Identifying Characteristic Fire Properties with Stationary and Non-Stationary Fire Alarm Systems.

The article reviews issues associated with the operation of stationary and non-stationary electronic fire alarm systems (FASs). These systems are employed for the fire protection of selected buildings (stationary) or to monitor vast areas, e.g.

Amantadine in unvaccinated patients with early, mild to moderate COVID-19: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

Background And Purpose: Adamantanes were listed as an interesting option as an early intervention against COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of amantadine in preventing the progression of COVID-19 and its neurological sequelae.

Methods: Unvaccinated patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within 5 days were enrolled.

The use of amantadine in the prevention of progression and treatment of COVID-19 symptoms in patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COV-PREVENT): Study rationale and design.

Background: COVID-19, a disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic in most cases. Some patients, usually burdened with risk factors develop acute respiratory failure and other organ dysfunction. In such cases, the mortality rate is very high despite the use of intensive therapy.

Garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.) - a source of mineral elements and bioactive compounds.

The garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.) belongs to the family Tropaeolaceae. Native to South America it was brought to Europe in XVI century.

Effect of silicone on the collagen fibrillogenesis and stability.

Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is able to form fibrils, which have central role in tissue repair, fibrosis, and tumor invasion. As a component of skin, tendons, and cartilages, this protein contacts with any implanted materials. An inherent problem associated with implanted prostheses is their propensity to be coated with host proteins shortly after implantation.

Biological and surface-active properties of double-chain cationic amino acid-based surfactants.

Cationic amino acid-based surfactants were synthesized via solid phase peptide synthesis and terminal acylation of their α and ε positions with saturated fatty acids. Five new lipopeptides, N-α-acyl-N-ε-acyl lysine analogues, were obtained. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal (fungicidal) concentration were determined on reference strains of bacteria and fungi to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the lipopeptides.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of truncated fragments and analogs of citropin 1.1: The solution structure of the SDS micelle-bound citropin-like peptides.

Citropin 1.1 is a basic, highly hydrophobic, 16-amino acid peptide (GLFDVIKKVASVIGGL-NH(2)), displaying wide-spectrum antimicrobial activities. In this paper we describe the synthesis and antimicrobial properties of citropin 1.

Synthesis and application of doxorubicin-loaded silica gels as solid materials for spectral analysis.

A new approach to synthesis and the possibility of application of solid gel matrices containing the target analyte, a cancer drug-doxorubicin for the calibration of UV-vis spectrometers is presented. The doxorubicin-loaded gels were prepared by the acid-catalyzed sol-gel pre-doping method. The efficiency of doxorubicin encapsulation in gels by the sol-gel process was 100+/-1.

[Classification of thyroid gland disease on the basis of selenium concentration in serum].

The aim of this study was to estimate the concentration of total selenium in serum women with thyroid gland disease. Selenium was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using the hydride generation method (HG-AAS). Research was determined in 94 patients with thyroid gland disease and in 28 healthy controls.

In-vitro activity of the synthetic protegrin IB-367 alone and in combination with antifungal agents against clinical isolates of Candida spp.

The in vitro activity of the peptide IB-367, alone or combined with either fluconazole (FLU) or amphotericin B (AMB), was investigated against 25 Candida isolates belonging to five species. IB-367 minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 2.0 to 32 microg/ml and it was active against both FLU-susceptible and - resistant isolates.

Serum selenium concentration in patients with Wilson's disease.

Background/aims: Wilson's disease is a genetically determined disorder of copper metabolism in the liver. Due to the toxic accumulation of this trace element, body organs are damaged by free radical generation, lipid peroxidase and inhibition of synthesis of some proteins. Behavior of anti-oxidative factors in Wilson's disease has not been completely evaluated yet.

Pretreatment with the protegrin IB-367 affects Gram-positive biofilm and enhances the therapeutic efficacy of linezolid in animal models of central venous catheter infection.

Background: Biofilms play an important role in the pathogenesis of several chronic infections and nosocomial infections related to indwelling medical devices.

Methods: To assess the efficacy of IB-367 and linezolid (LZD) in the treatment of central venous catheter (CVC) infections using the antibiotic-lock technique, in vitro and in vivo studies were performed. The in vitro antibiotic susceptibility assay for Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis biofilms developed on 96-well polystyrene tissue culture plates was performed to determine the activity of the compounds.

High magnesium or potassium hair accumulation is not associated with ischemic stroke risk reduction: a pilot study.

Objectives: Various studies suggest that deficiency of magnesium and potassium may be associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke. However, single time-point serum measurements may not be suitable for assessing long-term tissue levels.

Patients And Methods: We investigated Mg and K levels in hair of patients with acute ischemic stroke.

In vitro release of cisplatin from sol-gel processed organically modified silica xerogels.

SiO2, SiO2/PEG and SiO2/PDMS xerogels were examined as polymeric carriers for the controlled release of cisplatin--an antineoplasmic medicine. Drug/carrier systems were prepared by the sol-gel method. The effect of organic substitution of the silica xerogel matrix and drying conditions on the release of cisplatin was evaluated.

In vitro activity of synthetic antimicrobial peptides against Candida.

Yeast-like fungi are the most common cause of fungal infections in humans. Actually, in the age of opportunistic infections and increasing resistance, development of modern antifungal agents becomes a very important challenge. This paper describes synthesis and antimicrobial assay of four naturally occurring peptide antibiotics (aurein 1.

Efficacy of tachyplesin III, colistin, and imipenem against a multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain.

An experimental study has been performed to compare the in vitro activity and the in vivo efficacy of tachyplesin III, colistin, and imipenem against a multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain. In vitro experiments included MIC determination, time-kill, and synergy studies. For in vivo studies, a mouse model of sepsis has been used.

In vitro activities of tachyplesin III against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The in vitro activities of tachyplesin III were investigated against 20 multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. Methods included minimal inhibitory concentrations, minimal bactericidal concentrations, time-kill studies, checkerboard titration method, endotoxin-binding activity and cytotoxicity assay. Overall the organisms were susceptible to the peptide at concentrations of 0.

In vitro activity of aurein 1.2 alone and in combination with antibiotics against gram-positive nosocomial cocci.

This study was performed to evaluate the in vitro activity of the amphibian peptide aurein 1.2 and to investigate its interaction with six antibiotics against nosocomial gram-positive cocci. All isolates were inhibited at concentrations of 1 to 16 mg/liter.

The effect of PEG concentration on the release rate of cisplatin from PEG-modified silica xerogels.

Cisplatin-an antineoplastic medicine-was incorporated into a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified silica xerogels received by the sol-gel method. The influence of PEG concentration and drying temperature on the release of cisplatin was studied. From our results we may state that addition of PEG (MW 600) and drying of silica xerogels at 80 degrees C augmented the release of cisplatin.

Amphibian peptides prevent endotoxemia and bacterial translocation in bile duct-ligated rats.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of amphibian antimicrobial peptides in preventing bacterial translocation and neutralizing endotoxins in bile duct-ligated rats.

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study.

Setting: Research laboratory in a university hospital.

Citropin 1.1-treated central venous catheters improve the efficacy of hydrophobic antibiotics in the treatment of experimental staphylococcal catheter-related infection.

An in vitro antibiotic susceptibility assay for Staphylococcus aureus biofilms developed on 96-well polystyrene tissue culture plates was performed to elucidate the activity of citropin 1.1, rifampin and minocycline. Efficacy studies were performed in a rat model of staphylococcal CVC infection.

In vitro activity of amphibian peptides alone and in combination with antimicrobial agents against multidrug-resistant pathogens isolated from surgical wound infection.

The in vitro activities of three amphibian peptides magainin II amide, citropin 1.1 and temporin A alone and in combination with eight clinically used antimicrobial agents (imipenem, ceftazidime, clarithromycin, vancomycin, amikacin, polymyxin E, ciprofloxacin and linezolid) were investigated against several multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from surgical wound infections. Antimicrobial activities were measured by MIC, MBC and time-kill studies.

Temporin A alone and in combination with imipenem reduces lethality in a mouse model of staphylococcal sepsis.

Background: Morbidity and mortality from staphylococcal toxic shock remain high, despite the availability of antibiotics to which the microorganism is sensitive.

Methods: In in vitro experiments, the ability of temporin A to inhibit lipoteichoic acid-induced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha and nitric oxide (NO) was determined. Also, mouse models of staphylococcal sepsis were used to evaluate the efficacy of temporin A alone and in combination with imipenem.

In vitro activity and killing effect of uperin 3.6 against gram-positive cocci isolated from immunocompromised patients.

The in vitro activity of uperin 3.6, alone or combined with six antibiotics, against gram-positive cocci, including Rhodococcus equi, methicillin-resistant staphylococci, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci, was investigated. All isolates were inhibited at concentrations of 1 to 16 mg/liter.

In vitro activity of MSI-78 alone and in combination with antibiotics against bacteria responsible for bloodstream infections in neutropenic patients.

MSI-78 is a 22 amino acid amphipathic peptide with potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, including antibiotic-resistant strains. In this study, we assessed the in vitro activity of MSI-78 alone and in combination with eight clinically used antimicrobial agents against several strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli isolated from blood of neutropenic febrile patients. Antimicrobial activity of MSI-78 was measured by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), time-kill studies and checkerboard titration method.