Real-world outdoor air exposure effects in a model of the human airway epithelium - A comparison of healthy and asthmatic individuals using a mobile laboratory setting.

We developed a mobile laboratory allowing field exposure of lung tissue models to ambient air at localities with various pollution sources (Background, Industrial, Traffic, Urban) in different seasons (summer/fall/winter). In samples originating from healthy and asthmatic individuals, we assessed the parameters of toxicity, lipid peroxidation and immune response; we further performed comprehensive monitoring of air pollutants at sampling sites. We measured lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and adenylate kinase (AK) production and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), analyzed 15-F-isopostane (IsoP) and a panel of 20 cytokines/chemokines/growth factors.

Transcriptome changes in humans acutely exposed to nanoparticles during grinding of dental nanocomposites.

Today, there is a lack of research studies concerning human acute exposure to nanoparticles (NPs). Our investigation aimed to simulate real-world acute inhalation exposure to NPs released during work with dental nanocomposites in a dental office or technician laboratory. Blood samples from female volunteers were processed before and after inhalation exposure.

Genetic alteration profiling in middle-aged women acutely exposed during the mechanical processing of dental nanocomposites.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have become an important part of everyday life, including their application in dentistry. Aside from their undoubted benefits, questions regarding their risk to human health, and/or genome have arisen. However, studies concerning cytogenetic effects are completely absent.

Metal Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial Properties: The Toxicity Response in Mouse Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Some metal nanoparticles (NP) are characterized by antimicrobial properties with the potential to be used as alternative antibiotics. However, NP may negatively impact human organism, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), a cell population contributing to tissue growth and regeneration. To address these issues, we investigated the toxic effects of selected NP (Ag, ZnO, and CuO) in mouse MSC.

Markers of lipid oxidation and inflammation in bronchial cells exposed to complete gasoline emissions and their organic extracts.

Road traffic emissions consist of gaseous components, particles of various sizes, and chemical compounds that are bound to them. Exposure to vehicle emissions is implicated in the etiology of inflammatory respiratory disorders. We investigated the inflammation-related markers in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and a 3D model of the human airways (MucilAir™), after exposure to complete emissions and extractable organic matter (EOM) from particles generated by ordinary gasoline (E5), and a gasoline-ethanol blend (E20; ethanol content 20% v/v).

The Impact of Air Pollution Exposure on the MicroRNA Machinery and Lung Cancer Development.

Small non-coding RNA molecules (miRNAs) play an important role in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. As these molecules have been repeatedly implicated in human cancers, they have been suggested as biomarkers of the disease. Additionally, miRNA levels have been shown to be affected by environmental pollutants, including airborne contaminants.

Deletion of the PDR16 gene influences the plasma membrane properties of the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis.

The plasma membrane is the first line of cell defense against changes in external environment, thus its integrity and functionality are of utmost importance. The plasma membrane properties depend on both its protein and lipid composition. The PDR16 gene is involved in the control of Kluyveromyces lactis susceptibility to drugs and alkali metal cations.

Phosphatidylinositol binding of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pdr16p represents an essential feature of this lipid transfer protein to provide protection against azole antifungals.

Pdr16p is considered a factor of clinical azole resistance in fungal pathogens. The most distinct phenotype of yeast cells lacking Pdr16p is their increased susceptibility to azole and morpholine antifungals. Pdr16p (also known as Sfh3p) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae belongs to the Sec14 family of phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins.

Squalene epoxidase as a target for manipulation of squalene levels in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Squalene is a valuable natural substance with several biotechnological applications. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, it is produced in the isoprenoid pathway as the first precursor dedicated to ergosterol biosynthesis. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of squalene epoxidase encoded by the ERG1 gene as the target for manipulating squalene levels in yeast.

Isolation and functional analysis of the KlPDR16 gene.

The fight against multidrug-resistant pathogens requires an understanding of the underlying cellular mechanisms. In this work, we isolate and characterize one of the multidrug resistance determinants in Kluyveromyces lactis, the KlPDR16 gene. We show that KlPdr16p (345 aa), which belongs to the KlPdr1p regulon, is a functional homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pdr16p.

Imported tropical neuroinfections: practice skills and knowledge among nurses and nursing students.

Objective: Tropical neuroinfections are still cause of substantial mortality in travelers. Therefore, good knowledge of early symptoms is very important for nurses acting as first contact persons.

Methods: Nurse's practical skills and knowledge of signs and early recognition of tropical neuroinfections, providing first aid and quick action has been studied among graduates of two Tropical Nursing PhD programs (in EU-Countries vs.

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pdr16p restricts changes in ergosterol biosynthesis caused by the presence of azole antifungals.

Pdr16p belongs to the family of phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins in yeast. The absence of Pdr16p results in enhanced susceptibility to azole antifungals in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the major fungal human pathogen Candida albicans, CaPDR16 is a contributing factor to clinical azole resistance.

Importance of single molecular determinants in the fidelity of expanded genetic codes.

The site-selective encoding of noncanonical amino acids (NAAs) is a powerful technique for the installation of novel chemical functional groups in proteins. This is often achieved by recoding a stop codon and requires two additional components: an evolved aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (AARS) and a cognate tRNA. Analysis of the most successful AARSs reveals common characteristics.

Participation of the Candida albicans surface antigen in adhesion, the first phase of biofilm development.

The lack of work dealing with possible ways of reducing biofilm production via inhibiting Candida albicans adherence in the first stage of biofilm formation was a motivation for this study. The study was focused on two questions: (1) can a decrease in adherence affect the quantity of mature biofilm? and (2) can blocking the surface C. albicans complement receptor 3-related protein (CR3-RP) with polyclonal anti-C3-RP antibody or monoclonal antibody OKM1 significantly contribute to a reduction in adherence during biofilm formation? The presence and quantity the CR3-RP expressed in the biofilm was confirmed by immunofluorescence, immunocytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A critical examination of Escherichia coli esterase activity.

The ability of Escherichia coli to grow on a series of acetylated and glycosylated compounds has been investigated. It is surmised that E. coli maintains low levels of nonspecific esterase activity.