In vitro activity of fosfomycin against Haemophilus influenzae,Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria species

Summary The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of fosfomycin were determined by an agar dilution technique for 100 strains each ofHaemophilus influenzae andStreptococcus pneumoniae, and for 40 strains ofNeisseria species andBranhamella catarrhalis. The median MIC ofH. influenzae was 0.13 mg/l (range 0.008–64 mg/l), ofS. pneumoniae 13.3 mg/l (range 8–128 mg/l), and ofNeisseria includingB. catarrhalis 27.0 mg/l (range 16–128 mg/l). The MBCs were very close to the MICs.

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In-vitro-Aktivität von Fosfomycin gegen Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae und Neisseriaspecies

Zusammenfassung Die minimalen Hemmkonzentrationen (MHK) und minimalen bakteriziden Konzentrationen (MBK) von Fosfomycin wurden mittels einer Agardilutionstechnik für je 100 Stämme vonHaemophilus influenzae undStreptococcus pneumoniae und 40 Stämme vonNeisseria species undBranhamella catarrhalis bestimmt. Die mittlere MHK vonH. influenzae war 0,13 mg/l (Bereich 0,008–64 mg/l), vonS. pneumoniae 13,3 mg/l (Bereich 8–128 mg/l) und vonNeisseria einschließlichB. catarrhalis 27,0 mg/l (Bereich 16–128 mg/l). Die MBKs lagen sehr nahe an den MHKs.

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This paper is dedicated to Professor Walter Marget in honour of his 60th birthday.     

Embracing Technology for Capacity Building in Mental Health: New Path,Newer Challenges

Psychiatric Quarterly - Technology driven capacity building initiatives are the way to break the barrier of shortage of mental health human resources in India. This new path, while is a welcome...     

Discrimination and abuse in internal medicine residency

OBJECTIVE: To survey the extent to which internal medicine housestaff experience abuse and discrimination in their training. DESIGN: Through a literature review and resident focus groups, we developed a self-administered questionnaire. In this cross-sectional survey, respondents were asked to record the frequency with which they experienced and witnessed different types of abuse and discrimination during residency training, using a 7-point Likert scale. PARTICIPANTS: Internal medicine housestaff in Canada. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 543 residents in 13 programs participating (84% response rate), 35% were female. Psychological abuse, as reported by attending physicians (68%), patients (79%), and nurses or other health workers (77%), was widespread. Female residents experienced gender discrimination by attending physicians (70%), patients (88%), and nurses (71%); rates for males were 23%, 38%, and 35%, respectively. Females reported being sexually harassed more often than males, by attending physicians (35% vs 4%,p<.01), peers (30% vs 6%,p<.01), and patients (56% vs 18%,p<.01). Physical assault by patients was experienced by 40% of residents. Half of the residents surveyed reported racial discrimination and homophobic remarks in the workplace, perpetrated by all groups of health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological abuse, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, physical abuse, homophobia, and racial discrimination are prevalent problems during residency training. Housestaff, medical educators, allied health workers, and the public need to work together to address these problems in the training environment. Dr. Cook is a Career Scientist with the Ontario Ministry of Health. For a complete listing, see Appendix A. This study was supported by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.     

Displacement of Dental Implants in Trabecular Bone under a Static Lateral Load in Fresh Bovine Bone

Aim: The study aims to provide objective data for the displacement of titanium screw implants in trabecular bone specimens. One hundred Semados implants (Bego, Bremen, Germany) were inserted in bovine type IV bone specimens. All implants had a diameter of 3.75 mm; 50 implants had a length of 8.5 mm and 50 implants had a length of 15 mm. Insertion torque was determined at intervals of 10, 20, and 30 Ncm. Implants were loaded horizontally with 10, 20, and 30 N for 2 seconds. An indicator strip was attached to the implant abutment to allow direct observation of implant movement relative to the bone surface. Horizontal displacement was assessed with an accuracy of measurement of 10 µm. Seven implants got lost by visible loosening. Degree of displacement was subject to evaluation with all others. Those implants showed a mean displacement of 59 µm for 10 N (n = 100), 173 µm for 20 N (n = 99), and 211 µm for 30 N (n = 93). The mean displacement of 15‐mm implants (16, 37, 51 µm) was significantly lower compared with 8.5‐mm implants (103, 311, 396 µm) corresponding to 10, 20, and 30 N as lateral loads. Conclusions: Displacement of screw implants in trabecular bone can be detected and visualized using commercially available endoscopes with a high magnification. A lateral load of 20 N indicates a mean displacement of over 100 µm and therefore results in a critical displacement.