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

On the Feasibility of Fine-Grained TLS Security Configurations in Web Browsers Based on the Requested Domain Name

Most modern web browsers today sacrifice optimal TLS security for backward compatibility. They apply coarse-grained TLS configurations that support (by default) legacy versions of the protocol that have known design weaknesses, and weak ciphersuites that provide fewer security guarantees (e.g. non Forward Secrecy), and silently fall back to them if the server selects to. This introduces various risks including downgrade attacks such as the POODLE attack [15] that exploits the browsers silent fallback mechanism to downgrade the protocol version in order to exploit the legacy version flaws. To achieve a better balance between security and backward compatibility, we propose a mechanism for fine-grained TLS configurations in web browsers based on the sensitivity of the domain name in the HTTPS request using a whitelisting technique. That is, the browser enforces optimal TLS configurations for connections going to sensitive domains while enforcing default configurations for the rest of the connections. We demonstrate the feasibility of our proposal by implementing a proof-of-concept as a Firefox browser extension. We envision this mechanism as a built-in security feature in web browsers, e.g. a button similar to the \quotes{Bookmark} button in Firefox browsers and as a standardised HTTP header, to augment browsers security

The Distribution of ESBL-Producing Enterobacteriaceae: Leicestershire UK Compared to Worldwide

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The anti-virulence effect of cranberry active compound proanthocyanins (PACs) on the expression of genes in the third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli CTX-M-15 associated with urinary tract infection.

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Selective allodepletion to improve anti-viral and anti-leukaemic responses after haploidentical transplantation

Immunotherapy with allodepleted donor T-cells improves immune reconstitution after haploidentical SCT, but infection and leukaemic relapse remain problematic. To develop a rational approach to refining allodepletion, we characterized the expression of surface markers and cytokines on proliferating alloreactive T-cells flow cytometrically. CD25 was expressed on 83 % of CFSE-dim alloreactive T-cells, confirming this as an excellent target for allodepletion. 70 % of the alloreactive CD25-ve population expressed CD71, identifying this as a novel marker to target alloreactive T-cells that persist after CD25 depletion. We compared residual alloreactivity to host or 3rd party after CD25 vs combined CD25/71 immunomagnetic depletion in 8 HLA-mismatched donor-recipient pairs. In 1o MLRs, residual responses to host were undetectable after CD25/71 depletion. In 2o MLRs, CD25/71 depletion resulted in significantly lower residual proliferative response to host than CD25 depletion (median 4.8% of the response of unmanipulated PBMC vs 9.9%, p < 0.01). Likewise, the median residual reactivity to host in IFN-γ ELISPOT assays was significantly lower after combined CD25/71 than CD25 allodepletion (14.1 % vs 54.6%, p < 0.05). Third party responses after CD25/71 allodepletion were equivalent to unmanipulated PBMCs in both assays. In pentamer and IFN-γ ELISPOT assays, anti-viral responses to CMV, EBV and adenovirus were preserved after combined CD25/71 allodepletion. Finally, we showed that CD25/71 allodepleted T-cells can be redirected to recognize and secrete IFN-γ and granzyme B in response to CD19 cell lines and primary ALL blasts through lentiviral transfer of a chimeric αCD19ζ TCR. This strategy may facilitate immunotherapy with larger doses of allodepleted T-cells after haplo-SCT, enhancing graft versus leukaemia and anti-viral effects

The Impact of Physical Fitness on Academic Performance of Grade Five School Children: Case Study

The main purpose of the study is to compare grade five student’s academic performance with their physical fitness. The grade five scholarship examinations has become a highly competitive examination in Sri Lanka. Due to the higher level of competition many parents push their children to attend to tuition classes. All extracurricular and leisure activities are on hold and the child is forced to do studies for long hours. Data was collected from 40 students (24 males and 16 females) during the 2014 school year to compare the relationship between their academic performances and the physical fitness. Physical fitness was measured by using the “President’s challenge physical fitness test” (PCPFT) and three model papers on grade five scholarship examination were used to evaluate the academic performance. It was found that there is a significant positive correlation between physical fitness levels except for one test in PCPFT: curl ups test and scores of model papers. Among the five physical fitness tests in the PCPFT, the highest positive correlation with the scores obtained for academic papers was obtained in the shuttle run. Overall results concludes the alternative hypothesis of a “significant relationship between physical fitness scores based on PCPFT and academic performance based on scores of model papers on grade five scholarship examination for fifth graders at the participation school” is true. Key words: Physical fitness, Academic performanc

Vertical temperature structure of 250 m. water layer around Sri Lanka at the tail-end of the north-east monsoon

Data collected during cruises of the Hoyo Maru in Jan-Mar 1975 are analysed. Data is tabulated to show vertical temp profile, surface water temp and temp gradient. Each of these features is discussed. Thermoclines are shown to be established off the coast of India, their depth varying according to time of year. Upwelling off the Cochin coast is discussed. This occurs during Oct-Nov. Surface temp is considerably influenced by the north-east monsoon. The 'clockwise current' (or 'transparent current) characterised by high salinity, high transparency, and rich nutrient conchs, and which prevails in Jan-May brings oceanic water into the Bay of Bengal and sweeps along the Ceylon coast

Pre competition Anxiety level among junior Rugby football Team Players: Sri Lankan Perspective

This paper examines that the action taken to reduce the pre competition anxiety level among   selected junior male Rugby football team in the Sri Lankan context. The major purpose of  this study  is  to  find  the answer for  the  question,  how  to  reduce  the  pre  competition  anxiety  level  among  selected rugby players. The research was based on  the qualitative method. One group pretest, posttest design of the pre experimental design has been selected in this research. It has got only the treatment group but not the control group. The  sample was  taken  from population  at  the  under  19  years  male  Rugby  football  school  teams  of  western province  in Stratified  sampling  technique. Twenty three male rugby football players were the sample size for this research. The specific training schedule was utilized by researcher  to  reduce  the pre competition  anxiety  level  in  selected  sample within  twelve weeks  of  time  period. Interviews, questionnaire, observations, field notes, tests, photographs, audio and videotaping were used to gather data.  Interviews were used  to  identify  the  research  topic;  questionnaires were  used  to  analyze  the  anxiety level. Charts, graphs, line charts, tables, mean value and Minitab software were used to analyze the data. The researcher found that the implemented action plan helps to answer the research questions. This type of research can be utilized in the future in same context. Key Words: Anxiety level, Pre competition and Rugby foot ball Team Player