Introduction. Gram-negative bacilli belonging to the order Enterobacterales are normal inhabitants of the human gut, which also are the most common causative agents of both nosocomial and community acquired infections in patients of all ages. Material and methods. The analysis of fifty-two articles and documents regarding this topic was peformed. Results. The main mechanism of resistance to carbapenems in Enterobacterales is production of carbapenemases, being enzymes that destroy all or almost all ß-lactam antibiotics including carbapenems. According to Ambler’s classification ß-lactamases can be distributed into four classes (A, B, C, and D) being based on primary amino acid sequence homology. The most important carbapenemases produced by Enterobacterales belong to class A (KPC), class B (metallo-ß-lactamases NDM, VIM, IMP) and class D (OXA-48-like). Unlike other mechanisms of resistance, carbapenemase production is easily spread via plasmids making carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) a global challenge for healthcare providers. Conclusions. CPE are not readily detected in the labo-ratory but the ability to detect carbapenemase production in Enterobacterales has very important infection control implications and therefore is essential for local infection control programs and national and international surveillance systems. Furthermore, local epidemiology of multidrug resistant organisms has major influence on development of national clinical guidelines for antimicrobial use.

Introduction. The present study assessed Pseudomonas aeruginosa surface characteristics, motility and adhesion properties under the influence of 1-[4-(1,1,3,3-tetra methyl butyl) phenoxy]-3-(N-benzyl hexa methylene iminium)-2-propanol chloride (KVM-194). Material and methods. The clinical strain P. aeruginosa 449 was used in the study. The cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) was evaluated by adhesion to solvent (MATS test). Swimming, swarming and twitching motility of P. aeruginosa were studied by standard methods in media with different agar contents. Cells ability to adhere to polystyrene was assessed by the Christensen method. The effect of KVM-194, meropenem and ciprofloxacin on hydrophobicity and motility was evaluated both at 0.5 or 2.0 minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC), while on adhesion abilities – only 0.5×MIC. Results. It was shown that 0.5× MIC KVM-194 reduced CSH of P. aeruginosa (by 16%, p?0.05), affected swimming motility, and decreased its adhesion to polystyrene. The most pronounced changes in adhesion properties were recorded after 3-5 hours of pre-treatment with this compound. Moreover, it was proven that sub-MICs of meropenem and ciprofloxacin did not alter bacterial cells hydrophobicity and had no significant influence on P. aeruginosa motility and adhesion properties. Conclusions. The present study suggested that KVM-194 affected the initial steps of P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and thus had tremendous potential for new antibiofilm agents’ development.

Introduction. One of the major problems characterizing the nutritional status is iron deficiency, which leads to decreased immunity, increased incidence of infectious diseases and anaemia. Obviously, only well-thought-out corrections can solve these disorders. Material and methods In order to know the influence of the method of manufacture for iron-fortified products on the iron level, a series of in vivo research was carried out, on a batch of 21 white rats, Wistar line, which was induced experimental drug anaemia (EDA). The blood analysis was performed in three stages: initially, after the induction of EDA and after the completion of the experiment. Results. Investigations showed out that during sufficient iron intake rehabilitation of the body iron reserve depends considerably on the presence of antinutritive factors. In order to decrease the influence of these factors, the production method used for fortified products with mineral origin micronutrients (iron) could be based on the use of the lactic-acid fermentation procedures using wheat bran. Conclusions. The research carried out on laboratory animals with induced experimental anaemia showed that in the case of the group fed with bread manufactured by the acid-lactic fermentation method, the concentration of serum, iron was completely restored during the experiment, and in the rats fed with fortified bread prepared by the traditional method, the serum iron concentration was only partially restored, 40-45%.

Introduction. Drinking water includes a multitude of natural elements, with a strong connection between them, which through the dynamics of their modification in many cases influence the health of the population. Material and methods. The quality of drinking water from the Prut river ecosystem was studied (water from aqueducts fed from the river, water from artesian wells, water from adjacent wells), the health status of the population from riparian localities (Lipcani, Ungheni and Cahul). The correlations between these two indicators and the risk of population disease caused by water quality were calculated. Hygienic, epidemiological, sanitary-chemical and statistical methods of investigation were used. Results. Following the study, the existence of small and medium correlative dependencies between the water quality indices from the aqueduct fed from the Prut River and the prevalence of the main groups of nosology of morbidity was highlighted. High direct correlative dependencies of health indices on water quality in artesian wells and wells were quantified. The values of the risk of the genito-urinary, osteoarticular, digestive system, blood diseases/anaemia, etc. were determined. Conclusions. Finally, there was a causal relationship between the factors investigated and the health of the population, highlighting the risk of developing nosological forms.

Introduction. Hip pain is common in childhood. The main dilemma is to differentiate between benign conditions and those causing significant morbidity and mortality. Material and methods. A clinical case report of a toddler presenting with Musculoskeletal (MSK) mask due to a brain tumour. Results. A 2-year-old boy presented to the ER complaining of hip pain, muscle weakness, and limping. The neurologic exam showed no abnormalities. At the 3rd day of admission, the patient condition worsened, and papillary oedema was revealed. MRI revealed a tumour in the suprasellar cistern/prepons region. Conclusions. In the case of atypical MSK symptoms, a careful evaluation of children should be carried out to prevent any delay in diagnosis.

Introduction. The genus Lepraria includes diffuse or indefinitely delimited species, always sterile, Lendemer (1) naming it „the most unusual member of the sterile lichen crusts”. According to Tonsberg (2), the leprarioid state appeared as an adaptation to a substrate characterized by dry surfaces, in sites with high humidity and low illumination. The thallus is leprose with an entirely sorediate surface. The lack of fruiting bodies has made the lichens from this group among the least known and studied for a long time. The increase in the number of studies on sterile crustose lichens in recent period has led to an increase in the number of accepted species of the genus Lepraria. The information on the genus Lepraria is not uniformly distributed, the current checklist describes only two species, L. caesioalba and L. finkii in Romania. The recent appearance of several studies that indicate the presence in Romania of other species of the genus mentioned, created the motivation of this study. Material and methods. This study is based on material from the Babes-Bolyai University (CL) herbaria in Cluj-Napoca, Romania and literature data. For 13 species, specimens have been examined. Results. The key for the species of genus Lepraria is proposed, adapted from Wirth (3). The species distribution maps in Romania are given. Conclusions. Fifteen Romanian species are revised, Lepraria eburnea, L. ecorticata, L. umbricola were reported from two locations, L. neglecta was found only in one location. Most widely distributed species in Romania seems to be L. finkii and L. membranacea.

Introduction. Whey is a by-product and an excellent source of proteins that is rather aggressive due to a large amount of organic substances it contains. The electro-activation of whey applied in the experiments is a wasteless method that allows the va-lorification of all whey components. ß-lactoglobulin (ß-Lg) makes up 50% of the whey proteins and 12% of the total protein content in milk. Material and methods. The recovery of ß-Lg in protein-mineral concentrates (PMC) by electro-activation processing of different types of whey with different initial protein content was investigated in seven configurations. The recovery of protein fractions in the PMCs were analyzed via electrophoresis with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE) and 15% non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel (PAAG). Results. Whey electro-fractionation and the obtaining of PMCs with predetermined protein content, namely of ß-Lg, were studied on three whey types, processed at different treatment regimens and in seven configurations. The proper management of electroactivation by varying the treatment regimens will allow the electro-fractionation of different types of dairy by-products. Conclusions. The maximum amount of ß-Lg recovered in PMCs on electroactivation is 66-71% depending on the processed whey and on the treatment regimens. Obviously, the extraction of ß-Lg from initially lower protein content shows a higher recovery degree of ß-Lg. The registered temperatures allows formation of PMCs without thermal denaturation.

Introduction. Paracetamol is the most commonly used drug across Western Europe and North America. There is no such trend of using Paracetamol in the Republic of Moldova, thus overdose cases are extremely rare. The mechanisms leading to overdose episodes might induce hepatotoxicity. Clinical case. This present article reports a case of acute liver failure induced by Paracetamol overdose. A 46-year-old man presented to the Medpark International Hospital. He was administered Paracetamol 1000 mg, approximately every 4 hours for 2 days, and 1000 mg twice a day for another 2 days, after an intense physical exertion, followed by muscle fever with myalgia and low-grade fever (37.4 °C) The reason for asking the medical care were pronounced fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, night sweats, and frequent urination. Conclusion. Eventually, the case was successfully resolved due to N-acetyl-cysteine, administered according to the established treatment scheme, as well as the adjuvant therapy.