Antimicrobial susceptibilities of Campylobacter sp strains isolated from humans in 2005 to 2006 in Bielsko-Biala Region, Poland

Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are frequent causes of bacterial gastroeneritis in humans worldwide. Campylobacteriois is usually a self-limiting disease and therapy with antibiotics is required in severe clinical infections. The objective [corrected] of this study was to determine the antibiotic resistance of C. jejuni and C. coli isolated from humans with diarrhea during 2005-2006 in Bielsko-Biala region in Poland. The MICs of ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, erythromycin, gentamicin and ampicillin were determined by the E-test method. It was observed that 23 % and 6% C. jejuni isolates were resistant to two and three antibiotics, respectively. All isolates of Campylobacter sp. were sensitive to erythromycin and gentamicin. From the 69 C. jejuni strains 58% were resistant to ciprofloxacin, 23% to tetracycline and 17% to ampicillin. From the 8 C. coli strains all were resistant to ciprofloxacin, 62,5% to ampicillin and 12,5% to tetracycline.     

Relationship of beta(3)-adrenergic receptor polymorphism with metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress parameters in postmenopausal women

INTRODUCTION: Some studies indicate, that the Trp(64)/Arg(64) polymorphism of beta(3)-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) is associated with obesity, insulin resistance and earlier onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of our study was evaluation of frequency of this ADRB3 polymorphism and his association with metabolic syndrome parameters and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed the study among 94 women, aged 50-60, selected randomly from Wroclaw city population. Estimation of anthropometric parameters, densitometry (total body fat, android and gynoid deposits--using DPX(+) Lunar, USA device) and biochemical estimations such as lipid profile, glucose, insulin, estradiol and FSH serum level (using commercial kits) were carried out. Oxidative stress was estimated by measurement of thiobarbituric-reactive substances (TBARS) serum concentration, using Yagi method, on spectrofluorimeter Perkin-Elmer LS55. Blood for analysis was collected before, direct after and 6 h after the 30-minutes physical test using cycloergometer. ADRB3 genotyping was performed by PCR and mini-sequencing using ABI 310 sequencer (Applied Biosystems). RESULTS: The frequency of Trp(64)/Arg(64) genotype in investigated population was 15.8%. The Arg(64)/Arg(64) genotype had only one woman. Women bearing Trp(64)/Arg(64) genotype showed higher mean serum level of triglycerides and lower serum level of HDL-cholesterol in comparison to women bearing Trp(64)/Trp(64) genotype, however without statistical significance (p > 0.05) (respectively, means +/- SD for triglycerides: 140.3 +/- 64.1 vs. 113.9 +/- 56.2 mg/dl; and for HDL-cholesterol: 60.9 +/- 11.9 vs. 67.0 +/- 16.9 mg/dl). Both groups did not differ in any other investigated anthropometric nor biochemical parameter. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The Trp(64)/Arg(64) polymorphism of beta(3)-adrenergic receptor could be associated with lipid profile disorders observed in metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women, however it should be explained basing on the study with more included subjects. 2. The Trp(64)/Arg(64 )polymorphism of beta(3)-adrenergic receptor has no influence on oxidative stress intensification after standardized physical effort in postmenopausal women.     

Antagonistic interactions between Aureobasidium pullulans and Fusarium culmorum,a fungal pathogen of winter wheat

The effect of the biological control agent Aureobasidium pullulans (de Bary) G. Arnaud on the development of Fusarium head blight (FHB) on winter wheat and kernel contamination with fungi of the genera Fusarium, Acremonium, Cladosporium and Penicillium was analyzed in a greenhouse experiment. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the distribution of A. pullulans cells and aggregates on wheat kernels, infection structures of Fusarium culmorum (W.G. Smith) Sacc and the antagonist-pathogen interactions. Biological control with A. pullulans reduced FHB severity by 21.67 % and improved grain filling by 5.02 %, compared with the control treatment. The survival of A. pullulans was good (to 31 cells per kernel), in particular on the surface and in the crease of kernels, including in pathogen-inoculated wheat plants. A. pullulans cells firmly adhered to F. culmorum hyphae, and damaged them. In most cases, autochthonous communities of filamentous fungi of the genera Acremonium and Penicillium developed at a slower rate after kernel inoculation with the pathogen.     

Dormancy alleviation by NO or HCN leading to decline of protein carbonylation levels in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) embryos

Deep dormancy of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) embryos can be overcome by short-term pre-treatment with nitric oxide (NO) or hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Dormancy alleviation of embryos modulated by NO or HCN and the first step of germination depend on temporary increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Direct oxidative attack on some amino acid residues or secondary reactions via reactive carbohydrates and lipids can lead to the formation of protein carbonyl derivatives. Protein carbonylation is a widely accepted covalent and irreversible modification resulting in inhibition or alteration of enzyme/protein activities. It also increases the susceptibility of proteins to proteolytic degradation. The aim of this work was to investigate protein carbonylation in germinating apple embryos, the dormancy of which was removed by pre-treatment with NO or HCN donors. It was performed using a quantitative spectrophotometric method, while patterns of carbonylated protein in embryo axes were analyzed by immunochemical techniques. The highest concentration of protein carbonyl groups was observed in dormant embryos. It declined in germinating embryos pre-treated with NO or HCN, suggesting elevated degradation of modified proteins during seedling formation. A decrease in the concentration of carbonylated proteins was accompanied by modification in proteolytic activity in germinating apple embryos. A strict correlation between the level of protein carbonyl groups and cotyledon growth and greening was detected. Moreover, direct in vitro carbonylation of BSA treated with NO or HCN donors was analyzed, showing action of both signaling molecules as protein oxidation agents.     

Relative biological effectiveness of the 60-MeV therapeutic proton beam at the Institute of Nuclear Physics (IFJ PAN) in Kraków,Poland

The aim of the study was to determine the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of a 60-MeV proton radiotherapy beam at the Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ PAN) in Kraków, the first one to operate in Poland. RBE was assessed at the surviving fractions (SFs) of 0.01, 0.1, and 0.37, for normal human fibroblasts from three cancer patients. The cells were irradiated near the Bragg peak of the pristine beam and at three depths within a 28.4-mm spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP). Reference radiation was provided by 6-MV X-rays. The mean RBE value at SF = 0.01 for fibroblasts irradiated near the Bragg peak of pristine beam ranged between 1.06 and 1.15. The mean RBE values at SF = 0.01 for these cells exposed at depths of 2, 15, and 27 mm of the SOBP ranged between 0.95–1.00, 0.97–1.02, and 1.05–1.11, respectively. A trend was observed for RBE values to increase with survival level and with depth in the SOBP: at SF = 0.37 and at the depth of 27 mm, RBE values attained their maximum (1.19–1.24). The RBE values estimated at SF = 0.01 using normal human fibroblasts for the 60-MeV proton radiotherapy beam at the IFJ PAN in Kraków are close to values of 1.0 and 1.1, used in clinical practice.     

Chitinolytic Microorganisms and Their Possible Application in Environmental Protection

This paper provides a review of the latest research findings on the applications of microbial chitinases to biological control. Microorganisms producing these enzymes can inhibit the growth of many fungal diseases that pose a serious threat to global crop production. Currently, efforts are being made to discover producers of chitinolytic enzymes. The potential exists that natural biofungicides will replace chemical fungicides or will be used to supplement currently used fungicides, which would reduce the negative impact of chemicals on the environment and support the sustainable development of agriculture and forestry.     

Overexpression of erg20 gene encoding farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase has contrasting effects on activity of enzymes of the dolichyl and sterol branches of mevalonate pathway in Trichoderma reesei

The mevalonate pathway is the most diverse metabolic route resulting in the biosynthesis of at least 30,000 isoprenoid compounds, many of which, such as sterols or dolichols, are indispensable for living cells. In the filamentous fungus Trichoderma of major biotechnological interest isoprenoid metabolites are also involved in the biocontrol processes giving the mevalonate pathway an additional significance. On the other hand, little is known about genes coding for enzymes of the mevalonate pathway in Trichoderma.     

Impact of Combined Clenbuterol and Metoprolol Therapy on Reverse Remodelling during Mechanical Unloading

Background

Clenbuterol (Cl), a β₂ agonist, is associated with enhanced myocardial recovery during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support, and exerts beneficial remodelling effects during mechanical unloading (MU) in rodent heart failure (HF). However, the specific effects of combined Cl+β₁ blockade during MU are unknown.

Methods and Results

We studied the chronic effects (4 weeks) of β₂-adrenoceptor (AR) stimulation via Cl (2 mg/kg/day) alone, and in combination with β₁-AR blockade using metoprolol ((Met), 250 mg/kg/day), on whole heart/cell structure, function and excitation-contraction (EC) coupling in failing (induced by left coronary artery (LCA) ligation), and unloaded (induced by heterotopic abdominal heart transplantation (HATx)) failing rat hearts. Combined Cl+Met therapy displayed favourable effects in HF: Met enhanced Cl''s improvement in ejection fraction (EF) whilst preventing Cl-induced hypertrophy and tachycardia. During MU combined therapy was less beneficial than either mono-therapy. Met, not Cl, prevented MU-induced myocardial atrophy, with increased atrophy occurring during combined therapy. MU-induced recovery of Ca²⁺ transient amplitude, speed of Ca²⁺ release and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ content was enhanced equally by Cl or Met mono-therapy, but these benefits, together with Cl''s enhancement of sarcomeric contraction speed, and MU-induced recovery of Ca²⁺ spark frequency, disappeared during combined therapy.

Conclusions

Combined Cl+Met therapy shows superior functional effects to mono-therapy in rodent HF, but appears inferior to either mono-therapy in enhancing MU-induced recovery of EC coupling. These results suggest that combined β₂-AR simulation +β₁-AR blockade therapy is likely to be a safe and beneficial therapeutic HF strategy, but is not as effective as mono-therapy in enhancing myocardial recovery during LVAD support.     

Appraisal of Artificial Screening Techniques of Tomato to Accurately Reflect Field Performance of the Late Blight Resistance

Late blight (LB) caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans continues to thwart global tomato production, while only few resistant cultivars have been introduced locally. In order to gain from the released tomato germplasm with LB resistance, we compared the 5-year field performance of LB resistance in several tomato cultigens, with the results of controlled conditions testing (i.e., detached leaflet/leaf, whole plant). In case of these artificial screening techniques, the effects of plant age and inoculum concentration were additionally considered. In the field trials, LA 1033, L 3707, L 3708 displayed the highest LB resistance, and could be used for cultivar development under Polish conditions. Of the three methods using controlled conditions, the detached leaf and the whole plant tests had the highest correlation with thefield experiments. The plant age effect on LB resistance in tomato reported here, irrespective of the cultigen tested or inoculum concentration used, makes it important to standardize the test parameters when screening for resistance. Our results help show why other reports disagree on LB resistance in tomato.