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Background: This study aimed to determine, at the phenotypic and molecular levels, resistance and virulence markers in Candida spp. isolated from community-acquired infections in Bucharest outpatients during 2021, and to demonstrate the efficiency of alternative solutions against them based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Methods: A total of 62 Candida spp. strains were isolated from dermatomycoses and identified using chromogenic culture media and MALDI-TOF MS, and then investigated for their antimicrobial resistance and virulence markers (VMs), as well as for metabolic enzymes using enzymatic tests for the expression of soluble virulence factors, their biofilm formation and adherence capacity on HeLa cells, and PCR assays for the detection of virulence markers and the antimicrobial activity of alternative solutions based on AgNPs. Results: Of the total of 62 strains, 45.16% were Candida parapsilosis; 29.03% Candida albicans; 9.67% Candida guilliermondii; 3.22% Candida lusitaniae, Candia pararugosa, and Candida tropicalis; and 1.66% Candida kefyr, Candida famata, Candida haemulonii, and Candida metapsilosis. Aesculin hydrolysis, caseinase, and amylase production were detected in the analyzed strains. The strains exhibited different indices of adherence to HeLa cells and were positive in decreasing frequency order for the LIP1, HWP1, and ALS1,3 genes (C. tropicalis/C. albicans). An inhibitory effect on microbial growth, adherence capacity, and on the production of virulence factors was obtained using AgNPs. Conclusions: The obtained results in C. albicans and Candida non-albicans circulating in Bucharest outpatients were characterized by moderate-to-high potential to produce VMs, necessitating epidemiological surveillance measures to minimize the chances of severe invasive infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biodeterioration of the natural surface on monuments, historical buildings, and even public claddings brings to the attention of researchers and historians the issues of conservation and protection. Natural stones undergo changes in their appearance, being subjected to deterioration due to climatic variations and the destructive action of biological systems interfering with and living on them, leading to ongoing challenges in the protection of the exposed surfaces. Nanotechnology, through silver nanoparticles with strong antimicrobial effects, can provide solutions for protecting natural surfaces using specific coupling agents tailored to each substrate. In this work, surfaces of two common types of natural stone, frequently encountered in landscaping and finishing works, were modified using siloxane coupling agents with thiol groups. Through these agents, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were fixed, exhibiting distinct characteristics, and subjected to antimicrobial analysis. This study presents a comparative analysis of the efficiency of coupling agents that can be applied to a natural surface with porous structures, when combined with laboratory-obtained silver nanoparticles, in reducing the formation of microbial biofilms, which are a main trigger for stone biodeterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to decorate a glass surface with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and further prove its efficiency in the removal of some thio-derivatives—potential pollutants from water. Therefore, grafting the surface of glass-based platforms with AgNPs will strongly influence their interaction with other substances or molecules. The most commonly used molecules for glass-based platform functionalization/modification are organosilanes. In this case, the main interest is in thioalkyl organosilanes because, after silanization, the thio (-SH) functional groups that have a high affinity for AgNPs can intermediate their binding on the surface. By decorating the glass platforms with AgNPs, these surfaces become active for the adsorption of dyes from wastewater. Certainly, in this case, the dyes must bear -SH groups to ensure a high affinity for these surfaces. Therefore, the desired purpose of this study was to develop glass-based platforms decorated with AgNPs able to bind model molecules—dyes from aqueous media (dithizone—DIT and thioindigo—TIO), with these platforms being potentially used for environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Analisys of clinical course after changing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV infected patients (Px) with treatment failure (TF). Methods: A retrospective study in Craiova Regional Center for Monitoring and Evaluation of HIV/AIDS from 01/01/2009 to 12/31/2009, on two groups of Px in TF with at least 3 previous ARV scheme, Px in whom a new ART scheme was introduced: group A (16 Px) according to resistance test results and previous ART schemes and group B (23 Px) depending on previous ART schemes. Results: Clinical and immunological CDC staging- group A versus B was similar : B2 stage 1 Px (6.25%)/1 Px (4.34%), B3 stage 9 Px (56.25%)/7 Px (30.43%), C2 stage 1 Px (6.25%)/2 Px (8.69%), C3 stage 5 Px (31.25%)/13 Px (56.25%), median CD4=104 vs 181 cells/mm³, median HIV-RNA=4.49 vs 4.30 lg copies/ml. Darunavir (DRV), Etravirine (ETV), Raltegravir (RAL) were included in ART of 8 Px (50%) of group A vs. 9 Px (39.14%) in group B. Clinical outcome was good in 14 Px in group A and all Px in group B. In group A, 1 Px died with lymphoma and 1 Px had cerebral toxoplasmosis. HIV-RNA level, at 4 and 12 month, in group A vs group B, were: HIV-RNA <50 copii/ml- 13 Px (81.25%) vs 18 Px (78.26%) (p> 0.05; 0.19 0.05; 0.12 0.05; 0.26