Ten golden rules for optimal antibiotic use in hospital settings: the WARNING call to action

Antibiotics are recognized widely for their benefits when used appropriately. However, they are often used inappropriately despite the importance of responsible use within good clinical practice. Effective antibiotic treatment is an essential component of universal healthcare, and it is a global responsibility to ensure appropriate use. Currently, pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to develop new antibiotics due to scientific, regulatory, and financial barriers, further emphasizing the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. To address this issue, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery established an international multidisciplinary task force of 295 experts from 115 countries with different backgrounds. The task force developed a position statement called WARNING (Worldwide Antimicrobial Resistance National/International Network Group) aimed at raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance and improving antibiotic prescribing practices worldwide. The statement outlined is 10 axioms, or “golden rules,” for the appropriate use of antibiotics that all healthcare workers should consistently adhere in clinical practice

Invertase activity in honey

The invertase activity was determined for 499 honeys (27 multifloral and 472 unifloral from Arbutus, Carduus, Castanea, Citrus, Erica, Eucalyptus, Hedysarum, Helianthus, Rhododendron, Robinia, Rosmarinus, Taraxacum, Thymus, Tilia, fir honeydew and honeydew produced by Metcalfa pruinosa), in order to determine its variability and establish the range characteristic for each honey type. The results show that invertase activity varies considerably in the different honey types (from less than 0.5 to more than 30 IN). Robinia, Arbutus, Citrus, Erica and Rosmarinus have the lowest values (usually less than 10) and the two honeydew honeys the highest (more than 18). The diastase content of the samples was also measured, to compare the content of the two enzymes, and a certain correlation was observed (r = 0.835, P < 0.001). The IN/DN ratio ranges from less than 0.1 to more than 2. The possible role of invertase and IN/DN ratio in honey quality evaluation is discussed. © Inra/DIB/AGIB/Elsevier, Pari

Antifungal activity of some botanical extracts on Fusarium oxysporum

The present paper describes the antifungal activity of some plant extracts on the development of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici. The best extracts were selected to be tested as a phytofungicide to control crop diseases, with the ultimate goal of developing a green alternative to synthetic fungicides. Using the conidia germination assay, of the 24 plant extracts tested, 15 reduced conidia germination and 6 completely inhibited germination. Extracts of Rivina humulis, Brassica carinata, Brunfelsia calyicina, Salvia guaranitica and Punica granatum showed good antifungal activity. The relationship between total phenolic content (TPC) in each plant extract tested and the percentage of mycelial growth inhibition showed a significant correlation (R2 = 0.69), while no correlation was found between total flavonoid content (TFC) and percentage mycelial growth inhibition. Among all extracts tested, Punica granatum and Salvia guaranitica showed the best inhibitory effect against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici . Our results indicate that plant extracts with a good antifungal activity generally had a high level of total polyphenolic content and titratable acidity, and low values of pH

Punicalagin Content and Antifungal Activity of Different Pomegranate (Punica ganatum L.) Genotypes

This study investigated the antifungal activity of a number of pomegranate genotypes. Since the main compound of pomegranate extract is punicalagin, an important substance involved in antifungal and antimicrobial activity, we analyzed the contents of punicalagin (α and β) in 21 different pomegranate genotypes. Ellagic acid content, total phenolic content, acidity and pH were also determined. This work allowed us to determine which genotypes of pomegranate can be used to obtain extracts with the highest content of punicalagin, with the goal of developing a green alternative to synthetic pesticides. To improve the extraction system from pomegranate peel fruits, several different solvents were tested. All the pomegranate genotypes tested showed antifungal activity; some genotypes were able to almost completely inhibit the fungus, while others had very low inhibitory activity. Research results also showed that the use of water as a solvent for extraction is very effective, especially when it is combined with ethanol. This is very important for the practical use of the extracts since water is economical and environmentally friendly. The research showed that among the genotypes there is also great variability regarding the chemical parameters. Genotypes with a high phenolic and punicalagin content were significantly correlated with antifungal activity. All the other chemical parameters (pH, titratable acidity and ellagic acid content) were not correlated with antifungal activity. The results obtained indicate that the fruits of some pomegranate genotypes could be used to obtain extracts very rich in punicalagins and that these substances could be used as an alternative to synthetic products to control plant disease and improve the quality of the plant products, avoiding the impact of synthetic chemicals on the environment

Factors associated with influenza vaccination of general medicine interns in Nancy, France, in 2017

International audienc

Ten golden rules for optimal antibiotic use in hospital settings : the WARNING call to action

Abstract: Antibiotics are recognized widely for their benefits when used appropriately. However, they are often used inappropriately despite the importance of responsible use within good clinical practice. Effective antibiotic treatment is an essential component of universal healthcare, and it is a global responsibility to ensure appropriate use. Currently, pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to develop new antibiotics due to scientific, regulatory, and financial barriers, further emphasizing the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. To address this issue, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery established an international multidisciplinary task force of 295 experts from 115 countries with different backgrounds. The task force developed a position statement called WARNING (Worldwide Antimicrobial Resistance National/International Network Group) aimed at raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance and improving antibiotic prescribing practices worldwide. The statement outlined is 10 axioms, or "golden rules," for the appropriate use of antibiotics that all healthcare workers should consistently adhere in clinical practice