177 research outputs found
Two cases of fungal keratitis caused by Metarhizium anisopliae
We present two cases of keratitis due to Metarhizium anisopliae in geographically separated areas of the United States. The isolates were microscopically similar but morphologically different and were identified by ribosomal DNA sequencing. Both isolates had low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to caspofungin and micafungin, but high MIC values to amphotericin B. The morphologic and antifungal susceptibility differences between the two isolates indicate possible polyphylogeny of the group. Keywords: Metarhizium, Fungal keratitis, Keratomycosis, Antifungal susceptibilit
DNA Sampling: a method for probing protein binding at specific loci on bacterial chromosomes
We describe a protocol, DNA sampling, for the rapid isolation of specific segments of DNA, together with bound proteins, from Escherichia coli K-12. The DNA to be sampled is generated as a discrete fragment within cells by the yeast I-SceI meganuclease, and is purified using FLAG-tagged LacI repressor and beads carrying anti-FLAG antibody. We illustrate the method by investigating the proteins bound to the colicin K gene regulatory region, either before or after induction of the colicin K gene promoter
If at first you don't succeed : older consumers and hospital food & beverage packaging ā a matter of try, try and try again!
āOpenabilityā of food and beverage packaging has been shown to be problematic for older consumers.
Pressure on resources has seen the use of packaged food and beverages increase in Hospitals within the NSW
region of Australia. Studies at the University of Wollongong have shown that not only is Hospital food &
beverage packaging problematic, difficulty opening it was identified as a barrier to nutritional intake.
Given the serious nature of the problem, a series of studies have been undertaken by the University of
Wollongong and Sheffield Hallam University, to evaluate the issues surrounding the āopenabilityā of this
packaging in an attempt to understand in detail the issues leading to difficulty in use.
Amongst the poor performing packs were seen to be water bottles, drink cartons and cheese portions. Whilst
issues surrounding strength were seen to be linked to accessed to bottled water, all other pack types were
significantly affected by dexterity and in particular the fine control needed to pinch and peel tabs or remove
drinking straws.
Sound ergonomics indicates that products should be designed for the user population, yet the experience of our
consumers indicates that this is not necessarily the case. Work is ongoing to understand in more detail the
effects of ageing such a reduced dexterity on packaging āopenabilityā as well as the effects of age and posture.
The eventual aim of this work is to collaborate with packaging designers, manufacturers and brand owners to
develop and produce effective and reliable packaging for both the healthcare and retail environments
Evaluation of surrogate tests for the presence of mecA-mediated methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus hominis, and Staphylococcus warneri
Testing of staphylococci other tha
Carbapenemase-producing organisms: a global scourge
The dramatic increase in the prevalence and clinical impact of infections caused by bacteria producing carbapenemases is a global health concern. Carbapenemase production is especially problematic when encountered in members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Due to their ability to readily spread and colonize patients in healthcare environments, preventing the transmission of these organisms is a major public health initiative and coordinated international effort are needed. Central to the treatment and control of carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs) are phenotypic (growth-/biochemical-dependent) and nucleic acidābased carbapenemase detection tests that identify carbapenemase activity directly or their associated molecular determinants. Importantly, bacterial isolates harboring carbapenemases are often resistant to multiple antibiotic classes, resulting in limited therapy options. Emerging agents, novel antibiotic combinations and treatment regimens offer promise for management of these infections. This review highlights our current understanding of CPOs with emphasis on their epidemiology, detection, treatment, and control
Evaluating the rapid emergence of daptomycin resistance in Corynebacterium: A multicenter study
Members of the genu
Development and evaluation of a novel, semiautomated Clostridium difficile typing platform
We describe a novel, semiautomated Clostridium difficile typing platform that is based on PCR-ribotyping in conjunction with a semiautomated molecular typing system. The platform is reproducible with minimal intra- or interassay variability. This method exhibited a discriminatory index of 0.954 and is therefore comparable to more arduous typing systems, such as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis
Septic arthritis of a native knee joint due to Corynebacterium striatum
We report a case of septic arthritis of a native knee joint due to Corynebacterium striatum, a rare and unusual cause of septic arthritis of native joints. The isolate was identified by a combination of phenotypic, mass spectrometric, and nucleic acid-based assays and exhibited high-level resistance to most antimicrobials
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