QSAR based on hybrid optimal descriptors as a tool to predict antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus

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Seasonal variations in phytoplankton composition and biomass in a small lowland river-lake system (Melen River, Turkey)

WOS: 000294698400012A series of studies were carried out to determine the succession and phytoplankton community of the Melen River in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey. The study was conducted at 6 stations at monthly intervals between May 2003 and April 2004. It was observed that the abundance and biovolume of phytoplankton were low in winter, though higher values were recorded in late spring and summer. Among the values noted, the spring peak was 534.38 x 10(5) ind. L-1 and 7384.8 mm(3) L-1 belonging to Peridinium sp. The most common diatom, Cyclostephanos dubius, was favoured by low discharge at stations 1 and 2 in the early summer (214.29 x 10(5) in L-1 and 9.84 x 10(5) in L-1), respectively. Chlorophyll-a concentrations were between 0.86 and 64.2 mu g L-1. A total of 135 taxa belonging to Cyanophyta, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Dinophyta, Euglenophyta, Heterokontophyta, Streptophyta, and Xanthophyta were identified. The total biomass of the stations 1 and 2 was mainly characterised by Dinophyta and at other stations by Bacillariophyta. Five major genera (Peridinium, Ceratium, Phacus, Cyclostephanos, and Melosira) accounted for over 70% of the total phytoplankton abundance. Phytoplankton abundance was significant and positively correlated with Chl-a and temperature (r = 0.57 and r = 0.78, respectively P < 0.05). Species richness and diversity indices increased gradually throughout the course of the river.Gazi University, Scientific Projects Research ManagementGazi UniversityWe would like to thank Gazi University, Scientific Projects Research Management for financing this research and also the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI) for analysing the physical and chemical parameters of the Melen River

Evaluation of the Injury Experiences of Healthcare Worker and the Measures taken, in a Training and Research Hospital

Aim: Healthcare workers frequently carry out invasive procedures as part of their jobs. Regarding this situation, they are at risk for stab injuries and also for infectious diseases such as primarily hepatitis infections and Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV) depending on the contact of blood and body fluids to mucous membranes. Applying the infection control measures effectively is very important to reduce the risk of transmission. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the occupational injuries in our hospital and to ensure the relevant measures by determining whether the necessary precautions were taken. Mehtod: Healthcare workers injuries which were occurred at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Education and Research Hospital between 2016 and 2018 were investigated retrospectively. After the records of the infection control committee were examined retrospectively in the first two years, the rate of injury was found to be high, once a month, by the Infectious Diseases Specialist, Medical Microbiology Specialist and Infection Control Committee. Face-to-face training seminars were given to reduce the changes in the data in the last three months of 2018, when the training was given. Results: A total of 220 healthcare workers were included in our study in 3 years. The average age of the workers was 26.4 ± 4.1 years, and the female / male ratio was found as 143/77. In all three years, injuries were seen most commonly in nurses, second in intern students. After the trainings, the greatest reduction in the injury rates was observed in injectör needle sting injuries. Among the hospital staff, the greatest decrease in the injuries was observed in the cleaning staff Conclusion: Healthcare workers should be followed up that whether or not take protective measures such as primarly active and passive immune prophylaxis and carry out infection control measures correctly and effectively, against the occupationally transmitted diseases. Feedback should be received for this purpose and in case of deficiencies, it should be ensured to raise awareness by regular and continuous trainings.Keywords: Education, awareness, healtcare injuryDOI: 10.7176/JHMN/75-0

Synthesis and In vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Novel 2-(4-(Substituted-carboxamido)benzyl / phenyl)benzothiazoles

A new series of 2-[4-(4-substitutedbenzamido / phenylacetamido / phenylpropionamido) benzyl / phenyl]benzothiazole derivatives (6a−6w) were synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli with their drug-resistant isolates and a yeast Candida albicans. Microbiological results indicated that the compounds possessed a broad spectrum of activity against the tested microorganisms at MIC values between 200 and 6.25 μg/ml. Compounds 6e and 6j exhibited the greatest activity with MIC values of 6.25 μg/ml against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus isolate, respectively.(doi: 10.5562/cca2064

Hand Hygiene Compliance in an Education and Research Hospital Intensive Care Units

Objective and Aim: Errors occurring during the provision of health services are medical errors. Hospital infections counted among these errors remain a serious health problem on the agenda. Hand hygiene is the most effective and cheapest way to prevent hospital infections, and it is also a method that can be easily applied by the healthcare worker. With hand hygiene compliance, it has been shown that one third of the hospital infections and even one third and half of the hospital infections occurring in intensive care are reduced. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate hand hygiene observation data retrospectively in intensive care units. Materials and Method: This study was carried out in Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University (RTEU) Training and Research Hospital Intensive Care Units (Internal Intensive Care, Surgical Intensive Care, Anesthesia Intensive Care, Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care, Coronary Intensive Care, Pediatric Intensive Care, Newborn Intensive Care) in 2016 and 2017. There were doctors, nurses and assistant health personnel among the healthcare professionals. Hand hygiene observation was made according to five basic indication rules. Results: In the Intensive Care Units (ICU), 255 health workers were evaluated in 2016 and 430 in 2017. The compliance rate in the ICU was evaluated as 86%. According to the five indication rules, the highest compliance was with 90-95% before aseptic procedures, after contamination with body fluids and after contact with the patient's environment. The least compliance was before contact with 60% of patients. According to professions, the compliance rate of physicians was 85%, nurses 95%, and assistant health personnel 90%. According to the units; The highest compliance was in the Surgical Intensive Care, Pediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with 97%, and the least in the Anesthesia and Internal Medicine Intensive Care Units with 69% and 60% Discussion and Conclusion: Hand hygiene compliance; It is still below the desired levels, with regular training, evaluations and feedback. Hospital infections, especially for the prevention of intensive care infections, besides continuing education, rewarding practices will be more motivating for healthcare professionals here. It should develop and implement a feasible, acceptable, acceptable hand hygiene policy in hospitals.Keywords: Hand hygiene compliance, feedback, patient safety, intensive careDOI: 10.7176/JHMN/75-0

Proton density fat fraction: magnetic resonance imaging applications beyond the liver

Magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) is an emerging quantitative imaging biomarker that accurately measures the fat fraction of tissue by correcting factors influencing magnetic resonance signal intensity. Beyond fat quantification, it also measures R2* which is a direct measure of iron concentration. The utilization of MRI-PDFF in liver diseases is well established. In the present review, we focused on applications of MRI-PDFF in different body areas including pancreas, bone, muscle, spleen, testis, visceral, and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Future studies can enable tracking of quantitative fat fraction changes in different organs simultaneously, which can be critical in understanding fat metabolism

Benzothiazole derivatives as human DNA topoisomerase IIα inhibitors

Abstract Benzothiazole derivatives resembling the structure of DNA purine bases were tested to determine their topoisomerase inhibition activities. Based on DNA topoisomerase I and II relaxation assay results, all 12 derivatives acted as human topoisomerase IIa inhibitors, whereas only two compounds inhibited Calf thymus topoisomerase I. 3-amino-2-(2-bromobenzyl)-1,3-benzothiazol-3-ium 4-methylbenzensulfonate (BM3) was observed to be the most effective human topoisomerase IIa inhibitor with the lowest IC 50 value of 39 nM. The mechanistic studies suggested that BM3 was neither a DNA intercalator nor a topoisomerase poison, it was only a DNA minor groovebinding agent. BM3 initially bound to the DNA topoisomerase IIa enzyme, then to DNA. As a result, the tested benzothiazole derivatives were obtained as strong topoisomerase IIa inhibitors. The benzothiazole tosylated salt form BM3 was found as the most effective topoisomerase IIa inhibitor. BM3&apos;s mechanisms of action might be its direct interaction with the enzyme. BM3&apos;s minor groove-binding property might also contribute to this action. Hence, BM3 could be a good candidate as a new anticancer agent

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements