Complete Genome Sequence of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Siphophage Siara.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is associated with an increasing incidence of nosocomial infections. Here, we describe the isolation and genome annotation of S. maltophilia siphophage Siara. Its 61,427-bp genome is currently related only to one phage in the NCBI database, namely, S. maltophilia phage Salva, and is not related to any prophages.

Patterns of Cyclist and Pedestrian Street Crossing Behavior and Safety on an Urban Greenway.

Greenways are linear open spaces, which are often used as trails for pedestrians and cyclists, but junctions with roads are a safety concern and act as a potential impediment to active transportation. This study evaluated crossing behavior patterns and safety at greenway⁻road junctions in New Orleans, LA. Crossing behaviors, safety and motor vehicle behavior were collected using direct observation methods. Intercept surveys were conducted to assess greenway use and safety perceptions. Logistic and negative binomial regression were used to assess the relationships between crossing signal (rectangular rapid flash beacon) activation and motor vehicle behavior. Fewer unsafe crossings occurred when the crossing signals were activated for cyclists and pedestrians (p-values of 0.001 and 0.01, respectively). There was no association between pedestrian use of crossing signals and motor vehicle stopping behavior but cyclists had significantly higher odds of motor vehicles failing to stop when the signal was activated (OR 5.12, 95% CI 2.86⁻9.16). The activation of rectangular rapid flash beacons at urban greenway junctions with roads did not influence motor vehicle behavior. Differences in crossing safety by signal use cannot be attributed to the signal's influence on motor vehicle stopping behavior.

Were medicine quality and pharmaceutical management contributing factors in diminishing artemisinin efficacy in Guyana and Suriname?

BACKGROUND: Recent studies in Guyana and Suriname unveiled diminished efficacy of artemisinin derivatives based on day-3 parasitaemia. The migrant characteristics of the population at risk and the potential development of resistance pose a serious health threat in the region. Assessment of factors that may have contributed to this situation is warranted, and analysis of the data generated in those countries on quality and pharmaceutical managements of anti-malarials may contribute to a better understanding of this occurrence. METHODS: Data on malaria medicine quality and pharmaceutical management, generated in the context of the Amazon Malaria Initiative (AMI), was reviewed and discussed. RESULTS: Numerous substandard artemisinin-containing malaria medicines were identified in both countries, particularly in Guyana, where a larger number and variety of anti-malarials were sampled. Poor quality was more frequent in the private and informal sector than in the public sector, posing a greater threat to the populations at risk, which are mostly located in hard to reach areas with scarce public facilities. Stock-outs identified in the public sector in Guyana could enhance the need to access those alternative sectors, exacerbating the risk of utilizing poor quality medicines. The availability of monotherapies and other non-recommended therapies for Plasmodium falciparum malaria, could also have contributed to the diminished efficacy. The type of quality deficiencies identified -reduced content of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and/or poor dissolution- and the irrational use of non-recommended treatments could result in non-sustained or lower levels of API in blood, favouring survival of more resistant mutants by exposing parasites to sub-lethal doses of the active ingredient. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of malaria medicines and the availability and use of non-recommended treatments could have played a role in the diminished efficacy of artemisinin derivatives described in Guyana and Suriname. However, also other factors need to be considered and a more comprehensive and extensive assessment on quality and pharmaceutical management is necessary to establish a tighter cause-effect correlation. Nevertheless, relevant authorities in these and neighbouring countries should take into consideration the reviewed data to properly address the problem when implementing corrective actions.