Diversity and Standardization: The greening of European ports (1993-2010)

Port greening is rapidly increasing globally. Adding to a limited type of research across port management disciplines interested in the context and the factors that have shaped green port organizational performance, this thesis research combines resource-based view (RBV) and organizational institutionalism, applying it to an organization type which is slightly different from ‘normal’ firms, namely the Port Authority (PA). The study approaches the European green port concept in terms of EMS standards implementation -at both the field and the organizational level- from 1993 to 2010. Initially, it embraces the core neo-institutional perspective and assesses the occurrence of the European green port organizational field by observing the European ports’ collective response to greening, but it also identifies the mechanisms involved. Its appraisal of port organizations as dynamic entities which can respond to external pressures in a variety of ways reflects its predilection to consider Oliver’s (1991) suggestions that different variables represent environmental strategic response. The last part of the analysis advocates that the EMS standard diffusion impact is contingent to port organizational resources and offers a more synthetic perspective of what matters to the adoption of environmental practices. An inquiry based on RBV is employed for a supplementary analysis which explores how individual port internal resources and capabilities coalesce to external field dynamics in developing and shaping the organizations’ strategic response. The different ways in which ports perceived and chose to strategically implement their greening process by implementing EMS standards is comparatively explored by the four (4) selected port case studies, which make it possible to understand how and why European ports have been altered towards greening. The study contributes to the growing empirical literature on port sustainability and more particularly on the emerging field of port EMS standards implementation threefold, by explicitly introducing: the mechanisms that provoked EMS standards implementation; the institutional factors that shaped individual green port strategic response; and the role of distinct organizational capabilities in building up the individual 'green port'

Impact of prolonged treatment with high-dose ciprofloxacin on human gut flora: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Ciprofloxacin is a commonly marketed fluoroquinolone. It is not effective against obligate anaerobes, hence it is considered unlikely to have an impact on colonic microflora. We report the case of a patient who received prolonged treatment with high-dose ciprofloxacin for extensive pelvic osteomyelitis. We also report on the medication's effects on his bowel flora. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report discussing the effects of prolonged administration of a quinolone on microbial flora.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 62-year-old Caucasian man with diabetes presented with low back pain of four months' duration. A magnetic resonance imaging of his pelvis revealed sacroiliitis and extensive pelvic osteomyelitis. <it>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</it>, which is susceptible to ciprofloxacin, was noted as the offending pathogen. After seven weeks of intravenous treatment, he was prescribed with high-dose oral ciprofloxacin that he continued to take for the next 20 months. Quantitative stool cultures of our patient were obtained a month later as well as at the end of his treatment to record his corresponding sensitivities to the medication. The Gram-negative population of his bowel flora was restored fully upon the discontinuation of this medication. The Gram-negative population was shown to be fully sensitive to ciprofloxacin. His yeast levels were also found to be slightly increased, and no growth of resistant enterococci was noted.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The findings of this case report suggest that long term and high dose ciprofloxacin administration might be safe in preventing the risk of colonization with resistant Gram negative pathogens, overgrowth of anaerobes and the development of resistant enterococci.</p

Automated monitoring for the early detection of sepsis in critically ill patients

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To evaluate whether automated systems for the early detection of sepsis can reduce the time to appropriate treatment and improve clinical outcomes in critically ill patients in the ICU

The Future of Biologic Agents in the Treatment of Sjögren’s Syndrome

The gain in knowledge regarding the cellular mechanisms of T and B lymphocyte activity in the pathogenesis of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and the current availability of various biological agents (anti-TNF-α, IFN- α, anti-CD20, and anti-CD22) have resulted in new strategies for therapeutic intervention. In SS, various phase I and II studies have been performed to evaluate these new strategies. Currently, B cell-directed therapies seem to be more promising than T cell-related therapies. However, large, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the promising results of these early studies. When performing these trials, special attention has to be paid to prevent the occasional occurrence of the severe side effects

Risk of Herpes Zoster in Individuals on Biologics, DMARDS and/or Corticosteroids for Autoimmune Diseases:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Studies examining the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) associated with immunosuppressants, such as biologics, non-biological disease modifying agents (nbDMARDs) or corticosteroids, have generated conflicting results. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search from Jan 1946 to Feb 2016. Search terms related to HZ, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous or inflammatory bowel disease, biologics, nbDMARDS and corticosteroids were used. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies reporting associations between immunosuppressants and HZ outcomes in adults. For RCTs, we used the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effects model to estimate pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for HZ risk. For observational studies, adjusted ORs were pooled separately using random-effects inverse variance models. Findings: Data were pooled from 40 eligible RCTs (20,136 patients) and 19 observational studies (810,939 patients). Biologics were associated with a greater risk of HZ than control (RCTs: OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.11-2.64; Observational studies: OR OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.39-1.81). In RCTs, the OR of non-TNF blockers was 2.19 (95% CI 1.20-4.02), but that of TNF blockers was not significantly different from control. Increased risks of HZ with nbDMARDs (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.15-1.28) and corticosteroids (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.57-1.89) were observed in observational studies, but few RCTs examined these comparisons. Conclusions: Immunocompromized patients receiving biologics were associated with an increased risk of HZ. The risk is also increased with corticosteroids and nbDMARDs. These findings raise the issue of prophylaxis with zoster vaccine in patients initiating immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune diseases

Fulminant Staphylococcus lugdunensis septicaemia following a pelvic varicella-zoster virus infection in an immune-deficient patient: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The deadly threat of systemic infections with coagulase negative <it>Staphylococcus lugdunensis </it>despite an appropriate antibiotic therapy has only recently been recognized. The predominant infectious focus observed so far is left-sided native heart valve endocarditis, but bone and soft tissue infections, septicaemia and vascular catheter-related bloodstream infections have also been reported. We present a patient with a fatal <it>Staphylococcus lugdunensis </it>septicaemia following zoster bacterial superinfection of the pelvic region.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 71-year old male diagnosed with IgG kappa plasmocytoma presented with a conspicuous weight loss, a hypercalcaemic crisis and acute renal failure. After initiation of haemodialysis treatment his condition improved rapidly. However, he developed a varicella-zoster virus infection of the twelfth thoracic dermatome requiring intravenous acyclovir treatment. Four days later the patient presented with a fulminant septicaemia. Despite an early intravenous antibiotic therapy with ciprofloxacin, piperacillin/combactam and vancomycin the patient died within 48 hours, shortly before the infective isolate was identified as <it>Staphylococcus lugdunensis </it>by polymerase chain reaction.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Despite <it>S. lugdunensis </it>belonging to the family of coagulase-negative staphylococci with an usually low virulence, infections with <it>S. lugdunensis </it>may be associated with an aggressive course and high mortality. This is the first report on a <it>Staphylococcus lugdunensis </it>septicaemia following a zoster bacterial superinfection of the pelvic region.</p

Isolation of non-tuberculous mycobacteria from pastoral ecosystems of Uganda: Public Health significance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The importance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections in humans and animals in sub-Saharan Africa at the human-environment-livestock-wildlife interface has recently received increased attention. NTM are environmental opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals. Recent studies in pastoral ecosystems of Uganda detected NTM in humans with cervical lymphadenitis and cattle with lesions compatible with bovine tuberculosis. However, little is known about the source of these mycobacteria in Uganda. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify NTM in the environment of pastoral communities in Uganda, as well as assess the potential risk factors and the public health significance of NTM in these ecosystems.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A total of 310 samples (soil, water and faecal from cattle and pigs) were examined for mycobacteria. Isolates were identified by the INNO-Lipa test and by 16S rDNA sequencing. Additionally, a questionnaire survey involving 231 pastoralists was conducted during sample collection. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics followed by a multivariable logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Forty-eight isolates of NTM were detected; 25.3% of soil samples, 11.8% of water and 9.1% from animal faecal samples contained mycobacteria. Soils around water sources were the most contaminated with NTM (29.8%). Of these samples, <it>M. fortuitum-peregrinum </it>complex, <it>M. avium </it>complex, <it>M. gordonae</it>, and <it>M. nonchromogenicum </it>were the most frequently detected mycobacteria. Drinking untreated compared to treated water (OR = 33), use of valley dam versus stream water for drinking and other domestic use (OR = 20), sharing of water sources with wild primates compared to antelopes (OR = 4.6), sharing of water sources with domestic animals (OR = 5.3), and close contact with cattle or other domestic animals (OR = 13.8) were the most plausible risk factors for humans to come in contact with NTM in the environment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study detected a wide range of potentially pathogenic NTM from the environment around the pastoral communities in Uganda. Drinking untreated water and living in close contact with cattle or other domestic animals may be risk factors associated with the possibility of humans and animals acquiring NTM infections from these ecosystems.</p

Traumatic brain injury and peripheral immune suppression: primer and prospectus

Nosocomial infections are a common occurrence in patients following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and are associated with an increased risk of mortality, longer length of hospital stay and poor neurological outcome. Systemic immune suppression arising as a direct result of injury to the central nervous system (CNS) is considered to be primarily responsible for this increased incidence of infection, a view strengthened by recent studies that have reported novel changes in the composition and function of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system post TBI. However, our knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie TBI-induced immune suppression is equivocal at best. Here, after summarising our current understanding of the impact of TBI on peripheral immunity and discussing CNS-mediated regulation of immune function, we propose roles for a series of novel mechanisms in driving the immune suppression that is observed post TBI. These mechanisms, which have never been considered before in the context of TBI-induced immune paresis include the CNS-driven emergence into the circulation of myeloid derived suppressor cells and suppressive neutrophil subsets, and the release from injured tissue of nuclear and mitochondria-derived damage associated molecular patterns. Moreover, in an effort to further our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie TBI-induced changes in immunity, we pose throughout the review a series of questions, which if answered would address a number of key issues such as establishing whether manipulating peripheral immune function has potential as a future therapeutic strategy by which to treat and/or prevent infections in the hospitalised TBI patient