Accidental ulcer infestation due Tenebrio molitor in an AIDS patient: canthariasis

Canthariasis is a disease of humans caused by the infestation of beetle larvae. It is the second important insectal disease after myiasis. Several species of beetles are reported to cause the disease in gastrointestinal tract, urogenital system, nasal sinuses, ears and faces of mammals. The mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, a species of darkling beetle, is a widespread pest that usually feeds on stored grain. The human infestation by this worm is extremely rarely reported, we described a case of T. molitor infestation in a AIDS patient in Colombia

School census autumn 2017 : 16 to 19 reports : user guide

The synthesis of a series of cobalt NHC complexes of the types [Co­(NHC)₂(CO)­(NO)] (NHC = <i>i</i>Pr₂Im (<b>2</b>), <i>n</i>Pr₂Im (<b>3</b>), Cy₂Im (<b>4</b>), Me₂Im (<b>5</b>), <i>i</i>Pr₂ImMe (<b>6</b>), Me₂ImMe (<b>7</b>), Me<i>i</i>PrIm (<b>8</b>), Me<i>t</i>BuIm (<b>9</b>); R₂Im = 1,3-dialkylimidazolin-2-ylidene) and [Co­(NHC)­(CO)₂(NO)] (NHC = <i>i</i>Pr₂Im (<b>13</b>), <i>n</i>Pr₂Im (<b>14</b>), Me₂Im (<b>15</b>), <i>i</i>Pr₂ImMe (<b>16</b>), Me₂ImMe (<b>17</b>), Me<i>i</i>PrIm (<b>18</b>), Me<i>t</i>BuIm (<b>19</b>)) from the reaction of the NHC with [Co­(CO)₃(NO)] (<b>1</b>) is reported. These complexes have been characterized using elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and in many cases by X-ray crystallography. Bulky NHCs tend to form the mono-NHC-substituted complexes [Co­(NHC)­(CO)₂(NO)], even from the reaction with an stoichiometric excess of the NHC, as demonstrated by the synthesis of [Co­(Dipp₂Im)­(CO)₂(NO)] (<b>11</b>), [Co­(Mes₂Im)­(CO)₂(NO)] (<b>12</b>), and [Co­(^MecAAC)­(CO)₂(NO)] (<b>20</b>). For <i>t</i>Bu₂Im a preferred coordination via the NHC backbone (“abnormal” coordination at the 4-position) was observed and the complex [Co­(<i>t</i>Bu₂^aIm)­(CO)₂(NO)] (<b>10</b>) was isolated. All of these complexes are volatile, are stable upon sublimation and prolonged storage in the gas phase, and readily decompose at higher temperatures. Furthermore, DTA/TG analyses revealed that the complexes [Co­(NHC)₂(CO)­(NO)] are seemingly more stable toward thermal decomposition in comparison to the complexes [Co­(NHC)­(CO)₂(NO)]. We thus conclude that the cobalt complexes of the type [Co­(NHC)­(CO)₂(NO)] and [Co­(NHC)₂(CO)­(NO)] have potential for application as precursors in the vapor deposition of thin cobalt films

Alteration of ribosome function upon 5-fluorouracil treatment favors cancer cell drug-tolerance.

Mechanisms of drug-tolerance remain poorly understood and have been linked to genomic but also to non-genomic processes. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), the most widely used chemotherapy in oncology is associated with resistance. While prescribed as an inhibitor of DNA replication, 5-FU alters all RNA pathways. Here, we show that 5-FU treatment leads to the production of fluorinated ribosomes exhibiting altered translational activities. 5-FU is incorporated into ribosomal RNAs of mature ribosomes in cancer cell lines, colorectal xenografts, and human tumors. Fluorinated ribosomes appear to be functional, yet, they display a selective translational activity towards mRNAs depending on the nature of their 5'-untranslated region. As a result, we find that sustained translation of IGF-1R mRNA, which encodes one of the most potent cell survival effectors, promotes the survival of 5-FU-treated colorectal cancer cells. Altogether, our results demonstrate that "man-made" fluorinated ribosomes favor the drug-tolerant cellular phenotype by promoting translation of survival genes

Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscope Combined with Digital Holography for Three-Dimensional Electromagnetic Field Reconstruction

International audienceNear-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) has proven to be a very powerful imaging technique that allows overcoming the diffraction limit and obtaining information on a scale much smaller than what can be achieved by classical optical imaging techniques. This is achieved using nanosized probes that are placed in close proximity to the sample surface, and thus allow the detection of evanescent waves that contain important information about the properties of the sample on a subwavelength scale. In particular, some aperture-based probes use a nanometer-sized hole to locally illuminate the sample. The far-field radiation of such probes is essential to their imaging properties, but cannot be easily estimated since it highly depends on the environment with which it interacts. In this chapter, we tackle this problem by introducing a microscopy method based on full-field off-axis digital holography that allows us to study in details the three-dimensional electromagnetic field scattered by a NSOM probe in different environments. We start by describing the NSOM and holography techniques independently, and continue by highlighting the advantage of combining both methods. We present a comparative study of the reconstructed light from a NSOM tip located in free space or coupled to transparent and plasmonic media. While far-field methods, such as back focal plane imaging, can be used to infer the directionality of angular radiation patterns, the advantage of our technique is that a single hologram contains information on both the amplitude and phase of the scattered light, allowing to reverse numerically the propagation of the electromagnetic field towards the source. We also present Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations to model the radiation of the NSOM tip as a superposition of a magnetic and an electric dipole. We finally propose some promising applications that could be performed with this combined NSOM-holography technique

Identification of β-Lactams Active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis by a Consortium of Pharmaceutical Companies and Academic Institutions

Rising antimicrobial resistance challenges our ability to combat bacterial infections. The problem is acute for tuberculosis (TB), the leading cause of death from infection before COVID-19. Here, we developed a framework for multiple pharmaceutical companies to share proprietary information and compounds with multiple laboratories in the academic and government sectors for a broad examination of the ability of β-lactams to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). In the TB Drug Accelerator (TBDA), a consortium organized by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, individual pharmaceutical companies collaborate with academic screening laboratories. We developed a higher order consortium within the TBDA in which four pharmaceutical companies (GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, MSD, and Lilly) collectively collaborated with screeners at Weill Cornell Medicine, the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), pharmacologists at Rutgers University, and medicinal chemists at the University of North Carolina to screen ∼8900 β-lactams, predominantly cephalosporins, and characterize active compounds. In a striking contrast to historical expectation, 18% of β-lactams screened were active against Mtb, many without a β-lactamase inhibitor. One potent cephaloporin was active in Mtb-infected mice. The steps outlined here can serve as a blueprint for multiparty, intra- and intersector collaboration in the development of anti-infective agents

Synthesis and characterization of new NHC-stabilized nickel complexes for the vapor deposition

Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit der Synthese und Charakterisierung NHC-stabilisierter Nickelkomplexe, die durch weitere Co-Liganden wie Carbonyle, Olefine, Alkine, Alkyle, Cyanide oder Allylliganden koordiniert sind. Ferner gibt diese Arbeit einen Überblick über die thermischen Eigenschaften dieser Verbindungen, um deren Potenzial für den Einsatz zur Abscheidung elementaren Nickels in CVD- bzw. ALD-Prozessen abschätzen zu können. Dabei konnten vor allem die Substanzklassen der Carbonyl- und Alkylkomplexe als geeignete Präkursoren für die Gasphasenabscheidung elementaren Nickels identifiziert werden, von denen einige ausgewählte Vertreter bereits erfolgreich in CVD-Prozessen getestet wurden.The present work is about the synthesis and characterization of NHC-stabilized nickel complexes, which are coordinated by further co-ligands like carbonyls, olefins, alkynes, alkyls, cyanides or allylic ligands. This work presents an overview of the thermical properties of these nickel compounds, which gives an insight in their potential for using them to deposit elemental nickel in CVD and ALD processes. It was found the carbonyl and alkyl complexes were identified as useful precursors for vapor depositing elemental nickel. Some of these compounds have already been tested successfully in CVD processes

Advanced fabrication approaches to controlled delivery systems for epilepsy treatment

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease characterized by unprovoked seizures, which can have severe consequences including loss of awareness and death. Currently, 30% of epileptic patients do not receive adequate seizure alleviation from oral routes of medication. Over the last decade, local drug delivery to the focal area of the brain where the seizure originates has emerged as a potential alternative and may be achieved through the fabrication of drug-loaded polymeric implants for controlled on-site delivery. Areas covered: This review presents an overview of the latest advanced fabrication techniques for controlled drug delivery systems for refractory epilepsy treatment. Recent advances in the different techniques are highlighted and the limitations of the respective techniques are discussed. Expert opinion: Advances in biofabrication technologies are expected to enable a new paradigm of local drug delivery systems through offering high versatility in controlling drug release profiles, personalized customization and multi-drug incorporation. Tackling some of the current issues with advanced fabrication methods, including adhering to GMP-standards and industrial scale-up, together with innovative solutions for complex designs will see to the maturation of these techniques and result in increased clinical research into implant-based epilepsy treatment. Abbreviations: GMP: Good manufacturing process; DDS(s): Drug delivery system(s); 3D: Three-dimensional; AEDs: Anti-epileptic drugs; BBB: Blood brain barrier; PLA: Polylactic acid; PLGA: Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid); PCL: poly(ɛ-caprolactone); ESE: Emulsification solvent evaporation; O/W: Oil-in-water; W/O/W: Water-in-oil-in-water; DZP: Diazepam; PHT: Phenytoin; PHBV: Poly(hydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate); PEG: Polyethylene glycol; SWD: Spike-and-wave discharges; CAD: Computer aided design; FDM: Fused deposition modeling; ABS: Acrylonitrile butadiene styren; eEVA: Ethylene-vinyl acetate; GelMA: Gelatin methacrylate; PVA: Poly-vinyl alcohol; PDMS: Polydimethylsiloxane; SLA: Stereolithography; SLS: Selective laser sintering