Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Public Health Rep

19313995PMCnul

Magnetic Resonance and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Findings

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an important public health problem. In recent years, opportunistic infections that can develop in patients with AIDS are rapidly diagnosed by imaging modalities. A 31-year-old HIV-positive male patient presented with fever, headache and progressive bilateral muscle weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple mass lesions with peripheral edema. In MR spectroscopy (S), lactate-lipid peak was detected. Hemorrhagic transformation was observed in some lesions in control brain MRI. Here, we aimed to present MRI and MRS findings of a patient with neurotoxoplasmosis and to demonstrate that hemorrhagic transformation may develop during follow-up and treatment.C1 [Cakmak, Pinar Gulmez] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Radiol, Fac Med, Denizli, Turkey.[Kutlu, Selda Sayin] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Infect Dis & Clin Microbiol, Fac Med, Denizli, Turkey

extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli

Background/aim: Community-onset urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)- producing Escherichia coli have increased in many parts of the world. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for community-onset UTI caused by ESBL-producing E. coli.Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted between January 2012 and March 2014 in cases of community-onset UTI caused by E. coli. Patients with UTI due to ESBL-producing E. coli and patients with UTI due to non-ESBL-producing E. coli were compared to identify risk factors for ESBL-producing E. coli in the community.Results: A total of 305 patients (116 males [46.4%]; mean age: 57.76 +/- 18.06 years) were included in the study. Among these patients, 154 (50.5%) were infected with ESBL-producing E. coli. In multivariate analysis, the healthcare-associated UTI (odds ratio [OR]: 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-3.18; P = 0.041), upper urinary tract infection (OR: 3.05; 95% CI: 1.76-5.29; P < 0.0001), use of antibiotics in the preceding 6 months (OR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.21-4.30; P = 0.011), and having two or more risk factors (OR: 4.03; 95% CI: 1.73-9.35; P = 0.001) were the significant factors associated with increased risk of community-onset UTIs due to ESBL-producing E. coli.Conclusion: The increasing prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli makes it difficult to decide the empirical therapy in UTIs, especially in patients with two or more of the risk factors. A better understanding of the epidemiology and risk factors associated with community-onset UTIs due to ESBL-producing E. coli may have significant implications in decision-making for empirical antimicrobial treatment.C1 [Tuzun, Turkan] Denizli Surg Hosp, Dept Infect Dis & Clin Microbiol, Denizli, Turkey.[Kutlu, Selda Sayin; Kutlu, Murat] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Infect Dis & Clin Microbiol, Fac Med, Denizli, Turkey.[Kaleli, Ilknur] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Med Microbiol, Fac Med, Denizli, Turkey

Corneal and Anterior Chamber Morphology in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1-Infected Patients Without Opportunistic Infections.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate corneal and anterior chamber morphology as measured by Pentacam HR in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients without opportunistic infections and to search for signs of accelerated aging. METHODS: This prospective study included 41 eyes of 41 HIV-1-infected patients (study group) and 50 eyes of 50 healthy subjects (control group). Specular microscope and Pentacam HR were used for corneal and anterior chamber morphology evaluation. Corneal endothelial cell density (CECD), hexagonal cell ratio, coefficient of variation, corneal thickness, density and volume, maximum keratometry, anterior chamber volume (ACV), and anterior chamber depth (ACD) measurements were recorded for analysis. RESULTS: The mean CD4 count was 428.3±231.9 (36-950) cells/mL, and the time since diagnosis was 27.5±34.1 months in the study group. The difference in anterior segment parameters was not significantly different between the study and the control groups (P>0.05). Age significantly correlated with CECD (r=-0.436, P=0.004), ACV (r=-0.570, P<0.001), ACD (r=-0.471, P=0.002), and corneal density (r=0.424, P=0.006) in the study group, whereas it did not show a significant correlation with any ocular parameters in the control group (Pearson correlation). CONCLUSION: Corneal density, CECD, ACV, and ACD showed significant correlation with age in HIV-1-infected patients. Further studies are needed to show whether ocular parameters may serve as useful tools to monitor HIV-related accelerated aging

Virus-1-Infected Patients Without Opportunistic Infections

Objectives: To evaluate corneal and anterior chamber morphology as measured by Pentacam HR in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients without opportunistic infections and to search for signs of accelerated aging.Methods: This prospective study included 41 eyes of 41 HIV-1-infected patients (study group) and 50 eyes of 50 healthy subjects (control group). Specular microscope and Pentacam HR were used for corneal and anterior chamber morphology evaluation. Corneal endothelial cell density (CECD), hexagonal cell ratio, coefficient of variation, corneal thickness, density and volume, maximum keratometry, anterior chamber volume (ACV), and anterior chamber depth (ACD) measurements were recorded for analysis.Results: The mean CD4 count was 428.3 +/- 231.9 (36-950) cells/mL, and the time since diagnosis was 27.5 +/- 34.1 months in the study group. The difference in anterior segment parameters was not significantly different between the study and the control groups (P>0.05). Age significantly correlated with CECD (r = 20.436, P = 0.004), ACV (r = 20.570, P=0.001), ACD (r = 20.471, P = 0.002), and corneal density (r = 0.424, P = 0.006) in the study group, whereas it did not show a significant correlation with any ocular parameters in the control group (Pearson correlation).Conclusion: Corneal density, CECD, ACV, and ACD showed significant correlation with age in HIV-1-infected patients. Further studies are needed to show whether ocular parameters may serve as useful tools to monitor HIV-related accelerated aging

aureus Colonization Among Outpatients Undergoing Hemodialysis Treatment

Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is frequent among hemodialysis patients and lead to increased morbidity and mortality rates. It is known that nasal colonization plays an important role for the development of MRSA infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for MRSA colonization among outpatients undergoing hemodialysis. A total of 466 adult patients (199 female, 267 male; age range: 18-89 years, mean age: 55.8 +/- 15.1 years) who were under hemodialysis between September-December 2008 in different health centers at Pamukkale/Denizli region, Turkey, were included in the study. Swab samples obtained from anterior nares of patients were cultivated on sheep-blood agar and mannitol-salt agar media. The isolates were identified by conventional bacteriological methods. S.aureus strains were isolated from 204 (43.8%). patients and 34 (16.7%) were found methicillin-resistant. Thus the rate of MRSA colonization in hemodialysis patients was detected as 7.3% (34/466). All of the MRSA strains were found susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid and tigecycline, while the resistance rates for the other antimicrobial agents were as follows: 70.6% to azithromycin and claritromycin; 64.7% to erythromycin; %58.8 to clindamycin, gentamicin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; 55.9% to ciprofloxacin; 44.1% to tetracycline and rifampin; 5.9% to chloramphenicol. Inducible clindamycin resistance in MRSA isolates was %23.5 (8/34), and multidrug resistance rate was 76.5% (26/34). Multivariate analysis revealed that the history of previous hospitalization within a year [odds ratio (OR), 3.426; 95% confidence interval (Cl), 1.595-7.361, p=0.002] and the presence of chronic obstructive lung disease (OR, 5.181; 95% Cl, 1.612-16.648, p=0.006) were independent risk factors for MRSA colonization in this population. A better understanding of the prevalence and risk factors for nasal MRSA colonization among hemodialysis population may hold significant implications for both the treatment strategies and prevention of MRSA infections to establish appropriate infection control measures