Modification of cell surface properties of Pseudomonas alcaligenes S22 during hydrocarbon biodegradation

Biodegradation of water insoluble hydrocarbons can be significantly increased by the addition of natural surfactants one. Very promising option is the use of saponins. The obtained results indicated that in this system, after 21 days, 92% biodegradation of diesel oil could be achieved using Pseudomonas alcaligenes. No positive effect on the biodegradation process was observed using synthetic surfactant Triton X-100. The kind of carbon source influences the cell surface properties of microorganisms. Modification of the surface cell could be observed by control of the sedimentation profile. This analytical method is a new approach in microbiological analysis

Potential therapeutic applications of microbial surface-activecompounds

Numerous investigations of microbial surface-active compounds or biosurfactants over the past two decades have led to the discovery of many interesting physicochemical and biological properties including antimicrobial, anti-biofilm and therapeutic among many other pharmaceutical and medical applications. Microbial control and inhibition strategies involving the use of antibiotics are becoming continually challenged due to the emergence of resistant strains mostly embedded within biofilm formations that are difficult to eradicate. Different aspects of antimicrobial and anti-biofilm control are becoming issues of increasing importance in clinical, hygiene, therapeutic and other applications. Biosurfactants research has resulted in increasing interest into their ability to inhibit microbial activity and disperse microbial biofilms in addition to being mostly nontoxic and stable at extremes conditions. Some biosurfactants are now in use in clinical, food and environmental fields, whilst others remain under investigation and development. The dispersal properties of biosurfactants have been shown to rival that of conventional inhibitory agents against bacterial, fungal and yeast biofilms as well as viral membrane structures. This presents them as potential candidates for future uses in new generations of antimicrobial agents or as adjuvants to other antibiotics and use as preservatives for microbial suppression and eradication strategies

Quality of Verbal communication of health care team with hospitalized children under 3

Background and aimFor different reasons, children may experience hospitalization. With respect to the importance of human relationships and verbal communication in this group for creating confidence and a sense of security with healthcare team, this descriptive study was conducted to identify the quality of verbal communication of the team with hospitalized children under 3 in 2008.  Materials and methods253 nurses and 87 physicians working in pediatric wards of hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences took part. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and a verbal communication checklist in 3 levels: good, moderate and poor. The checklist was designed for 2 age groups (0-1 and 1-3) to evaluate age differences and communication needs more accurately. Chi-square and exact Fisher tests were used for data analysis. Data were analyzed by SPSS 11. Findings%41.9 and %60.8 of nurses had poor communication with children 0-1 and 1-3 respectively. %42.3 of head nurses had good communication with children 0-1 and 1-3. %38.4 and %48.9 of physicians had good communication with children 0-1 and 1-3 respectively. A significant correlation was found between the verbal communication quality of nurses and such demographic variables as having children, educational level and shift time as well as of head nurses and educational level (