Characterisation and in vitro antimicrobial activity of biosynthetic silver-loaded bacterial cellulose hydrogels

Wounds that remain in the inflammatory phase for a prolonged period of time are likely to be colonised and infected by a range of commensal and pathogenic microorganisms. Treatment associated with these types of wounds mainly focuses on controlling infection and providing an optimum environment capable of facilitating re-epithelialisation, thus promoting wound healing. Hydrogels have attracted vast interest as moist wound-responsive dressing materials. In the current study, biosynthetic bacterial cellulose hydrogels synthesised by Gluconacetobacter xylinus and subsequently loaded with silver were characterised and investigated for their antimicrobial activity against two representative wound infecting pathogens, namely S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Silver nitrate and silver zeolite provided the source of silver and loading parameters were optimised based on experimental findings. The results indicate that both AgNO₃ and AgZ loaded biosynthetic hydrogels possess antimicrobial activity (p?<?.05) against both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa and may therefore be suitable for wound management applications.     

Mortality Rates during Cholera Epidemic,Haiti, 2010–2011

The 2010 cholera epidemic in Haiti was one of the largest cholera epidemics ever recorded. To estimate the magnitude of the death toll during the first wave of the epidemic, we retrospectively conducted surveys at 4 sites in the northern part of Haiti. Overall, 70,903 participants were included; at all sites, the crude mortality rates (19.1–35.4 deaths/1,000 person-years) were higher than the expected baseline mortality rate for Haiti (9 deaths/1,000 person-years). This finding represents an excess of 3,406 deaths (2.9-fold increase) for the 4.4% of the Haiti population covered by these surveys, suggesting a substantially higher cholera mortality rate than previously reported.     

Performance and capacity-based measures of locomotion,compared to impairment-based measures,best predicted participation in individuals with hemiparesis due to stroke

Purpose: To determine the potential predictors of participation of individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis, taking into account modifiable variables of impairments, activity limitations, and environmental factors.

Methods: One hundred and nine individuals (58?±?12 years; 64 men) participated in this study. Outcomes included measures of impairments (depressive symptoms: Geriatric Depression Scale and motor-based impairments: finger-to-nose test, lower extremity (LE) motor coordination test, and handgrip strength, isometric strength of the LE muscles), activity (capacity: 10-meter walking speed test and Test d'Évaluation des Membres Supérieurs de Personnes Agées; performance: locomotion and manual abilities; environmental factors (Measure of the Quality of the Environment); and participation: Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H 3.1 Brazil)).

Results: Regression analyses revealed that the explanatory variables accounted for 59% and 49% of the variance in the LIFE-H 3.1 Brazil daily activity and social role sub-scales, respectively. Locomotion performance (R²?=?39%; p?R²?=?32%; p?Conclusions: Performance and capacity-based measures of locomotion showed to be the best predictors of participation. Additionally, depressive symptoms should not be underlooked.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Activity-related measures of locomotion showed to be the main predictors of participation in individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis, as assessed by the daily activity and social role sub-scales of the LIFE-H 3.1.

• The daily activity model was best predicted by measures of performance, whereas the social role sub-scale, by measures of capacity.

• Although small, the impact of depressive symptoms on participation should not be underlooked.

• Locomotion appeared to be essential for participation and increases in walking speed and locomotion ability should be the main goals for both professionals and individuals, when the aim is to increase participation.

     

Study of contacts in children and adolescents using the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube

ObjectiveTo compare the results of the Mantoux Tuberculin Test (TT) and the QuantiFERON TB^® Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) in a population of children and adolescents with TB contacts.Material and methodsA prospective study using data collected on children and adolescents (< 17 years) from a Health District of 300,000 inhabitants in the Basque Country (Spain) recruited into a TB contact study over a period of almost three years. The study included performing the Tuberculin Test using the Mantoux technique (with 2-TU of RT-23 PPD RT23 and Tween 80), and the QFT-GIT simultaneously, and collecting the demographic and clinical data.ResultsOf the 160 children included in the study, 14% had a positive TT (≥ 5 mm) and 11% a positive QFT-GIT. There was 95%-96% agreement between the tests, depending on the TT cut-off point chosen, and was higher in non-vaccinated children (100%) and in children less than 5 years-old (100%). A significant relationship was observed between a positive result for both tests with exposure in the home. The use of QFT-GIT in the screening of latent TB infection could reduce preventive treatments by 28%-34% compared with conventional screening with the TT.ConclusionsThe behaviour of QFT-GIT was comparable to the TT in identifying children with a tuberculosis infection; therefore it could potentially replace the TT.     

Histomorphometric analysis of rabbit calvarial bone: storage in saline solution versus storage in platelet-poor plasma

PURPOSE: In reconstructive procedures harvested bone grafts are often temporarily stored in extraoral media while the recipient site is prepared. The aim of the present study was to analyze histomorphometrically osteocytes in calvarial bone grafts stored in either physiologic saline solution or platelet-poor plasma (PPP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Calvarial bone fragments were obtained from 12 rabbits and fixed immediately in formalin (control) or stored in PPP or in saline solution for 30 minutes prior to fixation. All specimens were decalcified and embedded in glycol methacrylate. A differential osteocyte count (normal osteocytes, abnormal osteocytes, and empty lacunae) was performed for the sections and submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Fisher least-square-difference (LSD) test. P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The histomorphometric analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences among the groups (control, PPP, saline) for all analyzed parameters (P < .05). The median number of normal osteocytes observed was 31.8 +/- 2.3 for the control group, 29.7 +/- 4.2 for the PPP group, and 19.1 +/- 4.6 for the saline group. The median number of abnormal osteocytes observed was 14.7 +/- 3.9 for the saline group, 8.7 +/- 2.3 for the PPP group, and 7.0 +/- 2.3 for the control group. The median number of empty lacunae observed was 12.9 +/- 4.7 for the saline group, 8.5 +/- 2.4 for the PPP group, and 6.9 +/- 2.3 for the control group. CONCLUSION: The current study has shown that PPP is a better storage medium for osteocyte preservation than physiologic saline solution. The best results were observed in the control group. (More than 50 references.)