THE USE OF DYE-LIGAND AFFINITY-CHROMATOGRAPHY FOR THE PURIFICATION OF NON-ENZYMATIC HUMAN-PLASMA PROTEINS

Literature data are analysed in this review on the use of immobilized triazine dyes for the characterization, isolation and purification of non-enzymatic human plasma proteins in both conventional and high-pressure liquid chromatography systems. Attention is focused on the mode of interaction between the dyes and these proteins, as well as on the advantages over previously reported techniques. Future developments are discussed

Access to microcredit for women living with, or vulnerable to, HIV in Haïti

Haïti is the poorest country on the American continent. It is also the Caribbean nation where HIV prevalence is the highest: 2.2% of the adults carry the virus.In 2005, GHESKIO, a centre for the care of people living with HIV/AIDS; ACME, Association for Cooperation with Micro Enterprise; and Fondation Mérieux launched a microcredit programme to help women living with HIV/AIDS. The programme was subsequently extended to vulnerable women who had consulted at GHESKIO.In 2006, an impact assessment of the programme among the first 66 women benefiting from a loan showed better living conditions compared to a control group of 30 women with similar initial medical and socioeconomic status but no loan. By mid-2008, 1061 women were the beneficiaries of 1538 loans totalling 11 373 000 gourdes, i.e. approximately 216 000€. Of these, 247 received several loans (up to seven loans to date).Although the women are very poorly educated and live in arduous economic circumstances, the loan repayment records are excellent – around 94% as of mid 2008. There is no difference between HIV-negative women and those living with HIV. Combined with antiretroviral treatment, micro-financing is certainly one of the major instruments for reducing the impact of HIV on the infected populations in countries with limited resources. This programme in Haiti is a demonstration of the feasibility of microcredit in a difficult environment. The great professionalism of the institutions implementing the programme is a key factor in its success.<br>Haïti est le pays le plus pauvre du continent américain. C’est également la région des Caraïbes qui affiche la plus forte prévalence de VIH : 2,2 % des adultes sont porteurs du virus.En 2005, GHESKIO, un centre de soins pour les personnes atteintes du VIH/SIDA, ACME (Association for Cooperation with Micro Enterprise) et la Fondation Mérieux ont lancé un programme de microcrédit pour aider les femmes atteintes du VIH/SIDA. Le programme a ensuite été étendu aux femmes vulnérables qui avaient consulté chez GHESKIO.En 2006, une évaluation de l’impact du programme réalisée auprès des 66 premières femmes à avoir bénéficié d’un prêt, a montré de meilleures conditions de vie comparé à un groupe témoin de 30 femmes au statut médical et socioéconomique initial similaire mais n’ayant pas bénéficié de prêt. Mi-2008, 1061 femmes bénéficiaient de 1538 prêts soit l’équivalent de 11 373 000 gourdes, environ 216 000 euros. Parmi elles, 247 recevaient plusieurs prêts (jusqu’à sept à ce jour).Bien que les femmes aient un niveau d’instruction médiocre et vivent dans des conditions économiques difficiles, les taux de remboursement des prêts sont excellents : environ 94 % mi-2008. Aucune différence n’a été constatée entre les femmes VIH-négatives et les femmes atteintes du VIH. Associé à un traitement antirétroviral, le micro-financement est certainement l’un des principaux moyens pour réduire l’impact du VIH sur les populations infectées dans les pays aux ressources limitées. Ce programme mis en œuvre en Haïti démontre la faisabilité du microcrédit dans un environnement difficile. L’extrême professionnalisme des institutions qui appliquent le programme est essentiel à la réussite de celui-ci.<br>Haití es el país más pobre del continente norteamericano. También es la nación del Caribe donde la prevalencia del VIH es más alta: el 2,2% de los adultos son portadores del virus.En 2005, GHESKIO, un centro para el cuidado de las personas que viven con el VIH/SIDA; ACME, la Asociación para la Cooperación con Microempresas; y la Fundación Mérieux lanzaron un programa de microcréditos para ayudar a mujeres que viven con el VIH/SIDA. El programa se amplió posteriormente a mujeres vulnerables que habían sido atendidas en GHESKIO.En 2006, una evaluación del impacto del programa entre las primeras 66 mujeres que se beneficiaron de un préstamo mostraron mejores condiciones de vida en comparación con un grupo de control de 30 mujeres con una situación socioeconómica y médica inicial semejante, pero que no habían recibido ningún préstamo. A mediados de 2008, 1.061 mujeres se habían beneficiado de los 1.538 préstamos que ascienden a un total 11.373.000 gourdes, es decir aproximadamente 216.000 €. De éstas, 247 recibieron varios préstamos (hasta siete préstamos hasta la fecha).Aunque las mujeres tienen una educación muy pobre y viven en circunstancias económicas duras, los registros de devolución de préstamo son excelentes, alrededor del 94% a mediados de 2008. No hay diferencia entre mujeres VIH negativas y las que viven con el VIH.En combinación con el tratamiento antirretroviral, la microfinanciación es ciertamente uno de los principales instrumentos para reducir el impacto del VIH en las poblaciones infectadas de países con recursos limitados. Este programa en Haití es una demostración de la viabilidad del microcrédito en un medio difícil. La gran profesionalidad de las instituciones que ponen en práctica el programa es un factor clave para su éxito

‘Plug-and-Power’ Point-of-Care diagnostics: A novel approach for self-powered electronic reader-based portable analytical devices

This paper presents an innovative approach in the portable Point-of-Care diagnostics field, the Plug-and-Power concept. In this new disposable sensor and plug-and-play reader paradigm, the energy required to perform a measurement is always available within the disposable test component. The reader unit contains all the required electronic modules to run the test, process data and display the result, but does not include any battery or power source. Instead, the disposable part acts as both the sensor and the power source. Additionally, this approach provides environmental benefits related to battery usage and disposal, as the paper-based power source has non-toxic redox chemistry that makes it eco-friendly and safe to follow the same waste stream as disposable test strips. The feasibility of this Plug-and-Power approach is demonstrated in this work with the development of a self-powered portable glucometer consisting of two parts: a test strip including a paper-based power source and a paper-based biofuel cell as a glucose sensor; and an application-specific battery-less electronic reader designed to extract the energy from the test strip, process the signal provided and show the glucose concentration on a display. The device was tested with human serum samples with glucose concentrations between 5 and 30 mM, providing quantitative results in good agreement with commercial measuring instruments. The advantages of the present approach can be extended to any kind of biosensors measuring different analytes and biological matrices, and in this way, strengthen the goals of Point-of-Care diagnostics towards laboratory decentralization, personalized medicine and improving patient compliance