[Ear aid in Myanmar]. / Ohrenhilfe in Myanmar.

As the example of a small team working in Myanmar since 2010 has demonstrated, it is possible to achieve sustainable success in medical education and training in foreign countries with relatively little effort, in this case in middle ear surgery. The main requirements are outstanding communication within the team as well as with the authorities, organizations, and colleagues on site. Equally important is mindful and respectful work in the hosting country and the consideration of cultural particularities. Essential contributing factors for long-term success are intercultural exchange, interpersonal relationships, and especially the motivation of colleagues on site, which together create a foundation of trust. This trust combined with regular exchange visits enables constant professional development according to the current needs.

Antibacterial activities of nitrothiazole against Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli.

Niridazole (Ambilhar) and three other newly synthesized nitrothiazole derivatives were highly active against 19 microaerophilic campylobacters (minimum concentration required to inhibit 50% of strains [MIC50], 0.0075 to 0.015 mg/liter). There were, however, considerable differences in the susceptibility among strains tested, and one nitrothiazole derivative was rather inactive (MIC50, 2 mg/liter). Nitroimidazole derivatives, such as metronidazole and tinidazole, were less active (MIC50, 2 and 4 mg/liter, respectively). The nitrofuran derivatives, such as nitrofurazone and nitrofurantoin, were also less active (MIC50, 1 mg/liter). Niridazole and another potent nitrothiazole derivative killed the campylobacters rapidly at low concentrations. In contrast, much higher concentrations of metronidazole were required to achieve bactericidal values.