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Rodrigo Carlos de Oliveira, Steven E WilsonCole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USAAbstract: Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of ocular surface and tear film, and is a common disorder treated by eye care providers. It is well established that ocular surface inflammation has an important role in the pathophysiology of DED and that anti-inflammatory cyclosporine A (CsA) improves the treatment outcomes of most patients with DED. The purpose of this review is to provide guidance for practitioners in the use of topical CsA for the management of DED to improve patient satisfaction and the quality of life.Keywords: keratoconjunctivitis sicca, dry eye disease, cyclosporine A

HypothesisPatency after primary percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting of superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusions is better than historical experience with PTA alone.DesignConsecutive case series of primary PTA with stenting, and follow-up with duplex imaging every 6 months (mean +/- SD follow-up, 32 +/- 15 months).SettingVeterans Affairs medical center.Patients and methodsPatients were 57 previously untreated men with 71 limbs having chronic atherosclerotic SFA occlusion with suprageniculate reconstitution and patent tibial runoff. Critical ischemia (Society for Vascular Surgery [SVS] category, 4-6) was present in 7 (10%), the remainder had intermittent claudication only (SVS, 1-3).InterventionsGuidewire recanalization followed by PTA, Wallstent deployment, and adjunctive thrombolysis as necessary; 19 limbs (27%) required thrombolysis to manage periprocedural thrombosis.Main outcome measuresCumulative patency, limb salvage, and complications.ResultsLength (mean +/- SD) of occlusion was 14.4 +/- 9.9 cm. Length of stented artery was 24.3 +/- 11.1 cm. Ankle brachial index increased from 0.59 +/- 0.14 to 0.86 +/- 0.16 (P

PURPOSE:To improve the patency rate for angioplasty in chronic occlusion of the superficial femoral artery by deploying stents after angioplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Angioplasty and stent placement were performed in 61 arteries in 48 male patients. The mean occlusion length was 13.5 cm and the mean stent length was 30 cm. Patency rates were analyzed at 6 months and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years. The predictors of restenosis were analyzed by univariate and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS:Patency rates were 87% at 6 months, consisting of 74% primary, 6% primary assisted, and 7% secondary; 79% at 1 year, consisting of 47% primary, 19% primary assisted, and 13% secondary; 72% at 2 years, consisting of 36% primary, 26% primary assisted, and 10% secondary; 70% at 3 years, consisting of 26% primary, 22% primary assisted, and 22% secondary; and 63% at 4 years, consisting of 25% primary, 0% primary assisted, and 38% secondary. There was a 15% morbidity rate and one mortality as a result of retroperitoneal bleeding. Better patency rates were noted at all time intervals in diabetic limbs, 7-mm-diameter versus 10-mm-diameter stents, shorter obstructions and shorter stents, nonsmokers, in limbs in which urokinase was not necessary after stent deployment, and in limbs with an International Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (ISCVS) classification under 3. Patency rates were not affected by age, race, number of trifurcation vessels patent, experience in performing the procedures, and procedures requiring less time. By multivariate logistic analysis, the independent predictors of patency at 6 months were postprocedure ankle/brachial index (ABI) and shorter stent length; at 1 year, preprocedure ABI, shorter stent length, and the presence of diabetes; at 2 years, preprocedure ABI and the presence of diabetes; and at 3 years, the preprocedure ABI. CONCLUSIONS:The techniques used to reestablish antegrade flow in these superficial femoral arteries yielded a high success rate. In addition, the use of angioplasty with stents may improve patency rates over angioplasty without stents.

Abstract Mytella strigata, a potentially invasive species native to South America, is rapidly spreading across various aquatic ecosystems around the globe, posing a threat to native mussels. This study presents the first comprehensive de novo transcriptome assembly of M. strigata. We generated 254 million reads, which were processed and assembled using the Trinity assembler, resulting in 60362 transcripts with an N50 of 1,578 bp and over 93–98% completeness, as confirmed by BUSCO analysis with multiple ortho-datasets. A number of databases were used for functional annotation, including UniProt, KEGG, Reactome, InterPro, and eggNOG. Gene Ontology and pathway analyses identified transcripts associated with key biological processes, including those associated with cell signalling, metabolism, stress responses, cancer pathways, and immune regulation. This dataset enriches the bivalve database by advancing the understanding of the adaptive success and evolutionary resilience of this invasive species. The present study provides a fundamental framework for future research on the ecological and evolutionary impacts of this invasive species.

BackgroundPatients undergoing percutaneous recanalization of chronically occluded superficial femoral arteries were studied to determine which factors correlated with 1-year patency. Immediate change in ankle:brachial index (ABI), length of occlusion, tibial run-off, and the performance of supplemental catheter atherectomy were evaluated.MethodsEligible patients had at least one patient tibial run-off vessel and the absence of limb-threatening ischemia. Recanalization was performed via passage of a guidewire followed by balloon angioplasty. Tibial run-off was scored based on a modification of the angiogram scoring system of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery. Supplemental transcutaneous extraction catheter atherectomy was randomly assigned to a sub-group of patients after initial experience with the recanalization technique. Clinical follow-up was employed to determine patency.ResultsForty-two of 57 attempts (74%) at recanalization were immediately successful. Overall 1-year patency was 40% in 40 limbs that could be followed. In limbs with balloon angioplasty alone (n = 23), patency was 43% compared with 35% in those having supplemental atherectomy. Tibial run-off did not vary significantly between patent and occluded groups. When ABI increased by 0.3 or more, patency was 56% compared with 26% when the ABI increase was less than or equal to 0.1 (P = 0.13). Occlusion length averaged 18.1 +/- 10.6 cm for all limbs and did not vary significantly between early successes and failures. Limbs with short occlusions (less than or equal to 5 cm, n = 8) had 63% patency compared with 38% patency for limbs with long occlusions (greater than 25 cm, n = 16), but the difference was not significant by analysis of variance.ConclusionsAn initial change in ABI was most predictive for patency, whereas no correlation with tibial run-off was demonstrated. Atherectomy did not increase patency. Short occlusions were more likely to remain patent than long ones, but overall patency was lower than described in other series.

Abstract Cephalopods have dominated the oceans for hundreds of millions of years and are unquestionably at the peak of molluscan evolution. The development of the large brain and a well-sophisticated sensory system contributed significantly to its success. Therefore, it is considered the best example of convergent evolution and attracted the attention of scientists from various disciplines of biology. The aim of the present study is to construct a reference transcriptome in the Indian squid Uroteuthis duvaucelii to gain insights into cephalopod evolution and enrich the existing cephalopod database. Around 72 million short Illumina reads were generated from five different tissues, including the brain, eye, gill, heart and gonads, and assembled using the Trinity assembler. About 26230 protein-coding sequences were annotated from the assembled transcripts. The BUSCO completeness of the assembly was 71.71% compared to the Mollusca_Odb10 gene set. KEGG and REACTOME pathway analyzes revealed that U. duvaucelii shares many genes and pathways with higher vertebrates.

Characidium is the most diverse genus within the family Crenuchidae, with a total of 88 valid species, although there is evidence that it is probably a polyphyletic group. Recent expeditions to northern Uruguay revealed the first records of Characidium serrano Buckup & Reis, 1997, extending its distribution in about 300 km to the south and allowing to consider it as an endangered species for Uruguay, considering its restricted distribution in the country. Different phylogenetic reconstructions and comparisons based on COI (Model-based analysis, Parsimony analysis and Evolutionary Divergence between sequences) of new se quences with those previously published indicate: 1) a closer phylogenetic relationship of C. serrano with C. clistenesi or alternatively with (C. rachovii + C. orientale) than with C. pterostictum and 2) non-coincident topologies that in all cases suggest the non-monophyly of Characidium. The analyzed sequences of the genus Characidium formed 9 main stables groups that are obtained in each of the analyzes carried out, which were also recovered in studies previously performed by other authors, but with general topologies not coincident and poorly supported in their basal nodes.

Abstract The Asian green mussel, Perna viridis is an important aquaculture species in the family Mytilidae contributing substantially to molluscan aquaculture. We generated a high-quality chromosome level assembly of this species by combining PacBio single molecule sequencing technique (SMRT), Illumina paired-end sequencing, high-throughput chromosome conformation capture technique (Hi-C) and Bionano mapping. The final assembly resulted in a genome of 723.49 Mb in size with a scaffold N50 of 49.74 Mb with 99% anchored into 15 chromosomes. A total of 49654 protein-coding genes were predicted from the genome. The presence of 634 genes associated with the cancer pathway and 408 genes associated with viral carcinogenesis indicates the potential of this species to be used as a model for cancer studies. The chromosome-level assembly of this species is also a valuable resource for further genomic selection and selective breeding for improving economically important aquaculture traits and augmenting aquaculture productivity.

Abstract The Indian black clam Villorita cyprinoides Gray, 1825, is an economically valuable estuarine bivalve that faces challenges from multiple stressors and anthropogenic pressures. However, limited genomic resources have hindered molecular investigations into the impact of these stressors on clam populations. Here, we have generated the first transcriptomic reference datasets for V. cyprinoides to address this knowledge gap. A total of 25,040,592 and 22,486,217 million Illumina paired-end reads generated from two individuals were assembled using Trinity and rnaSPAdes. From the 47,607 transcripts identified as Coding Domain Sequences, 37,487 returned positive BLAST hits against six different databases. Additionally, a total of 14,063 Single Sequence Repeats were identified using GMATA. This study significantly enhances the genetic understanding of V. cyprinoides, a potential candidate for aquaculture that supports the livelihoods of many people dependent on small-scale fisheries. The data generated provides insights into broader genealogical connections within the family Cyrenidae through comparative transcriptomics. Furthermore, this transcriptional profile serves as baseline data for future studies in toxicological and conservation genetics.

IntroductionHomology modeling is a widely used computational technique for predicting the three-dimensional (3D) structures of proteins based on known templates,evolutionary relationships to provide structural insights critical for understanding protein function, interactions, and potential therapeutic targets. However, existing tools often require significant expertise and computational resources, presenting a barrier for many researchers.MethodsProstruc is a Python-based homology modeling tool designed to simplify protein structure prediction through an intuitive, automated pipeline. Integrating Biopython for sequence alignment, BLAST for template identification, and ProMod3 for structure generation, Prostruc streamlines complex workflows into a user-friendly interface. The tool enables researchers to input protein sequences, identify homologous templates from databases such as the Protein Data Bank (PDB), and generate high-quality 3D structures with minimal computational expertise. Prostruc implements a two-stage vSquarealidation process: first, it uses TM-align for structural comparison, assessing Root Mean Deviations (RMSD) and TM scores against reference models. Second, it evaluates model quality via QMEANDisCo to ensure high accuracy.ResultsThe top five models are selected based on these metrics and provided to the user. Prostruc stands out by offering scalability, flexibility, and ease of use. It is accessible via a cloud-based web interface or as a Python package for local use, ensuring adaptability across research environments. Benchmarking against existing tools like SWISS-MODEL,I-TASSER and Phyre2 demonstrates Prostruc's competitive performance in terms of structural accuracy and job runtime, while its open-source nature encourages community-driven innovation.DiscussionProstruc is positioned as a significant advancement in homology modeling, making high-quality protein structure prediction more accessible to the scientific community.

Países suramericanos como Colombia se han redimensionado en el último bienio como receptores de una diáspora migratoria venezolana caracterizada no sólo por su carácter intempestivo y masivo sino como una migración de grupos familiares. Pues, se han incorporado mujeres, a la par de los hombres, junto con sus niños, niñas y jóvenes menores de edad inmigrantes. De allí, el presente estudio obedeció a la necesidad de explorar el proceso de adaptación a los nuevos entornos sociales y culturales, generalmente, rodeados de tantos riesgos y atropellos. Así, se formuló como objetivo explorar cómo gestionar la integración socioeducativa más armónica posible de los escolares migrantes venezolanos desde, al menos, la perspectiva de docentes pertenecientes a cinco instituciones de educación básica asentadas con dichos estudiantes extranjeros en el eje fronterizo de La Parada, la Villa del Rosario y la ciudad de Cúcuta. En tal sentido, se asumió el paradigma interpretativo, dentro de la corriente de la investigación cualitativa y el método fenomenológico para centrarse en la opinión o percepción de los docentes sujetos del estudio pertenecientes a subpoblaciones de las comunidades educativas seleccionadas. De allí, se utilizó la técnica de recolección de datos duros mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas en búsqueda de las diferencias y la construcción del consenso sobre las estrategias de gestión de la integración socioeducativa pertinentes y de amplia aceptación. Los resultados asociaron los problemas de comportamiento o inadaptación de los escolares migrantes venezolanos como reacción a una sistemática degradación escolar o ubicación forzosa en grados inferiores a su edad y prosecución escolar.

Diapoma pampeana was recently described to occur in the upper Negro basin in Uruguay and Brazil. An isolated population tentatively identified as D. pampeana from the Pando stream, a perturbed coastal drainage in Uruguay, is studied and compared under the light of morphological and molecular data to test if there is evidence to consider it as a separate species. New geographical records for the species are presented and included in the comparisons. The specimens analyzed were pooled into four groups: Pando, Santa Lucía, Middle Negro and Upper Negro. We analyzed 32 morphological characters using statistical procedures and recovered a COI-based phylogeny of different populations of D. pampeana to test if they may represent different species. Size-corrected PCA revealed that the Pando and Upper Negro groups are greatly diverging in both morphometric and meristic data along PC1 (mainly by the snout to dorsal-fin origin, dorsal to adipose-fin origins, number of longitudinal scales and predorsal scales). This deviating pattern was also obtained in a cluster analysis. The Santa Lucía and Middle Negro groups were found to be intermediate morphotypes. In contrast, molecular analyses revealed that the Pando and Upper Negro specimens resemble genetically and, thus, are placed together in the Neighbor-joining and Bayesian topologies, as part of a monophyletic Diapoma. We proposed that the Pando population, despite its deviating morphology observed, can be classified as D. pampeana. Therefore, this population constitutes a remarkable example of an isolated population that is morphologically divergent but genetically similar to the geographically most distant conspecific population.

A segurança pública vem sendo debatida na busca de melhores condições de vida e a tecnologia mostra-se relevante para combater e prevenir atos criminosos, a partir de vários recursos utilizados, como o Escâner corporal. O Body scan utiliza raios X para identificar objetos ocultos no corpo, essa abordagem agiliza verificações sem a necessidade de se despir ou de se exigirem condutas vexatórias dos visitantes, aumentando a segurança em prisões. Este estudo tem como objetivo realizar uma análise quantitativa da distribuição desses equipamentos no sistema penitenciário brasileiro. Foi feito o estudo quantitativo e descritivo a partir de dados oficiais do site da CNEN, no período do mês de dezembro de 2023. No período em que foi realizada a pesquisa existiam 283 equipamentos de inspeção corporal espalhados nas cinco regiões brasileiras. As regiões sudeste e sul, reúnem quase a totalidade dos escâneres corporais nas unidades prisionais do Brasil, 83%. A região nordeste possui 27 equipamentos, seguida da região centro-oeste com 12, e a região norte possui menos equipamentos, apenas 8 escâneres corporais. Observou-se que a distribuição dos equipamentos de inspeção corporal está concentrada na região sudeste. E ocorre uma má distribuição destes equipamentos entre as regiões e mesmo entre os estados brasileiros, necessitando uma distribuição de maneira mais uniforme entre os estados e regiões, para que possam atender a demanda do número de visitantes a estas unidades prisionais.

Abstract The Indian oil sardine, Sardinella longiceps, is a widely distributed and commercially important small pelagic fish of the Northern Indian Ocean. The genome of the Indian oil sardine has been characterized using Illumina and Nanopore platforms. The assembly is 1.077 Gb (31.86 Mb Scaffold N50) in size with a repeat content of 23.24%. The BUSCO (Benchmarking Universal Single Copy Orthologues) completeness of the assembly is 93.5% when compared with Actinopterygii (ray finned fishes) data set. A total of 46316 protein coding genes were predicted. Sardinella longiceps is nutritionally rich with high levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The core genes for omega-3 PUFA biosynthesis, such as Elovl 1a and 1b,Elovl 2, Elovl 4a and 4b,Elovl 8a and 8b,and Fads 2, were observed in Sardinella longiceps. The presence of these genes may indicate the PUFA biosynthetic capability of Indian oil sardine, which needs to be confirmed functionally.

Abstract Background The World Health Organization targeted trachoma for global elimination as a public health problem by 2030. Reaching elimination thresholds by the year 2030 in the Republic of South Sudan will be a considerable challenge, as the country currently has many counties considered hyper-endemic (> 30% trachomatous inflammation-follicular [TF]) that have yet to receive interventions. Evidence from randomized trials, modeling, and population-based surveys suggests that enhancements may be needed to the standard-of-care annual mass drug administration (MDA) to reach elimination thresholds in a timely manner within highly endemic areas. We describe a protocol for a study to determine the cost and community acceptability of enhanced antibiotic strategies for trachoma in South Sudan. Methods The Enhancing the A in SAFE (ETAS) study is a community randomized intervention costing and community acceptability study. Following a population-based trachoma prevalence survey in 1 county, 30 communities will be randomized 1:1 to receive 1 of 2 enhanced MDA interventions, with the remaining communities receiving standard-of-care annual MDA. The first intervention strategy will consist of a community-wide MDA followed by 2 rounds of targeted treatment to children ages 6 months to 9 years, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the community MDA. The second strategy will consist of a community-wide biannual MDA approximately 6 to 8 months apart. The costing analysis will use a payer perspective and identify the total cost of the enhanced interventions and annual MDA. Community acceptability will be assessed through MDA coverage monitoring and mixed-methods research involving community stakeholders. A second trachoma-specific survey will be conducted 12 months following the original survey. Discussion ETAS has received ethical clearance and is expected to be conducted between 2022 and 2023. Results will be shared through subsequent manuscripts. The study’s results will provide information to trachoma programs on whether enhanced interventions are affordable and acceptable to communities. These results will further help in the design of future trachoma-specific antibiotic efficacy trials. Enhanced MDA approaches could help countries recover from delays caused by conflict or humanitarian emergencies and could also assist countries such as South Sudan in reaching trachoma elimination as a public health problem by 2030. Trial registration This trial was registered on December 1st, 2022 (clinicaltrails.org: NCT05634759).

Measurement(s) Full length transcriptome of Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) Technology Type(s) PacBio Sequel 2 Sample Characteristic - Organism Rachycentron canadum Sample Characteristic - Environment Marine environment Sample Characteristic - Location India

Abstract The adaptive genetic variation in response to heterogeneous habitats of the Indian Ocean was investigated in the Indian oil sardine using ddRAD sequencing to understand the subpopulation structure, stock complexity, mechanisms of resilience, and vulnerability in the face of climate change. Samples were collected from different ecoregions of the Indian ocean and ddRAD sequencing was carried out. Population genetic analyses revealed that samples from the Gulf of Oman significantly diverged from other Indian Ocean samples. SNP allele-environment correlation revealed the presence of candidate loci correlated with the environmental variables like annual sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a, and dissolved oxygen concentration which might represent genomic regions allegedly diverging as a result of local adaptation. Larval dispersal modelling along the southwest coast of India indicated a high dispersal rate. The two major subpopulations (Gulf of Oman and Indian) need to be managed regionally to ensure the preservation of genetic diversity, which is crucial for climatic resilience.

Introduction: Hypertension is a clinical situation characterized by elevation in systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure levels. Usually is associated with metabolic disorders, functional and/or structural changes in target organs, aggravated by the presence of other risk factors such as dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, glucose intolerance and diabetes. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of altered blood pressure levels and their associated factors in exercise practitioners in São Luí­s. Materials and Methods: The instruments used for data collection were socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral forms and dietary records. Anthropometric evaluation was performed as well as the bioelectrical impedance test for the evaluation of body composition. Statistical analysis included Pearson's Chi-square test to verify associated factors with blood pressure levels. Significance was assumed as p

WHO and endemic countries target elimination of transmission of Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite causing onchocerciasis. Population genetic analysis of O. volvulus may provide data to improve the evidence base for decisions on when, where, and for how long to deploy which interventions and post-intervention surveillance to achieve elimination. Development of necessary methods and tools requires parasites suitable for genetic analysis. Based on our experience with microfilariae obtained from different collaborators, we developed a microfilariae transfer procedure for large-scale studies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) comparing safety and efficacy of ivermectin, the mainstay of current onchocerciasis elimination strategies, and moxidectin, a new drug. This procedure is designed to increase the percentage of microfilariae in skin snips suitable for genetic analysis, improve assignment to metadata, and minimize time and materials needed by the researchers collecting the microfilariae. Among 664 microfilariae from South Sudan, 35.7% and 39.5% failed the mitochondrial and nuclear qPCR assay. Among the 576 microfilariae from DRC, 16.0% and 16.7% failed these assays, respectively. This difference may not only be related to the microfilariae transfer procedure but also to other factors, notably the ethanol concentration in the tubes in which microfilariae were stored (64% vs. ≥75%).

Se realizó un estudio para determinar la contaminación por Candida spp. en las manos del personal de salud y de algunas superficies ambientales en dos unidades de cuidados intensivos situadas en hospitales de tercer nivel, de la ciudad de Medellín. Se aislaron especies de Candida a partir de las manos en el 32.4% de los casos y de las superficies en el 5%. El mayor porcentaje de contaminación (66.6%), se presentó en las auxiliares de enfermería, y el menor, en los médicos residentes. En las auxiliares de servicios yen los médicos internistas no se aislaron levaduras. De las levaduras aisladas, la especie más frecuente fue C. albicans (34%). Por cultivos repetidos se encontraron 3 casos de personas portadoras de Candida spp. Estos resultados indican que las manos y las superficies sirven de fuentes transmisoras y que, además. ellas pueden ser contaminadas pasivamente.

Objectives: Epidemiological evidence links onchocerciasis with the development of epilepsy. The aim of this study was to detect Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae or its bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of persons with onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE). Methods: Thirteen persons with OAE and O. volvulus skin snip densities of >80 microfilariae were recruited in Maridi County (South Sudan) and their CSF obtained. Cytospin centrifuged preparations of CSF were examined by light microscopy for the presence of O. volvulus microfilariae. DNA was extracted from CSF to detect O. volvulus (O–150 repeat) by quantitative real-time PCR, and Wolbachia (FtsZ gene) by standard PCR. To further investigate whether CSF from onchocerciasis-infected participants could induce seizures, 3- and 7-day old zebrafish larvae were injected with the CSF intracardially and intraperitoneally, respectively. For other zebrafish larvae, CSF was added directly to the larval medium. Results: No microfilariae, parasite DNA, or Wolbachia DNA were detected in any of the CSF samples by light microscopy or PCR. All zebrafish survived the procedures and none developed seizures. Conclusions: The absence of O. volvulus in the CSF suggests that OAE is likely not caused by direct parasite invasion into the central nervous system, but by another phenomenon triggered by O. volvulus infection. Keywords: Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy, Nodding syndrome, Microfilariae, Disabilities, Seizures, Autoimmunity, South Sudan

Abstract Urban mobility data are important to areas ranging from traffic engineering to the analysis of outbreaks and disasters. In this paper, we study mobility data from a major Brazilian city from a geographical viewpoint using a Complex Network approach. The case study is based on intra-urban mobility data from the Metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), presenting more than 480 spatial network nodes. While for the mobility flow data a log-normal distribution outperformed the power law, we also found moderate evidence for scale-free and small word effects in the flow network’s degree distribution. We employ a novel open-source GIS tool to display (geo)graph’s topological properties in maps and observe a strong traffic-topology association and also a fine adjustment for hubs location for different flow threshold networks. In the central commercial area for lower thresholds and in high population residential areas for higher thresholds. This set of results, including statistical, topological and geographical analysis may represent an important tool for policymakers and stakeholders in the urban planning area, especially by the identification of zones with few but strong links in a real data-driven mobility network.

Most surgical site infections (SSIs) are caused by the patient's endogenous flora, and hence strategies to prevent bacterial contamination of the surgical incision have a central role in the prevention of such infections. However, even with optimal skin preparation, true sterilisation of the skin is not possible. A recently available method of preventing infection is a cyanoacrylate-based microbial sealant (marketed as InteguSeal* Microbial Sealant), which mechanically blocks migration of pathogens to the surgical wound. In in-vitro studies, this preoperative preparation reduced the recovery of pathogens commonly implicated in SSIs by up to 99.9%. Similarly, the incidence of wound contamination was lower with the microbial sealant than with antimicrobial surgical drapes in in-vivo studies. Other studies have shown that this microbial sealant significantly improves the effect of povidone iodine by fixing it on the skin and avoiding wash off, and does not affect normal skin transpiration. In a clinical study in 177 patients, the incidence of wound contamination was 53.0% with the sealant, compared with 68.7% using povidone iodine. The conclusion of this clinical study is that InteguSeal* Microbial Sealant significantly reduces surgical wound bacterial contamination when used in conjunction with 10% povidone iodine skin preparation, as compared to povidone iodine alone. The clinical experience to date is that this sealant is easy to apply and can be used with a variety of skin preparation solutions and with most wound closure techniques. It also has a good safety profile. This preparation may therefore form a valuable part of strategies to reduce bacterial contamination of surgical incisions, thereby potentially decreasing the risk of SSIs. Copyright © 2008 The Hospital Infection Society Published by Elsevier Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]