A surveillance of nosocomial candida infections: epidemiology and influences on mortalty in intensive care units

Introduction: it was aimed to investigate the frequency of Candida infections (CI) in the intensive care units (ICU), to determine typing of candida to evaluate risk factors associated with CI and mortality, and to evaluate influence of CI on mortality. Methods: the prospective cohort study was carried out between Jan 1, 2009 and Dec 31, 2010 in ICUs, and the patients were observed with active surveillance. VITEK 2 Compact System (BioMerieux, France) kits were used for the identification of isolates from various clinical samples. Results: a total of 2362 patients had enrolled for 16135 patients-days into the study. During the study, 63 (27,5%) of patients developed 77 episodes of CI were observed. Of the patients; 54% were male, 46% were female. Duration of hospitalization (OR=1,03, p=0,007), hyperglycemia (OR=17,93, p=0,009), and co- infections (OR=3,98, p=0,001) were identified as independent risk factors for CI. The most common infections were bloodstream (53%). 77 of 135 candida strains was isolated as causative pathogens. C. albicans (63,6%) was the most frequent species. Overall mortality rate was 78%. The rates of mortality attiributable to CI and candidemia were 27%, and 18,3% respectively. Species- specific mortality rates of C.albicans and C.tropicalis were determined as 12%. High APACHE II scores (OR=1,37; p=0,002), and the use of central venous catheter (OR=9,01; p=0,049) were assigned as independent risk factors for mortality. Conclusion: CI is an important problem in our hospital. CI and associated mortalty can be prevented by controlling of risk factors. Updating of epidemiological data is required for successful antifungal treatment

Correction: The effect of activated protein C on experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis

PubMe

The effect of activated protein C on experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis

INTRODUCTION: Acute pancreatitis is a local inflammatory process that leads to a systemic inflammatory response in the majority of cases. Bacterial contamination has been estimated to occur in 30–40% of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis. Development of pancreatic necrosis depends mainly on the degree of inflammation and on the microvascular circulation of the pancreatic tissue. Activated protein C (APC) is known to inhibit coagulation and inflammation, and to promote fibrinolysis in patients with severe sepsis. We investigated the effects of APC on histopathology, bacterial translocation, and systemic inflammation in experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Rats were randomly allocated to three groups. Acute pancreatitis was induced in group II (positive control; n = 15) and group III (treatment; n = 15) rats by retrograde injection of taurocholate into the common biliopancreatic duct. Group I rats (sham; n = 15) received an injection of normal saline into the common biliopancreatic duct to mimic a pressure effect. Group III rats were treated with intravenous APC 6 hours after induction of pancreatitis. Pancreatic tissue and blood samples were obtained from all animals for histopathological examination and assessment of amylase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 levels in serum. Bacterial translocation to pancreas and mesenteric lymph nodes was measured. RESULTS: Acute pancreatitis developed in all groups apart from group I (sham), as indicated by microscopic parenchymal necrosis, fat necrosis and abundant turbid peritoneal fluid. Histopathological pancreatitis scores in the APC-treated group were lower than in positive controls (10.31 ± 0.47 versus 14.00 ± 0.52; P < 0.001). Bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes and to pancreas in the APC-treated group was significantly decreased compared with controls (P < 0.02 and P < 0.007, respectively). Serum amylase, tumor necrosis factor--α, and IL-6 levels were also significantly decreased in comparison with positive controls (P < 0.001, P < 0.04 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: APC improved the severity of pancreatic tissue histology, superinfection rates and serum markers of inflammation during the course of acute necrotizing pancreatitis

Clustering of host countries to facilitate learning between similar international construction markets

Purpose In the global construction industry, experience gained in various countries is a major source of competitive advantage. By transferring the knowledge gained in previous projects using an effective knowledge management strategy, they can increase their competitiveness by adopting best practices and by not repeating the same mistakes under similar conditions. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how similar countries can be clustered to facilitate learning in global markets. Design/methodology/approach Initially, country factors that can affect success in international projects and can be used to assess the similarity of markets were identified by an extensive literature review and prioritised by a web-based questionnaire. A country evaluation form was prepared to collect country-specific data to be used in the cluster analysis of 39 countries where the Turkish contractors have been frequently working since the last 45 years. Cluster analysis was performed with SPSS 23.0. Findings Three country clusters were obtained and validated. Ultimately, how obtained country clusters may be used to facilitate learning from international construction projects was demonstrated by using an illustrative example. Originality/value Theoretical contributions include the identification of factors that can be used for similarity assessment of countries for transferring lessons learned as well as a methodology for clustering. Findings may also have a practical value for the Turkish contractors

Residential Tourists' Perceptions of Quality of Life: Case of Alanya, Turkey

Basaran, Murat Alper/0000-0001-9887-5531WOS: 000457059800002Researches on tourism investigating quality of life have become an important study area for tourism scholars over the last few decades. Thus, focus points have started to evolve from the macro impact of tourism to the micro impact on individuals and their well-being. The aim of this study is to determine factors that have an impact on the perception of quality of life of the residential tourists. To this end, correspondence analysis and log-linear model are employed that visualize the results and reveal significant factors and interactions terms. According to findings, some demographic factors such as gender, duration of living in Alanya and nationality have an impact on quality of life perception of residential tourists. Besides, supportive evidence for adaptation level theory, used for explaining the effects of big life events on quality of life perception, was found

Biotransformation of Seafood Processing Wastes Fermented with Natural Lactic Acid Bacteria; The Quality of Fermented Products and Their Use in Animal Feeding

WOS: 000402320900011Lactic acid bacteria species naturally present in fish (Streptococcus spp., Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici and Enterococcus gallinarum) and formic acid were compared for production of fish silage, which are protein hydrolysates with immune stimulating properties. It is the first report for Enterococcus gallinarum to be used for producing fermented products. In this study, chemical and microbiological qualities of fish silage by acid or fermented methods were assessed after ripening of silages. It was observed that ripening was completed in maximum two weeks for all silage groups. Then, acid and fermented fish silage were spray dried and analysed for chemical and nutritional properties. As results of the study, these bacteria can be used as starter cultures in fermented products, especially for fish silage. In respect to essential/nonessential amino acid ratio (E/NE), the best groups among the spray-dried fish silages were prepared with formic acid, Lb. plantarum and Pd. acidilactici, respectively. Total antioxidant activity (TAO) of spray-dried fish silage was compared with ascorbic acid and TAO of spray-dried fish silages was found in range of 1.92-2.86 mg AA/g. The highest DPPH (diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging ability of spray-dried fish silages was detected in AC group produced with Pediococcus acidilactici (20.26%) and GL group produced with Enterococcus gallinarum (16.95%), but there were no significant differences observed in other groups. According to the in-vitro gas production assessment, spray-dried fish silages generally had considerably high rate of digestibility. It was determined that the acid and fermented fish silage powders had high digestibility and valuable feed sources according to the results of the proximate analysis, amino acids compositions, total antioxidants, DPPH inhibition rates and in-vitro digestibility assessments.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey [TUBITAK 213O166]This work was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Project No: TUBITAK 213O166)

Dependent absorption and scattering by interacting nanoparticles

Due to copyright restrictions, the access to the full text of this article is only available via subscription.Dependent light scattering and absorption patterns of metallic nano-sized particles in interaction with other spherical and cone-like structures were investigated. The numerical solution of the light scattering problem was obtained using DDSCAT7.0 code. The surface integration of the Poynting vector is performed to estimate the spectral absorption by individual particles. Parametric studies were conducted to examine the effects of different parameters, including the geometry, size, shape and the position of the particles, the wavelength, polarization and the direction of the incident light. It was observed that the proximity of particles contribute most to the intricate scattering and absorption patterns. The formulation provided on dependent light absorption and scattering may be used for diagnosis purposes and to improve the AFM based nano-manufacturing