Novel nematocidal agents from Curcuma comosa.

Curcuma comosa is a member of the economically important plant family, Zingiberaceae. A methanolic extract of C. comosa was shown to be nematocidal when tested against the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Microaerophilic streptococci as a significant pathogen: a twelve-year review.

One hundred twenty three microaerophilic streptococci (MS) were isolated from 4,603 specimens submitted for the identification of anaerobic bacteria over the course of 12 years. The MS included 16 Streptococcus constellatus, 43 Streptococcus intermedius and 21 Gemella morbillorum. A total of 81 MS isolates (66%) identified from 75 patients were considered to cause infection.

Extracorporeal life support of neonates with congenital cardiac defects: techniques used during cardiac catheterization and surgery.

Neonatal patients with congenital cardiac defects require proper diagnosis often by cardiac catheterization before surgical repair. In our institution, patients whose echocardiograms reveal surgically correctable lesions, but who are severely decompensated, have been placed on Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) prior to catheterization or surgery. Subsequent management of ECLS and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are dictated by the surgical procedure.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System: summary of data for 1991.

Problem/condition: High-risk behaviors, such as smoking cigarettes and driving under the influence of alcohol, contribute heavily to morbidity and mortality from noninfectious disease and injury. Substantial variation exists among states in the prevalences of these behaviors.

Reporting Period: 1991.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance, 1991: monitoring progress toward the nation's year 2000 health objectives.

Problem/condition: Risk reduction is a major focus of the national health objectives for the year 2000. Progress toward several of these objectives can be evaluated by using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Year 2000 objective areas measurable by BRFSS data include those for overweight, lack of physical activity, smoking, safety belt use, and medical screening for breast and cervical cancer and elevated blood cholesterol.

Aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of empyema. A retrospective review in two military hospitals.

The microbiology and clinical features of empyema were studied retrospectively in 197 patients whose specimens yielded bacterial growth after inoculation for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Three hundred forty-three organisms (216 aerobic or facultative and 127 anaerobic organisms) were isolated. Aerobic bacteria were isolated in 127 (64 percent) patients, anaerobic bacteria in 25 (13 percent), and mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in 45 (23 percent).

Significant recovery of nonsporulating anaerobic rods from clinical specimens.

Eighteen isolates of Bifidobacterium species, 99 of Eubacterium species, and 38 of anaerobic Lactobacillus species were recovered from 3,971 clinical specimens submitted to the anaerobic microbiology laboratory at the National Naval Medical Center over a period of 10 years (June 1978 to June 1988). Clinically significant infection was documented in association with 53 isolates recovered from 52 patients: 8 (44%) of the 18 Bifidobacterium isolates, 30 (30%) of the 99 Eubacterium isolates, and 15 (39%) of the 38 Lactobacillus isolates. The rest of the isolates were considered to be contaminants or to be of uncertain pathogenic significance.

Anaerobic osteomyelitis and arthritis in a military hospital: a 10-year experience.

Purpose: The methods of collecting, transporting, cultivating, and identifying aerobic bacteria in bone and joint infections have improved markedly since the early 1980s. In addition, many of the anaerobes have been reclassified and renamed. The purpose of this study was to provide more current information regarding the incidence of recovery of anaerobic bacteria from clinical specimens of infected bone and joint.

Aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of external otitis.

Microbiological and clinical data from 46 patients with external otitis were retrospectively evaluated. Specimens were processed for isolation of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. A total of 42 aerobic bacteria, 22 anaerobic bacteria, and 3 Candida albicans organisms were recovered.

Microbiologic factors of stump wound infection.

Specimens from 52 patients with stump wound infection (SWI) were studied for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Bacterial growth was present in 44 specimens. Only aerobic or facultative bacteria were recovered in 19 specimens, only aerobic bacteria in 12 and mixed aerobic, facultative and anaerobic bacteria in 13.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiac failure after congenital heart operation.

Despite continuing improvement in myocardial protection and surgical technique, the repair of complex congenital heart lesions can result in cardiopulmonary compromise refractory to conventional therapy. In a 29-month period, 24 patients (aged 14 hours to 6 years) were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) 28 times for profound cardiopulmonary failure. Four patients required ECMO after each of two cardiopulmonary bypass procedures.

Recovery of Bacteroides fragilis group from clinical specimens following antimicrobial therapy.

Over a period of 14 years (1973-1987), 3165 specimens submitted to the microbiology laboratory demonstrated the recovery of anaerobic bacteria. A total of 988 Bacteroides fragilis group isolates were recovered (0.3 isolates per specimen).

Effects of picture referencing on PVC chair, love seat, and settee assemblies by students with mental retardation.

This study examined the effects of two indirect corrective feedback procedures on the assembly skills of five secondary students with moderate mental retardation. Picture and video referencing conditions, during which the experimenters pointed to a picture or video screen following a performance error and requested the student do the step again, were more effective than assembly photographs, sequenced pictures, sequenced pictures and modeling, and video modeling conditions. Picture referencing enabled each participant to independently assemble a 13-step, 31-piece chair that required assembly of 45 loose, assembled, or loose and assembled parts.

Behavioral risk factor surveillance, 1986-1990.

Since 1984, an increasing number of states (including the District of Columbia) have participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). This report provides state-specific estimates of the prevalence of selected health-risk behaviors for the years 1986 through 1990. Apparent trends and progress toward several of the year 2000 national health objectives are discussed, both for the entire adult population (persons ages greater than or equal to 18 years) and selected high-risk demographic subgroups.

Infections caused by Propionibacterium species.

Eight hundred and sixteen isolates of Propionibacterium species (725 of which were Propionibacterium acnes) were isolated from 3,971 specimens submitted for the identification of anaerobic bacteria over the course of 10 years. A total of 94 Propionibacterium isolates (12%) identified in 92 patients were considered to cause infection. The rest of the isolates were determined to be contaminants or of uncertain pathogenic significance.

Aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of periapical abscess.

Aspirates of pus from periapical abscesses in 39 patients were studied for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Bacterial growth was present in 32 specimens. A total of 78 bacterial isolates (55 anaerobic and 23 aerobic and facultative) were recovered, accounting for 2.

Aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of peritonsillar abscess.

Thirty-four aspirates of pus from peritonsillar abscesses that were studied for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria showed bacterial growth. A total 107 bacterial isolates (58 anaerobic and 49 aerobic and facultative) were recovered, accounting for 3.1 isolates per specimen (1.

Aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of acute suppurative parotitis.

Aspirates of pus from acute suppurative parotitis were studied for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Bacterial growth was present in 23 specimens. A total of 36 bacterial isolates (20 anaerobic and 16 aerobic and facultative) were recovered, accounting for 1.

Aerobic and anaerobic microbiologic factors and recovery of beta-lactamase producing bacteria from obstetric and gynecologic infection.

Specimens obtained from 736 patients with obstetric and gynecologic infections were studied for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Bacterial growth was present in 714 specimens. These included 53 specimens of infected fallopian tubes, 470 of infected endometrium, 94 of infected amniotic fluid, 57 of aspirates of cul-de-sacs in instances of pelvic inflammatory disease, 14 labial and vaginal abscesses and 26 of Bartholyn's cyst abscess.

Aerobic and anaerobic bacteriology of wounds and cutaneous abscesses.

The aerobic and anaerobic microbiologic characteristics of 584 wounds and 676 skin or soft-tissue abscesses were studied and correlated with the infection site. In wounds, aerobic or facultative bacteria only were present in 223 specimens (38%), anaerobes only in 177 specimens (30%), and mixed flora in 184 specimens (32%). In total there were 1470 isolates, 558 aerobic and 912 anaerobic, an average of 2.

Cochlioquinone A, a nematocidal agent which competes for specific [3H]ivermectin binding sites.

Cochlioquinone A, isolated from the fungus Helminthosporium sativum, was found to have nematocidal activity. Cochlioquinone A is a competitive inhibitor of specific [3H]ivermectin binding suggesting that cochlioquinone A and ivermectin interact with the same membrane receptor.

Lack of cross-resistance between efrotomycin and antibacterial agents used in the therapy of human and animal infections.

Efrotomycin is an N-methylhydroxypyridone glycoside antibiotic with activity primarily against Gram-positive bacteria. It is intended for use as a feed additive for swine. Although efrotomycin is unrelated to any antibacterial drug used in human or veterinary medicine, the possibility of cross-resistance with other antibacterials is of concern.

Effect of efrotomycin in feed on the quantity, duration, and prevalence of shedding and antibacterial susceptibility of Salmonella typhimurium in experimentally infected swine.

The influence of efrotomycin administered at the rate of 16 mg/kg of feed in 10 Salmonella typhimurium-inoculated pigs was determined by comparing this group with a group of 10 pigs inoculated with S typhimurium that were given nonmedicated feed. Two control groups of 4 noninoculated pigs each, 1 group medicated with efrotomycin at 16 mg/kg of feed, the other nonmedicated, also were evaluated. An inoculum of 1.