Biofilms are the habitat of 95% of bacteria successfully protecting bacteria from many antibiotics. However, inhibiting biofilm formation is difficult in that it is a complex system involving the physical and chemical interaction of both substrate and bacteria. Focusing on the substrate surface and potential interactions with bacteria, we examined both physical and chemical properties of substrates coated with a series of phenyl acrylate monomer derivatives. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed smooth surfaces often approximating surgical grade steel. Induced biofilm growth of five separate bacteria on copolymer samples comprising varying concentrations of phenyl acrylate monomer derivatives evidenced differing degrees of biofilm resistance via optical microscopy. Using goniometric surface analyses, the van Oss-Chaudhury-Good equation was solved linear algebraically to determine the surface energy profile of each polymerized phenyl acrylate monomer derivative, two bacteria, and collagen. Based on the microscopy and surface energy profiles, a thermodynamic explanation for biofilm resistance is posited.
Purpura fulminans is a devastating thrombotic disorder infrequently encountered in medical practice and amongst the medical literature. It is a hematologic emergency in which prompt recognition and initiation of treatment are critical to mitigate its significant morbidity and mortality. Surgical evaluation is commonly required, since the debilitating skin and soft tissue necrosis often degenerate into necrotizing fasciitis, critical limb ischemia, warranting surgical interventions in either a staged or single-step approach. Purpura fulminans can be neonatal, infectious, or idiopathic. Infection-induced purpura fulminans is less common, and only a few microorganisms have been associated with this condition: Meningococcus spp., Pneumococcus spp., or Staphylococcus spp. This report presents a rare case of Escherichia coli-induced purpura fulminans. Apart from the unfortunate partial amputation of all left-hand five digits, our patient made a full recovery following effective infectious source control, supportive care with volume resuscitation, anticoagulation, and wound care.
Indium(III) Triflate -A Catalyst for Greener Aromatic Alkylation Reactions. -In(O-Tf) 3 immobilized in a water-insoluble ionic liquid is shown to be a highly efficient catalyst for the alkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons with benzyl and secondary alcohols. -(MACK, R.; ASKINS, G.; LOWRY, J.; HURLEY, N.; REEVES*, P. C.; Can. J. Chem. 91 (2013) 12, 1262-1265, http://dx.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.