Development of Low-Toxicity Antimicrobial Polycarbonates Bearing Lysine Residues.

Antibiotic resistance has been threatening public health for a long period, while the COVID pandemic aggravated the scenario. To combat antibiotic resistance strains, host defense peptides (HDPs) mimicking molecules have attracted considerable attention. Herein, we reported a series of polycarbonates bearing cationic lysine amino acid residues that could mimic the mechanism of action of HDPs and possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Helical sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides for the inhibition of HIV-1 fusion and HIF-1α signaling.

Synthetic helical peptidic foldamers show promising applications in chemical biology and biomedical sciences by mimicking protein helical segments. Sulfonyl-γ-AApeptide helices developed by our group exhibit good chemodiversity, predictable folding structures, proteolytic resistance, favorable cell permeability, and enhanced bioavailability. Herein, in this minireview, we highlight two recent examples of homogeneous left-handed sulfonyl-γ-AApeptide helices to modulate protein-protein interactions (PPIs).

Decentralized, Integrated Treatment of RR/MDR-TB and HIV Using a Bedaquiline-Based, Short-Course Regimen Is Effective and Associated With Improved HIV Disease Control.

Background: In decentralized sites, with fewer resources and a high prevalence of advanced HIV, the effectiveness of the new short-course, bedaquiline-based regimen for rifampicin-resistant and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (RR/MDR-TB) is not well-described.

Setting: Adults with pulmonary RR/MDR-TB initiating the short-course regimen in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa were prospectively enrolled at a decentralized program that integrated person-centered TB care.

Methods: In addition to standard of care monitoring, study visits occurred at enrollment and months 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9.

When peer comparison information harms physician well-being.

Policymakers and business leaders often use peer comparison information-showing people how their behavior compares to that of their peers-to motivate a range of behaviors. Despite their widespread use, the potential impact of peer comparison interventions on recipients' well-being is largely unknown. We conducted a 5-mo field experiment involving 199 primary care physicians and 46,631 patients to examine the impact of a peer comparison intervention on physicians' job performance, job satisfaction, and burnout.

Examining the role of COVID-19 testing availability on intention to isolate: A Randomized hypothetical scenario.

Background: Little information exists on how COVID-19 testing influences intentions to engage in risky behavior. Understanding the behavioral effects of diagnostic testing may highlight the role of adequate testing on controlling viral transmission. In order to evaluate these effects, simulated scenarios were conducted evaluating participant intentions to self-isolate based on COVID-19 diagnostic testing availability and results.