Methods of mycological analysis in buildings

Due to their properties and common occurrence, fungi constitute the most frequent cause of biodeterioration of building materials and a serious health hazard to occupants. The authors present the methods of mycological analysis used to assess contamination caused by moulds and their metabolites in buildings.     

Heterocyclic amines and azaarenes in pan-fried meat and its gravy fried without additives and in the presence of onion and garlic

The effect of onion and garlic on the formation of heterocyclic amines (HAs, aminoazaarenes) and azaarenes (aza-PAHs) was evaluated by comparing the concentrations of several compounds in meat and gravy samples, obtained from three pork dishes prepared in the presence and absence of these spices. The concentrations of individual HAs (8-MeIQx, MeIQ, 4,8-DiMeIQx, PhIP) were from 0.5 ng g⁻¹ to 10.5 ng g⁻¹ of meat and of azaarenes (benzo[a]acridine, benzo[c]acridine, dibenzo[a,c]acridine, dibenzo[a,j]acridine and dibenzo[a,h]acridine) – from 0.06 ng g⁻¹ to 0.99 ng g⁻¹. The addition of onion (30 g/100 g of meat) in the dishes investigated, caused a decrease in heterocyclic amines concentration (considering total contents in meat and gravy) in the range of 31–49% and of azaarenes by 21–48%. Garlic (15 g/100 g of meat) lowered the concentration of HAs by 26–36% and azaarenes by 33–40%; the changes in concentrations caused by these spices were different for particular compounds. Components of onion and garlic intensify the extraction of heterocyclic amines and azaarenes from meat in gravy.     

Porous microspheres,copolymers of bis[4‐(2‐hydroxy‐ 3‐methacryloyloxypropoxy)phenyl]sulfide,and divinylbenzene as stationary phase for HPLC

Synthesis of highly crosslinked methacrylate copolymers of in form of microspheres is presented. They are prepared from tetrafunctional methacrylate derivative of bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)sulfide, bis[4‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methacryloyloxypropoxy)phenyl]sulfide (BES‐DM), and divinylbenzene (DVB). In chemical structure of these copolymers exhibit hydroxyl and ester groups of hydrophilic nature. Additionally, copolymer contains sulfur atoms coming from BES‐DM monomer. Porous structure of the copolymers in the dry and wet state was studied. Microspheres possessing the largest pore volume and specific surface area were subjected to chromatographic investigations. The results show that polar functional groups existing in the chemical structure of the studied microspheres have influence on reversed‐phase HPLC retention mechanism. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Acute Kidney Injury in COVID-19

COVID-19 is mainly considered a respiratory illness, but since SARS-CoV-2 uses the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2) to enter human cells, the kidney is also a target of the viral infection. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most alarming condition in COVID-19 patients. Recent studies have confirmed the direct entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the renal cells, namely podocytes and proximal tubular cells, but this is not the only pathomechanism of kidney damage. Hypovolemia, cytokine storm and collapsing glomerulopathy also play an important role. An increasing number of papers suggest a strong association between AKI development and higher mortality in COVID-19 patients, hence our interest in the matter. Although knowledge about the role of kidneys in SARS-CoV-2 infection is changing dynamically and is yet to be fully investigated, we present an insight into the possible pathomechanisms of AKI in COVID-19, its clinical features, risk factors, impact on hospitalization and possible ways for its management via renal replacement therapy.     

The Impact of Selected Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Diseases on Pregnancy and Female Fertility

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium are a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can lead to tubal factor infertility (TFI). TFI is one of the most common causes of infertility, accounting for 30% of female fertility problems. STIs can also have an impact on pregnancy, leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Escalating antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Mycoplasma genitalium represents a significant problem and can be therapeutically challenging. We present a comprehensive review of the current treatment options, as well as the molecular approach to this subject. We have given special attention to molecular epidemiology, molecular diagnostics, current and new treatments, and drug resistance.     

Pore structure of carbons coated on ceramic particles

Pore structure of carbon coated on ceramic particles by carbonization of precursor in a powder mixture at 900 °C was studied by focusing on the effects of substrate ceramics (MgO, TiO₂ and various phases of Al₂O₃) and of carbon precursor (poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and hydroxyl propyl cellulose (HPC)). By dissolving substrate MgO particles, carbon coated was found to have a high BET surface area, more than 1000 m²/g, which was almost the same as the value estimated from apparent surface area measured on carbon-coated MgO particles under the assumption of zero surface area of the substrate. The carbon separated was found to be rich in micropores from the analyses by DFT method and α_s plot. The dependence of the BET surface area on the amount of carbon coated on TiO₂ with a high surface area was the same for three carbon precursors, although the carbon yields from the precursors were slightly different. Porous Al₂O₃ substrates, γ-Al₂O₃as-received and that formed from Al(OH)₃ during carbonization, gave a high BET surface area, but dense Al₂O₃, α-Al₂O₃, gave a low surface area.     

Synthesis and surface properties of new dicephalic saccharide-derived surfactants

A new group of nonionic dicephalic saccharide amides, N-dodecyl-N,N-bis[(3-d-gluconylamido)propyl]-amine, N-dodecyl-N,N-bis[(3-d-glucoheptonylamido)propyl]-amine, and N-alkyl-N,N-bis[(3-lactobionylamido)propyl]amines (alkyl: n-C₁₂H_25′ n-C₁₆H_33′, n-C₁₈H₃₇) were synthesized and characterized. Their structure and purity were confirmed by means of ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Carbon spectra were verified using a DEPT experiment. The surface and interfacial properties such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), standard free energy of micellization, ΔG _CMC, surface excess concentration, Γ_CMC, and surface area demand per molecule, A _CMC, were determined. The tertiary nitrogen atom seems to have a surprising effect on surfactnat packing at the interface.     

Reasoning with first order nondeterministic specifications

The paper presents a variant of first order logic for specifying nondeterministic software. Models of the logics are multialgebras, i.e. multi-sorted algebras with set-valued operations, together with multi-sorted valuations of variables. We allow empty carrier sets but the valuations are kept total. Terms are interpreted as sets and the usual set of algebraic terms is extended by an additional construct used for limiting nondeterminism. Atomic formulae are of the form where is a rewrite operator, corresponding semantically to inclusion. For the above logic, we develop two complete deduction systems in the natural deduction style: a Rasiowa-Sikorski system for sequences of formulae, and a cut-free Gentzen-style sequent calculus. We also consider the issues of determinism and partiality, proposing alternate solutions to defining the respective predicates in our logic. Received: 4 March 1997 / 25 May 1999