Morphological, physiological and genetic characteristics of protozoa of genus Acanthamoeba, isolated from different deposit of bentonite in Ukraine.

The representatives of genus Acanthamoeba are widespread in the environment. The presence of freeliving Acanthamoeba sp. in such mineral deposits as bentonite was shown for the first time.

Applying of bacteria Cellulosimicrobium sp. for cultivation protozoa of genus Acanthamoeba.

The aim of this study was identification features of cultivation representatives of genus Acanthamoeba isolated from bentonite using Cellulosimicrobium sp. as a bacteria-feeders. Identification of isolated bacteria was conducted by morphological, cultural and molecular-genetic methods.

Hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers as a correlate of protection against influenza disease in the 2018/2019 epidemic season in Poland.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of antibodies against hemagglutinin of influenza viruses in the sera of people in the seven age groups in the epidemic season 2018/2019 in Poland. The level of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies was determined by hemagglutination inhibition test (HAI). 1050 clinical samples from all over the country were tested.

The influence of a swab type on the results of point-of-care tests.

Most point-of-care tests (POCT) use swabs for sampling and/or for applying a sample on the test. A variety of swabs differing in tip materials is commercially available. Different tip materials have different chemical and physical characteristics which might influence the specimen collection and release.

Regional Activity and Spread of Influenza Viruses in Poland in the Context of Neighboring Countries in the Epidemic Season 2017-2018: An Epidemiological Review.

This article reviews the epidemiological situation in Poland during the 2017-2018 influenza season in the context of viral spread from the neighboring countries. There were 5793 specimens tested for the presence of influenza virus. The specimens were collected from patients with suspected upper airway infection.

Comorbidities, timing of treatments, and chemotherapy use influence outcomes in stage III colon cancer: A population-based European study.

Introduction: For stage III colon cancer (CC), surgery followed by chemotherapy is the main curative approach, although optimum times between diagnosis and surgery, and surgery and chemotherapy, have not been established.

Materials And Methods: We analysed a population-based sample of 1912 stage III CC cases diagnosed in eight European countries in 2009-2013 aiming to estimate: (i) odds of receiving postoperative chemotherapy, overall and within eight weeks of surgery; (ii) risks of death/relapse, according to treatment, Charlson Comorbidity Index, time from diagnosis to surgery for emergency and elective cases, and time from surgery to chemotherapy; and (iii) time-trends in chemotherapy use.

Results: Overall, 97% of cases received surgery and 65% postoperative chemotherapy, with 71% of these receiving chemotherapy within eight weeks of surgery.

Characterization of a bacteriophage, vB_Eco4M-7, that effectively infects many Escherichia coli O157 strains.

The characterization of a recently isolated bacteriophage, vB_Eco4M-7, which effectively infects many, though not all, Escherichia coli O157 strains, is presented. The genome of this phage comprises double-stranded DNA, 68,084 bp in length, with a GC content of 46.2%.

Sulfone derivatives enter the cytoplasm of Candida albicans sessile cells.

Since our study showed that sulfone derivatives' action mode creates a lesser risk of inducing widespread resistance among Candida spp., we continued verifying sulfones' antifungal activity using the following newly synthesized derivatives: bromodichloromethy-4-hydrazinyl-3-nitrophenyl sulfone (S1), difluoroiodomethyl-4-hydrazinyl-3-nitrophenyl sulfone (S2), and chlorodifluoromethyl-4-hydrazinyl-3-nitrophenyl sulfone (S3). As the mechanism by which sulfones gain access to the cytoplasm has not been elucidated yet, in order to track S1-3, we coupled their hydrazine group with BODIPY (final S1-3 BODIPY-labelled were named SB1-3).

Onchocerca jakutensis ocular infection in Poland: a new vector-borne human health risk?

Background: Zoonotic onchocerciasis is a vector-borne disease, which involves many animal species, including large ungulates, boars, dogs, and sporadically, humans. So far, 39 cases of zoonotic onchocerciasis have been reported worldwide, 30 of which have been found in the last 20 years. Onchocerca nematodes are transmitted to humans by blood-sucking vectors during a blood meal.

Occurrence and Characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat Products in Poland.

Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes is a potential hazard for food safety and therefore for public health. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of L. monocytogenes in Polish ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products for retail sale.

Author Correction: Hybrid de novo whole-genome assembly and annotation of the model tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Epidemic Influenza Seasons from 2008 to 2018 in Poland: A Focused Review of Virological Characteristics.

The objective of this review was to elaborate on changes in the virological characteristics of influenza seasons in Poland in the past decade. The elaboration was based on the international influenza surveillance system consisting of Sentinel and non-Sentinel programs, recently adopted by Poland, in which professionals engaged in health care had reported tens of thousands of cases of acute upper airway infections. The reporting was followed by the provision of biological specimens collected from patients with suspected influenza and influenza-like infection, in which the causative contagion was then verified with molecular methods.

MLST-based genetic relatedness of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from chickens and humans in Poland.

Campylobacter jejuni infection is one of the most frequently reported foodborne bacterial diseases worldwide. The main transmission route of these microorganisms to humans is consumption of contaminated food, especially of chicken origin. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic relatedness of C.

Detection and Identification of : From Conventional to Molecular Microbiology Methods.

Rapid and reliable identification of is of great importance, especially in the event of suspected deliberate release of anthrax spores. However, the identification of is challenging due to its high similarity to closely related species. Since Amerithrax in 2001, a lot of effort has been made to develop rapid methods for detection and identification of this microorganism with special focus on easy-to-perform rapid tests for first-line responders.

State Hygiene School as a Department of Education in the National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw.

The article presents the history of the establishment of the State School of Hygiene (PSH) in Poland after the First World War. The difficulties faced by the public health service in a country destroyed by war and created after the reunification of the lands, which for over 150 years remained under the control of three powers, were pointed out. It discusses how the foundations of modern teaching in the field of public health were created in the National Institute of Hygiene (PZH) in Warsaw, an institution to which the Ministry of Public Health entrusted tasks related to health education in the country.

Development of land transport connections between Asia and Europe and their possible impact on vector introductions into European Countries.

The possibility of transfer of several organisms – disease vectors by land transportation Asia – Europe corridors into European countries is discussed. In Europe most alien species are of Asiatic origin. Trade and exchange of goods have developed very intensively for the beginning of the XXI century between Asia and European Union countries both by sea and land routes.

Natural medicinal resources and their therapeutic applications.

Natural medicinal resources are a country’s natural wealth. Natural medicinal waters, medicinal gases, and peloids have many properties that enable their use in the treatment of gastrointestinal, circulatory, respiratory, bone and joint, and skin and soft tissue disorders. Balneotherapy can be also applicable in prevention of many diseases and rehabilitation.

Exposure assessment of the population in Poland to the toxic effects of nickel from vegetable and their products.

Background: According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), vegetable and vegetable products can significantly contribute to dietary nickel intake. Consumption of vegetable across European Union can vary significantly and depends on consumption habits in individual Member States. Toxicity of Ni is dependent on the chemical form, the route of exposure and solubility of nickel compounds.

Food as a source of exposure to nickel.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), food is the main source of nickel intake by the general population. Based on the risk assessment, EFSA determined the tolerable daily intake of this element (TDI) from all sources at the level of 2.8 μg/kg body weight, which is for an adult 196 μg, while for a child 56 μg.

Variations in experience of social support and physical health among adult residents of Poland in urban versus rural areas.

Background: A study reveals – against to common beliefs –less support between rural area residents in comparison to town-dwellers and significantly higher support for healthy, not for poor health research participants.

Objectives: The aim of our paper was comparing support from spouse/partner, relatives, friends and strangers among people with good and ill physical health. A next purpose was to find differences of social support and experience of social undermining in urban and rural residential settings.

Chimeric oncolytic Ad5/3 virus replicates and lyses ovarian cancer cells through desmoglein-2 cell entry receptor.

Despite new therapies, the estimated 229 875 women living with ovarian cancer have a 5-year survival rate of 47.6%. This cavity-localized cancer lends itself to local administration of modalities, such as the oncolytic adenovirus (Ad) Ad5/3-D24-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor virus (ONCOS-102).

Alternative toxicological methods for establishing residue definitions applied for dietary risk assessment of pesticides in the European Union.

Consumers are constantly exposed to trace levels of residues present in food commodities, arising from the use of pesticides. For this reason, assessing the risk caused by pesticide residues present in food requires not only identification and toxicological properties assessment of the active substance, but also of its metabolites, isomers, and degradates. This requires the use of many laboratory animals.

Community pharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has proved that community pharmacies play a pivotal role in providing medicines, information and safety measures to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Purpose: The study aimed to get to know opinions of pharmacy staff and owners on the functioning of the community pharmacy during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials And Methods: To collect opinions about functioning of the community pharmacy during the pandemic, we conducted cross-sectional study among pharmacy staff and owners of pharmacies.

Infectious diseases in Poland in 2018.

Objective Of The Article: The introductory text to the Epidemiological Chronicle (EC) of the Epidemiological Review contains data on the incidence of infectious and parasitic diseases in Poland in 2018 compared to 2017 data and medians from 2012-2016. It is a general overview of the epidemiological situation of infectious and parasitic diseases in Poland. With regard to selected diseases, widening and deepening picture is in the content of remaining articles of the epidemiological chronicle.