Suchergebnisse

In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) is used to monitor the conformational space spanned by a ligand when in the binding pocket of a protein. 5,6-benzocoumarin-3-carboxylic acid was chosen as it is a relatively rigid molecule, with only one rotational degree of freedom, useful in its simplicity, whereas bovine serum albumin was used as a model protein. The initial geometry of the protein-ligand complex was obtained by molecular docking. The MD simulation was carried out for 90 ns and the dynamic evolution of the system was explored based on the usual parameters: root mean square deviation (RMSD), radius of gyration (Rg) and root mean square fluctuation (RMSF). The MD trajectory was analysed and interpreted in terms of the hydrogen bonds formed with the surrounding aminoacid residues and the conformational space spanned by the ligand during the interaction process.

Pneumococcal carriage is a prerequisite for disease, and underpins herd protection provided by pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). There are few data on the impact of PCVs in lower income settings, particularly in Asia. In 2013, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) introduced 13-valent PCV (PCV13) as a 3 + 0 schedule (doses at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age) with limited catch-up vaccination. We conducted two cross-sectional carriage surveys (pre- and two years post-PCV) to assess the impact of PCV13 on nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage in 5-8 week old infants (n = 1000) and 12-23 month old children (n = 1010). Pneumococci were detected by quantitative real-time PCR, and molecular serotyping was performed using DNA microarray. Post PCV13, there was a 23% relative reduction in PCV13-type carriage in children aged 12-23 months (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 0.77 [0.61-0.96]), and no significant change in non-PCV13 serotype carriage (aPR 1.11 [0.89-1.38]). In infants too young to be vaccinated, there was no significant change in carriage of PCV13 serotypes (aPR 0.74 [0.43-1.27]) or non-PCV13 serotypes (aPR 1.29 [0.85-1.96]), although trends were suggestive of indirect effects. Over 70% of pneumococcal-positive samples contained at least one antimicrobial resistance gene, which were more common in PCV13 serotypes (p < 0.001). In 12-23 month old children, pneumococcal density of both PCV13 serotypes and non-PCV13 serotypes was higher in PCV13-vaccinated compared with undervaccinated children (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). This study provides evidence of PCV13 impact on carriage in a population without prior PCV7 utilisation, and provides important data from a lower-middle income setting in Asia. The reductions in PCV13 serotype carriage in vaccine-eligible children are likely to result in reductions in pneumococcal transmission and disease in Lao PDR.

Children are the future of a country, and they should be at the center of the national development strategy and policies. However, these are also objects of vulnerability and abuse. Therefore, child protection and child-abuse prevention are the responsibilities of each country. In this article, the authors have mentioned and analyzed the following main issues: (i) The facts and the problem of child abuse in Vietnam; (ii) Causes of child abuse in Vietnam; (iii) Recommendations to improve laws and policies and the effectiveness of implementation of child abuse prevention and abatement in Vietnam.

Global commitments aim to provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) to 15 million people living with HIV by 2015, and recent studies have demonstrated the potential for widespread ART to prevent HIV transmission. Increasingly, countries are adapting their national guidelines to start ART earlier, for both clinical and preventive benefits. To maximize the benefits of ART in resource‐limited settings, six key principles need to guide ART choice: simplicity, tolerability and safety, durability, universal applicability, affordability and heat stability. Currently available drugs, combined with those in late‐stage clinical development, hold great promise to simplify treatment in the short term. Over the longer term, newer technologies, such as long‐acting formulations and nanotechnology, could radically alter the treatment paradigm. This commentary reviews recommendations made in an expert consultation on treatment scale up in resource‐limited settings.

The catalytic oxidation under green conditions of pyrogallol into purpurogallin was performed by air with laccase model copper complexes or by plant extracts containing peroxidases in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. A study was conducted for turnip, depending on the amount of extract, the method of introduction and the pH. Optimization of these conditions made it possible to easily obtain pure purpurogallin with a yield of 78%.