Magnetism and Thermoelectric Properties of the Zintl Semiconductor: EuZnAs.

Compositional diversity and intriguing structural features have made Zintl phases excellent candidates as thermoelectric materials. Zintl phase with 21-4-18 composition has shown high thermoelectric performance in the mid- to high-temperature ranges. The complex crystal structure and favorable transport properties of these compounds indicate the potential for high thermoelectric efficiency.

Effect of tablets containing a paraprobiotic strain and the cranberry extract on caries incidence in preschool children: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Preand probiotics may help restore a dysbiotic oral ecosystem. The first years of life provide a window of opportunity to modulate the composition of the oral microbiota and prevent disease.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a tablet containing inactivated Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 5317 and the cranberry extract on the development of caries in cariesactive preschool children.

Suspensions of antibiotics in self-emulsifying oils as a novel approach to formulate eye drops with substances which undergo hydrolysis in aqueous environment.

The aim of this study was to develop eye-drops with cefuroxime (CEF) sodium or vancomycin (VAN) hydrochloride, antibiotics that are instable in water. Anhydrous self-emulsifying oils (SEO) are proposed as a carrier and antibiotics are suspended. In the contact with tear fluid, the formulation should transform into emulsion, with fast dissolution of an antibiotic.

Evaluation of the impact of tragacanth/xanthan gum interpolymer complexation with chitosan on pharmaceutical performance of gels with secnidazole as potential periodontal treatment.

Periodontitis consists a group of dental disorders that affect about 70 % of the world population. The therapy mainly relies on mechanical removing bacterial biofilm, nevertheless, local or systemic antibacterial agents play a key role in treating the acute conditions. Secnidazole is a newer derivative of commonly used metronidazole with high safety profile and broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity.

The Spray-Dried Alginate/Gelatin Microparticles with Luliconazole as Mucoadhesive Drug Delivery System.

species are opportunistic fungi, which are primary causative agents of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The cure of candidiasis is difficult, lengthy, and associated with the fungi resistivity. Therefore, the research for novel active substances and unconventional drug delivery systems providing effective and safe treatment is still an active subject.

Does the Freeze-Thaw Technique Affect the Properties of the Alginate/Chitosan Glutamate Gels with Posaconazole as a Model Antifungal Drug?

Hydrogels are semi-solid systems with high flexibility, which, due to holding large amounts of water, are similar to natural tissues and are very useful in the field of biomedical applications. Despite the wide range of polymers available to form hydrogels, novel techniques utilized to obtain hydrogels with adequate properties are still being developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the freeze-thaw technique on the properties of cryogels based on sodium alginate and chitosan glutamate with posaconazole as a model antifungal substance.

Cognitive Functions Associated with Brain Imaging Markers in Patients with Psoriasis.

Unlabelled: Psoriasis is a severe inflammatory disease associated with a higher comorbidity of depression, cognitive dysfunction and brain atrophy. The association between psoriasis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers and cognitive impairment has rarely been investigated, and the existing results are conflicting.

Methods: This study included 89 subjects (53 patients with psoriasis and 36 healthy controls).

The Influence of Tea Tree Oil on Antifungal Activity and Pharmaceutical Characteristics of Pluronic F-127 Gel Formulations with Ketoconazole.

Fungal skin infections are currently a major clinical problem due to their increased occurrence and drug resistance. The treatment of fungal skin infections is based on monotherapy or polytherapy using the synergy of the therapeutic substances. Tea tree oil (TTO) may be a valuable addition to the traditional antifungal drugs due to its antifungal and anti-inflammatory activity.

Molecular Characterization of Class 1, 2 and 3 Integrons in spp. Clinical Isolates in Poland - Isolation of a New Plasmid and Identification of a Gene for a Novel Fusion Protein.

Purpose: Gram-negative rods of the genus play an increasing role as etiological agents of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in humans. These bacteria are characterized by natural and acquired resistance to several groups of antibacterial agents. The aim of the study was to characterize class 1, 2 and 3 integrons in the clinical isolates of spp.

Multilayer Films Based on Chitosan/Pectin Polyelectrolyte Complexes as Novel Platforms for Buccal Administration of Clotrimazole.

Buccal films are recognized as easily applicable, microbiologically stable drug dosage forms with good retentivity at the mucosa intended for the therapy of oromucosal conditions, especially infectious diseases. Multilayer films composed of layers of oppositely charged polymers separated by ionically interacting polymeric chains creating polyelectrolyte complexes represent very interesting and relatively poorly explored area. We aimed to develop the antifungal multilayer systems composed of cationic chitosan and anionic pectin as potential platforms for controlled delivery of clotrimazole.

Thiolated Silicone Oils as New Components of Protective Creams in the Prevention of Skin Diseases.

This work investigates the possibility of using thiolated silicone oils as new components in protective creams and their impact on the efficacy of these products. Thiolated silicone oils were synthesized by amide bond formation between primary amino groups of poly17dimethylsiloxane-co-(3-aminopropyl)-methylsiloxane] and carboxylic groups of thiol ligand (3-mercaptopropionic acid) with carbodiimide as a coupling agent. To evaluate and compare the properties of these kinds of thiomers, three different emulsion o/w types were obtained.

The Impact of Gelatin on the Pharmaceutical Characteristics of Fucoidan Microspheres with Posaconazole.

Fungal infections and invasive mycoses, despite the continuous medicine progress, are an important globally therapeutic problem. Multicompartment dosage formulations (e.g.

The Effect of SGL03 on Clinical and Microbiological Parameters in Periodontal Patients.

The destruction of periodontal tissues during periodontitis is the result of the immune-inflammatory reactions to the bacteria of dental biofilm. Probiotics may reduce dysbiosis by the modification of the dental microbiome, which can influence the immune-inflammatory mechanisms. The aim of this study was to estimate the clinical and microbiological parameters, before and after 30 days of application of the dietary supplement containing SGL03 or placebo.

Different Types of Gel Carriers as Metronidazole Delivery Systems to the Oral Mucosa.

Periodontal diseases are some of the most widespread oral afflictions, and they are labeled as chronic infections caused by the accumulation of bacteria in dental plaque that produces localized inflammation of the periodontium. The use of local drug delivery systems to treat periodontal diseases has received greater attention, because the active substance is targeted directly to the affected area, which minimizes its systemic side effects. Therefore, the purpose of the investigation was to develop and characterize different types of gel formulations-bigel, hydrogel and oleogel-as local delivery systems containing metronidazole (MET), which can be applied to the oral mucosa.

Alginate Oligosaccharides Affect Mechanical Properties and Antifungal Activity of Alginate Buccal Films with Posaconazole.

Sodium alginate and its oligosaccharides through potential antifungal properties might improve the activity of antifungal drugs enhancing their efficacy and potentially reducing the frequency of application. Mucoadhesive buccal films are oral dosage forms designed for maintaining both local or systemic drug effects and seem to be a very promising alternative to conventional oral formulations. Hence, in this study, mucoadhesive buccal films based on the alginate and its oligosaccharide oligomer composed predominantly of mannuronic acid for the administration of posaconazole-antifungal drug from the azole group were developed.

Activity of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam Against Gram-Negative Rods of the Family Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas Spp. Isolated from Onco-Hematological Patients Hospitalized in a Clinical Hospital in Poland.

BACKGROUND The most common etiological agents of infections in onco-hematological patients are Gram-negative rods resistant to many antimicrobials, including carbapenems. Recently, ceftolozane combined with tazobactam became a novel therapeutic option. The aim of the present study was to analyze the susceptibility to ceftolozane/tazobactam of the clinical strains of these bacteria.

A clinical evaluation of efficacy of photodynamic therapy in treatment of reticular oral lichen planus: A case series.

Background The aim of the study was to clinically evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in treatment of reticular oral lichen planus (OLP). Methods Fifty patients aged 26-84, with 124 OLP lesions in total, underwent photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated with topically applied 5% 5-aminolevulinic acid. ALA was activated by a custom-made diode lamp with a high-power LED emitting light at 630 nm and 300 mW delivered through an optical fiber probe.

Novel Gel Formulations as Topical Carriers for the Essential Oil of for the Treatment of Candidiasis.

The genus L. (Asteraceae) refers to several species of plants used in traditional phytotherapeutic preparations. , also known as bur marigold, is the most familiar plant and has been known as a remedy for chronic dysentery.

Prevalence of bacteria and fungi in samples of cornea preservation fluid.

Introduction: Recipients of corneal transplants are at risk of healthcare-associated infections, which, apart from other causes of surgical site infections, may also occur as a result of the transfer of infected corneal tissue. In this study we assessed the risk of bacterial and fungal infections based on the results of routine microbiological testing of cornea preservation fluid samples.

Material And Methods: We examined a total of 725 samples of corneal preservation fluid, obtained during a period of 3 years (2011-2013).

Sequence typing of human adenoviruses isolated from Polish patients subjected to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation - a single center experience.

Purpose: Human adenoviruses (HAdV) from species A, B and C are commonly recognized as pathogens causing severe morbidity and mortality in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. The purpose of the present study was to determine HAdV types responsible for viremia in HSCT recipients at a large tertiary hospital in Poland.

Methods: Analysis of partial nucleotide sequences of HAdV hexon gene was used to type 40 clinical isolates of HAdV obtained from 40 HSCT recipients.

Fournier's Gangrene: Clinical Presentation of 13 Cases.

BACKGROUND Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a fulminant form of infective, polymicrobial, necrotizing fasciitis of the perineal, genital, and perianal regions. It commonly affects men, but women and children may also develop this type of tissue necrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study is a retrospective analysis of the management of 13 cases of Fournier's gangrene, diagnosed from among about 45 000 patients (men, women, and children) treated in the Department of General, Oncological, and Functional Urology (Medical University of Warsaw) from 1995 to 2013.

Application of Metagenomic Analyses in Dentistry as a Novel Strategy Enabling Complex Insight into Microbial Diversity of the Oral Cavity.

The composition of the oral microbiome in healthy individuals is complex and dynamic, and depends on many factors, such as anatomical location in the oral cavity, diet, oral hygiene habits or host immune responses. It is estimated at present that worldwide about 2 billion people suffer from diseases of the oral cavity, mainly periodontal disease and dental caries. Importantly, the oral microflora involved in local infections may spread and cause systemic, even life-threatening infections.

Relation of the polymorphism of cyp51A sequence and the susceptibility of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates to triazoles determined by commercial gradient test (Etest) and by reference methods.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of commercial gradient test (Etest) in the detection of triazole resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates using reference microdilution methods and the analysis of sequences of the cyp 51A gene. The study was performed on twenty clinical isolates which were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus based on the DNA sequences of the ITS1-2 fragment of ribosomal DNA and the β-tubulin gene, out of them seventeen isolates showed wild-type cyp51A sequence and three were positive for the mutation TR34/L98H. All isolates were tested for the susceptibility to itraconazole (ITZ), voriconazole (VOR) and posaconasole (POS) using microdilution methods, according to EUCAST and CLSI protocols, as well as using Etest.

Periapical abscess – etiology, pathogenesis and epidemiology.

Inflammation of the pulp and periapical tissues is the main cause of tooth loss in patients worldwide, therefore endodontics is one of the most rapidly developing specialties in dentistry. Despite proper endodontic treatment, in many cases it is not possible to determine the etiology of infection or the reason for its relapse. Many research studies indicate that infections of the periapical tissues are mainly caused by strictly anaerobic bacteria.

Experience with Saccharomyces boulardii Probiotic in Oncohaematological Patients.

Very few reports have been published to date on the bloodstream infections caused by Saccharomyces spp. in oncohaematological patients, and there are no guidelines on the use of this probiotic microorganism in this population. We describe the use of probiotic preparation containing Saccharomyces boulardii in a large group of oncohaematological patients.