Phytochemicals and micronutrients represent a growing theme in antimicrobial defense; however, little is known about their anti-borreliae effects of reciprocal cooperation with antibiotics. A better understanding of this aspect could advance our knowledge and help improve the efficacy of current approaches towards Borrelia sp. In this study, phytochemicals and micronutrients such as baicalein, luteolin, 10-HAD, iodine, rosmarinic acid, and monolaurin, as well as, vitamins D3 and C were tested in a combinations with doxycycline for their in vitro effectiveness against vegetative (spirochetes) and latent (rounded bodies, biofilm) forms of Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia garinii. Anti-borreliae effects were evaluated according to checkerboard assays and supported by statistical analysis. The results showed that combination of doxycycline with flavones such as baicalein and luteolin exhibited additive effects against all morphological forms of studied Borrelia sp. Doxycycline combined with iodine demonstrated additive effects against spirochetes and biofilm, whereas with fatty acids such as monolaurin and 10-HAD it produced FICIs of indifference. Additive anti-spirochetal effects were also observed when doxycycline was used with rosmarinic acid and both vitamins D3 and C. Antagonism was not observed in any of the cases. This data revealed the intrinsic anti-borreliae activity of doxycycline with tested phytochemicals and micronutrients indicating that their addition may enhance efficacy of this antibiotic in combating Borrelia sp. Especially the addition of flavones balcalein and luteolin to a doxycycline regimen could be explored further in defining more effective treatments against these bacteria.

Harvest Pierce County (HPC) is a new community garden program in Tacoma and Pierce County, WA, managed as a nonprofit with extensive municipal involvement.The program manages approximately 80 gardens. Each garden is provided with access to land, soil testing, clean soil and compost, water, education, and guidance for gardeners, thus effectively eliminating common obstacles to successful cultivation in urban areas. We conducted a survey of gardens within the HPC program to quantify the number and size of plots within each garden and to qualitatively assess intensity of use. Internal (donation history, age, plot and garden size, and number of plots) and external factors (population density, racial diversity, income) based on the neighborhoods surrounding the gardens were evaluated to assess their potential association with use intensity. We surveyed 66 gardens containing 1,960 plots. The mean number of plots per garden was 32 ± 20.2 with each plot having a mean area of 25.6 m 2 . On a scale of 0 to 3, mean use intensity was 2.26 ± 0.55. Larger gardens (p < .085) and larger plots (p < .02) are used more intensively than smaller gardens and smaller plots. Gardens were well distributed across income, population density, and racial identification. Overall gardens are well-used across the program. For this program, providing the requisite materials and information for gardens has resulted in a program that is inclusive and is likely to provide a range of benefits for participants.