The influence of cationic dendrimers on antibacterial activity of phage endolysin against P. aeruginosa cells.

Nowadays, the researchers make a big effort to find new alternatives to overcome bacterial drug resistance. One option is the application of bacteriophage endolysins enable to degrade peptidoglycan (PG) what in consequence leads to bacterial cell lysis. In this study we examine phage KP27 endolysin mixed with poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers to evaluate an antimicrobial effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Selective cytotoxicity and antifungal properties of copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with imidazole-4-acetate anion or 1-allylimidazole.

The physicochemical properties of metal complexes determine their potential applications as antitumor agents. In this study, the antitumor properties of mononuclear cobalt(II) and copper(II) coordination compounds (stoichiometry: [Co(iaa)(HO)]·HO (iaa = imidazole-4-acetate anion), [Co(1-allim)](NO) (1-allim = 1-allylimidazole), [Cu(iaa)HO] and [Cu(1-allim)(NO)]) and their ligands have been evaluated on human lung carcinoma A549 cells and normal bronchial BEAS-2B cells. Designing the chemical structure of new antitumor agents the possible interactions with macromolecules such as DNA or proteins should be take into account.

Biological activity of glycine and alanine derivatives of quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) against micro-organisms.

Quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) are commonly used in medicine, agriculture and industry and their wide usage caused the development of microbial resistance, thus there is still a need for new effective antimicrobial agents. Present work describes the biological activity of alanine- (DMALM-n) and glycine-derived (DMGM-n) QASs against planktonic and biofilm forms of micro-organisms. The antimicrobial activity was dependent mainly on the hydrocarbon chain length and surfactants with 12-16 atoms of carbon in the alkyl chain were the most active ones.

Correction to: Description and Phylogenetic Relationships of Pojmanskatrema balcanica n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae) from the Eurasian Water Shrew Neomys fodiens (Mammalia: Soricidae) in Bulgaria.

Results section, 3rd paragraph: in the 4th enumeration the explanation is missing.

Molecular phylogeny provides new insights on the taxonomy and composition of Looss, 1899 (Digenea, Dicrocoeliidae) and related genera.

Looss, 1899 is one of the largest genera of the Dicrocoeliidae and is one of the best examples of the systematic complexity and taxonomic instability within this family. We present the molecular analyses based on novel sequences of nuclear and mitochondrial genes obtained from 56 isolates of adult flukes and larval stages of dicrocoeliids belonging to , as well as previously available sequence data. According to obtained results we propose to return and into , and to recognize as a synonym of .

The Cryptococcus neoformans monocarboxylate transporter Jen4 is responsible for increased 3-bromopyruvate sensitivity.

In the last decades, 3-bromopyruvate (3BP) has been intensively studied as a promising anticancer and antimicrobial agent. The transport of this drug inside the cell is a critical step for its toxicity in cancer and microorganisms. The Cryptococcus neoformans is the most sensitive species of microorganisms toward 3BP.

Description and Phylogenetic Relationships of Pojmanskatrema balcanica n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae) from the Eurasian Water Shrew Neomys fodiens (Mammalia: Soricidae) in Bulgaria.

Background: We describe a new dicrocoeliid collected from the Eurasian water shrew Neomys fodiens in Bulgaria based on the combination of morphological characteristics and molecular data.

Results: Pojmanskatrema balcanica n. sp.

Type I Secretion Systems-One Mechanism for All?

Type I secretion systems (T1SS) are widespread in Gram-negative bacteria, especially in pathogenic bacteria, and they secrete adhesins, iron-scavenger proteins, lipases, proteases, or pore-forming toxins in the unfolded state in one step across two membranes without any periplasmic intermediate into the extracellular space. The substrates of T1SS are in general characterized by a C-terminal secretion sequence and nonapeptide repeats, so-called GG repeats, located N terminal to the secretion sequence. These GG repeats bind Ca ions in the extracellular space, which triggers folding of the entire protein.

Virulence factors, prevalence and potential transmission of extraintestinal pathogenic isolated from different sources: recent reports.

Extraintestinal pathogenic . (ExPEC) are facultative pathogens that are part of the normal human intestinal flora. The ExPEC group includes uropathogenic (UPEC), neonatal meningitis (NMEC), sepsis-associated (SEPEC), and avian pathogenic (APEC).

Diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in Apodemus spp. in Europe.

The genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in Apodemus spp. (striped field mouse, yellow-necked mouse and wood mouse) from 16 European countries was examined by PCR/sequencing of isolates from 437 animals.

The opportunistic pathogen Encephalitozoon cuniculi in wild living Murinae and Arvicolinae in Central Europe.

Encephalitozoon spp. is an obligate intracellular microsporidian parasite that infects a wide range of mammalian hosts, including humans. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Encephalitozoon spp.

Engineering of receptor-binding proteins in bacteriophages and phage tail-like bacteriocins.

Bacteriophages and phage tail-like bacteriocins (PTLBs) rely on receptor-binding proteins (RBPs) located in tail fibers or spikes for an initial and specific interaction with susceptible bacteria. Bacteriophages kill bacteria through a lytic, replicative cycle, whereas PTLBs kill the target through membrane depolarization in a single hit mechanism. Extensive efforts in the engineering of RBPs of both phages and PTLBs have been undertaken to obtain a greater understanding of the structural organization of RBPs.

First record of Haemaphysalis concinna (Acari: Ixodidae) in Lower Silesia, SW Poland.

Haemaphysalis concinna Koch is one of 19 species of the genus Haemaphysalis which has been reported in the Palearctic region. In Europe, the presence of H. concinna ticks has been reported in numerous countries.

Paralogs vs. genotypes? Variability of Babesia canis assessed by 18S rDNA and two mitochondrial markers.

Canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis sensu stricto became an emerging disease of dogs across Europe calling for attention also in countries where it was an only rare imported disease. An easy accessibility of molecular methods and the growing amount of sequencing data led to the description of intraspecific variability in 18S rDNA sequences designated as "genotypes". Using material from a homogenous cohort of dogs with microscopically confirmed canine babesiosis caused by B.

Rapid and easy detection of the five most common mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in the Polish population using CAPS and ACRS-PCR methods.

In this publication we present a fast method of diagnosing the most common polymorphisms of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in Poland - C61G [c.300T>G], C64R [c.190T>C], 4153delA [c.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Enterococcus spp. Isolated from Humans and Turkeys in Poland.

Enterococci are a natural component of the intestinal flora of many organisms, including humans and birds. As opportunistic pathogens, they can cause fatal infections of the urinary tract and endocarditis in humans, whereas in poultry symptoms are joint disease, sepsis, and falls in the first week of life. The study covered 107 Enterococcus strains-56 isolated from humans and 51 from turkeys.

Co-expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and estrogen receptor in the developing teeth of rat offspring after rat mothers' exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and the protective action of α-tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid.

Background: Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) can cause adverse effects in many organs. Toxic effects are caused due to the formation of a TCDD complex with the cytoplasmatic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), whose mechanism of action is similar to that of the estrogen receptor (ER). Some substances, including α-tocopherol (E) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), can reduce the toxic effects of TCDD in offspring.

Up-regulation of Key Glycolysis Proteins in Cancer Development.

In rapid proliferating cancer cells, there is a need for fast ATP and lactate production, therefore cancer cells turn off oxidative phosphorylation and turn on the so called "Warburg effect". This regulating the expression of genes involved in glycolysis. According to many studies, glucose transporter 1, which supplies glucose to the cell, is the most abundantly expressed transporter in cancer cells.

Screening of mosquitoes for filarioid helminths in urban areas in south western Poland-common patterns in European Setaria tundra xenomonitoring studies.

In recent years, numerous studies screening mosquitoes for filarioid helminths (xenomonitoring) have been performed in Europe. The entomological monitoring of filarial nematode infections in mosquitoes by molecular xenomonitoring might serve as the measure of the rate at which humans and animals expose mosquitoes to microfilariae and the rate at which animals and humans are exposed to the bites of the infected mosquitoes. We hypothesized that combining the data obtained from molecular xenomonitoring and phenological studies of mosquitoes in the urban environment would provide insights into the transmission risk of filarial diseases.

3-Bromopyruvate as a potent anticancer therapy in honor and memory of the late Professor André Goffeau.

3-Bromopyruvate (3BP) is a small, highly reactive molecule formed by bromination of pyruvate. In the year 2000, the antitumor properties of 3BP were discovered. Studies using animal models proved its high efficacy for anticancer therapy with no apparent side effects.

Activity of gemini quaternary ammonium salts against microorganisms.

Quaternary ammonium salts (QAS), as the surface active compounds, are widely used in medicine and industry. Their common application is responsible for the development of microbial resistance to QAS. To overcome, this issue novel surfactants, including gemini-type ones, were developed.

Phage-Borne Depolymerases Decrease Resistance to Innate Defense Mechanisms.

produces capsular polysaccharides that are a crucial virulence factor protecting bacteria against innate response mechanisms of the infected host. Simultaneously, those capsules are targeted by specific bacteriophages equipped with virion-associated depolymerases able to recognize and degrade these polysaccharides. We show that phage KP32 produces two capsule depolymerases, KP32gp37 and KP32gp38, with a high specificity for the capsular serotypes K3 and K21, respectively.

Survey of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in raccoons (Procyon lotor) from the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland.

The studies were carried on raccoons from Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. Tissue samples from raccoon hearts, lungs and brains were used for molecular examination while meat juice was collected for immunological tests. Antibodies against T.

Outer Membrane Proteins of Salmonella as Potential Markers of Resistance to Serum, Antibiotics and Biocides.

Salmonellosis continues to be a significant worldwide health problem. Despite rapid progress in identifying mechanisms of Salmonella virulence and resistance to chemicals, our knowledge of these mechanisms remains limited. Furthermore, it appears that the resistance to antibiotics can be amplified by ubiquitous usage of the disinfectants (biocides), both by industry and by ordinary households.