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Samples with complex matrix analyzed during explanation of pathogenesis of various diseases and food or environmental monitoring request advanced analytical and instrumental devices. Among the materials used for described purposes, quantum (QDs) or carbon dots (CDs) layered by molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) shells have gained widespread attention. Unique optical and physicochemical properties of QDs/CDs together with high MIPs selectivity make the QD/CD-MIP conjugates capable of adsorbing specific target molecules – such a binding event is then transduced as the optical signal of the response by the QDs/CDs. This review includes brief introduction on principles of imprinting process, QD/CD properties and QD/CD-MIP preparation techniques. Then, recent advancement of QD/CD-MIP in bioanalysis including environmental, biological and food samples investigations are summarized and emphasized. Finally, current limits of QD/CD-MIPs are defined and prospects are outlined to intensify the capability of QD/CD-MIP in future bioanalytical procedures.

In the twentieth century, fumigation became a very popular method of disinfection, although in the same century many agents used as fumigants were withdrawn for ecological reasons. Fogging (fumigation) is a relatively new disinfection technology using dry fog, which behaves more like a gas and easily fills the sanitized space, reaching all surfaces in the room. The undoubted advantage of fumigation is the possibility of disinfecting difficult to clean areas. Fumigation has become particularly important in the twenty-first century due to procedures related to combating and preventing the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.The aim of this review article is to summarize the current state of knowledge in the field of fumigation on the basis of past results of original research, taking into account new trends and possibilities of its application.Due to the fact that fumigation is safe for apparatus, equipment, and electronics, while simultaneously enabling the highest possible bactericidal and virucidal levels, this method is widely used in various areas, both medical and non-medical. Fogging technology is used in the medical, pharmaceutical, and food industries, as well as in transportation, for air fumigation or surface disinfection in closed spaces, such as hospital and laboratory rooms, incubators, refrigerators, ships, trucks, railway containers, and aircraft, to name only a few. The most common fumigants are hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid, and their mechanism of action is related to their oxidizing properties.Hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid are highly effective and non-toxic fumigants that can be safely used for fogging laboratory and medical equipment, pharmaceutical facilities, hospital rooms, and animal breeding rooms.

Recycling of end-of-life passenger vehicles is a well-known topic, and there are many literary reports in this regard. However, little information is available on the recycling of bulky vehicles, which determines the authors’ intention to present this issue. The article describes the recycling methods for selected components (tires, windows, catalytic converters, polymer and metal materials, operating fluids), with an indication of the differences between heavy goods vehicles and passenger cars. Examples of large corporations producing vehicles, whose activities facilitate the recycling and segregation of materials used in bulky vehicles, are presented. These corporations meet the changes taking place, and implement the principles of the circular economy, in the field of recycling large-size vehicles. It has been shown that there are still many challenges in the field of vehicle recycling, in particular, with regard to composite materials, and for some recycling technologies, there is still a lack of adequate infrastructure in Poland.

Marine algae biomass has gained widespread interest in the world of science and many industries. The growing number of publications proves that these algae are an interesting and essential natural resource. This interest is due to the presence of a variety of biologically active compounds that give algae extracts a broad spectrum of biological and functional properties. However, there is little data on the chemical composition of algae obtained from freshwater. This work focuses on the isolation and determination of phenolic compounds from freshwater algae of the species Cladophora glomerata. Different types of extraction and extractants were used to isolate these bioactive compounds. For the first time, the impact of the extraction type and the kind of solvent on the efficiency of antioxidant isolation from freshwater algae was determined. Three types of extraction and five different solvents with different polarity were used to isolate antioxidants, including phenolic compounds. The obtained results show that the microwave-assisted extraction with water was the most effective for isolation of phenolic compounds and antioxidants. The extracts were analysed for the assessment of their antioxidant activity, which is one of the commonly described properties of phenolic compounds. The analysis was carried out using colourimetric and spectrophotometric methods as well as the method of high-performance liquid chromatography. Regardless of the extraction method and extractant used, both phenolic acids and flavonoids, were determined in all tested extracts. Nine phenolic compounds (gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, myricetin, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and rutin) were identified using qualitative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. These studies show that algae extracts have great potential in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical or agricultural industries. They can be valuable components of many products that protect against free radical attack and also prevent diseases associated mainly with oxidative stress.

Aim: Representatives of Nepetoideae Burnett subfamily are promising species of the Lamiaceae Martinov family because of accumulating such valuable groups of secondary metabolites as terpenoids and polyphenols. A high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint method for the qualitative determination of phenolic compounds and for the quantification of rosmarinic acid (RA) content in methanol extracts of five species of this subfamily was developed for the first time. Materials and Methods: Dried aerial parts of Dracocephalum moldavica L., Ocimum americanum L., Lophanthus anisatus (Nutt.) Benth., Monarda fistulosa L., and Satureja hortensis L. collected in flowering period were macerated with methanol. The HPTLC analysis was conducted using the CAMAG analytical system (Muttenz, Switzerland). The comparative analysis of RA contents was performed by HPTLC densitometric detection at λ = 366nm. Results: Identification of polyphenols in the investigated herbs was performed by comparison of a color and Rf of the chromatographic zones with six reference standards: rutin, apigenin, luteolin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and RA. HPTLC method was also validated for the quantification of RA in the extracts of investigated herbs. RA contents decreased in such a sequence: D. moldavica (24.83 ± 0.78mg/g) > M. fistulosa (20.32 ± 0.64mg/g) > O. americanum (19.59 ± 0.61mg/g) > S. hortensis (18.77 ± 0.52mg/g) > L. anisatus (12.61 ± 0.43mg/g). Conclusion: Obtained data can facilitate the differentiation of investigated species using the chromatographic fingerprints of their phenolic compounds. Developed and validated HPTLC method provides an approach to estimate RA content as a common marker of investigated herbs.

Oxidative stress may lead to a number of diseases such as atherosclerosis, nephrotoxicity, liver cirrhosis, cancers, diabetes, and Alzheimer disease. Medicinal plants are an important source of antioxidants. Therefore, the antioxidant potential of Cetraria islandica was evaluated in this work. The coarse powder of leaf of Cetraria islandica was extracted in Soxhlet apparatus, with ethanol (90%) and ethanolic extract of Cetraria islandica (EECI) was further processed for phytochemical screening, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and various in vitro antioxidant assays. The phytochemicals present in EECI were glycosides, carbohydrates, triterpenoids, proteins and amino acids, gums and mucilages, and flavonoids. The content of extractives was 8.3 mg/ml for Cetraria islandica еxtract 70%. The content of polyphenolic compounds in terms of per head acid was the highest for the sample of 70% and amounted to 0.586 mg/ml, and the content of flavonoids per standard solution quercetin - 0,012 mg/ml - also for 70% extract. By DPPH, the percentage of radicals of absorbing activity for 70% of the extract was 86%, and the antiradical activity of 0,417, indicating a sufficiently high rate of Cetraria islandica antioxidant activity at such a concentration of ethanol. The tested extracts showed next results by FRAP assay: 486 μmol/L (EE96) 135 μmol/L (EE70) and 158 μmol/L (EE40). ABTS method showed the highest result of the extract of Cetraria islandica 40%. The obtained results confirmed the high potential of the extracts as a source of phenolic compounds, in particular flavonoids.

Polyphenols are valuable group of phytoconstituents due to their high antioxidant activity and healing properties. Antioxidant properties of sages are attributed mainly to a high level of phenolic compounds. The aim of the present study was to elaborate an analytical procedure for the evaluation of the content of secondary metabolites of the polyphenol nature in the herb of Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea L.). Four crude extracts of Salvia sclarea herb obtained with different technologies were used to develop an analytical procedure for the total phenolic content (TPC) assay by spectrophotometric method. The optimum conditions for the analysis (time of the reaction, wavelength, and reference substances) were chosen and experimentally justified (60–80 min, 760 nm, gallic acid and rutin, respectively). Under these conditions, the developed analytical procedure is robust in the indicated time and easy for performing in phytochemical or technological laboratories. The yield of TPC from the herb of Salvia sclarea was the highest in the extracts prepared by heating at a temperature of 36–46 °C and with using the ultrasonic bath. TPC was the highest in the extract in which solvent-to-herb ratio was the least (10:1) and particle size was in the range of 2–5 mm. As a result of the studies, the analytical procedure of the determination of TPC was developed and its parameters were justified. This methodology complies with the requirements for pharmaceutical analysis to ensure the reliability of results during pharmaceutical development and routine control of Salvia sclarea extracts.

Objectives: To study 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) spectral characteristics aiming at their future application in analytical procedures and their validation for the determination of 5-HMF in liquid products containing glucose after sterilization.Method: Direct spectrophotometric method for the determination of 5-HMF using the molar absorption coefficient at the absorption maximum (284 nm).Results and discussion: aqueous 5-HMF solutions have strong absorption in the ultraviolet range below 310 nm and give two absorption maxima at wavelengths of 229–230 nm and 284 nm. An excellent linear relationship between absorbance and 5-HMF concentration was observed in the concentration range of 2.0–10.0 mg/l. The linear dependence passes through the origin. The molar absorption coefficients of 5-HMF were determined and found to be 3007 mol−1•L•cm−1at 229–230 nm and 16070 mol−1•L•cm−1at 284 nm. The use of the molar absorption coefficient of 5-HMF stated in the Pharmacopeia of the United States of America for determining 5-HMF in polydextrose (16830 mol−1·L·cm−1at 283 nm) gives recovery results for model solutions of reference substance of 5-HMF that are acceptable from the point of view of the requirements of the State Pharmacopeia of Ukraine for methods of quantitative determination of impurities. However, other values of the molar absorption coefficient (17000 and 22700 mol−1•L•cm−1) given in the scientific publications are unsuitable for the quantitative determination of 5-HMF as an impurity in medicinal products.Conclusion: The molar absorption coefficient (16830 mol−1•L•cm−1at 284 nm) may be used to quantify 5-HMF as an impurity in medicinal products containing glucose. For a specific medicinal product, a full validation of the analytical procedure of the 5-HMF determination is required taking into account the composition of this product.

The aim of this study was to investigate the synergy between ceftazidime-avibactam, ertapenem, fosfomycin, and tigecycline against carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae using the E test MIC:MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) ratio synergy method. The results were interpreted using fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) to describe the effects of antimicrobial combinations in vitro. To assess the clinical significance of each antibiotic combination, the susceptible breakpoint index (SBPI) was calculated for each combination, and within each strain. The FICI method revealed that the most synergistic combinations against carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae were ceftazidime-avibactam with ertapenem and ceftazidime-avibactam with fosfomycin. This effect was demonstrated in 47% (9/19) of all tested clinical K. pneumoniae isolates. Considering the effects of all drug combinations in K. pneumoniae harboring blaKPC, blaNDM, and blaOXA-48 genes, we observed that the combination of ceftazidime-avibactam with fosfomycin was the most synergistic in New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-producing K. pneumoniae, and the combination of ceftazidime-avibactam with ertapenem was the most synergistic in K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae. In addition, all tested combinations were synergistic against oxacillinase (OXA)-48-producing K. pneumoniae, except the combination of ceftazidime-avibactam with tigecycline. The SBPI index showed that ceftazidime-avibactam in combination with fosfomycin reduced the MIC to less than the susceptibility breakpoint among all tested carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae. Moreover, the combinations of ceftazidime-avibactam with ertapenem, and ceftazidime-avibactam with tigecycline were able to reduce the MIC to less than the susceptibility breakpoint in all KPC- and OXA-48-producing K. pneumoniae.

An efficient sample clean-up and preconcentration procedure for phytoestrogens analysis in urine has been developed. It was based on a combination of solid phase extraction with hollow-fiber supported liquid membrane and molecularly imprinted beads (MIPs-HF-SLM-SPE). The molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesized by precipitation polymerization technique with biochanin A (BCA) as a template, giving narrowly dispersed microspheres with a regular shape. As the functional monomer, (dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (-DEM) turned out to be better than methacrylic acid (MAA) to get the best-imprinted effects. The MIPs used as sorbents in the MIPs-HF-SLM-SPE extraction process exhibited excellent binding selectivity for BCA, in comparison to non-imprinted polymers as well as its structural analogs (genistein and daidzein). Finally, the developed method was used to detect BCA in urine. Under optimal extraction conditions, the recovery of BCA in urine samples (using 4.5 mL sample spiked with 10 μg L−1) was over 41%, with a coefficient of variation (CV) < 6.6% (n = 5). The detection limit (LOD) and quantification limit (LOQ) for BCA analysis in urine were 0.41 and 1.36 μg L−1, respectively.

Fungi in the orders Ophiostomatales and Microascales (Ascomycota), often designated as ophiostomatoid fungi, are frequent associates of scolytine bark and ambrosia beetles that colonize hardwood and coniferous trees. Several species, e.g., Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, are economically damaging pathogens of trees. Because little is known regarding the ophiostomatoid fungi in Europe, we have explored the diversity of these fungi associated with hardwood-infesting beetles in Poland. This study aims to clarify the associations between fungi in the genera Ambrosiella, Graphium (Microascales), Graphilbum, Leptographium, Ophiostoma and Sporothrix (Ophiostomatales) and their beetle vectors in hardwood ecosystems. Samples associated with 18 bark and ambrosia beetle species were collected from 11 stands in Poland. Fungi were isolated from adult beetles and galleries. Isolates were identified based on morphology, DNA sequence comparisons for five gene regions (ITS, LSU, sT, TEF 1-α, and CAL) and phylogenetic analyses. In total, 36 distinct taxa were identified, including 24 known and 12 currently unknown species. Several associations between fungi and bark and ambrosia beetles were recorded for the first time. In addition, associations between Dryocoetes alni, D. villosus, Hylesinus crenatus, Ernoporus tiliae, Pteleobius vittatus and ophiostomatoid fungi were reported for the first time, and Sporothrix eucastanea was reported for the first time outside of the USA. Among the species of Ophiostomatales, 14 species were in Ophiostoma s. l., two species were in Graphilbum, nine species were in Sporothrix, and seven species were in Leptographium s. l. Among the species of Microascales, three species were in Graphium, and one was in Ambrosiella. Twenty taxa were present on the beetles and in the galleries, twelve only on beetles, and four only in galleries. Bark and ambrosia beetles from hardwoods appear to be regular vectors, with ophiostomatoid fungi present in all the beetle species. Most ophiostomatoid species had a distinct level of vector/host specificity, although Ophiostoma quercus, the most frequently encountered species, also had the greatest range of beetle vectors and tree hosts. Plant pathogenic O. novo-ulmi was found mainly in association with elm-infesting bark beetles (Scolytus multistriatus, S. scolytus, and P. vittatus) and occasionally with H. crenatus on Fraxinus excelsior and with Scolytus intricatus on Quercus robur.

Despite the introduction of restrictive regulations in the USA and the European Union, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are still found in various types of environmental and biological samples at significant concentration levels. The presence of these persistent organic pollutants in the environment raises important issues because of their negative impact on immunological and neurological systems, and on the hormonal balances in living organisms. From the analytical point of view, the final determination of PBDEs would entail substantial challenges, because it would necessitate conducting the pre-concentration of analytes, or sample clean up. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the analytical application potential of developed dummy molecularly imprinted polymers as solid-phase extraction sorbents for the selective recognition of low-mass PBDEs. The 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl ether was employed as a dummy template of low-mass PBDEs. The developed types of the sorption materials were used in the sample preparation stage of the analytical procedure to determine the PBDE-47 and PBDE-99 levels in selected representatives of environmental samples—reference materials of soil and bottom sediments. The recovery values of PBDE-47 and PBDE-99 from the studied solid samples ranged from 60% to 87%, depending on the applied DMIPs type.

The synthesis of N-methylmorpholine N-oxide by oxidation of N-methylmorpholine with hydrogen peroxide was implemented in a microstructured reactor for increased safety and larger-scale applications. The active oxidant, peroxymonocarbonate HCO4− is formed in situ from the equilibrium reaction of hydrogen peroxide and bicarbonate. The bicarbonate can be induced by hydration of carbon dioxide. Elaborate studies on the influence of the catalyst concentration and temperature were carried out and the observed activation energy was determined. Elevated temperatures up to 60 °C and a carbon dioxide concentrations of 1 wt% led to a conversion for N-methylmorpholine of approximately 98% within 13.90 min. The used microstructured reactor is designed for process development and intensification and can be applied in the scale-up process to small-scale commercial production. The atom-economic synthesis of N-methylmorpholine N-oxide under flow conditions in such reactors is a safe and beneficial alternative to commercial batch processes.

Sixteen ethanolic extracts were obtained from seven different bee bread samples. The total flavonoid content in the extracts was determined by aluminium-chloride method and was in the range of 8.3 mg/L ± 6.24% to 195.3 mg/L ± 1.35% and 28.8 mg/L ± 19.33% to 603.3 mg/L ± 4.64% with reference to quercetin and rutin, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD) for parallel measurements for the calibration curves of quercetin dehydrate and rutin trihydrate were in the range of 0.51% to 9.39% and 5.02% to 19.91%, respectively. The RSD for parallel measurements for the extracts with reference to quercetin dihydrate and rutin trihydrate were in the range of 0.23% to 11.64% and 4.64% to 19.33%, respectively. The total flavonoid content mainly depended on a ratio of bee bread to 50% ethanol and technology of obtaining bee bread (presence or absence of drying operation). The increase of bee bread in the solvent in 2 times yield an elevation of the total flavonoid content in approximately 1.5 times at similar maceration time (7 days). The significant differences between results were statistically confirmed. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated with disc diffusion method. The best antibacterial activity of the bee bread extracts was found against Bacillus cereus CCM 2010, Clostridium perfringens CCM 4435, and Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus CCM 4223. The activity of the bee bread extracts against Gram-negative bacteria, Aspergillus and Penicillium genera was lower with moderate anticandidal activity. The obtained results indicated that it was very important to employ extracts with a high content of bee bread in 50% ethanol (1 : 5, 1 : 10) during the development of bee bread extracts with the purpose of their potential usage in medical practice. According to the results of this study, bee bread is a product which is rich in flavonoids and with good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and can be considered as a raw material for the development of diet supplements and antimicrobial medicinal products.

The objective of this study was to develop and validate an alternative analytical procedure for the total chloride assay in solutions for peritoneal dialysis (PD). The proposed analytical procedure was validated according to the requirements of the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Guideline: Topic ICH Q2(R1) and the approach of the State Pharmacopeia of Ukraine (SPU). The analytical procedure was specific. The li-nearity of the procedure was evaluated in the concentration range of 76 to 114 mmol/L of chloride ions (80-120% of the stated content (95 mmol/L)) with the regression equation y = 1.0029 ∑ X -0.2269 and a correlation coefficient of 0.9989. The y-intercept of the regression line did not exceed the maximum permissible value of 2.6. The residual standard deviation (s0 = 0.65) of the calibration curve met the requirement for max s0 (0.84). The mean recovery was found as 100.07% ± 0.62%. The precision study also showed a low value of one-sided 95% confidence limit (∆Z = 1.15%) that did not exceed the critical value of 1.6%. The accuracy study also showed that the systematic error had not differed statistically from zero. The developed analytical procedure was also found to be robust and reproducible. The reproducibility studies were conducted with different samples of the same laboratory-made PD solutions in different days and laboratories. The performed studies indicated that the developed analytical procedure is simple, fast and cost-efficient, specific, linear, precise, accurate, and robust. The presented approach could be also applied to the validation of other assay analytical procedures.

This study aimed to determine the composition and content of polyphenols in the dry extract obtained from the hydrodistilled residue by-product of the wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa L., Lamiaceae Martinov family) herb (MFDE) and to evaluate its safety and pharmacological properties. The total phenolic content (TPC) in the MFDE was 120.64 mg GAE/g. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed the presence of a plethora of phenolic compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acids and flavone derivatives in the MFDE, with rosmarinic acid and luteolin-7-O-glucoside being the main components. With an IC50 value of 0.285 mg/mL, it was found to be a strong DPPH radical scavenger. The acute toxicity study results indicate that the oral administration of MFDE to rats at the doses of 500–5,000 mg/kg did not produce any side effects or death in animals which indicates its safety. The results of the in vivo assay showed that the MFDE dose-dependently inhibited paw oedema and significantly reduced the number of writings in mice induced by the acetic acid injection suggesting its potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, respectively. The conducted studies revealed that M. fistulosa hydrodistilled residue by-product could be regarded as a new natural source of polyphenols with valuable pharmacological properties.

Recycling of end-of-life passenger vehicles is a well-known topic, and there are many literary reports in this regard. However, little information is available on the recycling of bulky vehicles, which determines the authors’ intention to present this issue. This article describes the loopholes that have prevented end-of-life vehicles from currently being recycled. The forms of recycling of these types of vehicles has been shown, and they are analogous to those for passenger cars. Also being presented are the causes of design changes in passenger cars and trucks, with the reasons for these changes being slightly different in bulky vehicles, than in passenger cars, and the article will discuss how these changes translate into recycling. Examples of actions taken by large vehicle manufacturers to meet the changes taking place in the economy, and implement the principles of the circular economy, in the field of recycling large-size vehicles, are also outlined.

Winter Savory (Satureja montana L.) has been used in traditional medicine and as a spice or natural food preservative in the Mediterranean region for centuries. In this paper, some technological and analytical aspects of the S. montana tinctures development and an evaluation of the essential oil composition are provided. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents and phenolic compounds profile analyzed spectrophotometrically and by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), respectively, were evaluated in the developed tinctures. The results showed that the tinctures prepared from the S. montana herb by maceration or remaceration are rich in polyphenols, and there is an influence of the technological factors (particle size and extraction mode) on the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Caffeic, rosmarinic, and chlorogenic acids, (&ndash, )-catechin and rutin were identified in the tinctures using the HPTLC method. p-Thymol (81.79%) revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was the predominant compound of the essential oil of this plant. Thus, the high contents of polyphenols and flavonoids in the developed tinctures and p-thymol among the volatile components of the S. montana essential oil could indicate the promising antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of these herbal preparations. The obtained results are a ground for the organization of the manufacture of the S. montana tincture and essential oil with the purpose of performing preclinical studies.

Objectives: The growing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is an inexorable and fatal challenge in modern medicine. Colistin is a cationic polypeptide considered a “last-resort” antimicrobial for treating infections caused by MDR Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Plasmid-borne mcr colistin resistance emerged recently, and could potentially lead to essentially untreatable infections, particularly in hospital and veterinary (livestock farming) settings. In this study, we sought to establish the molecular basis of colistin-resistance in six extraintestinal Escherichia coli strains. Methods: Molecular investigation of colistin-resistance was performed in six extraintestinal E. coli strains isolated from patients hospitalized in Medical University Hospital, Bialystok, Poland. Complete structures of bacterial chromosomes and plasmids were recovered with use of both short- and long-read sequencing technologies and Unicycler hybrid assembly. Moreover, an electrotransformation assay was performed in order to confirm IncX4 plasmid influence on colistin-resistance phenotype in clinical E. coli strains. Results: Here we report on the emergence of six mcr-1.1-producing extraintestinal E. coli isolates with a number of virulence factors. Mobile pEtN transferase-encoding gene, mcr-1.1, has been proved to be encoded within a type IV secretion system (T4SS)-containing 33.3 kbp IncX4 plasmid pMUB-MCR, next to the PAP2-like membrane-associated lipid phosphatase gene. Conclusion: IncX4 mcr-containing plasmids are reported as increasingly disseminated among E. coli isolates, making it an “epidemic” plasmid, responsible for (i) dissemination of colistin-resistance determinants between different E. coli clones, and (ii) circulation between environmental, industrial, and clinical settings. Great effort needs to be taken to avoid further dissemination of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance among clinically relevant Gram-negative bacterial pathogens.

The fully automated system of single drop microextraction coupled with capillary electrophoresis (SDME-CE) was developed for in-line preconcentration and determination of muscimol (MUS) and psilocin (PSC) from urine samples. Those two analytes are characteristic active metabolites of Amanita and Psilocybe mushrooms, evoking visual and auditory hallucinations. Study analytes were selectively extracted from the donor phase (urine samples, pH 4) into the organic phase (a drop of octanol layer), and re-extracted to the acidic acceptor (background electrolyte, BGE), consisting of 25 mM phosphate buffer (pH 3). The optimized conditions for the extraction procedure of a 200 &micro, L urine sample allowed us to obtain more than a 170-fold enrichment effect. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.05&ndash, 50 mg L&minus, 1, with the correlation coefficients from 0.9911 to 0.9992. The limit of detections was determined by spiking blank urine samples with appropriate standards, i.e., 0.004 mg L&minus, 1 for PSC and 0.016 mg L&minus, 1 for MUS, respectively. The limits of quantification varied from 0.014 mg L&minus, 1 for PSC and 0.045 mg L&minus, 1 for MUS. The developed method practically eliminated the sample clean-up step, which was limited only to simple dilution (1:1, v/v) and pH adjustment.

Summary This work aims to familiarize the reader with issues related to modern oceanographic measurement techniques performed by Argo autonomous profiling floats. The opportunity for this is the three years of innovative activity on the part of Argo-Poland in the Baltic Sea. Based on the experience and results acquired by the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN), we can say that a revolution in the Baltic Sea monitoring is underway. During three years of activity, the floats launched by IO PAN provided more than 1600 CTD profiles, including 600 O2 profiles. Together with synoptic data from ships, data from moorings and surface buoys, the Argo float measurements are an important part of the southern Baltic monitoring system. Two Argo floats launched by IO PAN collected enough data to determine the dynamics of the oxygen content in various layers, the extent of hypoxic and anoxic zones, and to detect small baroclinic inflows to the Gotland and Gdansk Deeps.

BACKGROUND Invasive treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) becomes more suitable and effective therapy. There are no consistent data describing the occurrence of potential neurological complications in low-risk patients with paroxysmal AF. AIM to determine the occurrence, consequences and risk factors for brain white matter hiperintensities (WMH) assessed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in low-risk patients before and after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) treatment. METHODS Eighty patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF (median age: 58 years (IQR 50-63), K/M: 30/50), CHA2DS2-Vasc ≤ 3 (CHA2DS2-Vasc: 2 (IQR 1-2.5)) were included in the study. Before and after a minimum of 6-month period after PVI-RF treatment (med. 9,9 months, IQR 7.6-11.8 months) a clinical evaluation with brain MRI and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) test were determined. Severity of brain WMH in MRI was assessed in the Fazekas scale (pic 1). The efficacy of PVI-RF treatment analyzed in a 7-day Holter monitoring was confirmed in 43 (53.8%) patients. RESULTS Baseline WMH lesions were found in 55 (68.8%) patients. Patients with baseline WMH lesion obtained similar results in the MMSE test, compared to patients with a normal brain image in the MRI study. There was a statistically significant more frequent occurrence of cerebral WMH lesions among older patients, with a higher CHA2DS2-Vasc score, with left atrial (LA) dilatation and dysfunction. Factors affecting the severity of the WMH were: the co-occurrence of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) and coronary artery disease (CAD). After PVI-RF treatment there were no significant changes in the presence and severity of WMH lesions. Similarly, there were no significant changes in the cognitive abilities assessed with MMSE test compared to the pre-procedural evaluation. There were also similar factors predisposing to brain WMH changes: older age, higher CHA2DS2-Vasc score and higher BMI. In turn, the degree of the brain WMH severity after observation period was dependent on age, higher CHA2DS2-Vasc score, presence of PFO and CAD and the initial LA function. CONCLUSIONS Cerebral microembolism assessed in MRI is often found in low-risk patients with paroxysmal AF, and its presence and severity are associated with LA dilatation and dysfunction, age and higher CHA2DS2-Vasc score. Additional factors affecting the severity of WMH lesions are: the co-occurrence of PFO and CAD. PVI-RF procedure and its efficacy does not influence on MRI lesions. In the population of relatively young AF patients with no significant cardiovascular disease burden, cerebral microembolism is not related to cognitive impairment. Abstract P1816 Figure. pic 1

The present investigation was to estimate the total phenolic content and composition of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids in herbal infusions obtained from aerial parts of three Lamiaceae species (Dracocephalum moldavica, Ocimum americanum and Satureja hortensis). The total phenolic content of herbal infusions was determined using a spectrophotometric method, whereas the individual phenolics were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC method was developed and validated. The total phenolic content was measured by applying the Folin-Ciocalteu method with reference to gallic acid. Results were in the range from 29.39 to 65.38 mg estimated as gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry herb. The phenolic profile was, in turn, analysed by HPLC and consisted of gallic acid, hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic, and rosmarinic) and flavonoids (rutin, hyperoside, quercitrin, quercetin, apigenin, apigenin-7-glucoside and catechin) in different concentrations. Rosmarinic acid was the predominant component among the hydroxycinnamic acids in herbal infusions of all three plants. This was found to be in the range of 3.64 to 5.28 mg per gram of dry herb. Apigenin-7-glucoside, quercitrin and hyperoside were the prevailing flavonoid components of the infusions.

This paper presents a novel diagnostic method using a library of molecular receptors to assess the composition of healthy and tumorous tissue samples. Molecular receptors were formed by self-organization of N-lipidated peptides attached in the regular fashion via aminophenylamino-1,3,5-triazine linkers to the surface of a cellulose plate. The library was cloned into multiple, identical copies. A new clone was used in each test. The binding process was monitored by staining the discs with Brilliant Black and quantitative color measure- ment was performed in 256-grade grayscale. Substantial differences in the composition of healthy and tumor samples were observed in most cases. The sharp differences between individual chemical fingerprints were found to depend on the cancer type. Statistical analysis identified the two most useful receptors for diagnosing malignant papillary thyroid cancer

The research on an assistive instrument for hang-gliders and paragliders resulted in the three prototypes of the integrated device for sensing, processing and displaying data to the pilot. The data processing contains innovative data fusion and filtration algorithms with cascaded filter build with Kalman and complementary filters. The developed prototypes have been successfully tested in the laboratories and during flight tests.

The purpose of our work was to conduct biological and analytical studies of the peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions containing glucose and sodium lactate and establish correlations between cell viability of the Vero cell line and values of analytical indexes of the tested solutions. The results of this study confirm the cytotoxicity of the PD solutions even compared with the isotonic solution of sodium chloride, which may be due to the low pH of the solutions, presence of glucose degradation products (GDPs) and high osmolarity of the solutions, and unphysiological concentrations of glucose and sodium lactate. However, it is not yet known what factors or their combination and to what extent cause the cytotoxicity of PD solutions. In the neutral red (NR) test the weak, almost middle (r = -0.496 and 0.498, respectively) and unexpected correlations were found between reduced viability of monkey kidney cells and increased pH of the PD solutions and between increased cell viability and increased absorbance at 228 nm of the tested PD solutions. These two correlations can be explained by a strong correlation (r = -0.948) between a decrease in pH and an increase in the solution absorbance at 228 nm. The opposite effect was observed in the MTT test. The weak, but expected correlations (r = 0.32 and -0.202, respectively) were found between increased cell viability and increased pH in the PD solutions and between decreased cell viability and increased absorbance at 228 nm of the tested PD solutions. The middle and weak correlations (r = 0.56 and 0.29, respectively) were detected between increased cell viability and increased lactate concentration in the NR test and MTT test. The data of these correlations can be partially explained by the fact that a correlation with a coefficient r = -0.34 was found between decreased pH in the solutions and increased lactate concentration. The very weak correlations (0.138 and 0.196, respectively) were found between increased cell viability and increased glucose concentration in the NR test and MTT test. These experimental data indicate that pH is the dominating factor, which determines almost all of the established correlations. However, the character of the correlations is quite different: the higher the pH, the greater was the cell viability in the MTT test, and conversely, the higher the pH, the lower was the cell viability in the NR test. Secondly, the unexpected correlation coefficient was determined as -0.473 between decreased cell viability in the MTT test and increased cell viability in the NR test. Moreover, this phenomenon indicates that the mitochondrial enzyme succinate dehydrogenase is more vulnerable to the action of PD solutions than membrane permeability. Finally, we conclude that the NR test is not suitable for comparative studies of PD solutions which differ in pH, as it is pH dependent and does not enable the comparison of plausible cell viability.

The objective of this work was to estimate glucose degradation products (GDPs) in solutions for peritoneal dialysis (PD) including glucose and sodium lactate based on the change of pH and absorption of ultraviolet (UV) light. Spectrophotometric and pH-metric methods were used to measure glucose degradation and transformation of GDPs in laboratory-made solutions after heat sterilization and during storage. Mechanism of transformations of GDPs in the sterilized solutions for PD during storage and spectral characteristic of 5-HMF were studied. Common features for all the batches of the tested solutions for PD after heat sterilization were a reduce in pH, increase in the absorbance in the range of 200 to 350 nm and the appearance of λmax at 274-283 nm. This indicated that 3,4-dideoxyglucosone-3-ene (3,4-DGE) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) had been formed during heat sterilization. Hypsochromic shift relative to 5-HMF was explained by a spectral interference of levulinic acid having λmax at 266 nm. The change of pH after sterilization depended on the initial pH (before sterilization) and glucose concentration. During storage at room temperature hypsochromic or slight batochromic shift was observed. The absorbance at 228-230 nm diminished while that at λmax (270.5-280 nm) was slightly reduced or even increased depending on the composition of a solution and time of storage. It was established that 5-HMF had two absorption maxima at the wavelengths of 228-229 and 283-284 nm in the water medium and the absorbance of 5-HMF at 284 nm followed Beerís law very well in the range of concentrations of 1.97 to 9.85 mg/L.

Objective : The purpose of our work was to conduct technological, analytical, and biological investigations and stability studies of peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions containing glucose and sodium lactate in single-chamber containers. Methods : Different formulations of PD solutions were prepared and sterilized at a temperature of 121 °C during 15 m. UV-spectrophotometric determination was performed using purified water as a blank. The spectra of the solutions were run in the range of 220 to 400 nm for the identification of an absorption maximum (λ max ) and measuring the absorbance at 228-230 nm and λ max before and after heat sterilization. λ max of the most PD solutions after sterilization was found in the range of 273 to 281 nm. The potentiometric determination was done for pH measuring PD solutions before and after sterilization. Alternative analytical procedure of direct argent metric method was employed for fast measuring content of chloride ions. Viability of Vero cells was evaluated using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test, neutral red (NR) uptake assay, and sulforhodamine B (SRB) test. Results : The results showed that the absorbance of the most laboratory batches of PD solutions augments significantly with increasing an autoclave heating time to the sterilization temperature and time of its cooling after sterilization. The longer these parameters, the higher is the absorbance at 228-230 and 273-281 nm indicating 3,4-dideoxyglucoson-3-en (3,4-DGE) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) contents, respectively. Glucose degradation is practically absent at short terms of heating and cooling an autoclave while sterilized samples are preserved sterile. Stability studies showed a significant decrease in the absorbance at 228-230 nm during storage with the achievement of a nadir and the following weak increase; an elevation or decrease in the absorption maximum; a substantial decline in the pH of the solution after sterilization and an insignificant pH decrease during storage. The viability of kidney cells was the highest in the SRB test and the lowest one was in the MTT test. Conclusion : The influence of sterilization regimes on the quality of conventional PD solutions and their stability during storage were studied. The highest cytotoxicity was detected in the MTT test, and the lowest one was done in the SRB test, indicating the largest vulnerability of mitochondria under the influence of PD solutions compared to the membranes permeability, functioning of kidney cell lysosomes and the ability of cells to synthesize proteins. Our studies could be useful in the context of planning development of PD solutions with the purpose of authorization and domestic manufacture of these solutions in low-and-middle-income countries.

Over the last two decades the process of development and application of a new types of molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) sorbents in the field of analytical chemistry have been widely described in the literature. One of the new trends in analytical chemistry practice is the use of new types of MIP sorbents as specific sorption materials constituting the stationary phase in advanced separation techniques. The following review paper contains comprehensive information about the application of a specific and well defined MIP sorbents (with the data base in the paper about the reagents used in MIP preparation process) as stationary phases in separation techniques including high performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrochromatography. Coverage includes newly created types of stationary phases (MIP sorbents) used for chiral recognition, with the focus on applications in enantioselective separation.

The development of novel molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) sorbents for specific chemical compounds require a lot of tedious and time-consuming laboratory work. Significant quantities of solvents and reagents are consumed in the course of the verification of appropriate configurations of polymerization reagents. Implementation of molecular modeling in the MIP sorbent development process appears to provide a solution to this problem. Appropriate simulations and computations facilitate the determination of the nature of interaction between the reagents and thus the selection of the best configuration of chemicals for the preparation of the sorbent. The article presents literature information on major computer software used for molecular modeling, its application in the development of MIP sorbents, as well as the advantages resulting from the implementation of computer-assisted techniques. The appropriate choice of polymerization reagents and conditions allows for a significant reduction of the adverse environmental impact of the entire laboratory process.

The biologically active compounds (fatty acids, pigments, phenolics, and flavonoid content) were studied in supercritical fluid extracts from the biomass of marine (Ulva clathrata, Cladophora glomerata, Polysiphonia fucoides, and their multi-species mixture) and freshwater (C. glomerata) macroalgae. Different extraction techniques were used in order to compare differences in the biologically active compound composition of the macroalgal extracts. The results indicated that the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids ranged from C9:0 to C22:0. The analysis of differences in the composition of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids in extracts showed that palmitic acid (C16:0) and oleic acid (C18:1, n-9) reached the highest value not only in marine monospecies and multi-species biomass but also in the freshwater macroalga C. glomerata. When comparing the similarity between the concentration of fatty acids and the ratio of the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated in macroalgal extracts, we found small but not statistically significant variations in values between years (up to 10%). This is acceptable for applications as a stable raw material for industrial purposes. Significantly higher values of fatty acids, carotenoids, and chlorophylls were obtained in the case of SC-CO2 extraction. The active ingredients of polyphenols, possessing antioxidant activity ranged from approximately 2–4%. Moreover, flavonoids represented less than 10% of the total content of polyphenolic compounds. The extraction efficiency of polyphenols was higher from a mixture of marine algae for the ultrasound-assisted extraction compared to freshwater. All these findings show that marine and freshwater macroalgae, as a raw material, have the optimal biologically active compounds composition for cosmetics.

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Cytisus villosus Pourr. resulted in the isolation and characterization of a new isoflavan, (3S, 4S)-2′,4′-dihydroxy-3′-methoxy-6,7-methylenedioxyisoflavan- 4-ol (1), and a new monoterpene, (4R,6S)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl-9-oxabicyclo [4.2.1] non-1(8)-en-7-one (2), together with four known flavonoids: geinstein (3), chrysin (4), chrysin -7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5) and 2″-O-α-L-rhamnosylorientin (6). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D, 2D NMR ((1)H, (13)C, COSY, TOCSY, HMBC and HSQC) and HRESIMS. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were established by the comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra.

Objectives The growing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is an emerging challenge in modern medicine. The utility of carbapenems, which are considered ‘last-line' agents, is being diminished by the growing incidence of various resistance mechanisms in Gram-negative bacteria. A molecular investigation was performed of an MDR carbapenem-resistant Citrobacter freundii of sequence type 8 (ST8) isolated from a hematology patient with acute myeloid leukemia. Methods Multilocus sequence typing and analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the class I integron were performed using PCR and Sanger sequencing. Transformation of the resistance plasmid isolated following the alkaline lysis method was performed using chemically competent E. coli TOP10. Results Molecular analysis of the carbapenem-resistant C. freundii revealed the presence of the VIM-4 isoenzyme located on the ∼55-kb transferable resistance plasmid. Interestingly, the bla VIM-4 gene was inserted into an unusual gene cassette containing a 169-bp direct repeat of the 3′ segment of the bla VIM-4 gene. Conclusions All unusual gene cassettes containing VIM-DR (direct repeat) described thus far have been harbored by non-fermenters, i.e., Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas, underscoring the importance of resistance determinant mobility, which may go even beyond genus, family, and order boundaries. Great efforts need to be taken to explore pathways of resistance to ‘last-resort' antimicrobials, especially among clinically relevant pathogens.

Purpose: Enterococcus faecium strains have been reported worldwide as etiologic factors of many nosocomial infections, which are difficult to manage because of the constantly increasing resistance of these microorganisms to antibiotics and the ability to form biofilm. The aim of this study was to analyze the ability to produce a biofilm in E. faecium strains, depending on the patient’s clinical material. Materials and methods: Sixty-six E. faecium strains were investigated. Identification and susceptibility testing were conducted by the VITEK2 system. The ability to form biofilm was assessed by phenotypic methods. The presence of selected virulence genes was established by PCR followed by gel electrophoresis and sequencing. Results: Among the tested E. faecium isolates, 72.7% were biofilm-positive (BIO+) and 27.3% biofilm-negative (BIO-). Strains were collected mostly from rectal swabs (30.4%) and blood (18.3%). BIO+ strains from infections constituted 31.8% (52.4% isolated from blood) and from colonization 40.9% (48.2% from rectal swabs). 91.7% of the Blood Group strains and 68.5% of the Other Group strains produced biofilm. Strains from the Colonization Group produced biofilm in a proportion similar to the Infection Group (about 75%). There were no statistically significant differences in virulence and resistance, except for vancomycin (more resistant BIO+ Other than the BIO+ Blood Group, and more resistant BIO+ Colonization than BIO+ Infection Group) and teicoplanin (more resistant BIO+ Colonization than the BIO+ Infection Group). Conclusion: The majority of E. faecium isolates carries high levels of resistance to many antimicrobials, is well equipped with virulence genes, and possesses the ability to form biofilm.

Summary Since 1987 annual summer cruises to the Nordic Seas and Fram Strait have been conducted by the IO PAN research vessel Oceania under the long-term monitoring program AREX. Here we present a short description of measurements and preliminary results obtained during the open ocean part of the AREX 2016 cruise. Spatial distributions of Atlantic water temperature and salinity in 2016 are similar to their long-term mean fields except for warmer recirculation of Atlantic water in the northern Fram Strait. The longest observation record from the section N along 76°30′N reveals a steady increase of Atlantic water salinity, while temperature trend depends strongly on parametrization used to define the Atlantic water layer. However spatially averaged temperature at different depths indicate an increase of Atlantic water temperature in the whole layer from the surface down to 1000 m.

Background Polyamines present in human body are frequently considered as markers of occurrence of cancer. Therefore, the availability of simple and efficient method for determination of their level in body liquids and tissues is of some interest. Methods Supported liquid membrane technology coupled with HPLC seems to be an appropriate technique to follow the level of polyamines in human blood and urine. Thus, the membranes of two different geometries: flat sheet and hollow fiber were studied as a mean for separation and enrichment of studied polyamines from urine and tissue samples in order to prepare samples to be analyzed by HPLC. Conclusions Developed extraction systems offer an interesting alternative to traditional techniques such as: liquid-liquid or solid-phase extraction due to several features, which are: very high enrichment of polyamines without previous work-up, simple procedure of extraction and tiny volume of organic solvents used. This enables efficient determination of their levels in body liquids.

Background The growing incidence of MDR Gram-negative bacteria is a rapidly emerging challenge in modern medicine. Objectives We sought to establish the role of intrinsic drug-resistance regulators in combination with specific genetic mutations in 11 Enterobacter cloacae isolates obtained from a single patient within a 7 week period. Methods The molecular characterization of eight carbapenem-resistant and three carbapenem-susceptible E. cloacae ST89 isolates included expression-level analysis and WGS. Quantitative PCR included: (i) chromosomal cephalosporinase gene (ampC); (ii) membrane permeability factor genes, e.g. ompF, ompC, acrA, acrB and tolC; and (iii) intrinsic regulatory genes, e.g. ramA, ampR, rob, marA and soxS, which confer reductions in antibiotic susceptibility. Results In this study we describe the influence of the alterations in membrane permeability (ompF and ompC levels), intrinsic regulatory genes (ramA, marA, soxS) and intrinsic chromosomal cephalosporinase AmpC on reductions in carbapenem susceptibility of E. cloacae clinical isolates. Interestingly, only the first isolate possessed the acquired VIM-4 carbapenemase, which has been lost in subsequent isolates. The remaining XDR E. cloacae ST89 isolates presented complex carbapenem-resistance pathways, which included perturbations in permeability of bacterial membranes mediated by overexpression of ramA, encoding an AraC/XylS global regulator. Moreover, susceptible isolates differed significantly from other isolates in terms of marA down-regulation and soxS up-regulation. Conclusions Molecular mechanisms of resistance among carbapenem-resistant E. cloacae included production of acquired VIM-4 carbapenemase, significant alterations in membrane permeability due to increased expression of ramA, encoding an AraC/XylS global regulator, and the overproduction of chromosomal AmpC cephalosporinase.

One of the trends in analytical chemistry is associated with designing and developing new types of sample preparation techniques, which might significantly increase the efficiency and selectivity of the analytes isolation or/and preconcentration process. One of the most widely employed solutions is selective sorption materials, defined as molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), as well as the sorbents with the molecular fingerprint. Due to their simple preparation protocol, mechanical, thermal and chemical stability and selectivity, MIPs have found application as a stationary phase in separation techniques such as liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis, in electrochemical sensors or as a specific sorption medium in solid-phase extraction (SPE) technique. The preparation of a new type of polymer material is based on a specific template molecule using selected polymerization technique and characterization of the morphological and physicochemical properties of the obtained MIP. At the end, the studies which concern the suitability and usability of the obtained MIP material under real conditions, i.e., in the analysis of environmental samples (selectivity and efficiency of the isolation and/or preconcentration of analytes from environmental samples characterized by the complex matrix) should be performed. This chapter contains the basic information about the MIP preparation protocols and potential fields of application of these selective sorption materials in analytical and environmental chemistry.

Background: The aim was to determine the occurrence, consequences and risk factors for brain white matter hyperintensities (WMH) assessed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in low-risk patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation (PVI-RF). Methods: 74 patients with AF (median 58.5 years (IQR 50–63), 45 male) were included. Before and after a minimum of 6 months after PVI-RF, a brain MRI and a mini-mental state examination (MMSE) were performed. Results: Baseline WMH lesions were found in 55 (74.3%) patients and in 48 from 62 (77.4%) patients after PVI-RF. The WMH lesions were more frequent among older patients, with a higher CHA2DS2-Vasc (C—Congestive heart failure/LV dysfunction, H—Hypertension, A—Age, D—Diabetes mellitus, S—Stroke, V—Vascular Disease, Sc—Sex category). Factors affecting the severity of the WMH were: older age, the co-existence of the PFO and coronary artery disease (CAD). After a follow-up period, the factors predisposing to brain WMH lesions occurrence (age, higher BMI and CHA2DS2-Vasc score) and to the more advanced changes (age, higher CHA2DS2-Vasc score, CAD, PFO) were obtained. Conclusions: The presence and severity of cerebral microembolism are associated with age, higher CHA2DS2-Vasc score and the coexistence of PFO and CAD. PVI-RF procedure and its efficacy does not influence on MRI lesions. In this population, cerebral microembolism is not related to cognitive impairment.

Selective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with bisphenol A as template were synthesized using the non-covalent imprinting approach. MIPs were prepared using thermally initiated polymerization with 1,1’-azobis(cyclohexanecarbonitryle) (ACHN) as initiator and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as a cross-linking agent. The tested functional monomers included methacrylic acid, acrylamide, and 4-vinylpyridine. The selectivity of the BPA-MIP for the solid phase extraction of bisphenol A was tested in samples containing other related alkylphenols. The polymers prepared in acetonitrile using methacrylic acid or acrylamide as monomer showed the highest selectivity towards target analyte (the selectivity ratio 8:1, respectively for MIP and NIP). The proposed procedure has been proven to be an effective for selective extraction of bisphenol A in aqueous samples (recoveries over 85%) enabling detection and quantification limits of 25 and 70 μg/dm3, respectively based on 10 cm3 of sample volume, with relative standard deviations (RSD) lower than 6%. The obtained molecularly imprinted material showed interesting properties for selective extraction and preconcentration of studied analyte from large volumes of aqueous samples without any problems of cartridge clogging.