We present a new approach for fabricating robust, regenerable antimicrobial coatings containing an ionic liquid (IL) phase incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a reservoir for Ag(0)/Ag(+) species within sol-gel-derived nanocomposite films integrating organosilicate nanoparticles. The IL serves as an ultralow volatility (vacuum-compatible) liquid target, allowing for the direct deposition and dispersion of a high-density AgNP "ionosol" following conventional sputtering techniques. Two like-anion ILs were investigated in this work: methyltrioctylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [N(8881)][Tf(2)N], and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [emim][Tf(2)N]. Silver ionosols derived from these two ILs were incorporated into silica-based sol-gel films and the resultant antimicrobial activity evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. Imaging of the surface morphologies of the as-prepared films established a link between an open macroporous film architecture and the observation of high activity. Nanocomposites based on [N(8881)][Tf(2)N] displayed excellent antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa over multiple cycles, reducing cell viability by 6 log units within 4 h of contact. Surprisingly, similar films prepared from [emim][Tf(2)N] presented negligible antimicrobial activity, an observation we attribute to the differing abilities of these IL cations to infiltrate the cell wall, regulating the influx of silver ions to the bacterium's interior.

We present a novel electrical method for detecting viable bacteria in blood cultures that is 4 to 10 times faster than continuous monitoring blood culture systems (CMBCS) like the Bactec system. Proliferating bacteria are detected via an increase in the bulk capacitance of suspensions, and the threshold concentration for detection is ϳ10 4 CFU/ml (compared to ϳ10 8 CFU/ml for the Bactec system).Continuous monitoring blood culture systems (CMBCS), like the Bactec, BacT/Alert, and VersaTREK systems, currently serve as the "gold standard" for the detection of bacteremia and sepsis in the clinical setting. Blood cultures typically take between 12 and 72 h to yield positive results (3-5) and are usually continued for 120 h (5 days) before being deemed negative. For positive cultures, bacteria present are then identified (using various methods, ranging from traditional biochemical tests to PCR-based DNA analysis, that take an additional 3 to 24 h) before targeted antibiotics are administered. For every hour of delay in starting targeted antibiotic therapy, the risk of death for a given patient with sepsis increases by 6 to 10% (6). Since the blood culture step is by far the longer of the two diagnostic steps needed, cutting down the times to positivity (TTPs) of blood cultures is likely to reduce mortality and improve patient outcomes.At the time the patient begins to show clinical symptoms of sepsis, the concentration of bacteria present in blood is very low (1 to 100 CFU/ml in adults [13] and Ͻ10 CFU/ml in neonates [9]). Currently available CMBCS (like the Bactec, BacT/Alert, and VersaTREK systems) require the user to introduce the drawn blood (ϳ10 ml for adults and ϳ1 ml for neonates) into a bottle containing 20 to 40 ml of sterile bacterial growth medium and place it in a special incubation chamber. Here, the CMBCS monitor the levels of CO 2 in the suspension. A significant increase in CO 2 is taken to indicate the presence of viable bacteria in the suspension and hence in blood. Due to inherent limitations imposed by the metabolic rate of individual bacterial cells (e.g., one Escherichia coli bacterium consumes only ϳ2 ϫ 10

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Cisatracurium was initially characterized to have no evident histamine-releasing potential with excellent cardiovascular stability. However, severe anaphylactic reactions to cisatracurium that resulted in bronchospasms and cardiovascular collapse have been reported worldwide. Two cases of severe anaphylactic reactions after the administration of cisatracurium are presented. The anesthetics used in both cases were lidocaine, midazolam, propofol (microemulsion propofol in the second case), remifentanil and cisatracurium. After the administration of these drugs, bronchospasm and hypotension manifested, leading to the diagnosis of anaphylaxis and appropriate treatment. Skin intradermal testing confirmed that both cases were due to immune-mediated anaphylaxis to cisatracurium, despite the fact that neither of the patients had been exposed to the allergen previously. The anaphylaxis may be due to cross-reactivity between neuromuscular blocking agents and substances with quaternary ammonium ions. Anesthesiologists should be aware that cisatracurium has the potential to trigger severe anaphylactic reactions via an immune-mediated mechanism.