Media and technology usage and attitudes in emergency department patients.

Introduction: Digital health technologies are increasingly being used in emergency medicine, many of which utilize smartphones and computers. Patient willingness to use these modalities is an important factor in successful implementation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess emergency department (ED) patients' use of and attitudes towards technology. Methods: This was a pooled sub-analysis of ED patients (≥18 years old) that were enrolled in two studies evaluating the ED patient experience in response to novel technological interventions. Participants completed the Media and Technology Usage and Attitudes Scale (MTUAS) that assessed computer and smartphone ownership; frequency of use of phone calls, texting, email, and smartphones; and anxiety and dependence attitudes on these technologies. Results: One hundred and forty-four participants completed the survey. Mean age was 47.2 years (SD 17.94); 61.8% were female; and 61.1% were white. There was high usage of smartphones (93.1%) and computers (74.3%). Participants most frequently used phone calling and texting and least commonly used email. Participants had a positive attitude (mean 3.9/5, SD 0.68) towards the use of these technologies. Discussion: ED patients reported high ownership of smartphones and computers, had a positive attitude towards their use, and had varying frequency with which they used different technologies. Future studies can use this information to inform the development of digital health interventions that utilize technologies that patients find most acceptable.

A dual acting compound with latanoprost amide and nitric oxide releasing properties, shows ocular hypotensive effects in rabbits and dogs.

The IOP lowering effects of NCX 139, a new chemical entity comprising latanoprost amide and a NO-donating moiety, were compared to those of the respective des-nitro analog in in vitro assays and in rabbit and dog models of ocular hypertension. The NO donor, molsidomine as well as the prostamide bimatoprost (Lumigan(®)) and the prostaglandin agonist, latanoprost (Xalatan(®)) were also investigated for comparison. NCX 139 but not its des-nitro analog resulted in NO-mediated vascular relaxant effect in pre-contracted rabbit aortic rings (EC(50)=0.70±0.06 µM; E(max)=80.6±2.9%). Like bimatoprost (IC(50)=3.07±1.3 µM) or latanoprost (IC(50)=0.48±0.15 µM), NCX 139 displaced (3)H-PGF2α binding on recombinant human prostaglandin-F (FP) receptors with an estimated potency of 0.77±0.13 µM. In transient ocular hypertensive rabbits, bimatoprost and latanoprost were not effective while molsidomine elicited a dose-dependent reduction of IOP confirming the responsiveness of rabbits to NO but not to FP receptor agonists. NCX 139 tested at a therapeutically relevant dose, significantly lowered IOP while the des-nitro analog was not effective (0.03% NCX 139, Δ(max)=-12.8±2.0 mmHg). In glaucomatous dogs, 0.03% NCX 139 decreased IOP to a greater extent compared to an equimolar dose of the respective des-nitro derivative (Δ(max)=-4.6±1.0 and -2.7±1.3 mmHg, respectively for NCX 139 and its des-nitro analog). Albeit with low potency, NCX 139 also resulted effective in normotensive dogs while it did not reduce IOP in normotensive rabbits. NCX 139, a compound targeting two different and important mechanisms, is endowed with ocular hypotensive effects more evident in hypertensive conditions which may be of interest in the search of more effective treatments for hypertensive glaucoma.

Occurrence of killer yeasts in leaf-cutting ant nests.

Killer activity was screened in 99 yeast strains isolated from the nests of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens against 6 standard sensitive strains, as well as against each other. Among this yeast community killer activity was widespread since 77 strains (78%) were able to kill or inhibit the growth of at least one standard strain or nest strain. Toxin production was observed in representatives of all the studied genera including Aureobasidium, Rhodotorula, Tremella and Trichosporon, whose killer activity has not yet been described.

Yeasts associated with nests of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908.

A total of 137 yeasts associated with the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 were characterized, being selected 93 for analysis. Twenty four species belonging to seven genera (Candida, Cryptococcus, Rhodotorula, Sporobolomyces, Tremella, Trichosporon, Pichia) were isolated from the different analysed material. The genus Candida was widely distributed, with C. homilentoma, C. colliculosa-like, C. famata and C. colliculosa being the most prevalent. A few isolates did not fit the standard descriptions and probably some of them could be new biotypes or even new species. Three strains of black yeasts were also isolated, and four other were identified as being Candida spp. The effective number of yeast species was higher in newer sponge. The origin, distribution and relative importance of these microorganisms for the ants are discussed.

Native valve endocarditis due to Pseudallescheria boydii in a patient with AIDS: case report and review.

A 53-year-old man with AIDS developed mitral valve endocarditis due to infection with the fungus Pseudallescheria boydii. A limited number of cases of prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by this organism have been described. We report a unique case of pseudallescheria infection of a native valve and describe this disease in a patient with AIDS.