Production of prostaglandins in placentae and corpus luteum in pregnant hinds of red deer (Cervus elaphus).

Prostaglandins (PGs) are synthesized from arachidonic acid by prostaglandin synthase 2 (PTGS2) and specific terminal PG synthases such as PGES and PGFS. The role of PGs in the reproductive processes of domestic ruminants is well recognized, whereas in cervidae, it is almost unknown, although it is noteworthy because some species of this family are valued in meat production and trophies. The aim of this study was to determine an effective marker of pregnancy and investigate the production and secretion of PGs in placenta and CL tissue in pregnancy.

The His-His sequence of the antimicrobial peptide demegen P-113 makes it very attractive ligand for Cu2+.

Histatins are a family of histidine-rich, cationic peptides up to 38 amino acids long. As other antimicrobial peptides histatins exhibit in vitro activity against both bacteria and yeasts. A 12 amino acid amidated fragment of histatin 5, designated P-113 or demegen, has been identified as the smallest fragment retaining antimicrobial activity comparable to the parent compound.

In-vitro activity of the synthetic protegrin IB-367 alone and in combination with antifungal agents against clinical isolates of Candida spp.

The in vitro activity of the peptide IB-367, alone or combined with either fluconazole (FLU) or amphotericin B (AMB), was investigated against 25 Candida isolates belonging to five species. IB-367 minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 2.0 to 32 microg/ml and it was active against both FLU-susceptible and - resistant isolates.

Pretreatment with the protegrin IB-367 affects Gram-positive biofilm and enhances the therapeutic efficacy of linezolid in animal models of central venous catheter infection.

Background: Biofilms play an important role in the pathogenesis of several chronic infections and nosocomial infections related to indwelling medical devices.

Methods: To assess the efficacy of IB-367 and linezolid (LZD) in the treatment of central venous catheter (CVC) infections using the antibiotic-lock technique, in vitro and in vivo studies were performed. The in vitro antibiotic susceptibility assay for Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis biofilms developed on 96-well polystyrene tissue culture plates was performed to determine the activity of the compounds.

In vitro activity of synthetic antimicrobial peptides against Candida.

Yeast-like fungi are the most common cause of fungal infections in humans. Actually, in the age of opportunistic infections and increasing resistance, development of modern antifungal agents becomes a very important challenge. This paper describes synthesis and antimicrobial assay of four naturally occurring peptide antibiotics (aurein 1.

In vitro activity of aurein 1.2 alone and in combination with antibiotics against gram-positive nosocomial cocci.

This study was performed to evaluate the in vitro activity of the amphibian peptide aurein 1.2 and to investigate its interaction with six antibiotics against nosocomial gram-positive cocci. All isolates were inhibited at concentrations of 1 to 16 mg/liter.

In vitro activity and killing effect of uperin 3.6 against gram-positive cocci isolated from immunocompromised patients.

The in vitro activity of uperin 3.6, alone or combined with six antibiotics, against gram-positive cocci, including Rhodococcus equi, methicillin-resistant staphylococci, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci, was investigated. All isolates were inhibited at concentrations of 1 to 16 mg/liter.

In vitro activity of MSI-78 alone and in combination with antibiotics against bacteria responsible for bloodstream infections in neutropenic patients.

MSI-78 is a 22 amino acid amphipathic peptide with potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, including antibiotic-resistant strains. In this study, we assessed the in vitro activity of MSI-78 alone and in combination with eight clinically used antimicrobial agents against several strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli isolated from blood of neutropenic febrile patients. Antimicrobial activity of MSI-78 was measured by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), time-kill studies and checkerboard titration method.