Prevalence of nosocomial infections in selected hospitals

A point prevalence survey of NI in 10 hospitals has been carried out with the aim to obtain more valid results about their occurrence and to raise the interest of clinicians in this problem. Altogether data on 5,553 hospitalized patients have been evaluated. An epidemiologist along with a clinician jointly found a total 365 of NI in 344 patients a point prevalence 6.6%. The prevalence ranged between 3.6 and 10.5% for different hospitals. The highest NI prevalence was found in surgical wards (urology 19.6%, surgery 12.2%). Undesirably high prevalence of NI was observed in paediatrics (mainly diarrhoeal diseases) and neonatal (conjunctivitis) wards. Infections of the upper respiratory tract were most frequently followed by surgical wound infections and infections of the urinary tract. The occurrence of NI of surgical wounds, urinary tract infections and infections of skin was increasing, while the occurrence of infections of gastrointestinal tract and of the eye was decreasing with age. Gram-negative bacteria were more frequently isolated than Gram-positive bacteria (2:1).     

Evaluation of oxidative stress markers in neonates with intra-uterine growth retardation

Intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) is an abnormality of pregnancy. Neonates with IUGR weigh less than the 10th percentile for gestational age. The objective of the study was to identify the relationship between IUGR and the antioxidant status. Cord blood of 157 neonates with normal weight (control group) and 29 neonates with IUGR were included. The following parameters were determined and compared in the two groups: lipid peroxidation in the plasma, red blood cells and erythrocyte ghosts; protein and DNA damage; antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase); the level of reduced glutathione; and the ferric reducing ability of the plasma. The level of lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in the IUGR group. The antioxidant enzyme activities and the levels of antioxidants were significantly lower in the IUGR group. Damage of proteins and DNA was slightly, but non-significantly, higher in the IUGR group. Neonates with IUGR seem to have significant deficiencies in antioxidant defence. IUGR is correlated with significant oxidative stress.     

Evaluation of phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of selected actinorhizal fruits growing in the forests of Northeast India

Hippophae salicifolia, Elaeagnus pyriformis, Myrica esculenta and M. nagi are actinorhizal plants growing in the sacred forests of Northeast India with multipurpose uses. The present investigation was undertaken to determine the phenol, flavonoid and flavonol contents of the fresh fruit juice of these plant species including the antioxidant potential by means of DPPH, H₂O₂ and NO scavenging activity and FRP. The total phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol contents of fruit juice ranged from 321.68±0.06 to 76.67±0.01 mg/g GAE, 272.92±0.07 to 20.12±0.02 mg/g QE and 258.92±0.08 to 18.72±0.02 mg/g QE, respectively. At 2.0 mg/mL concentration, DPPH scavenging activity was found to be the highest in M. esculenta (89.62%) and the lowest in E. pyriformis (17.58%). The reducing power activity was found significantly higher in H. salicifolia juice, which increased with increase in concentration. The H₂O₂ scavenging activity of H. salicifolia juice was found to be as high as 98.78%, while Elaeagnus juice was found to be less effective with just 48.90%. Juice of H. salicifolia showed the greatest NO scavenging effect of 75.24% as compared to juice of E. pyriformis, where only 37.54% scavenging was observed at the same concentration. Taking into account all the experimental data, it can be said that the fruits of H. salicifolia and both M. nagi and M. esculenta have good antioxidant activity compared to fruits of E. pyriformis.     

Evaluation of selected Listeria monocytogenes genotyping methods

Listeria monocytogenes infections are found in Poland and all world as sporadic episodes and large outbreaks of human illness as well, where bacteria-contaminated food is the source of infection. Genotyping of strains isolated from outbreak is one of many other stages of epidemiologic investigation. In case of L. monocytogenes pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) - "golden standard" of genotyping and also ERIC-PCR and rep-PCR could be used. The goal of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of methods: PFGE, ERIC-PCR and rep-PCR to Listeria monocytogenes strains genotyping. Moreover estimation of L. monocytogenes strains isolated in Poland during 2003 - 2006 years genetic diversity was performed. In performed studies, 44 strains of L. monocytogenes from PZH strains collection from 2003 - 2006 period were used. Standard strains of L. monocytogenes, L. ivanovii, L. welschimeri and L. innocua were used also. All those strains were genotyped using following methods: PFGE with ApaI and AscI restrictases and random amplification of polymorphic DNA fragments (ERIC-PCR, rep-PCR). Obtained results were analyzed using Tenover method and specialistic software - Gene Profiler (Scan Analytics, USA). In every analysis, clonal groups were obtained - using computer analysis as well as Tenover method. For PFGE with ApaI and AscI six clonal groups were obtained in each analysis. For ERIC-PCR and rep-PCR four clonal groups were obtained (every group was different except one, where four the same strains were included). Taking into account such factors, as efficiency of strains differentiation, work consumption and costs of procedure performing, for quick application, especially in local laboratories, the best genotyping technique is rep-PCR and ERIC-PCR a little less. On account of appreciable costs of PFGE analysis, this method should be used as reference technique.     

Evaluation of weather-based rice yield models in India

The objective of this study was to compare two different rice simulation models—standalone (Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer [DSSAT]) and web based (SImulation Model for RIce-Weather relations [SIMRIW])—with agrometeorological data and agronomic parameters for estimation of rice crop production in southern semi-arid tropics of India. Studies were carried out on the BPT5204 rice variety to evaluate two crop simulation models. Long-term experiments were conducted in a research farm of Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Hyderabad, India. Initially, the results were obtained using 4 years (1994–1997) of data with weather parameters from a local weather station to evaluate DSSAT simulated results with observed values. Linear regression models used for the purpose showed a close relationship between DSSAT and observed yield. Subsequently, yield comparisons were also carried out with SIMRIW and DSSAT, and validated with actual observed values. Realizing the correlation coefficient values of SIMRIW simulation values in acceptable limits, further rice experiments in monsoon (Kharif) and post-monsoon (Rabi) agricultural seasons (2009, 2010 and 2011) were carried out with a location-specific distributed sensor network system. These proximal systems help to simulate dry weight, leaf area index and potential yield by the Java based SIMRIW on a daily/weekly/monthly/seasonal basis. These dynamic parameters are useful to the farming community for necessary decision making in a ubiquitous manner. However, SIMRIW requires fine tuning for better results/decision making.     

Evaluation of enantiomeric purity of selected amino acids in honey

Highly sensitive and accurate HPLC methods were used for the determination of total amounts of proline, leucine and phenylalanine and their enantiomeric ratios in a variety of different honey samples. Significant amounts of D -leucine and D -phenylalanine and relatively low concentrations of D -proline have been found in honeys of different botanical and geographical origins. It is suggested that the enantiomeric ratios of amino acids could be used to test for storage effects, age, and the quality of the processing of the honey. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Evaluation of Lactobacillus strains for selected probiotic properties

Eleven strains of Lactobacillus collected in the Culture Collection of Dairy Microorganisms (CCDM) were evaluated for selected probiotic properties such as survival in gastrointestinal fluids, antimicrobial activity, and competition with non-toxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 for adhesion on Caco-2 cells. The viable count of lactobacilli was reduced during 3-h incubation in gastric fluid followed by 3-h incubation in intestinal fluid. All strains showed antimicrobial activity and the three most effective strains inhibited the growth of at least 16 indicator strains. Antimicrobial metabolites of seven strains active against Lactobacillus and Clostridium indicator strains were found to be sensitive to proteinase K and trypsin, which indicates their proteinaceous nature. The degree of competitive inhibition of non-toxigenic E. coli O157:H7 adhesion on the surface of Caco-2 cells was strain-dependent. A significant decrease (P?<?0.05) in the number of non-toxigenic E. coli O157:H7 adhering to Caco-2 cells was observed with all lactobacilli. Three strains were selected for additional studies of antimicrobial activity, i.e., Lactobacillus gasseri CCDM 215, Lactobacillus acidophilus CCDM 149, and Lactobacillus helveticus CCDM 82.     

Incidence of keratinophilic fungi from selected soils of Kerala state (India)

One hundred and fifty-eight soil samples were collected from various areas of four districts of Kerala and screened for prevalence of keratinophilic fungi and related dermatophytes. From the positive samples (60.75%), a total of eight genera with 15 species were isolated viz., Arthroderma simii (0.63%), Chrysosporium indicum (20.25%), C. keratinophilum (6.96%). C. lobatum (1.26%), C. pannicola (1.26%), C. tropicum (5.06%), Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma cuniculi (1.26%), Chrysosporium state of Ctenomyces serratus (2.53%), Gymnascella hyalinospora (1.26%), Malbranchea aurantiaca (0.63%) M. fulva (1.26%), Microsporum gypseum complex (12.65%), Pseudogymnoascus roseus (1.26%), Trichophyton mentragrophytes (1.26%), and T. terrestre (3.16%).     

Incidence of keratinophilic fungi from selected soils of Kerala state (India)

One hundred and fifty-eight soil samples were collected from various areas of four districts of Kerala and screened for prevalence of keratinophilic fungi and related dermatophytes. From the positive samples (60.75%), a total of eight genera with 15 species were isolated viz., Arthroderma simii (0.63%), Chrysosporium indicum (20.25%), C. keratinophilum (6.96%), C. lobatum (1.26%), C. pannicola (1.26%), C. tropicum (5.06%), Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma cuniculi (1.26%), Chrysosporium state of Ctenomyces serratus (2.53%), Gymnascella hyalinospora (1.26%), Malbranchea aurantiaca (0.63%) M. fulva (1.26%), Microsporum gypseum complex (12.65%), Pseudogymnoascus roseus (1.26%), Trichophyton mentragrophytes (1.26%), and T. terrestre (3.16%).This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Evaluation of cellular immunity in a selected sample of aged subjects

The immune system in the aging man is known to show age-related defects; the study of the subpopulations in human blood has yielded conflicting results. This mostly seems to be due to the heterogeneity of the subjects admitted to immunogerontological studies. We investigated a group of aged persons fulfilling the admission criteria described in the "SENIEUR" protocol and strictness criteria dietetics. We found a decrease in the number of T cells, while the number of B cells and, above all, the report of the T4/T8 remained constant. There individuals should be considered as optimally healthy and immunologically uncompromised.