Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite, is capable of infecting a broad range of intermediate warm-blooded hosts including humans. The parasite undergoes sexual reproduction resulting in genetic variability only in the intestine of the definitive host (a member of the cat family). The parasite seems to be capable of altering the natural behavior of the host to favor its transmission in the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of parasite cysts formed in the hippocampus and amygdala of experimentally infected mice as these regions are involved in defense behaviors control and emotion processing, and to assess the influence of the infection on mice behavior. The obtained results revealed the presence of parasite cysts both in the hippocampus and the amygdala of infected mice; however, no clear region-dependent distribution was observed. Furthermore, infected mice showed significantly diminished exploratory activity described by climbing and rearing, smaller preference for the central, more exposed part of the OF arena and engaged in less grooming behavior compared to uninfected controls.

The in vitro antifungal potency of six series of 4-arylthiosemicarbazides was evaluated. Two isoquinoline derivatives with an ortho-methoxy or ortho-methyl group at the phenyl ring were the most potent antifungal agents. Molecular modeling studies and docking of all 4-arylthiosemicarbazides into the active sites of sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51), topoisomerase II (topo II), l-glutamine: d-fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GlcN-6-P), secreted aspartic proteinase (SAP), N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), and UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine:d-glutamate ligase (MurD) indicated the importance of both structural and electronic factors in ligand recognition and thus for the antifungal effectiveness of 4-arylthiosemicarbazides. A possible antifungal target was identified (NMT) and isoquinoline-thiosemicarbazides showed more favorable affinity than the native ligand. Electrostatic potential surface of isoquiniline derivative compound 6o with antifungal activity

In the present research, nanocomposite antibacterial cellulose fibers of Lyocell type modified with nanosilver particles and nanosilica were obtained. Nanosilver particles were generated by the chemical reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) in 50% water solution of N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO), which was applied as a direct cellulose solvent for the production of Lyocell fibers. The main aim of this study has been to obtain antibacterial cellulose fibers modified with silver nanoparticles, which are entirely safe for contact with human tissue. Taking into account the potential medical applications of the obtained fibers, the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles enclosed in fibers were examined in human and mouse cells. Considering the size of the silver nanoparticles with nanosilica in NMMO and their physical properties, the time of generation was the subject of a thorough analysis. The basic physical properties of the nanoparticles introduced in the fibers were tested using the UV/VIS, DLS and TEM methods. The basic properties of the fibers, namely the mechanical and hydrophilic ones, and the average degree of polymerisation of the cellulose fibers were estimated. The conditions of the synthesis of nanoparticles in NMMO with nanosilica were optimised. The results have confirmed that fibers with high-quality antibacterial properties, safe for human tissue and suitable for medical purposes, could be obtained.