Rose Bengal incorporated to α-cyclodextrin microparticles for photodynamic therapy against the cariogenic microorganism Streptococcus mutans.

Rose Bengal@α-cyclodextrin (RB@α-CD) microparticles (µPs) were prepared and the RB inclusion in α-CD was experimentally demonstrated through infrared, UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The RB inclusion in α-CD was theoretically investigated using classical molecular mechanics calculations, the simulation results showing that RB can be included in both the narrow and wide apertures of the α-cyclodextrin ring with configurations exhibiting average binding energies of about 27 kcal mol-1. The prepared RB@α-CD microparticles were characterized through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and it was demonstrated that they are highly efficient in the photodynamic therapy against a Streptococcus mutans (the main bacteria of cariogenic dental plaque) suspension, as a concentration of RB@α-CD µPs 10 times smaller than the usual concentration of pure RB is still capable to produce significant antibacterial activity.

Modulation of the effects of lung immune response on bone marrow by oral antigen exposure.

Allergic airway inflammation is attenuated by oral tolerization (oral exposure to allergen, followed by conventional sensitization and challenge with homologous antigen), which decreases airway allergen challenge-induced eosinophilic infiltration of the lungs and bone marrow eosinophilia. We examined its effects on bone marrow eosinophil and neutrophil production. Mice of wild type (BP-2, BALB/c, and C57BL/6) and mutant strains (lacking iNOS or CD95L) were given ovalbumin (OVA) or water (vehicle) orally and subsequently sensitized and challenged with OVA (OVA/OVA/OVA and H2O/OVA/OVA groups, resp.). Anti-OVA IgG and IgE, bone marrow eosinophil and neutrophil numbers, and eosinophil and neutrophil production ex vivo were evaluated. T lymphocytes from OVA/OVA/OVA or control H2O/OVA/OVA donors were transferred into naïve syngeneic recipients, which were subsequently sensitized/challenged with OVA. Alternatively, T lymphocytes were cocultured with bone marrow eosinophil precursors from histocompatible sensitized/challenged mice. OVA/OVA/OVA mice of the BP-2 and BALB/c strains showed, relative to H2O/OVA/OVA controls, significantly decreased bone marrow eosinophil counts and ex vivo eosinopoiesis/neutropoiesis. Full effectiveness in vivo required sequential oral/subcutaneous/intranasal exposures to the same allergen. Transfer of splenic T lymphocytes from OVA/OVA/OVA donors to naive recipients prevented bone marrow eosinophilia and eosinopoiesis in response to recipient sensitization/challenge and supressed eosinopoiesis upon coculture with syngeneic bone marrow precursors from sensitized/challenged donors.

Effect of neonatal intensive care unit environment on the incidence of hospital-acquired infection in neonates.

The influence of the inanimate hospital environment and hospital design on nosocomial infection is a topic for discussion. This study evaluated the impact of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) environment on the risk of hospital-acquired infection (HAI). HAI surveillance was performed during a four-year period when the NICU was moved initially from an old facility to temporary accommodation and then eventually to a new and better-designed facility. The rate of HAI rose significantly from 12.8 to 18.6% (P<0.01) after moving to the temporary unit, which had a lower sink:cot ratio and a higher monthly admission rate. In contrast, the rates of catheter-associated staphylococcal bacteraemia decreased significantly after moving to the new NICU (P<0.0001). Since peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) were introduced concomitantly with the move to the new unit, however, the catheter type may have contributed towards this reduction in CVC-related staphylococcal bacteraemias. Moving to a temporary NICU with poor handwashing facilities and higher admission activity resulted in higher rates of HAI.

The injury pattern of a new law enforcement weapon: the police bean bag.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This case series describes the injury pattern of the police bean bag, a new weapon adopted by US law enforcement agencies. METHODS: Retrospective chart review between 1996 and 2000 identified bean bag injuries. Autopsy data were gathered for 1 fatality. Circumstances of the shootings, toxicology results, and psychiatric diagnoses, if any, were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-nine men and 1 woman between the ages of 16 and 77 years were shot by officers of either the Los Angeles Police Department or the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. The fatality was caused by massive hemothorax after thoracic penetration. The locations of serious penetrating injuries included the thoracic cavity, eye, abdomen, arm, and leg. Blunt injuries included splenic rupture, pneumothorax, compartment syndrome, testicular fracture, subcapsular liver hematoma, and cardiac contusion. Complications included hemothorax, pneumopericardium, wound infection, compartment syndrome, and osteomyelitis. Psychiatric consultation was requested for 27 (69.2%) of 39 surviving patients. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) Axis I was used for diagnosis in all 27 patients. Psychosis was diagnosed in 16 (59.3%), suicidal ideation in 15 (55.6%), and major depression in 6 (22.2%) of the 27 cases. Schizophrenia had previously been diagnosed in 7 (25.9%) of the 27 cases. All but 1 of the patients had toxicology screenings performed, and the results of 29 (74.4%) of 39 were positive. Of these 29 positive results, 15 (51.7%) were positive for alcohol and 8 (27.6%) were positive for cocaine. CONCLUSION: Awareness of the broad scope of potential injuries mandates a thorough evaluation of both blunt and penetrating trauma in patients shot with police bean bags. The scope of these injuries raises significant public health considerations because use of this weapon has been adopted by law enforcement agencies in all 50 states and at least 10 countries.

Acute right lower quadrant pain in a patient with leukemia.

Typhlitis or neutropenic enterocolitis is a life-threatening, necrotizing process of the cecum whose incidence is increasing. It is usually encountered in patients with leukemia who have recently undergone chemotherapy. Neutropenic enterocolitis presents as fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in neutropenic patients. As the incidence of neutropenic enterocolitis increases, emergency physicians must be aware of this rapidly progressive and potentially fatal disease.