Antimicrobial and Adjuvant Potencies of Di--alkyl Substituted Diazalariat Ethers.

Lariat ethers are macrocyclic polyethers-crown ethers-to which sidearms are appended. 4,13-Diaza-18-crown-6 having twin alkyl chains at the nitrogens show biological activity. They exhibit antibiotic activity, but when co-administered at with an FDA-approved antibiotic, the latter's potency is often strongly enhanced.

Topic analysis of Road safety inspections using latent dirichlet allocation: A case study of roadside safety in Irish main roads.

Under the Safe System framework, Road Authorities have a responsibility to deliver inherently safe roads and streets. Addressing this problem depends on knowledge of the road network safety conditions and the number of funds available for new road safety interventions. It also requires the prioritisation of the various interventions that may generate benefits, increasing safety, while ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to remedy the deficiencies detected within a reasonable timeframe.

Adequate or Inadequate? The Volume of Blood Submitted for Blood Culture at a Tertiary Children's Hospital.

The volume of blood sampled for culture critically influences the results. This study aimed to determine (1) the volume of blood submitted for culture, (2) the proportion of blood cultures with adequate volume, (3) whether measured improvement from a previous educational intervention had been sustained, and (4) the impact of blood volume on culture result. The volume of blood submitted for cultures was determined over a 13-month period by weighing bottles before and after collection and before and after an educational intervention.

Antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteremia in pediatric oncology patients--risk factors and outcomes.

Background: Infection with antibiotic-resistant (AR) Gram-negative (GN) bacteria is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors and outcomes associated with GN bacteremia with acquired resistance to antibiotics used in the empiric treatment of febrile neutropenia in pediatric oncology patients at our institution.

Methods: All episodes of GN bacteremia in oncology patients at the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, from 2003 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.

B alert: hepatitis B virus infection in children in Victoria.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the demographic, clinical and serological patterns of hepatitis B in children in Victoria over a 17-year period.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of all patients <18 years of age with positive hepatitis B surface antigen referred to the Gastroenterology, Immigrant Health and Infectious Diseases clinics between 1992 and 2009.

Results: Of the 164 children identified, 76% were born overseas, with vertical transmission the most likely source in 84%.

How reliable is a negative blood culture result? Volume of blood submitted for culture in routine practice in a children's hospital.

Objectives: The primary aims of this study were to determine the volume of blood submitted for culture in routine clinical practice and to establish the proportion of blood cultures with a blood volume inadequate for reliable detection of bacteremia.

Methods: The volumes of blood samples submitted for culture from infants and children up to 18 years of age were measured over a 6-month period. Blood cultures were deemed adequate submissions if they contained an appropriate (age-related) volume of blood and were submitted in the correct blood culture bottle type.

Carbonic anhydrase II deficiency: a rare autosomal recessive disorder of osteopetrosis, renal tubular acidosis, and cerebral calcification.

The authors present a case of osteopetrosis due to carbonic anhydrase II deficiency. Clinical, laboratory and radiologic findings are reported. The genetics of osteopetrosis are reviewed.