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Activity of dalbavancin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) in biofilm was investigated and the microbicidal biofilm concentrations (MBC) were determined. Biofilms obtained from ten MRSA and ten MRSE bloodstream isolates, collected from patients in the General Hospital of Vienna between 2012 and 2015, were incubated with dalbavancin in trypticase soy broth (TSB) in serial dilution from 0.0625 mg/l to 256 mg/l using a microtiter plate biofilm model. The plates were incubated for 24 h at 37 ° C and 50% humidity. Biofilms were fixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde and stained with crystal violet. Subsequently the optical density (OD) was used to measure the MBC, defined as the concentration of dalbavancin leading to a 50% reduction of biofilm. MBC for MRSA was 1 mg/l-4 mg/l (minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) 0.0312 mg/l-0.064 mg/l). MBC for MRSE was 2 mg/l-16 mg/l (MIC 0.023 mg/l-0.0625 mg/l). Dalbavancin successfully reduced MRSA and MRSE in biofilms, and therefore provides a promising option for the treatment of biofilm-associated infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initial work indicated an inhibition of pre-weaning growth in the first generation of rats born and raised at high negative ion levels. This effect, however, was not carried through to the successive generations. Negative ionization had little apparent effect on post-weaning growth throughout the four generations studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nymphs of the Indian stick insect Carausius morosus, Brunner were maintained at ambient or 4.2×10 negative ions per c.c. Regenerative processes were initiated in each nymph by stimulation of the leg autotomy reflex. Aspects of growth, the moulting cycles and leg renewal were studied. Few significant weight differences were found between the insects growing in the control and ionized environments. However, the growth curve of the ion treated insects was irregular, unlike that of the control group which increased smoothly. Slight delays in the intermoult period and in the rate of leg regeneration were also noted in those insects exposed to negative ions. Previous workers have shown significant increases in the growth of some insects exposed to negative ions. These new results show no significant effects but suggest growth may be inhibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of continuous positive and negative ionization on the growth of rats during the pre and post natal period, up to 10 weeks of age was investigated. It was found that continuous exposure to 1.0×10 pos. ions/ml had no detrimental effect on the animals at any stage of their development. In contrast, exposure to 1.0×10 neg. ions/ml, during gestation and the early post natal period, resulted in some adverse effects on growth and development. However, when exposure to this level of negative ions began at the time of weaning, no adverse effects were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular proliferation, in relation to cell density was investigated in the thymus of control and cortisol treated animals at 6 and 18 weeks of age. It was found that there was very little difference in the response of the two age groups to cortisol treatment. Cell density and cellular proliferation were markedly reduced 2 days after cortisol administration. From 4 days there was a rapid increase in cellular proliferation to triple the control rate. The mitotic index remained above normal until 12 days then decreased to control values at 14 days. During this time the cell density of the thymus was being progressively restored. At all stages of regeneration, the mitotic index at first increased to a maximum at the mean cell density then decreased at the highest cell concentrations. A model system is discussed to account for this density dependent control of cellular proliferation in the thymus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]