The Assessment of Serum Concentrations of AGEs and Their Soluble Receptor (sRAGE) in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the study was to determine serum concentrations of AGEs and their soluble receptor (sRAGE) in MS patients and healthy controls and to investigate their possible influence on disease activity.

Methods: Serum concentrations of AGE and sRAGE in patients with MS and healthy controls were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Plasma Interleukin-33 level in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Is it negatively correlated with central nervous system lesions in patients with mild disability?

Background: Cytokines and chemokines are undoubtedly involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). There are many reports that suggest a significant role for Interleukin-33 (IL-33) in the course of MS development, but it is not clear whether negative or positive. We therefore investigated plasma IL-33 levels in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

[Sensitivity of Pseudomonas sp. strain isolated from distilled water to disinfectants].

The aim of the study was to compare Pseudomonas sp. strain isolated from distilled water and grown on the sterile filtrate from this water with the referent strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 6749 grown under the standard conditions, with the respect to their sensitivity to eight common disinfectants. Partly modified EN 1040 method was applied.

[Sensitivity to disinfectants of Candid albicans strains isolated from the hospital environment].

In recent years an increase of the incidence of Candida infections caused mainly by C. albicans strains especially in high risk inpatients with neoplasms, decreased immunity, burns and after treatment with multiple antibiotics has been observed. Candida organisms are particularly dangerous for newborns being responsible for about 30% of septicaemia cases in newborns in intensive care units.

[Factors modulating the sensitivity of bacterial spores to steam under pressure].

The sensitivity of spores B. subtilis and B. stearothermophilus to steam under pressure depended on the growth medium and duration of cultivation.

[Microbiological contamination of disinfectants used in hospitals for the disinfection of medical instruments. Part II: The estimation of sensitivity of isolated strains of bacteria in disinfectants].

The sensitivity, on basic disinfectants, of 30 strains of bacteria isolated from disinfecting fluid used in hospitals were estimated. The sensitivity of isolated strains were compared with that of laboratory test strains.

[Bacterial age and their susceptibility to disinfectants].

The comparative tests were carried out on 4 standard test microorganisms grown 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, with regard to their susceptibility to 6 disinfectants. The activity of disinfectants was examined by Berry and Bean method--mean single survival time (MSST). The results indicate that 24 h grown bacteria have the lowest susceptibility to phenol, Septyl, formalin, glutaraldehyde, chloramine and Sterinol.

[Microbiological contamination of disinfectants used in the hospitals for the disinfection of medical instruments. Part I].

Among the 10 bactericidal agents which were used in the hospitals to disinfection of medical instruments, Aldesan was the preparation exerting the strongest bactericidal effect. The highest bacterial counts were observed in the used solutions of Sterinol and preparations containing chlorhexidinum gluconicum. The bacterial contamination of ethyl alcohol 70% v/v shows that this solution should not be used to disinfection of "clean" medical instruments.

[Sensitivity of surface microorganisms to disinfectants].

The influence of humidity and temperature on survival of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa on the surfaces of titles, glass and blanket carriers has been estimated.

[Survival of microorganisms on surfaces in relation to moisture and temperature and the effect of desiccation of microorganisms on resistance to disinfectants].

In laboratory tests with carriers (glass, slab, blanket) at a high rel. humidity (95%) the survival was distinctly reduced by S. aureus at 37 degrees C and by Ps.