A response to a single cadaver study assessing the efficacy of two commercially available devices for airway foreign body relief.

A review of the speculative conclusions and poor methodology in assessing the efficacy of the LifeVac airway clearance device.

Efficient removal of antibiotics from water by highly crosslinked metal-alginate particles: Preparation, isotherms, kinetics, and microbiological assay.

Traces of antibiotics reaching aquatic environment lead to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The efficient removal of antibiotics (ATBs) traces from wastewater is essential to tackle the AMR. In this study, a novel solid-state crosslinking method of alginate (ALG) was developed and applied to specifically remove ATBs from water.

2102-15 complete genome sequence data.

The article presents 2102-15 whole genome sequencing data generated by using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore platforms. The genome of the isolate consists of a chromosome and two plasmids. The data on bacteriocin-encoding genes present in the genome were collected through genome annotation and by using a BAGEL4 tool.

Visualisation and biovolume quantification in the characterisation of biofilm formation in Mycoplasma fermentans.

The ability of mycoplasmas to persist on surfaces has been widely acknowledged, despite their fastidious nature. However, the organism's capability to form a recognisable biofilm structure has been identified more recently. In the current study Mycoplasma fermentans was found to adhere to the glass surface forming highly differentiated biofilm structures.

Investigating Potential Chromosomal Rearrangements during Laboratory Culture of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Comparisons of genome sequence data between different strains and isolates of spp., such as , reveal that over the evolutionary history of these organisms, large scale chromosomal rearrangements have occurred. Factors within the genomes, such as repetitive sequences and prophage, are believed to have contributed to these observations.

Adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa onto surfactant-laden contact lenses.

There is an immense research interest to utilise contact lens (CLs) as a popular platform for ocular drug delivery. However, CLs are the major predisposing factors of bacterial keratitis which is commonly caused by adhesion of microbes such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The aim of the current study is to explore the effect of surfactants; Poloxamer 188, Polysorbate 80 and Tetronic 90R4 (at 0.

Finding the gap: revealing local disparities in coverage of maternal, newborn and child health services in South Sudan using lot quality assurance sampling.

Objectives: We adapted a rapid monitoring method to South Sudan, a new nation with one of the world's highest maternal and child mortality rates, aiming to assess coverage of maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) services at the time of independence, and introducing a monitoring and evaluation system (M&E) for equity-sensitive tracking of progress related to Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 4 and 5 at national, state and county levels to detect local variability.

Methods: We conducted a national cross-sectional household survey among women from six client populations in all, but six of South Sudan's 79 counties. We used lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) to measure coverage with diverse MNCH indicators to obtain information for national-, state- and county-level health system management decision-making.

Assessing the quality of care in a new nation: South Sudan's first national health facility assessment.

Objectives: We adapted a rapid quality of care monitoring method to a fragile state with two aims: to assess the delivery of child health services in South Sudan at the time of independence and to strengthen local capacity to perform regular rapid health facility assessments.

Methods: Using a two-stage lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) design, we conducted a national cross-sectional survey among 156 randomly selected health facilities in 10 states. In each of these facilities, we obtained information on a range of access, input, process and performance indicators during structured interviews and observations.

The effect of copper(II), iron(II) sulphate, and vitamin C combinations on the weak antimicrobial activity of (+)-catechin against Staphylococcus aureus and other microbes.

Few attempts have been made to improve the activity of plant compounds with low antimicrobial efficacy. (+)-Catechin, a weak antimicrobial tea flavanol, was combined with putative adjuncts and tested against different species of bacteria. Copper(II) sulphate enhanced (+)-catechin activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa but not Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis or Escherichia coli.

Enhancement of antimicrobial activities of whole and sub-fractionated white tea by addition of copper (II) sulphate and vitamin C against Staphylococcus aureus; a mechanistic approach.

Background: Enhancement of antimicrobial plant products e.g. pomegranate extract by copper (II) sulphate is known.

The need for continued monitoring of antibiotic resistance patterns in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from London and Malta.

Background: Antibiotic resistance is an increasing problem in isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) worldwide. In 2001 The National Health Service in the UK introduced a mandatory bacteraemia surveillance scheme for the reporting of S.

Anti-microbial activities of pomegranate rind extracts: enhancement by cupric sulphate against clinical isolates of S. aureus, MRSA and PVL positive CA-MSSA.

Background: Recently, natural products have been evaluated as sources of antimicrobial agents with efficacies against a variety of micro-organisms.

Methods: This report describes the antimicrobial activities of pomegranate rind extract (PRE) singularly and in combination with cupric sulphate against methicillin-sensitive and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, MRSA respectively), and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin positive community acquired MSSA (PVL positive CA-MSSA).

Results: PRE alone showed limited efficacy against MRSA and MSSA strains.

The evaluation of novel chromogenic substrates for the detection of lipolytic activity in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA from two European study groups.

Eight novel chromogenic substrates were evaluated for their efficacy in detecting lipase activity in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from the United Kingdom and Malta. All isolates metabolized the chromogenic lipase substrates 5-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenylmethylene)-2-thioxothia-zolidin-4-one-3-ethanoic acid (SRA)-propionate, SRA-butyrate, SRA-octanoate and 2-[2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-vinyl]-3-methy-benzothiazolium salt (SB(Z)TM)-acetate. Over 90% of the isolates metabolized the lipase substrates SRA-decanoate and SRA-laurate.

Antimicrobial activities of pomegranate rind extracts: enhancement by addition of metal salts and vitamin C.

Background: Punica granatum L. or pomegranates, have been reported to have antimicrobial activity against a range of Gram positive and negative bacteria. Pomegranate formulations containing ferrous salts have enhanced although short-term, antibacteriophage activities which are rapidly diminished owing to instability of the ferrous combination.

UK epidemic strains of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in clinical samples from Malta.

Since 1999, the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS) has monitored the rise in infection due to a number of organisms, including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The EARSS reported that MRSA infections within intensive care units account for 25-50 % of infections in many central and southern European countries, these included France, Spain, Great Britain, Malta, Greece and Italy. Each country has defined epidemic MRSA (EMRSA) strains; however, the method of spread of these strains from one country to another is unknown.

The withdrawal of antimicrobial treatment as a mechanism for defeating resistant microorganisms.

Antimicrobial resistance is a major concern in health care and farming settings throughout the world. The level of antimicrobial resistance continues to increase and the requirement for a novel and possibly dramatic change in therapy choices is required. One possible mechanism for overcoming resistance is the actual removal of antimicrobial treatment from the therapeutic armoury.