Material and methods. A cross-sectional epidemiological study (2017-2018) was carried out. The study sample consisted of 783 students, including 430 students from the Republic of Moldova and 353 students from France. The data collection was performed by using a questionnaire that was completed by each study participant online, in electronic form. Results. The mean body mass index (kg/m2) of students from Chisinau was 21.5±0.10 (ranging between 16.16 and 34.72) and of students from Rouen - 22.65±0.22 (15.75-43.76) (p<0.001). 43.9% students from Chisinau and 56.4% students from Rouen practice sport (p<0.001). Both men (98.5%) and women (98.4%) from Chisinau practice same-intensity physical activities, until sweating. A slightly more different situation was reported in students from Rouen, where only 88.8% of women exercise until sweating, compared to men – 93.1%. Conclusions. The results of the research showed a slightly significant difference among students from both countries, as well as in their gender distribution.

Introduction. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is a rare X-linked disorder characterized by microthrombocytopenia, eczema, and recurrent infections. It is caused by mutations of the WAS gene which encodes the WAS protein (WASp) – a key regulator of actin polymerization in hematopoietic cells. Mutations within the WASp gene result in a wide heterogeneity of clinical disease, ranging from ‘classical WAS’ to mild asymptomatic thrombocytopenia (X-linked thrombocytopenia [XLT]), or congenital neutropenia (X-lined neutropenia [XLN]). Case presentation. This present paper reports a phenotypical and laboratory description of two children diagnosed with WAS and one child diagnosed with XLT. The first case was a six months old male with septicemia, thrombocytopenia, eczema and petechial rash. The second case was a 2 years old boy presenting with complaints of recurrent infections, eczema and thrombocytopenia with small platelet size. The third case was a 16 years old boy who presented with thrombocytopenia and recurrent sinopulmonary infections. Conclusions. Due to a wide spectrum of clinical ?ndings, the diagnosis of WAS/XLT should be considered in any male patient presenting with petechiae, bruises, and congenital or early-onset thrombocytopenia associated with small platelet size.

Introduction. It is known that the enzymes catalase (CT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are actively involved in protecting cells of microbial pathogens against the biochemical factors produced by macrophages in vivo, in order to stop infection. Therefore, this study was aimed to quantify the parameters of the antioxidant-enzyme activities within the reference cultures under the action of selected new chemical compounds. Material and methods. Cu (II) coordination compounds, Co (II) and Zn (II) were included as “in vitro” study material, as well as aromatic propenones synthesized at the Department of Inorganic Chemistry, at State University of Moldova. The antimicrobial effects were tested on three gram-negative reference strains. The enzymatic activity of SOD and the CT activity was determined to assess the pathogen-induced changes in the antioxidant status under the action of newly tested compounds. Results. The new chemical compounds showed a significant decrease in the antioxidant enzymatic activities of SOD and CT, induced in all reference strains used, which indicates an intense oxidative stress generated by the tested compounds. Conclusions. The specific activity of new chemical compounds on primary antioxidant enzymes, which represent pathogenicity factors of infectious agents, allows us to assume the benefits of in vivo effect of new native substances, as well as to recommend the selected compounds for further biomedical tests.

Introduction. It is known that the enzymes catalase (CT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are actively involved in protecting cells of microbial pathogens against the biochemical factors produced by macrophages in vivo, in order to stop infection. Therefore, this study was aimed to quantify the parameters of the antioxidant-enzyme activities within the reference cultures under the action of selected new chemical compounds. Material and methods. Cu (II) coordination compounds, Co (II) and Zn (II) were included as “in vitro” study material, as well as aromatic propenones synthesized at the Department of Inorganic Chemistry, at State University of Moldova. The antimicrobial effects were tested on three gram-negative reference strains. The enzymatic activity of SOD and the CT activity was determined to assess the pathogen-induced changes in the antioxidant status under the action of newly tested compounds. Results. The new chemical compounds showed a significant decrease in the antioxidant enzymatic activities of SOD and CT, induced in all reference strains used, which indicates an intense oxidative stress generated by the tested compounds. Conclusions. The specific activity of new chemical compounds on primary antioxidant enzymes, which represent pathogenicity factors of infectious agents, allows us to assume the benefits of in vivo effect of new native substances, as well as to recommend the selected compounds for further biomedical tests.

ntroduction. The processing of most raw milk products can lead to contamination with unwanted microflora due to poor sanitation and hygienic conditions. The inadequate antibiotic use over the past decades has led to the emergence and wide spread of bacterial populations, particularly of Escherichia coli, which developed resistance to antibacterial drugs. Material and methods. Raw milk samples were obtained from clinically healthy cows on farms from Kiev and Poltava regions to identify E . coli, Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus spp. isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the EUCAST disk diffusion method and MU on “Determination of microbial susceptibility to antibacterial drugs”. Results. The examined milk samples revealed the presence of E . coli, Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. isolates, which proves poor sanitary and hygienic conditions of milk production process. Escherichia coli isolates were found susceptible to Ampicillin/sulbactam, Cefoxitin (100%), Meropenem, Tobramycin (100%), Netilin, Tigecycline, Nitroxoline (100%), Gatifloxacin, and Nitrofurantoin (100%). The studied E. coli isolates were found resistant to Ampicillin (100%), Imipenem, Tetracycline, and Doxycycline (100%). 41.7% of isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus were found resistant to Oxacillin, of which 90% were resistant to Benzylpenicillin and 20% to Rifampicin. Conclusions. The circulation of antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains among farm animals is a major problem requiring a strategy development aimed to prevent the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance worldwide.

Introduction. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is susceptible to infestation with an associated complex of different species of parasitic and saprophytic nematodes, bacteria, fungi, and arthropods, which diminish the quality of the product. Material and methods. 10 varieties of potatoes were investigated (Agata, Albastriu-mov, Bella rosa, Concorde, Desiree, Irga, Iagodca, Roko, Romano, Sprinter), cultivated on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. The extraction of nematodes and mites was performed using the Baermann funnels, modified by Nesterov. Results. Multiannual researches on the degree of potato infestation have shown that tubers are preferred by various arthropods (Acaridae), Agriothes spp. (Elateridae), Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa, (Grillotalpidae) and Sciaridae spp . (Sciaridae), which form different interactions with the parasitic nematodes of tubers (Ditylenchus destructor, D. dipsaci). Conclusions. Solanum tuberosum infested by parasitic nematodes D. destructor in association with saprophytic nematodes and dry rot are colonized by nematophag ous (mites – 80%) and phytophagous arthropods (wireworms – 40%; mole cricket – 50%; flies – 40%). Among the researched arthropods, Rhizoglyphus echinopus were more frequently found, which together with other species actively consume the primary and secondary parasitic nematodes, their mortality constituting up to 90%. In the traumatized by some arthropods potatoes, with the soil, secondary parasitic nematodes, also penetrate, carrying bacterial and fungal infections, subsequently stimulating the total rot of potato tubers.

Introduction. The breeding of domestic poultry is an important source to soupplement the human needs in animal proteins with a high biological value. Therefore, knowledge and guidance of the factors that influence poultry production is a guarantee of increasing these productions, both in terms of quantity and quality. Material and methods. The investigation was aimed to administer the 0.05% and 0.1% streptomyces biomass in the recipe of combined fodder, intended for the feeding of young poultry of the Argintie de Adler breed, in order to identify the effectiveness of its administration. Results. The supplementing of streptomyces biomass in the proportion of 0.1% in the recipe of combined feed intended for feeding the poultry of the Argintie de Adler breed, contributed to a 5.1% gross weight gain and a lower specific consumption by 9.9% in chickens from the experimental batch, compared to those of the control batch. Conclusions. The assessment of the dynamic indices of growth and development in chickens of the Argintie de Adler breed, as a result of supplementation of nutrition recipes with streptomyces biomass, has established a sure way to boost the productivity.

Introduction. The microbial biofilm-forming ability is one of the major aspects of the emerging issue of antibiotic resistance, which makes them tolerant to antibiotics and host defense systems and other external stresses, thus contributing to persistent chronic infections. A series of relevant studies confirmed the high efficiency of aminopropanol derivatives as potential antibacterial and antifungal agents. This present study was aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of new 1-[(2,4-(di-tert-butylphenoxy))-3-dialkylamino-2-propanol] derivatives on the planktonic bacterial/fungal cells and biofilms. Material and methods. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the new compounds were determined by a standard method, along with their effects on biofilms estimated via the gentian violet adsorption-desorption assay. Results. The ?VM-219 compound showed the most pronounced effect on planktonic bacterial and fungal cells. The MIC values ranged between 0.78 µg/mL to 12.5 µg/mL, depending on the microbial strain. The KVM-316 compound exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on biofilms, thus preventing their formation by S. aureus (96.1%), E. coli (57.2%), and P. aeruginosa (96.1%). Conclusions. The 15 newly synthesized 1-[(2,4-(di-tert-butylphenoxy))-3-dialkylamino-2-propanol] derivatives revealed marked antibacterial and antifungal effects on planktonic microorganisms. Most of these compounds showed a strain-specific inhibition of biofilm formation by at least 50% for S. aureus 222, E. coli 311, P. aeruginosa 449 and C. glabrata 404 strains.

Introduction. Protection measurements should be paid attention so that the regions affected to a great extent gain time for medical care and medical facilities can cope with increasing intensive care cases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in the rate of behaviours of people related to going out and wearing a mask during the pandemic in Turkey. Material and methods. This observational study investigated people’s behaviours of going out and mask-wearing in the province of Kahramanmaras in Turkey during 4 different periods with 14-day intervals before and after Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 48 hours camera record made in 4 different periods at 12 pedestrian crossings used intensively by people was examined. Two researchers recorded and examined the number and gender of the people using these pedestrian crossings and their wearing-mask behaviours on a data collection form. The obtained data were presented as tables and graphics, showing numbers and percentages. Appropriate mask-wearing according to gender was analysed by ChiSquare test. Results. The number of people using pedestrian crossings decreased by 70.19% for men and 87.07% for women compared to before the pandemic. When comparing the appropriate mask-wearing according to gender, it was concluded that women had a higher statistically significant rate on the appropriate mask-wearing compared to men (p<0.05). Conclusions. Compliance to mask-wearing and control measures was high at the beginning of the pandemic. A high percentage of women wore masks correctly. About 40 days after the pandemic started, people wore the mask less correctly.

Introduction. In recent years, due to the wide applications of nanotechnologies in various fields, the safety of nanomaterials has become a pressing issue. Fullerene C60 is not an exception. Research on the activity of microorganisms and their interaction with nanoparticles is of major importance, both for microorganisms and for the ecosystem as a whole. Material and methods. Fullerene C60powder was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. The object of study was R. rhodochrous CNMN-Ac-05 strain. The number of viable bacterial cells was estimated by colony-forming units (CFU). The morphological features of the rhodococci colonies have been described according to the usual microbiological method. Results. It was established that fullerene C60 in concentrations of 1-25 mg/L fullerene C60 stimulated the growth of R. rhodochrous by 2.4-2.8 times. As the concentration of fullerene C60 increased up to 50-100 mg/L, the multiplication and growth of rhodococci decreased by 29.5% and 38% respectively. In the presence of 1-10 mg/L fullerene C60 the rhodococci population remained homogeneous, being composed of 100% S type colonies. The increase of fullerene C60 concentration led both to the decrease in the CFU number and to the appearance of R type colonies, up to 1.3% of the population. Conclusions. Fullerene C60 in concentrations 1-100 mg/L had no obvious toxic effect on the rhodococci strain. The optimum concentration is 10 mg/L. The concentrations higher than 25 mg/L led to the dissociation of rhodococcal population and diminution in the CFU counts, but not to the total inhibition.