Search results for: PATHOGEN
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Draft genome sequence of antimicrobial producing Paenibacillus alvei strain MP1 reveals putative novel antimicrobials
PublicationA Paenibacillus strain isolated in previous research exhibited antimicrobial activity against relevant human pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. In this study, the genome of the aforementioned strain, designated as MP1, was shotgun sequenced. The draft genome of strain MP1 was subject to multiple genomic analyses to taxonomically characterize it and identify the genes potentially responsible for...
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Bioterrorism — characteristics and possibilities of prevention
PublicationIn the paper bioterrorist threats have been presented. Historical background and possible methods of attacks have been described. The most dangerous pathogens and disease entities have been classified. Selected methods of detection and identification of biological weapon have been presented. The wireless system for threats monitoring — developed at Gdansk University of Technology — has been described.
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Influence of Escherichia coli on Expression of Selected Human Drug Addiction Genes
PublicationThe impact of enteric microflora on the expression of genes associated with cocaine and amphetamine addiction was described. Human genome-wide experiments on RNA transcripts expressed in response to three selected Escherichia coli strains allowed for significant alteration (p > 0.05) of the linear regression model between HT-29 RNA transcripts associated with the KEGG pathway:hsa05030:Cocaine addiction after 3 h stimulation with...
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Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Coatings for Stents in Veterinary Medicine—State of the Art and Perspectives
PublicationMicrobial colonization in veterinary stents poses a significant and concerning issue in veterinary medicine. Over time, these pathogens, particularly bacteria, can colonize the stent surfaces, leading to various complications. Two weeks following the stent insertion procedure, the colonization becomes observable, with the aggressiveness of bacterial growth directly correlating with the duration of stent placement. Such microbial...
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Iso-Partricin, an Aromatic Analogue of Amphotericin B: How Shining Light on Old Drugs Might Help Create New Ones
PublicationPartricin is a heptaene macrolide antibiotic complex that exhibits exceptional antifungal activity, yet poor selective toxicity, in the pathogen/host system. It consists of two compounds, namely partricin A and B, and both of these molecules incorporate two cis-type bonds within their heptaenic chromophores: 28Z and 30Z. In this contribution, we have proven that partricins are susceptible to a chromophore-straightening photoisomerization...
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Computer experiments with a parallel clonal selection algorithm for the graph coloring problem
PublicationArtificial immune systems (AIS) are algorithms that are based on the structure and mechanisms of the vertebrate immune system. Clonal selection is a process that allows lymphocytes to launch a quick response to known pathogens and to adapt to new, previously unencountered ones. This paper presents a parallel island model algorithm based on the clonal selection principles for solving the Graph Coloring Problem. The performance of...
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Clonal selection algorithm for vehicle routing
PublicationOver the years several successful computing techniques have been inspired by biological mechanisms. Studies of the mechanisms that allow the immune systems of vertebratesto adapt and learn have resulted in a class of algorithms called artificial immune systems. Clonal selection is a process that allows lymphocytes to launch a quick response to known pathogens and to adapt to new, previously unencountered ones. This paper presents...
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Rafał Piątek dr hab. inż.
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Beata Krawczyk dr hab.
PeopleBeata Krawczyk, PhD, Professor Academic degrees, education, qualifications: B. Krawczyk earned his master degree in Biology at the University of Gdansk, Biology Faculty, in 1986, and her PhD in Molecular Biology at the University of Gdansk, Biology Faculty, in 1996. Postdoctoral degree (habilitation) in biological sciences in the discipline biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, in 2009. In 2012...
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Inhibitors of amino acids biosynthesis as antifungal agents
PublicationFungal microorganisms, including the human pathogenic yeast and filamentous fungi, are able to synthesize all proteinogenic amino acids, including nine that are essential for humans. A number of enzymes catalyzing particular steps of human-essential amino acid biosynthesis are fungi specific. Numerous studies have shown that auxotrophic mutants of human pathogenic fungi impaired in biosynthesis of particular amino acids exhibit...
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Typing of Candida isolates from patients with invasive infection and concomitant colonization
PublicationWe investigated the relationship between colonizing and invasive isolates from patients with candidaemia. Molecular typing was performed using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). We found MLST to be sufficient for typing Candida isolates, and that surveillance cultures are helpful in predicting concomitant invasive isolates, but not necessarily the pathogen involved in subsequent...
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Enzymatic activities behind degradation of glucosinolates
PublicationMyrosinase (thioglucosidase, EC 3.2.1.147) is the enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of glucosinolates (GLs). In plant tissue, myrosinase and GLs are sequestered in separate cellular compartments. As a result of cell disruption, e.g., after pathogen attack or on chopping or grinding during food preparation, the myrosinase comes into contact with GLs and catalyzes the hydrolysis of thioglucosidic bond in GL structure. Consequently,...
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Biofilm formation and its regulation in Staphylococcus aureus
PublicationInfections caused by the major human and animal pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus are becoming an important problem due to its emerging resistance mechanisms and variety of virulence factors. Biofilm formation is considered to be one of the most important factor attributed to high pathogenicity of S. aureus. Described in the literature methods used in identification of biofilm forming abilities of bacteria consist of phenotypic and...
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In silico epitope prediction of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato antigens for the detection of specific antibodies
PublicationDespite many years of research, serodiagnosis of Lyme disease still faces many obstacles. Difficulties arise mainly due to the low degree of amino acid sequence conservation of the most immunogenic antigens among B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies, as well as differences in protein production depending on the environment in which the spirochete is located. Mapping B-cell epitopes located on antigens allows for a better understanding...
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'22/'23 Badanie żywności techniką PCR - KID
e-Learning CoursesCEL: Student identyfikuje i klasyfikuje patogeny oraz grzyby toksynotwórcze w żywności i ocenia ich szkodliwość. Przedstawia podstawowe systemy diagnostyczne, stosowane do wykrywania zafałszowań w żywności. Wyjaśnia zasady działania techniki PCR.
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'21/'22 Badanie żywności techniką PCR
e-Learning CoursesCEL: Student identyfikuje i klasyfikuje patogeny oraz grzyby toksynotwórcze w żywności i ocenia ich szkodliwość. Przedstawia podstawowe systemy diagnostyczne, stosowane do wykrywania zafałszowań w żywności. Wyjaśnia zasady działania techniki PCR.
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HPLC-coupled post-column derivatization aims at characterization and monitoring of plant phytocomplexes, not at assessing their biological properties
PublicationTwo recent decades of research identified a number of environmental factors as well as mechanisms leading to pathogenic processes in the human organism. A common factor in pathogenesis of many diseases is oxidative stress, a condition in which the production of damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS), present in the body as an inevitable consequence of respiration and exacerbated by the inflammatory response and by exogenous factors...
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Optical fiber aptasensor for label-free bacteria detection in small volumes
PublicationHighly sensitive devices for fast bacteria detection are sought to be developed with the task of quantifying the worldwide problem of pathogenic bacteria and thus helping to take control over spreading bacterial infections. This work concerns a sensing solution based on microcavity in-line Mach-Zehnder interferometer (μIMZI) induced in an optical fiber. Such a device exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity to refractive index changes...
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Rapid Assays for Specific Detection of Fungi of Scopulariopsis and Microascus Genera and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis Species
PublicationPurpose Fungi of Scopulariopsis and Microascus genera cause a wide range of infections, with S. brevicaulis being the most prevalent aetiological agent of mould onychomycosis. Proper identification of these pathogens requires sporulating culture, which considerably delays the diagnosis. So far, sequencing of rDNA regions of clinical isolates has produced ambiguous results due to the lack of reference sequences in publicly available...
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PCR-RFLP assays for species-specific identification of fungi belonging to Scopulariopsis and related genera
PublicationFungi of the Scopulariopsis genus, commonly found in the environment, are opportunistic pathogens that can cause various types of human infections. So far, no efficient molecular method has been developed for species differentiation among Scopulariopsis and related genera. In order to advance this field, we have evaluated performance of polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assays, based...
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Identification of evolutionary conserved DNA sequence and corresponding S21 ribosomal protein region for diagnostic purposes of all Borrelia spirochetes
PublicationIt is still under investigation, whether all Borrelia sp. causing Lyme borreliosis and other diseases are already identified and properly classified as human pathogens. For this reason, it is of great importance to develop a diagnostic ELISA test that detects all Borrelia sp. The aim of this study was to identify conserved DNA and protein regions present in all currently known Borrelia sp. In experimental studies 31 available Borrelia...
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Structure and the Biochemical Potential of the Bacterial Community in Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent and in Receiving Waters: Northern Poland Case Study
PublicationWastewater treatment processes are monitored mainly in terms of biogenic substance removal efficiency. Little is known about the treated wastewater microbiome and its influence on the recipient. In this study, a wide range of methods (cultivation, microscopic analysis, New Generation Sequencing and Real Time PCR) were employed to determine the bacterial community composition of the treated wastewater and its receiver. Preliminary...
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White light thermoplasmonic activated gold nanorod arrays enable the photo-thermal disinfection of medical tools from bacterial contamination
PublicationThe outspread of bacterial pathogens causing severe infections and spreading rapidly, especially among hospitalized patients, is worrying and represents a global public health issue. Current disinfection techniques are becoming insufficient to counteract the spread of these pathogens because they carry multiple antibiotic-resistance genes. For this reason, a constant need exists for new technological solutions that rely on physical...
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A subset of two adherence systems, acute pro-inflammatory pap genes and invasion coding dra, fim, or sfa, increases the risk of Escherichia coli translocation to the bloodstream
PublicationAn analysis of the phylogenetic distribution and virulence genes of Escherichia coli isolates which predispose this bacteria to translocate from the urinary tract to the bloodstream is presented. One-dimensional analysis indicated that the occurrence of P fimbriae and α-hemolysin coding genes is more frequent among the E. coli which cause bacteremia. However, a two-dimensional analysis revealed that a combination of genes coding...
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Lipidomics of Staphylococcus aureus – a new insight into the antibiotic resistant phenotype
PublicationStaphylococcus aureus is an aggressive pathogen responsible for a variety of diseases, in cluding life-threatening sepsis. Many strains of these bacteria are resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics, which is a substantial clinical problem in the treatment of S. aureus infections. We developed a comprehensive untargeted lipidomic workflow, including sample preparation, liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry...
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Fatty acids as molecular carriers in cleavable antifungal conjugates
PublicationConjugates composed of C2-18 fatty acid (FA) residues as a molecular carrier and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) as an active agent, released upon the action of intracellular esterases on the ester bond between FA and “trimethyl lock” intramolecular linker, demonstrate good in vitro activity against human pathogenic yeasts of Candida spp. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values for the most active conjugates containing caprylic...
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Mild X-linked Alport syndrome due to the COL4A5 G624D variant originating in the Middle Ages is predominant in Central/East Europe and causes kidney failure in midlife
PublicationA study of 269 children enrolled into a National Registry for children with persistent glomerular hematuria identified 131 individuals with genetically confirmed X-linked Alport Syndrome. A single variant c.1871G>A p.Gly624Asp (G624D) in COL4A5 was predominant and accounted for 39% of Xlinked Alport Syndrome in unrelated Polish families (44 of 113). To evaluate its origins, the genetic variation in a 2.79 Mb segment encompassing...
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Viral agents as the cause of diseases classified to other chapters - Female, 29 - Tissue image [9220729551203171]
Open Research DataThis is the histopathological image of CERVIX UTERI tissue sample obtained in Medical University Gdańsk and deposited in ZMDL-GUMED. The sample image was taken using: Pannoramic 250 3DHistech slide scanner (20x magnification) and saved to DICOM format.
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Viral agents as the cause of diseases classified to other chapters - Female, 29 - Tissue image [9220729551203921]
Open Research DataThis is the histopathological image of CERVIX UTERI tissue sample obtained in Medical University Gdańsk and deposited in ZMDL-GUMED. The sample image was taken using: Pannoramic 250 3DHistech slide scanner (20x magnification) and saved to DICOM format.
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Viral agents as the cause of diseases classified to other chapters - Female, 29 - Tissue image [9220729551207901]
Open Research DataThis is the histopathological image of CERVIX UTERI tissue sample obtained in Medical University Gdańsk and deposited in ZMDL-GUMED. The sample image was taken using: Pannoramic 250 3DHistech slide scanner (20x magnification) and saved to DICOM format.
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Bee Products and Essential Oils as Alternative Agents for Treatment of Infections Caused by S. aureus
PublicationBacteria of the genus Staphylococcus are important human and veterinary pathogens. A crucial characteristic for this group of bacteria is that they can easily acquire mechanisms of antibiotic resistance for a plethora of antibiotics currently in use for human and animal therapies. Therefore, there is a great need to find novel, non-antibiotic chemotherapeutics with marked antistaphylococcal activity. Promising but still underestimated...
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Fluorescence of nanodiamond cocktails: pH-induced effects through interactions with comestible liquids
PublicationFluorescent nanodiamonds with nitrogen-vacancy centers have become important nanoscale probes for sensing and imaging. The surface chemistry of the nanodiamonds influences their emission, interactions, and quantum properties. In this work, we propose to utilize fluorescent nanodiamonds as photostable markers for investigation of comestible liquids. We prepared nanodiamond/comestibles suspensions/cocktails with a wide range of pH...
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Biomolecular influenza virus detection based on the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using the nanocrystalline boron-doped diamond electrodes with covalently bound antibodies
PublicationNew rapid pathogen detection methods with improved cost-effectiveness and efficiency are currently in the focus of the scientists from all over the world. Based on the experiences from the rapid spread of the influenza virus pandemic in 2009 it is clear that the development of the system for early diagnosis of this infection is essential. The crucial stage of the treatment is the detection of the viral infection during its initial...
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Beata Zalewska-Piątek dr hab.
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Recurrent bowel-blood translocations of Escherichia coli with the unique virulence characteristics over three-year period in the patient with acute myeloid leukaemia – case report
PublicationIn patients with haematological malignancies, the bowel remains the main source of Escherichia coli bloodstream infections. We present the clinical example of recurrent bowel-blood translocations of E. coli with the unique virulence characteristics in a 55-year-old male with the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia. The virulent factors profile of examined strains confirmed that the co-existence of genes papC, sfa, usp and cnf1,...
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Characterisation of Escherichia coli isolates from the blood of haematological adult patients with bacteraemia: translocation from gut to blood requires the cooperation of multiple virulence factors
PublicationThe aim of the study was to investigate whether there are unique pathotypes of Escherichia coli capable of transmission from the gastrointestinal tract to the vascular bed. The study included E. coli strains isolated from clinical materials collected from 115 patients suffering from haematologic malignancies diagnosed with bacteraemia. The genotyping techniques established that 89 E. coli isolates from the blood had the same genotype...
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Conjugates of Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin with Cell-Penetrating Peptide Exhibit Antifungal Activity and Mammalian Cytotoxicity
PublicationSeven conjugates composed of well-known fluoroquinolone antibacterial agents, ciprofloxacin (CIP) or levofloxacin (LVX), and a cell-penetrating peptide transportan 10 (TP10-NH2) were synthesised. The drugs were covalently bound to the peptide via an amide bond, methylenecarbonyl moiety, or a disulfide bridge. Conjugation of fluoroquinolones to TP10-NH2 resulted in congeners demonstrating antifungal in vitro activity against human...
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Bee Pollen and Bee Bread as a Source of Bacteria Producing Antimicrobials
PublicationThe principal objective of the study was the isolation and identification of bacteria that are present in mature bee bread (BB) and dried (ready for selling and consumption) bee pollen (BP). Obtained isolates were screened for their potential to inhibit select human pathogenic bacteria and their ability to produce enzymes of particular industrial importance. Four and five samples of BP and BB, respectively, were used for the study....
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Application of persulfate-based oxidation processes to address diverse sustainability challenges: A critical review
PublicationOver the past years, persulfate (PS) is widely applied due to their high versatility and efficacy in decontamination and sterilization. While treatment of organic chemicals, remediation of soil and groundwater, sludge treatment, disinfection on pathogen microorganisms have been covered by most published reviews, there are no comprehensive and specific reviews on its application to address diverse sustainability challenges, including...
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Glucose oxidase as an important yet overlooked factor determiningthe antibacterial activity of bee pollen and bee bread
PublicationBee pollen (BP) and bee bread (BB) have attracted great attention due to their biological activities including antibacterial activity. However, the mechanism of antibacterial activity is largely unknown. Therefore, we aimed to characterise the antibacterial effect of BP and BB aqueous extracts against bacterial pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Enterococcus faecalis)...
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The novel sterilization device: the prototype testing
PublicationCurrently, there are numerous methods that can be used to neutralize pathogens (i.e., devices, tools, or protective clothing), but the sterilizing agent must be selected so that it does not damage or change the properties of the material to which it is applied. Dry sterilization with hydrogen peroxide gas (VHP) in combination with UV-C radiation is well described and effective method of sterilization. This paper presents the design,...
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Phase transition of a dimorphic fungus Penicillium marneffei
PublicationPenicillium marneffei is a pathogenic fungus that afflicts immunocompromised individuals who live or travel in Southeast Asia. This species is unique, because it is the only dimorphic member of the genus Penicillium. Dimorphism results from a process, termed phase transition, which is regulated by temperature of incubation. At room temperature, the fungus grows filamentously (mould phase), but at body temperature (37°C), a uninucleate...
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Comprehensive methodology for Staphylococcus aureus lipidomics by liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry
PublicationStaphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen known to cause relatively minor infections as well as severe disorders in humans. Although there is fair amount of published data concerning various aspects of its biology, epidemiology, genetics, etc., there is still a scarce amount of data presenting reliable and thorough investigations regarding high-throughput analysis of total S. aureus lipid content. Therefore, the aim of this study...
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Virulence analysis and antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from hospitalised patients in Poland
PublicationKlebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is a nosocomial pathogen causing difficult-to-treat infections. The presence of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance of 109 KP isolates from hospitalized patients were investigated. Among them, 68.8% were multi-drug resistant (MDR) and 59.6% produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) were produced by 22% of isolates (mainly from anus), including 16.5% of isolates...
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Antifungal dipeptides incorporating an inhibitor of homoserine dehydrogenase
PublicationThe antifungal activity of 5‐hydroxy‐4‐oxo‐L‐norvaline (HONV), exhibited under conditions mimicking human serum, may be improved upon incorporation of this amino acid into a dipeptide structure. Several HONV‐containing dipeptides inhibited growth of human pathogenic yeasts of the Candida genus in the RPMI‐1640 medium, with minimal inhibitory concentration values in the 32 to 64 μg mL−1 range. This activity was not affected by multidrug...
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Molecular targets for antifungals in amino acid and protein biosynthetic pathways
PublicationFungi cause death of over 1.5 million people every year, while cutaneous mycoses are among the most common infections in the world. Mycoses vary greatly in severity, there are long-term skin (ringworm), nail or hair infections (tinea capitis), recurrent like vaginal candidiasis or severe, life-threatening systemic, multiorgan infections. In the last few years, increasing importance is attached to the health and economic problems...
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Zastosowanie peptydów penetrujących i przeciwdrobnoustrojowych w walce z infekcjami bakteryjnymi i grzybowymi
PublicationOporność różnych drobnoustrojów na tradycyjne antybiotyki to coraz częstszy problem natury medycznej. Jego główną przyczyną jest zbyt chętne sięganie po antybiotykoterapię. Skutkiem tego jest swoiste przyzwyczajenie się danego patogenu do wybranego leku. Taki proces zachodzi wskutek wykształcenia różnego rodzaju mechanizmów, które mają za zadanie zniwelować działanie chemoterapeutyku. Z tego powodu naukowcy poszukują nowych rozwiązań...
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PCR and real-time PCR assays to detect fungi of Alternaria alternata species
PublicationFungi of the Alternaria genus are mostly associated with allergic diseases. However, with a growing number of immunocompromised patients, these fungi, with A. alternata being the most prevalent one, are increasingly recognized as etiological agents of infections (phaeohyphomycoses) in humans. Nowadays, identification of Alternaria spp. requires their pure culture and is solely based on morphological criteria. Clinically, Alternaria...
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Thermal utilization of meat-and-bone meal using the rotary kiln pyrolyzer and the fluidized bed boiler – The performance of pilot-scale installation
PublicationThermal utilization of meat-and-bone meal (MBM) is subject to stringent regulations that are meant to provide elimination of any potential pathogens. Incineration as well as other possible routes for thermal conversion of MBM are still at the research state. The universal technology was developed that allows to combust various types of waste organic materials, including animal waste, municipal solid waste and sludge, mixed at any...
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Development and evaluation of thermosensitive hydrogels with binary mixture of Scutellariae baicalensis radix extract and chitosan for periodontal diseases treatment.
PublicationScutellaria baicalensis root displays anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties due to the presence of flavonoids, particularly baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin. Our work aimed at developing thermosensitive hydrogels containing a binary mixture of S. baicalensis radix lyophilized extract and chitosan as a novel approach for periodontal diseases treatment....