Measurement of polarization observables T, P, and H in π0 and η photoproduction off quasi-free nucleons.

The target asymmetry T, recoil asymmetry P, and beam-target double polarization observable H were determined in exclusive π0 and η photoproduction off quasi-free protons and, for the first time, off quasi-free neutrons. The experiment was performed at the electron stretcher accelerator ELSA in Bonn, Germany, with the Crystal Barrel/TAPS detector setup, using a linearly polarized photon beam and a transversely polarized deuterated butanol target. Effects from the Fermi motion of the nucleons within deuterium were removed by a full kinematic reconstruction of the final state invariant mass. A comparison of the data obtained on the proton and on the neutron provides new insight into the isospin structure of the electromagnetic excitation of the nucleon. Earlier measurements of polarization observables in the γp→π0p and γp→ηp reactions are confirmed. The data obtained on the neutron are of particular relevance for clarifying the origin of the narrow structure in the ηn system at W=1.68GeV. A comparison with recent partial wave analyses favors the interpretation of this structure as arising from interference of the S11(1535) and S11(1650) resonances within the S11-partial wave.

Evaluation of Ag containing hydroxyapatite coatings to the Candida albicans infection.

In this research work, the synthesis of Ag doped hydroxyapatite coatings for dental or orthopedic implants was performed. The main goal was to determine the influence of Ag content on the roughness and antimicrobial performance of the prepared thin films. The films were deposited on Ti6Al4V alloy by means of RF magnetron sputtering. Those coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and 3D surface profilometry. The antifungal activity after 1 and 7days of culture was evaluated in the presence of Candida albicans (ATCC - 10231). The increase of Ag content increased roughness and reduced the antifungal activity. The results showed that the Ag doped hydroxyapatite coatings can be a potential solution for the improvement of the antifungal activities of Ti based alloy.

PSYCHOMETRIC HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY SCORE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF MINIMAL HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY IN ROMANIAN CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS--PARTIAL RESULTS.

UNLABELLED: In Romania, minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is underdiagnosed and undertreated in patients with liver cirrhosis. The psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) is recommended as the first-line tool for the diagnosis of MHE. AIM: To use PHES in a group of Romanian cirrhotic patients and highlight the relationships between demographic and biological factors and tests results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 148 patients with liver cirrhosis admitted to the Iasi Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology between August 2014 and February 2015 only 80 who met the eligibility criteria were enrolled and completed the study. Blood samples for routine tests and serum ammonia were collected from all patients on the day of PHES evaluation. RESULTS: In the study group (n = 80) mean age was 57.7 ± 8.5 years, and the average number of years of education was 11.2 ± 2.7. The main causes of cirrhosis were alcohol consumption (31 patients--38.8%), hepatitis C virus infection (29 patients--36.3%) and hepatitis B virus infection (17 patients--21.3%). Age, number of years of education, severity of liver disease (measured by using Child-Pugh and MELD scores) and some biological constants (albumin, bilirubin, International Normalized Ratio-INR) were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with most psychometric tests. CONCLUSIONS: PHES is a practical, objective and useful method for the diagnosis of MHE. Demographic and biological factors correlated with the results of the psychometric test. The PHES requires standardization before applying it in Romanian cirrhotic patients.

Stainless steel surface biofunctionalization with PMMA-bioglass coatings: compositional, electrochemical corrosion studies and microbiological assay.

A solution is proposed to surpass the inconvenience caused by the corrosion of stainless steel implants in human body fluids by protection with thin films of bioactive glasses or with composite polymer-bioactive glass nanostructures. Our option was to apply thin film deposition by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) which, to the difference to other laser or plasma techniques insures the protection of a more delicate material (a polymer in our case) against degradation or irreversible damage. The coatings composition, modification and corrosion resistance were investigated by FTIR and electrochemical techniques, under conditions which simulate their biological interaction with the human body. Mechanical testing demonstrates the adhesion, durability and resistance to fracture of the coatings. The coatings biocompatibility was assessed by in vitro studies and by flow cytometry. Our results support the unrestricted usage of coated stainless steel as a cheap alternative for human implants manufacture. They will be more accessible for lower prices in comparison with the majority present day fabrication of implants using Ti or Ti alloys.

Current concepts in minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) defines the presence of neurocognitive impairments in patients with cirrhosis or portal-systemic shunting that show a normal neurologic and psychiatric status on clinical examination. Although ammonia has the central role in MHE pathogenesis, factors such as infection, oxidative stress, manganese or intestinal bacterial overgrowth contribute to the development of the neurocognitive deficits associated with this disease. Many methods have proven useful in identifying MHE but because of the major drawbacks (standardization requirements, high price, sophisticated equipment, and limited access) a gold-standard test is still missing. Although beneficial, the treatment of MHE is not routinely recommended and should be taken into consideration in patients at risk for accidents and in those with cognitive complaints or decline in work performance.

Design of a macroalgae amperometric biosensor; application to the rapid monitoring of organophosphate insecticides in an agroecosystem.

The immobilization of enzymes onto transducer support is a mature technology and has been successfully implemented to improve biocatalytic processes for diverse applications. However, there exists still need to design more sophisticated and specialized strategies to enhance the functional properties of the biosensors. In this work, a biosensor platform based on innovative fabrication strategy was designed, and employed for the detection of organophosphate (OP) in natural waters. The biosensor was prepared by incorporating acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) to the graphite paste modified with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) mediator, along with the use of a macroalgae (Cladaphropsis membranous) as a functional immobilization support. The novel immobilization design resulted in a synergic effect, and led to enhanced stability and sensitivity of the biosensor. The designed biosensor was used to analyze methyl parathion OP insecticide in water samples collected from a demonstrably contaminated lake of São Luis Island, Maranhão, Northeast of Brazil. Water analysis revealed that the aquatic ecosystem was polluted by sub-ppm concentrations of the OP insecticide, and a good correlation was found between values obtained through biosensor and GC-MS techniques. Our results demonstrated that macroalgae-biosensor could be used as a low-cost and sensitive screening method to detect target analyte.

Clinical significance of HPV-DNA testing for precancerous cervical lesions.

Cervical screening by using cytology was proven efficient in reducing the mortality secondary to cervical cancer, but this method has limitations. High risk HPV infection is essential for cervical cancer development so HPV testing is a new tool used for screening patients for cervical neoplasia. HPV testing was proven most useful for women over 30 years old, in cases in which cytology identified ASC-US and after treatment for CIN. This article outlines the clinical significance of HPV-DNA testing for precancerous cervical lesions and the evidence that stands behind these recommendations.

HPV-DNA testing for patients with ASC-US helps identify the women who have a high risk for precancerous cervical lesions.

BACKGROUND: The cytological interpretation of ASC-US represents a category of morphologic uncertainty. For patients with this result, other tests are necessary in order to determine the risk for cervical lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 198 patients with ASC-US cytology have been analyzed between 2008 and 2013. All the patients included in the study have subsequently had a high oncogenic HPV testing and colposcopy risk. 103 (52%) patients tested positive for high risk HPV and 21 (10%) had associated colposcopy changes and precancerous and cancerous lesions identified through biopsy. 95 (48%) patients tested negative for HPV and none of these women had lesions at colposcopy. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: High oncogenic risk HPV testing was proven useful in identifying the patients with ASC-US cytology who are at high risk for cervical lesions (100% sensibility). In this study, the HPV testing had a negative predictive value of 100%, which uselessly renders a further colposcopy evaluation. HPV testing for women with ASC-US is not specific in identifying women with cervical lesions (Specificity 53%) and this results from a high prevalence of limited HPV infections in an age group which is less than 30 years old. CONCLUSIONS: High risk HPV testing for women with ASC-US cervical cytology is useful in determining the risk for precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions. A positive result is associated with a high risk for cervical lesions (20%) and for these patients colposcopy is necessary. For women with a negative result, the risk for cervical lesions is practically null so colposcopy is not required.

Micromolecular multiple myeloma with chronic kidney failure in a young female patient on continuous hemodialysis.

The maximum incidence of multiple myeloma appears in the 6th-7th decade of life and although the number of patients aged les than 60 years is increasing in recent years, the diagnosis of a monoclonal gammopathy in a young patient, under the age of 40 years remains a rarity. Literature data cite an incidence of approximately 2.2% in patients less than 40-year-old and an incidence of 0.3% in patients less than 30-year-old of all cases diagnosed with multiple myeloma. We present the case of a 32-year-old patient, being on continuous hemodialysis for chronic kidney failure for about a year, at the Hematology Clinic of Craiova, Romania. We investigate the origin of a serum monoclonal component revealed when performing serum protein electrophoresis. Bone marrow examination revealed the presence of a plasma cell infiltrate of 18%, which associated with the presence of a serum monoclonal component and in the conditions of renal failure as a complication of the disease, has allowed the diagnosis of multiple myeloma.

The semi-quantitative calprotectin rapid test--is it useful in inflammatory bowel disease?

AIM: To assess the efficiency of the dosage of the semi-quantitative calprotectin rapid test in evaluating the activity of inflammatory bowel diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective study included 87 patients with BII (50 with ulcerative colitis, 37 with Crohn disease) hospitalized between January 2011 - May 2012. The diagnosis was confirmed by colonoscopy and histological examination. Fecal calprotectin was measured by means of a semi-quantitative rapid test. RESULTS: There were 50 patients with UC and 37 with BC. 96% of the UC patients were evaluated during the active disease. 21 of them had a severe episode of active disease, 16 had a moderate one, while 10 had a mild activity episode. The correlation between the calprotectin values and lesions localization was analyzed, without finding any statistical differences. The data have shown a very strong correlation between the severity of the active disease, assessed through the UCDAI (Mayo) score, and the calprotectin value. Patients with CD manifested a linear correlation between the severity of the active disease and the calprotectin value. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid test for assessing calprotectin could be a useful non-invasive marker in appreciating the severity of clinical and biological disease activity.

The composite lymphoma: chronic lymphocytic leukemia--classic Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The composite lymphoma (CL) is defined by the presence in the same tissue or organ of two distinct histological aspects of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), or NHL and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). The definition of the CL has evolved, requesting the identification of the immunophenotypic pattern and clonal distinct aspects for the two-lymphoproliferative lesions. We present a case of a 73-year-old farmer who presented with B-symptoms and multiple adenomegaly. The biopsy of a left cervical lymph node reveal a CL: a histological and immunophenotypic aspect of HL-mixed cellularity (CD15+, CD30+, CD20-) and a diffuse small cell infiltrate which meet the criteria for B-CLL (CD20+, CD23+, and CD5+). The lymphocytes in peripheral blood over 15 000/mm(3) and marrow infiltrate with small lymphocytes also sustain the B-CLL diagnosis. The relationship between the two lymphoproliferations is discussed reported to the case above, but also considering the literature data. In most of the cases the two proliferative processes are clonal related which means they have a commune lymphoid progenitor, pre-GC or early-GC with individual detachment and transit through GC (also, the afferent related processes). It is also possible that the two proliferations, which form the composite lesion to have different cellular origins, possibility sustained by the analysis of the IgH rearrangements and of the somatic mutations identified in the two clones. The EBV-role in HL-pathogeny is related to the way of salvage or/and initiation of a clonal process in a GC-cell which has major deletions in the variable part of IgH.

An electrochemical immunosensor for aflatoxin M1 determination in milk using screen-printed electrodes.

The production and assembling of disposable electrochemical AFM1 immunosensors, which can combine the high selectivity of immunoanalysis with the ease of the electrochemical probes, has been carried out. Firstly immunoassay parameters such as amounts of antibody and labelled antigen, buffer and pH, length of time and temperature of each steps (precoating, coating, binding and competition steps) were evaluated and optimised in order to set up a spectrophotometric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedure. This assay exhibited a working range between 30 and 160 ppt in a direct competitive format. Then electrochemical immunosensors were fabricated by immobilising the antibodies directly on the surface of screen-printed electrodes (SPEs), and allowing the competition to occur between free AFM1 and that conjugated with peroxidase (HRP) enzyme. The electrochemical technique chosen was the chronoamperometry, performed at -100 mV. Furthermore, studies of interference and matrix effects have been performed to evaluate the suitability of the developed immunosensors for the analysis of aflatoxin M1 directly in milk. Results have shown that using screen-printed electrodes aflatoxin M1 can be measured with a detection limit of 25 ppt and with a working range between 30 and 160 ppt. A comparison between the spectrophotometric and electrochemical procedure showed that a better detection limit and shorter analysis time could be achieved using electrochemical detection.

Antibody-based methods for surfactant screening.

This brief overview summarises the immunoassay-based results obtained in the course of two years of the European INCO-Copernicus project BIOTOOLS. The project is aimed at simplifying the procedures for detection of surface active compounds (SAC) using, among others, antibody-based methods, i.e., microtiter plate-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), polarisation fluoro immunoassays (PFIA), and enzyme flow injection immunoassays (FIIA). Thirty-three rabbits were immunised with five different sulphophenyl moieties and three p-hydroxyphenyl moieties conjugated to protein immunogens to produce analytical antibodies against linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS) and nonylphenol (NP). Although most of the antibodies exhibited binding reaction in indirect ELISA, only a few showed the required assay sensitivity. The best antibodies for LAS exhibited a 50% binding inhibition at IC50 19.8 microg L(-1) in indirect ELISA. Similar inhibition was observed for direct ELISA using peroxidase tracers. Antibodies against NP allowed the establishment of an indirect assay operating in the mg L(-1) range. A rapid and simple protocol for the screening of NP and LAS using homogeneous PFIA is described. The assay time for 10 samples was 7 minutes, thus allowing fast detection of the selected SAC at the mg L(-1) level. A generic competitive FIIA system, using a protein G column for separation of free and antibody-bound beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) tracer, was developed for the screening of LAS, NP, and nonylphenol decaethoxylate (NPEO10). The FIIA had a sample throughput (STP) of 5-10 samples per hour, with limits of detection (LOD) for LAS, NP, and NPEO10 of 19.5, 52, and 2.4 microg L(-1), respectively. The developed FIIAs were applied to spiked rain and surface water.

Flow injection system with chemiluminometric detection for enzymatic determination of ascorbic acid.

A simple, selective and rapid method for determination of ascorbic acid from fruit juices was developed by combining a flow injection analysis (FIA) system with a chemiluminometric detector and a reactor with L-ascorbate oxidase immobilized on controlled pore glass. It was found that some reducing agents (eg ascorbic acid and mercaptoacetic acid) give chemiluminescence with luminol in the presence of hexacyanoferrate (III) in an alkaline solution. We used this new type of chemiluminescent reaction for the enzymatic determination of ascorbic acid. The background substraction method was used in order to avoid interference during ascorbic acid determination. Accordingly, two chemiluminometric signals were registered for each determination, one signal corresponding to the sample that passed through the enzymatic reactor that decomposed the ascorbic acid completely, and the second signal corresponding to the sample that does not pass through the reactor. The difference between the two signals corresponds to ascorbic acid from the sample. The linear range of the method was 10-1000 micromol/L of ascorbic acid and the detection limit was 5 micromol/L The throughput was four samples/h and RSD 3.13% (n = 10). This method was applied for determination of ascorbic in fruit juices. The results were compared with those found by the reference method, based on titrimetric determination with 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, and the concordance was excellent.

Flow analysis for determination of paraoxon with use of immobilized acetylcholinesterase reactor and new type of chemiluminescent reaction.

A highly sensitive flow analysis method for determination of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors like organophosphorous pesticides using a new chemiluminescent reaction was developed and optimized. This method is fast, sensitive, and cheap, because it requires only one enzyme and its substrate. The system incorporates a reactor with immobilized AChE on controlled pore glass (CPG) and a chemiluminometric detector. Variations in enzyme activity due to inhibition are measured from the changes of concentrations of thiocholine produced when the substrate (acetylthiocholine chloride) is pumped before and after the passage of the solution containing the pesticide through the immobilized AChE reactor. Thiocholine is determined by a new chemiluminescent reaction with luminol in the presence of potassium ferricyanide. The percentage inhibition of enzyme activity is correlated to the pesticide concentration. The inhibited enzyme is reactivated by 10 mM pyridine-2-aldoxime methiodide (2-PAM). The experimental conditions were first optimized for activity determination of the effect of pH, flow rates, and Tris concentrations. For the measurement of AChE inhibition, the appropriate concentration of the substrate is selected such that the rate of noninhibited reaction can be considered unchanged and could be used as a reference. For optimization of experimental conditions for inhibition, several parameters of the system are studied and discussed: flow rate, enzyme-pesticide contact time, luminol concentration, ferricyanide concentration, 2-PAM concentration, and configuration of the FIA manifold. Paraoxon, an organophosphorous pesticide was tested. For an inhibition time of 10 min the calibration graph is linear from 0.1 to 1 ppm paraoxon with a relative standard deviation (n = 5) of 4.6% at 0.5 ppm. For an inhibition time of 30 min the calibration graph is linear from 25 to 250 ppb paraoxon.

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and HPV infection.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been recognized as the major cause of cervical cancer [1]. The transformation zone of the cervix is the most frequent target of the high risk HPV types. In our study infection with HPV16 and 18 was investigated in the cervical scrapes of 28 subjects with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The DNAs isolated from the samples were amplified by dot-blot hybridization with fragmented digoxygenin labelled probes. Eighteen of 28 patients (64.3%) were found positive for HPV-16, eleven (39.3%) were found positive for HPV-18 and six patients (21%) were infected with both HPV types. This method is practical and sensitive for determining patients with a higher risk of developing HPV-related cancer.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Diaqua(1,10-Phenanthroline-N,N')(Thiosulfato-O,S)Manganese(II). Biological Properties.

The synthesis of diaqua(1,10-phenanthroline-N,N')(thiosulfato-O,S)manganese(ll) [Mn(phen)(S(2)O(3))(H(2)O)(2)] was investigated. Its structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction from 2418 reflections (I > 3 sigma(I)) to a final value of R = 0.047 and Rw = 0.054. Crystal data are as follows : space group P(2) (1); a = 10.356(3), b = 7.097(3), c = 20.316(2) A, beta = 94.29(2) degrees , V = 1489.1(8) , A(3), Z = 2. There are two independent title compounds in the asymetric unit. Each manganese atom has a distorted octahedral Mn(SO)N(2)O(2) geometry with the S and O atoms (from two neighbouring thiosulfate ligands) mutually trans, two N atoms from the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand and two water oxygen. The thiosulfate group behaves as a bridging ligand, connecting, through sulfur and oxygen, Mn atoms related by the binary b translation, thus forming infinite chains running parallel to this axis. Infrared and electronic spectra are reported.

The effect of pulsed electromagnetic field (Diapulse) on cellular systems.

The effect of a 27.12 MHz pulsed electromagnetic field (Diapulse) on microbial growth is investigated. A strain of K 12 E. coli grown in complete Pennassay medium is subjected to Diapulse action for 30 min, at 8 hrs and 12 hrs of growth. In this experimental set-up, designed to be closed to the physiological conditions of open wounds, the Diapulse action does not promote any increase of cell population, indicating the safety of this type of therapy for wound healing process. The same K 12 E. coli strain grown in Pennassay medium for 2 hours is inoculated into a minimal growth medium and the lagless exponential growth thus obtained is followed by a spectrophotometric method. Diapulse field is applied to this lagless phase of cellular cultures at 30, 60, and 90 minutes after inoculation. A slight increase in the number of cells was observed at 2 and 4 hours after the Diapulse application, when the cultures were previously subjected to Diapulse action between the period of 60 and 90 minutes of their growth. A possible molecular mechanism for these effects is discussed.

Commentary: the public health consequences of restricted induced abortion--lessons from Romania.

The question of whether abortion should be legal is currently being decided in many countries. Although much of the discussion has focused on ethical issues, the public health consequences should not be overlooked and should be addressed realistically and responsibly. Nowhere are the public health manifestations of restricted abortion more apparent than in Romania. The pronatalist policies of the Ceaucescu regime resulted in the highest maternal mortality rate in Europe (approximately 150 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births) and in thousands of unwanted children in institutions.