Synthesis of Modified Peptidoglycan Precursor Analogues for the Inhibition of Glycosyltransferase.

The peptidoglycan glycosyltransferases (GTs) are essential enzymes that catalyze the polymerization of glycan chains of the bacterial cell wall from lipid II and thus constitute a validated antibacterial target. Their enzymatic cavity is composed of a donor site for the growing glycan chain (where the inhibitor moenomycin binds) and an acceptor site for lipid II substrate. In order to find lead inhibitors able to fill this large active site, we have synthesized a series of substrate analogues of lipid I and lipid II with variations in the lipid, the pyrophosphate, and the peptide moieties and evaluated their biological effect on the GT activity of E. coli PBP1b and their antibacterial potential. We found several compounds able to inhibit the GT activity in vitro and cause growth defect in Bacillus subtilis . The more active was C16-phosphoglycerate-MurNAc-(l-Ala-d-Glu)-GlcNAc, which also showed antibacterial activity. These molecules are promising leads for the design of new antibacterial GT inhibitors

DNA Dosimetry Assessment for Sunscreen Genotoxic Photoprotection

Background: Due to the increase of solar ultraviolet radiation (UV) incidence over the last few decades, the use of sunscreen has been widely adopted for skin protection. However, considering the high efficiency of sunlight-induced DNA lesions, it is critical to improve upon the current approaches that are used to evaluate protection factors. An alternative approach to evaluate the photoprotection provided by sunscreens against daily UV radiation-induced DNA damage is provided by the systematic use of a DNA dosimeter. Methodology/Principal Findings: The Sun Protection Factor for DNA (DNA-SPF) is calculated by using specific DNA repair enzymes, and it is defined as the capacity for inhibiting the generation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and oxidised DNA bases compared with unprotected control samples. Five different commercial brands of sunscreen were initially evaluated, and further studies extended the analysis to include 17 other products representing various formulations and Sun Protection Factors (SPF). Overall, all of the commercial brands of SPF 30 sunscreens provided sufficient protection against simulated sunlight genotoxicity. In addition, this DNA biosensor was useful for rapidly screening the biological protection properties of the various sunscreen formulations. Conclusions/Significance: The application of the DNA dosimeter is demonstrated as an alternative, complementary, and reliable method for the quantification of sunscreen photoprotection at the level of DNA damage.Natura Inovacao e Tecnologia de Produtos LTDA (Sao Paulo, Brazil)Natura Inovacao e Tecnologia de Produtos LTDA (Sao Paulo, Brazil)FAPESP (Sao Paulo, Brazil)FAPESP (Sao Paulo, Brazil)CNPq (Brasilia, Brazil)CNPq (Brasilia, Brazil)Natura Inovacao e Tecnologia de Produtos LTDANatura Inovacao e Tecnologia de Produtos LTD

Biological Sensors for Solar Ultraviolet Radiation

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is widely known as a genotoxic environmental agent that affects Earth ecosystems and the human population. As a primary consequence of the stratospheric ozone layer depletion observed over the last decades, the increasing UV incidence levels have heightened the concern regarding deleterious consequences affecting both the biosphere and humans, thereby leading to an increase in scientific efforts to understand the role of sunlight in the induction of DNA damage, mutagenesis, and cell death. In fact, the various UV-wavelengths evoke characteristic biological impacts that greatly depend on light absorption of biomolecules, especially DNA, in living organisms, thereby justifying the increasing importance of developing biological sensors for monitoring the harmful impact of solar UV radiation under various environmental conditions. In this review, several types of biosensors proposed for laboratory and field application, that measure the biological effects of the UV component of sunlight, are described. Basically, the applicability of sensors based on DNA, bacteria or even mammalian cells are presented and compared. Data are also presented showing that on using DNA-based sensors, the various types of damage produced differ when this molecule is exposed in either an aqueous buffer or a dry solution. Apart from the data thus generated, the development of novel biosensors could help in evaluating the biological effects of sunlight on the environment. They also emerge as alternative tools for using live animals in the search for protective sunscreen products

Cent scientifiques répliquent à SEA (Suppression des Expériences sur l’Animal vivant) et dénoncent sa désinformation

La lutte contre la maltraitance animale est sans conteste une cause moralement juste. Mais elle ne justifie en rien la désinformation à laquelle certaines associations qui s’en réclament ont recours pour remettre en question l’usage de l’expérimentation animale en recherche

Cadre conceptuel de la qualité de l’encadrement pédagogique clinique en Sciences Infirmières et Obstétricales

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe

NLRP3 inflammasome and visceral adipose tissue

peer reviewedIt is recognized that abdominal obesity is accompanied by a chronic low-grade inflammation that is involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes are associated with an abnormal production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, an increased level of acute-phase proteins and an activation of inflammatory signalling pathways. These pro-inflammatory cytokines, mainly produced by adipose tissue macrophages, are involved in development of obesity-associated insulin resistance and in the progression from obesity to type 2 diabetes. Particularly, the interleukin-1 beta may play a key role through the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Adipose tissue topography, more than the total amount of fat, may play an important pathogenic role. Indeed, the presence of metabolic abnormalities in obesity is associated with a deleterious immunological and inflammatory profile of visceral adipose tissue and with an increased activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages infiltrating visceral adipose tissue. Targeting inflammation, especially NLRP3 inflammasome, may offer potential novel therapeutic perspectives in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes

Evaluation des pratiques du Service Médical Urgent de Réanimation de la Communauté française de Belgique face aux cas de mort subite du nourrisson

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Les morsures canines chez les enfants de moins de 15 ans en Communauté française de Belgique. Enquête téléphonique auprès d'un échantillon aléatoire de familles.

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe