Azithromycin-loaded liposomal hydrogel: a step forward for enhanced treatment of MRSA-related skin infections.

Azithromycin (AZT) encapsulated into various types of liposomes (AZT-liposomes) displayed pronounced activity against methicillin-resistant (MRSA) (1). The present study represents a follow-up to this previous work, attempting to further explore the anti-MRSA potential of AZT-liposomes when incorporated into chitosan hydrogel (CHG). Incorporation of AZT-liposomes into CHG (liposomal CHGs) was intended to ensure proper viscosity and texture properties of the formulation, modification of antibiotic release, and enhanced antibacterial activity, aiming to upgrade the therapeutical potential of AZT-liposomes in localized treatment of MRSA-related skin infections.

Sterigmatocystin, 5-Methoxysterigmatocistin, and Their Combinations Are Cytotoxic and Genotoxic to A549 and Hepg2 Cells and Provoke Phosphorylation of Chk2, but Not Fancd2 Checkpoint Proteins.

Sterigmatocystin (STC) and 5-methoxysterigmatocystin (5-M-STC) are structurally related mycotoxins with cytotoxic and genotoxic properties. In the present study, we hypothesized that DNA damage induced by non-cytotoxic concentrations of single and combined mycotoxins could alter the phosphorylation of the checkpoint proteins Chk2 and FANCD2 (ELISA) in HepG2 and A549 cells. The cytotoxic potential (MTT test) of single and combined STC and 5-M-STC, the nature of their interaction (additivity, antagonism, or synergy) and DNA damage level (alkaline comet assay) in HepG2 and A549 cells were also investigated.

Single-Dose Toxicity of Individual and Combined Sterigmatocystin and 5-Methoxysterigmatocistin in Rat Lungs.

Sterigmatocystin (STC) and 5-methoxysterigmatocystin (5-M-STC) are mycotoxins produced by common damp indoor Aspergilli series . Since both STC and 5-M-STC were found in the dust of indoor occupational and living areas, their occupants may be exposed to these mycotoxins, primarily by inhalation. Thus, STC and 5-M-STC were intratracheally instilled in male Wistar rats using doses (0.

Melatonin-loaded chitosan/Pluronic® F127 microspheres as in situ forming hydrogel: An innovative antimicrobial wound dressing.

The aim of this study was to develop melatonin-loaded chitosan based microspheres as dry powder formulation suitable for wound dressing, rapidly forming hydrogel in contact with wound exudate. Microspheres were produced by spray-drying method. Fractional factorial design was employed to elucidate the effect of formulation and process parameters (feed flow rate, inlet air temperature, chitosan concentration, chitosan/melatonin ratio and chitosan/Pluronic® F127 ratio) on the product characteristics related to process applicability (production yield, entrapment efficiency and product moisture content) and microsphere performance in biological environment (microsphere mean diameter and surface charge).

Species diversity and cytotoxic potency of airborne sterigmatocystin-producing Aspergilli from the section Versicolores.

This study presents the distribution and species diversity of sterigmatocystin-producing Aspergilli from the section Versicolores in the indoor air of apartment-AP, basements-BS and grain mill-GM in Croatia, as well as the cytotoxic potency of isolates. The species comprised 0.7-20% of total airborne fungi detected in the AP, 11-55% in the BS, and 0-2% in the GM.

Antimicrobial potency of single and combined mupirocin and monoterpenes, thymol, menthol and 1,8-cineole against Staphylococcus aureus planktonic and biofilm growth.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most commonly isolated microbes in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) that can be complicated due to the formation of a staphylococcal biofilm. In this study, we investigated antimicrobial efficacy of single mupirocin and three types of monoterpenes (thymol, menthol and 1,8-cineole) as well as mupirocin-monoterpene combinations against S. aureus ATCC 29213 and 5 methicilin-resistant S.

Identification of Aspergillus species in Central Europe able to produce G-type aflatoxins.

The occurrence of potential aflatoxin producing fungi was examined in various agricultural products and indoor air in Central European countries including Hungary, Serbia and Croatia. For species identification, both morphological and sequence based methods were applied. Aspergillus flavus was detected in several samples including maize, cheese, nuts, spices and indoor air, and several isolates were able to produce aflatoxins.

Effects of nitric oxide on blood-brain barrier permeability in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

Objective: To determine in vivo effects of nitric oxide (NO) on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

Animals: 148 carp.

Deleterious effects of mycotoxin combinations involving ochratoxin A.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic mycotoxin with carcinogenic properties. Its presence was detected in various foodstuffs all over the world but with significantly higher frequency and concentrations in areas with endemic nephropathy (EN). Even though food is often contaminated with more than one mycotoxin, earlier studies focused on the occurrence and toxicology of only OTA.

Occupational exposure to airborne fungi in two Croatian sawmills and atopy in exposed workers.

Airborne fungi were collected over a one year period at 2-month intervals at 2 sawmills in Croatia (SM 1 and SM 2) processing mainly beech wood and oak wood. A questionnaire concerning respiratory symptoms and skin prick test (SPT) with common inhalatory allergens and moulds Cladosporium herbarum, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum, and Rhizopus nigricans were performed in 96 workers from the same sawmills. Average concentrations of airborne fungi were 1,696-7,316 cfu/m(3) in SM 1 and 1,706-4,819 cfu/m(3) in SM 2, respectively.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of versicolorins and 5-methoxysterigmatocystin in A549 cells.

Aspergillus versicolor and A. flavus are primary colonizers in damp dwellings, and they produce sterigmatocystin (ST) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB(1)), respectively. These hepatotoxic and carcinogenic mycotoxins and their precursors and derivates possess a furofuran ring, which has proven responsible for their toxicity.

A potential role of calcium in apoptosis and aberrant chromatin forms in porcine kidney PK15 cells induced by individual and combined ochratoxin A and citrinin.

The aim of this study was to establish the involvement of calcium signalling in genotoxicity, apoptosis and necrosis evoked by ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CTN) alone or in combination in porcine kidney PK15 cells. Cell proliferation test (MTT) and trypan blue assays (24 h) demonstrated that CTN (IC(50) = 73.5 ± 1.

Mupirocin calcium microencapsulation via spray drying: feed solvent influence on microparticle properties, stability and antimicrobial activity.

Objectives: The aim of this research was to design a controlled release, spray dried, mupirocin calcium-loaded microparticles (MP) with acrylic polymer and assess the influence of a feed solvent at preselected drug:polymer proportions (1:5 and 2:1 (w/w)) on the performance and stability of the prepared MP.

Methods: Physicochemical properties of MP were assessed using modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray analyses and were correlated with drug release. Morphology and particle size were determined using low-angle laser light scattering and a scanning electron microscope.

«Suspects» in etiology of endemic nephropathy: aristolochic acid versus mycotoxins.

Despite many hypotheses that have been challenged, the etiology of endemic nephropathy (EN) is still unknown. At present, the implications of aristolochic acid (AA) and mycotoxins (ochratoxin A-OTA and citrinin-CIT) are under debate. AA-theory is based on renal pathohistological similarities between Chinese herbs nephropathy (CHN) and EN, findings of AA-DNA adducts in EN and in patients with urinary tract tumors (UTT), as well as the domination of A:T®T:A transversions in the p53 mutational spectrum of UTT patients, which corresponds with findings of such mutations in AA-treated rats.

Beauvericin and ochratoxin A genotoxicity evaluated using the alkaline comet assay: single and combined genotoxic action.

This study was aimed at investigating the genotoxic potential of single beauvericin (BEA) and ochratoxin A (OTA) as well as their interaction in porcine kidney epithelial PK15 cells and human leukocytes using the alkaline comet assay. IC(50) of BEA (5.0 +/- 0.

Co-occurrence of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, and zearalenone in cereals and feed, determined by competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and thin-layer chromatography.

Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium species frequently contaminate crops. For this reason mycotoxins such as aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisins (FBs), and zearalenone (ZEA) are found in food and feed in a wide range of concentrations, depending on environmental and storage conditions. Consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated food and feed has been associated with acute and chronic poisoning and carcinoma.

Fumonisin B1 neurotoxicity in young carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

For years scientists have suspected that the environment plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) is produced by several Fusarium species, mainly by Fusarium verticilioides, which is one of the most common fungi associated with corn worldwide. Fumonisins are known to cause equine leukoencephalomalacia, a disease associated with the consumption of corn-based feeds contaminated with FB1.

Cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by fumonisin B(1), beauvericin and ochratoxin A in porcine kidney PK15 cells: effects of individual and combined treatment.

The objective of this study was to determine individual and combined effects of fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)), beauvericin (BEA) and ochratoxin A (OTA) on porcine kidney epithelial PK15 cell survival by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, apoptotic index and caspase-3 activity. Cells were treated with 0.05, 0.

The role of fruit drinks in daily diet of some Osijek inhabitants, Croatia.

The aim of the study was to assess the role of fruit drinks in daily diet of Osijek inhabitants. A special questionnaire was administered to 199 patients visiting a family physician's office during December 2003. The concentration of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) was determined in 42 commercially available fruit drinks.

Organochlorine pesticides in freshwater fish from the Zagreb area.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of organochlorine pesticides in freshwater fish from the Zagreb area, Croatia. The study included 215 freshwater fish samples from three sites: the Sava River, Lake Jarun, and five fishponds from the Zagreb surroundings. Organochlorine pesticides DDT and derivates, HCH, HCB, lindane, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor with epoxide, and methoxychlor were determined using the GC-ECD method.

Lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels in porcine kidney PK15 cells after individual and combined treatment with fumonisin B(1), beauvericin and ochratoxin A.

Individual and combined effects of the mycotoxins fumonisin B(1), beauvericin and ochratoxin A on cell viability, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and intracellular glutathione (GSH) were studied on porcine kidney epithelial cells (PK15). Cells were treated with 0.05, 0.

Demonstrating reduced environmental and genetic diversity in human isolates by analysis of blood lipid levels.

Aim: To test the hypothesis that phenotypic diversity in isolated human populations is decreased in comparison with general outbred population because of reduced genetic and environmental diversity. To demonstrate this in populations for which reduced genetic and environmental diversity had already been established, by studying the amount of variation in plasma lipid levels.

Methods: Fasting plasma lipid levels (cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein [LDL], and high density lipoprotein [HDL]) were measured in randomly selected 300 inhabitants from 2 isolated human populations, the island of Rab and the neighboring islands of Vis and Lastovo, Croatia.

Verruculogen production in airborne and clinical isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus Fres.

Among airborne aspergilli sampled in outdoor air of the Zagreb area (2002/2003), Aspergillus niger (v. Teigh.) and A.

Toxic effects of Ustilago maydis and fumonisin B1 in rats.

The toxicity of Ustilago maydis and the possible synergism with fumonisin B1 (FB1) were studied in Fischer rats by evaluating pathological changes and biochemical parameters in blood serum (LDH, ALT, GGT, ChE) and tissue homogenate of brain and liver (AChE, ChE, GGT, ALP). One experimental group (US) consumed diet with 70% of U. maydis galls and the other group (US+FB1) was fed pellets containing 70% of U.

[Beauvericin: chemical and biological aspects and occurrence].

Beauvericin (BEA) is a cyclic hexadepsipeptide produced by Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, Paecilomyces tenuipes, Polyporus sulphurous, and a variety of Fusarium species. This mycotoxin shows antimicrobial, insecticidal, cytotoxic, and apoptotic activity. It is the most potent specific inhibitor of cholesterol acyltransferase and possesses ionophoric properties.