Managing criminal justice organizations

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Detection of Bacterial Biofilm on Cochlear Implants Removed Because of Device Failure, Without Evidence of Infection

Objective: To investigate the formation of bacterial biofilms on the surface of the electrode array of cochlear implants (CI) explanted because of device failure, without evidence of infection, by use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Study Design: Prospective study. Setting: Patients from 2 tertiary-care referral centers. Patients and Methods: CIs were explanted from 9 patients because of device failure. Specimens were immediately snapfrozen in cold isopenthane, stored at -80 degrees and examined with SEM and CLSM by 3 investigators. Main Outcome Measure: Presence of bacterial biofilm ascertained by SEM and CSLM. Results: One specimen showed the formation of a bacterial biofilm on the middle ear part of the electrode array. No biofilm formation was found in the inner-ear part of electrode arrays. In the middle-ear part of the electrode array, a cylindrical cover of human muscular tissue was seen plugging the cochleostomy. Conclusion: This is the first study demonstrating that bacterial biofilms may exist on the surface of the electrode array of CIs explanted because of device failure but not infection. We found 1 case of biofilm formation in 9 explanted CIs. Further studies with larger series of CIs are required to investigate biofilm formation on the surface of CI electrode arrays to address both the pathophysiology of bacterial biofilms and prevention of device-related infections in CI patients.Disorders of the head and nec

Biofilms on tracheoesophageal voice prostheses: a confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstration of mixed bacterial and yeast biofilms

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence of yeast and bacterial biofilms on the surface of tracheoesophageal voice prostheses (TVPs) by a double-staining technique with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Biofilms of 12 removed TVPs were visualized by scanning electron microscopy, then stained with ConA-FITC and propidium iodide for CLSM. Microbial identification was by partial 16S rRNA gene analysis and ITS-2 sequence analysis. Microbial biofilms on the TVPs consisted of bacteria and filamentous cells. Bacterial cells were attached to the filamentous and unicellular yeast cells, thus forming a network. Sequence analyses of six voice prostheses identified the presence of a variety of bacterial and yeast species. In vivo studies showed that Klebsiella oxytoca and Micrococcus luteus efficiently attached to Candida albicans. CLSM with double fluorescence staining can be used to demonstrate biofilm formations composed of a mixture of yeast and bacterial cells on the surface of TVPs.Otorhinolaryngolog

Preclinical characterization of an intravenous coronavirus 3CL protease inhibitor for the potential treatment of COVID19

COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has become a global pandemic. 3CL protease is a virally encoded protein that is essential across a broad spectrum of coronaviruses with no close human analogs. PF-00835231, a 3CL protease inhibitor, has exhibited potent in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 as a single agent. Here we report, the design and characterization of a phosphate prodrug PF-07304814 to enable the delivery and projected sustained systemic exposure in human of PF-00835231 to inhibit coronavirus family 3CL protease activity with selectivity over human host protease targets. Furthermore, we show that PF-00835231 has additive/synergistic activity in combination with remdesivir. We present the ADME, safety, in vitro, and in vivo antiviral activity data that supports the clinical evaluation of PF-07304814 as a potential COVID-19 treatment. © 2021, The Author(s).Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]