Screening of Antimicrobial and Adhesive Activity of Lactobacilli Isolated from the National Food Products from Different Districts of the Karaganda Region (Kazakhstan)

BACKGROUND: It is a national priority to look for new probiotic bacteria with highly active biological properties to create a new generation of probiotics, ferments, therapeutic, and prophylactic fermented milk products, taking into account ethnocultural and regional characteristics. AIM: The aim of the study is to assess probiotic properties of strains of lactobacilli (antimicrobial and adhesive), which are isolated from national lactic acid products from different districts of the Karaganda region (Kazakhstan). MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were modern microbiological methods applied during the experiment. To determine the morpho-cultural properties, the following methods were used: Gram staining, a catalase test, serial dilutions. The Matrix Supported Laser Desorption/Ionization Flight Time Mass Spectrometry was used for identification, and the deferred-antagonism method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity. The buccal epithelial cells were used for the cell object as a test system to determine the adhesive activity. RESULTS: In this experiment, 26 lactobacillus isolates were isolated from 68 samples of national lactic acid products produced in a traditional homemade way in different districts of the Karaganda region (Kazakhstan). As a result of the studies carried out on the cultural and morphological characteristics and identification by the mass spectrometer, the following lactobacilli were obtained: Lactobacillus acidophilus (two strains), Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricum (two strains), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (seven strains), Lactobacillus plantarum (two strains), Lactobacillus paracasei (11 strains), and Lactobacillus fermentum (two strains). Twenty-six isolates of lactobacilli were tested for antimicrobial activity, 13 isolates of which showed an inhibitory effect, but the degree of antagonism varied among lactobacillus isolates. In general, the inhibitory activity of lactobacillus isolates was shown against the Gram-negative indicator microorganisms Salmonella typhimurium NCTC 12023, Escherichia coli NCTC 12923. The antibacterial activity was shown against the Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 12973 indicator microorganism in nine isolates of lactobacilli. Only six isolates of lactobacilli showed antifungal activity against the test strain of Candida albicans NCPF 3179. Out of 13 isolates of lactobacilli, nine isolates of medium and high activity competed for binding to buccal epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: The obtained isolates from traditional dairy products are considered to be promising candidates and competitive isolates with some probiotic potential. This study calls for further researches to be made in this area.

Genetic predictors of destructive and constructive types of digital behavior among young people

Relevance. In the context of globalization, manifestations of extremism, negativism, aggression, asocial and dissocial behavior on the Internet tend to increase. However, biological determinants of destructive and constructive forms and transformations of users’ behavior are under debate.Intention – To study genetic predictors of digital behavior among young adults.Methodology. The study involved 115 people (51 males, 64 females) aged 18 to 22 years. In order to study the digital behavior, we used the author’s questionnaire “Strategies of digital behavior”. Molecular genetic analysis was performed through the DNA isolation from buccal epithelial cells. Statistical methods included comparative analysis, very simple structure method (VSS), principal component analysis, and ANOVA.Results and Discussion. It is shown that in most respondents active conditionally “constructive” digital behaviors prevail (45 %), active “destructive” and passive conditionally “constructive” digital behaviors are expressed almost equally (27 and 28 %, respectively). The active-destructive digital behavior is significantly more often observed in carriers of the combination of BDNF G/G, COMT G/A, and DRD2 T/T polymorphisms. For the constructive digital behaviors, neither biological determinants nor associations with the studied genes were observed.Conclusion. The above associations of COMT, BDNF, and DRD2 genes with the behavioral strategies of Internet users expand the existing knowledge about biological determinants of digital behavior.

Cytogenetic analysis in exfoliated buccal epithelial cells of the workers who come into contact with pesticides

Introducton. Due to the increasing volumes of toxic substances entering the environment, including genotoxicants, it becomes necessary to conduct studies to assess their impact on people living in areas with high levels of pollutants, as well as people working in hazardous conditions. Epidemiological studies, in which damage to hereditary structures in human cells is assessed, in peripheral blood lymphocytes and buccal epithelial cells mainly, are carried out to determine the real genetic risk. Materials and methods. Samples of buccal epithelium were used. The study involved 69 people: 28 in the control group and 41 in the group of persons who were in contact with pesticides. The cytomorphological analysis took into account the following indicators: cytogenetic, cell proliferation, early and late destruction of nuclei. Results. The frequency of occurrence of the cells with micronuclei and protrusions in persons who were in contact with pesticides during their professional activities was increased 2.2 times, the frequency of cells with atypical nuclei - 2.5 times (differences in cytogenetic parameters between the groups were statistically insignificant). Statistically significant changes in the proliferation indicator were revealed - the frequency of cells with two nuclei (1.6 times), as well as the destruction indicators - karyorrhexis (4.5 times more often in nonsmokers and 8.2 times more often in smokers who work with pesticides) and karyolysis (the frequency of cells with initial karyolysis was increased by 3.4 times and 3.2 times with complete karyolysis). The index of accumulation of damage disorders was shown to be 4 times higher. Conclusion. The obtained data indicate an increased risk of damage to the genetic apparatus of cells in persons whose professional activities are associated with testing and using pesticides.

CELLULAR COMPOSITION STATE AND MICROFLORA OF ORAL MUCOSAL EPITHELIUM OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA

The cell composition and microflora of oral mucosal epithelium smearsand the hormonal composition of oral fluid in patients with chronic cerebral ischemiawere studied. We examined 54 patientsaged 45-65 years suffering from cerebral blood circulation disorders caused by atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels and under outpatient observation. In patients with chronic cerebral ischemia, a decrease in the size of the neutrophil pool and epithelial cell pool was noted in saliva smears, against the background of an increase in the number of lymphocytes (threefold) and “bare nuclei” -more than ten times, which indicates a weakening of local protection and is considered as a pathogenetically significantindicator. Smears of buccal epithelial cells revealed yeast-like fungi of the Candida genus (C.albicans), whose content reached 105CFU/ml in 61.44% of cases and averaged 82.5±6.4% of strains in CCI patients. Free progesterone increased 1.9-fold in oral fluid, whereas estradiol levels decreased 5-fold and cortisol increased 1.6-fold.Keywords: chronic cerebral ischemia, buccal cells, candidiasis, sex hormones.

Antifungal activity of green and red Brazilian propolis extracts

Background: Diseases associated to Candida spp. are recurrent and can be difficult to treat, mainly due to the new strains resistant to the limited number of available antifungals. Objective: Evaluate the in vitro and in vivo activity of Brazilian green propolis (GrProp) and red propolis (RdProp) ethanolic extracts against standard strains of Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and 10 clinical isolates of C. albicans. Methods: Antifungal activity in vitro was tested using the M-27-A3/CLSI protocol. The in vivo antifungal activity was evaluated using Tenebrio molitor model. And, the effect of extracts on adhesion of C. albicans in human buccal epithelial cells (BECs) was also studied. Results: GrProp and RdProp exhibited antifungal activity against at least one of the Candida strains tested. The adhesion inhibition of C. albicans in BECs was of 45% (GrProp28), 60% (GrProp50) and of 82% (RdProp), in comparison to amphotericin B (82%). All propolis extracts showed synergistic activity with fluconazole and amphotericin B. GrProp50 (10 mg/kg) showed the better protection of T. molitor, blocking the progression of C. albicans infection, increasing survival and delayed the larvae death. Conclusion: Brazilian GrProp and RdProp extracts inhibit the in vitro C. albicans growth and protect T. molitor against infection by this yeast. The physiochemical parameters found for the analyzed samples were in accordance to the standards established by the Brazilian Legislation for propolis and derivatives. GrProp and RdProp have potential to be used against Candida spp. infections, mainly in association with fluconazole or amphotericin B.

A Disorder of Sex Development in a Holstein–Friesian Heifer with a Rare Mosaicism (60,XX/90,XXY): A Genetic, Anatomical, and Histological Study

In this study, we describe an eighteen-month-old Holstein–Friesian heifer with a deformed vulva, located abdominally. The heifer showed typical signs of estrus. A comprehensive anatomical and histopathological examination revealed a blind-ended vagina and an additional section of urethra, which became a part of the shortened penis. Cytogenetic analysis showed the presence of two cell lines: 60,XX and 90,XXY. The frequency of the triploid cell line was low (3%) in leukocytes and elevated (35%) in fibroblasts. The molecular detection of Y-linked genes (SRY and AMELY) in the blood, skin, hair follicles, and buccal epithelial cells confirmed the presence of a cell line carrying the Y chromosome. Genotyping of 16 microsatellite markers in DNA isolated from hair follicles and fibroblast culture showed the presence of one (homozygous) or two variants (heterozygous) at all the studied loci, and allowed chimerism to be excluded. We concluded that the heifer had diploid/triploid (60,XX/90,XXY) mosaicism. To our knowledge, this is only the fifth such case to be reported worldwide in this species. Since cytogenetic studies are routinely performed on in vitro cultured leukocytes, we suspect that the prevalence of this chromosome abnormality is underestimated, as it is known from published reports that the frequency of the triploid cell line is usually very low in leukocytes.