Targeting Macrophage Histone H3 Modification as a Leishmania Strategy to Dampen the NF-κB/NLRP3-Mediated Inflammatory Response.

Aberrant macrophage activation during intracellular infection generates immunopathologies that can cause severe human morbidity. A better understanding of immune subversion strategies and macrophage phenotypic and functional responses is necessary to design host-directed intervention strategies. Here, we uncover a fine-tuned transcriptional response that is induced in primary and lesional macrophages infected by the parasite Leishmania amazonensis and dampens NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Effects of proton versus photon irradiation on (lymph)angiogenic, inflammatory, proliferative and anti-tumor immune responses in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The proximity of organs at risk makes the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) challenging by standard radiotherapy. The higher precision in tumor targeting of proton (P) therapy could promote it as the treatment of choice for HNSCC. Besides the physical advantage in dose deposition, few is known about the biological impact of P versus photons (X) in this setting.

Improving quality of care and use of contraceptives in Senegal.

In the 1990s, the government of Senegal implemented a series of policy changes for the provision of family planning services through the public sector. A strategy to provide high quality services through reference centres was adopted. This paper presents findings from a longitudinal survey of 1,320 Senegalese women who had sought family planning services at ten public sector facilities--five reference centres and five health centres.

[Economic contribution of gynecological and obstetrical ultrasound in an advanced strategy for the Zinguinchor region].

Aiming to strengthen the accessibility of ultrasound technology to rural populations, an advanced strategy ultrasound programme was implemented in the health districts of Sedhiou, Oussouye, Bignona and Ziguinchor all located within Casamance in Senegal. Within the first year of activity (January 1, 2001-December 31, 2001), the team from the regional health centre (RHC) was dispatched 56 times. Ultrasound scans were performed in the homes of 1,273 patients among which 192 were referred to the RHC for specialised follow-up and treatment.

Cholinesterase inhibition by derivatives of 2-amino-4,6-dimethylpyridine.

Derivatives of 2-amino-4,6-dimethylpyridine, aryl(alkyl)carboxamides, thiocarbamides and amidrazones, already known for their anti-inflammatory properties, were found to be moderately active inhibitors of acetyl and butyrylcholinesterase. Quantitative structure-activity relationships showed that the binding affinity was enhanced by the following structural modifications: (1) increase in molecular volume, (2) decrease in the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, (3) insertion of a methylene group between the amide carbonyl and the aromatic ring, (4) replacement of the amide oxygen by sulfur. The affinity remained, however, weaker than that of the specific inhibitor 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (tacrine).