Multiagent cooperation for solving global optimization problems: an extendible framework with example cooperation strategies

This paper proposes the use of multiagent cooperation for solving global optimization problems through the introduction of a new multiagent environment, MANGO. The strength of the environment lays in itsflexible structure based on communicating software agents that attempt to solve a problem cooperatively. This structure allows the execution of a wide range of global optimization algorithms described as a set of interacting operations. At one extreme, MANGO welcomes an individual non-cooperating agent, which is basically the traditional way of solving a global optimization problem. At the other extreme, autonomous agents existing in the environment cooperate as they see fit during run time. We explain the development and communication tools provided in the environment as well as examples of agent realizations and cooperation scenarios. We also show how the multiagent structure is more effective than having a single nonlinear optimization algorithm with randomly selected initial points

An atypical measles case presenting with severe cervical spasm [Şiddetli boyun spazmiyla seyreden atipik kizamik olgusu]

Atypical measles is characterized by high fever, headache, myalgia and atypical rash, in patients who were vaccinated against measles. In this report a 22 years old male patient presenting with severe cervical and shoulder muscles spasms, purpuric and petechial lesions on palm, sole and whole body, has been presented. The patient had not an underlying disease or immunosuppression, and he had experienced single dose of measles vaccine when he was nine months old. Diagnosis of atypical measles was based on the clinical and serological findings (by measles lgM and lgG positivity). The aim of the presentation of this case was to emphasize that atypical measles should be considered for differential diagnosis in the cases complaining of muscle spasms and atypical skin rashes even if vaccinated against measles

Nosocomial meningitis with dual agents and treatment with intraventricular gentamicin [Çift etkenli nozokomiyal menenjit ve intraventriküler gentamisin tedavisi]

Nosocomial central nervous system infections constitute 0.4% of all nosocomial infections. The responsible pothogens of nosocomial meningitis are quite different from community-acquired meningitis with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The most important prognostic factor is the appropriate choice of pathogen-specific antibacterial therapy. In this report, a 64 years old woman with nosocomial meningitis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter spp. after lumbar disc hernia operation, has been presented. The risk factors were detected as recent history of neurosurgical operation for three times and long term (29 days) use of external ventricular drainaige (EVD) catheter. Empirical meropenem (3 × 2 g, IV) and vancomycin (2 × 1 g, IV) therapy was initiated upon the diagnosis of nosocomial meningitis based on the clinical and laboratory findings on the postoperative fifth day. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBl) producing K. pneumoniae (susceptible to amikacin, imipenem, meropenem, cefoxitine, ciprofloxacin, piperasillin-tazobactam and trimethoprim/ suifamethoxazole) was recovered from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples obtained on the same day. There was no change in the status of the patient on the eighth day of meropenem therapy, with high leukocyte number (1300/mm3) and presence of gram-negative bacilli in CSF, and ESBL positive K. pneumoniae (antibiotic susceptibility pattern same with the previous isolate) growth in CSF culture. Thereupon intravenous ciprofloxacin (3 × 400 mg) was added to the therapy and her EVD has been changed. However, ESBL positive K. pneumoniae (antibiotic susceptibility pattern same with the previous isolate) together with Acinetobacter spp. (susceptible to gentamycin, tobramycin, netilmicin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and cefepime) were isolated from CSF and blood cultures obtained on the 13th day of meropenem and fifth day of ciprofloxacin therapy. Therefore intraventricular and intravenous gentamicin (15 mg/days and 3 × 120 mg, respectively) were added to the therapy. The patient recovered at the end of three weeks treatment without any additional sequela other than her primary illness. This case was the first case of nosocomial meningitis due to ESBL positive K. pneumoniae together with Acinetobacter spp. in the available literature

Posttraumatic tibial osteomyelitis caused by Pseudomonas putida [Travma sonrasinda Pseudomonas putida'nin etken oldugu tibial osteomiyelit]

Pseudomonas putida is a Gram-negative, nonfermentative, saprophytic soil bacterium with versatile metabolical features. We presented an 18-year-old male patient who developed tibial osteomyelitis due to P. putida after a traffic accident. He had open comminuted fractures in the right fibula and tibia and the site of open fracture was contaminated with dust and soil. He underwent surgical debridement and irrigation of the fracture site followed by fracture reduction and application of an external fixator. Despite empirical antibiotic treatment, there was a discharge from the pin tract on the postoperative fifth day. Cultures obtained from soft tissue and bone during repeat debridement and irrigation yielded P. putida. The patient recovered after four weeks of parenteral antibiotic treatment without any sequela. A case of posttraumatic tibial osteomyelitis caused by P. putida has hitherto not been reported in the literature

Çok-akişli eşler arasi i̇steǧe baǧli video sistemlerinin Markov zinciri tabanli güvenilirlik modellemesi

[No abstract available

A severe case of Weil's disease [Agir seyi·rli· bi·r Weil hastaligi olgusu]

Leptospirosis which is caused by Leptospira species, may present with clinical features that vary from a mild flu-like illness to an acute life-threatening condition. Weil's disease, the most severe form of leptospirosis is characterized by multiorgan involvement including liver, kidney and lungs. In this report a severe Weil's disease was presented. A 43 years old male patient who had a history of swallowing water while swimming in the creek, was admitted to the hospital with the complaints of weakness, cough, bloody sputum, generalized jaundice and dark urine. Acute renal failure, bilateral lung infiltration, hyperbilirubinemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia were detected, and the patient has undergone to hemodialysis. Ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin treatment was applied to the patient after collection of blood, urine and sputum cultures and serum samples for serological tests. None of the cultures yielded pathogenic microorganisms. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was applied to two serum samples which were collected with 10 days interval. The first serum sample revealed antibody positivity at 1/200 titer against L.semeranga Patoc I, while the second serum revealed antibody positivity at 1/400 titer against both L.semeranga Patoc I and L.icterohaemorrhagiae Wijnberg. By the administration of antibiotic therapy and early supportive care the patient was cured completely. In conclusion Weil's disease should be taken into consideration in the patients with multiple organ involvements

Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis in a HIV negative miliary tuberculosis-suspected patient [HIV negatif miliyer tüberküloz şüpheli bir hastada Cryptococcus neoformans menenjiti]

Cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans has a wide range of clinical presentations, varying from asymptomatic colonization of the respiratory airways to the dissemination of infection into different parts of body. It is more common among immunosupressed patients such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive ones. in this report we present a case with C. neoformans meningitis and miliary pulmonary infiltrates suggesting pulmonary tuberculosis without HIV infection. A-70-years-old male was admitted to the hospital with mental confusion, 3-weeks history of headache, weight loss, dry cough and fatigue. Physical examination was normal except neck stiffness. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white cell count was 120/mm3 (80% polimorphonuclear cells). Gram staining of CSF revealed poorly stained gram-positive yeast cells. Empirical therapy with lipozomal amphotericin B, ceftriaxone and ampicillin combination was started. When C. neoformans growth was detected on CSF culture, ceftriaxone and ampicillin were discontinued. Patient became conscious at 24th hour of the treatment. Peripheric blood flow-cytometric analysis revealed a significant decrease in absolute CD4+ T lymphocytes, and in CD8+28+ T lymphocytes in addition a significant increase in natural killer cell ratio. Blood immunoglobulin and complement levels were found normal. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography (CT) of the abdomen were normal, however, chest CT revealed multiple parenchymal millimetric nodular infiltrations on both sides and minimal fibrotic alterations. Acid-fast staining of CSF, tuberculosis culture, tuberculosis PCR results and repeated HIV serology were found negative, Despite the lack of microbiological confirmation, empirical antituberculosis treatment was also started with the suspicion of miliary tuberculosis as the patient had a symptom of long-term dry cough, miliary infiltrations on chest CT anergic tuberculin skin test and a history of pulmonary tuberculosis in childhood. After two weeks, amphotericin B was changed to oral fluconazole which was continued for an additional eight weeks. Antituberculosis therapy was given for nine months. Control chest CT taken after four months of antituberculosis therapy revealed improvement of the lesions. This presentation emphasizes the fact that cryptococcal infections may develop in HIV negative patients, even together with tuberculosis in certain case and radiological findings of the two infections may be confusing when both of them invade the lungs