Diseases Commons^™

Cytotoxic Clinical Isolates Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Identified During The Steroids For Corneal Ulcers Trial Show Elevated Resistance To Fluoroquinolones, Durga S. Borkar, Nisha R. Acharya, Chelsia Leong, Prajna Lalitha, Muthiah Srinivasan, Catherine E. Oldenburg, David J. Evans

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Pharmacy

Background: To determine the relationship between type three secretion genotype and fluoroquinolone resistance for P. aeruginosa strains isolated from microbial keratitis during the Steroids for Corneal Ulcers Trial (SCUT) and for two laboratory strains, PA103 and PAO1.

Methods: Confirmed P. aeruginosa isolates from the SCUT were divided into exoU(+) or exoU(−). The exoU(+) strains contained the gene encoding ExoU, a powerful phospholipase toxin delivered into host cells by the type three secretion system. Isolates were then assessed for susceptibility to fluoroquinolone, cephalosporin, and aminoglycoside antibiotics using disk diffusion assays. Etest was used to determine the MIC of moxifloxacin …

Environmental Factors And Progressive Myopia: A Global Health Problem, Jeffrey Weissman

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error whose prevalence has increased over the past three decades, leading to a growing concern and interest among both the public and scientific communities. For years, the only explanation and basis for myopia has been genetic factors. However, the genetic model does not explain the dramatic increase in prevalence. Current research suggests that the increase is also due to environmental factors, such as fewer hours of outdoor activities, early educational pressures requiring intense close work, as well as a lack of exposure to sunlight. One study compared the prevalence and risk factors for myopia …