Cpx-signalling in modulates Lipid-A remodelling and resistance to last-resort antimicrobials.

Antibiotic resistance is a global healthcare crisis. Bacteria are highly adaptable and can rapidly acquire mechanisms of resistance towards conventional antibiotics. The permeability barrier conferred by the Gram-negative bacteria cell envelope constitutes a first line of defence against the action of antibiotics.

Tail assembly interference is a common strategy in bacterial antiviral defenses.

Many bacterial immune systems recognize phage structural components to activate antiviral responses, without inhibiting the function of the phage component. These systems can be encoded in specific chromosomal loci, known as defense islands, and in mobile genetic elements such as prophages and phage-inducible chromosomal islands (PICIs). Here, we identify a family of bacterial immune systems, named Tai (for 'tail assembly inhibition'), that is prevalent in PICIs, prophages and P4-like phage satellites.

The mating pilus of pED208 acts as a conduit for ssDNA during horizontal gene transfer.

Bacteria are constantly exchanging DNA, which constitutes horizontal gene transfer. While some of these occurs by a non-specific process called natural transformation, some occurs by a specific mating between a donor and a recipient cell. In specific conjugation, the mating pilus is extended from the donor cell to make contact with the recipient cell, but whether DNA is actually transferred through this pilus or by another mechanism involving the type IV secretion system complex without the pilus has been an open question.

Structural and functional diversity of type IV secretion systems.

Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the structural and molecular biology of type IV secretion systems in Gram-negative bacteria. The latest advances have substantially improved our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the recruitment and delivery of DNA and protein substrates to the extracellular environment or target cells. In this Review, we aim to summarize these exciting structural and molecular biology findings and to discuss their functional implications for substrate recognition, recruitment and translocation, as well as the biogenesis of extracellular pili.

The F-pilus biomechanical adaptability accelerates conjugative dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation.

Conjugation is used by bacteria to propagate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment. Central to this process are widespread conjugative F-pili that establish the connection between donor and recipient cells, thereby facilitating the spread of IncF plasmids among enteropathogenic bacteria. Here, we show that the F-pilus is highly flexible but robust at the same time, properties that increase its resistance to thermochemical and mechanical stresses.

Archaeal DNA-import apparatus is homologous to bacterial conjugation machinery.

Conjugation is a major mechanism of horizontal gene transfer promoting the spread of antibiotic resistance among human pathogens. It involves establishing a junction between a donor and a recipient cell via an extracellular appendage known as the mating pilus. In bacteria, the conjugation machinery is encoded by plasmids or transposons and typically mediates the transfer of cognate mobile genetic elements.

Monitoring of NSAIDs adverse effects based on spontaneous reports from Wrocław regional adverse drug reactions monitoring center.

The mechanism of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in majority of cases is responsible for adverse reactions of these therapeutic agents. Obtaining post-registration information on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by means of the Yellow Card System is a significant element in the process of enhancing the safety of pharmacotherapy. The aim of the study was to analyze ADRs of NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs) reported to the Regional Centre for the Monitoring of Adverse Drug Reactions (RCMADR) in Wrocław in the years 2007-2009.

Adsorption of polyethyleneimine and polymethacrylic acid onto synthesized hematite.

An influence of different functional groups of polymer, its molecular weight, polydispersity ratio (M(w)/M(n)) and presence of impurities on its adsorption in different pH values (3, 6 and 9) onto synthesized hematite (Fe(2)O(3)) was measured. A structure of adsorbed macromolecules of PMA and PEI was obtained according to S-F theory. Two polymers were used: polymethacrylic acid (PMA) of 6500 and 75,100 molecular weight as well as polyethyleneimine (PEI) 25,000 commercial and fractionated.

[The conductivity of potassium ion channels in lymphocytes T of patients with pollinosis].

Ion channels, as integral membrane protein structures controlling a passive ion transport across cell membranes, contribute importantly to cellular signaling processes. The voltage gated potassium channels Kv1.3 within the membranes of lymphocyte T take part of physiological reactions in these cells.

Competitive adsorption of Ca2+ and Zn(II) ions at monodispersed SiO2/electrolyte solution interface.

A study of competitive adsorption of Ca(2+) and Zn(II) ions at the monodispersed SiO(2)/electrolyte solution interface is presented. Influence of ionic strength, pH, and presence of other ions on adsorption of Ca(2+) and Zn(II) in the mentioned system are investigated. zeta potential, surface charge density, adsorption density, pH(50%), and DeltapH(10-90%) parameters for different concentrations of carrying electrolyte and adsorbed ions are also presented.

[Rhinitis and sinusitis: influence on asthma and COPD].

Basing on epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical manifestations we can show an important correlation between rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Prevalence of allergic rhinitis in childhood is an early manifestation of atopy. It is estimated that allergic rhinitis occurs in about 60% of patients before the onset or simultaneously with bronchial asthma.

[Significance of CYP2D6 oxidation genotype as a risk factor in development of allergic diseases].

The relationship between genetically determined polymorphic metabolism and susceptibility to allergic diseases has aroused much interest. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether patients with allergic diseases, like atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis differ from healthy persons in their CYP2D6 genotype. Study completed 400 persons, 100 patients with allergic diseases--62 with atopic asthma and 38 with allergic rhinitis and 300 healthy volunteers as a control group.

[Histamine receptors expression on lymphocytes and neutrophils in glucocorticosteroid sensitive and resistant asthma patients].

Histamine is a physiological mediator which exerts both, effector and regulatory influence through its receptors on various cells. In the study we evaluated the expression of histamine receptors (HR) on inflammatory cells (lymphocytes and neutrophils) in glucocorticosteroid sensitive (n. = 17) and resistant (n.

[St. George's Hospital questionnaire (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire) as an instrument for quality of life assessment in respiratory tract diseases].

St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) is one of the main measures of the quality of life in patients with pulmonary diseases. We review the literature concentrating the use of SGRQ in patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchectases, interstitial lung disease and in adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARSD).

Skin prick test response to enzyme enolase of the baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in diagnosis of respiratory allergy.

Background: The aim of the study is to prove that Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase, the major allergen of the baker's yeast, induces allergic immediate response in patients with inhalant allergy sensitized to Candida albicans extract.

Material And Methods: The study was performed in three groups of patients: I. 20 atopic patients with respiratory allergy sensitized to Candida albicans and inhalant allergens (mite, feather, pollens) II.

[Validation of the Polish version of St. George's respiratory questionnaire in patients with bronchial asthma].

St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) has been widely used in the assessment of health related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Introduction of the new language version of the HRQOL questionnaire needs to be preceded by a highly structured process of validation. We aimed to validate the Polish version of SGRQ in the group of 83 patients with asthma.

[Oxidation phenotype as a risk factor for development of allergic diseases].

The relationship between genetically determined polymorphic metabolism and susceptibility to allergic diseases has aroused much interest. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether patients with allergic diseases, like atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis differ from healthy persons in their ability to oxidize sparteine as a model drug. The study was completed by 200 persons, 40 patients with allergic diseases--20 with atopic asthma and 20 with allergic rhinitis and 160 healthy volunteers as a control group.

Comparative study between skin prick tests and TOP-CAST allergen leukocyte stimulation in diagnosis of allergic status.

A recently developed CAST-ELISA method was applied to determine allergen-induced leukocyte stimulation. This method is based on the measurement of sulfidoleukotriene secretion by peripheral blood leukocytes previously stimulated with specific allergen in the presence of interleukin 3. 24 patients allergic to different aeroallergens and some food allergens were included in this study.

Eosinophil cationic protein in serum of corticosteroid-sensitive and resistant bronchial asthma.

Theories for the inflammatory basis of bronchial asthma are presented. The phenomenon of corticosteroid resistance (CR) in bronchial asthma is also discussed. Resistance to corticosteroids, which occurs in about 5% patients with moderate and severe asthma, presents still an important diagnostic and therapeutical problem.

[The significance of leukotrienes in pathophysiology of bronchial asthma--therapy perspectives].

Leukotrienes, products of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid, are pro-inflammatory mediators with various biological activities, including mechanisms relevant to the pathogenesis of bronchoobturation in bronchial asthma. This article reviews the evidence on their role in the pathophysiology of asthma as well as on the efficacy of recently developed antileukotriene agents. Leukotriene receptor antagonists and synthesis of inhibitors show promise as a new pharmacologic approach to the treatment of this disease.

[Nedocromil sodium in treatment of bronchial asthma].

Clinical study on efficiency of the nedocromil sodium (Tilade, Fisons) was performed in 20 patients with atopic and nonatopic bronchial asthma. The drug was administrated in dose of 8 mg per day for 2 months which allowed to renounce regular using of Beclocort forte after 7 days of the treatment. In both types of bronchial asthma the positive effect of nedocromil sodium was confirmed, causing increase of pulmonary ventilation and decrease of bronchial hyperactivity.