Prodrugs as new therapies against Chagas disease: in vivo synergy between Trypanosoma cruzi proline racemase inhibitors and benznidazole.

Objectives: Chagas disease, caused by the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affects approximately 6-7 million people worldwide. There are limited available therapies and they exhibit low efficacy, often high toxicity in chronic cases and some drug resistance. In this study, our objective was to develop ester prodrugs that inhibit proline racemase (TcPRAC), a parasitic enzyme previously identified and characterised as a promising target because of its essential role in the parasite's life cycle and virulence, and to test their activity against T.

Antimicrobial activity of a silver-microfibrillated cellulose biocomposite against susceptible and resistant bacteria.

Antibiotic Microbial Resistance (AMR) is a major global challenge as it constitutes a severe threat to global public health if not addressed. To fight against AMR bacteria, new antimicrobial agents are continually needed, and their efficacy must be tested. Historically, many transition metals have been employed, but their cytotoxicity is an issue and hence must be reduced, typically by combination with organic polymers.

Complicated intra-abdominal infections in Europe: a comprehensive review of the CIAO study.

The CIAO Study ("Complicated Intra-Abdominal infection Observational" Study) is a multicenter investigation performed in 68 medical institutions throughout Europe over the course of a 6-month observational period (January-June 2012).Patients with either community-acquired or healthcare-associated complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) were included in the study.2,152 patients with a mean age of 53.

Complicated intra-abdominal infections in Europe: preliminary data from the first three months of the CIAO Study.

The CIAO Study is a multicenter observational study currently underway in 66 European medical institutions over the course of a six-month study period (January-June 2012).This preliminary report overviews the findings of the first half of the study, which includes all data from the first three months of the six-month study period.Patients with either community-acquired or healthcare-associated complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) were included in the study.