 90% of these youth were characterised by excessively low pro-health product content. The males showed a significantly higher intensity of adverse health traits compared to the females (8.1% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.002). More than half of the males presented insufficient knowledge about food and nutrition (53.5% vs. 30.8%, p < 0.001). Regardless of gender, the study showed a positive correlation between adolescents' level of knowledge and the pro-health diet index (gamma coefficient: 0.42, p < 0.001) and a negative correlation between their level of knowledge and the unhealthy diet index (gamma coefficient: -0.66, p < 0.001). The level of knowledge was closely related to the indicators of the intensities and adverse health characteristics of their diets. These results indicate the need for educational programs to raise awareness among youth in civilisation backgrounds.