Bacterial adhesion inhibitor prevents infection in a rodent surgical incision model.

Surgical site infection risk continues to increase due to lack of efficacy in current standard of care drugs. New methods to treat or prevent antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are needed. Multivalent Adhesion Molecules (MAM) are bacterial adhesins required for virulence. We developed a bacterial adhesion inhibitor using recombinant MAM fragment bound to polymer scaffold, mimicking MAM7 display on the bacterial surface. Here, we test MAM7 inhibitor efficacy to prevent Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections. Using a rodent model of surgical infection, incision sites were infected with antibiotic-resistant bioluminescent strains of Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infections were treated with MAM7 inhibitor or control suspension. Bacterial abundance was quantified for nine days post infection. Inflammatory responses and histology were characterized using fixed tissue sections. MAM7 inhibitor treatment decreased burden of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa below detection threshold. Bacterial load of groups treated with control were significantly higher than MAM7 inhibitor-treated groups. Treatment with inhibitor reduced colonization of clinically-relevant pathogens in an in vivo model of surgical infection. Use of MAM7 inhibitor to block initial adhesion of bacteria to tissue in surgical incisions may reduce infection rates, presenting a strategy to mitigate overuse of antibiotics to prevent surgical site infections.

Distinct habitat use strategies of sympatric rorqual whales within a fjord system.

We used ecosystem sampling during systematic surveys and opportunistic focal follows, comparison tests, and random forest models to evaluate fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) habitat associations within an inland feeding ground (Kitimat Fjord System, British Columbia, Canada). Though these species are sympatric and share a common prey source, they were attuned to different aspects of the local habitat. The fin whales were associated with habitat properties reminiscent of the open ocean. Humpback whales, in contrast, were associated with features more commonly associated with the inland waters of fjords. Fixed habitat features, such as seafloor depth and distance from the fjord mouth, were the most important predictors of fin whale presence, but fixed and dynamic variables, such as surface properties, predicted humpback whale presence with equal (moderate) success. With the exception of strong salinity gradients for humpback whales, habitat conditions were poor predictors of feeding state. Fin whales practiced a spatially confined, seasonally stable, and thus more predictable use of certain channels within the fjord system. These findings are compatible with site loyal behavior, which is interesting in light of the species' historical, unique use of this fjord system. The relatively lackluster performance of humpback-habitat models, coupled with the importance of oceanographic properties, makes the humpback's habitat use strategy more uncertain. The fact that two sympatric species sharing a common prey source exhibited different habitat use strategies suggests that at least one species was informed by something in addition to prey. Given that the two species are attuned to different aspects of the fjord habitat, their responses to habitat changes, including anthropogenic impacts, would likely be different in both nature and degree. Our findings highlight the value of comparative studies and the complexity of rorqual habitat use, which must be understood in order for critical habitat to be identified and protected.

The anatomy and movements of the cricoarytenoid joint.

The cricoarytenoid joints of 45 larynges were dissected and examined with respect to ligaments, articulating surfaces and movements. In this study the capsule of the joint was uniformly thin, and was strengthened by a superficial, medially placed, flattened band of fibers of one or two strata, known as the posterior cricoarytenoid ligament. Three movements of the arytenoid cartilage at this joint were found, the axes and ranges of which were directly related to the shape and position of the cricoid facet. Notwithstanding these differences, the positions of all the vocal folds in extreme adduction or abduction were similar. These findings contradict the traditional concepts of uniformity of the anatomy and movements of the cricoarytenoid joint and also the position and therefore name, of the "posterior" cricoarytenoid ligament.

Laryngeal growth in infancy.

Growth of the cricoid ring in infants is studied. In the first two weeks of life a small ring seems correlated with the fact of early infant death. Therefore we suggest that mortuary specimens at this age are not a reliable guide to the size of the cricoid in thriving infants. Rates of growth from ages of two weeks to three years are given for the specimens examined. Comparison with similar measurements carried out in England show that the specimens collected here were systematically smaller for a given age.

Origin of renal arteries from the aorta.

The origin of single renal arteries from the sides of the aorta were examined in 52 dissecting room subjects. Although subject to variation, the right artery usually arose anterior (nearer the anterior midline) and superior (higher on the aorta) to the left renal artery. The left artery normally arises in front of the strict lateral (90 degrees) position.

Some observations on the medulla of the kidney.

Terminology of the cortex of the kidney is discussed and some new terms are suggested. Observations are described on 50 kidneys which have been injected and variously dissected. These include descriptions of the medulla, papillae and calyces. Some developmental, radiological and surgical aspects are mentioned and suggestions for further study are made.

Lawrence Herbert Wells and the history of anatomical illustration.

The pre-Vesalian history of anatomical illustration, including its ancient Greek and Roman periods, is surveyed. While dissection was abandoned in Alexandria under the Romans, it was revived in Italy during the Renaissance, and the invention of printing prompted the avalanche of documents which has cascaded ever since. The considerable contribution of the late Professor Lawrence H. Wells to the history of anatomical illustration is emphasized and his interest in 'fugitive sheets', popular in the 15th and 16th centuries, is indicated.