1,912,930 research outputs found

    East Texas Companies in Hood\u27s Brigade

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    In-vitro evaluation of different antimicrobial combinations with and without colistin against carbapenem-resistant acinetobacter baumannii

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    Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CR-Ab) infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to evaluate the in-vitro activity of different antimicrobial combinations (with and without colistin, COL) against clinical isolates of CR-Ab collected from patients with CR-Ab infection, including unconventional combinations such as COL + VANcomycin (VAN) and COL + rifampin (RIF). CR-Ab strains were collected from hospitalized patients at Sapienza University of Rome. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined throughout MIC50/90s whereas the synergistic activity was evaluated by qualitative (i.e., checkerboard) and quantitative (i.e., killing studies) methods. All the strains were found oxacillinase (OXA) producers and tigecycline (TIG) sensitive whereas 2 strains were resistant to COL. Application of the checkerboard method indicated complete synergism in COL combinations at different extension: 21.4%, 57.1%, 42.8%, 35.7% for COL + meropenem (MEM), COL + RIF, COL + VAN and COL + TIG, respectively, with the non-conventional combinations COL + VAN and COL + RIF exhibiting the highest rate of synergism. Regarding COL-free combination, complete synergism was observed in 35.7% of the strains for MEM + TIG. Killing studies showed that the combinations COL + MEM, COL + TIG and MEM + TIG were bactericidal and synergistic against both colistin-sensitive and low colistin-resistant strains whereas only the combinations COL + VAN and COL + RIF showed an early and durable bactericidal activity against all the tested strains, with absence of growth at 24 h. This study demonstrated that COL-based combinations lead to a high level of synergic and bactericidal activity, especially COL + VAN and COL + RIF, even in the presence of high level of COL resistance

    Expanding security eastward: NATO and US military engagement in Georgia

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    This repository item contains a single issue of Behind the Breaking News, a briefing published from 1999 to 2009 by the Boston University Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology, and Policy

    Collagens in avian neural crest development: distribution in vivo and migration-promoting ability in vitro

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    This study examines the spatiotemporal distribution of collagen (Col) types I-V and IX during neural crest development in vivo and their ability to support neural crest cell movement in vitro. Col I, III and IV were widespread throughout the embryo, including the neural crest migratory pathways, whereas Col II, V and IX preferentially localized to regions from which migrating neural crest cells were absent. Col I-IV and IX occurred both in association with basement membranes and within interstitial matrices, whereas Col V only was detected in juxtaposition to basement membranes. Although initially distributed throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the somitic sclerotome, Col I and III rearranged to the caudal portion with progressive neural crest cell migration through the rostral portion of the sclerotome. This rearrangement does not occur in neural crest-ablated embryos, suggesting that it is a direct consequence of neural crest cell migration. The perinotochordal matrix, avoided by neural crest cells, contained a metameric Col II/IX immunoreactivity along the rostrocaudal axis which alternated with that of Col I and III. In contrast, Col IV and V were not observed in this matrix, but lined the basement membranes of the notochord and ventrolateral neural tube. To determine their functional significance for neural crest cell migration in vivo, purified collagens were tested for their ability to promote neural crest cell motility in vitro. Neural crest cell migration on isolated collagens was most pronounced on Col I and IV, whereas Col II, V and the triple-helical fragment of Col VII were unable to support cell motility. Substrata created by copolymerization of Col I and fibronectin, or Col I and laminin-nidogen, supported cell motility better than Col I alone, whereas both Col V and a cartilage-type chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan reduced cell movement on Col I. Fibronectin bound to pre-immobilized monomeric Col I, II or V had a reduced ability to support neural crest cell movement when compared to fibronectin alone. A similar reduction was seen for Col IV bound to the low density heparan sulfate proteoglycan from the EHS mouse tumor. The results demonstrate that Col I-IX are differentially distributed in the early avian embryo. During neural crest development several of these collagens undergo dynamic reorganizations that correlate with the migration of neural crest cells. Furthermore, various collagens possess distinct abilities to support neural crest cell migration in vitro, and their migration-promoting activity can be modulated by their conformation and/or association with other matrix components

    Report of results of pleural biopsy (Needle biopsy and open biopsy) in 108 cases and 245 biopsies

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    1. The results of 245 pleural biopsies perfomed in 108 patients including 219 pleural needle biopsies and 26 pleural open biopsies were reported. The method of pleural biopsy seems to be superior to any other currently available diagnostic procedures for the etiological diagnosis of pleurisy. 2. When the pleural needle biopsy is compared with the pleural open biopsy, the former method has definite advantages over the open biopsy. The pleural needle biopsy is simple, repeatable and has almost no complication. The method of pleural needle biopsy is the initial method of choice as Donohoe correctly stated and should be employed in every cases of the pleurisy to confirm the etiological diagnosis. The open biopsy should be reserved only for those cases in whom the needle biopsy had not proved satisfactory. 3. Utilizing the method of needle biopsy, the pathological diagnosis was made in 86 per cent of our cases at the initial biopsy. By repeated needle biopsies, the results have improved to 91-92 per cent. 4. Most of the failures of the pleural needle biopsy were noted at the early stage of the study due to the unfamiliarity of the biopsy technique and later due to the incooperation of the patients. 5. The presence of the free pleural fluid serves as a convenient guide for the performance of the needle biopsy but successful needle biopsy was easily done without presence of pleural fluid when there is adequate pleural thickening. 6. 63-75 per cent of our diagnosed cases were proved to have granulomatous pleuritis, 13-31 per cent non-specific pleuritis and 5.4-5.8 per cent eosinophilic pleuritis due to paragonomiasis. The distribution of this pathological diagnosis seems to reflect quite well the actual picture of incidences of pleurisy of various different etiology in young adults in Korea. 7. The relationship of the success in obtaining adequate tissue by needle biopsy and interval between onset of symptom and biopsy was discussed. It was found that the interval has no significant effect on the production of adequate tissue by needle biopsy if the time elapsed is 4 weeks or more from the onset of symptom. 8. The significance of the pathological findings of ranulomatous pleuritis at one biopsy and non-specific pleuritis at another biopsy in the same patient was discussed. It is concluded that the single finding of nonspecific pleuritis at one needle biopsy cannot rule out the presence of granulomatous pleuritis and it is recommended that pleural biopsy be repeated whenever necessary. 9. The diagnostic significance of the chemical analysis of the pleural fluid was discussed in correlation with the results of the pleural needle biopsies. It is concluded that the number of examinations are not quite sufficient to draw any definite conclusion at the present stage of our study. 10. The finding of sanguinous pleural fluid in the patient of granulomatous pleuritis is quite high (72.7 %) and it was found that the sanguinous pleural fluid was most frequently found in the patients with granulomatous pleuritis in non-cancerous age. 11. Two groups of pleurisy patients with or without parenchymal lung lesion on chest X-ray were discussed in correlation with the results of the needle biopsy. It was found that the incidence of the pathological evidence of granulomatous inflammation on the biopsy specimens in these two groups is almost the same regardless of the presence of the demonstrable parenchymal lung lesion. 12. Histopathological finding of granulomatous pleuritis was discussed in conjunction with the significance of two types of tubercles, the soft tubercles and hard tubercles. In all specimens diagnosed as granulomatous pleuritis granulomas were demonstrated ranging from large, conglomerate tubercles with central caseation or giant cells to small granulomas without central caseation or Langhans' giant cells. 13. Histopathological significance of the finding of non-specific pleuritis on the biopsy specimens was discussed and the existence of a specific entity of &#34;non-specific pleuritis&#34; which is equivalent to the non-specific inflammation of the pericardium. 14. Cases of pleurisy due to paragonomiasis were discussed and the need of specific attention for search of new cases was emphasized.</p

    Russia's military policy

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    Compaction behaviour of clay

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    This paper presents an experimental study of the compaction behaviour of non-active clay. One-dimensional static compaction tests were carried out at high and medium water content with matric suction monitoring using Trento high-capacity tensiometers. At lower water contents, a transistor psychrometer was used to measure post-compaction suction. Samples were compacted on the dry side of optimum to cover a wide range of compaction water contents and vertical stresses. Three water content regions were identified in the compaction plane depending on whether post-compaction suction increased, decreased or remained constant as the degree of saturation was increased at constant water content. Hydraulic paths of specimens subjected to loading-unloading cycles at constant water content have clearly shown that post-compaction suction may increase as the degree of saturation increases. This non-intuitive behaviour was demonstrated to be associated with the coupling between mechanical and water retention behaviour. To this end, a coupled mechanical water retention model was formulated. Irreversible one-dimensional mechanical paths were modelled by a boundary surface in the space average skeleton vertical stress, modified suction and void ratio. Irreversible hydraulic 'wetting' paths were modelled by a boundary surface in the space suction, degree of saturation, and void ratio. This study was completed by investigating the pore size distribution of compacted samples through MIP tests

    Molecular mechanisms of neural crest cell attachment and migration on types I and IV collagen

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    We have examined the mechanisms involved in the interaction of avian neural crest cells with collagen types I and IV (Col I and IV) during their adhesion and migration in vitro. For this purpose native Col IV was purified from chicken tissues, characterized biochemically and ultrastructurally. Purified chicken Col I and Col IV, and various proteolytic fragments of the collagens, were used in quantitative cell attachment and migration assays in conjunction with domain-specific collagen antibodies and antibodies to avian integrin subunits. Neural crest cells do not distinguish between different macromolecular arrangements of Col I during their initial attachment, but do so during their migration, showing a clear preference for polymeric Col I. Interaction with Col I is mediated by the α1β1 integrin, through binding to a segment of the α1(I) chain composed of fragment CNBr3. Neural crest cell attachment and migration on Col IV involves recognition of conformation-dependent sites within the triple-helical region and the noncollagenous, carboxyl-terminal NC1 domain. This recognition requires integrity of inter- and intrachain disulfide linkages and correct folding of the molecule. Moreover, there also is evidence that interaction sites within the NC1 domain may be cryptic, being exposed during migration of the cells in the intact collagen as a result of the prolonged cell-substratum contact. In contrast to Col I, neural crest cell interaction with Col IV is mediated by β1-class integrins other than α1β1

    Limits on the neutrino magnetic moment from the MUNU experiment

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    The MUNU experiment was carried out at the Bugey nuclear power reactor. The aim was the study of electron antineutrino-electron elastic scattering at low energy. The recoil electrons were recorded in a gas time projection chamber, immersed in a tank filled with liquid scintillator serving as veto detector, suppressing in particular Compton electrons. The measured electron recoil spectrum is presented. Upper limits on the neutrino magnetic moment were derived and are discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures Added reference: p.3, 1st col., TEXONO Added sentence: p.4, 1st col., electron attachement Modified sentence: p.5, 1st col., readout sequence Added sentence: p.5, 1st col., fast rise time cu
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