Cameroon, until now a point of stability in the region, faces potential instability in the run-up to the presidential elections scheduled for late 2011.

Continuous spread of antimalarial drug resistance is a threat to current chemotherapy efficacy. Therefore, characterizing the genetic diversity of drug resistance markers is needed to follow treatment effectiveness and further update control strategies. Here, we genotyped Plasmodium falciparum resistance gene markers associated with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in isolates from pregnant women in Ghana. The prevalence of the septuple IRNI-A/FGKGS/T pfdhfr/pfdhps haplotypes including the pfdhps A581G and A613S/T mutations was high at delivery among post-SP treatment isolates (18.2%) compared to those of first-antenatal care (before initiation of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP); 6.1%; p = 0.03). Regarding the pfk13 marker gene, two non-synonymous mutations (N458D and A481C) were detected at positions previously related to artemisinin resistance in isolates from Southeast-Asia. These mutations were predicted in silico to alter the stability of the pfk13 propeller-encoding domain. Overall, these findings highlight the need for intensified monitoring and surveillance on additional mutations associated with increased SP resistance as well as emergence of resistance against artemesinin derivatives.

Antimicrobial peptides and proteins play critical roles in the host defense against invading pathogens. We recently discovered that recombinantly expressed human and mouse serum amyloid A1 (rhSAA1 and rmSAA1) proteins have potent antifungal activities against the major human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. At high concentrations, rhSAA1 disrupts C. albicans membrane integrity and induces rapid fungal cell death. In the current study, we find that rhSAA1 promotes cell aggregation and targets the C. albicans cell wall adhesin Als3. Inactivation of ALS3 in C. albicans leads to a striking decrease in cell aggregation and cell death upon rhSAA1 treatment, suggesting that Als3 plays a critical role in SAA1 sensing. We further demonstrate that deletion of the transcriptional regulators controlling the expression of ALS3, such as AHR1, BCR1, and EFG1 in C. albicans results in similar effects to that of the als3/als3 mutant upon rhSAA1 treatment. Global gene expression profiling indicates that rhSAA1 has a discernible impact on the expression of cell wall- and metabolism-related genes, suggesting that rhSAA1 treatment could lead to a nutrient starvation effect on C. albicans cells.

The rapid evolution of resistance in the malaria parasite to every single drug developed against it calls for the urgent identification of new molecular targets. Using a stain specific for the detection of intracellular amyloid deposits in live cells we have detected the presence of abundant protein aggregates in Plasmodium falciparum blood stages and female gametes cultured in vitro, in the blood stages of mice infected by Plasmodium yoelii, and in the mosquito stages of the murine malaria species Plasmodium berghei. Aggregated proteins could not be detected in early rings, the parasite form that starts the intraerythrocytic cycle. A proteomics approach was followed to pinpoint actual aggregating polypeptides in functional P. falciparum blood stages, which resulted in the identification of 369 proteins, with roles particularly enriched in nuclear import-related processes. Five aggregation-prone short peptides selected from this protein pool exhibited different aggregation propensity according to Thioflavin-T fluorescence measurements, and were observed to form amorphous aggregates and amyloid fibrils in transmission electron microscope images. The results presented suggest that generalized protein aggregation might have a functional role in malaria parasites. Future antimalarial strategies based on the upsetting of the pathogen's proteostasis and therefore affecting multiple gene products could represent the entry to new therapeutic approaches.

Meropenem/vaborbactam resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae is associated with loss of function mutations in the OmpK35 and OmpK36 porins. Here we identify two previously unknown loss of function mutations that confer cefuroxime resistance in K. pneumoniae. The proteins lost were NlpD and KvrA; the latter is a transcriptional repressor controlling capsule production. We demonstrate that KvrA loss reduces OmpK35 and OmpK36 porin production, which confers reduced susceptibility to meropenem/vaborbactam in a KPC-3 producing K. pneumoniae isolate.

A case of M. leprae rifampicin resistance after irregular anti-leprosy treatments since 1971 is reported. Whole-genome sequencing from four longitudinal samples indicated relapse due to acquired rifampicin resistance and not to reinfection with another strain. A putative compensatory mutation in rpoC was also detected. Clinical improvement was achieved using an alternative therapy.

BACKGROUND:

For children who cannot be discharged from the emergency department, definitive care has become less frequent at most hospitals. It is uncertain whether this is true for common conditions that do not require specialty care. We sought to determine how the likelihood of definitive care has changed for 3 common pediatric conditions: asthma, croup, and gastroenteritis.

UEFA's 'Women's football across the national associations 2017' report shows how the female game has evolved over the past five years, and offers a snapshot of the sport in each of UEFA's 55 member associations.

Penn State’s Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) team reached new heights earlier this month when they participated in the regional finals of the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition for the first time.

Whether you're a first-year student looking to get a head start on your college career, a current student looking to get ahead or catch up, or a student at another college or university looking to earn credits over the summer, Penn State Brandywine offers numerous summer learning opportunities. Registration remains open for summer classes.

The 2020 Northeastern Pennsylvania Science Olympiad, scheduled for March 11 at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, was canceled and will not be rescheduled.

There’s still an opportunity to take classes this summer with Penn State York. The two six-week summer sessions, offered remotely, give students a chance to get ahead for fall, catch up on classes, or just get started.

030 - Venues for finals of UEFA 2015 club competitions chosen

A performing arts outreach team shares Christ with crowds gathered to watch their street performances every evening during the Avignon Festival.

The organization hopes the change, which will take place starting with the next round of exams in November, will make it more affordable for students to take the tests.

The DJI Mavic Mini weighs just 249 grams, so you can fly it in the US—and many other regions—without having to register it with the government. It has very capable specifications, but also some artificial limitations we're not happy to see.

If you own a quadcopter or are planning to buy one, you should be aware of FAA rules for flying outdoors. Here's everything you need to know about owning and flying a drone for fun.

Through propensity score analysis, we examine the effect of living in a segregated area on the development of neonatal IVH, stratified by maternal race.

Statistics from the Division of Professional Regulation, which licenses controlled substance prescribers, show a 12-percent drop in opioid prescriptions statewide compared to the first quarter of 2017. The number of Delaware patients being treated with opioid medications has also declined by 8 percent over the same time period, the division reports.

Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock has suspended the Delaware medical license and controlled substance privileges of Gregory Villabona, in light of allegations of unprofessional conduct related to the prescription and distribution of opioid medications.

Regulations promulgated by the Secretary of State and slated to take effect Jan. 1 will require that new business entities formed in Delaware be screened against lists of persons and groups that have been prohibited from doing business in the United States.

The Goldberg Variations: 32 Miniatures Based on Bach’s Keyboard Masterpiece, an exhibition of mixed media works by Gregg Silvis, will be on view in the Mezzanine Gallery from November 1-27, 2019.

Vintage 1950s-era New Castle ice cream stand still dishing up soft serve.

The Delaware Division of the Arts and the National Arts Program® present the 9th Annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition Dover, Del. (December 9, 2019) – The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition is designed to give Delaware state employees and their families, at any skill level, a unique opportunity to exhibit their artwork and to […]

Brands tap regional celebrities to go hyperlocal. Does it translate into higher ROI?

By Devika Singh The country's oldest music label company is singing a different tune. From podcasts to a dedicated film production unit, Saregama is looking beyond music licensing to broaden its appeal. Vikram Mehra talks to Devika Singh about creating and monetising IPs, why the company will not launch a streaming app, and more. Saregama […]

Brands are tapping regional influencers for higher engagement.

Unearthing cartels by invoking applicant confidence: Lesser penalty regulations, 2009

US-based Franklin Templeton on Friday issued an apology to capital market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for any misunderstanding over the closure of six of its schemes in the...

The Bombay toasty is a special sandwich sold on the streets of Bombay which is made with lots of fresh vegetables, mint chutney and butter.

A 35-year old Indian woman, who was five months pregnant, was founded murdered in her apartment and her husband was found dead in an apparent suicide in the Hudson River near here, authorities said.

Over 1,50,000 Indians in the UAE, who wish to return home amid the coronavirus lockdown, have applied through the online registration process to the Indian missions in Dubai, according to media...

The Delaware Office of Management and Budget will be holding three public hearings to gather public comment on regulations under Governor Markell’s Executive Order 36, a statewide review by all agencies to identify and remove regulatory hurdles.

OMB accepting public input on agency regulations through December 1.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is currently accepting comments and will hold a series of public hearings on three OMB regulations in accordance with the regulatory review provisions of HB 147 of the 148th General Assembly. Comments will be accepted through November 1 for the following regulations: • 4102 Regulations for the Annual […]

Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act 2008

The Governor released a statement on USDA Report Showing Positive Impact of Farming Practices in Chesapeake Bay Region.

Delaware farmers, lawn care companies, golf courses and other nutrient handlers should not apply nutrients to the ground during the winter months, the Delaware Department of Agriculture says in a reminder.

Delaware is sending its second wildfire crew of the summer to the Great Basin region. Responding to a spike in wildfire activity in the West that has increased the National Fire Preparedness Level to 4 on a 5-point scale, Delaware has joined forces with neighboring Mid-Atlantic states (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio) to dispatch five crews, a total of 100 firefighters, to battle fires in the Great Basin. The crews departed Harrisburg, PA for Salt Lake City on August 25. Delaware is now assigned to the Henry's Creek Fire near Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Delaware farmers, lawn care companies, golf courses and other nutrient handlers should not apply nutrients to the ground during the winter months, the Delaware Department of Agriculture reminds applicators.

Healthy Bees are essential to Delaware’s vegetable production and agricultural economy. Delaware's beekeeping laws aim to reduce the impact of stressors through specific requirements of all beekeepers in the state, such as hive registration, colony and equipment inspection for sale, trade or gifting of bees.