AngioVac Removal of an Isolated Infected Pulmonary Valve Papillary Fibroelastoma.

The AngioVac (Angiodynamics) system is indicated for the removal of right-sided venous soft thrombi and emboli. This is the first report that demonstrates the AngioVac system can be extended to the extraction of right-sided cardiac tumors, in the current case, a pulmonary valve papillary fibroelastoma infected with Streptococcus salivarius and Rothia species. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Health behaviors and perceptions of cancer survivors harvesting at an urban garden.

OBJECTIVES: To gather information about perceptions of personal health behavior change in cancer survivors following participation in an urban gardening program. METHODS: This qualitative study used focus groups of adult cancer survivors with an open-ended question thread format. Data were transcribed and analyzed by identifying, coding, and categorizing primary patterns/themes. RESULTS: Four overarching themes were identified: (1) greater dietary intake of produce; (2) improved mental and physical health; (3) enhanced sense of community and social support; and (4) challenges to long-term maintenance. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of positive behavior changes associated with harvesting at an urban garden targeting cancer survivors may inform future community and health promotion interventions aimed at improving adherence to evidence-based lifestyle behavior guidelines for cancer survivorship.

Multidrug-resistant organisms, wounds and topical antimicrobial protection.

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are increasingly implicated in both acute and chronic wound infections. The limited therapeutic options are further compromised by the fact that wound bacteria often co-exist within a biofilm community which enhances bacterial tolerance to antibiotics. As a consequence, topical antiseptics may be an important consideration for minimising the opportunity for wound infections involving MDROs. The objective of this research was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of a silver-containing gelling fibre dressing against a variety of MDROs in free-living and biofilm states, using stringent in vitro models designed to simulate a variety of wound conditions. MDROs included Acinetobacter baumannii, community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria. Clostridium difficile was also included in the study because it carries many of the characteristics seen in MDROs and evidence of multidrug resistance is emerging. Sustained in vitro antimicrobial activity of the silver-containing dressing was shown against 10 MDROs in a simulated wound fluid over 7 days, and inhibitory and bactericidal effects against both free-living and biofilm phenotypes were also consistently shown in simulated colonised wound surface models. The in vitro data support consideration of the silver-containing gelling fibre dressing as part of a protocol of care in the management of wounds colonised or infected with MDROs.