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Objective. Genetic factors substantially contribute to the development and duration of arterial hypertension. The study of the A1166C polymorphism of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene (AGTR1) in arterial hypertension is an auspicious area for assessing the relationship between heredity, hypertension development, and adipokines, but it still remains debatable. The purpose of the current study was to investigate serum adipokines levels depending on the AGTR1 A1166C polymorphism.

Objective. Polymorphism investigation of T786C gene promoter of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS/NOS3) in the arterial hypertension is a promising field for determining the relationship between heredity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, which still remains controversial. The purpose of the study was to investigate the lipid profile, which depends on the NOS3 T786C gene promotor region polymorphism in patients with arterial hypertension.

Background Possible associations of localized scleroderma (LS) with Lyme borreliosis (LB) were reported in certain countries, though denied in others. Therefore, it is still under investigation, whether the association is real or fictional. Objective The aims of the current study was to determine percentage of serologically positive patients among suspected LB patients, as well as to investigate etiological differences between confirmed LB patients with and without LS in Ternopil region. Methods An observational study of 196 patients with complaints related to LB treated at Ternopil healthcare institutions (2017-2022) was conducted. LB serological confirmation was done using two-stage procedure (ELISA and immunoblotting). The confirmed LB patients were split into two groups, with or without localized scleroderma (LS), and a wide spectra of specific IgG were analyzed to check for significant differences between the two groups. Results We confirmed the necessity of the two-stage procedure, as some ELISA screening results, 11.4% (95% CI 3.1-29.3) for IgM and 11.5% (95% CI 4.6-23.6) for IgG, appeared to be false positives during stage two immunoblotting tests. VlsE antigens of B. afzelii and p83 were significantly more often detected in the LB patients with LS compared to LB patients without LS, p < 0.05. VlsE antigens of B. burgdorferi s.s. and p39 were diagnosed more often in LB alone patients compared to LB with LS patients, p <0.05. Conclusion We can speculate, that failures to detect borreliosis-associated morphea in some countries may be related to the absence of B. afzelii in those areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomatoes are important agricultural commodity, which are often consumed fresh without final pathogen elimination step. Being harvested as mature green fruit with further ripening, their shelf life can be greatly increased after harvesting. It is important to immediately cool down harvested fruit to 15°C to avoid decay and optimize storage. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate survival of five-strain Escherichia coli O157:H7 cocktail on the undamaged surface of green mature tomatoes during 4-day storage at 25°C, 15°C, and temperature abuse conditions, such as slow ramping from 25°C to 15°C over duration of the experiment. Pathogen numbers declined 1.5 log units from theoretical inoculation level of 6.8 log10 cfu/mL of rinsate to 5.3 log10 cfu/mL upon 90 minutes inoculum drying, and significantly continued to decline during storage at both 25°C and 15°C, as well as temperature abuse conditions, resulting in final counts of 1.5, 2.4, and 2.6 log10 cfu/mL on day 4 for 25°C, 15°C, and ramp, respectively. The fastest decline was observed in 25°C stored tomatoes. Placing tomatoes immediately into 15°C incubator, or gradually decreasing storage temperature over a 4-day period, preserved the state of viability of E.coli O157:H7 comparing to other treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Maternal hyperglycemia may violate peripheral immunological tolerance (PIT) formation to pancreatic antigens; antigen administration stimulates PIT. Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) are transition point for recirculating lymphocytes of gastrointestinal associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and the location for PIT induction. Homing of lymphocytes in MLN is regulated by MAdCAM-1, CXCR4 and CCR7, while S1PR1 activates T-cell exit from MLN. We aimed to evaluate mRNA expression of these genes and their effect on the distribution of Th1-, Th17-, and Treg-cells in MLN of the rat offspring with experimental gestational diabetes (EGD) with oral insulin administration. Material and method: We studied one and six months old male offspring of Wistar rats with EGD, which received insulin orally for the first 14 days of life. RT-PCR method was used for Madcam1, Cxcr4, Ccr7 and S1pr1 mRNA expression measurements in MLN. The structure of T-bet+, Rort+, Foxp3+ cell population was studied using histological sections of MLN, morphometric and densitometric characteristics. Results: An increase of CCR7 and MAdCAM-1 mRNA in offspring of animals with EGD indicated activation of the GALT immune cells, which is accompanied by intensification of lymphocytes homing, while no changes were observed in CXCR4 expression. Increased expression of S1PR1 confirms its role in diabetes. Chemokine receptors affect the activation of different The cells subsets with their pivotal role in diabetes type 1, through violation of oral tolerance. A significant increase in Th1 and Th17 cell population was observed in the offspring of rats with EGD. Conclusions: The changes in mRNA expression of the lymphocyte "homing" regulators in MLN affected the distribution of Th1-, Th17- and Treg-cells in the offspring of rats which parents had EGD. The development of oral insulin tolerance is accompanied by a decrease in the relative normalized mRNA number of Ccr7, Madcam1 and S1pr1 genes in MLN cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were: a) to evaluate E. coli O157:H7 survival on green mature tomatoes and squares of common food processing materials – stainless steel, plastic (HDPE), and vinyl conveyor belt (PVC) – post-drying, stored at 25 ºC in the humidified environment for four days; b) to determine pathogen transfer rates (wet, 90 minutes, or 24-hours drying post-inoculation), from inoculated tomato surfaces to uninoculated steel, plastic, and vinyl conveyor belt squares and conversely. It was shown that E. coli O157:H7 did not survive well on the surface of tomatoes, resulting in a decline from 5.3 log10 CFU.mL-1 90 minutes post-drying to 1.4 log10 CFU.mL-1 on day 4. Similarly, the pathogen did not survive well on the surface of food processing squares, with numbers declining over 4 days from 4.04, 4.44, and 4.19 CFU.mL-1 of rinsate 90 minutes squares post-drying to 0.72, 0.50, 0.83 log10 CFU.mL-1 , which is close to the detection limit, for the steel, vinyl belt, and plastic, respectively. Successful cross-contamination between tomatoes and food processing surfaces was achieved during wet transfer; while transfer after 90 minutes inoculum post-drying and 24 hours were less successful. This can be explained by both lack of liquid media with suspended bacteria for transfer and fast pathogen die-off after desiccation. Dry transfers, as shown by the percentage of “positive” for pathogen presence tomatoes and squares, as well as bacterial counts, were more successful from tomatoes to squares, but not conversely. Special concern raised vinyl conveyor belt, where the surface picked up the most pathogen cells from the surface of tomatoes, resulting in 100% positive during 90 minute-dry transfers, followed by plastic (66.7% positive) and steel (55.6% positive). To summarize, we presented data on the possibility of cross-contamination between mature green tomatoes and common food processing surfaces, which may be interesting for the processors for risk evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the protective properties of dietary magnesium supplementation on pancreatic tissue of rats with alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were split into five groups (control, diabetes, diabetes with 100 mg Mg daily, diabetes with 250 mg Mg daily, diabetes with 500 mg Mg daily) with feeding supplementation starting on day 1, diabetes induction on day 21, and animal sacrifice on day 30. Fasting glucose in blood serum was measured on days 21, 25, 27, and day 30. Glucose metabolism enzymes, namely, lactate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, were measured in pancreatic tissue upon the sacrifice, as well as lipid peroxidation, antioxidant system protective enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase), and glutathione system components (glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reduced). Pearson correlation coefficients showed strong negative correlation between serum glucose (control and diabetic animals) and glucose metabolism enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase in pancreatic tissue (r >-0.9, p <0.05), moderate negative correlation with reduced glutathione (r = -0.79, p <0.05), moderate positive correlation with lipid peroxidation index (r = +0.67, p <0.05), weak correlation with glutathione reductase (r = -0.57, p <0.05). Magnesium supplementation slowed down diabetes onset considering fasting glucose levels in rats (p <0.05), as well as partially restored investigated dehydrogenase levels in the pancreas of rats comparing to diabetes group (p <0.05). The lipid peroxidation index varied between treatments showing the dose-dependent influence of Mg2+. Magnesium supplementation partially restored catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in pancreatic tissue, as well as glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione levels (p <0.05), while glutathione reductase levels remained unaffected (p >0.05). The obtained results suggested a model, where magnesium ions may have a possible protective effect on pancreatic tissue against the negative influence of alloxan inside β cells of the pancreas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined lactic acid, monolaurin, and nisin effects on time-to-detection extension are greater than any single or paired combination effect that demonstrates a synergistic interaction among the antimicrobials. The results showed that lactic acid-enhanced monolaurin C12:0 absorption into the cell membrane increased membrane fluidity resulting in increased nisin activity.

The objectives of this study were: a) to determine E. coli O157:H7 survival on tomatoes and cardboard squares post-drying, stored at 25 °C in humidified environment for four days, in buffered peptone water (BPW), and 0.1% diluted peptone (DP); b) to determine pathogen transfer rates (0, 1.5, or 24-hours drying post-inoculation), from inoculated tomato surfaces to uninoculated cardboard squares and conversely; and c) to evaluate SystemSure Plus ATP luminometer for recognizing contamination on visibly soiled (BPW) or visible clean (DP) cardboard. In tomato inoculation studies, E. coli O157:H7 survived better on the fruit when the inoculum was prepared using DP as compared to BPW. The 1.5-hours post drying counts of 5.34 and 5.76 log10 CFU.mL-1 in the rinsate substantially declined to 1.45 and 1.17 log10 CFU.mL-1 on day four, for DP and BPW, respectively. In cardboard inoculation studies, E. coli O157:H7 persisted for four days, with 1.5-hours post-drying counts and day four counts of 4.53 (DP) and 2.55 log10 CFU.mL-1 (BPW), contrary to 3.81 (DP) and 1.92 log10 CFU.mL-1 (BPW). Under the first impression, the slower die-off of E. coli O157:H7 on cardboard questions the possibility of reusing cardboard boxes due to the potential for cross-contamination. In wet transfer (0 hour drying) trials, both tomato-to-cardboard and cardboard-to-tomato yielded 100% positive transfers irrespective of diluent type. Dry transfer (1.5-hours drying interval post inoculation) from tomato-to-cardboard were 100% positive, but no positives were noted when inoculated, dried cardboard was contacted to tomatoes, irrespective of diluent. Results of transfers with BPW as the diluent showed 100% positive transfer from 24-hours dry tomatoes-to-cardboard, as inoculation spots on the tomatoes remained moist due to hygroscopic nature of solutes in BPW. Conversely, only a 40% positive transfer rate was observed under the same conditions with DP as diluent. No positive transfers were recorded from 24-hours dry cardboard-to-tomatoes, irrespective of diluent type. Though E. coli O157:H7 survived better on the surface of cardboard compared to the surface of tomatoes on day four, the dry transfers were more efficient from tomatoes-to-cardboard than conversely, possibly due to smooth and hydrophobic properties of the tomato, and rough and porous surface of the cardboard. ATP luciferase Ultrasnap™ swab test showed 9/9 "pass" results for sterile liquid DP and BPW, while 9/9 "fail" results were observed with liquid peptone and BPW contaminated at ca. 9.0 log10 CFU.mL-1 E. coli O157:H7. Cardboard squares treated and dried, with sterile DP, showed 8/9 "pass" ATP luciferase results, and 1/9 "warning", while cardboard squares with contaminated DP showed 9/9 "fail" result. Cardboard squares treated and dried, with sterile BPW, showed 7/9 "pass" ATP luciferase results, and 2/9 "warning", while cardboard squares with contaminated BPW showed 9/9 "fail" result. Luminometer can simplify detection of microbial load, as well as organic residues, helping to check cardboard boxes for cleanness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomatoes are an important commodity, placing fourth among most popular vegetables in the U.S. However, fresh tomatoes lack a final pathogen elimination step and have been implicated in Salmonella-related outbreaks. The purpose of the study was to evaluate survival of Salmonella post-drying in three diluents on the surface of green mature tomatoes at 12 °C or 25 °C. Additionally, low and high air relative humidity influence was evaluated at 25 °C on pathogen survival. A five Salmonella rifampin-resistant strain cocktail was double-washed in buffered peptone water (BPW) and resuspended in 0.1% peptone, BPW, or fresh tomato serum. Inoculum (0.1 mL) was allowed to dry on the surface of tomatoes. For study I, tomatoes were placed in 12 °C and 25 °C incubators with no humidity control and sampled on days 0, 1, 3, and 5. For study II, tomatoes were sampled on days 0, 1 (biosafety hood storage) and on day 5 after storage in two 25 oC incubators (low and high relative humidity). Salmonella was recovered from tomatoes (20 mL BPW) and plated (TSA-rif80, 37 °C, 48 hours). Post-drying Salmonella counts (ca. 4.5 - 5.0 log10 CFU.mL-1) remained at 4.03 and 4.40 log10 CFU.mL-1 in serum after 5 days of storage at 12 °C and 25 °C, respectively. Conversely, corresponding counts in BPW and peptone were lower at ca. 1.4 to 1.8 and 2.2 to 2.8 log units at 12 °C and 25 °C, respectively. At low humidity, post-drying Salmonella counts showed highest decline for peptone (final 1.98 log10 CFU.mL-1) compared to BPW (3.79 log10 CFU.mL-1) and tomato serum (4.75 log10 CFU.mL-1) on day 5. Counts declined rapidly to 0.03, 0.56, and 0.44 log10 CFU.mL-1 for peptone, BPW, and tomato serum, respectively, at high humidity on day 5. To summarize, it was shown that increased solutes have protective effect on Salmonella in desiccated conditions, while high humidity storage causes accelerated death of stationary culture within five days storage period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to analyse the risks of Lyme borreliosis (LB) among 1,070 forestry workers, the influence of responsible behaviour (use of repellents, skin self-inspection) on Borrelia screening result status, and the occurrence of immediate and mid-term symptoms after tick bites and LB positive serological screening test., Methods: The questionnaire was conducted as well as blood tests for LB disease by one-stage serological screening procedure using ELISA for specific B. burgdorferi IgM and IgG antibodies (EuroImmun AG company, Germany)., Results: While 39.6% of foresters were LB positive among bitten foresters, as many as 27.0% were LB positive among those, who did not recall any tick attacks at all. Individuals with known history of tick bites had significantly higher odds (1.770×) of being LB positive (p < 0.05), while the use of repellents or skin self-inspection after visiting woods had no influence on LB results. The odds of skin discolouration after tick bites was significantly lower (0.682×) in case of LB positive test compared to LB negative test (p < 0.05), which can be explained by the fact that foresters could be unaware about erythema migrans appearance and timing, considering tick bite and developed later rash as completely separate events. Moreover, 69.1% of the bitten foresters with LB positive result developed no secondary symptoms (excluding those related to the skin), and the most frequent clinical symptoms were arthralgia (24.9%), followed by myalgia (7.6%), headache (5.7%), and damage to facial nerve (2.7%), which are non-specific and can be present in other illnesses., Conclusion: Therefore, the recommendations proposed would be the regular laboratory testing for LB of sensitive and at-risk population, who visits endemic woody areas, irrespective of all other factors involved.

Bronchial asthma (BA) is among the most prevalent chronic inflammatory disorders of the lung airways, and it has become clear that a mixture of genetic predisposition and environmental factors plays a critical role in its pathogenesis. The aim of presented review is to analyze the published data on the possible role of ACE gene polymorphism in BA development. The article is based on available literature found in Pubmed, Elsevier, Scopus, and Google scholar databases. We have found that ACE I/D polymorphism may contribute to an important molecular mechanisms of BA development (specially D/D genotype), and may become a useful tool in risk assessment and in designing effective treatment approaches. The difference in the literature on the role of ACE alleles and genotypes can be explained by minor influence of the investigated genetic component and contributions of other genetic variations, as well as other environmental factors, considering multifactorial causes of BA., (© 2021 MEDPRESS.)