Effect of corticotropin releasing hormone and corticotropin releasing hormone antagonist on biosynthesis of gonadotropin relasing hormone and gonadotropin relasing hormone receptor in the hypothalamic-pituitary unit of follicular-phase ewes and contribution of kisspeptin

This study aimed to determine the mechanisms governing Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) biosynthesis and luteinising hormone (LH) secretion in follicular-phase sheep after infusion of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and/or CRH antagonist corticotropin releasing hormone nist (CRH-A) into the third cerebral ventricle. The study included two experimental approaches: first, we investigated the effect of CRH or CRH-A (α-helical CRH 9-41) on GnRH and GnRH receptor (GnRHR) biosynthesis in the preoptic area (POA), anterior (AH) and ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), stalk/median eminence (SME), and on GnRHR in the anterior pituitary (AP) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); second, we used real-time PCR to analyse the influence of CRH and CRH-A on the levels of kisspeptin (Kiss1) mRNA in POA and VMH including arcuate nucleus (VMH/ARC), and on Kiss1 receptor (Kiss1r) mRNA abundance in POA-hypothalamic structures. These analyses were supplemented by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and ELISA methods for measurement of LH and cortisol levels in the blood, respectively. Our results show that administration of CRH significantly decreased GnRH biosynthesis in the POA/hypothalamus. CRH also decreased GnRHR abundance in the hypothalamus and in the AP, but increased it in the POA. Furthermore, administration of CRH decreased plasma LH concentration and levels of Kiss1 mRNA in the POA and VMH/ARC as well as Kiss1r mRNA in these structures and in the SME. Significant increase in plasma cortisol concentration in the group treated with CRH was also observed. For CRH-A, all analysed effects were opposite to those induced by CRH. The study demonstrates that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of both CRH and CRH-A affects the GnRH/GnRHR biosynthesis and LH secretion in follicular-phase sheep conceivably via either central and peripheral mechanisms including Kiss1 neurons activity and cortisol signals. It has also been suggested that CRH and CRH-A infusion probably had effects directly at the AP.

Microbiological analysis of bioaerosols collected from Hospital Emergency Departments and ambulances

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

The goal of the study was a microbiological, qualitative and quantitative analysis of bioaerosol at the workplace of medical personnel (Health Emergency Departments (HEDs), ambulances), and comparative administration offices with an expected neutral occupational exposure to biological agents measured with individual Button Sampler.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Personal sampling was performed with Button Sampler instrument loaded with gelatine filters in 10 HEDs, in 9 ambulances and in 9 offices to assess the occupational biological agents' exposure in air. Sampling was conducted from March until April 2016. Samples were quantitatively assessed for viable and total number of bacteria and fungi. Routine procedures for microbiological diagnostics were implemented. Data were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney statistical tests with α=0.05. P value less than 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

At the workplaces assessed, the concentrations of viable microorganisms in HEDs were 1.3×10² - 4.2×10³ CFU/m³ for bacteria, 3.4×10⁰ - 8.1×10¹ CFU/m³ for fungi; in ambulances 1.3×10² - 1.4×10³ CFU/m³ (bacteria), 6.7×10⁰ - 6.5×10² CFU/m³ (fungi) and in offices 4.2×10¹ - 5.0×10³ CFU/m³ (bacteria), 0 - 7.9×10² CFU/m³(fungi). In outdoor air, the number of microorganisms reached the level: 1.0×10² - 5.9×10² CFU/m³ for bacteria and 1.5×10² - 8.2×10² CFU/m³ for fungi. The predominant isolated bacteria were Gram-positive cocci. The prevalent fungi species belonged to the genus Aspergillus and Penicillium.

CONCLUSIONS

The quantitative assessment of examined indoor air was similar to control outdoor air, and were relatively low. The level of microbiological contamination did not exceed 5×10³ CFU/m³ which is recommended as an admissible level in public spaces in Poland.

Identification and characteristics of biological agents in work environment of medical emergency services in selected ambulances

OBJECTIVES

Assessment of microbial air quality and surface contamination in ambulances and administration offices as a control place without occupational exposure to biological agents; based on quantitative and qualitative analysis of bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi found in collected samples.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The sampling was done by wet cyclone technology using the Coriolis recon apparatus, imprint and swab methods, respectively. In total, 280 samples from 28 ambulances and 10 offices in Warszawa were tested. Data was analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk normality test, Kruskal-Wallis test with α = 0.05. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant.

RESULTS

The levels of air contamination were from 0 to 2.3×10¹ colony-forming unit (CFU)/m³ for bacteria and for yeast and filamentous fungi were from 0 to 1.8×10¹ CFU/m³. The assessment of office space air samples has shown the following numbers of microorganisms: bacteria from 3.0×10¹ to 4.2×10¹ CFU/m³ and yeast and filamentous fungi from 0 to 1.9×10¹ CFU/m³. For surface contamination the mean bacterial count in ambulances has been between 1.0×10¹ and 1.3×10² CFU/25 cm² and in offices - between 1.1×10¹ and 8.5×10¹ CFU/25 cm². Mean fungal count has reached the level from 2.8×10⁰ to 4.2×10¹ CFU/25 cm² in ambulances and 1.3×10¹ to 5.8×10¹ CFU/25 cm² in offices. The qualitative analysis has revealed the presence of Acinetobacter spp. (surfaces), coagulase - negative Staphylococci (air and surfaces), Aspergillus and Penicillium genera (air and surfaces).

CONCLUSIONS

The study has revealed a satisfactory microbiological quantity of analyzed air and surface samples in both study and control environments. However, the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in the air and on surfaces in ambulances may endanger the medical emergency staff and patients with infection. Disinfection and cleaning techniques therefore should be constantly developed and implemented. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(4):617-627.

The influence of the workplace-related biological agents on the immune systems of emergency medical personnel

Emergency medical services workers' (EMSWs) acute exposures to many biological agents are frequent and well recognised in their workplaces, as well as occupational diseases resulting from some of these exposures. At the same time, there is only scant information on the adverse effects of chronic exposure to biological hazard factors on the immune systems of EMSWs. In the Polish legislation system, the Ordinance of the Minister of Health about harmful biological agents in the workplace and ways of protecting workers from exposure to those agents is an implement of Directive 2000/54/EC, which deals thoroughly with those issues in European Union Countries. Emergency medical services workers play an essential role as primary providers of pre-hospital emergency medical care, and they are part of the integral components of disaster response. Traumatic experiences can affect emergency medical staff immune systems negatively, by functioning as a chronic stressor. Conscious use of biological agents in workplaces such as microbial laboratories can be easily controlled and monitored. However, risk assessment is more difficult for workers when they are exposed unintentionally to biological agents. Exposure to bio-aerosols is considered especially harmful. This review summarises available information about biological risk factors for emergency medical services workers, and some information about the influence of these factors on their immune systems.

Real-Time PCR Identification of Unique Bacillus anthracis Sequences

Bacillus anthracis is a spore-forming, Gram-positive microorganism. It is a causative agent of anthrax, a highly infectious disease. It belongs to the "Bacillus cereus group", which contains other closely related species, including Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus weihenstephanensis, and Bacillus pseudomycoides. B. anthracis naturally occurs in soil environments. The BA5345 genetic marker was used for highly specific detection of B. anthracis with TaqMan probes. The detection limit of a real-time PCR assay was estimated at the level of 16.9 copies (CI95% - 37.4 to 37.86, SD = 0.2; SE = 0.118). Oligonucleotides designed for the targeted sequences (within the tested locus) revealed 100 % homology to B. anthracis strain reference sequences deposited in the database (NCBI) and high specificity to all tested B. anthracis strains. Additional in silico analysis of plasmid markers pag and cap genes with B. anthracis strains included in the database was carried out. Our study clearly indicates that the BA5345 marker can be used with success as a chromosomal marker in routine identification of B. anthracis; moreover, detection of plasmid markers indicates virulence of the examined strains.

Diversity of influenza-like illness etiology in Polish Armed Forces in influenza epidemic season

The aim of this study was to conduct an epidemiological and laboratory surveillance of Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI) in Polish Armed Forces, civilian military personnel and their families in 2011/2012 epidemic season, under the United States Department of Defense-Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System (DoD-GEIS). ILI incidence data were analyzed in relation to age, gender, patient category as well as pathogen patterns. Multiple viral, bacterial and viral-bacterial co-infections were identified. Nose and throat swabs of active duty soldiers in the homeland country and in the NATO peacekeeping forces KFOR (Kosovo Force), as well as members of their families were tested for the presence of viral and bacterial pathogens. From October 2011 to May 2012, 416 specimens from ILI symptoms patients were collected and analyzed for the presence of viral and bacterial pathogens. Among viruses, coronavirus was the most commonly detected. In the case of bacterial infections, the most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus.

Diversity of influenza-like illness etiology in Polish Armed Forces in influenza epidemic season

The aim of this study was to conduct an epidemiological and laboratory surveillance of Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI) in Polish Armed Forces, civilian military personnel and their families in 2011/2012 epidemic season, under the United States Department of Defense-Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System (DoD-GEIS). ILI incidence data were analyzed in relation to age, gender, patient category as well as pathogen patterns. Multiple viral, bacterial and viral-bacterial co-infections were identified. Nose and throat swabs of active duty soldiers in the homeland country and in the NATO peacekeeping forces KFOR (Kosovo Force), as well as members of their families were tested for the presence of viral and bacterial pathogens. From October 2011 to May 2012, 416 specimens from ILI symptoms patients were collected and analyzed for the presence of viral and bacterial pathogens. Among viruses, coronavirus was the most commonly detected. In the case of bacterial infections, the most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus.