Bioactive Lyocell Fibers with Inherent Antibacterial, Antiviral and Antifungal Properties.

Functional Lyocell fibers gain interest in garments and technical textiles, especially when equipped with inherently bioactive features. In this study, Lyocell fibers are modified with an ion exchange resin and subsequently loaded with copper (Cu) ions. The modified Lyocell process enables high amounts of the resin additive (>10%) through intensive dispersion and subsequently, high uptake of 2.

Critical physiological factors influencing the outcome of antimicrobial testing according to ISO 22196 / JIS Z 2801.

Bactericidal materials gained interest in the health care sector as they are capable of preventing material surfaces from microbial colonization and subsequent spread of infections. However, commercialization of antimicrobial materials requires proof of their efficacy, which is usually done using in vitro methods. The ISO 22196 standard (Japanese test method JIS Z 2801) is a method for measuring the antibacterial activity of daily goods.

Impedance aggregometric analysis of platelet function of apheresis platelet concentrates as a function of storage time.

Multiple electrode (impedance) aggregometry (MEA) allows reliable monitoring of platelet function in whole blood. The aims of the present study were to implement MEA for analyzing aggregation in platelet concentrates and to correlate results with storage time and blood gas analysis (BGA). We investigated the influence of platelet counts, calcium concentrations and agonists on platelet aggregation.

Left atrial appendage occlusion in octogenarians: short-term and 1-year follow-up.

Objectives: To determine the procedural safety, safety, and efficacy of left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion in octogenarians.

Background: Elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) often do not receive appropriate anticoagulation. LAA occlusion is an option for patients with AF and contraindications to anticoagulation.

Candida albicans Sfl1 suppresses flocculation and filamentation.

Hyphal morphogenesis in Candida albicans is regulated by multiple pathways which act by either inducing or repressing filamentation. Most notably, Tup1, Nrg1, and Rfg1 are transcriptional repressors, while Efg1, Flo8, Cph1, and Czf1 can induce filamentation. Here, we present the functional analysis of CaSFL1, which encodes the C.

Functional analysis of Candida albicans genes whose Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologues are involved in endocytosis.

PCR-based techniques for directed gene alterations have become standard tools in Candida albicans. To help to increase the speed of functional analysis of Candida albicans genes, we previously constructed and updated a modular set of pFA-plasmid vectors for PCR-based gene targeting in C. albicans.

Use of the Porcine Intestinal Epithelium (PIE)-Assay to analyze early stages of colonization by the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans.

Virulence of C. albicans strains can be tested using a mouse model of haematogenously disseminated Candida cells. Initial steps of host-pathogen contact such as adhesion and colonization are not taken into account due to the injection of Candida cells into the blood stream.