in this study, the effects of road salting on the quality of forest soils near the road were monitored in the Krkonoše Mountains (Czech republic). Physical, chemical properties and microbial parameters of soils were determined and the toxic potentials of soil water extracts were evaluated using the bacterial tests (Microtox and Pseudomonas putida growth inhibition test). increased concentration...

A new latex agglutination test for rubella virus was used to test sera with a hemagglutination inhibition titer of -8 (97 specimens) or >256 (158 specimens). Maximum latex agglutination test sensitivity was achieved when low-titer sera were tested undiluted and high-titer sera were diluted (1:10). A modification of the protocol of the manufacturer resulted in a latex agglutination-hemagglutinat...

This study compared variance accounted for by neuropsychological tests in both a brief motor battery and in a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. 327 HIV+ subjects received a comprehensive cognitive battery and a shorter battery (Timed Gait, Grooved Pegboard, and Fingertapping). A significant correlation existed between the motor component tests and the more comprehensive battery (52% of ...

The Microbial Assay for Risk Assessment (MARA) is an innovative system based on an array of 11 different microbial species freeze-dried in a 96-well micro-titre plate format. Developed for testing the toxicity of chemicals, mixtures and environmental samples, the assay employs species of a taxonomically diverse range. In addition to ten prokaryotic species, a eukaryote (yeast) is included in th...

Objective: To determine primary and acquired resistance to pyrazinamide in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated in sputum samples from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study conducted between April and November of 2011 at a referral hospital for tuberculosis in the city of Recife, Brazil. Cultures, drug sensitivity tests, and tests of pyr...

The purpose of this paper is 3-fold: a) to review briefly the neuropsychological tests that have been used to evaluate the effects of neurotoxicants; b) to identify individual factors that may create heightened sensitivity to neurotoxicants; and c) to discuss test parameters that will increase the sensitivity of neuropsychological tests for detecting symptoms in low-level exposure situations. W...

Fish sauce is a fermented product which is used in south Asian countries. In the present study, Caspian Kilka was used to produce the sauce, using either cooked or raw fish subjected to four different treatments: 1) traditional method, where fish and salt were used; 2) an enzymatic method, where fish, salt and proteolytic enzymes, including Protamex and Flavourzyme (Novo Nordisc Co., Bagsvaerd,...

Sensing of pathogens by innate immune cells is essential for the initiation of appropriate immune responses. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which are highly sensitive for various structurally and evolutionary conserved molecules derived from microbes have a prominent role in this process. TLR engagement results in the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, which induces the expression of cy...