Bridging the gap between school and out-of-school science: A Making pedagogical approach

Making provides a beneficial learning environment that requires skills and knowledge from the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to design and construct a product or an artefact. In this paper the maker approach reflects on the pedagogical potential of learning through the design and deployment of an automated system that monitors and records environmental parameters in lakes and rivers. IoT technologies are used to connect schools with natural ecosystems, providing the opportunity to students to be actively involved in designing and developing technology artefacts to experiment with, and further, in the formulation of research questions, and in the processing and interpretation of research results and measurements. The study contributes to the research literature on bridging the gap between the school and out-of-school science

Clarithromycin as immnomodulatory treatment: administration after induction of experimental sepsis by panresistant klebsiella pneumoniae

Objectives: To apply clarithromycin as immunomodulatory treatment in experimental infection by pan-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Methods: Acute pyelonephritis was induced in 40 rabbits after inoculation of the test isolate in the renal pelvis. Rabbits were divided in four groups of 10 animals each. In groups A to D, therapy was administered 24 hours after bacterial challenge as follows: A, controls; B, intravenous clarithromycin; C, amikacin; and D, both agents. Blood was sampled for estimation of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and malondialdehyde (MDA); monocytes were isolated for determination of intracellular activity of caspase-3 and of ex vivo TNF-a secretion. Four days after bacterial challenge, animals were sacrificed for quantitative cultures and biopsies of organs. Results: Serum MDA of group D was lower than group A and serum TNF-α of group B lower compared to group A. TNF-α of monocyte supernatants and activity of caspase-3 of monocytes of group B were lower than group A. Bacterial tissue loads did not differ between groups A, B, C and D. The numbers of inflammatory cells of liver of group C and D were lower compared to group A; those of kidney of groups B, C and D were lower compared to group A. Conclusions: Clarithromycin administered intravenously in experimental infection by pan-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae attenuated systemic inflammatory response and local tissue damage. This effect was probably attributed to immunomodulatory intervention on blood monocytes.Σκοπός: Η εφαρμογή της κλαριθρομυκίνης ως ανοσοτροποποιητικής θεραπείας σε πειραματική λοίμωξη με πανανθεκτική Klebsiella pneumoniae. Μέθοδοι: Προκλήθηκε οξεία πυελονεφρίτιδα σε 40 κονίκλους μετά ενοφθαλμισμό επιλεγμένου απομονωθέντος στελέχους στη νεφρική πύελο. Οι κόνικλοι χωρίστηκαν σε τέσσερεις ομάδες 10 πειραματικών προτύπων η καθεμία. Στις ομάδες A έως Δ, χορηγήθηκε θεραπεία 24 ώρες μετά τη βακτηριακή πρόκληση ως εξής: Α, ομάδα ελέγχου; Β, κλαριθρομυκίνη ενδοφλεβίως; Γ, αμικασίνη; και Δ, αμφότεροι οι παράγοντες. Ελήφθησαν δείγματα αίματος για προσδιορισμό του παράγοντα νεκρώσεως των όγκων άλφα (TNF-α) και της μαλονδιαλδεΰδης (MDA). Απομονώθηκαν μονοκύτταρα για προσδιορισμό της ενδοκυττάριας δραστικότητας της κασπάσης-3 και της ex vivo έκκρισης TNF-a. Τέσσερεις μέρες μετά τη βακτηριακή πρόκληση, τα ζωικά πρότυπα θυσιάστηκαν για ποσοτικές καλλιέργειες και για βιοψίες οργάνων. Αποτελέσματα: Η MDA του ορού της ομάδας Δ ήταν χαμηλότερη σε σχέση με την ομάδα Α, και ο TNF-a του ορού της ομάδας Β ήταν χαμηλότερος σε σχέση με την ομάδα A. Ο TNF-α των υπερκειμένων των μονοκυττάρων και η δραστικότητα της κασπάσης-3 των μονοκυττάρων της ομάδας Β ήταν χαμηλότερα σε σχέση με την ομάδα Α. Το βακτηριακό φορτίο των ιστών δεν διέφερε στις ομάδες A, Β, Γ και Δ. Ο αριθμός των φλεγμονωδών κυττάρων στο ήπαρ στις ομάδες Γ και Δ ήταν χαμηλότερος σε σχέση με την ομάδα Α. Ο αριθμός των φλεγμονωδών κυττάρων στο νεφρό στις ομάδες Β, Γ, και Δ ήταν χαμηλότερος σε σχέση με την ομάδα Α. Συμπεράσματα: Η ενδοφλεβίως χορηγηθείσα κλαριθρομυκίνη σε πειραματική λοίμωξη από πανανθεκτική Klebsiella pneumoniae άμβλυνε τη συστηματική φλεγμονώδη απάντηση και την τοπική ιστική καταστροφή. Αυτή η δράση πιθανώς μπορεί να αποδοθεί στην ανοσοτροποποιητική παρέμβαση στα μονοκύτταρα του αίματος

Treatment of experimental osteomyelitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with a synthetic carrier of calcium sulphate (Stimulan®) releasing moxifloxacin

The objectives of this study were to assess the efficacy of a synthetic semihydrate form of calcium sulphate (Stimulan®) in experimental bone infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Osteomyelitis was induced after inoculation of the test pathogen in the left tibia of 72 New Zealand rabbits assigned to the following groups: 18 control rabbits (Group A); 18 rabbits with Stimulan® implanted (Group B); and 36 rabbits with moxifloxacin-impregnated Stimulan® implanted (Group C). Rabbits were sacrificed at weekly intervals and cancellous bone was harvested for histopathology and for estimation of bacterial growth and concentrations of moxifloxacin. Bacterial growth from cancellous bone of Group C was significantly lower than the respective growth of Groups A and B on all days of sacrifice. The main histological finding of animals in all three groups was a moderate to intense inflammatory reaction accompanied by fibrosis. The degree of fibrosis was higher in Group C compared with both other groups. Infiltration by giant cells was also observed, which was greater in Group C on Day 42. Antibiotic levels in bone were higher for bone samples closer to the site of implantation. In conclusion, Stimulan® admixed with 10% moxifloxacin was very effective in achieving complete eradication of the causative pathogen in experimental osteomyelitis caused by MRSA. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. and the International Society of Chemotherapy

Clarithromycin is an effective immunomodulator in experimental pyelonephritis caused by pan-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

Objectives: To apply clarithromycin as an immunomodulatory treatment in experimental infection caused by pan-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Methods: Acute pyelonephritis was induced in 80 rabbits after inoculation of the test isolate in the renal pelvis. Rabbits were divided into eight groups, with 10 animals in each group. In groups A-D, therapy was administered simultaneously with bacterial challenge as follows: A, controls; B, intravenous clarithromycin; C, amikacin; and D, both agents. In groups E-H, therapy was administered 24 h after bacterial challenge as follows: E, controls; F, intravenous clarithromycin; G, amikacin; and H, both agents. Blood was sampled for estimation of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and malondialdehyde (MDA); monocytes were isolated for determination of intracellular activity of caspase-3 and ex vivo TNF-α secretion. Four days after bacterial challenge, animals were sacrificed for quantitative cultures and biopsies of organs. Results: Serum TNF-α at 48 h was lower in groups B, C and D compared with group A. Activity of caspase-3 of monocytes was lower at 48 h in group D compared with group A. Bacterial loads of liver and spleen were decreased in group D compared with those of group A. The numbers of inflammatory cells of spleen of group B were lower compared with those of group A; those of kidney and mesenteric lymph nodes of group D were lower than those of group A. Serum MDA of group H was lower than that of group E and serum TNF-α of group F was lower compared with that of group E. TNF-α of monocyte supernatants and activity of caspase-3 of monocytes of group F were lower than those of group E. Bacterial tissue loads did not differ among groups E, F, G and H. The numbers of inflammatory cells of liver of groups F and H were lower compared with those of group E; those of kidney of groups F, G and H were lower compared with those of group Conclusions: Clarithromycin administered intravenously in experimental infection caused by pan-resistant K. pneumoniae attenuated systemic inflammatory response and local tissue damage. This effect is probably attributed to immunomodulatory intervention on blood monocytes. © 2006 Oxford University Press

Clarithromycin is an effective immunomodulator when administered late in experimental pyelonephritis by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background: To apply clarithromycin as an immunomodulatory treatment in experimental urosepsis by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: Acute pyelonephritis was induced in 40 rabbits after inoculation of the test isolate in the renal pelvis. Therapy was administered upon signs of sepsis in four groups: A, controls; B, intravenous clarithromycin; C, amikacin; and D, both agents. Survival and vital signs were recorded; blood was sampled for culture and estimation of pro-inflammatory mediators; monocytes were isolated for determination of apoptotic rate and ex vivo TNF alpha secretion. Quantitative cultures and biopsies of organs were performed after death. Results: Increased rectal temperature and oxygen saturation were found in groups B and D compared to A and C. Mean survival of groups A, B, C and D was 2.65, 7.15, 4.25 and 8.70 days respectively. No differences were noted between groups concerning bacterial load in blood and tissues and serum endotoxins. Serum MDA and total caspase-3 activity of monocytes of group D decreased following treatment compared to other groups. Negative correlation was detected between cytoplasmic caspase-3 and ex vivo secretion of TNF alpha of blood monocytes of group A; similar correlation was not found for any other group. Pathology scores of liver and lung of group B were lower than group A. Conclusion: Clarithromycin administered late in experimental urosepsis by multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa prolonged survival and ameliorated clinical findings. Its effect is probably attributed to immunomodulatory intervention on blood monocytes

Immunomodulatory effect of three-day continuous administration of clarithromycin for experimental sepsis due to multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Based on former animal studies showing the effect of clarithromycin in experimental sepsis by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa following administration of single doses, the significance of its administration for three consecutive days was evaluated. Acute pyelonephritis was induced in 20 rabbits after inoculation of the test isolate in the renal pelvis. Therapy was administered upon signs of sepsis in group B; A served as control. Survival was recorded; monocytes were isolated for determination of ex vivo TNFα secretion. Quantitative cultures of organs were performed after death. Mean survival of groups A and B was 2.65 and 7.95 days respectively. At 24 hours, serum malondialdehyde of group B, which is an index of the oxidant status in serum, was lower than A. Ex vivo release of TNFα by the isolated monocytes of group B was lower than A at 3.5 and 48 hours. Tissue bacterial load was similar in two groups after animal death. It is concluded that clarithromycin possessed considerable immunomodulatory effects restraining release of TNFα from blood monocytes. © E.S.I.F.T. srl