Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Int J Biol Macromol 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Electronic address:

Cancer is the leading cause of death all over the world and chemotherapy is an important approach to fight cancer, however, there are many obstacles against successful cancer chemotherapy such as development of multidrug resistance, poor solubility of chemotherapeutic agents and adverse side effects to healthy tissues. An important strategy to overcome these obstacles, is the use of nanotechnology. In recent years, natural polymers such as cellulose and its nanoform structure, nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), have attracted the interest of researchers in the field of nanotechnology and specially drug delivery systems, due to biocompatibility and biodegradability of NCC. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Network Office of Research and Innovation, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA, USA.

Background: Here we review our experience of providing inpatient Infectious Disease (ID) consultation using real-time interactive telemedicine assessment. We sought to obtain a baseline and trends regarding the use of telemedicine ID consults (teleID) as an adjunct to the standard of care through the time period when teleID consultations were begun.

Methods: Data were pulled via manual retrospective chart review of the electronic medical record (EMR). Read More

Syst Rev 2019 Apr 15;8(1):95. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Clinical Epidemiology Program, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.

Background: Development of fistula-in-ano following incision and drainage (I&D) of anorectal abscesses occurs in over 30% of patients. It is associated with significant patient morbidity and societal cost. The use of antibiotics following drainage is controversial, with randomized controlled trials reporting opposing conclusions regarding their influence on the rate of fistula formation. Read More

Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019 28;7:62. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Applied Science and Technology Department, Institute of Materials Physics and Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy.

The management of burn injuries is considered an unmet clinical need and, to date, no fully satisfactory solution exists to this problem. This mini-review aims to explore the potential of bioactive glasses (BGs) for burn care due to the therapeutic effects of their ionic dissolution products. BGs have been studied for more than 40 years and boast a long successful history in the substitution of damaged tissues, especially bone. Read More

Mucosal Immunol 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.

The microbiota plays an essential role in the education, development, and function of the immune system, both locally and systemically. Emerging experimental and epidemiological evidence highlights a crucial cross-talk between the intestinal microbiota and the lungs, termed the 'gut-lung axis'. Changes in the constituents of the gut microbiome, through either diet, disease or medical interventions (such as antibiotics) is linked with altered immune responses and homeostasis in the airways. Read More

Antibiotics (Basel) 2019 Apr 10;8(2). Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Medicine Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.

Polymyxins have been a mainstay for the treatment of extensively drug resistant (XDR) Gram-negative bacteria for the past two decades. Many questions regarding the clinical use of polymyxins have been answered, but whether the administration of polymyxins in combination with other antibiotics leads to better outcomes remains unknown. This review discusses the limitations of observational studies that suggest a benefit of combinations of colistin and carbapenems to treat infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), especially carbapenemase (KPC)-producing , and summarizes the results of randomized controlled trials in which treatment with colistin in combination with meropenem or rifampin does not lead to better clinical outcomes than colisitn monotherapy in infections caused by carbapenem-resistant (CRAB). Read More

Trop Med Infect Dis 2019 Apr 10;4(2). Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 1X5, Canada.

Pneumonia represents one of the major infectious diseases in developing countries and is associated with high mortality, in particular in children under the age of five. The main causative bacterial agents are and type B, accounting for 33% and 16%, respectively, of the mortality in under-fives. Iron modulates the immune response in infectious diseases and increased iron levels can lead to complications such as sepsis and multiorgan failure. Read More

J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2019 Apr 8. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Objective: To analyze quality improvement opportunities (QIOs) identified through review of cases of maternal death from sepsis by the California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Committee.

Design: Qualitative descriptive design using thematic analysis.

Sample: A total of 118 QIOs identified from 27 cases of pregnancy-related deaths from sepsis in California from 2002 to 2007. Read More

Chemosphere 2019 Mar 20;226:360-380. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Lushan South Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410083, PR China; School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Lushan South Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410083, PR China. Electronic address:

Due to their extensive application in human and veterinary medicine, antibiotics have been found worldwide and studied as new pollutants in the aquatic environment. In order to remove such pollutants, adsorption and photocatalysis have attracted tremendous attention because of their great potential in antibiotics removal from aqueous solutions. Graphene, as a novel two-dimensional nanomaterial, possesses unique structure and physicochemical properties, which can be used to efficiently adsorb and photodegrade antibiotics. Read More

Yakugaku Zasshi 2019 ;139(4):551-556

Department of Drug Informatics, Center for Education and Research on Clinical Pharmacy, Showa Pharmaceutical University.

Choosing Wisely (CW) is a pharmaceutical campaign activity that is spreading rapidly internationally. Briefly, it is an activity "aiming for appropriate medical care by reviewing the medical practice that is practiced despite lack of evidence from the viewpoint of evidence based medicine (EBM)". Here, healthcare workers and patients, through dialogue, are aiming to be able to carry out medical practices (examinations, treatment) that are scientifically validated, truly necessary, and have few side effects. Read More

J Invasive Cardiol 2019 Apr;31(4):E69-E72

St. Mary Medical Center, 1203 Langhorne-Newtown Road, Suite 320, Langhorne, PA 19047 USA.

Background: The objective of this study is to review acupuncture-related cardiac complications, such as infective endocarditis (IE), cardiac tamponade (CT), pericarditis, and cardiac rupture, as there is no known reported literature to determine the burden of cardiac adverse events due to acupuncture.

Methods: Structured computerized databases were searched using the special Medical Subject Heading (MeSH). Manual search using the references of relevant articles was also performed. Read More

Pilot Feasibility Stud 2019 13;5:43. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

1Sanyu Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, members of Liverpool Health Partners, Crown Street, Liverpool, L8 7SS UK.

Background: Due to their immature immune system, neonates are at high risk of infection. This vulnerability when combined with limited resources and health education in developing countries can lead to sepsis, resulting in high global neonatal mortality rates. Many of these deaths are preventable. Read More

BMJ Glob Health 2019 1;4(2):e001141. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

Department of ENT, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK.

Introduction: Community health workers (CHWs) have the potential to improve access to ear and hearing services for people across low-income or middle-income countries, remote, underserved, or resource-poor areas of the world. We performed a systematic scoping review to identify evidence on how CHWs are currently deployed in the prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and management of ear disease and hearing loss; methods to train and support CHWs in this context; and cost-effectiveness of CHWs.

Methods: We performed a systematic search of the literature from September 1978 to 18 March 2018 from 11 major databases and the grey literature. Read More

Eur J Med Chem 2019 May 11;170:157-172. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad 500037, India. Electronic address:

Emergence of drug resistance has created unmet medical need for the development of new classes of antibiotics. Discovery of new antibacterial agents with new mode of action remains a high priority universally. 4(3H)-quinazolinone, a fused nitrogen heterocyclic compound has emerged as a biologically privileged structure, possessing a wide range of biological properties viz. Read More

World J Emerg Surg 2019;14:10. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

6Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy.

Background: Gallstone disease is very common afflicting 20 million people in the USA. In Europe, the overall incidence of gallstone disease is 18.8% in women and 9. Read More

Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2019;14:391-401. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Medicines Evaluation Unit, University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Hospital Trust, Manchester, UK,

While single-inhaler triple therapy (SITT) devices were not available when the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease strategy and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines were developed, two devices are now available in the UK. This paper offers practical, patient-focused advice to optimize placement of SITT in the management of COPD. A survey of UK health care professionals (HCPs) identified issues around, and attitudes toward, SITT, which informed a multidisciplinary expert panel's discussions. Read More

Curr Infect Dis Rep 2019 Mar 11;21(4):12. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, CB 8116, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are a major source of morbidity. More than half of patients experiencing SSTI will have at least one recurrent infection. These infections frequently cluster in households. Read More

J Pediatr Nurs 2019 Mar 8;46:78-82. Epub 2019 Mar 8.

Children's Hospital and Medical Center, 8200 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68114, United States of America; University of Nebraska Medical Center, 1230 'O' St. STE 123, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States of America.

Purpose: For patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and fever, delays in antibiotic administration are associated with poor outcomes, such as ICU admission and need for further interventions. The objective of this quality improvement project was to significantly reduce the time from initiation of triage to antibiotic administration for pediatric patients arriving to the emergency department with therapy-induced neutropenia and fever.

Methods: An interdisciplinary team set an evidence-based goal for time to antibiotics (TTA) at 60-min. Read More

Am J Health Syst Pharm 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Department of Pharmacy, Grant Medical Center, OhioHealth, Columbus, OH.

Purpose: The results and methods of a pharmacist-driven multifaceted educational intervention on the appropriate management of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) within an emergency department (ED) are reported.

Methods: A retrospective, single-center cohort study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an educational intervention aimed at reducing the rates of mismanaged ABU within an ED at a Level 1 trauma center. The education involved a multifaceted approach directed by pharmacists and involved a handout and algorithm communicated through in-person discussions, emails, and general distribution. Read More

Korean J Pediatr 2019 Apr 4;62(4):113-118. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.

Inappropriate antibiotic use is the most important factor causing increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics, thus affecting patient outcomes. Multidrug-resistant bacteria have become a serious public health threat, causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Korea, the burden of antibioticresistant bacteria has become an important public health issue. Read More

J Hazard Mater 2019 May 5;369:780-796. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Tianshui South Road #222, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

Adsorption techniques offer unique advantages owing to the use of synthetic (e.g., nanosized metal oxides and polymer-functionalized nanocomposites) and natural (e. Read More

Curr Top Med Chem 2019 Mar 4. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Division of Microbiology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow-226031, Uttar Pradesh. India.

DNA gyrase is a clinically validated drug target, currently targeted only by fluoroquinolone class of antibacterials. However, owing to increasing drug resistance as well as concomitant reduction in availability of newer classes of antibiotics, fluoroquinolones are increasingly being over-utilized in order to treat serious infections, including multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. This in turn, increases the probability of resistance to fluoroquinolones, which is mediated by a single amino acid change in gyrA, leading to class wide resistance. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2019 Feb;25(8):888-908

Liver Unit/Division of Integrative Systems Medicine and Digestive Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1NY, United Kingdom.

Due to the restrictions of liver transplantation, complication-guided pharmacological therapy has become the mainstay of long-term management of cirrhosis. This article aims to provide a complete overview of pharmacotherapy options that may be commenced in the outpatient setting which are available for managing cirrhosis and its complications, together with discussion of current controversies and potential future directions. PubMed/Medline/Cochrane Library were electronically searched up to December 2018 to identify studies evaluating safety, efficacy and therapeutic mechanisms of pharmacological agents in cirrhotic adults and animal models of cirrhosis. Read More

Pediatr Emerg Care 2019 Feb 28. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Division of Urology, The Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Surgery, University of Toronto.

Objectives: Prescribing antibiotics for suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) is common practice and may lead to unnecessary antibiotic exposure. We aimed to review UTI diagnosis and management in the emergency department and to identify targets for antimicrobial stewardship.

Methods: Single-center, retrospective cohort study of children aged 12 weeks to younger than 18 years discharged from the emergency department with a diagnosis of UTI between October and December 2016. Read More

Br J Community Nurs 2019 Mar;24(3):116-119

Lecturer (Education), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University, Belfast.

Recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common reasons for long-term antibiotic use in frail older people, and these individuals often have non-symptomatic bacteriuria. This article reviews the literature and recommendations for the treatment of UTIs particularly in the older population (>65 years). It considers the question: is there an alternative for antibiotics for asymptomatic and non-symptomatic bacteriuria in older adults? D-mannose powder has been recommended for the treatment of UTIs, as when applied locally, it reduces the adherence of Escherichia coli. Read More

Hand (N Y) 2019 Feb 27:1558944719831238. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

1 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.

Background: The optimal treatment of human bites to the dorsal metacarpophalangeal region (ie, "fight bite") in the absence of gross purulence is controversial. Few studies have compared the outcomes of operative debridement with expectant wound care and oral antibiotics.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients evaluated at a Level 1 trauma center over a 10-year period. Read More

JMIR Res Protoc 2019 Feb 14;8(2):e12272. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, TX, United States.

Background: Bacteriuria, either asymptomatic (ASB) or symptomatic, urinary tract infection (UTI), is common in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Current Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidelines recommend a screening urinalysis and urine culture for every veteran with SCI during annual evaluation, even when asymptomatic, which is contrary to other national guidelines. Our preliminary data suggest that a positive urine culture (even without signs or symptoms of infection) drives antibiotic use. Read More

Am Surg 2018 Oct;84(10):1705-1709

Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, LAC+USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Focused assessment with Sonography for trauma (FAST) examination is essential to trauma triage. We sought to determine whether FASTs completed early in sequencing portend worse outcomes. A two-year review (2014-2015) of all trauma activations at our Level I trauma center was performed. Read More

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2019 4;8:28. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

10Department of Essential Medicines and Health Products, World Health Organization (WHO), Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland.

Background: Effective use of microbiology test results may positively influence patient outcomes and limit the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, studies indicate that their potential is not fully utilized. We investigated microbiology test ordering practices and the use of test results for antibiotic decision-making in hospitals. Read More

J Environ Manage 2019 Apr 6;236:269-279. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA. Electronic address:

Coastal tidal wetlands are well recognized for the key ecosystem services they provide such as flood protection, water quality improvement, and carbon sequestration. In the southeastern United States, some communities rely on coastal wetlands for the management of secondarily treated effluents in forested and emergent wetlands. Advocates for this practice have argued that wetlands can assimilate nitrogen from wastewater, which can improve cypress-tupelo swamp productivity, and enhance marsh accretion rates to mitigate the effects of sea level rise. Read More

PLoS Med 2019 Feb 5;16(2):e1002733. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

School of Health Care Management, Shandong University, Jinan, China.

Background: Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing causes widespread serious health problems. To reduce prescribing of antibiotics in Chinese primary care to children with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), we developed an intervention comprising clinical guidelines, monthly prescribing review meetings, doctor-patient communication skills training, and education materials for caregivers. We previously evaluated our intervention using an unblinded cluster-randomised controlled trial (cRCT) in 25 primary care facilities across two rural counties. Read More

Ir Med J 2019 Jan 15;112(1):852. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Rotunda Hospital, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Parnell Square, Dublin 1

This paper summarises results of a survey of obstetricians in Ireland regarding their technique, management, and education on episiotomy and Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASIS). An anonymous survey was emailed to all obstetricians and gynaecologists in Ireland, including trainees between January and September 2017. The response rate was 45% (155/343) with 111 out of 144 (77%) reported clinical experience as part of their training and 92 (64%) attended an OASIS workshop or classroom teaching. Read More

BMC Surg 2019 Feb 4;19(1):17. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, No. 1, mingde road, Nanchang, Jiang xi, China.

Background: Hepatic portal vein gas (HPVG) is a rare acute abdomen, which is not an independent disease. Meanwhile, HPVG combined with appendicitis has been rarely reported. We found only a similar report by looking for literature, but no intestinal necrosis occurred. Read More

Public Health 2019 Mar 1;168:92-101. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa.

Objectives: Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) is a practice of global concern with a higher incidence within the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite worldwide efforts to control and promote the rational use of antibiotics, the continuing practice of SMA systematically exposes individuals and communities to the risk of antibiotic resistance and a host of other antibiotic side-effects. This systematic scoping review maps evidence on the factors influencing SMA in these settings. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2019 Mar 30;125:462-466. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, 06100, Ankara, Turkey.

Veterinary medicines, especially antibiotics, are among the most important components related to animal feed production. Generally, the main use of antibiotics in animals is for the treatment and prevention of diseases and growth promotion. Antibiotic usage in animals may result antibiotic residues in foodstuffs such as milk, egg and meat. Read More

J Infect Public Health 2019 Mar - Apr;12(2):167-170. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Department of Microbiology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.

Nocardia asteroides complex and Nocardia brasiliensis are common etiological agents of disseminated nocardiosis among immunocompromised individuals. Here we reported an uncommon case of disseminated nocardiosis with the involvement of lung, brain, soft tissue & pancreas by a rarely isolated species Nocardia asiatica in a HIV infected individual. Diagnosis was initially misinterpreted as tuberculosis based on the clinical and radiological findings. Read More

Trop Med Health 2019 25;47:11. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

SATREPS Project for Parasitic Diseases, Vientiane, Lao PDR.

Background: Malaria is a major health problem in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) with high transmission in remote and forest areas, particularly in the South. The military is at risk of malaria infection especially those deployed in forest areas. This study determined the prevalence of malaria infection and assessed knowledge, perception, and preventive and treatment behavior regarding malaria among military personnel in two southern provinces in Lao PDR. Read More

JAMA 2019 Jan;321(4):394-398

Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts.

Importance: In the United States, the rate of gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum was an estimated 0.4 cases per 100 000 live births per year from 2013 to 2017. Gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum can cause corneal scarring, ocular perforation, and blindness as early as 24 hours after birth. Read More

Luminescence 2019 May 28;34(3):308-315. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection for Food Safety, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection for Food Safety, Department of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R. China.

Foodborne contaminants widely exist in foods, which can lead to various foodborne diseases and food safety issues. The development of quick, sensitive and universal analytical approaches for foodborne contaminants is imperative. Electrochemiluminescent functional nucleic acids (ECL FNAs)-based sensors are a series of sensing devices using FNAs as the recognition elements and ECL as the transducer. Read More

Eur J Med Chem 2019 Mar 14;165:273-292. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, The Ministry of Education of China, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, People's Republic of China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266200, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

Tuberculosis has been one of the greatest global health challenges of all time. Although the current first-line anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) medicines used in the clinic have reduced mortality, multidrug-resistance and extensively drug-resistance forms of the disease have now spread worldwide and become a global problem. Even so, few new clinically approved drugs have emerged during the past 30 years. Read More

Eur J Med Chem 2019 Mar 17;166:32-47. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89b, 61‒614 Poznań, Poland. Electronic address:

Despite some progress in recent years, the fight against parasitic diseases still remains a great challenge. Parasitic diseases affect primarily (but not exclusively) the poorest people living in underdeveloped regions of the world. The distribution of parasitoses are linked to tropical and subtropical climate conditions, to population growth and to impoverishment. Read More

Cureus 2018 Nov 13;10(11):e3588. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Emergency Medicine, Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, CAN.

Introduction Published national guidelines on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) highlight the importance of oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and appropriate antibiotics during acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). We wished to assess how the implementation of local COPD guidelines affects emergency department (ED) staff awareness, knowledge, the use of such guidelines, and patient outcomes, including treatment failure and rates of return to the ED. Methods This study was conducted at a tertiary hospital ED. Read More

Viruses 2019 Jan 24;11(2). Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Valentin Vaerwijckweg 1, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.

The therapeutic potential of phages has been considered since their first identification more than a century ago. The evident concept of using a natural predator to treat bacterial infections has, however, since then been challenged considerably. Initially, the vast success of antibiotics almost eliminated the study of phages for therapy. Read More

IUBMB Life 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India.

Propelled by the overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance is now widespread in the environment, leaving us with limited drugs for treating a large number of resistant pathogens. The use of bacteriophages that kill bacteria has come up as a viable alternative to circumvent the antimicrobial resistance crisis, and phage therapy-based approaches are fast advancing in recent times. In this minireview, we try to describe the advantages associated with phage therapy and update the latest developments in the field including the clinical trials that are underway. Read More

Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2019 Mar 19;97(3):147-154. Epub 2019 Jan 19.

b Centre de recherche de Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS) and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Sherbrooke, Quebec, QC J1H 5N4, Canada.

Childhood obesity is a predictor of adult obesity and has its roots in the pre-pregnancy or pregnancy period. This review presents an overview of the prenatal risk factors for childhood obesity, which were categorized into 2 groups: biological risk factors (maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, diabetes in pregnancy, and caesarean section), and environmental and behavioural risk factors (maternal smoking and exposure to obesogens, maternal dietary patterns, maternal intestinal microbiome and antibiotics exposure, and maternal psychosocial stress). Identifying modifiable predisposing prenatal factors for obesity will inform further development of inventions to prevent obesity over the life course, and future directions for research and intervention are discussed. Read More

Intensive Care Med 2019 Feb 18;45(2):172-189. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Medical ICU, La Source Hospital, CHR Orléans, Orléans, France.

The massive consumption of antibiotics in the ICU is responsible for substantial ecological side effects that promote the dissemination of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) in this environment. Strikingly, up to half of ICU patients receiving empirical antibiotic therapy have no definitively confirmed infection, while de-escalation and shortened treatment duration are insufficiently considered in those with documented sepsis, highlighting the potential benefit of implementing antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) and other quality improvement initiatives. The objective of this narrative review is to summarize the available evidence, emerging options, and unsolved controversies for the optimization of antibiotic therapy in the ICU. Read More

Clin Microbiol Rev 2019 04 16;32(2). Epub 2019 Jan 16.

School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

Antibiotic resistance is arguably the biggest current threat to global health. An increasing number of infections are becoming harder or almost impossible to treat, carrying high morbidity, mortality, and financial cost. The therapeutic use of bacteriophages, viruses that infect and kill bacteria, is well suited to be part of the multidimensional strategies to combat antibiotic resistance. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Aug 3;1(4):e181662. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Importance: Substandard and falsified medicines burden health systems by diverting resources to ineffective or harmful therapies, causing medical complications and prolonging illnesses. However, the prevalence and economic impact of poor-quality medicines is unclear.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence and estimated economic burden of substandard and falsified essential medicines in low- and middle-income countries. Read More

Vet Microbiol 2019 Feb 17;229:59-71. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.

Across all bacterial species the continuing reduction in susceptibility to antimicrobial agents is a critical and increasing threat for disease control. This mini-review outlines the extent of this problem amongst anaerobic intestinal spirochaetes of the genus Brachyspira, of which there are currently nine officially recognised species. These include some important pathogens that may cause colitis with diarrhoea and/or dysentery in various mammalian and avian species, but most notably in pigs and in adult chickens. Read More