Paracetamol Sensitive Cellulose-Based Electrochemical Sensors

Electrochemical determination of paracetamol (PCT) was successfully performed using carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) modified with treated coffee husks (CHt) or cellulose powder (Ce). Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize unmodified or modified CPEs prior to their use. The electrochemical oxidation of PCT was investigated using square wave voltammetry (SWV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The oxidation current density of PCT was two-fold higher with the CPE-CHt sensor and 30% higher with CPE-Ce in comparison with the unmodified CPE, and this correlated with the higher hydrophilicity of the modified electrodes. Using SWV for the electrochemical analysis of PCT, carbon paste electrode modified with raw coffee husks (CPE-CHr) showed the presence of impurities at +0.27 V/SCE, showing the interest in using pure cellulose for the present analytical application. Furthermore, CPE-Ce presented a higher real area compared to CPE-CHr, which explains the increase in the limit of saturation from 400 mg/L to 950 mg/L. The better saturation limit exhibited by CPE-Ce justifies its choice for electroanalysis of PCT in commercialized tablets. The proposed method was successfully applied in the determination of PCT in commercialized tablets (Doliprane® 500) with a recovery rate close to 100%, and no interference with the excipients contained in the tablets analyzed was observed

Evaluation of the degradation of acetaminophen by the filamentous fungus Scedosporium dehoogii using carbon-based modified electrodes

International audienc

<i>Commiphora wildii</i> Merxm. Essential Oil: Natural Heptane Source and Co-Product Valorization

As an alternative to fossil volatile hydrocarbon solvents used nowadays in perfumery, investigation on essential oil of Commiphora wildii Merxm. oleo gum resin as a source of heptane is reported here. Heptane, representing up to 30 wt-% of this oleo gum resin, was successfully isolated from the C. wildii essential oil, using an innovative double distillation process. Isolated heptane was then used as a solvent in order to extract some noble plants of perfumery. It was found that extracts obtained with this solvent were more promising in terms of sensory analysis than those obtained from fossil-based heptane. In addition, in order to valorize the essential oil depleted from heptane, chemical composition of this oil was found to obtain, and potential biological activity properties were studied. A total of 172 different compounds were identified by GC-MS in the remaining oil. In vitro tests—including hyaluronidase, tyrosinase, antioxidant, elastase and lipoxygenase, as well as inhibitory tests against two yeasts and 21 bacterial strains commonly found on the skin—were carried out. Overall, bioassays results suggest this heptane-depleted essential oil is a promising active ingredient for cosmetic applications

Geosmithia argillacea: an Emerging Pathogen in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis▿

We report eight cases of airway colonization by Geosmithia argillacea in patients with cystic fibrosis. This filamentous fungus, resembling members of the genera Penicillium and Paecilomyces, was identified by molecular analysis. All patients carried a mutation on each CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) allele, with at least one copy of the F508del mutation. The first isolation of this fungus occurred from F508del-homozygous patients at a younger age than in F508del-heterozygous patients. Before recovery of G. argillacea, all patients were treated with itraconazole; two of them had also received voriconazole for an Aspergillus fumigatus infection. However, antifungal susceptibility patterns showed high MICs of voriconazole for all isolates, and high MICs of amphotericin B and itraconazole for the majority of them, but mostly low minimum effective concentrations (MECs) of caspofungin. The appearance and persistence of G. argillacea in the airways were not associated with exacerbation of the disease. However, the clinical implications of G. argillacea, particularly in immunocompromised patients, remain a concern, particularly given recent observations suggesting that this fungus may also cause disseminated infections

Penicillium and Talaromyces spp. emerging pathogens in dogs since 1990s

Abstract Penicillium and Talaromyces spp. are environmental saprophytic molds rarely encountered as infectious agents in humans and animals. This article summarizes the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of proven infections caused by Penicillium or Talaromyces in four dogs in France. Two dogs had disseminated infections, while the other two had a localized form. All dogs had positive histopathological results showing the presence of hyaline septate hyphae and a positive fungal culture with typical Penicillium conidiophores. Talaromyces georgiensis (n = 1), Penicillium labradorum (n = 2), and Penicillium from section Ramosa series Raistrickiorum (n = 1), were identified based on Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Sanger sequencing. The dogs were initially treated with ketoconazole or itraconazole. Second-line treatment was initiated in three dogs, but after several relapses, the prognosis remained poor. Since the 1990s, 18 cases of Penicillium or Talaromyces infections in dogs have been described worldwide. This series of four reports brings new cases to those already reported in the literature, which are probably underestimated in the world

Two Tabersonine 6,7-Epoxidases Initiate Lochnericine-Derived Alkaloid Biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus

International audienc