α-S-cysteinyl-5,6-dihydrothymine: A possible model for radiation-induced cross-linking of DNA and protein

α-S-cysteinyl-5,6-dihydrothymine is identified as one of the major products of thymine irradiated in the presence of L-cysteine hydrochloride with ultraviolet light (λ>230 nm).     

Detection of a reactive metabolite of misonidazole in hypoxic mammalian cells

A misonidazole metabolite capable of reacting with guanosine has been detected in extracts of Chinese hamster ovary cells exposed to misonidazole under hypoxic conditions. A misonidazole metabolite with identical chromatographic properties and reactivity with guanosine has been detected in earlier studies with misonidazole reduced to the hydroxylamine state by chemical, radiolytic, or electrolytic means. The proposed structure of the guanosine product involves the addition of a two-carbon fragment between the N1 and N2 positions of guanosine. Rearrangement of the N-hydroxy derivative of misonidazole to a C-hydroxy derivative is postulated as the initial step in the reaction scheme.     

Rickettsial infections: A blind spot in our view of neglected tropical diseases

Rickettsial diseases are a group of vector-borne bacterial infections that cause acute febrile illness with potentially severe or fatal complications. These vector-borne diseases are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide and disproportionately affect poorer communities but are scientifically underrecognized. Despite this, they are not included in the World Health Organization’s list of neglected tropical diseases nor were they mentioned in Peter Hotez’s recent reflections on “What constitutes a neglected tropical disease?” in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases [1]. Here we present the case that rickettsial infections, as an overlooked cause of morbidity, mortality, and economic losses in marginalized populations, should be recognized as neglected tropical diseases. We describe how this oversight is the result of a number of factors and how it negatively impacts patient outcomes. We then propose measures to address the neglect of rickettsial infections in both scientific research and public health interventions.