Wicaltin,a New Protein Toxin Secreted by the Yeast Williopsis californica and Its Broad-Spectrum Antimycotic Potential

THEISEN, SIMONE,MOLKENAU, ELISACETH,SCHMITT, MANFRED J. 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2000 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.10 No.4

The yeast Williopsis californica was shown to secrete a unique broad-spectrum killer toxin (Wicaltin) with antifungal activity against 14 yeast genera, including yeastlike and mycelial forms of the human pathogens Candida albicans and Sporothrix schenkii. Agar diffusion bioassays .indicated that its activity was more pronounced than the antifungal potential of frequently used antimycotics: 0.07p㏖ Wicaltin showed the same toxicity as 0.2p㏖ miconazole and 29p㏖ clotrimazole. Since the toxin's primary target would appear to be the yeast cell wall, Wicaltin may be attractive in combatting clinically relevant yeast and fungal infections.

Ethno-political favouritism in maternal health care service delivery: 3 Micro-level evidence from sub-Saharan Africa, 1981–2014

Ole Magnus Theisen,Håvard Strand,Gudrun Østby 한국외국어대학교 국제지역연구센터 2020 International Area Studies Review Vol.23 No.1

It is commonly held that political leaders favour people of the same ethnic origin. We test this argument of ethno-political favouritism by studying variations in the usage of maternal health care services across groups in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). More specifically, we link geo-referenced individual-level data from the Demographic and Health Surveys on 601,311 births by 399,908 mothers in 31 countries during the period 1981–2014 with data on the settlement of ethnic groups and their political status. Our results indicate that women benefit from the shift that brings co-ethnics into power, increasing the probability of receiving maternal health care services. The effect strengthens with increased competitiveness around elections. We advance the current literature in four important ways. Firstly, we undertake the first analysis that utilizes shifts in ethno-political status for the same individual, effectively eliminating competing time-invariant explanations to that of shifts in ethno-political status. Secondly, since SSA governments often incorporate multiple groups, we test the effect of patronage on being co-ethnic with cabinet members in general, and not only the president. Thirdly, health services constitute the public good most desired by citizens of SSA. Our measure captures a vital health service that is highly desired across groups. An increase in usage likely reflects genuine trickle-down effects of having co-ethnics in power, a crucial ingredient in building popular support for ethnic patrons. Fourthly, we show that electoral competition is an important conditioner of ethno-political favouritism.

Safety and efficacy of selective retina therapy (SRT) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema in Korean patients

Park, Y. G.,Kim, J. R.,Kang, S.,Seifert, E.,Theisen-Kunde, D.,Brinkmann, R.,Roh, Y. J. Springer-Verlag 2016 Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental oph Vol.254 No.9

<P>Selective retina therapy (SRT) stimulates retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell migration and proliferation into irradiated areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SRT in Korean patients with clinically significant diabetic macular edema (DME). Prospective non-randomized interventional case series study. Twenty-three eyes of 21 patients with clinically significant DME were treated with SRT and followed for 6 months. Patients underwent an evaluation of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters. Microperimetry was employed to measure macular sensitivity within the central 10A degrees field, and the central macular thickness (CMT) and maximum macular thickness (MMT) were measured. An improvement in BCVA of one to two ETDRS lines was observed in 41.2 % of patients and an improvement of greater than two lines in 29.4 %. Although there was no significant change in CMT (P > 0.05), MMT decreased from 465.8 +/- 87.4 mu m to 434.3 +/- 83.9 mu m (P = 0.006), and mean macular sensitivity increased from 20.8 +/- 3.4dB to 22.5 +/- 3.5dB (P = 0.02). The gains in BCVA and improvement in macular sensitivity demonstrated that SRT may be used as an effective and safe treatment modality in Korean patients with clinically significant DME.</P>

Selective Retina Therapy in Acute and Chronic-Recurrent Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Framme, Carsten,Walter, Andreas,Berger, Lieselotte,Prahs, Philipp,Alt, Clemens,Theisen-Kunde, Dirk,Kowal, Jens,Brinkmann, Ralf S. Karger AG 2015 Ophthalmologica Vol.234 No.4

<P>Abstract</P><P><B><I>Purpose:</I></B> Selective retina therapy (SRT), the confined laser heating and destruction of retinal pigment epithelial cells, has been shown to treat acute types of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) successfully without damaging the photoreceptors and thus avoiding laser-induced scotoma. However, a benefit of laser treatment for chronic forms of CSC is questionable. In this study, the efficacy of SRT by means of the previously used 1.7-µs and shorter 300-ns pulse duration was evaluated for both types of CSC, also considering re-treatment for nonresponders. <B><I>Material and Methods:</I></B> In a two-center trial, 26 patients were treated with SRT for acute (n = 10) and chronic-recurrent CSC (n = 16). All patients presented with subretinal fluid (SRF) in OCT and leakage in fluorescein angiography (FA). SRT was performed using a prototype SRT laser system (frequency-doubled Q-switched Nd:YLF-laser, wavelength 527 nm) with adjustable pulse duration. The following irradiation settings were used: a train of 30 laser pulses with a repetition rate of 100 Hz and pulse durations of 300 ns and 1.7 µs, pulse energy 120-200 µJ, retinal spot size 200 µm. Because SRT lesions are invisible, FA was always performed 1 h after treatment to demonstrate laser outcome (5-8 single spots in the area of leakage). In cases where energy was too low, as indicated by missing FA leakage, energy was adjusted and the patient re-treated immediately. Observation intervals were after 4 weeks and 3 months. In case of nonimprovement of the disease after 3 months, re-treatment was considered. <B><I>Results:</I></B> Of 10 patients with active CSC that presents focal leakage in FA, 5 had completely resolved fluid after 4 weeks and all 10 after 3 months. Mean visual acuity increased from 76.6 ETDRS letters to 85.0 ETDRS letters 3 months after SRT. Chronic-recurrent CSC was characterized by less severe SRF at baseline in OCT and weaker leakage in FA than in acute types. Visual acuity changed from baseline 71.6 to 72.8 ETDRS letters after 3 months. At this time, SRF was absent in 3 out of 16 patients (19%), FA leakage had come to a complete stop in 6 out of 16 patients (38%). In 6 of the remaining chronic CSC patients, repeated SRT with higher pulse energy was considered because of persistent leakage activity. After the re-treatment, SRF resolved completely in 5 patients (83.3%) after only 25 days. <B><I>Conclusion:</I></B> SRT showed promising results in treating acute CSC, but was less effective in chronic cases. Interestingly, re-treatment resulted in enhanced fluid resolution and dry conditions after a considerably shorter time in most patients. Therefore, SRT including re-treatment if necessary might be a valuable CSC treatment alternative even in chronic-recurrent cases.</P><P>© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Selective Retina Therapy in Patients With Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy : A Pilot Study

Kang, Seungbum,Park, Young Gun,Kim, Jae Ryun,Seifert, Eric,Dirk, Theisen-Kunde,Ralf, Brinkmann,Roh, Young Jung Wolters Kluwer Health 2016 Medicine Vol.95 No.3

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>We evaluated visual outcomes, changes of maximum macular thickness (MMT) and subretinal fluid (SRF), and safety in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) after treatment with selective retina therapy (SRT). Retrospective cohort study of patients with chronic CSC presenting to a university-based hospital from January 2014 through January 2015 was conducted. A total of 12 eyes of 12 patients with chronic CSC lasting for at least 3 months was recruited. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 12 months. Following evaluation of test spots at temporal arcades, SRT (Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium lithium fluoride [Nd:YLF] laser; wavelength, 527 nm, pulse duration, 1.7 microsececond) was applied to the surrounding areas of leakage observed on fluorescein angiogram and/or pigment epithelial detachment (PED). Changes in best-correct visual acuity (BCVA), MMT, and SRF and macular sensitivity (MS) by microperimetry (MP) were evaluated. Eyes received treatment in a mean of 3.83 spots at the pulse energy of 65 to 90 μJ. Mean BCVA (logMAR) improved from 0.23 ± 0.12 at baseline to 0.14 ± 0.13 at 3 months. MMT decreased from 341.4 ± 85.5 μm at baseline to 236.0 ± 57.9 μm at 3 months. SRF completely resolved in 75% (9 eyes) at 3 months. Large PEDs (2 eyes) were flattened at 3 months. Retreatment was performed in 4 eyes. MP showed no evidence of scotoma around SRT-treated lesions. SRT treatment targeting the surrounding area of leakage point showed favorable visual and structural outcomes in chronic CSC patients without the risk of scotoma.</P>