This study investigated the species composition, distribution, and salinity tolerance of macrozoobenthos in 17 small rivers in the southern arid region of the East European Plain, which are characterized by a small channel gradient, slow-flowing or stagnant water bodies, and a wide range of water salinity, varying between 0.18 and 30 g L. In total, 156 taxa were found, among which 66 were Diptera species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIdentifying genetic factors that contribute to the evolution of adaptive phenotypes in pathogenic bacteria is key to understanding the establishment of infectious diseases. In this study, we performed mutation accumulation experiments to record the frequency of mutations and their effect on fitness in hypermutator strains of the environmental bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa in comparison to the host-niche-adapted Salmonella enterica. We demonstrate that P.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLeishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus . There is no vaccine against human leishmaniasis and the treatment of the disease would benefit from a broader spectrum and a higher efficacy of leishmanicidal compounds. We analyzed the leishmanicidal activity and the mechanism of action of the calcium ionophore, calcimycin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImmunoglobulin E (IgE) first evolved in mammals. It plays an important role in defence against helminths and parasitic infection and in pathological states including allergic reactions, anti-tumour defence and autoimmune diseases. Elucidation of genetic control of IgE level could help us to understand regulation of the humoral immune response in health and disease, the etiology and pathogenesis of many human diseases, and to facilitate discovery of more effective methods for their prevention and cure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: L. tropica can cause both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in humans. Although the L.
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