8.3 Microbiology and Biodegradation: A New Bacterial Communication System

Many bacterial infections in humans and animals are caused by bacteria residing in biofilms, complex communities of attached organisms embedded in an extracellular matrix. One of the key properties of microorganisms residing in a biofilm is decreased susceptibility towards antimicrobial agents. This decreased susceptibility, together with conventional mechanisms leading to antimicrobial resistance, makes biofilm-related infections increasingly difficult to treat and alternative antibiofilm strategies are urgently required. In this review, we present three such strategies to combat biofilm-related infections with the important human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus: (i) targeting the bacterial communication system with quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors, (ii) a ‘Trojan Horse’ strategy to disturb iron metabolism by using gallium-based therapeutics and (iii) the use of ‘non-antibiotics’ with antibiofilm activity identified through screening of repurposing libraries.

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Quorum Sensing in Cyanobacteria and the Origin of Blooms. Lessons for Human Pharmacology

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2019022113 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 113

Author(s):

Natalia Herrera ◽

Juan Pablo Velasquez ◽

Fernando Echeverri

Keyword(s):

Quorum Sensing ◽

Communication System ◽

Bacterial Communication ◽

Human Pharmacology

Quorum Sensing (QS) is a bacterial communication system. [...]

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AAC Decision-Making and Mobile Technology: Points to Ponder

Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication ◽

10.1044/aac23.2.104 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 104-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Mary Ann Abbott ◽

Debby McBride

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Mobile Technology ◽

Communication System ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Evaluation Process ◽

Decision Making Process ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Ipod Touch ◽

Feature Match

The purpose of this article is to outline a decision-making process and highlight which portions of the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluation process deserve special attention when deciding which features are required for a communication system in order to provide optimal benefit for the user. The clinician then will be able to use a feature-match approach as part of the decision-making process to determine whether mobile technology or a dedicated device is the best choice for communication. The term mobile technology will be used to describe off-the-shelf, commercially available, tablet-style devices like an iPhone®, iPod Touch®, iPad®, and Android® or Windows® tablet.

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A Community Based High Risk Register for Hearing Loss

Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders ◽

10.1044/jshd.4704.373 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 373-375 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

James L. Fitch ◽

Thomas F. Williams ◽

Josephine E. Etienne

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

System Identification ◽

High Risk ◽

Language Learning ◽

Education Program ◽

Communication System ◽

Auditory Signal ◽

Early Age ◽

Community Based ◽

Children With Hearing Loss

The critical need to identify children with hearing loss and provide treatment at the earliest possible age has become increasingly apparent in recent years (Northern & Downs, 1978). Reduction of the auditory signal during the critical language-learning period can severely limit the child's potential for developing a complete, effective communication system. Identification and treatment of children having handicapping conditions at an early age has gained impetus through the Handicapped Children's Early Education Program (HCEEP) projects funded by the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped (BEH).

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