An ethnopharmacological approach to multidrug -resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Evaluation of Italian plants used in the traditional healing of skin disease

One-third of botanical remedies from southern Italy are used to treat skin and soft tissue infections (SST's). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a common cause of SSTIs, is responsible for increased morbidity and mortality from infections. Therapeutic options are limited by antibiotic resistance. Many plants possess potent antimicrobial compounds for these disorders. Validation of traditional medical practices is important for the people who rely on medicinal plants. Moreover, identification of novel antibiotics and anti-pathogenic agents for MRSA is important to global healthcare.^ I took an ethnopharmacological approach to understand how Italian medicinal plants used for the treatment of SSTIs affect MRSA growth and virulence. My hypothesis was that plants used in folk remedies for SSTI would exhibit lower cytotoxicity and greater inhibition of bacterial growth, biofilm formation and toxin production in MRSA than plants used for remedies unrelated to the skin or for plants with no ethnomedical application. The field portion of my research was conducted in the Vulture-Alto Bradano area of southern Italy. I collected 104 plant species and created 168 crude extracts. In the lab, I screened samples for activity against MRSA in a battery of bioassays. Growth inhibition was analyzed using broth microtiter assays for determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration. Interference with quorum-sensing (QS) processes, which mediate pathogenicity, was quantified through RP-HPLC of δ-toxin production. Interference with biofilm formation and adherence was assessed using staining methods. The mammalian cytotoxicity of natural products was analyzed using MTT cell proliferation assay techniques.^ Although bacteriostatic activity was limited, extracts from six plants used in Italian folk medicine (Arundo donax, Ballota nigra, Juglans regia, Leopoldia comosa, Marrubium vulgare, and Rubus ulmifolius ) significantly inhibited biofilm formation and adherence. Moreover, plants used to treat SSTI demonstrated significantly greater anti-biofilm activity when compared to plants with no ethnomedical application. QSI activity was evident in 90% of the extracts tested and extracts from four plants ( Ballota nigra, Castanea saliva, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Sambucus ebulus) exhibited a significant dose-dependent response. Some of the plant remedies for SSTI identified in this study can be validated due to anti-MRSA activity.^

Iconographie des coiffures mayas du codex postclassique de Dresde

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Gestão da segurança alimentar evolução da certificação Codex Alimentarius para a implementação da ISO 22000:2005

O efeito conjugado das imposições da grande distribuição e dos consumidores cada vez mais exigentes levou os intervenientes do sector alimentar a considerarem a certificação dos seus produtos e/ou sistemas de produção por referenciais específicos. Todas as organizações que intervêm na cadeia alimentar têm a responsabilidade de colocar no mercado produtos alimentares cujas condições de higiene e segurança estejam devidamente garantidas. O trabalho desenvolvido no presente Projecto consistiu na preparação da implementação da norma NP EN ISSO 22000:2005 na empresa Cores Doces, Lda, dedicada ao comércio de doçaria. Tendo já o sistema HACCP implementado, a certificação através da norma de gestão da segurança alimentar NP EN ISSO 22000:2005 era um objetivo estratégico da administração da empresa uma vez que é este o referencial de segurança alimentar que melhor se adapta à realidade e objetivos da empresa e seus parceiros. O plano de trabalhos teve como objetivo fazer a transição entro o sistema HACCP (hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) já implementado e certificado, para a implementação e certificação segundo os requisitos da norma NP EN ISSO 22000:2005. Para o efeito foram numa primeira fase identificadas as principais diferenças entre os dois sistemas de gestão da segurança alimentar. Esta análise permitiu diagnosticar as alterações processuais a implantar e os documentos a elaborar para a constituição da estrutura documental do sistema segundo a ISO 22000:2005. As principais alterações efetuadas foram a nível do Planeamento e Realização de Produtos Seguros, nomeadamente a análise de risco. Numa segunda fase foram apresentadas as alterações na empresa perante a transição para a ISSO onde se deu destaque aos aspetos relacionados com a responsabilidade da gestão, a compatibilização com os outros sistemas de gestão que possam ser criados na empresa (qualidade, ambiente, segurança e saúde); onde se fez igualmente a correspondência entre o Codex e a ISSO com destaque para o capítulo 7 na Norma ( Planeamento e Realização de Produtos Seguros), explorando os restantes capítulos que permitem introduzir na organização um ciclo de PDCA (Planear, Realizar, Avaliar e Corrigir). Finalmente foi elaborado um auxiliar de transição do sistema HACCP para a ISSO 22000 que possa servir de ferramenta para outras organizações.

Iconographie des coiffures mayas du codex postclassique de Dresde

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

CODEX: mapping co-created data for speculative geographies

This paper discusses a series of artworks named CODEX produced by the authors as part of a collaborative research project between the Centre for Research in Education, Art and Media (CREAM), University of Westminster, and the Oxford Internet Institute. Taking the form of experimental maps, large-scale installations and prints, we show how big data can be employed to reflect upon social phenomena through the formulation of critical, aesthetic and speculative geographies.

Antibacterial activity of the marine sponge Ircinia Campana collected at Punta Uva Limón against Staphylococcus Aureus

The sponges are simple multicellularorganisms; they inhabit in marine environments from the polar seas to the tropical waterswhere they are more abundant. These species are exposed to large populations of microbes, reason that explains their complex morphological and cellular defense mechanism, which are used by these organisms to fight against pathogens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the marine sponge Ircinia campana, whichinhabits in the south of the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica against  Sthapylococcus aureus gram-positive bacteria. Sampleswere collected in Punta Uva in Limónduring July of 2007. The active compounds were obtainedby extraction with acetone (crude extract); and subsequently, chromatographic extracts were obtained using fractions 1:4 hexane: ethyl acetate. The antibacterial activities of the different fractions, including the  crude extract were tested.Our results suggest a zone of inhibition of 14.60 ±0.25 mm for the crude extract and18.70±0.25mm for the most active fraction separated by chromatography. The metabolite responsible for the antibacterial activity was isolated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)and preliminarily characterized through ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy.

Resistencia antimicrobiana de Staphylococcus aureus en pacientes con pie diabético que asisten a la consulta externa del Hospital Nacional Dr. Jorge Arturo Mena de Santiago de María, departamento de Usulután en el período de junio a agosto de 2014

La resistencia bacteriana es uno de los problemas de Salud Pública más graves, los microorganismos que causan enfermedades infecciosas han dejado de responder a los antibióticos de uso común; en la investigación el objetivo fue determinar la resistencia antimicrobiana de Staphylococcus aureus en pacientes con pie diabético que asistieron a la Consulta Externa del Hospital Nacional Dr. Jorge Arturo Mena de Santiago de María, departamento de Usulután en el período de junio a agosto de 2014; a los antibióticos Eritromicina, Clindamicina, Ampicilina, Ciprofloxacina, Ceftriaxona, Cotrimoxazol; utilizados en el tratamiento de infecciones por bacterias grampositivas, para lo cual se observaron y analizaron 30 muestras de personas con pie diabético para obtener una población de 10 personas a quienes se les aisló la bacteria Staphylococcus aureus y se les realizó el respectivo antibiograma. Metodología fue un estudio de tipo prospectivo, transversal, descriptivo y de campo; los datos obtenidos fueron ordenados y tabulados en donde se obtuvieron las siguientes Resultados se determinó que existe resistencia antimicrobiana de Staphylococcus aureus a los antibióticos: Eritromicina 70%, Clindamicina 60%, Ampicilina 60%, Ciprofloxacina 50%, Ceftriaxona 40% y Crotrimoxazol 20%; en pacientes con pie diabético que asistieron a la Consulta Externa del Hospital Nacional Dr. Jorge Arturo Mena de Santiago de María; mediante la utilizando la técnica de Kirby-Bauer y se cumplió con la norma del CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute). La población en estudio manifestó no conocer que el no tomar el tratamiento completo puede producir resistencia bacteriana 60%, el 90% recibió tratamiento con el antibiótico Ciprofloxacina, 70% Eritromicina, 50% Clindamicina y Ampicilina; el 60% no recordaba cuantas veces había recibido tratamiento con los antibióticos mencionados, factores que contribuyen a las complicaciones de quienes padecen pie diabético y son tratados por infecciones bacterianas.También se obtuvo resistencia antimicrobiana de otras bacterias aisladas en el estudio, donde: Enterococcus sp presentó una resistencia en un 100% a los antibióticos Cotrimoxazol, Ceftriaxona y Ciprofloxacina, al igual que Pseudomonas sp que es una bacteria nosocomial, manifestó ser resistente en un 50% a los 3 antibióticos; Escherichia coli presentó un 41.7% de resistencia al antibiótico Cotrimoxazol, Ciprofloxacina 33.3% y Ceftriaxona 25%; a diferencia de Proteus sp y Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa que no presentaron resistencia. Conclusiones: Staphylococcus aureus presento mayor resistencia al antibiótico Eritromicina 70%; uno de los factores que influye puede ser que la población en estudio manifestó en un 60% no saber que el abandonar los tratamientos producen resistencias bacteriana.

Prevalencia de infección por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina en heridas crónicas en atención primaria de Lleida: estudio retrospectivo

Objetivo: averiguar la prevalencia de infecciones por Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) y S. aureus resistente a meticilina (MRSA) en los cultivos de heridas crónicas en atención primaria de la región sanitaria de Lleida y valorar la prescripción de antibioterapia oral según resultado del antibiograma. Diseño: estudio transversal retrospectivo. Muestra: cultivos realizados en heridas crónicas de enero de 2010 a diciembre 2012. Resultados: se estimó una prevalencia de cultivos positivos a Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina de 3,77% (intervalo de confianza IC al 95%: 2,1-5,5) y de S. aureus no resistente a meticilina de 8,79% (IC 95%: 1,1-6,1) calculado sobre el número total de cultivos registrados en este periodo. Conclusiones: la prescripción de antibióticos respecto al antibiograma es más precisa al tener como respuesta un MRSA que un cultivo de S. aureus.

Antimicrobial potential of Eucalyptus globulus against biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis

Staphylococcus aureus are among the most common species isolated from bovine mastitis. The pathogenesis of this bacterium is facilitated by a number of virulence factors, including the ability to adhere to abiotic surfaces and/or host tissues often leading to biofilms' formation. From the clinical perspective, the most important feature of Staphytococcus species' biofilms is their high tolerance to the conventional antimicrobial therapy. So, the increasing number of bovine mastitis and the higher levels of Staphylococcus species resistance to traditional antimicrobial agents are considered an important alert for the necessity to focus the future research on identification and development of new strategies to combat S. aureus mastitis. RecenUy, the interest in natural alternatives based on plant extracts has been rising. In add~ion to their health benefits, their antimicrobial potential has been increasingly reported. Taking this into consideration, the evaluation of hydromethanolic extracts of E. globulus against S. aureus biofilms was tested and compared with penicillin, one of the antibiotics most often used in the treatment of cattle infections. All mastitis' isolates tested were good-biofilm producers. As expected penicillin has demonstrated poor activity against S. aureus biofilms (<1 log reduction). However, E. globulus Labill was bactericidal, promoting a biofilm cell reduction of 2-3 log. Therefore, the present work showed the potential antimicrobial activity of E. g/obulus against S. aureus from bovine mastitis, namely in biofilm mode of growth and drew attention to its promising use as an alternative to penicillin.

Comportamento de Staphylococcus sob diferentes condições de crescimento: Behaviour of Staphylococcus aureus under different growth conditions

Realizou-se um trabalho experimental com o objectivo de obter informação sobre a evolução do crescimento de Staphylococcus aureus. Foram utilizadas duas estirpes de Staphylococcus aureus, uma isolada a partir de rissóis de frango e uma estirpe de referência, a ATCC n. 9213, estas estirpes foram sujeitas a 3 valores de pH diferentes (que representam os valores de pH que é possível, ou seja pH 4, 5,5 e 7, a 3 valores de concentração de NaCl, nomeadamente, 0,5%, 7% e 15%. A temperatura de desenvolvimento será de 7°C, 37°C e 50aC. Utilizaram-se dois métodos para avaliar o crescimento de Staphylococcus aureus, ao longo do tempo, nomeadamente o Método Turbidímétrico e o Método de contagem de unidades formadoras de colónias (método das diluições sucessivas). ABSTRACT: Carried out experimental work in order to obtain information on the evolution of the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. We used two strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a strain isolated from a chicken patties and one reference strain, ATCC Nº 29213, these strains were subjected to 3 different pH values (which represent the values of pH it is possible, or is pH 4, 5.5 and 7, the 3 values of NaCI concentration, namely, 0.5%, 7% and 15%. The growth temperature is 7 °C, 37°C and 50ºC. We used two methods to evaluate the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, over time, including the turbidimetric method and the method of counting colony forming units (method of successive dilutions).

Traductologica Muzarabica, notas a propósito de un fragmento del Codex Arabicus Monachensis Aumer 238

Análisis de un fragmento lucano de la "versión occidental" de los Evangelios contenidos en el Codex Arabicus Monachensis Aumer 238, prestando especial atención al origen de la misma e indicando algunos aspectos de interés para ulteriores investigaciones.

Miscellanea Epigraphica Nubica IV: A New Edition of the Wizz Codex with an English Translation

The discovery of a complete codex in Coptic at the Nubian monastery of Qasr el Wizz has attracted the attention of several scholars. The edition of Péter Hubai has provided a base for all subsequent analyses of the text and already two related publications have been announced. The present contribution is the result of reading the Wizz Codex in a study group at the University of Bergen on Coptic texts, yielding an updated transcription and translation of the text.

Extracorporeal circuit for Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus necrotizing pneumonia [Traitement par ECMO d'une pneumopathie nécrosante à Staphylococcus aureus producteur de la leucocidine de Panton-Valentine]

National audience

Multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from emergency ward of an Iranian hospital

Purpose: To study the prevalence of resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from surfaces, beds and various equipment of an Iranian hospital emergency ward. Methods: Two hundred swab samples were collected from the surfaces, beds, trolleys, surgical equipment and diagnostic medical devices in emergency ward. Samples were cultured and those that were S. aureus-positive were confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antimicrobial resistance pattern was analyzed using disk diffusion method. Results: Nine of 200 samples (4.5 %) collected were positive for S. aureus. Surfaces (8.8 %), beds (5 %) and trolleys (5 %) were the most commonly contaminated. S. aureus isolates exhibited varying levels of resistance against antibiotics with the following being the highest: tetracycline (88.8 %), penicillin (88.8 %) and ampicillin (77.7 %). The prevalence of resistance against methicillin, oxacillin and azithromycin were 44.4, 33.3 and 33.3 %, respectively. There was no pattern of resistance against imipenem. Conclusion: Efficient disinfection of surfaces, beds, trolleys and surgical instruments should be performed periodically to reduce colonization of resistant strains of S. aureus in various areas of emergency health care centers.