Can air purification improve sleep quality? A 2-week randomised-controlled crossover pilot study in healthy adults.

Insufficient quantity and quality of sleep is a public health concern that can be addressed by interventions for improving sleep outcomes. Environmental factors such as poor air quality are a potential target for intervention, particularly in light of associations between air pollution and worse sleep. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of using an air purifier on sleep outcomes and mood in 30 healthy adults.

Aerosols and Bacteria From Hand Washing and Drying in Indoor Air.

Effective hand drying is an important part of hand hygiene that can reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission through cross-contamination of surfaces by wet hands. However, hand drying methods may also cause aerosolisation of pathogenic microorganisms if they are present in washed hands. This study investigated experimentally the impact of washing hands and different hand drying methods on the concentration and size distribution of aerosols and bacteria in indoor air.

Differential internalin A levels in biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes grown on different surfaces and nutrient conditions.

Listeria monoctyogenes is a foodborne pathogen containing the surface protein, internalin A (InlA). The expression of this protein permits the invasion of L. monocytogenes into intestinal epithelial cells expressing the receptor E-cadherin, thus crossing the intestinal barrier and resulting in listerosis.

Antioxidant properties of sterilized yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) tuber flour.

The objective of this research work was to investigate the antioxidant properties of sterilized yacon tuber flour. The results revealed for the first time the high antioxidant activity of sterilized yacon flour. The best extract obtained by boiling 8.

Listeria monocytogenes can form biofilms in tap water and enter into the viable but non-cultivable state.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can be transmitted through contaminated raw food or by ready-to-eat products that have been in contact with contaminated surfaces. Tap water (TW) is used to wash produce, as a processed food constituent and to wash processing surfaces and floors. The main aim of this work was to investigate the formation and survival of L.

Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of cell extracts from microalgae.

A growing market for novel antioxidants obtained from non-expensive sources justifies educated screening of microalgae for their potential antioxidant features. Characterization of the antioxidant profile of 18 species of cyanobacteria (prokaryotic microalgae) and 23 species of (eukaryotic) microalgae is accordingly reported in this paper. The total antioxidant capacity, accounted for by both water- and lipid-soluble antioxidants, was evaluated by the (radical cation) ABTS method.

Optimization of ABTS radical cation assay specifically for determination of antioxidant capacity of intracellular extracts of microalgae and cyanobacteria.

A renewed interest in antioxidants has arisen in recent years; microalgae and cyanobacteria are potential sources thereof for use as food/feed ingredients. However, improved methods for comprehensive screening of antioxidant capacity specifically in intracellular extracts of marine microorganisms are required - encompassing lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds simultaneously. The original ABTS method was thus improved, and in particular the procedures of cell disruption and storage were optimized.

Interaction of Legionella pneumophila and Helicobacter pylori with bacterial species isolated from drinking water biofilms.

Background: It is well established that Legionella pneumophila is a waterborne pathogen; by contrast, the mode of Helicobacter pylori transmission remains unknown but water seems to play an important role. This work aims to study the influence of five microorganisms isolated from drinking water biofilms on the survival and integration of both of these pathogens into biofilms.

Results: Firstly, both pathogens were studied for auto- and co-aggregation with the species isolated from drinking water; subsequently the formation of mono and dual-species biofilms by L.

Determination of antioxidant capacity using the biological system bacteriophage P22/bacterium Salmonella typhimurium.

Bacteriophage/bacterium systems have been employed in the past in assays for virucidal activity. A novel application of one such system is proposed here for the in vivo determination of antioxidant capacity. It was shown that an antioxidant such as gallic acid can effectively protect against oxidative damage brought about by H2O2-but only within a narrow range of concentrations (i.

Antioxidant activity of sugar molasses, including protective effect against DNA oxidative damage.

Extracts were obtained from molasses, a byproduct of the sugar industry, via a number of chromatographic steps. Their antioxidant capacity was studied, including the inhibitory effect upon DNA oxidative damage; the phenolic compound profile thereof was ascertained as well. Two extracts exhibited significant antioxidant features, expressed by their capacity to decolorize ABTS radical cation and to scavenge hydroxyl free radicals (via deoxyribose assay).

Infusions of Portuguese medicinal plants: Dependence of final antioxidant capacity and phenol content on extraction features.

Background: Aqueous extracts of most medicinal plants traditionally employed in Portugal (at the ratio of 1 g plant: 110 mL water) have been assayed for total antioxidant capacity and phenol content, in order to elucidate their claimed medicinal features.

Results: The antioxidant activity was assessed by the ABTS(•+) method; the ascorbic acid equivalent values ranged from 1.4280 ± 0.