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Abstract Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are potentially applicable in drug/nucleic acid delivery systems. Low toxicity, high stability, and bioavailability are crucial for the therapeutic use of AuNPs and they are mainly determined by their interactions with proteins and lipids on their route to the target cells. In this work, we investigated the interaction of two pegylated gold nanoparticles, AuNP14a and AuNP14b, with human serum proteins albumin (HSA) and transferrin (Tf) as well as dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) liposomes, which can be a representative of biomembranes. We showed that AuNP14a/b interacted with HSA and Tf changing their electrical, thermodynamic, and structural properties as evidenced by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, circular dichroism, fluorescence quenching, and isothermal titration calorimetry. These nanoparticles penetrated the DMPC membrane suggesting their ability to reach a target inside the cell. In most of the effects, AuNP14b was more effective than AuNP14a, which might result from its more positive charge. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether the interaction of AuNP14a/b with HSA and Tf is safe for the cell/organism and whether they may safely penetrate natural membranes.

Abstract Between 15 June and 20 September 2024, 75 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) and A(H7) virus detections were reported in domestic (16) and wild (59) birds across 11 countries in Europe. Although the overall number of detections in Europe continued to be low compared to previous epidemiological years, an increase in cases along the Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic coasts was notable, particularly an increase in the detection of HPAI viruses in colony‐breeding seabirds. Besides EA‐2022‐BB and other circulating genotypes, these detections also included EA‐2023‐DT, a new genotype that may transmit more efficiently among gulls. In Germany, HPAI A(H7N5) virus emerged in a poultry establishment near the border with the Netherlands. No new HPAI virus detections in mammals were reported in Europe during this period, but the number of reportedly affected dairy cattle establishments in the United States of America (USA) rose to >230 in 14 states, and HPAI virus was identified in three new mammal species. Between 21 June and 20 September 2024, 19 new human cases with avian influenza virus infection were reported from the USA (six A(H5N1) cases and five A(H5) cases), Cambodia (five A(H5N1) cases, including one fatal), China (one fatal A(H5N6) case and one A(H9N2) case), and Ghana (one A(H9N2) case). Most of the human cases (90%, n = 17/19) had reported exposure to poultry, live poultry markets, or dairy cattle prior to avian influenza virus detection or onset of illness. Human infections with avian influenza viruses remain rare and no evidence of human‐to‐human transmission has been documented in the reporting period. The risk of infection with currently circulating avian A(H5) influenza viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b in Europe remains low for the general public in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). The risk of infection remains low‐to‐moderate for those occupationally or otherwise exposed to infected animals or contaminated environments.

Bacterial infections are one of the main challenges of modern medicine, affecting millions of people every year. The ubiquitous microorganisms, such as bacteria, cause many various diseases that can be asymptomatic or mild as well as life-threatening. The purpose of the research is to gain insight into contemporary knowledge about pathogenic bacteria causing the most common diseases in human beings: Gram-Positive Cocci, including S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae, E. faecalis, S. pneumoniae, Gram-Negative Cocci, such as N. gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis, Gram-Negative Bacilli (Enterobacteriaceae), like E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, K. pneumoniae as well as bacteria of the genus Clostridioides, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter i Mycobacteria. Information searches were carried out in online databases, scientific, and educational editions, including PubMed, Elsevier, Research Gate, Web of Science, Springer. Bacterial infections are still a huge concern in the modern world. It is necessary not only to constantly update knowledge but also to carry out researces to improve the effectiveness of treatment and prevention against these pathogens.

This paper reviews the existing scientific literature on the relationship between isotretinoin, a vitamin A derivative used to treat severe acne, and the development of depression in patients undergoing treatment. Isotretinoin is highly effective for cases of treatment-resistant acne due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties, and ability to regulate sebum secretion and keratinization. However, its use is also associated with numerous adverse effects, particularly psychiatric disorders, including depression. The connection between isotretinoin use and the onset of depressive symptoms remains controversial, with studies providing conflicting evidence. This review aims to critically examine the current research to clarify the potential risks of depression associated with isotretinoin.

Abstract The use of dendrimers as drug and nucleic acid delivery systems requires knowledge of their interactions with objects on their way to the target. In the present work, we investigated the interaction of a new class of carbosilane dendrimers functionalized with polyphenolic and caffeic acid residues with human serum albumin, which is the most abundant blood protein. The addition of dendrimers to albumin solution decreased the zeta potential of albumin/dendrimer complexes as compared to free albumin, increased density of the fibrillary form of albumin, shifted fluorescence spectrum towards longer wavelengths, induced quenching of tryptophan fluorescence, and decreased ellipticity of circular dichroism resulting from a reduction in the albumin α-helix for random coil structural form. Isothermal titration calorimetry showed that, on average, one molecule of albumin was bound by 6–10 molecules of dendrimers. The zeta size confirmed the binding of the dendrimers to albumin. The interaction of dendrimers and albumin depended on the number of caffeic acid residues and polyethylene glycol modifications in the dendrimer structure. In conclusion, carbosilane polyphenolic dendrimers interact with human albumin changing its structure and electrical properties. However, the consequences of such interaction for the efficacy and side effects of these dendrimers as drug/nucleic acid delivery system requires further research.

Central nervous system infections are among the most devastating infections in the world. Pathogens may enter the central nervous system as a result of dissemination from the upper respiratory tract or other primary site via blood and then crossing the blood-brain barrier. Pathogens present in health care facilities are not an exception. In addition, the neurosurgical procedures performed there are an additional way of entering the central nervous system. Moreover, nosocomial infections are characterized by very high morbidity and mortality, therefore their early diagnosis and treatment is important. The aim of the study is to review the current knowledge and guidelines on the most common healthcare-associated infections of the central nervous system, their diagnosis and treatment. Information searches were carried out in online databases, scientific and educational editions. The most common healthcare-associated infection of the central nervous system is meningitis, followed by a subdural empyema and a brain abscess. The greatest risk factor is neurosurgery. In all of the most common infections of the central nervous system listed, rapid implementation of empiric antibiotic therapy is essential. Further antibiotic therapy depends on the identified etiological factor. As a rule, surgical treatment is required for subdural empyema and brain abscesses. Healthcare-related central nervous system infections remain a significant problem. Due to the risk posed by them to the patient's health, prophylaxis, prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential.

Nosocomial infections means the penetration, and the development of a biological pathogenic factor in the body, which occurred in connection with the impartation of health services. These infections affect 5 to 10% of patients. Most of the hospital staff do not know or ignore the rules for reducing infections in healthcare facilities. In Poland, there is a shortage of epidemiological nurses, doctors specializing in epidemiology, bacteriology and microbiology, and statements about their position in the structure of hospital management structure. The most difficult to combat are MDRO. They are most often carried by non-disinfected hands and medical equipment, outdated ventilation and air-conditioning installations and drainage of water from healthcare facilities. In order to limit the transmission of infectious microorganisms as much as possible, health services provided in health care facilities should be properly organized. Medical personnel should be properly trained, and cleaning staff should be equipped with adequate cleaning and disinfection agents. Each medical facility should define a hospital environment monitoring program in which the rules for limiting the transmission of infectious pathogens are clearly defined. Additionally, a program should be created to encourage the selection of specializations in epidemiological and related fields for doctors and nurses in order to increase the number of personnel with such degree and direction of education.

Abstract Background We conducted an analysis of the vascular surgery regional center reorganization in response to the first and the second wave of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to see what lessons we learned from the first wave. Methods The study included a total of 632 patients admitted to the vascular surgery department in three periods: March–May 2020, October–December 2020, and October–December 2019 as a control period. Results In the pandemic periods the number of admitted patients decreased in relation to the control period. There was a reduction in performed procedures. We observed an increase in the ratio of less invasive procedures. There was a significant decline in hospitalization time in comparison to the control period. Conclusions The reduction of scheduled admissions and procedures affected vascular centers all over the world. Minimally invasive procedures were more willingly performed to shorten the hospitalization time and reduce the patient's exposure to hospital infection. It allowed us to treat more patients during the second wave. Nevertheless, an increased number of vascular patients should be expected in the future, which will result from the failure to perform elective procedures during the pandemic.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and a prolonged daily eating window (EW) are associated with circadian rhythm disruption and increased cardiometabolic risk. Misalignment between circadian timing system and daily rhythms of food intake adversely impacts metabolic regulatory mechanisms and cardiovascular function. Restricting the daily EW by imposing an eating–fasting cycle through time-restricted eating (TRE) can restore robust circadian rhythms, support cellular metabolism, and improve cardiometabolic health. The aim of this study was to assess a feasibility of 12-week TRE intervention with self-selected 10 h EW and effects of TRE on EW duration, cardiometabolic outcomes, daily rhythms of behavior, and wellbeing in Polish patients with MetS and EW ≥ 14 h/day. Dietary intake was monitored with a validated myCircadianClock application (mCC app). Adherence to TRE defined as the proportion of days recorded with mCC app in which participants satisfied 10-h TRE was the primary outcome. A total of 26 patients (aged 45 ± 13 years, 62% women, 3.3 ± 0.5 MetS criteria, EW 14 ± 1.5 h/day) were enrolled. Coexistence of increased waist circumference (WC) (96% of patients), elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (77%), and elevated blood pressure (BP) (69%) was the most common MetS pattern (50%). TRE intervention (mean duration of 81.6 ± 12.6 days) led to reducing daily EW by 28% (p < 0.0001). Adherence to TRE was 87 ± 13%. Adherence to logging food intake on mCC app during TRE was 70 ± 27%. Post TRE, a decrease in body weight (2%, 1.7 ± 3.6 kg, p = 0.026), body mass index (BMI) (1%, 0.5 ± 1.2 kg/m2, p = 0.027), WC (2%, 2.5 ± 3.9 cm, p = 0.003), systolic BP (4%, 4.8 ± 9.0 mmHg, p = 0.012), FPG (4%, 3.8 ± 6.9 mg/dL, p = 0.037), glycated hemoglobin (4%, 0.2 ± 0.4%, p = 0.011), mean fasting glucose level from continuous glucose monitor (CGM) (4%, 4.0 ± 6.1 mg/dL, p = 0.002), and sleepiness score (25%, 1.9 ± 3.2 points, p = 0043) were observed. A significant decrease in body weight (2%), BMI (2%), WC (3%), mean CGM fasting glucose (6%), sleepiness score (27%), and depression score (60%) was found in patients with mean post-TRE EW ≤ 10 h/day (58% of total), and not in patients with EW > 10 h/day. Adherence to TRE was higher in patients with post-TRE EW ≤ 10 h/day vs. patients with EW > 10 h/day (94 ± 6% vs. 77 ± 14%, p = 0.003). Our findings indicate that 10-h TRE was feasible in the European MetS population. TRE resulted in reducing daily EW and improved cardiometabolic outcomes and wellbeing in patients with MetS and prolonged EW. Use of the mCC app can aid in implementing TRE. This pilot clinical trial provides exploratory data that are a basis for a large-scale randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy and sustainability of TRE for reducing cardiometabolic risks in MetS populations. Further research is needed to investigate the mechanisms of TRE effects, including its impact on circadian rhythm disruption.

Abstract The formation of expansive multi-nest and multi-queen supercolonies is perhaps the most important factor responsible for the ecological success of invasive ants. The odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile, is a widespread ant native to North America. T. sessile is a challenging urban pest, but also serves as an interesting system to study ant social organization and invasion biology. This is due to its remarkable dichotomy in colony social and spatial structure between natural and urban environments. Natural colonies typically consist of a small number of workers, inhabit a single nest, and are monogyne whereas urban colonies show extreme polygyny and polydomy and form large supercolonies. The current study examined the extent to which T. sessile colonies from different habitats (natural vs. urban) and social structures (monogynous vs. polygynous) exhibit aggression toward alien conspecifics. Additionally, interactions between mutually aggressive colonies were examined in colony fusion experiments to assess the potential role of colony fusion as a mechanism leading to supercolony formation. Aggression assays demonstrated high levels of aggression in pairings involving workers from different urban colonies and workers from different natural colonies, but low aggression in pairings involving queens from different urban colonies. Colony merging tests demonstrated that urban T. sessile colonies are highly aggressive to each other, but capable of fusing under laboratory conditions when competing for limited nesting and food resources. Despite highly aggressive interactions and relatively high worker and queen mortality, all colony pairs merged in 3–5 days. Fusion occurred after most workers died and the survivors merged. This result suggests that the success of T. sessile in urban areas may be driven, at least in part, by successful colony mergers of unrelated colonies which may be determined by ecological constraints such as seasonal shortages in nest and/or food availability. In summary, two independent factors including the growth of a single colony and/or the merger of multiple colonies may be responsible for the evolution of supercolonies in invasive ants. Both processes may be happening simultaneously and may act synergistically to produce supercolonies.

Nestmate recognition in ants is regulated through the detection of cuticular hydrocarbons by odorant receptors (ORs) in the antennae. These ORs are crucial for maintaining colony cohesion that allows invasive ant species to dominate colonized environments. In the invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, ORs regulating nestmate recognition are thought to be present in a clade of nine-exon odorant receptors, but the identity of the specific genes remains unknown. We sought to narrow down the list of candidate genes using transcriptomics and phylostratigraphy. Comparative transcriptomic analyses were conducted on the antennae, head, thorax, and legs of Argentine ant workers. We have identified a set of twenty-one nine-exon odorant receptors enriched in the antennae compared to the other tissues, allowing for downstream verification of whether they can detect Argentine ant cuticular hydrocarbons. Further investigation of these ORs could allow us to further understand the mechanisms underlying nestmate recognition and colony cohesion in ants.