Candida albicans shields the periodontal killer Porphyromonas gingivalis from recognition by the host immune system and supports the bacterial infection of gingival tissue

Candida albicans is a pathogenic fungus capable of switching its morphology between yeast-like cells and filamentous hyphae and can associate with bacteria to form mixed biofilms resistant to antibiotics. In these structures, the fungal milieu can play a protective function for bacteria as has recently been reported for C. albicans and a periodontal pathogen—Porphyromonas gingivalis. Our current study aimed to determine how this type of mutual microbe protection within the mixed biofilm affects the contacting host cells. To analyze C. albicans and P. gingivalis persistence and host infection, several models for host–biofilm interactions were developed, including microbial exposure to a representative monocyte cell line (THP1) and gingival fibroblasts isolated from periodontitis patients. For in vivo experiments, a mouse subcutaneous chamber model was utilized. The persistence of P. gingivalis cells was observed within mixed biofilm with C. albicans. This microbial co-existence influenced host immunity by attenuating macrophage and fibroblast responses. Cytokine and chemokine production decreased compared to pure bacterial infection. The fibroblasts isolated from patients with severe periodontitis were less susceptible to fungal colonization, indicating a modulation of the host environment by the dominating bacterial infection. The results obtained for the mouse model in which a sequential infection was initiated by the fungus showed that this host colonization induced a milder inflammation, leading to a significant reduction in mouse mortality. Moreover, high bacterial counts in animal organisms were noted on a longer time scale in the presence of C. albicans, suggesting the chronic nature of the dual-species infection

Adhesive protein-mediated crosstalk between <i>Candida albicans</i> and <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> in dual species biofilm protects the anaerobic bacterium in unfavorable oxic environment

Abstract The oral cavity contains different types of microbial species that colonize human host via extensive cell-to-cell interactions and biofilm formation. Candida albicans —a yeast-like fungus that inhabits mucosal surfaces—is also a significant colonizer of subgingival sites in patients with chronic periodontitis. It is notable however that one of the main infectious agents that causes periodontal disease is an anaerobic bacterium— Porphyromonas gingivalis. In our study, we evaluated the different strategies of both pathogens in the mutual colonization of an artificial surface and confirmed that a protective environment existed for P. gingivalis within developed fungal biofilm formed under oxic conditions where fungal cells grow mainly in their filamentous form i.e. hyphae. A direct physical contact between fungi and P. gingivalis was initiated via a modulation of gene expression for the major fungal cell surface adhesin Als3 and the aspartic proteases Sap6 and Sap9. Proteomic identification of the fungal surfaceome suggested also an involvement of the Mp65 adhesin and a “moonlighting” protein, enolase, as partners for the interaction with P. gingivalis. Using mutant strains of these bacteria that are defective in the production of the gingipains—the proteolytic enzymes that also harbor hemagglutinin domains—significant roles of these proteins in the formation of bacteria-protecting biofilm were clearly demonstrated

Ergonomics and Efficiency in a New Attempt to Model Work Processes

The article presents the relationships between ergonomics and the effectiveness of work processes. A new thematic framework has been developed to evaluate the engineering design of work processes in conjunction with the effectiveness and ergonomics of workplaces. The model presented in the paper takes into account ergonomic factors that have a direct impact on shaping working environment in which a person is located and improving their efficiency. The model was validated in real conditions in the production company. The subject of the research was the work process existing in the plant producing food paper packaging. The main method used to assess working conditions was observation and qualitative and quantitative assessment of operational activities based on video recording. Detailed human actions were analyzed in terms of ergonomic factors to prove the relationship between ergonomics and efficiency. In addition, new technical solutions have been proposed that improve working conditions and the efficiency of the entire work process

Spatial Analysis of the Availability of Health and Social Services for People with Special Needs

The health care system should offer and provide a variety of services without undue delay. Due to numerous technical, financial and human resource constraints, not all services can be offered both without restrictions and in equal measure in places of different sizes of residence. As a result of qualitative and quantitative research, a map of accessibility to social and health services was drawn up, taking into consideration the division of the country into voivodeships with different population. Spatial analysis showed great diversity in terms of service availability. Voivodships with the highest accessibility of health and social services are Dolnośląskie, Opolskie and Świętokrzyskie, while the worst situation is in Wielkopolskie. Moreover, the article identifies the main problems that people with limited functionality encounter when using health and social services

Smart solutions for improving working processes. A research experiences from dental clinic

Smart solutions become an indispensable attribute of today life giving the opportunity to act in a significantly efficient way in both public and especially private sector. For this reason the “smart approach” to business is a crucial component in a process of building the advantage in a competitive services market. Taking this challenging aspect of companies’ activities, the authors present a concept of implementing a smart solutions for improving working conditions in a private dental clinic. Particularly, the smart solutions are based on integration of knowledge management constructs and information and communication technologies (ICT) that enable users to use knowledge contextually and in intuitive way. As a final part of the paper, three different practical ideas were discussed and evaluated

5S system as a manner for improving working conditions and safety of work in a production company

Currently entrepreneurs have the opportunity to use many methods and tools that support production management, quality and improvement of working safety. A method worth paying attention to is the 5S method, which brings order and discipline to the workplace. The article presents practical aspects of the implementation of the 5S method using five simple steps that give the real benefits to a company. Particularly the specific solutions that can be applied at every stage of the implementation of the 5S method is indicated. Also innovative ways of conducting internal audits are presented. In addition, a model for the implementation of the 5S concept was proposed, which supports maintaining the healthy standards at a high level. It has been pointed out that the implementation of 5S rules must be constantly monitored and improved. Therefore, supervision and motivational activities are particularly important, especially from the side of leaders and managers represented an organization