The impact of gut bacteria producing long chain homologs of vitamin K on colorectal carcinogenesis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the foremost causes of cancer-related deaths. Lately, a close connection between the course of CRC and the intestinal microbiota has been revealed. Vitamin K (VK) is a bacterially derived compound that plays a crucial role in the human body.

Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Contained in Gut Microbiota as a Primary Source of Sepsis in Low- and Very Low Birth Weight Neonates.

Background: There are only a few reports in the literature about translocation of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) as a primary cause of sepsis in neonates, although CoNS are among a short list of "translocating" bacteria when present in abundance.

Methods: 468 blood samples, 119 stool samples, and 8 catheter tips, from 311 neonates, were tested for presence of microorganisms. CoNS strains isolated from the blood and stool or from blood and catheter tip of the same newborn at approximately the same time were paired and typed with PFGE (Pulse-Field Gel Electrophoresis) method.

Analysis of proteinuria in experimental model of ascending acute kidney injury.

Unlabelled: Proteinuria accompanies kidney diseases of various etiology and correlates with the degree of organ damage. Analysis of proteinuria allows the location of pathophysiological process in the kidney, and assessment of the severity of the kidney disease in chronic and acute kidney injury (AKI). Ascending bacterial acute kidney injury develops as a consequence of pyelonephritis.

Experimental model for acute kidney injury caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the rapid deterioration of renal function, diagnosed on the basis of an increase in serum creatinine and abnormal urinary parameters. AKI is associated with increased risk of mortality or chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of the study was to develop an experimental model for AKI resulting from Escherichia coli-induced pyelonephritis.

The impact of lactoferrin with different levels of metal saturation on the intestinal epithelial barrier function and mucosal inflammation.

Translocation of bacteria, primarily Gram-negative pathogenic flora, from the intestinal lumen into the circulatory system leads to sepsis. In newborns, and especially very low birth weight infants, sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The results of recently conducted clinical trials suggest that lactoferrin, an iron-binding protein that is abundant in mammalian colostrum and milk, may be an effective agent in preventing sepsis in newborns.

Virulence factors of Enterococcus strains isolated from patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim: To determine the features of Enterococcus that contribute to the development and maintenance of the inflammatory process in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to assess the presence of genes that encode virulence factors [surface aggregating protein (asa1), gelatinase (gelE), cytolysin (cylA), extracellular surface protein (esp) and hyaluronidase (hyl)] in the genomic DNA of 28 strains of Enterococcus isolated from the intestinal tissues of children with IBD (n = 16) and of children without IBD (controls; n = 12). Additionally, strains with confirmed presence of the gelE gene were tested by PCR for the presence of quorum sensing genes (fsrA, fsrB, fsrC) that control the gelatinase production.

Laboratory diagnostics of renal function in an experimental model of ascending pyelonephritis with high-virulent Escherichia coli.

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are caused in 95% of cases by bacteria--E. coli. UTIs usually are limited to the lower urinary tract, but it may also evolve into pyelonephritis and acute kidney injury.