Production of Electrolytic Composite Powder by Nickel Plating of Shredded Polyurethane Foam.

Ni-poly(DPU) composite powder was produced under galvanostatic conditions from a nickel bath with the addition of pulverized polymer obtained during the shredding of polyurethane foam (poly(DPU)). The Ni-poly(DPU) composite powder was characterized by the presence of polymer particles covered with an electrolytical amorphous-nanocrystalline nickel coating. The phase structure, chemical composition, morphology, and the distribution of elements was investigated. The chemical analysis showed that the powder contains 41.7% Ni, 16.4% C, 15.7% O, 8.2% P and 0.10% S. The other components were not determined (nitrogen and hydrogen). The phase analysis showed the presence of NiC phase. Composite powder particles are created as a result of the adsorption of Me ions on the fragmented polymer. The current flowing through the galvanic bath forces the flow of the particles. The foam particles with adsorbed nickel ions are transported to the cathode surface, where the Ni2+ is discharged. The presence of compound phosphorus in galvanic solution generates the formation of amorphous-nanocrystalline nickel, which covers the polymer particles. The formed nickel-polymer composite powder falls to the bottom of the cell.

Interactions between Babesia microti merozoites and rat kidney cells in a short-term in vitro culture and animal model.

Babesiosis is one of the most common infections in free-living animals and is rapidly becoming significant among human zoonoses. Cases of acute renal failure in humans caused by Babesia spp. have been described in the literature. The kidneys are characterised by intense blood flow through the blood vessels, which increases the likelihood of contact with the intra-erythrocyte parasite. The aim of this study was to observe the influence of B. microti (ATCC 30221) on renal epithelial cells in vitro cultured (NRK-52E line) and Wistar rats' kidney. Both NRK-52E cells and rats' kidney sections were analysed by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Necrotic changes in renal epithelial cells have been observed in vitro and in vivo. In many cross-sections through the rats' kidney, adhesion of blood cells to the vascular endothelium, accumulation of erythrocytes and emboli were demonstrated. In NRK-52E culture, elements with a distinctly doubled cell membrane resembling B. microti were found inside the cytoplasm and adjacent to the cell layer. The study indicates a chemotactic tendency for B. microti to adhere to the renal tubules' epithelium, a possibility of piroplasms entering the renal epithelial cells, their proliferation within the cytoplasm and emboli formation.

The Use of ZrO2 Waste for the Electrolytic Production of Composite Ni-P-ZrO2 Powder.

Ni-P-ZrO2 composite powder was obtained from a galvanic nickel bath with ZrO2 powder. Production was conducted under galvanostatic conditions. The Ni-P-ZrO2 composite powder was characterized by the presence of ZrO2 particles covered with electrolytical nanocrystalline Ni-P coating. The chemical composition (XRF method), phase structure (XRD method) and morphology (SEM) of Ni-P-ZrO2 and the distribution of elements in the powder were all investigated. Based on the analyses, it was found that the obtained powder contained about 50 weight % Zr and 40 weight % Ni. Phase structure analysis showed that the basic crystalline component of the tested powder is a mixed oxide of zirconium and yttrium Zr0.92Y0.08O1.96. In addition, the sample contains very large amounts of amorphous compounds (Ni-P). The mechanism to produce the composite powder particles is explained on the basis of Ni2+ ions adsorption process on the metal oxide particles. Current flow through the cell forces the movement of particles in the bath. Oxide grains with adsorbed nickel ions were transported to the cathode surface. Ni2+ ions were discharged. The oxide particles were covered with a Ni-P layer and the heavy composite grains of Ni-P-ZrO2 flowed down to the bottom of the cell.

The Evaluation of Simulated Environmental Degradation of Polycarbonate Filled with Inorganic and Organic Reinforcements.

This research aimed to examine the mechanical properties of polycarbonate-based composites filled with both organic and inorganic reinforcements before and after simulated environmental degradation. Series of polycarbonate-based samples were prepared in the form of thin tapes. Their rheological properties were examined. Then, the samples were exposed to artificial environmental conditions. Finally, their rheological properties were examined once more, and the results were compared with those obtained for untreated samples. This paper presents basic research on the application of inorganic fillers to polycarbonate in order to determine the influence of the filler on the behavior of the obtained material. The aim of the work was to determine the usefulness and purpose of using this type of filler in polycarbonates for applications in contact with ultraviolet radiation, especially medical applications.

Novel Antibacterial Modification of Polycarbonate for Increment Prototyping in Medicine.

In the era of modern medicine, the number of invasive treatments increases. Artificial devices used in medicine are associated with an increased risk of secondary infections. Bacterial biofilm development observed on the implanted surface is challenging to treat, primarily due to low antibiotics penetration. In our study, the preparation of a new polycarbonate composite, filled with nanosilver, nanosilica and rhodamine B derivative, suitable for three-dimensional printing, is described. Polymer materials with antimicrobial properties are known. However, in most cases, protection is limited to the outer layers only. The newly developed materials are protected in their entire volume. Moreover, the antibacterial properties are retained after multiple high-temperature processing were performed, allowing them to be used in 3D printing. Bacterial population reduction was observed, which gives an assumption for those materials to be clinically tested in the production of various medical devices and for the reduction of morbidity and mortality caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.

New Star-Shaped Polyether-Pentols (PEPOs) for Fabrication of Crosslinked Polyurethanes-Synthesis and Characterization.

Polyether-pentols (PEPOs) were synthesized from glycidyl ethers and butylene oxide with the application of tripotassium salts of 2,2,6,6-tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexanol (HMCH) activated 18C6 for ring-opening polymerization (ROP). The construction of the applied initiator system reflects the ability of crown ether to influence the degree of ion-pair separation with an increased activating effect. As a result formation of bi- or trimodal polymers was observed with molar masses in the range of (Mn = 1200-6000). The observed multi-fraction composition is prescribed to the formation of ionic aggregates with different reactivities during polymerization. The mechanism of the studied processes is discussed. The obtained PEPOs served for a crosslinked PUR synthesis, for which the hydrogen bond index for coupling of hard segments was calculated. Additionally, the range of phase separation was calculated that was higher for PUR-containing aromatic rings as the substituent.

Temporomandibular Joint Prostheses: Optimal Materials for the Optimal Stomatognathic System Performance-Preliminary Study.

The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate alloplastic Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Prostheses against other treatment modalities regarding the jaw kinematics. Six patients with Temporomandibular Joint Prostheses, four with mandibular ramus Patient-Specific Implant (PSI) with condylar head preservation, and four after mandibular condylectomy were evaluated by the means of axiography (Cadiax Compact 2), which is the noninvasive three-dimensional study of condylar movements. The patients were also evaluated clinically for the mandibular movements. The study revealed that the significant movement limitations occurred bilaterally in patients fitted with TMJ prosthesis. For the protrusion movement, the vector length of the movement (L) for the TMJ prosthesis was 0.31 vs. 3.01 mm for the PSI (Kruskal-Wallis chi-squared = 9.1667, df = 2, p-value = 0.01022, post hoc Dunn p-value = 0.015) and for the laterotrusion to the operated side, the length of the vector (L) was 0.66 vs. 3.35 mm, respectively. Statistically significant differences between groups were most frequent for the laterotrusion to the unoperated side. The study shows that a further development on TMJ Prostheses geometry and materials is needed.

POM/EVA Blends with Future Utility in Fused Deposition Modeling.

Polyoxymethylene (POM) is one of the most popular thermoplastic polymers used in the industry. Therefore, the interest in its potential applications in rapid prototyping is understandable. Nevertheless, its low dimensional stability causes the warping of 3D prints, limiting its applications. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of POM modification with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) (2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 wt.%) on its processing (by melt flow index), structure (by X-ray microcomputed tomography), and properties (by static tensile tests, surface resistance, contact angle measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis), as well as very rarely analyzed emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (by headspace analysis). Performed modifications decreased stiffness and strength of the material, simultaneously enhancing its ductility, which simultaneously increased the toughness even by more than 50% for 7.5 wt.% EVA loading. Such an effect was related to an improved linear flow rate resulting in a lack of defects inside the samples. The decrease of the melting temperature and the slight increase of thermal stability after the addition of EVA broadened the processing window for 3D printing. The 3D printing trials on two different printers showed that the addition of EVA copolymer increased the possibility of a successful print without defects, giving space for further development.

The influence of chlorine in indoor swimming pools on the composition of breathing phase of professional swimmers.

OBJECTIVES: Swimming is one of the most popular forms of physical activity. Pool water is cleaned with chlorine, which - in combination with compounds contained in water - could form chloramines and trichloromethane in the swimmer's lungs. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of swimming training in an indoor pool on the composition of swimmers' respiratory phase metabolomics, and develop a system to provide basic information about its impact on the swimmer's airway mucosa metabolism, which could help to assess the risk of secondary respiratory tract diseases i.e. sport results, condition, and health including lung acute and chronic diseases). DESIGN: A group of competitive swimmers participated in the study and samples of their respiratory phase before training, immediately after training, and 2 h after training were assessed. METHODS: Sixteen male national and international-level competitive swimmers participated in this study. Respiratory phase analysis of the indoor swimming pool swimmers was performed. Gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GCMS) was used in the measurements. All collected data were transferred to numerical analysis for trends of tracking and mapping. The breathing phase was collected on special porous material and analyzed using GCMS headspace. RESULTS: The obtained samples of exhaled air were composed of significantly different metabolomics when compared before, during and after exercise training. This suggests that exposition to indoor chlorine causes changes in the airway mucosa. CONCLUSION: This phenomenon may be explained by occurrence of a chlorine-initiated bio-reaction in the swimmers' lungs. The obtained results indicate that chromatographic exhaled gas analysis is a sensitive method of pulmonary metabolomic changes assessment. Presented analysis of swimmers exhaled air indicates, that indoor swimming may be responsible for airway irritation caused by volatile chlorine compounds and their influence on lung metabolism.

Induction of Apoptosis in Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts Infected with Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato.

The spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. can enter into different eukaryotic cells. Intracellular localization of bacteria may cause many changes in different cell pathways like apoptosis-mediated caspase cascade. The present studies focused on gene expression associated with caspase cascade after normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) infection with Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii, and B. burgdorferi s.s. The use of oligonucleotide microarray technique enabled an expression level comparison of genes associated with caspase cascade in NHDF infected with spirochetes. The increased expression of genes associated with caspase cascade was observed in case of CASP5, CASP2, CARD10, CASP10, MALT1, and NLRP1. The decreased expression was observed in case of CASP4, CASP6, and CASP1. The mRNA expression for CASP3 was inhibited in cells infected with three genospecies of Borrelia. However, the intensity of fluorescence was not statistically significant. In addition, cell cultures were fixed and procedure of caspase-3 detection and the TUNEL assay were performed. The in situ caspase-3 detection procedure confirmed the results obtained from microarray analyses. Only several fluorescent signals were observed. Many apoptotic cells were detected in NHDF-infected cultures with all spirochete genospecies found using the TUNEL reaction.

Congenital Tick Borne Diseases: Is This An Alternative Route of Transmission of Tick-Borne Pathogens In Mammals?

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) have become a popular topic in many medical journals. Besides the obvious participation of ticks in the transmission of pathogens that cause TBD, little is written about alternative methods of their spread. An important role is played in this process by mammals, which serve as reservoirs. Transplacental transfer also plays important role in the spread of some TBD etiological agents. Reservoir species take part in the spread of pathogens, a phenomenon that has extreme importance in synanthropic environments. Animals that accompany humans and animals migrating from wild lands to urban areas increase the probability of pathogen infections by ticks This article provides an overview of TBDs, such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and TBDs caused by spirochetes, α-proteobacteria, γ-proteobacteria, and Apicomplexa, with particular attention to reports about their potential to cross the maternal placenta. For each disease, the method of propagation, symptoms of acute and chronic phase, and complications of their course in adults, children, and animals are described in detail. Additional information about transplacental transfer of these pathogens, effects of congenital diseases caused by them, and the possible effects of maternal infection to the fetus are also discussed. The problem of vertical transmission of pathogens presents a new challenge for medicine. Transfer of pathogens through the placenta may lead not only to propagation of diseases in the population, but also constitute a direct threat to health and fetal development. For this reason, the problem of vertical transmission requires more attention and an estimation of the impact of placental transfer for each of listed pathogens.

Hepatic tissue changes in rats due to chronic invasion of Babesia microti.

The etiological agents of babesiosis are intraerythrocytic parasites of the genus Babesia, which are transmitted by ticks. The course of disease is characterized by variable severity. The risk of a complicated course of babesiosis occurs in premature infants, the elderly, splenectomized patients and other immunocompromised patients. Severe cases of this disease can lead to multiple organ dysfunction. The study focuses on the impact assessment of chronic Babesia microti invasion on the morphology and ultrastructure of rat liver. The analyzed material was comprised of liver samples collected from Wistar rats infected with a reference strain of B. microti (ATCC 30221). None of the livers collected from rats with babesiosis was enlarged. The histopathological analyses showed signs of intensive inflammatory processes, especially in the perivascular areas. The hepatic mononuclear phagocyte system was characterized by increased activity. The ultrastructral analyses confirmed disintegration of hepatocytes with vacuolization in the perivascular areas. In addition, the perisinusoidal space (space of Disse) had irregular structure. In some areas, the space of Disse was enlarged or compressed. The morphological and ultrastructural analyses of rat liver with chronic babesiosis caused by B. microti showed significant pathological changes in perivascular areas which may be the cause of hepatic dysfunction.

Application of a real-time PCR method for Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens detection in water samples.

The diagnostic assessment of water sanitary state is based mainly on the cultivation of bacteria retained on membrane filters. However classical microbiology methods have a lot of disadvantages. More and more frequently, rapid detection and identification of pathogens present in water is based on molecular biology techniques. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and usefulness of a real-time PCR method, when compared to the recommended bacteria culture method, in diagnostics of pathogens in water samples. The research concerned the detection and identification of main sanitary indicators of water such as: Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens. The analyses were conducted in water samples contaminated with the reference material (the aforementioned bacteria) and real environmental samples, which were examined for the presence of nucleic acid of: Salmonella spp., E. coli, S. aureus and C. perfringens using a real-time PCR method.

Degradation effect of diepoxide fixation on porcine endogenous retrovirus DNA in heart valves: molecular aspects.

PURPOSE: Xenotransplantations of porcine cells, tissues, and organs involve a risk of zoonotic viral infections in recipients, including by porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs), which are embedded the genome of all pigs. An appropriate preparation of porcine heart valves for transplantation can prevent retroviral infection. Therefore, the present study focuses on the effect of epoxy compounds and glutaraldehyde on the PERV presence in porcine heart valves prepared for clinical use. METHODS: Porcine aortic heart valves were fixed with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EDGE) at 5 °C and 25 °C as well as with glutaraldehyde (GA) for 4 weeks. Salting out was used to isolate genomic DNA from native as well as EDGE- and GA-fixed fragments of valves every week. Quantification of PERV-A, PERV-B, and PERV-C DNA was performed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR). RESULTS: All subtypes of PERVs were detected in native porcine aortic heart valves. The reduction of the PERV-A, PERV-B, and PERV-C DNA copy numbers was observed in the heart valves which were EDGE-fixed at both temperatures, and in GA-fixed ones in the following weeks. After 7 and 14 days of EDGE cross-linking, significant differences between the investigated temperatures were found for the number of PERV-A and PERV-B copies. PERV DNA was completely degraded within the first week of EDGE fixation at 25 °C. CONCLUSIONS: EDGE fixation induces complete PERV genetic material degradation in porcine aortic heart valves. This suggests that epoxy compounds may be alternatively used in the preparation of bioprosthetic heart valves in future.

Nonspecific Bacterial Flora Isolated from the Body Surface and Inside Ixodes ricinus Ticks.

Ixodes ricinus and other representatives of the order Ixodida are vectors of typical pathogens: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilium, Babesia spp., a tick-borne encephalitis virus, and other microorganisms which are important from a medical and veterinary point of view. The presented study focuses on the verification of nonspecific bacterial flora of I. ricinus. We analyzed ticks collected in a forest region in Silesia, an industrial district in Poland. Methods of classical microbiology and biochemical assays (API 20 NE test, API Staph test and MICRONAUT System) were used for isolation and identification of microorganisms living on the body surface of I. ricinus and inside ticks. The results show the presence of various bacteria on the surface and inside ticks' bodies. During the study, we isolated Acinetobacter lwoffi, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Aeromonas hydrophila, Achromobacter denitrificans, Alcaligenes faecalis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Micrococcus spp., Kocuria varians, Staphylococcus lentus, Kocuria kristinae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Rhizobium radiobacter, Staphylococcus xylosus. Majority of the isolated species are non-pathogenic environmental microorganisms, but some of the isolated bacterial strains could cause severe infections.