Antibacterial and therapeutic potential of historic deposits of silesian healing clay - terra sigillataSilesiaca.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The increasing evolution of pathogen resistance is a global problem that requires novel solutions. Recently, an increased interest in ethnomedicinal sources can be observed in the derivation of new medicines. The return to traditional medicinal formulations handed down for generations is being followed, but it is necessary to revise them again, taking into account the generally accepted research protocol.

Stability study in selected conditions and biofilm-reducing activity of phages active against drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Acinetobacter baumannii is currently a serious threat to human health, especially to people with immunodeficiency as well as patients with prolonged hospital stays and those undergoing invasive medical procedures. The ever-increasing percentage of strains characterized by multidrug resistance to widely used antibiotics and their ability to form biofilms make it difficult to fight infections with traditional antibiotic therapy. In view of the above, phage therapy seems to be extremely attractive.

Novel Pyrimidine Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Docking Study.

In the present paper, new pyrimidine derivatives were designed, synthesized and analyzed in terms of their anticancer properties. The tested compounds were evaluated in vitro for their antitumor activity. The cytotoxic effect on normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) was also determined.

Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Buckwheat Husks as a Material for Use in Therapeutic Mattresses.

Buckwheat husks are used in many therapeutic products such as pillows, mattresses, seats, etc. This material is proposed by producers for example for discopathy, back pain and head vasomotor disorders. Our studies evaluated the impact of using cotton mattresses with buckwheat husk fillings on people's health condition.

Antimicrobial chloro-hydroxylactones derived from the biotransformation of bicyclic halolactones by cultures of Pleurotus ostreatus.

The aim of this research was to test the ability of cultures of edible fungi to biotransform three bicyclic halolactones. The substrates (2-chloro-, 2-bromo- and 2-iodo-4,4,6,7-tetramethyl-9-oxabicyclo[4.3.

Comparative analysis of airborne bacteria and fungi in two salt mines in Poland.

The aim of this work was to determine the genera or species composition and the number of colony forming units of airborne bacteria and fungi, respectively, in two salt mines in Poland "Wieliczka" (Lesser Poland) and "Polkowice-Sieroszowice" (Lower Silesia). Both of them are working environments characterized by extreme conditions, and additionally "Wieliczka," officially placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites' list, plays a role of tourist attraction. There are also some curative chambers located in this mine.

Salt mine microorganisms used for the biotransformation of chlorolactones.

The aim of the project was to find new catalysts capable of chlorolactone biotransformation. Three bicyclic chlorolactones with structures possessing one or two methyl groups in their cyclohexane ring were subjected to screening biotransformation using seven bacterial strains and one fungal strain from a salt mine. Three strains of bacteria (Micrococcus luteus Pb10, Micrococcus luteus WSP45, Gordonia alkanivorans Pd25) and one fungal strain (Aspergillus sydowii KGJ10) were able to catalyse hydrolytic dehalogenation of one substrate.

Dehalogenation Activity of Selected Fungi Toward δ-Iodo-γ-Lactone Derived from trans,trans-Farnesol.

Time-course of biotransformation of racemic trans-4-((E)-4',8'-dimethylnona-3',7'-dien-1-yl)-5-iodomethyl-4-methyldihydrofuran-2-one (1) in fungal and yeast cultures was investigated. In these conditions, the substrate 1 was enantioselectively dehalogenated yielding 4-((E)-4',8'-dimethylnona-3',7'-dien-1-yl)-4-methyl-5-methylenedihydrofuran-2-one (2) and its structure was established based on the spectroscopic data. The most effective biocatalyst used was Didymosphaeria igniaria, which catalyzed the process with highest rate and enantioselectivity (ee of product = 76%).

In vitro and in vivo matrix metalloproteinase expression after photodynamic therapy with a liposomal formulation of aminolevulinic acid and its methyl ester.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a well-known method for the treatment of malignant tumors, and its principles have been well established over the past 30 years. This therapy involves the application of a chemical called a photosensitizer and its subsequent excitation with light at the appropriate wavelength and energy. Topical photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is an alternative therapy for many malignant processes, including nonmelanoma skin cancers such as basal-cell carcinoma (BCC).

Effect of melatonin on human keratinocytes and fibroblasts subjected to UVA and UVB radiation In vitro.

Skin represents one of the extrapineal sites of melatonin (Mel) synthesis. In the skin Mel plays, for example, the role of an antioxidant which scavenges and inactivates free radicals arising due to UV irradiation. Although the protective effect of Mel on skin and cells irradiated mainly with UVB has been documented, to date no comparison has been made for the effects of Mel on cells exposed to UVA.

Effect of melatonin on melanoma cells subjected to UVA and UVB radiation in In vitro studies.

Studies performed in vivo and in vitro have shown that exogenous melatonin (Mel) exerts oncostatic effects on melanoma cells. Although the protective effect of Mel on skin and cells exposed mainly to UVB has been documented, effects of Mel have not yet been examined on melanoma cells exposed to UVA. Our investigations aimed at examination of the effect of Mel alone (0, 10(-3), 10(-6) and 10(-9) M), and after its addition to the culture medium for 30 minutes before exposure of melanoma cells to UVA (15 J/cm(2)) or UVB (30 mJ/cm(2), 60 mJ/cm(2)).

Effect of melatonin on cytotoxicity of doxorubicin toward selected cell lines (human keratinocytes, lung cancer cell line A-549, laryngeal cancer cell line Hep-2).

The pineal hormone melatonin (MLT) has been recognised as a substance capable of alleviating in vivo nephro-, cardio- and myelotoxicity of doxorubicin (DOX) and of other anthracyclines in animal models. However, few data are available on the effects of MLT on cytotoxicity of antineoplastic drugs toward tumor cells in vitro. The present study aimed at the evaluation of effects of MLT and of DOX on selected cell lines.

ABCC2 (MRP2, cMOAT) can be localized in the nuclear membrane of ovarian carcinomas and correlates with resistance to cisplatin and clinical outcome.

Purpose: Cisplatin resistance is a major obstacle in the treatment of ovarian carcinoma. ABCC2 is commonly localized in apical cell membranes and could confer cisplatin resistance. Here, we show that ABCC2 can be localized in the cytoplasmic membrane as well as in the nuclear membrane of various human tissues including ovarian carcinoma cells.

The effects of quercetin vs cisplatin on proliferation and the apoptotic process in A549 and SW1271 cell lines in in vitro conditions.

Experience over several years has indicated that chemotherapy, even if widely used, does not always remain effective in the therapy of lung tumours and, in addition, is linked to serious side effects. In parallel, some plant polyphenols are known to exert a proapoptotic action on tumour cells while, in contrast, representing anti-cancerogenic anti-oxidants in living organisms. Our studies were aimed at comparing the effects of a polyphenol, quercetin, and cisplatin on cells of various types of lung cancer in in vitro conditions.

The effect of extracellular substance components on the proliferation and expression of hormones in cultured cells of medullary thyroid carcinomas.

The effects were examined of selected extracellular medium (ECM) components on the proliferation of medullary thyroid carcinoma cells and on the production of calcitonin and CGRP. Human TT cells and rat rMTC cells were cultured for 24, 48 and 72 hours on glass coated with type I collagen, fibronectin or poly-D-lysine. More pronounced proliferation was demonstrated by TT cells grown on poly-Dlysine or collagen in comparison with the control and less pronounced proliferation was typical of cells grown on fibronectin.

Induction of apoptosis by EGCG in selected tumour cell lines in vitro.

One of the best recognised polyphenols of plant origin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is contained mainly in green tea and in grapes. Studies performed in vivo and in vitro have demonstrated high probability of anti-neoplastic potential of the compound, due to its capacity to induce programmed cell death. The present studies were aimed at evaluation of apoptosis induction in cells of three selected tumour cell lines, subjected to action of various concentrations of EGCG.

The effect of calcitriol and its analogues on proliferation and hormone expression in cultured cells of thyroid medullary carcinomas.

The study aimed at evaluating the effects of calcitriol and of its analogues on the proliferation of TT and rMTC cells (human and rat line tumour cells originating from thyroid medullary carcinoma) and at examining the effects of the substances on the secretion of the principal hormones of the cells, calcitonin (CT) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Cells of thyroid medullary carcinoma (human TT cells and rat rMTC cells) were cultured for 5 days in the absence or in the presence of calcitriol and of its two analogues (PRI-1906 and PRI-2191) in concentrations of 10(-9) to 10(-6) M. Calcitriol and the applied analogues weakly inhibited proliferation of thyroid medullary carcinoma in in vitro conditions.

Effect of calcitriol on proliferation of TT cells and on expression of calcitonin gene.

The absence of serum steroids was demonstrated to restrict proliferation of cultured TT cells (cell line originating from human thyroid medullary carcinoma) and supplementation with calcitriol was found to partially restore the proliferation. Calcitriol stimulated TT cell proliferation by augmenting expression of proliferation-associated proteins and by restricting apoptosis. Moreover, calcitriol decreased the intensity of transcription but failed to change direction of the altemate splicing of the calcitonin gene.

Effect of octreotide on proliferation of in vitro cultured thyroid medullary carcinoma cells.

In TT cells, originating from medullary carcinoma of the human thyroid, the presence of receptors for somatostatin was demonstrated at the ultrastructural level. Inhibitory effect of octreotide (a somatostatin analogue) was observed on proliferation of in vitro cultured TT cells and confirmed by evaluating levels of PCNA and Ki-67 proliferation-associated antigens and examining the extent of DNA damage using the comet assay. Our studies indicate a potential for application of somatostatin analogues to diagnosis and adjunct treatment in thyroid medullary carcinomas.

The biological assessment of the chitin fibres.

On the basis of carried laboratory tests of the aqueous extracts, such as pH evaluation, electric conductivity and dry residue assessment we can stated that the obtained results are within the limits of the standards and are comparable to these given for similar kinds of medical devices, e.g. for Dexon sutures: pH--6.

Immunocytochemical evaluation of reorganisation of keratinocyte cytoskeleton induced by change in Ca2+ concentration in culture medium.

Ca2+ level-induced changes in the arrangement of cytoskeleton of cultured keratinocytes were estimated immunocytochemically, by evaluating expression of specific cytokeratins, desmoplakin and tubulin. Keratinocytes were isolated from fragments of skin of dead human foetuses. Culture of epidermal cells was performed in two phases: phase I yielded cells of high proliferation abilities in serum-free Keratinocyte SFM of low Ca2+ level (0.

Effect of follicular cells on calcitonin gene expression in thyroid parafollicular cells in cell culture.

Expression of calcitonin (CT) gene in thyroid parafollicular cells involves alternate formation of CT mRNA or CGRP mRNA. High amounts of CT mRNA are formed only in thyroid gland and formation of CGRP mRNA dominates in the remaining organs. Apart from paracrine and endocrine factors, mRNA formation on the CT gene seems to be affected also by direct contacts with other cells present in the thyroid gland, in which parafollicular cells are located next to follicular cells.