Aminoglycoside and chlorhexidine resistance genes in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from surgical wound infections.

Hamdia Askar1, Wafaa Badawy2  and Enas Hammad11Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt2MD.MansouraUniversity Students'Hospital,Egypt. Background:   Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen resistant to many antimicrobial agents especially the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In surgical site infections, MRSA is known to be an important etiologic factor. Infections range from skin and soft-tissue infections to deep tissue infections such as osteomyelitis, bacteremia, and endocarditis that are much more common in hospital environment. In staphylococci the main mechanism of aminoglycoside resistance is the drug inactivation by aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs) and reduced biocide susceptibility is associated with the acquisition of quaternary ammonium compound (qac) gene-encoding for Qac efflux proteins.Aim of the work: To investigate the prevalence of the aminoglycosides resistance genes aac(6′)aph(2″), aph(3′)-IIIa, Ant(4′)-Ia) and the biocide resistance genes (qacA/qacB, qacC) in  S. aureus  isolated from surgical site infections.Methods:  Swabs from 280 infected surgical sites were sent to our laboratory from different surgical words at Mansoura University Hospitals between January 2014 and December 2014. Sixty- six staphylococcal strains were isolated and included in this study. Verification of the presence of methicillin resistance gene (mecA), chlorhexidine MIC and qac resistance genes (qacA/qacB, qacC) were detected by PCR. The presence of aminoglycoside resistance genes [(aac(6′)/aph (2″), ant (4′)-1a and aph(3′)-IIIa)] in S. aureus was also tested by PCR.Results:   Seventeen of the 66 S. aureus isolates (25.75 %) were phenotypically MRSA and mecA gene was detected in 19 S. aureus isolates (28.7 %) by PCR. Aminoglycoside resistant S. aureus were 21/66 (31.8%). AME genes were detected in all aminoglycoside-resistant S. aureus; aac(6′)/aph (2″) was the most frequently detected 11/21(52.4%) followed by aph(3′)-IIIa 6/21 (28.6%) and the least frequent was ant (4′)-1a 4/21(19%). Aminoglycoside resistance in 9 out of the 21 (42.9%) aminoglycoside resistance S. aureus isolates was solely plasmid mediated being lost after plasmid curing. A total of 14 out of the 21 aminoglycoside-resistant S. aureus isolates (66.7 %) carried the mecA gene. Among the 45 aminoglycoside-sensitive S. aureus isolates 5 (11.1%) were mecA positive. Nine of the 21 aminoglycoside-resistant S. aureus isolates (42.9%) were positive for qacA/qacB genes and in all of them mecA gene co-existed. Five aminoglycoside resistant S. aureus isolates were qacC positive (23.8%).  Conclusion: In the Staphylococcus aureus isolated from infected surgical wounds, quaternary ammonium compounds resistance genes were positive at a considerable ratio and co-existed with aminoglycosides and methicillin-resistance genes in S. aureus isolates. Â

Are You Actually Helping or Just Looking Out for Yourself?: Examining the Individual and Interactive Effects of Relationship Quality and Political Skill on Supervisor Motive Attributions

Scholars have argued for the importance of motive attributions in supervisors’ reactions and subsequent decisions about their subordinates’ organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). However, research examining models of attributions of OCBs have not considered the role of individual skill and relationship quality. The purpose of this two-experiment study is to examine the impact of subordinate political skill and leader–member exchange (LMX) on the attributions supervisors make of their subordinates’ OCBs and how these attributions affect subordinate performance ratings. Results from experiment 1 (n = 195) indicate that subordinates who are highly politically skilled and in high-quality relationships receive more favorable, other-serving attributions, which are related to higher evaluations of performance. Additionally, results from experiment 2 (n = 175) indicate that political skill may be a more potent contributor to motive attributions than LMX

Political Skill Dimensionality And Impression Management Choice And Effective Use

Purpose The purpose of this study was to test a moderated mediation model of the dimensionality of political skill on influence tactic choice and performance ratings. Design/Mythology/Approach Dyadic data were analyzed using a mixed-method approach to account for any leaderlevel effects, as well as bootstrapping methods to account for the modest sample size (n = 116). Findings Social astuteness best predicted positive impression management (IM) over negative IM. Apparent sincerity interacted with positive impression management tactics to predict higher performance ratings, whereas interpersonal influence did not. Implications The findings support that socially astute individuals use more positive influence tactics in the workplace. This could impact the broader work environment, making it more pleasant than one with individuals using negative influence tactics. Thus, it might be the interest of organizations to train individuals to enhance their social astuteness. However, confirming prior research, performance evaluations made by managers are impacted by more than objective performance (e.g., political skill). Thus, organizations need to ensure the proper training of managers to lessen these types of biases. Originality/Value This research empirically validates components of the metatheoretical framework of political skill (Ferris et al. Journal of Management 33:290–320, 2007) by examining the impact that dimensions of political skill have on interpersonal processes and outcomes in the workplace

Political Skill Dimensionality And Impression Management Choice And Effective Use

Purpose The purpose of this study was to test a moderated mediation model of the dimensionality of political skill on influence tactic choice and performance ratings. Design/Mythology/Approach Dyadic data were analyzed using a mixed-method approach to account for any leaderlevel effects, as well as bootstrapping methods to account for the modest sample size (n = 116). Findings Social astuteness best predicted positive impression management (IM) over negative IM. Apparent sincerity interacted with positive impression management tactics to predict higher performance ratings, whereas interpersonal influence did not. Implications The findings support that socially astute individuals use more positive influence tactics in the workplace. This could impact the broader work environment, making it more pleasant than one with individuals using negative influence tactics. Thus, it might be the interest of organizations to train individuals to enhance their social astuteness. However, confirming prior research, performance evaluations made by managers are impacted by more than objective performance (e.g., political skill). Thus, organizations need to ensure the proper training of managers to lessen these types of biases. Originality/Value This research empirically validates components of the metatheoretical framework of political skill (Ferris et al. Journal of Management 33:290–320, 2007) by examining the impact that dimensions of political skill have on interpersonal processes and outcomes in the workplace

An incubation perspective on social innovation : the London Hub - a social incubator

In the context of incubators, particularly those that are driven to achieving social objectives, this paper investigates core processes that support the development of social innovation. Social innovation as this paper argues is underpinned by a new form of social collaboration and engagement built upon strong forms of sharing knowledge and learning. Coupled with this is the element of social capital reinforced by entrepreneurship and leadership that promotes sustainability in the community. These factors drive innovative thinking and ways of engaging among stakeholders in order to create new forms of socio-economic impact. Such value-creating activity occurs in firms that operate within incubators involving a wide range of stakeholders who work through networks to co-create and meet social challenges. Through a case study of a social incubator and an incubatee, we demonstrate the core processes that irradiate the argument on social innovation. The contribution of this paper is threefold: firstly, social innovation is an emerging area of research, of which there is a dearth in terms of examining the processes empirically. We address the gap in this field by demonstrating the value of social collaboration and engagement using different innovation models. Secondly, we establish links between social innovation and incubation using the concept of social capital. This allows us to achieve our third contribution: exemplification of a dyadic value-based partnership and collaboration processes between an incubator and an incubatee, through activities driven by social innovation which aim to have social impact. The paper concludes with practice implications and suggests directions for future research

Effect of Acinetobacter sp on Metalaxyl Degradation and Metabolite Profile of Potato Seedlings (Solanum tuberosum L.) Alpha Variety

One of the most serious diseases in potato cultivars is caused by the pathogen Phytophthora infestans, which affects leaves, stems and tubers. Metalaxyl is a fungicide that protects potato plants from Phytophthora infestans. In Mexico, farmers apply metalaxyl 35 times during the cycle of potato production and the last application is typically 15 days before harvest. There are no records related to the presence of metalaxyl in potato tubers in Mexico. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of Acinetobacter sp on metalaxyl degradation in potato seedlings. The effect of bacteria and metalaxyl on the growth of potato seedlings was also evaluated. A metabolite profile analysis was conducted to determine potential molecular biomarkers produced by potato seedlings in the presence of Acinetobacter sp and metalaxyl. Metalaxyl did not affect the growth of potato seedlings. However, Acinetobacter sp strongly affected the growth of inoculated seedlings, as confirmed by plant length and plant fresh weights which were lower in inoculated potato seedlings (40% and 27%, respectively) compared to the controls. Acinetobacter sp also affected root formation. Inoculated potato seedlings showed a decrease in root formation compared to the controls. LC-MS/MS analysis of metalaxyl residues in potato seedlings suggests that Acinetobacter sp did not degrade metalaxyl. GC–TOF–MS platform was used in metabolic profiling studies. Statistical data analysis and metabolic pathway analysis allowed suggesting the alteration of metabolic pathways by both Acinetobacter sp infection and metalaxyl treatment. Several hundred metabolites were detected, 137 metabolites were identified and 15 metabolic markers were suggested based on statistical change significance found with PLS-DA analysis. These results are important for better understanding the interactions of putative endophytic bacteria and pesticides on plants and their possible effects on plant metabolism

Tryprophan metbolism in alcoholism. Tryptophan but not excitatory amino acid availablity to the brain is increased before the appearance of the alcohol-withdrawal syndrome in men

Tryptophan (Trp) metabolism and disposition and excitatory and other amino acid concentrations were determined in alcohol-dependent subjects in relation to the alcohol-withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Parameters were examined in 12 alcohol-dependent male subjects, undergoing elective upper digestive tract tumour resection, and 12 age-, gender-, and medication-matched controls on three occasions: pre-operatively, post-operatively, and immediately before (i.e. within 24 h of) the appearance of the AWS. No significant differences were observed between controls and alcoholic subjects on the first or second ot these occasions. On the third occasion, within 24 h of the appearance of the AWS, alcoholics showed a dramatic elevation (117%) in free serum Trp concentration and a consequent increase (111%) in the ratio of [free Trp]/[competing ammo acids], which is an accurate predictor of Trp entry into the brain. Increases were also observed on this third occasion in concentrations of total Trp (49%), cortisol (123%), and norharman (137%). Concentrations of glutamate, glycine, aspartate, serine, and taurine did not differ significantly within or between the control and alcohol-dependent groups of subjects on any of the three occasions. The possible significance of the Trp and related metabolic changes in relation to the behavioural features of the AWS is discussed

Plastic analysis of reinforced concrete curved beams

Bibliography: p. 218-223