Investigation of the bactericidal effects of vancomycin and quinupristin/dalfopristin on Staphylococcus aureus isolates

The present study aimed to determine the correlation between the bactericidal activity of vancomycin and quinupristin/dalfopristin (Q/D) on Staphylococcus aureus isolates and their minimal inhibition concentrations. The in-vitro susceptibilities of the 99 S. aureus isolates to vancomycin and Q/D were investigated by agar dilution. Thirty methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 30 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) vancomycin and Q/D susceptible isolates were involved in time-kill studies. While both MRSA and MSSA isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, 96% of both isolates were determined as susceptible to Q/D. In the time-kill test, after 6 h of incubation vancomycin exhibited a bactericidal activity of 90% on MRSA and 100% on MSSA isolates. On the other hand, in the same incubation period Q/D was 47% and 93% bactericidal for MRSA and MSSA isolates, respectively. After 24 h of incubation, while vancomycin was bactericidal for all MRSA and MSSA isolates, Q/D exhibited a bactericidal activity of 93% on MRSA isolates and 97% on MSSA isolates

Pygmy and isovector giant dipole resonance in

The isovector electric giant dipole (E1) resonance (IVGDR) in well-deformed odd-proton $$^{175}$$Lu is investigated using the Translational and Galilean Invariant-Quasiparticle Phonon Nuclear Model (TGI-QPNM) for the first time. E1 transition probabilities, radiation widths, photoabsorption cross-sections, and integrated moments ($$\sigma _{-2}$$, $$\sigma _{-1}$$, $$\sigma _{0}$$, $$\sigma _{+1}$$ and $$\sigma _{+2}$$ ) have been calculated up to 25 MeV using this model. The photoabsorption cross-section results show that $$\varDelta$$K = 0 and $$\varDelta$$K $$=\pm$$1 modes split in $$^{175}$$Lu due to large quadrupole deformation (prolate). Thus, a two-peak shape occurs, which is consistent with the available experimental data. The centroid energies and the widths of these peaks are also reproduced well. Besides, special attention is paid to the low-energy tail of GDR, particularly around the neutron separation energy, where an enhancement of electric dipole strength has been observed for many nuclei in recent years

Collagen deposition in myocardium after inhibition of fibrinolytic activity

Proper function of the heart directly depends on the protection of the myocardial architecture. The fibrinolytic system plays an important role(s) in the protection of myocardial architecture and aiding the pumping function of the heart. We investigated the effect of fibrinolytic system inhibition by tranexamic acid (TXA) on cat myocardium and collagen, which are important constituents of the extracellular matrix. Twenty-eight cats (seven per group) were used. Isotonic saline was administered to the control group (C) and TXA (200 mg/kg) diluted isotonic saline given to experimental groups 1 and 2 (El and E2). Experimental group 3 (E3) animals received 100 mg/kg TXA intravenously daily for 7 days. Bloods were drawn from groups C, El, and E2, and fibrinolytic activity was determined by the euglobulin lysis time, fibrinogen degradation products and fibrin plate lytic area diameters. The group C and group El cats were sacrificed following the infusion. The group E2 and group E3 animals were sacrificed at 24 h and day 7, respectively. Light and electron microscopy, along with the collagen contents of the myocardium, were used to examine the myocardial tissues. Electron microscopic examination in groups El and E2 showed inter-myofibrillar edema, glycogen loss, mitochondrial swelling and disorganization of Z-bands, and a decrease of pinocytotic vesicles in capillary endothelial cells. In group E3, increases of Collagen fibrils in intercellular areas and perivascular areas were noted. Biochemical analyses revealed a highly significant collagen accumulation in the myocardium in group E3 (P < 0.01) as compared with group C. These findings suggest that accumulation of the extracellular matrix containing collagen in the myocardium by fibrinolytic system inhibition may be responsible for the abnormal myocardial architecture, leading to cardiomyopathy and altered cardiac function. (C) 2005 Lippincott Williams Wilkins

Expression of P fimbriae of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains

The occurrence of P fimbriae in a total of 222 uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains was investigated. Out of the total, 31 (14%) were P fimbriated. Of 24 pyelonephritogenic E. coli strains, three (13%) with P fimbriae occurred in children with clinical pyelonephritis, and of 198 E. coli strains 29 (15%) occurred in children with cystitis. Prevalence of P fimbriae of E. coli strains was found to be quite similar in patients with cystitis and pyelonephritis

A theoretical analysis of the electromagnetic dipole response in odd-A thorium isotopes

We here present a theoretical analysis of electric and magnetic dipole (E1 and M1) resonances in the $$^{229-233}$$Th isotopes. In this study, the characteristic features of M1 and E1 excitations were calculated using the rotational invariant (RI-) and the translational Galilean invariant (TGI-) quasiparticle phonon nuclear models (QPNM), respectively.These models have been successfully applied to most rare-earth and actinide nuclei, with them yielding results that are consistent with the available experimental data.This study directly compares the TGI-QPNM results with experimental cross-section data (Oslo type; ($$\gamma$$,abs.)), and the model was found to reproduce the structural splitting of the E1 strength into two humps in the 8–20 MeV energy region.Furthermore, the study shows that the theoretical spectra of the $$^{231,233}$$Th isotopes, whose giant dipole resonance (GDR) has not yet been measured, almost overlaps with the experimental GDR spectrum of the neighboring $$^{232}$$Th nucleus.The predicted GDR parameters, such as peak energy, cross section, and width, are consistent with the experimental results. Our analysis also yields results that are similar to the corresponding parameters reported in the Oslo data for the PDR E1 ($$\omega _{\text {pyg}} \approx 7.2 \, \text {MeV}$$; $$\sigma _{\text {pyg}} \approx 10 \, \text {mb}$$) and spin-flip M1 ($$\omega _{\textit{M}1} \approx 6.67 \, \text {MeV}$$; $$\sigma _{\textit{M}1} \approx 4.36 \, \text {mb}$$) resonances

İn vitro activity of linezolid in combination with vancomycin, teicoplanin, fusidic acid, and ciprofloxacin against gram-positive pathogens [Gram-pozitif patojenler üzerine linezolidin, vankomisin, teikoplanin, fusidik asit ve siprofloksasin ile kombinasyonlari·ni·n in vitro aktivitesi]

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate in vitro activities of linezolid combined with vancomycin, teicoplanin, fusidic acid, and ciprofloxacin against Gram-positive pathogens. Material and Methods: This study was conducted at Ege University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology. Clinical isolates used in this study were obtained retrospectively from the collection of Ege University Medical Faculty, Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Bacteriology Laboratory. Minimal inhibitor concentrations (MICs) of test strains_methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (VISA), Mu50 (vancomycin intermediate S. aureus strain), methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis (MSSE), methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE), vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis (VSE) and vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis (VRE)) were determined by microdilution method. Time-kill studies were performed over 24 h using an inoculum of 5 × 106 and 1 × 107 CFU/mL. Antibiotics were tested at concentrations 1× and 4 × MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration). Results: Synergy was detected between linezolid plus teicoplanin and fusidic acid at 1 × MIC concentrations in MSSA strain. In MRSE strain, linezolid showed the same effect with fusidic acid at 1×MIC. Antagonistic effect was found linezolid plus vancomycin and teicoplanin (4 × MIC) in VSE and linezolid plus ciprofloxacin (4 × MIC) in MRSE strain. Conclusion: In this study, linezolid plus fusidic acid appeared to be the most active combination against Gram-positive pathogens. © 2010 by Türkiye Klinikleri

Effect of osteoblast cell culture on the bone implant contact

PubMedID: 22891929Purpose. The aim of this study is to acquire an ideal bone implant contact under the cover of osteogenic effect of osteoblasts derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). Materials and methods. Thirty dental implants were used for this study. Implants were placed in sheep mandibles and defects were created 4 mm coronally in the dental implants. These defects were filled with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in one group and with PRP + Osteoblast Cell Culture (OCC) in another group. No procedure was conducted on the control group defects (empty defect group). Eight weeks later, osseointegration was investigated with Bone Implant Contact (BIC) measurements histomorphologically. Data were checked statistically. Results. The variation of BIC rates between Empty Defect Group and PRP groups was significant (p <0.05). The BIC rate of the PRP group was higher than that of the Empty Defect Group. The variation of BIC rates between Empty Defect Group and PRP + OCC groups was significant (p <0.05). The BIC rate of the PRP + OCC group was higher than that of the Empty Defect Group. The variation of BIC rates between PRP and PRP + MSC groups was significant (p<0.05). The BIC rate of the PRP + OCC group was higher than that of the PRP group. At the end of the 8-week healing period, it was observed that the percentage of BIC was highest in the PRP + OCC group. Conclusions. Implant-bone connection was better in the OCC-PRP group compared with the PRP group and the empty defect group. The use of OCC-PRP combination was effective on healing. The BIC value was increased significantly by OCC. © 2013 Informa Healthcare.The present study was presented at the 16th International Association of Turkish Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Congress, 3–8 November 2009, Ürgüp-Nevs¸ehir, Turkey. This project was supported by Ondokuz Mayıs University scientific project support programme numbered DHF 055

Investigation of the electric dipole (

E1 transition properties such as the reduced transition probabilities, excitation energies and photon–absorption cross-sections have been theoretically investigated for $$^{\mathrm {181}}$$Ta nucleus within the framework of Translational and Galileo Invariant-Quasiparticle Phonon Nuclear Model (TGI-QPNM). The model Hamiltonian includes the single-particle and the isovector dipole–dipole interaction terms along with the restoration forces. The strength of the isovector dipole–dipole interaction has been chosen to be $$\chi = 500/\hbox {A}^{\mathrm {5/3}} MeV \cdot fm^{-2}$$. Theoretical calculations show that in addition to the M1 excitations, there is considerable amount of E1 transitions especially between 2.6–3 MeV, which gives remarkable contribution to the fragmentation in the low-energy region of the dipole spectrum. Thus, the agreement between theory and experiment in terms of the fragmentation increases. Furthermore, the photon–absorption cross-sections in the Pigmy Dipole Resonance (PDR) region below the neutron separation energy ($$S_{n}$$) is compatible with experimental data

Determinants of educational participation and gender differences in education in six Arab countries

Contains fulltext : 119385.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)We study the determinants of educational participation and gender differences in education for young children in six Arab countries: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen. Although these countries have made much progress in getting young children into school, school dropout after age 11 was still very high, and in the rural areas there were major gender differences in participation. In cities of most of these countries (except Yemen) gender differences have almost disappeared. Multivariate analyses show that similar household-level factors (e.g. wealth, education, number of siblings) as those in the West play a role, but that their importance relative to context factors is much less. For young rural girls, only 33 per cent of the variation in participation is explained by household-level factors. For older and urban girls and for boys this is more, but still substantially less than in the West. Strengthening the position of rural mothers and improving the educational infrastructure seem particularly important for reducing gender differences.22 p