Prevalence of beta lactamase producing species of pseudomonas and acinetobacter in pediatric burn patients

Burn wound infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in burn victims. Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species are among the most common organisms complicating burn wounds. Presence of extended spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) and metallo-ß-lactamase (MBL) genes plays an important role in spreading ß-lactam resistant strains of these organisms and is a serious condition in the treatment of the affected patients. As a result, we aimed to determine the prevalence of SHV, TEM, PER and VIM ß-lactamases in Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species isolates from burn wound swabs of children with burn injury. In this descriptive observational study, 107 Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter isolates collected from burn patients were subjected to PCR assay. Using PCR method and DNA sequencing, the existence of SHV-, TEM-, PER- and VIM-type ß-lactamase encoding genes were determined. Out of the 107 Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter isolates, 66 (77.6%) were ESBL positive, 26.2% were positive for SHV gene, 37.4% were positive for TEM gene, 14% were positive for PER gene and 15.9% of them harbored VIM gene. More than half of the Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter strains in our pediatric burn unit harbor ß-lactamase encoding genes that make them resistant to a wide range of ß-lactam antibiotics. Consequently, it is suggested to choose an appropriate antibiotic regimen based on the antibiogram pattern of the strains.

Orientational ordering of confined hard rods: the effect of shape anisotropy on surface ordering and capillary nematization

We examine the ordering properties of rectangular hard rods with length L and diameter D at a single planar wall and between two parallel hard walls using the second virial density-functional theory. The theory is implemented in the three-state Zwanzig approximation, where only three mutually perpendicular directions are allowed for the orientations of hard rods. The effect of varying shape anisotropy is examined at L/D=10,15,and20. In contact with a single hard wall, the density profiles show planar ordering, damped oscillatory behavior, and a wall-induced surface ordering transition below the coexisting isotropic density of a bulk isotropic-nematic (I-N) phase transition. Upon approaching the coexisting isotropic density, the thickness of the nematic film diverges logarithmically, i.e., the nematic wetting is complete for any shape anisotropy. In the case of confinement between two parallel hard walls, it is found that the continuous surface ordering transition depends strongly on the distance between confining walls H for H<L, while it depends weakly on H for H>L. The minimal density at which a surface ordering transition can be realized is located at around H∼2D for all studied shape anisotropies due to the strong interference effect between the two hard walls. The first-order I-N phase transition of the bulk system becomes a surface ordered isotropic I_{B} to capillary nematic N_{B} phase transition in the slit pore. This first-order I_{B}-N_{B} transition weakens with decreasing pore width and terminates in a critical point for all studied shape anisotropies.

Klebsiella pneumonia, a Microorganism that Approves the Non-linear Responses to Antibiotics and Window Theory after Exposure to Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz Electromagnetic Radiofrequency Radiation

BACKGROUND

Drug resistance is widely believed to be an increasingly serious threat to global public health. We have previously reported that short term exposure of microorganisms to diagnostic ultrasound waves could significantly alter their sensitivity to antibiotics. In our previous studies, Klebsiella pneumoniae showed major differences in the sensitivity to antibiotics in exposed and non-exposed samples. This study was aimed at investigating the alteration of antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella pneumonia, after exposure to Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz electromagnetic radiofrequency radiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this in vitro study, three replicate agar plates were used for each test. The antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out using disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar plates and the inhibition zones in both control and exposed groups were measured. A common Wi-Fi router was used in this study as the radiofrequency exposure source. Irradiated samples were exposed to Wi-Fi radiofrequency radiation for 3, 4.5 and 8 hours.

RESULTS

Statistically significant variations of sensitivity to antibiotics were found for all studied antibiotics after 4.5 hours of RF exposure, compared to non-exposed bacteria. Interestingly, the mean diameters of the inhibition zones after 3 hours of exposure were less than those exposed for 4.5 hours. Following this rise in the sensitivity to antibiotics, a fall was observed in the bacteria exposed for 8 hours for all studied antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study show a statistically significant rise in the sensitivity of Klebsiella pneumoniae to different antibiotics after 4.5 hours of exposure to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi radiation, followed by a fall after 8 hours of exposure. These observations can be interpreted by the concept of non-linearity in the responses of Klebsiella pneumoniae to different antibiotics after exposure to electromagnetic radiofrequency radiation. As in this study a minimum level of effect was needed for the induction of adaptive response, these results also confirm the validity of the so-called "window theory".

Bacterial contamination of different components of the waterpipe

SETTING

Waterpipe smoking is an emerging topic in tobacco research that may have unrecognised health hazards.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether waterpipes are a source of bacterial contamination.

METHODS

A total of 15 restaurants and waterpipe cafés were randomly selected from the list of locations serving waterpipe tobacco in Kerman city, Iran. Different parts of the waterpipe devices were sampled, including the disposable mouthpiece, the mouthpiece of the hose and the water in the bowl of the waterpipe. The samples were smeared onto bacterial culture media, including eosin methylene blue, blood agar and MacConkey agar growth media, and incubated at 37°C. After 24-48 h, they were examined for colony growth.

RESULTS

Of 285 samples from different parts of the waterpipes, 236 (82.8%) showed positive cultures; the rate of contamination ranged from 69% in the fixed mouthpiece to 96% in bowl water. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (32.9%), Streptococcus spp (26.9%), Neisseria spp (13.7%) and Escherichia coli (9.4%) were the most frequent contaminants.

CONCLUSION

Waterpipes are frequently contaminated with microorganisms. This study revealed potential microbial hazards in waterpipes that may contribute to respiratory tract colonisation.

Chorionic morphine, naltrexone and pentoxifylline effect on hypophyso-gonadal hormones of male rats

BACKGROUND

Knowledge about harmful effects of morphine on hormone secretion seems to be necessary. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline on side effects derived by morphine on hypophyso-gonadal hormones of male rats.

METHODS

32 male rats were divided into the 4 groups of OSS: control (received 40 g Sucrose/l drinking water and intraperitoneal injection of 1 l/kg normal saline), OMS: morphine group (received 0.4 mg/l + 40 g Sucrose/l in drinking water and intraperitoneal injection of 1 l/kg normal saline), NMS: morphine+naltrexane group (received 0.4 mg/l + 40 g Sucrose/l in drinking water and IP injection dose of 10 mg/kg/ml/day Naltrexane) and PMS: morphine + pentoxifylline group (received 0.4 mg/dl + 40 g Sucrose/l in drinking water and IP injection dose of 12 mg/kg/ml/day Pentoxifylline) for 56 days, respectively.

RESULTS

Serum levels of testosterone, LH, FSH hormones were measured. Pentoxifylline increased serum levels of testosterone, LH, FSH hormones compared to control, morphine and morphine-naltrexane groups.

CONCLUSION

Pentoxifylline has a significant efficacy for increasing serum levels of sexual hormones. Considering that Pentoxifylline is safe and cheap, with easy application, we suggest for the usage of this drug for improving semen parameter's quality before performing ART for the treatment of morphine addicts (Fig. 1, Ref. 31).

The prevalence of anemia in the patients who survived and died due to myocardial infarction (MI)

Introduction & Objective: Ischemia heart disease (IHD) is the most often met reason for losses in different communities. The most common reason of IHD is Atherosclerosis, and various etiologic factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and hyperlipidemia are involved in its development. Anemia is also considered another resulting reason of loss and morbidity in patients via IHD. Accordingly, the current paper aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia in patients who survived and died of myocardial infarction. Materials and Methods: The present research is of a case-control type, and the subjects were the patients with myocardial infarction admitted to Heart Ward of Hamadan Ekbatan Hospital within one year (2012-2013). The patients were divided into two categories of demised and survived after myocardial infarction, and in each 160-subject group, the prevalence of anemia with hemoglobin levels was investigated. Moreover, the demographic characteristics, ejection fraction, and patients' underlying medical conditions were also taken into account. The data obtained were analyzed by SPSS 15 software and chi-square test. Results: Of the 320 patients studied, 61 patients (19.1%) had anemia and 51 (83.6%) patients who were anemic had died. 31.7% of the deceased patients after MI were weak, while 6.3% of the survived patients after MI were anemic. Also, in all age and sex groups, anemia in the former patient group was higher than in the sustained group. The predominance of anemia was clearly greater in the women than in the men (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings, there is a statistically clear variation in the prevalence of anemia in the former patient group after MI than in the group who survived after MI.

Enhanced performance of dye-sensitized solar cells based on TiO2 nanotube membranes using an optimized annealing profile

Free standing TiO₂ nanotube membranes are transferred onto FTO slides in front-side illuminated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The electronic properties of the tubes and, as a result, the efficiency of the DSSCs can be considerably improved by ramped annealing.

Morphine-induced conditioned place preference and the alterations of p-ERK, p-CREB and c-fos levels in hypothalamus and hippocampus: the effects of physical stress

The hypothalamus and hippocampus are important areas involved in stress responses and reward processing. In addition, ERK/CREB pathway plays a critical role in the control of cellular responses to stress and reward. In the current study, effects of acute and subchronic stress on the alteration of p-ERK, p-CREB and c-fos levels in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of saline- or morphine-treated animals during morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure were investigated. Male Wistar rats were divided into two saline- and morphine-treated supergroups. Each supergroup includes of control, acute stress and subchronic stress groups. In all of groups, the CPP procedure was done, afterward the alternation of p-ERK/ERK ratio, p-CREB/CREB ratio and c-fos level in the hypothalamus and hippocampus were estimated by Western blot analysis. The results indicated that in saline- or morphine-treated animals, p-ERK/ERK ratio, p-CREB/CREB ratio and c-fos level increased after application of acute and subchronic stress (except for p-ERK/ERK ratio in morphine-control group). Our findings revealed that in saline- or morphine-treated animals, acute and subcronic stress increased the p-ERK/ERK ratio, p-CREB/CREB ratio and c-fos level in the hypothalamus and hippocampus and this enhancement in morphine-treated animals, was more considerable than that in saline-treated animals.

Radon exhalation rate and natural radionuclide content in building materials of high background areas of Ramsar, Iran

Radon exhalation rates from building materials used in high background radiation areas (HBRA) of Ramsar were measured using an active radon gas analyzer with an emanation container. Radon exhalation rates from these samples varied from below the lower detection limit up to 384 Bq.m(-2) h(-1). The (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K contents were also measured using a high resolution HPGe gamma- ray spectrometer system. The activity concentration of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K content varied from below the minimum detection limit up to 86,400 Bq kg(-1), 187 Bq kg(-1) and 1350 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The linear correlation coefficient between radon exhalation rate and radium concentration was 0.90. The result of this survey shows that radon exhalation rate and radium content in some local stones used as basements are extremely high and these samples are main sources of indoor radon emanation as well as external gamma radiation from uranium series.

Association between troponin T and ICU mortality, a changing trend

Background

Initially elevated levels of troponin predict adverse outcomes in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). No research team has investigated the changes in concentration of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) during ICU stay and their association with patient outcome.

Objective

We investigated whether the change in cTnT levels during ICU stay could predict outcomes (death or survival).

Methods

In this cohort study, all patients admitted to the medical ICU (10 beds) from January to July 2008 were enrolled. Troponin levels were evaluated within the first 24 hours of ICU admission and on the fourth, seventh and 10th days after admission.

Results

The study population (135 patients) had a mean age of 60.9 ± 21.5 years. The outcome was significantly different with regard to normal or elevated cTnT concentrations on the first and seventh days of follow up (p = 0.03 and 0.023, respectively). This difference was non-significant for cTnT levels on the fourth and 10th days after admission (p = 0.69 and 0.78, respectively). The change in cTnT levels was not significantly different between the deceased and discharged patients (p = 0.4).

Conclusion

Changes in cTnT levels during ICU stay did not show a significant trend (power: 0.26). Patients whose cTnT levels were increased on the first and seventh days of ICU stay had a worse survival, which could be associated with cardiac events on admission or at specific times during the stay in ICU.

Seroepidemiology of crimean congo hemorrhagic Fever in slaughterhouse workers in north eastern iran

BACKGROUND

Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is an acute febrile haemorrhagic disease. This study was conducted to ascertain the infection status amongst slaughterhouse workers in Iran's north-eastern provinces (Razavi and northern and southern Khorasan), so that analysis of the results could help clarification of the epidemiology of this disease in the aforementioned provinces and eastern regions of Iran.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, conducted in 2004 and 2005, 108 slaughterhouse workers from 24 cities of the three previously mentioned provinces were randomly entered into the study. An IgG specific ELISA test was carried out on the participants' serum samples.

RESULTS

Sixteen out of 108 (14.8%) participants under study were shown to have IgG against CCHF. The highest rate of infection was seen in Razavi Khorasan and southern Khorasan at 17.5% and 16.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The study showed a relatively high frequency of this disease amongst slaughterhouse workers in these provinces. Taking into account the small number of reported cases from these provinces, it would seem that more focus is required on primary diagnosis and on referral of suspected patients.

Estimates of the occupational exposure to tenorm in the phosphoric acid production plant in Iran

Phosphate rock is used world wide for manufacturing phosphoric acid and several chemical fertilisers. It is known that the phosphate rock contains various concentrations of uranium, thorium, radium and their daughters. The subject of this study is the evaluation of the radiation exposure to workers in the phosphoric acid production plant due to technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials that can result from the presence of naturally occurring radioactive materials in phosphate ores used in the manufacturing of phosphoric acid. Radiation exposure due to direct gamma radiation, dust inhalation and radon gas has been investigated and external and internal doses of exposed workers have been calculated. Natural radioactivity due to (40)K, (226)Ra and (232)Th have been measured in phosphate rock, phosphogypsum, chemical fertilisers and other samples by gamma spectrometry system with a high-purity germanium. The average concentrations of (226)Ra and (40)K observed in the phosphate rock are 760 and 80 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Annual effective dose from external radiation had a mean value of ∼0.673 mSv y(-1). Dust sampling revealed greatest values in the storage area. The annual average effective dose from inhalation of long-lived airborne was 0.113 mSv y(-1). Radon gas concentrations in the processing plant and storage area were found to be of the same value as the background. In this study the estimated annual effective doses to workers were below 1 mSv y(-1).