A new molecular marker for species-specific identification of Microsporum canis

Species identification of dermatophytes by conventional mycological methods based on macro- and microscopy analysis is time-consuming and has a lot of limitations such as slow fungal growth or low specificity. Thus, there is a need for the development of molecular methods that would provide reliable and prompt identification of this group of medically important fungi. The are many reports in the literature concerning PCR identification of dermatophyte species, but still, there are not many PCR assays for the separate detection of members of the genera Microsporum, especially Microsporum canis (zoophilic species) and Microsporum audouinii (anthropophilic species). The correct distinction of these species is important to determine the source of infection to implement the appropriate action to eliminate the path of infection transmission. In this paper, we present such a PCR-based method targeting velB gene that uses a set of two primers—Mc-VelB-F (5′-CTTCCCCACCCGCAACATC-3′) and Mc-VelB-R (5′-TGTGGCTGCACCTGAGAGTGG-3′). The amplified fragment is specific due to the presence of (CAGCAC)8 microsatellite sequence only in the velB gene of M. canis. DNA from 153 fungal samples was used in PCR assay followed by electrophoretic analysis. The specificity of the designed set of primers was also confirmed using the online BLAST-Primer tool. The positive results were observed only in the case of M. canis isolates, and no positive results were obtained neither for other dermatophytes and non-dermatophyte fungi nor for other Eukaryotes, including the human genome sequence, as well as the representatives of bacterial and viral taxa. The developed PCR assay using the proposed Mc-VelB-F and Mc-velB-R primers can be included in the algorithm of M. canis detection in animals and humans

IMPACT-BASED PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM EXCITED FROM DIESEL ENGINE SUSPENSION

Vibration energy harvesting systems are using real ambient sources of vibration excitation. In our paper, we study the dynamical voltage response of the piezoelectric vibrational energy harvesting system (PVEHs) with a mechanical resonator possessing an amplitude limiter. The PVEHs consist of the cantilever beam with a piezoelectric patch. The proposed system was subjected to the inertial excitation from the engine suspension. Impacts of the beam resonator are useful to increase of system’s frequency transition band. The suitable simulations of the resonator and piezoelectric transducer are performed by using measured signal from the engine suspension. Voltage outputs of linear (without amplitude limiter) and nonlinear harvesters were compared indicating better efficiency of the nonlinear design

Cytotoxic effect and molecular docking of 4-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1-(piperidin-4-ylcarbonyl)-thiosemicarbazide—a novel topoisomerase II inhibitor

The preliminary cytotoxic effect of 4-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1-(piperidin-4-ylcarbonyl)-thiosemicarbazide hydrochloride (1)—a potent topoisomerase II inhibitor—was measured using a MTT assay. It was found that the compound decreased the number of viable cells in both estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 and estrogen receptor-negative MDA-MB-231breast cancer cells, with IC(50) values of 146 ± 2 and 132 ± 2 μM, respectively. To clarify the molecular basis of the inhibitory action of 1, molecular docking studies were carried out. The results suggest that 1 targets the ATP binding pocket. [Figure: see text] ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00894-012-1679-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

1,4-disubstituted thiosemicarbazide derivatives are potent inhibitors of toxoplasma gondii proliferation.

A series of 4-arylthiosemicarbazides substituted at the N1 position with a 5-membered heteroaryl ring was synthesized and evaluated in vitro for T. gondii inhibition proliferation and host cell cytotoxicity. At non-toxic concentrations for the host cells all studied compounds displayed excellent anti-parasitic effects when compared to sulfadiazine, indicating a high selectivity of their anti-T. gondii activity. The differences in bioactivity investigated by DFT calculations suggest that the inhibitory activity of 4-arylthiosemicarbazides towards T. gondii proliferation is connected with the electronic structure of the molecule. Further, these compounds were tested as potential antibacterial agents. No growth-inhibiting effect on any of the test microorganisms was observed for all the compounds, even at high concentrations

Determination of the Primary Molecular Target of 1,2,4-Triazole-Ciprofloxacin Hybrids

We have synthesized and examined the antibacterial activity, toxicity and affinity towards bacterial type II topoisomerases of a series of 1,2,4-triazole-ciprofloxacin hybrids. A number of these compounds displayed enhanced activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria when compared to ciprofloxacin. The toxic concentrations of the obtained derivatives, evaluated on HEK-293 cells using MTT assay, were much higher than concentrations required to produce antibacterial effect. Finally, the results of enzymatic studies showed that the analyzed compounds demonstrated other preferences as regards primary and secondary molecular targets than ciprofloxacin.This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education under Iuventus Plus grant No. IP2014 037473. Tomasz Plech is a recipient of the Fellowship for Young Researchers with Outstanding Scientific Achievements from the Medical University of Lublin (Lublin, Poland)

The Methods of Digging for “Gold” within the Salt: Characterization of Halophilic Prokaryotes and Identification of Their Valuable Biological Products Using Sequencing and Genome Mining Tools

Halophiles, the salt-loving organisms, have been investigated for at least a hundred years. They are found in all three domains of life, namely Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya, and occur in saline and hypersaline environments worldwide. They are already a valuable source of various biomolecules for biotechnological, pharmaceutical, cosmetological and industrial applications. In the present era of multidrug-resistant bacteria, cancer expansion, and extreme environmental pollution, the demand for new, effective compounds is higher and more urgent than ever before. Thus, the unique metabolism of halophilic microorganisms, their low nutritional requirements and their ability to adapt to harsh conditions (high salinity, high pressure and UV radiation, low oxygen concentration, hydrophobic conditions, extreme temperatures and pH, toxic compounds and heavy metals) make them promising candidates as a fruitful source of bioactive compounds. The main aim of this review is to highlight the nucleic acid sequencing experimental strategies used in halophile studies in concert with the presentation of recent examples of bioproducts and functions discovered in silico in the halophile’s genomes. We point out methodological gaps and solutions based on in silico methods that are helpful in the identification of valuable bioproducts synthesized by halophiles. We also show the potential of an increasing number of publicly available genomic and metagenomic data for halophilic organisms that can be analysed to identify such new bioproducts and their producers.Publication’s printing cost was co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund under the "InterDOC-STARt" project (POWR.03.02.00-00-I033/16-00)

Digital signal processing in ultrasonic based navigation system for mobile robots

A system for estimating the coordinates of automated guided vehicles (AGV) was presented in this article. Ultrasonic waves for distance measurement were applied. Used hardware was characterised, as well as signal processing algorithms. The system was tested on wheeled mobile robot in model 2D environment. The results of working range and errors of position estimation were discussed