Rapid Detection of Suspension and Biofilm Nanomotion and Antibiotic Resistance Estimation.

Objectives: To develop a system for the rapid detection of 173-p1 antibiotic resistance (to ensure reliable fixation of bacteria on a cantilever without losing their nanomotion, to show that nanomotion is due to bacterial metabolism, to compare the nanomotion of bacteria in suspension form and inside of the biofilms), to study the sensitivity/resistance of 173-p1 to antibiotics (lincomycin, ceftriaxone and doxycycline) using the oscillation method of atomic force microscopy and to evaluate the sensitivity and speed of the method in comparison with the classical disk diffusion method.

Methods: The oscillation mode of atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and the classical disk diffusion method were used for a complex parallel study of 173-p1 antibiotic resistance, which included testing of fixing agents (poly-L-lysine, rosin and fibronectin), comparison of bacterial metabolism in a set of media (normal saline solution, meat-peptone broth and lysogeny broth) and assessment of antibiotic sensitivity/resistance per se.

Results: A method for express testing of antibiotic resistance using AFM was developed; it is shown that bacterial nanomotion directly correlates with bacteria metabolic activity and that bacterial nanomotion is more easily detected in suspension form, rather than in biofilms.

Effects of Chicory ( L.) Extract on Male Rat Reproductive System, Pregnancy and Offspring Development.

Background: We recently reported that extract prepared from the aerial part of L. (CE) possesses hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic properties. This paper focuses on the effects of CE on the male rat reproductive system and the effects of this treatment on pregnancy and offspring development.

New 2,4-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-selones and 3,3'-di(4H-1,2,4-triazolyl)diselenides. Synthesis, biological evaluation, and in silico studies as antibacterial and fungicidal agents.

The reaction of aromatic ring-substituted isoselenocyanates with 2-thiopheacetic and 4-pyridinecarboxylic acid hydrazides yielded selenosemicarbazides which were further converted into previously unknown 1,2,4-triazole-3-selones and 3,3'-di(4H-1, 2,4-triazolyl)diselenides. The structures of the obtained compounds were studied by NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HR-MS). The bactericidal and fungicidal activity of some obtained compounds was evaluated in molecular modeling studies such as docking and simulation studies.

Valuable Hepatoprotective Plants - How Can We Optimize Waste Free Uses of Such Highly Versatile Resources?

Humans used plants for thousand of years as food, drugs, or fuel to keep homes warm. People commonly used fruits and roots, and other parts of the plant were often wasted. This review aims to discuss the potential of rational stem-to-stern use of three highly versatile and valuable plants with hepatoprotective properties.

Behavioral Activity and Some Markers of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Serotoninergic System Indicators and Glucocorticoid Metabolizing Enzymes in Rats with Different Duration of Hexenal Sleep.

Post-traumatic stress disorder was imitated in rats with long and short hexenal sleep by exposure to cat odor. Rats with long hexenal sleep demonstrated the highest sensitivity to posttraumatic stress disorders and developed anxiety and depressive disorders. The duration of hexenal sleep correlated with changes in markers of post-traumatic stress disorder, e.

Effect of Repeated 1-h Episodes of Immobilization Stress on Activity of Glucocorticoid Metabolism Enzymes in the Liver.

Differences in corticosterone level associated with different activity of glucocorticoid-oxidizing enzymes in the liver were revealed in rats exposed to stress. Pro-inflammatory changes in the liver were associated with enhanced CYP3A-dependent monooxygenation.

Augmented EDHF signaling in rat uteroplacental vasculature during late pregnancy.

A successful pregnancy outcome relies on extensive maternal cardiovascular adaptation, including enhanced uteroplacental vasodilator mechanisms. The objective of the present study was to determine the contribution of the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) signaling in pregnancy-enhanced uterine vasodilation, to define the role of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels in mediating EDHF effects, and to explore the impact of endothelial Ca(2+) signaling in pregnancy-specific upregulation of EDHF. Fura 2-based measurements of smooth muscle cell (SMC) and endothelial cell cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) were performed simultaneously with measurements of the diameter of uterine radial arteries from nonpregnant (NP) and late pregnant (LP) rats.

Local uteroplacental influences are responsible for the induction of uterine artery myogenic tone during rat pregnancy.

Uterine artery constrictor responses to elevation of intraluminal pressure (myogenic tone) are considerably enhanced in late pregnant rats, although the underlying causes remain unknown. A single uterine horn ligation model was used to differentiate local from systemic influences, and to test the hypothesis that factors associated with the site of placentation, rather than systemic hormonal changes, are primarily involved in the induction of this adaptive process. Radial uterine arteries were dissected from the gravid and nongravid uterine horns of late pregnant rats, cannulated, and pressurized.

Estrogen replacement enhances EDHF-mediated vasodilation of mesenteric and uterine resistance arteries: role of endothelial cell Ca2+.

Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) plays an important role in the regulation of vascular microcirculatory tone. This study explores the role of estrogen in controlling EDHF-mediated vasodilation of uterine resistance arteries of the rat and also analyzes the contribution of endothelial cell (EC) Ca(2+) signaling to this process. A parallel study was also performed with mesenteric arteries to provide comparison with a nonreproductive vasculature.

[Microbiological corrosion of aluminum alloys].

Biological corrosion of ADO quality aluminum and aluminum-based construction materials (alloys V65, D16, and D16T) was studied. Thirteen microscopic fungus species and six bacterial species proved to be able to attack aluminum and its alloys. It was found that biocorrosion of metals by microscopic fungi and bacteria was mediated by certain exometabolites.

Cl- conduction of GABA(A) receptor complex on synaptic membranes in rat cortex at the early stage of chronic cerebral epileptization.

Experiments on Wistar rats showed that muscimol-stimulated Cl(-) conduction of synaptoneurosomes, isolated from the cerebral cortex increased after 5-day systemic treatment with subconvulsive doses of pentylene tetrasole during the initial stage of pharmacological pentylene tetrasole kindling, characterized by gradually augmenting convulsive readiness of the brain. This indicates an increase in functional activity of the GABA(A) receptor/Cl(-) ionophore complex.

Effect of single injection of pentylenetetrazole in a subconvulsive dose on Cl- conductance of the GABAA-receptor complex.

Muscimol-stimulated Cl(-)conductance in brain cortex synaptoneurosomes from Wistar rats decreased 15 min after single intraperitoneal injection of pentylenetetrazole in a subconvulsive dose. These changes reflected a decrease in functional activity of the GABA(A)-receptor/Cl(-)ionophore complex. Muscimol-stimulated Cl(-)conductance in synaptoneurosomes returned to normal 48 h after pentylenetetrazole administration.

[Analysis of hepatitis C virus proteins in hepatic cells of patients with chronic hepatitis C].

A correlation between the detection of proteins and an activity of the pathological process was analyzed in a study of the content of the C virus hepatitis (CVH) proteins in hepatic cells of patients with chronic C hepatitis (CCH). The expression of CVH proteins in frozen sections of biopsy samples of 69 CCH patients was evaluated by using the immune-histological method involving original monoclonal antibodies (MCA) to 5 CVH proteins. The results of the detection of proteins in patients were compared with an activity and stage of CCH (by using histological tests and a level of alanine aminotransferase--AAT).

Potential of ethylenediaminedi(o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) and N,N'-bis(hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid for the determination of metal ions by capillary electrophoresis.

Two aromatic polyaminocarboxylate ligands, ethylenediaminedi(o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) (EDDHA) and N,N'-bis(hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (HBED), were applied for the separation of transition and heavy metal ions by the ion-exchange variant of electrokinetic chromatography. EDDHA structure contains two chiral carbon centers. It makes it impossible to use the commercially available ligand.

[The dynamic observation of patients with diffuse toxic goiter in the postoperative period by means of echography].

The authors used vernier calipers for measurement of the thyroid remnant during operation with special reference to data of an emergency histological analysis which determined the state of toxicosis, lymphoid infiltration, the presence of the extrafollicular epithelium. In addition, the patient's age, duration of the disease and taking thyreostatics was considered. It determined an individual approach to solution of the question of size of the gland to be left.

[Mechanism of the metabolic death of Escherichia coli B cells following freezing and thawing].

The state of E. coli B genome after low-temperature freezing and subsequent thawing (F--T) has been studied. The study has shown that in the process of F--T the DNA of the cells remains intact.