Preliminary Analysis of the Anti-biofilm Efficacy of Manuka Honey on Extended Spectrum Β-lactamase Producing Escherichia Coli Tem-3 and Klebsiella Pneumoniae Shv18, Associated with Urinary Tract Infections

open access articleUrinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections in the UK and many other parts of the world. The prevalence of the Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBLs) producing UTIs, combined with their ability to form a bio film, has significantly risen and is limiting therapeutic options. This study investigated the anti-bio film activity of Manuka honey on two ESBL producing pathogens, Escherichia coli TEM-3 and Klebsiella pneumonia SHV18, commonly found in UTIs. The ESBL production was confirmed by the double disk synergy method used to confirm the ESBL production. The antibacterial activity of Manuka honey was determined using the agar well diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was established using serially diluted honey ranging from 50% to 1.56%. The effect of Manuka honey on the pathogen bio films was analysed using the Tissue Culture Plate method, with an established MIC and under 24h incubation with the honey. The results indicated that K. pneumonia SHV18 is a stronger bio film producer than E. coli TEM 3. 50% (w/v) MIC Manuka honey appears to fully prevent the plank tonic growth of both strains. A significant reduction of 81% of the E. coli TEM3 (p < 0.001) and 52% of the K. pneumonia SHV18 (p = 0.001) bio film biomass was observed. The E. coli bio films were found to be more sensitive to the 50% (w/v) honey dilution than those produced by K. pneumonia. The study indicated the anti-bio film potency of Manuka honey and its potential to become an alternative treatment for the ESBL producing pathogens associated with UTIs

THE ROLE OF FOOD AND CULINARY CUSTOMS IN THE HOMING PROCESS FOR SYRIAN MIGRANTS IN CALIFORNIA

This interdisciplinary thesis explores the foodways of six Syrian migrant families, both immigrants and refugees, in California and the role that culinary customs play in their homing process. The homing process is the dynamic way in which people create home according to their life circumstances: food, eating, and culinary customs after migration in this case. Home is not only the place where people live, but also, where they come from and how they feel comfortable; home is both a physical space and an abstract concept. Home, and the various definitions of home, are mapped out in this project because understanding these various meanings allows for a clear understanding of the homing process for migrants. To explore Syrian migrants’ foodways in California, I conducted interviews with these six families, and, in analyzing the interviews, chose four salient culinary customs to demonstrate the role of foodways in the homing process. The four culinary customs are: the distinct morning coffee ritual; mealtimes and meal routines imposed by work or school; lunch as the day’s main meal, which must be tabekh (cooked food); and the importance of handmade food. Taken together, the consistent patterns followed, and energy devoted towards food and culinary customs provide evidence that effort expended in maintaining customary foodways is effort in recreating home. This project adds to existing scholarship on the relationship between foodways and migrant communities’ identity maintenance in that it demonstrates a unique and particular devotion to the rhythm and ritual of foodways that allows Syrians to not only make a new home, but to also feel at home in a new land

Investigation of biofilm development by antibiotic resistant urinary tract infection pathogens and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of Manuka honey on Escherichia coli CTX-M-15 biofilms

Background Antibiotic resistance is one of the major healthcare issues worldwide. Over time, bacteria are becoming more resistant, making antibiotics less effective, and this in turn will lead to an increase in the morbidity rate, the mortality rate, and the healthcare system expenses as well. The rise of antibiotic resistance is reaching critical levels as new mechanisms of resistance are emerging and spreading globally, limiting the available effective treatment options. In addition, biofilms are another significant health care issue: they act as a protective cover for infectious microbes. They are also hard to remove: they require a much higher dose of antibiotics than planktonic organisms. When treating biofilm-associated infections, it is important to understand the biology of biofilm development and biofilm-related gene expression. To understand the role of biofilm in pathogenesis, biofilm formation and gene expression in Escherichia coli CTX-M-15 were investigated in this study. The antivirulence efficacy of Manuka honey as an alternative treatment was analysed for this strain. Method Biofilm formation was measured using the Tissue Culture plate method at different times: after 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours of incubation. Assuming that times correlated with the stages of biofilm development, initial attachment occurred at 6 hours, microcolonies formed at 12 hours, biofilm maturation occurred at 24 hours and biofilm dispersion occurred at 48 hours. Biofilms were quantified in both static and shaking incubators and under three different growth media: nutrient-poor (AB broth), nutrient-rich (Luria-Bertani broth) and general (nutrient broth). A quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to determine the biofilm-related gene expression at the in vitro biofilm development stages. It was also used to determine the antivirulence effect of Manuka honey on select biofilm-related gene expressions. Results The tested strains showed a variable biofilm formation ability when using different media under static and shaking conditions. Antibiotic-resistant strains were high biofilm formers. Regardless of the incubation conditions and growth media used, E. coli CTX-M-15 formed varying amounts of biofilm which did not correlate with the stages of biofilm development. Similarly, the same pattern of biofilm-related gene expression was observed, with a large variation in the growth condition tested. Manuka honey showed potent antibacterial activity: the minimum inhibitory concentration was 6 %, the minimum biocidal concentration was 8 %, and the minimum biofilm elimination concentration was 5 %. The results of the qPCR showed that Manuka honey downregulated the expression of biofilm related genes. Conclusion These findings suggested that, for both E. coli CTX-M-15 biofilm formation and biofilm-related gene expression, the profiles were not affected by the growth conditions tested in this study. This confirms the successful role of biofilm formation in pathogenesis by adapting to different environmental conditions. The findings suggest that this plays a significant role in the increased prevalence in biofilm-associated infections in third-generation cephalosporin-resistant E. coli CTX-M-15. Lastly, Manuka honey had powerful antibacterial and antibiofilm abilities and can be considered a reliable alternative therapy.The Higher Committee for Education Development in Iraq (HCED

[Diphenyldi(pyrazol-1-yl)methane]­dinitratocobalt(II)

In the title compound, [Co(NO3)2(C19H16N4)], the diphenyl­dipyrazolylmethane ligand coordinates to CoII in a bidentate fashion forming a six-membered ring with an approximate boat configuration. The mean planes of the two pyrazolyl rings are separated by an angle of 39.6 (2)°. The coordination at the CoII center is best described as distorted octa­hedral with two NO3 − anions serving as bidentate ligands for charge balance. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the two nitrate rings is 85.0 (1)° and that between the mean planes of the two phenyl rings is 73.7 (1)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O and intra­molecular C—H⋯N hydrogen-bond inter­actions

The Efficacy of Antibiotics in the Treatment of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infections during Pregnancy. A Systematic Review and a Meta-analysis.

open access journalChlamydia trachomatis infections encountered during pregnancy can lead to many complications for both mother and neonate if left untreated. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted to analyse the efficacy of antibiotic treatment infection during pregnancy that established the most effective antibiotic to treat Chlamydia trachomatis infections during pregnancy. PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched to the end of 2019. Randomised control trials that aligned with inclusion criteria of relevant antibiotics Azithromycin, Erythromycin, Clindamycin and Amoxicillin during Pregnancy was included. A systematic review and meta-analysis were used to calculate pooled (i) success of treatment for each antibiotic in several trials and (ii) the total adverse side effects for each drug encountered in several trials. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) selected included 1917 pregnant patients with Chlamydia infections, and 851 have completed follow up assessments. Data from three RCTs observed a higher success of treatment for Azithromycin versus Erythromycin, fixed effect model, odds ratio (OR) = 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.32-1.80. Data from three RCTs observed a higher success of treatment for Clindamycin versus Erythromycin OR = 2.43 95%, CI:2.00-2.60. Data from two RCTs showed a higher success of treatment for Amoxicillin versus Erythromycin OR = 3.74, 95%, CI:0.68-13.66. Analysis established that Erythromycin resulted in the most adverse side effects. Azithromycin was determined as the most effective antibiotic to treat C. trachomatis infections during pregnancy due to the high success of treatment. Clindamycin is capable of eradicating C. trachomatis infections in pregnancy and can be considered a secondary antibiotic treatment with fewer incidences of adverse side effects and high levels of successful treatment of the infection, however, due to a lack of studies more analysis will be required to confirm the efficacy of Clindamycin

Synthesis, characterization and chromotropism properties of Ni(II) complexes featuring diphenyl(dipyrazolyl) methane

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Perlindungan Hukum terhadap Pekerja Kebersihan Sampah di Kota Sorong Ditinjau dari Undang-Undang Nomor 13 Tahun 2003 Tentang Ketenagakerjaan

This study aims to determine the form of legal protection for waste cleaning workers according to Law Number 13 of 2003 at PT. Hendrian and obstacles in implementing legal protection for waste cleaning workers at PT. Hendrian.The research method used is, the nature of this research is normative empirical, using primary and secondary data, so that the data collection techniques are interviews, documentation, observation and literature, after obtaining the data it will be analyzed descriptively qualitatively. Based on the results of the study, it can be explained that the legal protection of waste cleaning workers by PT. Hendrian as the company that employs is still lacking, where there are still unilateral layoffs by the company and the completeness of the facilities or work equipment is still lacking, this is of course very clearly contrary to the provisions of Law Number 13 of 2003 concerning employment and obstacles in the implementation of legal protection for waste cleaning workers in PT. Hendrian, namely, the company does not carry out job socialization to workers; low level of education of workers; the workers do not understand the duties and responsibilities according to the employment contract; workers are not aware of the existence of Law Number 13 of 2003 which can be used as a guide in the event of a violation of their rights

PENINGKATAN KEMAMPUAN MEMBACA PERMULAAN MELALUI MEDIA GAMBAR PADA MURID TUNAGRAHITA RINGAN KELAS III SLB-C YPPLB MAKASSAR

Baho Alang, 2012. Peningkatan Kemampuan Membaca Permulaan Melalui Media Gambar Pada Murid Tunagrahita Ringan Kelas III SLB–C YPPLB Makassar. Skripsi dibimbing oleh Drs. Djoni Rosyidi, M.Pd dan Drs. Achmad Tohir. Fakultas Ilmu Pendidikan. Universitas Negeri Makassar Masalah penelitian ini adalah rendahnya kemampuan membaca permulaan murid tunagrahita ringan kelas III SLB–C YPPLB Makassar. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui adakah peningkatan kemampuan membaca permulaan murid tunagrahita ringan kelas III SLB-C YPPLB Makassar dengan menggunakan media gambar. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dan jenis penelitian deskriptif. Adapun jumlah populasi sebanyak 6 orang murid tunargahita ringan kelas dasar III SLB-C YPPLB Makassar tahun ajaran 2010/2011. Pengumpulan data ditempuh dengan teknik tes, sedangkan analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis statistik deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kemampuan membaca permulaan murid tunagrahita ringan kelas III SLB–C YPPLB Makassar sebelum diterapkan media gambar termasuk kategori belum berhasil sesuai dengan kriteria ketuntasan minimal (KKM) mata pelajaran bahasa Indonesia. Setelah diterapkan media gambar dalam pembelajaran membaca kata, kemampuan membaca permulaan murid tunagrahita ringan kelas III SLB–C YPPLB Makassar mengalami peningkatan dan termasuk dalam kategori berhasil sesuai dengan kriteria ketuntasan minimal (KKM), walaupun terdapat 3 orang murid masih belum tuntas dalam pembelajarannya, namun dari segi perolehan nilai ketiga orang murid nampak terjadi peningkatan dari tes awal sampai dengan tes akhir. Kemampuan membaca permulaan murid tunagrahita ringan kelas III SLB–C YPPLB Makassar dari sebelum digunakan media gambar hingga digunakan media gambar, maka dapat dinyatakan ada peningkatan kemampuan membaca permulaan murid tunagrahita ringan kelas III SLB–C YPPLB Makassar. Digunakannya media gambar dalam pembelajaran membaca kata maka kemampuan membaca permulaan murid tunargahita ringan kelas dasar III SLB–C YPPLB dapat ditingkatkan

Social Network Analysis and High Velocity Learning

NPS NRP Executive SummarySocial Network Analysis and High Velocity LearningN1 - Manpower, Personnel, Training & EducationThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Social Network Analysis and High Velocity Learning

NPS NRP Project PosterSocial Network Analysis and High Velocity LearningN1 - Manpower, Personnel, Training & EducationThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.