Covalent attachment of active enzymes to upconversion phosphors allows ratiometric detection of substrates

Upconverting phosphors (UCPs) convert multiple low energy photons into higher energy emission via the process of photon upconversion and offer an attractive alternative to organic fluorophores for use as luminescent probes. Here, UCPs were capped with functionalized silica in order to provide a surface to covalently conjugate proteins with surface?accessible cysteines. Variants of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the flavoenzyme pentaerythritol tetranitrate reductase (PETNR) were then attached via maleimide?thiol coupling in order to allow energy transfer from the UCP to the GFP or flavin cofactor of PETNR, respectively. PETNR retains its activity when coupled to the UCPs, which allows reversible detection of enzyme substrates via ratiometric sensing of the enzyme redox state

Implementing Preventive Chemotherapy through an Integrated National Neglected Tropical Disease Control Program in Mali

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of chronic infections that affect the poorest group of the populations in the world. There are currently five major NTDs targeted through mass drug treatment in the affected communities. The drug delivery can be integrated to deliver different drug packages as these NTDs often overlap in distribution. Mali is endemic with all five major NTDs. The integrated national NTD control program was implemented through the primary health care system using the community health center workers and the community drug distributors aiming at long-term sustainability. After a pilot start in three regions in 2007 without prior examples to follow on integrated mass drug administration, treatment for the five targeted NTDs was gradually scaled up and reached all endemic districts by 2009, and annual drug coverage in the targeted population has since been maintained at a high level for each of the five NTDs. Around 10 million people received one or more drug treatments each year since 2009. The country is on the way to meet the national objectives of elimination or control of these diseases. The successes and lessons learned in Mali are valuable assets to other countries looking to start similar programs

Expanding the scope of biomolecule monitoring with ratiometric signaling from rare-earth upconverting phosphors

Upconversion (UC) is a powerful mulitphoton mechanism that converts low‐energy photons into higher energy emission. One of the most investigated UC systems is upconverting phosphors (UCPs). Here, a new, one‐pot synthetic procedure was used to prepare water dispersible, visibly emissive, rare‐earth doped UCPs that were capped with the functional groups oleic acid (OA), 6‐aminohexanoic acid (AHA), and 6‐maleimidohexanoic acid (MHA). These synthesized UCPs were characterized by UC luminescence, dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and powder X‐ray diffraction (pXRD). This study expands upon our previous proof‐of‐principle work in demonstrating the use of UCPs (both synthesized and commercial) to detect on the level and function of biological analytes, from enzymes to key disease biomarkers (PETNR, glucose oxidase, vitamin B12, and cytochrome c). By tailoring the absorption profile of the biomolecule cofactors to the UCP emission, a wide‐range of analytes can be utilized. We also demonstrate the ability of our system to reversibly monitor the addition of enzyme substrates via repeat oxidation and reduction of pentaerythritol tetranitrate reductase (PETNR)

Number of districts targeted annually for MDA for each disease since 2005.

a<p>2011 MDA was still ongoing during drafting of this paper so these are projected figures.</p>b<p>Sikasso district in the original 59 was split into two districts to become a total of 60 districts.</p>c<p>Figures in brackets represent the cumulative geographical coverage.</p>d<p>Figures include the districts where schoolchildren were treated with ALB together with schistosomiasis MDA.</p

The NTD control program coordination structure in Mali.

<p>The NTD control program coordination structure in Mali.</p

Number of persons trained under the integrated NTD control program (10.2007–03.2011).

<p>Number of persons trained under the integrated NTD control program (10.2007–03.2011).</p

Endemic situation shown as number of major target NTDs in each district in Mali.

<p>LF: lymphatic filariasis; ONCH: onchocerciasis; SCH: schistosomiasis; STH: soil-transmitted helminthiasis; TRA: trachoma. In Kidal region, the endemicity level of schistosomiasis in each district is not yet clear and further mapping is planned.</p