The effects of two polyphenolic flavonoids (flavanone naringenin and flavonol quercetin) on development, fecundity, and mortality of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were determined in vitro, on an artificial diets. Also determined in vitro (DC EPG method), on sucrose–agarose gels, were the effects of flavonoids on the probing and feeding behavior of adult apterae. When added to a liquid diet, higher concentrations of studied flavonoids increased the developmental time, the pre-reproductive period, and mortality and decreased fecundity and the intrinsic rate of natural increase of A. pisum. In most events associated with stylet activity (as indicated by EPG waveform g-C), differences in probing behavior did not statistically differ between the control gel and those with flavonoids; quercetin at 10, 100, and 1,000 µg cm⁻³ prolonged the number of gel penetrations; and quercetin only at 10,000 μg cm⁻³ prolonged the time the first g-C waveform was observed. Addition of flavonoids to the gels generally reduced passive ingestion from fluids of the gels (EPG waveform g-E2). At higher concentrations (>1,000 µg cm⁻³) the flavonoids completely stopped salivation (EPG waveform g-E1) and passive ingestion from fluids of the gels (EPG waveform g-E2). In events associated with active ingestion (EPG waveform g-G), however, differences in feeding behavior did not statistically differ between the control gel and those with flavonoids. The present findings demonstrate detrimental effects of the flavanone naringenin and flavonol on the behavior of the pea aphid. This can be employed in a biotechnological projects for plant breeding resistant to herbivores, including aphids.

The role of genes that are essential for development of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm during infection is not fully known. mRNA from two methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains that formed weak and strong biofilm on polystyrene plates were isolated at five time points from cells grown in biofilm and planktonic culture. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of investigated genes under biofilm conditions were significantly higher than under planktonic conditions. The expression levels of the gene encoding elastin binding protein (ebps) and laminin binding protein (eno) were significantly increased in biofilm at 3 h, both in strongly and weakly adhering strain. The peak expression of fib gene encoding fibrinogen binding protein was found at 6 and 8 h in the case of strongly and weakly adhering strain, respectively. The expression of icaA and icaD genes in both strains was significantly higher under biofilm conditions when comparing to planktonic cells during 12 h. The expression level of the genes encoding binding proteins and the glucosamine polymer polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA) slowly decreased after 24 h. Finally, we found that the expression levels of genes encoding binding factors in weakly adhering strain were significantly lower than in strongly adhering strain.

The effects of trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) on transcriptional profiles of biofilm-associated genes and the metabolic activity of two methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains showing a different degree of adherence to polystyrene, were evaluated. Metabolic activity of S. aureus in biofilm was significantly decreased in the presence of TC at 1/2 minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC). Expression levels of the genes encoding laminin binding protein (eno), elastin binding protein (ebps) and fibrinogen binding protein (fib) in the presence of TC at 1/2 MBIC were lower than in untreated biofilm in both the weakly and strongly adhering strain. The highest decrease of expression level was observed in case of fib in the strongly adhering strain, in which the amount of fib transcript was 10-fold lower compared to biofilm without TC. In the presence of TC at 1/2 MBIC after 3, 6, 8 and 12 h, the expression level of icaA and icaD, that are involved in the biosynthesis of polysaccharide intercellular adhesin, was above half lower in the weakly adhering strain compared to biofilm without TC. In the strongly adhering strain the highest decrease in expression of these genes was observed after 3 and 6 h. This study showed that TC is a promising anti-biofilm agent for use in MRSA biofilm-related infections.

The objective of performed study was aimed at evaluating the antifungal potential of four extract fractions (methanolic, ethyl acetate, alkaloid, and hydrolyzed methanolic) derived from Juglans regia (L.) leaves against pathogenic Candida albicans strains. Furthermore, total phenolics and alkaloid content as well as the antioxidative potential of examined extract fractions were determined. Tested yeasts comprised 140 isolates from diverse biological specimens (oropharyngeal, rectal and vulvovaginal swabs, skin lesions, sputum, urine, and faeces), and one reference strain (C. albicans ATCC 90029). Methanolic extract from walnut leaves characterized by the highest anticandidal activity, the alkaloid fraction possessed a slightly lower antifungal efficacy, while ethyl acetate and hydrolyzed methanolic preparates inhibited the growth rate of examined fungal pathogens in the lowest degree. Additionally, it has been elucidated that all tested strains were susceptible for nystatin and amphotericin B, and only one yeast strain was resistant to flucytosine. On the contrary, the group of azole antimycotics were characterized by reduced effectiveness against the candidal isolates.