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Increasing interest in nanomaterials can be explained by their broad involvement in many fields of industry and medicine. It is known that carbon black and crysotile asbestos behave like nanosized objects. They are wide spread in environment and have close contact with living organisms. The aim of our study was to define the effects of carbon black and crysotile asbestos on structures of the developing organism.

Motivation: We present a user-friendly 3D chromatin simulation model for the human genome based on OpenMM, addressing the challenges posed by existing models with use-specific implementations. Our approach employs a multi-scale energy minimization strategy, capturing chromatin's hierarchical structure. Initiating with a Hilbert curve-based structure, users can input files specifying nucleosome positioning, loops, compartments, or subcompartments.Results: The model utilizes an energy minimization approach with a large choice of numerical integrators, providing the entire genome's structure within minutes. Output files include the generated structures for each chromosome, offering a versatile and accessible tool for chromatin simulation in bioinformatics studies. Furthermore, MultiMM is capable of producing nucleosome-resolution structures by making simplistic geometric assumptions about the structure and the density of nucleosomes on the DNA.Code availability: Open-source software and the manual are freely available on https://github.com/SFGLab/MultiMM or via pip https://pypi.org/project/MultiMM/.

Experiment was carried out on white rats, which were divided into 3 groups. Experimental trauma of the sciatic nerve was carried out in 1 end 2 groups. Standart trauma of the sciatic nerve was carried out in 3 groups. Drug correction was not applied in the first group. Omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids were applied during 3 weeks in a doze 0,04 g /kg a day in the second group of animals. Drug correction applied in the second group. Morphological characteristic of regenerative neuroma of sciatic nerve in 6 weeks after the injury in 1,2,3 groups of animals was studied. The results obtained testify, that in the group of rats with pharmacological correction by omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids process of regeneration was activated.

Purpose: to study the features of humic fertilizer impact on water consumption, yield and quality of onions under drip irrigation in the dry-steppe zone of Saratov Trans-Volga region. Materials and methods. Field studies were carried out on dark chestnut soils in 2019–2022. The objects of the study were the zoned Chalcedony variety and fertilizers based on humic acids. Related observations and studies of water consumption, productivity formation and yield quality were carried out using generally accepted methods. Results. Research has shown that when maintaining a drip irrigation regime, which involves watering when soil moisture is reduced to 80 % of the lowest moisture capacity in the 0–30 cm layer, the total water consumption of onions on average over the years of the study amounted to 4102 cub. m/ha, average daily – 31 cub. m/ha. The humic fertilizer application contributed to a more economical use of moisture and irrigation water, as evidenced by a decrease in the water consumption coefficient by 7.1–23.3 %, and the cost of irrigation water to form a unit of marketable output by 15.9–24.0 %. Humic fertilizers also provided a significant yield increase – 4.9–15.31 t/ha (10–31 % higher than the control – without fertilizers). Conclusions: the humic fertilizer application, which have stimulating and adaptogenic features, when growing onions under the arid conditions of the Saratov Trans-Volga region with drip irrigation, is an effective technique that ensures more economical use of water resources and increases the yield of one of the leading vegetable crops – onions.

The article presents the results of a study of the state of the hotel and restaurant business in Ukraine in general and the Transcarpathian region in particular in the context of crisis phenomena. The authors analyse the peculiarities of functioning of hospitality enterprises in the context of military operations on the territory of Ukraine. The research provides an analytical review of the legislative framework and social factors that have influenced the activities of hospitality enterprises in conditions of instability. It also identifies the problems and prospects for the development of the hotel and restaurant business in the context of overcoming the consequences of military operations, European integration processes and legislative changes, and outlines promising ways of future recovery of the hospitality sector as a component of tourism. The purpose of the article is to conduct an analytical study of the state of the hotel and restaurant business in the post-covid period and the active phase of the military conflict, and also the impact of state regulation on overcoming such destructive factors against the background of Ukraine's European integration processes. Methodology. The study was conducted on the basis of an analysis of statistical indicators of the performance of temporary accommodation (accommodation) and catering enterprises, based on analytical and statistical materials of official statistics of the Zakarpattia Oblast for the period from 2020 to 2024, provided by the Main Department of Statistics in the Zakarpattia Oblast. The legal framework and regulatory documents related to the identified issues were analysed. The paper analyses the state and needs of SMEs in Ukraine as assessed by local hromadas, as well as an analytical study based on a survey of owners of hotel and restaurant businesses in Zakarpattia Oblast through personal interviews. The monitoring study covered 50 enterprises of different sizes and different forms of ownership. Results. The publication analyses the factors that stimulate the activity of enterprises in the accommodation sector, describes the destructive factors that suppress or complicate the activity of enterprises in this sphere of economic activity, and considers the state policy aimed at supporting the hotel and restaurant business and the tourism sector in general. The authors identify the commonality of problematic issues for the hromadas of Ukraine on the way to the future post-war reconstruction of the hospitality and tourism sector, as well as the functioning of this sector today. The research lists the opportunities for business on the way to European integration and the challenges associated with it. As a result, the authors suggested ways to accelerate and facilitate the integration of the local hotel and restaurant business, improve the legislative framework at the state and local levels for the development of the hotel and restaurant sector and its de-shadowing, and also emphasised the importance of close cooperation of SMEs with state and local authorities in terms of support, development promotion, investment prospects and implementation of European legislation in the activities of such enterprises.

Оbjective ‒ to show the need for a comprehensive approach to the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI); the specifics of psychosomatic and psychophysiological complications in children as a result of trauma. Materials and methods. In period from 2019 to 2024 in the National Children's Specialized Hospital Okhmatdyt was applied a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of TBI in 112 patients (children from 9 months to 16 years, the main group). In 22 (19.7 %) cases had isolated TBI and in 90 (80.3 %) had polytrauma. The peculiarity of treating children in the period 2022‒2024 is the presence of injuries as a result of hostilities. The mental state was assessed at the time of discharge and 3 months later using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Kerdo index, and the Ronde index was used also. The control group was formed from 115 children who were treated until 2019, comparable in terms of age, type of injuries, length of stay in the hospital with patients of the main group. Results. The main complications in the psychoemotional, cognitive, psychosomatic, psychophysiological spheres are presented. The main general approaches in the treatment of brain injury and its consequences regarding the basic communicative work of a multidisciplinary team are shown: anesthesiologist, neurosurgeon, trauma surgeon, general surgeon, psychologist, neurologist, radiologist, doctor of functional diagnostics, rehabilitator. The features of anesthesiologist's work during sedation and anesthesia are described. A comparative assessment of the patient’s condition at discharge under 2019 (without of the principle of a multidisciplinary approach using) and in children who were treated with this method was performed. The dynamics of the various complications types presence in patients before 2019 and after was showed (with or without the multidisciplinary approach in treatment). Conclusions. A multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of both isolated TBI and polytrauma ensures timely diagnosis of psychological, psychosomatic, and psychophysiological disorders, and allows the involvement of appropriate specialists who carry out correction and rehabilitation. All this improves the quality of treatment and reduces the frequency of complications. Specialists who provide assistance to children with trauma should know the age-based foundations of child psychology in order to timely involve a psychologist in diagnosis and treatment at the stages of traumatic injury. Communication in the work between specialists makes it possible to pay attention to the peculiarities of the traumatic process, the complications that arise and to carry out correction and necessary rehabilitation in a timely manner. The most pronounced psychological and psychophysical complications in the main group were among children who suffered as a result of military actions and cruel treatment. Three months after receiving the injury, asthenic syndrome remained in 29.5 % of patients of the main group, 24.5 % of patients of the control group. In the control group, there is a decrease in these symptoms, but to a lesser extent, it can be interpreted so that the psychologist's recommendations were not taken into account by the neurosurgeon (surgeon) and the psychologist was not always involved in the treatment process, or some recommendations were not followed by the parents at the outpatient stage after discharge.

Objective. To assess the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the attitudes of Belarusian doctors toward vaccination.Materials and methods. A questionnaire survey has been conducted using the Google Forms service for doctors of different specialties in the Republic of Belarus.Results. A total of 1815 doctors from 7 regions of the Republic of Belarus participated in the survey. A considerable part of the respondents (79,89%, or 1450 people) have a positive attitude to vaccination, 16,42% (298 people) – neutral, a part of the respondents (3,69%, or 67 people) have a negative attitude towards vaccination. The highest percentage of positive evaluations of the attitude towards vaccination was revealed among infectious disease doctors, pediatricians and doctors of prophylactic specialization. For a significant proportion of respondents (62.7%, or 1,138 people), the pandemic raised an interest in vaccination issues. The attitudes toward vaccination by the majority of surveyed physicians either remained unchanged (49.2%, or 893 people) or changed for the better (47.22%, or 857 people). The vast majority of respondents are vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza. Willingness to be vaccinated against influenza was most noted among infectious disease specialists and prophylactic physicians.Conclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic changed more than just practical medicine and science, it also transformed the information field, initiated educational reforms, and demonstrated the importance of human values. The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the physicians’ growing interest in vaccination.

In this study, we decided to test the hypothesis that the fungal biostarter M. flavus used during a 21-day beef dry-aging process significantly impacts the composition of other microorganisms, the profile of volatile compounds, meat hardness characteristics, and, consequently, the sensory quality. The experiments were performed on samples derived from animals crossbred between Holstein–Fresian cows and meat breed bulls. Two groups of samples were studied, including the control group, without biostarter, and a group inoculated with the M. flavus biostarter. Both sample groups were seasoned for 21 days in the dry-aging fridge. The physicochemical parameters (pH, color parameters), the chemical composition of muscle, the determination of the shear force, the profile of volatile compounds (VOCs), and the sensory quality were evaluated after aging. During this study, classical microbiological methods were used to investigate the influence of fungal biostarters on the growth and survival of bacteria and other fungi (e.g., yeasts) during the dry-aging process of beef (DAB). The M. flavus biostarter improved the sensory quality of DAB, allowing high sensory quality to be achieved after just 21 days. This is likely due to the diverse VOCs produced by the fungus, including 1-tetradecanol, 2-nonenal, trans-2-undecenoic acid, and the following esters: formic acid hexyl ester, 10-undecenoic acid methyl ester, and 4-methylpentanoic acid methyl ester. The presence of the biostarter had no significant effect on the number of the bacteria or the survivability of the L. monocytogenes on the meat’s surface in laboratory conditions.

Bacillus cereus sensu lato can contaminate food and cause food poisoning by producing toxins such as cereulide, toxin BL, and cytotoxin K. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed B. cereus sensu lato from retail food products and food poisoning cases using PCR methods to determine their virulence profiles. A new toxin profile, encoding all four toxins (hbl, nhe, cytK, ces), was found in 0.4% of isolates. The toxin profiles, classified into A-J, revealed that 91.8% harbored nhe genes, while hbl, cytK, and ces were detected in 43.8%, 46.9%, and 4.2% of isolates, respectively. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) identified four distinct species within the B. cereus group, with 21 isolates closely related to B. cereus sensu stricte, 25 to B. mosaicus, 2 to B. toyonensis, and 1 to B. mycoides. Three novel sequence types (STs 3297, 3298, 3299) were discovered. Antibiotic resistance genes were common, with 100% of isolates carrying beta-lactam resistance genes. Fosfomycin (80%), vancomycin (8%), streptothricin (6%), tetracycline (4%), and macrolide resistance (2%) genes were also detected. These results highlight the genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance potential of B. cereus sensu lato strains in Polish food products.

The 2 m-long human DNA is tightly intertwined into the cell nucleus of the size of 10 μm. The DNA packing is explained by folding of chromatin fiber. This folding leads to the formation of such hierarchical structures as: chromosomal territories, compartments; densely-packed genomic regions known as Topologically Associating Domains (TADs), or Chromatin Contact Domains (CCDs), and loops. We propose models of dynamical human genome folding into hierarchical components in human lymphoblastoid, stem cell, and fibroblast cell lines. Our models are based on explosive percolation theory. The chromosomes are modeled as graphs where CTCF chromatin loops are represented as edges. The folding trajectory is simulated by gradually introducing loops to the graph following various edge addition strategies that are based on topological network properties, chromatin loop frequencies, compartmentalization, or epigenomic features. Finally, we propose the genome folding model - a biophysical pseudo-time process guided by a single scalar order parameter. The parameter is calculated by Linear Discriminant Analysis of chromatin features. We also include dynamics of loop formation by using Loop Extrusion Model (LEM) while adding them to the system. The chromatin phase separation, where fiber folds in 3D space into topological domains and compartments, is observed when the critical number of contacts is reached. We also observe that at least 80% of the loops are needed for chromatin fiber to condense in 3D space, and this is constant through various cell lines. Overall, our in-silico model integrates the high-throughput 3D genome interaction experimental data with the novel theoretical concept of phase separation, which allows us to model event-based time dynamics of chromatin loop formation and folding trajectories.

Background and Aim: Foodborne diseases caused by Escherichia coli are prevalent globally. Treatment is challenging due to antibiotic resistance in bacteria, except for foodborne infections due to Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, for which treatment is symptomatic. Several studies have been conducted in Africa on antibiotic resistance of E. coli isolated from several sources. The prevalence and distribution of resistant pathogenic E. coli isolated from food, human, and animal sources and environmental samples and their virulence gene profiles were systematically reviewed. Materials and Methods: Bibliographic searches were performed using four databases. Research articles published between 2000 and 2022 on antibiotic susceptibility and virulence gene profile of E. coli isolated from food and other sources were selected. Results: In total, 64 articles were selected from 14 African countries: 45% of the studies were conducted on food, 34% on animal samples, 21% on human disease surveillance, and 13% on environmental samples. According to these studies, E. coli is resistant to ~50 antimicrobial agents, multidrug-resistant, and can transmit at least 37 types of virulence genes. Polymerase chain reaction was used to characterize E. coli and determine virulence genes. Conclusion: A significant variation in epidemiological data was noticed within countries, authors, and sources (settings). These results can be used as an updated database for monitoring E. coli resistance in Africa. More studies using state-of-the-art equipment are needed to determine all resistance and virulence genes in pathogenic E. coli isolated in Africa.

Due to the increasing internationalization of the member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), it is planned to create a common energy market and an electric energy market. To ensure the reliable functioning of the energy systems of individual states of the Union and their common energy market, it is necessary to increase energy efficiency and reduce costs at each stage of production, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity by optimizing processes in the industry through the introduction of digital technologies. The purpose of this work is to analyze the electric power complexes of the EAEU member states and to consider groups of digitalization technologies of industries in the context of the electric power industry, to form an algorithm for creating a classification of digitalization technologies of the electric power industry and on the basis of the latter to create the classification itself. The article provides an overview of the dynamics of the main economic indicators of the Union countries and the main indicators of their electric power industries, examines the structure of electricity production, energy portfolio, average electricity prices, total electricity consumption by sector. The import-export potential and the level of electricity losses in the networks have been analyzed. The interpretation of digital technologies of the electric power complex in the context of existing groups-digitalization technologies was made, the components of the interconnection of digital technologies were identified; the classification of the above components by production stages has been developed. Recommendations on the further use of the classification for the formation of an indicative system for assessing the level of digitalization of the electric power complex are put forward. It is concluded that digitalization of the electric power system on the technical side increases the energy security of the state and the competitiveness of the energy system on the world market, and on the economic side it helps to reduce costs at all stages of the entire technological cycle.

Портальна гіпертензія - це підвищення тиску в системі ворітної вени печінки. Найпоширенішою моделлю допечінкової портальної гіпертензії на тваринах, що використовується зараз, є часткова перев’язка ворітної вени печінки в щурів, але наявні дослідження фокусуються на визначенні короткотермінових наслідків часткової перев’язки ворітної вени печінки. Мета - оцінити модель допечінкової портальної гіпертензії шляхом гістологічного дослідження впливу часткової перев’язки ворітної вени на стан печінки. Матеріали та методи. До дослідження залучено щурів-самців лінії Вістар (n=45), віком 6 тижнів і масою тіла 150±15 г. Тварин поділено на три групи: І група - проведено часткову перев’язку ворітної вени печінки (формування стенозу; n=15), II - виконано перев’язку ворітної вени печінки без її обструкції (псевдооперовані; n=15), ІІI - контрольна група (інтактні тварини; n=15). За 6 місяців після операції щурів виведено з експерименту. Для гістологічного дослідження взято фрагменти печінки, після стандартної підготовки препаратів сфотографовано на світловому мікроскопі «OLYMPUS BX51» та досліджено на електронному мікроскопі «ПЕМ-125к». Отримані мікрофотографії оброблено, проаналізовано за допомогою програми обробки біомедичних зображень «ImageJ v.1.50» (National Institutes of Health, США). Цифрові дані проаналізовано в статистичному пакеті «Graphpad Prizm v. 8.3» (Graphpad, США). Результати. У щурів І групи спостерігалася крупнокраплинна і тотальна жирова дистрофія гепатоцитів у центрі часточок. Відмічався розвиток сполучної тканини із формуванням центро-центральних і порто-центральних септ. Пролонгований у часі ефект часткової перев’язки ворітної вени найбільше відповідав картині зональної жирової паренхіматозної дистрофії печінки та балонної дегенерації гепатоцитів із подальшим фіброзом. У тварин І групи розподіл питомої кількості ядер гепатоцитів відрізнявся від нормального (p=0,0124), виявлено відмінність цього показника між тваринами трьох груп (p

Relevance. Many countries around the world are developing effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. The measure of the effectiveness of the vaccination process has traditionally been antibody production. The frequency and intensity of adverse reactions is also an important factor in making a decision regarding a vaccine. This study presents the results of the evaluation of the formation of humoral immunity and the occurrence of reactions in response to the administration of Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac), RF, and Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV), PRC. Aim. Analyze immunogenicity and reactogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines used in the Republic of Belarus (Sputnik V and Sinopharm). Materials and methods. Evaluation of postvaccination immune response by enzyme immunoassay and differential enzyme immunoassay for class G immunoglobulins to S- and N-proteins SARS-CoV-2. Blood plasma of the study participants was used as biological material. Blood sampling was performed 3 times: immediately before the first vaccine dose, on day 42, and 6 months after the first vaccine dose. To evaluate the frequency and intensity of postvaccination reactions, study participants were questioned. Results. At 42 days after administration of both vaccines, antibody levels are rising, with a significantly higher quantitative IgG count for the Sputnik V vaccine. This trend is also observed 6 months after the first dose of both vaccines, both among those previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and those without a history of COVID-19. The comparison of Sputnik V and Sinopharm vaccine groups in terms of IgG (BAU/ml) levels to S- and N-proteins revealed a statistically significant difference in IgG levels to S-protein: the Sputnik V vaccine group had significantly higher IgG levels to S-protein than the Sinopharm vaccine group (p = 0.0000196). The incidence of adverse reactions in this study was 45%. All reactions noted were mild to moderate in severity. The most common were soreness and redness at the injection site, elevated body temperature, and a combination of several reactions. The increased body temperature after vaccination was more common among those vaccinated with the Sputnik V vaccine. Conclusion. Compared to Sinopharm, Sputnik V vaccine produces higher antibody level. Adverse reactions were observed in both vaccinated groups. However, significant statistical differences were found with regard to fever in the Sputnik V vaccine group, which occurred more frequently.

A comparative analysis of the characteristics of the main types of bolometers is indicated in the article. The constructive solution of an uncooled thermal detector of the bolometric type, formed using the technology of microelectromechanical systems, is studied. By means of computer simulation in modern computer-aided design systems in microelectronics, a static mechanical analysis was performed to assess the effect of mechanical stresses arising in structural materials during their formation on the magnitude of deformation. It has been established that to ensure the normal functioning of the microbolometer (to reduce the maximum deviation value of the film from the nominal value), it is necessary to reduce the internal mechanical stresses in the NiCr film. For the Si3N4 films, on the contrary, this value should be increased.

Objective: to assess the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination against in organized group. Materials and methods: A total of 122 adults, employees of a higher education institution participated in the study. Study participants were observed prospectively and filled out a questionnaire where they indicated their age, presence of chronic diseases, history of COVID-19 and vaccination status. Findings: the study participants were divided into two groups: 59 vaccinated (48.36 %) and 63 unvaccinated (51.64 %) individuals with no differences in age between the groups. There were significantly fewer confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the vaccinated group (р = 0,0008457, df = 1; χ2 = 11,138), significant differences (p = 0.0084; df = 4; χ2 =13.678) were observed in the number of cases among study participants based on their vaccination status. Conclusion: participants diagnosed with pneumonia were 75 % unvaccinated (p = 0,00729; df = 1; χ2 = 7,2). All hospitalized study participants were unvaccinated (p = 0,004678; χ2 =8,0). None of the vaccinated participants needed respiratory support (p = 0,0455; df = 1; χ2 = 4,0). Chronic disease in vaccinated subjects made a significant (p = 0,04563; df = 2; χ2 = 6,1743) impact on COVID-19 severity.

Relevance. The first case of COVID-19 was registered in 2019. Several months later, the local outbreak became pandemic. The only way to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection is mass vaccination that aims to form a herd immunity. The success of vaccination depends on people’s acceptance, which might be problematic. The review summarizes the main barriers to mass vaccination against COVID-19, categorizing people based on their willingness to vaccinate, and pointing out possible areas of work to overcome the barriers listed above. Aim. Analyze the problem of mass rejection of vaccination against COVID-19. Determine possible solutions. Conclusion. The main reason for refusal to vaccinate against COVID-19 is the lack of public awareness about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. This review lists possible approaches to creating a supportive information environment and ways to stimulate citizens to accelerate the rates of mass vaccination.

The article emphasizes the importance of including multiple perspectives in research and education to effectively address diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) challenges in the context of political polarization and anti-DEI legislation. Topics include strategies for Iindustrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists to engage with DEI issues, the effectiveness of two-sided messaging in persuasion, and the alignment of presenting multiple perspectives with the ideals of higher education.

Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne pathogen causing listeriosis. L. monocytogenes, existing in the natural environment, can also contaminate food products, which poses a serious threat to human health and life, especially for high-risk groups: pregnant women, newborn babies, and the elderly. Environmental adaptation of L. monocytogenes refers to the various strategies and mechanisms used by this bacterium to survive and thrive in diverse and often hostile environments that include, among others, toxic heavy metals and disinfectants. The aim of this study was to analyze WGS (whole-genome sequencing) data of 45 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food to compare the prevalence and types of genetic determinants encoding resistance to toxic metals, such as arsenic and cadmium, as well as quaternary ammonium compounds, like benzalkonium chloride. In L. monocytogenes strains, resistance genes were detected for disinfectants, such as benzalkonium chloride (4.4%), as well as for toxic heavy metals, like cadmium (28.9%) and arsenic (24.4%). The bcrABC cassette was found together with the cadA2C2 genes in two strains: 3855-D (IIc, ST9, CC9) and 4315 (IVb, ST6, CC6). The arsenic cassette, encoded by the genes arsR1D2R2A2B1B2, was co-selected with the cadA4C4 genes. The arsenic cassette was prevalent in nine strains of clonal complex CC2 (82%), one strain of CC3 (9%), and one strain of CC11 (9%). In contrast, the benzalkonium chloride cassette was detected in one strain of CC6 and one strain of CC9. The results of the present study demonstrate the need for further research into the characteristics of L. monocytogenes isolated from other sources in order to understand their spread throughout the food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus cereus sensu lato can contaminate food and cause food poisoning by producing toxins such as cereulide, toxin BL, and cytotoxin K. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed B. cereus sensu lato from retail food products and food poisoning cases using PCR methods to determine their virulence profiles. A new toxin profile, encoding all four toxins (hbl, nhe, cytK, ces), was found in 0.4% of isolates. The toxin profiles, classified into A-J, revealed that 91.8% harbored nhe genes, while hbl, cytK, and ces were detected in 43.8%, 46.9%, and 4.2% of isolates, respectively. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) identified four distinct species within the B. cereus group, with 21 isolates closely related to B. cereus sensu stricte, 25 to B. mosaicus, 2 to B. toyonensis, and 1 to B. mycoides. Three novel sequence types (STs 3297, 3298, 3299) were discovered. Antibiotic resistance genes were common, with 100% of isolates carrying beta-lactam resistance genes. Fosfomycin (80%), vancomycin (8%), streptothricin (6%), tetracycline (4%), and macrolide resistance (2%) genes were also detected. These results highlight the genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance potential of B. cereus sensu lato strains in Polish food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we decided to test the hypothesis that the fungal biostarter M. flavus used during a 21-day beef dry-aging process significantly impacts the composition of other microorganisms, the profile of volatile compounds, meat hardness characteristics, and, consequently, the sensory quality. The experiments were performed on samples derived from animals crossbred between Holstein–Fresian cows and meat breed bulls. Two groups of samples were studied, including the control group, without biostarter, and a group inoculated with the M. flavus biostarter. Both sample groups were seasoned for 21 days in the dry-aging fridge. The physicochemical parameters (pH, color parameters), the chemical composition of muscle, the determination of the shear force, the profile of volatile compounds (VOCs), and the sensory quality were evaluated after aging. During this study, classical microbiological methods were used to investigate the influence of fungal biostarters on the growth and survival of bacteria and other fungi (e.g., yeasts) during the dry-aging process of beef (DAB). The M. flavus biostarter improved the sensory quality of DAB, allowing high sensory quality to be achieved after just 21 days. This is likely due to the diverse VOCs produced by the fungus, including 1-tetradecanol, 2-nonenal, trans-2-undecenoic acid, and the following esters: formic acid hexyl ester, 10-undecenoic acid methyl ester, and 4-methylpentanoic acid methyl ester. The presence of the biostarter had no significant effect on the number of the bacteria or the survivability of the L. monocytogenes on the meat's surface in laboratory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical damage to the peripheral nerve is a disabling type of trauma with high cumulative potential, treatment and rehabilitation of which remains an important medical problem. At present, neurorrhaphy is a ubiquitous means of connecting stumps of a crossed nerve. The disadvantages of the method are the manual complexity and prolongation of local inflammatory reactions by persistent suture material. Alternatively, methods of glue, laser, photochemical, nanocomposite or, least studied, electric welding compounds are considered.A series of studies performed on adult white outbred male rats evaluated the efficacy and safety of multiple point-welded epineural joints of the sciatic nerve stump after crossing it. In particular, it was found that the tested type of connection provides a fast and reliable fixation of the stump of the crossed nerve, which by Sciatic Functional Index values is 2 months faster, but ultimately does not differ from neurorrhaphy. Instead, the amplitude of the electrical M-response of the paretic calf muscle and the density of nerve fibers in the regeneration neuroma thickness are significantly higher after 5 months after the weld, and the angle of deviation of the fibers from the nerve axis is substantially smaller than after neurorrhaphy.In general, the effectiveness of a welded joint is no worse than an epineural surgical suture, in some respects better, as it requires less time and resources. The study also attempts to pathophysiologically interpret the data and compare them with the results of testing other seamless means of restoring the integrity of the crossed nerve.In our opinion, the obtained experimental data against the background of the results of other research groups motivate the clinical validation of the proposed method.