Intensive care unit-acquired urinary tract infections in patients admitted with sepsis: etiology, risk factors, and patterns of antimicrobial resistance

SummaryObjectivesThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the etiology, risk factors, and patterns of antimicrobial resistance of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients admitted with sepsis.MethodsIn this observational study, 100 septic patients hospitalized in a general ICU were selected. Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were obtained by chart review. Antibiotic resistance/susceptibility was determined using the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) technique.ResultsA UTI was present in 28 (28%) patients; the male to female ratio was 19:9 and the mean age of the patients was 58.71±19.45 years. From the total of 28 isolates, 27 were resistant to ciprofloxacin, 23 to amikacin, 27 to meropenem, 28 to cefepime, 26 to ceftazidime, and 27 to ceftriaxone.ConclusionsOn the basis of our results, the rate of multidrug-resistant UTIs may be very high in some ICUs in patients admitted with sepsis. This antimicrobial susceptibility/resistance should be determined, and a special antimicrobial treatment protocol should be planned based on the results for each ICU. The use of antibiotics for treating UTIs should be guided only through this protocol because of the different spectra of pathogens and susceptibility patterns in each ICU

Behavioral deficits induced by lead exposure are accompanied by serotonergic and cholinergic alterations in the prefrontal cortex

The effects of long-term lead (Pb) exposure producing a blood Pb concentration of lower than 20 μg/dL, i.e. below that associated with overt neurological deficits in occupationally exposed individuals, was studied in adult rats. In order to assess gender differences, we performed parallel behavioral experiments in male and female rats. Exposure to Pb acetate (50 ppm in drinking water) for 6 months induced motor and cognitive alterations, however these effects were gender- and task-dependent. Chronic lead exposure impaired spatial learning assessed in the Morris water maze test (MWM) in both genders, whereas it only induced hyperactivity in the open field and impaired motor coordination in the rotarod test, only in male rats. Hyperactivity in male rats was accompanied by an increase in extracellular level of acetylcholine in the prefrontal cortex. Extracellular dopamine concentration in the prefrontal cortex was unaffected by lead exposure whereas serotonin concentration in the same brain area was significantly decreased in both male and female rats exposed to lead. These results unveil new molecular mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric alterations induced by chronic lead exposure. © 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.This work was supported by a grant from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CTQ2010-20960-C02-02.Peer Reviewe

Protective Effects of Crocin Against Streptozotocin-Induced Oxidative Damage in Rat Striatum

The study aimed to investigate the protective effects of crocin (Cro) against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced oxidative damage in rat striatum. Animals were randomly divided into four groups (five each). Group 1 (sham) were treated with normal saline (2 ml/kg, p.o.). Group 2 (STZ-lesioned or lesion) were injected with ICV-STZ (3 mg/kg bilaterally, on day 1 and 3) and treated with normal saline (2 ml/kg, p.o.) respectively, for 21 days. Group 3 (sham+Cro) were injected ICV on day 1 and 3 with artificial CSF and treated with crocin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 days. Group 4 (lesion+Cro) were injected with ICV STZ (3 mg/kg bilaterally, on day 1 and 3) and treated with crocin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 days. The homogenized striatum was used for measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), and total thiol contents besides glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Crocin treatment resulted in a significant reduction in MDA concentration as compared to the STZ-lesioned rats. Moreover, crocin produced a significant elevation in total thiol content and GPx activity, as compared with STZ-lesioned group. The present findings provide evidence that crocin may have a therapeutic significance for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD)

Gender-dependent behavioural impairment and brain metabolites in young adult rats after short term exposure to lead acetate

We investigated the behavioural effects of short-term lead (Pb) exposure in adult rats producing blood Pb concentration (<10. μg/dL) below those associated with neurological impairment in occupationally exposed individuals. In order to assess gender differences, we performed parallel behavioural experiments in male and female rats. Exposure to Pb acetate (50. mg/L in drinking water) for 30-45 days induced behavioural alterations consisting in hyperactivity in a novel environment and impairment of spatial memory. These effects were observed only in male rats. Object recognition, motor coordination were unaffected by Pb exposure. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy allows . in vivo assessment of main brain metabolites (glutamate/glutamine, creatine, myoinositol, . N-acetylaspartate and choline) whose changes have been demonstrated in several central nervous system pathologies. Exposure to Pb did not affect metabolite profile in the striatum and increase myoinositol signal in the hippocampus of male rats. The increase in myoinositol in hippocampus suggests early Pb-induced alteration in glial metabolism in this brain region and may represent a potential marker of early brain dysfunction during Pb exposure. © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.This work was supported by the grant from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CTQ2010-20960-C02-02.Peer Reviewe

Effect of crocin on nitric oxide synthase expression in post-ischemic isolated rat heart

Objective: Oxidative stress damages cells and brings about the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion injury. This study was carried out to investigate the preconditioning and cardio protective potential effects of crocin and vitamin E by the eNOS and iNOS express gene in ischemia/reperfusion in rats. Material & Methods: Male rats were divided into seven groups, namely: sham, control group and experimental groups treated with crocin(10, 20 and 40 mg/kg), vitamin E (100 mg/kg) and combination of crocin (40 mg/kg) with vitamin E (100 mg/kg) that were gavaged The heart was removed and relocated to a Langendorff apparatus and subjected to global ischemia and then the left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were measured as a hemodynamic parameter. Total RNA was extracted from heart frozen tissues. RT-PCR technique was performed by specific primers designed for nitric oxide gene and the results were assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: Results after ischemia and reperfusion showed that crocin 40 mg/kg produced a significant improvement of LVEDP as a mechanical function (

Effects of fresh, aged and cooked garlic extracts on short- and long-term memory in diabetic rats

Objective: The present study was hypothesized to investigate the beneficial effects of fresh, aged, and cooked garlic extracts on blood glucose and memory of diabetic rats induced by streptozocine (STZ). Material and Methods: Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight). An oral dose of 1000 mg/kg of each garlic extract was given daily for 4 weeks after diabetes induction. Five days after STZ injection, five groups were formed: Control (intact) rats (Cont) + Vehicle of garlic extract (normal saline) (Veh), STZ + Veh, STZ + Fresh (row) garlic (FG), STZ + Aged garlic (AG), and STZ + cooked (boiled) garlic (CG). In order to assess the passive avoidance memory, rats were gently placed on the wooden platform, and latency to step-down (SDL) was recorded as initial phase, after then a light electrical shock [0.3 mA, 3 sec, Alternative current (AC)] was delivered to their foot paw. The retrieval tests were done for short- and long-term memories, respectively. Blood glucose was assayed by glucometer before and after treatment with STZ and garlic extracts. Results: Hyperglycemia induced by STZ decreased short-term memory in both diabetic males and females rats significantly compared with the controls (