Investigation of nasal colonization of health care workers by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with using new generation real-time PCR assay: Discussing of risks

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a nasal infectious pathogen which is becoming of significant importance year by year. Mortality, morbidity and treatment costs of MRSA infectionshave all increased. The most effective preventative tool is rapid confirmation of MRSA existence, followed by efficient execution of the required infection control measures. This study was performedwith the aim of evaluating MRSA colonization in health care staff from intensive care units (internal and surgical intensive care units) (ICUs) and how certain risk factors affect their colonization status. The study was conducted prospectively using samples obtained from nasal swabs of health-care staffs working in different missions in the intensive care unit of Gaziantep University Training Hospital in southeast of Turkey. The nasal swab samples were processed using a real-time PCR method platformcalled GeneXpert (Cepheid). Our PCR screen revealed the presence of MRSA in 14 of 98 health-care staffs. Of these 14 health-care staffs carrying nasal MRSA, 10 were male, 8 were assistant health-care personnel and 11 have been working for over one year in the intensive care unit. Our data showed that male gender and an employment during of more than one year served as significant risk factors for nasal MRSA colonization

Cor triatriatum sinister: two cases diagnosed in adulthood and a review of literature

Cor triatriatum sinister is a rare condition caused by a membrane within left atrium that separates pulmonary veins from mitral valve (10). While the condition is usually diagnosed at childhood, rare presentation during adulthood is observed when the membrane is incomplete. We report two cases of incomplete cor triatriatum sinister diagnosed during adulthood and review literature for this rare anomaly

Magnetic Field Dependence of Electronic Specific Heat in Pr_{1.85} Ce_{0.15} CuO_4

The specific heat of electron-doped Pr_{1.85} Ce_{0.15} CuO_4 single crystals is reported for the temperature range 2 - 10 K and magnetic field range 0 - 10 T. A non-linear magnetic field dependence is observed for the field range 0 - 2 T. Our data supports a model with lines of nodes in the gap function of these superconductors. Theoretical calculations of the electronic specific heat for dirty d-wave, clean d-wave, and s-wave symmetries are compared to our data.Comment: 10 pages Latex and 4 eps figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Evidence of a d to s-wave pairing symmetry transition in the electron-doped cuprate superconductor Pr2−x_{2-x}Cex_xCuO4_4

We present point contact spectroscopy (PCS) data for junctions between a normal metal and the electron doped cuprate superconductor Pr$_{2-x}$Ce$_x$CuO$_4$ (PCCO). For the underdoped compositions of this cuprate ($x \sim 0.13$) we observe a peak in the conductance-voltage characteristics of the point contact junctions. The shape and magnitude of this peak suggests the presence of Andreev bound states at the surface of underdoped PCCO which is evidence for a d-wave pairing symmetry. For overdoped PCCO ($x \sim 0.17$) the PCS data does not show any evidence of Andreev bound states at the surface suggesting an s-wave pairing symmetry.Comment: 4 pages Latex, 4 eps figures included. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Point contact spectroscopy of the electron-doped cuprate superconductor Pr{2-x}Ce{x}CuO4: The dependence of conductance-voltage spectra on cerium doping, barrier strength and magnetic field

We present conductance-voltage (G-V) data for point contact junctions between a normal metal and the electron doped cuprate superconductor Pr{2-x}Ce{x}CuO4 (PCCO). We observe a zero bias conductance peak (ZBCP) for the under-doped composition of this cuprate (x=0.13) which is consistent with d-wave pairing symmetry. For optimally-doped (x=0.15) and over-doped (x=0.17) PCCO, we find that the G-V characteristics indicate the presence of an order parameter without nodes. We investigate this further by obtaining point contact spectroscopy data for different barrier strengths and as a function of magnetic field.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figure

Identification of the site of oxidase substrate binding in Scytalidium thermophilum catalase.

The catalase from Scytalidium thermophilum is a homotetramer containing a heme d in each active site. Although the enzyme has a classical monofunctional catalase fold, it also possesses oxidase activity towards a number of small organics, including catechol and phenol. In order to further investigate this, the crystal structure of the complex of the catalase with the classical catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3TR) was determined at 1.95 Å resolution. Surprisingly, no binding to the heme site was observed; instead, 3TR occupies a binding site corresponding to the NADPH-binding pocket in mammalian catalases at the entrance to a lateral channel leading to the heme. Kinetic analysis of site-directed mutants supports the assignment of this pocket as the binding site for oxidase substrates

Testing in the incremental design and development of complex products

Testing is an important aspect of design and development which consumes significant time and resource in many companies. However, it has received less research attention than many other activities in product development, and especially, very few publications report empirical studies of engineering testing. Such studies are needed to establish the importance of testing and inform the development of pragmatic support methods. This paper combines insights from literature study with findings from three empirical studies of testing. The case studies concern incrementally developed complex products in the automotive domain. A description of testing practice as observed in these studies is provided, confirming that testing activities are used for multiple purposes depending on the context, and are intertwined with design from start to finish of the development process, not done after it as many models depict. Descriptive process models are developed to indicate some of the key insights, and opportunities for further research are suggested

A novel form of recessive limb girdle muscular dystrophy with mental retardation and abnormal expression of alpha-dystroglycan

Cataloged from PDF version of article.The limb girdle muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by proximal muscle weakness and disease onset ranging from infancy to adulthood. We report here eight patients from seven unrelated families affected by a novel and relatively mild form of autosomal recessive limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD2) with onset in the first decade of life and characterized by severe mental retardation but normal brain imaging. Immunocytochemical studies revealed a significant selective reduction of α-dystroglycan expression in the muscle biopsies. Linkage analysis excluded known loci for both limb girdle muscular dystrophy and congenital muscular dystrophies in the consanguineous families. We consider that this represents a novel form of muscular dystrophy with associated brain involvement. The biochemical studies suggest that it may belong to the growing number of muscular dystrophies with abnormal expression of α-dystroglycan. © 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V

Water recovery with combined membrane system in textile industry, treatment and management of concentrates by hybrid advanced oxidation/membrane filtration

In this study, in addition to textile wastewater treatment by UF/NFtight/TO membrane combination of which efficiency is known, management has been performed for membrane concentrates generated with advanced oxidation combined process (Fenton and photo-Fenton (UVA-365-UVC-254))/submerged UF system of membrane concentrates generated within 75-80% water recovery ratio by oxidizing them in optimum operating conditions which were determined before. Ultimately in the studies, the conclusion has been reached that concentrate flows, generated as a result of the treatment with UF/NFtight/TO membrane configuration, were the highest performance innovative process by decreasing the sequential operated photo-Fenton (UVC-254)/UH050 hybrid process in ratios of 9.88 H2O2/TOK and 7.27 H2O2/Fe2+, in the filtration flux of 44 L/m(2). h, COD value to 167 mg/L with 86% COD removal, and TOK value to 104 mg/L with 74.2% TOC removal, after the oxidation with Fenton, photo-Fenton (UVA-365) and (UVC-254)/submerged UF system processes. When hazardous characteristics, removal/recovery methods and reuse alternatives of the concentrate remained after the oxidation of membrane concentrates generated were evaluated, it has been seen that all other concentrates of textile industry wastewater, except the concentrate generated by the treatment with photo-Fenton (UVA-365), had characteristics of hazardousness When removal/recovery methods were evaluated in detail, the conclusion has been reached that these concentrates could be removed with alternative options such as regular storage, burning and canalizing to central wastewater treatment system as long as necessary arrangements (moisture content, dehydration, suitable flow and/or mixture ratios) are made