A comparison of three different target-controlled remifentanil infusion rates during target-controlled propofol infusion for oocyte retrieval

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of three different target-controlled remifentanil infusion rates during target-controlled propofol infusion on hemodynamic parameters, pain, sedation, and recovery score during oocyte retrieval. METHODS: Sixty-nine women were scheduled for oocyte retrieval. Target-controlled propofol infusion at an effectsite concentration of 1.5 μg/mL was instituted. The patients were randomly allocated to receive remifentanil at an effect-site concentration of either 1.5 (group I, n = 23), 2 (group II, n = 23) or 2.5 ng/mL (group III, n = 23). Hemodynamic variables, sedation, pain, the Aldrete recovery score, and side effects were recorded. RESULTS: Hemodynamic variables, sedation and pain scores and the number of patients with the maximum Aldrete recovery score 10 min after the procedure were comparable among the groups. The number of patients in group III with the maximum Aldrete recovery score 5 min after the procedure was significantly lower than that in groups I and II. One patient in group II and one patient in group III suffered from nausea. CONCLUSION: Similar pain-free conscious sedation conditions without significant changes in hemodynamic parameters were provided by all three protocols. However, target controlled infusion of remifentanil at 1.5 or 2 ng/mL proved superior at providing early recovery compared to 2.5 ng/mL

Daily antibiotic cost of nosocomial infections in a Turkish university hospital

BACKGROUND: Many studies associated nosocomial infections with increased hospital costs due to extra days in hospital, staff time, extra investigations and drug treatment. The cost of antibiotic treatment for these infections represents a significant part of hospital expenditure. This prospective observational study was designed to determine the daily antibiotic cost of nosocomial infections per infected adult patient in Akdeniz University Hospital. METHODS: All adult patients admitted to the ICUs between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2003 who had only one nosocomial infection during their stay were included in the study. Infection sites and pathogens, antimicrobial treatment of patient and it's cost were recorded. Daily antibiotic costs were calculated per infected patient. RESULTS: Among the 8460 study patients, 817 (16.6%) developed 1407 episodes of nosocomial infection. Two hundred thirty three (2.7%) presented with only one nosocomial infection. Mean daily antibiotic cost was $89.64. Daily antibiotic cost was$99.02 for pneumonia, $94.32 for bloodstream infection,$94.31 for surgical site infection, $52.37 for urinary tract infection, and$162.35 for the other infections per patient. The treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections was the most expensive infection treated. Piperacillin-tazobactam and amikacin were the most prescribed antibiotics, and meropenem was the most expensive drug for treatment of the nosocomial infections in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Daily antibiotic cost of nosocomial infections is an important part of extra costs that should be reduced providing rational antibiotic usage in hospitals

Compressive strength and sulfate resistance of limestone and/or silica fume mortars

WOS: 000295754200073In this study, compressive strength and sulfate resistance of mortars containing silica fume and/or limestone in different replacement levels were examined. For this purpose, limestone was used as 5%, 20%, 35% and silica fume was used as 5%, 10%, 15% by weight of cement. Sixteen different blended cements were prepared containing limestone and/or silica fume in different ratios. Mortar mixtures were prepared using these 16 cements. Flow values and 2, 7, 28, 90, 180 day-compressive strengths of the mortar mixtures were determined. In addition, sulfate resistances of mortars were separately determined in sodium and magnesium sulfate solutions. Consequently, it was seen that negative effect of silica fume on workability of mortars and limestone on compressive strength of mortars can be compensated by using limestone and silica fume together. Simultaneous use of limestone and silica fume was showed to increase sulfate resistance of mortars. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Usage of steel slag in concrete as fine and/or coarse aggregate

WOS: 000359502200013In this study, the use of steel slag as fine and/or coarse aggregate in concrete is investigated. For this purpose, 12 different concrete mixtures with different water/cement ratios of 0.40, 0.55 and 0.70 which include steel slag aggregate as fine and/or coarse aggregate are prepared. Compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, freeze-thaw resistance and water penetration depth of concrete mixtures containing steel slag aggregate are examined in comparison with concrete mixtures prepared by using crushed limestone aggregate. Eventually, concrete mixtures containing coarse steel slag show better performance than concrete mixtures containing limestone aggregate. Concrete mixtures containing fine steel slag show worse performance in comparison with concrete mixtures containing limestone aggregate.Scientific and Technological Research Council of TurkeyTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [107M607]This study was funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Project number: 107M607)