One-pot chemo- and photo-enzymatic linear cascade processes.

The combination of chemo- and photocatalyses with biocatalysis, which couples the flexible reactivity of the photo- and chemocatalysts with the highly selective and environmentally friendly nature of enzymes in one-pot linear cascades, represents a powerful tool in organic synthesis. However, the combination of photo-, chemo- and biocatalysts in one-pot is challenging because the optimal operating conditions of the involved catalyst types may be rather different, and the different stabilities of catalysts and their mutual deactivation are additional problems often encountered in one-pot cascade processes. This review explores a large number of transformations and approaches adopted for combining enzymes and chemo- and photocatalytic processes in a successful way to achieve valuable chemicals and valorisation of biomass. Moreover, the strategies for solving incompatibility issues in chemo-enzymatic reactions are analysed, introducing recent examples of the application of non-conventional solvents, enzyme-metal hybrid catalysts, and spatial compartmentalization strategies to implement chemo-enzymatic cascade processes.

Why study inner ear hair cell mitochondria?

In several systems of the body (muscle, liver, nerves), new studies have examined the internal structure of mitochondria and brought to light striking new findings about how mitochondria are constructed and how their structure affects cell function. In the inner ear field, however, we have little structural knowledge about hair cell and supporting cell mitochondria, and virtually none about mitochondrial subtypes or how they function in health and disease. The need for such knowledge is discussed in this short review.

From biomass to chemicals: synthesis of precursors of biodegradable surfactants from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.

The selective acetalization of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) with long-chain alkyl alcohols has been performed to obtain precursors of molecules with surfactant properties. If direct acetalization of HMF with n-octanol is performed in the presence of strong acids (homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts), an increase in etherification versus acetalization occurs. Beta zeolite catalyzes both reactions. However, if the acidity of a zeolite (Beta) was controlled by partial exchange of H(+) with Na(+), the dioctyl acetal of HMF can be achieved in 95% yield by transacetalization. It is possible to achieve a high yield in a very short reaction time through a two-step one-pot process, which includes the synthesis of the dimethyl acetal of HMF followed by transacetalization with n-octanol. The one-pot process could be extended to other alcohols that contain 6-12 carbon atoms to afford 87-98% yield of the corresponding dialkyl acetal with a selectivity higher than 96%. The optimized catalyst with an adequate Na content (1.5NaBeta) could be recycled without loss of activity or selectivity.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus outbreak: a consensus panel's definition and management guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To provide medical personnel with a definition of an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and guidelines for managing potential outbreaks. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen panel members were chosen from different specialties, types of institutions, and geographic regions. Representatives from the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, and the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration participated. CONSENSUS PROCESS: In preparation for the conference, panel members reviewed the literature and wrote abstracts outlining their personal opinions on the core issues, which were circulated to all participants. During a weekend conference, the panel summarized the reviewed literature, defined an MRSA outbreak, and developed management guidelines. EVIDENCE: Published literature, clinical experience, and expert opinion concerning the emergence and subsequent management of MRSA cases in health care institutions. RESULTS: An outbreak of MRSA was defined as either an increase in the rate of MRSA cases or a clustering of new cases due to the transmission of a single microbial strain in the health care institution. An increased rate of cases can be defined statistically or experientially and includes both infected and colonized patients. A potential outbreak should trigger stepwise, multidisciplinary actions consisting of basic epidemiologic procedures (phase I) to form an initial epidemiologic hypothesis of an outbreak (phase II) followed by a standard epidemiologic workup (phase III) and microbiologic studies (phase IV) to confirm the hypothesis. Mupirocin calcium treatments should be considered to decolonize health care workers during the fourth phase, even before typing is completed. CONCLUSIONS: Until studies can be conducted to delineate the effectiveness of different recommendations, the proposed guidelines may provide a useful starting point that can be adapted to meet an individual institution's specific needs.

An outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia lower respiratory tract infection associated with contaminated albuterol nebulization solution.

An outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia lower respiratory tract colonization and infection occurred in the adult intensive-care units in various geographic locations throughout our hospital. Forty-four patients became colonized or infected over an 11-month period, whereas B cepacia had been isolated from only 13 patients in the preceding 48 months. Environmental cultures revealed the source to be extrinsically contaminated albuterol nebulization solution. Polymerase chain reaction-ribotyping confirmed the genetic relatedness of the B cepacia patient isolates and the contaminated albuterol. After extensive infection control training for the respiratory therapy staff, including attention to nebulization technique, washing and drying the nebulizer cup, and good handwashing, there have not been any new cases.