The microbial contamination and the presence of β-lactamase producing Gram-negative bacteria in the water and on the surfaces of public recreation water facilities

The microbiological quality of bathing water and the surfaces of the surrounding pool platforms of two pools was estimated. ESBL- and MBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria isolated from water and surface samples were also studied. The water samples were satisfactory in 31 (86.1 %) out of 36 cases. Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as Escherichia coli were identified in only 2 (5.5 %) cases. There were no correlations between the HPC and number of enterobacteria in the pool water and those found in the surface samples. Isolated strains were resistant to ticarcillin with clavulanic acid in 52.3 % of cases; all of them were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. The sequences for bla_CTX-M were found in 21.6 % of strains, mostly from the groups bla_CTX-M9 and bla_CTX-M25, whilst the genes for chosen carbapenemases were noted in 15 (17.0 %) of strains. It is necessary to implement new approaches to monitoring resistant bacteria, not only clinical ones but also those found in other public environments.     

Mast cells in periapical lesions: potential role in their pathogenesis

J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39 : 257–262 Objective: The aim of this study was to qualitatively and semi‐quantitatively analyze mast cells in periapical lesions. Materials and methods: Biopsy specimens of 96 periapical lesions were stained with hematoxylin–eosin, histochemical Giemsa and immunohistochemical CD 117 (C kit) antibody. Mast cell count below 100 mast cells on 1000 fields of high power magnification was noted as ‘negative’, 101–400 as ‘mild’, 401–800 cells as ‘moderate’, and over 800 cells as ‘severe’. Results: Mast cells are found in 68 (70.8%) lesions. The presence of mast cells was greater in cysts than in granulomas (P < 0.0028). There was no difference in semi‐quantitative expression of CD 117 in granulomas and cysts (P > 0.05). Mast cells were placed in both: inflammatory infiltrate and in fibroblastic areas of periapical lesions, and their presence was most frequently mild to moderate. Conclusions: The findings of present study could suggest a role of mast cells in regulation of cellular immune mechanisms in periapical lesions, balancing between alterative and reparatory processes in inflamed periapical tissue.     

Morphological and morphometric study of blood leucocytes fromChaetophractus villosus (Mammalia Dasypodidae)

The aim of this work was to study some morphological and morphometric parameters of leucocytes from blood smears of adult armadillosChaetophractus villosus (Mammalia, Dasypodidae). We also analysed the significance of the different sources of variation in these measurements. Blood samples were obtained through heart puncture, using plastic syringes without anticoagulant, in anaesthetised, wild, healthy animals (n=25). Two blood smears of each animal were stained with May Grünwald-Giemsa. Maximum and minimum diameters were measured for each type of leucocyte (n=10 for the most abundant ones: neutrophils and lymphocytes, andn=5 for others: eosinophils, basophils and monocytes). A hierarchical decomposition of the different sources of variation (animals, samples and cells) was carried out using pure model II nest ANOVA. This analysis was applied to both measured parameters. The variation components related to cells were always higher than those related to animals. Estimation of the selected parameters was only marginally changed between samples of the animal. The nuclei of both neutrophils and eosinophils were morphologically similar, generally with four or more lobes. The cytoplasm and neutrophils was only lightly stained. Lymphocytes are the smallest cell type, whereas basophils and lymphocytes are the roundest ones. Eosinophils and basophils are the cell types most variable in size. We suggest that for further studies the effort of sampling be aimed at measuring a larger number of cells from a moderate number of animals. Our results should represent the normal morphological and morphometrical characteristics of leucocytes of wild, healthy animals of this species.     

Rectal cancer surgery. A ten years experience

Rectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the western world population. The management of rectal cancer has changed thoroughly in recent years owing to the rapid advances in surgical techniques, imaging and adjuvant therapy. The present study analyses extensively 152 patients operated for diagnosis of, rectal cancer in the First Clinic of General Surgery UHC "Mother Theresa" in Tirana, Albania, in a ten years period. In the medical and operative records were analysed demographic, diagnostic, clinic, operative, pathology and postoperative patient's data. M : F ratio was 1,5:1. The average age of all patients was 59,8 ± 12,2 (29 - 79) years. 48% of all patients were of the age group 61 - 70 years. The diagnosis interval was 6 ± 4,6 months. The mean distance of tumor from the anal verge was 8,3 ± 4,2 (3,7 - 16) cm. 30% of all patients resulted stage D, according to the Astler - Coller classification. Overall operability index was 97,5%. 30 % of patients were treated with palliative operative procedures. 67,5% of all patients were treated with curative intent. The most common curative operation was low anterior resection with mesorectal excision in 76 patients (51%). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 12 ± 9,7 (3 - 45) days. Overall postoperative morbidity and mortality were 30% and 2,6% respectively. The surgical treatment of rectal cancer has changed radically in recent years in Albania. Relatively new surgical techniques, like low anterior resection and use of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy have improved the outcome, quality of life and survival of our patients.     

Ecotoxicological assessment of industrial effluent using duckweed (Lemna minor L.) as a test organism

This study aimed at assessing the toxic effects of industrial effluents using duckweed (Lemna minor L.) plants as a test system. Growth inhibition test according to standardized protocol (ISO 20079) was performed. The suitability of the Comet assay (indicates DNA damage) and certain parameters such as peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation level, as biomarkers for environmental monitoring was evaluated. The water samples were collected monthly over a 3-month period from the stream near the industrial estate of Savski Marof, Croatia. All samples caused inhibition of growth rates based on frond number and biomass as well as decrease of chlorophylls content. In contrast, peroxidase activity, malondialdehyde content and tail extent moment (measure of DNA strand breaks) markedly increased. Obtained data demonstrate the relevance of duckweed as sensitive indicators of water quality as well as the significance of selected biological parameters in the reliable assessment of phyto- and genotoxic potential of complex wastewaters.     

A temporal-spatial cluster of sudden infant death syndrome in Navarre,Spain

An apparent temporal-spatial cluster of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) was noted in the Autonomous Community of Navarre, Spain, when four unrelated children aged between 1 and 6 months died unexpectedly within a 7-day interval in January, 1990. The population under one year of age in Navarre was approximately 4,800. The scan test of temporal clustering showed that the sudden infant deaths occurred closer to one another in time significantly more often than would be expected by chance. All four infants lived in a neighbourhood of the capital of Navarre, which accounts for approximately half the region's population. The clustered cases coincided with an outbreak of influenza type A detected by the epidemiological surveillance system and seen by the increase in 1990 over the same period in the previous year in the number of paediatric emergency-ward admissions during the epidemic days. The results confirm the presence of a temporal-spatial cluster of SIDS and favour an environmental etiology where exposure to influenza A viruses is implicated.     

Formation of a Chromophoric Complex Between Alendronate and Copper(II) Ions

Pharmaceutical Research -     

Hemangioma of the rectum: CT appearance

An 18-year-old man who had severe recurrent rectal bleeding and hematuria was found to have a diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the rectosigmoid. A computed tomographic (CT) study was indicated to evaluate tumor extension and therapeutic possibilities. CT scanning revealed a large mass with phleboliths throughout the true pelvis and nodular indentations in the rectosigmoid wall involving the dome and posterior wall of the bladder. A nonhomogeneous and subtle enhancement of the lesion was noticed after injection of contrast medium.