Occurrence of geohelminths in the soil of children's playgrounds and green areas in the city of Wrocław, Poland.

Pets, strays, and wild animals that excrete dispersal forms of parasites into the soil may be a threat in urban areas. The aim of the study was to determine the level of contamination with geohelminth eggs in community playgrounds (fenced and unfenced), playgrounds in city parks, and a transect found along the banks of the River Oder. In 74 out of 424 examined soil samples, the presence of geohelminths was confirmed (Toxocara spp.

Antibacterial activity and action mode of Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes with phosphines derived from fluoroquinolone against clinical and multidrug-resistant bacterial strains.

Biological activity against reference and multi-drug resistant (MDR) clinical strains of fluoroquinolones (FQs): ciprofloxacin (HCp), norfloxacin (HNr), lomefloxacin (HLm) and sparfloxacin (HSf), phosphine ligands derived from those antibiotics and 14 phosphino copper(I) and copper(II) complexes with 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-biquinoline have been determined. Almost all phosphines showed excellent antibacterial activity relative to reference strains (S. aureus ATCC 6538, E.

Polish Propolis-Chemical Composition and Biological Effects in Tongue Cancer Cells and Macrophages.

The purpose of this study was to compare the chemical composition and biological properties of Polish propolis. Ethanol, ethanol-hexane, hexane and hexane-ethanol extracts of propolis from three different regions of Poland were prepared. On the basis of the evaluation of their chemical composition as well as the extraction yield and free radical scavenging activity, the ethanol and hexane-ethanol extractions were proposed as the most effective methods.

Cloacal Gram-Negative Microbiota in Free-Living Grass Snake Natrix natrix from Poland.

Reptiles appear to be an important vector for Gram-negative pathogens, therefore, they are epidemiologically relevant. However, the composition of reptilian microbiota has been poorly recognized so far. The majority of studies concern exotic reptiles as asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella serovars.

Identification of emerging trends in the prevalence of dermatophytoses in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) farmed in Poland.

The increasing number of dermatophytoses among animals observed recently in developed countries may be connected with relocation of many exotic species outside their natural living environment. Moreover, an impact on this situation may also be exerted by relapses related to limited compliance with antifungal treatment regimes. Many exotic animals, including camelids, imported to European countries are connected with cases of tuberculosis or zoophilic dermatophytoses in humans.

The Anticancer Drug 3-Bromopyruvate Induces DNA Damage Potentially Through Reactive Oxygen Species in Yeast and in Human Cancer Cells.

3-bromopyruvate (3-BP) is a small molecule with anticancer and antimicrobial activities. 3-BP is taken up selectively by cancer cells' mono-carboxylate transporters (MCTs), which are highly overexpressed by many cancers. When 3-BP enters cancer cells it inactivates several glycolytic and mitochondrial enzymes, leading to ATP depletion and the generation of reactive oxygen species.

Structural and Functional Studies of a Klebsiella Phage Capsule Depolymerase Tailspike: Mechanistic Insights into Capsular Degradation.

Capsule polysaccharide is a major virulence factor of Klebsiella pneumoniae, a nosocomial pathogen associated with a wide range of infections. It protects bacteria from harsh environmental conditions, immune system response, and phage infection. To access cell wall-located receptors, some phages possess tailspike depolymerases that degrade the capsular polysaccharide.

Host-parasite interactions in non-native invasive species are dependent on the levels of standing genetic variation at the immune locus.

Background: Parasites may mediate the success of biological invasions through their effect on host fitness and thus, on host population growth and stability. However, a release from the pressure of parasites is strongly related to the genetic differentiation of the host. In invasive host populations, the number of available genetic variants, allowing them to 'fight' the infection, are likely to be influenced by founder events and genetic drift.

The Application of Impedance Spectroscopy for Biofilm Monitoring during Phage Infection.

Bacterial biofilm prevention and eradication are common treatment problems, hence there is a need for advanced and precise experimental methods for its monitoring. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has resulted in an interest in using a natural bacterial enemy-bacteriophages. In this study, we present the application of quartz tuning forks (QTF) as impedance sensors to determine in real-time the direct changes in PAO1 biofilm growth dynamics during phage LUZ 19 treatment at different multiplicities of infection (MOI).

Unusual dermatomycoses caused by Nannizzia nana: the geophilic origin of human infections.

Background: Fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails are the largest and most widespread group of all mycoses. Nannizzia nana is a relatively rare etiological factor of dermatomycosis in humans, as it usually affects animals, e.g.

Integrative omics analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virus PA5oct highlights the molecular complexity of jumbo phages.

Pseudomonas virus vB_PaeM_PA5oct is proposed as a model jumbo bacteriophage to investigate phage-bacteria interactions and is a candidate for phage therapy applications. Combining hybrid sequencing, RNA-Seq and mass spectrometry allowed us to accurately annotate its 286,783 bp genome with 461 coding regions including four non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and 93 virion-associated proteins. PA5oct relies on the host RNA polymerase for the infection cycle and RNA-Seq revealed a gradual take-over of the total cell transcriptome from 21% in early infection to 93% in late infection.

Use of meat juice from racoons (Procyon lotor) collected from Central Europe for immunological detection of Trichinella spp.

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a species native to North America, but which is now spreading throughout Europe. Raccoons have been found to host various Trichinella species. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using immunological testing of meat juice for determining the occurrence of Trichinella in raccoons.

Microplastics in freshwater fish from Central European lowland river (Widawa R., SW Poland).

In contrast to marine organisms, the presence of microplastics (MPs) in freshwater animals remains insufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to identify the occurrence of MPs in the digestive tracts of two fish species from a small lowland river (Widawa R., SW Poland).

Consequences Of Long-Term Bacteria's Exposure To Silver Nanoformulations With Different PhysicoChemical Properties.

Purpose: Resistance to antibiotics is a major problem of public health. One of the alternative therapies is silver - more and more popular because of nanotechnology development and new possibilities of usage. As a component of colloid, powder, cream, bandages, etc.

Prevention of biofilm formation by quorum quenching.

Quorum sensing (QS) is a mechanism that enables microbial communication. It is based on the constant secretion of signaling molecules to the environment. The main role of QS is the regulation of vital processes in the cell such as virulence factor production or biofilm formation.

Dendronized Silver Nanoparticles as Bacterial Membrane Permeabilizers and Their Interactions With Lipopolysaccharides, Lysozymes, and Phage-Derived Endolysins.

Antimicrobial proteins, like lysozymes produced by animals or bacteriophage lysins, enable the degradation of bacterial peptidoglycan (PG) and, consequently, lead to bacterial cell lysis. However, the activity of those enzymes is not satisfactory against gram-negative bacteria because of the presence of an outer membrane (OM) barrier. Lytic enzymes can therefore be combined with membrane-disrupting agents, such as dendritic silver nanoparticles.

Tinea corporis caused by Trichophyton equinum transmitted from asymptomatic dogs to two siblings.

Each year, millions of people worldwide are affected by superficial mycoses, which are frequently caused by dermatophytes having affinity to the scalp, nails, hair and the stratum corneum of the skin. The changing reservoirs of zoophilic dermatophytes, the numerous reports of animal carrier status, and the increasing number of pets make the diagnosis difficult, which is usually impossible based only on medical history. Herein we present a case report of tinea corporis caused by Trichophyton equinum in siblings who had no contact with horses.

Modeling the Architecture of Depolymerase-Containing Receptor Binding Proteins in Phages.

carries a thick polysaccharide capsule. This highly variable chemical structure plays an important role in its virulence. Many bacteriophages recognize this capsule with a receptor binding protein (RBP) that contains a depolymerase domain.

PA5oct Jumbo Phage Impacts Planktonic and Biofilm Population and Reduces Its Host Virulence.

The emergence of phage-resistant mutants is a key aspect of lytic phages-bacteria interaction and the main driver for the co-evolution between both organisms. Here, we analyze the impact of PA5oct jumbo phage treatment on planktonic/cell line associated and sessile population. Besides its broad-spectrum activity and efficient bacteria reduction in both airway surface liquid (ASL) model, and biofilm matrix degradation, PA5oct appears to persist in most of phage-resistant clones.

Preparation and preliminary evaluation of bio-nanocomposites based on hydroxyapatites with antibacterial properties against anaerobic bacteria.

Hexagonal nanocrystalline powders of the non-doped Ca(PO)(OH) as well as activated with Ag and Eu ions were synthesized by using different wet chemistry methods. Moreover, the obtained hydroxyapatite was loaded with Ag, as well as nitroimidazole antimicrobials: metronidazole and tinidazole. The structural properties of the products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy as well as infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy.

Phage KP34 RNA Polymerase and Its Use in RNA Synthesis.

We have characterized the single subunit RNA polymerase from phage KP34. The enzyme is unique among known bacteriophage RNA polymerases in that it recognizes two unrelated promoter sequences, which provided clues for the evolution of phage single-subunit RNA polymerases. As the first representative enzyme from the "phiKMV-like viruses" cluster, its use in run-off RNA synthesis was investigated.

Interspecies Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs) Modulate the Sensitivity of Pathogenic Bacteria and Pathogenic Yeasts to Cationic Peptides and Serum Complement.

The virulence of bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) contributes to innate microbial defense. Limited data report their role in interspecies reactions. There are no data about the relevance of OMVs in bacterial-yeast communication.

Structural modification of nanohydroxyapatite Ca(PO)(OH) related to Eu and Sr ions doping and its spectroscopic and antimicrobial properties.

The Eu and Sr ions co-doped hydroxyapatite nanopowders (Ca(PO)(OH)) were synthesized via a precipitation method and post heat-treated at 500 °C. The concentration of Eu ions was established in the range of 0.5-5 mol% to investigate the site occupancy preference.

Yeast Genome Screening and Methods for the Discovery of Metabolic Pathways Involved in a Phenotypic Response to Anticancer Agents.

The dramatic increase of cancer in the world drives the search for a new generation of drugs useful in effective and safe chemotherapy. In the postgenomic era the use of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a simple eukaryotic model is required in molecular studies of biological activity of compounds that may be potential drugs in the future. The phenotype analysis of numerous deletion mutants (from the EUROSCARF collection) allows one to define the specific influence of tested compound on metabolism, stress generation and response of eukaryotic cell to stress.

New mild amphoteric sulfohydroxybetaine-type surfactants containing different labile spacers: Synthesis, surface properties and performance.

Hypothesis: The excellent performance of zwitterionic alkylamide-type surfactants may be tuned by slight modifications of their structures, especially concerning linking groups between hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties and the moderation of strong NH hydrogen bonds via the introduction of a methyl group attached to the nitrogen.

Experiments: The influence of the structure of alkylamidehydroxysulfobetaine-type surfactants on their adsorption and micellization, lime soap dispersing ability, wettability, as well as antimicrobial and hemolytic activities was studied in this work. We synthesized a series of novel surfactants with labile CON(Me)CH or CHN(Me) CO spacers that were adjacent to the hydrophobic tail CH and separated from the zwitterionic hydroxysulfobetaine headgroup by CH or CH linkers, i.