Mode of action of closthioamide: the first member of the polythioamide class of bacterial DNA gyrase inhibitors.

Objectives: The spread of MDR bacteria represents a serious threat to human society and novel antibiotic drugs, preferably from new chemical classes, are urgently needed. Closthioamide was isolated from the strictly anaerobic bacterium Clostridium cellulolyticum and belongs to a new class of natural products, the polythioamides. Here, we investigated the antimicrobial activity and mechanism of action of closthioamide.

Hybrid collagen-based hydrogels with embedded montmorillonite nanoparticles.

Montmorillonite nanoparticles have been physically incorporated within a crosslinked collagen/poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) network in order to adjust the properties of the stimuli-responsive hybrid systems. The research underlines both the influence of hydrogel composition and nanoparticle type on hybrid hydrogel properties. The dispersion of the montmorillonite nanoparticles in polymeric matrix have been visualized by SEM, TEM and AFM techniques and quantitatively and qualitatively estimated using near infrared chemical imaging.

Antimicrobial Peptides from the Aurein Family Form Ion-Selective Pores in Bacillus subtilis.

The mechanism of action of aurein 2.2 and aurein 2.3, antimicrobial peptides from the frog Litoria aurea, was investigated.

Upon synthesis of a polymeric matrix with pH and temperature responsiveness and antioxidant bioactivity based on poly(maleic anhydride-co-3,9-divinyl-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro [5.5] undecane) derivatives.

Poly(maleic anhydride-co-3,9-divinyl-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro [5.5] undecane), acquired through radical polymerization, was synthesized with the aim to prepare an alternant copolymer with precise placement of functional groups along the polymer backbones. The new structure owing to the suitable and specific functionalities is anticipated to be used as reactive polymer to link bioactive compounds via maleic anhydride moiety.

Common psychocutaneous disorders in children.

The prevalence of psychosomatic disorders among dermatological patients is high but frequently unreported because of difficulties in diagnosing and treating this patient group. Psychiatric and psychological factors may play different roles in the pathogenic mechanism of some skin diseases. The mainstay of diagnosis and treatment is the differentiation between skin disorders associated with psychiatric illness and those of a purely psychiatric nature.

Aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp--what are the steps to be followed? Case report and review of the literature.

Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare malformation characterized by localized congenital absence of the skin. It rarely occurs on the trunk and limbs, and can occur in isolation or as part of a heterogeneous group of syndromes. We report a case of a 4-day-old boy with a 5.

Chloronychia: green nail syndrome caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in elderly persons.

Green nails, also known as chloronychia or green nail syndrome, are characterized by green discoloration of the nail plate (greenish-yellow, greenish-brown, greenish-black), proximal chronic non-tender paronychia, and distolateral onycholysis. The cause is Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of the nail plate in persons whose hands are constantly exposed to water, soaps, and detergents or are subject to mechanical trauma, especially in the elderly. Green or black coloration of the nails should raise suspicion for Pseudomonas infection and be treated with an oral quinolone (ciprofloxacin), particularly in aged patients.

Possibilities of quercetin insertion into poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-3, 9-divinyl-2, 4, 8, 10-tetraoxaspiro (5.5) undecane) network.

The study presents the possibility of coupling quercetin into poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-3, 9-divinyl-2, 4, 8, 10-tetraoxaspiro (5.5) undecane) (PDMA-co-U) gel network through a semi-imprinted procedure in order to obtain a responsive antioxidant composite. A continuous magnetic field was used during quercetin insertion for prearranging the compounds - macromolecular matrix and quercetin - and improving the coupling efficiency of the flavonoid structure into the polymeric network.

Mapping of the modular closthioamide architecture reveals crucial motifs of polythioamide antibiotics.

Closthioamide, the first known secondary metabolite from an anaerobic microorganism (Clostridium cellulolyticum), represents a highly potent antibiotic that is active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) at nanomolar concentrations. To unveil structure-activity relationships of the unusual polythioamide natural product we have designed a synthetic grid to access analogues with altered terminal aromatic moieties, diverse p-phenyl substituents, different types and sizes of aliphatic spacers, varying numbers of thioamide residues, and diverse sizes and symmetries of the poly-β-thioalanyl backbone. A library of 28 closthioamide analogues was tested against a panel of human pathogenic bacteria.

Not French manicure but onycholysis.

French manicure, a simple and elegant manicure style, caught the public's attention by the 19th century in French nail salons. Now this style has spread all over the world and is the first choice of 80% of women in the USA and Europe. It consists of a natural, pink, beige, or nude base tipped with pure white at the distal end.

Prevalence of uncontrolled allergic rhinitis in Wuhan, China: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a highly prevalent disease that affects the quality of life, especially in the "severe chronic upper airway disease" (SCUAD) group of patients who still have severe symptoms after adequate treatment. This study investigated the prevalence of uncontrolled AR and SCUAD consulting in the Allergy Department of Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, China.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, all patients consulting for AR were prospectively assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) and Allergic Rhinitis Control Test (ARCT) and put on standardized treatment based on the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines.

Drug allergy diagnosis.

Poorly documented and often self-reported drug hypersensitivity (DH) is a frequent problem in daily clinical practice and has a considerable impact on prescription choices. Little is known about the natural history of true DH. The suspicion of DH starts on clinical grounds.

Prevalence of type 1 Brugada ECG pattern after administration of Class 1C drugs in patients with type 1 myotonic dystrophy: Myotonic dystrophy as a part of the Brugada syndrome.

Background: Both type 1 myotonic dystrophy (MD1) and Brugada syndrome (BrS) may be complicated by conduction disturbances and sudden death. Spontaneous BrS has been observed in MD1 patients, but the prevalence of drug-induced BrS in MD1 is unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess the prevalence of type 1 ST elevation as elicited during pharmacologic challenge with Class 1C drugs in a subgroup of MD1 patients and to further establish correlations with ECG and electrophysiologic variables and prognosis.

Reasons for prescribing second generation antihistamines to treat allergic rhinitis in real-life conditions and patient response.

Background: Second generation H1 antihistamines (H1A) are currently recommended as first choice medications for allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis. However, little is known about what influences the choice of prescription of one second generation (H1A) as opposed to another in real-life conditions.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify the main criteria determining the choice of a second generation H1A by allergy specialists in mainland France.

Semi-imprinting quercetin into poly[N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-3, 9-divinyl-2, 4, 8, 10-tetraoxaspiro (5.5) undecane] network: evaluation of the antioxidant character.

A responsive antioxidant system constituted from quercetin inserted into poly[N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-3, 9-divinyl-2, 4, 8, 10-tetraoxaspiro (5.5) undecane] through a semi-imprinted procedure was evaluated. A continuous magnetic field (MF) was used during supramolecular structure preparation.