10 research outputs found
Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Factors of Proteus mirabilis Isolated from Dog with Chronic Otitis Externa
Otitis externa is among the most prevalent diseases in dogs. If the underlying cause is not addressed, bacterial reinfection becomes frequent, necessitating antibiotic administration for an extended period of time. Prolonged treatment promotes the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and increases the risk of their transmission from animals to humans. This study aimed to analyze the antibiotic resistance pattern of the emerging pathogen Proteus mirabilis to identify bacterial virulence and antibiotic selection. Samples were collected from randomly encountered dogs with chronic otitis externa. Thirty-two strains of P. mirabilis were isolated and identified, using MALDI-TOF. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used to assess the antibiotic susceptibility of P. mirabilis to 11 antibiotics. The isolates (n = 32) were most resistant to cefazolin (75%), trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (72%), chloramphenicol (72%), amoxicillin–clavulanate (63%), ampicillin (59%), cefepime (56%), ciprofloxacin (53%), aztreonam (50%), ceftazidime avibactam (50%), gentamicin (22%), and amikacin (16%). Moreover, 75% of isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant bacteria. P. mirabilis was found to have a high resistance-pattern ratio. Although the exact cause is unknown, continuous antibiotic use is thought to be a major factor. We concluded that antibiotic use must be prudent and selective to prevent antibiotic resistance
Diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography in cervical compressive myelopathy: preliminary results
To assess diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters in cervical compressive myelopathy (CCM) patients compared to normal volunteers, to relate them with myelopathy severity, and to relate tractography patterns with postoperative neurologic improvement.Twenty patients suffering from CCM were prospectively enrolled (M:F = 13:7, mean age, 49.6 years; range 22-67 years) from September 2009 to March 2010. Sensitivity encoding (SENSE) single-shot echo-planar imaging (EPI) was used for the sagittal DTI. Twenty sex- and age-matched normal volunteers underwent the same scanning procedure. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the spinal cord were compared between the patients and normal volunteers and were related to myelopathy severity based on Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores. Tractography patterns were related to myelopathy severity and postoperative improvement.There were significant differences between patients and normal volunteers in terms of FA (0.498 +/- 0.114 vs. 0.604 +/- 0.057; p = 0.001) and ADC (1.442 +/- 0.389 vs. 1.169 +/- 0.098; p = 0.001). DTI parameters and tractography patterns were not related to myelopathy severity. In ten patients in the neurologically worse group, postoperative neurologic improvement was seen in four of five patients with intact fiber tracts, but only one of five patients with interrupted fiber tracts exhibited neurologic improvement.DTI parameters in CCM patients were significantly different from those in normal volunteers but were not significantly related to myelopathy severity. The patterns of tractography appear to correlate with postoperative neurologic improvement.OAIID:oai:osos.snu.ac.kr:snu2011-01/102/0000004226/7SEQ:7PERF_CD:SNU2011-01EVAL_ITEM_CD:102USER_ID:0000004226ADJUST_YN:YEMP_ID:A076317DEPT_CD:801CITE_RATE:1.541FILENAME:E035T_Skeletal Radiol-2011_Lee_Diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography.pdfDEPT_NM:์ํ๊ณผEMAIL:[email protected]_YN:YCONFIRM:
Effects of Biochar on Methane Emissions and Crop Yields in East Asian Paddy Fields: A Regional Scale Meta-Analysis
Biochar emerged as a potential solution to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, though previous studies obtained variable results regarding its effects on methane (CH4) emissions and crop yields. Global meta-analyses were conducted regarding the effectiveness of biochar, though regional meta-analyses are still needed. We performed a meta-analysis of 43 published papers to obtain the central tendency of the response to biochar application in East Asian rice paddies. Biochar application significantly reduced methane emissions while increasing the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and crop yield. We identified the most significant influencing factors on the CH4 emissions, SOC content, and crop yield. Our findings provide a scientific basis for the application of biochar to East Asian rice paddies, as well as to study the effects of biochar application in East Asian rice paddies. The numbers in parentheses represent the sample sizes
Arg-Leu-Tyr-Glu Suppresses Retinal Endothelial Permeability and Choroidal Neovascularization by Inhibiting the VEGF Receptor 2 Signaling Pathway
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in pathologic ocular neovascularization and vascular leakage via activation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). This study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic mechanisms and effects of the tetrapeptide Arg-Leu-Tyr-Glu (RLYE), a VEGFR2 inhibitor, in the development of vascular permeability and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). In cultured human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs), treatment with RLYE blocked VEGF-A-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2, Akt, ERK, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), leading to suppression of VEGFA-mediated hyper-production of NO. Treatment with RLYE also inhibited VEGF-A-stimulated angiogenic processes (migration, proliferation, and tube formation) and the hyperpermeability of HRMECs, in addition to attenuating VEGF-A-induced angiogenesis and vascular permeability in mice. The anti-vascular permeability activity of RLYE was correlated with enhanced stability and positioning of the junction proteins VE-cadherin, beta-catenin, claudin-5, and ZO-1, critical components of the cortical actin ring structure and retinal endothelial barrier, at the boundary between HRMECs stimulated with VEGF-A. Furthermore, intravitreally injected R LYE bound to retinal microvascular endothelium and inhibited laser-induced CNV in mice. These findings suggest that R LYE has potential as a therapeutic drug for the treatment of CNV by preventing VEGFR2-mediated vascular leakage and angiogenesis.Y
Experiences Providing Medical Assistance during the Sewol Ferry Disaster Using Traditional Korean Medicine
Background. This study aimed to investigate medical records using traditional Korean medicine (TKM) in Sewol Ferry disaster in 2014 and further explore the possible role of traditional medicine in disaster situation. Methods. After Sewol Ferry accident, 3 on-site tents for TKM assistance by the Association of Korean Medicine (AKOM) in Jindo area were installed. The AKOM mobilized volunteer TKM doctors and assistants and dispatched each on-site tent in three shifts within 24 hours. Anyone could use on-site tent without restriction and TKM treatments including herb medicine were administered individually. Results. The total of 1,860 patients were treated during the periods except for medical assistance on the barge. Most patients were diagnosed in musculoskeletal diseases (66.4%) and respiratory diseases (7.4%) and circulatory diseases (8.4%) followed. The most frequently used herbal medicines were Shuanghe decoction (80 days), Su He Xiang Wan (288 pills), and Wuji powder (73 days). Conclusions. TKM in medical assistance can be helpful to rescue worker or group life people in open shelter when national disasters occur. Therefore, it is important to construct a rapid respond system using TKM resources based on experience